Tsukinoko was sitting in a restaurant with Hina, enjoying her last day of rest. The two of them were chatting away, but she was becoming increasingly mute, lately disturbed. As she sipped her soda, Kakashi appeared beside them.

  She swallows hard, surprised, but turns her back on him dead with shame and tears in her eyes, trying not to choke. He grimaces with Hina, but Tsukinoko doesn't dare look at him and just haughtily asks what he wants, once his windpipe is clear. His boss hands him a mission order, then disappears. Still red with shame and embarrassment, she puts the parchment away, then takes a deep breath.

  - Are you okay, sweetie?" worries Hina. I know you can't talk about your missions, but if you feel it's too much for you-

  - But no," she moans, "it's the other one who scared me. Always turning up unannounced like that. If anything happens to me one day, it'll be because of him, he'll give me a heart attack! Not the Colony.

  - If you say so," sighs Hina.

  Tsukinoko avoids the question, then bids him an affectionate goodbye, before setting off to prepare for the mission ahead.

  The mission was to track down and neutralize deserters who had been spotted on the country's northern border. It took Tsukinoko and Kakashi two weeks to track them down, before finally eliminating them in the snow-covered mountains. While Kakashi made their bodies disappear, Tsukinoko went off to cool off. Sounds of splashing water and giggling behind rocks could be heard.

  She silently climbed up to take a look, sword in hand, but was still surprised. Monkeys were bathing in pools of scalding water, their heads covered in snow. There were dozens of them, and she watched them curiously, amused.

  Having never seen such a sight, her face reverts to childlike features for a few minutes. Kakashi calls her back downstairs, but she shushes him. He raises an eyebrow, wondering what she's up to, then climbs up with her. By her overexcited expression, he guesses that his subordinate is seeing these passing inhabitants for the first time.

  - They're macaques. They go up into the mountains in winter to bathe in these springs, which are naturally heated by the heat coming out of the ground," he explains in a low voice.

  - Great!" she exclaims with wide eyes. I'd love to join them - I'm sick of sleeping in the snow too!

  He beckons her to get going again, but she ignores him after spotting an adorable little macaque approaching slowly, hoping to be discreet. Immobile so as not to frighten it, she watches it hop towards her. Gently pulling herself up onto the ridge, she reaches out to him.

  - Come here! Don't be afraid," she whispers.

  Just as magic was filling this unique encounter, the macaque suddenly shrieks and abruptly pulls on Tsukinoko's hand to get down with it, as if bringing his new toy back to the others.

  The snow crumples under her and carries her to the other side, as she screams in surprise. All the monkeys turn their heads as the little one takes fright and runs into his mother's arms.

  As for Tsukinoko, she was held in the air by her foot, barely caught by Kakashi. He hoisted her onto the other side before sighing and crossing his arms, ready to make a remark, but she beat him to it and hurried off.

  Returning to the Land of the Sun in the late afternoon, they walked along the river frozen by the harsh winter. Tsukinoko spotted several buildings and the air suddenly became misty. Curious, she veered away from the riverbank towards a path, followed by Kakashi. It was a thermal road, a continuation of the mountain pools.

  Exhausted, she couldn't resist the call of a hot bath as she pulled up in front of a spa. The last two weeks had consisted of very little sleep, sleeping outside camouflaged in the snow and washing in icy rivers in the middle of January.

  As she drooled over the treatments offered by the inn, Kakashi grew impatient beside her. With the most touching air she could muster, she turns to him, pleading with her eyes, her mouth agape. He stares at her. They were supposed to arrive in Hanamaru that evening, but they could delay their return because they'd got a head start on the road

  With his back to the wall, he tries one last time to dissuade her. She pulls him by the arm to stick his nose on the poster.

  - But wait! There are massages, facials and body treatments, an all-you-can-eat buffet in the evening, huge beds and apparently they only get compliments on them, they're of unique handmade quality, there's also the baths of course, plus it's really affordable for what it is, and even if you want I'll give it to you, I know you're cheap. Steuplait! she insists, I'm aching all over, I'm sick of sleeping out in the cold, plus my bag's full of dirt, plus I need to wash my hair, plus if I wash in a river again I'll get sick from the icy water, she sighs, and what's more, an all-you-can-eat buffet! she shouts without stopping. Don't pretend you're not sick of eating military pills," she says, shaking his arm. Come on, Kakashi... she begs, emphasizing the syllables. I'll get you the Royal Room, you'll even get a free back massage before bed, and what's more-

  - Okay!" he shouts.

