The very next day, the entire squad trained after their shift. Tsukinoko was sitting on the grass, studying Kimaru's wood, when an idea popped into her head. She stood up abruptly and burst into the middle of her comrades, who looked at her in surprise.

  - We could combine our techniques! she exclaims.

  - How?" asks K?.

  - With Kimaru," she explains, "not you. The sequence I did, it takes me three techniques and time and a lot of chakra. But in itself, wood has the same hardness as dried mud, so I made it explode too. And wood is water and earth, isn't it?

  - If you like..." said Kimaru, listening attentively.

  - So lightning has as much of an effect on your wood as it does on the earth. And the water inside will conduct electricity to amplify the phenomenon. Like a tree struck by lightning!" she shouts, making them jump at her sudden gestures. And you won't need my mud or my flames as you'll be holding them with your wood, won't you!

  Kakashi's eyes widened as he realized what she was getting at, intrigued by her mental abilities now. Tsukinoko continued to rage, pacing back and forth with large gestures in front of them.

  - And then, if you throw your wood at the same time as I throw my technique, well a few seconds before, we save time, because it's almost simultaneous, and I save my strength, and we reduce the number of techniques from three to two. And it's more fun with two! she exclaims excitedly. Huh?!

  They stared at her, stunned, but doubt took hold of her in front of their faces. Kimaru suggested they give it a try, and the squad followed.

  They positioned themselves in front of a training puppet, Y?ji, K? and Kakashi to one side. The latter approached just for a moment, to remind his subordinate to detach himself from the wood in time to avoid being caught in the lightning

  But, exhausted and electrocuted several times, Kimaru called an end to training in the early evening, exhausted by Tsukinoko who gave him no rest. K? and Y?ji had already returned home, but Kakashi was keeping an eye on their training.

  A silhouette approaches from the back of the field, and Tsukinoko goes to meet it, recognizing her friend, J?net.

  - Tsuki-débile!" she suddenly shouts with a determined step.

  - Yo," she giggles. What are you doing here?

  - I'm going to ask you again, you moron," she exclaims, sounding annoyed.

  Tsukinoko squinted, as J?net seemed to be waiting for something. Kimaru took the opportunity to catch his breath, while Tsukinoko put away her sabres and glared at her friend.

  - We're meeting at the restaurant in ten minutes! I was supposed to stop by your place so we could get ready together!

  - She's surprised. Well, maybe, but there's no need to get so worked up," she grumbles.

  - It's for you that we're going, you idiot!

  - Huh? Why should I?

  J?net sighs when he sees her head and shakes it like a plum.

  - This. Your. A-nni-ver-sary, you fat moron! Even today! Damn, Hina told me you'd forget but I didn't believe her!

  Tsukinoko opens her eyes wide, giggles and pushes her away.

  - Yes, it's true," she laughs. But we haven't finished training yet.

  - Si si!" suddenly exclaims Kimaru.

  He huffs and puffs to his feet, and Tsukinoko judges him by his lack of stamina.

  - Will he survive, or shall I call a doctor?" mocks J?net when she sees him. Who's he?" she whispers to Tsukinoko. And why are you in that outfit? Are you really at the Colony then?

  - What are you doing?" asked Kakashi, who had joined them.

  - Sorry Kakashi, it's Tsuki-débile's birthday, I'm borrowing her!

  She doesn't have time to reply as J?net suddenly pulls her by the arm back to the village. She looks back at Kakashi, wondering if he'll allow her to leave, but he nods and she lets herself be carried away.

  - It looks like a tornado just passed over the field... sighs Kimaru as he looks at the damage from their training. How does she still have so much energy... I think she took the last of my reserves when she left," he sighs.

  Kakashi stared at him, disconcerted that he was exaggerating, even if the new recruit had upset their equilibrium, which had been so calm and composed

  At the restaurant, Tsukinoko's small band of friends had given her a surprising black and white kigurumi in the shape of a panda, with eyes and ears on the hood, for her birthday. They ordered her to put it on straight away, before continuing their evening of merry banter.

  Nestled at the top of the surveillance tower, hidden at the edge of Hanamaru, Tsukinoko stood guard with K?. The room was equipped with surveillance screens linked to cameras scattered throughout Hanamaru.

  After six o'clock, the shift was about to start. Tsukinoko pouted, certain she had something planned at this hour, before jumping out of her chair.

