[Insert Disclaimer Here], I own nothing but the Hachimitsu Clan.
Ten: Epilogue/Transition to Part II
Two Weeks after arrival at the Hachimitsu Compound
Duelo-Papa,
I've only been here a week and I miss Konoha, my friends, even Kakashi. The trip here was boring but very scenic. How have you been? Have you seen Naruto? Pinkie? How are they getting along without me?
The Hachimitsu Clan compound is HUGE! It's like it's own little village, there's so many rooms and buildings. Mim, Jun-jiji and I are staying in the main household. There's lots of people here, mostly servants and politicians. Great Grandmother, Kisaki-mama is very important. Jun-jiji wasn't kidding when he said she's like a Daimyo. I don't know how she does it, handling a huge compound and running a cournty, she's like really old! Like Sandaime Old! Her hair is long, wavy and white and we share the same honey colored eyes! She wears fine expensive bright hanbok.
Seriously, why wasn't I warned that I'd stand out here? Everyone wears hanbok clothing! All I have to wear are my kimono and my civilian like attire. Mim and Jun-jiji even had hanbok! Kisaki-mama says she's going to fix that though. She's nice and has taken to me well. She's even well learned in KSSL and other various forms of signing from other villages. She says she's going to teach me all the forms she knows while I'm around. She seems really smart in the way she speaks. She's also very silly when we're in private but for the most part, she's regal and proper.
In the clan there are many separate branches to the family. Kisaki-mama is one of 10 children and her brothers are spread all around the nations handling the minor branch families in different villages. Kisaki-mama's branch is called the main family. Main family members are the only ones allowed to wear gold embroidery on the hems of their pants, skirts, and sleeves. Which means Kisaki-mama, her brothers, their female descendants, Kisaki-mama's sons, one daughter, and any of their female descendants have to wear the gold embroidered clothing. I had no idea Jun-jiji was the oldest of his brothers and wasn't I told this before? Did you know that?
I get the feeling this trip is meant for something more than just visiting and getting me better. Mim has filled me in that women in the clan are important to lead the clan and that it's rare for a female to be born into the clan. That's weird right? To know that I can count in my two hands all the female blood relatives in the Clan. Anyways, please tell Naruto and Pinkie that I'm okay. Please reply soon with news about my friends. Oh and take care of yourself. Don't let me find out you're not, or I'll write a letter to Kakashi!
Your Daughter,
Hachiko
Two Weeks after the Last Letter
Dear Duelo-Papa,
How are you? Still working all the time? I miss you, Pinkie and Naruto so much, I even miss Kakash! I've no one here my age to talk to since most of the clan members keep their distance and greet distantly. You have read Mim's letter right? If not, skip this and read it, NOW! It's urgent. She's much better at the details and political stuff.
Are you done reading her letter? Yes? Good.
I don't like the treatment everyone has taken towards me. They address me as Hachiko-hime. I'm not a princess. I'm just Hachiko. I miss you. You'd treat me the same, even as an heiress right? I don't care if it's proper etiquette. Did you know this was going to happen?
It's no wonder Kisaki-mama was so interested in meeting me. I'm the only one of three possible heiress to become the family matriarch and of the three, I was chosen because Himitsu-obasan became the Fire Damiyo's concubine and cousin Karen is too easily manipulated by her father, at least that's what I heard the adults say. I know, I shouldn't eavesdrop but it's not my fault they forget I'm mute and not deaf. Ugh. I should've said 'No, pick another heiress Kisaki-mama' but that would've been rude of me after Kisaki-mama asked so kindly. I know… I'm a sucker for nice old people.
Duelo-papa, what have I gotten myself into? I thought I was doing the right thing but I didn't expect everyone's behavior towards me to change. Even Jun-jiji in public is a bit regal, formal and distant. Mim is formal but not distant in public. Proper decorum can suck it! I don't like it. In a way maybe it's a good thing I'm the next matriarch. Maybe that way I can decentralize all this formality. What do you think Duelo-papa? Ah, Did you see the cute picture Mim enclosed? I look adorable don't I with my hanbok?
