19 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
"I've got our narrative for the last two numbers," Hikari announced. She passed her notebook to Arata, so he could check it and make his own modifications.
"Good. Masaru has been bothering me for it."
"He agreed, then?" She was glad Waves had made it impossible for her to ask him herself. "Are the favors you've been pulling for him?"
"No. He said we'd owe him nothing if it was a success, and that we could discuss the price if it wasn't."
Hikari nodded. It was fair, but that didn't mean Masaru was being kind. If it went well, they'd done him an honor by picking him. If they failed, they would owe him a lot, and since he wasn't pushing for it now, he had something specific in mind. No need to give his hand away. After all, they were the ones asking for a favor. She thought he'd had been more generous if it was only Arata asking him.
"Why have you been calling in so many, then?" Arata may feel he was owed reparation for making him worry. Whatever his feelings were, he wouldn't punish her for something she couldn't control. He definitely wouldn't mess with her favors for it. The only way they could make holding most of their favors and debts together work was by respecting them. Their own, the ones won together, and the other's. But others would think it funny and not question it. Her mom had probably grasped that Arata didn't want anyone looking too deeply into it. Getting something past a singer required more skill than a few well-placed truths.
"I've got our sixth number." He passed her his own notebook.
She opened it. After studying Arata's handwriting and his attempt at choreographing in layers, she gasped.
"Oh. Oh," she marveled. Please tell me you didn't wait for me." This was... beautiful. And no one would expect it. It was also a big risk, tempered only by the thematic itself, which made Arata moving fast important.
"No. I've already asked them if they wanted to do it. They all agreed, no favors owed." Hikari sucked in a breath because they were being given an honor. Arata nodded solemnly before continuing. "I've been giving our favors to Production and spotters, both for their time and for keeping it quiet. I think some of my choreography is messy and will make them crash, but without you here I thought it best to start them on it and then make modifications."
Hikari nodded and they both went back to examining the other's work. For not being a choreographer and taking on such an ambitious task, Arata had done an admirable job. But she could see some of what he'd said. Some of the timings were off, and in one part, three groups were in danger of crashing. "I'll have it done by tomorrow." Arata hummed to let her know he'd heard. Hikari waited patiently, since he had far more material to go through.
Finally, he turned to her. "It will tie perfectly with the first five and my choreography. It goes so well no one will realize we did them separately. What else do we need to do before focusing on training? I've got our stage sorted out. No tent. Instead, it'll be in one of the rehearsal buildings, with the set of last year's tour."
She imagined it. That particular structure had both aerial and a bridge. It was just what they needed. "I want to ask you a favor about your number."
"Sure? I'll hear you out."
"My sensei's affinity is Lightning, and he values teamwork. Have you decided if you're going to do the six-man flying trapeze? And can my sensei weight on it if you haven't?" If Arata had decided to forgone it, she would find another way to honor Kakashi-sensei. But this one was the best she could think of.
"Done, I've already decided for it anyway."
She beamed and got back on track. "Borrowing costumes."
"That should be easy, but we should ask pairs or groups so we match. What else?"
"My flowers and Mai-senpai's number."
"We can ask some kids to buy them a couple of days before the show. Mai-senpai is almost done, and they need us to figure out the emblems."
"Great. And they're still on board?"
Arata rolled his eyes. "Yes. They love you now, for gifting the concept to them."
She waved her hand. "They're doing all the work." And it was turning out to be some of the most striking pieces she'd ever seen. Even if the gesture wasn't taken well, it wouldn't distract from the beauty of their act.
"We can record today before you leave. I want it for the introduction of our Hand to Hand number."
She nodded. She was leaving messages inside the narration. Arata was, too. "Have you found an instrument for Lightning?"
"I'm just going for electrical ones. I asked a musician, and it counts, so I'm actually already rehearsing that one."
"Perfect, then let's focus on Fire since it's the only choreography we don't have yet, and I refuse to die via aerial."
Arata rolled his eyes at her. "Your dad approved only some of our moves, and it's not going to be on trapeze, but it means we can add some silk. I've narrowed the music to two pieces."
He reached out and moved his notebook's pages, showing her the list of approved techniques. Now it was her turn to choose the sequences and the song. "Let's get going, then. We can squeeze some practice in if we hurry."
They'd need it.
By the time Hikari walked into the flower shop, her muscles ached, but she was feeling more confident. Nineteen days wasn't a lot, but Arata and she hadn't been slouching. They had the strength and muscle memory. They just needed to practice again and again. The most challenging one would be Fire for her, but they'd already booked the aerial gym for tomorrow, so they'd get a whole afternoon of that.
"Hikari!" Blonde hair smacked her in the face, and then she was being hugged tight. "You're back! Tell me everything! We're closing, so we've got time. And I've got to tell you about our C-ranks. Asuma-sensei still has to bribe Chouji with food, and Shikamaru is still as lazy as ever, but -"
"Oi, Ino. Don't be so troublesome, we completed the missions," Shikamaru complained.
Hikari turned with some effort. She hadn't seen the rest of the trio standing in the empty shop. Chouji waved at her. She smiled and lifted her hand from Ino's back in return.
"Chouji-kun. It's good to see you. I've got something for you."
Chouji and she were friends because of Ino and Shika, but that didn't make their friendship any lesser. Even if they hadn't been, this performance would honor the new alliance. The heads of the Yamanaka and Akimichi clans would be invited.
Ino released her, putting her at arm's length and shaking her a little. "And for me?" she demanded. Hikari laughed because Ino didn't even know what she was going to be handing out, she just wanted some, too.
Seeing that her friend was serious and not wanting to be shaken again, Hikari pulled out both invitations. She handed them over with a warning. "I still have to get permission from Kakashi-sensei for the date."
As they both opened the envelopes, she turned to Shika and gave him a brief but tight hug.
"I'm supposed to subtly ask you if your outfit means something or if you're open to change it," he informed her.
"Oh?" Hikari asked amused. "The shinobi one, right? I don't mind changing it, but I'd want gloves and something braided."
"What a drag. I told mom you wouldn't care, but she still wanted me to ask you."
"What for?"
"She wants to take you shopping." When she tilted her head, curious, he continued. "In the morning, come over to the house. She'll explain."
"Alright."
"Of course we'll come, Hikari!" Ino exclaimed, pulling her attention back.
Chouji nodded behind her, his smile stretching the swirls on his cheeks back.
She smiled wide and bowed her head to them. "Thank you."
"Now, shoo. Today, Hikari's mine!" and Ino was pushing both Shikamaru and Chouji out the door.
"I have permission for a sleepover. I would have invited you to mine, but I assume you want to know of my C-rank?" She didn't her parents to overhear the details of what had happened in Waves.