  Several days ago now, she had promised little Midareta to meet him on the pontoon. Half an hour later, she came running to shore, hoping he'd be there. She hardly knew him, but felt bad for having let him down, knowing the ordeal he endured every day.

  A small silhouette at the end of the pontoon threw ricochets into the water and she reassured herself. Midareta had come here every day in the hope of seeing Tsukinoko again, waiting for her until nightfall.

  His eyes light up when he finally sees her, but he begins to sulk, facing the river with his arms crossed. Not knowing how to break the ice, Tsukinoko sits down beside him to level with him, but the seconds tick by.

  - Eh," she said softly. Sorry about last time... I got called on a mission, and then one thing led to another. You know, you can't always choose what to do with your day when you're in the military. But I'll try to be more careful next time, I promise," she says tenderly.

  He barely turns around when he hears her talking about the next time, but starts sulking again as soon as she meets his eyes.

  - Even today, I managed to escape in time to come and catch up with you. Can you forgive me?

  - Nan," he suddenly exclaims.

  - Ah? You're not nice.

  - You're the mean one! You promised!

  - I know, little Maki, but I told you, I don't choose when I'm called on a mission. And then I forgot, I confess. But even now, I could be called on my way home.

  - Is it true?" he asks without turning around.

  - Yes. If I don't come, it's because I'm working, but I won't forget you. Finally... she mumbles.

  He slowly lowers his head and loosens his arms, finally calming down.

  - Does this mean we'll be seeing each other again?" he asks shyly.

  - Yes, if you want. If you forgive me already.

  He looks at her hesitantly, then exclaims confidently.

  - Do you have any buns left?

  She is astonished and laughs as she hears him. He takes offense, but she looks at him tenderly and he finally gives in, bringing a shy smile to her face. Hand in hand, Tsukinoko takes him to Teuchi, her favorite noodle restaurant, where she knew the owner well.

  The latter was astonished to see the little boy, and Tsukinoko feared a remark, but Midareta was in fact often hanging around outside the restaurant, looking hungry, without daring to venture in. Teuchi was relieved that Tsukinoko had brought him there, and she told him about her missions over dinner.

  Attentive, Midareta suddenly stands up on his stool, arms outstretched as he presents his empty bowl to Teuchi with a big smile. Several bowls of ramen down, Tsukinoko settles the bill, but Midareta pulls on his arm before leaving.

  - Can we come back? Can we?

  - You can come back whenever you like," Teuchi told him with a smile that won over the salty note. I'll put your bowls on Tsukinoko's tab.

  - For real?" he asks, stars in his eyes.

  - But of course!

  Midareta rejoiced and Tsukinoko walked him home as the sun was setting, but he shuffled along the path, holding his stomach after eating too much. At the playground or pontoon, where Midareta hung out every day, Tsukinoko would join him as soon as she was available.

  A month had passed and Tsukinoko was taking advantage of her day off to sleep in. Finally up and dressed in her kigurumi, she meditated in the sun on her terrace for a few minutes.

  A thought for her parents, reassuring them that she was well and boasting of her exploits to her mother, praying that they would be at peace, wherever they were.

  She returned inside, closing the glass door while she prepared her breakfast. In a good mood, she had turned on the stereo to play music so loudly in her apartment that the walls shook under the bass

  In the middle of a dance, she was startled to see someone on the terrace. The cup of tea in her hands was propelled at the intruder to scare him off, forgetting that the French window was closed. Thrown too hard, cup exploded into a thousand pieces along with the glass.

  Tsukinoko held her mouth so as not to scream at the result of her gesture, even though it was only Kakashi. On the other side, the latter hadn't moved an eyelash and was staring at her with wide, frightened eyes.

  They stare into each other's eyes for a moment, then she turns off the stereo in shame. To unburden herself, she puts the blame on him, but he raises an eyebrow, looking blasé.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Panic took hold of her and she found herself pacing up and down the living room, her head in her hands. Swearwords rained down on her, distraught. She's cut off by Kakashi clearing his throat outside, still there and waiting for the circus to end. She brandished her fist at him but noticed he was dressed simply, not in military garb.

  - Yo... he hesitates. It's from Chef, the jeweler couldn't finish it in time for your birthday last month.

  She squinted, wondering if he was smiling behind his mask as his eye crinkled as he handed her a pretty little gift pack he'd been hiding behind his back all along.

  - For me? But... Couldn't you just knock instead of standing there?!

  - I've been standing here waving for five minutes.

