"Uzumaki, Kikuko." Teru Sensei calls out.
"Here!" I say, raising my hand. He doesn't even acknowledge me when he moves on.
"Uzumaki Naruto."
"Here, dattebayo!"
"I only need you to say the word 'here', Uzumaki." Sensei says before setting down the attendance sheet. I see Naruto already looking sad, so I reach out to grab his hand.
"It'll be okay, Naru. I'll talk to Sensei later." I whisper to him. He nods slowly, kicking his feet under the table. I hear a drawn out sigh next to me and peek out of the corner of my eye. Somehow I ended up in the seat between Naruto and Shikamaru at the back of the classroom. I have a feeling this isn't going to turn out well.
"Alright, class." Sensei says from the front of the room. "Can anyone name different types of ninja arts we might learn here at the academy?" A few hands shoot up in the class.
"Ninjutsu!" A girl with bubblegum pink hair answers from the front of the class. It's no surprise Sakura sits in the front. Sensei then calls on an Uchiha girl in the middle of the room.
"Genjutsu!" And then a civilian boy answers,
"Taijutsu!"
"Great job!" Sensei smiles at the class. "Now, does anyone know of more specific practices?"
"Bukijutsu!" Another girl answers. I finally raise my hand and Sensei loses his smile.
"Uzumaki."
"Fuinjutsu!" I smile widely.
"Fuinjutsu is not an important ninja art," Sensei shakes his head, about to move on to another student.
"Then why did it take multiple shinobi nations banding together to destroy Uzushiogakure for their talents in Fuinjutsu?"
"Watch your tone, Uzumaki. I don't know who told you that-"
"Hokage-sama did." I cross my arms over my chest, meeting the chunin's eyes at the front of the room. I feel Naruto tug on my shirt under the table to get me to calm down, but this is one thing I won't back down on. "All the Konoha uniforms carry the symbol of my clan because of how strong our alliance was 'ttbane!"
"Detention, Uzumaki. Moving on," Sensei continues his lesson, but I zone out. I already know the basics he was talking about. Soon, he passes out a materials list, almost not giving us one until I badger him about it. This is going to be a really, really long year if this continues.
"Are you sure you're gonna be okay, Kiku-nee?" Naruto whispers as kids start leaving the room at the end of the day.
"I'll be fine, Naru." I smile at him. "It was worth it, I'll see you at home." Naruto pouts at that before standing from his seat. "We'll go shopping for our supplies when I'm done, and then it's time to go to Ichiraku." I tell him, trying to cheer him up.
"Alright!" Naruto punches the air before heading down the steps and out of the classroom.
"It's really stupid that Sensei gave you detention." Shikamaru says, his voice heavy with sleep beside me. I just shrug before looking at the desk.
"I was kinda expecting it, people don't really like me or Naruto." Shikamaru turns his head to look over at me, the same calculating look his father wore while looking at me earlier at lunch.
"Nara-san, you can go ahead and leave. Uzumaki you'll come up to the board to write lines." Sensei says from the front of the room. I sigh, getting up from my seat and tucking both mine and Naruto's supply lists in my pocket. "Write 'I will not tell lies' one hundred times." Sensei hands me a piece of chalk as soon as I get to the board. I focus hard to not roll my eyes as I get started on my task.
"Ne, Sensei?" I ask as I hear him shuffle his papers.
"What now?"
"Naruto has a stutter. It's a common trait in our clan, he can't help it when he says dattebayo." I say as I finish the first line. Sensei doesn't even respond. I hear shuffling and someone walking down the steps to the front of the room. Shikamaru must have finally gotten up.
"Have a good afternoon, Nara-san." Sensei says, his tone completely different from when he spoke to me. Shikamaru doesn't respond to him. Instead he comes to stand at the board by me and picks up a piece of chalk, silently writing my assigned lines. "Nara-san what are you-"
"Uzumaki-san was correct in what she told you earlier. If you say it's a lie then I guess I have to write, too." Sensei tries to stop Shikamaru, but he just moves to the other side of the board. I keep writing my lines, the only sound in the room for the next fifteen minutes is the sound of the chalk hitting the board and the ticking of the clock. That is, until light footsteps make their way into the room.
