Obligatory Disclaimer: The series Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto; I only own the OCs, picture, and this story.
Chapter 31: Of Deciphered Mysteries
It would be a long week before I got to see Obito because that's how long it took for him to wake from his medically induced coma.
In between my waiting, training with Hizashi reconvened and as he had promised, it was more rigorous and tiring than it had been before. The increased training alongside Obito's ambiguous status and Kushina's pregnancy was a concoction for massive distraction; it was hard to focus on anything while the Uchiha remained in the hospital, and each session with Kushina got shorter as she was called away for meeting after meeting.
Which led to where I was currently, lying face down in the main courtyard of the Hyūga compound, contemplating whether all of this was worth it as the mist I had casted finally faded away and the last of my water clones was popped.
This sucks.
Riku was whining from somewhere nearby and I could feel the disapproving eyes of the elders on my neck as I pushed myself up, muscles straining with every inch. However, there was no time to rest when the sound of rustling clothes reached my ears. Managing to take a knee, my hands flew through several hand signs before I slapped them onto the ground.
Earthen shuriken rose from the ground and Ryou, the chūnin that I was sparring against, avoided them with a gracefulness that was equal parts beautiful and aggravating. The teen didn't get through it completely unscathed however, the tinier, faster shuriken hidden within the shadows of the larger ones cutting into his arms and legs, giving me enough time to get my bearings. I didn't bother lifting a hand to wipe away the blood that dripped from my chin and stabilized myself as he neared.
The dark-haired teen's pale eyes were ice cold and emotionless as he closed in, unaffected by the blood that ran from his certainly broken nose, courtesy of a well-timed liquid bullet to the face; not even his sagging clothes, drenched from an exploded water clone, slowed him down. Before he could get within striking distance, his movement quick as the blink of an eye, I charged my arms with my chakra. I met each blow with my forearms, pushing back his chakra with my own as I tried to increase the distance between us. His strikes tried to get through the barrier I created but I could feel my tenketsu fight back against him successfully.
Though that didn't help when his foot came up and into my stomach.
Pain erupted from my abdomen as I flew through the air, my back joining in when I returned to earth. Fighting against the certain bruising in my ribs and intestines, I rolled back onto my feet- at least I tried to. Despite all my efforts, my muscles would not respond and my face met the ground once more.
I couldn't hear what was going on, my flight through the air having also included a nice ring-inducing hit to the head when I had landed, but when Ryou didn't come after me another time I concluded that someone called the match. Thank God. The ground was refreshingly cool and I allowed myself to rest, uncaring if the elders were displeased.
If there was one solace I could find in all this, at least I didn't have to deal with blocked pathways. My chakra, still racing through my body aided by adrenaline, moved unhindered and I channeled the remaining of my reserves into my injuries to placate some of the pain. However, I didn't get to lie there for long as a cold nose and warm breath brushed against my face, breaking me from my moment of peace. I opened an eye to see a very worried, very blurry Riku crouched beside me. He licked at the cut on my chin, and despite the pain that made up the entirety of my torso, a small smile spread across my face.
"Thanks boy," I wheezed.
The canine moved his large head underneath my body as I forced myself up, helping me onto my feet. I rested against him heavily and rubbed my eyes, clearing my vision to see all the spectators present to my defeat. There was Hideyoshi and the twins, as well as the usual bout of elders. The only new additions were Father and Ryou's parents, his mother busying herself with unblocking the tenketsu in his core and arms while his father glared down at me stone-faced. I turned my nose up at the older man in true Hyūga fashion and stood on my own feet, turning towards the clan head.
It wasn't the most graceful trip but I made my way to where Hideyoshi and Hizashi were talking, using Riku as a crutch. Although my training clothes were muddy and my knees threatened to buckle under my weight, I retained my simple obedient façade, ready for the verbal onslaught I knew I was about to receive. However, I was spared as the elder's eyes stayed trained on my uncle, only briefly assessing me in his peripheral.
"Work on the girl's reaction time," he said, making sure to catch my eye before he moved away. "And make sure her taijutsu is stronger; it is not the Hyūga way to rely heavily on ninjutsu for their strength."
I fought the urge to roll my over-strained eyes; I wasn't completely Hyūga anyways, which was why I was in this position in the first place. Being staunchly taijutsu-oriented worked for some, like Gai and Lee though it wasn't as if they had much of a choice; but frankly for me that was just boring and short-sighted. There was nothing wrong with sticking to tradition, but for the growth of the clan, it would be necessary to expand beyond one's limits. Hideyoshi's type of thinking was probably why not many Hyūga went into the medical or other fields, fields that they would no doubt flourish in.
Plus, I was six. No child, clan or not, could spar with someone stronger and more skilled than them for almost forty minutes on pure stamina alone. As I had recently learned, real battles were won or lost in a matter of seconds, especially when you didn't need to restrain yourself.
Besides, although the Jūken was classified as taijutsu, taijutsu itself usually didn't require chakra of any kind, and if it was used, it only augmented one's strength. Chakra was a definitive requirement for the Gentle Fist to work in its intended way, considering the chakra control and output needed to seal an opponent's tenketsu. Additionally, the Jūken was only as effective as it was because of the byakugan which allowed us to see and directly attack an opponent's tenketsu, that requiring chakra as well.
But I was probably putting too much thought into it like always.
I need a nap. Badly.
"Understood Hideyoshi-sama," Hizashi said demurely.
Everything said and his orders heard, Hideyoshi walked away followed by his entourage. The other family sent scathing looks my way, and luckily I was able to reign in my exhaustion long enough to give them a bored and dismissive glance back until they turned and disappeared into the main building behind the elders.
