Kitari cracks the eggs into a warm pan, letting them sizzle softly as she continues prepping the rest of breakfast. The scent of toasted rice and sesame oil wafts through the air. Behind her, Kakashi and Kenji are mid-conversation, lost in their usual back-and-forth.

"Are you a strong ninja?" Kenji asks between gulps of milk, leaving a white mustache across his upper lip.

Kakashi takes a sip of his coffee, the steam curling around his unmasked face as he smirks.

"I'm as strong as I need to be... in certain circumstances."

"Ser-cam-stinsees?" Kenji frowns, scrunching his nose.

Kakashi chuckles lightly. "No—circumstances."

Kenji leans back in his chair, lips pursed, mulling it over. Then he springs up, aiming two fingers at Kakashi's head.

"Can you shoot lightning? Like this—ZZZAAAP!"

Kitari glances over her shoulder, amused. "Kakashi is the best at lightning jutsu," she says, returning her attention to the pan.

"I am well-trained," Kakashi says with a nod, gently taking Kenji's hand and pointing it toward his milk instead. "But I don't aim it at people unless I absolutely have to."

Kenji tilts his head, absorbing that. Then, a pause. He looks up with big, serious eyes.

"Kakashi... can you teach me to be a ninja? So I can protect Kitari?"

That question lands differently.

Kakashi's smile falters. He sets his cup down, letting the silence settle in before answering. Kitari's eyes flicker to Kenji, then back to the stove.

"It's okay," she says gently, trying to reassure him. "You don't need to protect me. I'm safe here."

But Kenji shakes his head. His small hands grip the edge of the table. And then, in a quiet, trembling voice, he begins to describe it—a dream. The exact same one Kakashi's been having. Word for word.

Kakashi stiffens. The weight of it sinks into the room like fog. A dream dreamt by two is not untrue. That old saying hums in his memory like a distant bell.

Kitari bites her bottom lip, her brow furrowing. She's trying not to let the fear show, but he sees it.

"You'll join the Academy when the time is right, Kenji," Kakashi says softly. "And until then, Kitari will be protected—with my life."

Kenji's eyes start to glisten. "The bubble man is strong," he whispers.

Kitari says nothing. She moves through the kitchen, placing food onto the plates. Her motions are quiet, tight, restrained. She turns off the stove with a soft click, sets everything out for Kakashi to serve, then wipes her hands on a towel.

"Breakfast is ready," she murmurs. And without another word, she leaves the room.

The click of the bedroom door feels final. Kakashi and Kenji sit in the quiet that follows, tension thick in the air.

"Kitari is upset," Kenji says.

Kakashi doesn't respond right away. Instead, he plates a portion for the boy and slides it across the table. Then he prepares two more and places them in the warm oven.

"Eat, kid," he says. "I'll go talk to her."

"Okay..." Kenji mumbles, picking at his breakfast with his fingers.

Kakashi walks down the short hall and pauses at the bedroom door. He knocks once, gently, then pushes it open.

Kitari sits on the edge of the bed, elbows resting on her knees, head in her hands. Her fingers are tangled in her golden hair, shoulders rising and falling with heavy breaths.

"Kitari," he says softly.

She sighs, not looking at him. "I'm worried."

He steps closer and sits beside her, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear. "I can see that."

She lifts her head and clasps her hands together. "And you're not?"

He watches her, his face serious now. "Of course I am. But I also know... we can beat him."

She studies his expression. "How can you be so sure?"

"Because we're not alone in this," he says. "Utakata's here in our village now—surrounded by skilled jonin. And you've done more than you realize to prepare us."

Her shoulders sag as she leans into him. He takes her hand gently, rubbing small circles into her palm with his thumb. It calms her slightly, the familiar motion grounding her.

"I hope that's enough..." she whispers. "Have you spoken to Utakata?"

He nods slowly. "I have. But he won't say much. He only wants to speak to you."

Kitari scoffs, a bitter smile curling at the edge of her lips. "Well, that's comforting."

Kakashi hesitates, then says, "There's something I need to tell you. I didn't want to add more weight to your shoulders, but hiding it from you... it wouldn't be right."

She lifts her eyes to his, sensing the shift in tone.

"At the end of our conversation," he says, "Utakata said... 'The song of the willows is fading, and whatever is left in the silence will be taken with it.'"

She stares at the floor, her face unreadable. One tear slips down her cheek.

"I think it's about the temple," Kakashi adds quietly.

"I know it is," she says, barely above a whisper.

"I'm sorry," he murmurs, stroking her hair, then pressing a kiss to her temple. She doesn't flinch—just sits there, quiet, tears falling slowly now.

He hates this. Hates seeing her like this. Broken. Fractured. He just wants to go back to last night—to peace, laughter, warmth.

After a long pause, she finally speaks.

"It's all my fault."

"What is?"

"If the temple falls... it'll be because of me. I left them with nothing."

He shakes his head. "You didn't leave them empty-handed, Kitari. You left them prepared. Trained. You gave them every possible chance. Even if you were there, it wouldn't stop what's coming. Because the war—this war—is here, in the Hidden Leaf."