  She opened her eyes wide, realizing that she'd been too busy dancing to see him and hadn't heard anything over the music. She pulled her fluffy hood down over her eyes to hide herself, overwhelmed by the shame that had been building up since he'd been there.

  She was sixteen but felt like she was ten in front of him every time. She took a deep breath full of courage to put an end to the discomfort and quickly fetch her gift so he could leave.

  But he abruptly straightens up, making big eyes, as if to stop her, as she jumps over the sofa in front of the window.

  - Wait!

  A sharp pain accompanied the rustle of broken glass. Standing balanced on the shards of glass, blood trickled between the debris beneath Tsukinoko's bare feet, just inches from the door. The larger pieces sank painfully into the soles of her feet under her weight, as she pondered an escape route. Kakashi stepped inside, shod, to save her

  Sheltered on the deckchair on the terrace, Tsukinoko examined her feet. Dozens of pieces of debris of all sizes were planted there, dripping blood onto the ground. Without daring to raise her head, she grabbed the first-aid kit handed to her by Kakashi, red with shame and adrenaline.

  - You're going to spend hours cleaning it if your other foot has so much," he says, grabbing some compresses.

  - It's okay, I'll manage," she said, embarrassed.

  Yet her boss looked neither embarrassed nor annoyed, which reassured Tsukinoko. He entrusted her with the tweezers and got up to bring her the Chief's gift, then asked one last time if she'd make it, unconvinced.

  - Yeah yeah, except I'll have to move outside now," she grumbles sarcastically.

  Her boss's air of silliness reminded her that he was very first-degree in addition to being soft, and she sighed.

  - I can't go back inside, Boss," she says seriously, pointing at the splinters with her chin. The vacuum cleaner and broom are in the kitchen.

  He pulls his hands out of his pockets before entering her home.

  - Eh! she takes offense. Make yourself at home!

  But she calmed down as he returned with his arms full. The broom collected the larger shards, which ended up in the garbage can, before the vacuum cleaner started up, seemingly sucking up tons of glass shards. Tsukinoko watched her supervisor at work through the window, amused.

  Kakashi returns after cleaning up, just as Tsukinoko had begun to strip off her foot and stain her kigurumi, and sits down next to her, taking out his book.

  - What are you doing?" she asks.

  - I wonder how you're still alive.

  - What?

  - The Chief apologizes for not being able to visit you lately. He looked nostalgic this morning, telling me about your early exploits before asking me to deliver the package," he explains.

  She went back to cleaning her foot, and he sucked up the bits of glass that had fallen to the floor, without looking up from his book.

  - For a start, he'd only just signed your custody agreement when you arrived, and you'd already nearly lost a finger, burned down your apartment and been eliminated by the Sagi Colony for leaving the village without authorization.

  - Didn't he? He didn't tell me that," she mumbles. You know, you can go. I don't want you to die of shame staying with me," she giggles, laughing at his nonsense.

  - You're losing a lot of blood, so I'll stay here in case you faint.

  She doubted his answer but shrugged and continued.

  - So, how old are you now?" she suddenly asks.

  - Eighteen," he sighs. Why do you care?

  - What's that? And you're in charge of me? she asks.

  He lifted his head, as she was preventing him from reading with her questions, and told her in a few sentences about his journey at the Colony since he was thirteen, having risen through the ranks two years ago. Tsukinoko struggled to remove the last piece of glass, which was firmly embedded and tickling her nerves. Kakashi sighed at her stubbornness as she nearly turned a blind eye and sat back down on the bottom of the deckchair, catching her ankles in his lap.

  - That's part of my job too," he says to calm her down. I look after my squad. Besides, I can hear the Chief getting worried, he wouldn't let me go back without helping you.

  - Good," she sulks, crossing her arms.

  - If you have any concerns about the Colony, the others or anything else, don't hesitate to tell me.

  - Okay," she says shyly. And... I'm sorry if you think I'm boring, or that I shout too loudly... That's what the others always tell me.

  - You talk too loud, and you have too much excitement, it's true. But above all, you're strong, brave and think before you act, and that's all that counts. Well, that should do it," he says, finishing the last bandage. Don't force it. Hey, wait...

  Embarrassed by his unusual compliments, her heart racing, Tsukinoko casually fled home as all the gashes made her limp with pain. Kakashi places the gift in her living room, then orders her to take an extra day's rest, but she immediately retorts.

