When I slid open the door to Kushina's house, the smell of Biwako's cooking instantly wafted out and the unmistakable scent of subuta, sweet and sour pork, which was my favorite. Kushina has insisted on hosting my birthday party, but I put my foot down and demanded that my mother handle the cooking; even Kushina could not argue too much as she also knew how bad her cooking was. She waited and watched from the edge of the entryway into the kitchen. There was no question in my mind that she had already been kicked out of the kitchen, since she normally was whenever Biwako cooked, but she always tried to watch and learn.
The sound of utensils tapping against pots and pans could be heard as I walked over to the kitchen. My mother was in the center of the kitchen with her back to me and Kushina as she worked on several dishes that were still on the burners with a large bowl of rice already made and dumplings ready to be steamed, both on the side counter. I spooked Kushina when I nudged her as she had been too focused on watching Biwako.
"Akari! When did you get here?" Kushina asked with a happy smile and a hug.
"A minute or so ago... You really need to start paying more attention to your surroundings if you ever want to be a proper ninja," I teased in response.
"I was just focusing on what your mom's cooking; Minato would love a home cooked meal," she defended.
"I'm sure he would, but you haven't learned anything over the years no matter how many times my mom, Minato, or I have tried," I taunted, giving her no face.
"Why you little..." she growled then lunged at me.
Being quite familiar with my friend's antics, I dodged by instinct and retreated a few more steps to avoid her follow-up attempts to grab me. I laughed as she chased me around the living room, threatening to give me a beating, until Biwako stepped in.
"Enough, you two," she snapped. "Are you turning seven or seventeen, Akari? And you, Kushina, are even older than her, so why are you acting like a child?"
"Sorry, Biwako-san," Kushina said with a bow of her head.
"Meh... She started it," I retorted.
"You...!" Kushina started, but knocking at the front door cut her off.
I chuckled evilly as I walked over to the door and slid it open. Asuma, Kurenai, and Shisui were all waiting on the porch, so I moved aside and ushered them in.
"It's good you three made it," I said as they took off their sandals. "Shisui, come here; I'll introduce you to my mother and my best friend."
"Yes, sensei!" the boy replied hastily, showing his nervousness.
"Shisui, we've talked about this. I'm not training you nor are we deployed to the front lines, so call me Akari," I sighed.
"Sorry, Akari-sama."
I sighed again while Kushina chuckled, knowing how much I hated honorifics. Guiding him over to the kitchen, I said, "Mom, this is my personal student, Shisui Uchiha."
Biwako pulled a pan off the stove and set it aside before she turned around to greet him. "Well, aren't you a handsome young man? You also look young to be a genin, very impressive. I hope Akari is treating you right, and if she doesn't, you can tell me, and I'll straighten her out."
"Akari-sama has taken great care of me and has already helped me to start improving," he said a little stiffly; it seemed that he was still shy around authoritative figures.
Biwako smiled warmly and replied, "Good, good."
I ruffled Shisui's hair to distract him from his shyness then directed him to Kushina and introduced, "This is Kushina, my best friend. Her husband is another jonin instructor, and once a month, when a war isn't going on, my team and I meet him and his team here for a meal, so you'll be joining us after things settle down in the outside world."
"Akari," Kushina whined with a faint blush, "Minato and I are not married."
"Please... if the war hadn't started you would be," I chuckled.
"She's right, Kushina-san," Asuma remarked as he joined us with Kurenai at his side.
"You two do make a lovely couple," Kurenai added with a smile.
It annoyed me slightly to see them so close, but I reminded myself that there was nothing official, or even spoken, between us, and she would have ended up with him if I did not exist within this world. I knew that they were just friends and teammates currently, but their path would have been much smoother than what I could hope for in the future with Kurenai. After a meal at my parents' house a few days ago, my mother had mentioned that several clans had inquired about my relationship status, hinting at wanting to form alliances, so seeing them together reminded me of what was waiting on me once the war finished, and it would only get worse if I revealed anymore of the Kekkei Genkai that I would develop.
Thankfully, a familiar shout from outside pulled me out of my negative thoughts before I could spiral further. Asuma groaned, Kurenari smiled, Shisui tilted his head to the side with confusion while Kushina rushed to the door and slid it open.
