Elder Runa made no comment about Kasumi's state and the afternoon carried on like most so that by the end of it you could almost be fooled that nothing different had happened at all. The change brought on by the rant towards Daiki and Tatsuya only took effect once Kasumi arrived back at home and was then forced to endure her family. The young Yamanaka put up no resistance that day or for the rest of the week either. Ino would do something, Airi would say something, Inoichi would ignore everything and Kasumi no longer cared. It was all met with a defeated glance before Kasumi would once again seek sanctuary in her small, bland bedroom. What made things even more unusual was that for this next week Kasumi was willing to stay at home in order to avoid going to the Academy and having to face those two boys. This meant that Kasumi was put to work at home as a slave with every room getting cleaned to perfection and nobody caring at this work she did. This continued until Elder Runa decided that an intervention was necessary.
"Kasumi,"
It was the middle of the day when the Elder came around to save the brown haired girl. The two were alone as Airi had just relieved Runa from the Yamanaka Flower Shop which meant that the two could talk without fear or interruption. As the Elder walked into the clan head's household Kasumi was currently scrubbing the kitchen floor which left Elder Runa to stand in the doorway and pity the marginalised and partially abandoned child.
"Elder Runa, what can I help you with?"
Said woman could hardly answer as Kasumi gave her a brief, lifeless look before going back to her cleaning as if it was the only thing in the world that she could do.
"Kasumi…"
"…Yes?"
"Why?"
This time Kasumi did stop her cleaning but didn't look up at the older Yamanaka. She remained on her knees and staring at the floor. Elder Runa didn't dare approach until the shoulders of the young Yamanaka began to shake. The next few minutes were spent getting the girl to the dining room to sit then making some tea which she wasn't able to drink through the sobbing.
Elder Runa sat on the seat next to the crying and distraught Yamanaka and gave her a hug. This contact caused Kasumi to jump and stiffen. It had been years since someone had shown her care and affection at all, much less like this. The crying restarted at this revelation but a few more minutes with Elder Runa rubbing soothing circles on her back and it subsided to a couple of sniffles and drying eyes.
The next couple of hours, until Ino would return from the Academy and Airi from the flower shop, were spent discussing everything that was happening in Kasumi's life, especially the bad. All of Elder Runa's suspicions were then confirmed. The young girl was all alone with no one to help, guide or love her. They talked about the continuously growing distance between the brown haired girl and her family, about the rumours and consequent animosity from her classmates and finally about the reason for her despair earlier that week. At last Kasumi had someone who she could confide in. She was able to tell Elder Runa about all of the confusing and conflicting feelings she felt concerning Daiki and Tatsuya. Kasumi didn't know whether she could trust the two boys but she so desperately wanted to believe that she could just in order to have people she could call friends. She also didn't want to have her heart broken. It wouldn't be able to take any more. Kasumi didn't know what to do and it was tearing her apart from the inside.
"Kasumi,"
"Yes, Elder Runa?"
"Why don't you just talk to the boys?"
The two Yamanakas were still sitting at the dining room table and were up to their third pot of tea by this point. The only indicators of Kasumi's previous episode were the red and puffy eyes and the tendency to take an interest in the floor or table top instead of Elder Runa during the conversation. This habit was currently in use.
"Would they want to talk to me?"
"Only one way to find out,"
Elder Runa placed her hand gently under the girls chin and tilted it so that they were finally making eye contact.
"This could be your way of finding out whether they are truly your friends or not. Whether they are willing to forgive you and accept you as you are. Flaws and all,"
Kasumi then went to staring at her hands folded in her lap.
"What do I say?"
The old Yamanaka moved her hand to rest it on the girls head and gave an affectionate rub.
"That you're sorry and then whatever feels right after that. Maybe offer up a bit of yourself to prove you mean it. Trust and friendship works both ways and I know it's not your fault but they do seem to have done all the work up until now,"
This was all that was needed to be said on the matter and after a promise from Kasumi to attend the Academy the next day Elder Runa left the residence and the young Yamanaka to her thoughts.
Kasumi kept her promise and was regretting it the entirety of the next day.