  He was about to retort, but blew out his breath, drained of energy in seconds. Tsukinoko ignores his annoyance and strides into the inn with a big, delighted smile, while he shuffles after her, dejected.

  She booked two rooms at reception and listened attentively to the host's instructions as he handed her the two keys. She thanks him and turns back to Kakashi with a winning smile. With a disgruntled look, he takes the key and glares at her.

  - Oh come on, stop sulking, I know you want to deep down too," she laughs. They're preparing a buffet for us at eight o'clock!

  The rooms were upstairs, and the treatment areas were spread over the entire garden level. Signs in the corridors indicated the hot-spring baths, hidden in the open gardens that extended the inn into the forest, just before the steep slope.

  The baths were empty, like the roads deserted by this hostile weather. Tsukinoko hung her towel in a tree and walked naked to the edge of the pool. With her back to the water, she falls backwards, arms outstretched, soaking up the moist, comforting warmth that immediately relaxes her muscles. The misty water envelops her body, which seems to melt under its softness.

  At the bottom of the pool, she rests her neck against the edge and blows out a deep breath, ecstatic. Lost in thought, she dozes for a while, oblivious to the passage of time.

  The sliding of the wooden partition startled her and she frowned, disappointed that she no longer had the place to herself. Mischievously, she decided to play a trick on the swimmer to scare her away.

  Head underwater, she swims to the middle of the pool, discreet as a caiman. She barely takes her eyes out of the water and waits for her prey, hidden beneath the vapors.

  But the person turns out to be Kakashi, a towel around his waist. She giggles silently and remains in hiding, ready to give him the fright of his life. He reaches the edge of the pool and grabs his towel with one hand, untying it and folding it neatly on a bench.

  In addition to the heat of the water, a puff takes Tsukinoko and further pinkens her cheeks. He steps into the water, still unaware of her, and she moves silently away to keep her distance. As he in turn relaxes, leaning against the edge, Tsukinoko remembers her surprising encounter, watching him from away like a predator waiting for the right moment to attack.

  Extremely modest, he always kept his mask and clothes on. Yet his body was no match for the others, just as sculpted but slightly thinner, his musculature having come with experience and training.

  Tsukinoko pulls herself together before chirping into the water, now certain that he thinks he's alone here, and puts her plan into action. She immerses herself in the murky water without making a sound, swims up to him, skimming the ground, and grabs his ankle. Underwater, she guesses he's startled.

  Straight on his two feet, he looks for someone else in the pool. Glued to the ground, she strokes his leg again. He leaps back, shaking the water around him. In panic, he squints to analyze what was under the water, before falling backwards as Tsukinoko bursts out of the water, coughing and laughing, on the verge of choking.

  He stares at her, bewildered, and she laughs harder as the terrified look is locked on his face. In her giggles, she tries to speak, but tears well up in her eyes. He backs away cautiously, cursing her with his eyes, then dives back into the water up to his eyes, but she swims back to him.

  - Hey... you know you've come to the wrong door, don't you? This is the ladies' bath.

  - You're the one who made the mistake," he says embarrassed, "I followed the signs.

  Face to face, they think for two seconds each.

  - Must be mixed baths then," she shrugs underwater.

  The situation didn't matter much to her, who wasn't all that prudish. Every summer, Tsukinoko and her friends went swimming at Hanamaru's river, in which case the murky water helped to conceal their shapes. Kakashi didn't move a millimetre, watching Tsukinoko swim in front of him, then she leaned against the ledge.

  - See how good the baths feel?" she smiles.

  - Certainly," he grumbles, bubbling to the surface.

  Clearly, he was pulling a face, but, not knowing whether this was due to the heat of the baths or the situation, he blushed discreetly.

  Tsukinoko sighs, bewildered, and then tries to fix the situation. He slid aside as she approached him again. She couldn't help but tease him, her own way of having fun with him affectionately.

  - Come on, try to relax, you'll annoy me if you don't," she says teasingly. I know you're modest, but don't worry, we can't see a thing in the water. Well, only in the water," she whispers mischievously.

