Broken
"Senju Ai is now the head of her clan. As such, a certain level of decorum must be maintained - even as she learns to rain death on Konoha's enemies. The Elemental Nations will remember the Senju clan was feared with good reason." Continuation of: Cosmic Comedy. WARNINGS: Strong OC, OC-centric, Dark, Gore. Rated M for: Adult situations (limes), language and shinobi business.
Secondary warning: Homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual, asexual and transgender characters will be getting significant screen time. If that isn't your cup of tea, please don't read ^_^
Arc 3 – Daddy's little girl – Chapter 32 – A mile in her shoes
Chapter focal point: Senju Raiza (1st person)
8-8
~Thursday, November 16th, 5:00 AM, Raiza and Yu's bedroom, main house, Senju District, Konoha~
To offer her light to the clan. That is her will, and as always her will is clear. But can I do it? Can I muster the love she seems to radiate naturally? Can I be the ray of hope she is?
No. I can't. It's already hard enough to not scream at people for doing stupid shit. It's already hard enough to not slap that retarded ass-monkey that keeps flirting with me. I mean, come on! Guys? Ew! I wouldn't touch them unless I was ordered to stab them. Well, unless touching them would make Ka-san happy. Thank Kami-sama Ka-san already knows I'm into girls, and I doubly thank Kami-sama she and Tou-san are cool with that.
So okay... I can't be Ka-san's light to the clan. Who can? Nisshou wouldn't offer the words, but he'd offer the deeds to help. And Yu...? Hmm, Imouto-chan is a lot like Ka-san when it comes to dealing with people. There's hope there, but she has so many internal stumbling stones to work out first. Still, if anyone has what it takes to be Ka-san's mouthpiece, to speak her truths to our people, it's Yu.
Hmm, I'd best get up now. Imouto-chan will need help stumbling to bathroom to wash up.
"Imouto-chan, time to get up." I announce, already getting out of bed. She doesn't even react. Kami-sama, that girl. I make up my bed quickly, making sure to properly ensconce Gama-chan –the stuffed toad Tadashi won for me at the festival– on his place of honour to guard my bed while I'm gone. Once having made my way over to her, I sit down beside her.
I don't say anything just yet, mostly I'm just watching her sleep. It's sometimes still hard to believe that fate wouldn't let us get separated. Back there, we were bunked together – she was the only person I wouldn't stab on sight if I felt them near me. We would talk each other to sleep, we would bathe together, she was the only one I'd ever bother with while training. We were inseparable, even then. And now... we're sisters. Officially sisters. She's been the one to connect me to the others, other than Ka-san; I don't think anyone would ever need a third party to make you feel close to Ka-san.
I wonder about that, I mean she'd been through just as much as me, but she trusts Nisshou to do right by her. And even I have to admit that he does just that. I sigh, wondering just what to do with him; I've never been real good with people.
"Hey." I nudge her again. She still doesn't stir. I let my hand ghost over her face, hooking the few loose strands behind her ear, then I kiss her on her brow. She stirs this time, groggily opening her eyes. "Morning, Imouto-chan."
"Mmmm!" She stretches and contorts, as always. "Morning." She says, yawns and stretches again, rubbing the bridge of her nose with the back of her hand – I think she was aiming for her eye, but missed.
"Come on, it's time to get up." I remind her. She nods, but closes her eyes and starts snoring. I should be used to this by now. I should expect this. I should stop letting her get to me when she does this or something similar. "TANYU!" Her eyes fly open, her hands in front of her to defend herself from the 'good morning beating' she now expects. Kami-sama, I swear I'll use a different approach one day. The second I can figure out a way to wake her up without doing this to her, I swear, I'll never do this to her again.
Once her brain processes that she isn't in any danger, she throws herself into my awaiting arms, already crying. I hate doing that to her, I really do... I just don't have the patience to wake her up every few fucking seconds. "Come on, let's go wash up."
8-8
~Thursday, November 16th, 5:30 AM, family sitting room, main house, Senju District, Konoha~
This scene is just wrong. All wrong. It... it can't be right. It can't be! "Ka-chan?" Itama looks to Tou-san, obviously wondering the same thing I am. Where is Ka-san?
"She's sleeping in, princess." Tou-san answers her, then he turns to me and Yu. "I'm keeping an eye on her. I'll let you two know when you can bring up her breakfast." Ah, so he sent a shadow clone down, so the original could keep an eye on her. A solid plan.
I nod, not really worrying with the details, but I can see Imouto-chan worrying from the corner of my eye. "She's fine. She just needs rest." I remind her, my voice low to not draw attention to her. "Besides, Tou-san will send us to her and you can see for yourself."
"But..." I can see her eyes flick to the empty space between us. I understand just how odd this is for her; we've gotten so used to sitting next to Ka-san for every meal. But at the same time, sitting where Ka-san should sit; it feels wrong. It's been like this ever since we arrived. Nisshou and Kawarama would sit beside Tou-san, Tanyu and I would sit beside Ka-san, across from them, and Itama would be in Ka-san's lap. Even though we're here with four other families, this has been our way of being together. Now...?
