Chapter 4: Cards Under the Table
. .
It was the earliest hours of the day. The night of the previous day was over, and a new day had just begun. Kenjetsu was lying on his side, listening to his partner sharpen his sword with a wet stone. Kenjetsu turned around to watch him, he had woken up about an hour ago to the same sounds and wondered how long Zabuza had been going.
Kenjetsu sat up, still groggy, and scooted over to Zabuza and laid his forehead on his partner's bare back.
"How long have you been awake?" The Demon grunted as he slowed his pace.
"Couple of hours," He said lowly.
"You should rest." murmured Kenjetsu, Zabuza only hummed.
"The kids are awake." The clan head held in a chuckle, Zabuza was trying to take the attention off himself, he'd let him go this one time.
"Speaking of the kids, they're growing everyday. Mangetsu's at the top of his class and the twins aren't lacking anywhere." Kenjetsu said, smiling proudly.
"That's to be expected." Zabuza tried to say dismissively, but the clan head wasn't gonna let him off again.
"You're proud of them!" Kenjetsu said in a sing-song voice, while poking and rubbing Zabuza's sides, making him squirm slightly.
Coincidentally there was a couple of knocks on the door, the clan head huffed. What do you have to do for some mack around here? Zabuza seemed pretty bothered himself, stomping towards the door when he realized Kenjetsu wasn't getting up.
He pulled the door open harshly, looked down at the the kids and grunted. There were groggy choruses of 'hey Tou-chan' and 'can we come in?' Kenjetsu grinned, they were just too cute. Zabuza looked to him, Kenjetsu nodded. If they didn't let them in they'd start playing and make a whole lot of noise. It was better to put them to sleep in their room than to leave them alone and have to go scold them.
One by one they sat on the bed, Zabuza first followed by Mangetsu, and then Suigetsu. Ran-chan stood at the foot of the bed, rubbing her eyes before climbing on the bed and then crawling into Kenjetsu's lap. Zabuza scoffed and Kenjetsu had to suppress a chuckle.
Rangetsu was the only one that still sat in their lap. Suigetsu and Mangetsu had decided they were too old, so the two fathers took little victories whenever their youngest took solace in one of their laps, especially since she was so picky.
"So why are you brats awake?" The question visibly made two of the siblings uncomfortable, Mangetsu went still and Suigetsu suddenly found the fur covers interesting.
"Sleep is boring." Whined Mangetsu, "Yeah! Sleep is boring!" The Father of three held in a laugh, Zabuza deadpanned.
"Well since you're all in here we might as well talk about something productive."
"Like what?" Asked Mangestu.
"Like, you guy's hair is getting long.." Kenjetsu left the suggestion in the air.
"No it isn't, Dad!" Insisted Suigetsu, "I bet it won't even be enough for a ponytail!"
Rangetsu perked up at Suigetsu's argument, and Kenjetsu started running his fingers through her hair—it was below her shoulders now.
"Alright, Mangetsu see if your brother's right." The oldest sibling snickered and gradually started pulling all Suigetsu's hair up into a ponytail, running his fingers through it to keep it smooth.
Sure enough when he was done there was a little white tuft on the little boy's head, his growing bangs left on his forehead.
"Wow Sui-kun! I've never seen that much of your face before!" His twin exclaimed as he scoffed.
"You look nice Sui-kun," the boy wasn't having it and rolled his eyes, earning him a thump on the forehead, "doesn't he Zabuza?" The Demon of the Mist was pulling at the little tuft with a ghost of a smile, "I like the little warrior tuft," he looked at Rangetsu, "put Ran-chan's hair up."
Kenjetsu started pulling his daughter's hair up one lock at a time. He would hate when his children grew up, when they'd have to become ninja and kill. He was grateful for Zabuza being there to train them and tell them yes, they would have to kill people and no, they couldn't be hesitant about it. Mangetsu was having a harder time coming to terms with it since he had Kenjetsu's nature, and was raised with it. But the twins had no problem accepting it, and that unnerved the father of three on some levels. Kenjetsu pulled the last lock of his daughter's hair up, the kids and Zabuza chattering as they waited.
"Go sit next to your brother." The clan head whispered to his daughter.
She crawled over and tapped his head a couple of times, when she had his attention, she pointed at their Dad.
"Oi..." the twins groaned in unison, their father and oldest brother had stars in their eyes. They looked at their Tou-chan and almost died in exasperation, he fell back asleep!
"HOW DID I GET GIFTED WITH THESE PEDIGREE-"
"ADORABLE!"
"CHILDREN!" "SIBLINGS!"
