Knitting Fate

Second installment in Canon Patchworking with Uchiha Ren series

Seventeenth Thread

•••

There used to be contest directives here. Since it's ended, I don't file like re-writing those.

This chapter has been beta'd for you by hestia8639. Thanks a lot!

Official beta'd version posted 04.08.2017

"The only way that we can live, is if we grow. The only way that we can grow is if we change. The only way that we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way that we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the open. Do it. Throw yourself."
― C. JoyBell C.

0

Kakashi pays attention. Like, his attention is completely, fully focused on her and not on anything else. It's a bit weird, as the Kakashi she knew was a lazy asshole with his nose constantly buried in his porn book. But then, that Kakashi is six years away from now, and Ren isn't even sure if he would turn out to become the same man with her around. Well, she could try, anyways. She could, for example, buy Icha Icha and dare him to read it. Maybe that would work? Who knows.

But back to important matters, Kakashi is staring at her. Into her soul, almost, and Ren offers him a big grin, cutting off the chakra she's been pumping into her eyes, as they fade from red to brown, and then to black. And also, the world stopped being so insanely HD., but she's pretty sure that she could draw Kakashi's face by heart with striking detail, if only she could draw. Pros of the Sharingan, really – it's the copy-wheel eye for a reason, and it grants photographic memory. She forgot about that one, but she would have to use it later. It would be handy one way or another, that's for sure.

"How on earth do you have that?" he asks finally. "I don't know much about the Mangekyo, but you must kill someone to attain it-"

"Kacchan, what you know is a pile of shit," Ren snorts, raising her eyebrow at the man.

"What?" he asks, dumbfounded, and the girl sighs in disbelief.

"Sure, yeah, let a genin freshman tutor a fucking ANBU veteran on a matter he should know about, why not," she snorts. "The thing is, Kacchan, is that that's not it. Sharingan technically resolves around precious people, but that's a sack of bullshit, actually. It's all about certain emotions releasing certain types of chakra. Base form you get from a strong desire to protect or to save, not necessarily a precious person, while it's fueled by rage. That makes the brain send special chakra around, and awakens Creepy Eyes Stage One. I for example got mine when I was seven. That bitch, Fugaku, threw a puppy into the pond to let it drown, and I was like 'oh no you don't, bitch' so I jumped after the dog. Into a freezing-cold pond in autumn. But I wanted to save the dog, and then preferably pound Fugaku's face in, which I, sadly, never did, but that awakened my base sharingan," she explains, gesturing in the air for no reason in particular.

"So," Kakashi says, "the basic sharingan requires a desire to protect and anger combined?"

Ren nods. "Now, Creepy Eyes Stage Two, that's just sweet, you see."

"Why is that?" the man asks, and Ren offers him a very unpleasant grin.

"Because that shit requires trauma. Quite a severe one, to awaken. Usually, the death of someone close to you is traumatic enough to let you awaken it, that's why it's usually said you have to kill someone close to you or some other bullshit," she snorts. "The truth is, trauma is trauma, the end. And me? Apparently being killed was traumatic enough, because I definitely did not have the Mangekyō before the massacre, and after the massacre it was just there, fucking shuriken of an eye."

Kakashi just stares at her, then blinks, then stares some more.

"What?" she asks, narrowing her eyes, and the ANBU just shrugs. "Surprised that I'm talking about my dearest cousin-gone-homicidal putting a blade through my chest as if it was comparable to accidentally nibbling my finger while throwing ninja stars?"

"Maybe," Kakashi agrees, and for once looks away, into the sky, and so does Ren. It's starting to darken, Sasuke will most likely set out to hunt her down and haul her ass back to Hokage's estate pretty soon to help him with homework. Naruto will most likely be with him and, with any luck, any of her other minions. Sakura, most likely, because her parents know little about being ninja. Her father might've been one, but it's been years since he's gone civilian, and he remembers nearly nothing. And Sakura, for all the brightness and sharpness she has, still would rather do homework in a group, and study with other people. Because that way she could exchange remarks with others. Actually, there's been talk of them starting a study club or something like that. Oddly enough, it was Shino's idea, but it is widely accepted. So far they are still arguing over dates.

Shikamaru insisted the idea is troublesome, of course, but Ren doubts he would pass on the occasion. Sakura has proven to be a challenge to him in shogi once she got a hang of the game.

Hell, there was even talk of inviting Ino yesterday, if she proves to have some common sense. Oddly enough, it started with Sasuke's remark.

"What are you thinking about?" Kakashi asks, and Ren lets out a sigh.

"My minions, Kacchan. As in, the band of children that tails me every time they can catch me, basically, with the leadership of my brot- My cousin," she huffs. Just when did she start thinking about Sasuke as her brother? It must've happened gradually, for the fact to slip past her. Ren is a crude person, sure, but she is not oblivious to people and moods.

