The Life and Times of an Average Coward

Chapter 22: Meet the Family


Awareness came to me abruptly, it was a sudden single point realization that I was unconscious and lying down on one of the most comfortable surfaces I've ever laid on. Like a hook, I was suddenly lured into the surface of awakeness. It's almost akin to waking up from a dream that you can't quite remember, it's almost troubling how I felt that something important just happened but I can't recall what it is.

Next to the awareness came the painful realization that all of my being aches. Or as much as it could hurt while feeling lightheaded, floaty in a way a strong painkiller could do. But its effects are slowly ebbing away and I'm gaining painful awareness of every uncomfortable stimulus my brain can handle. My limbs felt stretched thin and then suddenly squashed like an accordion, bones, muscles and all. I can't quite explain it right but it is awful as it sounds. My stomach is turning on itself, burning, squirming and wanting to go out of my body and from the awful taste of iron on my tongue, for a dizzying second I came quite close to doing that. A burning trail leaves its wake on my throat to my stomach like I tried chugging down a paint peeler. Even breathing somehow hurts to an extent that I want to stop doing it. The rattling of my abused lungs against my ribcage is upsetting, and the way my trachea involuntarily contracts and relaxes in intervals is uncomfortable and keeps me from going back to sweet oblivion.

In short, I feel absolutely miserable.

It must've been because I interchanged my breath styles three times in a row and then got myself stung by a radioactive spider demon. My poor lungs had done their job in keeping myself breathing and thankfully still alive, but I could have certainly done it without the resulting agony it came after surviving.

But still, being alive is better than being another body under the earth.

My senses returned in third. The smell of clean laundry, sunshine, sandalwood and wisteria incense greeted my nose, all familiar scents, all indicating that I'm in a safe space. My hearing gave me the feedback that I'm currently surrounded by people, with one being a serene orchard of willow trees and the other a garden of dewy flowers, the five others that followed are of mix variants of their sound, though still distinct from one another.

(Don't ask her how certain plants have strung melodies of their own. It just is.)

The former must be the parents and the latter their children. Because children usually inherit their parents' character in some way, so it's only good to assume that.

And it seems like I'm catching the tail end of a conversation.

"–ou ever know if you need a slap or two."

A high young voice spoke in indignation, obviously an offended child. "Even you Hahaue?!"

"Lower your voice Kiriya," The one with the willow tree tune spoke, mellow and serene. And wait, Kiriya? I know a Kiriya. A sweet clever boy, one of my regular penpals. One of the smartest people I know, and very humble to boot. "Senritsu is resting."

Wait, does that mean…

I forced my crusty eyes to open. For a second, dark spots danced in my vision that thankfully went away. In line with my waking senses, the natural lighting in the room I'm situated is gratefully not burning my retinas, otherwise I might start crying again for the unfortunateness.

A white paneled ceiling lined with dark wood greets me, blinking the grogginess away, I casted a full sweep of the room I'm in and was finally able to see the people currently accompanying me.

And clearly, I wasn't wrong at my initial assessment.

"U-Um… Ano?" God, I sound so bad, it's like there's a bullfrog stuck in my throat. It didn't slip to me that the conversation halted and all eyes are now on me.

My eyes glanced at each and everyone of them. Stopping to stare at who can only be Oya-sama with the awful curse mark that has taken away his sight. Fresh tears moisturized my dry eyes, and I valiantly resisted letting them fall.

It really didn't escape me that during the last few months the handwriting became different.

It was a subtle difference, still elegant and beautiful and still a calligraphy worth to show off and display. But for all the years of continued correspondence I am able to tell that it was written by a different hand. The strokes are different, lighter and without the miniscule shakiness – that developed through the years – in drawing the lines, the way the kanji for 'I', 'family' and 'we' are written differently, the spacing of the kanji's are not the same, more packed together, more in line.

It's the exact same handwriting I would see in Amane-san's letters.

The implications are there but it is still not the same as seeing it for myself, and Oya-sama is not one to say anything about his physical condition.

But I'm glad that I could personally meet him before all of him was taken.

"Ni-Nice to meet you all," I blinked to moisturize my dehydrated eyes and to stop the tears from falling. "I guess…" I trailed off awkwardly as one pair of glassy ones and six pairs of identical purple eyes stared at me with astonishment.

The first one to break the silence was Oya-sama with his serene self.

"It is nice to finally meet you as well, dear Senritsu." He said with a smile on his lips that reached his milky eyes, and honestly, I was not surprised that my own decided to become a pair of faucets. It's a losing battle from the very start.

