Sorry for the Star Wars reference. I couldn't help it. 😊
Nami was standing by the doors to the Academy waiting for her pups to come out. She had faith in all of them and knew that they would all be coming out as Leaf genin with their headbands glinting in the sun. But the Inuzuka mother couldn't let her guard down. The graduation was the easy part. Kasumi still had another hurdle to tackle and this one would be much harder than the exam.
Although this fear did nothing to suppress her excitement and overwhelming pride as the four children came out of the Academy just as she predicted.
"And you were all worried,"
Nami didn't make them wait to reveal her location. They were so preoccupied talking excitedly to each other that they probably wouldn't have looked for her anyway.
"Mum!" "Nami!"
All four ran up to the Inuzuka mother and embraced her like their own.
"You came?!"
"Of course. I thought you would have thought better of me by now Miss TenTen,"
"That's not-"
"I know dear. I'm joking. I wanted to be the first one to see you all as Leaf Genin,"
TenTen was still getting used to someone looking out for her and caring about her.
"Come on mum. Don't be mean,"
"Yeah! That's Daiki's job,"
"Hey!"
At Tatsuya's smartass comment, Daiki pounced and tried to grab his male friend in a head lock but the civilian born, now official shinobi, was too quick. This led to the two boys beginning a mock fight and running circles around the group while the girls continued the conversation.
While Nami listened to each child excitedly explain their version of what happened, with some being a bit out of breath as the two boys continued to chase each other with Katsu occasionally joining in and then taking a break whenever he became exhausted, she took notice of each of the Leaf Village headbands that were now worn by the new genin.
Kasumi wore her headband tied around her left arm halfway between her shoulder and her elbow with the metal plate with the Leaf emblem facing outwards. TenTen wore hers the traditional way as an actual headband around her forehead with the plate against her forehead facing outwards. Daiki wore his headband the same way that his older brother did, around his neck. Showing, once again, how much he looked up to Shin and how much he wanted to be like his brother. Tatsuya wore his headband the same way that TenTen was wearing hers. Nami thought it was probably normal for civilian born genin to wear their headbands in the traditional way as they tried their best to fit into the new lifestyle of being a ninja. Each of the children were wearing their headbands with pride with the Leaf symbol clearly visible, as a symbol of their devotion to their village and the new position they now held within it as genin.
Once the congratulations were all out of the way, Nami stuck her arm out and caught her son in a head lock of her own and called the whole group to attention.
"Alright. I know everyone's happy and we are going to celebrate this amazing accomplishment but there is still a lot that needs to be done. Tatsuya, you need to go tell your parents the good news. TenTen and Daiki. You two will go with him as backup and emotional support. Civilian parents aren't known for being the most supportive when it comes to this kind of thing. When the three of you are done, head back to the Inuzuka compound. Shin should be getting everything ready for a barbeque celebration dinner but he may need a hand and he'll want to congratulate you all as soon as possible. It would be cruel to make him wait to find out whether you lot passed or not. Sound good?"
"What about Kasumi?"
Daiki wasn't about to let his precarious position of still being in a head lock by his mum stop him from worrying about his friend. Is voice had gone a good couple of volumes quieter from how he was just a few seconds previous. This fit in with the new atmosphere that was created at the question. The happiness and light mood had changed and become somewhat sombre. Nami had mentioned Tatsuya's family and now everyone was thinking about Kasumi's family. One of the best days of her life was going to be ruined if Kasumi had to interact with those monsters. All of her achievements would be destroyed and nobody put it past her mother to try and sabotage her new ranking or her team placement.
"Don't worry kids,"
Nami released Daiki and stood facing the four genin with all of the confidence she could muster.
"This is a great day and you all should be extremely proud of yourselves. Not everyone has what it takes to become a ninja. I'll go with Kasumi. There are a couple of people we need to visit. I'm sure Elder Runa would love to know who you did today. Don't worry,"
"Yeah guys, I'll be fine,"
With Kasumi's few words of reassurance, the others each expressed their own small smile and agreed to go along with Nami's idea.
"We will all meet back at home and celebrate with a big barbeque! And then tomorrow your ninja career officially begins,"
Everyone still had a bit of worry and fear eating at their insides when the group split up but everyone was strong enough to put on a brave smile as they parted ways.
Nami looked at the young Yamanaka who was keeping close to her side as they walked down the street. Noticing how the sun did indeed glint off of her new headband which marked her as an official shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village. Nami was incredibly proud of each of the children as they all had some obstacle that they had to overcome in order to get to where they were now. Unfortunately, Kasumi's obstacle was much larger and she hadn't finished overcoming it yet.
