A new update!
This is the longest chapter for Joyous Children up until now. A huge thanks goes to my gorgeous beta, NightsBlackRose13, who edited this in practically no time at all!
I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. And please read the Author's Note at the end, since I have an announcement to make.
Thanks for your incredible support this far!
Chapter 5: Of Headaches and Muscle Hangovers
It's in the middle of the night. I'm sitting in a lotus position on my bed and trying to remember.
Faces and places flash before my inner eye, anime scenes and manga panels all mixed up in one huge jumble and flavored with bits and pieces of the innumerable fanfictions I've read. The information feels like a load of freezing cold water unceremoniously dumped over my head and it fucking burns its way into my brain like a branding iron.
This is not going to work.
I need a structure if I don't want to drown in my own thoughts, something to orientate myself with.
Sherlock's mind palace would be nice right now.
In the end, I decide that I need to write everything down: my knowledge, my plans and my predictions. I'm determined not to let something like overlooked or forgotten details threaten the lives of my precious people.
I sneak into otou-san's office and grab one of his blank notebooks as well as one of the several pens in his desk drawer. Since he is an officer in the Uchiha Police Force, he needs to make quick notes all the time and always has a veritable mountain of blank notebooks and scrolls ready. I don't think he'll notice that one is missing, even considering his ninja training. He certainly has other, more important things to think of.
Before I write down a single thing, though, I need to think about precautions. Precautions that will make sure that nobody ever finds out about my … special circumstances. Because obviously, I won't be able to protect anybody if I spend the rest of my life locked in a cell in T&I or worse, in the claws of someone like Danzou. Even thinking about this possibility makes me shudder.
I'm fully aware that, with my current set of abilities, I won't be able to grant absolute safety for the documents I'm going to create. Not by a long shot. None of the standard hideouts are worth very much in a village full of shinobi and that's still not considering the fact that I'm in the middle of the talent-loaded Uchiha clan. I think the only place worse than here in regards to hiding objects would be the Hyuuga clan – who, by the way, must have abandoned the idea of privacy long ago, what with a huge bunch of relatives with all-seeing eyes constantly wandering around.
However, I do have two advantages in this situation.
One, nobody expects a three-year-old to harbor secrets that could rattle the foundations of the world. Also, I've made the experience that it's rather difficult to look for something that you don't believe could exist, even if it's shoved directly into your face. Which, in turn, means that I'll be above suspicion for some years still, provided that I don't behave openly bizarre.
Two, I know more languages than just Japanese. Nothing stops me from writing everything down in English.
So, even if somebody should ever stumble over my notes they would never be able to read them without my help. I'm aware that the Konoha Cryptology Team calls some brilliant minds its own, but I seriously doubt that even the most brilliant of them would be able to decode an entirely foreign language with absolutely no similarities to Japanese from scratch.
Of course, if the village ever finds out that I know such a language I'd be facing a whole new world of probably painful problems, meaning that I still need to find a suitable hideout, but in theory, this solution is as sound as it gets under the current circumstances.
I let out an audible breath. There're so many things to think about in presumably little to no time, because as far as I know, okaa-chan and otou-san could die at any moment.
Stupid, vague manga. I could really use some more specific information here.
Complaining won't change a thing, though, so I sigh and start thinking about how to categorize my knowledge.
I foresee many, many long nights in the near future.
)()()(
Trying to write through the whole night without your ninja parents noticing that you're exhausted the next morning would be quite a feat for anybody. I do it once and once only, thoroughly failing at the 'not noticing' part.
At least I manage to convince them that I was only having nightmares on this first night. Hint: Big puppy eyes while holding your baby brother tightly in your arms help a lot.
Sorry, Obito, but it's for your own good, too.
For the following week, I carefully plan the hours I spend awake, the ones I spend pretending to be asleep – which translates into speed-writing – and the ones I actually do sleep. It's a tight schedule, but I manage to pull it off, resulting in not only one notebook full of notes in English, but two.
Ah yes, I may or may not have sneaked back into otou-san's office and grabbed another one.
The first one starts with an outline of the timeline up until Naruto's birth and continues with short, encyclopedic articles about major events. After that comes a list with all the names I can remember, sorted by chronological appearance and adorned with short profiles. Most of them are from Konoha since I know more about this village than any other. Some even get birthdays.
I was quite dedicated to my favorite characters. Don't judge me.
The second notebook contains my goals and plans, even one or two tentative predictions of what might change due to my actions. It's not even half filled, yet, but this is a given, since life tends to be unpredictable even if you're thrown into a fictional world that supposedly already has its plot fixed.
A plot that didn't include my existence, so go figure.