"Come on, we need to eat up. It won't be long before we need to start training."
8-8
~Thursday, November 16th, 8:00 AM, master bedroom, main house, Senju District, Konoha~
"Hey, sleepyhead." Yu teases the second she sees Ka-san. I'm too busy hating what I see to even speak. Ka-san looks like shit. Her eyes still have bags under them, even with the creases that prove she was sleeping moments ago. I'm at least comforted that two of her Usagi teams surround her, while the other two are simply sitting around the low table, quietly discussing something or other.
"Hey, why didn't anyone wake me?" She asks, mostly to me. Her eyes, her beautiful hazel eyes, take me in. And like me, she doesn't like what she sees. "I'm fine, Raiza. Really." Tears well up, my only response. It's when she says things like that that I truly begin to worry.
"We brought you breakfast." I change the subject, before I start crying. She eyes the trays that Yu and I brought with us. "We weren't sure if the shadow clone stayed up here, or if he came down. So we brought up breakfast for Tou-san as well."
"Thank you, sweetie." Ka-san answers, sitting up in bed and positioning herself against the headboard. Tou-san is quick to stuff some pillows behind her for added support, but he isn't really focused on anything but her, so I doubt he even heard me. "Jei, you sent a clone downstairs. You need to eat." She doesn't ask, just like I didn't need to. Tou-san wouldn't leave her side if it killed him.
Imouto-chan carefully lays the tray on Ka-san's lap, happily pointing out everything she snuck in for her – the raspberries aunty Shizune brought for her, the tofu rolls aunty Inaho brought for her, the dango aunty Hinata brought for her, the pastries aunty Sakura brought for her, the regular breakfast aunty Choco and aunty Hibari cooked (sweet egg rolls, rice, lightly seasoned tofu, and some weird collaboration of lettuce, carrots and radishes, with raisins of all things) and an entire thermos of tea that Nisshou made especially for her, and the pancakes Yu and I made – it's the only thing I know how to make. We made sure to add plenty of blueberries to make them sweet, so we wouldn't have to add any sugar to make sure she'd like them.
"Whoa! You guys really went all out!" Ka-san praises, teasing a pleased blush from us.
"You didn't tell us about it, but Tou-san said you'd need to eat considerably more than you're used to. I also have your chakra and nutrient supplements in the little cup there." Imouto-chan explains, already pouring some tea for her. Luckily, aunty Himono gave us a tray with 'legs' to help stabilize it – I think this is the type of tray designed for eating in bed. So there is little risk of anything spilling.
"Something is bothering you." Ka-san says, her eyes locked on mine.
"You need to eat, Ka-san. My worries will wait." I tell her seriously. "Tou-san, where did you want to sit?" I motion with my tray to show that I'd brought his breakfast.
"Right here is fine." He says, sitting down next to Ka-san, on his side of the bed. Once he's comfortable, I carefully place his tray on his lap and Imouto-chan offers me the thermos so I can pour his tea. I'm careful to set the thermos on his tray, so he can pour for himself and Ka-san once we leave.
He then taps his cheek, the one closest to me. I smile, leaning in and kissing him as requested. "Keep an eye on her for me?" I whisper to him, knowing I don't even have to ask. He smirks, his eyes twinkling with pride and love.
"Ooh! Sweet egg rolls!" Ka-san's chopsticks go from dish to dish, trying everything to decide what she likes most.
"You should really try the pancakes! Nee-chan was showing me how to make them, so we probably made way too much, but they have blueberries!" Yu enthuses. I spy her chopsticks from the corner of my eye, how they carefully take one of my pancake 'rolls' – it's impossible to cut anything with chopsticks, so after the pancakes were done, I'd applied some egg batter, rolled them up, and let the heat cook it into place to keep them that way, then I cut them down to more manageable nibbles – and she takes a bite.
"Mmmm!" She moans appreciatively. I don't fight the soft blush, or the little smile I find on my lips, pleased that she likes them. Once she swallows, she covers her mouth and warns us of what this might mean. "If you two keep this up, I'll get so spoiled!"
All things considered, that wouldn't be such a bad thing, would it?
8-8
~Thursday, November 16th, 8:45 AM, main hall, Kikyo Castle, Senju District, Konoha~
"Come on, come on, let's go!" I order, ushering the troops inside and out of the rain. Yu's the only one with an umbrella, so she and Itama are pretty much the only ones still dry. The rest of us got... well, no soaked, but we're definitely not dry either.
The toddlers are all disappointed, wanting to play in the rain more, but once I glare at them, they don't mention it again. "Let's get you kids to class. I'd rather you be early than late." I say, not waiting for aunty Rika to say anything. The other aunts stayed at home, refusing to take their babies out in this kind of weather; born or not seems to be irrelevant in this case. Luckily they don't have any classes for another two hours, but that means the uncles need to keep the kids in line... and they don't usually care too much so long as no one gets killed. Worse still, uncle Pou refuses to leave aunty Himono unattended, but Jun's keeping her siblings in line.
