Surprise, surprise.
Were there problems with the horizontal lines? I may use a new page break if there is.
beta reader: Miyuusen
The disclaimer still applies.
'I want to see snow again.'
The sun was still glaring and it was still scorching hot like always. As if wishing for it will make it appear. I resisted the urge to snort at my own stupidity.
Instead of mulling over how childish I am, I focused on picturing us; mother, brother and I playing in the snow. Sasori probably wouldn't bother playing until I would throw several snowballs at him and taunt him a little. He hates losing. Mother would probably laugh it off as 'sibling love' and join us too.
It seems fun.
'Maybe a vacation,' I thought somewhat cheerfully. 'Nii-san does need one, he looked-'
I didn't realize I was frowning then, all happy thoughts slowly going down the drain.
'exhausted.'
He would always be working on new puppets and he would say something along the lines 'needing to improve my performance on the battlefield' if I ever called him for a break even when he clearly needs rest.
I tried thinking of ways I could make him get out from that workshop of his (he basically lives there) so at least, he could relax, even a just little and breathe some fresh air. He pushes himself so hard all the time.
I huffed in annoyance when I realized I couldn't think of anything and decided to use mother to bribe him out of there, again. (It worked often enough.)
'Really, he's such a troublesome older brother.'
chapter 3
pieces of joy
Sana tried to read as often as she could. Her mother and grandmother would often teach her whatever they can when they return to the village from the war. Her brother would try to teach her too, of course, but he was busy with many things such as training and his school work. She really didn't blame him for it but was quite disappointed with the fact that Sasori was spending less and less time with her.
No, of course she's not glaring at his homework.
She was only caught doing it once (much to Sasori's amusement).
He's such a cheeky brother.
She loves him anyway.
(She had always wanted an older brother and now she knows that it's great. Besides, they've been living together as siblings for years).
She had now advanced to some heavier story books, with more content, from a several words picture book but of course, nothing too fancy. Though, she still struggles with writing. She idly thought that this must be one of the reasons why little children would throw temper tantrums.
Writing takes effort, focus, patience and being a perfectionist she was, she wants her writing to be above the passing line.
So, to help her writing, she started copying seals (bless her brother's heart) with her awkward fingers. This exercise was dreadfully difficult and awfully frustrating especially when she's been trying it for days but still couldn't do it as smoothly as she should have. (She was not the most patient person in the world).
Yes, she had started her ninja training. It was expected of her anyway and she wasn't some prodigy so she needed to start as soon as she can to sharpen her skills.
There was a huge list of what she must do and master, the quicker the better. Considering that she's the jinchuriki of Shukaku, it wouldn't surprise her if her chakra nature was wind which reminded her of the first two things on her long, long list of things to do.
Shukaku's jinchuriki ability to manipulate sand and her chakra.
Strangely, she couldn't really feel chakra in her body. Nothing different, completely normal like before and she would be lying if she said she wasn't crestfallen. Still, she might had to 'find' her chakra first because well, it's not like they said that she didn't have chakra coils right?
Eagerly, she sat in the corner of her room to try 'finding' her chakra. Alone.
(Paranoia, paranoia, paranoia, no one is there, not above the ceiling, no one is watching you-)
Was being curious about chakra at her age a sin? No.
But experimenting with it is dangerous.
Still, what could go wrong?
('You just did it, you mor-')
She sat with her brother's book about chakra (for ages five and below) and tried reading them once again. She recalled some things Sasori had said to her about chakra strings but those were for later.
She read, painfully slow, so that she wouldn't miss details or read the words wrongly (Japanese made her head spin).
'It's alright. I can do this.'
So, she did.
The feeling of accomplishment and pride bubbled up inside her when she saw the faint blue chakra on the palm of her hands. The chakra itself didn't feel like anything she had ever felt before but it was warm and breezy? She really didn't know how to describe it properly but with the 'breezy' description, she had a clue on what her chakra nature is, alright.
It took more time than she anticipated (concentrating, locating, distinguishing, pulling; trial and error generally) but it was worth it in the end. She felt giddy from what she had done, 'I actually did it with no body's help!', and there was a huge urge to show off what she could exactly do now.
She stopped pushing the chakra unto the palm of her hand, fully intending to look for her brother.
When she did, she felt something or someone above her.
She stiffened and paused mid-step.
('I told you.' She replied to herself with a quick 'shut up').
It was chakra, she was sure, even if she could barely sense it. The chakra itself felt sharp and cool, somewhat like metal. It felt like the sharp end of a pin and that was the best description she could give about the signature (not the most descriptive of the bunch, as you can see).
Now she knows that someone had been watching over her.
Still watching, right now.
'Dear lord.'
If she had been smarter, she shouldn't have stopped walking. The person above her must now be suspicious because she had not moved for several seconds (7, 8, 9-) and was as tense as rock.
'So I'm sensitive to chakra? The moment I know how chakra feels like, I can feel other chakra signatures too? Is this possible? Is something wrong? What do I do now? Crap. Should I just walk away now? Crapcrapcrap-'
The chakra signature promptly disappeared in the middle of her silent panicking.