Jerks.
No longer needing to keep my ruse up, the quiet standoff using the last of my strength, I let my legs collapse underneath me. But instead of the cool ground meeting me again, a warm arm wrapped around my waist. I winced as I was jostled but soon I found myself being lifted and resting against Father's chest. I had no complaints and rested my head on his shoulder, taking comfort in his warmth with a heavy sigh.
Father's chest rumbled as he said something I couldn't process and Hizashi said something in return. My fatigue got the best of me and the heaviness of my eyelids won against my dwindling willpower, and finally my brain just stopped.
…
The next time I came to, I was still being carried.
I couldn't have been unconscious for more than a couple of minutes since we were on the pathway leading home. I fruitlessly tried to blink away the sleepiness that lingered, fueled on by my exhaustion and the sway of Father's walk.
"Back with us Junko?" Father asked softly.
I simply hummed in response, letting my eyes close and burying my face into his shoulder further. However, a wet nose brushing my exposed toes kept me from falling under again, followed by a muffled whine.
"I'm awake, I'm awake," I grumbled, squinting at Riku who was carrying Father's cane in his mouth.
Father's gait was different than it had been before his departure, though that was to be expected considering his injures. There was a slight limp to his step but it was getting better and better, almost unnoticeable though some days were worse than others. Still, I didn't want to burden him but when I asked to be let down, the man merely shook his head.
"Let me do this for you at least, my little stargazer," he said.
I wanted to object but the reminder of the bruise on my ribs quelled my complaints. We made it home a few quiet minutes later and it was only then that he lowered me to the ground. He kept a solid hold on my shoulders as my legs shook, but I shot him a quick smile in assurance, my short power nap returning some of my stamina.
Gathering my strength, I padded onto the genkan and plopped down to slip off my sandals with a sigh of relief. My seat on the floor was almost too comfortable but a hand falling into my field of vision distracted me before I could nod off. Father was gentle as he helped me up.
"Let's get you cleaned up and fed so you can rest."
I let him lead me to the bathroom, though I was adamant to do this part on my own for my own dignity. The more rational part of my mind reasoned that he had bathe and changed me many times when I was younger- which in retrospect wasn't all that long ago- but my pride would not let that point slide. However, washing up was more difficult than I would care to admit and there were more than a few winces of pain as the water hit my bruised skin.
Thinking on it, this had been one of the worse training sessions I've had. Training had always challenged my stamina, but it was never as physically painful as today. Hizashi hadn't been lying when he'd said it was going to be tough, but I couldn't shake the feeling that Father's attendance alongside the elders was part of the reason why it had been so intense. Hizashi was always strict but fair during our one-on-one sessions; he would've never pushed me to the point where I could barely walk.
Washing off the dirt and mud from my hair and body, I toweled myself off gingerly and dried my hair as best I could. On the counter was a container of medicated bandages and I wrapped those around my stomach and chest before getting dressed, wrinkling my nose at the smell as my skin began to tingle. Father had been the one who taught me how to make them from the herbs in the garden. They were primarily for muscle soreness and it was surprising how effective they were, getting me through a large portion of my training.
I stumbled into a pair of soft pants and threw a loose shirt over them and wandered back into the hallway. I found Father in the kitchen setting some lunch down on the table for us, Riku already chowing down on a bowl of food himself.
"It may not be as good as your Mother's cooking but I hope you enjoy it," Father said preemptively.
I giggled at the slight worry on his usually stoic face. "I'm sure it's fine, tou-chan. Thank you."
Soon after Minato returned home, Kushina had confessed to Mother about her pregnancy and consequently, for the past week the Senju had been absent when I came home from training. Neither had told me what was going on with that, but I assumed that my mother would be part of the team that helped construct the sealing chamber Kushina would give birth in. Though it would be happening in October, I was sure preparation would take that long to be completed in order to ensure every seal was to its highest standard for Kurama.
Mother's involvement eased some of my worry but until the little blonde wonder was born, I doubt that little wiggle of anxiety would cease; it had been a constant friend at this point after all.
Lunch was a quiet affair as Father was a man of few words and I was trying to not fall asleep in my plate. As soon as my stomach was full, I felt my drowsiness return full force. I was only partially cognizant when Father set our dishes in the sink and lifted me into his arms again. He carried me to my bedroom where he tucked me into bed, an unnecessary but comforting gesture.
I curled underneath my comforter as Father pulled it to my chin. The bandages had sufficiently numbed the pain I felt, and I felt sleep come to take me away just as Father spoke.
"Please forgive me Junko."
I blinked up at him. Where had that come from?
"What for tou-chan?"
I fought against my heavy lids though when I tried to sit up, Father's hand pressed me back down gently. He remained silent but as I met his lone eye, there was a discernible sadness within it.
Oh.
It had to have been hard for him to see me injured like that. I would've asked him to stay at home if I knew how guilty it would make him, but he would've learned about it sooner or later. It wasn't as if my parents were unaware of my harsh training, though this one had been harsher than most.
My training was the result of what Mother and Father had agreed to before they had left.
And I wouldn't be surprised if Hideyoshi and the elders had planned it that way.
"It's not your fault tou-chan….I don't blame you or kaa-chan," I argued, although my curled up form and the yawn that slipped out in the middle wasn't the most convincing. "The elders expect a lot from me...that's why they're pushing me so hard."
