ChApTeR 18 – Iga, the city of ninja
Disclaimer: Oh no, no, no…I don't own, own, own.
Warning: Inaccurate depictions.
"The skills of ninjutsu are not occult, or wondrous, but just like the strategy of swordplay; that is, it is about hitting the enemy through their gap, hitting by taking advantage of their responses or hitting by surprise"
- Antony Cummins & Yoshie Minami, the translation of the Bansenshukai (Japan's Premier Ninja Manual)
They sat in their seats, silent as their knees knocked against each other, their palms pressed against the hand rests. Nao could see that Tsuna was tired, could see it in his slumped shoulders and fidgeting fingers. Nao shifted in his seat and thought about how he should probably talk to Tsuna about what had happened, but he didn't know how to. So instead, he tapped a rhythm on his knees, building up the courage. 'You okay?' Nao wrote and Tsuna nodded.
"I will be" he said and took out a little black book from his bag as well as a pen. Nao arched a questioning eyebrow at him, but Tsuna didn't say another word as he begun to write.
'Dear Teruko,
I know you haven't even learn to read as well, but I'm hoping Mama will relay this letter to you.
How are you? Okay, that was kind of lame. I just don't know how to start, or even where to start. I can't tell you exactly what is happening over on my side, because well, I don't think you would understand and there's the other reason, which I can't discuss. It's a mess. Ha! Big Bro is just kidding.
I think about you a lot, even when I'm writing this letter. I miss you and Mama every day since I've left.
It's been a tough few days. I'm fine so you don't have to worry. Who am I kidding? Of course you are worried but I'm doing okay, I promise.
The world is wider than before, crueler but more beautiful in a way.
There are people who are so much different than we are, and yet, we are so similar in so many ways.
In fact, I met some new friends, 'Ruko-chan. I know you would love them as much as I do. There is was one lady who-...smelled like oranges, the ones that stick to your clothes and your hands, and she looked like Kyoko-chan too... She even behaved like her. .. She was beautiful, 'Ruko-chan. She had a little boy your age, I think you two would have been great friends if he met you, who knows.
That's why I wanted to save her.
I thought, I really believed I would.
Maybe, I'm not meant to save anyone, Teruko.
Maybe I was made to destroy'
Tsuna wiped away the tears and shoved the book back into his bag. Turning his head a little, Tsuna could see Nao staring at him via the glass, but Tsuna avoided his eyes. 'Who is she to you?' Nao wrote and they both knew that it was just common courtesy. Nao knew exactly who Teruko was.
"My little sister" Tsuna smiled as he crossed his arms. "She's everything to me" he admitted and Nao looked away. He appeared to be conflicted about something, before he scribbled.
'What is she like?' He asked and Tsuna rubbed his chin.
"She's so tiny" Tsuna laughed and the corner of Nao's lips twitched upward in an almost smile. "She has long blonde hair, like our father's and big blue eyes that can never hide how she truly feels" Tsuna said and Nao arched an eyebrow. "She is so warm and happy. Teruko-chan is one of the greatest people you can be blessed to have in your life" he added and Nao patted his hand.
'I will get you to her' Nao promised and Tsuna's smile shone brighter than anything he's seen.
It was into the two hours of the train ride, when Nao felt the restlessness start to dig into skin like an itch to that was too far away for him to scratch. He had to bite down on his teeth to calm his nerves and when that didn't work, he closed his eyes. The darkness swallowed up all the tension and he felt himself drift. His mind often liked to wander, liked to revisit the past, especially at a time where he had been just Tsuna's age.
He's ten, and he hates humans.
They're ugly, his mind snarls as he's crouched down in the far corner of the dark room. He can feel his ears bleeding, his hands are placed over his eyes as the door creaked open. His fingernails dig into the flesh of his cheeks and he squeezed his eyes closed. He didn't need his hearing to know the kind of evil that crawled out of the light. Because while people liked to preach to you about the monsters lurking the shadows, they don't warn you about the ones that walked around even at daylight.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk" a voice with a lilt sings as shiny black stilettos stop at his own shackled feet. The skin around the metal are chafing and the scent of rotting meat perfumes the air. Nao flinches when manicured fingers prod at the bleeding gauze on his wrists. He had been picking at the wounds again. "I'm going to have to teach you another lesson" she whispers and Nao screams when she dislocates his left shoulder. The pain blinds him for three minutes and leaves him groaning on the ground. "If you're good, you might get dinner today" she coos as she runs her hand over his sweaty forehead, pushing away the hair that's sticking to his face. He knows it's a trick.
She isn't capable of love, doesn't know how to.
She had been born into a family that needed a boy and got a girl, a scar that never scabbed enough to heal. Funny how a few organs could be *the* determining factor in whether or not your parents would love you. He lets her run her fingers through his cursed hair and doesn't react when she makes him look her way. Her beauty clings to her face, evident in her high cheekbones and her porcelain skin. Men from all over the country had fallen for the Bloody Mari, but only a Norwegian had managed to capture her heart. They fell in love, ran away and then got married. They lived apart from the world for years, just the two of them until their deformed son had been conceived. Then when reality came knocking at their door, her husband was killed and she had to return to Japan to a family that despised her. So she filled her heart with hate and when the cursed child was born, she had forgotten how to love, and so she had nothing else to offer him. So she made sure that he grew up to be feared, to raise up among the ranks of the Isshiki clan and claim his throne. Yet that wasn't enough. She had to get him ready, so that no one could sit where he sat.
"When the mind is full..." she recited and when Nao swallowed, he winced at the dryness of his throat.
"The stomach is never empty" he finished and she nodded. She straightens her back and Nao hurls himself in a sitting position against the wall.
He watches her through hooded eyes, counting in his mind against the pain. Sometimes, understanding doesn't make for absolution. So he hates her, just as much as his tiny body can manage.
"Grow stronger" she tells him and his eyes follows her until the door closes, leaving him in the dark to lick his wounds.
When they got to Iga, Tsuna could feel the anticipation in the air. It buzzed under his skin and made his hands clench. Tsuna glanced at Nao who fixed the medical mask over his face, in order to hide the ugly scar and the beanie hat to conceal his hair. He could see that Nao was anxious as well, as his eyes fluttered around to take in their surroundings. The streets were packed to the brim, as people weaved their way through the streets, equally as excited for the annual Ueno Tenjin Matsuri*. Tsuna could see the silver and gold banners flying around the poles and from the way Nao's eyes narrowed, he knew it was some sort of signal to the candidates. Tsuna smiled at the booming drums that accompanied the men and women who twisted their bodies to the rhythm as they danced their way past them. "This is going to be harder than I thought" Tsuna acknowledged and Nao just shook his head.
'Remember the plan' Nao wrote and Tsuna nodded, remembering exactly what the other boy had told him.
Nao can see that Tsuna is nervous, guessing from the way he kept biting on his fingernails and jiggling his legs up and down as they got closer to Iga. 'This second part, is not going to be easy' Nao writes and Tsuna turns his body to him. 'The bearers of the bandanas are Soke-sama's elite shinobi' he wrote and Tsuna rubbed a hand down his face. Of fucking course. 'They will not be permitted to kill, so don't worry' he adds at the worry he sees. Tsuna rolls his eyes.
"I'm not worried about that. How does he expect me to even find these shinobi? That's like asking me to find a needle in a haystack" Tsuna says.
'They will be hiding in plain sight, disguised to effortlessly blend into their surroundings' Nao writes and Tsuna rolls his eyes again. 'It is what comes after that you should be worried about. Even if you do find them, it's capturing the bandana that is difficult' he adds and Tsuna sighs.
"Would I need to engage them?" Tsuna asks and Nao shakes his head. Tsuna releases a sigh of relief.
'Their strategy has always been the same: torture without torture, using their abilities to break your mind and your spirit' Nao writes and Tsuna's eyebrows knit together in confusion. 'It all depends on which shinobi you get, but most often they will want you to steal the bandana from their possession. That is where I come in' Nao adds. Tsuna arches an eyebrow at him. 'I will be your weapon. You distract them, and when I see an opening, I'll snatch the bandana from right under their nose' he grins. Tsuna shakes his head and smiles.
