Never Too Late

Akki walked the long corridor full of different rooms and offices. It looked really busy! Two young ladies almost ran into Akki, they quickly apologized as they ran past her.
A busy day in the offices of Hoshigakure. Akki Senju saw a rather fancy looking door ahead of them, just as Sephora had described! That had to be the office of the Hogokage, Ayato Hyuuga. Akki remembered him from their younger years; he used to play with Sephy and her when he got the chance. He'd visit the orphanage and play games with them. Would he remember her?
As they approached the door, if Megami was still following, they noticed it was open.
“It's now or never!” She whispered to her sister.
“Our chance to finally have a home. And if it's Ayato, he will listen to our story, and he will probably be understanding. But remember he is the Kage here!” Akki said as she looked from Megami towards the office. Stepping forward, she stepped into the office. Wow! This place was beautifully adorned and had so many decorations! It's nicer than Aokidanzas office! The memory gives her chills as she slightly shivers but at least that whole ordeal was over with.
203
TWC: 203

Megami followed closely beside her sister as they entered the office building. The architecture is beautiful here! A couple of female office employees almost ran into them, but apologized and then walked around them. This place was a very busy office building buzzing with all kinds of different citizens and ninja.
They approached a very beautifully decorated door that looked different from all the other doors in the office building. It had to be the Kages door.
Ayato and her were friends when they were kids, he used to frequent the orphanage with Sephy and hang out with them! She had memories of him, but not as many as Sephora had. After they were adopted by Nakara Kuoga, Akki and Megami only saw Ayato a few times here and there!
“Yes, let's do this sis!” Megami said as she stepped into the very decorated Hogokages office. Beautiful as it was, she was still quite nervous. She had just recently gotten out of Konoha s jail and that was on her record. If not she would be front and forward with him if asked. This was her chance at a new life and she had already met a few people here and she liked Hoshi so far. One particular person stuck out in her mind and made her smile.
218/218

The village's grand gates, usually stern and unyielding, had opened under the cover of darkness to admit two figures whose presence would not have gone unnoticed in more revealing light. Akki Senju and Megami, emissaries from Konoha, had arrived with the stealth of shadows, their arrival masked by the cloak of night.

The squad of Genin who had welcomed them were blissfully unaware of the actual weight of their visitors. Young and eager, these fresh faces were caught up in the excitement of their duty, their innocence unburdened by the shadows of politics that loomed above them. Amikiri, claiming kinship to the revered Hyuuga clan, and Reitei, if Ayato’s recollection served, had led the welcome. Their zeal was commendable, and Ayato made a mental note to reward them for their discretion and efficiency.

Yet, beneath the surface of this courteous gesture lay the bitter taste of diplomacy—a veneer of goodwill covering the often dark motives of its senders. From his seat in the Starfall Hall, Ayato knew well that such gestures usually masked more insidious intentions. Konoha’s ANBU Root were a secretive and calculating lot; their so-called gifts of peace were frequently laced with the poison of ulterior motives. Still, what mattered was that Akki and Megami were safely within his walls; for now, that was enough.

The early morning stillness of the Starfall Hall was a silent witness to Ayato’s contemplation. The flickering torchlight cast long, wavering shadows across the stone floor, shadows that seemed to stretch and writhe with the weight of unspoken conspiracies. Ayato fought the urge to stifle a yawn as he awaited the arrival of his guests, the fatigue of a sleepless night pressing upon him. The hour was unkind, but duty was an unforgiving master.

When the doors creaked open, and Akki and Megami were ushered into the hall, Ayato rose from his seat, his figure imposing despite the early hour. A faint smirk curved his lips as he greeted them, his voice a rich blend of amusement and formality.

“Welcome to Hoshigakure,” he said, his tone laced with dry humor, “I must commend your timing. Few enter so early and still manage to escape the wrath of morning grumpiness.”

His gaze swept over the pair, measuring them with the practiced eye of a leader who had seen his share of schemes and deceit. Megami’s calm demeanor and Akki’s reserved presence were familiar yet enigmatic, fitting neatly into the web of alliances and enmities that defined the shinobi world.