"I think we should visit Elder Runa first. What do you say?"
"Sounds good,"
The rest of the walk was in a somewhat comfortable silence. The only uncomfortable element was each person's own fearful thoughts. Both Kasumi and Nami were nervous about the coming events. It wasn't every day that someone tried to leave one of the ninja clans and it wasn't every day that someone had a meeting with the Hokage.
Elder Runa made sure that she was at the Yamanaka Flower Shop that afternoon but she wasn't scheduled to work. She was just tending to the flowers. Watering and rearranging but another member of the clan was stationed at the counter and another was filling the ninja order out the back of the shop. She was tending the orchids in the front window when she caught the first sight of Kasumi. She saw the taller figure of Nami first and immediately started scanning for the young Yamanaka. It didn't take long for her to see Kasumi, as she was basically attached to the Inuzuka's leg, and the next thing Elder Runa looked for was the gleam of the Leaf Village Headband.
Tears of pride.
"Kasumi! Come here dear,"
Said girl finally left Nami's side and jogged over to the elderly Yamanaka. The only person with the same last name as herself that she was willing to call family.
"I did it! I did it! Can you believe it Elder Runa?"
"Yes, my dear. I knew you could do it,"
The two Yamanakas embraced in the doorway of the Flower Shop as the Inuzuka closed the remaining distance with a genuine smile on her face. Nami was glad to see Kasumi this happy.
"I want to know everything that happened, although, I'm sure it wouldn't have been any trouble for you. How did the others go? Tell me everything. Would you like to join us for some tea, Nami? I'll go put the kettle on,"
Now Nami was the one quickly closing the distance between herself and the Yamanaka Elder before the older woman had a chance to get too far ahead of herself.
"Hold up there, ma'am. Kasumi and I can't stay for very long. I think you know why. We just came to let you know how Kasumi went so you didn't continue to worry yourself and pick up some documents for our next trip,"
"Right. Of course,"
Elder Runa's previous excitement and haste faded and she was back to the worriedness and brooding she was experiencing beforehand.
"Nami, would Elder Runa be able to come to the celebration dinner tonight?"
This put small smiles back onto the faces of the women as Kasumi showed her ability to read a situation and come up with a solution, reinforcing the start of her ninja career in the eyes of those around her.
"Sounds lovely,"
"And then all of you can let her know how things went today but I'll just let you know ma'am that all of the kids made it through,"
"That's great to hear. Also, call me Runa. I appreciate everything you've done for Kasumi and I hope that, if everything goes well, I can still have the chance to visit her every now and then. I still haven't finished teaching her everything I know, well, everything I'm allowed to teach her,"
"Of course,"
While Elder Runa and Nami engaged in this conversation, the group moved inside the Yamanaka Flower Shop, completely ignoring the attendant who did the same to them. The conversation between the women continued, sharing delight at the accomplishments of the small group of children they associated with, as Elder Runa found her bag and rummaged around for the documents. While the adults did this Kasumi wandered around the store, naming all of the plants by memory and recalling any useful properties they possessed subconsciously as she thought about other things.
Kasumi was a little confused by the conversation. She assumed the documents were for her meeting with the Hokage but she had no idea that she needed any documents. Nami had said that she would take care of everything so that Kasumi could focus on the graduation exam but now the young Yamanaka was getting worried. Well, even more worried than before. How many other things did they need for this? Wasn't it enough that she was being treated horribly and that she was a ninja now and could survive on her own? But Kasumi was determined to maintain her composure and keep a smile on her face. After all, it was a great day. She had graduated. She was now a ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village. Even if things didn't work out with the meeting with the Hokage, she was at least on her way to a better life. Maybe she would have to save up some money first from her missions before they would let her go out on her own? Or, maybe she had to get to chunin? Either way, nothing was impossible and she would achieve her goal eventually.
Anything was possible. She could do this. She would do this. No matter how long it took. She would be free.
"Alright Kasumi, let's head off. Elder Runa, you can head over to the Inuzuka compound if you would like. I'm sure the children will recognise you and let you in. Unless you want us to call by here on our way back?"
"No, no. I wouldn't want to have Kasumi come near any of these mongrels, especially after her meeting. I'll meet you there for dinner,"
"Alright meet you there,"
"Bye Elder Runa,"
"Good luck my dear,"
At the Yamanaka Elder's comment about mongrels, the store attendant sent the group a dirty look but didn't dare do anything to the elder. The trio finalised their plans and said their farewells before they parted ways, with Kasumi and Nami continuing their journey to the Hokage monument and their scheduled meeting with the Hokage to decide Kasumi's fate.
