014 - Join the Caravan (You'll see the world! They said..)
That night, after cleaning up the leftovers of the party and a fuckton of little strips of coloured paper that got everywhere, Mother and I sit for a light dinner. She seems to be… in a remarkably good mood. Not that most can tell with Mother.
"How are your studies going?"
The fork stops halfway to my face, and it takes me a few seconds to realize I've frozen with my mouth open. Then I force down a blush -with arguable results- and continue eating. Her question caught me by surprise. While I have no doubt she's interested and keeps track of how I'm doing at the Academy, she rarely asks. As in, ever.
No, there's more to the question. She's actually asking what are my plans going forward, that with 'dropping' my advanced classes. So I take my time chewing while I think on how to answer.
"Seems like I'm done with Math." I say after finally swallowing. It's not technically true, since one can never be truly done with math sort of becoming omniscient. "Grass academic level has little more to offer and I'm not really interested in advancing the science. So, unless we're willing to move to Snow Country and join their specialized programs… yeah." I finish lamely.
Sky shinobi might have something to offer too, but I'm not supposed to know they're still around. Also, I have complicated feelings about them, since they're kind of like Uzu, only it was Konoha who attacked them. Too many toes to step on with that particular story.
"I see. Any plans for next year?"
"Nothing solid yet, I was hoping to make up my mind during the holidays, but..." How do I explain Mother that I'm sick of studying theory in a way that doesn't see me separated from Karin? "I have conflicting motivations at the moment."
Mother nods, apparently figuring out the meaning behind my vague words. "Have you given any thought to becoming an assistant teacher? I'm sure you could meet the qualifications by next year if you put your mind to it."
That has me freezing again, because it is the perfect elegant solution to my troubles. By achieving a position of authority, I'll cut short the bullying problem. I won't have to split from Karin, as long as I can get myself assigned to Narutaki-sensei. Which shouldn't be too hard, considering he's been my homeroom teacher since the start, it would make sense to remain under his care.
It's not foolproof, nothing can be in a real society with real people influencing the system in chaotic ways, but is good enough for me. I should be able to pull it off, provided I don't take it for granted. Truly, a flawless proposal. As expected from Mother. It even sets me on a path that could see me both becoming a shinobi and remaining out of trouble, by taking it to its ultimate conclusion and becoming a full-fledged Academy teacher.
And yet… It annoys me.
Oh, it's nothing rational. You could say it's my pride rebelling against running away from Ryūzetsu, you could say it's because I don't see myself spending my life teaching brats or because I refuse to spend two years doing something I have no intention of continuing. You could even say I'm just against Mother dictating my fate but… The truth is that I simply don't want to do it.
Is there a purer reason? Is there a more frustrating reason?
"You haven't started with chakra manipulation yet, haven't you?" And, somehow, Mother picks on my reluctance again before I can say anything. And proposes something more palatable.
Why is it I like this proposal and not the first one? Doesn't this put me even closer to becoming a combat shinobi? Why don't I resist this attempt for Mother to dictate my fate? Is this because of hormones? Is this puberty?
It has to be puberty. Next thing I know I'll be bleeding all over my undies. Damn, I was really hoping to have some more time. Figures even for this I'd be ahead of my peers.
Stupid Shimada blood...
Back to Mother's proposal, it's something I can see myself doing. Chakra control exercises are supposed to take a great deal of focus, and very little in the way of movement, so I could get away with practising in class. "Maybe something they don't teach at the Academy?"
"That seems efficient." She acquiesces easily. "Control is something you'll have to deal with your whole life and can be practiced anywhere, so you should start there. Once you can count on not blowing yourself up trying to gather your chakra unassisted we can skip the Academy jutsu and go straight to Wall Climbing."
Both keeping the training at the Academy relevant and ensuring my future sensei doesn't have to waste time teaching me that. Yes, that could work.
"That said…" Mother doesn't play with her drink, but somehow the feeling comes across that a lesser woman would do so at this point. She's somewhat uncomfortable about whatever she wants to bring out. "Your grandfather will be coming through Grass at some point next week and wants to take you with him to see some world during your holidays. I made clear you will have the last word."
...Oh.
Yes, I can see how this might make Mother uncomfortable. From the longest of times -and with that I mean 'in my living memory'- the Shimada Clan has been just the two of us. It isn't like she's neglected my education, Grandfather was someone I know of. It's just… well, he's never been here. At least since I was aware enough of my environment to recognise him.
Now the question is, what is she uncomfortable about? Does she want me to meet the wider family and is afraid I'll shy away from it? Does she want to have me for herself all holidays and is afraid I'll go away? No way to say for sure. How am I supposed to spoil her if she doesn't let slip what she actually wants? Dealing with Mother can be infuriating sometimes.
I guess it comes to what I want, right? Seeing a bit of the world would do me some good, I think, and I'm tentatively eager to meet Grandfather. On the other hand, no Karin. That's a bit no-no, but if Mother plans to take me to the wilds again there won't be a Karin route for me this summer.
"I would like meeting Grandfather." I finally say. "And seeing other towns is bound to be interesting."
"Good." Mother nods, apparently I've made the right choice. "I've talked with Kurisu. She's told me how much Karin misses life in a caravan, so she will be going with you. It'll do her well to be the sempai for once, I believe."
