Author's Note: Unless I mention otherwise, it's best to assume all (named) characters are canon. Thus far, the only non-canon character that's been given a name has been Kobayashi-san in the library because, well, I couldn't actually find a canon librarian. Also, I wanted to clarify something that I've noticed several of my reviewers/people who have messaged me have pointed out. This story is written from Mirai's point of view. You only read what she knows or believes; because of that, Mirai is an unreliable narrator. There are things that happen that she doesn't notice or include or believe, just like how you and I leave things out (intentionally or unintentionally) when we tell a story. 1st person POV narrators are biased. As you read this chapter, remember that there's a lot going on behind the scenes that Mirai doesn't know about. And what seems lucky or good to her now might not be later when she realizes why it's happened.
I ran out of room to fit everything into this chapter that I promised, but we are moving along. There were just a few things that happen in this chapter that needed to happen and couldn't be put off. Bear with me.
Enjoy, read, and review!
To all my lovely reviewers: Your encouragement gives me strength and motivation to continue this story, so I wanted to take a moment to thank you. Reading your little comments really brightens up my day.
InARealPickle: (I tried to message you directly about this, but it was denied, so I hope you see it here!) You'll see this eventually in a one-shot I have planned for my Scrapbook side-fic, but Hiruzen has a reason for taking them away. They were with ANBU not for their benefit but for their protection. In the first year or two after the Kyuubi Attack, the hatred for the two was at an all time high and he was waiting for it to die down. During that time, the ANBU were the only option that could provide the protection needed. As for leaving them at the orphanage, he doesn't have much of a choice. He can't bog down his shinobi forces anymore with babysitting duty (keep in mind that this is around the time of the Hyuuga Incident, so Konoha has shown that it's not as recovered as it wants other countries to believe), so the orphanage is his only option. He doesn't meet the Matron face to face for updates, they're all written reports that are basically just a yes or no for how the twins are doing. And he's expecting animosity towards them, so when he senses some he lets it slide, knowing they'll get it from just about any civilian he leaves them with. Because of that expectation, he doesn't look into it further and therefore doesn't realize the extent the animosity reaches.
DISCLAIMER: I could list all the things that aren't mine, but that would be a little long. So I'll just list what is mine: Mirai.
I give you the seventh installment of Samsaric.
Chapter Six - Dysphoria
[Dysphoria—noun. 1: a state of dissatisfaction, anxiety, restlessness, or fidgeting 2: a feeling of being ill at ease]
I felt off.
I wasn't sure if it was the soreness of my chakra coils or the way I couldn't quite focus, but something wasn't right. Maybe it had nothing to do with those things at all. Then again, they might have everything to do with it. I frowned at the thought, pausing my brush against the paper and watching as the ink seeped angrily through the seams.
You're making a mess.
I blinked, shaking myself back to reality. An odd grunt bubbled up at the back of my throat and I began cleaning up my calligraphy supplies. You've been awfully chatty today, Kyuubi. Is there something you're wanting?
Your head on a spike. His growl echoed around in the back of my mind and I rose from my seiza.
Cheerful as ever. I stored my supplies in my backpack and moved into the kitchen for food. "Nato!" I called, packing my wooden lunch box and stowing it away in my bag. "I'm going to head out, okay? I'll be at Training Ground 4. If you need me, don't try to come find me. Go to—"
"—Izumo or Hayate or Kotetsu or Yuugao. I know, dattebayo," he whined, appearing at the end of the hallway. "You say that every time you leave." My brother pouted dramatically. "I'm not a little kid! I can take care of myself."
A chuckle found its way out between my lips and I moved forward, slinging my backpack across my shoulders. "I know you can." I ruffled his hair and then pecked a kiss on his forehead. "I should be back before bedtime, okay? I've already got a bento in the fridge for you." I skipped towards the door. "Don't forget to eat all your vegetables and—"
"—brush my teeth. I've got it." He crossed his arms stubbornly. "I'm the future Hokage, remember? The Hokage doesn't have to be reminded to brush his teeth!"
"I sure hope not." With that, I stepped outside and locked the door, controlling the trembling in my hands. It took me twenty seconds to move away from the front door, and only another minute to step far enough away that I couldn't feel Naruto's chakra. A new personal best.
Something's still wrong, I muttered fitfully, curling and uncurling my fists. Maybe it was the glares pointed my way. No, those were normal and I hadn't felt this way until recently. I ducked my way outside the walls, turning towards the training ground. A chilly wind blew and I lowered my head against it. I'd never liked the cold, not Before, not now. Besides, when had it decided to get so cold, anyway?
Winter is approaching.
It is? I'd known on some level that fall was coming to an end, but winter hadn't quite registered yet. A frown pulled at my face. Something about winter caught my attention, but I couldn't quite remember why. I shrugged my backpack off and then sank into my stretches. Maybe it was seasonal depression. It had flared up occasionally in my old life. I'd just never considered the possibility of it showing up here.
I dropped down into my pushups. Ne, Kyuubi?
What is it you want, human?
Our training. How should we start?
There was no response. I had moved on to practicing bo staff strikes on a dummy by the time I received an answer.
We have to practice harmonizing our chakra and mixing it appropriately.
I paused mid-swing and adjusted my stance. Then I resumed my practice. Alright. Doesn't sound too hard, but I bet it still is. What's the catch?
If anyone suspects that you have contact with me and are actively engaging in using my chakra, you could be brought in for questioning. Worst case scenario, T&I.
Delightful, I hummed. My bo staff glanced off the dummy and I frowned, reevaluating my stance. What do you propose we do, then?
"You seem anxious."
I snapped around, falling into a defensive pose with my bo staff raised. I caught my breath, staring at the figure standing on the edge of the training ground. After a moment of awkward silence, I raked my gaze across his Konoha hitai-ate and relaxed, returning my staff to my side. "Ohayo. Gomen, were you meaning to use this training ground?"
He inclined his head towards me. I frowned, not quite sure whether or not I was supposed to look at the bandages wrapped around the upper part of his head—and through that, wrapped around his eyes—or not. "I was intending to, and I still will. But there's no need to apologize; it's no burden to share a training ground with a comrade."
"Um, I'm not quite a comrade," I said, shuffling aside to put my bo staff away. His head turned as if he was watching me and I resisted a shudder. Cool, but a little creepy. "I'm not a shinobi."
"You're intending on graduating from the Academy at some point, are you not?"