Oya-sama just sounds so happy and elated, so grateful that we finally get to meet after years of back and forth correspondence. One that started with a plea for help that in time became polite friendly banter until it became something more.

And honestly.

Same.

Because at long last, I could finally meet the people behind the ink, paper and packages, the lovely family beyond the words of encouragement, the individuals who despite the distance gave me warm friendship.

(She wonders if this is what she Hibiki would have felt when she finally met Uncle Ricky and his family, but alas, she was never really given an opportunity.)

In a way, they're family too.

"Zen-nii was not kidding when she said that she's a crybaby." The child wearing a lotus flower hair clip with hanging beads spoke bluntly, based on that honest tongue and the hair clip, this must be Kuina. Feisty Slap Princess Ina-chan.

"Kuina," Ane-sama spoke in a reprimanding tone that made the girl stiffen. "Apologize."

At once, Kuina apologizes, a faint blush on her cheeks with her siblings – they're really quintuplets wow! – snickering at her mentally. Unfortunately, her father has no reservations in hiding his amusement with a low chuckle.

"I'm sorry." Kuina bows her head, looking awfully chastised.

I waved it away, my shirt sleeves way too long for my arms, flopping around with the movement. Strange, it's not like I have long arms but I swear it's not that short either. The process of sitting up is another level of a painful challenge that I managed to pull off with some assistance from the two other children.

"No, no, it's alright. It's the truth anyway."

"But still it is disrespectful, one should not talk like that to their elders."

Right.

"How are you feeling Senritsu? Should we call for Kochou-san?" Ane-sama asks while guiding a glass full of water carefully to my lips that I gratefully took small sips on.

Kochou-san? Like one of the pillars? One of the two female pillars? The one who's a poison mistress Kochou? The one and only insect pillar?

Holy hell, are you telling me that she's the one who's basically my assigned doctor?! Goddammit, I'm a big fan and shit, I was not even awake when she's checking up on me. What a bummer, I would love to meet the lady who can make deadly poison — for demons at least — and is highly regarded by Amai-obaa. She must be impressive if Amai-obaa says that she is good. Because Amai-obaa does not give praise lightly, if she called Kochou-san good, that means she's marvelous at her job.

Focusing back on the question, I took the time to survey myself carefully, taking stock of any sign of pain or any discomfort. I might dislike needless worrying from other people, but keeping stuff at the sake of my own health is something that I would never do. Why should I lie about the state of my health when my chosen line of work has death tags all over it. An overlooked injury is a matter of life and death at this point.

I wonder when my stubborn boys would ever learn that.

"To answer the first question, and with no exaggeration, my everything hurts," I pushed the glass away by nudging it with my mouth. "Even breathing hurts. And no, I don't think there's a need to bother Kochou-san."

"But if that's the case you should at least see a doctor Zen-nii!" Kiriya said indignantly.

With all the strength that I can muster, I lifted my hand – well sleeve since my shirt sleeves are way too long – and placed it on his head that is thankfully closeby. I gave him a smile that hopefully eases his and everyone's worry.

"A strong painkiller will do for now I think, plus I'm sure Kochou-san and the doctors have other responsibilities and patients to look after too. It's just a little discomfort." Growing tired, I slowly put down my arm. "Maybe I'll sleep it off as well." As I spoke those words, a yawn broke away from me.

"I see," Oya-sama nodded agreeably. "Hinaki." He calls, and the twin with the red hanamusubi* on her hair perks up to attention. God, why did I just notice that they're all wearing the kimonos and the hair accessories I made for them. I must be really out of it.

The child nods with understanding and gets up to leave.

"Huh?"

"Aneue is just getting the painkillers you asked for, Zen-nii."

"Oh." I blinked slowly. "Also, you can call me Senritsu or Sen now, at this point my disguise is already blown."

"Can we," Kana-chan starts, I recognized her for the timidness and the wisteria headpiece she sports. Why the hell are they all adorable? "Can we really?"

Abort, abort, must not die of cuteness. Must not die of moeness. Those Goddamn eyes, that pout! No! Just no! Senritsu, you're better than this, don't let your second death be a pathetic nosebleed out of cuteness. You died in such an edgy way last time, for the love of Araki-sama, die in a normal way for once! Preferably when you're old and pruny!

With as much normality I could muster and without sounding way too eager, I gave a wide grin, a grin so wide that it almost hurt.

"Of course!" I declared right away. "You can even call me Nee-chan too! I mean, you all call me Zen-nii and that's basically the same thing!"

