Honey I Can Explain Chapter 37: Priestess Chi
"There's a resident priestess here," Idena said softly to Genma.
"What?" Genma asked.
"A priestess always lives here in the palace. Ipiza wanted to let Lord Hokage know this. She was unable to do it herself so she sent me," Idena answered. "Queen Lana doesn't like it when we speak to you…but Ipiza feels that Lord Minato is very nervous about Priestess Miyana. We want what's best for the priestess."
"Thank you for the information," Genma replied. She bowed slightly leaving to attend to her duties.
"That's what she told me," Genma replied as Minato held down a squirming Kyoko so he could brush her hair. He could barely get her to sit still and at this rate there was no way he'd be able to get her hair into a ponytail.
"I see," Minato answered. "Kyoko-chan, why are you so squirmy?"
"I wanna brush my hair," Kyoko answered shaking her head. Minato released the girl's hair with a sigh. I wonder if this is the struggle that Kushina goes through every morning, Minato thought as Kyoko threw her hair about.
"How about I'll let you do it later?" Minato suggested. "Also, do you wanna do a little favor for me?" Kyoko froze, she liked doing things for Papa.
"YES!" Kyoko squeaked.
"Can you ask the other priestess to come talk to me?" Minato whispered into her ear.
"Okay!" Kyoko replied.
"BUT, you have to do it secretly okay? You can't tell ANYONE not ever Kakashi or the other Handmaidens," Minato whispered.
"Okay," Kyoko whispered back. Minato smiled brushing through her hair getting little resistance out of her. Yet as the seconds ticked on Kyoko went back to squirming. Kyoko-chan please…all I want to do is put your hair in a ponytail, Minato thought as he tried to pull her hair back again.
"Princess, what have you been doing since we've come here?" Genma asked. Maybe questioning the young princess would get her mind off of Minato's hair styling skills (or lack of hair styling skills).
"Doing stuff…priestess stuff. Are you doing nice things? Papa wants to make sure that you and Raido and Kashi are not doing bad things with ladies. Papa called it fantasizing" Kyoko rambled. Minato covered her mouth quickly. She had a bit of big mouth like Kushina, then again children are the most honest little creatures.
"No I'm not fraternizing with the ladies. I'm being very good," Genma laughed. "You talk to her a lot Lord Hokage." Minato tied a ribbon in her hair to keep as much of her hair out of her face. Her bangs were too long and he knew he couldn't cut her hair as well as Kushina. That's all he could do with a squirming child, he'd have to try for the ponytail later on in the day.
"Yes, she's a very astute listener," Minato replied. "Well I think you're ready Kyo-chan. Remember my super-secret favor?"
"Yes!" Kyoko replied hoping off his lap.
"Okay, get to it! Don't forget now!" Minato gasped excitedly.
"YEAH!" Kyoko squeaked leaving the room skipping happily.
"Genma, how has your search been going?" Minato asked.
"The palace guards are getting a little suspicious. I haven't seen the Queen or that Royal Advisor in a while," Genma replied. "We've laid off looking around here but we haven't stopped looking in the city."
"I haven't had a chance to talk to the Queen. This isn't looking well between our two nations," Minato answered.
"Well, Queen Lana is a young child. I imagine that it's her immaturity that's keeping her from you,"
"I feel like there's something else," Minato answered. "I think this princess, I mean Queen..."
"Minato-sensei!" Kakashi interrupted bursting into the room.
"What is it?" Minato asked.
"Kyoko-hime is having a fit in the throne room," Kakashi answered.
"Do you know why?" Minato asked signaling Genma to follow after Kakashi.
"No but she was fighting with Samsu-san," Kakashi replied.
"You're a very spoiled child," Samsu growled.
"I AM NOT! I'M NOT TAKING IT OFF!" Kyoko shouted sitting down on the floor angrily. She crossed her arms angrily closing her eyes with a huff.
"Priestess…take it off or else," Samsu snapped.
"NO!" Kyoko growled.
"High Priestess, I'm trying to be patient with you, but you need to take that ribbon out of your hair," Samsu sighed.
"Why?" Kyoko asked.
"BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO TAKE IT OFF!" Samsu hollered. "I tried to be nice but…" Samsu stomped to the girl, grabbing her by the arm. He reached for the ribbon on the girl's head causing her to scream and stomp her feet. She thrashed her arms scratching his face and biting his hand with her teeth. Her chakra is going everywhere, Minato thought as they got closer.
"That could have been you, Kakashi," Genma teased as they came on to the scene. Kakashi glared at Genma, the teen couldn't lay off the jokes. Genma shrugged playfully. "Hey…it's true."