"I . . . am." I licked my lips nervously. I didn't recognize anything about the man, so I wasn't quite sure how I felt about him just yet. He didn't seem hostile but, after all, he couldn't quite see who I was, could he?
"Ah, my apologies. I've been rude. Tobitake Tonbo, at your service." He bowed his head respectfully.
I did the same, though I knew he couldn't see me. "Uzumaki Mirai. I'll get out of your way now, Tobitake-san."
"There's no need for that. And you can relax. Your chakra has become rather chilly."
My chakra? "You can sense my chakra?" That was a stupid question, of course. Any shinobi worth his salt would be able to sense a jinchuuriki's chakra if there weren't any precautions taken to hide it. I'd just never had anyone comment on it before.
"Of course I can," he responded dryly, moving forward and stopping only a couple feet away from me. His head was tilted down to my face, as if he could see me past his bandages. "I'm a chakra sensor. And your chakra is a mess of nerves. What is it that has you do high strung?"
"I was . . . training," I finished lamely. "You're a chakra sensor? I don't think I've ever met another chakra sensor before." I sucked in my lower lip, gnawing on it as I considered my options. Learning from a clearly experienced chakra sensor would be invaluable—it would not only improve my skills, but would quite possibly help desensitize me to the feeling of chakra on my coils.
"Hai. It's how I see without these." He gestured to his covered eyes. "You're a chakra sensor as well, Uzumaki-san?"
I thought for a moment about explaining my hypersensitivity, but I decided against it. "Hai," was all I said.
"Have you had training?" He tilted his head to the side.
"As a sensor? No. I haven't." I frowned up at him, wondering if he was about to offer what I thought he was, what I was hoping for.
"If you'd like, I could give you a few tips. Chakra sensing isn't something that can necessarily be taught or trained, simply practiced. You can use it, can't you?"
"Hai, I can. And I can sense people, but only really civilians and Academy students." I shifted my weight from foot to foot, feeling an odd coldness creep across my skin as I continued to stare up at his bandaged face.
"Chakra is a valuable resource," he murmured and leaned forward, lips barely moving. I licked my own, tensing my knees to prevent myself from stepping backwards. "But it's also incredibly personal."
I cocked my head to the side and resisted the shiver itching at my spine. "Personal?"
"Hai. It's one thing to become familiar with a person's chakra from naturally sensing it. It's another to ask them to sit down so you can study it, feel it, learn it. It's a sign of trust—not something many are willing to offer nowadays. But not only is it an exercise is confidence, it's a way to learn. Once you're well associated with a chakra, you can begin to sense it better even when it's hidden. The more you actively practice, the better you'll get." He straightened and turned towards the practice dummies. "Practice a little and then maybe I'll tell you more."
I stared at his back as he moved to another part of the training ground and began his kata. When he moved away, I felt the cold leeching from my bones in full retreat and, with a sense of shock, I realized that it had been his chakra. I might want to increase my sensing abilities, but if there was one chakra I never wanted to feel again, it was his.
The shudder crawled through the middle of mine spine and oozed out along my jawline. I didn't like that. I didn't like that at all.
Get over yourself.
"Sign of trust, huh?" I murmured, staring down at my hands. With a sigh, I gathered up my supplies and slung my backpack across my shoulders. I turned and left the training ground, picking at my sweat-soaked clothing. As I walked, I tucked my hair up into my beanie. Then I reached back and blindly felt around in my backpack until I felt my fingers close around the small bag. I pulled it out and rummaged for a second for the foundation and brush.
I need to pick up some things for the Academy.
The Academy is worthless. Do you really want to be training around idiotic children day in and day out?
Why are you so talkative today? I don't like it. I wrinkled my nose as I scrubbed the foundation into my whisker marks with the brush. You normally ignore me. What changed? I brushed off the excess foundation and then tucked it all away again. I received no answer, though I could hear Kurama grumbling something in the back of my mind. Shaking my head, I sped up my pace towards the store.
The bell rung as I opened the door and stepped inside, fumbling in my pocket for the list. The woman behind the counter smiled broadly. "Ohayo! Welcome! How can I help you today?"
I glanced at her and nodded. "I'm just looking, for now. Arigato." I picked up a basket, which was about half the size of me. Carrying it was awkward, but I made it over to the first aisle. "Hmm . . . . Pens, highlighters— Hey, these are pretty nice colored pencils," I murmured. "These would be a great gift for Naruto."
I stopped short as the off feeling in my stomach doubled and grew warm. "Gift?" I whispered. "Hold on . . . ." Kyuubi, what did you say earlier? About the cold?
Winter.
"Winter . . . . Of course!"
"Do you need help?" the lady called.
I blinked and then cleared my throat nervously. "No, thank you. I'm good."
"You have to be careful when dealing with elemental chakra. Because you're inexperienced with ninjutsu, you'll have plenty of chakra burns. But with fuuton chakra, the potential damage is much more dangerous." Kokage nudged my foot with his, adjusting my stance to give me a firm foundation. "Show me the hand seals, no chakra."
I licked my lips and raised my hands, following the patterned I'd been studying for weeks as I murmured the names to myself. "Tiger, ox, dog, rabbit, snake."
He nodded once. "Gather wind chakra to your throat. Just feel it, and then relax it."
I took a deep breath. Gathering the chakra in my throat was odd and a little more difficult now that I was used to doing it with my hands. I drew it up, shaping it and honing it. It slicked against the inside of my throat as I pulled it up and then it caught as if on a hook, spreading and expanding wildly. I choked, the ground dropping out from under me as the entire world tilted. My fingers clawed at my throat as I gasped desperately around the cotton, the acid, clogging my windpipe. I couldn't see. All the colors were wrong and blurring and I couldn't breathe.
A hand pressed against my back. "Relax your chakra, Mirai-san. Stop holding it."
His voice clanged in my head and I let out a whimper, trying to release the chakra curled up in my throat. It was like a muscle cramp, just a thousand times worse and I could feel barbed wire constricting around my lungs. Something dug against my neck and hot, hot, hot invaded my system. The knot in my throat—choking, unforgiving, burning—uncoiled and air rasped between my teeth and into my aching chest. Gasping, I relaxed my fingers from where they had locked themselves around my neck. "Wh-what—"
"I'm afraid this sensitivity of yours is going to be more of an obstacle than we thought."
I blinked my eyes, trying to clear the spiderwebs stretched across my retina. When had I fallen? I uncurled from my fetal position and shuddered at the sandpapery air against my lips. "What am I supposed to do?" I rasped, feeling blood bubbling at the back of my throat.
"You have to desensitize yourself, both to your own use of chakra and to the chakra of others. Until you do that and learn how to gather wind chakra in your throat without your system reacting, I'm afraid I can't teach you anything else." His fingers curled around my bicep and he pulled me to my feet. "You can't move forward in your training until you can use your chakra without almost passing out." His skin left mine and he shook his head, stepping back and turning his body away from me. "When you can do that, then maybe I can finish teaching you."
I wasn't sure what the feeling in my stomach was—disappointment, maybe, or hopelessness—but it was growing stronger as I watched him leave. Kyuubi?
A grumble echoed in the back of my head and I knew that he was annoyed. I took the momentary silence as an opportunity to gather up my things. After slinging my backpack across my shoulders, I adjusted the way my sweat-soaked beanie sat on my head and then wiped away some of the grime from my workout before Kokage had appeared.
What is it, brat?
How am I supposed to desensitize myself?
As always, you idiocy astounds me. After all, it's not like any other flesh bag recently took the time to advise your stupid mind about chakra.
I frowned at his words, digging at the knotted muscles at the base of my neck with my knuckles. I picked through his derogatory terms and insults to try to find what he was saying. It took a moment of me studying the sun to decide that it was late enough that I should go ahead and start home. "Chakra, chakra, chakra," I muttered, feeling the word on my lips.
The state of feeling stupid in hindsight wasn't one I enjoyed, but it was one I felt often.
Oh. That's what you meant.
I only got a snort of derision in reply, but I knew that I understood now. I tugged down my beanie to block out the unfriendly glances thrown my way by the citizens I was passing, turning down an alleyway for a shortcut.
"Hey."
The voice echoed from up ahead of me and I stopped, cocking my head at the figure at the end of he alley. It was another kid. I would put him about a year away from Academy graduation, and the fact that he was in the Academy was undeniable; they didn't sell knuckledusters to just any eleven-year-old. "I don't have money," I told him, shifting my right leg back and listening to the other two small chakra behind me.
"My kaachan says you're a monster. Is that true?" He moved forward with heavy, clunky steps. I wondered what they were teaching kids if he thought that was a good approach to a fight. "Daisuke-sensei says monsters are people who try to hurt Konoha. He says it's a shinobi's duty to take care of them."
I let my bag slide from my shoulders and I dropped it off to the side, closing my fingers around my bo staff. "Well, sounds like you better leave me to the big boys, then. Go find a sandbox and play in it, kiddo."
There was something satisfying about the way his face lit up red, though I wasn't sure if he was angry at the barb or at the fact that it was being delivered by a six-year-old that was calling him kiddo. He moved forward and stopped right in front of me, glowering. "Tough talk coming from a twig like you." Then he snatched for my backpack.
I snapped up my bo staff, dropping my weight as I bent my knees in order to build my foundation. Then my weapon slammed against his chin just as he finished his sentence and his gurgled moan rang in my ears. I flipped my staff down and rammed it into his stomach. As he doubled over, I shifted myself onto one foot and kicked out at him, catching him in the knee hard and feeling it give loudly beneath my blow.
"Riku!" The chakras behind me rushed forward and the world tugged out from under me as something hit me square in the small of my back. The ground rushed up and I tucked my arms over my head as protection. When I hit, my arms slipped and my chin grated against the stony ground. A foot ground into my upper back. "You little devil," a voice growled, this one female.
I desperately threw my mind back to my grappling training in judo Before. Scissor the legs for momentum and flip. Scissor the— A scream ripped itself from my throat before I even connected the odd metallic burning in my leg with the knife in my skin. I scissored my legs, flinging one over the other and biting down on my lip as I threw myself over, feeling the foot slip from my back. I landed hard and screamed as the metal dug farther into my leg.
I struggled through my blurry vision—when had the tears appeared?—and groped for my attacker. I latched onto a leg and gripped the ankle tightly, drawing my leg back. I kicked. A shriek hit my ears, only to be cut off by a voice that was all too familiar.
"You have three seconds to get your asses out of here."
Rising bile choked my throat and I rolled onto my side, grasping uselessly for the knife in the back of my thigh. A hand touched my shoulder, gripping me tightly and holding me in place. "Don't move." His fingers touched against my thigh and I flinched violently.
"Sh-shi—"
"Don't talk either." His hands retreated for a moment and I heard his shoes scuffing against the ground. Then hands grabbed my shoulders, dragging me up. "I'm taking you back to your apartment. Is Naruto there?"
I managed only two things: a whimper and a nod.
"Alright." A strong arm wrapped around my midsection, crushing me against his chest just a little rougher than I would have liked, and his other arm curled around me knees. "Don't throw up on me, okay?"
"S-shi— Ah!" Glass melted in my veins and the world lurched around me. The arm around my legs disappeared and I felt myself dangling, the metal in my skin pulsing in time with each angry scream of my heart.
"Naruto?"
"Shisui? What the hell happened?"
I knew that voice. "N-n-nii—"
"Shh, don't talk."
"R-rai?" a broken voice asked. "Is she okay?"
My maternal drive kicked into action and I managed to turn my head towards his voice. "Nato," I rasped, forcing a smile. I couldn't see anything but a hazy patch of orange. "It'll b-be okay."
Upon waking up, I concluded that I must have passed out. I didn't remember ever making it to my bed or changing clothes. And I certainly didn't remember my leg being bandaged. I twisted to see the pale red staining the white cloth at the back of my thigh, and shuddered at the echo of metal in my skin. I grasped vaguely at the memories of what had happened and shoved myself up so I could sit against the wall.
"Shisui?" I called hoarsely.
My door opened and I blinked, my eyes taking a moment to clear up my image of the world. The Uchiha leaned against the doorframe for a second. "Good morning, Taichou," he said, arching an eyebrow. "How are you feeling?"
"Well, not dead," I croaked, pushing myself up. My thigh burned and throbbed and I dug my fingers into it. "Thanks."
He moved forward with a sigh. "You should have known better than to use your bo staff. I haven't finished teaching you the basics yet."
"But—"
"No. You don't use a weapon in a fight unless you're confident in using it." He held out his hand. "C'mon. You should get some breakfast."
I curled my small fingers around his rough ones and pulled myself up, limping forward and leaning heavily on him. "Is Niisan still here?"
"Hatake? Yeah, he's still here." Shisui tugged me forward and I shuffled after him out into the living room.
"Rai!" Naruto shot up off the couch. "You're okay."
I chuckled and held out my free hand to him. "Of course I am."
He grabbed my hand and then crashed against me, hugging me tightly around my torso. I kissed the top of his head and kept an arm around him as I limped to the table. Kakashi set down a plate in front of me. "Eat up, Mirai," he murmured, ruffling my hair. I smiled up at him and dug in. The scrambled eggs were bland and the toast was a little overdone, but I was always a firm believer of love being an ingredient. Kakashi at least knew how to cook with that, even if he could burn water.
"Do you want to tell us what happened?" Kakashi asked, loudly pulling up the chair next to me.
"Academy kids are jerks," I muttered. "I've just gotta train harder. It won't happen again." I glanced up. "Yanagikage-sensei said I need to get used to chakra or I won't be able to do the jutsu." My gaze flicked to Shisui and I could see his frown lines deepening. "You'll help me, right?"
The Uchiha crossed his arms and his stare jumped to Kakashi for a second before returning to me. "Of course." Then he cleared his throat. "I was on my way over here to give you this when I found you." He withdrew a small bag and tossed it on the table. It clinked. Money. I looked up at Kakashi to see his one visible eye narrowing tightly.
"Arigato," I murmured. Then I cleared my throat and pushed away my empty plate. "You two know each other, then?" I asked curiously. Of course they did. Or at least they knew of each other.
Shisui grinned. "Yep! Actually, my big brother used to be on his team, isn't that right, Bakashi?"
Kakashi snorted, and I genuinely couldn't tell if it was fond or annoyed. But then my brain caught up to exactly Shisui had said. His brother? But that meant he had to be— "R-really?" I squeaked out.
The Uchiha chuckled. "That's right. Obito-niisan used to say that Kakashi was the biggest pain in his ass."
Naruto gasped. "Rai says that's a bad word! She says I can't say it, dattebayo!" He pointed dramatically at Shisui. "You can't say that?"
I giggled and dragged Naruto closer to me, messing up his hair. "Silly. Shisui's a grown-up. I can't tell him what to say." Then I looked towards Kakashi and Shisui and hesitated. "Can you tell me about him? About Obito-san?"
Kakashi cleared his throat loudly and yanked to his feet. "I have a mission. I'll check up on you when I'm back, okay?"
I'd gone too far. I checked my emotions to keep my disappointment at bay and pulled myself to my feet. I limped forward and tugged my arms around him as best as I could. "Okay. Be safe."
He nodded and stepped back before vanishing before my eyes. I gritted my teeth and then turned. "Nato, why don't you practice your writing, okay? I'll check up on it when you're done."
He pouted. "I don't wanna. I thought was were going to go to the park today!"
I gnawed on my lip. "Um, okay." I had said that, hadn't I?
Scatterbrain. It rumbled mockingly in the back of my mind.
Shut up. "Get dressed and grab your stuff. I'll pack us a bento."
Naruto grinned and scrambled off. As I shuffled forward to put my dishes in the sink, the pain in my leg got worse. Why am I not healing?
There's only so much I can do without alerting others to my help, maggot. Until you can mingle and mask my chakra with yours, then this is the best I can do.
"You're not really in any condition to be playing at a park," Shisui pointed out.
"Naruto is. In fact, you could go grab Sasuke and drag him over." I grinned up at him. "I'll just have to hang out with you. You can help me train."
"You should be resting that leg, not training on it."
"Chakra training, dummy," I muttered. "Are you going to get Sasuke or no?"
He chuckled and disappeared, leaving rust in my chakra system.
Kyuubi.
Whaddya want?
Give me a little extra juice. You don't have to completely heal me, but I need to be able to walk a bit. I'll just flood my chakra for a second, okay?
As long as you don't wimp out on me. Go for it, he muttered angrily.
I gripped the counter tightly and took a deep breath. Then I dragged out a good gallon of my chakra and just pushed it out through my body, radiating pain. Boiling oil dripped down my leg and I choked, my hold loosening. I slumped forward and chomped down on my lip to keep from screaming. I hit the floor hard, but I refused to make any noise. Wouldn't do to alert Naruto.
Then the burning grease disappeared and I reined my chakra back in.
That should let you walk.
Thanks. I took a deep breath.
The front door slammed open. "Mirai? Mirai!" An agonizing cough and then Hayate rounded the corner. He glanced around before spotting me on the floor. "Mirai, what the hell was that?"
"I . . . . Jutsu," I gasped out. "I shouldn't have tried it on my own." I licked my lips and tasted blood.
"Damn right you shouldn't have."
"Rai?" Naruto stood at the end of the hallway, clutching his backpack. "Hayate? What's goin' on, dattebayo?"
I grabbed the hand Hayate offered and dragged myself to my feet. "Nothing, Nato. It's fine." I glanced at Hayate. "I'm fine. I won't do it again."
He frowned and then nodded. "Make sure you don't." He stood and straightened his jonin jacket. "I'm headed out on a mission. Yuugao is still here if you need anything, okay?"
"Okay." I moved over to the fridge. My leg still hurt and I still limped, but now I could at least move. "Be safe," I told him with a smile, my typical send off. The man glanced between me and Naruto before nodded and walked away. I picked out some food and went to my bedroom, packing it all away. I changed and then slung my backpack over my shoulders. Then I bent down to tug on my shoes.
"Rai," Naruto murmured. "Are you okay?"
I looked up to find him standing in my doorway, face drawn. My lips lifted in a smile. "Of course I am, Nato."
That seemed to reassure him, because he lit up. "Right. You're the best, dattebayo! C'mon!" He race out into the living room and I felt his chakra move outside. I laughed and rushed after him. Then I paused by the door, frowning at the broken lock. Hayate sure had hurried on his way into our apartment. I sighed and shut the door as I stepped out.
I shuffled after Naruto as best as I could, but he was skipping all over the road on our way to the park. I just did my best to glare at everyone who dared to glare at him. When we reached the park, Naruto squealed and dashed ahead. The other kids parted like the Red Sea in front of him and I hadn't even reached the monkey bars by the time the parents had all dragged their children away. I glanced around at the empty park.
"Hey, dobe!"
I turned and grinned. "Sasuke-kun! Ohayo, Itachi."
Sasuke threw a smile at me. "Konichiwa, Mirai! Thanks for inviting me." He nodded in some semblance of respect before squealing like the adorable child he was and chasing after Naruto. I looked up at the two older Uchiha, the five of us now the only ones left in the park.
Itachi's brow furrowed minutely, something anyone less accustomed to Uchiha expressions might have missed. "I heard you were attacked, Mirai-chan."
I took the hand Shisui offered and shuffled my way to the bench where I sat comfortably between the two cousins. "I'm fine. Shisui, you said you would help me, right?"
"I guess I did say that, huh?" He shoved me playfully and I gripped the bench to keep my spot.
I nodded and licked my lips, remembering what Tonbo had said about chakra and how personal it was. It just made me be all the more careful about my next few words. "Shisui, can I feel your chakra?"
His gaze flicked across my face and I fought every instinct inside of me that was begging me to take back what I said. He seemed to study me for a moment. Then he nodded. "If you think that's what'll help."
"Please."
He nodded again.
I sighed in relief and turned to face him, crossing my legs and resting my back against Itachi's arm. "Thank you."
"No problem, Taichou." He held out his hand, palm down. I reached up and slid one of my hands into his, gripping tightly. I put my other hand over the top of his and took a deep breath. "I'll start with just a little, okay?" he murmured. I nodded and closed my eyes. He gripped my hand tighter and I shifted, holding him as firmly as I could. Something sparked and stirred in front of me, warm and almost burning hot. It moved and swirled, nothing more than just a hint of power.
Heat grazed my fingertips and I flinched back.
Shisui's chuckle echoed into my head and I felt his other hand close around the one I was already holding. "Hey, relax. That's just me."
A nervous giggle bubbled up in my throat. "Right . . . . Sorry. I'm only used to Nato's chakra."
"Well, that's why we're doing this. So just relax." The heat nudged against my fingers again. I took a deep breath and nodded, mumbling my agreement. The burning was gentle, like fire but not the kind that hurt. It pushed around me, pulsing and enveloping me. I forced the tension out of my neck and shoulders and tightened my fingers around his. "I'm going to give you just a bit more."
The warmth grew and I could feel it humming around me. Comforting in a way. Hesitantly, I reached out with a small pulse of my own chakra. I felt it bump against the barrier his chakra had made around me and I forced my breathing to calm. My chakra boiled angrily, painfully, under my skin as his pressed closer. The simmering settled and I felt my lungs expand as air rasped across my tongue. "Okay," I murmured.
"More?" I nodded. "Alright. Careful."
More heat pushed against my system and air pressed hard and hot against my throat. I choke, my tongue peeling back to seal the back of my mouth against my will. I dug my fingers into his hands and desperately shook my head, trying to stop my attack before it began. The heat all snapped away like a rubber band and one of the hands holding mine disappeared. Calloused fingers cupped my chin. "Whoa, there. Breathe."
I took another few ragged breaths and then opened my eyes, staring up at his blurry face. "S-sorry."
He chuckled. "You'll get used to it. Don't worry about it too much."
"But I need to learn the jutsu," I whispered. "And this stupid hypersensitivity—"
"There's no rush," Itachi interrupted. "You're not going into battle tomorrow, Mirai-chan."
I glanced out at the playground where Naruto and Sasuke were chasing each other on the monkey bars. "Might as well be," I muttered. "Shisui?"
"Hmm?"
"Could you teach me henge?" I looked down to realize I was still to release my death grip on his hand. I did so and watched as he rubbed the color back into his fingers.
"Henge? Why?"
"You always ask that. You should know the answer by now." I shifted, straightening.
He sighed heavily and I could feel Itachi stiffen. Then Shisui murmured, "Alright. I'll teach you."
What's the big event? he snarled in the back of my head, echoing over my humming as I made breakfast.
Back Before, today was a special day. A holiday. Unfortunately, it isn't here and I kinda forget about it. Until you helped me remember the connection between winter and gifts. I carried the plates over to the table and set out the meal. "Nato!"
What the hell is today?
December 25th. Christmas. I glanced down the hall, listening to Naruto chakra. It stirred for a moment and that was it. Grinning, I stepped quietly down to his door and pushed it open. "Nato," I called. "It's time to wake up."
He moaned and rolled over, pulling up his covers. "Not yet," he whined.
I turned on his light and he whimpered loudly. A laugh cracked my lips and I skipped over to his bedside. "C'mon, Naruto, I made breakfast."
"No."
I bounced on the edge of his bed and pulled back his covers. He squinted, throwing his arms up around his head. "Wakey wakey!"
"Nooooo."
I dug my fingers into his sides and he squealed, snapping awake and scrambling away. "Rai!" he shrieked in the midst of giggles. "St-stop!"
I laughed loudly and pulled back. "Breakfast time, silly. Let's go!"
Your good mood is sickening.
I moved back out to the main room. Naruto's clumsy stumbling echoed out of his room and I grinned, sitting down and digging in to my own food. After a couple minutes, Naruto shuffled out and climbed onto one of the chairs. "Why are you so happy this morning, Rai?"
"It's the twenty-fifth. Today is a special day, Nato. We've got a lot of walking to do."
"What? Why?"
"I have a bunch of gifts to hand out!" I gathered up my plates and moved to the sink, scrubbing them out. Then I glanced over my shoulder. "And we've got some getting ready to do. The Academy starts in just a few days." Wiping my hands on my pants, I moved over to my bag and unzipped it. "I've got something for you."
"For me?" he asked around a mouthful of hotcakes.
"Don't talk with your mouth full," I reminded him. I glanced back. Naruto yanked his hands back to his lap and smiled at my innocently. My gaze narrowed. "And absolutely no hiding your vegetables under your napkin. I'm not dumb."
He pouted and lifted his napkin, picking up the bell peppers he'd stashed there. "But I don't like them!" he whined.
"They're good for you. I promise. They'll help you grow into a strong Hokage. But they won't do you any good if you don't eat them." I pulled out the small package, glancing at the word Naruto penned across the brown packing paper in my neat handwriting. "As soon as I'm done eating, I can give you your present."
"My present?" He lit up and then started shoveling food into his mouth. Then, with his plate clear and his mouth stuff full of hotcakes, he mumbled, "Ready!"
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Good enough, I guess." I set the gift in front of him and then collected his dishes. "Go ahead and open it."
He squealed excitedly and ripped the paper. Then the hyper aspect to his chakra died down. "A . . . box?"
"Open the box, Nato."
He did so and then blinked at the contents. "What's this?"
I shuffled back over to his side and leaned against his chair, lifting out the bracelet—a wristlet version of a hitai-ate with the Hokage's symbol carved into the metal. "It's to remind you."
