Granny Fumiko sat down on the empty couch, “Ah… The Mountain of Thunder. Well, it’s an old folktale around the Village. Would you like me to tell it?” They all nodded, “Yes, please.” Obito added as he munched the big pink-iced biscuit. “Well, it dates back to my mother’s generation… I was only a little girl when it happened. But it was a sight I would not soon forget. Thunder boomed for the first time in months, and everyone rushed out to see why. We were in the dry season, you see. Anything excited us back then. But that night, something truly amazing happened… The moon lit up and exploded in a wave of beauty. Stars fell from the heavens like rain, striking down on one of the mountains outside the Village in a dazzling array of lightning colours. It was like a night rainbow. The lightning coming down from the moon itself.” Kakashi rolled his eyes at the absurdity.

“Wow, a night rainbow?” Obito’s eyes sparkled. Kakashi huffed as she nodded in delight, “Yes. But that wasn’t how it got its name. You see, our Shinobi flocked to the mountain, arriving at it's misty peak. It was too high to be seen from down here. Out of nowhere, thunder boomed once again! An array of coloured lightning scattered from its origin on the mountain top, all across the sky.’’ She continued. Kakashi and Minato narrowed their eyes, remembering Miyuki’s oddly coloured Lightning Technique.

“It was a beautiful and powerful display… But deadly. Screams echoed throughout the Village, and that night… Not one ninja returned.” She said more grimly. “No one?” Obito asked in disbelief. She shook her head, “Not one. We knew then, something had inhabited that mountain. As if it was the God of Thunder, himself. The Mizukage of the time took charge and went up the mountain to investigate. He returned that morning unharmed and announced that no one is to go near ‘The Mountain of Thunder’ without his direct permission. And that’s how it got its name.” She explained.

“Why do you think they belong to the mountain?” Minato asked seriously. “From time to time thunder is heard. And faint sparks flicker different colours. Whatever landed there, it stayed there. Some say they were people of the moon, falling from their slumber in the sky to destroy our Earth. That it was people who attacked our ninja. People with different coloured Lightning Style Jutsu.” She said, narrowing her eyes at him. Lee walked up behind her couch and put his hands on her shoulders before looking to Minato, “We’ve been around long enough to know what’s what. And what’s what, is that those kids are children of the Mountain of Thunder. The people from the moon.” The three Leaf Shinobi couldn’t help but feel uneasy knowing this.

“They say the Mizukage went up there to offer them a deal, using his Shinobi as sacrifices.” Granny added. “What!?” Obito panicked. “It’s a folktale we use to keep kids obedient around here. If you don’t do what your parents tell you, the Mountain of Thunder will unleash its wrath, and the Moon People will come down and electrocute you, dearie.” she explained.

“Enough story-telling, Fumiko! Ya scaring our customers! Let’s show these chums to their rooms. You better not wear your headbands round here. We may not have many guests, but there are some with big mouths upstairs.” Old man Lee pointed out. “And you're only telling us this now?” Kakashi flatly inquired. “What was that!? I can’t hear you! I’m old!” Lee yelled out. The three sweat-dropped. It was going to be a long night.

By now, the three were professionals at sneaking-in and out of the Village. They ran up the mountain, and instead of going home where they were supposed to shower and change from training, they went straight to Kaiyo’s for dinner. They arrived just in time, only to be scolded for what she ‘thought’ was training until late. They were forced out Kaiyo’s to take a bath and get to bed in their own house. The three knew she had been awfully moody lately and wasted no time in doing so. While the brothers laid awake in their beds, replaying the day’s events, Miyuki took her usual seat at the window. She stared out, watching the snow fall and fiddling with a piece of paper. “You’re mad at me, aren’t you?” she asked, still fixated with the window. Ryuu frowned from where he laid, “I’m not mad. Just… upset with what happened, that’s all. You both broke our promise not to kill anyone.” Ryuu explained. “Sorry, Ryuu.” Katsu said, not meaning to come off as emotionless as he did. It had been necessary after all. “It’s okay… I guess. Let’s just try to think about something else and get to sleep. You know you need it, Miyuki.” Ryuu reminded her before adjusting in his bed.

“Something else, huh?” Miyuki wondered aloud. Suddenly a picture of Obito’s sheepish grin and thumbs up appeared on the window paint, and she quickly looked down to the folded page in her hand. It was the shape of a heart. And she couldn’t stop smiling.