As for the hideout problem: The notebooks are currently underneath my mattress.
I know that this is lame, incredibly so. But no matter how hard I wrack my brain, I can't think of anything better. I'm kinda heavily relying on the 'she's-only-three-she-can't-be-hiding-the-future'-thing at the moment.
Good thing to come out of this is: I have a clear goal now.
It reads 'Save Uchiha Kiyomi's and Uchiha Nobuo's lives!' and is underlined twice for emphasis. The lines dig deep into the paper, leaving imprints on several pages after.
This is great and all, but unfortunately it doesn't come without problems. Mainly, the fact that I don't know when and how they died.
I can rule out one thing, though. They won't die on a mission, since they're both employed within Konoha's walls and I thank whoever is responsible for that. It increases my chances of preventing their deaths considerably.
At the same time, that means that I can't do particularly much right now except for keeping my eyes wide open and prepare myself to the best of my abilities.
From there it's only a small step to decide that, yes, I want shinobi training. I've still not quite decided how far I want to go with the actual profession since I'm pretty sure that as soon as Obito has unlocked his top level of awesomeness I'll become redundant – and that applies for if he goes big baddie, too. Not to forget the tiny detail of the heightened risk of getting killed while on active duty, which also still manages to dampen my enthusiasm.
However, I do see it as my job to ensure that my baby brother never treads that path of darkness and since there're quite a lot of years between now and then, I have to do everything that carries even the slightest potential of enabling me to protect him and my parents.
Which is the reason why I ask okaa-chan to teach me exercises in chakra control and otou-san to introduce me to Uchiha-style taijutsu.
They don't try to hide that they're thrilled about this. I'm a bit worried that their expectations might be too high because even if I have a good practice morale this is gonna be different from all the things I've done before.
Both are completely new things to me. Chakra control because, duh, chakra. Taijutsu because … you remember when I said I might have been the laziest person on Earth? Yeah, exactly.
Practicing things that are unfamiliar is distinctly more difficult than doing it with things you already have a general idea of. Because the crux of practicing is not to repeat certain patterns till you drop. Well, not only. What is far more important, though, is the ability to realize why something is not working and to repeat the thing with the focus on that particular fault.
Realizing the 'why' really is the key here, which of course becomes tougher the more unfamiliar the thing you try to learn is.
So, it's with a certain sense of trepidation that I follow otou-san to one of the training fields within the Uchiha compound on a crisp Sunday morning.
The air smells clean and a light breeze tugs at my clothing and hair. It's a little chilly and I'm shivering slightly in my leggings and high-collared shirt, but this is nothing compared to the winters I had experienced in my first life. Besides, I will probably get warm as soon as I start moving.
The training field is relatively small, nothing like the big expanses of the public ones depicted in the manga. A few wooden poles are rammed into the ground some feet away from where we are standing, with faded targets painted on them that are littered with marks of the numerous kunai and shuriken that have been imbedded there by generations of Uchiha.
"We're going to start with some warm-up exercises" Otou-san announces and I quickly whip my head around to look at him.
With his short black hair and plain colored outfit, consisting of dark blue jounin pants and the obligatory high-collared Uchiha shirt, otou-san doesn't stand out particularly in the crowd of Uchiha. He looks like your typical filler character and suddenly, this thought makes me so angry.
Otou-san is not your typical filler character.
He has a loving wife, a job that he does with dedication and two kids.
He's the man who adores okaa-chan's laughter, whose dark eyes shine with silent pride whenever I accomplish something and who is nervous and worried about Obito's health because he understands what a fragile creature an infant is.
He's a human being with emotions, history and dreams.
He's not a filler character. He's not.
The anger pushes raw energy through my body and by the end of the warm-up, I feel like an overheated steam engine ready to burst through a wall. I can't wait for the katas that otou-san's going to show me and I want to rock it so badly, I have trouble to conceal my excitement.
Otou-san picks up on it and quirks his lips into a smirk. I grin right back.
This is gonna be awesome.
)()()(
One and a half hours later I feel like a wrought-through piece of cloth. I'm so exhausted that I have to sit down in the shower, my legs as weak as boneless noodles and not much of a support.
I made a discovery today: Otou-san is secretly a slave driver.
No, seriously. He has no mercy.
He made me repeat every kata until it was absolutely perfect. He didn't tolerate any mistakes or, god forbid, sloppiness and when I finally had all of his instructions down, he made me go through every single one again. And again. Without any breaks.
But now, as the hot water relaxes my aching muscles, I slowly give in to a massive, self-satisfied grin.
Because I actually believe that I can do it.