"Nn! Let's get you guys to class!" Jun agrees, wiping Norie's face with her sleeve to try to dry her sister off a little. She really needs to get a handkerchief, and we really need to get everyone umbrellas. Hmm, I'll try to discuss it with Tou-san later, see what we can come up with.
We make our way down into the basement, dropping the kids off as we go. For some reason, it was decided that the toddlers would get dropped off last. I don't get it, but it isn't exactly something worth worrying about. I don't have class until eleven anyway, so I'm not worried. We encounter the kindergarten classes first. So I scoop Kawarama up, reminding him to be good – Ka-san wouldn't like it if he got in trouble. He hugs me briefly, then hugs and kisses Yu and Itama, and swears he won't let me down. I nod.
"Ah, good morning you guys." Itsuko-san greets us, kissing Michiko one last time. "I see you're leading the pack, just like your Ka-san." She teases me, before shooing her daughter into the classroom. I shrug, not really knowing what to say to that. Tokomaru and Kawarama run in after Michiko, who's already bragging about whatever she's been working on with her father. I can see Kawarama rolling his eyes, but he chooses not to say anything. Tokomaru isn't quite as patient, and boasts about the chakra exercise uncle Daichi showed him and Kawarama, which –as is expected– leads Michiko to bristle and they end up fighting, again. Kawarama meets my gaze, shrugging to show he isn't getting involved.
"Ah, so you guys are here too?" Uncle Tenzo announces his arrival. Kimiko bounces happily in his embrace, waving to us. She's... more like her mother than her father. Uncle Tenzo is more of a stoic, but Kimiko seems always full of energy and life, just like aunty Inaho. "Come on, you. Go terrorize your teacher for a while." He says with a teasing smile.
"Chico-cha~aaaaaaan!" Kimiko happily announces, running into the class and is already gossiping about something. The two girls run off into a corner, giggling and whispering amongst themselves. What I enjoy most though, is the look on the teacher's face. She seems to know that the two girls are up to something, and she issues a warning to them, but they only giggle louder in response. Kawarama and Tokomaru notice as well, and I can see Kawarama rolling his eyes – that means whatever it is, will have something to do with them. I'm sure I'll hear all about it later.
With one last wave, we move onto the next class, then the next. It isn't until we get to the fourth grade that something really interesting happens: Nyoko's teacher asks to speak to aunty Rika. She seems troubled as she speaks, but aunty Rika just shrugs and doesn't seem concerned at all. I wonder what that's about. I motion for us to move on, aunty Rika will catch up.
Once in front of class five-C, I turn to Yu and Nisshou. I hug them both, kissing them on their brow just like Ka-san would. They both give on last kiss to Itama, and they head inside. Once again, the teacher has something he wishes to discuss. Tou-san's clone and uncle Kouji speak with him. The teacher seems worried, Tou-san and uncle Kouji don't. Ah, must be the sudden motivation to blaze through the coursework. I feel the teacher's eyes on me, for some reason. Hmm, I wonder what that's about. Still, unless something is directly asked of me, this isn't something I need to worry with. Once aunty Rika catches up with us, Tou-san firmly and definitively informs Imouto-chan's teacher that he's quite proud of his children and will not ask them to slow their pace in the least.
After bringing the twins and Rikaya to their class, and the teacher also wants a word, I decide that these people just really don't get it. Aunty Rika and Jun simply say that they already know what it's about and that they're quite proud of the current happenings. I roll my eyes, grateful I don't have to put up with crap like this.
8-8
~Thursday, November 16th, 9:00 AM, main hall, Kikyo Castle, Senju District, Konoha~
Once back upstairs, we bring the toddlers to their class. Itama starts getting a little fussy, seemingly not looking forward to this, but once Tou-san takes her and explains something to her, she doesn't fight it. She and her cousins run inside, but I can tell something is bugging her.
"Don't worry about it, Raiza. Itama would rather stay at home and take care of her." Tou-san explains. I nod, understanding how she feels. Tou-san gets the attention of one of the caretakers, carefully explaining Itama's mood and what to expect. Once he's certain she understands, we head to the centre of the main hall, to discuss today's setup.
It turns out that Tou-san has a class, as do the uncles. Only aunty Rika is free until lunch. "Ai's Alpha and Gamma teams have come with us, to help you train." Tou-san offers easily. "I believe you're free after lunch?" He asks me. I nod, Thursdays are really short days for me.
"Good, once you're free I want you to collect Tanyu and Nisshou. I want them to spend the afternoon training with you and the Usagi assigned to them. You have less than a month to prepare now, and from what I've been told there is little chance that your brother and sister won't be taking the exam as well." He explains. Ah, that's what those teachers were griping about. "Inejiro, I trust Ai's already explained what she expects of you?"
"She has." Inejiro says, eyeing me. I get the impression I won't like this at all.