He brushed my bangs away from my face silently though his expression shifted, becoming unreadable. Even with his return and his change in attitude, there were still moments when I couldn't get a read on him, just like now. The sleepiness and fatigue didn't help matters. I failed to fight another yawn as I spoke.
"I love you tou-chan," I whispered, the gentle stroking of my hair making me fall faster. "Please don't feel bad."
As my consciousness tumbled, I felt him lean down and place a warm kiss on my forehead, my ears barely catching onto his last words, grounded out in a whisper.
"I am so sorry."
When I awoke, I was very disoriented- a clear sign that I had slept for a long time. I blinked slowly at the ceiling, my entire body sluggish and non-responsive but thankfully not in pain. My brain was foggy and I felt no desire to get up though daylight streamed into my room through a little slit in my curtains.
I must've slept through the rest of the day after my spar, meaning that I wouldn't have training with Kushina or Hizashi today. I wasn't in the mood to sleep any more, but I also wasn't ready to get up and face the day. There weren't many times where I had the chance to just lay about, and even fewer times when I felt the urge to do so. I curled into a ball, letting my head disappear underneath my blanket.
And as I laid there, my body relaxing and recovering from the spar, I thought.
Although the match hadn't turned out favorable for me, I was happy with the progress I had made so far. Not many could say that they could square up with a chūnin, at least a little- well, unless you were one Kakashi Hatake. But considering I was a mere six year old I think I was doing pretty well for myself. The elders probably weren't the happiest with the outcome, but who cared what they thought?
While I certainly did not enjoy feeling like absolute shit after training or the constant lectures, I knew- or hoped- that I would benefit from it in the long run, and found bliss in the little moments of peace I had. The house was quiet, though if I strained my senses, I could hear the sizzling of a pan on the stove and the soft clicks of Riku's paws on the wooden planks in the kitchen. So normal and mundane even though I had spent a large amount of time doing unfathomable feats just yesterday.
I had to take comfort in these little moments, or else I think I would just collapse into myself and break down. Because if I thought too much about it, about just what I was trying to do and what was being done to me and my situation, it would become unbearable both mentally and physically. As long as I remembered what I was doing it for, who I was doing it for, I would be able to keep my mind in check.
Hopefully.
If I strayed from that goal, I didn't want to know what kind of person I would turn into, especially if I gave into the darker feelings I had about my circumstances. Because festering underneath the polite smiles and obedient nods, was something I didn't even want to consider. Because there was only so much one could take of being constantly looked down upon while also being given almost impossible expectations before they went insane. It was like being tugged in two directions at once, only mild breaks in between keeping me from being torn asunder.
If my parents hadn't come back when they did, relieving some of the anxieties I had, I don't know what I would've done- even with Aunt Mei and Kushina's lighter presences in my life. They would've only been able to do so much, and so being able to come home after all the training and sparring and be coddled by my parents was something that leveled me in a way that I needed in order to keep my sanity. Even with Mother's secrets.
And just because Obito wasn't on the path to ruin anymore didn't mean I could relax. There was still Madara to worry about as I had my doubts that he could be so easily thwarted, plus Orochimaru and Danzō in the coming years. And that didn't even take into account all the things I would have to do for the clan.
I must be some sort of masochist.
I sighed heavily and curled underneath my blanket further. At the very least, if I managed to live through to puberty again it would be much easier than all of this.
I would've remained that way, hiding from the world under my blanket, until someone knocked on my door. I smothered a little whine as I gathered myself and sat up, my long hair tumbling in messy waves around me. The door eased open and Mother stepped in, a pale apron wrapped around her front and the smell of breakfast wafting into the room at her entrance. My stomach gave an immediate growl.
She walked over, an amused smile twitching on her lips.
"Breakfast is ready Junko-chan," she said, sitting on my beside. My body instantly gravitated to her warmth as she wrapped an arm around me. "Daichi told me that you had a rough day yesterday. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," I said automatically, though I knew if Father had told her everything that had transpired, she had enough reason to not believe me, including the fact that I had probably slept for over eighteen hours. "I'm feeling much better now."
Mother smiled gently, a similar sadness appearing in her eyes, the very same I had saw in Father. She was quite for a moment, using her fingers to unwind the tangles that had formed in my sleep.
"You are a tenacious one," she said with a shake of her head. "Are you ready to eat?"
My stomach answered for me for a second time and a genuine chuckle escaped her as she lifted me into her arms.
"I hear you loud and clear."
I let Mother carry me into the kitchen, lazily letting my arms wrap around her shoulders. There would soon be a day where neither of my parents would be able to do this. Maybe it was learning that Itachi had already killed someone, or my own kill, but a part of me wanted to retain some of this childhood before the world inevitably got darker- if it wasn't already.
Besides, I was in the lucky position of having parents who were warm and comforting in a clan where displays of affection were not the norm and I was going to take advantage of it for as long as I could.
Riku barked and pressed light nose kisses to my face as Mother set me down before the kitchen table. Giving him a few pats, I climbed into my seat to a full plate stacked with pancakes and other goodies. But before I started in, I noticed someone missing.
"Where's tou-chan?" I asked. Unless he was at a doctor's appointment, he was usually at home, and it was even more odd to see him without Mother as she usually went with him.
Mother sat down to the side of me, her own plate already on the table.
"He needed to take care of some errands," she said, giving an unusually vague answer.
I was concerned about him but it wasn't as if he was defenseless, even with his injuries. He had improved tremendously over the year and most times he didn't even need his cane. Though that didn't mean I worried any less about him, especially remembering his words before I had fallen asleep.
