To Hell With It!

[FUTURE]

"The saddest part of being a ninja is not knowing if you'll be able to return home after every mission, most especially in a time of war." Godaime Hokage, Senju Tsunade stood in front of the gathered crowd in front of the KIA monument. Her words echoing solemnly in the silent grounds. "We have lost countless sisters and brothers-in-arms, but their deaths are not for nothing"

"They have offered up their lives, as much as we all did for the sake of protecting the world"

At the front of the crowd stood the remaining members of Konoha 11. Although Sakura and Sasuke aren't considered as part of the named group, both of them stood among their peers. All of them thinking of the people they've lost in the 4th Great Ninja War; both friends and family alike.

"This peace was not brought upon by a single ninja nor a single team," Tsunade's words continued to echo powerfully despite the solemn words. "But rather by the countless people who put their lives on the line for it"

"To those, we've lost; those who will never see another sunrise again..."

"You will never be forgotten"

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[PAST]

I took a deep breath and exhaled a large plume of smoke. I heard the door opening but I didn't bother looking even when soft footsteps were walking towards me.

"You're smoking," my companion said and that's when I finally looked at her. My younger self is looking at me strangely as I offered my box to her. "I'm a child. I can't smoke" She deadpanned, causing me to smirk and shrug.

"Your loss"

She sighs as she steps beside me by the railing.

"Why are you still up so late?" I asked.

"I can't sleep" She rolls her eyes and gave me a look that couldn't believe that I didn't know the answer to that question.

"Insomnia" I frowned as I remembered. "Do you want me to create some sleeping pills for you?"

"Mom doesn't like me taking them," She said in an almost automatic response and when she processed what she said, she ducked her head and retracted her words. "Yeah, I think I could use a few pills"

I reached out and gently ruffled her hair. "It's alright," I said and guided her back inside the apartment. "I'll make you some tea for now"

"Not milk?" She asked.

I snorted. "We both know that doesn't work"

She grins as she added. "It's as good as a hot cup of coffee in the morning"

"And coffee makes us sleepy" I nodded. "Do you want coffee?"

She laughs. "I'll take the tea"

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"Why are you packing up?" A small voice asked as she yawned. "Are we leaving already?"

"Yeah" I replied and gestured towards the table. "Eat your lunch already"

"I missed breakfast" I heard her murmur to herself then a bit louder she asked, "Where are we going now?"

"I don't know yet," I told her honestly as I stood up from my position on the floor. I faced her, contemplating my next words. "I..."

She waits for me patiently as she chews on the cold meal.

"I saw Kabuto the other day," I said cautiously as I switched back to our own language. She stops and frowns at the implication of the news. "I don't know if they're here for the kid, though"

"Karin was a genin of Grass during the Chunin Exams in Leaf, right?" She recollects. I shrugged, not really remembering from my own time "It means they didn't get their hands on her before that"

"What now?" She had already stopped eating at this point.

"I..." I shrugged, totally unsure. "I'm thinking of adopting Karin"

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"Are you sure about this?" She asks as we both stand by the fence surrounding the orphanage.

"Not really" I responded, fiddling with the strap of my bag. "I never really thought of having kids"

"We did" She corrected. "we just don't like the idea of giving birth to them"

I softly chuckled as I straightened up. "You're making it sound like I had an abortion before"

I could only laugh at her horrified look.

"That's not what I mean!"

"Yes, yes. I know"

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"I'm sorry" The head matron apologized, "but little Karin was already adopted this morning"

I could feel the dread creeping at my heart. "W-w" I coughed the stutter out before starting again. "Who adopted her?"

"A fine young man named Yasue" She replied. "He came here yesterday with his son and they said that they met little Karin on her way towards the park where her friend was waiting for her"

I glanced at my younger self and she looked pale as paper.

"She..." She shook her head. "She didn't come to the park yesterday. I was waiting for her but she never came"

I frowned. "She didn't?" and she shook her head in response.

"She was here" The head matron interrupted. "She was the one who brought Yasue-san back here"

"Where are they now?" I asked.

"Karin-chan said that she'll say goodbye to her friends before -"

I didn't let her finish as I grabbed my younger self by the shoulder and flickered out of there. We appeared at the pub I previously worked at before I sent in my resignation letter this morning.

"Karin-chan!" I called when I saw the familiar red-haired kid leaving the establishment.

At the sound of my voice, her previously crestfallen face lights up like a Christmas tree.

"Rae-nee!" She squeals as she runs towards me. As soon as she came near, she threw her tiny arms around my torso. "Aki-jii say you go!" She frowns up at me.

I smile as I ruffle her hair. "We're going on an adventure"

"adbentwer?" She repeated excitedly. Though it was a failure, she looked unbothered.

"Uhuh" I grinned. "Do you want to come with us?"

She glanced at my younger counterpart who in all sense of the word is still dazed and crouching by the ground.

"What happened?" Karin asked as she pointed at the other kid. "Sick?"

"No" the said kid groaned in response. "Jus..." She looked green in the face. "... i'lly"

"Silly?" Karin blinks up at me, confused and I shrugged.

"So, do you want to come with us?" I asked again.

She was about to agree when a very familiar voice caught our attention.

"Karin-chan" He called. Looking over, I fought down the urge to jump away from my position. Though I did brought the kids behind me on instinct.

"You don't need to hide my daughter from me," The man I no doubt think named 'Yasue' said. A younger version of Kabuto stood beside him, sharp eyes silently watching us.

"Papa?" I heard Karin from behind me.

"Yes, my child" the man replied. "You seem to have said your goodbyes" He added. "Come, we must leave"

I didn't let Karin walk far before I yanked her back behind me.

"And what do you think you're doing?" The man inquires, his snake-like eyes as sharp and deadly as his original name's namesake.

"I'm taking her with me" I responded before flickering away from there with the kids.