Kenjetsu turned towards Mangetsu with stars still in his eyes, "Wait, no!" He tried to protest, but a 'warrior tuft' as Zabuza called it was already being formed on the top of his head.
When it was done the Hozūki siblings were sitting side by side, warrior tufts on all of their heads. Kenjetsu snapped a picture, and patted them all on the head.
The twins fell asleep about five minutes later, Mangetsu following suit. Kenjetsu scooted closer to Zabuza, almost instantly falling asleep once he was grabbed.
. .
Why does the sun have to be so blaringly bright? Kenjetsu felt the empty area behind him, and why does Zabuza have to be so hungry all the time.. usually when Zabuza woke up before him, he was eating.
Kenjetsu got up from the bed, careful not to wake any of the children.
. .
He soundlessly walked into the kitchen, noticing that the glass door to their outside area was wide open. He could slightly make out Zabuza's form sitting in front of the creek.
The clan head made his way outside, appreciating the cool March winds. Kiri was out of its brutal winter, but wasn't full into the scorching summer.
He sat next to his partner and admired his form. Zabuza still hadn't put his bandages back on, hairless face on display. He preferred to stay clean shaven, contrary to Kenjetsu. My beards actually getting slightly long..
"There's a Yuki child." Zabuza suddenly said in a guarded tone, still looking at the flowing water of the creek. The father of three was thoroughly surprised but didn't let it show on his features. Zabuza snuck a glance at him to gauge his reaction, and returned to looking back at the water.
"Older than the twins, younger than Mangetsu. I raised him till I could leave him in the woods by himself, and I check on him daily. He-"
"Bring him here." Kenjetsu interrupted calmly. That child would be killed if his heritage was ever discovered, he deserved a chance at life.
Zabuza's mouth was slightly ajar, and he snapped it shut once he noticed.
. .
Mangetsu unwillingly opened his eyes and sat up, it was Friday and he had to get his siblings ready for the academy.
He shoved the twins, earning two groans, "Get up you guys, it's Friday." More groans, "Come onnn!" The oldest sibling whined, and proceeded to pad quietly out of the room, twin footsteps following closely behind.
Once the siblings made it to their shared bathroom, all of them equipped themselves with toothbrushes and Mangetsu gave them all dots of paste.
After washing their faces, Mangetsu instructed them to pull out their clothes as he went to go get his.
He walked in the twins' room and threw his clothes on Suigetsu's bed. The twins only had on their underwear and had laid their clothes on Rangetsu's bed, as it was next to their closet. The oldest sibling plopped down on his sister's bed and held up her shirt.
"You see the arm holes okay?" He asked, receiving a muffled 'mhm' as he picked up Suigetsu's shirt and did the same.
Once they had their shirts on he went to go put on his clothes, they could put on their pants, bandages and sandals themselves.
He pulled the sleeveless black tanktop over his head, pulled his purple pants on his legs, and lastly pulled on his gray, weighted arm warmers and leg warmer sandals.
He walked over to the twins' dresser and pulled out a comb and a couple of pins.
"Hey put those down." The twins had pulled out combs of their own and were yanking at their hair. Mangetsu snatched the combs away from them.
"Why'd you take them!?"
"Because you guys yank your hair out.. Come on Sui-kun." Mangetsu sat down on the floor and gestured for the boy to come.
The oldest sibling started pulling the comb from end to root until there were no kinks, then he gathered up Suigetsu's bangs and pulled them into the black pin.
"Come on Ran-chan." He called, she walked over and yawned.
He did the same to his sister, the only variation being her bangs were pulled back with an apricot colored pin.
Mangetsu combed his hair, and his bangs were long enough to fit into a small ponytail.
. .
The siblings had eaten breakfast and gotten their bentos, and went outside to tell their parents they were leaving. The twins ran while Mangetsu lagged behind.
He looked at Zabuza. The man had suddenly appeared one day when he and the twins were playing, and after that day he had just became a constant. He had always heard stories about Zabuza Momochi being the ruthless Demon of the Mist but his behavior to his family showed such a contrast that it baffled Mangetsu. His Father and Zabuza had a unique relationship that he'd been wanting to ask about since he came. They were like the balance to each other, and it confused him when he was younger, but he could see how happy his Dad was, so he left it alone.
He walked over to where his Dad and father figure were conversing with the twins.
"Today when you get home we're doing evasion practice." Said Kenjetsu, which erupted a cheer from Rangetsu and a groan from Suigetsu. Rangetsu was quicker while Suigetsu was stronger.
"Go on brats, don't be late."
. .
The first class of the day for the twins was Taijutsu and Kenjutsu combined. The courses were in one class since taijutsu dealt with physical strength, and you needed physical strength to wield a sword, or even just a weapon.