“We’ve had the pleasure of hosting a parade of Team Fuku's finest,” Ayato continued, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken thoughts, “though I suspect your arrival is less about pleasantries and more about the intricate dance of diplomacy. Tell me, what brings you to our humble village at this hour?”

The words were spoken casually, but Ayato’s eyes held a sharpness that belied his relaxed demeanor. In the shinobi world, every gesture and word was part of a more extensive play, and Ayato was well-versed in reading between the lines.

[WC: 506]

Akki’s ocean-blue eyes looked over Ayato. Wow, he had grown up. He couldn't be much older than Akki, Megami, and Sephora! Regardless, he was now a Kage, which Akki knew he eventually would be, and their situation was different. Seeing him brought a smile of relief across her face.

“It's good to be away from Konoha finally, sir; I can't begin to even…” Akki paused to prevent herself from shedding tears,” It's not like it used to be! The man, or Hokage, called himself Aokidanza Senju, but I don't recall him being one of my clan members! That man is more of a tyrant. And to be honest, I want to be completely honest with you. He put me in jail for no reason! I was a missing-nin because my village was destroyed! I tried to be brave and talk to him, but the conversation ended with me spending…I don't want to talk about it anymore; I'm just glad I'm here and away from there! I feared him. The deputy kage was the one who released us! I'm sorry to bother you so late, sir, but we couldn't spend another minute there!” Akki said as she painfully remembered the events and spilled her heart to Ayato. She sighed heavily, feeling a lot of pain thinking of Konoha.

(219)

Megami saw Ayato at the same time as Akki.
“They're all grown up, just like the rest of us,” Megami thought as she smiled warmly at Ayato. As she listened to Akki explain why they were there, she put her hand on her sister's shoulder to show support.
“We knew Sephora and Dante were here. We assumed Talon was because of how the group got separated when we all split up after we left Volcano! We assumed Sephy was here because we remembered you were the Kage here, and she would have gone straight to someone she trusted! We were hoping to find safety here and make this our new home. I don't ever want to darken the gates of Konoha again! I barely remember even arriving back to Konoha, my mind was gone because of sad news I had received and because I just gave up, but apparently I said some off the wall stuff and I was put in jail and suddenly she was in the cell next to me! As soon as we were released, we came here. I swear to you, sir, we are not criminals! “ Megami said and explained to him, being brutally honest with Ayato.

{WC:202}

Ayato's steely gaze stayed on Akki with an unyielding detachment as he listened to her tale in stony silence, his expression unreadable. His voice cut through the quiet when she finished, bearing the weight of countless cold decisions.

“Konoha,” Ayato murmured, disdain tinting his words. “A place where ancient glories crumble under new despots. If your tale is true, the shadows of oppression are long. Your plight, though tragic, is not uncommon. You may find refuge under my rule here, but remember, the past is not easily shed. Sanctuary will be granted if you leave its burdens behind.”

His gaze remained as unyielding as the Land of Snow winds as he listened to Megami’s plea, showing no hint of sympathy. When she finished, he leaned forward slightly, his voice rustling like dead leaves.

“Not criminals, you say?” Ayato’s lips curled into a faint, mirthless smile. “Not very good ones, anyway. Yet here you are, seeking refuge under my shadow. Even the best of us have known the unsavory. I’ll entertain the notion that you’ve left the past behind. For now, let us focus on your present intentions and the trust you wish to build.”

Ayato’s unflinching gaze weighed their sincerity against the harsh realities of his realm. “Understand this,” he continued, his tone growing colder, “While you seek to escape the sins of your past, you must earn your place here through actions, not promises. In my domain, refuge is a hard-won privilege. Prove your worth through deeds, and you may find a place among us. Fail to do so, and the shadows of your former lives will find you again.” With that, he leaned back, his expression inscrutable, the finality in his voice leaving no room for doubt.

[WC: 287]

Akki knew from the way he was talking to them that reports may have been sent to Hoshigakure about their imprisonment! Since Goto Senju asked where they were going, it was now or never. The decision to leave the missing-nin life and Konoha behind them was made, and they were now starting over. It wouldn't be too difficult; Hoshi was safer than Konoha.

