Sorry for the hiatus, for those who were looking forward to more of this. I literally wrote this all in one sitting, after rereading the comments you people have given me.

I've been writing some other material lately, so that took up a lot of time.

If you all are interested, I might post it on here. Tell me if you do in your reviews!

Presiding Judge of Paradise! Shiki Eiki, Yamaxanadu!

As a proper hostess, Tsunami was prepared to serve the best meal she could for her guests. She felt a deep debt of gratitude towards them; even after all the deceit her father had told, they had still honored to complete the mission and possibly even save their land. It was even completely manageable, with all the foraging that the blonde boy, Naruto, had retrieved. The mother was admittedly incredulous at the sheer volume he had returned with. If it weren't for the perpetual poverty that suffocated the Land of Waves, she would have thought he had stolen it all!

That scythe bearing woman (Komachi, was it?) had also brought something home that had stunned her. Despite the chokehold Gato had over the fisheries, she slung a massive mackerel in a net hanging from the blunted end of her weapon. Her catch flailed and writhed in its hold, flicking seawater behind her.

"Oh my," Tsunami muttered under her breath, still staring at the enormous fish as Komachi stepped through the kitchen door. "How in the world did you get that?"

"Well," she pulled it free and settled it into the sink. "I'm not too bad with a rod 'n reel. Something I kind of get to practice while at work, though my boss isn't too happy when I do."

Several thoughts flittered through Tsunami's mind, the majority taking inventory of what spices she had available. "Oh? What exactly do you do for work then? Besides this, I mean."

"I'm a ferrywoman, transporting people across a really erratic river. The thing's really finicky and changes a lot, so it takes someone like me to navigate it."

"How often do you ferry them?"

Still squirming, the mackerel fought against its firm hold. The pigtailed woman firmed her grip and squeezed. "Where I come from, everyone has to cross it at some point."

Tsunami reached into her spice cabinet, pulling out a few glass vials and shakers. "If I may ask, what made you change? A career like that sounds preoccupying."

The fish's flailing had died down, the tail fin giving a slow slap to the brim of the metal sink. Komachi reached for the right knob and turned, the cascading water fell onto scales in pitter-patters. "Boss and I had to move due to some really, really unforeseen circumstances. We ended up in Konohagakure and adjusted. Well, still adjusting, I think."

Putting down her aromatics onto the countertop, Tsunami took a knife out of a drawer and offered it to the ferrywoman. "Oh dear, you sound like you've been through a lot! Hopefully, after all this trouble is over, you'll find some time to take it easy."

Komachi chuckled, the sound hollow and self-resigned. "With my boss? I doubt I will."

Tsunami stopped at her cutting board, turning to the knocked door. "Come in!"

Recognizing her by her distinguishing swords and… floating, transparent thing, the widow smiled as warmly as she could. "Good afternoon, Konpaku-san. Can I help you?"

The swordswoman bowed deeply. "I apologize for my intrusion, Tsunami-san. I have something to ask of you."

The sky had settled into a red-orange hue, with dusk's dark colors chasing away the warmth of the day. Winds whispered at the edges of the doors and windows of the Tazuna residence, gently rattling at the glass and hinges.

The sounds went ignored.

As soon as dinner had begun, something had caught almost everyone's attention.

Tazuna had spilt hot sake onto his lap in the commotion and quickly excused himself.

Tsunami wordlessly left for the kitchen.

Inari leapt out of his chair.

Kakashi had changed little, though his hidden eye kept twitching beneath the blue cloth.

Sasuke simply stared, shallowly breathing as he kept watching.

Sakura had dropped her chopsticks, rice bowl and jaw.

Naruto asked to pass the roasted sweet potatoes.

Komachi handed him said plate of sweet potatoes.

Sanae kept reading the pamphlet in her hands.

At the far end of the dining table, Yuyuko had wiped her mouth clean with a tablecloth. To the left of her, Youmu sighed.

