Things for the next few days settled to normal.
Since that day I dove into my ninja studies headfirst. No matter how much I didn't want to.
I knew that the day I saw in my dreams was coming and I knew I wasn't going to be able to wriggle out of being a ninja so I would just be the best I could be.
I worked on throwing kunai, and I actually managed to get it to an acceptable speed. So then I very diligently began working on throwing sebon.
Himoka decided to not worry about teaching me shuriken, as the whole point of them was that they curved at a certain trajectory. I didn't need that if I could have the kidaichu carry them anywhere I wanted. Behind me, sideways, below me, and I didn't even have to throw in that direction for it to work.
I practiced the basic Aburame katas and had them overall memorized and mastered as much as I could get them. The Aburame had a very defensive style, primarily protecting our core. It was a very complicated process in my opinion.
For the first few katas, my mentor had to move my limbs into place. And show me how to move them. Then I had an idea. I asked the kidaichu to move my body. It worked. Albeit a bit.. wonky. But it worked enough so that I could get into the correct position and know how to place my body.
Another thing I worked on was figuring out where my opponent was and how they were striking. Another thing my kidaichu helped with.
It was odd. Many of my mentors seemed surprised. Most children my age had a very limited relationship with their kidaichu, they were still in the age that they were just a nest. I had a more adult like approach to it I guess. Thinking of the kidaichu both as a part of me wholly, and their own separate being.
Speaking with them as if they were a close friend, and allowing them to control my very being. Along with the realization that I was their ecosystem.
Aburame tended to be very healthy individuals. Especially those with the kekkai genkai. We were like a pregnant person, we had another living thing living inside of us, and if we were to die it would die.
Kind of like how the Inuzuka were with their hounds but more extreme.
Things were.. stifling still living with Himoka. That dream still haunts me, and yet nothing similar ever arrived.
I created my own sort of defiance against her. Whenever I would pour tea I would accidentally spill some on her lap. Whenever I was told to go to bed at 8 I stayed up until 10 and pretend to be asleep whenever she checked on me.
I left the house when she left the house to roam around the forest and the bugs would warn me when she would be getting home.
At school I continued to play ninja. With Lee, Tenten, and I on a team we were unbeatable. Except for Neji, although I could hold my own against him. I think.
Although Neji would rarely play. He'd only ever play if we did a test that day. Any other day he'd study after eating. Although right after a test he wouldn't know what to study next and thus, play ninja with us.
The academy was fun.. for the most part. At home, I would have to do my homework, an hour of studying, then an hour of katas, then meditation until dinner. Then I studied some more and then I went to bed.
Like I said, most nights I stayed up late as my act of defiance against Himoka. In those nights I spoke to the kidaichu, and they told me their secrets. Secrets I wouldn't share with anyone.
They taught me about their culture, their techniques. Not that I could use them at all or that knowledge in a practical sense but it helped me feel closer with them at times when it felt like I had no other friend in the world.
Then something changed (as they always did).
We had just finished playing ninja, normally after playing we would sit around until it was time to go back inside. I would sit with Tenten and Lee usually.
They would chatter excitedly while I sat to the side listening, and they would occasionally turn to ask me something. Although something was different today.
Right as Lee started talking about this yakitori place he just went to, Neji sat down. In front of me. "Why are you actually decent at this?" Neji inquired hotly. I blinked at him.
"What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean, you're blind, it was destined that you shouldn't be good at being a ninja, so how are you able to dodge my attacks? I am the top of the class!"
I blinked, then shrugged, I was slightly baffled. I then came to the decision instead of outright telling him the answer, "go find out."
This probably changed my fate for the better. I would not yet know what power these words held at the time. This was my act of defiance against someone stronger than me and it wouldn't be the first. This was the start of my journey.
I could feel the irritation roll off of Neji in waves. Before anything else could be said, the bell rang and he stormed back inside. I stood up quickly. "So, Yakitori, would you want to go sometime?"
.
.
.
I regretted asking about going to Yakitori because I had come to the realization that I had no money once I had gotten home.