Your daughter,
Hachiko
Two Weeks after the Last Letter
Duelo Papa,
Yes, I know, I make hanbok look good. Mim commented that you only like the Hanbok because I don't show much skin and that when I'm older it'll hide most of me. Well played sir. I just think it's a bit more comfy than a kimono, despite the layers.
Yes, I know, I should write to Pinkie and Naruto but I really don't want to disturb their daily life or even give them hopes that I'd be writing often as that cannot be. I will begin training in spiritual energy manipulation.
Kisaki-mama pulled strings to get a miko she knows from the Land of Demons to come meet me. Right before writing this letter, I met her, Lady Suisei. She's as old as Kisaki-mama. Lady Suisei agreed to take me under her wing for the next four years. She believes I have potential in mastering not only my spiritual energy but in being able to use Seishinjutsu. She says it's a dying form that predates fuuinjutsu and is difficult to master for most. Lady Suisei also was able to assess the seal work Kakashi did on me. She found it quite similar to one miko's use on their apprentices to get them use to using spiritual energy. In a week I'll begin my training and I was assured I would have little time to myself. As you can imagine my letters will be less frequent.
Oh Duelo-papa I miss you and I hope you are doing fine. The New Year is coming up and I don't want you to be alone. Don't be loser for the New Year. Go out with Kakashi, get drinks, get drunk if you must, get a girlfriend, do something. Don't just spend time alone and just working. Nurse Nanase wrote to me and let me know that you've been drowning in your work. I worry for you. As for Naruto and Pinkie, tell them that I miss them and will begin training. The least I can do is keep them posted since I refuse to write. Oh and be sure to give them the gifts I'm sending along!
Your Daughter,
Hachiko
Letter During the New Year
Happy New Year Duelo-Papa!
How are you? I wasn't kidding in my last letter, did you go out with Kakashi and celebrate like I suggested? Any lady friends I should be aware of? Did you like the gift I sent? As my father, you have to wear the hanbok in formal occasions. You're technically a Main Hachimitsu Clan member since I'm half of you and Half of Rei-Mama. I forgot the proper title for you. Anyways, I personally think the dark blue hanbok would look very good on you. Part of the formalwear is that you have to tie your hair up in a knot with the gold Binyeo stick. You'll have to wear it and take a picture, so that I can see how good you look.
Thank you for the birthday gift. I love gold bee pendant and I wear it proudly. Kisaki-mama even likes it and wishes she had one. Even though I'm officially eight and I should be happy and excited that I'm older, I'm not.
Being Eight means more responsibility as a Hachimitsu Clan child. As you probably were warned by Jun-jiji, Eight is an important year for a child of the clan, especially for an heiress. It marks the beginning in my proper education. To me it all just means 'heiress education'. Not only do I have to learn etiquette, math, and how to write formal letters. I also have to learn politics and philosophy from Kisaki-mama, calligraphy lessons and the art of conversation from Jun-jiji. Then there are the feminine arts that Mim will be teaching me, flower arranging, poetry, music… Papa, what have I done? No one said accepting to be an heiress was going to be so much work! I only get to relax a little when I do my spiritual training exercises.
Lady Suisei's training is going well by the way. So far training involves me clearing my mind and overcoming my dark self. It's the only time I have 'me' time. Even if its to overcome the negative emotions in me. I know, what negative emotions could a child have? To be honest it's mostly self-doubt. I have random moments of it and my confidence slips. Do you ever feel that way Papa? I don't want to let people down. I have so much on riding on my shoulders… Sometimes I'm afraid I'll fail everyone.
Oh papa, I need you here. You would know what to say to me. Even Kakashi's opinion would be nice. I doubt Naruto and Pinkie would be of any help seeing that they get to be normal… Well have some normalcy I won't ever have. Ugh, I must stop being so negative or else my spiritual training won't progress.