Their class, or Squad 9 had all of their classes together. Each course had 2 main teachers, and 2 minor teachers. The teachers for Squad 9's taijutsu-kenjutsu course were: Tetsuo-taijutsu, Ishigi-kenjutsu, and the two minor teachers being Tobimaru and Asoka.
After wading through the rushing kids, the twins finally made it to their training area, finding their squad mates and teachers.
"Alright genin-to-be's," Ishigi spoke in a loud voice, grabbing most of the kid's attention, "Today we're gonna start off with stretches, and get into weight training."
Ishigi was a man of medium-to lean stature, black, cunning Water Country eyes, a set brow and white Fukuyama Clan-esque hair, which was shortest on the sides and backs of the head and longest on the top. He demanded the attention of his students and taught ruthlessly. He was there to make quality ninja and that's what he did. Tetsuo stood off to his left, Tobimaru and Asoka to his right.
"Ishigi-sensei, what's weight training?" Entei Narura asked the question no one else wanted to. He was a boy a bit on the shorter side, with bright sun-blonde hair and grass green eyes. He preferred to be called by his last name and was known for his sweet nature.
"Well Narura-kun, weight training is where you put heavy weights on all your limbs to increase strength and speed." A chorus of quiet 'ohh's erupted from Squad 9.
"Get into groups of four." Tetsuo commanded, the children started filtering into groups and arguing about who wanted to be with who.
Rangetsu, Suigetsu, and Tsubasa were already together and just decided they'd wait for a fourth to come instead of seeking one out.
"Hey! Tetsuo-san said get in groups not argue!" Tobimaru exclaimed. He was on the shorter side with brown-russet Fukuyama-esque hair, like Ishigi's except for the color. He had the typical Water Country black, slanted eyes, and carried a katana on his side.
Then finally a boy walked over, cool, we'll have four! Thought Rangetsu, he was the average height for a six year old, with water country eyes, and hair similar to Tobimaru in style and color. Hey, don't clans usually have the same type of hair and eyes? Rangetsu thought, as her eyes flittered between the boy, Ishigi, Tobimaru, and Seisuke. The boy sat down next to Tsubasa, and his eyes nervously shifted between them all.
"Can I be in you guy's group?" He asked in a small, but slightly brash voice. As if he wasn't used to being nice when he asked for things.
They all nodded and the boy breathed a sigh of relief.
"What's your name?" asked Tsubasa.
"Ken'Ichi, isn't yours Tsubasa?" After getting a nod Ken'Ichi looked at the twins, "and Rangetsu and Suigetsu?"
"That's us!" Rangetsu said with a smile, a frown settled on her brother's face. "I was gonna say that." Suigetsu said moodily. "Aww you almost had it," she wiggled her fingers mockingly, "gotta be quicker than that." She finished with a devilish smile. Ken'Ichi and Tsubasa erupted in laughter.
"Alright," Tetsuo sat on the ground, "I want you all to spread your legs as wide as they can go," all of the children followed suit, "then take your arms, reach forward as far as you can go, and hold it." Tetsuo surveyed all of the kids to make sure they were doing it right, "Make sure your partners are doing it correctly!" He shouted for emphasis.
Ishigi, Tobimaru, and Asoka were checking on the kids, making sure they weren't performing the stretch incorrectly.
"Eventually you'll be able to reach all the way forward and it won't hurt at all." Said Tetsuo.
Tetsuo went through many stretches, and explained how they would keep the kids from pulling a muscle in battle, and would help them not be as sore if they did it before being physical.
After they finished the stretching part of the course, Ishigi took back the spotlight.
. .
"ALL RIGHT SEWER RATS!" Ishigi yelled, the kids erupted in protests.
Prior to speaking, Ishigi instructed Tobimaru and Asoka to get three big black bags he had stashed...somewhere.
"These," Ishigi motioned for the minor teachers to empty the bags, "Are your weights!"
Weights in the form of pinstriped arm and leg warmers in faded, pastel colors were littered all over the ground.
"Well what're you waiting for?" Confused stares were his only answers, he rolled his eyes, "Come on! Pick a color, we don't have all day!" Ishigi said exasperatedly.
The children rushed to the pile with vigor, "Last one there has to get pink!" Suigetsu exclaimed as he ran.
Laughter poured out of the kid's mouths as Ken'Ichi arrived last. "Hey knock it off! Pink's not even that bad anyway!" His facial expression contrasted his words as he looked upon the faded pink with distaste.
"These are heavy!" A student exclaimed.
"Well what did you expect?" Ishigi asked, unimpressed, "They're weighted."