True to their word, the trio arrived after breakfast with Kaiyo, “Where is everybody?” Ryuu asked as they looked around the lounging area. Kakashi walked in, “Minato-Sensei is out continuing our mission and ordered us to stay here and keep an eye on Rin.” He nonchalantly explained. Miyuki huffed, “Well, good morning to you too.” Kakashi rolled his eyes at her, but she had already turned away.

“Is she alright?” Ryuu asked in slight concern. “She had a fever early this morning. The old lady won’t let us in. So, Obito won’t leave her door.” Kakashi mundanely answered. “I’m gonna go check on Obito.” Ryuu said, jogging to the passageway. “I’m going to go ‘greet’ Old man Lee.” Katsu said before walking off in the opposite direction. Of course, that was just code for ‘I’m going to go get updated on information about our guests from Old man Lee.’ Miyuki knew better than to follow him and risk Kakashi doing the same. In short, the two were stuck, standing awkwardly in front of each other in the middle of the room.

Miyuki clutched to her kimono’s sleeve and looked to the floor. Kakashi averted his gaze to the side, trying to avoid thinking about how he caught sight of her naked backside yesterday. His eyebrow twitched, realizing it was proving much more difficult to unimagine than he thought. So, instead he tried diverting his attention to something else, making the mistake of looking at her.

He could feel the heat rushing to his face as he stared at the shy girl. He sucked in a breath and went back to averting his gaze as he spoke, “You hurt your arm or something?” he bluntly inquired. She snapped out her daydreaming, realizing she was squeezing the life out of her sleeve, “Oh, no. I just do that sometimes when I'm nervous.” She admitted, feeling vulnerable and embarrassed. She was fighting the upbringing that requires looking up at a person when you speak to them. “Why are you nervous?” he quickly asked. “I don’t know.” She answered to the floor. Kakashi was unimpressed by her cryptic response and remained silent.

She began rubbing her arm, “Why did you leave Obito to stand by the door alone?” she asked, not looking to him at all. Kakashi shrugged, “I’m not the one hung up on Rin.” He commented. Miyuki blinked in surprise, and then it sunk ‘So he does like her...’ She let out a heavy sigh. Kakashi raised an eyebrow before she nervously spoke up, “Right so uhm… You spared me… Why?” she asked, trying to get her mind off Obito. Kakashi deadpanned, unsure how to answer, not sure of the answer himself. His face went pale. A million thoughts raced through his head and he grew dizzy. When her response was met with silence she curiously raised her head, “Are you sick? Did you have too much to eat?” She had no idea that what made him so sick to his stomach, was the idea of answering her her question. She raised a hand towards him. Cold skin cupped beneath his silver fringe. She hummed, trying to feel his temperature.

Kakashi felt his face flush red, “You’re warm, but not too warm. Maybe Granny Fumiko should check you for a cold.” Kakashi could almost feel her breath through his mask and backed out of her hand. “What? No. I’m fine.” He frowned, holding to his own forehead and subconsciously wishing she hadn’t just left. Miyuki looked at him in confusion for a moment, and then shrugged, “Okay, if you say so. I’m going to go check on the others.” And with that, she walked passed him, leaving Kakashi to sigh heavily in relief.

“Good morning, Obito!” Miyuki beamed more brightly then she intended to. Obito was sitting on the floor across Rin’s door with his head in his arms and knees. Ryuu sat on his knees with a hand on his shoulder. Obito raised his head, wiped his eyes from behind his goggles, and then looked up to her, “Good morning, Miyuki. Hey, do you guys always dress up like you’re going to a wedding?” he asked, noting the kimono attire and lip gloss. Miyuki’s mouth parted slightly and she shied away, blushing from the question. “Nah. Our wedding clothes are way fancier!” Ryuu answered half-jokingly. Obito chuckled, “Really?” he asked, turning to Miyuki. “Oh, uhm, yeah.” She said, feeling slightly embarrassed.

Just then, the door opened, “Miyuki, dearie, is that you?” Granny asked, peeking her head through the door. “Good morning Granny Fumiko.” Miyuki bowed. “Get in here quick!” She demanded, grabbing the back of her collar and pulling her in, much to her surprise. Obito jumped up, but just as he dove for the door, it shut in his face, “Oh, come on!” he exclaimed in frustration.

