~Chapter 7~
Iwatsuru Family
Kinata was told to stay on the far side of a river as her sensei disappeared. She hated it when he did that. And it was always without an explanation! The two had traveled for a long distance, and rarely had they stopped. If they had, it was to reload on supplies. Master Yamamoto had become increasingly cautious the last week of their journey and now he was nearly unbearable to Kinata, as every ten minutes he'd be shifting his eyes and pausing randomly. She had questioned him about his odd behavior but he would shush her up in annoyance. Needless to say, her nerves were beginning to parallel his.
When he returned to her side across the river, he had a relieved expression.
"We are almost to the next village." She frowned.
"Err…didn't we just leave a village the other day?" He nodded, ushering her to cross the river. She exerted enough chakra to the pinpoints of her feet so that the surface of the liquid would hold her weight. When she jumped to the ground next to him, he turned and began to head to the forest. She sighed. Why was he being so vague? Sure he had his moments, but this was ridiculous.
"Yes." He had finally answered her when they were in the midst of thick, green trees. She inclined her head up to him, curious.
"This next village will be your temporary home. The guardians are older than what you are used to however." She looked to the ground, taking what her sensei said in. At least she was getting answers. A small sigh escaped her lips without her control. This caught Yamamoto's attention.
"What is the matter?" She held tightly to the strands of her bag, not allowing him to see her eyes.
"When…when will I be able to stay in one place? Is there a chance for that, or never?" Her voice was a whisper by the end, and what met her was silence. She bit her lip, taking a deep breath and letting a loose shrug. She finally glanced up to her contemplating sensei, who was staring intensely down at her.
"Guess we're meant to be travelers then, huh?" He closed his eyes, crossing his arms.
"Lady Kinata, you are of a clan that cannot be forgotten. A direct bloodline blessed by the Empress of the Lands and the Sage of Six Paths. Inside you lay the control over a legendary beast. You will be hunted until your body is found. To your question, no, there will never be chance for a permanent home. I am deeply sorry." She felt the pressure rising in her blood. She was okay with his silent retort, but to have the answer suddenly thrown harshly in her face caused her adrenaline to pump.
"I despise my bloodline." It was a venomous whisper, yet her sensei caught the words nonetheless. He froze. She turned, surprise, to meet his cold stone gaze. It scared her immensely.
"You shall never utter such words again." She flinched at his severe tone. She had never witnessed him in such a fierce state towards her.
"But…it is completely unfair sensei! I did NOT ask for this! And why should my friends and family be punished alongside me when no one but my far ancestors chose that path!? None of it makes any sense!" She was trying to maintain her dignity but all of the emotions she'd felt for the past 5 years flowed out. Master Yamamoto eased his own feelings after seeing her genuine breakdown. He had to remind himself all that this little girl had been through. What she would still have to endure.
Yamamoto got on one of his knees so that he was facing a distressed little girl, who tried to turn away from him, only for the samurai to stop her. He eyed her, holding her chin.
"People of your clan have sacrificed all to keep this world and you alive. The ancestors you speak so poorly of were valiant and selfless. When all odds were thrown at the Ryukotse clan, they overcame. If, Kinata, you decide to despise your very bloodline, you are thus disgracing the very honor they lived for."
Kinata felt her face flush. She felt childish. She felt small. She closed her eyes to avoid tears escaping. She stepped away from her sensei.
"Why can't people just leave us be? We've been through enough." She sounded defeated, and was now blowing off steam. Yamamoto stood up, beginning to walk again, seeing as how his lecture had gotten through. Kinata followed.
"Never too old to interrogate your teacher, huh?" He was joking now, trying to ease the atmosphere. Kinata 'huphed' but couldn't help the small grin.
"You told me that the best answers come from my elders. And the older I have become, the older you have as well." His eye noticeably twitched.
"I am far from being an elderly man!" She gave a tiny laugh at his mock, offended tone. He shook his head, and then let out a sigh.
"Alright, enough play. I must explain your new living conditions." Kinata tensed. Master Yamamoto had never told her ahead of time where she'd be staying.