"Help all of them put the weights on." Tetsuo instructed Tobimaru and Asoka, once he realized Ishigi had no intention to.
Tobimaru walked over to help Ken'Ichi, and gave him a confused look, "Are you sure you want pink?" Tsubasa and the twins erupted in giggles, Ken'Ichi looked at them with an angry look in his eye, then looked back at Tobimaru, "OF COURSE I DO TOBIMARU-SEMPAI," He looked dead at his companions, "PINK'S MY FAVORITE COLOR!" He yelled angrily, but then looked sheepish once he noticed the whole class staring at him. His cheeks reddened and his irritated expression settled back on his face.
As Tobimaru slid every weight on Ken'Ichi's limbs his form noticeably slumped.
"Wow," Suigetsu breathed, "Those must be heavy," he grinned in anticipation, "are you guys ready?" Coincidentally, Tetsuo body-flickered over to Rangetsu. He bent down on his knee.
"Hello Rangetsu-chan," he greeted with a bored look in his eye,
"Hello Tetsuo-sensei!" She chirped, earning a chuckle from the jōnin.
"What color would you like?" He asked, a frown coming to Rangetsu's face as she thought,
"Grey please!" Tetsuo nodded and began to put the weights on her limbs.
Rangetsu made a strained sound, "Tetsuo-sensei how are these this heavy?" She felt her muscles pulling, "They're only arm and leg warmers! They must have a seal!" Her Dad had spoke to her and her siblings briefly about seals before, he said they were complicated and could do seemingly impossible things.
"As a matter of fact," the honey-blonde slid on the last warmer, "they do," he turned one of her arm warmers so that a little intricate, black symbol was visible, "this is a weight seal, it puts about twenty-five pounds on each of the warmers. It also conforms to your arms and legs so they won't fall off. Just push some chakra into the seal and it'll release." And with that he was gone.
Ishigi and Tetsuo split the class in half, Ishigi's half did weight training a little more appropriate for kenjutsu students, and vice-versa for Tetsuo.
By the time the kenjutsu-taijutsu course was over for the day, all the kids were beat and sweaty.
. .
Squad 9 walked, or more like hobbled outside of the Academy to meet with Kisa and Byakuya for Ninjutsu.
They all arrived where they usually met, but none of their teachers were there.
Then Byakuya seemingly appeared out of the mist, "Have you all really not made any progress in detecting genjutsu?" He asked the quiet class. Rangetsu inwardly cursed herself, she should have been able to detect it. With clenched fists she looked down at the grass below her feet.
Byakuya was somewhat tall and lanky, with oddly pale skin for a Water Country native. He had straight, coal black hair, and cold black, slanted eyes, and looked at every person he met, warily. He wore a thin, black, sleeveless trench coat that stopped at his knees over his jōnin flak jacket, with bandages running down his arms and faded, black pinstriped warmers on his legs.
A shriek was heard as Kisa made her appearance. She had appeared out of the mist as well, tapping Tsubasa on the shoulder, startling the silver-haired boy.
She was the average height for a woman, with long black hair, black eyes, and a cunning smile on her lips. She wore a black, corset-esque top, with a tan cloth that wrapped around her left thigh, bandages running down her legs, and black sandals.
"Do all of you have your scrolls?" Kisa asked, all of the students were given scrolls filled with basic ninjutsu based on their chakra-nature. Everyone pulled theirs out.
"Me and Byakuya-san are going to come around and see how you're doing on the ninjutsu you've been given to learn, and help you out." She said in a smooth, even tone.
Different spectacles of jutsu could be seen as every student presented it for critiquing, until finally, Kisa came over to Rangetsu.
"Hello Rangetsu-chan," she said smoothly,
"Hello Kisa-sensei!" Rangetsu looked around at the other students, Suigetsu and Tsubasa giving her a 'what are you doing' look. She leaned in to whisper in Kisa's ear, "I wanna learn genjutsu like you and Byakuya-sensei!"
Kisa laughed, "Maybe in your later years, I can teach you." Rangetsu's eyes lit up, "Really!?" She asked in disbelief.
Kisa just smiled and nodded her head, "Mhm. Now can you do a Uo Tsuba jutsu for me?" Rangetsu nodded and proceeded to speedily, but sloppily go through some hand seals. Water rushed up her throat, out of her mouth, and into the air, hitting the one and only Akane Chiura.
"Who do you think you are hurling your spit water at me?!" She had secretly been watching Rangetsu preform her jutsu but had not been expecting to get drenched.
"Akane-chan can it please wait?" Kisa asked, voice still smooth despite the girl's outburst. Akane's face was growing redder by the minute and her frown deepening even faster, prompting Suigetsu to put in his two cents in, in place of his sister.