"Okay," I said instead, taking up my utensils. "Thank you for the meal."
I knew better than to push things like this. As open and warm as Mother was, if she didn't want to speak about something, she wouldn't say a word no matter how much I hounded her. No need to bring trouble to a good morning. We began eating though I didn't miss the way Mother eyed me from her seat before she dug into her meal as well.
Just like with Father yesterday, the meal was a quiet affair though I had to keep a greedy pup away from the sausages I had on my plate. When I was finished, Mother cleared away the table and I excused myself, stepping out into the backyard.
I could feel the effects of my long sleep in my limbs and immediately got to stretching, relishing the pull on my muscles but making sure not to overdo it. The air was in that medium between being cool and chilly, not completely unenjoyable. I didn't mind how cold the porch deck was under my feet and had gone through my full routine of stretches when Mother came out onto the porch, several large scrolls under her arm and dressed in a simple pair of dark pants and a light cotton shirt.
"What are you doing kaa-chan?" I asked as she knelt and set them on the ground, my curiosity instantly piqued.
Mother must have heard it in my voice as she smiled, amusement in her golden eyes.
"I need to work on some seal concepts for the Barrier Team," she explained, and I couldn't help but think that it was for a certain redhead's pregnancy. "Would you like to join me?"
I nodded vigorously and a light laugh escaped her.
"You might want to get dressed first," she chuckled.
Looking down at my wrinkled night clothes, I nodded and quickly rushed back into the house to get changed.
I returned soon afterwards, clad in a simple pair of pants and a shirt I didn't mind getting ink on, and tied my hair into a messy bun. Mother had unfurled a large blank scroll across the porch deck as well as a smaller one which I assumed was for me. She beckoned me over, patting the remaining cushion she had set down for us.
Stepping over Riku who had decided to lounge right in front of the doorway, I took a seat beside her.
"Shina was telling me how you have grown in the ways of fūinjutsu," she said conversationally as she began to prepare her ink and I followed her lead. "I'm glad you've taken to it so well."
"I still have a ways to go before I'm as good as either of you," I replied. "It's difficult but really interesting."
Storage seals had become easier over time for me to make that I could now make them mindlessly, though barrier seals like I had used on that mission were more complicated, yet I could now make them without assistance. There was a variety of ways a barrier could be written or implemented through the use of seals. Most were placed on the structure that needed to be fortified, while others like the ones I had used could be spread out and connected by chakra, the wording on the seals used to protect a specific area designated by the placement of the tags.
Still, a seal was only as good as the seal-maker; simply copying others would never allow me to grow in fūinjutsu. Having the byakugan and Kushina as a mentor was helpful in this endeavor but until I could make seals on the go, without paper and ink, I wouldn't consider myself anywhere close to mastering it.
Mother smiled. "Once you're as old as we are, you'll be a pro."
"You two aren't that old," I argued. She laughed.
"Well, I'm certainly happy you think so."
Maybe in ninja years they were old, and considering how fast one could move through the ranks if they were skilled enough and how life expectancy in the shinobi life wasn't the highest, it wasn't totally unbelievable. Nevertheless, Kushina was only twenty-three, her next birthday coming in July and Mother was only about four or five years older than her.
If I combined the years of my old life and the new, even if I could barely remember much the former anymore, I was older than both of them.
And wasn't that an uncomfortable thought.
Our conversation lulled for the soft grinding of our sticks of ink against our inkstones. This had to be one of my favorite parts of creating seals. There was a meditative quality to it, and Kushina and Mother had told me that this step of the process had an effect on the quality of the seal as well. Paper seals weren't usually made out on the field but if the need called for it, you'd just have to make a bunch to take with you. So I took my time with it, making sure there would be enough ink for whatever we were doing while also making sure it was opaque enough.
Fūinjutsu was an art in itself and I was equal parts saddened and impressed that this world had managed to turn something like calligraphy into a weapon as well.
Once we had made an adequate amount of ink, my least favorite part came; infusing the ink with our blood. Mother had already put two thin daggers out for us. I had only seen them a few times, in the time before her long departure. They were simple and yet decorative and I was sure that it was part of a set she had had for years. The blades looked new and stainless, well taken cared of, but there was a certain antiquity in the ornate handle which was decorated with vines.
I took the one she set out for me and with a light sigh I cut my palm, just enough to draw blood and let it drop into the inkwell. Of course, not every seal needed blood- though on the other hand, not every seal needed ink per say- but for seals that needed to endure much abuse and persist over a long amount of time, it was a necessity. The chakra present within the blood helped strengthen the seal.
Fūinjutsu required so much technical knowledge and other skills that it wasn't a surprise that there weren't many fūinjutsu masters area, especially after the fall of Uzushiogakure. They were the masters of the art, every other clan paling in comparison- at least that's what Kushina had told me. They'd probably had infinitive ways to streamline the process, as well as just pure knowledge archived over decades, if not centuries. I was just luckily enough to have two teachers who knew their ways.
As soon as that part was over, I wiped both my hand and the blade clean and healed the small cut with a small amount of chakra. Mother smiled approvingly and set the blades aside, getting our work-space cleared so that we could begin.
"This is a seal I have been working on for a while," she said, handing the last closed scroll to me. "See if you can decode its purpose. Once done, I want you to try and replicate it."
I eagerly opened the scroll, and that's where we stayed for the next three hours.