Within mere moments, her lady had devoured her specially prepared portion of dinner, separate from the others. While Tsunami was bewildered at the request, she obliged. It was an absurd amount of food, something that would've been impossible if it were not for Naruto and Komachi. With what she had served, it was likely enough to sustain for her family for a fortnight.

Not only had it been eaten quickly, but also elegantly.

The noblewoman's hands and sleeves vanished into a white and blue blur, moving too quickly for most to track.

Kakashi was able to. Her movements were well-practiced and coordinated, shifting for maximum efficiency and consumption rate yet retaining a sense of dignity. It was even faster that his own method of 'flash eating'. The only difference was that she didn't bother hiding it. If only he had uncovered his Sharingan in time.

The thought of regret made his implanted eye twitch again.

A croon of joy shook him out of his lament. He looked to Yuyuko who was beaming at the new arrival.

Tsunami had returned with seconds.

With the majority asleep, a meeting was held in the living room.

"All right!" Naruto shouted. "Testing silence charms!"

After a brief moment of silence, Kakashi nodded. "Very well, let's go over what we know. Momochi Zabuza was heavily injured during his confrontation with Konpaku-san. With the aid of his accomplice, he was able to escape. Said accomplice also potentially carries the blood of the Hyoton (Ice Release) bloodline and can wield it skillfully."

"Gotta say, half-ghost," Komachi grinned lazily at Youmu. "You were really something out there. I mean, you're stronger than most humans, but that Zabuza guy was no slouch either. Yet you knocked him around like an uppity fairy."

Yuyuko nodded and clapped merrily. "Indeed you were, Youmu! Your grandfather would be proud!"

The swordswoman looked down and away, grimacing at the praise. "Something peculiar took place while I was fighting that rogue. Something about… me."

The ambience had dropped at that. Kakashi gestured at her to go on.

"It was subtle at first, but I noticed that my strength and abilities were augmented somehow. I am well aware of my own limitations and this goes beyond them by an unnatural margin." Youmu paused, gripping at the edges of her skirt. Her ghost half floated down into her lap, the cool sensation easing her. Slowly, she stroked her fingers through its transparent body and gave a tired smile. "It faded away once Komeiji-san had arrived, but the effects were… concerning."

"You should be." A new voice butted in.

Kakashi looked to Naruto, whose blonde hair became a verdant green. The locks to his right extended past his brow and nearly reached his shoulder. Stern blue eyes replaced the energy he knew that was trademark to the boy. A demure smile graced his lips, almost maternal in its warmth.

"Though I regret the circumstances," Eiki began. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Hatake Kakashi."

A resounding thwack rang in the confined space of the silence charms.

Despite his honed senses and instincts, something had compelled Kakashi to take the hit. He clutched at his head in agony and looked down at the offender. She brandished her Rod of Remorse in her palm, bouncing it in place.

"And do try to be less tardy. Keeping others waiting for you is a sin."

It was so liberating to be out and about like a commoner, to be another plebian in a sea of friendly and receptive faces. Though, her heritage and status could not be fully hidden. The princess in exile knew that she had garnered some attention with her style of straight, cheek-length sidelocks and frontal fringe hair. The clothes she wore were of a strange yet exotic flavor, a pink shirt decorated with several white bows. Below that was a long, dark burgundy skirt with yellow bamboo and floral patterns. Many men and more than a few women stared at her longingly as she strode by.

Kaguya was reminded of the first time she had fell in love with this impure world.

The Merchant section was so lively! While not nearly as so as the Youkai Bazaar of Gensokyo, this new and fascinating land had such novelty! It had some elements of what she knew from home, both Luna and Gensokyo, yet it was so different!

At least the vernacular was the same. Learning another language was such a bother.

Accepting another free sample from a smitten vender, the princess smiled sweetly at the flushing man and continued on her way. Kaguya looked to the sky, the sun still shimmering as it settled into the horizon. Luna was-

The dango stick in her hand fell to the ground, forgotten as the Lunarian kept staring at the phenomenon before her.

'That's no moon… And I dearly hope that's not another space station.'

Thanks go to my Beta, Crystal, yet again! Thank you for waiting a few years and putting up with my tardiness!