Chapter Text
“You think you’ll be able to get anything from me?” the Kiri kinoichi spat, chin lifting despite the golden adamantine chains binding her waist.
“I’ve been here for Kami knows how long now. What makes you think you can break me?”
Namikaze Kiyomi inhaled tiredly, the scent of iron and mildew filling her senses. Konoha really needed to upgrade these interrogation cells.
As she stared at the fiery girl, she couldn’t help wondering why this couldn’t wait until the morning. She had just returned to Konoha after four long years of training, recalled for interrogation. She hadn’t even gotten a chance to see her dad or little brother yet!
“Well then, you should know I happen to be the best interrogator Konoha has ever seen.”
She didn’t look convinced, blowing a piece of auburn hair out of her pretty sea-green eyes.
“A young maid like you? I doubt it. You should stick to finding a nice, young gentleman to marry so you don’t end up alone.”
Kiyomi pushed off the stone wall she had been leaning against.
“Unluckily for me, I am already arranged to marry a nice, young gentleman, so mind your own business lady!”
The kinoichi opened her mouth to retort, but the chains constricted, cutting her off with a sharp grunt. Kiyomi channeled chakra down the links, and they flared a searing red, casting jagged light and shadows in the dim cell.
Sea-foam green eyes widened in shock. “You-You’re her. The Crimson Chain.”
Kiyomi clenched a fist of molten chains from where they protruded from her wrists, and pulled out the slack.
“I’d like to end this as quickly as possible, so please, be a dear and tell me your name.”
Kiyomi could feel her chakra, molten and volatile like bubbling lava, straining against her control, until, at last, it faltered and was consumed.
“Terumi Mei.” She muttered lowly under clenched teeth.
Kiyomi tilted her head curiously. The name sounded familiar.
“And why were you attempting to steal classified information from the Uchiha Police Force?”
Terumi Mei glared piercingly. “To gain intel on the sharingan.”
Kiyomi hummed. “And why exactly did you need intel on the sharingan?”
Mei growled internally. The rumors were true; there really was no fighting this compulsion jutsu.
“To free our Mizukage.”
Kiyomi paused in her questioning. Her eyes narrowed skeptically. “Free the Mizukage? From what? Everyone knows he's ruthless, the tyrant of Chigiri.”
Mei heaved deep breaths, hunching forward in exertion. She felt as if she had no control over her own tongue. “He's being controlled by someone with the sharingan. Otherwise, he’d nev—uhhm!” Her head fell forward, auburn locks concealing her anguished face, teeth stubbornly biting into her bottom lip.
Kiyomi stilled, a cold shiver rippling through her at the implication. She abruptly untangled her chains. Mei slumped forward in the chair in pure exhaustion, sweat beading down her temple.
“I see. Thank you, Terumi Mei. I hope next time we meet under more desirable conditions.”
Kiyomi didn't need to continue the interrogation. She already had her suspicions of who may have been behind the Mizukage’s strings.
:
The bottom of Kiyomi’s green cloak brushed her ankles as she made her way towards the head of T&I director’s office, complete interrogation file in hand.
She knocked twice on the door, feeling a bit jittery.
“Come in.” A soft voice beckoned.
Kiyomi stepped into the room, feeling the door shut loudly behind her. Whoops.
Yamanaka Inoichi sat behind an organized desk, files stacked neatly into a single pile. A small green bonsai tree sat next to a framed photo of his wife and daughter. He quietly sipped at a steaming cup of jasmine tea.
“It’s good to have my best subordinate back in Konoha. I hope your travels have served you well. What were you able to determine about our most resilient guest?”
Kiyomi pursed her lips, handing the completed interrogation file over to the blonde man.
Inoichi’s eyes skimmed through the report, his brows climbing higher with each line. He shut the file with quiet finality and stacked it atop the neat pile of paperwork. With a tired sigh, he leaned back in his chair, eyes closing.
“I assume you’ve placed one of your privacy seals on this file?”
Kiyomi nodded. “Yes, sir. Only you and Da–err, the Hokage should be able to access it.”
Inoichi’s lips pressed thin. “Good work. You’re dismissed. Go home and get some rest.”
Kiyomi felt equal parts anxious and relieved at the words. Home.
:
Kiyomi paused before the familiar green door, its frame shadowed in darkness. The lights inside were off, but she could feel them, Naruto’s radiant, sun-bright chakra, and her father’s steady, windy storm covered warmth.
Her nerves spiked, her hand trembling like a leaf in the wind as she reached to knock—only for the door to fly open in a flash.
Strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her in tightly. Blonde hair tickled her ear, and a calming voice murmured against her shoulder.