"Samsu-sama, let her go," Minato ordered. Samsu ceased his "attack" on the little girl looking over at Minato.
"This is none of your concern Lord Hokage," Samsu replied calmly. Kyoko's teeth were still imbedded into his hand.
"She's screaming, kicking, biting and scratching you. Kyoko has yet to leave my jurisdiction so this is my concern," Minato answered. "Release her." Samsu hesitated glaring at the Hokage. She's definitely the little brawler. I don't blame her this time…he did grab her, Minato thought.
"I don't think you understand your position here Lord Hokage. I have the…."
"What's going on?" Queen Lana asked coming into the scene. She accompanied by Ipiza, Idena and another woman. This woman was young like the handmaidens but she was not wearing the typical light green or light blue. The woman was wearing robes similar to Kyoko's except her robes were burgundy and white instead of the blues that Kyoko was wearing.
"Priestess Miyana is spoiled," Samsu answered. "The Shinobi don't disciple her."
Kyoko released his hand, "I am not!" Kyoko tried wriggling out of his grip. The man growled tightening his hold on Kyoko. Angered Kyoko bit into the hand again. The man gasped as pain shot through his arm. Kyoko broke through the skin this time.
"What happened Miyana?" Queen Lana asked. Kyoko released the hand her mouth dripping with blood.
"Papa tied this bow in my hair and Samsu didn't like it so he wanted me to take it off and it didn't want to. And then he grabbed me and then he tried taking it from me and I bit him," Kyoko explained.
"Let her go. I'll deal with this matter later," Queen Lana answered upon seeing Minato. Samsu sighed releasing the little girl. Kyoko ran to Minato grasping tightly on to his legs. She let out a low growl at Samsu. Minato placed a hand on top of her head rubbing it gently.
"My Lady," Minato ushered taking a few steps towards the fleeing queen. He was halted by two guards. Minato scowled furrowing his brow. "My Lady please."
"I'm leaving," the Queen answered. The guards stepped aside after the young queen left.
"Young Maiden Miyana," Ipiza called out. Kyoko ran to the woman greeting her with a little song. Ipiza smiled at her taking her hand as the girl rambled to her. The woman Minato had never seen before bent down to Kyoko's level taking her other hand with a gentle smile. The young woman wiped the blood away from the child's mouth and chin with her robe's sleeve. She spoke with the little girl receiving a hug from the child. Idena signaled the men other to them.
"This is Priestess Chi," Ipiza introduced bowing to the Hokage.
"You must be Lord Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. We have heard a lot about your exploits. I'm Chi of the Sinwae Clan," Chi chimed.
"Hello," Minato answered.
"But I must advise you, I can't speak to unmarried men," Chi said in a low voice. "Next year when I'm married I will be able to."
"I'm married," Minato replied.
"What about them?" Chi asked.
"They're both unmarried. Kakashi is only 14, Genma and Raido are about 17," Minato replied. Chi let out a slight sigh frowning at Genma. She turned to the Hokage with the same frown.
"I cannot talk to the older ones," Chi replied. "And they cannot speak to me."
"That's fine," Minato answered.
"Would you like to speak with me?" Chi asked.
"Yes," Minato replied.
"Very well, we should speak at the Royal Temple," Chi smiled sweetly motioning with her head for the Hokage to follow after her.
"So what would you like to ask me?" Chi asked as Kyoko sat on Chi's lap. Kakashi was in the back of the room watching the priestess's every move.
"Are you always forbidden to speak to speak to unmarried men?" Minato asked. This was the first time anyone had brought this up, even the book on Luponian culture did not speak of this.
"No, I was allowed to talk to unmarried men until now. I turned 17 a few weeks ago. As a priestess I'm only allowed to speak to suitors during this time and family members when I'm not on duty. I will be married on my 18th birthday to ensure that I have enough time to give birth to my reincarnation. After I'm married I'll be able to speak to anyone, no matter what their marital status is," Chi replied with a smile. She giggled at the Hokage's confusion. "You seem confused Lord Hokage."
"I don't mean to be rude, but aren't priestesses supposed to be chaste?"
Chi giggled again, "Yes that is, until I get married. Yes, I understand what you're saying. My people believe that priestesses are reincarnated, and that can only be done by the priestess. Every noble clan has a different way of telling the reincarnation. For my clan, I have green eyes while my clansmen have brown or amber colored eyes. Young Maiden Miyana has white hair and blue eyes while her clan had brown or black hair and/or eyes."
