The Mizukage sat behind her desk patiently. Several files were scattered over her desk, much unlike her usual neatness. She had called for Mika Hayashi to meet with her, as she had important plans to discuss. Or rather: important plans to inform her of. There were only a few details that needed to be smoothed out, and Mika would be helpful for that. The rest was already planned. Rika let out a sigh, before rotating her chair to look out the window behind her. It was one of the foggier days, so she couldn't see the whole village. But that didn't bother her, for she appreciated the view of what she could see.
Being called to come to the Mizukage Office was something Mika did without wavering or postponning. As fast as she could, Mika went towards the building and halted her speed when she came close to it. Trying to keep calm and not overthinking what the calling could mean, Mika went inside. After reporting to the guards that she had been called, she was allowed in. But her mind decided to make her worry more. Cause did the guards let her in cause they knew that Rika had summoned her? Or did they cause it was clear that nobody in Kiri would be able to kill Rika alone? Heading towards the door of the Mizukage, Mika knocked on the door and waited for a response.
After hearing the knock, Rika turned back toward her desk. "Come in," she greeted, also grabbing one of the files on her desk. Once Mika was inside and the door closed behind her, Rika would give her a smile. "I have a few things I want to talk with you about," Rika said, plain and simple. She wasn't going to pretend this was totally casual. "Well... to start us off, how has your team been doing?" The Mizukage chuckled a bit and relaxed into her chair, still holding the file. "I heard you have already completed a mission with them. Are they doing well? Are you doing well as a sensei?"
Coming in, Mika bowed deeply as she then walked further. Sinking on a knee, she kept her head lowered. Listening, she noticed the door was closed behind her. As Rika began, Mika simply listened. Keeping her head lowered, she hoped to keep her emotions and thoughts hidden away. For once she regretted that she had been allowed to leave the ANBU. The first question was one she could answer honestly. The second however was something that she hadn't expected. At all. ''the Team is a bit disorganized. They don't share a connection and none of them is so far able to become a particpant in a Chuunin Exam. Though they show each some potential if they would be able to change a bit.'' She replied at first, before moving to the next question. ''I fear, Lady Mizukage-sama that I can't answer that. Its your opinion that matter as mine doesn't.''
"I suppose I'll be finding out myself soon enough," Rika lamented on the last question. But her smile didn't falter. "If you had to choose among your students, do any stand out?" After thinking about it for a moment, Rika realized that the questioned sounded very favoritist. "You know what? I'll cut to the chase. We have received reports this morning that two Biju have clashed at the Nagi Islands. My aim is to take control of both of them." The Mizukage paused here, so Mika would understand what she was implying about her students. "Your team will escort me and my team of sealers on a mission to obtain them tomorrow morning. I want to know as much as I can, from your perspective, on your students, for two of them will become Jinchuriki tomorrow." The smile faded now, but Rika's demeanor was still rather friendly.
So that was it? Mika's eyes widened slightly as she almost had looked up. Not her! No. Slightly, for a brief second, the right hand of Mika trembled. Knowing what fate she was going to face, Mika couldn't stop herself. ''I think... Rai and..H..Haruhi would suffice, Lady Mizukage-sama.'' Mika answered. It was clear she couldn't do anything for Haruhi. The two had managed to bond a bit and now this was going to happen? Thinking of how she could try to change this, she was sure that telling a lie wouldn't help. What if a sensor was monotering her? Telling a lie would be picked up and then Rika would see through it and Haruhi would have to face becoming a Jinchuriki alone. Running away wasn't an option either. Where would they hide? How long would they be able to stay safe? Besides, Mika couldn't run to another village. She had caused too much to leave the safety of Kirigakure. Then it became clear. She was chosen because she couldn't do anything against it. ''May I ask you a humble question, Lady Mizukage-sama?''