“Our past lives will be left behind us, and we will never walk those roads again. Coming to Hoshi is our new beginning! We may have messed up a few times, but moving forward, the past is in the past! We look towards the future.” Akki said to him, hoping this would make a difference. She understood his perspective—two former missing ninjas who just escaped Konoha jail and come to Hoshi for protection!

“I promise we will prove our worth here, Ayato. You won't regret the decision to allow us to stay here. If I may ask, where would we be allowed to stay? We came here with what little we had and nowhere to go.” Akki added, hoping he could recommend somewhere to go; she trusted him.

201

Ayato's words were harsh, but she understood why. The papers in front of him contrasted a lot of their story. Whereas they were being as truthful as possible, the paperwork showed they had been in jail before coming to Hoshigakure.

“We have a lot to prove, and our past, unfortunately, isn't as squeaky clean as we would like it to be. That's our fault and reflects the bad choices we made. However, sir, we have chosen to leave the darkness behind us and start over with the rest of our team, Team Fuku. I know a few of us on the team haven't been the best in the past, but I am sure changes were made under your guidance and shadow. I will follow any rules you lay down and leave my past behind me! Thank you for giving us a chance, Lord Ayato! And as Akki asked, "Is there a place we could stay?” Megami was genuinely speaking from her heart. Her missing nine days had been over, and it was time to start over. Her fresh start would be Hoshi; she knew this was where she was meant to be.

(200)

Ayato’s eyes drifted over the papers before him as Akki and Megami spoke, their words echoing with the same desperate hope he had heard from so many others. Missing ninjas, renegades from the villages that once called them family, now standing before him, seeking refuge in Hoshigakure. They spoke of new beginnings, of shedding their pasts like worn-out skins, but Ayato had seen enough of the world to know that shadows rarely fell away so quickly. They clung, no matter how deeply buried.

When he finally spoke, his voice was calm, deliberate, like a blade drawn slowly from its scabbard. “Your past,” he said, eyes never leaving the scrolls documenting their history, “is not something you can discard with words. Nor will this village be made a sanctuary for those fleeing the consequences of their actions.”

He set the papers down, folding his hands atop them as he regarded Akki and Megami. “You speak of leaving the darkness behind, of starting anew. Many have come before you with the same promises and the hope that this village will be where their sins will not follow them. And yet,” his gaze hardened, “the truth remains—the past always follows. It seeps into the cracks of who you are, into the choices you make when you think no one is watching. Hoshigakure is safer than Konoha, but only because of the strictness with which we maintain order.”

Ayato stood, his eyes cold and unblinking as he stepped toward them. “If you are to live here, under my protection, you will follow every rule. You will earn the trust you now ask for, not with words but with deeds. Your past will not be forgotten or forgiven easily. Through every action and breath, you will prove that you are no longer the people these records say you are.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. “As for where you will stay, you will be housed with the others like you—those seeking a second chance. But do not mistake this for charity. Hoshigakure has no room for those who falter.”

Ayato’s gaze lingered on them as if weighing the souls behind their eyes. “The future you seek lies ahead of you, but the past is always close behind. Do not let it catch up to you again, or Hoshigakure will not shield you from its consequences.”

[WC: 393]

When Ayato spoke, unlike the presence he bore as a youth, this presence was one of Authority and Respect! Akki nodded as he spoke. They were allowed to stay here and with the rest of the team at Ayato's home. That's where the others were; she was sure he meant that. Well, he wasn't wrong about Konoha! Hoshi was strict, yes, but they at least had guidelines and rules to follow. You step into Konoha, and you step into the ultimate disaster! Goto Senju and Tenshi Uchiha were the only ones who made sense in that place!

“Yes, sir, Lord Ayato, and thank you. We will not let you down! Thank you for letting us reunite with the rest of the team. We have always been close like family, and being with them will also aid us in our journey to become better Shinobi! We will follow any and all rules you lay down for us to follow,” Akki said as she bowed.

“You are right. We have a lot to prove to you, and we won't let you down!” Akki added. With their horrible past littered, being given a chance was a sign of absolute mercy! She was thankful to Ayato.
205