Notes:
Obligatory grammar warning.
CW: Mention of animal abuse
—oOo—
It has been almost twenty years since she works for the clan. She is not Zenin by name, but she is one of many Zenin extended families. Close enough by blood relation to not be a complete outsider, but distant enough to not be involved in the clan political struggle.
She has been in charge of Ninth Young Master care soon after his mother's untimely death. She was not in the best health during the period of pregnancy, so her death is not that surprising.
As a baby and subsequent toddler, he was a happy one. She often found him smiling for no absolute reason and seldom even cry. He only cried when he was hungry or in need of something.
Young Master's behavior started to change right after his four-year-old birthday and turned complete 180 degrees a few days before his five-year-old birthday. He smiled less, talked less, and generally became a lot reserved, unusual behavior for children his age. She could say this because she knew. She saw a lot of those children in the clan.
But no matter, this behavior change is more of a boon than a liability, considering Ninth Young Master was about to be presented in front of the whole clan at that time. True to her guess, Young Master gained his father's attention right after that 'initiation'—if she could call locking a child inside that pit as initiation.
As a father, Naobito-sama doesn't look very interested in any of his children. She assumes it is due to the lack of potential in any of his prospective heirs. That behavior stands true, up until he knew Naoya-sama cursed technique. He spends an obvious more time on Ninth Young Master than any of his children. Naobito-sama sometimes calls Ninth Young Master into his study and talks about something she is not privy to. It's not often, but in other people's eyes, it is regular enough for them to consider that as form of favoritism.
They often talk that Naoya-sama is more favored than Second and Seventh Young Master, the late Madam's only children. In Yori's personal opinion, she believes that her Young Master is way more reliable than both late Madam's direct children. She never spoke of this opinion aloud. She has enough awareness that she is not devoid of bias, and… some things are better to keep at heart and not publicly announced.
Naoya-sama's newest feat, at least a feat for a child of his age, is currently being discussed by the clan's top members. Considering the seriousness of this matter, that Young Master encountered a mission related to Ryoumen Sukuna's remains, something that should not have been there in the first place, they ordered her to inform him of the meeting. They demand his attendance to talk about this issue.
That mission could turn ugly real fast if Naoya-sama is a less competent person and was not accompanied by someone. She knows that Third Young Master is powerful. He beats many people in the clan already, but she doesn't know his capabilities to handle a matter pertaining cursed spirit.
The mission should have taken only three days at most, but it stretched until a week.
Immediately after Third and Ninth Young Master came back, Naoya-sama fell ill. The reason? Mild malnutrition. She heard that Third Young Master is fine like always, with no sign of weakness whatsoever.
—oOo—
"Why do they always pair our Young Master with that black sheep?"
Yori is walking in the hallway and is about to turn on the corner when she encounters two gossiping servants. They don't talk aloud but their voices are clear enough for her to hear in this quiet hallway.
She pretends a cough to garner their attention. Both of them stiffen and turn around. When they see that it is her who caught them, they release a faint breath of relief. They feared they encountered Ninth Young Master while talking about him behind his back.
"Don't gossip. The Masters' business is not for us to discuss." A short and clipped sentence should be enough to warn them. This is their first misdeed. So, there is no need to deliver any other serious punishment. That… unless they're foolish enough to repeat the same offense twice.
Both of them nods their head like a pair of chicken pecking on grains, and she leaves right after. Presumably, they will stay quiet and lower their head in the future. There is no need to bother Naoya-sama with this small matter.
—oOo—
Arriving outside Young Master's chamber, she announces herself but she doesn't hear an immediate response. Naoya-sama usually would always answer on the first call. Perhaps he is still asleep, not strange considering that he has yet to fully recover from his illness.
"Naoya-sama," she repeats. After a few seconds, Yori hears a rustle but no footsteps. She couldn't enter without expressed permission so she waits. At least Young Master is awake.