"Why did I choose you?" the Mizukage guessed, setting the file down and opening it. There were a few papers in it, and if one looked closely they would see the signature of the previous Mizukage on a few of them. "You are disciplined and skilled. Observant. The perfect guardian, for this purpose." Rika held up one of the papers. "Fumiyo Nagano had several reports on you. It would seem that you were in his good graces. To be there, you must obviously have the skill and mentality of a warrior. Not exactly a killer, as I noticed you took the task of being a sensei willingly. This makes you perfect for protecting our Jinchuriki. And, before you get too worried about your students..." Rika placed the paper back on the desk, before a grin formed on her face. "This mission will be performed in total secrecy. Nobody will know the identities of our Jinchuriki. They are just as likely to be you and me as... Rai and Haruhi." The grin turned into a smile now. "Did that answer your question?"
Mika looked up, pale and scared. She had been careless! For a moment, Mika didn't see the Mizukage. She saw a woman who had held her in her claws. More when she said that Haruhi would become like her. That was what she had tried to prevent. The training, no matter how bluntly, she kept trying to move Haruhi to a more brighter path. Now it was clear that she was the reason Haruhi would walk the cold path of being alone. ''What if I reject?'' Mika suddenly asked as her eyes narrowed a bit, till they were half open. Still kneeling, she no longer held her head lowered.
The Mizukage let out a sigh, before standing from her seat and turning her back to Mika. "To be blunt, I won't let you," Rika said, her voice sounding somewhat regretful. "I know this is going to be a large burden to bear, and I will do what I can to lighten it, but this is the best possible option. I have spent the past few hours analyzing potential hosts and caretakers. You would be the best to take care of them, which by extension makes your students the best hosts." The Mizukage turned around walked around her desk, now standing right in front of Mika. Despite the fact that the Mizukage wasn't all that much taller than a kneeling Mika, she still crouched slightly to make them level at the eyes. "Nobody will know Rai and Haruhi will be Jinchuriki but those who will be present at the sealing. I am taking measures to keep their identities hidden from the public for a few reasons, but to make their lives easier is one of them. The other part of making their lives easier will be your guidance. So you are required to come with me on the mission tomorrow."
Rika stood upright and leaned against the desk behind her now. "The most important part of this mission will be keeping it secret. I will have men disguised as your team at the ready to replace you when we leave. The world will know that Kirigakure has sealed two Biju, but we can make sure nobody knows who we have sealed them into. That secrecy will be your greatest weapon. Use it." Rika chuckled now, and smiled for the first time in a moment. "I can see that you are clearly nervous about this all, and that is fine. I can't expect you to be perfectly fine with my decisions. But I will tell you this once, and only once..." Her smile faded, and the compassion suddenly vanished from her green eyes. "This is happening and it is for the best of the village. Your job is to protect and train your team and the Jinchuriki, not to decide village matters. Trust me." With that surprisingly serious tone gone, Rika's smile came back. "Do not inform your students of what tomorrow's mission will be. Nor will you tell them which will become Jinchuriki once we are there. Understood?"
She wanted to say no. It would just be a matter of speed. Pulling a kunai and plunging it into the soft sin of the woman in front of her. She was shorter and maybe this was her chance. If she could use 'that' technique on the right time, then she could try to overpower Mika. The lips curled down as Rika told her what she would do. Or rather what she wouldn't do. The image of her heading home to pick up Haruhi and trying to escape Kirigakure was already in her mind.
''I will not warn them.''
A cold voice came out of Mika as she lowered her head. The reflection of what she thought before and what she wanted to do was nowhere to be seen. Even in her own mind, the image and thoughts faded away. Just like her victims had faded away when she had pulled the knife and used it. The same way she had erased her family when it was ordered.
"Good." Rika moved around her desk and sat back down. "You just need a little faith in me. We will be leaving tomorrow at dawn. I will have your doppelgangers ready so nobody will detect your departures. If I haven't made it clear enough, it is imperitive that this goes undetected. Once we are out of the village, the hard part will be over." Rika chuckled a bit with that. "You leave the sealing and the defending to me and my entourage. Your job during the mission will be to inform your team what their future will hold and explain they need to keep it all a secret. But don't tell them which ones will be sealed, for that might stir panic in them. And the last thing we need in the presence of two Biju is panic. But don't worry about your safety. That is my job. Are you mentally prepared for the mission tomorrow?" The Mizukage started organizing the scatter reports over her desk now, dragging her attention from the jonin before her.