Decoding a seal wasn't an easy task. Sure you could see what a seal's purpose was at a glance if you knew what you were looking for, but to fully decode it, to know a seal inside and out, how much chakra it would need, how powerful it was- it took time and a careful eye. I had to commend both Kushina and Mother for their choice to study it, though it might have come hand and hand with their ability in fūinjutsu. In a way, though fūinjutsu was about sealing things into other things, how a seal was written affected its effectiveness and since each seal was personal in a way, many were written like code.
There are many, many interpretations one could make depending on what characters the someone used, how they were written, where they came in the sequence, how the seal was formatted. Like for storage seals, the sealing matrix was a place where the scroll would define what was in the seal while the characters around it gave the seal its specification; like how many of one thing, how big or small, capacity so the seal wouldn't be overburdened and fail, whether the contained items were organic or inorganic.
Long story short; it was very complicated.
I had just gotten around to figuring out the main sequence in her seal, the characters for 'growth' and 'containment' sticking out to me most of all, when a heavy sigh broke my concentration. I blinked quickly, trying to bring moisture back to my eyes and looked up to find Mother rubbing an ink stained hand against her chin in thought.
"What's the matter? Is your seal not going well?"
That was another thing about fūinjutsu; you could spend hours trying to make sure everything was perfect, only for it to not work. A risk versus reward sort of thing.
She placed her brush down and leaned back on her hands, looking down at the open scroll in front of her and I leaned over to get a better look. It was filled edge to edge with characters, a startling difference to the pristine blank one she had opened. More than that, scattered between the sequences were characters I had never seen before.
Way out of my league.
"It's good for a concept, but I just feel like it's missing something," she sighed again.
Mother let herself flop back onto the porch deck and I chuckled at her actions. I set my own brush down to the set and shuffled over to her. Despite her seeming lack of progress, she looked at ease for the first time in a while as she laid there with her eyes closed. Her auburn ponytail splayed across the wooden planks, having grown back somewhat since her return, though not as long as it had been before she had left. As soon as I was close enough, Mother threw her arms around me and pulled me to her chest.
Though the morning had warmed a bit, the remaining chill was cast away as I cuddled close to her. For a moment, thoughts of Obito's state, Kushina's pregnancy, and just thoughts in general faded and I simply enjoyed being with my mother- because who knew when we would get the opportunity to just relax like this again?
We stayed like that for a little while until Mother spoke again.
"Junko-chan?" I looked up. "Would you like to go on a trip with me?"
I didn't know where we were going but wherever it was, we got dressed a little more formally than usual. I was wearing a proper yukata this time, pale green and detailed with little lilac flowers. Mother was dressed in a seafoam blue one, with a green swirl design at the hem.
Mother brushed my hair into a half up and half down style and suggested I wear the earrings she had given me when she had first returned, and that piqued my interest to where we were going more than anything. I never had the opportunity to wear them out since all I really did was train and I didn't want to ruin them. Still, all together this was the fanciest I've dressed since my third birthday.
Dressed and ink-free, we left home and the confines of the compound, Riku trotting at our heels.
Mother didn't let me in on what we were doing but I didn't mind it so much, at least not today. My hand in hers, I just enjoyed her presence. It was quite the trip as well, taking me to a part of the village I had never been before. I noticed with some surprise that we were heading towards the part of the village where more of the official types lived, the Hokage's residence not far off.
Just where were we going?
We soon approached a large manor, unabashedly surrounded by forests. In front of the entrance an older lady was sweeping the walkway, who had to at least be in her late fifties or early sixties. She was clad in a muted yukata and brown apron, and her graying hair was in a low ponytail. There were also markings on her face, three small circles in a triangular pattern under her left eye. Her dark eyes widened at the sight of us, and soon they were filled with tears.
"Oh Kimiko-sama! You've returned!" she stuttered, seeming to not know whether to rush my mother in a hug or bow.
Mother moved from my side and gathered the short woman in a hug, who immediately returned it.
"Yumi-obachan, you're still here?" she said lightly, her voice warm with affection. "I thought you would've left this dusty place years ago."
The older woman sniffled and pulled away, pulling a handkerchief from her apron pocket to wipe at her tears.
"Oh no, I couldn't do that," she sniffled. "As long as the keeper of the house lives, I will be here to take care of it."
Mother sighed, shaking her head. "Even if I told you not to?"
A stubborn strength rose in the older woman's eyes at Mother's request and she shook her head vigorously.
"Of course not," the older woman huffed. "My family has served the Senju since they first formed Konoha; they might not be as prevalent now, but as long as those with their blood live, so will the Suzuki clan be there to serve them."
"Fine fine," Mother submitted, rising her hands lightly. "I give, I give."
While they conversed I stood back by the gate, staring in stunned silence as my brain fought to process everything. I was standing in front of Mother's childhood home- not only that, I was standing on the grounds of the Senju compound, a place Mother had rarely spoke about.
Am I dreaming?
When both women's eyes turned to me, I broke from my stupor and covered the distance between us, hiding my surprise with a polite smile as Mother placed her hands on my shoulders.
"I'm sure you already know but this is my daughter, Junko," Mother introduced. "Junko-chan, this is Suzuki Yumi. She took great care of me while I was growing up."
"It's nice to meet you Suzuki-san," I said with a smile.
Almost immediately another downpour of tears sprung from the woman's eyes, but before either Mother or I could say a word, she had fallen to her knees and wrapped her arms around me.
"Ooh, it's an honor to meet you Junko-hime!" she cried.
I didn't know what to do with the crying woman and looked up to my mother, deeply concerned. My existence shouldn't bring about that kind of reaction, right? Though certainly more positive than any welcome I would get from the Hyūga.
