A/N (17/7/16): QAQ I'd apologise for the late update but I kinda expected it myself rip sorry please don't expect promptness from me -
Chapter 3
Family
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To be honest, I don't know.
Am I her? Is she me? It's all just really crazy to think about.
...She wasn't a very good person. I wouldn't say that she's bad, but…
She was successful, though.
...Still, I don't think I want to follow her footsteps.
The pair made their way back to the compound swiftly that day, forsaking their habitual after-school training.
Father asked to see her. Ginko wasn't sure if she should be worried for her partner.
Shikon waved her concerns away, putting on a brave face but not quite hiding the uncertainty that her partner could easily catch.
"It's probably about our... arrangements. We knew he'd find out eventually."
Ginko whined, trotting around in a circle . "The timing is so unfortunate! You just graduated!"
Shikon fingered the hitai-ate, tentatively tied around her left bicep. She shrugged. "Probably wanted to save the effort. This way, he can congratulate me at the same time."
"As if you believe that." Ginko made a face.
"Team placements would be officially released tomorrow anyway, so there's not much he can do about it. I'm just wondering why he waited so long to say something."
That was the question Ginko was internally panicking about as well.
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The Inuzuka clan compound sprawled out across the southwestern portion of the village, including a sectioned area of undeveloped land that counted as a private forest. Living spaces surrounded the centralized Main House where the Head lived, in a nucleated and almost chaotic fashion, curving with the land rather than forcing through.
The winding tiled paths through the compound were subject to the rushed, harried movements of man and beast alike; tingling energy constantly hanging in the air. Humble but cheerful wooden houses lined the roads, with the artful hand of Mother Nature often blooming through the architecture.
Then there were the people.
The Inuzuka were boisterous people amid their own kind, familial camaraderie ringing true for most occasions. Of course, this same loyalty towards each other also shunned outsiders, pack-like mentality as much encouraging as isolating.
One thing that remained constant was the fact that they revered their Alpha, and this extended towards his spawn.
"Shikon-sama!"
"Shikon-sama!"
People with fang-marked cheeks exuberantly greeted the heir with bright exclamations, some bowing deeply in respect. Their canine partners as well halted at the sight, lowering their heads in recognition.
Shikon held her head high, pacing steadily yet still meeting the eyes of her people with nods of grateful acknowledgement.
Ginko could only follow.
Sunlight glinted off the metal bearing Konoha's symbol as Shikon paced through the streets, immediately catching the eye of anyone who so much as glanced her way.
"Con-congratulations, Shikon-sama!"
"Shikon-sama is a genin of Konoha!"
"Congratulations!"
"Good job, Shikon-sama!"
Ginko marveled at the way her partner responded to the uproar, struggling to stay close at foot amidst the surge of people who had suddenly placed her on such a high pedestal. She knew these dogs, lived with them once, watched them get imprinted as she stayed behind in the clan's kennel.
And all so suddenly, here she was.
Shikon doesn't look back to her partner, her attention focused forward. But a hand found its way to Ginko's shoulder, guiding her along.
It… Jarred Ginko to watch her partner, the way she acted around people of her kind, how she acted being lifted up and praised. It was something that was expected of her, but nonetheless excited the people around her - yet Shikon did nothing to play it down, or humble herself, but -
She relished being revered.
Ginko was old, old enough to know the joy of a mother, a teacher, to feel the arching pride when one's offspring used their lessons for good.
If she were to be honest, it didn't feel that way now.
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Finally reaching the main house right in the middle of the compound, Shikon steadied her breathing outside the thin paper doors. Her father was inside already, judging by the slippers, and he'd probably already sensed them coming.
"...would you like to wait at the shrine?" Shikon offered a way out for her partner. Ginko was never born into this life; and Shikon knew that she would never fully accept being dragged into it, even in spite of their bond.
"Ma, I have a feeling Makkuro-sama wishes to talk to me as well," came her reply. Even in spite of their bond, she was trying oh so hard on top of that. Ginko didn't have to accompany her, both of them knew that. Shikon's heart swelled.