Oops, I think that was a bit too enthusiastic.

I withheld a wince, she was just asking if she can call me by name and I went ahead and told her to call me Nee-chan. After all, it's the first time we're seeing each other. This is more personal than just words on paper.

But instead of a cringe from my sudden chumminess, if possible, all five children glowed in joy, the rustle of happy healthy plant life resonating between the quintuplets in what I could only tell is an internal happy dance.

Impossibly, as one, all five of the children bowed in unison.

"We would be honored to call you our venerable sister!"

Oh.

Oh.

I won't excuse the coming waterworks that springs from my geyser for eyes.

"I-I'm extremely honored as we-well!"

My heart feels so full, though at the back of my mind the nagging feeling of the future. But all I can think about is the present. A present where I'm now here with a precious friend who is living on a limited time frame.

I just can't help but shed tears at that sudden realization. The frailty of someone that I had long since established to be precious to me despite not having met them in person, it's all just hitting me now.

Life, as it has proven to me time and again, is extremely cruel.

Why is it always the kind ones that get to suffer?

(Kaa-saan, Daiki-ojiichan, Yuu, Sachi, Mei-nii, Mui-chan, Jii-chan, Amai-obaa, Tantan, Nezzun, Oya-sama and his family.)

Lightheadedness introduced itself to my system, the woozy feeling making me topple back to the cloud-like futon and cries for my name came in variation.

"Senritsu-kun, should we get a doctor?" Ane-sama was instantly at my side, arranging the covers for me just right with a gentle hand.

I opened my mouth to answer but that's when Hina comes back carrying a little packet of what could only be the painkillers that I asked for earlier.

"There's no need for that Ane-sama." I smiled reassuringly, trying to hide the grimace that wants to break out of my face. From her unimpressed sound, I failed terribly. "I-I'll just drink some painkillers and sleep it off. There must be others who need their help too."

Like all the other victims of that family of spider demons.

Wait, what about–

"Where are the others?!" I suddenly tried sitting up, but the firm careful hands of the Ubuyashiki matriarch held me down.

"Please keep yourself calm, Senritsu-kun." Ane-sama says so kindly that I stopped myself from struggling but still tense with all the worst case scenarios playing in my head.

Like everyone not making it, Tantan being severely hurt from facing a demon moon, Inocchi biting off more than he could chew and Nezzun–

Oh God if I'm here, maybe they're here too, but that means Nezzun was discovered by–

My world is closing in, spinning round and round, darkening to a frightening degree. I feel too big and too small at the same time, the weight of everything crushing me down as my lungs halt from taking in precious air. I can distantly tell that someone was calling for me, a couple of someone's in fact.

"–istu-kun! –reathe! Count… thre– okay? Lis– in… ollow y voi– seven. I'll start oka–"

It's all too much at one instant, the panic seizing me by the neck and wringing me down to suffocate. Peripherally, I am aware that I'm having a panic attack, but even being aware doesn't stop me from choking at my own breath.

The detachment to my surroundings came to a halt when I felt a sudden acute pain on my cheek, the ring of flesh hitting flesh echoing in my ears and piercing the bubble of silence that had enveloped me.

Someone is touching both of my cheeks. One massaging the side that got slapped while the other clearing away the falling tears. The hands were soft, very soft, with no calluses. Someone is still talking to me, calm and gentle and firm. I can smell wisterias and lilies, it was pleasant and unobtrusive.

"Se– nod… hear me!"

Okay, okay, panic attack. Nod if ears work!

I nodded.

"–ritsu-kun, –ease calm d—n! Try to fol— my voi… and breathe in— coun.. to thre— relea– at s—ven."

Right, right, no hyperventilating. Just follow the voice. Count three, I inhale. Seven exhale.

"–wo, three. Inhale"

Breathe in. Breathing is fun, keep going.

"Fo– ive, six, se–. Exhale." They kept rubbing circles on my cheeks.

Exhale. Exhale.

"O– wo, three. In–"

Inhale. Inhale. Inhale.

"Four, fi–, six, seven. –hale."

Exhale. Exhale. Exhale. Exhale.

"Okay, keep go– One, tw–o, three. Inhale."

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

"Four, five, six, seven. Exhale. Keep going."

My vision is starting to clear now, the dark spots disappearing one by one. The first thing I saw was strands of snow white hair.

"One, two, three. Inhale."

Concerned dark purple eyes. Sparse eyebrows. Small upturned nose. Pink lips.