"Good. See to it. She only has a theory class, so don't be afraid to tire her out." Is this what I get for passing all my practical classes so soon? I mean, I've only been working as a kunoichi for over a year, it's not as if I need someone to show me how to throw a kunai! "Raiza, you have an appointment at three. Inejiro knows the details, so don't worry too much about it." O...kay?
8-8
~Thursday, November 16th, 9:15 AM, underground lair, Senju District, Konoha~
It's just Jun, aunty Rika and I. Well, along with Inejiro, Akiko and... I think Shiori? I can't really tell them apart too well. I know Inejiro well enough. He's the only one with a sword strapped to his waist, from hip to hip. And Akiko tends to stick closest to him, but the third one? I know it isn't Yuka, she's much shorter. It could also be one of the does from her Gamma team... I suppose, but I just think it's Shiori.
At any rate, we spread out, and Inejiro gets down to business. "Today we will work on two things. One is Yin release training. The other is getting your true weapon's design." He explains... I think. I can't say I understand either statement.
"True weapon?" I start on the bit that intrigues me most.
"The swords you carry are beginner's pieces. Ai-sama wants to have superior weapons crafted for you. As such, your appointment later is with a blacksmith." He explains seriously. "It would seem Ai-sama has high hopes for you. You would do well to live up to them." I nod, knowing his job is to help me do just that.
"As for Yin release. The simplest explanation is that it is whatever you wish it to be." He says. "An illusion, a reality, a manipulation of reality. Yin release is not bound by silly things like definitions and limitations."
"I don't understand."
"Every genjutsu you've ever heard of falls under a category of Yin release. Every sensory jutsu, every camouflage jutsu, also Yin release. Even some jutsus that aren't readily classifiable are actually Yin release. Yin release is a broad collection of things that tamper with the inner workings of how people interact with reality. As such, in order to truly grasp Yin release, you must have a firm grasp of reality." He explains. "Ai-sama believes you ready." He doesn't sound convinced, but he won't stop bashing the lessons over my head until I grasp it anyway – he'll make me ready.
I nod, hopefully ready for whatever is to come. "Where do we begin?"
8-8
~Thursday, November 16th, 1:15 PM, underground lair, Senju District, Konoha~
After a warm meal, a little rest, and listening to Imouto-chan's annoying teacher complain about his students –funny how he shut up quickly once I offered to discuss the matter with Ka-san– I finally get my little brother and sister down into 'the lair' for training. It's almost odd, now that I think about it. All of us are here, the Inner Circle children nine or older. We each have at least one Usagi to train with – Tanyu being the only exception, since she has two (one of Ka-san's Medics, and one of her Trackers).
"Oh, are you guys here too?" One of the newer Senjus asks, the tall, broad 'blue' with the dual butcher blades. "Mizuka, introduce yourself."
A girl about Nyoko's age takes a step towards us, she's the only one of their group not wearing Jounin gear, and the only one showing her face. I recognize Nene –she's been hanging around Ikue and Imouto-chan somewhat more these days– and Fuu, who's still distant and reserved. But the other three? Meh, I can't say I care enough to know too much about them.
"Hey everyone, I'm Mizuka. Pleased to meet you!" She sounds nice enough. And the way she bows politely, and dares to take her eyes off us, and how her long green hair and pig tail flip over her head when she bows... she'd never register as a threat. "Ah! Raiza-nee! It's good to see you again!" She bows again, to me specifically this time. I wave it off. I'm bad with names and worse with faces. So I'll just assume she's one of the ex-Sky girls.
"You guys here to train too?" I ask.
"Nn. Jei's suggestion. Said he'd be here?" The blue answers, obviously the spokesperson of their group.
"It's possible, but I haven't seen Tou-san since this morning." I inform him honestly. Having had quite enough of playing nice, I turn to Inejiro but don't let them out of my field of vision.
"Raiza-sama should know better than to try." He informs me, nodding back to the group I'm currently trying to ignore. I huff, smelling Ka-san's fingerprints all over this scene.
"Forgive my rudeness. I am rather eager to get back to my training. I am Senju Raiza, eldest daughter to Jei and Ai." I turn back to them, bowing but not taking my eyes off them.
"Zaza." The blue introduces himself, bowing politely to me. "These are Haku, Uta, Nene and Fuu." The white I didn't know is clearly this 'Haku' (which makes sense seeing as 'haku' can be taken to mean 'white'), the black I didn't know is 'Uta'. Wonderful, now I know all of their codenames. I turn back to Inejiro, hoping I've satisfied his need for me to be proper.
"Ai-sama asks that the six of you stay close to her children as they train. Have you been made aware of the reason for this?" Inejiro asks, his tone and posture stiff and stuffy.
"I've learned to just roll with it, when Ai-sama's involved." Zaza says, a smirk obvious in his tone. Boy makes sense though. Trying to work against Ka-san is like trying to stop the sun in its tracks.
"She wishes to strengthen international relations for the next generation. This is why she desires your Mizuka to train with her children, nieces and nephews." Inejiro explains. Okay, that makes no sense. International relations? Among Senju?