Shikon removed her slippers and entered the house with an uneventful 'okaeri'. Sensitive Inuzuka ears picked up the sound of brutal training in the family's private training ground, the steady and deliberate breathing from her father's meditation room, and -
"You're keeping him waiting," Shikon's mother appeared from around the corner, bringing with her the smells of the dinner she was preparing. Despite the pleasing aroma, the elder woman's tone was far less inviting.
Ashi Inuzuka is purebred, lean and fit and beautiful. She is what a woman should be, with silky hair and fair but toned skin. Her partner Ochako is slim and graceful, a tall hound which emphasizes agility rather than power.
The Inuzuka would never respect someone weak like her. Power was king, power was alpha. She was really nothing more than a trophy wife, a brood mare, a woman to care for the children and the house. Shikon didn't blame Ashi if she was the slightest bit bitter.
… Father hated that Shikon looks like her mother.
Tsume had inherited the feral, spiky hair and the slitted irises. Her fang marks were blood red and vibrant, her natural countenance raw and powerful.
Shikon, had she not gelled her hair or worked with her voice to sounding more gruff, was admittedly rather average for an Inuzuka. Oh, her eyes were dog-like and her senses were not duller in the slightest, but her hair was stringy and fell flat. Her figure was caught awkwardly between the muscular bulk of her father's and the lean but weak figure of her mother's. Most of all… She lacked presence.
But she was heir.
And while that came with perks, there were responsibilities.
"He can wait all he fucking likes; I was in the middle of the graduation exam when his summons arrived." Ginko pouted in disapproval of her language (both were as stubborn in their agenda), but it was gone in an instant. Her own mother didn't react with more than a scoff, eyes flicking down to acknowledge the hitai-ate but offering no words of congratulations.
It was expected, and there was no surprise among them that Shikon had passed. But they kept whatever negativity between themselves, of the main house.
Let the people celebrate. Let them find joy in whatever they want.
Leave the burden to the leaders.
"Go, already," Ashi barked. With such a feminine pitch, it lacked force. Shikon lamented the difficulties faced by the fairer race, especially in a clan such as hers, but left without another word.
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They'd flared their chakra, as courtesy called, making their presence known before entering the room without preemption. They strode towards the centre, where they bow down, heads pressed against the floor; Ginko on Shikon's left but on a similar forward horizontal line - man and hound equals.
Shikon doesn't look up - cannot look up - until given permission, so she does not react when Makkuro ghosts to Ginko and leads her to another room, leaving the two humans in privacy. Inasmuch privacy as they could have; after all, such an action would hardly diminish the bond between the partners.
At Kenshi's incredibly subtle signal, Shikon rised into seiza. Kenshi was a man of few words, but amazingly, Shikon found him easy to read when he allowed it. Filial connection, probably.
He cocked his head, indicating for her to speak.
"I have found it prudent to begin forging bonds with the two other clan heirs, Nishiki Sarutobi and Hiashi Hyuuga." Shikon internally grimaced, because it annoyed her that the order of the mentioned names mattered. But she had other things to focus on.
"Sarutobi had received trustworthy intelligence that we would be teamed together, thus he had approached us first with the offer to cooperate. This is four months ago. I accepted, and have been using this as an opportunity to gather intelligence on the other two clans. We have begun training together, preparing for the Jounin test since we agreed to work together."
Kenshi says nothing, but Shikon can pick up the warning in his gaze. Be careful.
Shikon wanted to scoff - of course she was. But such disrespect wouldn't be tolerated, so she dipped her head in acknowledgement. "...The council is setting us up to be partners for life, aren't they? By putting the clans together, they are making us keep each other in check."
He said nothing, which was inasmuch a confirmation as anything.
"In the future," said Shikon, though her throat felt dry. "I believe this is a prime opportunity to place myself within Konohagakure's inner circle. It is an opportunity to move our clan forwards, to integrate ourselves in this village."
Something our ancestors had never bothered with, was the unspoken undertone.
Shikon struggled with keeping her tone neutral, with the faint primal arrogance leaking through, as bait. She was insulting their ancestors, deliberately, so that Kenshi would focus on this - that he would think her prideful of her actions towards the clan, as if she thought this was her idea, her doing, that would benefit the clan the most. It would distract him, away from the fact that she had taken such steps in secret from him - away from the real reason she was doing this in the first place.
