Naruto Another

It was late in the evening when Mikan returned home. The rain had died down for the day, and she was feeling exhausted.

With Kurime, and Chocho safe, and under her protection, all she needed to do was keep them from prying eyes until the next day.

'Father is one thing, but if Kuda finds out there will be hell to pay.' Mikan thought.

The Kosutta estate was empty as usual with only a small handful of clan members within the territory. That said she was still greeted by the guards outside the clan home, a look of relief washed over all of their faces.

'Everyone is happier when I'm home it seems.'

Mikan quietly removed her black boots and made her way to the other side of the house walking straight past Sejin's office without regard. She peeked into Noboru's room and saw that he was fast asleep in his bed.

She quietly made her way inside the room and sat on the floor next to his bed in silence with her knees tucked up under her arms. She sat for a while listening to the rain outside.

"For some reason, it's easier to talk to you when you're not listening. I won't be here tomorrow to see you awaken the Kiidogan. The Mizukage is sending me on another mission."

Why she lied she did not know. The truth of course was that she needed to escort Chocho, and Kurime across the country, and to defend them along the way. Perhaps she didn't want Noboru to worry about her in case he was awake, or perhaps she was worried Sejin had bugged the room. Either way, to Mikan lying was a part of nature like a spider weaving its web.

"Good luck tomorrow, and don't let Sejin get to you otōto sleep well."

Mikan leaned over, and kissed Noboru on the cheek. Afterwards she left the room, and made her way back to Sejin's office.

As soon as she entered the room the Kosutta clan head lowered his book. It seems he'd been eagerly awaiting this conversation.

"Sejin'," Mikan began.

"That's lord father to you, Mikan. You will not disrespect me in my own household. Just because you are the Mizukage's plaything does not put you above your responsibilities to the Kosutta clan."

Mikan approached her fathers desk unflinchingly.

"My name is Mikan Kosutta, a special elite soldier belonging to the Land of Water's Anbu Black Ops. If you want to waste the Mizukage's time with pedantry then so be it. Until then I will call you Sejin, and you won't do a thing about it."

Sejin's words were like fleas to Mikan, and so naturally she brushed them off. In reality her relationship to the Mizukage was not that strong. While she did report to him he was never truly in attendance - it was always one of his puppets; though Sejin didn't know that, and as long as he didn't she'd have the upper hand.

After seething in anger for a moment, Sejin stood up, and glared at Mikan.

'He wants to hurt me, but because of my stature he can't. He won't.'

Sejin stared at Mikan intently, his face turning pink, and then a dark red. Veins bulging, and hands shaking, but after a few more moments the man sat back down still eying Mikan from his chair.

"What did I ever do to deserve such treatment from my only daughter?"

"The same thing you do to Noboru every day."

"What?" Sejin scoffed, "Make him stronger? You are the pinnacle of the Kosutta clan Mikan. Without your dedication we would not hold any power."

"What power Sejin? As I've told you before - it's in the Kosutta's best interest to marry into another clan. If we do that, surely our numbers, our populat-"

"You want me to dilute Maya's bloodline with the filth of snakes, and rats?"

"Don't talk about the first Mizukage as if you knew her."

"Your solution is out of the question Mikan. Do not ask again, I forbid it."

'He forbids it? He's still trying to exude power over me. How ridiculous.'

"And the Kusakyu bitch. When do you plan on dealing with her?" Sejin grumbled.

"The Kusakyu clan is the only reason Amegakure still exists. The Mizukage tolerates Kuda because she hasn't done anything too reckless. Kuda is smart enough to tow that line, and as long as she does the Mizukage won't give me the order."

Mikan was also unsure if she could beat Kuda as strong as she was now; the last time the two of them fought was a year ago after the Chunin Exam disaster.

Sejin must've sensed some kind of hesitation because a wide smile appeared across his face.

"Don't tell me you still miss your best friend," he said.

"The Kuda that I would've called my friend died a long time ago, Sejin."

'I need to change the subject.'

"What are your plans with Noboru?"

"Oh, you mean my son?" Sejin said, kicking back in his chair, "It's very simple. He will unlock the doujutsu tomorrow, and then he will participate in the Mock Exams. This way he can show the nation that the Kosutta clan is still alive and well. Afterwards he will return here where he can assume my position in name only while I control everything behind the scenes."

"So you'll make him a puppet?"

"Oh yes absolutely. He does not have the mind of a leader, only that of a follower. He lacks ability."

"And if he fails to unlock his doujutsu?"

"Then he won't participate in the exam, and he won't assume my position; he'll just be a waste of 13 years of my life, and a disgrace. It doesn't matter what happens to him after that, he can die for all I care."

This reasoning was not surprising. Historically, almost every Kosutta clan member that didn't unlock the Kiidogan during the ritual never unlocked it at all. This was Noboru's last chance to unlock the doujutsu.

"Tch, and you have the audacity to call yourself his father."

"Haha, I am what I am, my girl. Biology is fact, and family is family no matter how much you may dislike it. My blood courses through your veins, and that boy's veins as well."

Mikan turned to leave, making her way toward the door.

"I have another mission tomorrow. I don't know when I'll be back."

Mikan could hear Sejin growling as she left him at his desk. Mikan could only tolerate so much Sejin at a time, and Noboru had to deal with him every day of the week, and if he doesn't unlock his doujutsu, who knows how bad that treatment might get.

Mikan made her way out of the Kosutta clan complex, and back toward the gate. Before she could leave however, a familiar face appeared in front of her in a puff of smoke.

"Leaving so soon?" Minori asked. He leaned back against the inner wall under a shaded tree.

"I was beginning to wonder when you'd show up," Mikan looked around, "surprised you'd do it here, Sejin already suspects we're colluding."

"No choice I'm afraid. Sejin has forbidden me from leaving the compound. Keep your enemies close, and your enemies eyes closer I suppose," he chuckled.

"Are you still able to get away if you need to?"

"I can if that's what's necessary."

Mikan shook her head, "no, for now lay low - at least until I get back. Protect Noboru - that's your priority. I'll send word if I need you to do anything different."

"How long do you expect to be gone?"

"A month... Maybe two."

"You plan on recommending me for Jonin after you get back?"

Mikan laughed, "If you're still alive after all of this is over I'll recommend you for Anbu."

"Well aren't those suspiciously foreboding words of doom."

Mikan started to leave, walking through the gate that would take her out of Kosutta territory. She waved back at Minori as she left.

"If the words are mine you know to take them seriously!" She called back.