I hope this letter finds you well Duelo-papa. Tell Kakashi I say hello and send my regards to my friends please. Please take care of yourself. I expect to hear you're dating or at least that you were out drinking hard. Socialize Papa! That's what you need. Have you considered dating one of the nurses? Just putting that out there.
Your Daughter,
Hachiko
Six Months Later
Duelo-Papa!
I am so sorry. I hope this letter finds you well. I've missed you so much Papa! Tell my friends I'm sorry for the lack of updates about my training. I've just been so busy! How is everyone? Tell Naruto and Pinkie that I'm sorry for not replying to their letter. It's not that I didn't want to, it's just that I got really emotional. Don't get me wrong I was happy I got their letter but I was also sad. I miss them so much. I have missed little things like Naruto's progress on his dream to becoming Hokage and Pinkie's blossoming confidence. I guess in a way, I got a bit out of hand as I got a bit depressed.
Lady Suisei had me train extra hard in isolation away from others so I could focus and rein in on my emotions. Kisaki-mama agreed that I have to master my emotions and how I project them, mask them even. So this entire time since I received their letter, I have been 'exiled' so that I can fine-tune my emotions and how to react. As it happens, spiritual energy is volatile to emotions. Emotions throw off intent and intent is important for the manipulation of spiritual energy and for physical training.
Physical Training is much more taxing than heiress lessons and meditation. I have to be able to protect myself not only from bandits and those who wish to harm the Hachimitsu Clan. However, Lady Suisei has higher standards, she expects me to be able to keep up with ninja and be able to disarm one. Lady Suisei has gotten me started in archery and senbon, which I like since it's almost like being a ninja. Ah, no point in dwelling in the past right?
Duelo-Papa, I need your opinion and help. As of lately I've noticed something strange about me. Ever since I started meditation, I've been having extra sensitivity with chakra. I informed lady Suisei and she says that I'm detecting natural energy. I've been told not to mess with it until I'm better trained. I have noticed though that it's getting harder and harder to ignore. I know it's there and I can feel it as it amplifies the emotions of those around me, it's been giving me headaches lately especially during dinner with the other clan members. I feel something tense and it turns ominous.
I've informed Lady Suisei and she's been teaching me to hide my discomfort for the time being and ask you, since you're a medic on what I should take for the headaches. So what do you suggest I take Duelo-Papa? Please write back soon.
Your daughter,
Hachiko
Four Weeks after the Last Letter
Dear Duelo-Papa,
The pills you suggested have worked wonders against the headaches. How are you? Mim informed me that you've been worried over me ever since she wrote to you about the incident.
I'm sorry I didn't write sooner to tell you myself but I didn't wish to burden you. I understand if you are angry with me but I am fine. The assassin didn't get me. I was able to sense him before he got to my room. I barricaded myself in the wardrobe in my room. I set up a seishinjutsu barrier with a simple seal Lady Suisei taught me. Seishinjutsu Barriers are only as strong as my own body and soul. I won't lie to you Papa, I was scared. The feeling, the aura that came with the assassin was pure hatred and malice. I-I don't believe this will be my last encounter with death. I know Jun-jiji and everyone believes I don't know who did it but… I do know. I can't hide it from you Papa.
I know it was Jun-jiji's brother that tried to kill me. Papa, why are the adults trying to hide it from me? Do they think I won't handle it? I'm not some fragile figurine. I understand that the world is much more cruel and twisted than they are trying to paint it out to be, which is why I'm taking my training serious. I will get strong enough to protect myself and the clan. I will lead the Hachimitsu Clan with no complaints. I'm done doubting myself.
Please don't tell Naruto or Sakura anything about the assassination attempt. Please. I don't need them to worry over me when they have their own studies, or in Naruto's case, pranks to focus on. You better not start being a father hen too, understood? It's bad enough that the altercation left Mim to fuss over me and Jun-jiji went into a battle mode I've never even seen. This is the last letter I'm writing Papa. I will put all my heart into my training and I promise the next time you see me, you'll see how far I've come along, how much I've grown. Please inform my friends that I wish to complete my training with no contact and for them to keep me in their thoughts as I will keep them in mine.