She met his eyes as if challenging him - taking so much self-control not to flinch from his gaze and to keep her body under control.
These kind of politics, these kinds of white lies and intimidation and bravado was her future as an heir to the Inuzuka. She'd best perfect them now.
Her tactic fails, unfortunately.
Kenshi is silent for a long time, but then gives an upwards tilt of the head - the dreaded question, despite her attempts to steer his focus elsewhere. Why did you not inform me?
It was a inquiry in itself, not an accusation, so it seemed. All he had let on was that he was curious.
She had to be very, very careful.
What did Kenshi want to hear? What was the right thing so say? Lying was absolutely out of the option - the Inuzuka hated liars. She had to keep it truthful, it had to appease her father, it had to be an honest answer.
She's hesitating far too long - but what was safe to say? Kenshi wanted her to build relationships, it would cement the position of the Inuzuka, especially if she was associating with clan heirs. She needed to establish their position, it was her responsibility, but at the same time, trust was oh so dangerous. Shikon herself, if she would admit, was… reluctant, to trust.
Shikon forced herself to rid of the hesitation in her voice. It was a sign of weakness, and that above all wouldn't be tolerated.
"...they are my friends."
It was truthful, enough.
The light in his eyes sharpened, and immediately Shikon knew she had said something crucial.
She couldn't pick up on what it was, however, because Kenshi had closed himself, making it unreadable to Shikon, a mere genin.
He tilted his head to dismiss her, removing any further opportunity for her to learn more. Shikon stood to her feet, and bowed.
"Congratulations on graduating," he said, clearly but quietly, so sudden that Shikon's eyes widened as she stared at the ground. There's a slight disbelief in her eyes that she couldn't quite hide as she straightened and looked at her father.
"Thank you." Her reply is grave and succinct, just as was his statement.
She turned, and leaves.
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The woman stood at attention before her fellow clansman, with such deference that was unassuming of her station. Yet, a hollow grin twisted sculpted lips as Danzo Shimura stared her down.
The Shimura clan was a monarchy, definitely, but perhaps in name only. The current head was old and obsolete, his council filled with aging fools.
The Shimura understood the need for change, adaptation.
"...as you wish, Danzo-sama~" She drawled the suffix out in a playful sing-song.
And so they deferred to Danzo, without question, when he had won the long, hard battle for the title leader.
"I would've preferred it if you didn't have me make them hate me, though."
"It is necessary," the man replied, daring her to challenge him as he levels her with a heavy gaze.
She paused, but grinned widely, making eye contact. He's so out of his depth, it's funny, she thought.
She thought she was better, because of her position in the clan hierarchy.
(Oh how wrong she was, as she discovers in the future. Oh, how wrong indeed.)
Danzo tears down what he finds no use for.
But from the ashes, Danzo builds.
(She'd best prepare herself, if she wants to survive.)
"Of course," Asahi Shimura is cocky and arrogant as she accepts the difficult task he lays on her, her pride at stake and something she is not willing to lose.
"My will is your command."
A/N (17/7/16): I just realised that Shikon curses the first time here. Omg what happened the past few chapters i really should be planning better omg but Shikon is very very vulgar and crude. Expect more of things like this.
Also Kenshi is honestly an abnormality for an Inuzuka ;;; idk why I wrote him like that
If I ever write the story I have planned of Kenshi's mother; Shikon's grandmother; Kiba's great-grandmother, I might go into more detail, but I probably won't touch it much in this story because it's not very relevant. Mimi and Shisen's story is hella crack tho. It's there because I thought the contrast with Shikon's story would be hilarious XD
Accckk I really should write more but inspiration seems to come in bursts! I have everything up to chapter 10 fully planned out, scene by scene, but can't seem to write ;;; I was stuck at the scene of describing the clan for such a loooong time but suddenly found inspiration when I was bored at bible camp q7q
Rolls around on floor but thank you Rigoudon3 and Chaos Evans for reviewing! I will try getting the next chapter out soon hngg