I'm not going to fool myself into thinking that today was the hardest training I'd ever experience. I'm actually pretty sure that it's going to become exponentially harder the longer I do this. But at the same time I feel that I'm ready and able to go through with it.
The thought fills me with determined happiness.
)()()(
Okaa-chan is surprised that I have no difficulties with directing my chakra wherever she wants me to. I tell her that this is something that I play around with after each meditating session.
So she moves on to the leaf concentration practice. You know, the one where you put a leaf on your forehead and direct your chakra to it until it floats in the air?
Well, I don't mean to brag or something, but I have it down on my first try.
Really, to focus my attention has never been a problem for me. It's a necessity if you want to be able to practice effectively. Or, as a matter of fact, do anything over a longer period of time.
The next exercise she shows me is much more difficult, though.
"I'm going to direct my chakra to my fingertips now. Watch closely, Etsuko-chan, and try to copy."
I watch as her fingers start glowing and a sheen of chakra spreads evenly over her hand, enveloping every finger individually and coating the back of her hand as well as her palm.
This is so cool.
"Try!" she nods at me encouragingly.
I draw in a deep breath and center myself. Calling forth my chakra, I let it flow down my right arm into my fingertips. Up to here, everything works fine, but my first try to push chakra out ends in a pitiful trickle that fizzles out of existence almost as soon as it has leaked out of my finger.
I understand. I need to put in more chakra.
My next try results in a chaotic outburst when far too much chakra erupts from my fingertips. The skin on them has violently heated up and with a startled gasp I cut off my chakra stream.
Okaa-chan takes my hand and examines it shortly. She finds nothing, though, and gives me a reassuring smile.
"Everything's fine. Just be careful from now on, we don't want to get chakra burns, do we?"
I shake my head and flash her a sheepish smile.
I try again and again, and slowly I get the hang of it.
I'm surprised myself, but controlling chakra has a lot in common with trying to get a sound out of a string with a bow. If you don't use enough pressure, the note comes out weak and unfocused, but if you press too much, it comes out strangled and scratchy. Getting the balance right is the key to the perfect sound and being able to compare applying chakra to something as familiar as this feeling is immensely helpful.
After barely an hour of practicing, I'm able to cover at least my fingers in a thick layer of chakra. It's still far from okaa-chan's even, thin covering, but hey, I'm just a beginner.
Okaa-chan beams at me and pulls me into a tight hug.
"Well done, Etsuko-chan. We'll stop today before you get too exhausted, but really, sweetie, that was very, very good."
I offer her a dopey grin.
This is exhilarating.
)()()(
Six months after Obito's birth, otou-san and okaa-chan throw a party.
Of course, since we're part of the Uchiha clan, it's not really called a party. Okaa-chan tells me that it's a ceremony to introduce Obito as the first male-born of our family to the rest of the clan.
Uh. That's … pretty archaic, to put it bluntly.
Okaa-chan dresses me in a mini kimono that is of the same dark navy color as is typical for the Uchiha wardrobe and wraps a silver obi around my waist. She does my hair, too, and puts it into an elaborate up-do that makes my usually flat straight hair look voluminous. As we near the finishing touches, she asks me to turn around.
I comply obediently and she puts a silvery object into my hand. I look down. It is an exceptionally finely crafted hair pin.
The design is of timeless elegance: Two lily blossoms facing away from each other and worked out in amazing detail. White gems are set in in place of their stamina and as I reverently trace the relief of the jewelry with my fingertips, okaa-chan starts to speak.
"This, Etsuko-chan, is a family heirloom. It means that this hair pin was handed down to me by my mother, who received it from her mother, who in turn got it from her mother and so on. It's very, very old. Traditionally, a mother gives it to her daughter when she thinks that her child has understood the importance of being a member of the Uchiha clan and is ready to become a proper member herself. Usually that happens around graduation from the academy, but although you're still very young, I believe that you're ready."
I think this is okaa-chan's way of telling me that, although today is technically Obito's day, she is proud of me all the same – and I'm touched.
I don't know where she got the idea that I've 'understood the importance of being a member of the Uchiha clan', though, since I don't feel particularly Uchiha-like. Perhaps it's not exactly about feeling Uchiha-like? I'll have to ask her later.
"Thank you, okaa-chan. I promise I'll do my best."
Okaa-chan smiles softly at me and the warm shine in her eyes seems to light up her features. She takes my hands into hers and squeezes them lightly.
"I don't doubt that, Etsuko-chan."
)()()(
The ceremony takes place at the Naka Shrine. A sudden memory rushes through my brain.
"Go to the main hall of the Naka shrine. Beneath the 7th tatami mat from the back wall, on the right side, is our clan's secret meeting place. The true purpose of our clan's eye techniques and its secrets are recorded there."