Mother simply chuckled, rubbing the elder's back soothingly as Riku barked.
…
It took a bit but the older woman collected herself and ushered us inside with fluttering hands and an energy that outshone the sun. After slipping on guest shoes, Yumi offered to give me a tour of the house. Instantly I had looked to Mother, wondering if she would deny it so we could get what we were here for and leave, but all she did was smile and tell the woman to lead the way.
To call the building a mansion wouldn't be far off the mark; however, while it was massive by square acre, the furnishings inside were modest. The style of the buildings and rooms were very traditional, even more so than the structures in the Hyūga compound. The Suzuki woman entertained me with stories about the manor and though I was still nervous that Mother would stop her in the middle of one of her spiels, knowing how she had kept all things Senju to herself, I was honestly surprised when she responded to my cautious glances with a simple smile.
Back before when the clan was more unified, the Senju owned much more property than this. Though apparently Hashirama had thought it too much and being the modest man he was- as Yumi was sure to tell me, multiple times- had split it amongst the people who had come to live in Konoha, keeping this much for himself and his close family. However since then, much of the clan had moved on and diluted into other clans or died off; and yet, this place still stood. No one lived here anymore but it was attended to by the Suzuki clan who watched over the land, upholding their duty.
As Yumi's history lesson came to a close, we came upon an open courtyard in the middle of the manor. It was massive and in the middle was a large pond, though given its size it could be called a mini lake. Similar to my training ground, there was an island in the center on which a building of a similar style to the manor was erected. A huge wisteria tree rose over the building and its branches stretched over the lake. It was beautiful.
I hadn't realized I had stopped to stare until Mother placed her hand on my head.
"Curious, are you?" she asked. "Would you like to see inside?"
My eyes widened with unrestrained excitement. "Can we?"
At Mother's nod, Yumi excused herself, an emotion I couldn't decipher in her eyes as she watched the exchange. "I will get lunch prepared Kimiko-sama, Junko-hime. Please take your time."
Mother and I stepped onto the stone-lined pathway to the moat after putting our sandals back on. As we approached, Mother lifted her hand into a half tiger seal, similar to the seal of confrontation. Almost immediately there was a rumble beneath our feet and then from the moat rose pillars of earth, creating a walkway for us to the island.
She smiled at my noise of wonder before leading me and Riku across. Similar to the barrier that had been around that outpost in the woods, one passed over us as we reached land, though much stronger. I stayed quiet as she led me up the stairs and to the sliding doors of the building.
"This used to be my room, when I lived here."
This house was her room? The woman chuckled at my disbelieving stare and opened the door where another seal activated, probably used as a lock.
"Well technically it was just my study, though I did fall asleep in here a lot," she explained. "It used to belong to my uncle, but he left it to me once he passed away."
The atmosphere permeated knowledge and studiousness, and it smelled of books and flowers. Just like every other room, despite it being unused and sealed away, not one speck of dust was stirred as we stepped past the threshold. The room we entered looked like a normal living room, a short table set into lowered part in the floor with cushions around it and bookshelves as tall as the ceiling lined most of the walls.
However, breaking the uniformity of the tall shelves was a decorative cabinet between two of them which I recognized as a butsudan, or some other variety of house shrine. I found myself walking towards it but caught myself before I could reach up and open it. I looked over my shoulder at Mother who had followed me.
She smiled down at me, a little twist of her lips as she reached for my hands and guided them towards the handles. And with a squeeze of my hands, we both opened the doors.
It didn't have the typical religious furnishings that I expected but a large ornate scroll hung on the back of it with the clan symbol of the Senju displayed prominently at the top. Underneath the crest, I recognized a long list of names though the characters were faded with time. However, in front of the scroll were four framed pictures side by side, causing my breath to catch in my throat.
I didn't recognize the couple in the first picture but something in my gut told me they were my grandparents- Mother's parents. The woman was a simple beauty with long black hair which curled around her heart shaped face and golden eyes which twinkled at the camera. The man paid no mind to the photographer, his dark eyes trained on the woman with a loving expression. The most striking part of his appearance was his long red hair.
"Those are your grandparents, Naoki and Miu," Mother said softly in my ear. When I looked up at her, her eyes were sad.
She brought my attention to the picture next to theirs. The pair in the next photo were both young women, simple smiles on their faces and clad in familiar ninja attire. They had to have been only teenagers during the time the picture had been taken, but the way they held themselves spoke of a maturity forged through experience in their young lives. They shared most of their characteristics with Naoki with auburn hair and dark eyes but they had Miu's heart shaped face.
"And those are your aunts, my older sisters, Rina and Ren. They all died when I was really little during the last war, so I never got the chance spend time with them."
My heart squeezed at the news. Father's family had experienced similar thing as I had learned from Aunt Mei, both of his parents and one of his siblings dying during that times as well. Mother had lost most if not all of her family in one fell swoop; it was no surprise she had never told me about it.
To think, I could had to endure the same loss if Mother and Father hadn't come back. I was once again struck by how lucky I was despite everything. But mot to dwell in the sadness, Mother moved onto the next picture, two people I was vaguely familiar with within the frame.
"I'm sure you know from your history books and the Hokage Monument, but that is Hashirama-sama," Mother continued. "And the amazing woman next to him is Mito-obāsama, who basically raised me."
The Shodaime was smiling widely at the camera and Mito looked like a queen poised next to him, sending the grinning man an amused smile.
"Hashi-ojiisama died before I was born, though Obā-sama and Yumi-basan told me many stories about him."