  He turned abruptly towards her, eyes wide. Stuck here, underwater, as long as she doesn't move, he remains hidden up to his eyes, uncomfortable. She bursts out laughing at his theatrics and continues to titillate him. Helplessly, he tilts his head back on the ledge, sighing heavily.

  - Well, how come you're so uptight? You look pretty good, though," she giggles casually.

  Just as abruptly as the first time, he stirs, having come to a second realization. She breaststrokes backwards, surprised by his movement.

  - But you... you got here before me?" he asks worriedly.

  - Well yeah, I came straight here," she replies, raising an eyebrow.

  - And how did you know it was me when you grabbed me? It could have been anyone.

  - Well, I saw you coming and-

  She opened her eyes wide and bit her tongue. Her few words had been more than enough for Kakashi. His face decomposed and he looked away as he realized that she had seen him undress, then naked, dead of shame.

  - Don't worry, I didn't see anything serious," she exclaims to reassure him. Well... Not serious, but uh... Nothing unpleasant, shall we say," she giggles helplessly. You've got what it takes where it takes," she giggles, "I think, don't you?

  He sinks back into the water. Beside him, Tsukinoko sighs, dejected by her growing discomfort, then leans against the ledge, her head on her crossed arms, her back to him. He can't help opening one eye, curious, to admire her long hair floating in the water. She feels his gaze on her.

  - So I'm not allowed to look, but you are?

  With no answer, she looked up, but he'd disappeared. Back in the showers, she cleans herself from head to toe, with scrub, hair mask and pedicure. She rinsed and smeared perfumed oil all over herself.

  More relaxed than ever, she finally emerged from the showers after an hour and set off to explore the grounds until dinnertime. Kakashi had gone to lie down on the down cocoons in the gardens, near a brazier, to read in peace.

  As he dozed off, he didn't notice Tsukinoko sitting silently on the chair next to him. She smiled tenderly, then curiosity piqued as she read the cover of the novel, which looked very silly.

  With a slight gesture, she snatched his book, but he grabbed her hand and she gasped. He stares at her and she smiles sheepishly, caught in the act. Accustomed to her nonsense, he rolls his eyes, then releases her hand without saying a word.

  - Say," she smiles teasingly, "you love this kind of book, but you panic when you find yourself in a tub of murky water with a pretty girl?

  She'd come back to him as he tried to forget the incident, and he'd ignore her and go back to reading.

  - Kidding! Let's not make a big deal out of it, shall we?

  - No," he sighs, his eyes fixed on the lines.

  - Well, stop sulking then.

  - You can understand that it's an awkward situation," he defends himself.

  - But it's nothing!" she exclaims. Why are you making such a fuss? It's not as if you've got anything despicable to hide," she giggles.

  He closes his eyes, ashamed of himself, and ends the discussion by getting up to leave.

  - I'm going to bed.

  - Already?" she wonders. We haven't even eaten!

  - I'm... tired," he lies, sitting on the edge of the cocoon. And I'm cold.

  Without asking for his opinion, she pulled him by the arm towards the buffet that awaited them in a small salon upstairs. The atmosphere gradually relaxed, and the two of them emptied the buffet, alternating between confessions of a troubled childhood and more pleasant memories.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Once full, Tsukinoko lets out a satisfied sigh and leans back on her hands. Kakashi can't help but chuckle as her full belly bulges out of her bathrobe.

  In his room, Kakashi was reading quietly, the French window facing the bed, overlooking the snow-covered mountains, dotted here and there with villages that added touches of golden light to the immaculate white flanks illuminated by the moonlight. A village bell had rung at twenty-two o'clock, and the hinges echoed in the mountain.

  A knock sounded at his door, which opened immediately without waiting for an answer. He looked up from his book, having guessed Tsukinoko coming around to his bed before standing in front of it, hands behind his back and a big smile on his face, still in the inn's white bathrobe.

  - I just wanted to say good night! But aren't you cold with the window wide open?!

  She turns to close the bay window behind her, but remains stunned. He watches her for a moment, guessing that the view fascinates her. She turns away shyly.

  - Would you mind if I crashed for a while and drew the view? I've only got the road on my side, so it's less magical...