She closes her eyes. "But still... I left them behind."

They sit in silence. The unspoken truth hangs between them.

Then, softly, she says, "You were right about the omens. The superstitions. But you were wrong about who carries them. It's not you. It's me."

She turns to him. "Maybe you're better off—"

"No," he cuts her off, voice firm. "Don't even say it. That little boy out there? He's counting on you. We all are. You don't get to back out now. You've come too far. I need you."

She blinks, caught off guard. "You... need me?"

He rubs the back of his neck, avoiding her gaze. "I've always needed you... I'm just terrible at saying it."

She smiles, a breath of lightness returning. "It's hard not to blame yourself. But... you're right. I need to stay strong."

He nods. "Exactly. Don't let him twist your mind. I think he's been playing a long game—setting this up from the beginning."

Her jaw tightens. "You're right. He has been. And he used me to do it."

She stands abruptly, fists clenched. "I want to speak to him."

"You will," Kakashi says, rising to meet her. "But first, there's a meeting tonight—at the Hokage-tei. Leaders from other villages will be there. I want to be ready with a plan... in case it goes sideways. I'm meeting with Tomoe and Sanada later to prepare."

"So... I'll speak with Utakata tomorrow?"

"Yes. After we're ready. He's clever—always two steps ahead. We need to be just as sharp."

"Then I'll be ready," she says. "And I'll make sure to ask the right questions. He's slippery—every word feels like a trap."

"He's a walking riddle," Kakashi mutters.

"No kidding," she agrees with a small huff.

Another pause. Then Kakashi's gaze drifts—down her legs, to the hint of thigh visible beneath her short robe. He clears his throat.

"Uh... Kitari?"

She turns, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"...Wanna make out?"

She blinks twice, then bursts out laughing. "Is that seriously all you think about?"

"After last night? It's literally all I think about."

She bites her lip, playful now. "Tonight... you're mine."

She leans in and kisses him—slow, deliberate. When she pulls away, her voice softens.

"I don't know what I'd do without you."

He shrugs with a crooked grin. "You'd probably go crazy."

"Probably," she laughs, standing and heading for the door.

"Breakfast is in the oven," he calls.

"You're not coming?"

"Oh, I'll be right there. Just... give me a minute."

She pauses at the door, then snickers.

"Looks like you've got some thinking to do. I'll give you a few."

He tosses a pillow at the door as it closes behind her. "Unbelievable."

But the smile lingering on his face says otherwise.

———————————————-
It's mid-afternoon.

Inside a vacant classroom, Kitari, Kakashi, and her small legion gather around a makeshift strategy table. The air is thick with tension, and the quiet hum of children playing outside filters through the open windows. Recess laughter echoes faintly—a stark contrast to the gravity of their meeting.

"I keep hearing whispers in the streets," Tomoe says, arms folded as she leans against a desk. "People are scared. Everyone's talking about Utakata and the curse. I'm honestly surprised the Hidden Leaf has been spared. You'd think we'd have seen at least one infected by now."

Kakashi leans back in his chair, eyes drifting to Kitari, who stands by the window watching the children on the swings. Her gaze is far away, but her ears are tuned in. He considers the question. It is strange. Not one case in the Leaf. Not yet.

Sanada speaks next, tone low and thoughtful. "It's obvious the village has a purpose. It's a pawn in his game... but what's the endgame?"

Kitari turns from the window, her arms crossed. "That's the real question. What is his purpose?"

"We don't know," Kakashi says. "Only he does."

"Well," Kitari sighs, walking to the front of the classroom. "Whatever the answer is, we'll need to present a solid defense when we meet with the Hokage tonight. That's what they'll expect."

She grabs a piece of white chalk and pauses before the blackboard.

"Kakashi," she says, turning slightly, "you said you saw an army of cursed bodies near the temple?"

"Yeah," he replies, voice grim. "They weren't far. Maybe a few kilometers out. But they were heading north."

Her shoulders stiffen. "How many?"

"At least a thousand."

Kitari swears under her breath and begins to draw a rough map on the board—outlining the temple, the Hidden Leaf, and the lands in between. Circles mark each village, and she begins to draw connecting lines.

"There are about twenty smaller villages scattered between the temple and Hidden Leaf," she explains, drawing an 'S' through each one. "Combined, that's just over a thousand people. All of them infected."

Kakashi steps forward when she motions toward him.

"Here," he says, drawing a new circle where he saw the cursed army. Then, with a quick line, he marks their movement northward.

Kitari studies it, brow furrowed. "Why north?"

Sanada answers before anyone else can. "The northern villages are trade hubs. High traffic, condensed populations. If you wanted to spread something fast... that's where you'd go."

Kitari nods. She knows Sanada's right. He often is. And to her surprise, Kakashi jumps in again, drawing connections even she hadn't fully considered.

"If that's true," he says, "they're being guided. Strategically. And if I had to guess... the bearer of the scroll has some kind of control over the infected."

That thought sparks another memory—of the cursed crystal.

"Kitari," Kakashi says, "did you bring the captured curse with you?"