After a few seconds of more waiting, Yori sees the door slide open, revealing a pale-looking child with damp hair framing his face.
"Yori-san," he greets, "what's the matter?"
His voice lacks the usual smoothness. Instead, it sounds downright brittle. Not unlike someone who has a parched throat—she is aware that the comparison is not untrue.
"Young Master, Naobito-sama calls for your presence."
A subtle pause and then a nod, "In a minute."
Naoya-sama turns back and closes the door. Intending to change his loose attire into one that fits more for the occasion.
She waits.
—oOo—
Itachi sits in seiza in the middle of the hall, looking at people in front of him. They are those he encountered during his fifth birthday, sans his brothers and cousins. Most of them look austere and severe. Though not his father, he is still in the mood for an alcohol.
The hall is silent until someone decides to speak.
"Zenin Naoya," Hirotsune, the old man sitting right on his father's left side speaks, "do you know what you did wrong?" The man is frowning, causing creases to appear on his already wrinkly forehead. He is in his senior year, about seventy years old.
Itachi could guess what Hirotsune think he did wrong, in fact, he knows about this meeting a few seconds before Yori appears in front of his chamber.
Itachi nods his head.
After receiving a response, the man continues, "then why didn't you retreat?"
How should he handle this? Should he just say that he had the matter handled just fine at risk of sounding arrogant…
"Hirotsune-sama… it was within my calculated risk." Itachi tentatively answers. A diplomatic one is usually the best. But it seems that it's not what the old man wants.
He snorts and scoff, "boy, you are nine, nine-and-half if I am being generous. That arrogance is unbecoming."
Is it truly arrogance if he's able to deliver what he just claims?
Someone then interjects Hirotsune's scolding, "Hirotsune-sama, no need to be so hard on the boy. At the end of the day, he is doing just fine." The man is younger than Hirotsune, but he is around his father's age. He speaks with a faint smile on the corner of his mouth.
The man acts as if he wants to diffuse Hirotsune's anger. Though… In Itachi's opinion, the old man is not that angry, he is just irritated. Like someone is forcing him to attend this meeting and wants it to end as soon as possible.
Hirotsune harrumph and doesn't deign the man with an answer. He doesn't even look in the man's direction. From the seating position, Hirotsune should be his father's uncle, and the man should be someone less related to the main branch.
Itachi watches as the man's temper lights up, an almost invisible pulse on his forehead and a tightening muscle on his shoulder area, indicating that he's clenching the fist that is hidden on his sleeves. Huh, do they have a grudge against each other?
"Well, boy?" Hirotsune directs the conversation back to him while his father just watches the proceeding with mild interest.
"I know my mistake," a lip service then, let's end this meeting as soon as possible as the old man wants. He still wants to sleep. That mission took most of his energy. Not from fighting, but from sheer hunger and thirst. He knew that the time was wonky in that village, but he didn't realize that it had been a week. Itachi heard that Toji is as healthy as ever. So envious.
"And what?"
"I won't repeat it in the future," a lie, Hirotsune most likely also know, considering what Itachi notices in his current expression. A light distaste marring his face, but seeing Itachi's easy acquiescence, he couldn't exactly be unreasonable.
A beat of silence, but then it is broken for the second time by another person. He sits far on his father's right side. Someone Itachi doesn't know. "More than that, I think the most important is how the boy was able to defeat the curse." The man then gets a chorus of agreement.
Itachi wants to sigh, that's what most of them want to know. Before this, only his father knew about the exact details of his ability. But because of that unexpected mission, they feel like they have yet to properly measure his capabilities.
A bunch of hyenas scraping for bones the lot of them.
His father raises his eyes and looks in the man's direction. It is unknown what's going through inside his head.
"Syoumei." A sneer appears on Hirotsune's face. "That's not for you to know."
This Syoumei seems to be a lot more confident than the man before, plus with many people backing him up, he says, "why not? We need to know his exact ability so the last mission won't happen again."