"I am so glad that you're on my side" Tsuna admits and Nao's body shakes as he silently laughs at the awe found in the boy's eyes.
"We're not alone" Tsuna observed as they walked off to Ueno Castle. Nao replied with a nod as he motioned at the cameras poised at them from the surrounding buildings. He could practically taste the Taiyaki* from the neighboring vendors right outside the Castle*, as they walked through past the throngs of people.
He shook the snow off his shoulders and Nao pulled him to the side. 'See you soon' Nao wrote. Tsuna nodded and when he squeezed Nao's shoulder in gratitude, the boy smirked before dashing off into the crowds.
Tsuna travelled through the streets, his eyes sharply focused on every person of interest. Checking his watch, he could see that ten minutes had passed and guessing from the text Nao sent, only three bandanas were remaining. Panic caused his heart to race, but Tsuna forced himself to remain calm. They had to get just one bandana.
Tsuna sighed as he stopped.
Maybe, you're too focused on the masks, his brain supplied and looked around. He could see more people gathering at Ueno Castle but as he got closer, no one in particular stood out to him, so he walked off.
Maybe...his eyes scanned the courtyard, zooming in on any potential bandana holders. Remembering the book that he has gotten about observation, it said that in order to blend in, one should choose the most inconspicuous disguise they could get their hands on. And what was more inconspicuous, then the old lady sitting near the pavement, selling Taiyaki midst the other vendors. He inched closer, joining the little group who swarmed around her cart. When they were finished, they left but Tsuna stayed. Because of the red twisted on her fragile wrist. Her eyes appeared to twinkle as her own gaze landed on the bandana.
"Yes dear?" she crooned as she stood up. He shook his head at the mischievous glint that he was met with.
"What do I have to do to get that bandana from you?" He asked and she slyly smirked, before the expression slid off her face. It was replaced with a meticulously blank expression as she kept their gazes locked. "Easy" she shrugged but he wasn't prepared for a large gust of wind to push him backwards as the woman disappeared.
"Find me, Chīsana nezumi*" she whispered right into his ear, but when he turned around, she was already gone. He spun his body in a circle, hoping to get a sign as to where she…..He caught movement from the corner of his right eye and he saw a red streak flying over the wall.
Without thinking, his body pushed forward with the pull of adrenaline as he followed the blur. He could hear a faint cackling as he darted down on street, his muscles in his legs scorching with the exertion of the speed he had to maintain and the effort… only for it to turn into a dead end.
Shit.
He spun around on his heels and turned into another street, his heart thumping against his ribcage and his throat tightening into itself as he ran….only to crash against a pair of thick thighs. The burly man glared down at him as his daughter giggled at the flustered boy.
"Sorry sir!" Tsuna apologized with a deep bow and with a grunt, the man walked past him, his little daughter tugging on his hand.
Tsuna could see the blur of the red bandana again and so with a deep breath, he sped off.
Only to come face to face with the procession of the shrine. "Oh shit" Tsuna swore under his breath, as he pushed past more masked people, some wearing the mask of an 'Oni'. His burning legs came to an abrupt halt, sweat trickling down the bridge of his nose to drip down on his upper lip. The overwhelming heat of the bodies enveloped Tsuna on all sides as he squeezed his way through the street. He tried to avoid the stray limbs around him, but the occasional elbow still managed to slam into his face now and then.
As he moved closer to the red blur, the heat of the crowd managed to cancel out the cold from the light snow that drifted over their heads.
He trudged through, standing on his toes, hoping to get a better view of the chaos around him. "Come on, come on, come on" he pleaded with himself and that was when he saw…!
"You!" he shouted when he saw the hunched back of a short woman. He stretched out his right hand ready to grab her sleeve, only to snatch air. A sound of pure frustration crawled out of his throat as he flung his fist in the air. "Damn it!" he yelled and when he turned, he came face to face with a red Hannya* mask.
The man who prostrated himself in front of Tsuna, was as tall as his grandfather, with a lean frame that spoke of a power carefully hidden behind his clothes. He wore a matching kimono and a black haori snugly hung on his shoulders (something that he took note of) as the man slanted his head to the right in a mocking gesture.
