Hello and welcome to DB-
Sorry, wrong shtick. Anyway, here's another chapter with Misty vortex! I've been getting reviews as well, and I have to say, I'm happy! No offense to others, but Kani-Leek-Lover and Llyrica are the only ones who've given me a Review I actually consider a review. They actually criticize me one things I need to improve. gmelina123 did the same thing, though that was in a PM, but I still count it as a review! So please, give more descriptive reviews!
With that out of the way, let's get to review responses!
Llyrica: and thank you for reviewing! Ok, with Mikoto and Kushina, I know that I haven't shown to much with them, but in honesty, this is supposed to be OC centric, so it would make sense... Don't worry, I'm having at least going to have two more chapters before they graduate, and Mikoto and Kushina will be in them. With Minato and Kasumi's talk, you don't know how relived I am to hear that. I thought it would end up as one of those useless thoughts that no one paid mind to, the mood swing thing though... Hehe. You have a point. Kasumi, by the time she's 13 will have the mentality of someone at least 24. She's a scary smart kid. With Shikaku and Kasumi, that right there is what I've been trying to stress. Their both kids, no matter how mentally apt. They won't try anything until they are old enough, and even then it won't be until Kasumi is sure on what she wants.
InazumaSenshi: It's not necessarily the fact of the Jinchuriki that makes them worried. It's the possibility of Kushina, or Kasumi in the off chance, would loose control and kill their kid. It's understandable really. As for Shikamaru... I really can't see him without black hair. The eyes on the other hand... We'll see, and who knows, Shikamaru might end up with a sibling as well.
That's that, now onto disclaimer-Kun! (I'm weird)
Disclaimer: I own nothing! I do own Kasumi, or non-cannon events, but other then that, nothing!
Kasumi was tired. Understandable considering the fact that she was overthinking things. She was supposed to have Shikaku and his parents over for dinner tonight, and to say she was nervous was an understatement. The sole fact that she was going to have dinner with the parents of the boy she was 'Scouting out' was nerve wracking. The fact that Shikaku was in a similar situation didn't even occur to her. She was just nervous about the whole thing, and then some.
With a sigh, she got up despite the fact that there wasn't school today, or the fact that it was only 6:30 in the morning. She just couldn't sleep anymore, not with the thought of what could happen playing in her head.
Shaking her head quickly, Kasumi decided that she was going to practice some Basic Fuinjutsu. The basic seals usually only had one symbol on it. Kasumi wanted to eventually be able to make relay seals with symbols of 4 on top of another relay with 4 or more, as those were some of the most complicated seals in existence. The most complicated seal, and one that Kasumi had memorized, and was trying to figure out how it worked, was a relay seal of seven seals, with three over it, and 4 below it. It would be a long time before she could actually figure it out, or even make the seal, but she was determined to do it.
Sitting down in the training room of the Senju clan. It really was like an old fashioned Dojo to Kasumi, but it suited what she wanted just fine. Wide open space, with plenty of room for practicing the penmanship needed with Fūinjutsu. That, and the fact that the room had seals that made the room self cleaning, along with the fact that the walls were soundproof in the way that no one outside could hear inside, but the other way around was not so, made it perfect for Kasumi's Kami given gift with seals, as failed seals tended to blow up, literally.
Starting up with a basic storage seal, Kasumi decided that she would use this one for carrying around Kunai. Mito had explained that a seal master could make complicated seals that not only allowed for more then one item to be stored, but it could give a specific amount of what you needed, and could combine the two if needed. An example would be a Kunai with ninja wire. The complicated seal that Mito was talking about could have it so that the Kunai was immediately attached to ninja wire, while you could get an exact footing when it came to said wire as well. With that type of seal, you could really mess up someone's day.
Kasumi gave a soft smile as she continued to create the storage scroll, this one ending up being one for Kunai. It was on a piece of paper that was small enough to be a wrist bracelet if needed, but large enough that you could hide the seal without anyone knowing it was there. With another sigh, Kasumi set down her calligraphy brush and inspected the seal. Deciding to test the seal out before putting it on her wrist, she set a Kunai from one of the training racks onto the seal, and pumped chakra into said seal.