She was in deep trouble.
'Or not.'
It had been three days since the whole incident and still nothing of that shinobi with the chakra signature she had detected. There was also no one replacing the shinobi from the watch duty, which she was thankful for.
(Though, they could just have been hiding their chakra signature until she couldn't sense it-)
Never again. Practice with supervision from now on.
Sasori now knows of her ability to use chakra, of course after showing it off, and gave her a pat of 'well done' which she replied with a huge, proud smile.
Her grandmother and mother was still not back yet but it only had been a little over a week since they had departed. They didn't really say when they would be back though, they never do. (She suspects that Sasori knows and she is the only one who had been left in the dark).
Her body still feels the same just that she is aware there's something else there which was, clearly, chakra. She doesn't really know exactly the flow of chakra or such details but just that the warm energy pools mostly around her abdomen.
It applies the same to everyone. Similarly, she could feel Sasori's chakra signature (warm and fuzzy like a wool sweater) and therefore, could tell that he's right there though, not the exact measure of chakra he has.
Maybe, she is a sensor but simply a minor one or she would be able to discern more as she grows.
With that, she left the topic behind but not before being, once more, thoroughly embarrassed of her panic attack.
(It must've been just the Kazekage's order on guarding her, right?)
'If only I could stop being so paranoid.'
When Sasori had collected her at noon with a hint of apprehension on his face, she knew there was something wrong.
(Chakra… going haywire?)
"Sana," He was almost whispering when he said her name and did his voice just shook?
"Kaa-san-" Her heart dropped.
With that one word, she understood, so they hurried and ran, ran, ran towards the hospital. It wasn't particularly far but for her short legs, it was an awfully tiring journey.
(No time for your glares and stares now because mothermothermother-)
Sasori had held her hand throughout their little trip and she was responding to his death grip with her own.
'Dammit, dammit, dammit. This- this isn't supposed to happen. It's supposed to be me showing my chakra and- andand- Sasori, oh god, brother is supposed to show his hitaite- We're supposed to be happy-'
She didn't realize but her tears were starting to flow down her cheeks.
It must've been an odd sight for the medics, patients and visiting people alike.
The village's jinchuriki was crying (like any normal child would) and was clutching her brother's hand so tightly, it was turning pale white (again, like other children).
The people around could clearly feel their distress and the brother was trying hard not to cry himself, it seems. The sis- jinchuriki was sniffling as she tried to wipe her tears and snot away from her face.
(It's still the devil beast- it's just a good actress that's all-)
The jinchuriki and her brother was answered by the front desk as curtly as possible and people glared as they ran to the room they were looking for.
In a glance, they might've looked like normal children, fearing the worst with their anxious, disheveled forms. If it was that, they would've pitied the children and offer them warm, comforting smiles.
However, everyone could not be deceived so easily.
The people knew and feared that little girl because she's the jinchuriki. Therefore, they pitied her mother and brother for they had to be associated with such a monster. Though, there were rumours that the mother had refused any thoughts on abandoning it and had taught the poor boy that his 'sister' was not a monster too.
It was probably so that the jinchuriki would obey her obediently no matter what but why drag the boy into this? He looked as if he would be a fine young man.
Really, if it's not to manipulate the thing for the village, what else could it be?
Love?
Utterly preposterous.
(But they really couldn't deny that the monster looked and acted a little bit too human).
"Sasori, Sana, I'm fine." Mother sighed softly and smiled from her hospital bed.
Her older brother said nothing and simply held on to their mother's hand while she, on the other hand, was so relieved, she cried again.
She really should be more collected (she was older than her brother) but she just couldn't help it. Their mother was safe and she's not dead.
She's not dead.
She tried smiling through her tears and croaked, "I'm happy- happy you're okay, kaa-san."
'Thank you, thank you, thankyou.'
Both of her feet was sore, her whole face was red and she's thoroughly exhausted but she's wholly grateful because their mother didn't suffer anything too serious. She's alive, not very well but alive.
Sana released a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding and stood beside Sasori, who had said nothing the entire time.
"Nii-san?" Was he crying?
"I-" He sucked in a breath and nodded. "I'm fine."
Suddenly, a hand was ruffling her hair and she turned around, startled, to find their grandmother smiling warmly at them.
"I have… wonderful grandchildren." Chiyo eyed Sasori for a moment and then turned to her. "Both of you."
Chiyo sounded so very sincere.
She was in complete shock, her eyes wide.
Her tears, then, almost spilled again because really, Chiyo-obaa-san perhaps praised her (or what she took as a praise anyway) with a nod. She did use soft words and was patient with her all the time but she never really said something like this to her.
It made her indescribably happy.
"Th- th- thank-" She just stuttering again and perhaps it was instinct to look for comfort, that she hugged her grandmother. Surprisingly, she hugged her back, gently.
She knew she heard Sasori utter a soft 'thank you' somewhere behind her.
Her heart was soaring.
It was a wonderfully pleasant feeling.
(But, of course, we all know what comes up must come down.)