''I will need to take preparation, but I will make sure that the team will be ready. They will be...honored to follow you on this mission.'' Mika said. The thoughts of how this would end for Haruhi caused her to grow worried. But she kept it to herself. It seemed that she could only do to help Haruhi later. For now, she was forced to follow what was commanded. But something was given birth inside Mika. It was anger towards Rika. The woman had condommened the faith of the one she vowed to protect. ''Is there anything else that you need me for, Lady Mizukage-sama?'' Mika asked.
The young woman thought about it for a moment. "After the mission, I will periodically visit the Jinchuriki to check their status myself. I expect you train them, but I will also lend a hand to it. Surely it will be appreciated in the future." Rika had her desk cleaned up and organized now, and this brought a smile to her face briefly. "I know you have many things on your mind right now. I can do nothing to relieve that," Rika said, now looking back toward Mika. "I can only tell you that everything will work out just fine. You don't need to worry about safety or scrutiny. I don't want to be so cruel as to subject children to the full extent of the hardships of a Jinchuriki. So relax for tonight. Tomorrow is where the work will be. Your biggest fear should be how your bonds will be tested. How that turns out, however, is entirely up to you." Rika let out a sigh, before opening a drawer and removing a small notebook. "You are dismissed. But remember: keep it secret."
Rising up, Mika made another bow before she walked towards the door. Opening it slowly, she stopped half way. ''I do have one thing to say, Lady Mizukage-sama.'' Mika said. She kept her back towards Rika as she continued to talk. ''The Fourth reigned over Kirigakure as a tyrant. He controlled the lives of people and even managed to cut the bonds that families had. He created a hell on this earth. What is your goal now?'' Mika turned around. ''Cause I see no difference. Fourth Mizukage.'' She said, feeling a cold shiver running down her spine as she knew what she had called Rika.
Before Mika could leave, she would feel a breeze rush past her. And if she looked down, there was now a knife to her throat held by a hand that stretched over her shoulder. There was no sound, and it was in the blink of an eye. "There are many things you can call me," the Mizukage spoke. Only her voice didn't sound normal. It was clearly Rika's, but it lacked its sweetness. It lacked the sing-songy nature. "But there are a few you can't. That is one of them. If you do that again, I will sever more than just your bonds. I am doing everything I can to right the wrongs and this is the respect I am given? I can show you hell, and I will if you ever compare me to that man again." The knife moved away as the Mizukage backed off. Rather than take a deep breath, like she usually would to calm down, she tossed the knife at the floor, embedding the blade several inches deep. "My orders are clear, even if you cannot see my purpose. One day you'll understand, and until that day you keep those comments to yourself." She left the knife in the floor as she walked back to her desk. She wasn't going to give her another dismissal now. She simply expected Mika to leave of her own volition.
Turning around, Mika stepped back into the office. Her heart was skipping beats as it was trying to get her to walk away. Her mind told her that she was digging her own grave with her action. But her emotions were telling that she was doing the right thing. Giving up on Haruhi's future, her bright future was something she couldn't do. Haruhi had came to her. She had been all alone and came to the person that had been assigned as her sensei. A sensei that showed no caring emotions or willing to become attached. It was clear to Mika that Haruhi was her second chance. Her younger sibling was dead, but Haruhi was alive. She couldn't leave Haruhi just like that. To not fight back, even if her opponent was able to kill her. Placing her left hand on her chest, Mika took a deep breath before she spoke the words.
''I think that you will be not that able, Rika Suzu. For one, I am already in hell.'' She then pounded again on her chest with her left hand. ''I have already seen the face of tyranny. Lived right underneath its stinking breath, every day of my life. If you wished for my respect, than you won't gain it with commanding me to take away 'her' future away. Else... I..'' Mika became silent.
''Else I will take the light away from the person you love the most.''