Expecting the seal to explode, Kasumi had spread a thin amount of chakra all around her body to act as a sort of cushion for when she was sent into a wall, but to her surprise, and joy, all there was, was a small cloud of smoke appearing. When the smoke cleared, however, there was a Kunai missing, and a Seal's kanji was a thicker black then the normal grey when there was nothing in it.
Grinning from ear to ear, Kasumi gave a happy sigh, before she wrapped the seal around her wrist, and tightly secured it.
"Well. It's seems someone's happy." An older voice stated, with an amused tone.
Kasumi, who was surprised by said voice, quickly activated the seal on her wrist, grabbing the Kunai, and turning towards the voice, getting ready to throw it, only to stop when Mito walked into the room. The older Uzumaki gave an an used look towards Kasumi, who only gave a frown of annoyance.
"Mito-oba-chan." Kasumi mumbled out.
The main rule with the Uzumaki household was that there was no training in seals without supervision. Kasumi had hoped that Mito would be asleep still, but even if the woman was getting up there in age, she was still a Shinobi, and she was determined as well. It seemed she didn't want to die on the two Uzumaki until they graduated from the academy. That fact alone was why Uzumaki Mito, the wife of Senju Hashirama, the founder of Konohagakure, was even still alive. She was determined to see the two Usumaki graduate at the very least. She also knew that when they graduated, Kushina would be forced into becoming the new Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi no kitsune.
Gaining a sterner look, Mito frowned at Kasumi, and asked "What are you doing up Kasumi? You know I don't want you practicing Fūinjutsu without supervision! Your not skilled enough yet to practice in your own!"
Kasumi flinched slightly at Mito's tone, but she understood why. To many Fūinjutsu students had died from either poor judgment, or no supervision. The ones who mainly died were always those that thought they were ready for more advanced seals. Even the most basic seal, when done wrong could end up killing you. That's just how dangerous the art was.
"Gomen Mito-Oba-chan. Thought that if it was a simple storage seal, that it would be fine. I forgot your lessons for a second." Kasumi stated, while looking down.
Mito, gave a small sigh in response "It's okay Kasumi-chan. You are ready for more advanced seals then a storage one, but I wanted to wait until you could make a flawless cooling seal. How about, you make one of those seals, while I wake Kushina up? Don't worry, I'll be having a Kage Bushin stay with you."
That was another thing that Kasumi wanted to learn. Kage Bushin. The Uzumaki, naturally, had too much chakra to be able to create a regular Bushin. Add that with the fact that the chakra is just so dense, and any illusion that an Uzumaki could make, had to be made with a seal. That was why the Uzumaki were so feared. Their large chakra reserves added with the humongous seal creativity, and the Uzumaki, by themselves, could easily take on Thousands of Shinobi with ease.
The younger Uzumaki gave a nod, before she pulled out another tag so that she could begin making the coolant seal. As the name suggested, it cooled down things that it was placed on, such as a drink, food, or even a person if the weather was extremely warm.
That one in particular was popular when it came to the warmer countries such as Kaze no Kuni.
Slowly, and carefully, writing out the seal layout, Kasumi was determined to get this right. Mito, who was standing right beside said Uzumaki was impressed. The young red and black haired girl was determined to get this right, and that was an admirable trait when it came to the Uzumaki's. The fact that she wanted to progress, was the starting point to becoming a seal master, and Mito was sure that Kasumi would surpass even her when it came to the art of Fūinjutsu. That wasn't to say that Kushina wouldn't be a sealing master either, but it was suffice to say that her skills were more physical then Kasumi's.
The younger of the two Uzumaki had a sharp mind, but she would always lose in a contest of pure physical strength. It was something that would stay no matter how much Kasumi trained. There would always be someone who was stronger then her physically, while it would be harder to physically beat Kushina. In the mental aptitude, however, Kasumi was a monster. It scared Mito how strong the girls mind was at her age. She could quite easily beat the elder Uzumaki in a game of Shogi, as well as Go, something that the elder was able to beat the first Nara elder at. The fact that her mental prowess would only grow, was really scary.
Then there was the Nara boy that Kasumi had her eye on. The two were evenly matched, and it was only getting worse. Their matches stretched out longer and longer, to the point that they would have to take a day to find the winner of a single match. They even challenged the Nara elders, even if they lost, to test themselves. It was the principle of them getting smarter that kept them coming back to challenge the elders. Kasumi, because she wanted to increase her mental Aptitude, and Shikaku, because of the same reason, but also because he was aiming to at least be able beat Kasumi at one point.