"Might Guy! If you take one step onto my porch with those weights on again, I'm going to make you pay the bill to replace the boards you break!" Kushina shouted.
Guy's nervous chuckle and promise that he was taking them off drifted in through the open door, making me chuckle. My life might have changed significantly compared to my old one, but there was always some nonsense with Kushina and Guy around to lift the mood. Kushina walked back with Duy and Guy following a few moments behind.
"Akari-sensei! Happy birthday!" Guy exclaimed.
"Thanks, Guy. My mother should be finished cooking soon, so we can relax until then; I'm not sure when my father will arrive, or even if he will," I responded as I sat down on one of the couches.
"He'll come," Kushina assured, sitting next to me.
"There is a war going on. I can't fault him if something comes up. Unless things end quickly with the Mist, I could be stationed out there for years as the commander, so I'll be missing some in the future anyways," I replied with a shrug.
"Couldn't you do what you did to the Sand, to the Mist, sensei?" Guy asked excitedly.
"It's not that simple with the Mist, I'm afraid."
"Yeah, her Lava Release is at a disadvantage against their water-based ninjutsu," Asuma mocked.
"That's not what I mean either. The Sand and Mist armies function ultimately on two different principles. The Sand gather their forces in large groups to initiate their attacks while the Mist send out teams like sharks, probing for a weakness before making a sudden, unexpected strike. If I wanted to hit them hard enough with a single ambush, I would have to attack their Village directly and would also alarm, not just the Stone and Cloud, but all of the smaller Villages as well. The Sand ambush in the valley already stirred up the Cloud and Stone, but the combination of the Sand blaming the war on Rasa, allying with us, and the fact that no civilians were harmed is what is keeping it from becoming a bigger problem... that, and it cost me a small fortune to fund that attack," I explained.
"How many exploding tags did you use?" Kushina asked.
"On the valley ambush? Probably around six hundred, but I also led a specialized team to retaliate against the Sand for their attack on our camp and Danzo's assassination, using another three to four hundred to bomb their camp by way of my clones," I chuckled darkly.
"Did sensei really use that many explosive tags?" Shisui whispered to Kurenai.
"Knowing her, I would double the numbers. Her clones planted the ones in the ridgelines which collapsed and crushed many shinobi and supplies during the confusion. I set up around fifty, along with Asuma, Guy, Duy, and Akari herself," Kurenai replied softly.
Both Asuma and Guy were too busy trying to do the mental math and figured out the price of those two attacks and missed their side conversation. There was a knock at the door, and Kushina hopped up to get it.
"Good to see you, Kushina," Hurizen greeted when she opened the door. "I've brought a few guests; I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not... it just may be a bit crowded," she replied with a bit of awkwardness as she moved aside for them to enter.
"Don't worry, we're just stopping by to drop off our gifts," a familiar voice said that I could not place until he walked through the door, Shikuka.
I stood up and walked over, greeting them as Choza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka were behind him, "Clan Heads, I had not expected you."
"Well, Commander, considering our families' long-standing alliance and our impending deployment together, it was appropriate that we bring something after taking up so much of your father's time on a special day," Inoichi replied, passing a small package wrapped in a purple cloth and red card to Shikuka, who gave him an annoyed looked but took them anyways.
Shikuka added a similar sized bundle in a green cloth then held out all three towards me as he stated, "These are specialties of our clans and would likely help you while we're on the front, medicines for recovery, both mental and chakra... while Choza got you..."
"It's a voucher for Yakiniku Q! All you can eat for you and five guests! You like it, right?" Choza called out with a big smile.
"I do. That sounds like a perfect send off, right team?" I replied.
"Yes! Just like before we left for the Sand front!" Guy said with enthusiasm.
"You've been one of my best customers for years! I told you two she would like it," he retorted, crossing his arms.
Hurizen sighed, and thankfully, both Skikaku and Inoichi realized that it was time to leave. They excused themselves and stopped Choza before he could come inside. The trio had recently become Clan heads, as their fathers had all retired when the whispers of war started to spread. That had kept them off the front lines for a time, but after my performance and mounting pressure on the Village, they had to it was their turn to join; this gift was likely a symbol of thanks from their families and token of goodwill. At least, that was what I was telling myself as all three had married shortly after becoming Clan heads, but I knew that they had brothers and cousins.