"Of course. I wasn't about to leave something that dangerous behind."

He nods. "Utakata knew you were close. If he's using the scroll to guide the curse, then he's probably able to tap into the energy from a distance."

"So, he's guiding the infected through the lands... using the scroll?" Tomoe asks, brow raised.

"Most likely," Kitari replies softly.

She thinks for a moment, then turns back to Kakashi. "What do we know about scrolls? You carry some, right?"

"I do," he says. "But each one is different. Some are... harder to use than others. More temperamental."

She hums in thought. "Then we'll inform the Hokage about the approaching army. We'll send vials of the cure with them—along with the formula for mass production. That'll be their defense until we eliminate the scroll."

Tomoe frowns. "But the cure doesn't fix everything. Sure, it removes the infection, but the body's left weakened."

"I thought the cure was successful?" Kakashi looks to Kitari.

"It is," she says. "But it only removes the infection. The damage remains. Healing still needs to be done—blood products, fluids... and, in Iruka's case, your Sharingan blood. He was the first to recover fully."

"We should disclose that," Sanada says.

Kitari nods. "I've already written up a finalized report. All the details are there."

Then her eyes lock onto Kakashi again.

"When you saw Utakata... did he look infected?"

He shakes his head. "Not at all. He looked... fine."

Tomoe leans forward, intrigued. "What if we gave him a heavy dose of the cure? I wonder what that would do to the scroll's connection."

Kitari considers the idea. "I'd assume it would damage the scroll—maybe even destroy it."

"I plan to bring a dose with me when I meet with him tomorrow. He's in a good position for administration."

"Not necessarily," Kakashi interrupts, voice firm.

She blinks. "What do you mean?"

"If he's not infected, it won't work. The cure only targets the cursed cells."

"But the scroll and its bearer must be connected," Tomoe presses.

Kakashi shakes his head. "Scrolls are just paper until their seals are activated. Unless he's using the scroll or showing signs of infection... it's useless."

"Then we'll need to make him show us the scroll," Sanada says. "If we can see it, maybe we can find a way to take it."

"That won't be easy," Tomoe warns.

"I could go in alone," Kitari suggests quietly.

The room immediately erupts.

"Not a chance," Kakashi snaps.

"Absolutely not," Sanada echoes, his voice hard.

Kitari doesn't flinch. "But I have a feeling he'll request it."

"Then he doesn't speak to you at all," Kakashi says firmly. He runs a hand through his hair, his mind already spiraling with worst-case scenarios. The thought of her being alone with that man—

Kitari approaches him gently and places her hands on his arms, offering quiet comfort. Her eyes meet his.

"I may have to do this."

"I can't let you," he says. "We go together. Or not at all."

She holds his gaze, sees the fire in it, and knows she won't win this argument—not with pouty lips, not even with command. If the roles were reversed, she'd be doing the same.

She sighs. "Alright. Together, or not at all."

Kakashi softens. "Thought for sure you were going to argue."

"No tone this time," she says with a small smile. "I get it."

He grins and pats her head. "You're learning... good girl."

She rolls her eyes, though a tiny smile lingers. "Anyway, I have no idea how to prepare for this confrontation. Anything could happen."

Tomoe waves her hand dismissively. "Why not go in with the intention to listen? Let him talk. Deal with the consequences after."

"Not a bad idea," Sanada adds. "I had a meeting like that once. An enemy I hated—didn't say a word to him. Just watched. Took in everything. His posture, his clothing... the way he fidgeted. Sometimes silence can expose more than words."

Kakashi smirks. "Oh, Kitari's great at the silent treatment."

The room quiets. That was... the wrong thing to say.

Kitari glares at him—dangerous, deadly—and he immediately regrets it. Yeah. She's thinking about the years they spent apart, not speaking. Damn it, mouth.

"Should I start practicing now, then?" she asks sweetly, her voice carrying that tone.

Kakashi scratches the back of his head. "Ahh... no, please don't."

Sanada leans over and murmurs just loud enough for Kakashi to hear, "Dumbass."

Kakashi takes a deep breath to smother the urge to snap back. Not the time.

Thankfully, Tomoe saves the moment.

"Let's wrap this up. I'm starving. And I'm sure your genin are tired of babysitting."

Kakashi shrugs. "The boys probably are... but Sakura could do this all day."

Speaking of which—

"I want Sakura to help the hospital lab with setting up cure reproduction," Kitari says. Kakashi nods.

"So, to summarize," she continues, more composed now, "we'll present our case to the Hokage—including the cure, how it works, and how to duplicate it. We'll warn them about the infected heading north and monitor infection rates here in relation to Utakata's presence. Then, we develop an official plan—with everyone present—to destroy the scroll... and deal with Utakata."

Her voice trails near the end. The weight of those words settles over the room.

Kakashi steps in, voice gentle but resolute. "He's not a good man, Kitari."

"I know," she replies quietly. "But... there was a time he was. He saved so many lives."

Tomoe meets her eyes. "Those times are gone. Replaced by rot and decay."

Kitari exhales slowly. "Right... Let's go get something to eat."