"Chi!" Kyoko chirped.
"Yes Maiden Miyana?" Chi asked.
"I really like you," Kyoko answered snuggling the priestess under her breasts.
"Why thank you!" Chi cooed.
"Ma'am," Minato began.
"Maiden Chi please," Chi answered hugging Kyoko tightly. What a cheerful, spunky child! The little girl was a never ending ball of energy.
"Maiden Chi, how long have you been living here?"
"For about two years. A priestess from the Ichunda clan was here before me," Chi answered. "Every one of us has to do a residency of five years here. It's a little different now since the High Priestess doesn't have a mentor, so my residency has been extended.
"If I can ask," Minato started, "how do you feel about the Queen and her advisor." Chi became silent as she stared at the Hokage. Looking down she went through Kyoko's hair watching the carefree expression on Kyoko's face. Chi frowned at the child letting out a quiet sigh. Kyoko's ears sunk slightly feeling the tension in the room.
Chi moved close to Minato, "I'm not sure about Queen Lana, but Royal Advisor Samsu should not be trusted. He's a very fanatical Geldani who wants to overthrow Queen Lana in order to make a Geldani nation but he can't do that while I'm here." She sat back looking cautiously around the room.
"I see," Minato answered.
"Papa is worried about me being here," Kyoko squeaked.
"He is?" Chi asked.
"Yes," Kyoko replied.
"I understand why he's worried about you. He loves you," Chi replied.
"Papa loves me a lot," Kyoko answered smiling lovingly at him.
"How come the young Priestess is the only one with wolf ears?" Minato asked. He had seen a few young children with wolf ears as well but the majority of the people looked like "normal" human beings.
"In the years passing by we've come into contact with so many Shinobi that would kill us on sight because we were different. We are monsters to some Shinobi so King Ceta II decreed about forty years ago that we must take this form using a unique seal that suppresses our true nature. As the years passed the seal ritual became our people's coming of age. At the age of five children are accepted into their respective clans as full members. I worry for Maiden Miyana here…"
"Why?" Minato asked quietly.
"The sealing ritual can only be performed by family members…that's impossible now since she's the last one. She won't ever be formally recognized as a kin clan member, she will always have those ears unless she forms a close bond with someone else. You might be able to perform it when she turns five, she has a close relationship with you," Chi answered.
"Young Maiden Miyana…Ipiza and Idena are here to prepare you for your duties. Why don't you go with them?" Chi suggested.
"Okay," Kyoko sighed. She hopped off Chi's lap running to Minato giving his legs a tight hug. She ran out of the room to the two young women. Minato smiled at her gently, turning back to Chi his smile had disappeared.
"I would suggest that you leave one of your men here until Samsu is gone," Chi expressed urgently. "The Geldani and Kin do not get along and I'm worried that Queen Lana is turning into a puppet leader."
"What do you think he has planned?" Minato asked.
"I don't know but whatever it is…it won't end well for Young Maiden Miyana," Chi replied. "I have to get going. I must attend to the same duties as the Young Maiden. I will be able to speak with you later today."
"How long will you remain here?" Minato asked standing up with the young lady.
"Until the Young Maiden is at least 15," Chi answered. "Yet, I would want to stay here longer. I want to watch her grow, she's a rather playful child."
"Thank you for the information," Minato answered bowing to the young woman. I have to speak to the Queen. Why is she avoiding me? She asked for the priestess to return, wouldn't she want to know what Kyoko's been through? And that handmaiden, Ostana…she seems to always be present when the Queen is around. She's also rather defiant openly showing her disgust of the Queen's activities, Minato thought heading back to the room he was assigned to. As he was walking back he encountered Raido and Genma who were on their way to question more guards and townspeople. Getting back to the room, Minato saw two guards waiting outside it. "Is there a problem?"
"We believe that High Priestess Miyana is in there. She ran away from Royal Advisor Samsu," the guard on the left replied.
"She was with Ipiza and Idena. I don't think she'll be in there," Minato replied. Opening the door revealed Raido on the other side. He allowed the men to check under the bed and all around the room for the little girl but to no avail. "See she's not here."
"Right, sorry Lord Hokage," the guards replied with a bow. They soon left dismayed. After shutting the door Minato grabbed hold of Raido.
"Wait Lord Hokage!" Raido gasped not putting up a fight.
"Who are you?!" Minato demanded. Minato felt his hand slip from Raido's neck as the man became smaller. His skin became darker and his hair white. After a few seconds Kyoko stood before him. "Ky-Kyoko?!" I swear this child is going to kill me…either with a heart attack or with a physical attack, Minato thought calming his nerves.