  - I said no! I can walk and-

  - I'll tell the Chief," he said seriously, pointing with his chin to the window, "that you'll be back in a few days.

  - You said the day after tomorrow! And it's my apartment now, so there's no need to tell him!

  He sighs and puts his hands back in his pockets, looking her up and down.

  - How do you plan to repair the window then?

  - Hein... she thought. We must... Er... Jījī must know how to do it... she mutters under her breath.

  - Exactly. I'll tell him. I'll let him know and you can come back to work when you've recovered.

  - No way!" she insists.

  - When you're squad leader, you can decide.

  As soon as he'd finished his sentence, Kakashi had disappeared. The Chief's little gift was a beautiful pair of silver earrings. Delighted, she hung them on her ears, then put on her long pink skirt and a white blouse, grabbed a canvas and her painting equipment, but came across the Colony's spare porcelain mask and decided to repaint it, amused to try something other than a classic canvas, before going out.

  As Tsukinoko passed the playground with clumsy steps, she spotted little Midareta playing on his own and was saddened once again. Finally, she went to fetch him, exhausted by his painful gait. He cheerfully nicknamed her "Big Sister", and offered to carry her equipment to help her after seeing the bandages on her feet.

  - What you got?

  - Occupational hazard," she chuckles, hiding her embarrassment.

  Settled in a park at the foot of a leafy oak, slightly shaded under the branches, Midareta sat down wisely but began fiddling with all his equipment as she opened his briefcase. Dubious, he asked her several times what he was supposed to be painting. He pouted for a moment, thinking as she settled down with her legs outstretched so as not to put pressure on her feet. Standing in front of her, with brush in hand looking goofy, he was still waiting for an answer. He didn't seem convinced by the activity and she felt sorry for him as he stood up after barely sitting down.

  - Now what?

  - It stings the grass," he said sheepishly, scratching his legs.

  She raises her eyes to the sky and spreads her legs to spread her skirt like a tablecloth.

  - Sit there," she said, patting him between the legs. But don't get paint everywhere! And take your shoes off first.

  Midareta complied and lay down on her skirt, laying her web in the grass. She can't help wanting to tickle his little feet, which were wiggling in front of her as he swung his legs, lying on his stomach. He turns around, chuckling, before crabbing for the mask, leaning on her to stay upright.

  - What are you going to draw? What's this?

  - It's a special services mask, and I still don't know what I told you.

  - A mask? I want one too! he shouts.

  - I don't think so," she laughs. When you graduate from the Academy you can have one, if you're good.

  He sulks back to his bed, but immediately sits down again, grabbing gouaches of blue, red and green paint and emptying them onto his palette. She looks up as she hears the bubbling sounds of emptied tubes. Nose pinched for his stupidity, Midareta finally sets to work wisely. He paints a small tree in one corner of his canvas, then several others. Finally calmed down, Tsukinoko sighs with relief. Brown, red, white and black paint adorned her palette, and inspiration gradually transposed the colors onto the porcelain mask. The innocent face of the little maki, with its big smile, adorned with the hue of the Five-Eyed Demon, came to life. After an hour, Midareta stood up admiring her work, then turned to proudly show it to Tsukinoko. No sooner had she congratulated her childish work, than her face frowned. Midareta had stained his skirt with paint, but he rushed to crumple the fabric and hide the stains, sitting on it with a big smile on his face. Inexhaustible, he crabbed again and suddenly slipped his head between Tsukinoko's arms, but his paintbrush spread across her cheek. She laughed, but he finally turned to sit between her legs. He was contemplating the half-painted mask, and she raised her arms just in time before he fiddled with it.

  - Stop! Hands off. And stop fidgeting for God's sake!

  - What are you doing?" he asks, pulling his arm back.

  - You'll see. Shoo maki. Get the fuck off me!" she snaps.

  - Fuck," he rants, finally letting go. Fuck!

  She giggled again despite his gaffe, but he took offense, believing his insults would work. After a moment of watching her brushstrokes, his little head tilted forward. He slipped between her legs to use her belly as a cushion, and fell asleep peacefully on top of her in a matter of seconds. At last, Tsukinoko could finish her work in silence, meditating on G?me. That monster who had caught her and held her prisoner all those years ago, who had been at her father's mercy that night. Even if she felt a deep resentment against him, she couldn't hold a grudge against Midareta like the other inhabitants. It was hard to believe that anyone could be so resentful of a child, innocent and even a victim. It could have been her. Having finished painting, Tsukinoko left the mask to dry while she played affectionately with Midareta's hair, who was fast asleep. In the distance, Shikaru strolled with his son. The former student waved to her teacher, while her son clung to him and stared at her, the same age as Midareta.