"I see." Zaza intones, taking off his mask for the first time where I can see him. I notice how the others take off their masks as well, all five of them wearing them sideways as would be the custom. Congratulations, now I can see your faces. "Then allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Momochi Zabuza of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. Ai-sama has brought us here to safeguard Terumi Nene, the Sanbi jinchuuriki, Utakata, the Rokubi jinchuuriki and Fuu, the nanabi jinchuuriki."
Three tails, six tails and seven tails? Tails of what? And what are jinchuuriki?
"Zabuza-sama, perhaps I should explain?" 'Haku' offers. Zabuza shrugs, motioning at the boy to 'have at'.
"You're the ones that were stationed with Ka-san in Sky." Nisshou offers. Okay, THAT gets me curious. Why would Nisshou find this interesting enough to speak up? "That means that the three you mentioned are different, special. Ka-san would be careful to guard them, and she somehow feels responsible for them if she wishes you three here. You are like uncle 'Ruto."
Okay? This is making less and less sense. "Look, as interesting as you all obviously think this is..." I drone, already tired of this puzzle. "I'm here to train, not to play nice."
"Nee-san, this is something Ka-san wants done." Nisshou intones, offering me an annoyed look. I roll my eyes, deciding to keep my annoyance to myself... mostly to myself.
'Haku' seems unsure how to respond to any of this. So I decide to help him along. "You were going to explain the exact things Nisshou just said, only differently and far more confusingly. And once we admit to either not understanding or not caring, Zabuza was going to get annoyed and wave it off."
"NEE-SAN!" Yu's annoyed with me too. Wonderful. I sigh, hating this stupid situation.
"Can we just boil it down to basics? You're all from another village. You're allowed to pass as Senju to protect your identities for reasons we're not likely to need to know and are therefore unlikely to be explained, and Ka-san wants us all to be buddy-buddy. Did I miss anything?" I offer, trying to be as nice as I can, but really I'd rather just piss on them and move on.
"Nope." Zabuza smirks again, liking how I worded that. "Fuu, I think you and Raiza over there should train together. It might be interesting to see who bites the other's head off first."
"I haven't the time or the patience. Should Fuu-san need a sparring partner, she may wait in line. Inejiro, really, this is wasting time we don't have. Can we please just get back to training?" As hard as I try to fight it, my annoyance with this stupid situation is winning out. Even knowing playing nice here would please Ka-san, earning my headband will make up for this and more.
"Raiza." Tou-san (finally) announces he's (probably been) here (the whole time). I feel his hand on my shoulder, tugging me in for a hug. I don't fight him. "I understand, princess. But this isn't the way to do it." He says, his tone soothing.
"I see." Zabuza says. I feel his eyes on me, but not in a pervy kind of way. "So the rumours are true. Ai-sama's expecting." I go stiff in Tou-san's embrace. This isn't something Ka-san would want the world to know, not now, and probably not ever.
"That means you're a clone, here merely for the show. The kids are aware, given their nervousness and lack of shock. And everyone here wants to magically become strong enough to protect someone that will hate you trying to protect her in the first place." He says, but doesn't actually wait for confirmation. "I'd offer my services, but odds of her needing another guard... heh. Not likely, given the Anbu I've seen shadowing her place and I know Naruto and Jiraiya aren't going to let her out of their sights anytime soon. So. Jei, give it to me straight. What do you need me for?"
Tou-san thinks about that. From the tension I feel in him, I can tell he isn't happy with the situation, but there's little that can be done now. "Ai wants these kids properly trained. If you want to help her, help them."
"There are enough trainers here. What are you not telling me that I would need to know?" Zabuza seems to know my parents well enough to see through the obvious smokescreen.
"Well, I see no harm in announcing it now. Ai sees potential in these kids." Tou-san explains, still rather cryptically. Still, I understand what he means: she expects great things of us – her kind of great things. I blush, a bit overwhelmed by it all.
"Does she now..." Zabuza's tone suggests that he understands as well, perhaps even better than I do. "Well, I'll just have to see if I'd agree with her."
"Kids." Tou-san gets everyone's attention – as if we weren't all following the conversation raptly. "Make sure you specify your colour, and do not let me or Ai down." Then he disperses. I groan – I was enjoying that hug!
8-8
~Thursday, November 16th, 3:00 PM, Artisan house, Senju District, Konoha~
This day just keeps getting weirder and weirder. If I thought Inejiro was a slave driver, Zabuza is the devil. He might actually be worse than Tou-san, but comparing two devils is rather pointless. And now... Inejiro has me here in this house, with four people watching me expectantly. I assume one of them is the blacksmith I'm to speak to about designing my weapons – though I still can't say for sure why I'd need more than one.
"I am Senju Raiza, eldest daughter to Jei and Ai. I have been made to understand I am to discuss my desires with a blacksmith?" I'm too tired, too sore, too pissed off to deal with this. But Ka-san wants this done. I've at least got to try.
"Have you given any thought as to what you need?" The sole female asks. She has green hair with yellow highlights? O...kay...?
