All tears eventually dry.

Soon enough the Mizukage rose from her slumber, slumped up against the bed as the boats were well on her way to returning home to the nation that ayakashi loved. Knowing full well that while one battle had come to an end, a much larder one was about to start. Now that there was no longer any distraction from other nations at this time, she was able to concentrate all of her efforts into finishing off Zhuge and his disciples. They had all gone too far and Ayakashi was done with having to look over her shoulder for any sign of an enemy. With the final strike she would redeem herself, able to look to the outside world once again, no longer needing to look inward at percieved threats. Seven Bells, Hao Uchiha, Zhuge Liang, Sanosuke Flynt. Each and every one of these men were threats to her nation that Ayakashi could not allow to exist as they were any longer than she had to.

She could not help but feel that everything was coming to a head. And, even though she was the strongest ninja she knew of in the ninja world, enemies had a nature to accumulate over time. though as long as they were ignorant of one another, she was relatively safe.

Her people, both ninja and non were dancing on the decks of the ships, music played as people one by one came to her and thanked her for everything she had done. The gratitude in their faces eclipsed any anguish within herself. this feeling only amplified as they returned, as thousands of people had gathered along the main port of kirigakure no sate to welcome the fighters home. Not a soul had been killed or even injured in the exchange, other than a single ANBU, whom no longer represented the blue nation in an official capacity.

A spider messenger had found its way to ayakashi as she stepped foot on the shore, telling her of the happenings of the country while she was gone. Everything seemed to have been fine, Konohas ninja who had reinforced the boarder of the country seemed to be present and doing an amazing job. Ayakashi, while at sea, had written letters of thanks to both the Kage's of Iwagakure and konoha and sent them via messenger ravens to either nation. Expressing her apology for any deception that she had undertaken and explaining herself as much as she felt she needed to... But now, she was home...

Among the people at the shore, at the front of them all, her mother stood there waving a kerchief, a smile broad across her face as pride swelled in her eyes. As they landed, the Mizukage would, resisting the urge to lunge into her arms, embrace her mother softly, standing back to proclaim in a loud voice for all to hear.

WE HAVE JUSTICE!

Everything is going to be ok...

---

Letter to Iwa and Kono: