Standard Disclaimer, I don't own Glee or Naruto. Hey everybody, happy New Year, I hope you all have a great day. And here is the next chapter of Will of Fire, enjoy :)
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xXx-Chapter 9-xXx
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"What!" Naruto shouts jumping to his feet. "You're getting private lessons from the Old Man! Gah! I've asked him like a billion times and he's never said yes to me, that old goat! He's just terrified that I'm going to take that hat of his! Well guess what old man that won't- Oof!"
Sakura grabs the back of Naruto's jacket and yanks him back to the ground. "Quit yelling, you're making a scene." She huffs as she points out the rest of the students in the courtyard, all watching him.
"Oh, heh, heh… sorry." Naruto says sheepishly.
"Wow… I can't believe it, that's really cool sis." Ino says, not sure how she was really feeling about it. On the one hand she couldn't be prouder, Rin worked harder than anyone she knew and deserved this opportunity, on the other hand it just showed how much farther ahead of her Rin was. Rin was her little sister, how was she supposed to protect and look out for her if she couldn't keep up?
"Thanks, I'm kind of nervous though."
"Nah, you got this!" Naruto grins, giving her a thumbs up. "Hey, hey, hey, I know, once he's done teaching you, you should totally show us what you've learned!"
Quinn smiles at that, "That was the plan, after all this is only worthwhile if we can all grow strong together."
"Don't you worry about us," Ino says with a smile, "this is an amazing opportunity for you, so focus on that okay."
"Thanks Ino, but I want to share it with you guys, I love watching all of you work and improve. It helps keep me motivated. I wouldn't be anywhere near where I'm at right now if I didn't have you three to encourage me and help me."
"What are you talking about Rin, you're the strongest one here?" Sakura says, with Naruto and Ino nodding their agreement.
Quinn shakes her head. "I have things I'm good at but you guys far outclass me in other areas. Naruto, nobody knows how to plan and execute like you do and nobody thinks on their feet the way you do either. You're like the craftiest person I know. And Sakura, you're a genius, really. The smartest person I know and give it a bit of time you'll probably be the toughest too." Quinn praises them, Sakura is blushing and looking pleased with herself and Naruto is grinning scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
"And Ino, if we had to go on a mission right now, I would bet on you to succeed every time. You're clever and you understand how people work. You're really good at seeing to the heart of a situation and if that wasn't enough, you're knowledge of poisons and toxins makes you a scary opponent that I wouldn't ever want to fight."
"Says the girl who breathes fire." Ino teases, touched that her sister thought so highly of her and her skills. She wasn't as flashy or combat oriented as her sister and the others were and it was nice to know that she wasn't looked down upon.
"I'm just saying that we all have our strengths and I want us all to keep getting stronger together. Nobody gets left behind, we all help each other reach our full potential, okay?" Quinn finishes.
"Definitely." Ino agrees.
"Of course, we only got to where we are now by working together." Sakura adds.
"Nothing will ever stop us, believe it!" Naruto cheers.
Quinn loved the enthusiasm of her friends and her sister. It really did help. She was trying to fill her life with good emotions, that was what the Sandaime had said was the key to getting rid of the Amaterasu and so she was doing her best to focus on the good things.
Last night her dreams were once again invaded by Madara and his black flames. Her dreams were at the very least starting to return to normal, at least she wasn't in the car crash anymore. Last night's dream had started off in a field where it was just her and Naruto, and Naruto had a plan that he was going to open a Ramen stand and that people would have to climb over the mountain to get there, but he needed Ino to be the chef or it wouldn't work.
She had tried to explain to him that Ino couldn't be the chef because she hated cooking, but Naruto was adamant that it had to be her because the second Hokage, who looked remarkably like Sakura had decreed it. They were just about to start building the stand when the sky turned black and Naruto and the stand disappeared. The field she was in withered and burned to ash and standing there staring at her was the figure she now knew to be Madara.
The black flames of the Amaterasu come rushing towards her.
"Look San, she's dying, does this mean we can stop pretending to care about her?"
She flinched when the flames reached her and began to swirl around her and consume her.
You're poison Quinn, you destroy everything you touch."
She could feel herself heating up, it was starting to burn, and as she tries to hold back a scream she hears her mother's voice echo around her. "I'll be right here waiting for you, ready and willing to tell you how truly special you are."
And when Quinn had turned to look for the source of the voice there she had been. Her mother was watching her, a loving smile on her face and it was as if the fire had somehow felt pain, it flinched back and away from her, unable to touch her for that moment. She had woken up with a start after that, and had quickly kicked her blankets off as she felt like it was a million degrees in her room and she was drenched in sweat. It was close, but she hadn't woken up screaming, in fact when she looked over at Ino her sister was still fast asleep.
It wasn't perfect, but it was a start. She needed to work on accepting the love and friendship that she had in this world. She needed to learn that despite her situation that she did deserve love and happiness. She doubted she would ever be able to fully remove the Amaterasu from her dreams, because a small part of her would never be able to quell the negativity that was inside of her, never quite accept that she deserved these things, but if she could find that balance. Find a way to accept and believe that she was loved in spite of everything then maybe she could keep the flames at bay.
"Rin, are you okay?" Naruto asks as he waves his hand in front of her face.
"What, oh yeah I'm fine." Quinn answers with a smile.
"Good, you kind of spaced out there." He laughs, "What were you thinking about?"
"I was thinking that…" She gazes into Naruto's curious bright blue eyes, "I was thinking we should all go out for Ramen tonight, what do you guys say?"
That draws a bit of a gasp from everyone, including Naruto who loved Ramen to the point of obsession. He had even crafted a whole pantheon of Ramen related deities that he prayed to. All headed by Ramendeus, the god of the noodle. It was silly but it made her laugh, though he took it quite serious.
"What? Is that a no?" Quinn asks with a smile. She knew why they were shocked, it was her turn to pick what they did today and for the first time since they started this she was choosing to do something that had absolutely nothing to do with training.
Ino reaches over and feels her forehead. "Well she's not running a fever." She says playfully.
Quinn swats her hand away with a huff. "What, I just want some Ramen, that's all. I don't see what the big deal is?"
"Ramen sounds fine, it's just weird to hear that suggestion from someone other than Naruto." Ino quips.
Naruto is now staring at her looking quite pleased with himself. "That's because I've finally converted her to Ramenism."
"I think he's finally lost it." Sakura scoffs. However Naruto pays her no mind, instead focusing on Rin.
"So what was it that finally drew you in? Was it the divine might of the head god Ramendeus, or maybe it was the absolute beauty of the goddess of the broth, Misodite? Or perhaps you are a bit of a masochist and now follow the ways of the Dark One. The hateful god of the time it takes to cook Ramen?"
"The Dark One?" Rin laughs.
"That's right, we do not speak his name for he is ever watchful and easily offended. He is known to increase the time it takes for Ramen to cook as well as burn a bowl if he's feeling particularly wrathful." Naruto says quite seriously.
"Okay…" Ino says eyeing Naruto nervously. "I think someone has been out in the sun just a little too long."
"Pay them no mind Rin, for they are heathens and we are the blessed. Welcome to Ramenism, as its founder and prophet I am authorized to grant you the title and position of High Priestess of the Broth."
Quinn takes a moment to consider it, deciding to play along. "What exactly would my responsibilities be?"
Ino and Sakura groan as Naruto's eyes light up and Quinn laughs.
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xXx-Scene Break-xXx
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"Bye everybody, I'm heading out!" Megumi hears Rin shout. It was Sunday afternoon and she was heading off for her first lesson with the Third Hokage.
"Hold on a just second." Megumi calls out, hurrying to the door to see her daughter off, smiling at her when she reaches her.
"Is everything okay mom?" Rin asks, tilting her head, worried. Megumi internally sighs, sometimes that gift of hers could be real pain. Rin could probably sense her anxiety.
"Yeah, everything is fine I just…" Megumi pauses, she doesn't know why she's so hesitant to let her daughter go. Getting trained by the Sandaime was a once in a lifetime opportunity. The Third Hokage hadn't taken on a student since he had trained the Sannin, who knew what kind of things Rin might be able to learn from him. It wasn't a full on apprenticeship or anything but the fact that the Third was willing to take the time out of his schedule to work with her only confirmed what Megumi had always known, that her daughter was special. It was stupid and she couldn't explain it but, she felt uneasy. Like maybe it was a mistake to let her go.
No, this was too big of an opportunity for Rin to pass up just because she felt nervous. Inoichi had been surprised but thrilled by this, recognizing what an opportunity it was for Rin, so she forces herself to calm down and think of all the good that could come of this. She smiles encouragingly down at her youngest. "I just wanted to wish you luck today. Work hard alright and I'll want to hear about everything when you get back, okay?"
"Sure thing." Rin says before stepping in to hug her. After her talk with the Third a couple of days ago Rin had been a lot more openly affectionate than she used to be. Not that Rin was a cold child, quite the opposite, but she was always fairly reserved. That was starting to change, not that Megumi minded.
"I love you, good luck, and work hard." Megumi says before kissing her daughters forehead.
"I love you too, and don't worry I will. I'll make you proud of me."
"I already am."
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xXx-Scene Break-xXx
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Quinn sits patiently in the reception room of the Hokage's office waiting for him to finish up a meeting of some kind. When she had arrived his secretary had smiled pleasantly up at her from her magazine and told her that he would probably be a running a little late and that she had been told to apologize on his behalf and ask if she would be willing to wait for him. If not though he completely understood and that they would just try again next week.
Quinn could sense the annoyance coming from the woman as she said this, though it wasn't directed at her. No, if anything it seemed to be reserved for the three other chakra signatures that were in the Third's office with him. Actually the receptionist only seemed to find her a bit curious, there was a hint of jealousy in there as well, but mostly the woman seemed intrigued by her. Which Quinn might have found a bit strange if she wasn't fully aware of the fact that the seemingly harmless woman behind the desk was a fully trained ninja. She looked a bit like a 1950's secretary as she absentmindedly flipped through a magazine. Quinn knew it was all an act because judging by her chakra reserves she was easily a jōnin level ninja. She was probably wondering why the Third was taking the time to meet with some kid who hadn't even graduated from the academy yet.
As she let her senses go and expand, she found that the Third seemed quite annoyed too at the presence of his visitors. Two of the people that she could sense were slightly irked and exasperated, all of which was directed towards the Sandaime. The third signature was furious, seething and raging away. It might not be fair but Quinn instantly labeled him as quite an unpleasant person, plus there was something that was just… off about his chakra. Actually all three people in the room with the Third were quite powerful.
Quinn suppresses her powers again, it wasn't any of her business who was in there with him. Yeah it was a little annoying that she had to wait considering that technically this was her time, but she readily recognized that she was hardly a priority here and that the fact that the Third was making time for her at all was impressive.
It would be another fifteen minutes before the door to the Thirds office opened, with the Sandaime all but shuffling his visitors out. One of them was an old man and the other an old woman, both looked to be around the same age as the Sandaime, the other person wore a black kimono and was covered in bandages and walked with a cane.
"Yes, yes," the Hokage huffs, "I'll certainly take what you have all said into consideration."
"Saurtobi, this is serious." The old woman scowls, "There are implications involved that-"
Sandaime raises a hand to cut her off, "I'm well aware of that, you have all made your points quite clear and your concern is appreciated. Now if you will excuse me, I believe that young Miss Yamanaka has waited long enough."
All four sets of eyes turn to her and Quinn is suddenly feeling very self-conscious. The old man looks to be examining her curiously, not quite sure what to make of her. The old woman is doing the same but Quinn can detect a hint of sympathy coming from her as well. The mummy, as she had dubbed him in her mind was glaring at her. She didn't' need her abilities to know that for some reason he didn't like her, so she scowls back at him before standing and bowing to the Hokage.
"I can wait if you aren't finished Lord Hokage, there is no need to rush on my account."
"No, but there is a need to rush on mine, believe me." He says with a sigh. "Rin Yamanaka I would like you to meet Koharu Utatane," He motions to the old woman, "Homura Mitokado" He motions to the old man, "and Danzo Shimura." Finally motioning to the mummy. "They act as my… advisors on certain matters."
Danzo, the mummy, just scowls and proceeds to leave, however the other two turn to greet her.
"Good afternoon," The old man, Homura Mitokado says politely. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
Quinn bows to him, "Good afternoon to you as well, the pleasure is mine."
Homura turns to the Sandaime. "I hope you know what you are doing." He then turns back to Quinn. "Good luck today." And with that he takes his leave.
"Thank you sir."
"I trust you recognize what a privilege it is to receive training from the Hokage? There are many others who would love to be in your position." The woman, Koharu Utatane says.
Quinn barely manages to keep the scowl off of her face. No, of course she didn't realize that. It was only the Third Hokage, arguably the strongest ninja to ever come from this village. A man recognized the world over as the God of all Shinobi because of his prowess in battle… of course she fucking recognized what a privilege this was, she wasn't stupid. However she bites her tongue and replies politely. "Of course Lady Utatane, I'm very grateful to Lord Hokage. I am going to make the very most of this opportunity that I can."
The old woman gives her a very slight, but genuine smile which helps to ease Quinn's agitation just a bit. "Good, people will be watching you now, keeping an eye on the person that the Sandaime has decided to take a personal interest in. These people will be watching you and judging you, that can be a lot of pressure to handle. Ignore them, I've known Hiruzen for a long time now and nothing he does is ever done lightly. He must see a lot of potential in you."
Quinn isn't quite sure what to say to that so she just bows, "Yes ma'am."
Once she is gone the Third comes over to her, "Don't mind them, they generally mean well."
"I don't want to cause you any trouble Lord Hokage, if this is going to be a problem-"
"No, not at all. They're making this into a bigger deal than it actually is. Homura thinks that if I'm going to train someone that I should pick somebody that is a little bit more… shall we say, politically advantageous. And Koharu is actually worried that this might be a little too much pressure to place on someone so young. It's not, is it?" He asks her kindly.
Quinn shakes her head. "No, I mean I understand why people might think that but I haven't really thought of it like that."
"No?"
"No, I'm here for one reason, to grow stronger. I want to be as strong as I possibly can be because I have people who are important to me, they're why I'm here. Nothing else matters."
"I'm glad to hear you say that. In any battle the desire to win must be there in both combatants. In a fight between two evenly matched foes the one with the stronger will to win will be victorious and even if you are out matched a reason powerful enough to fight can push you past your limits. And in my opinion, there is no better nor stronger reason to fight than to protect those that you love. But enough talk, I'm sure you are as eager as I am to get started." The Sandaime says with a laugh as he claps her on the shoulder, "If you'll follow me, we'll head to an area a little more suited for what I have planned for you."
Quinn nods resolutely, ready to give this her all. "I'm ready whenever you are."
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xXx-Scene Break-xXx
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She hadn't been sure what to expect when the Third had asked her if she would be interested in training with him once a week, but she wasn't disappointed. It wasn't as exciting as a lot of people were probably imagining it would be. He wasn't going over advanced tactics, there was no grand sparring match where he went all out against her to show her how far she needed to go, he wasn't teaching her forbidden world shattering jutsu, in fact he wasn't actually teaching her anything new. He asked her what she had last worked on and when she had answered Substitution Jutsu they worked on that. What made it interesting was the detail that he went into in talking about the jutsu. He seemed to know everything there was to know about it and he shared the knowledge freely.
The goal of his training with her wasn't to teach her new stuff, he explained, it was to help her discover and perfect her own style. She was working on Substitution Jutsu so that is what they would work on until they were both pleased with her progress, then they would move on to whatever it was she was working on next. He would teach her nothing new, what he would do was help her master and perfect what she was learning on her own.
She knew that some people might be disappointed in that. The man was a master of over 1000 jutsu after all, and to not teach her any of them might seem like a waste but in all actuality Quinn was thrilled with this. In one afternoon of work she had managed to reduce the mass of the object she needed to switch with by almost seven pounds and she had removed the first hand seal from the sequence as well. She couldn't teach advanced techniques to Ino, Naruto, and Sakura, but this, this she could do.
As she left he had told her that the ninja world held many secrets, how to become strong wasn't one of them. The answer was simple, it was hard work and that was it. Natural talent helped but it would only take you so far and that she would only get as much out of this as she put into it. He couldn't press some magical button and make her a world class ninja, that was all on her. But he also told her that he was very pleased with her efforts today and that he knew he had made the right choice in asking her to train with him and that he was excited for next week.
If that wasn't a confidence booster then Quinn didn't know what was. There was a bit of a skip to her step as she headed home. The session had run a little long and had started late so it was after seven when she finally arrived home.
"I'm home!" She calls out as she is removing her sandals in the entry way.
"Rin, you're home!" Ino shouts excitedly, running up to her. "How did it go, did you learn a lot? What is he teaching you? I bet it's something really cool isn't it!? Come on tell me! You promised you would share!"
"Slow down Ino, give your sister a chance to breathe." Her father says with a laugh as he comes up beside them. "Welcome home sweetheart."
"Thanks, and I'll tell you all about it sis, but I'm pretty sure you're going to be disappointed, it's not nearly as exciting as your thinking… no… actually that's not quite right, I can't wait for our next session and I am excited, I guess it would be better to say that it's not nearly as flashy as people might think. We worked on the Substitution Jutsu."
Ino's face falls, "That's it? You're training with the strongest ninja in the village and that's all he's teaching you!? We're learning how to do that at the academy… are you sure that's all you were doing?" Ino asks her suspiciously. "I mean if he's sworn you to some kind of super-secret, pain of death if you tell anyone training, just nod your head and I'll accept your answer."
Quinn laughs and gives Ino a hug. "Sorry, nothing like that but in one afternoon I've managed to remove the first seal in the sequence for Substitution Jutsu, so there is that." She says with a grin. "Where's mom? I wanted to tell her about this too."
"She saw you coming and she's warming you up some dinner." Her father says, "Now come along, we're all excited to hear about your big day." He says as he leads his girls into the kitchen.
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xXx-Scene Break-xXx
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Ino lay wide awake in her bed. Her mind in a whirlwind. She couldn't stop thinking about her sister and all of the progress she was making, or Sakura and how she was becoming stronger and more and more confident. She thinks about how even Naruto is improving by leaps and bounds. Then there was her. She couldn't help it, she felt like she was stagnating.
She was proud of her sister and her friends but she was jealous too. She wanted to keep up with them but at the rate they were growing and progressing she was going to fall behind. Everyone said that she was making great progress, her teachers, her parents, Rin and her friends, telling her that she was so far ahead of where she should be but she just didn't feel like it.
She looks over at Rin whose chest is rising and falling gently. What made her sister so much stronger than her? Yeah, Rin had trained more seriously than her to begin with but that had changed. She was always training with her sister now, working out with her, sparring, studying. And yet she always felt like she was playing catchup. She loved her sister, she truly did, but it was hard at times to even stand next to her and not feel inadequate.
Ino sighs as she looks at the clock, it was three in the morning. What was she doing awake at three in the morning? She had school tomorrow. It didn't matter, there was no way she was going to be able to go back to sleep. She sits up and quietly slides out of bed and glances over at Rin who tonight seemed to be sleeping peacefully. She was getting better but she knew that Rin was still suffering from her nightmares, but whatever techniques the third had taught her to help overcome them seemed to be working, because there was none of the usual whimpering or groaning that usually happened when Rin slept.
Ino walks over to her sister and tucks her in a little better, some of her blankets having slipped off a bit during the night. She smiles lightly as Rin snuggles into the blankets a bit and sighs comfortably. It was nice to see her sister finally get a decent night's sleep. Seeing Rin as shaken as she had been after that first nightmare had been scary, especially because it was such a different Rin from the strong confident girl that she usually was. In Ino's mind Rin was born to be a ninja, everything came so easily to her sister.
And as Ino left their room she can't help but consider the possibility that maybe she had made a mistake in training to become a ninja. From the time she was a little girl that was all she could remember wanting to be. A ninja like her father was and her mother had been. She wanted to be strong and powerful and be able to help people and to have people look up to her. It just felt like what she was supposed to do.
But Rin hadn't been sure, she remembered very well that it wasn't until a week before the academy started that Rin finally decided to join up. She had never expressed any interest in being a ninja before that, in fact she spent half her time talking about being something else. She would get so excited about these different things too and talk about them so passionately. A writer, an actress, a chef. All of these jobs and more had been things Rin talked about doing when they grew up. But for Ino there had always been just the one course, ninja.
She had been so happy and so pleased when Rin had decided to become a ninja with her. They would be together just like they always should be, but now she had to wonder… It was clear that Rin's path was that of a ninja, but what about her? She had just jumped head first into this world and hadn't given it a second thought. Rin had agonized over this decision and even when she had decided she seemed uncertain and then they had their first class ever and it was like something clicked in the other girl. But not her, yeah things often came pretty easy for her, and you didn't get to be ranked fourth in class without having at least a bit of natural talent and hard work but still…
She knew that part of her problem was that she did compare herself to her sister. They were identical twins, it was hard not to. They looked exactly the same, even more so now that she had started to grow her hair out like Rin. But once you looked past the physical similarities she and her sister were quite different. Rin was always so calm and collected. Completely focused on what she was doing. She was also quiet and she seemed so much older and mature than everyone else.
Ino knew she could be childish at times and she knew that she could be a little loud. And yeah, sometimes she got distracted, but she worked hard too. And she was friendly and outgoing and passionate about things. She wanted good things for her friends and family and she liked to help people. Those were good qualities too, weren't they?
Not that those things made much of a difference in training but she couldn't help but wonder if maybe they did. They were supposed to be identical twins, so why was Rin so much more advanced than her? And she knew that her jealousy wasn't fair to her sister either. Rin always went out of her way to work with her and help her, she never acted like she was better or that Ino was lesser. And Rin was always happy to show others what she knew, she had spent all evening going over in as much detail with her as she could, everything that the Third had taught her. It was just… for once she would like to be the one to teach Rin something. She would like to feel like her sister's equal.
Ino turns the lights on in the kitchen and begins to make herself some tea. Maybe that would calm her mind a bit, or maybe she would go train. Try to play catch up with her sister, yeah right, catch up to her sister, the very girl who was getting private lessons from the Third Hokage, probably not going to happen.
"Hey princess, what are you doing up?" Her father tries to ask quietly but Ino was so lost in thought that she hadn't noticed him and so he startled her.
"Daddy!" She gasps, clutching at her chest. "I didn't see you there."
He smiles at her apologetically, "Sorry to startle you. So, what are you doing?"
Ino shrugs, "I couldn't sleep so I'm making some tea, do you want some?"
"Sure," He says softly as he takes a seat, "I would love some."
They both remain silent as Ino warms the water and then adds the ingredients, a companionable silence falling over them. Ino knows her father won't say anything until she's ready to speak. He was a good listener like that. It isn't until they both have a warm cup in their hands and are both sitting down that Ino breaks the silence.
"Daddy…?"
"Yes?"
"Do… do you think I'm a good ninja… I mean do you think I'm as good as Rin?"
Her father is silent for a moment and Ino can feel her heart start to sink.
"I think, that the two of you are very different types of ninja, who excel in very different areas. Your sister is very combat oriented, she's good at other things but that's where her talents and passions lie. But there is more to being a ninja than just being a good fighter. Studying your enemy, knowing how people think, stealth and deception. Reading what's beneath the underneath. Those are things that you know how to do and come to you so naturally. It's hard, I know, to see how that matters especially while you are in the academy and can't really see the fruits of your labor, especially not when you compare it to the progress you can see when you look at peoples fighting skills but yes, I would say without a doubt you are every bit the ninja that Rin is."
"Really?" Ino asks uncertainly, she wants to believe him, she really does but she can't help but wonder.
"Really, you can't compare yourself to her like that, you excel in very different areas. And let's be clear, you're no slouch in the combat arts either, but where you truly shine is in deception and stealth. Intelligence and counter intelligence, and those are important things too. I'm no combat ninja either, you're progressing much like I did when I was your age, only much faster. Believe in yourself, you are so far ahead of where you should be, you have every reason to be proud of yourself."
Ino nods her head. "Thanks… it's just… I always feel like I'm watching her back, you know. Like I'm always trying to catch up to her and when I finally think I've done it she does something else and I just… I don't want to be left behind."
"Oh honey, don't think that. Your path is different than your sisters but that doesn't mean you've fallen behind her."
"Maybe… I don't know, maybe I just need something more, something new to challenge myself with, you know? I can't just keep learning from Rin or the academy, I have to do what she does and forge my own path… I… I need something that is specifically for me." Ino looks over at her father as an idea comes to her mind, a resolute look on her face. "Daddy, could you start training me in our clan techniques.
"Are you sure." He asks her seriously. It was a little bit earlier than it would usually happen, but Ino and Rin had both come so far that he had told them that anytime they were ready to he would start training them in their clan techniques. But before he did, they had to consider it very carefully. The Yamanaka clan techniques were some of the most difficult techniques to learn for a multitude of reason, not the least of which was the chance that you might drive yourself insane.
"I'm sure. You said that if we were ready we could ask you to train us, I'm ready."
"I'm not trying to discourage you but I want you to think carefully on this, because once you commit there is no going back. If you want to grow stronger there are other ways to do so, safer ways. Many have gone insane, have broken their minds trying to learn our techniques. You have to be able to look inside yourself, truly look at yourself and not only see yourself for what you are but accept it as well. That's not always easy and we don't always like what we see. Many Yamanaka's don't ever get beyond even the first stage."
"I'm not afraid. Please, will you teach me?" Ino asks.
"Very well. If you're serious then we'll begin your training tomorrow, but I warn you, it won't be easy. You have to break yourself down and rebuild yourself all over again. You have to see every strength that you have as well as every weakness, you will have to know and accept yourself completely. If you don't, if you can't, then your own mind will turn against you and will tear you apart from the inside."
"I can do this." Ino says firmly, "I know I can."
"Okay. We'll start tomorrow as soon as I get home, in the meantime, I think it's time to head back to bed. You'll want to be well rested."
Ino nods her head. "Okay daddy. I'll just clean up here and go to bed."
"Don't worry about it, I'll take care of it. Goodnight princess."
"Goodnight daddy."