"Yeah! Give me a second." Ino pulled the sign of 'Closed' facing outwards, and then was sprinting for the stairs. "Dad! Mom! Hikari is staying the night!"
18 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
Hikari made her way to the Nara's house by ten o' clock, not knowing when exactly she was expected. She hadn't wanted to arrive too early, so she'd worked for a couple of hours on her rhythmic number and had showered.
She knocked on the door. Yoshino answered, no apron in sight.
"Hikari-chan! Come on in, and we'll leave in a couple of minutes."
"Good morning, Yoshino-sama. Thank you," she said, stepping inside.
"Did Shikamaru explain?"
"He said you wanted to take me shopping for shinobi apparel." To put her at ease, she expounded on her answer. "I don't have any attachment to my outfit. I chose it because it seemed practical, and I've been adding stuff that works better as I figure it out." It was entirely probable that she'd made a mistake somewhere.
"Oh, good," her shoulders relaxed. Hikari eyed her, bemused. She didn't know why Shikamaru's mom thought clothes carried a special meaning for her. You dressed for the occasion. Clothes were like masks. You put them on and changed them so they'd fit what you wanted to project and what the stage demanded. In fact, the only place she'd really care about them was on a real stage. Costumes could set the tone for the entire act and were a piece of art on their own. "Hikari-chan, you did well, but you missed something. Not your fault if the Academy instructors never mentioned it, but it's important. Especially because of your team. You need lightweight armor."
17 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
Hatake Kakashi watched Hikari and Naruto break off to work on their throws, one stiff and the other sullen. He sighed. He hoped being forced to catch and throw while he worked with Sasuke would smooth over some of the edges. He had another issue to tackle today, and it would set the tone for the next weeks of training.
On their journey back, he'd distracted the three of them with individual training. Hikari got visual illusions. Naruto got scouting with clones. And he'd told Sasuke to turn on and off his Sharingan while tree hopping. Adjusting to razor sharp vision while moving was hard. Better he stumbles into trees than into a blade in a fight. It hadn't taken too long for him to master, so it was time.
Despite not having fought together in Waves, Sasuke and Hikari had still trained. In a taijutsu fight where their adversary wasn't a Swordsman of the Mist, they'd be fearsome... if they kept on with it now that Sasuke had adjusted to having his doujutsu awakened.
"Sasuke," The boy stood with his arms crossed in front of his chest, frowning as he watched his two teammates. "Hikari and you have been getting along well," Kakashi praised, hoping he slipped out of the defensive.
"Hn."
"Were you friends at the Academy?" Sasuke had been much less confrontational with her than Kakashi had thought he'd be. Even at the beginning, he had never insulted Hikari. His genin put his hands in his pockets. Kakashi eye-smiled, trying to set him at ease.
"No."
"Did you know her before the Academy? Maybe you were introduced to her?" He doubted it, but it was possible. The Uchihas had been proud, and introducing the main family to a hime wasn't off the chart.
"No. Everyone was surprised she was in our class. They told me to be polite and to never ask for more than she offered." He shifted. "I was warned to never lie to her first."
Kakashi's eyebrow arched. Yes, he could only imagine what Hikari could do if she decided you weren't owed truth. Specially if you weren't expecting it.
"I need you to decide if you want to continue training as fighting partners." Sasuke frowned and crossed his arms. Kakashi despaired. When his genin were silent, they forced him to talk. "You had achieved a nice balance, but now you're faster than her with your Sharingan."
Hikari could get back on even ground in a couple of weeks. She was already fast and her build was optimal for speed. But she'd still be much slower than Sasuke was used to for a couple of weeks. If Sasuke was willing to wait, it could work. And training genjutsu and speed was a nice combo because you could do one when you were exhausted from practicing the other.
"She should be faster anyway. Genjutsu doesn't work on everyone."
Kakashi's eye narrowed. Was Sasuke worried about Itachi?
"I'll set up drills with her before you two continue training together, then. Do your shurikenjutsu, with and without your Sharingan. Then you'll do it again while I throw at you."
Kakashi dismissed his genin and was turning to leave when he saw that Hikari had stayed. He motioned her over.
"Kakashi-sensei, I wish to ask something from you. Two things, actually," she sounded vaguely apologetic.
"Maa, Hikari, what is it?"
"I would really appreciate it if I could have the day off, seventeen days from now."
"Why?" The request was unusual. Hikari had never complained about practices. Not about him being late, not about him taking their weekends, not even when doing D-ranks all day long.
She hesitated before braving on. "It's a kyokuba-dan seijin-shiki but specific to Arata and I."
A celebration of coming of age, and yet her birthday wasn't anytime soon from what he'd seen on the Academy files. Unusual. Still, this wouldn't be the first or last time a jounin-sensei had gotten a request for family-specific matters. And he had planned to keep them in the village or the closer towns for at least a couple of weeks, so it worked out.
"Alright."
She blinked twice, clearly not expecting it to be this easy. His lips twitched.
"Ah. Thank you, Kakashi-sensei," she bowed her head and then handed over something she'd stashed into her jacket inside pocket. He took it, baffled. It was an envelope, done in fine paper. Hatake Kakashi adorned one side in beautiful calligraphy. He took a kunai to open it and unfolded the paper inside. An invitation. His hands stilled.
"Most kyokuba-dan kids come of age with a successful performance. You are my sensei, and I'd like to request your presence at mine," her voice was quiet and serious. He eyed her over the paper. She was standing with her hands clasped together, the edges almost white. This meant something. This was important to her. When he didn't say anything, her hands got whiter. "It should only take about an hour," her tone was neutral, but the words were earnest.
"Maa, Hikari, are you inviting your friends, too?" He wanted more information.
"Yes. Shika's clan, Ino and Chouji with their parents, everyone in the kyokuba-dan."
No mention of her teammates. And the whole Nara clan? Was this more political than Hikari was letting on? And Kakashi sighed because it didn't matter that this was the seijin-shiki of a hime.
"I'll be there."
After all, Hikari needed those hands, so she shouldn't squeeze any harder.
16 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
Hikari watched the back of Naruto's orange jacket as he walked away from the Mission Desk and turned to her other teammate. Sasuke was turning away, off to wherever he went after they finished D-ranks. Their sensei was gone, too.
"Sasuke-kun," she called.
He stopped to let her catch up. She smiled in thanks when she reached him. "I thought we could go to the river and practice water walking."
"Hn. Where?"
"Near a bridge, maybe the one by the Training Grounds we meet at." That way, they could start with hands first. The ocean moved all around. A river ran its course. She thought it'd be harder with the current wanting to pull you one way.
"Fine. Let's go."
15 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
Sasuke's sandals came to stand next to her, waiting for her to get up and walk with him to the river, but she hesitated. Today had been tiring, and she still wanted to train at her compound. "We could do something else today and go back to the river tomorrow."
