«27» ANOTHER WITHERED MIST

~Butterflies.

Were the only creatures I've kept as my companions. Each one of them lights up like a star in the sky.

As foolish as I am— I gave a butterfly to each person I've crossed. Let's just say.. They've shown me life.

As long as the insect glows bright.. My acquaintances were safe.

Not until now.

"IT'S BEEN THREE DAYS..." Inomi sighed, looking at her paperwork. Each paper were reports of missing documents, delayed deliveries, Sudden suspicions— Everything wasn't a huge deal since she had dealt with this ever since she was a Chunin.

Now she was waiting for the letters Boruto promised. That's right — Boruto.

She only heard that the Event in Kirigakure was only held within a day. Team 7, Kawaki, and Katasuke were there.

Until she heard another report, Kagura was with them. Thankfully, He reported that he brought them to investigate about the Funato gang.

"Three days... I'm worried.." She mumbled, tapping her table aggressively and clicking her Pen.

"Dove, You should trust your Students— They've been independent lately after the Otsutsuki attacked." Sai walked in with a worried expression.

"You're a kid, Inomi. As much as you're worried about them, you should calm down aswell." He went to her desk and collected the paperwork she has done.

"But dad, I'm a Jonin— this is the path I chose... I—"

"Rest, Dove." He interrupted her and smiled softly. "You may be an elite Shinobi, but everyone deserves a rest— especially you my daughter." He kissed her forehead.

"Thanks, Dad.." She tirelessly smiled and stared at his charcoal orbs.

"Inojin has been flooded with B-Rank missions as well. Look after him if he comes tomorrow okay?" He ruffled her hair. "Keep up the Good work."

As soon as he left the door, a tear left her eye.

Her eyes widened up.

"Something doesn't feel right.."  She mumbled, her head spinning around. She then saw a shining... Object right above her.

"This is not right.. what is happening?" She mumbled again, crying until something had hit her.

~

"I DEMAND TO BE PART OF THIS MISSION, NOW." She yelled as she slammed her hands on the desk.

The Man with a Dog mask cackled, but the tension between them was getting called. "And why should I, Dove? Do you think I can easily trust you in this? I haven't even saw your face!"

"It doesn't matter how I look." She snapped at him. "Captain, this is the Funato Clan we're talking about— You know how much I've succeeded assassinating thousands of Blood lines!"

"Kirigakure is a place full of Fraud people! You know the past Captain, now they've covered it up! This clan is just taking everything for revenge!"

"Tsk, you're worried about those Genins— get another life Dove, you've been like this ever since you became Captain not long ago." He laughed and stared at her. "And why would they send Genins at the first place? They won't even need your help!"

"Your genin will be better off dead soon anyway!"

He felt someone giving him a hard slap as his mask cracked up— and his cheek stung as well. "..what did you just.."

"Don't you ever say that again, Dog." She warned him as she stared at him deeply— cold eyes that made his spine shiver. "Talk shit about me but no one talks shit about my students!

He laughed nervously. "You think you had the right to slap me like this, you're just a mere tool from ANBU!" He slowly held his kunai and pointed it to her. "Even your own dad... Thought you weren't much good— you're just a petty person with a big heart that's easy to hurt!"

"Drop the weapon, Dog." An aggressive voice said from a corner. Sai showed up to the office, not looking very pleasant. "You know the rules here, never hold a weapon against your acquaintances."

Dog gulped in fear. "Chief.. I—"

"And I have.. certain things to talk with you, Dog. 12 o'clock sharp."

"Yes sir."

Sai led his daughter out of the room and sighed in dissapointment. "Inomi, I'm... Scared for you... But I'm giving you a chance. Be sure everyone gets home safely."

"Papa.." Inomi mumbled as her vision started to blur again. "I won't let you down, Chief."

He smiled in determination, patting her head with a smile on his face.

~

KIRIGAKURE.

The mist was a welcoming sight— The Yamanaka sighed as she put on her mask.

She continued to row her boat until she reached the seaside. She took a big breathe before making her mark.

The sand coating up her shoes as stepped out of her boat. She bent down to touch the sand and took a huge amount.

She then stood up and let go of the sand. "Trail looks pretty deep.. that means they've been here."

She continued to walk deep inside the Forest that she had encountered.

"You think those.. Konoha kids would stop? They stood no chance against us!"

Her body shivered, and she immediately hides on a tree. There, she saw a campfire with a whole pack of "Funato guys". Judging by the marks on their heads and body.. they are.

Her hand twitched which shook her. She felt a sudden excitement inside of her. She stared at the Enemies deeply — her vision turned red.

What am I feeling? She thought to herself, controlling her dominant hand.

"Tsk it doesn't matter if they do!" The other one chuckled. "As long as we have killed that Wanna be Leader!"