"Daiki…Tatsuya…"
Kasumi cautiously approached the two boys who shared a glance with each other before staring back at the ground again. They sat against a wall of the Academy, in the shade, and its secluded location meant that it had taken nearly the whole break for Kasumi to track them down after waiting at the tree for the entire previous break, futilely hoping they would come and join her. Kasumi had been nervously anticipating this situation all day and as such there were numerous instances she felt so sick as to actually consider going home. Even Elder Runa's encouragement wasn't helping much. Kasumi had been thinking extremely hard about what she could possibly say. Nothing seemed right. Nothing would be an acceptable reason for her outburst. No excuse. Probably no forgiveness either. Nothing but hurt. There was no hope. Daiki's and Tatsuya's reactions reinforced this and with this realisation Kasumi turned to leave.
"Kasumi,"
Tatsuya spoke up at Kasumi's movement but all she did was freeze at his voice. Another few minutes passed and just as Daiki got to his feet to approach the now unresponsive girl the break ended and it was time to return to class. This signal prompted Kasumi to race to the classroom leaving the two boys again and Katsu giving short barks at her retreating form.
Once back in the classroom the group was split up as they had been for the entire day but this time during the lessons Katsu moved from Daiki's side to sit on the step adjacent to where the Yamanaka sat by the window. Kasumi knew the ninken had journeyed from his partner and that this was an extremely unusual and significant thing. As the minutes passed on Katsu moved along the step to the person at the end of the bench and then gradually made his way between the feet of the students separating him from his goal. By the very last lesson of the day, that was reserved for study and preparation for the numerous tests during the week, Katsu was resting on Kasumi's lap and sleeping happily as the Yamanaka reviewed her village history and jutsu theory. This period of the day passed quickly with the quiet company and when the class was eventually dismissed Kasumi carried Katsu in her arms and waited outside near the usual tree for Daiki and Tatsuya to join the human-canine duo. Katsu was giving Kasumi a bit of confidence and strength with his forgiveness and presence but now would come the moment where it would be revealed if the others felt the same.
"Hey,"
"Kasumi,"
As expected the two boys appeared and it was awkward even with their greetings. The only girl merely nodded her head in acknowledgement, whether towards the boys or the awkwardness even she wasn't entirely sure of. The three of them just ended up standing in silence for a while with no one moving. Daiki didn't even attempt to take his ninken back.
"Mum said that I can have friends over this afternoon,"
This invitation was all the clan kids needed and so Daiki and Kasumi followed their civilian born friend through the streets of Konoha to the destination at which their inevitable conversation will take place and at which their friendship will ultimately be determined.
"Mum! I'm home!"
While the walk had been in complete silence as soon as the trio crossed over the threshold of the Shiota residence Tatsuya promptly changed this status with his loud outburst causing both of his companions to jump. They hadn't realised their friend had such a loud side to him. Apparently he got it from his mother.
"Welcome home, Tatsuya! Did you bring your friends?!"
"Yes!"
"Oh, is it Daiki and Kasumi?! Those clan kids you talk about?!"
"Yes mum!"
"I'll put on some tea! Will you be in your room?!"
"Yes Mum!...Thank you!"
Turning back to the stunned forms of his guests the Shiota boy proceeded to lead them to their final destination. When the door closed to Tatsuya's room Daiki was finally shaken out of his shocked silence.
"Since when are you so loud?!"
Once he had realised that he too had just yelled Daiki quickly covered his mouth with both hands while Kasumi brought Katsu up to her face to hide her smile, something that only went unnoticed by Daiki. With a knowing look from Tatsuya, Kasumi decided that now was the best opportunity to start breaking down the proverbial walls.
"Afraid he's going to steal your thing?"
"Yeah. I mean, he's the silent/responsible one and I'm the loud/charismatic one,"
"Where does that leave Kasumi?"
"She's the strong/smart one,"
"That seems a little vague,"
"But it's true Kasumi!"
"I would think she was more quiet than me,"
"Stop ganging up on me guys!"
Everyone stopped and with a bark from Katsu they all burst into laughter. This action also caused them to stop. Daiki and Tatsuya had never heard Kasumi laugh before and Kasumi couldn't remember the last time she had heard it herself. Once again Katsu broke the silence as all it took was a simple lick to the face, as he was still nestled comfortable in the girl's arms, to cause another rare laugh. With all three children sporting a genuine smile the atmosphere became a lot less tense and Kasumi found that for the first time today she was prepared to talk to these two boys and ask for their forgiveness with the telling of her secrets and hardships. She figured that the best way to gain their forgiveness would be to give them her trust, another rare aspect of the Yamanaka, and she would do this by giving them an intermit look into her pain.
