Daybreak | Kakashi Hatake

14

Mare stood at the bottom of the mountain of stairs leading up to the palace. The massive castle looked as if it were built into the glacier with huge spirals of ice throwing themselves into the sky before disappearing in the clouds. She craned her neck up and let the snow fall onto her face before someone cleared their throat to get her attention.

She lowered her head to the person as they asked, "May I help you?"

"Oh," Mare spoke, "I'm looking for someone. Kazahana?"

They narrowed their eyes and reprimanded Mare, "It's quite rude to speak so formally about the head of the Yuki clan."

"The Yuki clan?"

"Are you stupid?"

Mare narrowed her eyes. "Not typically."

"Then surely you know who the Yuki are."

She shrugged, "I mean, yeah, kinda... My mother was a Yuki."

The face of the person in front of them grew as white as the snow that blanketed the ground and suddenly their tune changed. They spoke in a tight voice, "Your mother was a Yuki?"

Mare nodded.

"Come with me, please, madam. I'm so very sorry about my manner earlier. I didn't know you were of the Yuki clan. Please, forgive my insolence."

"Uhh, yeah, okay..." Mare answered passively and slightly confused as she was ushered up the stairs.

She was brought through the grand halls and was busy admiring the beautiful artwork lining the walls. As they neared a large set of blue doors, the stranger turned to Mare with big, nervous eyes and asked, "Please forgive me for being rude earlier... It's just... I didn't know you were of the Yuki bloodline. I'm very sorry, madam."

"Don't worry about it," Mare replied, waving her hand. "But perhaps think again about how you treat strangers."

"Of course, madam. My apologies."

They opened the set of doors and allowed Mare into a large room where a table was sat for tea. Standing in front of the floor to ceiling windows was a tall man with shoulder length blonde hair. They didn't turn around immediately, but instead spoke, "You have very strong chakra."

"Thank you."

"Please, sit," he softly commanded her.

They sat across from one another and Mare noticed his eyes were clouded white. Is he blind? She wondered to herself before asking aloud, "Are you Kazahana Yuki?"

He nodded. "And you are?"

"Mare Nakagawa."

"Nakagawa..." Kazahana picked up the tea cup and then took a sip while looking contemplatively out the window. "Where have I heard that name? Nakagawa...."

Mare didn't say anything, seeing that Kazahana was thinking out loud more than speaking to her. She bit her lip nervously, hoping that he was searching for the memory of her brother. She desperately wished for good news.

"Oh, yes..." Kazahana snapped his fingers and smiled. "Ezume Nakagawa. Any relation?"

She felt a knot tie up in her stomach and her throat burned as she replied, "Yes... He's my brother."

Kazahana sipped his tea slowly as Mare continued, "Ezume is actually the reason I'm here. I was hoping you could tell me if you have seen him recently. I've been searching for him for quite some time."

"Hmm... It's been years since the last time Ezume was here in Hyougagakure, but he's spent much time here in the past. His chakra is also quite strong, but yours..." He paused and shook his head with a small laugh. "Yours is on a whole other level. Incredibly, incredibly strong."

"Are you a sensor, then?"

"Yes," he answered. "Do you wield the Yuki Kekkei Genkai?"

"I do."

Kazahana smiled. He stood up and walked toward the windows, blankly staring at the white landscape. Mare looked out the windows herself, getting lost in the blowing snow and incredible news.

There was a chance Ezume was alive. Kazahana had seen him.

"Tell me, Mare. Why are you searching for Ezume?"

She sighed gently, "He's my brother."

"But why? When you find him, what will you do?"

Mare paused to think about her response. What would she do whenever she found Ezume? If she found Ezume? Would she scream at him or sob? Would she fight him or throw her arms around him?

"I must tell you, Mare," Kazahana spoke in a low voice. "I haven't noticed Ezume's chakra in quite some time. I make a note to try and keep up with the Yuki who visit me. He could be suppressing it, of course, but he could also be dead. You understand this, right?"

"Right," she responded. Of course she understood. She was more than prepared to acknowledge Ezume's death, but she refused until she was certain of his fate. She spoke up again, "There was news that he was spotted near Hyougagakure. Do you think that was a false lead?"

"Possibly... Probably..." Kazahana muttered. "Every time Ezume has visited Hyougagakure he has stayed with us here at the palace. It would be strange for him not to."

"Kazahana, why have you never reported him to the Mizukage?"

The man turned around and set his white eyes on Mare before speaking, "I am the head of this clan; therefore, it is my job to protect all of you. Why would I turn my brother over to the Mizukage? The Land of Water has no right to interfere with life here in the Land of Snow. I would protect you all the same. You are a sister to me, Mare."

Mare dropped her head, feeling hot under the strong gaze of Kazahana. She apologized and spoke, "You're right. Thank you, Kazahana."

"I know I am."

Mare laughed silently and sipped her tea. "So, what should I do now?"

Kazahana shrugged, "Stay a few days and then go home. Ezume isn't here."

"But you said he could be hiding his chakra?"

"Yes, but even suppressed chakra has traces. I sense nothing from your brother. I'm sorry, Mare, but I don't believe he is here."

Tears were in her eyes as she replied, "Can you tell me about him? The last time you saw him?"

Kazahana smiled and sat down across from Mare. He began telling her about the first time meeting her brother, and all of the other memories he had of the man. Kazahana seemed to be sad as he talked about his friend and the more he spoke, the more Mare began to tear up. She was thankful to have met this man, if for nothing more than to share stories of her big brother.

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