"I'm afraid not. I have only experience with swords, though I am becoming quite adept with the six I currently wield. However, I am also quite skilled with the handheld kunai launcher of Sky, should you know what that entails." I offer, trying to be as open as I dare.
"Would you consider your style to be more feminine?" I narrow my eyes at her question, not really sure what to make of it. "Ladylike? Kimonos, pinks and purples?"
"Gag me." The words fly off my tongue before I can stop them, but I refuse to feel embarrassed for being truthful.
"I have a suggestion. Perhaps an umbrella with a hidden kunai launcher built in?" She offers.
"That might work. But the ribs would need to bend all the way out to allow for comfortable sniping. And it'd need to be scroll loaded ammo." I offer, not hating her idea.
"Hmm, what about a snake sword, like your mother? I could offer something simple for you to start training with?" The youngest, a boy with blue hair and startling green eyes, offers.
"I wouldn't object to trying." I say, not really caring. He still seems quite pleased though, already offering me a sword in sheath. He explains again that it's simple a practice piece and that I should let him know at my 'earliest convenience' if the snake sword is a weapon to my liking. I fight not to roll my eyes.
"What is your element?" The second tallest asks. He strikes me as the leader... perhaps he's actually the blacksmith?
"Lightning."
"Hmm." He ponders that. "Perhaps some specialized kunais that hold their charge longer? If you care to get creative, you might lay some interesting traps with something like that." He offers.
"Trying never hurts." Are they done yet? I still can't even say I've got anything to add to this.
"I'm afraid you strike me more as a sword than a shield." The big one announces. "My work would clash with your style." I shrug not caring in the least.
"I am whatever my Ka-san needs me to be." I inform him, not to change his mind... he just strikes me as someone that could appreciate that. "Sword, sheath, shield, kunai. It's all relative, useful and needed in its own time."
"I see." The big one says.
"Hey, Nee-san. I think I've got an idea you'd love." The green eyed boy offers. "We'll discuss details over tea?"
"A collaboration, huh?" The woman wonders. "Discussing it couldn't hurt." I sigh, wondering why I needed to be here at all.
I turn to Inejiro, wondering if we can leave. "What colour would you prefer your weapon to be?" I'm asked.
"Black." What would you expect from the Black Death's daughter? They seem to get nervous about that. What, is there some superstition surrounding black weapons or something?
"She isn't suggesting what you think." Inejiro offers, seeming to understand their reaction. "Perhaps a really dark grey?" I sigh, wondering why I needed to be here. I could have been perfecting that jutsu Inejiro was teaching me! I mean, come on! What have I actually added to the conversation here? Well, I got a snake sword to train with, but someone could have simply brought it to me!
"Hmm. Would you prefer kunai, senbon or needles?" The woman asks. "As projectiles, I mean."
"Well, they each have their use. Smaller needles are harder to detect, even en masse and work well with poisons. Senbons offer more oomph with each attack, and if hollow tipped can really ruin your day. And kunai have a higher mortality rate." I offer, not really liking this at all.
"We will see to your choices." I HAVEN'T MADE ANY CHOICES YET!
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~Thursday, November 16th, 4:00 PM, master bedroom, main house, Senju District, Konoha~
Ka-san's taking a nap, so Yu and I carefully place the trays we brought up on the low table and laze about a bit. We don't really talk, mostly just signing to each other about what we've been up to. She's been learning some cool Medic shit combined with even cooler tracking and stealth. I've been... wondering what the hell Ka-san has in store for us.
#What do you mean?# Yu asks.
#Medics don't train in stealth and tracking.# I inform her. #And on top of that, there's the whole weapons thing that has me confused.#
#Like my umbrella?# She wonders. Ka-san had given it to her as a gift, but I'm willing to bet Yu hasn't really puzzled out what that really entails. #No wonder why I was supposed to talk to Kujaku-san about what kind of 'upgrades' I'd want.# I roll my eyes, choosing not to comment.
#You going white?#
She seems confused by my question. #Of course?# Her eyes fog over a bit, trying to really understand what is going on. But I doubt anyone but Tou-san could ever really figure Ka-san out. All I know is that Ka-san is up to something – which is kind of comparable to saying 'the sun rises in the east', kind of a no-brainer.
#What's your umbrella called?#
#Mamoru.# The look in her eyes says more than she knows. She understands something is going on, but she is completely clueless as to what.
That means 'defend'. She wants Yu to be her shield? I guess that means I'm her sword. Nisshou would be... the sheath? Or is he the brains? #Nisshou get a weapon?#
#Not that I know of.# Yup, Nisshou's the brains. Well, this should be interesting.
#Kawarama's going to be completely insufferable for months. Us getting cool weapons and all.#
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End Chapter 32
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~Mini Chapter: Vague truths part 2~
~Chapter focal point: Jiraiya (3rd person)~
~Saturday, November 3rd, 9:00 PM, Jiraiya's apartment, Shinobi District, Konoha~
"This... isn't going to work. This just isn't going to work." He murmurs, going over the plan for the umpteenth time. It isn't that he doubts the plan's chance of success, it's the implications that follow from it. It's too perfect. Danzo will smell Shikaku's fingerprints all over it. And unlike the Senju, the Nara aren't hardly considered untouchable.