"First, there is significance in covering your background. Back when the Ryukotse clan was attacked," Kinata winced at the mentioning of the tragedy but he continued on, "the Land of Fire had asked the hidden village of the leaves to assist. The daimyo deceived the Hokage from what has been gathered by your next guardians. I solely trust them. According to their Intel, the lord had waited until a time of urgency was near, and falsified facts to manipulate the ninja of Konoha." Kinata was staring ahead as they made it to the outer edges of the forest, leading to a small dirt road. Not far off was a village.
"In the end, the conspiracy was of sabotage. The daimyo had convinced several of the court in the Land of Fire that the dragon clan was a monopoly, scheming for the opportune moment to unleash the dragon and seize back control of the five major nations. His sly words poisoned the minds of many. Thus he succeeded in bringing down your clan. For the exception of two." He gave her a grim look. She glared ahead.
"But why did he choose to go after my clan? Was it out of fear?" Her sensei shook his head, as they were making it to the entrance of the village.
"Not at all, actually, it was just the opposite. The daimyo was eager to have your eyes. He desperately wanted the kekkei genkai that resides in the symbol of Ryukotse himself." Kinata kept her emotions in check as they were now on the streets of the slightly busy village.
"You are telling me this…so that I will not hold a grudge against the individuals of Konoha, am I wrong?" Her mature question contradicted the little girl who had lost her composure in the forest just awhile ago. Her sensei gave her a proud smile, though she couldn't see it, so absorbed in her surroundings.
"You are absolutely correct. I cannot leave you ignorant when there are many sides of one story. Meaningless grudges that hold no truth to them would do you no good. Kinata, you have potential, and I wish never to see such go to waste. Especially concerning devious politics." The girl nodded. She was grateful towards her instructor. He took her seriously, and at times it frustrated her – she was still a child – but in times such as these, she felt special.
"Thank you, Master Yamamoto. And I will not hold a grudge. This also means that we are in Konoha, right?" He chuckled at her endless deductions. She was clever, a trait of hers that was hard to get used to.
"Not quite. We are in the outskirts, but technically yes, we are in Konoha. Despite this, you must remain careful. Though the citizens of Konoha are not at fault for the tragedy of your clan, it is common amongst them to consider the last survivors of the Ryukotse clan a threat." She shrugged.
"Well, maybe one day I can change that." Her sensei eyed her.
"Perhaps one day. But that is not this day or anytime soon. Now, let us hurry. I do not wish to keep your guardians up. It is getting late."
Kinata adjusted her steps to his long ones as they passed by countless villagers. She stared wide-eyed at their appearance. They were so varied. Some were stylish, others traditional, few were outlandish, and then there was the typical ninja outfits. It was exhilarating to the girl who'd been used to a common dress code in one area.
The house that the two came upon had the impression of being rather small. Kinata felt the anticipation rise as her sensei knocked on the door and within a few seconds it opened.
The woman the peered out, and wobbled beyond the entrance was definitely old. She had an endless supply of wrinkles, a plump build, tiny beady eyes, and gray hair pulled back into a messy low bun. A chain of glasses hung on the bridge of her little nose, which matched her silver and pink robe-like dress (not quite a kimono). A man followed behind her, also in his golden years. He appeared just the opposite of the lady, as he was thin and frail but with just as many wrinkles. His hair was a peppered grey and blue, while his eyes were round and brownish-blue. Kinata smiled at the elderly couple, perplexed as to the random choice of guardians. How could these people train her when they clearly were retired?
"Izugetsu. Ikotsusano." Her sensei greeted them with a warm welcome of a raised arm and a slight bow. They both gave major smiles while moving aside in a kind gesture to let them in. The old man spoke as Yamamoto stepped in, with Kinata trailing closely behind.
"Ah, so ya made it alrigh' I take it?" Yamamoto nodded.
"There were only a few points in which we were being tracked. I managed to lead them astray however." The young girl glanced up at her sensei in surprise. So that explained his weird actions throughout the end of their trip.
"Well, be glad ye made it. Twas most worried for de child. I knew very well dat ye can handle yerself, Yamamoto-sama." The old lady replied in an acknowledging way, almost scolding the young man before her, for whatever reason that the young girl could gather. She gave Kinata a once-over, her eyes seemingly digging deep into her soul. Kinata puffed up at this instinctively.
"I would not advice underestimating this child. She can hold her own as well." The fact that Kinata's sensei had beat her to the punch deflated her sudden reaction.