I shake my head to get Itachi's voice out. Now is not the time.
The hall is illuminated by small torches attached to the walls in regular intervals. Seated in front of the shrine is Uchiha Takao, the current head of the clan. He is flanked by his wife Naoko on his left and his sons Fumio and Fugaku on his right.
Otou-san, okaa-chan and I are kneeling before them and behind us are round about twenty other members of the clan. We're all clad in formal kimonos of the same navy, even little Obito who is cradled in okaa-chan's arms.
I think he's taking a nap there. I envy him.
Words are leaving Takao-sama'smouth, something about the true Uchiha strength being passed on to the male offspring – which makes me really annoyed by the way – but I'm not exactly listening with close attention.
Instead, I'm staring at Fugaku.
Still-teenager-and-not-yet-clan-head Fugaku.
He looks … less severe than in the manga. Solemn, yes, but without the harsh lines around his eyes or the displeased tilt in his lips. Not at all like the model of a strict father but like an actual human being.
It shouldn't surprise me as much as it does.
What surprises me even more, though, is his brother Fumio. The manga didn't even mention he'd had one.
I can't tell which of them is the older brother. They look very much alike, but judging by the fact that Fugaku is the future head of clan, I'm taking an educated guess and figuratively point my finger on him. Still doesn't explain what happened to Fumio, though.
However, before I can delve deeper into this train of thought, okaa-chan gently nudges my shoulder. Startled, I realize that for some reason, there's incense burning on the shrine and the whole room seems to be bowing. I hurriedly press my forehead against the tatami mat, too.
Oops. Seems like I missed the whole ceremony despite literally having a seat in the front row.
A few minutes later, the ceremony is formally over and most of the people leave immediately. Some linger, though, and so my parents, as the hosts of this whole thing, have to stay, too.
Takao and Fumio come up to my family. Up close, Takao is downright intimidating and I start to suspect that these vibes come with the job of being the head of clan. Fumio appears virtually meek in comparison. Poor lad.
"Congratulations again, Nobuo-san" his deep voice rumbles. I don't fail to notice that he's not addressing okaa-chan and I bristle internally.
I'm sorry to break it to you, sir, but it takes two to make a baby.
"Do ensure that Obito learns to be a valuable member of the Uchiha so that my son can count on him. Turbulent times are coming and Fumio will be in need of every able hand."
Wait, what. Fumio? Not Fugaku?
Otou-san bends his head. "Thank you, Takao-sama. I'll see to that."
Takao nods and turns to leave, but he stops again after one step. "Before I forget, Nobuo-san. Come to my house tomorrow evening. There're things I need to discuss with you."
With that, he's gone, silent Fumio in tow.
I'm incredibly confused. Could there be other changes in the timeline, except for me?
"Oi, Nobuo!" a new voice shouts.
I sigh. I'm not used to so much social interaction and although they're not even talking to me, I already feel exhaustion tugging at my brain.
A man with ash-grey hair and squinted eyes walks up to us. He seems a bit younger than otou-san and vaguely familiar, but I can't put my finger on it.
"Yashiro" otou-san greets back. I can detect the faintest trace of reluctance in his voice. Huh. Not one of his favorite people, I guess.
"So, managed to make a son on the second try, huh?" Yashiro smirks. "Guess he might become a reason for you to boast now."
My eyebrow twitches. I totally get otou-san's reluctance now. What a jerk.
Otou-san's jaw clenches slightly. "You're right, he might become that. And when that time comes, I'll be lucky to actually have two reasons to boast." With that, he reaches down to my hand and takes it in his.
Otou-san is so cool.
Yashiro's eyebrow shoots up as he lets his eyes wander over my features. I'm sorely tempted to stick out my tongue at him.
What? Technically, I'm three.
"Whatever" he finally says with a wave of his hand. "I guess raising a good bride is something you can be reasonably proud of, too. So good luck!"
Wha-
You. Little. Shit!
As soon as he's left, I turn to look at otou-san and okaa-chan. I'm fucking fuming.
"He did not just say that I'd become a career bride, did he?" I drawl. "You wouldn't let that happen, right?"
They both look at me and need a bit too long to answer me.
"Etsuko-chan …" okaa-chan tentatively starts and I'm seeing red.
You've got to be kidding me.
Before I can explode right here, right now, another Uchiha approaches us.
He probably saves the temple from the wild rampage of a furious three-year-old.
Otou-san and okaa-chan sense that, too, and the relief is almost palpable when otou-san exclaims an almost cheerful "Kagami-san!"