In the last frame was a lone man who was familiar as well, the white hair and red facial markings making him unmistakable. Unlike his brother, Tobirama stared disinterestedly at the camera, lips pressed into a solid line.
"He may be a little mean looking, but Tobirama-ojisama was one of my favorite people. Though I didn't get to know him personally, it was through his works that I came to develop my interest in ninjutsu and fūinjutsu," Mother said, a tiny smile spreading across her face. "I will be forever indebted to him."
A silence fell over us once Mother finished speaking. What Mother was showing me was something dear to her heart, people that were dear to her heart. Something I assumed she had left behind when she moved into the Hyūga compound to be with Father. Seeing all those she loved around her die must have been so hard- and yet but she was still here; she still fought and smiled and laughed, even though she had lost nearly everything.
Mother wrapped her arms around me.
"Oh baby, I didn't mean to make you sad," she whispered.
I hadn't even noticed the tears pooling in my eyes, and I quickly moved to wipe them away before they could fall- but Mother was ready, wiping them away with her sleeve. I swallowed thickly as my pale eyes met with her golden ones.
"You're a really strong person kaa-chan," I whispered.
She smiled gently.
"Well, I still have people I care about so I have to be," she said simply. "Mito-obāsama said something a long time ago, and though her words weren't for me, they've stuck with me for a long time."
I listened intently as she spoke.
"She said that we have to fill ourselves with love in order to combat the bad things that happen to us, as it is what makes us strong." She cupped my face between her hands. "It's sometimes easier said than done but please, keep these words in mind."
I nodded, sniffling a bit. As cliché as it sounded, it made a bit of sense. After all, wasn't that the very thing that had pushed me to train so hard and allowed me enduring everything? It was because I loved Kushina and everyone that I worked for their happiness- that I couldn't leave them to their fates.
I just hoped I would be strong enough.
"Of course, kaa-chan."
We lit some incense for the departed and soon we heard a knock on the sliding door. At Mother's call, Yumi entered holding a tray, followed by a young woman with similar markings on her face carrying another.
"Yumi-obasan, you didn't have to go through all this trouble," Mother said as the older woman moved past her and set the tray on the table. The younger girl, who had to be in her early teens, paused and gave a low bow at the door. "We could've just come to the main building for lunch."
"That's just nonsense Kimiko-sama," the older lady tittered. "It's no trouble at all. Come here Kaori-chan."
Mother looked over at me with an exasperated expression and I giggled. Yumi must've been one of the people she got her stubbornness from. We took a seat at the low table as the Suzuki women set the bowls onto its surface, and I tried my best not to drool at the smell. Even Riku, as obedient as he was, couldn't be still, his tail wagging so hard that I thought he would put a dent into the floor.
Instead, I smiled up at the women. "Thank you very much for all of this."
The elder's eyes seem to shine at my words and she bowed again, her quiet shadow copying her movements.
"Please let us know if you need anything else," she said and just like that the two were gone.
We enjoyed our meal in relative silence. From the flavors I could tell that Mother had gained a lot of her cooking skills from the Suzuki elder. However, despite how delicious the food was, I found my eyes drifting to the pictures once again, thinking about everything Mother had revealed to me.
"Kaa-chan? Why did you bring me here today?"
She paused bringing her chopsticks to look at me quizzically.
"I mean, I've really enjoyed my time here but…" I paused. I didn't want to offend Mother or ruin the easy atmosphere we've had all day with a question that would dig too deep, but I just had to know.
"You've never really said anything about the Senju before," I admitted timidly. "What made you change your mind?"
First Father being weird the yesterday and his absence this morning, and now this. I could only assume that my spar had caused something to happen or maybe this had been building since they had learned of my first kill. Mother stared at me for a moment before sighing and setting her chopsticks down. She clasped her hands together and avoided my gaze, her eyes on the pictures as well.
"I…I figured that I was being selfish, keeping your Senju heritage away from you. Not that there is much left."
"That's not true," I said without thinking and she blinked in surprise. "The teachings of the Shodaime and Nidaime are basically the foundation of the village. The sacrifices of everyone from the clan have made it into what it is today."
It probably hadn't been as clean and heroic as it was in our textbooks, but it was true all the same.
She blinked again but a somewhat proud smile spread across her face at my words. "Yes, in that way the clan lives on in the village, but you know what I mean."
I nodded; most times, the Senju were referred to in the past tense often since mostly descendants remained. There weren't many with the name Senju left at least in the village, though some of the descendants liked to throw around the name.
"Yeah."
Mother's eyes drifted over to the picture frames again briefly before returning to me.
"Still… I can't tell you the exact reason why I've kept all of this from you," she continued. "And there are still things I can't tell you but I want you to know that I'm doing it because I love you and want you to stay safe. Please believe me."
I stared. This day was becoming more and more bizarre. And though I had learned a lot about the other part of my family tree, gone though they were, the reason for them being hidden away still didn't make sense to me. What did she mean by 'keep me safe'?
From what?
From who?
But as I looked at her, her golden gaze shining with her plea, I had no desire to push her further- not today at least. Since she had opened her heart to me, I could give her a little more time.
"I understand kaa-chan," I replied. "Clan business is very complicated; I'm sure it wasn't all good times- speaking from experience of course."
Her eyes widened and something passed over her eyes before a sad smile spread across her face.
"I know you do. You've been so patient with me," she said, reaching over to give my hands a squeeze. "I'm really lucky to have such an understanding daughter, even with everything I've put you through."
