Paradise Found

CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4

WARNING! - If you have ever lived in an active war-zone, or through any sort of similar conflict and feel like you may be triggered by reading descriptions of one, I would recommend skipping the italicized portion of this chapter. It's not too gory or descriptive with violence, but I just want you guys to take care of your health.
 
Language warning for Kyohei's potty mouth.
 
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"ANBU Hare, report. You may speak freely from your ANBU identity for the time being."
 
At the Hokage's command, Kyohei materialized in front of the village leader, crouched just above the ground in reverence.
 
The turmoil that ravaged within him was not visible on his face. His trademark, Inuzuka smirk was painted on his lips with perfection instead, his body posture casual despite his uniform and position. The raging thoughts and emotions had been shoved so far down inside of him that he almost forgot they existed.
 
Almost.
 
Nevertheless, he played his role perfectly. He'd had twenty-eight years of practice, he could do this.
 
He appeared casual, cocky, and collected, as per usual. He couldn't afford a slip, the old man sitting behind the desk was still one of the most powerful shinobi in the world, and extremely perceptive as well. Kyohei proceeded as normally as he could, keeping that thought in mind.
 
"Hai, Hokage-sama." Kyohei removed his mask, allowing his features to display the feral grin he was well known for, Inuzuka canines glistening.

"It has now been five weeks of surveillance. What are your thoughts on the continuation of your current assignment? Have there been any changes to note that you have not already concluded in your reports?" He demanded, beady eyes peering curiously over that old pipe that continued to emit a foul-smelling smoke.
 
You mean other than the fact that the woman isn't from this world and I don't know where her loyalties lie yet? Other than the fact that your most trusted ANBU captain and squad leader is a fraud, just like her? Other than the fact that I know everything that's going to happen here? Yeah, everything's good. Just peachy.
 
His internal tirade was heavily laden with vicious sarcasm, but he only responded with a careful lie that he desperately hoped the veteran and leader would buy. Neither his chakra signature nor his tone wavered as he spoke.
 
"No, Hokage-sama."
 
Hiruzen nodded, continuing to appraise him with an unreadable gaze. "And what are your opinions on her? Are her intentions pure?"
Kyohei prepared himself. Ivan had always had a penchant for the dramatics, and he had been one hell of a gambler in his past life. His poker face was one of the best, and he could only hope that it was good enough to fool the man in front of him.
 
"That woman wouldn't even kill a spider if you payed her five million ryo." He sighed, running a hand through his hair for emphasis. "She's a bit of a pushover too, too kind for her own good. She's even been trying to teach the brat some manners, and I'll be damned if it isn't working. They have a relationship like cousins or siblings, sort of like Kiba and I. Oh, and let me tell ya, when she makes yakitori it smells so good -"
 
"Your point, Kyohei-kun?" Interrupted his superior with a small smile.
 
"Ah, right. My point is that in five weeks of on and off surveillance, I haven't seen one malicious intention from her. She isn't a threat, I'd bet my life on it. Looks like it's doing Uzumaki some good, too." He relayed his lie strongly,
attempting to make it sound full of conviction and assurance. "So, can I please have another assignment already?"
 
The Hokage actually chuckled aloud at his last statement, shaking a head at his brazen demand.
 
Inwardly, the Inuzuka felt the fear in his chest dissipate somewhat – Hiruzen had always shown a soft spot towards Kyohei, and never had Kyohei been anything but loyal to him. He had even taken a kunai in the gut for his Hokage years ago during an assassination attempt, when he'd been a fresh ANBU recruit desperate to prove his worth and ready to lay down his life for the man who had recruited him and given him something to fight for in this new world.
 
Hiruzen had been the one to gift him with a purpose in his second life when he'd been drifting aimlessly with no real direction. He'd been a soldier in his first life, and shinobi in the next, but Hiruzen had helped him to understand the reason behind why they fought under the Will of Fire, why they killed for it. It was his Hokage who had helped him to foster a profound love for this village, the same love he had once held for his homeland in his first life. He had given Kyohei the drive to make himself into a high-ranking Jonin and ANBU member, he had given Kyohei the drive to keep fighting. Hiruzen, the man he was betraying in this very moment, was the man he owed everything to.
 
Kyohei would not have been the man he was today without Sarutobi Hiruzen.
 
He let none of those past ties cloud his mind now, however. Hiruzen was smart and cunning, and even if the man might never have suspected such insubordination and treachery from him, he would remain on guard, the stakes were too high not to.
 
Treason, that was exactly what he was committing at this very moment.
 
The funny part was that he hadn't even thought about it – his mind had been made up to help the woman from the moment he realized she was just like him, lost and alone. He may have found a reason to fight for this village, but at the end of the day he was still a stranger living amongst strangers who weren't supposed to exist with no real reassurance that he was doing the right thing in this world, or why he had been brought here in the first place.