I'm left with a dark cloud hanging over my head as an easy conversation ensues.
This is so not over.
)()()(
Otou-san works on the next day and okaa-chan is subtly avoiding me with the pretense of being permanently busy with Obito.
My foul mood hasn't lightened up at all and after spending one hour brooding in my room, I decide that I want to hit something.
With a short "I'm out, training!" I stomp out of the house, barely hearing the "Ok, but please be home for lunch!" from okaa-chan.
I run to the training field really fast and soon as I'm there, I start violently warming up, followed by violently practicing my kata and end with violent hits on the wooden posts that are supposed to be used for accuracy practice.
I'm not picky. I take what I get.
I don't do much thinking in these hours and just give in to the urge of relieving my anger. By the time noon arrives, I'm thoroughly spent and slowly trudging home.
"Okaeri, Etsuko-chan" okaa-chan cautiously calls out when I open the front door. She pokes her head out of the kitchen and sees my sweat-drenched self. "Please wash up and join us when you're finished."
I nod and grunt something that sounds suspiciously close to a 'hn'. I'm really low on energy.
When I finally join them at the kitchen table, Obito is already busy smearing his rice porridge all over his face. Okaa-chan exasperatedly tries to stop him and wipes the food from his cheek when she hears me enter.
"I'm sorry we already started, but Obito didn't want to wait."
"Hn" I grunt.
Careful here, I just might turn into a real grumpy Uchiha.
There's a bowl of rice at my place of the table, as well as some miso soup and chicken katsu. I take my chopsticks and mumble "Itadakimasu" before I dig in.
For a long time, we're all busy with eating and apart from Obito's slurping and the occasional clatter of chopsticks hitting china, it's silent.
Lunch has never been so uncomfortable.
Close to the end, okaa-chan sighs.
"I can see that you're still upset."
Duh.
"Your father and I have decided to discuss this with you tonight, Etsuko-chan. We want to explain some things to you that are important for your future and we think that you're ready to hear them."
"I won't grow up just to be married to someone and reduced to a baby-maker" I interrupt her, anger on the rise again.
It's only seconds later that I realize that this must have sounded weird, coming out of a toddler. I'm not sure that can be explained away with the prodigy argument, either.
Uh-oh.
Okaa-chan looks shocked. She's clearly grasping for words and in this moment I think that vanishing into thin air would be a nice technique to own.
I fucked up. Badly.
Obito saves me when he starts to cry. I don't know if he can sense the tenseness in the air or if he just pooped into his diaper. Either way, I don't care, I'm just incredibly grateful.
Okaa-chan hurriedly stands up and takes him out of his baby chair.
"We … we'll discuss this tonight" she says to me. "With your father."
With a last, bewildered look at me she leaves the kitchen.
I'm such a stupid, uber-emotional moron.
)()()(
We don't discuss this thing tonight.
I've barricaded myself into my room for the afternoon and am frantically searching for a reason to avoid dinner when I hear otou-san returning from work. He's later than usual.
"Okaeri, Nobuo." That's okaa-chan.
"We need to talk." That's … not the usual answer.
I wearily stick my head out of my room and watch as otou-san grabs okaa-chan's hand and drags her to his study. The shoji screen slides shut after both have disappeared inside.
Without much thinking, I tiptoe out of my room and press my ear against said screen.
"Is this about something that Takao said?" okaa-chan asks. She sounds anxious.
"Yes. Listen, Kiyomi, this is important." Otou-san draws a deep breath.
"According to Takao, the village has started preparations for a war against Suna and Iwa."
My body jerks like it's been stabbed in the back. All energy leaves me as once again, the world as I know it comes crashing down on me. I lose the feeling in my limbs and fall on my knees with a heavy thud.
Before I know it, the shoji screen is shoved aside and otou-san stands before me.
"What are you doing, Etsuko?" he asks sharply.
I can't answer. I just look up at him, my mouth hanging open, and watch as his expression morphs from surprise over anger to concern as I don't react. His lips are moving again, but his voice sounds distorted, like garbled sounds from underwater.
There are five words, clearly echoing in my skull and dragging me towards a bottomless black.
Konoha is going to war.
Konoha is going to war.
Konoha is going to war.
Soooo, this chapter is mostly set-up and in the next, shit is gonna hit the fan!
... which is the good message. As it is, I have a bad one, too: Since I'm closing in on my finals, I'll slow down the tempo of my writing considerably for the next few weeks. Don't worry, you'll still get updates, just not as insanely fast as before.
And when February is over I'll probably be able to get back to that pace.
So, that's it for now. As always, leave a review and tell me what you think! Hearing from you always brightens my day.