The world narrowed down to the obsidian eyes of the mask, to the vulgar leering mouth, to the way the man cracked his knuckles, his fingernails coated in black enamel glinted in the low light of the afternoon sun.
Tsuna's energy seemed to drain the more the man studied him, as the bundle of nerves started to churn in the bottom of his stomach.
Goosebumps broke out on his arms and a coldness, that didn't come from the light snow, washed over his skin. He knew that whoever this person was, meant danger. So when the man took a step forward, Tsuna moved backward on instinct.
"You must be Tsunayoshi" a melodic voice whispered and Tsuna's body seized in a frozen state. Tsuna couldn't move, as a black fingernail tapped his forehead. "He must be a fool, to think that you would be able to replace me" the man breathed out and when he slightly lifted the mask off, Tsuna flinched at the brown eyes, the color of mud, that seemed to consume the little bravado he had left.
"Pathetic" he said, taking a step forward and shame warmed Tsuna's cheeks. Snapping out of his fear, Tsuna opened his mouth to speak when his elbow was yanked backwards. It was the old woman. Tsuna frowned at the fingers pressed into his skin and at the way her body was wound tight with repressed anger.
"Get away from him, traitor" the old woman snarled at the man who just chuckled. The deep rumble made the woman tighten her grip on Tsuna, to the point of bruising. The mysterious man fixed the mask back onto his face, before bending over in a taunting bow. When he straightened his back, he and the old woman stared at each other.
The two were locked in a stance of great tension, coiled on the defense and ready for any potential attack, while Tsuna stood off to the side, confused as ever.
"That's traitor-sama to you, Kotoko-chan" the man hums. He opens his right palm and directs it a Tsuna. "I'm surprised that you all allowed this piece of filth to enter the race" the man laughed and the old woman's eyes deepened with hatred.
"Why are you here?" the woman snarled as she pulled Tsuna to her body even more. "You are not wanted in this sacred city, you traitorous dog!" she snapped with vehemence.
"This city is a mere mockery of what it had once been, just like your precious Matsuoka clan" the man replied with a wave of his hand.
"A man who values nothing, will never understand family and loyalty" the woman threw in his face and Tsuna could see that the statement had struck something deep within the man.
"A change is coming, Kotoko-chan. Make sure you know which side you're on" the man icily told her but she said nothing. "Ganbatte kudasai, Tsunayoshi-kun. You will need it" he muttered and they watched as he disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"Well" Tsuna said, as he turned around, still locked in her grip. She was so distressed, so torn between protecting Tsuna and defending her clan's honor, that she hadn't noticed the blade pressed against her back. "I will be taking that bandana now" he told her and she snapped out of her daze. She could feel Nao grinning from his position behind her and she resisted the urge to laugh. She unwrapped the bandana from her wrist and gently placed it in his hands. She smiled and pressed her thumbs on his cheeks before leaning up to kiss his forehead. "A blessing on your way" she said but the gesture didn't quite meet her eyes because he could see that she was still shaken up by whoever it was that had approached him.
"Who was that?" he asked and she shook her head, before leaning in to whisper at Nao. He could see the fear in Nao's eyes at her words.
"Look after him. His life is in your hands" she told Nao and with a nod from the boy, she walked off, disappearing in the crowd.
"Nao" Tsuna said in a sharp tone but Nao, just tugged on the edge of his shirt.
"LeT's Go' Nao said and with a brisk yank, he pointed to one of the mountains overlooking the courtyard.
"You're kidding me" Tsuna groaned and Nao shook his head. "Damn" he sighed, and with a push, they started on their way to the clan house.
Meanwhile, at the Matsuoka clan house~
"He's done well so far" someone said to him as they approached from behind him. He was staring at the koi pond, sitting on the Kyoto styled beech bench, his hands folded neatly on his lap and his cane leaned against the wall. "He was pretty lucky to have gotten Kotoko-chan" the woman told him as she bowed at him.
"You and I both know luck had nothing to do with it" his grandfather scoffed as the surface of the pond glimmered in the dying light of the sun. He turned his body to look at her and she arched an eyebrow at him. He took in her straight black hair, studied the way it was pinned in a low bun and the way her blue kimono dragged against the floor as she sat down beside him. Even the foundation could not hide her true age, he thought to himself.