"'m sure she can. An' let us not be rude now, talkin' as if ye is not even standin' 'ere 'for us. Forgive our ol' batty selves, Miss Kinata!" She had been thrown off by the old lady's gentle nature and witty remarks.
"Oh, that's okay." Kinata chirped, giving the old lady a cheesy grin. The woman returned a toothy smile back, with a twinkle in her eye. Kinata held back from giggling. She already liked the old lady.
"Ha ha, I'm gonna like dis one 'ere! She has some good spirit. Good heart." Yamamoto smiled proudly towards Kinata, who was trying to mask her blush. The old man gave him a pat on the back, leading him somewhere into the house.
"Tis somethin' I need ta tell ya 'fore ya leave." Kinata had barely caught those words as the two men left the living room. The woman surprised Kinata when she began to grab her bag.
"Oh! Didn't mean to getchya all feathered up, jumpin' roun' like ye an alley cat. Figya ye would wan' some help settlen in after de long trip ye most likely ha'" Kinata waved off her scared actions, almost embarrassed because of it.
"No, I'm sorry. I'm just not used to people helping me. It has nothing to do with you, Lady Ikotsusano. That was your name, right?" She asked nervously when the old lady gave Kinata a raise of the eyebrow when she'd blurted out the name. They were heading down the other little hallway.
"Hmmm…now dat's no' right." The girl was now confused. She could have sworn her sensei had said that name first, and had directed it towards the woman.
"What's not right?" The old lady shook her head in dismay.
"Nobody gets no where if no one helps nobody." Kinata frowned, but then smirked after she realized what she was talking about.
"Help goes both ways, you mean?" The woman smiled down at her, having stopped in front of a closed door.
"Ye a clever little one, I can tell. Ye remembered me name too. But ye call me Susuano, no' dat mouthful of a name." The old lady slowly crouched down to stare into Kinata's eyes, who happened to be modestly waiting for the woman to continue.
"How old are ye?" Kinata smiled.
"Almost ten." The woman nodded leisurely.
"I see. Wise soul, eh? Such youngin' age." The woman stood back up, having seen something inside Kinata to approve of. She opened the door to a simple but decent room, letting the young girl peek inside.
"I be glad ta say dis be yer room, child."
The room wasn't grand but humble. There was a twin-sized bed set in the far right corner, with light blue blankets and white pillows. The walls were a plain tan with white linings. There was a small black dresser aside the bed and a small table at the bottom corner right with a tiny stool next to it. It was a bit boyish but altogether a comfy room.
The girl walked in and set her bag on the floor, only to twirl back to face the old lady, who had her hands folded behind her back.
"Ye like it?" Kinata smiled, nodding.
"Yes. Thank you." The woman inclined her head.
"Ye be most welcome. 'ma let ye settle on in. Yamamoto-sama be leavin' shortly doe, I assume." Kinata knew this already. He never stuck around long after dropping her off to her new guardians due to safety precautions.
"Okay. I won't be long, um, Susano." The old woman gave a warm smirk and left Kinata alone. She felt pleased with her sensei's choice of guardians, as they already appeared honest and kind. And she had been so doubtful upon seeing them. Proves not all is what is seems.
Before her sensei took off, they established her fake name again: Kisana Iwatsuru. He warned her that she would have to endure three years without him. This left a numb understanding in her heart but as usual she choked back her childish tears and embraced him to bid her sensei goodbye.
He was gone once again.
Kinata ran back swiftly to make it home before the sun dropped completely from the sky. It was a close one. She had two brown paper bags full of items to cook a delicious meal for the elderly couple. And she did not want to be late. She had everything planned out to the details.
She had taken to the couple instantly, just as they had with her. Grams-susano reminded Kinata much of what her mother would have been like if she had aged to an old woman. Gramps-Izu made her laugh on a natural basis, from pulling pranks on his wife and villagers to his silly tricks in general. He also always had Kinata thinking twice about any situation – to think outside one's typical thoughts. They had both been genuinely amazed to see her ninjutsu and taijutsu skills when she secretly trained in the woods. She was later told that such talents could only get her so far.