“You're back earlier than Jiraiya-sensei informed. Welcome home, Kiyo. ”
Kiyomi’s vision blurred, tears spilling down her cheeks, her earlier nervousness dissolving like a dream she’d already forgotten.
“D-Dad, I’m home.”
:
Kiyomi carefully opened the door to her little brother’s room, making sure to be silent as she edged her way further in. His desk was littered with opened textbooks and practice scrolls, a set of dull kunai scattered on top, proof of how hard he had been training.
Her Dad had informed her he had his graduation exam at the Academy tomorrow, before he’d excused himself for the night, promising to talk more in the morning.
Naruto slept on his back like a log, his arms at his sides. His soft snoring filled the room, steady as the rise and fall of his chest. He wore the same green frog beanie Jiraiya had gotten him, tufts of bright blond hair peaking out.
Kiyomi’s chest clenched as she crouched beside him, he had grown so much from the little eight year old kid she remembered. She leaned in, planting a kiss on his forehead, imparting a small good luck seal she had developed that blended invisible into his skin.
“I’ve missed you, Naruto.”
:
Kiyomi woke up around noon, taking notice that she was the only presence in the house. She knew her dad was likely in the Hokage Mansion, and Naruto was probably taking his final exam at the Academy right now.
She yawned loudly, feeling incredibly lazy. She reluctantly got ready for the day, slipping into her usual ninja attire, tying her Konoha headband around her right thigh at the cusp of her black spandex shorts. She grabbed a piece of toast and made two eggs for herself, biting into the warm meal happily.
She was halfway through a bite when she sensed a silent stormy chakra, like lightning with no rain, before the door burst open, sending a draft that swept her red hair over her shoulders.
A head of untamed silver and a navy mask entered her line of sight.
Kakashi blinked at her, surprise evident in his dark eyes.
“Is that really you, Kiyomi? When did you get back to the Village?”
Kiyomi swallowed her food, washing it down with some water, then cleared her throat.
“How many other redheads do you know? Of course, it’s me. I got back late last night.”
Kakashi ignored her sassy tone, taking in her appearance. She was still on the shorter side, but a couple of inches taller than the spitfire thirteen-year-old he remembered. She had grown into a young woman with a stronger presence about her. Her bright red hair, once wild and collarbone length, now spilled down her back in a glossy curtain. Her features had sharpened with age—cheekbones higher and more defined, her crystal blue eyes sharper.
His lips quirked up into a grin behind his mask.
“You’ve grown.”
Kiyomi finished the last bite of her brunch.
“That happens after four years.” She replied hotly, crossing her arms over her chest. “But maybe I shouldn’t assume, you look the same as always, Kashi.”
Kakashi rolled his eyes at the familiar nickname, easily masking the warmth it blossomed in his chest.
Kiyomi grabbed her empty dish and began scrubbing the dirty dishes left in the sink. “What’re you doing sneaking around our house anyway?” She probed.
Kakashi came up beside her, grabbed the clean plate from her hand and dried it with a towel, stacking it back into the cabinet.
“Minato-sensei has demoted me to Jonin sensei. We’re each required to see how our students' home life is to get a better awareness of their background.”
Kiyomi coughed to stifle her laugh. “Pfffffft, so you’re Naruto’s sensei? That’s ahem, great.”
Kakashi’s singular eye twitched in irritation.
“And what about it?”
Kiyomi schooled the smile that threatened to break her face. “Nothing. Well, who else is on your little team?”
Kakashi gave her a long side eye before he answered.
“Haruno Sakura and… Uchiha Sasuke.”
Kiyomi couldn’t contain herself this time. She laughed out loud. Had they really put Sasuke and Naruto on the same team? What were those instructors thinking.
She passed Kakashi a couple of migraine relief seals she had developed.
“Here, Kashi, you’re gonna need all the help you can get.”
Kakashi, not one to pass up free gear, tucked it away in his pouch.
“Thanks, Kiy, but I’m an elite ANBU class Jonin. I can handle a few snot-nosed brats.”
:
Kiyomi sat concealed in a tree with her Dad, waiting for the graduating class to emerge. A group of parents and guardians surrounded the entrance excitedly, chattering amongst themselves.
At last, the bell rang, and kids of varying heights emerged, running into their family’s awaiting arms. Finally, she caught a glimpse of Naruto running out and scanning the crowd, Konoha headband tied proudly across his forehead. She couldn’t wait any longer.
She flash-stepped to him, picking him up into her arms, his feet dangling off the ground. He squirmed like a worm in her grasp, voice loud and obnoxious.
“HEY! LET GO OF ME! WHAT’RE YOU—” Naruto finally noticed the long red hair and stilled. “Mi-mi?” Tears prickled the edge of his vision. “You’re back! You’re really back, right?”
Kiyomi pulled back to see his bright blue eyes—eyes they shared with their Dad.
