~Chapter 5~
Higurashi Family
"Well come on. It has been two years already? Ya really can't trust me by now?" Yoshi was pouting. Kinata held back a comment, watching as the older boy (only by three years) before her give her sorrowful puppy eyes. She shook her head, pointing a finger at him.
"I never said I didn't trust you." He put his hands in his pockets, frowning to himself.
"So what? That's what it feels like." She held her breath, a habit she sometimes did to hold her tongue. She'd been strenuously training. Her aim was perfected with small weaponry, and she was now practicing with sais (two-twined blades). She had a harder time trying to get the different proportions of weight on the metal ends, so throwing it became a frustrating trial. Yoshi was usually an egotistical but polite kid, however extremely determined when it came to anything concerning ninjas.
His father had been one.
He had also died as one too.
He was a hero to the boy, even to his mother, Ume. The only man of the house that remained alive now was Ume's father, Yotudou, head of the household of the Higurashi. They were a respected family in the village, and so it was peaceful enough for Kinata to recuperate.
She refused to take that for granted.
Every night she poured sweat and blood, having her own jutsu set against her more times than she could count from releasing it in constrained ways. But the image of her Mother and Rin would appear in her mind, making her furious that she was weak compared to their strong wills. That she was trying to rely on the very bloodline had Kinata in a state of controversy, feeling as if it betrayed them all. What virtue had come from the Ryukotse Eyes? In its place mirrored the greed and sin of others envious enough to want that power, to ally with others in order of destroying those members, despite knowing they were families and friends to someone.
She had dedicated her life to making her mother proud, but now her mother's sacrifice had been dedicated to Kinata – Rin's as well. Motivation sprung and geared her into a one-minded set mode.
It impressed the Higurashi household, and now Yoshi stood before her, despite always trying to charm her in reputable ways. However, Kinata only ever seen him as a friend, one who had always bugged her during training. She was too far off in the attempts at losing herself within a shock rebound; one that shook her to labor past typical hours on the grounds outside the Higurashi home.
"It's not that I don't trust you. I just don't trust your aim." His eye twitched subtly, but Kinata smirked from having caught it. He turned his head, letting go of a huge sigh.
"Fine. Whatever." There goes his 'cool' side, Kinata amusingly thought. He'd started to act this way at times after having entered the Land of Waves School of Ninjas. But Kinata had known him before, when he had been 7 and a total goof ball.
His 'cool façade' didn't faze her at all, regardless that she was now 7 and he was now 9. But she could tell when he was genuinely bummed about something, and so after rolling her eyes, she decided against her better judgment to hand over one of the sais. They were half the size of her small pale arm. As she handed it over to the surprised Yoshi, she glared at her skin. The fact that the sun couldn't tan her bothered her to no end. That too was simply something that reminded her of that bloodline.
"Okay, aim using your wrists and with the level of your arm as it pivots with your elbow. Let your fingers slide but keep the control in the tips, as that's the last place the metal will leave your hand." Her instructions she'd explained before but in different terms (kunai are different to handle versus twin-blades). Yet Yoshi still had trouble trying to copy her smooth movements. Her skills with the knives were impressive, especially for her age. Even kids in his class couldn't compare.
Kinata stood behind him. He was a few inches taller, so she had to lean her head around his. Holding his wrist, she repeated the fluid motion of flicking the blade, applying enough force so that it would maintain the vertical pattern to pierce the target. They continued for a good ten minutes as Yoshi replicated several misses. He couldn't wrap his head around the pressure it took to holding the knife and the speed that enabled the object to reach the target.
Kinata smiled as she called it off, wanting her knife back. He reluctantly handed it over, giving her a cheesy smile.
"Thanks." She smiled back to him, a little giddy about how his earthly-looking hair bounced around his hazel eyes. He was king of cute. She felt herself blushing. Surprised, she glanced down at the ground, suddenly unable to look Yoshi in the eyes. She never blushed.
"See? I trust you." She looked back up to him, letting down the smile to stick her tongue out. He arched a brow, crossing his hands.
"I'm too old to be tongue-stucked at." She was about to respond when she heard a man coughing from behind them, in a clear attempt to gain their attention. The two quickly spun around, only to find themselves dumbfounded by the sight before them.
"Master Yamamoto!" It was Yoshi who had finally snapped to, running over to the man to give him a respectable bow. Kinata finally closed her mouth, blinking for a moment before dashing over to hug her sensei. He chuckled, patting her head.
"Hm. Both of you have grown quite a bit. And I see you have been training as told Kinata…and not alone…" He sent an accusing glance towards Yoshi, who in turn was trying to act innocent. His mother wanted him to train only in school. Kinata laughed though, overjoyed to see her teacher back.
"I've gotten better!" He nodded, his face becoming serious.
"This is good news. Now come. Both of you inside. There is much to discuss." He smoothly turned around, heading towards Yoshi's home. The two children looked at each other, a little nervous. Master Yamamoto seemed more stern than usual. Unenthusiastically, the boy and girl followed.
"She has a strong spirit. The girl is a true beholder of her bloodline." Yoshi's grandfather had spoken proudly to the samurai when he had just arrived, discussing Kinata's growth in the past two years.
Her guardians had watched over her like hawks. Now, to hear the news of not only her good safety and health, but of her improvement in skills, gave Yamamoto vital relief. He had worried and stressed over the conditions (both physical and mental) that the girl would be in after having been traumatized like that. But he could not afford to underestimate Kinata. She was of the noble Ryukotse clan, and despite others deeming his actions too harsh, he had no choice. Orihime, a wise and respected woman, had never once doubted her daughter, putting the young girl in mature and difficult situations. It had taught Kinata to be strong. Once he was updated, he had walked out to the waterfalls, where to his satisfaction stood Kinata teaching Yoshi how to throw the sais.