"I know- I know we didn't exactly part with the best circumstances last time."
He snorted.
"B- But, I'll prove to you." She paused, gathering her wits. "I- I'll prove to you that I'm worthy of your friendship."
She was bowing as much as she could in front of him because she really was unforgivable for manipulating him like that last time (it failed, spectacularly). She felt extremely guilty and she knew she was a jerk then.
"It's really selfish, I know. But- but, I just don't think I'm doing this for my sake anymore. I'm sorry if I offended you by trying to manipulate you so- I-"
It took everything, everything, to look at Shukaku again in the eye.
"I- I do want to be… your friend." She finished lamely. She fidgeted again and lost her courage to look at his unreadable eyes.
She was not an idiot for believing and putting her faith in him but rather, was an idiot for even trying to manipulate him.
There was a cackle and then, a laugh.
"I can still kill you right there, where you're standing." He laughed again and she knew it was because there was a flash of fear in her face. "And what will be different from last time anyway, huh, brat? Trying another way to get what you want maybe? Say it!"
The question lingered and she stayed still, silent.
'I am hoping that I won't regret this.'
"I- I do know that bijuu have abilities that humans can only dream of, that's why they fear the bijuu and that's why you are monsters." There was a low feral growl and she could feel the killing intent again but she kept her calm (she really, really tried but she's very, very scared).
"B-But never mindless monsters." She finished with all the finality and courage she could muster.
There was a heavy silence.
The intent vanished and he really looked at her, not with that ridiculing or mad look, he was serious and scrutinizing her. It was a welcoming change in his attitude and gave her the push to explain more of what she had said.
"You have intellect and you are probably wiser than all of us since you've lived really long right? I respect knowledge. You… have feelings too and- and I just don't want to be enemies with you since we do have to stick together anyways, no matter what. That's why, I want us to really be friends." Perhaps, she was just blabbering but she was nervous. The thought of making Shukaku as agreeable (happy, she would've preferred) as Kurama was just something she couldn't resist doing.
He deserved friends too if she could have her family.
She, this time, with her whole heart, thought- no wished this for him.
It's not the whole sincere trash that she thought of because that was all a big, fat lie. She was just forcing herself to play nice to get what she needed.
Though this time, she wants to try to change all those to whom she could reach out to.
Including Shukaku.
"Well, well, I am quite entertained with your little speech." He grinned maniacally. "Maybe you will prove to be… interesting."
Her whole body relaxed and she broke into a stupid grin.
"Yep!"
Today is the day whether or not Sasori will become a genin.
(Of course he will pass the dumb test).
He had been good or too good and because of that, skipped several years. Thus, making him a very young graduate.
So they waited, quite far off but close enough, outside the Academy for her brother and when they saw the hitaite tied on his forehead while he walked towards them, they weren't very surprised but still proud nonetheless especially with the final confirmation.
"Nii-san! Congratulations!" She ran up to him and beamed. He's a genin of Sunagakure now and definitely, he'll be busy. If he becomes chunin this fast, she's not quite sure if she'll be exuding pride from every pore in her body or be extremely devastated.
He crouched, patted my head and smiled (adorable!).
"Thank you, imouto." He replied like he usually does but it was clear that he was pleased with his newest achievement.
Mother approached him then, as he stood while she went to the sidelines with happy grin on her face. As Sasori grew up, it seems that it's fine when she clings unto him but he wasn't really a touchy-feely type.
So when Mother hugged him and said a simple but earnest 'I'm proud of you', he froze for a moment but then relaxed and returned the hug.
She giggled at the sight but was then swiftly dragged into the hug as well (it's her brother's doing).
Right then, she wanted the world to stop completely.
Her family was warm.
Perhaps, it would seem they are from a sappy family drama but hugging them together like this, perfectly content and forgetting everything else, it was something she could not describe.
That's when she remembered her tiny promise.
But either Sana or her, it doesn't really matter, she will defend the warmth of this family.
If she had to fight tooth and nail, so be it.
She will do anything.
No matter what.
'I swear.'
"She seems to have taken the initiative to start ninja training on her own and," he paused but then continued, "I have my suspicions that she is a sensor."
"Alright. I will assign another to take your place. Dismissed."
With that, the shinobi disappeared.
'Starting on her own, is it?'
There was a faint smile on his lips as he gazed out through the window to his village.
Not much angst in this chapter but some fluff and happiness into her life instead? (Thought her dear mother was going to die, maybe?)
Of course, this is far from over.
Alright, this doesn't mean Shukaku is approving her, guys, or that they won't clash. I'm just finding a way to make them temporarily (or not) stick together. I also hope that her sudden determination didn't seem to come out of nowhere.
Family is not always peaceful and nice too, right?
Hey, life has its ups and downs.
Thank you for the support! I really love you guys. Uh, is it awful of me if I ask for your input? (For my really fast update, maybe?)
Right, right but really, you guys should give me your opinions or even theories! I don't mind because then, the story will open up to many different possibilities and not just the one I thought of.
Happy (early) New Year, everyone!