"What else?"
"I asked Ino about iryo-nin." Hikari didn't want to become one. And she wasn't sure why Shikamaru had freaked out when she'd mentioned she wanted to learn some. But she knew it would be useful skill to have, even at a rudimentary level. Waves had proved it. Out of the three of them, Sasuke and she were the most likely to need healing and the most likely to be doling it out. Naruto wasn't kidding when he said he healed quickly. Hikari also doubted Haruno would agree to anything if she'd brought him, her adored Sasuke-kun in tow or not. Her going with Sasuke would already be a gamble. "To get any kind of formal medical training, you need to register at the hospital, and they put you into a program."
"So, we can't learn it," he sounded annoyed.
"So, we can't learn it at the hospital," she clarified, sending him a smile.
His eyebrows quirked up.
"Kakashi-sensei knows some."
"He probably picked it up with his Sharingan, but any idiot will notice me doing the same. And you heard his warning."
She nodded. Kakashi-sensei had said they'd need impeccable control. They were getting better at that with training and water walking. "There has to be a lot more to it than control if there's a specialized program. We can't get the lessons first hand, but we can get their summaries from someone who does."
"Who?"
"It's about time you get something from your Number One admirer," she looked at his face, trying to see if he was on board with it or not. She wouldn't push if he wasn't, but Haruno Sakura's control was truly the best she'd ever seen. She got exercises on her first try. The only reason she hadn't been considered a prodigy was because she stopped there in favor of taunting Ino.
"Hn."
"And why should I help you, Sakasu-san?" Haruno stood with her arms crossed and foot tapping on the ground.
"I'm Sasuke-kun's teammate. What if he gets wounded in a fight?" Hikari didn't miss a beat even as she tried not to think about senbon piercing flesh. Said boy stood on her other side, keeping her between him and the pink-haired girl.
"Hmm. As if Sasuke-kun would even get a scratch," Haruno sniffed.
"But what if he does, and I don't know how to do anything, and he dies from infection," she mused. Sasuke shot her an offended look. Everyone who graduated from the Academy could disinfect a wound. He could take care of a scratch himself. She ignored him, keeping her eyes on Haruno. When people didn't like you, they tended to dismiss your abilities. And she hadn't endeared herself to Sakura on their last meeting.
"Fine, but it won't be easy. In fact, I don't think you'll accomplish much if you're not on the program. Medical jutsu takes a lot of practice. You need to study medical books and learn how the body works."
Hikari refrained the urge to scrunch up her nose. She didn't want to study anatomy. But she wanted to feel helpless again even less. "That's alright. I just need to know enough to get him to a medic-nin like you. Think of the things you are usually grateful were done on the field by the patient's teammates. Things that helped your patient make it on their way back." There, that should do it. I don't want to replace you, her words offered. If he ever gets hurt, you'll do the impressive healing. Let me be the stop-gap.
Haruno finally uncrossed her arms and considered it. "I'll let you glance at my notes and make your own. We can meet up every couple of weeks if I'm not too busy at the hospital." Hikari nodded and took a seat at the bench. She motioned for Sasuke to do the same.
"Thank you for agreeing to teach us," she made her smile warmer than strictly polite.
"What? No! Why would I care if you get hurt? Sasuke-kun and I can talk and get to know each other while you go over my notes," her eyes got all dreamy. Sasuke ignored her, but he was close enough that Hikari could feel him tense.
"Are you implying Sasuke-kun can't learn it?"
Haruno spluttered as she was pulled out of her day-dream. "No, of course not! He'll get it before you do!"
Hikari smiled. Finally.
Haruno leaned forwards, trying to get as close to Sasuke as she could. Hikari twitched because she liked her personal space, but in recognition of Sasuke's own sacrifice, she didn't move out of the way.
"Fundamentally, medical chakra requires one to convert their chakra into a state that can be accepted by the recipient's chakra system without rejection," Haruno started.
Hikari had to interrupt. That sounded useful for so many things other than healing. After all, infusing her ribbons with chakra was finding a balance the ribbon could sustain. She was giving her ribbon chakra, putting in it what wasn't there previously. "Could you replenish someone's chakra that way? Or perhaps boost it?"
Sasuke glanced sharply at her. She nodded because yes, she was thinking of chakra exhaustion.
"Maybe," Sakura considered it. "If it isn't a perfect match, you'd either waste a lot of it or hurt the patient. And you'd need a big pool of it to make any kind of difference."
"Thank you, Haruno-san."
She didn't think she had ton of chakra. She hadn't gotten very tired on the way back, when they had only been tree hopping. But she'd noticed a lag on her speed when Kakashi-sensei had started their genjutsu lessons on their journey. It looked like she was back to chakra control exercises.
Hikari waved goodbye to Sasuke and glanced at the sky before sighing. One more stop before going home.
She made her way to Hinata's compound, remembering the way from a birthday party. Hikari had been paired with the Hyuga heiress a lot when Ino and Haruno had been friends. She hadn't spent time with her since graduation. Neither were friendly enough to seek each other out, but this time she had reason to.
When she got there, she stopped by the gates and inclined her head. "Good afternoon, Hyuga-san. I'm Sakasu Hikari, a classmate of Hinata-san at the Academy. Do you know if she's available for visits?"
The guard's name sharpened at her family name, and they glanced at her braids. "She's at the main house. Wait here, and she'll come escort you."
"Thank you, Hyuga-san."
She stood placidly, ignoring the feeling of light eyes staring at her. Hinata came into view after a couple of minutes. After exchanging greetings, she guided Hikari to a small park. They took a seat on the bench and exchanged pleasantries. Hikari found out that, same as Team 10, Team 8 had been on a couple of successful C-ranks. Good.
"Team 7, too, was assigned a C-rank." A truth, even if it had turned out not to be one. "In it, the importance of medical ninjutsu was pointed out."
"Is everyone alright?" Hinata questioned nervously.
"Oh," Hikari feigned surprise. As if she didn't know exactly what her words had implied. "Yes, the three of us came back unharmed." Kakashi-sensei had ensured Sasuke was fine before they made their way back to Konoha, but she had no issue letting every Hyuga listening in think someone else got injured.
"That's good," Hinata offered her a shy smile.
"Thank you," she smiled warmly before getting back to what she came to say. "When we came back, I was curious because the results were impressive. I made some inquiries to what was required for iryo-nin's jutsus." That should make it clear to everyone that she was not interested in becoming one. She didn't want anyone monitoring her. Haruno may have ignored it because of her infatuation, but Hikari didn't think a medical student was allowed to share her notes with other genin. "The strict requirements reminded me of your capabilities: chakra control and knowledge of the human body." A compliment to both her clan and her as an individual.