"Kushina, help me bring the dishes over; everyone else, find a seat. It's time to eat," Biwako instructed from the kitchen.
Kushina walked over to the kitchen and started helping while the rest of us drifted over to the table. Hiruzen claimed one of the chairs at the end of the table, no doubt a habit from the rare meals he ate at home, while Asuma sat to his right, followed by Guy, Duy, and Shisui. I sat by the other end, where Kushina would sit, and Kurenai took the chair next to me. Biwako and Kushina brought over several pots and serving dishes that were filled with some of my favorites and placed them across the table before sitting as well.
After a quick thanks to Biwako for cooking, Asuma, Guy, Kushina, and I all raced to fill our plates while the others could only chuckle or shake their heads at our antics. Asuma and Guy were always hungry due to their training of the Eight Gates technique while Kushina was an Uzumaki and I was up to twelve clones that increased my appetite. Even Shisui, the newest member of my inner group, was used to how crazy we all were about when it came to food.
Not even rice remained after everyone had their fill; Biwako's cooking was always a hit. Asuma and Guy were directed by Biwako to clean up the table and put the dishes into the sink to soak. Hiruzen started to reach for his inside pocket, likely for his pipe as that was where he carried it, but sensed Biwako's glare and wisely straightened his clothes instead.
"Well, now that we've eaten, why don't you check the gifts from the Akimichi, Nara, and Yamanaka clans while the rest of us get our gifts ready for you?" Biwako suggested.
"Alright," I agreed then reached behind me to grab the three small gifts that I had placed aside to eat.
The red card had exactly what Choza said, a coupon for a private room at Yakiniku Q that could hold up to six people. The gift in green was four bottles of pills in a small box that my father confirmed were some of the Nara's specialty medication for restoring stamina and chakra, about three times as effective as normal soldier pills. In the small, purple-wrapped box, there was a bag of loose tea leaves and herbs that took up most of the space in the box and also a small jar with some kind of medicinal ointment.
"Moonroot essence," Hiruzen noted after a sniff of the ointment. "The Yamanaka clan use the ointment to ease the mental fatigue that comes along with their secret technique. A small amount would ease those heads you get when you overuse your clones."
"Impressive, and very helpful for my needs," I replied as I carefully returned the jar to the box.
As Asuma and Guy returned to the table, Asuma placed a new tool pouch in front of me with a ribbon tied around it. The lack of wrapping was not surprising as he never wrapped his gifts, but still, the kunai, shurikens, and steel wire were all top quality.
"I figured that this was better for you than a kimono," he remarked with a smirk.
"Thanks," I said dryly, rolling my eyes.
Duy nudged Guy and passed him a bundle that was wrapped in a strange floral cloth. Like a mighty treasure, Guy held them out to me, so I took them with a suppressed chuckle. The weight gave the gift before I opened it, but I still pretended to be surprised when I found a set of bracers and greaves adjustable weights.
"These will help you along your journey of youth!" Guy explained excitedly.
"Thank you, Guy, and you too, Duy," I replied.
In unison, without looking at each other, the father and son flashed a dazzling smile and gave me a thumbs up. Guy sat down happily between Asuma and his father while Kushina pulled out a box with red and orange wrapping paper. She passed it to me, and I quickly unwrapped it. Inside was a full set of inscription ink, blank chakra tags, and a journal that she had jotted down notes on fuinjutsu that were locked by an explosive inscription, a fuinjutsu seal that would destroy the journal's contents if not unlocked properly.
"This way, you can keep up with your studies and help me work on your project," Kushina teased.
"Thanks," I chuckled.
"Project?" Hiruzen asked.
"We're just at the drafting phase, so no need to tell you about it now. If we get to the prototype phase, I'll let you know," I retorted.
"Please do. Shikaku already mentioned your plan for the battlefield, a very interesting idea," Hiruzen remarked as he stroked his beard.
While we talked, Biwako stood up and walked over to a door. She opened it and took out a large present. She brought it over to me and placed it on the table before me. I had a guess of what it was and, once I opened it, I knew that I was right. It was my new armor, the sleeveless haori-style coat in royal purple with blue-green trim with the Sarutobi crest embroidered in silver on the back, bracers and greaves edged in the same colors, and reinforced gloves with chakra seals etched subtly across the palms. The new gear drew everyone's attention even though I only took out the coat.