It was almost like he was using Kasumi as a measuring stick. She was the top in their class in terms of mental capabilities, even if she wasn't anyway near being the Top Kunoichi, so if he wasn't at a similar level in terms of mental abilities, then he was falling behind. That was something that both Mito and Shikaku's parents noticed. It wasn't a bad thing per say, but it did make the two children impromptu rivals in the logical side of things.
That wasn't to say that they wouldn't be friends because of it.
"Aaaaand... Finished 'ttebate!" Kasumi stated stated with a happy expression, while Mito looked towards the seal she made.
As she was doing this, Kushina walked in, a bleary eyed look on her face, and her hair sticking up every witch way. Suffice to say that Kushina was, by no means, a morning person. In fact, her legendary temper got even worse when she was woken up early.
With a loud yawn, Kushina's bleary eyed look, gained a more curious tone, as she saw that Kasumi was almost bouncing, and Mito was looking at a piece of paper, that no doubt had a seal on it. What was on the seal, however, was what Kushina wanted to know.
After a few minutes of silence Mito looked towards Kasumi with a smile and nodded "You passed. We will begin the more advanced seals tomorrow."
Kasumi let out a cheer of delight, while both her sister, and her grandmother looked towards her with amusement, and Kushina even gave a grin. She knew that her sister was going to be better then her when it came to seals, it was an art that favored the mentally inclined after all. On the other side of the coin, Kushina had unlocked her ability to use Kongō Fūsa (Adamantine sealing chains).
With a proud nod, Mito turned towards Kushina, as she asked "Do you wish to try and see if you can head to more advanced studies?"
Kushina shook her head "I know I'm not ready yet Oba-chan. Besides, Kasumi should be able to celebrate a bit before I get to the more advanced stuff."
Mito gave a chuckle at that, but the old Uzumaki, simply said "I see. Well, she can celebrate later. Right now, we have training to do."
Kushina gave a grin at that, while Kasumi stopped her little celebration, and gained a harder look. It wasn't that of what a Shinobi who got to Jounin rank had, but more along the lines of someone who was ready for harsh training conditions. Unsurprisingly, no matter how Nice Mito was, the elder Uzumaki was a slave driver. When they first arrived in Konoha, the two had to run around the whole of Konoha five times as a warm up. After that, it was even more exhausting for the two as they did other physical activities, but the winding down was of a mental sort, something that Kasumi was grateful for.
Mito had explained that after exercise, your brain tends to work faster due to the acceleration of blood and adrenaline in the brain. It was due to this, that she had them use a mental game, such as Shogi, or Go, to wind down from the training they had.
Needless to say, Kasumi won all of the matches.
About an hour later, Kasumi and Kushina both were on the ground panting from exhaustion, and it was only 1:00 in the afternoon. They normally trained for most of the day, but Mito, who was completely fine, had stated that they needed to be presentable for guests they were going to have. Kasumi knew what it was she meant, and no matter how much she despised formal attire, (what Uzumaki did?) she knew that she had to get ready.
Struggling to her feet along with Kushina, the both of them supporting one another, they headed towards the large bath that the compound had. It was big enough for both of them, so they could get clean at the same time to save time, but it was private, so no one would be looking in on them, though whatever person would try, had to be a pedophile. Seriously though, the oldest of them was Kushina, and she was only 8!
As the two slipped into the almost spa like bath they had, Kasumi groaned from sore muscles "How can you not be groaning Nee-chan? You did more then I did..."
Kushina, who was humming a bit before just shrugged "Hey, Oba-chan did say that I'm more physically inclined then you. Guess my bodies just more used to it then you are. I dunno."
Kasumi gave a hum in agreement "Hai, hai. I know that already Nee-chan. What I'm talking about is the fact that your not nearly as sore as I am, but I guess that's understandable. You do twice as much as I do every time Mito-Oba-chan trains us."
Both girls shivered for a second in remembrance of the training they had just received, though Kushina had something come to mind.
"Hey. Aren't you worried at all about that Nara kid coming over tonight along with his parents?" Kushina suddenly asked.