Himoka didn't need to give me money because I was blind, and shouldn't be leaving the house. Plus as we have learned in the academy, money is power. Daimyos controlled the money, the powerful controlled the money. That's just how the world worked.
She wanted to keep me on a tight leash, but she would have it coming to her.
I was taken home, and Himoka was there waiting for me. "I will be attending a meeting today. Meditate for an hour, and practice your katas until I get back." Until I figure out how to get money, and how much, this is what I will do. I nodded, and she left.
Once the kidaichu shouted in my ears that she was gone I did not follow her instructions. I instead went outside and took care of the pretty flowers. The weather was getting colder now but that didn't phase me one bit as I trimmed up their wilted weeds, watered the flowers.
"Heir!"
I blinked a second, "Shino?" I asked aloud.
"Hello, we were going to the park and we're wondering if you'd like to join. You won't get in trouble, my mom will take care of Himoka-san," a smile grew on my mouth.
"That sounds like it would be fun! Lee always talks about the park, what's all there? Isn't there a sand pit, climbing bars, and something that you slide down?" I asked, as I hopped up from the ground, dusting off the front of my clothes.
Shino didn't respond as we walked and his mom walked in front of us, leading the way.
As we neared the park I got nervous, biting my lip. I could hear the sounds of kids playing. None of which my kidaichu or I recognized. Shino lead me along to his little group of friends, and Shino's mom walked away to talk with the other parents in the park.
"Shino, who's this?" I heard someone ask. They smelled like dog.
"This is my cousin, Hotaru. Hotaru, this is Kiba Inuzuka," Shino placed his hand on Kiba's shoulder.
"What's up with her she's not even looking at me?" Kiba asked.
"She can't see," came Shino's blunt response. Kiba seemed to become confused by this. I felt him wave a hand in front of my face.
"That's weird," he stated simply. "So are we not gonna be playing ninja with the others today?"
"I can play ninja," I let out.
"Well yeah technically you can.. but you can't see," Kiba stated with a bit of a grimace to his voice.
"Don't worry, I can play," I nodded.
"Alrighty, let's get going then! The others are already waiting for us!" I felt a blare in my alarms, the Kidaichu were going wild over something.
FOX FOX FOX
"Shino do you hear it too?" I questioned aloud, interrupting whatever they were talking about.
"No, Kiba and I are gonna play ninja if you'd like to join," he responded.
"Hey, can I join!" FOX FOX FOX
Danger wailed in my brain as a little boy about my age ran up to our little group. My body moved on it's own as my fist rammed right into the boy's cheek.
I paused. There was the sound of a thud of the boy hitting the ground. My mouth went dry.
"I'm sorry! That hasn't happened before! I didn't mean to do that!" I cried out. I felt tears starting to well up into my eyes as I knelt down in front of the boy.
He was already back up on his feet, I don't think he was listening to what I was saying. "What was that for?! huh!? I'm used to it! You don't have to worry about it, but once I become Hokage then you'll respect me with your weird reflexes, believe it!"
I stared at the boy blankly. "eh?"
"What? Do you not believe me?" He huffed out.
I slowly got up, dusting off my clothes, "I'm just confused, I just accidentally punched you." I reiterated.
"Yeah, and?" He responded.
"So you should be mad at me!" I huffed out, crossing my arms.
"But I'm not! You're training to be a ninja, right? So you probably got some crazy ninja reflexes!" He laughed. "Plus you said sorry!"
"So? Stop being such.. such an.." I puffed out my cheeks. "Such an idiot!" I stamped my foot on the ground then I just hear laughter behind me. Kiba was cackling to himself.
"I was not expecting that.." The dog boy muttered to himself. I heard Shino let out a sound of approval at the comment.
"I'm not an idiot, you're an idiot for accidentally punching me!"
"I'm not an idiot! I think!" I responded, a giggle rose up in my throat. It kept on going on, and on, until I was clutching my sides. Soon enough the fox boy was laughing along with me.
His name was Naruto Uzumaki.