"Calm down Akane-chan don't pop a blood vessel, it's just water." He said dismissively. Steam started coming out of her ears. Ignoring the growing situation, Kisa began to critique Rangetsu.
"Your hand signs were sloppy Rangetsu-chan, slow down, focus and keep them neat. You put way too much chakra into the jutsu also."
Meanwhile Suigetsu was running around trying to escape Akane's wrath, Byakuya off laughing somewhere...
"Try doing it again." Kisa commanded after turning her away from the class. Rangetsu nodded and went through the hand signs again, this time slower. She put less chakra into it and got a more pressurized stream of water, this time making a slight hole in a tree. "See?" Kisa patted Rangetsu's head and went to go find her twin.
. .
"Ahhh, this is the stuff!" Suigetsu said, plopping a rice ball into his mouth. It was Squad 9's lunch time (at the end of the day, sadly) and the twins, Tsubasa, and Ken'Ichi were eating. Rangetsu and Suigetsu split their bentos with the two boys, seeing as the orphanage didn't make bentos for them.
"I'm pretty full though Sui-kun.." said Rangetsu.
"Our sensei's really wore us out today." Said Ken'Ichi.
"All my muscles hurt and I'm so tired from using all that chakraaaa!" Tsubasa groaned.
"Well are you guys ready to go home? We can walk together!" Rangetsu suggested.
"Really?" Ken'Ichi asked unsurely, his hair on the top of his head hanging over his eyes. He's gonna have to get a haircut.
"Yeah," confirmed Suigetsu, neither of the other two boys noticed, but Suigetsu was analyzing Ken'Ichi. Rangetsu would have to ask him about it later. "Which orphanage do you stay at?" Suigetsu inquired.
Ken'Ichi looked down, "Its the one across from the Red Light District.." he trailed off, and after being met with silence he quickly added, "You don't have to walk me, it's not the best place to b-"
"No," Rangetsu interjected, "we'll walk you." She said firmly. Ken'Ichi doesn't have friends, she realized, he had a sad look in his eyes that told her he was used to being alone.
Suigetsu looked at her in question but the look in her eye told him there wasn't any getting out of it. He stood up, started walking and the rest of the group followed suit.
"Alright Tsubasa we'll drop you off first, then go around the market district and drop you off, Ken'Ichi." Suigetsu said.
As they were walking off of the Academy grounds they heard loud footsteps behind them, only to find Akane Chiura, running towards Rangetsu.
As soon as the Chiura girl got within arms reach of the Hozūki she threw three punches that Rangetsu dodged, Rangetsu grabbed both of her arms, "What's your problem?" She asked sincerely.
Akane must not have been expecting that, as her cheeks went red and she wouldn't meet the girl's eyes, "I wanted to get you back for hitting me with your Uo Tsuba jutsu.." she muttered while looking at the ground.
"Oh," Rangetsu said, "I'm sorry Akane-chan. I guess I never did apologize, huh?" She laughed nervously, and let go of Akane's arms. Akane's face was even redder and was still getting worse, "Hey! Are you oka-"
"I'll see you tomorrow Rangetsu-chan!" She rushed out as she ran away.
Rangetsu looked at her retreating form in confusion at first, but then just shrugged her shoulders and sighed, turning back to her group only to find them giggling.
Even when they started walking again they were giggling, "Hey, what's funny!?" They started laughing even more. A tick mark started to form on Rangetsu's forehead.
"Nothing's f-f-funny!" Suigetsu said before he and the group burst into giggles again.
"Is this about Akane?" The younger twin inquired, "because if it is it's not her fault she couldn't control her blushing.." she said.
"Have you ever seen Akane-teme blush like that?" Tsubasa said with a laugh. Rangetsu didn't have an answer, Akane was always mean to them. She was mean to other kids that weren't her friends, but especially them. But when I'm nice to her she always gets all red.. ".. Well.. no.." she trailed, were they trying to say Akane liked her?!
Rangetsu's eyes widened in realization, "Akane doesn't like me!" She exclaimed in denial, or did she? They all laughed as Tsubasa walked into his orphanage. "Or does she, Ran-chan?" Tsubasa asked teasingly. Rangetsu rolled her eyes and frowned, she'd think about it later.
. .
It smelled bad near the Red Light District. It smelled like smoke, fish, sweat, and other bad things. It made Rangetsu a little uneasy and uncomfortable. She looked over at her brother, he was too. Ken'Ichi looked fine though, just a little tense. They came up on a little wood and stone building, kids easily heard through the walls. It made Rangetsu a little wary.
