Chapter 22 – Understanding
"Genjo-san! Wait!"
Tesuro called as he ran up. Genjo stopped and slowly turned around. His hands coming neatly to a rest in his coat's breast pockets. He wasn't in his usual battle Hakama and high-collar vest coat, but instead a hip-length Aburame dress jacket. He had dressed up for the occasion, something Tesuro could plainly see. It meant he felt the dinner was important, like he was being formally put before Kuroji and his family; a means to impress.
Tesuro breathed. Genjo watched him from behind those small blue sunglasses - he did not look especially happy…but nor did he look irate. So Tesuro spoke,
"I'm…I'm sorry," he bowed deeply, "My anger and frustration got the better of me. Father he….he can be so difficult…and it's hard for others to see him how me and my sister do. He didn't mean you disrespect, I was wrong for mentioning that."
Genjo starred at him, expression not changing much.
"Do you understand?." Tesuro's heart was pounding away nervously, he could practically feel the kikaichu pumping through his veins as the tightness welled up in his chest. Like someone squeezing his insides. It was uncomfortable.
Genjo kept quiet for time.
And after a good pause, decided to accept Tesuros' apology.
His expression softened, and he nodded, "Family matters - something I have less experience with, so forgive me Tesuro-san."
Tesuro cracked a small smile.
Genjo walked up to him, "You said you felt your father was disappointed in you. What would he be using me for to get to you about?"
Tesuro blinked, his uncovered eyes showing every emotion, "Heh, he's worried about having an heir."
Genjo raised an eyebrow in a smirking expression, "Is that it?"
"Our family line is important in the clan, and goes back to the very beginnings of the family. And well, he worries, because sis is with Inzuka Hina and has no interest in with any men in that way. And…I am similar in that regard, when it comes to women." He hunched his face into his collar, hiding it. Being taller than Genjo it made it easily hidden from him.
Genjo stared at him. He was happy for Tesuro being honest with him, although it was not like Genjo to be so obvious in his candor. However, he always was truthful, sometimes to the point of being too frank, something he was working on. So when he adjusted his posture in approving understanding, he was unsure if Tesuro caught it, but hoped he did. He smiled loosely parting his lips. Then turned his head sideways with a light manner, "Kuroji really is a curmudgeon, isn't he?"
"His picture is next to the definition in the dictionary."
Tesuro swore he heard Genjo's kikaichu 'giggle', at least the high-pitched, fast calls they make when happy sound like it.
"You will have to invite me over again, if you promise to control your anger next time." He said courteously, "Not that I am inviting myself. That is uncouth."
"I'd be happy to have you any time, Genjo-san."
"Happy to have me any time?" Genjo repeated to him imperturbably, leaning upwards a bit closer to his face on tip toe.
Tesuro blinked again, "Y, yes, of course."
Genjo fell back down on his wooden sandals, "I'm glad to hear that." He took his hands out of his pockets and folded his arms with his hands on his elbow and forearm.
Tesuro really wanted to reach out and touch him; he did not quite know what he wanted to accomplish in that act, but…he was sure as hell close enough to him for it, and it felt like such a right thing to do. However, it didn't feel…comfortable to him. Tesuro was 15 - a young man, son of someone like Kuroji….the idea of being romantic seemed awful far away. He also did not want to offend Genjo-san if he was misunderstanding. But from Genjo's response to this conversation, it was obvious he was not cross with him thankfully, even after how he had acted.
Mercifully Genjo sensed his awkward unmoving and spoke, "I need get to rest for the evening…I'm on call tomorrow."
"Oh!" Tesuro nodded, "I am sorry to have kept you."
"Goodnight, Tesuro-san." Genjo brought a hand up and placed it in a friendly pushing-off 'see ya' gesture - except instead of a quick masculine shove in the arm, it was more of a slow, fingertip brush on the chest. He turned and walked back for home.
Tesuro watched him go, hunching like his father, a blush almost the shade of his tattoos flushing across his face. His kikaichu reminded him to move after they started chattering to him.
…
"What do you mean you want more of his chakra?"
…
"Was he really so close you could steal some in the first place?"
…
"You'll all a bunch of greedy chakra thieves; maybe I'll starve you to get you hungry for our next mission." He threatened in a not so threatening manner.
…
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Four Months Later…
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…
CRASH!
A paper lantern fell to the ground, the metal pole it was suspended on nearly missing Sakuya, who dodged it with lightning speed. She groaned, pausing for a moment before calling out an annoyed tone,
"MUST you all be training right here while we are working?" She snapped at Saki and Shen who were sparring with Shibi and Kaho in the tree groves. Sakuya and her family were helping set up for the Spring Festival.