It was a blur. Rika felt everything fade away. All that there was now was her and Mika. Anger boiled her blood, and madness began to show in her eyes. The small woman shot forward, vanishing from sight from her speed. Before Mika could even act, a cut appeared across her cheek and a few strands of her hair fell to the floor. Behind her was Rika, with her left hand held like a blade with a bit of blood on the end. That was only the start. She vanished again, and this time Mika felt a jab to her ribs. Then her left leg, bringing her down. It was now apparent that this was a high speed beating. By the time it was over, Rika stood over Mika, both of her hands now bloody. "You think you know hell," she said, leaning down and grabbing the jonin by the hair. Using only one arm, surprising strength for a woman of her size, she lifted Mika up to her knees. Her face was bloody, as her nose and lips were both bleeding, as well as the cut on her cheek.
"You know pain and suffering. All of us do. But you haven't seen hell. You have to die first." The young woman brought her knee up into Mika's face, sending her back to the floor and getting blood on Rika's clothes. "I have tried to give you and Kirigakure everything. I removed Fumiyo from existence, I have given you all hope and dreams again, and I have even made some people happy. But it will never be enough, will it? There will always be something to hold against me. Something I will fail to do, in your eyes." Rika crouched down, grabbing Mika by the hair again and lifting her head just enough to expose her neck. "I cannot grant a perfect life. There is no such thing. But perfection can exist. If you ever feel the need to threaten my child again, I will not be so kind as to let you off with only a warning. You cannot expect to anger the perfect killer and walk away."
Rika let go of Mika's hair, letting her face fall to the floor. Rather quickly, she slashed her hand across the back of the jonin's left leg. "Do not test me. I only wanted to help this village. To make all your lives better. But you... people like you are trying to turn me into a monster. I can see it. The Fourth Mizukage is so ingrained into your mind that he is being projected on to me. You fail to see what I am doing for you. Right now, you can only see me as some villain, here to dictate your life. In your case: to ruin your student's life. Your blindness is not my fault, but it leaves me with a problem. Let me let you in on a little secret..." The Mizukage stood up now, before giving another sharp kick to Mika's ribs. "When I first became Mizukage, I strongly considered executing the whole lot of you. Those of you that were faithful to Fumiyo. But something inside me wouldn't let me. You were all just as much of a victim as the others. It would be cruel to kill you simply for doing what you had to so Fumiyo wouldn't kill you. So tell me, Mika Hayashi..."
The Mizukage removed the knife from the wooden floor and held it next to Mika's eye. "Was I right in doing so? Or was I mistaken?"
The woman breathed heavily. She had tried to defend herself. Not fighting for her own life, but to try to escape. To escape to tell Haruhi to run. But she wasn't able. Opening her right eye, she stared at the knife. Pain was everywhere on her body, but she wasn't heavily wounded. Cuts were everywhere, but she wasn't bleeding to death. It surprised Mika as she had wanted to die. Her resolve was to lure Rika in killing her. She could have died, like she deserved while trying to come up for Haruhi's rights. Her future. Wanting to tell Rika to end it, to give her that hell then or spitting the blood in her face, Mika kept on breathing heavily. Even breathing was painful. The little creature of hatred that had been given birth earlier, growled and wanted her to do what she had in mind. What she was thinking of.
''I... don't know...'' Mika answered. Her voice sounded soft, while the woman wanted to scream back. Coughing, Mika's right arm trembled. She wanted to fight. Wanting to die, knowing that she had fought for Haruhi. But she couldn't. Her arm was able to move, but she was held back by something. Realization dawned upon Mika. She was afraid. A coward that clinged to life a the last moment. ''Haru...Haruh...'' Mika tried to say something, but she felt that each letter was like a punch.