  Asleep, an oppressive feeling compressed Tsukinoko's chest. A rumbling voice was calling her. G?me, gigantic before her, kept crushing her under his unhealthy essence. She gasped again before truly awakening, and the rumbling voice subsided as G?me disappeared. The freshly repainted porcelain mask of the Five-Eyed Demon's face had come to life before her nose and was cackling. Midareta's eyes shone through as he called out to her to wake her up. Tsukinoko finally caught her breath, back to reality, even though a cold sweat beaded down her spine. Leaning against her, Midareta crushed her chest and she made him sit on her lap.

  - Can I keep it?" exclaims Midareta. The mask is so pretty!

  - I told you you can have a mask when you finish the Academy.

  - The Academy sucks!" he grumbles, crossing his arms.

  - Are you sure? I thought you wanted to be a soldier?

  - Oh, yes! The strongest military man in the world!

  - Well, you see," she giggles. So you want to be a chef?

  - Chef?

  - Yes, he's the one who protects and watches over Hanamaru. He's the strongest in the whole country.

  - Wow..." he says, wide-eyed. Is this the guy who runs the military missions?

  - Yes.

  - Does he run you?

  - Yes.

  - Did he give you the mask?

  - Yes.

  - When I'm Chief, I'll give masks to everyone!" he rejoices with a determined look.

  - Really?" she laughs. Great," she said mockingly. But you're going to need help, a little head like you can't run the whole Hanamaru.

  - Are you? Are you saying I'm stupid? He hesitates.

  - Yeah. I'll help you if you want," she smiled to calm him.

  - For real? Promise?

  - I promise.

  - All right! I'll be the best Chef ever!

  He gave her a big smile, contaminated by hers. He had started to hop on her lap, but she put the mask back on before pushing him off, because the ruckus had awakened the pain in his feet. He turns to fiddle with his toes, wanting to attest to this for himself

  The bandages were red with blood. Unable to stand on her feet, Tsukinoko gathered up her belongings and Midareta offered her his scribbled painting, proud of himself, before leaving, waving her off until he was out of the park. Tsukinoko takes a deep breath, unprepared to have to return in this state, her hands clenched on her ankles

  Something jiggles above her, between the branches, but before she can look up Kakashi jumps in front of her, casual as usual. She flinches again at his appearance, then makes a confused face.

  - I told you you were resting," he sighs when he sees her feet.

  - Well, that's what I'm doing, I look like I'm working!

  - I didn't think I needed to tell you that you had to stay home. I'll take you home.

  - No, thanks!" she says, embarrassed. Are you going to stick me all the time?! And what were you doing up in the tree?! Keeping an eye on me? Did Jījī ask you to?

  As she frowned, he pondered for a moment, then confidently declared no. Tsukinoko quickly concluded the reason for his sudden appearances, when she was in the privacy of his home every time.

  - So you're actually spying on me... Since the beginning! You follow me everywhere!

  - No, I meant-

  - Back off pervert!" she shouts, kicking him away. I'm going to tell Jījī!

  Offended, but even more ashamed at the turn of events, he tried to explain himself without stammering, but to no avail.

  - Go away! Pervert! Help!" she shouts, throwing her gouaches in his face. You may be my boss, but if you want to feel me up you'll end up in prison, you pervert! she screams.

  - Shut up!" he shouts, taken aback. I just wanted to offer you a ride home!

  She finally stops, glaring at him from behind the tree as he continues, red with embarrassment.

  - The Chief was afraid you wouldn't make it on your own, so I decided to look after you while you adjusted," he says. Even though he didn't ask me to, in practical terms...

  Examined from head to toe by Tsukinoko's judgmental gaze, the seconds of silence seemed like hours. At last she steps out, walking on her knees with a cheeky air so as not to let on that his attention was touching her. She gathers up her things, and he takes her on his back to lead her home. Barely up, she mumbles as he holds her by the legs.

  - Don't make out with me, you pervert. I-

  - Shut up, please...

  Taken home, he disappeared without greeting her. Despite Kakashi's glowing reputation, Tsukinoko wondered where he'd come from, only to be astonished by the sight of her bay window, already repaired and looking as good as new.

  Mikio, Hina, Ren, Takeshi, J?net, as a reminder