"Won't happen again you say?" Hirotsune's face turns even more ugly. "The boy is alive because they don't know his full ability. What's your purpose in asking this question?" His tone turns interrogative, demanding the man to answer.
"Hirotsune, should you speak like this in front of the boy?" Another man interjects, this one is closer to Hirotsune's age.
"Heh, let the boy knows that his head is worth some money." He is speaking about him, but he doesn't look in Itachi's direction. Hirotsune is still glaring against Syoumei.
Under that pointed scrutiny, the man doesn't falter. He argues back, "what purpose could I have?"
"I don't know, but you know it in your heart," Hirotsune speaks as a malicious smile grows. "Ah," a pause, as if he gains enlightenment. "It's for that boy, isn't it?"
Syoumei's skin turns a shade lighter and grits his teeth, "slander."
So many dramas between these people alone.
A knock pauses Hirotsune and Syoumei's argument. Everyone looks at the source. His father is tapping his index finger against the flask in his hand. He looks at every occupant in the face and says, "the kid's ability is none of you people's business. That's the final."
Many people look reluctant to let go of this opportunity to grill him about his cursed technique, but they have no choice but to obey. He may have a more hands-off approach when dealing with clan matters, but he is still the clan head. Most of them were banking on the assumption that Naobito won't be that invested and let them question Naoya as they see fit.
"You have nothing to speak to the boy?" Hirotsune asks his father before he gets the opportunity to dismiss and end the meeting.
"No need. Uncle, you scold him enough." His father then stands up and says, "dismissed."
He leaves without looking back.
Several people seem about to hold him off for a while, so he stands up, bow, and exit the room.
—oOo—
Fujirou is walking in the hallway when he hears an energetic voice calling him from behind. He is in hurry and intends to go to the main hall before the meeting started. His servant said that the meeting is in the main hall.
"Second Brother!" He pauses and turns back.
A few meters away from him is a teenager with thirty to forty percent similarities to his. He scowls and speaks in an annoyed manner. "Touen, don't speak like we are familiar."
Number Four always acts like they're familiar, they are not. At most, they never outright clash against each other. He dislikes the other's fake friendliness and his constant smile, thinking as if that front could cover the black sludge he calls personality.
This person sets him on edge. Well, it used to, before Number Nine came into the picture. There is no one in this house he hates more than him.
"Older Brother, you hurt me." A faux sadness decorates Touen's face. Fujirou turns back, wondering why he even bothers to stop.
Proceeds in larger strides than before, he tries to leave the vicinity without running. It would be unbecoming if he, the first-born son, run in the hallway for no apparent reason other than the desire to stay away from Number Four.
It is futile because Touen caught up to him in no time. "Well, where d'you wanna go Second Brother?" This style of address. It irritates him. It reminds him of how that bastard calls the black sheep as his brother with no compunction whatsoever. Never caring about how other people would see him. Never feel the need to fit in. As if he is born with the self-assuredness of someone knowing that no one could force him to do what he doesn't want to.
Annoying. It grates his nerves.
Fujirou decides to stop because he doesn't want to entertain Number Four all day long, especially when he still has something to do. "What do you want?" He speaks with a particular bite that is usually absent every time he speaks to other people.
"Hm…" Touen hums like he is actually thinking. He knows he is not, the bastard just wants to delay him. "You wanna go to that meeting?"
As if holding a bubble of laughter, Touen answers his own question with obvious glee. "Oh, it's already started," a wide smile, "no one else could enter," including you, the supposed heir—these words are unsaid, but they are there, right on the tip of Touen's tongue.
He really is not in the mood to play one of Number Four's mind games. The bastard's newest accomplishment—what accomplishment? He too… could complete that mission just fine—and Touen's words lit that burning fire inside him.