I get to see the world and Karin comes with me? Must be all the good karma from not killing anyone the whole year. Man, now I can't wait until next week. Even if that means I won't be learning cool ninja magic just yet. And speaking of cool ninja magic...
"Mother?" It's just an idle thought but I won't know if I don't ask. "How much have you contributed to the Shimada Forbidden Scroll?"
"I don't bother counting." Does that mean she's done it a lot or is she dodging the issue? Maybe she has a cute fault like never having designed an original technique of her own? "Knowing I have contributed is enough satisfaction." Yeah, why did I bother imagining something else?
Stupid Shimada mom.
A week later sees me lie sprawling on wooden boards and looking at a tarpaulin ceiling and reflecting on my new situation. If you'd told me a month ago that today I'd be on a cart, making a good time towards Wind Country and feeling like I've been run over by a bull stampede, my first guess would've been I would be kidnapped by Suna-nin.
And yet here I am.
Grandfather isn't anything like expected. Undeniably old with his white hair, long beard and wrinkled face, he's still a big and very fit man that makes people look twice when passing by. That famous insufferable personality we Shimada are said to develop with age is nowhere to be found, being all smiles and kind words.
… That is, until it's time for work. Then he puts on his tyrant mask and makes everyone on board earn their breakfasts, and then tells them to 'Do it all again, but this time do it right'. Still, it's just honest physical work instead of… dunno, constant nagging and psychological warfare. I won't deny having some frightening dreams this past week, remembering what's said of old Shimada only after I had already accepted.
My introspection ends with Karin's beautiful singing voice. In spite of Moter's words, her presence here is still a bit of a surprise. Karin is really attached to Uzumama, so I was a bit skeptical about all this 'split from her for months' business until she showed up with a backpack and positively vibrating with excitement.
… I guess she really missed life in a caravan? Not even Grandfather's strict hand seems to phase her, and she goes through her own chores with ease, a permanent smile in her lips. Hell she's even sin—
Wait a minute.
"Karin? You sing?" After a year with her, this is the first I hear of that.
"I used to, back in the caravan," She explains with a nod, cheeks slightly pink. "During the boring times when there was nothing to do but was too tired to walk with the carts. Sitting in the back and waiting for the sun to go down so we'd set the camp for the night."
"I've never heard you sing before." I sit up straight to get a better look. "That was pretty neat."
"I never had time to get bored in the village." She goes the full way to blushing at my praise. "So it hasn't come up, I'm horribly out of practice"
"Nonsense, your singing voice is great and I want to hear more."
Unfortunately, that's when Grandfather decides we've rested enough and it's time to move all the cargo around to make sure no rodents are nesting in a corner somewhere. For the third time. Today.
A slave driver, I tell you.
"Hey, Karin?" I ask that night, once we're done with our tasks and dinnered up and tucked on our cots. "What kind of shinobi would you like to be after graduating?"
She takes a long while to answer. "A strong one? I have never thought about it that way." She finally mutters when I'm about to let it go and try to sleep. "Maybe a medic?"
"Yeah, that sounds like you." Half not wanting to fight and half village brainwashing, I'd wager. Not something I'm willing to let go. "But I don't think being a medic really suits you"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you are very competent at healing without spending an iota of training on that, so I think it is a bit of a waste to spend years and years studying something you can already do good enough in a different way. Like… what's the opposite of synergy?"
"Dysergy." That's my bookworm. "What do you think, then? What would have a good synergy?"
Now it's my turn to remain silent. I honestly think becoming a full-time healer would be a total waste for Karin, but how to best use her skills without ignoring her wishes to avoid combat? And how to suggest it without making obvious I know about her bloodlines? Heck, I'm not sure she knows about her bloodlines herself, beyond the [Heal Bite]. If she knows, she sure hasn't mentioned it to me.
"Ran-san?"
"If you want to play your strengths, sealing masters are always in high demand..." I slowly answer, before I receive a flash of inspiration."And if you want to avoid direct combat, how about covert ops? A good [Chameleon Jutsu], a bit of genjutsu, some quick retreat options depending on your elemental nature and, if you're good enough, you won't even need to wield a weapon at all."
That's a very good use for the [Mind's Eye of the Kagura] that's centered around avoiding combat. Her other two bloodlines will be circumstantially useful too, [Heal Bite] is one of the best first response… abilities -I refuse to call 'being bitten' a jutsu- of the whole shinobi world, and the [Adamantite Chains] are useful for a great many things, which will only increase with training and imagination.
"Mmm... That sounds good." There's a bit of shuffling around, before she lets out a small yawn. "Not having to train in combat anymore will be nice too."
"Yeah… no. You're still learning how to swing around something sharp and pointy. No friend of mine will be defenseless the moment something goes wrong!"
"Ran-san… You're cute when you act all protective like that."
"Sh— shut up! What sort of friend would I be otherwise? Now go to sleep already, that slave driver I have for a Grandfather will no doubt try and wring us for all we're worth tomorrow too!"
The next day I wake up to a sharp pain in my abdomen and the cot stinking of iron. I don't need to lift the sheets to realize what's happened. Thrice cursed be Hakkar and his court of unholy loa, I knew it!
Stupid Shimada blood, now unleashed upon the world.
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