"Tatsuya…Daiki…I have something to tell you…"
The boys shared a glance similar to the one earlier that day but this time the outcome was a lot different.
"You don't have to,"
"Thanks Daiki but I feel I need to,"
"But we forgive you!...I think…Right, Tatsuya? I mean…what you said wasn't so bad. You were just upset and we were being really pushy…We just still admire you after what you did in the clearing last year,"
"No. You have no reason to forgive me. What I said was hurtful and uncalled for and unnecessary and inexcusable. Whatever I might be going through it is no excuse to lash out at you two. That's not what friends do and you both have been trying so hard to be nice to me…I guess I just freaked out a little…I've gotten so use to not letting people close…I'm…I'm sorry,"
Katsu's black fur got wet as Kasumi buried her face into its softness and for the second time allowed someone to see her cry.
The boys didn't know what to do. Would anyone know what to do? Apparently the answer to that question was Suzuka Shiota. Normally the civilian woman was extremely respectful and had manners in excess but this time she was going to go a little bit against her nature. If it wasn't for Daiki and Tatsuya focusing on Kasumi's crying they may have heard and noticed that the woman was opening the door. If Kasumi's eyes were open and not in Katsu's fur then she might have spotted the blonde haired woman.
"Dear. What's wrong?"
The young Yamanaka's head shot up and her wide brown eyes made her look scared and vulnerable, something that tore at every heart string in Suzuka's body. Daiki was frozen and seemed even more confused and uncertain than before. Suzuka's only child was looking at her as if she had just broken all trust and this look of disappointment was also borderline anger. The female Shiota was just going to have to deal with one thing at a time.
"Come on dear. Why are you crying?"
There was no reaction from any of the children in the room.
"Did the boys do something?"
Reaction.
"No. No…No…It's nothing…I'm fine,"
Suzuka wasn't just a mother but was the eldest of five siblings. She could read a child as easily as reading a book and at the moment she could tell that this distraught girl needed some time alone, at least for now. She would ask Tatsuya about it later.
"Okay dear. Sorry for the intrusion. I'll just leave the tea and treats on your desk Tatsuya for you and your friends. I'm just going to go out for a little bit to the markets. I'll be back soon,"
It was the least she could do to help after possibly making the situation extremely tense. The promise of no more interruptions and complete privacy could help ease their tongues and be the catalyst for this much needed conversation. A mother is always right (Airi Yamanaka excluded). When Suzuka Shiota left the room the tears died down and the discussion got back on track.
"Sorry about her,"
"It's okay Tatsuya. You're lucky to have such a nice and considerate mum,"
"Thanks Kasumi but I'm still really sorry. She usually knocks first and-"
"Stop with the apologising!"
"Daiki…"
"No Kasumi. We all need to stop saying sorry! None of us has done anything wrong and if we're supposed to be friends or going to be friends or whatever then we just forgive each other so stop apologising for everything in the world,"
"Okay Daiki, okay. How about we have that tea my mum brought in? Then I'm sure we all have a lot to say,"
"Can I start talking while we have the tea? I have a lot to say. You once asked me if I was a demon and the story may be longer than you think,"
And with that it all began. Three kids with their drinks and a dog sat on the floor of the room and spent the next few hours telling their stories and secrets to each other because trust works both ways and it's the strongest foundation for friendship.
This is the story of the demon child Kasumi Yamanaka.
It all begins before the founding of Konoha. Back when the Yamanaka clan was more or less on its own. This is actually a big part of it. It is all to do with the near breaking of alliances. The main form of survival in that brutal age.
Maybe this is being a little vague. Let's start at the beginning with the who and what to better explain the why.
The head of the Yamanaka clan had two children. Ichirou was his first son and heir and Itsuki was his second son. There had been two traditions throughout the existence of the Yamanaka clan, both to do with hair. Long hair in a ponytail was a symbol of allegiance to the clan and the mark of an adult, a sort of coming of age symbol. The second was reserved for the head of the clan as it had always been, since the first instance of records, that the heir or head of the clan had blonde hair. The golden threads were almost a right in themselves to lead the clan and for the first time in their clan's history, the Yamanaka's had a brown haired heir. There were of course some conservative members of the clan that were not open to this change but most were willing to accept Ichirou as their next head of clan. Saying that, all it takes is a few to object to it for lives to start to be ruined. Ichirou had grown up devoting every day of his life to training and learning so that he could be the best clan head possible and keep everyone safe. He was respected for his skills, knowledge, patience, compassion and understanding. He continued to live like this, even when doubt and sabotage tried to undo him. Being head was his duty and life goal; he refused to let anyone stop him.