  He nodded and she returned with her notebook and pencils in hand. He let her snuggle into the sheets while he was still on the bedspread. The dry cold had invaded the room, and every word was accompanied by a little mist. Tsukinoko set to work, her notebook in her lap, while Kakashi read beside her, one arm behind his head.

  Sitting cross-legged in the middle of the bed to get a better view, he rests his book on his stomach for a moment, the better to admire her in her bubble.

  The passage he was reading had reminded him of their day at the Christmas fair. He then rethought his novel, using it as an encyclopedia, studying how the characters develop and express their feelings.

  With Tsukinoko, all those nights under the stars, giving themselves heart to heart on missions, those afternoons during their training sessions, their laughter in harmony and their long discussions, his enthusiasm a few weeks ago when she kissed his cheek, the first time he'd gotten to know her and she'd pierced his secrets without him realizing it.

  He admired her benevolent smile.

  She was his best ally, knowing how to comfort him when he was depressed and brighten up his days. When he wasn't with her, his days were surprisingly quiet, although he enjoyed the solitude.

  All her manners, her habits, her little faults that deep down he loved so much. Their first day together, when she'd secretly blown him away, his distress when she'd just arrived in Special Services, and he'd flown to her rescue.

  The way her dogs rejoiced when they saw her. When they fought together, their bickering, the countless times she had come to annoy him and her cackling sounded like a sweet melody in his ears, his impulsive nature and his sulking over nothing, his whims which he gave in to too often, his gentleness and kindness, his incredible strength and motivation, his great willpower, his heart so pure, her words so comforting, her bewitching eyes, her brilliant hair, her devastating smile, her grimaces and her air of concentration when she was immersed for hours in her drawings, her angelic face when she was asleep and her bad mood when she woke up, her bewitching grace and her skin whose softness he would never dare imagine being able to so much as touch.

  He suddenly found her more beautiful than ever, her hair loose on her shoulders, her movements light and natural. The words escaped his lips.

  - The moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it?

  Tsukinoko raised her head, then crawled to the edge to catch a glimpse of the star high in the sky, before exclaiming softly.

  - It's almost full moon.

  But she sits back down next to him, sinking into the cushions, and smiles shyly before coloring her sketch of the landscape.

  She knew exactly what those words meant, like a declaration of love, but the surprise of hearing them so suddenly had caught her off guard.

  With each stroke of her pencil, she finally falls asleep, and Kakashi glances up to see her notebook slowly falling onto the comforter. He gently pulls the cover up over her, but she wakes to feel his movements and watches him place her book on the table in turn, as he turns off the light without making a sound afterwards.

  She invited him to sit on the sheets. The silence of the night enveloped the room, their movements slow, each feeling as if floating in the air. The moonlight subtly illuminated the room, inviting itself to the foot of the bed.

  With one finger, she slides the mask covering half her face down to her neck, revealing her face. With her eye closed, she takes a long look at the scar around it, letting her eyes dance over the features of his face.

  - The moon also finds you beautiful. Here," she whispered, brushing her lips with her fingertips, "and here," she said, placing her hand on his heart.

  He said nothing, gazing into his amethysts, unable to react to her words, for they had enchanted his soul.

  - Can I sleep with you?" she asks softly.

  He nods, and she lies back down, before lifting his arm to snuggle up to him. Tetanized at first, he finally slips under the sheets himself.

  Nestled in the hollow of her shoulder, the warmth and heaviness of her body take hold of him, and he places his hand on her head to wrap her against him, so that the weight of his love never ceases to embrace her, breaking down all her barriers one by one.

  - All I've ever wanted is to spend my days with you," she admits in a low voice.

  - Always, even if I only realize it now, that the days without seeing you are gray and gloomy, whereas when you're here, time seems to fly by," he replies, his eyes fixed on the mountain. I never want to face another day without you.

  - Promise?

  - Promise?" he asks.

  - That we'll never be far from each other again.

  - I promise.

  He pulls her tighter against him as she clutches his robe, as if they're embracing to glue together the shards of their hearts.

  The cold finally makes Tsukinoko shiver, despite Kakashi's warmth, and he looks down to see her nose turning pink from the negative temperature. He gets up, closes the French window and returns to bed, but she sits down next to him.

