DFS Chapter 25
Suigetsu clings to his sister and at first Eito is amused, even relieved. The temperamental child acting like an anemone attached to a hermit crab. Stinging whatever it can, and moving with it's host as it covers ground. Sharing it's meals.
But those feelings pass as the Hozuki boy begins to steal into the estate, slipping into his sisters bedroom while his brother is gone. Ignoring his clans mounting frustration. Their fears.
Yagura changes making them uneasy, especially as his influence grows. A few of the traditional members convinced he was collecting their children, the ones with the most potential for a coup.
Sometimes watching the man maneuver people into his younger sister's sights, even Eito wonders.
0o0o0
Tsuru leans against the shaking man. The Tatami mats digging into her knees, as she presses herself tighter against his back. Warmth seeping through the sleeves of her furisode. Arms dangling over broad shoulders.
"One day, you will meet them- that person you were born for," she whispers, close to his ear. "I have seen it."
Like the river pulling vegetation through the raging currents, his hair sails through the air. The man regards her with wet, wild eyes.
Tsuru pulls back slightly.
It is easy to forget how intense these people are, when they do not really see her.
Or is the person she is becoming?
Tsuru frowns.
"I am not supposed to tell any one these things," she continues. Painted nails digging crescents into her forearms. "You cannot tell anyone either. Ever."
Better him to think her a seer, then the liar she is.
There is no guarantee if the man stays Yagura had said, but Tsuru cannot hold her tongue staring into those desperate, hungry eyes. Everyone deserved hope, even when the blade is against their throat. The metal cap sliding over their head.
And he dies. Her friend dies.
The child will need you to be his limbs, his freedom. He is very sweet," she offers, trying to smile softly. Offer him something to keep those feet moving.
Tsuru has always been a selfish creature after all.
"You were going to kill him at first, but then he spoke. Understood."
The mans grip on her just strengthens, and Tsuru resists the urge to struggle. Wonders how she'll explain the bruises to her siblings, if they wander in while she is dressing. Yuichi especially.
How the anbu watching from the roof top will react, if she shows fear. If she raises her voice.
"His name?" the man demands again, and Tsuru looks back up.
"Ranmaru, but it will be years before you meet yet."
"You know where he is?"
"No, but I asked big brother to give you time to search, if you decide to stay."
"If I decide to stay?"
"In one timeline you leave, a broken man," Tsuru tells him sadly. "Big brother was not the man he is now, there. Another man controlled him, the one with the orange mask and the whole village suffered."
"All it's people."
"And the other timeline?"
"You come home to us, never knowing."
0o0o0
She stares at the name her brother has written down. Admires the neat strokes he prides himself in, and pushes back the pin prick of envy.
It is strange for Yagura to share this kind of information, especially without prompting. These are the things he shares with Ao, and to a lesser extent Kisame and her. Things she doesn't usually hear about until they have been dealt with.
Tsuru wonders if this is the reason her brother has such dark bags under his eyes. Why he looks so weary.
"If you see this name above a strangers head, you need to get in contact with me, or send word," Yagura orders. "Waylay them if you can, but stay cautious and whatever you do, don't let them know you recognize them."
"Are they that dangerous?"
"They are a threat to any kekkei genkai user in the village, including you."
"Seeing a persons name is hardly a kekkei genkai," she repeats, frustrated by his insistence. "Even using yin chakra, which we both as you said have in spades, a persons name shouldn't be visible."
"It might not of been before the divine tree poisoned this world with chakra, and caused the mutation that allowed us to harness it. The summons as well." Yagura reminds her. "Before that, many of our ancestors had different abilities."
Tsuru frowns.
That makes sense, but she can't help the feeling, it's supposed to mean something more.
"You still think it's a message from whoever rules over the shinigami, don't you?"
"Yes. It feels more like an omen to me. Both your names, and Isobu's names look less butchered than mine."
Tsuru admits, "I keep thinking I was meant to be one of the shinigami, but some higher power changed their mind at the last minute and scrambled to change things."
"That would explain your bearing," Yagura quips. He then adds more seriously. "But it could also be, because I have settled into my role after twenty-eight years. You haven't had that kind of time."
He reaches over and ruffles her unbound hair. "Be patient little sister."
0o0o0
It's a subtle change he almost dismisses.
A small ring captured by the light, as his daughter looks above a man's head. Her mouth pulled into a familiar frown.
"I need to excuse myself father," she says after a moment, ducking her head to a few of his friends. Her hand moving in a seemingly innocuous gesture he knows is a signal for the anbu guard.
He almost stands to follow her.