"This is it you guys." Ken'Ichi waved at them as he walked to the door.
"Be careful Ken'Ichi!" The youngest Hozūki called.
"Yeah, be careful!" Her twin said.
The door was opened and a lady ushered Ken'Ichi inside.
. .
The twins began walking home.
"This is gonna take sooo long!" Rangetsu groaned,
"Well you wanted to walk him home!" Suigetsu said with a sharp tone.
"You've seen him around class Suigetsu, he doesn't have friends." His sister was right. Whenever they saw him he was by himself, not talking to anyone. But did we really have to walk him home? Suigetsu questioned his sister in his head.
"I just wanted to let him know that if he wanted to, he could be our friend.." She murmured with a frown on her face, her usually pinkish eyes looking more amethyst.
He didn't want his sister to be sad, he just...didn't wanna walk so far to get home..
"Well do we have to walk him home everyday, Rangetsu?" He whined, which was something common amongst the three Hozūki siblings.
"Well.. no, it is kinda far to get back home, and Dad and Tou-chan wouldn't like us getting back later than usual." She looked up at the sky. Suigetsu nodded.
"Well let's take an alleyway to get back quicker!" Suigetsu had spotted one that cut through the Red Light District and back to the hill they had to walk up to get to their house.
"But Dad said alleyways aren't safe.." Rangetsu's warning was useless as they had already walked into the damp alley.
They walked at a slightly brisk pace, until Rangetsu noticed some trash moving.
"Suigetsu what's that?" A little white paw had poked out from the trash, a white head with big ears and bright yellow eyes followed. Suigetsu looked upon the kitten in awe, him and his twin immediately drawn to it.
Suigetsu picked it up and his nose curled up, it stunk. Rangetsu was petting it with a grin on her face, that made Suigetsu smile too. Even if the kitten did stink, it was cute.
"That's a cute cat, isn't it." A deep voice called out from their right. The tone immediately made Suigetsu's chest tighten and his limbs feel like lead. The tone was slinky, like a snake, or like a predator in general. Danger, Suigetsu's instincts yelled at him. He pushed the kitten into Rangetsu's arms as he tried to think of a plan.
A hand reached into his sister's white hair, and wrenched her head forward.
Suigetsu's eyes widened as the mans face came into view. His brown hair visibly greasy and long, his bangs were too. They hung over his hitai-ate and over his brown eyes. He was smiling like a kid that had just been given a treat by his mother, and his eyes drunk in their forms with glee.
"Ohhh," his smile grew even wider, "You two are Hozūki! You'll go high on the market," he leaned into his sister's ear, "And you'll be good in bed too." He jerked his sister's head back and bashed her face against the brick wall. A snarl broke from her throat and all Suigetsu saw was red.
"THAT'S MY SISTER!" Two voices yelled in unison. And in that split second the man flew forward from a kick to his head. Continuing their onslaught, almost too quick for Suigetsu to see, the person drew their sword and slashed the man's throat.
It was then that Suigetsu realized the person that had saved them, was Mangetsu.
Mangetsu sheathed his sword, and scooped Rangetsu up into his arms. She had blood running down her face, Suigetsu's eyes burned, his throat tightened, and his face grew hot. But he wasn't going to cry. He picked up the kitten—Rangetsu had dropped it when..
Suigetsu made a distressed sound, he didn't wanna think about that.
"Come on, Sui-kun." Mangetsu called, his voice was hoarse and raspy and made Suigetsu wince.
Mangetsu wrapped his arm around Suigetsu's side, and jumped high in the air, and then suddenly Suigetsu's body felt like it was being pushed a million miles a hour, and they were on the hill their house was located on.
As soon as Suigetsu's feet touched the ground, he felt like he needed to throw up.
"It'll be okay Sui-kun, we need to go though, Ran-chan's wounds are bleeding a lot." He said, concern laced throughly in his voice.
"No they're not Aniki!" She insisted, and tried to wipe it off her face. There was blood in her moonlight white hair and all over her tanned skin. It's my fault. Suigetsu's own voice echoed in his head. Ran-chan is hurt and it's all my fault.
Mangetsu took off in a sprint, and Suigetsu followed suit, missing the figure that watched them in the mist.
. .
Off in an abandoned village, there was a meeting going on, between a scorned clan, and a peace-wanting Clan Head.
Wouldn't be so much easier if I was aggressive? the Clan Head thought, Peacemaking is hard and tedious.. and then I look like the bad guy. But with the more aggressive route I could just go to war, and die and let-
"Kenjetsu-sama," the man was snapped out of his thoughts by the current leader of the last of the Kaguya, Shiro. He had stark white hair, a more burly build, and a squarish face. His sharp green eyes bore into Kenjetsu.