"Four, five, six, seven. Exhale."

"Keep going. Now, can you name three things you can see?"

I wracked my brain to do what the voice commands. "White w–lls, ah… flowers, yo-you." I stuttered.

"What do you smell?"

"Wis-Wisterias. Lilies." I tsked when I didn't answer fast enough, my breaths still stuttering.

"What can you touch? Don't worry, you can answer slowly. Take your time."

My mind is starting to clear but the fog is still there.

"Hand ah, er, your hand. Blanket. Soft."

"Hear? What can you hear?"

"Inside the ro-room there are seven heartbeats, different… from mine."

Having said that, the hands grasping mine gave a reassuring squeeze. Meanwhile, I tried my best to get my breathing in order. The spinning darkening vision ebbing away slowly but surely as I try to keep my heart at an acceptable pace. The soft encouraging voices led me back up to the surface at the river of muck I've fallen to, they were patient, soothing and so, so gentle and I can't help but want to swim above the surface of my mind.

When I finally came to, I was lying down at the same soft material I've woken up from, surrounded by worried faces and concerned heartbeats.

God, why am I like this?

I took another breath, licking my lips.

"...Sorry." A lone tear fell down my cheek, a remnant of my earlier struggle at my own head.

A delicate hand wipes it away.

"There's no need to apologize, Dear." Oya-sama's gentle tone belied the concern underneath. "You must be worried about your friends, the situation you had been under was quite stressful so it is not surprising that you panicked."

My tongue felt numb, so in lieu of an answer, I just gave a nod.

The hand on my cheek was blissfully cold as it continued to draw circles on the pudge of flesh.

"Tanjirou-kun, Inosuke-kun, Nezuko-kun and Murata-kun are all safe. And because of your quick thinking, Ozaki-kun was given the antidote for the venom right away. All of your friends are currently recovering at the Butterfly Mansion."

And just like that, the weight of my chest was removed, tears of relief springing from my eyes.

"T-Thank God."

Really though, this time was a close one. We could have died on that mountain with no one knowing. If the rescue team was a second late we wouldn't have made it.

Another reminder that death is always around the corner when you're a demon slayer.

Lethargy is beginning to claw at me. It's not that surprising with the veritable roller coaster of emotions I just went through.

"Sleep, my child." Oya-sama's soothing voice and the small hand carding through my hair is making it harder and harder to stay awake. "Rest and recover for now."

The call of slumber was inevitable, with someone now humming a tune that is vaguely reminiscent of Kaa-san's lullaby and the constant petting, my eyes closed before I knew it.


It's been a few days since my last mental breakdown and my stay with the Ubuyashiki family has been nothing but peace and comfort. The children were all so adorable and attentive to my every need, it's honestly embarrassing that they saw me being such a total mess of panic and uncoolness.

Really, my opportunity to be the cool yet caring big sis has been dashed thoroughly with that shameful first impression.

Why does every first impression that I have to every person that I know was always me being the biggest crybaby of all time? Seriously universe? Why can't anything go right in my life?

Anyways, the garden of the Ubuyashiki household is a sight to behold. It's the prim and proper traditional Japanese garden with a simplistic design. The wisteria and sakura trees that surround the compound were all blooming, the fallen petals over the traditional man-made pond can only be an artist's wet dream for the vision of a beatific Japanese springtime.

As much as relaxing the whole atmosphere was, my mind can't help but think about my friends, whether they're all recovering nicely and listening to their doctor. God knows how difficult Inocchi was. I pray for the poor souls assigned as his caretaker.

Sighing to myself, I continued my leisure walk around the garden, absentmindedly scratching Ukogi who was currently nestled in my hands.

~Are you okay Sen? Are you tired? Maybe we should get back, you've been walking for fourteen minutes and you're still recovering!~

"I'm alright. I'm just worried about the guys and Nezzun."

Ukogi took flight, little wings flapping rapidly so he could hover on my face.

~I'm sure they're alright! The Demon Slayer Corps have the greatest doctors at their employ, also Kochou-sama is looking after them. ~ The little sparrow chirped earnestly and I forced myself to think more rationally to ease my unfounded worry.

Can't say that my partner is wrong because he is entirely right. I'm worrying needlessly again, besides, Oya-sama did say that Nezzun is safe. The only thing that is worrying right now is that a literal bird is more rational than me.

My tense shoulders sagged and Ukogi took the opportunity to perch himself on my right shoulder.

"You know what," I gave out a loud exhale, smiling at my own foolishness. "You're right, I'm just being silly again."