I opened my mouth to refute but I couldn't say a word. It wasn't as though her words were a lie; the choices Mother and Father had made before they left on their two-year mission had led to my current life. It was because of them that I was run into the ground by the clan elders, expectations no normal child could bear heaped onto my shoulders.
But I was only the stronger for it, which was much better than the alternative- weak, unable to protect the people I needed to protect. Unable to protect myself.
I simply smiled at her. "Thank you for bringing me here kaa-chan."
The smile she gave in return was almost blinding.
"Any time Junko-chan."
Mother and I left the Senju manor laden with bags of leftovers from our generous hosts. Yumi made Mother promise to come over more often and the auburn haired woman had agreed with a laugh. The trip must've been good for her in more ways than I could understand as her entire atmosphere was lighter than before.
"Hey kaa-chan, did you find what you were missing by returning to the manor?"
"I think I did."
The walk back home was light and happy. When we made it home, the sound of grunts greeted our return and Mother and I glanced at each other before moving deeper inside. The sounds led us to the backyard where we came across a surprising sight.
Father was in his training gear, clad in mesh gear and dark pants. He was swinging a bō staff with amazing precision and he seemed to be coming to the end of his kata as we stepped onto the porch. He wiped the sweat from his brow before greeting us.
"Welcome back Kimi, Junko-chan." Riku barked as he jumped off the deck, sniffing at Father. "You as well Riku."
I would've responded but Father was ready for my disapproving face.
"My doctor cleared me completely this morning," he said, answering my unasked question with a simple smile. "I have been allowed to start training again."
"That's good to hear honey," Mother said lightly, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I nodded, a half-hearted smile struggling to stay on my face.
I didn't know how to feel; on the one hand I was glad that he was better, but another part of me recoiled at the thought of Father going back on the field again. Even if he was completely healed, he wouldn't be the same as he was before with the loss of his eye. Of course, I had the strongest faith that he could overcome that obstacle as well- he was my father after all- but the idea of him going back onto the field was unnerving.
Nevertheless, he was also a grown man and a shinobi; it wasn't as if I could stop him. I'm sure if he could, he would stop me from going out on the field. I couldn't ruin the mood with my worries.
"Junko."
I jerked at the calling of my name and looked at Father who had come up the little stairs to the porch deck. His staff against his shoulder, he pulled something else from his pocket and handed it to me.
It was about the size of my forearm and was made of the same wooden material as his bō. It was simple yet beautiful, carved from two different kinds of wood, one dark and the other white twisted together, though from no tree I'd ever seen. I looked back up at him questioningly. With a small smile, I could feel his chakra shift and the staff in his hand began to shrink. The wood twisted and shrank until it was about the size of the object he had given me. I gasped in surprise.
"Your mother made these for me a long time ago," Father explained as I looked down at the one in my hand. "I would like for you to have that one."
I blinked up at the both of them before returning my gaze to the staff in my hand. A warmth settled in my bones, to be given another thing from my family. Inside the wood itself seemed a latent energy, and for some reason, the feelings and aura I associated with my parents emitted from it, though maybe it was just my imagination.
I hugged it to my chest and smiled genuinely at him.
"Thank you tou-chan, kaa-chan," I said, beaming up at them.
"I'm glad to have the chance to share it with you," he said. "I heard from Hizashi of your interest in the bō, and I believe this weapon will be a perfect partner in your endeavor."
Father was silent for a moment, looking down at me with that unreadable expression on his face before it was replaced with determination.
"It may take me a little time to get back on my feet but now that I am better, I would be honored if you allowed me to teach you in the way of bōjutsu."
I stared at him with wide eyes. I don't know what had come over him, or Mother for that matter, but this day had come with many surprises.
I smiled widely. "Of course tou-chan!"
Mother clapped her hands together.
"But no training tonight," she said, pushing us back towards the house. "For now, let's let your father get cleaned up."
She then winked at me. "And don't think I forgot about your seal. Let me see what you've done!"
The rest of the night was spent enveloped in the warmth of my parents, my family, and I didn't think I could feel more loved than in that moment.
Author's Notes
Posted: April 14th, 2018
As always, thank you all for every review, favorite, and follow during my impromptu break.
Apologies for the lateness (again)! Between my sleeping problems, wrist pain, and other irl things, I lost track of time. I'm going to try and get back onto schedule, but I might have to pull back to one chapter a month since 1) the chapters push 10,000 words almost every chapter now because I have no self-control (and I like how the longer chapters flow) and 2) I don't want to suffer burnout on writing this story.
Still, I want to get to Naruto's birth before the second anniversary of FACAH so we'll see how well that plan goes. Like I said, no self-control.
One last thing; there were a few comments questioning the timeline and I want clear up some confusion.
The canon timeline before Naruto's birth isn't the most clearly defined and I am doing the best I can with sticking to it but I may not always be 100% accurate; plus even with all the research I do, I would rather spend more time on writing. However, in order to keep everything in check, I follow the ages of the characters and how old they should be during certain events.
During 'Kakashi Gaiden' it is noted that Obito is 13, during which they go on the mission at Kannabi Bridge where the Uchiha 'dies'. Since Kakashi and Obito should be around the same age, they would both be 26 when the series starts, when Naruto is 12 years old. Then, taking all the math into account and lining up the ages, there would be about a year between Kannabi Bridge and Naruto's birth.
That is the year this current arc takes place. It's what makes the most logical sense to me at least, even if it may be wrong; I hope that makes sense to you guys.
Anyways, that's all for now. See you all next time.
Next time on For a Chance at Happiness
Chapter 32: Of Dissected Normalcy