He frowned though after a minute of watching. It bothered him that he had to observe these children play with deadly weapons. But times would be hard for those two when they aged. He could only help them later by teaching them now how to defend themselves . Did that make him a bad person? He crossed his arms, having not one night go by that he had tried to think of a better solution. Perhaps he could find a mist shinobi he'd been allied with that could perform a swipe genjutsu, one that could create a lapse in Kinata's memory, and thus he could leave her in the Land of Waves to have a normal childhood. Or he could leave her to train and be prepared for attacks, while he went out to search for those preparing to attack her. There were many other alternatives he had reviewed in his mind, but none could be physically as safe as his current plan. He only worried about the mental strain it could have on the girl.
They were all sitting at the table, eating dinner. It was a teriyaki mix of pork and chicken with white rice. Kinata and Ume spoke excitedly about the upcoming festival that Yoshi would be in. Said boy sat quietly with a red face, trying to decide how to play off their compliments. By the end of the meals, everyone had quieted down. Yamamoto felt guilty for the change of subject and mood he would have to initiate in order to be on time for their journey. But he had to do it.
"Lady Kinata, I am deeply sorry to interrupt the topic at hand, but I need to inform you of our departure. It will be tonight, just as twilight approaches. After this meal, we will have need for haste. There are two ANBU squads drawing nearer to this village. If they investigate after our leave, the villagers will genuinely have no knowledge of our whereabouts. Therefore they will remain protected and you as well."
Kinata proved resilient in holding back her tears from the lash of shocking news, but her body was tense. The others were silent, also taken back from the sudden announcement of their leave.
"Fine." Her tone was flat. Yoshi's face was heated, furious that she'd be so compliant about their impulsive and immediate leave.
"You would have no time to re-supply yourselves! And there are events about to take place that include Kinata! She has a friend here! You can't just take her away!" His voice cracked at the end. Kinata had tears brimming in her eyes, refusing to look at the passionate boy beside her, staring directly at her empty plate. She shook her head.
"Master Yamamoto is right Yoshi. If there are tracker shinobi after us, then the best option for everyone is to get moving instantly. This is how we will have to live our lives. I knew this." She closed her eyes, and then forced an endearing smile at the broken-looking boy. "But I'm glad to have known you Yoshi! You were the first one I could truly trust after the death of my family. A true friend. Thank you for that."
Yoshi rubbed the corner of his eyes angrily, staring Kinata in the eyes. She was set with her answer. He took a deep gulp.
"Why don't we just fight these tracking shinobi? I don't get it…it's unfair!" He didn't want her to leave! She meant so much to him.
"Fighting doesn't solve the problems of the world. It ignites them." Everyone expected these words from Master Yamamoto, but the calm and collected few sentences flowed from the young girl's mouth, who touched Yoshi's hand slowly, making him see her expression clearly. He bit his lip, giving a miserable nod before letting his head drop in defeat. She was going to leave the village, their household, and him.
"Wise words Kinata. It pleases me that you are attentive when I explain the morals of life. And Yoshi, again, I am deeply sorry that I must pull Kinata away. But I believe you would someday rather see her alive than in a month buried beneath the ground." Ume took in a quick gasp, struck by the vivid image her sensei had just described aloud. But the little boy let out an undignified whimper as a response, holding on to Kinata's hand tighter.
"I would never want that." His words were strangled from the lack of control in his voice. It brought tears to his mother's eyes, and made his grandfather squirm uncomfortably at the abundant display of emotions. Kinata stood up, causing Yoshi to let her hand go. She gave him a small smile, though sad.
"I should start packing. I'm sure," she now directed her gaze to Master Yamamoto, "that we will have to stop at certain stores in discreet to be ready for the oncoming trip. Right?" Her sensei held back a proud smirk, those his eyes twinkled in amazement. Kinata was definitely Orihime's daughter. She could think through the most critical moments despite her true feelings…and she was only 7! He stood up, nodding.
"You are correct Kinata."
Yoshi had helped her, moping the entire time, though she did her best to get him in a better mood. He hinted at one day seeing each other again, and she promised that one day their paths in life would meet. She could feel it deep inside. Yoshi finally smiled in relief at that, giving her a quick hug which left both of them blushing. She wanted to kiss his cheek, but she was already overwhelmed with the adrenaline that in the end, she decided not to over-due it.
Ume wouldn't let her go out of her embrace for a good five minutes. The woman had grown extremely attached to the polite and clever little girl, wishing she could have a young daughter just like her. She gloated in whispers to her how far Kinata would go in the world, and what she would accomplish later. Kinata was finally crying by the end of it. The grandfather gave her a pat on the back, reminding her to keep up the good work, as one day they'd all be delighted to see her triumphant powers.
By the time the two were walking out the door, it was long passed midnight. Kinata gave them one last wave and a large smile before stepping along side her sensei. Her smile began to drop slowly, the reality of being back on the road with no home crashing down on her. She tightly clasped the straps of her bag, taking in a deep breath. Her sensei gave her an unknown, concerned glance from the corner of his eyes. He knew how difficult it had been for Kinata to have kept her composure throughout their departure with her first foster family. Yet she had done so admirably.
"Kinata, you have made me exceptionally proud." Said girl snapped her head up to see her sensei with a small smile staring straight ahead. She blinked up to him in wonder. He'd never told her that before.
"Oh. Um, thank you Master Yamamoto…but why?" He chuckled, looking down at her.
"You have proven to me how worthy the noble bloodline of the Ryukotse is to have you as part of their clan." Kinata wished to understand better but her sensei had made it clear with his tone that the discussion for now would be over. It was time they start heading out of the village, and on to their next destination.