That was when she was taught the importance of a system in a village; the support and trust that was built amongst fellow villagers, and how satisfying it could be to rely on others. Gramps-Izu had even risked bringing Kinata to a festival smack-dab in the middle of Konoha to prove how wondrous an energetic and diverse village could appear. She had been nervous, as it was unsafe, but he had reassured her that if she acted like a normal teenager (she had nearly been 12 as a year and a half had passed) that she would be fine. And everything had been better than fine. Kinata couldn't remember having had so much fun; there had been a show of puppets, fancy jutsu displays of skilled shinobi, rides of different types to see the special landscapes, colorful banners, and even fireworks! The scenes were so ingrained in her memory that she now could understand how incredible such a large village could be.
So to show her gratitude, Kinata had been planning on a very special dinner. Grams-susano had taught her several tips of basic living, from cooking to cleaning to caring for not just herself but others. It had been these essentials that had proved the most challenging to Kinata, as she'd always been so focused on training throughout her childhood. She was guaranteed by the older couple that she would one day catch on. It was times such as those that Kinata cherished. They may have seemed too laid-back and silly to onlookers, but the girl knew how precise their judgment of character was and how their knowledge of existence extended the wisdom of a sage.
She finally arrived at the doorstep to her home. She went to open it when she felt an ominous shudder go down her spine. She tensed, her eyes going wide.
What was that? She had her hand on the doorknob but stayed frozen, listening closely to her surroundings. It was then she noticed how abnormally silent it was. No one was out on the streets, and it wasn't that late.
Kinata stepped back, setting her bag down gradually. She scanned the roads….nothing, absolutely nothing. Now she knew something was wrong. How had she not noticed something so important out of place? There should be some villagers still wandering, or stray animals moving about. She had clearly been too caught up in her personal event to have kept a clear-headed mind. She growled.
A fierce crash resounded piercingly around the block, causing her head to snap in that direction. Shouts echoed afterwards, followed by numerous screams and a few more explosions. Kinata took off swiftly, like a flash amongst the buildings. She made it in less than a minute to the border of the village where the majority of the villagers were gathered. She slid down to hide behind a crate to observe just what was going on.
There were men blocking in a circular form around the villagers. These men had ninja gear on, though mostly black they had spikes on the main blocking points – which seemed new to Kinata. Even the tracker ninja she'd seen before arriving at the Kusama family didn't appear as threatening. She could only assume that the men – exactly 16 in view – were tracking shinobi, most likely after her. She kept herself in the shadows, successfully sealing her scent and chakra away (a simple ninjutsu trick taught to her by Daisukozo). One of the male villagers stood in front of a bulky man she could only guess to be the leader of the ninjas, and they were arguing over something. Kinata could tell that both were frustrated.
She took a deep breath and meditated slightly, so she could hear over the long distance just what they were saying.
"…have NO known girl in our village! We are not reckless people! Honestly, we trade. That. Is. It! Now leave us be. I am begging!" He rattled on but the shinobi leader grunted, clearly done with the man.
"Then I suppose your precious Hokage would not mind if I rid him of this here lying sack of baggage?" His voice was icy and taunting. The male villager appeared confused as sweat dripped off his face. It was a cool night. Poor man, Kinata thought. She had two shuriken on her, and her sai knives, which she always carried. She had assessed enough in the few minutes of watching.
This shinobi would make an example out of that innocent man, so that it would scare the other villagers, causing chaos. She had to stop this now, especially as it obviously had to do with her. She slipped out her kunai knife, deciding on the long-distance advantage of surprise first. The ninja spoke on.
"We HAD a deal. In exchange for Konoha Intel concerning the dragon girl, your village would remain in tack. Totosai, I gave you a whole year! Rumors have it she is residing here…too many in fact for this to be just rumor. And yet you give me excuses? Don't take me for a fool!" Kinata went to lunge out as the shinobi turned his back to her to throw a fist at the man, instead using his left to slice open his stomach. Kinata hesitated, taken off guard by how quickly the ninja had killed the villager. The others gasped in shock and horror as the blood spilled endlessly from his guts.