Kasumi didn't say anything for a second, but eventually she said "Not really. I'm six at the moment, but I can think like an adult. I know what I'm getting into Nee-chan."
"Hey! I never said you didn't. I'm just trying to make sure you don't do something stupid, ok?" Kushina stated, a pout on her face.
Kasumi just laughed a it before she said "I know, I know. Now come over here so I can wash your back.
About a half hour later, the two Uzumaki had exited the bath. And we're now dressed in some nicer clothes. Kushina in a green kimono, though it stopped at the thighs, and it was partially open in the front, to show a black shirt under it, while Kasumii had something similar, except for it was red, and she had it more traditionally don't up then Kushiina.
"Ugh... Do we have to wear these things? I mean, seriously! They are uncomfortable as hell!" Kushina complained.
"Watch your language!" Mito yelled from the other room.
"Sorry!" Kushina yelled back "But seriously. These things are so uncomfortable dattebane!"
Kasumi laughed slightly at her sisters misfortune, but she did help Kushina make it look better, while being more comfortable as well "We have guests. And with Mito being the widow of the first Hokage, we need to be like this as well."
Kushina grumbled a bit at that "Doesn't mean I have to like it..."
"And you think I do?" Kasumi asked with a raised eyebrow "I may be quieter then you, but I'm still an Uzumaki at heart. We're like a whirlpool. Where ever we are, we bring chaos."
Kushina let out a laugh at that, and she nodded in agreement. Kasumi brought chaos in the sense that she was so smart, and she had, a couple of times, told a teacher off for teaching something wrong. A little mistake involving the process of using chakra, as well as some theory, and Kasumi knew the people who learnt it would be in trouble. Kushina, on the other hand, was a prankster, who was by now means discriminatory with who she pranked. No one, not even the Hokage was safe.
Kasumi, tugged on the knot she created on a part of Kushina's Kimono, but when she did, she gave a smile towards the older girl, and then walked further into the house as Mito was cooking at the moment. Kasumi was a good cook as well, she was nowhere near as good as Mito, but she was learning, just as Kushina did.
When a knock on the door was heard, Kasumi walked towards the door, while Kushina went into the kitchen to help Mito, and opened it to see Shikaku, who was in a plain green hiaori, and his parents as well, who were dressed up.
Kasumi gave a smile towards the Nara's in front of her, before she bowed slightly and said "Thank you for taking time to have dinner with us."
Shikaku's father just gave a chuckle as he took a step forward "It wasn't that big of a deal."
The youngest Nara just gave a yawn in response, while his mother stated that it was an honor to meet her. That sentence brought an internal groan to Kasumi, as she knew that Mito would be talking about what was going to happen between Shikaku and her. With a slightly tightened smile, Kasumi lead the way into he house, and to the dining room, the three Nara's following closely behind.
When they arrived in the room, the four were greeted to the sigh of a large amount of food on the table, with Kushina, and Mito waiting.
The meal itself was fairly quiet, but about halfway through was when the conversations started.
"So..." Shikaku's father, who was actually named Shikadai while he turned towards Mito "I hear one of these two have a mind that rivals a Nara's."
Kasumi, to her credit, stayed calm long enough to finish the bit she had in her mouth, before she looked up "Ano... That would be me Nara-sama."
"Just Shikadai if you would, I'm not much towards formalities." The elder Nara stated with a lazy grin, that made Kasumi absentmindedly think about how Shikaku had the same grin.
The younger Uzumaki gave a polite nod, before she said "I could play a Shogi match with you after dinner if you'd like?"
Shikadai gave a chuckle and a nod, bough Shikaku sent the youngest girl in the room a slightly exasperated look. Kasumi, in response, just gave the Nara a smile, and a roll of her eyes. The banter between the two of them wasn't lost on Mito and Shikadai, though Shikaku's mother, Ami was her name, notice it as well, and gave a silent chuckle in response.
Dinner after that was nice for everyone, between conversations involving the village between the adults, Kushina interrogating Shikaku, which embarrassed Kasumi, and just some casual conversation, dinner was nice. Every Uzumaki dinner that Kasumi remembered from Uzushio was loud, boisterous, and down right tiring, so a nice almost peaceful dinner was new for Kasumi. She was just so used to the loud personalities that Mito, when she didn't have guests. and Kushina, who was basically always loud. The quiet personalities of Ami, Shikadai, and Shikaku was completely foreign to her.