"Thank you, Hikari-san." Hinata blushed bright red before stuttering through the next bit. "Hyuga are- are- known for-for their combat abilities. Most of us don't be-become iryo-nin."
Hikari made her eyes widen before pretending to recover, as if she had committed a social faux-pas due to ignorance. "I apologize. I thought the two weren't mutually exclusive since Tsunade-hime's accomplishments are acknowledged by all Five Nations."
Hinata blinked.
Hikari repressed the urge to smile sharply and continued, pretending she was thinking it over for the first time. "I suppose it'd be a more arduous task for you, considering Team 8's composition." It was vague enough that no one could take offence to it or refute it, but her meaning got through. Kiba's partner wasn't human. She thought the Aburame had anatomical differences that allowed them to coexist with their hives.
She searched Hinata's eyes for a clue. Should she continue to push this? Right now, her visit and words could be framed as anything: a social visit, a classmate sharing something she'd thought interesting, a compliment to the Hyuga and their heiress, a reminder that some unusual paths could lead to greatness, etc.
But Hinata reminded her of Chouji. Both were unwilling to hurt in taijutsu spars but fierce if pushed to protect their teams or friends. Hinata had once disabled five people when her assigned team had been losing and they'd yelped in pain. It made Hikari wonder if being a combat medic was a path she'd care to explore. Something Hinata could be passionate about.
"Ki- Ki- Kiba-kun's sister is a ve-veterinary medical-nin."
Hikari took the offering because Hinata had caught on. Choosing to mention Inuzuka Hana was smart. She, like Hinata, was the first-born of the clan head. "Kiba-san has mentioned her. She's helped him train in some of his family's techniques and tracking." Another reminder, this one more obvious, that being skilled in another area did not mean you disregarded your heritage.
"Ye-yes. She's very respected," and there was more resolve now in Hinata's lavender eyes. Hikari was glad because she'd need it. Following your own path, finding something you were passionate about, had to be your choice. No one else could make it for you. You made it, and you stood by it, giving it your time and sweat and heart. Hikari could only point out the possibility of it. Hinata would have to make it a reality.
There were some whispers at the edge of her awareness. Hinata turned her face towards them. Hikari stood up, understanding the dismissal. Someone appeared at her elbow.
"May I escort you to your compound, Sakasu-hime?"
Hikari turned to the speaker. It was a boy not much older than her, with long brown hair tied in a loose ponytail and an expressionless face. Hikari's eyes narrowed. He could have offered to escort her up to the Hyuga gates. There was no need to extend it further.
"Neji-nii-san," Hinata stuttered out, drawing into herself.
Hikari knew she only had a sister, younger than her, but this boy looked strikingly similar to Hinata. Were they family? They didn't seem close.
"Hinata-sama," he greeted curtly. Definitely not close on his part, then. Arata never called her by honorific except in jest.
"You may, Hyuga-san," Hikari allowed. He didn't offer her his arm, and he didn't move closer to her. He was aware of kyokuba-dan customs, then. Interesting. She'd known the Hyuga clan remembered the kyokuba-dan the most out of all shinobi clans. Hinata's first greeting of her at the Academy was proof enough. She hadn't known the knowledge went deeper than her last name.
She bid Hinata goodbye and walked side by side with Hyuga Neji, Hinata's maybe family. The boy didn't speak even when they were out of his family compound. Hikari waited. And waited. With a sigh, she led them to a bench near her compound's gates and settled for waiting him out. He was the one who wanted something, so he'd have to show his hand. If he didn't say anything soon, she'd leave because she was getting quite hungry.
"Why would you bother, Sakasu-hime?" He finally broke the silence. "Hinata-sama's destiny was never to be a shinobi."
She pondered it. She'd always seen it the other way around, that maybe Hinata didn't get to choose and that's why she was a shinobi even if she displayed no passion for it. Still, "How could you hold knowledge of her destiny?"
"She's too soft."
"She's kind. That doesn't make her weak."
He scoffed. "She seeks peace and avoids conflict. You must see it, too, if you're talking about medical jutsu with her."
Hikari hummed. They both knew she'd been hinting it, but it had to be seen as Hinata's choice. "I never said she should be one. I just pointed out some similarities between her abilities and combat medics."
"It won't work. She's got no confidence."
"It's her choice."
"People can't change, no matter how hard they try."
She blinked twice, startled. "People are always changing, Hyuga-san."
"We are who we are, and we must live with it."
"We are who we are. That always holds true, but who we are is always changing. You are not the same you were yesterday, or even one second ago. You've gained knowledge, you've gained growth. Even if you discard those, you've gained consciousness of your own self and who you are."
"We can better our abilities and understanding with study and training," he agreed, "but we'll always be judged by that we cannot change. Once a failure, always a failure. You can't change that."
She let out a short laugh and turned to face him, meeting his nearly white eyes with her own. "Then we're all doomed, aren't we? There's no one who has never failed. It's from failures that you learn the most. How can we become better if we never try?"
"What use is it, to try and change? People's limitations are set. Fixed. Unchangeable."
"Even if that were true," which she disagreed with. Kyokuba-dan shows pushed boundaries, presented to the audience feats they'd believed impossible before. "Even if that were true, how would you know those limitations? If they don't even know them themselves, how could you?"
He frowned. "Our destiny is set from the moment we're born. You're a hime. I'm a branch member of the Hyuga clan."
"You're right. There are multiple things we cannot choose, like the family we're born to." She disagreed about the position you held within it. If she hadn't chosen to one day lead the kyokuba-dan, someone else would have stepped up. It wasn't an obligation. It was an honor she'd strive to be worthy of. One day, the kyokuba-dan leadership would be held nearly evenly between her and Arata, and that unevenness was his choice. Arata didn't want to lead, didn't believe he had the vision and heart for it. But shinobi were different. Their main family was set in stone. "But even if we don't choose our stage, we choose our act. And who is to say we cannot work to modify our stage, our circumstances, our world?" Everyone was the protagonist of their own narrative.
"Those changes would be destined to be, and not ours to determine."
"So, you believe there is no free will? That we're governed by destiny, even though we might not see it or know where it leads us?"
It was his turn to blink twice, as if he hadn't expected to be listened to. "Yes, exactly. You understand now, then, Sakasu-hime?"
She shook her head with a smile. "That may be your truth, but it's not mine." It went, frankly, against everything she believed. Life was made out of choices, which were inherently decided by you because you had the capacity and ability to choose. Because you held free-will.
He drew back, frowning.