It was really uncomfortable sitting in the waiting room. Nami had made all of the arrangements and had made the appointment but they still had some time before the meeting because she had no idea when the children were going to finish the graduation exam. The extra time did mean that they were able to go visit Elder Runa at the Yamanaka Flower Shop before doubling back to the Hokage Monument and the Hokage's Office which was all right next to the Academy. It had felt weird to double back and if Kasumi didn't have her headband displayed then most would have assumed that they were going to see the Hokage to contest her graduation results, as many did. This was another reason why their meeting with the Hokage was made for later in the afternoon, to avoid the traffic of the angry parents and upset students.
Along with the paperwork that Elder Runa had given Nami, the Inuzuka had two other parcels of paper and Kasumi was hoping that one of them was from Tsume, the head of the Inuzuka clan, giving the young Yamanaka the go-ahead to stay at the Inuzuka compound.
"Good afternoon, Lord Hokage,"
Both Nami and Kasumi bowed respectfully to the head of their village upon entering his office. For the second time that day, Kasumi was trying desperately to keep her emotions in check, primarily her fear and nerves. Kasumi briefly had the courage to look the Hokage in the eyes after she raised her head from the bow. The Hokage was getting on in years but was still considered the strongest ninja in the village, hence his title, but despite all of this he appeared gentle and kind. His appearance reminded Kasumi of Elder Runa; a grandparent figure. This helped to put the nervous girl at ease but not enough for her to have the strength to maintain eye contact so instead, Kasumi focused on her feet while Nami talked.
"Thank you for seeing us, Lord Hokage,"
"Of course. I hear your youngest just graduated from the Academy, you must be proud,"
"Very and all of his friends made it as well,"
"Yes, I had heard that you had taken a few of the children under your wing, including young Kasumi Yamanaka,"
"Yes, sir,"
At the mention of her name, Kasumi couldn't very well keep her attention on her shoes. The Hokage was looking directly at her and the Yamanaka had to struggle with the urge to take a step backwards. She had to be strong. She had to prove that she was strong enough to make it on her own without her clan.
"Kasumi,"
"Yes, sir,"
This time she kept the eye contact for as long as possible now that all the attention was on her. Every now and then her gaze would wander and take in the Hokage's Office and the view of the Village that could be seen out of the back wall which was entirely a window.
"The reason why you are here today is to leave the Yamanaka clan, correct?"
"Yes, sir!"
"I've heard a few rumours and a couple of different stories about this but would you care to tell me why you wish to leave. You must understand, this isn't a common circumstance. The only time people tend to change clans is through marriage and even then, they don't completely cut off connection with their original clan. So, tell me your story,"
Kasumi was finding it harder and harder to look directly at the Hokage as she recalled all of the things she had gone through. Originally, she wasn't going to tell a lot of the stories. Who would believe her over the head of the Yamanaka clan? But as the Hokage sat and listened to everything she had to say without interrupting or refuting her claims, she gained more and more confidence to pour her heart out to the old man and let him know all of her pain and hardship.
She told him about all of the times she had been accused of things just so that there was an excuse to punish her or get her into trouble. She told him about the names she was called and all the times she had been locked in her windowless room. She told him about how she had to sneak around the house in order to avoid her family and about how she had been refused the clan jutsu.
"Please, Lord Hokage! I'll do anything to get out of there! I'm a genin now so I can work and look after myself. Please!"
There was silence after this final declaration and the conclusion of Kasumi's recount. It was a lot for the Hokage to take in and consider but the silence just put the young girl on edge. She was already nervous from being in front of the Hokage but now as each second of silence passed, she thought it was more and more likely that he didn't believe anything that she had just said. Then she started thinking about the punishments that would be in store for her if she returned to the Yamanaka clan and they found out about her failed attempt to leave.
"Kasumi,"
"Yes, sir!"
Her fear was almost completely consuming her. She was on the brink of tears but she had to be strong. She had to prove that she was strong enough. That she didn't need her clan.
"I need to make sure that you understand what it is that you are asking. You will never be able to return to the Yamanaka clan and you will likely make a lot of enemies from this. This isn't something to do on a whim,"
"I know sir. I have been working towards this for most of my life now and, if I can be blunt, I believe that I already have most of the Yamanaka clan as my enemy. They certainly aren't my friends. Believe me, sir, I never want to return there ever again,"
The Hokage took a few more minutes to process the young girl's words before turning his attention back to Nami who had been anxiously watching the situation.