The knife slowly moved away from Mika's face. The Mizukage continued to stare her down, the mad look still in her eyes. "You don't know, huh?" she said, her voice containing a hint of sarcasm behind the anger. "You want to die. You can feel the weight of your crimes. What you've had to do. I know, Mika Hayashi, how you killed your family on his orders. I know all the other things, too. You feel that you deserve to die. Or at any rate, you want redemption, and death is the easiest way to get it, isn't it?" Rika placed the blade against the small of Mika's neck, but did not press down or harm her with it. "That does make sense. To pay the ultimate price for what you believe in. You weren't born to be a murderous bitch. You were trained to be one, molded by my predecessor to be his tool."
The knife began to slowly crawl down Mika's neck now. "Your training had never prepared you for accepting the consequences of your actions because it was simply do or die. Now that the man that had you imprisoned is gone, you don't know what to do. You're scared. And you have now found solace in your new team. Specifically Haruhi by the sound of it." The knife twisted now, and was being dragged across her neck, still not breaking skin. "So let me tell you something. After everything I have been through, I too have found something to find solace in. You and I were raised in the same world, Hayashi. Only there were a few differences. And in the end, I had it worse."
The blade was right over her jugular now. "When it comes to death, neither of us are green. We have killed to survive, simply as that. In my young life, I had gotten good. I killed for the first time when I was five years old. It only got easier after that. Five years old. That sounds crazy, doesn't it? You have to wonder what something like that would do to a little girl over time." The Mizukage removed the knife from Mika now and stood up. "Haruhi doesn't have to suffer our fate. In comparison, she will have a much easier life. She has a sensei that cares for her and a village that will protect her. Two things I wasn't granted growing up, and you the same. So you count your blessings, Mika. If you ever dare to challenge me like that again, if you ever dare to threaten my son again, I will not only kill you slowly and painfully, but I will remove those two things from Haruhi's life. Am I clear?" Her eyes were burning with hatred now, and she looked out the window of the office for a moment. "You are allowed to hate me, but you are no longer allowed to defy me."
With Rika moving away from her, Mika managed to get slowly up. As she managed to muster some strength and courage with the woman away from her. Coughing, Mika felt the metalic taste of blood in her mouth. Slowly Mika struggled to get up. And she managed to get up. Blood dripped on the floor as Mika performed a bow. A deep one, seeing her own blood on the ground. ''Ye-Yes...Mizukage..sama.'' Mika whispered. She couldn't say it louder. Her voice was shaken and hushed, as the pain was still there, present in every cell of her body that had been hit by the woman. Slowly, Mika walked away, not looking at anybody. She was sure that most ANBU knew that something had been going on in Rika's office. Only nobody had came to her aid. And Mika would be surprised if somebody had.
After Mika was gone, the Mizukage looked at the floor where she was. There was blood all over it. Not a substantial amount, but enough to leave an impression. She stared at the floor silently for a few moments, before suddenly something changed in her. Her eyes seemed to change to something more sad and regretful. The hatred was gone, just like that. She let out a sigh, before tossing the knife onto her desk and sitting on the floor herself. It was quiet. Suddenly, Rika let out a loud shout of frustration and jumped to her feet, kicking her desk. This made a loud crashing noise as it fell over from the blow and the drawers fell out. Almost immediately, the door opened and an ANBU entered. "Lady Mizukage," he said, sounding somewhat worried. Without looking, she pointed at the blood on the ground. If anything, it seemed like she was trying her hardest not to look at the blood. "Get that cleaned up, immediately. And get me a new set of clean robes. Now!"
The man quickly bowed and left the room, leaving the door open as he left. Still averting her eyes from the mess, Rika looked at the blood on her hands. So it finally happened, she thought, staring at Mika's blood. I have hurt someone that didn't deserve it. It finally happened. She heard a noise behind her, and upon turning around found that two ANBU were scrubbing the floor. It seemed they wasted no time, and didn't even get a janitor to do it. "I want..." Rika tried to command, but her voice cracked and she paused to clear her throat. "I want the floor spotless. From now on, I will always have an ANBU stationed inside the office when I have a meeting, unless instructed otherwise." She looked away again, out the window. It seemed that the fog had grown thicker since the last time, and she couldn't hardly see a thing. It was almost as if Kirigakure wasn't there.