"Woops. Guess I used the wrong hand." The man mocked. Kinata felt her stomach tighten in anger. She glared ahead. She had to take a few seconds to calm her nerves, otherwise she wouldn't be able to fight in a calculative and neutral way. She breathed deeply, and then she slashed out the kunai, followed by her second while diving to a coordinated spot hidden at a different direction so that the two knives would skid off the other, still hitting the targets while misdirecting her location. The ninjas began to spring into action as the leader froze, shocked to have an attack dealt when he'd assume most of the people were captured. She took that opportunity to strike one of her sai at the back of the leader, ripping his right shoulder blade in half. He yelled in agony and swung a left back-kick to her, but she dove and flung her own kick to his spine. It sent him falling forward. She had no time as three ninjas came at her. She spun left, then back to jump off the ground, retrieving one of her kunai while sliding her one sai back in its place. The kunai left her grip just as she bounced off of a rebound kick from the second ninja, who came in to contact with his comrades punch to the face, so startled by Kinata's quick movements.
She saw the villagers scattering amongst the fighting. Good. She thought proudly. She hadn't even needed to yell out orders, they just figured it out. A punch to her back brought her back to reality. She had bigger problems to deal with. She did a dive on the ground and gave herself plenty of room by doing three back flips, sending both her sai knives directly into two throats. Ten shinobi still surrounded her. But now she had no more knives.
Kinata frowned.
"Who the hell are you?" One of the men yelled furiously at her. She ignored him.
"Tell me, why are you harming innocent villagers?" She took this time to emit her hand sign, one that was reckless and beyond dense of her to try. But after her words caught them off guard, giving her the few seconds she needed, she felt she was left with no other choice. She couldn't die here, she had to find Grams-Susano and Gramps-Izu. However, she was outnumbered, and if she didn't throw out her ace card, she would stand no chance. When her eyes morphed into the eerie form of the dragon serpent's own, the shinobi moved back, some gasping in terror. That alone gave her all the time in the world to initiate the process of releasing the Kongouseki.
She was now in a situation that sincerely called for the jutsu, making the control she needed in activating and releasing the chemical that much easier. She felt her chakra pulsate and she pushed the force around her. The chemical sprung free from within her veins, like a rubber band being shot, and it was all too quickly for her to control. A huge abundance spread in an invisible wave. Once it reached the shinobi in seconds they were on the ground coughing and choking. Not but a moment after were they lying on the ground as the chemical disintegrated their insides, dissolving their skin while "eating" away at their chakra. All of this had happened in less than two minutes.
Kinata tried desperately to retract the chemical with all of her chakra, but it left her drained. She fell to the ground. The chemical was now released into the air and until it spread enough to be of no harm it would make contact and kill every living being. Kinata forced herself up from her knees, the rush of fear striking hard. Grams-Susano and Gramps-Izu were somewhere nearby. She had to find them as soon as possible before the chemical could get to them. She raced passed the dead corpses.
As she ran down the main road to her house she started crying. Around her were already helpless villagers, screaming in agony as their bodies crumpled randomly around, the Kongouseki causing them to appear burnt, and still burning. Kinata stood still to take a deep breath. She had no idea that this jutsu would react so instantaneously.
"Please be alive." She whimpered to herself, thinking of her guardians. The thought of them got her back in motion. She finally came up to the block where her house was when she stumbled at the scene in front of her. She had found them. And it was too late. The chemical was clearly inside them, as Gramps-Izu was leaning against the wall two houses down on the ground with Grams-Susano in his lap. She appeared to be in more pain then him, moaning from the effects. They didn't have much time until their entire bodies would be dissolved.
Her body began to tremble as she ran over to them with wobbly legs. Tears just poured from her eyes as she fell down next to them. Gramps-Izu noticed her first, giving her a weak smile. He nudged Grams-Susano to sit up, and it made the old woman cringe.
"N..no…stop, don't move…pp..pplease. It…spread…faster." She was trying to get the words out as her hands reached out to do something, but they hung aimlessly in the air. She had no idea how to help them. She focused to try and retract the chemicals but she could feel how deep it had settled in their own veins. Their bodies didn't have the blood of the dragon. They could not be saved. It made her feel numb.
"Kinata. Ye did too much I think." He was dying, yet he still had a playful tone while speaking to her. She shook her head, watching his eyes gaze down at Grams-Susano.
"Good thing we old doe." He forced a weak smile. She watched as she could visibly see the chemical begin to burn through his left cheek. She was in hysterics now, bending in carelessly to hug him.
"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! I don't know what to do! I can't! YOU CAN'T LEAVE! DON'T! FIGHT IT! PLEASE!" She had the hick-ups now and sounded ridiculous. He chuckled at her antics.