Fujirou turns around, trying to ignore Touen's jab, and decides to confirm the news in person. After a minute of a walk, with that nuisance tailing him, he arrives in front of the main hall. There are two Hei unit members guarding the door.
Fujirou grits his jaws but still attempts to school his face. According to his age and position, he should be their leader. But no, his father decides to never mention this matter to him at all. Who would get the position? That bastard again?!
"The meeting already started?" He knows but he has to ask. He needs to ask.
Fujirou speaks politely, like how he usually does, Number Four is not counted, he's even more superficial than him.
He, even he, has to speak in an acceptable manner in front of these two insignificant people.
"Yes." One of them responds.
After getting his answer, he doesn't bother to stay and turns around to leave. He hears Number Four speaking behind him. "Don't mind him, Second Brother is not happy." As always, with that cheery tone.
Who are you pretending for?
—oOo—
Fujirou wants to go back to his courtyard. On the way, he sees his little brother and Number Six tussling against each other on the other side of the hallway, separated by a garden. His little brother doesn't notice him so he doesn't call.
"Oh, that's your little brother!"
Fujirou turns his head so fast he feels his neck creaked. He narrows his eyes. "I told you." He enunciates his words slowly. "Don't mention my brother, don't talk about my brother, and don't you dare to approach my brother." He walks slowly steps by steps towards the teenager in front of him. This person that he also hates, number two after that bastard. This malicious and cruel person who tries so hard to sell himself as harmless.
If he didn't see with his own eyes how he drowned that mutt on the koi pond in the middle of winter, he might believe his current act. At that time, the bastard was only seven years old, but he held that mutt as it struggled under the water for a solid minute. It is reasonable that he doesn't trust this person as far as he could throw him.
Touen also knows that he knows, so he never bothers to completely hide his malice when they speak to each other. He only acts merry in front of him just in case someone is nearby.
"Oh, touchy." He laughs like the bastard that he is. As Fujirou said, he doesn't bother to even hide his glee at how happy he could cause this reaction.
"Haha, after that debacle, he never tries to approach our dear youngest brother, right?" Number Four speaks in a tone that indicates he is reminiscing a happy memory. He probably is happy when he remembers how his brother got cursed by that bastard Naoya, especially when the effect lasted for half a year. Never mind that both of Touen's younger brothers also suffered the same humiliation.
"Don't speak of him in front of me."
"Haahh," Touen sighs, forlorn, "you have so many don't(s)."
"If you don't like it, then scram."
"Oh! I will!" He perks up and turns his head towards the hallway opposite of them. "Sou-chan! Come here!"
His younger brother and Number Six look up when they hear Touen's shout. He thinks he also sees several servants turn their heads in their direction, wondering who is so rambunctious that he would yell in the middle of a walkway. Noticing both of them, they turn away like they lose interest. Fujirou knows it's not true, considering the largest contributor to the clan rumor mill is the lot of them.
When he remembers rumors, the first thing that comes into his mind is the fact that many people already regard Number Nine as his replacement. His father's partiality also doesn't help. Many people use that as evidence and cement their thoughts.
Distracted, he only comes out of his reverie a few seconds later. His younger brother notices his presence and runs towards him, leaving Number Six to deal with his own brother. When he is a meter in front of him, Fujirou examines the state of his kimono. Not good.
"Come with me."
His little brother pouts and speaks in a petulant way, akin to that of a child, "where?"
"Tidy yourself up." A short and clipped tone is effective, most of the time because he rarely defies him.
"Don't want!"
Fujirou exhales, if his younger brother is a little bit more mature, he doesn't have to always think and worry about him. Look at what that bastard did when he is nine! The distance is too big that he doesn't even want to think about it anymore.
So he just leaves, pretending to be angry also works like a charm.
"Ugh, fine!"
He hears the pitter-patter of steps behind him. Good, as long as he is not with that bastard Touen, everything is fine.