Miyuki gasped. Rin was lying in bed, breathing heavily and sweating. Her face was red hot. Miyuki ran up to her bedside, “She’s been like this for over an hour now. Poor dear. I came to change her bandages when I found the wound infected with frostbite and her fever running off the charts!” Granny explained. “Darn it! I should've never used my chakra on her when it started turning to ice.” Miyuki said in regret, hastily grabbing the cloth from the bowl and draining it before dabbing Rin’s head.

“I used one of my herb remedies. It’ll eat away the infection, but it may take a while for the wound to get much better. I had her drink some of my special tea too, but her fever just won’t cool down fast enough.” Fumiko explained. ‘I haven’t recovered from yesterday yet…’ Miyuki nervously thought. But that wouldn’t stop her now. She narrowed her eyes and dipped her hand into the water bowl, “I’m going to try and get her cooled off by infusing the water into her skin.” Miyuki explained, newly determined. “Can you do that?” Granny asked in slight surprise.

The water in her hand glowed as she emitted her chakra and placed it over Rin’s forehead, “She’s dehydrated and lost a lot of blood. Her blood’s probably boiling inside her trying to make up for it. It works for me when I absorb water myself, maybe it’ll work for her too.” Miyuki explained. “Dearie, whatever you need, I’m here.” Granny assured her. Miyuki smiled gratefully at her, “Just be sure to catch me if I fall. It’ll take a long time. I might not have the stamina to keep up the constant stream of chakra water entering below the surface of her skin.” She explained, rolling up her sleeves. “I’ll be here every step of the way, sweetheart.” Fumiko reassured her. Miyuki gave a firm nod, and with that the procedure began. It was very slow, and very draining, but with Miyuki’s laser-like focus, she soaked the water on and into her skin, cooling the surface of the blood vessels within Rin.

It took nearly an hour, but she did it. Rin’s fever subsided, and her face eased in her sleep. Miyuki sighed in relief, “You did it, dearie!” Granny exclaimed in joy. Miyuki was sweating and panting, “I did it… Didn’t… I, ah, o-” Granny caught her by the side as she passed out. Fumiko smiled, “Yes, you did… You can come in now dearies!” Granny called out, and the door almost immediately flew open, “Rin!” Obito yelled, running in. He gasped, “Miyuki!?”

Ryuu, Katsu and Kakashi all walked in at the sound of the commotion. “Hey, what’s-” the brothers gasped and ran over to Fumiko, asking what happened. Kakashi strode over to the bedside, listening as she explained. They sighed in relief hearing she was just asleep. Obito held Rin’s hand, constantly wiping his irritated eyes as he did. “Why don’t you two go and help Lee fish for lunch? It’ll take your minds off her for a bit and let her sleep.” Granny suggested. Ryuu looked at Katsu, who was shaking his head, pleading for him to say no. Ryuu sighed in defeat, “I guess a fishing trip won’t hurt.” Katsu mentally cursed Miyuki’s slumber. “Good. I’ll take care of everyone here in the meantime. I think that blonde-haired dearie said he’d be back for lunch too. I best put on some tea.” Ryuu nodded in defeat, “See you guys soon. Take care of her Kakashi.” Kakashi gave him an unimpressed look, “Why me?” he asked. “Because Obito is busy at the moment.” Katsu pointed out. Obito was watching over Rin. Kakashi frowned, having no excuse.

The two boys left, and Fumiko asked Kakashi to lay Miyuki on the bed in the next room to give Obito and Rin some space. Kakashi rolled his eyes, picked her up bridal style and carried her over. Once he set her down, Fumiko made her more comfortable and instructed him to stay with her until she finished tending to the other guests and preparing some snacks for tea. When Kakashi groaned out in complaint, she whacked his head and demanded he stayed at Miyuki’s bedside. With a now paining head, he reluctantly agreed.

He sat there for hours, watching each breath fill her chest and escape her slightly parted mouth. For some reason, he wasn't bored watching her like this. He counted the freckles on her face, realizing it was as endless as the stars in the sky. It made him admire freckled faces. The way her chest seemed to rise and fall like a gentle ocean wave fascinated him each time, and he couldn’t stop watching.

Well, at least, not until Ryuu and Katsu returned with the River Fish.

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