"And how come you aren't helping?" Ussa said in a similar tone as his wife.
"Saki is out of practice – and is going to be getting mission assignments again!" Kaho called back, dodging some of Saki's kikaichu ropes.
"A chief medical ninja," Shibi chimed in.
"We must make sure she is ready for combat though," Shen added.
Shen jumped past Sakuya dodging another of Saki's kikaichu clouds. He nearly smacked Sakuya in the head with his giant kikai gourd, flying past her.
Sakuya whipped out her brush from her back holster after this second near miss. She was quite fed up.
Her kikaichu buzzed forth from her sleeves, riled from a surge of adrenaline she wasn't bothering to suppress. She scribed some chakra kanji in the air and sent the seal flying at Shen, who was back in the direction of Saki, Shibi, and Kaho. Her kikaichu completed the seal as it flew at them; only Shibi and Kaho were able to dash out of the way. Shen turned to dodge but was too close to Saki and smacked her with his gourd, causing them to fall. The seal hit them both and caused a mild electric shock ; Sakuya had set it to a level she knew would not cause any real harm. It did knock them over though, leaving them both twitching on the ground with a mild sizzling sound.
Their kikaichu slowly buzzed back to them as Shibi and Kaho walked over. They stood over them with long faces. Shibi frowned at Sakuya with a wonderfully Aburame expression, "Do you think perhaps that was too much?"
"Feh," Sakuya said with still a tone of annoyance as she put her brush back.
Ussa looked to his right and left, and whistled innocently as he pinned some gohei paper zig-zag streamers onto the tree next to him. He looked down at Yesetteru cutting out more. Shino was sitting next to her, folding the paper to prepare it for cutting. Uschi was next to him and was helping by eating the paper – err…folding it.
Shino looked very cute; his little fingers carefully making sure to keep the paper even as he patiently worked. He handed a folded piece to Yesetteru. She was almost 8 now, but not awfully tall for an Aburame.
"Uschi, no," She took the paper away from her almost 2-year old brother.
"Waaa," He sighed, and took to watching Shino.
Shino smoothed his fingers over the creases, but he flinched away. His fingers felt strange. He turned over his hand to look at his fingertips, a small seething creeping past. The kikaichu insects from the first brood were venturing all over now, being mature. There were less than five hundred of them, but Shino was a child. His body was small. When Kaho's insects were multiplying over the first year she didn't notice them moving under her skin until maybe seven months.
They had recently laid eggs for the second brood in his torso, he could just tell. After this brood they would breed slowly, and grow with Shino. For as he got older, he got larger; making for a bigger hive. His kikaichu would know how many eggs to lay to maintain their population within the limits of their container.
He had tried every day to talk with them but they were still being silent. His father said this was normal, as they were also getting used to him as much as he was to them.
"I'm trying to fold gohei," he said in insect language to his kikaichu. It was partially an attempt to tell them to move away from his fingers.
There was no reply.
He sighed and went back to folding. However, he found he was smearing red along the white paper. He stopped and drew his hand back just noticing the pain, and looked to see it was from a rip in his fingertip. A small drip of blood ran down his hand. Sitting there shaking off and cleaning their wings was three of his mature kikaichu, barely 8 millimeters long. One turned its head up at him as Shino drew his face close in fascination. Bright little teal eyes, the color of rich chakra, stared right back at him.
Yesetteru looked over, and saw Shino with his insects on his hand. She stayed quiet but smiled excitedly and watched him, completely forgetting about cutting paper.
Shino's mouth was open in an uncontrollable smile. In his excitement, chakra welled up with the emotion causing his kikaichu to buzz fervently. He did not know it yet, but his chakra was even stronger in flavor than his fathers, he would have to learn to control his emotions carefully if he was to keep his hive under control.
He winced at their sudden movement, but did not take his attention off the first of his insects to venture outside his skin, "Hello" he said.
After a pause… "Hello," The single insect replied.
HELLO
He heard from the rest in combined voice.
He blinked, but didn't falter, "I'm trying to fold paper, could you be careful with my fingers please?" Speaking beyond his years in insect language.He flexed his hand for emphasis.
…
We apologize, we were just exploring.
We sensed you were excited so we investigated.
You taste strong.
Shino figured they were curious about his happiness in the Spring Festival next week. He nodded, "Thank you."