  Sitting back on her heels, the pressure left her speechless and she couldn't take her eyes off him, her stomach churning. Her whole body was overheating and her heart was screaming at her to throw herself back into his arms.

  With a hesitant movement, she leaned forward, supporting herself on her hands, before coming to a stop nose-to-nose with him. Eyelids half-closed, mouth trembling, she lost herself in his gaze, while he dared not move. She leaned in closer, until she placed her lips on his.

  A jolt runs through their bodies, her heart beats in unison with his, and time stands still in the snowy mountains.

  He freezes before returning her kiss, mad with love. He pulls her against him, heart to heart, holding her so tightly that his fingers clutch at her bathrobe, her holding his face between her fingers, pinching his jaw.

  After exchanging so many words, their mouths were finally uncovered, their tongues tasting the softness of each other's skin, the texture of each other's lips. Guided by their feelings, openly expressing the deep passion that burned within them.

  Their ardor leaves them breathless, and they gaze into each other's eyes. She slowly begins to undo her bathrobe, but as the fabric reveals her shoulders, he holds back the collar.

  - I don't just want to feel your emotions," she says shyly, placing her hand on her own heart, "I want to feel every part of you against my skin.

  Without uttering a word, he undid his own bathrobe, removed his clothes and gave himself over to her completely naked.

  Tsukinoko doesn't dare leave his gaze, her cheeks flushed, but he takes her hands and places them on his shoulders, sliding them down his torso, sweeping them over his body so that she discovers every nook and cranny. Like an intimate dance, written for her, he executes her will and admires her reveling in the new sensations. She pauses for a moment, then lowers her head.

  - Don't you want to feel every part of me against you?

  - Being here with you is already more than I could have imagined," he says softly.

  - Love me, with all your body.

  As if shouted from deep inside her, the call muffled by her exaltation makes Kakashi lose his bearings. With a fiery impulse, he lays her on the bed and her body overhangs his, her warm breath caressing his chin.

  Breathless, she surrenders to him. He slowly kissed her neck, trailing kisses down to her breasts, before completely undoing her bathrobe. Her waist was marked and her hips warm, her body slender and slender, he admired her breasts more, before discovering the huge tattoo all over her belly that hugged her abs. Like a work of art, he devours every nook and cranny of her body with his eyes, before brushing his lips and fingers over her shapes, her curves, every fold of her skin, reaching down to her thighs to caress her long legs. On one of them sat Hannya, a demon from local mythology who embodied jealousy and anger.

  Legend had it that the ghost of a young woman had returned from the dead to satisfy her desire for revenge. Deeply wounded by the man she loved, Hannya was seized by an unparalleled rage, gradually consumed by sadness and on the verge of madness. Her mind was lost in the darkness and she transformed into a demon. Evil and dangerous, green ink represented anger and black represented darkness.

  Conversely, Hannya was a sign of protection for those who wore it, shielding them from the evil spell that had affected her.

  Sitting opposite her, Kakashi leaned on his arms, which showed the tension in him as the night light hugged the shape of his muscles. Tsukinoko pulled him against her and they shivered, skin against skin.

  She kissed him for a long time, her legs wrapped around him as the weight of her body pressed him into the mattress. Her fingers tangled in his dark hair and her other hand holding his hips against him.

  Panting, they savor every sensation, hearts throbbing and skin moist, the ardor of their love having driven the winter chill from the room. The first movement makes them gasp with pleasure, the second elicits a hoarse moan, before they are carried away by the rhythmic sighs of their ecstatic souls.

  During the day, Mikio and Takeshi guarded the entrance to Hanamaru as they did every day, recording the comings and goings of visitors and residents. At the end of the afternoon, while they were chatting with Ren, Mikio suddenly made a terrible face as he looked towards the village gates. Ren and Takeshi raised an eyebrow, before turning to see what was causing such a reaction.

  On the main road, a little further on, Tsukinoko and Kakashi were returning from their mission. As usual, Tsukinoko chatted while Kakashi read his book, their masks clinging to their waists, but one detail froze the three of them, mouths agape.

  The two agents held hands, fingers crossed. Tsukinoko stopped suddenly, seeming to ask Kakashi something, clutching his arm as he looked down at her. He nodded, wrapped his arm around the back of her neck to bring her head closer to his, then disappeared into Hanamaru.

