The Red String of Fate: New Generation

Hidan Revisited - Mizuka

"Hidan? I know you can hear me, you dumb motherfucker."

Mizuka stood alone in the Nara Forest, Shikamaru waiting for her at the entrance. She thought she heard a very tiny, muffled voice shouting, which sent chills up her spine. The deer watched her from a safe distance.

"Save your words. I just wanted to let you know that you failed to destroy Kakashi's legacy. He's now the Sixth Hokage, and we will be welcoming our first child soon. And that ninja you killed from the bingo book around that time? Asuma Sarutobi? His wife gave birth to the most gorgeous baby girl a year ago. She looks just like him, and she carries on the Sarutobi name. You may be a powerful ninja, but you failed."

She turned and headed back toward the entrance before stepping and turning back to where he was buried.

"And I lied. You really weren't that good in bed. Kisame was much better. And now you'll never find out where the clitoris is."

Not her best speech, but it got the point across. She walked back toward the opening in the trees where Shikamaru stood.

"That was too much information."

She sighed and smiled, letting him lead the way through the trees.

"Do you really feel better coming all the way out here to yell at some body parts in the ground?"

"Why not? He can hear me. And I'm sure you've been out here with some choice words as well."

Shikamaru placed a hand on the back of his head.

"Well, yeah..."

"Asuma would be really proud of the man you've become, Shikamaru. You remind me a lot of him. All the way down to those damn cigarettes."

Shikamaru stopped and flicked the lighter cover over the flame of Asuma's old lighter, taking the unlit cigarette from his lips.

"What a drag."

They passed through the tree line and headed the short way toward the village gates.

"I owe you one, Shikamaru. When I get this baby out of me-"

"You don't owe me anything, Lady Z. Besides, Kakashi played an integral part in Hidan down."

Mizuka laughed.

"I was going to say that when I get this baby out of me, we'll get a bottle of sake. My treat. And as far as Kakashi's role in Hidan's demise, it wasn't as selfless as it appeared to be. He had a personal vendetta against Hidan, after what happened to me,."

Shikamaru shrugged.

"It doesn't matter how it was done, what matters is that we shouldn't have to deal with this again."

Shikamaru walked her through the village and back to her front door.

"Thanks again, Shikamaru."

"It's no problem.  Just take care of the furture of the village."

He nodded toward her protruding belly.

"Yeah, I think I'm gonna have to take it easy until the baby gets here."

She let herself inside only to find Kakashi sitting at the table, working on paperwork.  He looked up.

"Hey, where have you been?  I was getting worried about you."

She sat down in a chair next to him, sighing deeply.

"Shikamaru took me to see Hidan-"

"Mizuka, why?"

She furrowed her brow, knowing that this was how he would react.  

"I just wanted some closure on the situation, to tell him we're having a baby and that he didn't destroy me.  I was fine the entire time; Shikamaru is an extremely capable ninja and he wouldn't let anything happen to me."

He reached over for her hand, squeezing it.

"Mizuka, you need to take it easy.  It just seems like you're doing one stressful thing after another.  Please, heal."

She rolled her eyes.

"The only thing you want me to do is lay in bed and sleep, and I can't do that."

Now, Kakashi sighed.

"That's not what I'm asking.  I understand that you're trying to find some closure, but you're not in the best health right now.  You're low on chakra and weak.  Have you eaten today?  And I mean, enough to feed two of you and regain your chakra?"

This was something she wasn't doing.  She felt like she was so full of baby that there was barely room for more food.  Baby Hatake was kicking her bladder and stomach, making her uncomfortable.  She shook her head no.

"Are you hungry now?"

She shook her head no again.  He placed his hand on hers.

"Not much longer, and you can get back to your normal routine."

"It's not the pregnancy, Kakashi, it's the lack of chakra in my body.  And as long as baby is still in here, I can't fully recover.  It's actually been pretty disappointing, not being able to enjoy this bonding time with my child because I'm so miserable and exhausted.  Before my Rhapsody of Life jutsu, I was enjoying it immensely."

"I know.  Let's get this baby here and get you well again."