"N-Nara-sama!" Sensei says, bowing to the Jonin commander. I roll my eyes at the action before turning back to the board. I peek over at Shikamaru who has a smirk on his face as he writes his lines.
"What lie did you tell, Shikamaru?" Shikaku ignores Sensei completely.
"Sensei gave Kikuko detention for proving that he was wrong in saying Fuinjutsu isn't an important shinobi art."
"Interesting." Shikaku says, letting the word hang in the air. "Well, come along Shikamaru, Kikuko, it's time to go shopping for your supplies." I look over at the Nara clan head, who looks absolutely furious. I look back to Shikamaru who's lazily walking over to his father, his hands in his pockets. I just shrug to myself before dropping the chalk back on the tray and walking towards Shikaku as well. He places a firm hand on both mine and Shikamaru's shoulders, leading us out of the room.
"I'll be sure to ask Hokage-sama the importance of fuinjutsu at our meeting later." Shikaku calls over his shoulder.
Get. His. Ass. Shikaku.
When we make it outside, I finally let myself relax. Instead of waiting alone on the swing in the courtyard, Naruto is being pushed on the swing by Yoshino. I feel my heart beat a little faster as I take in the scene. Adults haven't really tried to take care of us, outside of grandpa Teuchi and the Sandaime when he feels guilty enough. And despite being the oldest of our Anbu group, Genma doesn't count as an adult. Shikaku starts leading us over to Yoshino when I realize I haven't thanked Shikamaru yet.
"Thank you for sticking up for me, Shika. And thanks for getting us out early, Shikaku." I say quietly, looking at my feet as we walk closer to my brother. I feel my cheeks heat up when I realize the nickname I let slip out. I feel amusement from Shikaku's chakra mixed with something else, but I can't really determine what it is.
"Troublesome." Shikamaru says, but from the corner of my eye I can see a blush on his cheeks as well. I hear Shikaku let out a quiet snort as we reach Yoshino and Naruto.
"Kiku-nee!" Naruto yells, hopping off of the swing. Yoshino shakes her head at him before starting to walk over to us. Naruto runs over, almost tackling me in a hug. "Yoshino-san said we're going to go shopping for our ninja gear together!" I smile as I hug him back. His chakra is like a ray of sunshine.
"And how are you going to get your supplies if you don't have your list?" I ask, my hands on my hips. He starts patting all of his pockets frantically before looking at me with wide eyes. I roll my eyes at him and pull his list from my pocket.
"You're the best Kiku-nee!" He says, bouncing up and down. "Wait- I forgot Gama-chan!" I reach into another pocket and pull out his frog wallet. He immediately relaxes, putting it in one of his own pockets. I see Yoshino shaking her head at us with a fond look in her eyes.
"You don't have to take us shopping with you by the way, we can-"
"Now don't you worry about that Kiku-chan." Yoshino says, crouching down to our level.
"Bu-"
"What's taking you so long, Shikamaru? I wanna get my supplies!" I hear a voice yell across the courtyard.
"The more the merrier." Yoshino winks at me before standing back up. Naruto immediately takes her offered hand, skipping beside her as Shikaku also leads me and Shikamaru towards the group waiting at the academy courtyard entrance.
The voice from earlier was a very excited Ino, I realize as we join the group. Choji immediately walks over to Shikamaru, handing him a barbeque chip. I smile at the interaction, but immediately feel on edge when I feel a set of eyes on me.
"Why are they here?" Ino asks her dad. Not even trying to be quiet. Naruto doesn't pay any attention to her, he's too busy chatting with Yoshino. I just look back down to my feet, trying to step behind Shikaku a little, but it doesn't work. He holds me beside him.
