DFS Chapter 19.
Yagura watches a young Zabuza frown at the note, having been demoted from friend and mentor to messenger.
"Another one?" he asks, barely keeping a straight face.
"Yes. Haku is not one to be out done."
"Is it any good?"
Zabuza thrusts the paper at him.
The writing this time is neater, as if the boy had copied Tsuru's words over, and over again trying to perfect his form.
"He certainly has an eye for detail," Yagura murmers, reading through it. "And his vocabulary is improving. Did his mother aid him?"
"No, she was busy at the time."
He laughs. "Have you ever heard the line, if you like it, you should put a ring on it?"
Zabuza's eyebrows rise up, and after a moment he shakes his head. A wry grin on his face. "I hadn't."
0o0o0
Subaru enters the room with another Kaguya in tow.
A cute child, an inch shorter than her and only reaching up to the elder Kaguya's shoulder. His pale hair tied in a low lying ponytail. His green eyes vibrant, but wary.
Behind them Zabuza's shadow prances in, his shoulder length hair bouncing with him. Dark brown eyes, wide and excited. He waits with the younger Kaguya beside their teacher. The other children passing them as they trickle in.
Subarou joins her, still scowling.
"Little brother?" Tsuru asks.
"My cousin," he declares. "My brother is a year older."
She knods, noticing how uncomfortable the other two Kaguya look and decides to end the conversation there.
As Tsuru waits for the teacher to speak, she pulls out her notebook.
"Ah, Tsuru-chan don't unpack just yet," Masako-sensei says. A messenger beside her. "You'll be switching desk partners. Kimimaro-kun here will be joining you, and Haku-kun will be joining Subarou-kun."
She meets the teachers gaze, and then looks the two boys over again. "Very well."
A few grumbles erupt from the students present, though Ooi Fukizō is loudest. Crying out, "i want to trade too!"
His partner smacks him, hissing, "you wanna get us stuck with the babies?"
"That baby won your last spar," Fukizō points out. "Broke your wrist, and made you drop your sword."
"She cheated."
The teacher sighs. "Of course she did."
"Tsuru-chan has proven herself adept, and will make an excellent example for the newest additions to our class. Subaru-kun as well."
Yes, and her brothers machinations have nothing to do with it.
0o0o0
Yuki Haku settles in between her, and Kimimaro.
"What were you writing today?" he asks, motioning for the notebook Tsuru had closed. Her eyes at half mast.
"Go ahead and read it," she mumbles, putting her head down. "Try to be quiet though, I plan to nap for awhile."
"You sleep here?" he asks, horrified. He looks around at the other students, pushing to get out the doors. The approaching Kaguya.
"Fifteen minutes of sleep," she says, muffled by her sleeve. "Can give you a short energy boost...Stave off tiredness...Improve motor skills. Those kind...things."
0o0o0
He's back.
With a broad smile Tsuru pushes past the adults legs, clustered around the gray robed man. A few children already there.
Butterflies made of paper soar over two fans the man holds. His callused hands, propelling them.
She meets his river-stone eyes, and winks.
Kushimaru was a brilliant swordsman. One of the seven, but also a gifted actor. His face, only uncovered when he was playing a role. Most would never suspect this particular man of being one of their most well known. His golden hair hidden beneath a wig. Chakra suppressed.
He had refused to tell her, where he had learned this particular skill.
She suspected one of the brothels, hidden behind a more respectable veneer or maybe from his father, that could of been a possibility too.
He would never admit it, she thinks. So focused on promoting, an almost unapproachable aura in uniform. Something meaner, more mischievous and far closer to his true personality. Something untouchable.
For all he hid, and protested though, he seemed to enjoy her continued efforts. Hiding, a twitch of the lips as she plopped down beside him as only a child would. Fans, sliding from her sleeves.
Clicking.
Her brother above them, his mouth in a tight line.