He stared at it, eyes wide. "Whoa . . . . I love it, Rai!" He held out his right arm. "Put it on!"
I did so, tying it around his wrist. "There you go. Whaddya think?"
"I love it." Naruto threw his arms around me and hugged me tightly. I dragged him up, arms secure around him.
"You need to get dressed and get ready to go. I have a ton more gifts to hand out." I pulled him down the hall and pushed him into his room. "Five minutes, okay?"
"Okay!" he chirped, scrambling towards his closet. "I'll be ready."
This is a waste of time.
Give me this. It's a nice way to cheer up. I moved back out into the living room and checked over my backpack again. Besides, five days and then the Academy hits. Six days of mandatory training every week, and I promise to use the day off to keep working. So relax a bit, Kyuubi. I dug through the fridge and packed up a couple bento boxes.
"Ready!"
I glanced up and grinned. He had his bag slung over his shoulder and his hands tucked in his pocket. I chuckled and moved forward. His jacket was semi tucked into his pants I adjusted it, zipping it up. "Let's go visit our neighbors first, okay?"
Naruto dashed out of the apartment first. I closed the door tightly, locking it behind me. I glanced to the side to find him knocking loudly on Hayate and Yuugao's door. "Wake up!" he yelled. "We have something for you!"
The door opened and Yuugao peeked out, yawning. "What's going on? It's too early for this."
"Happy 25th!" Naruto cheered. "Rai said she has something for you!"
I dug in my bag and pulled out another brown-wrapped package. As I held it up, Hayate joined Yuugao at the doorway, coughing heavily. "What's this?" he rasped, taking it.
"A gift," I said, tucking my hand in my pockets. "For the two of you."
"What's the special occasion?" Yuugao asked, watching as Hayate opened it.
"It's the 25th," I said by way of explanation, smiling thinly.
Hayate arched an eyebrow and tore off the rest of the paper, exposing the expensive both beneath it. "Mirai," he murmured. "How did you afford a sword care set like this? It's not cheap."
I shrugged. "I saved up a lot of money." Then I tugged on Naruto arm and moved to stand in front of Kotetsu's door. Hayate and Yuugao waved before closing their apartment. "Wake Izumo up."
Naruto grinned and started obediently banging on the man's door. I knocked a bit more politely on Kotetsu's. Izumo's door slammed open. "What!" He blinked, scratching at his messy hair. Judging from his sweatpants and lack of shirt, I would guess that we just woken him up. He glanced towards me when I knocked again, then Kotetsu's door opened.
The other man peeked out, yawning. "Good morning."
"Aw, c'mon," Izumo whined. "Why does he get the nice wake up call?"
"I got you presents." I held out a heavy gift to Kotetsu. Once he took it and started peeling away the paper, I turned and held out another to Izumo. "Here you go!"
"Whoa! How'd you know?" Kotetsu asked, hold up the large jug of pure syrup.
"Disgusting, Tetsu," Izumo muttered, unwrapping his own present.
"Well at least I didn't get a gallon of hand sanitizer," Kotetsu snickered. "Thanks, kid." He reached out and flicked my nose. "It's a nice present."
I beamed up at him and Izumo, who seemed equally pleased. "Nato, let's go over to Sasuke's, okay?"
"Yes!" He disappeared and the sound of him running down to the ground echoed through the stairwell.
I sighed and glanced at the two men. "Enjoy. We'll catch up with you later, okay?" With that, I turned and raced down after Naruto. I yanked off my backpack and held it close to my chest with one arm. When I hit the second floor, I grinned and dashed forward. I leapt forward, reaching out with my free hand like in a dive roll and flying over the railing. Naruto shrieked and I tucked my head, hitting the ground in a roll. I straightened to my feet and glanced over at him, a grin splitting my face. "C'mon, slowpoke." I yanked my backpack back on and kept running.
"Rai! That's not fair! I can't do that, dattebayo!" He raced after me and I shot off, running way ahead of him and weaving through the streets. I dodged a vegetable cart and glanced back to see Naruto narrowly miss getting hit as well.
"I bet I can beat you there, Nato!" I yelled, ignoring the angry snap of another civilian I dodged.
"No way!"
I ducked into an alley and, keeping a close eye on Naruto's chakra, scrambled up the wall. Chakra hissed across my hands and feet and I dug my fingers harshly into the stone wall's loose cracks and crevices. I dragged myself up onto the flat roof and crouched low, peering over the edge. Naruto was still racing down the middle of the road. I grinned and turned, taking off running.
You moronic brat. You're going to get yourself killed.
Relax, I've tested this. I'll make it. I surged a pinch of chakra to my legs as I jumped, my stomach dropping for just a moment as I flew across the gap between the two buildings. I kept running the moment I hit the other roof, my knees giving just a little on impact. I could see the Uchiha Compound not far away and I leapt a couple more rooftops. Gravel dug into my knees as I crouched low, glancing back again at Naruto several blocks away. I scrabbled across the rooftop and swung over the building edge, humming chakra through my fingertips as I slid down the stone wall. My skin caught and grated and I ground my teeth. Then I hit the ground and dropped to all fours to cushion the drop.
The dirt crunched under my sandals and I noted that I would definitely have to work on silent movement. I ran as fast as I could, pushing my muscles to their limits. The turn in the road approached quickly and I just sped up. Then I snatched at the lamppost and let forward momentum swing me around, dipping my left side low and raking my fingers across the ground to keep myself steady. I let go and slowed my speed, stopping right in front of the compound gates. Naruto's chakra shone brightly still a ways behind me. I leaned against the gate and took a moment to catch my breath.
"Mirai!"
I looked up just in time to steady myself before Sasuke collided with me. "Hey, Sasuke-kun." I tucked an arm around him. "We were coming to find you!"
"Really?" He peered at me with those huge, adorable eyes. "What for? Where's the dobe?"
"He's on his way." I glanced up to find Itachi approaching us. "Itachi. I have something for you." I slung off my backpack, not looking up as I felt Naruto's chakra round the corner.
"Rai! No fair. How did you get here before me?"
I chuckled and pulled out a package, holding it up. The weight disappeared from my hands and I pulled out the gift labeled for Sasuke. "And this is for you."
He squealed and took it, ripping the paper off. "Hey, this is your book!"
"Well, not mine," I corrected. "But a copy of the same book, yeah. I think you'll like it." I looked up. "What do you think, Itachi?"
He smiled faintly over the box of dango and new set of red hair-ties in his hands. "Arigato, Mirai-chan. This is a most thoughtful gift. Any reason as to the occasion?"
I shrugged. Naruto grabbed my hand clumsily. "It's happy 25th!" he yelled happily.
Itachi arched an eyebrow. "Is there something special about the 25th?"
"Not really." I beamed at him and pulled my backpack on again, carding my fingers through Sasuke's hair. "Where's Shisui?"
"I believe he's out training. Why?" Itachi tucked his gifts away.
"I have something for him too. Can we go find him?" I felt Naruto's hand shift in my grasp and I smiled up at the Uchiha. After a moment, he nodded and moved past us. Grinning, I hooked an arm through Sasuke's and started after him. We wound through the compound before reaching the first Uchiha training ground. We passed it. Then another. Itachi stopped at the third. My veins hissed at the chakra Shisui was using as he flashed about the training ground. Itachi glanced at me.
"Shisui," he called softly.
The burning stopped.
"'Tachi-chan! And my favorite three little troublemakers." Suddenly the Uchiha was in front of us, grinning. "Can I help you with something?"
"It seems that Mirai-chan is taking today to hand out . . . gifts." Itachi rested a hand on my head. "It's quite thoughtful of her. I got a nice selection of gourmet dango—the expensive kind."
Shisui's gaze flicked sharply to me and I could catch the hint of disapproval in his eyes. He knew, after all, that I couldn't afford fancy things no matter how much I wanted to give them to my friends. "Is that so? Then what is it that you have with me, Taichou?"
I grinned widely at him and reached into my backpack. "Open it and see!"
He took it and folded away the paper I'd taped carefully around his gift. He arched an eyebrow. "You got me . . . is this chocolate?"
"Chocolate fudge," I amended.
"What, no splurging on a gift for me?"
"I thought you would appreciate this better."
He eyed me for a moment before lifting a square to his mouth and taking a careful bite. He grinned. "Well, you thought right. This is delicious." He lifted the box towards Itachi. "Want some?"
"Thank you, but I have my own sweets now," the Uchiha declined.
Shisui chuckled and closed the box, tucking it away. "This was nice of you, Taichou. Thank you." He knocked my beanie askew and shoved me playfully.
I groaned and pulled my beanie off, desperately running my fingers through my hair. "You're always messing up my hair," I whined.
He chuckled and tugged on my arm. "Alright, alright. Relax. I'll fix it." His calloused fingers pulled through my hair. "So, any more gifts to deliver, or are you going to hang out with us and try to cheer Tachi-chan up?"
I frowned and stiffened my neck as he tugged on my hair and I felt it twist. "Does . . . Tachi-chan need cheering up?" The deathly look the younger Uchiha gave me at the nickname was priceless. "Shisui?"
"Well, he's just been a bit . . . uptight lately. Hair-tie?"
My frown deepened and I peeled a hair-tie off my wrist and held it up for him. What was going on now? The Massacre wasn't happening yet, I knew that. But there was build up. That was sure to stress anyone out, and Itachi was just twelve. "Right." My head tugged back and then I felt a soft weight settle against my neck. I reached back and danced my fingers along the new braid in my hair. "Where'd you learn to do that?" I asked, turning to glance up at Shisui.
He grinned down at me. "Hey, I have female cousins too. They're not all stingy bastards like Tachi-chan. Besides." He leaned down closer and his voice became a dramatic whisper. "You don't think he keep his hair in a regular ponytail all the time, do you?"
I glanced towards Itachi. "No way . . . . Hey, Itachi!"
"What is it, Mirai-chan?" he asked, sighing heavily, as if he knew what was going to happen.
"Can I braid your hair?"
"Mirai-chan—"
"Please?" I yanked my beanie back onto my head. "Please, Tachi-chan?"
"Shisui, you're a poor influence on this girl."
"Do I want to know how a little girl got her hands on senbon of this quality?" Genma tucked me against his side, examining the box of shinobi needles I'd given him. "Or, ahem, sake? Really, Mirai, really?" He glanced towards the bottle Raidou was studying intently. "What shopkeep sold you that? Not sure it's exactly legal for you to be buying alcohol at your age."
"It's not like I'm drinking it," I pouted. "Besides, you never answered my question. Do you know where Niisan is? I need to find him today, but Naruto needs to go to bed soon." I looked over at the boy snoring away on his half of the couch.
"And by Niisan you mean . . . Hatake."
I looked up again at Genma and nodded. "Hai. Where is he?"
"I think he's on a mission. Should be back sometime tonight." He sighed and nudged me to the side as he stood. "Tell you what. If I see him, I'll send him your way, alright? As of now, you and that little brother of yours should probably make it home."
I nodded and dragged myself to my feet. After a couple moments of struggle, I managed to fit my crumpled up backpack and my final gift in the remaining space of Naruto's own bag. I secured it firmly on my back, latching the buckles across my chest, and leaned over my brother. "Nato," I murmured. "It's time to go home."
He groaned, throwing up a hand to cover his exposed ear. Naruto made an exhausted, dysfunctional sound. "I'm tired," he whined.
A smile twisted my lips. "I know," I said softly. Then I sighed and crouched down, pulling Naruto's arms around my neck. "I'll carry you. But you still have to brush your teeth and get changed when we get home."
I got a grunt of agreement in return, though he might have been arguing. It was hard to tell. I bent my knees beneath me and slid my arms under his body, lifting him up. "Good night," I called to the ANBU, turning to leave the Jonin Station.
Genma stared down at us for a moment before sighing. "Don't be ridiculous. It's late. I'll walk you home. Give 'em here." He bent down and took Naruto into his arms. "Lead the way."
I blinked and then shrugged, reaching up and grasping his loose sleeve. Then I started forward. "Thank you."
"Yeah, well," —his senbon clicked— "I heard about your little fight the other day. Not letting you walk home when it's dark out and your carrying your little brother."
I shrugged then frowned. "Why do you call him my little brother? We're twins."
Genma scoffed. "Age has nothing to do with it, pumpkin. Naruto's your little brother; that's just a fact."
"Pumpkin?" I giggled, swinging my arm a bit and feeling the movement tug on him. "Is that me?"
"Course it's you. Who else would I be talking about?"
Something tickled at the back of my mind. "Genma, do you like pumpkin? Is this some kind of weird obsession?"
"What? Don't be ridiculous."