~"It's alright you know. You're friends are really lucky to have such a caring friend like you."~

My face burned at the sudden phrase, Ukogi truly is a very blunt bird. I glanced to my right and gave him a bashful smile.

"If that is so then I'm also lucky to have such a smart and cool partner like you." I praised him in turn.

The avian's resulting reaction after voicing my honest thoughts is one that is both cute and amusing.

Ukogi right now, is doing the human equivalent of squealing in glee.

How adorable!

But our exchange came to an abrupt stop when I heard something peculiar near the bushes.

Someone who is frantic and slithering.

I looked at Ukogi and placed a finger on my lips, the classic 'be quiet' sign, and carefully crept towards the moving foliage. Once near it, I parted the shrubbery to reveal the perpetrator.

With a surprise squeak, I fell on my ass, making Ukogi take flight to not go down with me.

It was a snake! A white snake!

Sss– Where could he be? Maybe the young female might know where –ssS

Wait, let's calm down, he doesn't seem violent a-and he's looking for somebody!

Sho-Should I help him?

Ukogi decided to chirp in.

~That's Iguro-sama's companion, don't be afraid Sen!~

Wait, 'Iguro-sama'? Isn't that one of the Hashira?

That decision was taken from me when the white snake with shimmering scales came slithering towards me in a slow manner, cautious and almost like… he doesn't want to scare me?

Sss– Oh no, the young female smells of fear. Maybe the female is afraid of me. But what shall I do? I have to find him. But I'm also hungry. What shall I do? –ssS

Oh.

How thoughtful. Now I feel bad for making him feel guilty, and he seems to be looking for someone. Probably Iguro-senpai? Maybe I can help him look for the Hashira, plus I have nothing better to do anyway.

And he's hungry as well, I can't just run away just because I'm afraid, he needs help!

Cautiously, I got up in a sitting position with Ukogi chirping above me in encouragement.

"He-Hello…" I started, voice shaking. Inhaling to calm my nerves, my trembling hand went to my pocket, grasping the small purse containing some boiled quail eggs that sweet Kana-chan gave me as a nutritious snack. I clearly remember snakes can eat eggs in one of the many textbooks Oya-sama gave me, so this should be fine.

"Would you, would you like some?" I bravely trusted my fingers towards him with the small egg pinched between them. His red eyes following the movement.

Slowly, ever so slowly, the white snake went closer to me, his creeping pace, I think, is more to my benefit than to his own.

Now it's making me feel more bad.

Sss– Young female human, even if you are afraid of me, you do not hesitate to help. How kind. –ssS

The snake took the quail egg in his mouth, careful not to touch my fingers with his tiny fangs as best as he can.

Ukogi landed beside the snake, glowing with pride.

~But of course! Sen is one of the kindest humans there is! She won't hesitate to help someone even if she's afraid! And she can understand us!~

Why do you sound like you're boasting about yourself! Please stop! It's embarrassing.

"He-Hey! Ukogi… that's a bit much…" I whispered, looking down at the ground, face burning hot.

~See! Sen is humble as well.~

Could you please stop, my social anxiety is spiking with all these unbidden compliments. It demands my very soul to say something nice back, not that it's hard! Just that there's another audience and I'd feel even more embarrassed at my own difficulty to take compliments at face value!

God, I hate my brain and my not so great upbringing for this.

Withholding the urge to curl up, cry, laugh and vomit at the same time, I gave a shaky smile to both of them.

"Come on, le-let's try finding Iguro-senpai! Haha…" I said with as much enthusiasm as I could, arm extended towards him when the last of the quail eggs were eaten by the both of us as the sweet snake insisted.

The next thing that the little reptile did was do an excited wiggle before carefully crawling up to my neck via my outstretched arm. I tried not to flinch as cool and dry scales circled around my neck like a living breathing scarf.

And oh yeah, I almost forgot,

"What's your name?" I asked once he had gotten comfortable in his new vantage point.

I stood up from my crouching position.

Sss– My name is Kaburamaru. What is the kind young female's name as well? –ssS

"My name is Agatsuma Senritsu and it's nice to meet you Kaburamaru. Please call me Sen, like Ukogi does."

Sss– I will keep that in mind, Kind Sen –ssS

I resolutely ignored the adjective before my name and started walking to help my new snake friend in finding his partner.

"So… where did you last see each other?"