"Wow," Kushina commented as my fingers found the metal plates that were hidden within the layers of the jacket.
"Well, that's going to stand out on the field," Asuma remarked with a chuckle.
"That's the point," I retorted. "I'm one of the youngest commanders in the history of our Village, so I need everyone to recognize me instantly. Also, once the Mist realizes how dangerous I am, they will start retreating once they see purple."
"Oh..." he muttered softly.
"Sensei, here is my gift," Shisui said and placed a stack of fifty explosive tags on the table then slid them to me.
"Wow, you've must have been working hard after our training sessions these past few days to make so many," I remarked as I looked over each of the tags. "Good job."
"Good work, very consistent," Kushina praised, looking over my shoulder.
"Thank you for the praise," Shisui said with a smile.
I had noticed that Kurenai had been rather quiet throughout the meal and, since she was not speaking up, I was not going to draw attention to her. Thankfully, Guy was always useful for a distraction, so he started questioning about fuinjutsu and, of course, if he could learn it. I promised that I would show him the basics tomorrow but warned that it took a lot of patience and chakra control to perform, which were not his strengths.
From there, the topics ranged from jutsu to the Mist front to the alliance with the Sand. Living in a political family, it was normal conversation when everyone gathered, and my team, student, and best friend were not enough to prevent it from happening. Still, it was rare for my father to have the night off, so he and Biwako left early, dragging Asuma along with them. Duy and Guy were the next to leave as they still had their nightly training to perform. Shisui asked if Kurenai wanted him to escort her home, but she told him to go with Guy and Duy as she wanted to help with the clean-up.
Thanks to Biwako's presoak, the dishes were not too difficult to wash. I handled the scrubbing while Kurenai dried them off as Kushina straightened the living room and picked up what little trash there was. After that, I packed up my presents into a storage scroll to make them easier to carry then left Kushina's house with Kurenai. The stars were already out, and the streets were mostly empty as we walked towards her house quietly.
"Thanks for coming tonight," I said, nearing her family's house.
"Of course," she remarked with a smile. "Asuma would have forgotten Shisui without me."
"Not surprising," I chuckled as we stopped outside the gate to her courtyard.
Kurenai was looking at me, but when our eyes met, she looked away quickly. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a tiny wooden box and held it out towards me. "I did get you something... I just wasn't sure about the others..." she murmured softly.
I took it carefully, the weight surprisingly light, and slipped the lid open. Inside lay a delicate pendant with a crescent moon of silver cradling a plum blossom carved so fine it seemed ready to bloom. I glanced up and, though she was still looking away, the koi and plum blossom pendant I had given her in Umiwake was hanging around her neck.
"Kurenai, I..." I started but did not know what exactly to say.
"Happy birthday, Akari," Kurenai whispered with her face flushed red and then started to retreat into her courtyard.
"Wait... please," I called out.
Surprisingly, she actually did and looked back over her shoulder at me.
"When the war is over..." I said, running my thumb over the pendant, "I'd like... if you're interested..." I sighed as I calmed myself down, reminding myself that I had faced numerous life-and-death battles, and this was not on that level. "When the war is over, I would like to see if there is something between us more than friends. I know that it is not normal in the village, two women, but I have feelings for you, real ones. If you don't feel the same, I understand, and it won't change anything between us."
Kurenai turned to face me completely, just in time for the breeze to tassel her wavy black hair. The moonlight caught her red eyes, making them sparkle like rubies, and her pale skin looked like fresh snow. She just stood there silently as her gaze remained locked onto mine for once.
"I would," she finally said.
I smiled, unable to help myself. Before I could say anything else, Kurenai's father opened the door of their house and stepped out onto the porch. She glanced back at him then looked at me with an apologetic smile.
"I'll see you tomorrow for barbecue with the rest of the team," I said with a small wave.
She nodded, returning my smile, then headed back towards her father. I watched until they vanished inside before I let out a big sigh that turned into a chuckle as I walked away. Pulling the necklace out of the box, I put it on with a smile and a happy heart.