"Did you have anything to add Nami?"
"Yes, sir. I'm here to say that if Kasumi is allowed to leave the Yamanakas then she is more than welcome to stay with me and my family. She is good friends with Daiki and I have a letter from Shin vouching for her character and his willingness to accept her as part of the family. I also have a letter from Tsume, allowing her to stay in the compound with me and a letter from Elder Runa of the Yamanaka clan confirming most of what Kasumi just told you and giving her support for Kasumi leaving the Yamanaka clan. If there is anything else you need or anyone else you want statements from, I won't hesitate to go and get them right now,"
"Thank you Nami,"
When the Inuzuka handed over the aforementioned documents, the Hokage took his time to read each of them and contemplated the words on the page. This wasn't a simple situation and he was taking his time to make a proper decision. It wasn't something that happened every day but the child had valid reasons for wanting to leave and had quite a backing for her decision as well.
The tension in the room was visible as the anticipation slowly ate away at those that were eagerly awaiting the outcome of the situation. Even Nami was noticeably worried as she thought about everything that might happen to Kasumi if the decision was to not be in their favour. Nami didn't want to see the young girl ever step foot in the Yamanaka compound again and hoped that she would never have to see or interact with her Yamanaka family ever again. This was the only way that she could keep the child safe. Even if there was no blood relation between the two female shinobi, they had become family over the years. The same went for Tatsuya and TenTen but for Kasumi, it was different somehow. Nami couldn't explain it but she had always wanted a daughter. She would never give up Shin or Daiki but it was always nice to have Kasumi around. To be able to fuss and talk to someone who wasn't as hyperactive and dense as the boys tended to be. Kasumi was someone who was happy to sit down and have a cup of tea with the Inuzuka woman and talk about the day's events while the boys just wanted to go outside and train. There was nothing wrong with that but it was nice to have someone a little different around to break things up a bit. She had also noticed that it was good for her sons as well, to have the girl around. Shin was more outwardly protective of her than of Daiki which boosted the younger brother's confidence but also allowed Shin to fulfil his protective instincts without backlash. Daiki never liked it when others protected him because he thought it meant that they viewed him as weak. The only person he would usually accept help from willingly was Kasumi. He respected her as the leader of their small group of friends but also knew that she considered everyone to be equals.
Nami hoped with every fibre of her being and prayed to everyone she could think of that Kasumi Yamanaka would be given permission to become apart of her family and join the Inuzuka clan.
Finally, the Hokage moved. This brought Nami out of her musing with all the attention in the room now focused on what the Hokage had to say.
"This isn't an easy case, more so because Kasumi is the daughter of the head of her clan even though she is not the direct heir,"
Once again it appeared as if Kasumi's parents were about to ruin the young girl's life.
"But, we may be able to do a couple of things to get around this,"
The atmosphere changed instantly. Now instead of anxiety, it was stunned amazement and joy.
"Kasumi will have to keep the family name of Yamanaka and return to the clan as the next heir if required. This would only happen if Inoichi were to pass and Ino was to do the same without having any children. You will also be forbidden to learn the clan jutsu or any of its secrets, unless you become the next clan head. You also will not have the same freedom in the Yamanaka compound as you did before and, as with everyone outside of the clan, you will need to be invited into the premises and may be treated as an intruder if the proper protocols are not met. If these conditions are agreeable then I will allow you to officially take residence with the Inuzuka clan with the supervision of Nami. The tax from your missions will be sent to the Inuzuka clan instead of the Yamanakas and you will be included in their numbers of residents and shinobi. You will be considered an Inuzuka in all but blood and name. Agreed?"
"Yes, sir!"
Kasumi was having more success at holding back her tears than Nami was. The Inuzuka woman was on her knees and giving the young girl a hug. Neither female could breathe. One from the bear hug and the other from the wave of tears and emotions.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage,"
Once Kasumi was able to get these words out, she joined Nami in the tears and hug.
While waiting for the pair to recover, the Hokage went about getting the necessary paperwork ready so as to make his decision final. A copy of the paperwork and the letters would be kept in the archives, given to the Yamanaka clan and kept by the Inuzuka clan. He suspected that there would be a bit of backlash and a bit of an uproar from the Yamanakas at his decision but he truly believed that he had made the right call. Their opposition would not last long, given their treatment of and feelings towards the girl. She also had the support of a whole other clan as well as the beginning of her shinobi career to get her through this rough patch.
When Kasumi left the Hokage's office she left with her freedom and the beginning of a new, brighter and better life.