He took a deep breath, anxiousness melting away. His kikaichu buzzed with approval; his chakra shifting back to a neutral nature. He liked that feeling of calm from his kikai. And now that they were talking to him….he could have better control over them. It was something he figured he would like to maintain.
The three strays burrowed back under his skin, disappearing. He turned over his hand, studying it for a moment. They repaired the rip and the pain subsided.
"Shino," Yesetteru whispered excitedly, "They started to talk to you?"
"Yea," He replied calmly.
"Eeee, that's great!" She smiled.
He nodded, gently smiling.
"Hey, I don't see paper folding going on down there," Ussa chided.
"Yes father," Yesetteru startled and got back to work faster than before.
"Heh," Ussa smirked, amused.
Meanwhile…
"My head…" Saki moaned, finally moving.
"Uhh," Shen pushed himself up with his arms, and realized he was on TOP of her, in a rather compromising way, "E…excuse me Saki-san," He said apologetically.
"Just get off me."
They re-righted themselves and stood up slowly.
"Did you have to electrocute two old nin's like us, dear niece?" Shen moaned at Sakuya.
Sakuya was started to feel a little bad about her joking attack, as it seemed they were a bit more shaken than she intended. She forgot how old her uncle and mother were. But she figured it should not have been a big deal, they were both powerful ninja.
"I didn't think I'd stun you that much," She replied from across the learning, "Sorry mom…"
"I'm fine, it's okay,"
"No one cares about me apparently," Shen dusted off his arm.
"Are you alright Shen-san?" Saki said like it was dragged out of her.
She shook her head amused. He was reminding her a bit of her long since deceased husband right about then. They were brothers after all – fraternal twins in fact. Although sometimes it was hard for Saki, because it was almost like looking at her husband. Thankfully they were different just enough in looks and even more in personality that he did not remind her all the time. Just on certain occasions with a specific expression or phrase.
"I am - thank you Saki-san." He said with similar sarcastic flair.
She laughed in her throat, smiling in amusement at his actions.
"Good." She adjusted her knit poncho, paused, then said in a sure manner, "I think it's time for a tea break."
"Agreed," Kaho nodded.
"Come'on," Shen said. Just as they were walking they caught Tao coming out of his house. As he turned and closed the door he stopped to look at everyone heading for Shen's house.
"What's the occasion?" Tao casually said as he walked up, cane slightly sticking into the soft rain-soaked earth.
"Tea." Shen said as he showed Shibi in.
"Ohhh," Tao straightened his back, looking interested.
"Saaa." Kaho motioned.
Some boiled water and steeped tea later…
"It only feels like 2 years for me but really I have not been to the festival in a decade…." Saki contemplated.
"Your new 'friends' are welcome to attend," Shibi said, referring to the Chou (butterfly) Saki had befriended in the valley she sought out.
"They are a bit reclusive," Saki said back.
"Perhaps my Kamakiri could coax them?" Kaho smiled, "Not every family member of theirs is social, but individuals like Kamachi or Kamaru are regulars."
"I'd be highly interested in meeting some of them," Tao added.
"Perhaps," Saki smiled.
Shibi placed a hand on Kaho's, who acknowledged him.
Saki looked at them and seemed a bit distant.
"Are you going with anyone?" Shen asked her, seeing her solemn expression.
"Mmm? Well, I'm attending." She said plainly, looking up.
"Since you have not been in so long, it seems right for you to have an escort."
"Worried I'll cause trouble?"
Kaho laughed.
"Just helping you feel like part of the family again." Shen replied.
"Well, sure. If you want to 'escort me' I'd be okay with that," she perked up.
Shen adjusted his position and gourd slung over the back of his chair, "Good."
Shibi nodded approvingly.
KNOCK KNOCK
There was a knock at the door.
"Enter," Shen called, being as it was his house they were in.
Jima walked in, and instantly looked at Tao as if she'd been looking for where he'd been.
"Jima?" He pushed his chair back, standing up.
"Tao, I….I think we may have found someone."
He stared at her.
"Someone…?" Kaho whispered to Shibi, and then instantly remembered. Yes they have been searching for a surrogate mother.
Tao instantly went over to her, taking one of her hands where it was by her side, "Someone answered to the query in the paper?"
"Yes, I don't know who it is, they were anonymous, we are to meet them. They suggested the Spring Festival in their note."
Tao's face lit up.
She smiled a very warm and broad smile for Jima.
It was a smile of hope.
If Aburame's were the drinking sort Shibi would have called up a round of drinks, but instead another helping of top leaf tea was called for instead.
…
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