Absolved.

Amegakure Moonlight

[Song: Zombie - Bad Wolves]

The morning was growing on us, the sun rising behind our backs as we made our way towards the village hidden in the Rain. Kakashi and Jiraiya were quiet, still growling at each other over the events back at the hotel. My mind, however, was elsewhere.

It had been years since I set foot in this desolate place, this city broken by war and poverty. The memories of my last time here were fresh again thanks to the conversation in the road with Kakashi. I couldn't stop thinking about Haku, about how his devotion to Zabuza had led to his death. Kakashi had told me the details of how they died, of how Zabuza had wanted to be with Haku as they crossed over into wherever they were now... I hoped they were at peace with each other, the way Haku had always wanted them to be.

The unrecognisable faces of the people, innocent and guilty alike that I had massacred that day crossed through my mind. Women I should have saved had been killed by my jutsu.. A brutal, indiscriminate killing that had left scars even my brain didn't want to face.

I sighed heavily, the weight of the memory over taking me. Kakashi appeared beside me, his arm draped lazily over my shoulder as he kissed my temple and whispered "Don't think about it."

I wonder if that is how he dealt with the guilt he felt for Rin... Don't think about it, don't let it drown you.

"We'll need to change our clothes, to blend in." Jiraya finally spoke up from behind us, slowing his pace to a stop and bending down to dig through his bag. "Their security here is above anywhere else."

He threw Kakashi and I both indiscriminate black cloaks that we quickly put on. We also removed anything that would tie us to Kohoha and Sunagakure, blending in as civilian travellers. Kakashi had replaced his headband with a straw hat and his resemblance to the Akatsuki made me shudder.

"What is the plan once we get in?" I asked, eyeing the city gates as we neared.

We'd left the sun behind us, and entered the perpetually dark and stormy land. The city was dark and dingy, lit up with contrasting neons and the occasional crack of lightning which made it all the more intimidating.

"We are just getting information." Kakashi said firmly. "Stay close to me, don't wander off... if there is a fight I don't want you --"

"Stop." I said, holding up my hand and giving him a disapproving look. "We talked about this, you cannot treat me like I am fragile."

He looked like he wanted to argue it further, but instead he gave me a sullen nod. "Please just stay close to me."

I could agree with that.

I found myself staring up at the tall buildings in awe as we passed through the city streets. I'd forgotten how truly massive this village was, and how in its own way it held so much beauty. Jiraya split off from us, saying he was going to meet a contact. Kakashi and I made the most of our anonymity, he'd even taken my hand as we passed through the crowded market square.

"It isn't raining today!" I heard a little boy exclaim to his mother.

She smiled down at him, the gesture seeming to light up the area around her even though their faces were filthy. "Yes, that must mean Pein is home hmm?"

"Will we see him today mama?"

"Never our Lord." She told him, pulling on his hand but her face softened as she noticed his fell. "Maybe his Angel though."

I watched them walk away, their voices becoming lost among the busy streets.

"Who is Pein?" I asked Kakashi.

He looked as confused as I was "Maybe one of Hanzo's men.."

I nodded, accepting his answer. Hanzo had been leading this village for so long now, yet we rarely heard news coming from Ame.

It was a few more hours of blending in and listening to conversations before Jiraiya found us again. He looked deflated, and I noted a large lump on his forehead.

"Get caught peeking in baths again?" I asked with a smirk.

He glanced at me, a narrow eyed look that confirmed it. "There is no jinchuriki here."

"Then why did we come here?" I groaned, leaning against Kakashi who stood behind me.

"There has been so many power exchanges during the wars, we aren't actually sure who has them anymore." Kakashi told me, his breath moving my hair as he spoke.

The old sage nodded, and then sighed. "I have no other leads, other than knowing for sure Naruto is in Konoha... Everything we know about the other Jinchuuriki is just rumors."

"Lets head back to the room." Kakashi suggested. "We can think of a new plan tonight."

-xXx-

Kakashi stared at the woman beside him as she stared up at the pale glowing moon. He often wondered what it was about it that fascinated her so, what it was that made the emotions flash across her face the way they did. Sometimes she was quiet and serene, others it looked like a storm raged inside of her. He found himself reflected back from the indigo depths, a life full of horrors and pain masked by the stone face of one who had caused both. He wished she would smile, as selfish as a want it was, her smile made his own face light up in response.

"Are you just going to stare at me?" She asked without turning to see him.

"Probably." He admitted, adding "what do you see up there?"

"I don't know.." She sighed, leaning back so she could lay down on the stone balcony, raising a hand behind her head as a makeshift pillow. "Sometimes my mom.. Sometimes I imagine a woman trapped up there, and she's beautiful... All alone in all that darkness she still shines for us."

"She's not alone." He chuckled a little, moving so he could lay beside her and gesturing to the skies. "She has all those stars, making up consolations that dance with her."

When Kairi didn't say anything, Kakashi rolled onto his side, propping his head up on his elbow so he could watch her again.

The moon was reflected in her saddening eyes as he watched her face twitch with the effort of holding back her emotions. "What is it?"

He watched a tear leak from her eye and wiped it away with his thumb as she answered him, giggling in the way she did when she felt foolish. "I thought at least the moon would know how I feel.."

His heart ached for her, and he sat up once again, this time pulling her close against his chest and cradling her. "You're not alone, Kairi." He whispered as he kissed her hair. "You're a part of Konoha, and every single person there is a part of you now.. The same goes for Sunagakure.. In that way, you have more stars than most to shine with you.."

She smiled as she looked up at his face, it was a weak smile though.

He pulled down his mask and kissed her chin softly. "and on those days, that you still feel alone and the world is just too big... I will always be here, to hold you close."

He kissed her lips with his own now.