"Ah," the man says, and maybe there's a hint of a smile underneath his mask. "Got yourself quite a following, haven't you? All of the future clan heads from Sasuke's class, and one civilian girl."

Ren wonders if he counts Naruto among the clan heirs – because he sure as hell is one of the last Uzumaki – or just wisely doesn't mention him. It must hurt to be Kakashi.

"Sakura, huh?" she addresses that topic instead. "She has a good brain in that head. And her chakra control? With some pointers from Hana she can actually heal a papercut."

"Wait," Kakashi stops. "A civilian kid, seven years old, no prior training whatsoever, can heal?"

His uncovered eye, as black as an Uchiha, widens in shock.

"That kid is something else indeed," Ren snorts. "She has a temper, and can throw a really mean punch. I really pity the bastard who has her in his team once she graduates."

"Yeah, I kinda pity them, too."

It takes all Ren has to not to burst out and start laughing like a cross between a hyena that's high on something bad and a drunken donkey. She manages to slip up a cough at the very last second, and covers her mouth with her open palm, because she's grinning like an idiot. If Kakashi notices, he doesn't address the fact.

"What are chūnin exams?" is the first thing Naruto asks after he's fed the news that, a week from now, Ren will be leaving. For two entire months. "What are chūnin?"

Both Sasuke and Sakura slap their foreheads at the same time so hard that the sound is enough to startle Hinata, who is sitting quietly with Shikamaru and Choji on her either side, reading a book that is apparently interesting enough to keep the Nara heir in a sitting position. Shino definitely looks like he wishes to slap his forehead as well, but has enough decorum not to. Torune tries so hard to pretend he's not amused, and Kiba looks dumbfounded but eagerly nods at Naruto's question. Because today, on Thursday, after Ren got back to the estate after getting her ass handed to her by Kakashi (sparring with the man was a very, very bad idea), she somehow finds the entire Rookie Nine minus Ino but with Torune instead, seated comfortably in the living room like they own the place. From what she's gathered, they are apparently trying every day to see which suits their study sessions best. So far most prefer Friday, though.

Wonder why.

"Don't you two pay any attention in school," Sakura wails, looking absolutely hopeless. "Sweet Jashin."

Also, the kids are apparently picking out her sayings. Sakura, at least, is frequently addressing Jashin – the very same god that Hidan reveres when he puts various sharp objects through his body, yes – and Sasuke occasionally slips in a bad word or three, when something sets him off. Usually it's people who are mean to Naruto but lately they seem to think twice, because Naruto is hardly alone anymore. Oddly enough, out of all the people he spends time with, it's Shino and Torune who seem to be the most dangerous to the environment. But that might be just because of the nature of their clan, because both boys don't think twice about sending their bugs after offenders. Kiba and Sasuke, though, are closely tied at second. Kiba actually growls and, if he can reach, bites people. Hana brags about how Tsume is continuously proud of her son, and Ren is pretty sure that this is not how you raise kids.

"Look, all of you twerps," Ren sighs, sitting cross-legged so she's more or less in the middle of all the kids. Thankfully, she's the voice of authority in the room, and even Konohamaru comes running, quite suddenly, and then falls onto his ass right next to Naruto. Apparently she's more of an authority figure that she thought. "They might have told you in class that there are three types of ninja, but I actually recognize seven in total," cue collective gasps, even one from Sakura. "Ninja ranks show how strong a ninja is, and what kind of missions they can do. Easy missions for freshies, hard and potentially deadly for the strong ones. Like killing people and stuff. Hell, there is actually a rank of ninja that basically specializes in killing people."

"Really?" Sakura gawks, horrified, and Sasuke just grins. Good to know where he's aiming for.

"Really. But, to start with, first we have Academy students, such as yourself, and yes, I count you as a rank. Glorified civilians, really, but everyone starts out somewhere, yeah? So, out of the Academy, you become a genin. This is what I am now, too. It's the most basic rank. Many ninja stay genin, actually, and then go civilian. Then, after genin, there's chūnin. Higher rank, more dangerous missions, better pay. And also, your team technically gets disbanded. Because, you see, genin are placed in three-man teams for a reason."

"What reason?" Sasuke asks.

"Because some missions might be solo missions, but even fucking ANBU work in at least pairs," Ren sighs. "Teamwork, squirt, teamwork. But, back to the matter at hand, Academy instructors are all chūnin, I believe. Umino Iruka totally is one. I believe you like him?" there are collective nods from all of the kids except Konohamaru, varying in intensity. "Okay, off to the next rank, we have tokubetsu jōnin. They're… well, special. Like, normal jōnin are usually highly trained all around, while tokujō specialize in one or two things. Genma is a tokujō."

"You like Genma a lot," Konohamaru muses with a smirk.

"Because he's awesome!" Ren scoffs. "He buys me food, and can spit senbon with enough speed and power to shoot a kunai down or pin a fly. And I'm going to live next to him, too! Actually, I'm currently aiming for tokujō myself. Then we'll see how it goes."