After the meal was finished, Kasumi actually rushed off to find the Shogi board and she brought it to the table quickly, something that was abnormal compared to how she usually was. The almost giddy look that Kasumi had at the prospect of facing someone as skilled as Shikadai, disappeared, and was replaced by a blush, with the Uzumaki looking down in embarrassment. Mito let out a boisterous laugh as she ruffled the girls head, while the Nara's gave amused looks in response.
The match that took place, however, was completely different, and something that everyone, except Kushina, got into immensely. The only reason Kushina didn't get into it was, as stated many times before, she wasn't an intellectual like Kasumi was. All of the different moves just looked like a boring game to her. She would have just overpowered her enemies, which was one reason why she didn't care much for Shogi.
Kasumi, on the other hand, had it so that her eyes were literally a blur of movement. Shikadai wasn't as fast with his eye movements, but more along the lines of taking the whole board in as a whole. The girl was good, that much Shikadai would admit, but he was better obviously. In few years though, she could very well outclass him. At least, after she had some real fighting experience. She no doubt knew the harshness this world had to offer, but even if she did, she would need real world experience before anything could be said.
Smirking internally, Shikadai placed a commander in an place that Kasumi could easily take, but when she didn't take it, his smirk appeared on his face. Even he had to admit that was an obvious trap that he pulled, but despite this it only took four more moves before Shikadai had won.
Kasumi scowled in response, but she conceded "I knew I wouldn't win, but I expected a better result before I lost."
Shikadai gave a laugh at the small girls expression, before he said "You did well despite this you know. I can tell you'll be a great addition to whatever division you decide after you become Chunin."
Kasumi gave a distracted nod, as her Violet eyes raced over the board in front of her looking over everything, and analyzing the moves she could have done differently to have had a better chance. With a single snap of her eyes, she gave a nod, and stood up "Thank you for the game Shikadai-san, but I have some things I need to work on now. I hope you have a nice evening."
Kasumi gave a small bow, before she rushed off, her Shogi board in hand, towards her room. Along the way she grabbed a small bean-bun that Mito had made, before continuing on her way.
Mito gave a heavy sigh when she saw Kasumi's look "Oh boy. She's in one of those moods again. I'll get the guest bedroom ready Kushina."
Kushina gave a groan when she realized it as well. Turning towards the confused Nara's Kushina said "Kasumi has been trying to invent things recently. She hasn't actually managed to make anything yet, but when she gets that far in her Fūinjutsu studies... I think I may need to get a permanent room separate from hers."
Shikaku raised an eyebrow at that "What? Does she blow things up?"
Mito shook her head with weary eyes "No, she mutters to herself. But, you know what they say. The line between being a genius and being insane is as thin as string."
Shikadai gave a laugh at that "So you have a borderline insane girl who likes to invent things? What have you gotten yourself into Shikaku."
Shikaku shrugged a bit "I'll figure that out when we're old enough to date."
That single comment was all it took for Ami to cry out about how her little boy wasn't going to date until he was 18. Shikaku grumbled on the way home because of that, but it was enough to get a laugh from Kasumi's family, something the Nara actually wanted. He had actually planned things out to a degree most wouldn't, and he figured with the way Kasumi was developing, he would end up in the position he wanted in the future, with Kasumi beside him.
To bad that bad wouldn't come soon enough. Troublesome mothers and their dotting.
So? Did you guys like this chapter as well? Oh I hope you did, because, I'm writing the next chapter as you read this! It's pretty much come down to me updating whenever I finish a chapter, so the updating will be spastic with consistency.
With that in mind, let's get to the usual questions:
What did you think Mito's response to Kasumi's 'self study'?
What did you think of my explanation for the standard Bushin not working with Uzumaki's?
Did the mental growth of Shikaku and Kasumi being even seem real?
What did you think of the banter at the beginning and the end between the Uzumaki siblings?
What about Kasumi's 'We are Uzumaki, We are chaos' thing?
What about the match between Shikadai and Kasumi?
Finally, what did you think about Kasumi's 'inventive streak' as it was so aptly put?
Well, that's that. I've got no more questions, so till next time, I'm out!