Lightning In The Hidden Leaf

19 - Traveling Jutsu

"Do you think we packed enough to make it the Land of Lightning? It's quite the journey."

She scoffs. "No, not if we take a traditional route."

"I didn't think there were any other routes."

When Calista determines that their path of trees is clea,r she takes her eyes off of what's in front of her to look back at Kakashi.

"When I joined my ex clan, our leader taught me a travelling Jutsu. He only taught me the hand sign to travel to the Land of Lightning so I'm not an expert travel Jutsu user nor do I have the chakra to do the jutsu from any distance. But as long as we can make it to the border of the Land of Fire, I will be able to use it."

"How does the jutsu work?" he asks. 

"It creates a portal that connects to the Land of Lightning. Our bodies will  vaporize then we will re-materialize in the Lightning. Just on the outskirts though, so we will have a bit more traveling to do but at least the arduous part has been taken care of."

Kakashi is quiet for a moment.

"You ok back there?" she says. "Don't tell me you're afraid of my travelling Jutsu."

Kakashi has fleeting images of the hardships he has endured in his thirty-three years. He feels nothing at the prospect of his body turning into vapor. That actually seems like a walk in the park compare to other Jutsus he endured. But there is something about Calista's situation and her ex clan members that doesn't set well with him.

"No, I'm not afriad. Just thinking."

"Of?"

"Why would your leader teach to a Jutsu so that you could easily get back home? Especially if you were so invaluable to him."

She shrugs as she leaps off another tree. "I have no idea. I always thought it was a thank you. The Lightning was home and he knew I wanted to be reunited with my brother." 

In light of all that has happened, things are looking more and more suspicious. Is it possible she was never really an equal comrade? Could she have been used as a pawn? Does any of this have to do with her parents death and her brother's disappearance? 

"Why do you think he taught me the jutsu then?" says Calista. By now, her and Kakashi are soaring through the air side by side.

Kakashi shakes his head. "I don't know. But I do think we should be on our guard."

The two continue their journey through the trees and just as day breaks, they make it to the outskirts of the Land of Fire, the home of the Hidden Leaf Village. Kakashi's suspicions of her ex clan has her hair on end and her eyes and ears on high alert. They were quiet during the rest of their travels, not wanting to attract unwanted attention. Calista gets her back to the tree and glances around the beach for any unexpected guests. When she feels it's clear, she signs to Kakashi and they both leap down to the beach.

"Ready?" she says to Kakashi.

"Not really. Talk me through this jutsu again. What can I expect?"

"The hand sign I will do creates a portal directly under my feet that connects to the outskirts of the Lightning. Then I control the chakra at the bottom of my feet to expand the size of the portal so that you can fit. That is, if you still plan on coming with me."

"I didn't come this far just to drop you off and leave you alone."

She smiles, as her heart catches in her chest. "Very well. Remember though, you need me to get you quickly back to the Leaf."

"I'm aware of that as well."

"Alright then. Let's begin," she says walking to the threshold where the water meets the sandy shore. "When you see the pink glow of the chakra, you may then enter the aura. I'll then release my chakra and then we will vaporize and enter the portal."

Kakashi, his eyes stern, gives one nod.

Calista does a few hand signs, then with her first two fingers of her left hand pressed against her mouth, she focuses. The wind picks up and then a pink glow engulfs Calista and then grows, just as she said.

"I'm ready, Kakashi."

"Right. Wait, there is one thing I have to do --"

"Holding this jutsu depletes my chakra. I don't have much time."

While Calista is talking, Kakashi does a quick hand sign and makes a shadow clone of himself.

"This will be useful," he says as the clone makes it's way through the Leaves.

"Very well. Now hurray."

Then Kakashi stands beside Calista. She squints her eyebrows. "You're too far away. I have to be able to merge our chakras." She takes his hand and guides him so his body comes into contact with hers.

"Don't worry," she says also feeling the unusual comfort of the intimacy. "It's only for a moment."

"Better take advantage then," he says wrapping his arms around her.

She wasn't joking when she said it would only be a moment for as soon as he embraces her, the warmth of her body disappeared as they become matter-less wafts of mist, transcending space together.