She went on. Even if it wasn't her truth, they could still discuss it. She set her mind to it, trying to see it as if it were a debate instead of a personal belief. She thought his side of the argument was dangerous. It'd put a stop to all moral dilemmas. Why should people bother doing the right thing, if what they did was not determined by them? Why should people learn from their mistakes? Would no one be to blame for a crime? She decided to ask. "How would you tackle justice, then? We judge a drunk's actions differently than someone sober because the latter is taken to be in control of their own behavior and the former not fully. If it is destiny that drives everyone's actions, is no one to be held responsible?"
He seemed stumped. She didn't know if it was because she hadn't taken her leave even though she disagreed with him, or because he was thinking of an answer. He recollected himself. "What can't be changed must be endured. If it's decided he's guilty, then he should get used to his fate." Hikari noted that he hadn't answered how he should be judged. His pale lavender eyes narrowed on her as he challenged her back. "How do you know that your choices make a change, that they are not what destiny set them out to be?"
She thought about it, but language wasn't her art. Debate wasn't her specialization. She pursued her lips in irritation because she had to go, but it had been a long while since she'd met someone with such a different truth. "I don't know. How about a deal? I'll ponder it and, in exchange, you'll think on a question of my own."
"If you wish, Sakasu-hime."
"If there is, indeed, a greater force driving our choices, does it matter?"
"Excuse me?"
"Does it make a difference to us? If free will is an illusion, and yet we never know the entirety of destiny's course, should it change how we act? To demand the breaking of an illusion is to first demand the breaking of the condition that demands said illusion. Don't we need the illusion of free will to live?"
She went to her feet. He did the same.
She bowed her head briefly in goodbye. "Thank you for your truths. I enjoyed our conversation, Hyuga-san."
"Good afternoon, Sakasu-hime. I'll think on the question you made to me."
14 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
Sasuke had glanced at her backpack during their D-ranks, but he hadn't commented. Now, his eyebrows furrowed when she pulled out four plastic balls. She threw one at him in a tall, gentle arc. He caught it and rolled it around in his hands.
"Whoever gets hit the most loses. Going down into the water counts as three hits," she announced the rules as she tossed him his second one. They'd start out even.
"What?"
"We need to practice doing other stuff while we stand in the water. This also counts as target practice and dodging practice. Ready?"
13 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
Hikari threw herself on the bed, exhausted after practicing Hand to Hand with Arata. The number had to be perfect, since it was the only specialty they held together. It was a good idea to put it to slow drums. It'd look impressive, but it forced their pace to be slower and left no room for errors.
She rolled and picked up her new handle from the dresser. The order had gotten in yesterday. It was pure metal in the same shape as the ones she was used to: fifty centimeters of length, a cylinder of one centimeter in diameter. She'd already put anti-slip tape in the bottom end. On the other side, she'd attached the metal ring that would connect the handle with the ribbon. She could infuse the handle and ring. She had also managed to hold the entirety of her ribbon for eight minutes. The problem was connecting the two parts. The handle could handle more density, but the ribbon could not. She'd spent most of today trying to get past the ring and to the ribbon without overwhelming it. It was frustrating because she thought she was already past it.
She frowned and reprimanded herself. It was coming along even if she'd hit a bump. She'd practiced moving with it strapped to her back in her speed practice. At first, she'd been stumped when Kakashi-sensei had told her to run with it. She was certain he'd been laughing at her behind his mask when he presented her with a simple shoulder strap. Her face had gone red because she had never even thought about how she would carry it.
The strap was a very flexible slip for the middle of the handle. The handle itself was thin enough that it moved with her even when she did walkovers. On her own, it wouldn't be a problem even if she needed to practice drawing it in and out without tangling the satin. But she'd almost poked Naruto's eye out when they'd practiced their throws. Sasuke had snorted so hard that Kakashi-sensei started teaching him a new fire technique, a beautiful dragon that was guided through ninja wires.
She sighed but smiled. She liked the new routine. Training so many different things was rewarding.
12 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
Hikari finished setting up her traps and went to their meeting place. Naruto was already there, bright grin in place.
"Are all of yours done?"
"My clones found more holes, so they're covering them right now, dattebayo!"
She nodded. Sasuke joined them after a couple of minutes. "Done."
One of the Naruto clones gave a thumbs up before disappearing in a puff of smoke. The last one took the tainted meat the farmer had provided and laid it over the main trap. They thought the badgers' main burrow was located there. Badgers were vicious. No need to risk themselves when they could send a clone. The smell of squirrel blood drifted up to them. Hikari scrunched up her nose. It was just their luck that the farmer had a pest control problem of badgers, which were nearly blind and relied on their sense of smell. She couldn't lead it with one of her new genjutsu. They actually had to make contingency plans and set up bait or cover each of the holes.
"Let's go. It won't come if it senses us," Sasuke stated.
They nodded and retreated to the base of a tree that rested in front of the bush. The badger appeared, short legs digging into the leaves and towards the bait.
"Aww, look at it!" Naruto whisper yelled. "It's so cute, striped head to tail! Why would the farmer want them gone!?"
"They're eating the poultry, dobe."
"Be silent!" Hikari hissed.
"They are better than the chickens, dattebayo!"
"Shut up!" Sasuke was already scanning where she was facing, body tense.
Hikari nudged Naruto, pointing out the big shape ambling between trees and towards the badger's bushes.
"Do we need to do anything?" She questioned in a whisper. "The farmer didn't mention the cows being killed."
"No. Our mission is to trap the badgers," Sasuke whispered back, watching the huge animal.
"What if it kills the badger?" Naruto's worried voice rang out, attracting the attention of the bear. At the same time, the trap for the badger sprung, displacing leaves and making a huge sound as the metal cage closed. The bear spooked, going into its hindquarters and roaring.
Hikari paled but still had the presence of mind to call out in a yell, "I don't think ramen is a big deal!"
Naruto waved his arms around and screeched. "What!"
Sasuke caught on and raised his voice, too. "Yeah, who cares about ramen."
"What do you mean WHO CARES?! I DO, DATTEBAYO! RAMEN IS GREAT!"
The bear stopped in its tracks. Naruto continued to yell out, jumping in his fierce defense of his favorite dish. Sasuke kept his eye on the animal, occasionally riling up Naruto. Hikari concentrated, building the image up in her head. Rustling leaves. A small flicker of movement in the farthest tree she could see at the bear's right. A bloody carcass. Finally, the bear decided against charging them and went to inspect the easier meal.
Hikari released a breath when the bear seemed more dumbfounded than mad when it got to her illusion and found nothing. It finally ambled back the way it came from. "Good job, Naruto."
"Hn."
It stopped Naruto in his tracks, and he glanced between them. "What?"
"The bear is gone. Let's wait until it clears the area for sure, and then we can check the other traps and close up the badger's burrows."