"Ino, be nice." Her mother chides as I feel their gaze on me. I feel my chest tighten, tears burning at the back of my eyes as I wish to be anywhere else. I've already cried once today. I really, really don't want to cry a second. Especially in front of Ino. She already seems to hate me.
"Do you want a barbeque chip?" A voice asks from in front of me. I lift my head up to see a kind smile on Choji's face as he holds the bag out to me. I take a deep breath and nod, smiling back at him and grabbing a chip from the bag.
"Thanks, Choji." He smiles wider in response, walking back over to stand by Shikamaru. I plop the chip in my mouth as we start walking again. As soon as we make it a block away from the academy, I feel familiar chakra signatures. Kakashi and Tenzo must be on watch tonight. I immediately feel myself relax.
If I can't handle being out anymore, I know that I can find them pretty quickly to take me home. I feel Shikaku's eyes on me, but act like I don't. I'm already struggling enough to not cry from the long day we've had.
Things go okay for all the stores, it's hard for the shopkeepers to be rude to us when we're with three clan heads. But the InoShikaCho families are only going to quality stores. I'd already spent more than I'd planned. But thankfully we're at the last store.
Despite saving up for the last few months, there's no way we can afford the weapons in this shop. I hold Naruto's hand as we walk around, but don't pick anything up. I know of a discount shop, and while it's on a not so safe side of town, it'll be a lot cheaper than this store's stock. Besides, we're academy students. We don't need anything too special right now.
Naruto lets go of my hand to go look over at the shuriken with Ino. They'd managed to warm up to each other, both of them obsessing over all the new supplies. I quickly look at what money we have left. If I go to the discount store I'm sure I'll be able to manage to get everything we need, and get Naruto a couple of shuriken from here.
After tallying everything in my head, I put my wallet back in my pocket. I start walking around to look at the larger weapons. I know I won't be able to get any of them, but it's good to get an idea of whatI may need in the future, right?
And then I see the prettiest sword. Like ever.
Ever since I'd read in one of Mito baa-chan's journals that the Uzumaki also used kenjutsu, I've been obsessed with looking at different types of swords. The one on display is a Ninjato, its blade shorter than a katana and straight. But along the blade are carved waves. As I look at it, it's almost like I can feel a breeze and smell the ocean. Something I haven't experienced in this life. I feel tears spring up in my eyes as I look at it. It feels like home. But the home in my last life wasn't anywhere near the ocean.
And then all my dreams come crashing down as the older shopkeeper pulls it out of the display. A young man was currently talking to the adults, I'd thought he was the only person working here when we entered. But this old man came out of nowhere with his long white hair braided down his back. He wears coveralls, and his hands are rough like he's been sharpening weapons all of his life. And he probably has.
He has a firm grip on the handle. Out of the case it's easier to see the light blue square guard at the base of the blade. The handle itself is a dark blue, red spirals cover almost it, like the red is highlighting all the whirlpools in the water.
I can't help but be reminded of my clan's symbol. Is this what weapons looked like in Uzu? Is this what our ancestors used? The man puts the sword in a black holder, covering the beautiful blade. The cover for the sword looks basic, like it's nothing special. But then, I see it. A teal spiral right below the handle of the blade.
And then, the old man walks around the counter with the sword. It's almost as tall as I am. I expect him to take it to the back of the store, or to one of the adults, but he doesn't. He walks straight towards me. He crouches down, his head bowed as he holds the sword out to me.
"What? I-I can't buy that."
"I've kept this blade since the fall of Uzushiogakure." He says, looking me in the eyes. "It was gifted to me by a dear friend. I have waited for many years for its rightful partner to come into this shop." His brown eyes practically twinkle in the setting sunlight that filters through the shop window. "It's clear that you've been called to this blade, Uzumaki-sama." He practically forces the sword into my hands. "Its name is Ryūjin."
