Lightning In The Hidden Leaf

6 -The Conversation

Calista and her clan make it their village just as the sun goes down. It's a tiny, secluded village without a name or location on a map. There are two guards on watch, both of which are men. Then an escort takes them to their boss, also men. As a matter of fact, if you were to go into a home here you would find a camp full of men. There are no families. No wives. No women at all. Expect for Calista, that is. She meet Yuri, Hodai and a few others many years ago. They had this idea that Calista would use her alluring personality along with the goddess jitsu to make coin. In exchange, she wouldn't have a care in the world. She laughed at the idea at first. While the work isn't illegal it's definitely... controversial. But she was treated well by the men in her new found village and when more men came to them, it was like expanding her family. It was nice to be cared for. It was something she hadn't felt in a long time.

Recently though, their freedom has been scarified as their livelihood has become more of a corrupt business. The village is big and Calista is the only one who brings money into the village. Their boss is more stressed and to help the rest of the village survive, they all receive less compensation, including her. The one who does the brunt of the work.

She didn't notice what was happening until one morning when she went to buy groceries and she was short on cash. That had never happened before. She figures that she never noticed because it all happened so gradually. One less bill one week, a few less coins the next. She often wonders if their plan was for her not to notice.

That along with a desire to live a more typical life has her interested in moving on from this village. That and the Hidden Leaf ninja she met back at the hot spring. She has already forgotten his name but she certainly hasn't forgotten how he made her feel. Or his offer. It has been monopolizing most of her thoughts and distracting her from everything else so much so that she didn't even realize they made it to their bosses office until he speaks.

"How did the mission go?"

"Money is below average," says Yuri quickly. They have learned not to keep the boss waiting. "There was significantly less people at the bar last night."

"I see."

"But Calista found a means to obtain coin in a way that is... how should I say it? In an unorthodox means for our people."

Calista closes her eyes and breathes out slowly. The boss turns around to face them for the first time upon their arrival. "Please, tell me more," he says.

Calista takes the money she took from Yuri as well as what the man from the Hidden Leaf gave her and lays it on the table.

"How did you obtain extra cash, Calista?" he says as he rests his arms on his desk. "And I don't have to remind you that I have a mind that knows the truth."

"I took money that we earned last night for myself."

"And?" says boss.

"And someone gave me money without using the Jitsu."

"And you planned on keeping that for yourself, no?"

"Since it happened outside mission I thought that was okay."

"In other words you decided to lie and deceive your own clan. Ensure your own well being at the expense of your very own clan."

She looks down.

"I'm disappointed Calista. You're the heart and soul of this village. You're why we exist and why we have grown. With that being said, you exist because of us. You wouldn't even be able to use the full potential of that Jitsu if it wasn't for me, yet you contemplated deceiving me all because someone was nice to you."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't done it."

"It wasn't just someone, was it? It was a man. Perhaps there was some type of attraction there too?"

Calista hates that he makes her say it out loud even though he already knows the answers.

"Well?" he says after she takes a little too long to respond.

"Yes, I guess there was," she admits to a room full of men before she was even ready to admit it to herself.

"The two of you should have kept a closer eye on her. She is not to be shared with anyone else," says the boss sternly. He only speaks to the men in that tone, never her.

Hodai looks away but Yuri clenches his fists. Hearing Calista admit to feeling attraction to another man is one thing and now the boss is blaming him for this entire ordeal.

"We apologize, Sir. It won't happen again," says Yuri though his teeth.

The boss keeps his eyes on the three as he collects the money for himself.

He is actually enjoying this, thinks Calista.

"Problematic behavior will not earn you any compensation. All your earnings will go directly to the village," he says. "You may leave, if you have nothing else to report."

Hodai and Yuri bow their heads and turn to go but Calista stays still.

"Calista?" says Hodai softly. Everyone stops and looks at her.

"What is it?" says the boss.

"I think I want to retire from this work. I'm ready to leave this village."

You can hear a pin drop as everyone holds their breath.

"Yuri. Hodai. You may leave. This is something Calista and I will need to discuss alone."

She hears the door close behind her and she has the urge to avoid eye contact with her boss. She forces herself to keep her head straight and high, despite the bead of sweat trickling down her neck.

"Calista, honey. I'm confused. You were so determined to join this group. You mastered your Jitsu in less than a month to assist us. You have never complained before. I must ask, did we do something wrong sweetheart?"

That patronizing son of a bitch, she thinks.

"I never really knew what it was I truly wanted when I joined this clan. I am grateful for the experience but I think I'd like to settle down and live a typical life."

Her bosses face is expressionless, which she isn't surprised about. He has mastered a poker face over the years so no one can ever predict what his next move will be.

"Well, Calista, if you're asking me if I'm okay with you going, the answer is most definitely no."

She grits her teeth and holds her tongue, praying he has more to say.

"I mean, you are the heart and soul of this village and our clan is built around your special ability... but at the end of the day, you're a grown woman. You're not my daughter nor are you my wife. You don't need my permission to leave."

She still doesn't speak. There must be a catch.

"Calista?" he says, signaling that he has said his peace.

"Thank you," she says. "But I don't want to leave you with nothing. I can stay until you find a replacement."

He shakes his head. "Again, you can leave this village if that is what your heart desires, whenever you decide."

She smiles. "Thank you for understanding and for all that you done. I was able to have security when I was at the lowest point in my life because of you." She looks out the window and back to him, itching to get out of there before he says something she doesn't want to hear. "I guess I'll get my things together and head out in the morning."

"Just remember Calista... no matter where you find yourself or where your life takes you, you will forever be part of this clan."

She is humbled by his sentiment but his sinister smile and shadowed face sends a chill down her spine. She is only happy to be done with this conversation and this village. It's been far too long.