"You keep telling me that." I released him and skipped up the apartment stairs first. "It's not going to change anything." The key clicked a little louder than I liked as I unlocked the door.
Genma shuffled inside after me, setting Naruto none-too-gently on the couch. "Rest up. Academy starts any day now, doesn't it?"
I grinned up at him. "Yep!" I turned and locked the door. "Do you want water? Juice? We don't have much else." I turned back around and blinked. "Genma?"
"Rai?" A yawn.
Disregarding the disappearing shinobi, I shuffled to Naruto's side. "Nato, you need to brush your teeth and put your pajamas on. Then you need to go to bed."
"Will you read me some Gutsy Shinobi tonight?"
I studied his gaze and then sighed. "Alright. But just a little bit."
I only read him half a chapter, leaving him wondering on a good cliffhanger. "Goodnight," I reminded him, ruffling his hair and pulling the blankets up around him. "The story will still be here tomorrow."
"But Rai!"
"Sleep." I pressed a kiss against his forehead. "I'll wake you up in the morning." I clutched the book against my chest and moved from the room.
"Goodnight," Naruto murmured. I closed the door.
"Mirai."
My heart leapt up into my throat and choked me and I whipped around, raising my right fist and twisting my other hand to protect my ribcage. Kakashi arched an eyebrow at me. A grin slowly split my lips. "Niisan. I got you a gift."
"So I heard."
I reached out and slid my hand into his. "C'mon, it's out here." I pulled him towards the living room and as I did so I felt my fingers slide against something. Wet, almost silky. I stopped short, not looking back. "Niisan . . . are you okay?"
He pulled his hand back. "What is it you got for me?"
I nodded and closed my hand around the sticky blood on my palm. "Um, here." The floor creaked a little as I failed to avoid the loud floorboard, moving to my backpack on the couch. I dropped my book and then rummaged around in my bag for a moment before pulling out the small package. The wrapping had gotten beat up throughout the day, but it still took Kakashi a moment to pull it off. "I made the pendant myself. Read a few books at the library on how to do it, and I took me a few tries, but . . . ." I cleared my throat loudly and shoved my hands in my pockets, my elbows suspiciously shaky.
He lifted the lid off and tucked it under the box. He dipped his fingers into the box and then pulled them back. The necklace's thick chain whistled against itself as it lifted and then grew suddenly silent as the charm lifted from the box. He studied the small wooden rectangle, eye narrowing as he read the kanji I'd painstakingly engraved into it—okami. "Arigato, Pup." He stowed the box away in his pocket. "I promise I won't lose it." He ducked his head and lifted his hands slower than I liked, slipping it over his head.
"Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine."
"Are you hurt?"
No answer.
Groaning, I moved over to the wall and flipped the light on. Then I raked my gaze across his hunched form and the bloody hand pressed against his chest. My own hand was still slick with his blood. "I have a med kit."
"Doubt you have what I need."
"I bet I do." I moved to the kitchen. "If you're not going to go to the hospital, do you think you can let me help you?"
"You don't have any training."
"I've read. And you can make sure I don't mess up." The med kit clicked quietly against the table and I moved to the sink to scrub my hands. "Sit down?"
He sighed and the chair groaned as he did so. I dried off my hands and opened a drawer, picking up a stack of hand towels. I dropped them on the table and began pulling on gloves. Kakashi hissed as he peeled off his bloody shirt and I inwardly questioned his willingness to trust his wellbeing to a little girl. His new necklace fell against his collarbone heavily as he gasped for air. My gaze dropped to his upper left chest and my breath caught in my throat. "Wh-what . . . ?"
"Kunai. It's not a deep wound; the knife glanced."
I nodded and then took one of the hand towels, pressing it against the deep gash. "Hold this," I murmured.
His bloody hands fumbled over my gloved ones for a moment, pressing the towel hard against his chest. I moved back to the kitchen and dug through the cabinets before pulling out a bowl and plastic pitcher. I ran the water until it was warm and then filled the pitcher up a good two-thirds of the way. "I'm not going to give you stitches. I'll pack the wound."
He grunted in reply.
I stirred in a few tablespoons of salt and moved back over to the table. "Lean forward," I whispered, peeling away the towel. I pressed the bowl against his stomach, poised under the wound and guided him as he leaned. His blood echoed as it dripped against the metal. I directed his hands to hold the bowl and then I smoothed a gloved finger above the wound. "This'll hurt, I think."
He chuckled, but it broke off into a hiss as I began pouring the saline solution over the gash. A giggle of my own broke loose from my lips. "Told you," I muttered. I poured slowly and evenly, watching as the stream ran red then pink then faintly clear. I stopped just in time to leave myself a few tablespoons more of saline water. I set the pitcher down and pressed another clean towel against his cut. "Hold." I took the bowl and set it aside, ignoring the swishing blood and water. I took a moment to cut my tape and prepare the dressing.
"Why do you know how to do this?" Kakashi murmured, voice rasping against the quiet.
"Like I said, I read a lot. Besides, it's a helpful thing for a shinobi to know." I dampened the gauze. "Deep breaths. Tell me if it's too tight." I peeled the towel back and dropped it into his lap, pressing a finger on either side of the gash. I used my other hand to push the gauze into the wound. It resisted and I frowned, twisting it just slightly. Kakashi hissed but I ignored him, packing the gauze in firmly. Then I held it in place with one hand and reached back, snatching up the gauze sponge. "How's it feel?" I began taping the gauze sponge down.
"You're not a shinobi."
"I will be." I finished off the tape and then began to do the same with the small square of plastic.
"But you're not yet."
I hummed in response and peeled off my gloves so I wouldn't stain the wrap with red. I leaned forward and reached as far around him as I could to wrap it around his chest, a couple times over his shoulder, and then around his chest again before I cut it and taped it down. "Finished." I carried the bowl and bloody towels to the sink. I dropped the towels into the trash and began rinsing out the bowl.
"Pup?"
I paused and glanced back at him. His hitai-ate was in his hand but his eye was still closed. I couldn't help but wonder how painful it was to get a scar like that. "Hai, Niisan?"
"Don't grow up. Not yet."
Chapter End
Answer: Wind. There's a lot of potential for what you can do with it. Depending on how well you can control it, you can suffocate someone with too much air or too little. You can leave a crime scene without leaving a weapon. Or, you know, you can fly. That's pretty cool too.
Question: If you could enter any fictional world in existence, which would you choose?
Today's suggested fanfic: Mind the Gap by Sage Thrasher.