"Ye took on too much child. Ye brave. Ye need to live on, an' never forget us." The old man closed his eyes. Kinata was holding both of them in her arms as best as she could while she bent over awkwardly, trying to figure out what to do.
"I failed you both! I'm so sorry! I've destroyed the village! I've ruined everything!" Words just kept tumbling senselessly from her mouth. His face was half smoldered by now. He shook his head a little to imply that she was wrong.
"Enough Kinata. Ye remember, just where, ye need, to go? Do ye?" She stared back in shock. Even as his last seconds were obvious, he was still looking out for her. And she had been the one to do all of this! He lifted his right hand.
"Da ring. Take, da ring. Find him. Konoha. Ye need to go. Kinata. Ye noble, don' ye be forgettin dat, or…" he paused to take a deep, last breath, "tryin', ta, convince, yeself, otherwise. Ye be loved. Now go. Do no', let us, die, in vain. Go." He let the last word hiss through his teeth as he could speak no more. Grams-Susano had passed already, and he was now giving in to the chemical's effects. His eyes dilated and the light from within disappeared. Kinata was hyperventilating. She stared at the ring on his right index finger. It was a sign of the Iwatsuru family lineage. She went to lift it off but had a difficult time from the shaking in her own hand. She put it in her pocket. Everything now felt surreal. She began to slowly walk away, but paused to turn. Their bodies were now unrecognizable.
The lump in her throat grew. She turned back to rush into the house and pack. Her movements were mechanic, reminding her of the traumatic moment when she'd had to row away in the boat with her sensei as she watched the island – her first home- fade away, with all of her loved ones on it.
The night continued in blurs. She was rushing through the forest, jumping from tree to tree. Her chakra was half back, regenerating quickly due to her kekkei genkai. The rain poured down about an hour into her journey, making the branches slippery. She despised the weather for dampening her mood even more. It was dark, and she could only hope that she was headed in the right direction. Her mind wasn't right, and thus neither were her navigation skills.
Several hours passed when she could sense a barrier, one she was familiar with back when Gramps-Izu had taken her to the festival. So she was near Konoha. She pushed her back to the trunk of the tree, looking down at the long drop. She should start traveling on the ground.
As soon as she arrived at the barrier, she could finally see the walls to Konoha. She put her hands in a circle formation, sending out a wave that had sonar abilities. This was a jutsu she'd had much practice with at the Kusama household. They were fond of barriers, and had wanted to teach Kinata all about them, as it coincided with her own jutsu. When the frequency in the wave matched the powers of the barrier, it would disguise her own chakra for a moment to become identical with the other. It worked. However, she was beyond her wits to feel any sort of happiness for achieving the jutsu under such stress correctly.
She stepped beyond the barrier, staring up to the tall wall. She sighed, knowing that the smooth surface would prove to be a problem.
But she trekked up it using her kunai knives, tirelessly pushing herself until she reached the top. When she did she slipped on the corner and fell clumsily onto the other side. The long drop knocked the wind out of her. She was lying in the mud as the rain poured over her face. After a few minutes she made it to her knees, breathing hard. She was spent, but she needed to at least find an alley. It would appear far too suspicious if someone found her right by the wall of Konoha. As she took a step she stumbled, lightheaded, and landed against a building. She immediately fell back to the ground in a heaping mess. She growled into the mud, trying to sit upright, only for her arms to give out again, tumbling right back in the soaking ground. She decided to crawl to some wooden crates in the corner of an emerging alley. At least she'd be hidden from prying eyes. She rolled on her back and leaned against them, letting her head drop back. She pulled her knees up to her, groaning and managing to steady her breathing. She stared up as the sky slowed to a sprinkle. It washed her face clean.
Kinata closed her eyes, shivering. It wasn't that cold, but as the memories of the night swarmed her she felt the warmth inside leave. She would definitely have to wait at least until morning before finding the elderly couple's son.
Her tousled and tangled hair stuck to her face. She pushed the strands away, her body aching from just that small movement. It hardly bothered her now though. She had lost so much. Her heart throbbed.
Another village.
Destroyed.
Another home.
Devastated.
Another family.
Ruined.
Kinata found no sleep that night, despite how tired she felt. Only the images of massacred bodies gave way to wakeful nightmares. Once on an island, another by a forest.
Both, because of her.