  At the entrance to the village, passers-by are startled as the three friends let out a cry of surprise. Moments later, Tsukinoko goes to the guardhouse to sign back in from her mission. She warmly greets her friends, who have been staring at her like an alien. She finally notices their bewildered expressions.

  - What?

  Takeshi was about to retort, but Mikio elbowed him in the ribs, taking his breath away. Ren abruptly puts his hand on the table, causing the forms to tremble, and says with an authoritative air.

  - Where have you been?

  - Ben on a mission," she grimaced. I've come to sign my return, along with Kakashi's, while he goes to report to Jījī.

  He then takes her form from her hands, deciphers it, and asks insistently.

  - You were supposed to be back last night, so what took you so long?

  - Ben... she blushed, looking away. We just didn't hurry! What's it to you?

  - Mh... he starts massaging his chin, accompanied by Mikio and Takeshi.

  The look on their faces made her uncomfortable, so she ran off and told them to mind their own business, wondering what was wrong with them.

  - I knew it," exclaims Ren.

  - Frankly, I don't know what she sees in him," grumbles Takeshi.

  Mikio rolls his eyes at his friend, then the three go about their day, theorizing about what they've just discovered.

  A few days later, Tsukinoko was sent to spy on an evil secret organization, after one of their members reappeared.

  An organization made up of ruthless mercenaries, all deserters from their own countries. Certain powers regularly offered their services, at their peril.

  Deep in the country, Tsukinoko passes a cave after following the deserter's trail for days. A familiar but unpleasant atmosphere emanates from the cave. A snake emerges from the darkness and she immediately understands.

  Concentrating for a moment, she visualized the dagger she'd left on Haruo's desk, and had the suspicions of her discovery engraved on it before rushing into the cave. It seemed empty, but she eventually came upon a candlelit corridor, and as she went on, the atmosphere became increasingly heavy.

  A shiver ran down the back of her neck as she caught sight of a figure at the end of the corridor. There he was, sitting on a stone throne, staring straight into her eyes. His white pupils, like those of a snake, pierced right into her mind.

  - Hebimaru," she whispered.

  - My brave Tsukinoko, I see you've matured," he smiled.

  Her blood ran cold. How could he know her name, who she was, especially behind her Colony mask. She quickly grabbed her saber, but as the sharp sound of the hilt clanking against the scabbard, Hebimaru snickered.

  - Are you in such a hurry to fight? If you survive, you'll have no choice but to join me.

  He pounced on her. She managed to get out of the cave, but night had fallen and her vision was impaired. At the last moment, she narrowly dodged a snake charging at her.

  In hand-to-hand combat, she managed to decapitate him, and resumed her run. She stumbles into a clearing, thinking she's lost Hebimaru, but he's waiting for her there.

  - There's no need to run away, my Tsukinoko.

  She lunged at him to engage him in combat, listening only to her instincts. He always wore his Machiavellian smile, dodging her blows with ease.

  - You're finally going to pay for your crimes!

  She was about to continue ranting but he blocked her sabers before disarming her and sending her flying with a kick. She landed on her feet as a cloud of smoke burst before her. A gigantic snake, with purple scales and Hebimaru on its head.

  Undaunted, she clasps her hands together to sign her incantations. A limpid dragon looms over her head, electric and menacing. They stare into each other's eyes, even though the wind no longer dares to blow around them.

  Tsukinoko closes her eyes and concentrates, glimpsing Hebimaru's movements through the third eye of her summoning. The lightning dragon charges at the snake and manages to bite its tail, paralyzing it for a brief moment, but it quickly recovers.

  Tsukinoko erects walls of earth to knock him out from underneath, but he smashes them one by one with his head.

  She blows out her flames, but the snake is faster. Its sharp canines slashed her back and legs, and she limped away. Her thigh was open and bleeding profusely, and she could no longer hide.

  As she tourniquets herself, she thinks of a plan to corner Hebimaru and bring him back to Hanamaru, but an icy hand lands on her shoulder, paralyzing her under the sensation.

  - I warned you," smiled Hebimaru. If you wish to survive your injury, first agree to join me. You have no idea of the power you'll have access to. You'll heal in the blink of an eye, endowed with superhuman strength. I have no doubt you'll survive the experience.