11 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
Shikamaru drifted, eyes half closed as he watched the clouds. He liked the small hill in Hikari's compound. The grass was very comfortable. His friend had refused to nap, instead reading something of an author called Demokuritosu. When he'd asked, she'd told him there was Hyuga who believed in destiny rather than choices. Shikamaru thought he sounded too troublesome to bother with, but Hikari had said this would count as a debate class. He was glad because Hikari had little time since she'd come back, and this would free up some of it.
Hikari leaned over him, face obscuring the sun and sky and casting a shadow over him. "You're awake,"
He grunted in affirmative.
She laid down next to him. "Why did you ask Arata to show you ribbon? You have never asked me."
He turned his face. She was looking at the sky. Her profile seemed relaxed, but she'd clearly been thinking about this. "He offered."
Hazel eyes met his. "That's it?"
"That's it. You've never offered to show me, and I didn't know if I could ask." He'd shrug if he wasn't laying down because that was it.
She huffed out a laugh. "To us, it's considered a gift, but you'd see it as a chore, right?"
"What?" He'd lost the thread of the conversation.
"Letting me show you my art is a gift that you and your family are giving me." Shikamaru realized she'd switched to talk about the performance. He thought it was the other way around, that they were being given a gift. But, he pondered, the kyokuba-dan wouldn't see it as mutually exclusive. It was an honor to be invited, and an honor to have the invitation accepted.
"I wouldn't think it a chore, if you wanted me to show you my Shadow jutsu," he said haltingly before delivering a warning. "But it'd trap your movements. They'd no longer be yours to control." That was the reason he'd never offered to demonstrate. No one liked being trapped and controlled. Their opponents didn't have to consider movement an art to fear their technique. He'd always been wary of how Hikari, for whom it was an art - her art -, would take it.
She shot up. "Really? Can you do it now?"
He groaned. What a drag, he'd been watching the clouds. But he sat up because he was pleased, she did want to see it - had been wanting to see it for a while. And weren't they both morons because he'd wanted to see Hikari's rhythmic numbers, too. He faced her, hands forming the Rat seal. His shadow touched hers.
"Ninja Art: Shadow Imitation Jutsu complete."
Slowly, watching for any sign of her struggling against his hold, he raised his hand. Hers followed immediately, no resistance offered. He frowned. It was evening, so it made sense for it to be easy. But this was effortless, even taking into account that she was right in front of him. No true chakra was being spent.
"Hikari, can I try something?"
"Sure, go for it."
He stood up, so did she. And then he started taking steps backwards. Some kyokuba-dan members shot them strange looks, but then they took notice of the shadow between them and moved on. He went to his limit, the shadow between them thin and thready, and raised both his arms. She did, too. Nothing. He made their arms form a circle as if they were ballerinas and turned. It was harder, not being able to see her and the shadow having to accommodate the twists. It should have been harder. It wasn't. It made her laugh, though. A wave of relief washed over his concern at it being different. Hikari wasn't panicking. She wasn't even tugging at his hold. Still, that was the point. Why was it so easy? Was this what the jutsu felt like if the victim truly didn't resist? He'd tried it before on friends, but even Ino and Chouji had an instinctive recoil from it. He wasn't hurt by it. It was normal.
He released her but kept his shadow extended.
She beamed. "That's incredible, Shika!"
A proud smile tugged at his lips, but he got back on track. "Can you turn so your back is to me, and I'll cast it again?"
"Alright."
She turned and Shikamaru waited, trying not to give away when he was going to connect. Once he registered the drain on his reserves, he touched her shadow. And there it was, the initial struggle. It was over quickly, and then it was back to Shikamaru only needing to keep up what was required to breach the distance, and nothing more. He shifted his weight and put his thumbs together, fingers curving, touching the other hand's and completing the circle.
"Your thinking pose."
"Yeah."
He closed his eyes and let his theories and thoughts whirl.
He opened them and released Hikari, already walking towards her. "Can we go see my dad? There's something different, but not bad, when I cast it on you. I want to see if it's the same for him."
"Sure, let me - "
She was cut off by a cry of "Hikari-senpai!"
They both turned. A gaggle of five-year-olds led by Arata's cousin came running up to her. They tugged at her hands and trousers, demanding her attention.
"We've been practicing!" They declared grandly.
"It will be ready soon, Hikari-senpai!" one vowed.
"We are progressing well," the one who hung back added. Shikamaru realized this was Nara Kei, who was taking tumbling classes in Hikari's compound. He hadn't realized he was hanging out with Aimi.
He put a hand on Kei's shoulder in greeting. The boy smiled up at him, but tugged on his friends' sleeves. They turned, took one look at him, and screeched. Loudly. And then they ran off, all of them. Shikamaru blinked.
"What was that about?"
"Aimi-chan informed that, since my best friend was a Nara, they must surely be the very best friends anyone could have, so they'd gotten one. I don't think they're planning on letting Kei-kun go."
Shikamaru was so amused he let her off the hook as they made their way out of the kyokuba-dan and across Konoha.
10 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
Hikari remembered Shikamaru grumbling about nosy senseis in their next mission. Their sensei looked too smug when he told them they were going to clean the river running outside of Konoha. It was near the waterfall, and the currents were much stronger. Kakashi had pointed Naruto to the water, same as he'd done to her in Waves. And then he'd turned to Sasuke and she and raised an eyebrow. Sasuke immediately took the challenge, standing proudly in the water after wobbling slightly. When she'd gone to join him, Kakashi-sensei had stopped her, put her apparatus in her hand, and told her she only needed one hand to pick up trash. The other one would be infusing the handle.
She had spent as much time as Naruto falling into the water. At least she hadn't been dragged down the current and into the waterfall, only to be stopped by a hand on the ankle and Sasuke's unimpressed glare.
Halfway through the morning and realizing Sasuke had been doing much of the work, he and Hikari had switched places. He'd practiced activating his Sharingan while running across the river and picking up the trash that couldn't be seen easily. It also meant Kakashi led three soaking wet genin back to the Mission Desk. Naruto's glare at the two of them stayed on her mind on her way back home.
"Dad," she called out.
"Sweetheart," her dad smiled and added slyly. "Did you want something? I could spot you in the gym."
She shook her head, grinning. Everyone in the kyokuba-dan was excited and trying to get clues as the countdown ticked down. "No! It's a surprise."
"Alright, alright. What is it then?"
"Can we talk?"
"Of course. Let's go set tomorrow's apparatus, alright?"
"Perfect, dad. Thanks."
"Nothing to thank me for, Hikari-chan. Let's go."
As she twisted some aerial silk so it didn't drag on the ground, she started. "It's about my team." Her dad hummed, letting her know he was listening. Hikari had waited to see if a new equilibrium was reached now that they were back in Konoha. She didn't want her parents to have a bad impression of any of her teammates. But things weren't getting better, although they weren't getting worse, either, so she needed advice. "I just... thought mine would be like Shika and Ino and Chouji-kun's, or like a kyokuba-dan team."