—oOo—
"Elder Brother," Syusou, his cute little brother mumbles as he greets him. Ah, this one never likes him much. Not that the other one is better. That mousy little guy is even more allergic to his presence. Always religiously avoids him whenever he could. As if he would somehow catch a disease if they breathe the same air.
"What did ya just do?"
"You already know," Pause, the boy frowns in impatience, like he is urging him to state what he needs and be done with it. Heh, he is quite gutsy. "Why ask?"
"Hmm…" Touen hums, and he puts both his index and middle finger on his cheek. He is looking at the ceiling above. A few seconds later, he ends his musing by snapping both the fingers that previously rested on his cheek and says, "you never invite our dear youngest brother huh?"
Touen's eyes are bright, encouraging his little brother to speak and offer him what he is after. When he hears no immediate response from Syusou, his eyes narrow, and speaks, "Sou-chan, it's impolite to exclude your little brother."
Touen pats his little brother's head a few times and moves his hand to his shoulder. He tightened his grips, bends down, and hisses in his ear, "Sou-chan, how are you going to remedy your mistake?"
Syusou grimaces and attempts to shake his brother's grip off his shoulder. When it's apparent that he can't, he snaps, "fuck off! Don't bother me! I don't wanna see you." He struggles a bit harder. There are a few servants on duty in the area but they don't try to separate them. They consider that since both of them are full-blooded siblings, the conflict won't be too big. Plus, they are not in a position to intercede.
"Ah… ah, such foul language. Who teaches you?" Touen laments and puts both palms of his hands on each side of his head, locking it in place while forcing Syusou to directly face him. "Sou-chan, I like your kitten so so much, can your brother borrows him for a while~?"
At that, the boy's eyes reddened like he is about to cry, but there are no tears. He is probably too angry to even shed a single tear. "It's from mo–"
The boy is unable to finish his words because Touen cuts him off.
"Well, your mother is not here, isn't she?" A pause, "so please, don't test my patience. Brother does this is for your own good." Touen straightens himself and pats his brother's cheek, still smiling, "okay?"
His cute little brother finally nods in acquiescence. Well, isn't it better if he would just agree from the start? He would not have to scare him like that.
"Ah! Brother still wants to borrow your kitten though…" A closed-eyed smile as he talks to his now silent brother. "A week, Brother will generously take care of him for you."
—oOo—
"Ah, Young Master, there you are!"
Touen looks up from the kitten he holds in his hands and sees a young man around Second Brother's age stride towards him. He doesn't stop and meet the man in the middle.
"Yes?" Smiling like he always does, he greets the person in front of him.
"The meeting is done, I saw Ninth Young Master go back to his courtyard." Oh? Is that so?
He doesn't answer and continues his walk. The man follows his footstep and speaks, "I also saw everyone other than Naobito-sama and Hirotsune-sama has an unpleasant face."
Nothing strange then. That old man Hirotsune never liked any of them. The only way to gain his approval is for one of them to be able to bring the clan to a new height. A lofty goal for a man that already has one foot on the grave.
He strokes the kitten's head as it struggles in his hold. Irritated, he pinches its ear as it yowls and scratches his hand. This ungrateful fleabag!
A yelp of surprise comes from behind him. "Young Master, why is Syusou-sama's cat with you?"
"Oh, he is lazy and asked me to take care of it for a while." A lie that the man would eat without question. Sometimes, the fact that he could believe in anything he says without any other input is rather annoying. But well, there are no perfect tools in the world, and the man has his own uses.
"Touen-sama, you dote on your little brother a bit too much." The man speaks as if Touen is eager to hear his opinion. The fact is, he doesn't.
"Hm, is that so?" There is a lilt at the end of his voice.
Feeling encouraged, the man talks without fear of offending him. "Yes. Both Young Masters have never been friendly towards you. The other always avoid you, while Sixth Young Master is outright hostile towards you." The man takes larger strides and walks beside him.