  - Shut up!" she snarls, trying to electrocute him with her aura. I'd never walk beside you! I'll die if I have to, but first I'll take your head back to Hanamaru!

  - We'll see about that," he laughs, stepping back.

  She was about to reply, but her heart suddenly clenched in her chest to the point of taking her breath away.

  Tsukinoko looks up and sees a small, cadaverous-looking person standing in front of them, now the two of them alone. She tries to stand up, but finds herself trapped, feeling as if she's being tied up without being able to see.

  She had a suspicion and observed the person more closely. Threads of chakra connected to her, some attached directly to her chest.

  - What is it?! Release me!

  - That's impossible," the person replies gently. We are now connected. You can try anything, no blade will cut my chakra threads.

  - Sons of chakra... Tsukinoko reflected.

  She quickly searches for her swords but can't find them, forgotten in the clearing. The individual brandishes a kunai and brings it dangerously close to his own heart, stoic and pale as death.

  - Stop! Tsukinoko panics. Why are you listening to that old reptile?! Forget him, and come with me to Hanamaru, I promise you everything will be fine! Tu-

  - Master Hebimaru will help us strengthen the power of our clan. And he'll help you too. Agree to join us, or we'll both die to help him.

  - What? What are you talking about?! He's cheating on you, let me help! she panics.

  She looks serious, but a thought crosses Tsukinoko's mind and she finally flashes a small smile hidden behind her porcelain mask that unsettles her opponent for a moment.

  - You know, your bluff doesn't work with me. If you refuse, I'll be forced to end our lives. So quit your bluffing, because I'm the one who's going to put an end to this whole circus! A special agent can't be captured, he has to kill himself first, so...

  Tsukinoko takes out a kunai in turn and places the pointed end against her jugular.

  - Hebimaru, what will his reaction be when he learns you've failed? What will he do with your clan next if you're no longer there to protect them, eh?

  Kagero remains motionless, pensive. The pressure was on, each held back by her own dilemma, chained to each other and to their principles. Just as Tsukinoko was about to take the plunge first, without regret, a sound of static electricity rang out beside them.

  Out of nowhere, Kakashi pounces on their link, Tsukinoko's chakra-laden sabers in hand. Thanks to the chakra blades, the special wires are severed.

  He landed on his two feet and charged at the girl, but she fled into the forest. Nezumi goes to Tsukinoko's aid, but she runs to catch Kagero in her turn. She immediately stumbles because of her injury and sprawls on the ground.

  - Commander Tsukinoko! Nezumi panics.

  He helps her to her feet as Kakashi returns, and the latter immediately points out.

  - Commander? I thought you didn't like praise, but now you've got it.

  Nezumi ignores him and Tsukinoko blames him for not catching the person in time.

  But they eventually return directly to Hanamaru after completing their rescue mission, mandated by Haruo to bring Tsukinoko safely back to Hanamaru.

  On the way, Nezumi informs him that he's leaving the squad to join Sagi, where he'll be squad leader, but as Kakashi is about to explain the reason Nezumi cuts him off and changes the subject.

  - Well, we'd better stop for a drink, the three of us! Before you leave us, my little Nezumi!" she exclaims, carried on her back.

  - I'm only thirteen.

  - Ah... Well uh let's go eat some fried food! I'm so hungry!

  - I don't like it," replies Kakashi.

  She starts sulking in her corner. After a while, she asks to walk on her own and helps herself to Nezumi. Between the two of them, she notices that they're both taller than she is now.

  The years had passed so quickly, Tsukinoko was speechless for a moment. She pointed this out to them with tender mockery, but Nezumi blushed and didn't know what to say, shrugging his shoulders.

  - You're growing up too fast, I don't even have time to see it... she saddens herself.

  - Commander Tsukinoko," he wonders.

  She sighs wistfully in her corner, while Kakashi looks at them sideways, wondering what's wrong with them and their unpacking.

  - Even Kensuke's growing up, I noticed," she laughs, "I hope he'll grow up to be as strong as you! You have to set him a good example," she smiles.

  Nezumi nods proudly. At last they return to Hanamaru and report their findings. Kakashi walks Tsukinoko home after we've had a bite to eat together, indulging in his new habits.