"As close as family and, if not, great friends?"
She nodded.
"Each team is unique, Hikari-chan. You know that. What is this about? You've invited your sensei to meet us and see the compound, and he's allowed you to use kyokuba-dan skills to try new things. Neither of those is something to scoff at."
"It's not about Kakashi-sensei. He's been great, and even Shikaku-dono believes I can learn a lot from him."
"That's good to hear. You also asked for an invitation for one of your teammates, so this can't be about Uchiha Sasuke."
She had, even if she didn't know whether she'd be handing it out. "No, it's about my other teammate, Uzumaki Naruto. We just... don't get along well. We can train together and complete missions, but no more."
"And you'd hoped for more."
"I thought friendship could be achieved between us. He's Shika's and Chouji-kun's friend, so there must be something about him that they admire."
"But you can't see it."
Hikari flinched a little, but answered her dad. "No, not really. He doesn't value knowledge, and he expects honesty and truth as if they were owed to him."
"Ah."
She hurried to not excuse herself. "And I know that, when there's a problem and it persists, you're at least part of it. I tried to reach out to him in the beginning. Multiple times. And I've tried sharing some truths with him. He's got no family, and..."
"Hikari-chan," her dad murmured.
"I know I'm much more privileged than him, but..."
"Come here, sweetheart," her dad dropped down on a mat and patted his side.
She took a seat and looked at her hands.
"Your teammate's circumstances can explain some of his behavior, that's true, but they don't excuse it. You know this, Hikari-chan. If you've tried to share some truths, then that's very generous of you. But it is not your obligation." She made a sound of protest. "No, Hikari-chan, it isn't. If you feel like life or Konoha's system or the adults in his life should have done a better job, then that's fine. It does not mean you have the sole responsibility in trying to work together peacefully. Your mom is right when she says any problem in a relationship is at least two people's problem. But you took it the other way around. You've tried your best. Has he tried his best?"
She remained silent because she didn't think he had, but...
"By law, he's already an adult," her dad continued. "No one is responsible for him except himself. If he has a problem with you, then he should work to fix it, too. And about him being Shikamaru-kun's friend... that doesn't have to mean anything, sweetheart."
She didn't agree, and her dad must have sensed it.
"It's not a valid deductive reasoning. The premises 'Shikamaru-kun and Hikari-chan are friends.' and 'Shikamaru-kun and Hikari-chan's teammate are friends.' do not lead to the conclusion of 'Hikari-chan and Hikari-chan's teammate should be friends.'"
She laughed weakly, amused despite herself.
Her dad capitalized on it. "Look at you and Masaru-kun. You two aren't friends, even though you and Arata-kun are, and they both consider the other good friends." She mock-shivered because Masaru-senpai was scary. Singers were scary. No one could convince her otherwise. "Why does it bother you when this doesn't?"
"Because Masaru-senpai and I respect one another. I can trust him to listen to me even if he disagrees. I value his opinion, too." She didn't say I'd have him at my back at any time because it'd made her dad worry. But Team 7 had been attacked three times in their journey to Waves, and twice she disagreed with Naruto's actions. Twice he hadn't even taken her into account, as focused on Sasuke as he was. And once his tunnel-vision had endangered Sasuke. She didn't like those odds.
"If he doesn't even respect you, sweetheart, if he won't listen to you, then plan around him. Don't expend energy on something he refuses to change. Be cordial, have his back, and try to have a good working relationship. But don't let yourself be blinded. If he doesn't like you, and he'll let his feelings get in the way of a mission, you need to know that. Alright, Hikari-chan? It can be very dangerous for you to not see it."
"Yes, dad, I promise. Thank you."
9 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
When it was finally her turn to have Kakashi-sensei's sole attention, Hikari wasted no time. "I want to learn ninjutsu."
"Maa, Hikari, I'm not going into your affinity yet."
"That's fine, Kakashi-sensei." She thought that was more than fair. If an affinity meant some techniques would come easier to her, that was great. But you never told a child they'd be great at something and struggle at everything else without them trying all of them first. And she was as inexperienced as a child in this. "Could I learn the one you used to trap Sasuke-kun during our test? I know it was D-rank, so no matter my affinity I should be able to achieve it, right?"
"Earth style, Headhunter Jutsu," he clarified for her sake, taking a moment to think about it.
After a moment, she added, "Being able to restrain someone could be invaluable. And there's almost always earth beneath you."
"That's true. Fine, I'll teach it to you, but first let's try something with your ribbon so you can practice on your own."
"Thank you! Yes, of course, what is it?"
"You're getting better at moving with it imbued in chakra," she nodded. They'd been working on it for the past four days. And adjusting to throws with a metal handle had been easier than she expected. "Today, I want you to knot it."
She blinked twice. "Do you think something will happen?"
He shrugged. "Maybe something will if you continue to push chakra into the tangle."
She nodded and jumped up, grabbing her apparatus. He gestured her quite some distance away from where Sasuke and Naruto were sparring.
Later, when Kakashi grabbed her around the waist and replaced both of them with a log to escape the small explosion, she'd laugh at the understatement of 'something' and at her sensei's overreaction. They'd cleared about twenty meters, and the explosion had been contained in a measly one-meter diameter.
8 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
Nara Shikaku reached the gates of the kyokuba-dan. He stopped, not knowing how to make his arrival known without a guard. He need not have bothered, as Sakasu Kotone was waiting for him.
"Sakasu-sama," he greeted with a bow.
"Shikaku-dono, please be welcome."
"Thank you," he said, stepping inside.
Hikari's mother led him through the compound, pointing out buildings and what they were used for. Shikaku nodded, trying to keep up even as he kept getting distracted by all the members who greeted them and the music being played. Kotone made it easier, keeping their walk leisurely and timing her words to lulls.
They reached the main house and went inside Kotone's office. Shikaku seated himself.
"My daughter told me there's several things in your mind."
"Yes. One of them is a request for information," he paused to judge her response. He'd done all he could on his end, finding the holes in their information network, informing the Hokage and Inoichi, trying to figure out where the moles where. It was time to begin patching up those holes.
"We'll help you if we can, in every way we can."
Shikaku blinked, not having expected such a generous response, but continued. "The other is about Hikari-chan and Shikamaru."
"Should we start with that? I, too, have something to share about them."
He nodded, curious but willing to go first since he'd called this meeting. "The two had never tried our family's technique together. They did so a couple of days ago, and the results were interesting." He explained in a few sentences how the jutsu worked and paused, not knowing how to phrase it.
"She's didn't fight his direction," Kotone guessed.