Sss– It was after the meeting with Wise Leader-sama. I asked Friend Iguro to be let down so he could talk to Beautiful Mitsuri in private. I remember it being near sand and garden, we were supposed to meet afterwards but I ventured to the unknown part of Wise Leader-sama's nest, –ssS

Then that narrows it down. Kaburamaru must be talking about the sand garden near the receiving area. But I still need to check if he is really there.

Focusing inwardly, I closed my eyes to cut off further stimulus and zoned in to my hearing. In my minds eye, the layout of the Ubuyashiki Household overlayed in my memory of the estate to the information feedback that I got from the sounds. The familiar sounds that I could pick out were the Ubuyashiki Family and some of the servants that I had become acquainted with.

I ignored these excess information and focused on the most frantic one, one that screamed '

I am looking for something but I can't find it arghhh!'. And as for why I know this sound? Well, I lived with an old man, and as much as Jii-chan has a great memory, sometimes he just forgets stuff midway and he gets frustrated. And then there's Amai-obaa with her deteriorating eyesight.

Yeah… so I can say I'm familiar with that type of sound.

Much to my surprise, there are two frantic sounds. And one of them is actively calling out for Kaburamaru, a woman, the other quietly seething about his carelessness about losing his friend and cursing his shitty eyesight.

"I think I found them. There's two people looking for you."

The snake perks up with a thrilling hiss.

Sss– That must be Friend Iguro and Beautiful Mitsuri! Let us go and meet them! –ssS

Cautiously, I touched him and made sure he was secure around my neck. "Yeah, I did say I'm going to help you."

And so I started walking, towards the two people searching for their lost friend. As I took one step at a time, I steeled myself to once again meet my Senior.

Not just one! But two of them!

Here's to hoping that I'd make a good impression in front of them.


Omake: Planting Orange Sunflowers (Naruto AU)

~Where Nara Shikaku takes a leisure walk but gets a mental breakdown instead~

Shikaku for all that he is lazy and likes avoiding certain responsibilities — paperwork — that does not mean he is passive. Well, he is most of the time, but that doesn't mean all the time.

He is scheduled to meet the Hokage and he is taking his sweet time to get there through the bullshit excuse of post-mission exhaustion. Disregarding the fact that it is a diplomatic mission and not at all a recon or a sabotage. But even so, arguing with merchants for prices was tiring, especially when you already had an established contract in place and there was no real need to renegotiate.

Fucking greedy bastards.

So, when he saw a toddler, waddling around the bank of a rushing river, sniveling and bleeding, he rushes towards the kid out of concern — God, he couldn't be older than his Shikamaru — and ends up surprising the kid so much that he slipped and fell into the rapid river.

Way to go Shikaku, way to go. Yoshino would never let him off once she hears about this.

Out of panic, desperation and concern, Shikaku plucks the kid easily enough and cradles the shrieking wet terrified toddler close to his chest. And was punched square in the jaw for it.

He almost dropped the kid again. Little brat sure could pack a punch and, was that chakra added in there?

"Lemme go! Lemme go! P-Please, no more! I'm so-sorry, please lemme go! Won't do it again! "

For a good three seconds, Shikaku stood still, brain whirling to work with deduction after deduction then finally to a grim conclusion.

(Easily enough, he corrects his assumptions about the child's gender, though in Shikaki's defense, Naruto's hair is a choppy short mess, like she fought against a pair of scissors and lost.)

Face carefully blank, Shikaku carefully placed down the tense and terrified child on the ground, bare feet muddy and bloody.

The blue of the toddler's eyes seemed to pop, reflecting the cloudless skies above, pupils a pinprick at the sea of bright crystalline blue, conveying both shock and fear. Careful and slow, he projected his movements heavy handedly, those wide eyes not straying as Naruto took a few steps back. Shikaku knelt with one knee on the mushy ground beneath him, not caring of the grass and mud stains that it would incur.

"Would you like to come with me and get you treated?" He said directly, making eye contact.

There is something sharp there, something intelligent and not all blind innocence. Shikaku didn't bother to put on a smile, just making sure that his expression is open and accepting. Like he was giving the kid a choice whether she gets treated or not.

Not that he would just let her be.

Naruto looks so tiny in her three size too big shirt and scruffy pants, all muddied and bloodied all over. Her hair was shorn short to her ears, recently cut, uneven and spiking around her head, caked with both blood and more mud, barely looking like the shining blonde it was supposed to. She's so skinny, bones poking here and there from the brief time he held her, tear tracks ran on her gaunt cheeks and tanned skin appearing ashy and pale.