When he saw he had the Hozūki Clan head's attention, the man continued with what he was saying. "I believe-" he took a breath and looked back at his clan members behind him, "We, the last of the Kaguya Clan believe that Kirigakure has killed too many, and mistreated too many, and that this nation deserves to go to war."
Kenjetsu sighed inwardly. The Kaguya were so war-set, it blinded their vision. They wanted to do a last ditch attack on Kiri for revenge.
"If you do that," Kenjetsu scanned the eyes of every Kaguya in the dim room, "Every single one of you will die, and there will be no one to carry on the Kaguya legacy."
Shiro stood up in anger, Kenjetsu rose too and held up his hand for silence before Shiro attempted to speak.
"Kirigakure's defense is at one of its highest points, all of the teaching systems have been revised and the genin output is 100 times the usual. Every single one of you would be cut down."
Shiro calmed down, but still appeared agitated, his face graced with a deep frown. The clan was picking up on his energy, but still listening intently to Kenjetsu.
"We are aware that the Yagura, the current Mizukage, is being controlled by an outside force. High-ranking officers are also affected by this... this force. What we need to do, is gather all of our people in this nation and eliminate the Mizukage, and anyone else affected, or even suspected to be." Kenjetsu said with conviction.
"You would be ripping the government to shreds." Shiro doesn't think the plan is solid.
"Indeed I would. It would take time, but I'd take all the time in the world to make sure we revolutionize Kiri and make sure the Daughter Clans don't put one of their groomed-since-birth offspring in the seat to be Mizukage." Kenjetsu looked at Shiro hard in the eyes, he didn't want this clan to die.
"If anyone should be the Mizukage of the land I grew up in, and the land my ancestors roamed, it should be you, Kenjetsu Hozūki." Murmured agreements broke out among the clan members, "You are revered as the God of Water and the Gentle Giant of Kiri. Who better to govern the land of our people, than you?" Shiro turned to the Kaguya, and said unintelligible words to them. Kenjetsu felt the energy rise in the room as the Kaguya cheered.
He couldn't be Mizukage.
He had children to raise.
A partner to tend to.
People to watch over.
An old Kaguya woman on the side of the room rocked in her rocking chair, smiled and shook her head at Kenjetsu, as if she was amused by his situation.
"We refuse to be apart of a Kirigakure not governed by you Kenjetsu-sama." That was a threat and a compliment in one.
Kenjetsu sighed, "That is not my path, Shiro-sama. I have children, and a partner."
"He's telling the truth! A prodigy and two bundles of potential he has, Shiro." The old lady spewed information Kenjetsu had no idea how she knew.
"Would you be willing to be of a Kirigakure, where I pick and approve the Mizukage, Shiro-sama?" Kenjetsu watched all of the clan members anxiously.
Shiro leaned over the table, took Kenjetsu's hitai-ate from his hip and held it up.
"If you mark through this Old Kirigakure, filled with hate, and corruption, we can start anew." Shiro said sincerely, and laid the hitai-ate on the table.
Kenjetsu took out a kunai, dug it into the metal, and slashed through it.
The Kaguya erupted in cheers.
"TO A NEW KIRIGAKURE!"
"TO A NEW KIRIGAKURE!"
. .
"Where are we going Zabuza-sama?"
Haku had been eating a fish he had roasted, when Zabuza-sama came in the forest to visit like he usually did but, this time, he picked Haku up, and started jumping through the forest.
"To my family," he paused, a worried look came over his features, and suddenly they were moving through the forest a lot faster.
"To your family." Zabuza said in a weird tone.
"What's a family Zabuza-sama?" Haku asked, he had never heard that word before.
Zabuza didn't say anything for a few seconds, until they were out of the forest.
"People that love you."
They ran through hills and valleys, until they reached an area where houses and dens were abundant, but sparse at the same time. Haku looked at the structures he had never seen before in awe.
As they ran past the houses, and up a hill, a question popped in his head.
"How can people I've never met, love me?"
Zabuza kept his gaze straight ahead, not faltering at all.
"You'll know when you see them."
They came up on a quaint, medium-sized house, and Haku could feel three warm things in the house, they were all flickering, getting stronger, then settling back down again. Zabuza said those warm feelings were chakra signatures.
Zabuza put Haku down, his feet touching the cool grass.
He was very excited to meet his family. He calmed himself down though, fidgeting with his hands as he followed behind Zabuza-sama through the door.
The first sight that greeted him were three kids on the floor. The biggest boy had a smaller girl in his arms, the smallest boy sitting to his side, wiping the girl's face. There was blood on the cloth, blood on the floor, blood in the girl's hair, and on her face.
