Disobey me....
The Mizukage looked up at the clock on the wall.
"Ten minutes." She looked on the jounin with hard eyes.
"That's nine more than you should need. Gather your squads and send all shinobi to the gate. We'll move out as soon as I arrive. Maori, give these to their appropriate shinobi." She handed several messages to a large, muscular man with two red broad swords on his back.
"Yes ma'am." they all said, then dissappeared. All off to gather at the village gate. The only ones who remained were Nyirei, Devonte, and Shouta.
"Shouta, I want you to lead one team to hunt down the genjutsu caster.""Right." he nodded.
"I assume all medic shinobi are prepared to move out as well.""Of course, my Lady.""Then go. Unless any of you have anything to add, go to the gate as well." she commanded. Shinobi from all over the village could be seen from the window behind the Mizukage, spilling onto the streets and rooftops, heading Kiri's main gate. Shouta walked over to the broken window. Bofore leaping out, he looked over at Rakutsu and said,
"See you soon." Shouta gave her a smile that said- 'This is it...'
"We'll meet you there then." said Devonte as he and Nyirei jumped out the window. With that, the Mizukage turned to her son.
"Mizuchi, once we leave go find Kaito-sensei. If you need anything, he's agreed to help you. You can take care of yourself untill we come back, right?" she said, ruffling his hair as she gave him a reassuring grin. He didn't return her smile. Instead he looked up at her with an emotionless face.
"What if I have to 'take care of myself' forever." he said coldly.
The Mizukage raised an eyebrow, looking confused.
"What do you mean? As soon as I get back I'll come straight home." Her confident smirk returned as she said,
"And when I do, I'll make your favorite shrimp- how's that sound?""And what if you die and never come back?"Suijin just stared down at her six-year-old son, taken aback by how bluntly he spoke about the possibility of her dying.
"Now what would make you think I would get killed? C'mon! I'm the Mizukage! I ain't gonna get taken down by some p***y genjutsu!" She had to remain confident for her son. She was his mother, she had to symbolize strength for her child. That was the duty of every shinobi-to-be's mother. One she was happy to oblige.
"You said everyone loses something in war. What if I lose you?" Neither his face nor his voice betrayed any emotions he held. But Suijin saw the fear in his eyes as he spoke. It was true, though. She
had said so.
'Damn... maybe I've been teaching him a little too well.' She let out a small sigh.
"Here. Take this." She reached into her trench coat and pulled out a scroll, the same shade of her coat. On it was the kanji-
北川
Mizuchi took it and when he saw the writing his eyes widened.
"But mom- this scroll's supposed to remain in the hands of the head of the Kitagawa clan." He held it back out to her.
"Its yours.""Yes," Suijin pushed it back to Mizuchi.
"which means it's also mine to lend." She watched him with a soft gaze as he stared down at the Kitagawa scroll with eyes full of wonder.
"Hold on to it for me, will ya? I wouldn't want it getting torn while I'm kicking a**." she said with a smirk. Mizuchi looked up at his mother, nodding. So many things were running around his head in that moment.
"Then-" she said, breaking Mizuchi's train of scattered thought.
"when I return you can give it back. Got it?""I understand." His face looked more child-like, the way it was supposed to, with concern for his loving mother. But also with determination. He had just been given a mission and he would not let his mother down. He bit his lip, and his poitned teeth broke the skin but he didn't care. He threw his arms around his mother's waist and hugged her tight. Mizuchi wanted to cry but his shinobi training had told him otherwise. So he held back his uncertainty and tears.
"I'll keep it safe. I promise!" he swore as his mother held him close. Suijin regarded her son with a look of love and pride.
'I know you will.' As they pulled away Suijin plopped her hand on his head and wildly messed up his hair.
"Mmllaaahhhh.." she stuck out her tongue, making Mizuchi laugh.
"I'll miss you.""I'll miss you too. I have to go now. Be strong, protect everyone that's weaker than you." The Mizukage turned to the Snow nin and Kenshin.
"Lets go. Can't keep the Tengu waiting, can we?" She lept out the window and headed for the gate where the other Kirigaukre ninja awaited her arrival.
.....at your peril.