Gashes and bruises both old and new can be seen from what cannot be covered by her threadbare clothing.

Just looking at her like this and keeping himself still took every ounce of control from him. It's a heartbreaking sight to see the eyes of one of his greatest friends looking at him with such fear.

Like Shikaku is going to harm her.

With narrowed eyes and stuttered words, "H-How would I know that y-you're not lying?"

Her voice is soft if a bit scratchy from disuse, warriness clouding the tone.

For the nth time, Shikaku found himself cursing the old man once again for his stupid order. He made sure that none of that shows in his face but the barely hidden flinch told him that he was not successful.

"You wouldn't," He answered evenly, "But I swear on my clan honor that I would make sure to get you treated."

Swearing on the clan's honor is something not given lightly, and the kid seemed to get that based on the surprise that crossed her face before smoothing into worry again. Cautious hope.

The kid scrutinized him, face scrunching up and eyes glossing over and head tilting over to one side like a puppy hearing an odd sound.

He waited patiently as a series of emotions flitted across the kid's face. Hopeful, warry, sadness, annoyance and then cautiousness, it's like she is having a conversation with herself in her head. Contemplating to trust his words or not.

Shikaku hopes that she does, he does not want to force her into anything, and just the thought of doing the same shit that the people who abused her to the point of cowering under a touch of concern makes him want to surge to the Hokage's tower and punch the old man.

"Okay," She spoke evenly, her too old eyes unbefitting to her cherubic face. "I-I'll go with you, but not at the hospital."

He was about to open his mouth for an incredulous reply when he was cut off abruptly with a stutter.

"T-They don't l-like me being t-t-there." Then she looks down, lips wobbling and tears tethering at her lashes.

Of fucking course Shikaku's jaw tightened to keep any expletives that wants to burst out of his mouth.

Looks like he has to make a surprise evaluation at the Konoha General Hospital tomorrow. Turning away a citizen of Konoha in need is a big violation to the law and code of conduct. If they can turn away a child in need, whose to say they hadn't spurned others away.

Especially, out of prejudice.

Princess Tsunade is sure to destroy the whole building if she was here.

"Okay." Shikaku answers plainly and smiles. "I'll take you to the Nara Compound clinic then."

The Naras excel in producing top grade salves, pills and the like after all. They are more than capable of treating her.

Announcing his movements again, her eyes tracking his arm with an analytical ferocity of someone facing an enemy nin.

God, what is wrong with the world?

"What's your name kid? Mine is Nara Shikaku." Shikaku holds out his hand for a hand shake.

The girl stared at it at first, another look of surprise fleeting across her face once again, before she rubbed her dirty hands on her shirt and cautiously placed her tiny hand against his.

It was at this moment, Shikaku became taken and heavily invested in this tiny wisp of a girl, when a small smile graced her lips to answer his own.

"Nice to meet you Nara-sama." The next words that would come out of her sweet mouth, left him blinded by rage for a good three seconds before he reigned it in with difficulty.

"I'm Demon Girl."

When he came back to his senses, the girl had taken a few more steps back, hands close to her chest and feet twisted away as if she would run at any moment.

The fear is back in her prism blue eyes. Shikaku cursed himself for the lapse in emotion.

"Y-You're angry." She twisted her hand at the fabric of her shirt, lips between her teeth. She returned her eyes into his. "But not at me."

"No, I am not." He spoke the truth.

"W-Why?" Naruto — not fucking Demon Girl — tilted her head to the side.

"Because you've done nothing to make me angry."

"Is it because of my n-name?"

"Yes," He answered honestly, Shikaku has this odd feeling that she would be able to tell otherwise, not that he was planning to lie to her or anything. "And I don't think that's your name."

Her brows furrowed, "But everybody calls me t-that, that or M-Monster or Freak." Naruto raises an eyebrow. "Y-You're angry a-again, but not at me." She says that but her body is leaning to the side, ready to bolt any time given.

Shikaku is livid, angry is an understatement. He didn't even bother to question how she is guessing his mood when he is actively not letting it show. It's her instincts perhaps, honed to alert her of any given hostility. Something she has to have to survive.

And God isn't that hilarious? A child, needing to train herself just to live in her own village.

Uzumaki Kushina must be spitting mad all these years in her grave, and knowing her husband, that man must be planning retribution from the other side. Whoever said that Namikaze Minato is a mild mannered man? He didn't earn the title of Yellow Flash and a 'Flee on Sight' label to be anything but mild mannered, Iwa-nins would beg to differ.

"I don't think that, that's your name."