Details like picking a fall guy to have a ready scapegoat for the council? It's wonderful! The council will lap it up, and the fall guy just so happens to be someone people don't like too. But, it's convenient. Too convenient. Could it be the Nara clan head just can't focus around the brat? He wouldn't be the first, or the last.
Hmm... what would Ai do?
"Stage an accident so plausible that no one would think to question it." The words roll off his smiling lips. That Komon girl? If Jiraiya didn't know it was Ai, he'd never have guessed. So what could happen to Mitokado that no one would think twice about? He sighs explosively. "So that's why you study your targets so intimately."
He wonders about that. Mitokado isn't a master, but he's no slouch in the Sealing Arts. Tagging him is next to impossible. And his medical records show nothing ever being wrong with him, other than broken bones or the few times he'd been poisoned. Shinobi aren't known for going senile, no matter how much the younger generation likes to tease the older generation about it, or how much the older generation likes to use it as a convenient excuse.
So what is it then? What's the angle he needs? How can this get pulled off without it becoming an 'incident'?
"Who am I kidding... there's no way I can come up with something better than Shikaku when he's... motivated?" Insight hits him between the eyes. He doesn't need to come up with a better plan, he just needs to give the Nara what he needs to WANT to come up with a better plan himself! Yes, that is most definitely what Ai would do, offer the lazy genius the motivation to drop the laziness.
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~Saturday, November 4th, 5:00 AM, master bedroom, main house, Senju District, Konoha~
Jei stirs. Itama stirs. Ai... well she grumbles about the others stirring so near her. Jiraiya has to fight to not laugh at the girl for what she's going through – she never was a morning person. That does make the sage wonder why she's always getting up at five in the morning, but it just isn't something he cares enough about to ask her.
He watches as her daughter jumps into her arms, as she grabs the house clothes they need. And he wonders about the way Itama seems to just feel Ai is her real mother – nothing the little girl does, nothing she says, nothing she desires, is out of character for a toddler with her mother. Jiraiya can't help but... admire how naturally it flows between them.
Once mother and child leave the room, he drops his camouflage. "I figured you wanted to talk to me." Jei says, not in the least surprised. "You wouldn't have let me sense you otherwise."
"I'm going to have Naruto and Sasuke watching her today. Shikaku finally came up with a plan I don't hate." Jiraiya says, his tone more serious than Jei's ever heard. Whatever the plan is, it's going down today.
"Keep in mind what I told you, Tou-san. She can't lose you." Jiraiya doesn't answer. He fades back into the shadows, making his way towards his objective.
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~Saturday, November 4th, 5:15 AM, master bedroom, Mitokado compound, Clan District, Konoha~
The Mitokado clan was once one of the more prominent clans of Konoha, back in the days of the village's founding. Once... but no longer.
In the golden days, the Mitokado commanded as much respect as the Hyuuga, as the Uchiha! These days, it's just him and his granddaughter, Mari. The wars hadn't been kind on their clan, nor had the Kyuubi attack. It's sad really, but that's life for you.
So as he watches the fifteen year old do her morning workout in the yard, all he can do is wonder. She is all that matters to him, and yet the choices he made do not reflect that. What would have happened, had Senju Ai, Uzumaki Naruto, and Jiraiya of the Sannin not given their all to defend Konoha? Danzo is many things, but he didn't lift a finger to defend the village Homura loves. The village that Tobirama-sensei fought, bled and died for. The village that Hiruzen sacrificed everything for.
How sad, that Homura is slowly learning to respect a thirteen year old more than a war hawk that he'd dutifully supported by hook and by crook ever since Tobirama-sensei died.
"You aren't here for tea, are you." Homura murmurs. He'd sensed Jiraiya the second he triggered the perimeter seals.
"I'm here to offer you a deal." Jiraiya says, his tone showing this really is a matter of life and death. "Danzo's reign is over. You die with him. Should you die peacefully, I can offer that little Mari there doesn't go down with you."
"Karma is a force to be reckoned with." Homura says, sorrow evident for the choices he will no longer be able to reconcile. "If you promise me that Senju-sama will take care of Mari, I will take my own life. It's the least I can do for her." He offers.
That isn't exactly what Jiraiya was expecting. "... Something to say?"
"Words will not satisfy my honour, Jiraiya." Comes the weary tone and heavy words. "Do we have a deal?"
"You have until sundown." With those final words, and the finality in them, Homura finds himself alone once again.
"Hey, Mari-chan!" Homura calls to the girl. He admires the focus in her gaze, as she flows through her bo kata. When her eyes focus on him, he beckons to her. Though she seems annoyed, he can see the worry in her gaze all the same. "I need you to do something for me."