There were a few that wished to stop him. Those few conservatives slowly started unravelling Ichirou, favouring his younger blonde brother. Rumours circulated that the reason behind Itsuki's conception was to get a replacement for Ichirou and this created more rumours about a mutiny against the biological and rightful heir. Ichirou loved his brother but became paranoid as the rumours grew. Then there was the breaking point.
Itsuki was arranged to be married. Itsuki would have a family and produce a possible heir before Ichirou, whose role it was rightfully. Losing all reason, the brown haired Yamanaka clan heir decided to put a stop to this and every rumour and ultimately creating the most historic one of all. His brother was betrothed to a Nara. A noble high up in the clan hierarchy and to a clan they already had strong ties to. There was an engagement ceremony and party and a massacre. Ichirou was stopped before he could get to the couple who were at the centre of his rage but not before murdering his own parents and quite a few high ranking members of both clans. It was a diplomatic atrocity.
He was branded a traitor and a demon and to restore the relationship between the two clans he was immediately executed. This allowed the blonde heir tradition to continue and any variation of this to be branded as evil and despised. It had been generations between this and now with no differing hair colour until Kasumi. She was branded a demon and a curse out of fear of a repetition of the past. This is why many members of the clan hoped, however impossible, that she was not Inoichi's daughter. She had to be as Ino's twin but in their hearts she was nothing but an imposter and a monster.
It was as simple as that.
Daiki and Tatsuya hadn't moved throughout the entire story. All three children still had full cups of tea only now they were cold. Kasumi hoped that this story might partially excuse her actions and explain her hesitance to open up to others. Once the boys recovered from the revelation of Kasumi's story and how it had affected her life through no fault of her own they then told her their stories. While possibly not as bad, it is still things that have altered their lives and brought hardship and sadness along with it.
Daiki went first and his story was all about Katsu.
The reason Katsu wasn't with Daiki that time in the clearing was because he was sick. Katsu has always been sick and weak and it is because of this that Daiki gets treated differently as he refuses to give up his sick ninken. Daiki still hopes that Katsu will get better and get stronger and prove everyone in his clan wrong. He was determined to stand by his dear ninken. But he also had another problem. Daiki desperately wanted to become as strong as his older brother Shin. Shin was his idol and rival at the same time. Since their father had died Shin became a mentor for Daiki but as brothers it was obvious that their mother favoured the older Inuzuka. This left Daiki with a dilemma which tore at his heart. If Katsu never got better then he would never get stronger as a ninja and be a disappointment to his family but at the same time he couldn't bring himself to give up on his best friend. All he could do was hope, no matter how small it got.
Tatsuya filled the silence that followed with his story of being a civilian.
Kasumi and Daiki already knew that it was hard for Tatsuya but they never realised how hard. Tatsuya's parents weren't entirely supportive of their son's decision to 'throw away his life'. His parents have always wanted him to take over the small family business and being the only child he is the only one who can do it. Basically Tatsuya had it harder than the rest of the civilian born Academy students. Not only was he receiving less support, reluctant support, but he was also a bit of a loner amongst the other civilians. The only reason Tatsuya was with the other civilians in the clearing was because he didn't want to be alone and was more or less just following them around. Daiki then started talking to him which, although Tatsuya appreciated, it also marginalised him further from the other civilians. Apparently they didn't like him having a clan kid as a friend. Despite this Tatsuya still wanted to become Kasumi's friend. It may cause twice as much trouble for him but he didn't care, he just wanted friends. It was all he ever wanted. He was tired of being alone.
This heart-to-heart talk left Kasumi, Daiki and Tatsuya emotionally exhausted and with the sun beginning to set they decided to say a few quiet goodbyes before Kasumi and Daiki made their respective journeys home.
The day had been a success for everyone.
Hey everyone! I usually don't try not to do these notes at the end but I just wanted to see how you all thought this story was going. I was also thinking of either doing another Naruto story or a Bleach one instead. Don't worry, I don't plan on stopping this story I just need a bit of inspiration sometimes. Anyway, I hope this chapter helps to clear up some questions and this should be the end of the tears for... a chapter or 2, unless I feel especially evil when I write.
Please review :)