The girl blinked. "Me too, but everyone insists that it is, and I've never heard them call me something else."

Now that Shikaku thought of it, she is really well spoken despite the light lisp, and she's not even four yet, only a few months older than his Shikamaru. Nara children are gifted with vocabulary but more often than not, are late speakers, brains having to recharge every now and then in sleep to calm their minds down, easily tired with how much their mind works and readjust to the world around them. Speaking is a chore in their young brains, already hyperdrive as it is, making them easily tired.

He can still remember Yoshino's panic at Shikamaru's long sleep hours and was only reassured once she learned all the logistics and that yes, it is normal for Nara babies to sleep the days away.

"Guess we'll just find your name out together later, but for now, let's get you treated."

With openness, Shikaku announced his intention out loud and through action, opening his arms wide in a beckoning gesture.

"Can I carry you so we can get you treated faster?"

Again, the girl stared at his arms, eyes glossing over as she argued with herself, Shikaku waited patiently for a reply. The scheduled post-mission meeting is now completely out of his mind, fully committed to just getting home and getting this girl treated.

After a good three minutes of staying still, Naruto finally came to herself.

"B-But I'll get your clothes d-dirty." She said all timid and shy, glaring down at herself.

Shikaku scoffed.

"I just came back from a mission, a little more dirt won't matter."

Something truly heartbreaking showed in her face. The look of hope and wary happiness seized her face that Shikaku couldn't help but curse everyone who had made this girl this way.

He would also be contemplating whether punching the Hokage's face is something he could get away from.

"T-Then I don't mind being c-c-carried."

With a nod, Shikaku moved slowly and scooped the girl into his arms, securing her was easy as she weighed next to nothing.

As she was all bones and nothing else. She remained frozen in his arms, tense and scared, her breathing elevated. Shikaku carried her like she was still a baby, head carefully supported and all, with her miniscule size it isn't much of a stretch.

Shikaku didn't mention it as he got up from his kneeling position. Naruto curled tight like an overextended spring, waiting for the inevitable.

"Do you want me to get there right away or should we take the road?"

She shifted in his arms, flinching when it caught up to her how close he was. Or maybe it was just Shikaku's face.

"R-Right away please, Nara-sama." She hummed, picking dirt under her nails, not looking at him.

Deciding that he would hear it first before shunshining away, Shikaku grunted.

She flinched.

"What is it?"

Blue eyes darted to him, the sky, the trees, the ground and then back to him.

"I... I j-j-just want to k-know why are y-you a...asking me what I, what I would w-w-wa-want?"

She is trembling now, tears pricking at thick clumped blonde lashes, the only part of her that seemed to be clean.

Ah, Naruto is afraid of asking questions.

Shikaku felt like he was dunked into an ice bath before being flopped back into a sauna then back again.

They really fucked her up didn't they? Yet here he is, having the audacity to call himself Minato's most trusted friend.

What a load of bullshit.

"Because it is polite to ask what other people want when they are involved."

Naruto still gave him heartbreaking confusion with such a simple answer.

"O-Okay, I see." No, you don't really see don't you?

"Let's get going shall we? Hold on tight okay, this might be a little dizzying for you."

The waif of a girl nodded and Shikaku shunshined away, careful of his precious bundle.

Shikaku internally sighs, Yoshino would ve all over later, that woman is too emotionally adjusted not to. But for Naruto, she will give a strong front and maybe later on, Shikaku has to prepare for an emotional breakdown.


~Taisho Secret~

Other than their sound, Sen was able to differentiate the quintuplets through the hair ornaments and the kimono she gifted them.


*Hanamusubi - literally means flower knots, go search it up, I guarantee that it is very pretty

Oyakata - basically means 'way of the parent' or something like that, with oya meaning parent and kata meaning technique or way or path. So basically, Sen calls Oyakata-sama parent-sama lol.

A/N: Hey guyssss! This fic ain't dead yet. Sorry for the long hiatus, I was just refreshing my brain with good ideas on how to continue from and it took a while, a very long while in fact… haha. Writer's block got me and I didn't want to force myself to write when I know it would suck if I do. To those who continued to support this fic, thank you for all the love and patience and I apologize if this is kinda meh compared to my other long ass chapters. This is kinda an interlude for the next few as we know what the next part of the kny part is gonna be.

And finally, the long awaited meeting with the Ubuyashiki is here! And little Kaburamaru sneaked his way into this chapter hehe, her meeting with her other senpais would be up next!

Again, thank you for reading love ya all!