Your Strong Daughter,
Hachiko
Kisaki-mama POV
"Kisakai-mama, Jun-sama is here to see you." The servant said.
Kisaki nodded and waved to let her eldest son in. Kisaki knew this day was coming. Jun would return to Konoha and continue his self-imposed exile and with his departure, her chosen heiress would be leaving. Jun physically aged very little despite his true age. He was blessed with the clan's youthful luster. He even looked somewhat like his father. Kisaki smiled at the olden memories as Jun entered the office in his regal black hanbok with gold decorations. His long golden brown hair was pulled up in a high tight knot.
"Mother." He said and bowed.
'Always so formal.'
Kisaki smiled and asked him to sit. In the past five years, so much had to change. Her only granddaughter turn statue as she was practically killed after a failed assassination attempt on Hachiko-chan, Kisaki's heiress and great-granddaughter. Hachiko-chan was left marked after killing her own relative at age 9. The child was no longer full of wonder and curious smiles. It had been bad enough that after the first assassination attempt, Hachiko-chan threw herself into her training without her childish complaints but after the second attempt, she was left a shell. It had taken a long time to get her to where she was now. She's never be the bright little girl she once was, now she was silently peaceful and her eyes held a deep wisdom but her firm loyalty, it never wavered.
Kisaki left her thoughts behind and focused on her son, Jun.
"I'll be blunt as always, you've come to inform me that you're going to leave soon. Correct?" Jun nodded and Kisaki smiled sadly.
"I see. Is there no way to convince you, Mimori and my heiress to stay?"
"I'm sorry mother. So long as he is roaming free, it's best to stay in Konoha. Mori has agreed as well. You know I cannot put Hachiko-chan in danger not after failing to keep Rei safe and well." Kisaki knew how much Jun had berated himself when Rei died. He had let her live her life as she wished and in pursuit of her dream to be the first Kunoichi in the clan, she died a hero. He was so caught up in his misery that he just couldn't see how many clan members Rei inspired to take up the shinobi profession although those inspired were in the different shinobi villages.
"Hachiko-chan is in more ways than one, like her mother. Independent, intelligent and a natural leader though she is unaware of it. Her strength she's shown since the assassination attempts has inspired our clan members near and far. She's overcome her disability. She's trained in Seishinjutsu, an olden and nearly lost art from and was taught by a powerful miko and she's only a child of 12. If she stays that shows off her courageous character but as my heiress, you and your brother are right, she is better off in Konoha until the time comes." Kisaki had to say all of that to ensure the Jun understood the strengths in Hachiko. Strengths that sometimes, he undermined when he was being a worry wart.
"Thank you for that mother." Jun simply said but Kisaki knew he was relieved she agreed with his and Mori's plan.
"What do you and Mori know of Akuzetsu?" Kisaki asked curious to what her eldest sons knew about her rebellious son.
"There is without a doubt that the Clan Compound will be attacked. Mori's spies have confirmed his next move. I had to move up the departure date. Mori has set up an evacuation drill for the staff on the day of his attack, that way Akuzetsu won't suspect a single thing. Mori and I have received word from the other family branches… Akuzetsu has been busy these past four years and killed off all the female-born Hachimitsu. Mother you are not safe here. With just Mori to protect you and the few trained guardsmen, it's not safe you should leave with me." Kisaki clenched her fists.
"So he has come to this, he intends to end the clan's tradition… I will not be leaving with you." Kisaki decided leaving Jun in shock.
"Mother you don't have to stay, you don't even need to stay with me in Konoha, Himitsu-imoto contacted me and she'd be delighted to host you. Mother, are you listening?" Kisaki unfurled her fists. Generations of Tradition were going to be wiped out all for spite and from her own child. With a firm and cold heart Kisaki looked at Jun in the eyes.