Touen looks at the low-life from the corner of his eyes. His mouth forms a sneer. Does he genuinely think that he is enjoying his company? And daring to walk beside him like they are equal.
A servant is always a servant.
"Young Master, I don't think they would be useful for you."
Perhaps he is being too friendly towards him this whole time. So that the man regards himself as his confidant. If he thinks that Touen would really consider his opinion to be substantial. He thinks way too highly of himself and is delusional.
"Hm, perhaps a private place is more suitable." He smiles toward the man and watches as his face lights up. Disgusting.
What position do you have for you to dare to covet me?
While walking, he unexpectedly encounters the person he doesn't want to meet the most.
Tch, the man said that Naoya has already gone to his courtyard, then why is he here? Does he hear their conversations? No way, he doesn't have that useless cousin's senses
"Little Brother," a chirpy greeting is his first instinct. He watches as Naoya frowns but doesn't correct him. He asks, "what are you doing here~?"
This area is on the opposite side of Naoya's courtyard, so he should rarely goes to this place.
Number Nine examines his face, noting everything in there. He doesn't know what the boy's found from his eyes, but there is no visible reaction other than placidity.
"Fourth Brother," after a few seconds of awkward silence, he finally speaks. The kid does treasure his words like gold, huh?
"Wants Brother to accompany you?"
The previous placidity turns into a thinly veiled skepticism and Touen could already guess what Naoya is about to say the next moment.
"No need. Fourth Brother, I go first." He walks past him and Touen watches as Number Nine disappears into a corner. The whole time, he couldn't hear his footsteps, even when the kid just walked past him.
"Young Master." A voice distracts him, and he looks at the man who has been silent during the whole conversation.
"Well, let's go back."
—oOo—
Notes:
FAMILY TREE: Damn ffn, I can't insert an image.
Format: (RANK OF-BIRTH)—(X NAME)—(X FATHER)—(OTHER NOTE)
Keep in mind that they're all paternal first cousins. Their fathers' are biological siblings.
(Num 1)—Zenin Jinichi—25th Zenin head—Num 3 full-blooded siblings
(Num 2)—Zenin Fujirou—26th Zenin head/Zenin Naobito—Num 7 full-blooded siblings
(Num 3)—Zenin Toji—25th Zenin head—Num 1 full-blooded siblings
(Num 4)—Zenin Touen—26th Zenin head/Zenin Naobito—Num 6 & 8 full-blooded siblings
(Num 5)—Zenin Keiha—26th Zenin head/Zenin Naobito
(Num 6)—Zenin Syusou—26th Zenin head/Zenin Naobito—Num 4 & 8 full-blooded siblings
(Num 7)—Zenin Suihou—26th Zenin head/Zenin Naobito—Num 2 full-blooded siblings
(Num 8)—Zenin Chisei—26th Zenin head/Zenin Naobito—Num 4 & 6 full-blooded siblings
(Num 9)—Zenin Naoya/Itachi—26th Zenin head/Zenin Naobito
(Num 10)—Zenin Maki—Zenin Ogi—A pair of twins
(Num 11)—Zenin Mai—Zenin Ogi—A pair of twins
~Num 2 and 4 are assholes, but they have different flavors in their assholery haha.
The whole time I was writing this, I was thinking "Well, now that an assassination attempt landed on someone from your clan. It's unpleasant isn't it?"
Last night, I have such a random dream involving Maki and Naoya. I guess this could count as a chapter 192 spoiler. So I know from yesterday that Naoya evolved from a worm-like creature into something else (I have yet to see it though). So last night, I dreamt of a humanoid titan-like creature chasing Maki (I don't even watch AoT, so I don't know where this inspiration comes from). For some reason, my dream gave the evolved Naoya four limbs. And the more bizarre thing, Maki is in a form of a cat. Fuck, that's why I put a cat in this chapter. It's not even in the original outline. When I woke up I was like, wtf.