"I heard about Hiroshi" she whispered and he sucked in a breath at the name. "There has been rumors that he's gathering more followers, Hisao-sama. He's planning to contest the Mat-…" she was saying but abruptly stopped at the gaze that was directed at her.
"He's a silly little boy!" he yelled before looking off to the side. He grunted at the sharp jolt and in his efforts to calm himself, he patted his chest. When the pain settled, he took a deep breath. He could see her sitting up straighter than before, more alert from his outburst. "Even at a young age, he didn't want to follow the clan laws, didn't believe in tradition. Not even I could get him to listen" Hisao said, and sighed as the pain lanced his side.
"He's the greatest shinobi our clan had produced" she disputed and he sighed again. When she saw that he wasn't going to budge on his stance, she stood up. "I hope you know what you're doing, Hisao-sama. I really do" she told him.
"Tsunayoshi, he's a diamond that has yet to take shape" Hisao said, looking at her. "He has enough potential to save the Matsuoka clan. And as the Soke, I will ensure that he's ready for such a burden" he confessed and her eyes widened a little at his statement. She responded with a sharp nod. "Besides, he's MY grandson" he slyly added.
"Some are saying that is the reason why you are so soft on the boy" she told him with a light quirk of the mouth.
"Of course they are" Hisao scoffed and her eyes shimmered with mirth. "Nothing can ever fully satisfy the elders, you know this" he added as he took up his cane. "Let's go inside. I believe there will be more news on our doorstop" he said and she glanced at Kaito who had just walked through the Torii* gate at the entrance. He stopped and bowed. His eyes though, they appeared to be more troubled than before. "What is it?" he asked and Kaito took off his mask.
"There have been sightings of Hiroshi in the city" Kaito said and they lowered their heads at the anger rising from their Soke. "He's said to be going after Tsunayoshi" he added and they flinched when he strode off, no doubt ready to unleash his rage.
Notes: Woooo~
*Taiyaki: Japanese fish-shaped cake.
*Torii: From my research, it's the gate that is normally found at the entrance of a Shinto temple to signify the transition from mundane to sacred. The reason why I used this gate (I hope I have not offended anyone with its use) is to demonstrate that within this story, there will be a connection with religion (Shinto and Buddhist, etc) and with the shinobi. So the clan house also holds a temple within its grounds, and thus it explains why there is a Torii at one of the entrances.
* Ueno Tenjin Matsuri - This festival is held every October 23rd-25th at the Ueno Tenjingu Shrine in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, famous as the place where ninja got their start and as the birthplace of the haiku poet Matsuo Basho. The largest festival in Iga, this event boasts more than 400 years of history and has even been designated nationally as an Important Intangible Folk-Culture Asset. At the main festival, on October 25th, the largest Shinto wand in Japan (weighing in at 120 kg), followed by a magnificently decorated portable shrine, a procession of well more than a hundred demons wearing humorously frightening masks, and nine lavishly-decorated festival floats, makes its way boisterously through the streets of the castle town to musical accompaniment.
Winter is said to begin in November in Japan, so for this story's sake, let's twist this data and say that winter started earlier. (Climate Change, imma rite? Lol)
*I actually have no knowledge on whether or not these vendors are allowed to sell outside the Castle, soooo um…..ya know, if it's untrue, just add to another discrepancy.
* Chīsana nezumi - this translates (from the internet and not an actual Japanese person) little mouse.
* The Hannya (般若) is a mask used in Noh theater, representing a jealous female demon.
A/N:
Annnd, that's a wrap!
There's a lot going on this chapter (it should be because it was like ten pages on a Word document :O…) but we're finally getting deeper in the plot. YAY~
Plus we have the introduction of new characters, more conflict and a little insight into Nao's background as well as the situation that is happening within the Matsuoka clan.
Yuki: Thank you for such beautiful words. Your reviews have always lifted me up and inspired me to write, even when I've felt low on inspiration.
Oh my dudes, before I go: the Bansenshukai, is real and so awesome! Wow, Japan. You guys are so awesome. I can't even…..