Haku looked to Zabuza to ask what was going on, only to be surprised at the devastated, worried expression on his face. Zabuza hurriedly sat next to the biggest boy, taking the girl from his arms.
Haku was unsure of what to do, but hesitantly sat in front of Zabuza-sama and next to the smallest boy.
"What happened?" Zabuza asked in a hoarse voice, to no one in particular.
"I was on my way home, when I felt the twins chakra flare, just a little, like they were scared. So I went to where they were and found them in an alleyway, the last thing I saw was a man bashing Ran-chan's face into that.. that jagged stone wall, Tou-san." He said shakily. "I killed him." He added. His eyes were red, and his lips were dry, like he had been crying. His white hair was slightly disheveled.
. .
Zabuza looked at the bloody cloth pressed to Rangetsu's eye. She was asleep, but there was too much blood, she had scrapes and a couple of punctures on her forehead, and a deep scratch on the bridge of her nose.
"Go get some bandages, Suigetsu." The boy didn't say anything, but followed the order. Concern immediately rose in Zabuza's chest for the boy, he looked completely shaken, tear tracks on his face, red eyes, and closed off body language. He would tend to Suigetsu, but right now Rangetsu was the main priority.
The only non-superficial wound, was probably her eye.
Zabuza slowly lifted the bloody cloth, and inwardly cringed.
There was a small gash in her eyelid and.. Rangetsu probably wouldn't be able to see the same out of her eye. While Zabuza was thinking, Suigetsu was walking back with the bandages, and the door opened, revealing Kenjetsu.
He walked over, a pensive look on his face.
He ran a hand through Haku's hair and patted the side of his face, "Hello, Haku."
If he wasn't so worried about his daughter, Zabuza would have laughed, Haku looked absolutely starstruck.
Kenjetsu did the same to Mangetsu, walked over repeated the gesture to his youngest son, took the roll of bandages from him, grabbed his hand and led him back to where everyone was sitting.
"It's okay, Suigetsu." Zabuza heard Mangetsu mutter.
Kenjetsu inspected Rangetsu's wounds and chuckled to himself, "She's out like a light."
As he got a wad of bandages together, pressed them to her wound, and began tying them there by wrapping bandages around her head, he spoke,
"Now I need you guys to tell me what happened to your sister."
Mangetsu repeated back everything he had said to Zabuza to his Dad.
"You know what I told you guys about alleyways, Suigetsu." He said in a scolding tone.
"I know Dad, Rangetsu reminded me but I still just- I wanted to get home quicker."
Kenjetsu smiled, "Impatient boy."
. .
Suigetsu lay awake, sleep escaping him. The little kitten they found wandered around the room. Suigetsu named it Cloudie.
Rangetsu probably doesn't even wanna be my sister anymore. He heard what his Tou-chan said, Rangetsu wouldn't be able to see the same out of her eye again. And it's all my fault. Suigetsu thought guiltily.
His sister was his best friend! If he lost her, who would he have to eat ramen with? Or train with? Or mess with? He'd still have Mangetsu but... it wouldn't be the same.
If Rangetsu didn't wanna be his sister anymore it would be so weird seeing her. They wouldn't talk like they usually did, or do everything together anymore. She'd just be another.. person! His eyes began to burn and the inevitable tears came, the boy wiping them as they hit his cheeks.
As Suigetsu began to sniffle, Rangetsu began to stir. He immediately went as quiet as he could, hoping he didn't wake her.
Rangetsu sat up in her bed and shook her head a couple times. Then she got up, walked over and laid down in front of Suigetsu.
Suigetsu's chest got tight as Rangetsu's lone purple eye bore into his.
"You're sad Suigetsu." She stated in a melancholic tone.
"Why are you even here!?" More tears escaped his eyes, "I'm the reason you won't be able to see the same anymore! I know you don't wanna be my sister anymore s-so just," he harshly wiped the tears from his cheeks, "So just go."
"You're not the reason Suigetsu, and even if I wanted to I couldn't just stop being your sister, stupid."
"I'm not stupid, s-stupid." Suigetsu wiped at his cheeks,
"So you'll always be my sister?"
"Yeah, and you'll always be my brother."
"No matter what?"
"No matter what."
"How?"
"Because I was born your sister and to like not be your sister anymore I'd have to kill myself or something and then I'd be a ghost.."
"I bet being a ghost is cool."
"Ghosts can't drink rimwater."
"But they can still float everywhere."
"You only think that's cool because you're lazy."
"But you're lazy too!"
"..."
"HAH!"
. .
:) I'm back