"Yes," Kyoko muttered.
"Can all of your people do that?" Minato asked quietly.
"No, just the Kin Clan. We can be anyone. It's our special trait…all of the Kin Clan can do this, not just the priestess," Kyoko replied. She slowly became Minato in every shape and form. Minato examined his mirror image seeing that "he" was flawless, even the clothing was perfectly matched. "See?" Minato shuttered, she sounded just like him. She went back to her lovable form. "Takes a lot of chakra to perform but not to maintain…so we don't do it much." Danzo and the other Konoha Elders cannot know about this. They'd want to use her for spying or something more sinister. I also shouldn't exploit this ability when she gets older…if she ever returns…Minato thought.
"Papa…Papa is amazed," Minato replied speechless.
"Samsu followed Ipiza and Idena and I, and I ran away. Samsu scares me," Kyoko muttered. "I thought I had to change."
"Well I'll talk to Samsu, but you can't run away and hide all the time. Sometimes you have to confront your fear Kyoko-chan."
"But I was using my brain!"
"What?"
"I didn't hit him. You always tell me to use my brain and not hit people," Kyoko replied. "I don't like that Kushi…Mama always told me to hit first."
"Well keep using it," Minato replied. "I'm going to take you back…"
"Home?" Kyoko asked.
Minato sighed, "Take you back to Ipiza and Idena." He held out his hand to her. Kyoko hesitated staring at it unhappily. They stared at each other for what seemed like hours. Kyoko let out a little sigh scowling.
"I can show you what happened to Ikeeha," Kyoko answered. Brazenly she walked past Minato placing her hands on the door knob. She looked back at him with the sullen stare she used to wear months ago.
"We should really go back to the two young ladies," Minato answered.
Kyoko shook her head, "They say no." She opened the door leaving Minato by himself. Minato shook his head running a hand through his hair. He let out a sigh following after the little girl. She's one independent little girl…and rebellious like Kushina, Minato thought following behind her, yet…she did say they say. Maybe she isn't being rebellious…or at least not trying to be. Kyoko led him to an abandoned hall taking a white powder out of her robes. Kyoko murmured something in her own language. Kyoko formed circles around her and Minato with the powder before scattering it in front of her. She formed a few unique hand signs as the air around them became stiff. Outside the series of circles the world became alive with images from the past.
"What do you think you're doing?! I told you to wait!" a man snapped. He was wearing a mask over his face. Minato listened closely to the voice but it was too obscured by the mask for him to figure out who he was. The skin tone and muscle structure did not match that of Samsu's so Minato quickly ruled the man out.
"But you said to take action when I see fit," Ikeeha said softly. "She was right in front of the window…I thought it was a good idea."
"Do you think the Fourth Hokage is a dumb man?! We're talking about Konoha's Yellow Flash! A SHINOBI! He can teleport wherever," the man growled. Ikeeha gasped as the man approached her. "Stupid girl." He growled at her before swatting her over the head. Kyoko flinched along with the woman. "That man will probably be all over us now. Sending Shinobi here to check up on that child all because YOU were impatient." He let out a laugh as he faced the woman. "Don't worry sweet child you won't have to die." Ikeeha whimpered as the man began to chant. Kyoko covered her ears pressing her head into Minato's leg. The man pressed his hand against her chest causing the woman to cry out. A green light flashed from his hand and the girl fell to the ground unconscious.
"That's enough Kyoko-chan," Minato said stooping down to look at the little girl. She was shaking fearfully. "How do I stop this?"
"Break the big circle," Kyoko mumbled. Using his foot Minato broke the circle and the images of Ikeeha and the masked man disappeared abruptly. "He took away her soul away…she can't function on her own."
"Kyoko-chan this is a very interesting technique since you are able to see moments of the past yet…it depletes your chakra significant making you extremely tired, it also seems to cause you similar or the same injuries that are inflicted on the individuals in the moment from the past. This could be devastating if you use it on the wrong moment. Please don't ever use this technique again," Minato said rubbing the child's shoulders as she shivered fearfully.
I'm not sure why but I severely dislike this chapter but SO MUCH happens in it at the same time. I really don't know why I don't like it. I like the new "maiden" Maiden Chi yet…ugh I don't know! Since I dislike it…it is not as heavily edited or modified like what I do for the other chapters. Most of the time the first time around chapter are around six to seven pages and then I edit and add until about nine to twelve pages. This chapter originally was like four pages and stayed that way for a long, long time. Stay tuned, I like the next chapter more. Read and Review!
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