As soon as I touch the handle, it feels like I'm standing on a beach. When I close my eyes I can see the sun setting between cliffs as the water crashing against them. I can hear rushing water in my ears and feel the heat of the sun on my face. Turning around I see a variety of buildings, some tall while others are a lot shorter. Each building is painted in vibrant hues, each its own individual being. No two buildings look alike. The only common thread between each of them is the intricate swirl above each doorway.
And then, I feel a cloth brush against my cheek. It brings me crashing back to reality. I blink hard, and once my vision begins to clear I'm back in the small weapons shop. I feel myself starting to shake as the shopkeeper pulls me into a hug. As soon as he pulls back from the hug, he walks back behind the counter, grabbing something from underneath it. He walks back around and hands me a bokken.
"Now, I know you're excited to use the real deal, but it's best to begin with a bokken and work your way up. I expect you to give it some time before moving on, okay?" I manage to nod yes as he reaches into a pocket of his coveralls, pulling out a scroll. "I assume you know how to work this, Uzumaki-hime?" I smile widely at the storage scroll.
"Yes sir! And my name is Kikuko." He hands me the scroll and I quickly place it on the floor, setting the bokken down beside it. Now that my hands are a little free, I open the scroll and place my sword inside of it. I roll the scroll back up, holding it to my chest tightly as I pick up my bokken.
"It has been an honor to meet you, Kikuko-hime." He smiles before bowing low to me. I feel my heartbeat wildly in my chest.
"What's your name?" I ask quietly as he stands up straight.
"My name is Hiroto, Kikuko-hime."
"Why are you-"
"Kiku-nee! Time to go!" I hear Naruto call by the front door. I look back to Hiroto who motions for me to go towards the sound of my brother's voice.
"Can I come back?"
"It would be an honor." He bows his head again. I awkwardly hug him around his leg before heading to the front of the store. Naruto and Shikaku are the only ones left inside. I can vaguely hear the others talking outside over the ringing in my ears.
"Eh?" Naruto says as he hands me the backpack I bought earlier. "What's that Kiku-nee?"
"It's a bokken."
"Oh cool!" Naruto says, bouncing on his feet. "Shikaku and Yoshino bought us our shuriken and kunai! I already put yours in your bag!" I look up to Shikaku and-
"Don't even think about paying me back, kid." He pats the top of my head as he opens the door. Naruto bursts out of it, running to talk to the other kids. I carefully put my scroll in my bag before zipping it up and putting it over my shoulders.
"I thought you already knew how to make storage scrolls?" Shikaku asks as we walk out of the shop.
"I do, but there's a sword inside of it."
"A sword?" Shikaku pauses his steps, looking down at me.
"Hiroto-san, the shopkeeper said it was from an old friend from Uzushiogakure."
"While I trust Hiroto-san, you shouldn't buy swords from just anyone, Kiku-chan."
"I didn't buy it." Shikaku doesn't say anything as I look down at my feet. "He handed it to me and- you're gonna think I'm crazy." I pout. I see Shikaku's sandals in front of mine as he moves to stand in front of me. I look up as he crouches down to look in my eyes.
"I won't." He gives an encouraging smile and I let out a long breath.
"I think I saw Uzushiogakure. It was like I was on a beach, and there were really pretty cliffs! And then the buildings! None of them looked the same- they were all really bright colors! And I could hear the water moving and smell the salt." I'm out of breath after my explanation. Shikaku's eyebrows are raised, but all he does is nod his head and stand back up.
"Just have one of us check out things first next time, alright?"
"Okay." I nod, holding my bokken tight to my chest. "Hey, Shikaku?"
"Hm?"
"Why'd he call me Kikuko-hime?" His eyebrows raise again before he goes back to his typical Nara lazy stance. He drops his hand on my shoulder as we continue to walk.
"I don't know, Kiku-chan. That might be a question for Hokage-sama." I nod again and smile widely at Naruto as he skips down the road with Ino. I'm going to have to bug Yugao about kenjutsu lessons later.