"I am listening. As the Lady of the Land of Honey, I cannot leave, that would be abandoning my position and I'd never do that. I'd rather die, even at the hand of my own son. I'd rather that over running away and being remembered by the people who choose me, my clan to rule, as a coward. Hachimitsu are not cowards. We sting back even at the cost of our lives." Kisaki said firmly, her conviction and position are what she built up for decades and she would not see it be destroyed by her own hand. She'd rather die and be destroyed with it. Jun gave a small tight smile and chuckle.
"You are where she get's it from. That unwavering determination and loyalty, it burns brightly in Hachiko." Kisaki then knew she had made a good choice in heiress.
"Then it's a good thing she's my successor. Have you informed Sandaime Hokage of Hachiko's new title? Ah, I wonder how he'll take it. I remember the last time I heard from him, he was particularly hurt that I left him in the middle of the night." Jun's eye twitched and Kisaki inwardly grinned, no one, not even her children liked hearing of her romantic trysts with the various men she solicited in hopes of baring strong children for the main clan line.
"I have. As a Konoha Citizen, Hachiko-chan has the protection necessary however if she needs extra protection it will cost a bit more. As for her title, the Civilian and Shinobi Council will be informed." Jun informed Kisaki.
"When do you plan to leave?" Kisaki asked.
"Two days. Hachiko, Mimori and Myself leave tomorrow." Kisaki nodded and Jun excused himself as she had to pack. Kisaki smiled sadly and pulled out a photograph, it was one the entire clan took on the first new years Hachiko-chan celebrated with the clan. This photograph was the last time, Kisaki's family was complete before it all went to hell. Letting out a sad sigh, Kisaki tucked the photo in her pocket that was right over her heart.
-Two Days Later-
Kisaki watched her son, daughter-in-law and heiress leave the clan compound. They traveled in disguise with the servants that were leaving for the day. It was plain but necessary for the trio to travel as discreet as possible. Jun took on plain brown hanbok and let his hair down and wore a straw hat. Mimori, wore a light blue shirt with red lining and a dark blue chima skirt, her hair pulled up in a bun with a dark blue ribbon. To anyone else in the land of honey, they'd look like commoners.
Kisaki moved her eyes and now stared at Hachiko's retreating back. It was a shame she couldn't wear her golden accented hanbok for the travel. Instead Hachiko wore a soft pink shirt and dark green chima skirt. Her golden brown hair was braided with a dark green ribbon.
"For the past five years I've seen my little bee grow comfortable with her wings. Never have I seen her walk with hope." Kisaki said to Lady Suisei who stood beside her.
"Aye. I've noticed it as well. Ever since she learned of her return to Konoha, the small dying light in her eyes has rekindled. Perhaps this is what she needs to fully recover and truly move on." Kisaki agreed with Lady Suisei. Kisaki silently hoped that in Konoha, Hachiko would the way to heal her tired and cracked soul. Setting her one final look at the trio before she lost them in the crowd, Kisaki let a lone tear slip past her controlled face. This was after all, the last time she'd see them.
A/N: ... Things can never go smooth for Hachiko. it pained me to write out Kisaki's POV but I managed it. I really wanted to write out Hachi's POV as it would be very interesting for you all to see her changed demenor but, I decided to hype up her return in Part II.
In the next chapter there's just a list of the Hachimitsu Clan Members, I figured some of you might be interested in it, if not you can skip it.
ANYWAYS...
I'd like to take the time to thank all of you. For real, this means a lot to me. This is a big milestone. My first complete story. On my hard drive I have dozens of unfinished stories, not necessarily about Narutoverse, but it took me a long time to pick one and stick with it. Honey and Kunai only had 4 chapters done when I published it. It had sat around my hard drive for 2 years. I chose it because it was easy to roll with after I re-developed my writing style.
So yeah, this is a big deal for me. I hope to you all enjoyed this fic and i hope you join me for Part II once I have it up.
For now fellow readers, Stay Golden.
-Anbu