a/n I'm so happy to see more people finding my writing, and enjoying it. You guys make me smile.
Chapter 8
Sachihiro arrives first, his clothes pressed and his face clean shaven. It startles Tsuru, and she almost runs into another one of the students, walking just ahead of her.
Yuichi appears behind him, looking bored.
"You have many siblings," Subarou says in wonder, stopping beside her still form. The two other Kaguya clan members, Kotatsu and Montaro peering over his shoulders.
Tsuru turns to the small group. "Is that strange?"
"No," he admits. "In our clan, two children are considered a blessing. To have more survive to adulthood... is rare."
"You are very lucky," he continues, his face open and earnest.
"I'm know."
"Are all your siblings shinobi?" Kotatsu queries, as her brothers try to wave them over. The men's eyes flashing, like wild birds catching sight of their share of the fisherman's haul.
Tsuru swallows before answering.
She has to be careful. Her family had been more invasive lately, obsessed with the idea of Tsuru making friends her own age.
Marise not counting, as he was still avoiding their home like the plague, and disappearing into alleyways when sighted with to much noise.
"Yes," Tsuru reveals, brushing a loose hair back. Not relishing the thought of giving her two older siblings info to lord over Isano, who was the worst of the lot. "My sister has largely retired from service since she gave birth though, and Eito-nii is preparing to take over for father."
"Would you to meet them? Both of my brothers are rather accomplished in their fields."
Tsuru watches the boys stiffen, as she had hoped. Irises clashing with each other, as words pass without being spoken.
"We are expected," Montaro warns, still looking at the other two boys. His shoulders squared, as if expecting an argument.
Kotatsu sighs. "He is right, Subarou. Our fathers would not be pleased if we are late again."
The youngest of the three frowns, and toys with his belt. Fingers running over the heavily embroidered fabric, with patterns and details beyond what their talented Yuichi could produce.
"Another day then, Tsuru-San," the boy decides, after a few seconds. The fog, making his eyes glow eerily.
"I look forward to meeting them," he adds. "You're brothers look very strong."
Yagura had been right again.
Dutifully, Tsuru returns the compliment.
Turns to her fellow magpies as the Kaguya depart. Hopes, she can keep herself so busy it never becomes a possibility.
Children were always so much harder to loose.
0o0o0
There are days, Taiga struggles to tear away his eyes from his daughter. Afraid she will disappear.
Die, like the third they had cut from his wife's womb. A stiff, blue figure that seemed to be reaching for it's siblings still lingering inside the fleshy tomb.
And it only makes it harder, when that child now resembles her mother so.
Isano was just as beautiful, if more traditionally appealing then her striking sister. Inheriting his coloring and not his wife's curly, ash brown hair, or pale skin. Ruddy, river rock brown irises, instead of molten gold.
Taiga tries to tell himself that it shouldn't matter. He still loves them both, just as he loves all his children.
"Father?" the child asks. Her hand hesitating over the empty weapons pouch, as she reaches for another sharp instrument. The once white fabric wrapped around her fingers stained, and tinged with red. Most hours old.
She looks away, suddenly guilty. Her lips pursed.
"You do not need to practice so often," he chides, moving to help her collect the weaponry strewn about their courtyard. Towering, vegetation lined walls surround them. Spindly shoots, and tangling webs of green growth, spilling over as the warmer tempetures return. "I have already told your teachers, you will no be moving up a class as your siblings did."
"Why don't we go down to that new teahouse that has opened instead? I've heard they have excellent sweets."
"Can we order hojicha?" she asks, widening her eyes.
0o0o0
She holds the brat down, face plastered into the thick mud. One hand pinned beneath him, and the other skewered to the post beside them. Kunai glinting in the harsh artificial light.
The children stand around her wide eyed.
"There are other ways to rid the world of prejudice, Tsuru-chan."
"I'm aware," she says, yanking on the childs hair. Pulling him from the mud. "Fear makes people stupid."
"It is a weakness," she tells the boy. "Being unable to work with someone who would willingly aid you."
0o0o0
Eito flips through his fathers meticulously kept records, listening with half an ear to his family.
Satoru bundled up, and chewing on a soft, rubber shark beside him. It's deep indigo blue coloring similar to his Hoshigaki's Kisame's summons.
He glances at the clock, on the library wall.
Isano should be back soon, to take the boy with her for daily visit with Yagura.
His sister having planned to take along food from his favorite place, but Eito doubts she expected it to take this long. Minutes from their precious hour already lost.
Tsuru-chan was in the shower, washing off the days filth. Her voice carrying some notes over the steady stream of water, that beat against the far wall, and tile. Some nonsense song about a plush toy, and a crippled boy who had lost his father in a wagon of some sort.
He makes a note, to ask her to sing it to him later.
Yuichi bangs his knee when he sits down, jolting Eito. He scowls at the man, who simply plucks the book from his hand. "You read as much as our ototou does."
"Another incident?" Sachihiro asks, facing their father. He places his cup down next to brothers. Ignoring the coaster pushed towards him.
"Savage," the eldest of them grumbles. Eito's research still held out of reach.
Their father sighs. "She came home covered in mud today."
"And apparently our little stork is gaining a sharp beak. Some of the other children are afraid of her," he adds.
"She hardly seems the type, father."
"I know. She's normally so well behaved."
Eito almost snorts.
He had caught their little sister tossing bird treats at a hidden Kuriarare the other day, knowing full well some of the younger summons would give chase.
"Has any one bothered to ask her why she did it?" he finally asks, meeting each of their eyes. "Or do you plan to ambush her all at once?"