They both laughed, which made Inomi froze.

Someone died.. but who?..

"You mean the Mizukage's aid? He's a good for nothing! Serves him right!"

"Kagura!..." She gasped. She broke in tears and clenched her chest. "Him?..."

And then, her vision turned black.

.

.

.

"Nice to see you in the seashore again, Inomi-Kun." Kagura said with a sweet tone.

Inomi looked shock to see him beside her, as she gazed upon the stars.  "Kagura-Sama, what a lovely night to see you!"

"Please call me Kagura, Inomi." He coughed as his cheeks turned pink— good thing it was night time.

"What brings you here, actually?" He shook his head and smiled again. He heard her sigh.

"The moon sure is beautiful.." She smiled and stared at Kagura. "A full moon is nothing but a sight for sore eyes... It reminds me someone special to me."

He chuckled and stared at the moon as well. "The moon sure is beautiful.."

"Mesmerising.."

"Breathtaking.."

"Ethereal." They both said, before laughing together.

"Well I have to go now, we don't want to miss our next trip tomorrow with your class right?" Kagura bid his goodbye until he felt someone tugging his sleeve.

"Kagura wait, there's something I want to..." She hesitated to say it but she stared at him.

The Teal eyes that complimented her fair skin, which made Kagura lost his breathe for a second.

"I want to give you this.." She handed him a butterfly.

He gasped at the glowing Insect— which resembled Inomi very well. "This is beautiful.."

"It's something I want to give to everyone I care about.." She started and smiled. "You are one of them Kagura, please take it as a token of my thanks."

.

.

.

Wake up.

.

.

.

.

.Her eyes snapped open, As she saw red. Red everywhere.

She saw her arm glowing mint— crimson red coating her arm.

She also noticed her Tenseigan activated and.. her Karma. She bursted in tears.

"I killed everyone.. here.." She managed to let out of her chest.

A sudden smile was painted on her face. "Three Years, I've waited for this!" She yelled in excitement.

"Two Dozens of them dead, with a single Chidori.. how pathetic.." She laughed as she wrapped her arm around her stomach.

"All this for Kagura... He's dead!" Her laughter died down, as her smile was the only thing left. "My bloodlust.."

Was stronger than I expected... She thought as the atmosphere became cold. Toneri was the only one who stopped me..

But I managed to stop myself today...

She looked at her surroundings,  and she saw a large figure looking at her — from a distance.

"Come out there."

Silence...

Inomi wasn't liking it, as an irk mark grew on her forehead.

"Funashi, you don't need to hide."

"And why shouldn't.. I?" He said with an irritating voice and a little hint of hesitance.

"Or are you just afraid I almost killed a pack of your clan?" She spat out, drawing her blade out and pointed it to her left direction— without even looking at it.

"Enough with the tricks, I know you're there." She yelled at him, now looking at her side and to see the tree trunk turning into another person.

" H-how?!"

"Water jutsus won't ever be transparent for me." She explained, throwing a kunai towards him—

Which he barely missed— as it landed a cut on his cheek.

"What business do you want with Kirigakure?" She started, slowly turning her head to the Funato guy.

"I, Funashi won't tell you what I know!" He yelled out loud, and he hissed in pain— as he saw a kunai cut open his shoulder.

"One more foolish answer, and I wouldn't hesitate to kill you like the others." She stated. This time, she pulled out her katana.

Funashi gulped in fear. He saw her eye— glowing red right behind her mask.

"I'll make your death special this time." She smiled.

And in just a blink, He was gone.

She stared at the ground, sighing in dissapointment. "Even a fool himself tried to confront me with his water clone."

She held her katana high. "I wonder what should I do next, with you?"

~

"HELLO, KAGURA." Inomi greeted as she took of her mask, Infront of his grave. 

She clasped her hands together as well. She stared at the Red moon.

"The Moon sure is beautiful, Kagura." She smiled. "Just like you wanted it, even if it's glowing red."

"You guess it right, I killed alot of people today, just for you." She sighed, placing flowers on his grave. "Bluebells I've picked along the way, it reminded me of you."

"Thank you for taking care of my students. I'll always cherish the small things you've done for us.." She smiled as she wiped off the blood from her face. "For me."

~

"NICE SEEING YOU AGAIN.." Inomi snickered as she saw an Uzumaki coming from the ocean. "Boruto who looks like a peeled banana."

"Give me a break.." He muttered with a small smile on his face. "Wait I know this voice... Inomi Sensei!"

"Shh.." She placed her finger on his lips. "Anbu duty? Always remember to call me—"

"Dove, right!" He laughed off. "You were here the whole time?"

"If you pretty remembered that Funato guy getting sliced in half.." She started as she showed him the katana on her left hip.