"Next is jōnin, right?" Sakura asks.

"Next is a full jōnin, yes. Technically the highest rank, and only the best people become them. Many are also on genin babysitting duty, like my sensei, Shibi. Then, we have ANBU. They're mostly jōnin, too, but they have tokujō among them, I think. Kachhan is an ANBU."

"Kacchan?" Naruto asks.

"Hound, Kakashi, whatever," Ren rolls her eyes. "That guy who bought us food once, the one that transformed."

"Ooooh!"

If there is a gawk, and then a cackle behind the window, Ren pretends to not to notice. Let poor Yamato have a laugh once in a while.

"And then there's the Kage, the leader of the village," she claps her hands. "It's not necessarily the strongest ninja in the village, really. It's someone strong, sure, but first and foremost, the Kage deals with a shit ton of paperwork."

"Like old man!" Konohamaru chimes in. "That's why he's hardly ever at home!"

"Exactly," Ren nods. "Now that we have that covered, which twerp needs help with homework?"

Quite predictably, Kiba's and Naruto's hands shoot up in the air instantly. Sometimes Ren feels like she's the only one who can actually get them to learn, and that makes her dread the next two months. How much are they going to fuck up?

"Remember to bother the ANBU as much as you can, you two," Ren says not a full week later, ruffling both Naruto and Sasuke's hair. They both groan at the motion, trying to swat her away, but they don't really mean it, she knows. Otherwise they would be successful. "Also, you have my permission to prank people. But, if you get caught, you're going to be in a big trouble, understood?" they both nod at that very eagerly.

"Maa, Ren, are you encouraging the young generation to do mischief?" comes a flat voice from her left, and the girl snorts, looking at the covered face of her tutor for the last few days. She has noticeably improved her synchronization with the sharingan thanks to him. Maybe even enough to not die in Iwa. Ren knows that Kakashi has no good memories of Iwa.

"Naw, Kacchan, just to be the little menaces straight from hell I know they are," she admits with a wide grin. Kakashi grimaces. "Don't worry, I'll bring you souvenirs. Maybe even a vest!"

"Get that vest," Sasuke says, "so I can brag to everyone."

Ren snorts and ruffles his hair again, "I'll try my best, squirt. Don't be too much of a menace to Genma, though, okay? Genma is alright."

"I'm glad you think I am," says Genma, lazily approaching them. He's also currently being tailed by two gangly boys, one with a dark, spiky bush and one with his fringe poking out of a bandana. Unmistakably, Kotetsu and Izumo.

"Are those your kids," she asks, pointing at the duo. They both gawk, and Genma snorts. "Because they sure do seem so."

"Maybe," Genma moves his senbon to the other side of his face. "The porcupine is Kotetsu, his shadow is Izumo. You got all you need, Ren?"

Ren sighs, and cranes her neck to look at where her team is slowly approaching. They're at the village gates, and there are quite a few genin teams around, but none that she recognizes from her class. Hana is walking towards her, and before long, Ren has Inuzuka's arm draped around her shoulder. Kiba instantly materializes next to Sasuke and Naruto.

"Ah! I almost forgot!" Ren gasps suddenly, swats Hana's hand, and pulls out a kunai. And then, just like that, she grabs her braid – which reaches to her waist – and promptly slices it off at the base of her neck, accompanied by gasps and surprised shrieks. Her newly-freed, short hair falls quite nicely around her ears, the natural Uchiha spikyness keeping it from her eyes.

"Nee-san!" Sasuke cries in utter horror as Ren puts the blade back into her pouch.

"Well, at least your blades are sharpened," Genma snorts, and the two chūnin behind him gape openly. Ren shrugs and pushes her murdered braid into the hands of a mortified Sasuke.

"Keep those, I'm going to sell them to a hairdresser or something when I'm back, okay?" she says, and the younger boy can only manage a numb nod in return. "What?"

"Holy fucking shit, Ren, you just chopped off few years' worth of hair!" Hana cries, gaining the attention of some people, and Ren shrugs again.

"Long hair is a fucking disadvantage!" she arguments. "It gets everywhere, is hard to maintain, and even if I would turn anyone who decides that pulling my braid is a good idea into a bloody pulp… Well, I'm not a fan, you know? Short hair rules! Besides, Hibiki has long hair, one of him is enough."

Genma just puts a hand on top of Ren's head and ruffles her hair. Not like it looks anywhere near well-groomed in the first place.

"You'll do just fine. Now, off you go, kid," he smiles, and Ren smiles back.

"Sure thing, mom," she laughs, and barely evades a playful smack to the head.

And now, mission: get the damn vest for Sasuke to brag and to have better pay. Because Ren knows that advancing is not beyond her – but is she actually able to pull it off? She is going to compete against people with more experience than her, most likely, both in the ninja branch of business and life in the ninja world in total.

No matter, she's going to give them hell anyway. She and Awai, and some very mean, and very Uchiha, fire-spitting techniques.