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~Saturday, November 4th, 6:15 AM, master bedroom, Utatane Koharu's apartment, Civilian District, Konoha~
Jiraiya was pleasantly surprised with Homura. He knows better than to hope for the same result this time. Koharu has always been unapologetic for her choices, and she isn't about to change now. Luckily, she also has a fatal flaw: cigarettes. A habit she'd picked up from her teammate. Few every new about it –she'd always been a private woman– but being said teammates student has its advantages.
So how does this work to his advantage? Well. A little powder you add to her pipe. It burns along with the tobacco and leaves no trace. It has a particular smell to it, but by the time you smell it, it's already too late. Naturally, the Koharu clan will be upset by this... but that's what Mitokado's suicide is meant to mask.
Shikaku can be scary when he's motivated. And hinting that Kakashi might want to have him guard Sakura, Hinata and Ai for the foreseeable future... Let's just say that coming up with the perfect plan isn't hard with that kind of threat... err, motivation.
But the real beauty comes in the timing. Homura's suicide should take place sometime today, before sundown. Koharu doesn't have a smoke until after dinner, and only if she's stressed. The Utatane clan will doubtlessly want her death investigated, and officially, only Hiruzen and Homura know her smoking habits. With Hirizen in a coma...
Jiraiya smirks, carefully lining her pipe with the powder.
The best part is, Homura's always been in love with Koharu. A love unrequited, because of her fangirling over Danzo. She knew, of course. She'd always known. That's how she could always get the man to do her bidding, to manipulate him in the worst ways so that her 'Danzo-sama' might be pleased with her. Fifty years is a long time to learn, but wisdom never seems to seep past what we want to see; what we want to be real.
How sad, that two legends die so pathetically.
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~Sunday, November 6th, 11:00 AM, visitors' sitting room, main house, Senju District, Konoha~
Kakashi enters, his Anbu guards staying outside as usual. There isn't anywhere safer than Ai's residence, not for her allies. It isn't long before Ai, Jei, and sixteen Usagi enter the room, and Jei seals the door and activates the privacy seals.
"Phase one, complete." Jiraiya intones.
"Utatane Koharu's clan is demanding her death to be investigated. They'll blame Mitokado Homura, and they'll be after his granddaughter's head to 'even the score'. She needs somewhere safe." Kakashi offers, already knowing where this will go.
Jei and Ai share a look, before he nods. "Temporarily." Ai offers. "We've been denying everyone on the grounds that we must tend to our own first." Jiraiya starts getting nervous, and once Ai notices she starts getting pissed.
"What'd you promise this time...?" Ai asks, not liking how everyone uses her name as some kind of bargaining chip whenever they damn well please.
"Umm... heh heh..." Jiraiya rubs the back of his head, obviously embarrassed. "Well, seeing as Mari only had her grandfather, and is now all alone and on her own..."
"You promised him I'd watch out for her." Ai intones. Jiraiya feels the irritation rolling off her, the annoyance... her comparing 'Ai' and 'help' and trying to figure out why the two are so synonymous. "Discuss these things with me FIRST. How'd you like it if I promised someone something that your honour now demands you do – whether you approve or not."
He's tempted to argue that she'd have agreed regardless, given the situation and the motivation. But, seeing as she's currently glaring daggers at him... humility is for the victory of tomorrow. "I'll keep that in mind." He says, wondering why he's suddenly sweating. He doesn't sense any killing intent at all, but somehow the look in her eyes is even more potent that the even the most potent of the stuff she'd ever produced.
"You do that. Jei, I need to rest. I'll leave it in your hands to arrange. Discuss with daddy what exactly is needed of us, and what you agree needs to be done, should be done swiftly. Get Kosuke and Savana on board. They'll help. And make sure to impress on her just how much our values matter. Have her investigated and make sure we can trust her. Test her personally. Especially considering she's mourning, we need to know if she's volatile. I won't risk our people because daddy decides he can."
"I'll handle it." Jei promises, nodding to their guests, who're sitting across from them and therefore far closer than before. He then deactivates the privacy seals and unseals the door. He guides his wife upstairs, studying how she seems to be getting so tired these days. His mother wasn't like that during her pregnancies... is it because she carries twins?
Ai's asleep before her head even hits the pillow.
"Inejiro. Guard her well." Jei mumbles, making six shadow clones and leaving one to keep an eye on her. It's not that he doesn't trust the Usagi, and they know it too. He's just... protective of her. And he'll end up going nuts if he doesn't have at least a clone near her... Well, that's what he keeps telling himself at least.
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End Mini Chapter
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A/N: I kind of like this set up. This way I can move the story along, offer depths to my characters, and still show what Jiraiya's up to. I plan on focusing on all of Ai's children, making sure to round them out and really offer their character the depth they deserve.
Next chapter is going to be a lot longer. I need to do something unique for Raiza, and I need to properly deal with Danzo. Jiraiya needs to really plan this one - Danzo is nothing if not prepared. I'll also need to really focus on his organization, how he has it set up, and the story with Shin (and other interesting quirks).