Sasuke-kohai was telling the truth. He really does live with the Iga Clan, and there really are three of them, and they really do wear wool clothing, smell faintly of sheep and flowers, and have very little regard for what is and isn't proper.
They are honest, almost blunt, in their conversations- which Sasuke-kohai correctly interpreted as a simple lack of socialization, and an over… over-something on the company of the Uchihas. They are kind, generous, gentle- sincere, open people, which is strange considering they are one of the more eccentric clans in Konoha.
They also gave me very distinctive, very interesting gifts. Very- thoughtful, gifts.
Raiko have me a hairband, made of a special wool she said wouldn't stain, or keep, or leave, any smell other than it's own easily- when I held it, I could only smell the sweetness of the grasses and flowers the sheep ate and slept in, the mustiness of damp earth, and a sort of smell- I can only describe it as wet. It was a dull, off grey color, with streaks of brown and white in the threads, and my clan's kamon on each end- no matter how I flipped that little ribbon, my clan's symbols were always visible. She also told me that if I ever wanted more, or lost that one, or didn't like it even- she'd make me a new one.
I know now that Sasuke was not kidding when he told me that the difference between Itachi-san and Kirara-chan was the difference between being shy and just being a weirdo. I thought Itachi-san was aloof- but after meeting and talking to Kirara, I realize that he's legitimately shy. Kirara is aloof. She's also terrifyingly observant. I'd only been considering becoming a veterinary medic- but she gave me books about all the ailments and uses of her family's sheep! Nothing her clan considered secret- which apparently means nothing you couldn't learn in the lifespan of one sheep. She also gave me a loose undervest made out of a slightly rough-feeling fabric. She told me that it wasn't a terribly stretchy weave, but I could wear it in any kind of weather without worrying about it shrinking, and that it was from a specific part of their herds wool output called Irontooth- and apparently her clan historically uses that particular strain of wool as armor almost exclusively. She told me that she would have made vests for my ninken as well, but Irontooth doesn't work as well on animals- and that she'd feel awkward about doing something like that without taking proper measurements. I'm not sure if I like the gift she gave me- but I know I like the gift Yayoi gave me!
Yayoi is definitely the leader of her sisters. Ma told me that the situation with the Iga clan's leadership was very strange and always would be, and that when I started learning more about the Clan Council, I'd understand what she meant. I think my mother might have jumped the fence on this- Yayoi, for all her reserve, is very definitely the leader of her sisters, not the follower. She gave me a bundle of thin chunks of lamb meat, called it jerky- I tasted one after testing it, and it is delicious. The other thing she gave me was a bag only I could open- I don't know when she got my blood, but she did, and she made me a little felt bag. It's bright red with little flowers swirling across the top closure, and a seal that keeps it closed unless I open it myself. She told me that the wool it's made of is called Stricker, and it actually pulls tighter to itself the more it's pulled at. The only way to loosen the fabric if it's pulled too tight is to soak it in cool mineral water.
I kind of… I wish I had made the effort to get to know the Iga sisters earlier. The veils are intimidating at first, but their kindness and personalities are really clear, even if all you can see is their eyes.
I think that rumor about them causing the Kyuubi is stupid- why the hell did I even listen to it in the first place?