“Congratulations on graduating, Naruto.” She cleared the emotion from her voice as best she could. She had missed this little ball of energy so much.
“Ya know it, I’m back.” She reassured, squeezing him a little tighter, before setting him back on his feet.
In a flash, Minato appeared beside his kids. He ruffled Naruto’s spiky blonde locks, a proud smile on his face.
“Congratulations, Naruto. I knew you could do it.”
Naruto beamed, scratching his cheek with a finger shyly. “Thanks, Dad!”
“Lord Hokage!” Mikoto called, approaching with her husband and Sasuke in tow.
Minato addressed the Uchiha matriarch politely. “Lady Mikoto! I see Sasuke also graduated. Congratulations, Sasuke.”
Sasuke turned pink at the Fourth Hokage’s words, shifting his gaze and muttering a small ‘thank you.’
Kiyomi sensed his fiery chakra like embers of a forgotten fire before he appeared, crouched before Sasuke, clad in his ANBU fit, porcelain mask forgotten.
Uchiha Itachi pushed himself to his feet, hair windblown as if he’d sprinted through the entire Village. He smiled, poking Sasuke’s forehead playfully.
“Sorry, I’m late, Sasuke. Congratulations on making genin.”
Sasuke couldn’t have looked happier. His brother had actually made it back from his mission in time!
“Don’t worry about it.” He smirked coolly, shoving his hands into his shorts pockets.
Itachi only then seemed to realize he had company.
“Lord Hokage, Naruto, congratulations to you, as well. I apologize for my—” His voice faltered as his gaze settled on the red-headed girl.
Kiyomi could hear her heart beating in her ears from sheer anxiety. She and Itachi hadn’t really talked since… since their Dads had arranged their betrothal four years ago. He had grown a lot. His raven hair was longer, but still styled in a low ponytail down his back. He was taller, too, the top of her head probably only reaching his chin. His face had lost its boyish roundness, sharpening into strong lines and a composed expression that gave little away. His dark eyes were piercing, yet unreadable, looking far older than seventeen.
“Itachi!” Her voice came out high-pitched and squeaky. She cleared her throat. “How’ve you been?” Really, Kiyomi? How’ve you been? UGHHHH. She mentally berated herself.
Itachi recovered, nodding his head respectfully. “I’m well.” He minutely shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “How was your training?”
Kiyomi felt her ears burn. “Good! Y’know, I could probably beat you at this point. You Uchiha don’t stand a chance against my new technique.” Why was she still talking?!
Sasuke pointed a finger at her accusingly.
“My big brother would never lose to you!”
Itachi blushed at Sasuke’s praise. “Sasu—”
“HEY! Don’t ever talk to my sister like that! She could totally kick all of your ah—MMMMMPHHH.”
Minato clasped a hand around his son’s mouth before he could finish his vulgar words. He scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
“My apologies, Lord Fugaku, Lady Mikoto.”
Mikoto chuckled quietly behind a hand. “It’s quite alright, Lord Hokage. How would you like to have dinner at our residence tonight? To celebrate Sasuke and Naruto graduating and Kiyomi returning.”
Minato smiled graciously. “Thank you for the kind offer, Lady Mikoto, but we'd hate to impose.”
Kiyomi let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding, grateful for her Dad’s words. She was not ready to interact with Itachi yet.
“Nonsense.” Fugaku smiled. “You wouldn’t be imposing at all.”
Only Itachi seemed to pick up on the subtle politics of the conversation. If the Hokage turned down the offer a second time, it would almost give the impression of mistrust.
Minato's smile became a bit more strained. “Well, how can we refuse?” He laughed.
Itachi sighed internally. How could he not refuse.
Kiyomi noticed the slightest shift in Itachi’s jaw, his fiery chakra embers growing colder. What’s up with him?
:
Once the Uchihas had finally bid their farewells, holding them to dinner, Naruto turned his gaze to his dad, yanking at his Hokage robes like a toddler craving attention.
“Can we still go out to Ichiraki Ramen? Huh, Dad? Please?”
Minato rested a hand on his son’s back fondly.
“Of course we can.”
Naruto grabbed at Kiyomi’s wrist, dragging her with him.
“Come on Mi-mi. Ramen, ramen, ramen, ramen.” He sang a mantra like a hopeless romantic.
Kiyomi shared an amused look with her Dad and knew they were both reminded of the same woman; her hair just as shiny red as Kiyomi’s, and love for Ramen infinite as Naruto’s.
Her thoughts drifted back to her interrogation with the Kiri Kinoichi. That Masked Man was still out there. Destroying more lives. Disrupting entire nations. But all she cared about was avenging the one person she loved most.
I’ll end him for you,
.
.
.
Mom.