Boruto's face turned into pure horror— as he recalled the disturbing scenario. "Eh but how?"

"Sasuke that is." She winked behind her mask. "Let's just say I cut off some real slack from all of you without even noticing."

"Hey kid, who's this?" A familiar face turned up. Blonde Slicked back hair, Turquoise Eyes and shark teeth.

"Ah, In— I mean uh This is—" Boruto started.

"Buntan. Nice to meet you, again." Inomi replied with a different voice.

Boruto accidentally coughed as his cheeks turned red. Her voice fits her Anbu Form.

Buntan scratched her hair. "Ah, the girl who sliced the Funato guy in half — I remember you now." She gave Inomi a toothy grin. "Dove, wasn't it?"

Inomi nodded and smiled behind her mask. She's out of prison huh? Must've been why Kagura brought her.

Make them two actually. She thought as she saw another big guy— who was named Kyohou.

"Boruto, who's this?" Kawaki suddenly asked— landing on the seashore.

Sarada simply waved at Inomi. She clearly knew that Inomi was an Anbu from the beginning.

Inomi was already an Anbu while Sarada was still learning how to spell.

Boruto then again laughed. "This is Dove! Anbu from Konoha, as you can see." He scratched the nape of his neck.

"Greetings." Inomi bowed to them nonchalantly.

Kawaki squinted his eyes with a confused expression.

Boruto smirked at Kawaki's expression. He seemed to have the same thought as Boruto. Her voice was a pleasant tone.

"Anyway, I've been called to take you home safely— as for you two." She turned to Buntan and Kyohou.

"Kagura -Sama mentioned you'll be free after the success of this mission.  I wish you best for your Journey."

Buntan scoffed and let out a small smile. "Yeah, whatever."

~

THE SEA sparkled as the sun reflected on the water. Dolphins passing by as they leap.

Inomi took a big breathe of the fresh air as she was standing on the deck of the boat.

They were already on their way back home. She sighed in relief, none of them were harmed.

....but the Death of Kagura definitely left a scar on them.

She was supposed to turn around but someone halted her.

It turned out to be Kawaki.

He took off her mask by surprise— Her eyes widened up as she saw her Dove mask on his left Hand.

"Kawaki?—"

"I knew it was you..." He mumbled as his cheeks turned pink.

"The moment I saw your hair and heard your voice." He added up— he handed her mask back.

She took it gladly and took a big breathe. "No big deal actually. I'm just glad you're the person who took my mask."

She then again stared at the Ocean. "You know.. even if the Sun sets, An anbu's duty doesn't end there."

"I know you were worried about us." Kawaki stated. "I just knew you were coming for us!"

Inomi smirked. "For once, you're right Kawaki."  She responded.

"I know you since from the beginning.. The day I first saw you— You caught me in your arms and the first thing I saw when I woke up.." He placed his hand on her shoulder.

"It was you."

"Everytime I get hurt. You were always there— Strong enough to carry me to that damn Clinic of yours." Kawaki suddenly patted her. "You were always worried.. I'm glad you are."

Inomi smiled. "I'm glad you still remember how I took care of you." She turned to him again. "I was worried about all of you.. Especially Kagura."

Kawaki felt silent.

"Why?"

"He's older than all of you.. I could say that you are both in the same age." She started. "But he had to lead this mission... I didn't expect that he'd be dead the moment I arrived."

Kawaki nodded as he understood.

"I'm also worried for my Team and You... You're kids.. as well as I am." She continued. "Witnessing the death of Kagura and doing this mission halfway on your own is big work."

She held his hand. "I'm glad I'm here with you all, going home safely."

Kawaki stared at her eye— Her teal eye that looked tired. He pressed his lips into a thin line.

She must've sense Kagura's death, I just know it. He thought to himself. The look in her eye feels familiar... Just like when she saw dead children.. who were failed vessels.

Well.. it's better than witnessing death— I've never seen her look when she sees someone getting killed.

"If you're here as an Anbu, then what was your Mission?" Kawaki blurted out.

Inomi chuckled as she tapped her Katana. "I was ordered to kill someone."

He widened his eyes. "So that means you—?"

"Oh not just one." She chuckled once again. "Half of the Funato Clan."

He rubbed his chin. "No wonder I lose count of the guys when they ambushed us again."

"Well my mission doesn't end here." She started to walk away. "Once you've arrived Konoha safely— then my work here is done."

She placed her mask on.

"Come in here, it's getting dark already."

Kawaki smirked as he took her by the hand, which caught her off guard.

"Yeah, don't want to see you outshine the moon again."

"Shut it, Kawaki."

~

As requested

Inomi with her Karma :D.

Sorry for the Very late update and short chapter.

I just want to greet you all a Happy New Year :D as much as possible

Enjoy your New journey guys!