"His control," he couldn't mince his words with this. It was their family's jutsu, and it had allowed them to not only survive but thrive as shinobi. For this alliance to work as deeply as both parties hoped, and he wished it did because both parties were offering much, then that had to be crystal clear. Shikaku had killed with those techniques. He was explaining the situation because he'd want the same courtesy. Knowing your kid didn't fight someone's control, even if it was benign, wasn't something to take lightly.
"What would Shikamaru-kun do if my daughter started to struggle against his technique?"
"He'd release her," his words were almost a growl, but he was insulted on his son's behalf. Shikamaru would never force anything on Hikari, not even making her take a couple of steps if it wasn't her wish. He'd come here to reassure them of that. The jutsu was meant for battle and missions, but it could be used in many other ways. He'd come to tell them they had nothing to worry about, even with the quirk they'd discovered.
"Exactly."
"What?"
"Shikamaru-kun would let her go if she wanted. Hikari-chan realizes this. You say it's control, and that's true, but it's control she has control over. She knows he'll never make her do anything she doesn't want to, so she can let him guide her movements. I say guide, since it is still her choice. He's not taking anything she's not offering. What stood out about it?"
"The initial resistance isn't something a person has control over," he said, glad she got the point he wanted to make but still unsure why she got it so quickly. "It's also only unique to Shikamaru. When I tried it, she fought the hold at the start of each movement. Nothing unusual about it. When someone Hikari-chan has never met used it, she fought it even more. Again, nothing unusual."
"Ah, absolute trust, exhibited even subconsciously, and directed solely to Shikamaru-kun."
"Yes." Why wasn't she surprised about this? It was nothing he'd ever seen before, not even inside of his clan, not even when a parent taught their child.
"I think it has something to do with what I wanted to talk to you about. As far as I know, this is a concept unique to the kyokuba-dan. Hikari-chan doesn't think your family has it, which is why she asked me to tell you. She has also requested the chance to tell your son herself."
He leaned his forearms on his knees, wanting to hear this out.
"We call it finding our person. Not everyone does. Your person is someone you know you can always rely on. Your equal in all areas of your life and someone you want to share every part of it with. The only ones you will never hesitate to speak your naked truths with complete honesty. No masks, no hiding, no doubts. Your person knows you, every piece of you. It is a bond, an unbreakable connection on our part. More than anything, it is a gift. We treasure it above all others, even marriage," she pinned him her gaze.
"Does it exclude other types of bonds?" Because it would devastate his son, who was imagining a future with them together.
"No," her smile was gentle, and Shikaku realized that she'd guessed at Shikamaru's feelings. "Not at all. As I said, it is a gift, not something that takes. Hikari-chan realized your son was her person. He doesn't have to reciprocate it. She will not expect him to. It changes nothing that was already there. That's the whole point. Although it is a seamless realization, it is not necessarily an easy one." And this was something he could understand, since it was like that for them, too. Realizing who held or would hold their heart. It was also a small warning, that Hikari wouldn't take any addition to their relationship well when she was already reeling from this one. That was fine. Shikamaru didn't want to start anything now, he was content to let things grow on their own. Rushing was not a Nara thing.
"It sounds like a beautiful concept," he said.
"It is. If another bond is eventually built upon it, then that holds the potential for even more beauty," she remarked.
He stilled, trying to think things through quickly. Kotone was nearly giving her blessing, while still warning him not to push for it now.
"Hikari-chan has asked to be allowed to tell him what I've told you. I've given permission, but since he is not of the kyokuba-dan, she needs yours too. I set your son's birthday as a time limit, and she's already said to him that he has her honesty. It won't blindside him."
"That's fine with me." Let them deal with the building of this alliance and the Chunin exams first. "You think it's why Hikari-chan doesn't fight Shikamaru's techniques."
"She trusts him."
And it boggled Shikaku's mind, the depth of that trust. "Alright. Onto information, Konoha will soon acquire guests from Sand, Rain, Grass, and Sound."
Kotone nodded. "For your promotion exam? We are usually invited to the final combats, but we don't attend."
"It might be best to not make an exception this year," he suggested. He didn't want two of Fire's powers in the same place when they had evidence of faulty information.
"That's fine. We can't help with Sound, Grass, or Rain, but we are on good terms with Wind's kyokuba-dan. Their members sometimes become shinobi. It is not the rule, but not unusual either."
The first weren't surprises, since they were Hidden Villages that dominated their countries. He nodded and decided to satisfy his curiosity. "Hikari-chan will use something she learned from you. Does that translate over to Suna shinobi?"
"From what I know, it is established there as a shinobi skill, although a kyokuba-dan member brought it into the ranks. Puppetry and ventriloquism are disciplines of Art of Theater. Chikamatsu Monzaemom converted his craft into a combat form."
Shikaku blinked once and then twice. "Some of Suna's most dangerous shinobi use puppets," he was suddenly very, very disturbed. "And isn't ventriloquism..."
"Yes. The artist creates the illusion that their voice is coming from somewhere else, usually their puppet."
He didn't want a genjutsu specialist getting ideas from it. Puppets were creepy enough when they didn't speak. "So, Hikari-chan isn't doing something entirely new."
"She isn't and yet is. But you're correct. Artists take their art wherever they go, and Hikari-chan is no different. Now, one of our troupes went to visit Wind near Hikari-chan's graduation, and they were advised not to return any time soon. Their economy has taken a hit since the Wind daimyo started reaching out for Konoha's services instead of Suna's. Resentment has grown, and until it settles the kyokuba-dan won't go back. We know some of Wind's civilian political structure and a few rumors. What information, exactly, will help you?"
Shikaku smirked. This was better than he'd allowed himself to hope for. They didn't have time for a delicate infiltration mission to gauge tone and gather information. But they didn't need to, if the kyokuba-dan had information from a couple of months ago.
7 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
Instead of training today, they were at the Mission Desk. Kakashi-sensei already held their mission scroll.
"We have an escort mission," he ignored the way all three of them tensed and went on. "Pack for a couple of days, our destination is Chisana Hono."
Hikari nodded, shoulders relaxing. Chisana Hono was a small village not too far from Konoha. It shouldn't take them more than a couple of days, and she doubted they'd encounter something like Waves. Team 8 and Team 10's missions had all been within Fire, and none of them had gone beyond the parameters of a C-rank.
6 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
Ram. Snake. Tiger. She didn't stop there, continuing to form the signs for her new technique. When a simple clone stood where she was once, Hikari was already underground. The bandit didn't have the good sense to move, keeping his eyes on her clone. It was almost embarrassingly easy to grab his ankle and pull him under.
"Earth style: Headhunter jutsu," she announced as she dusted off her gloved hands. In front of her, three Naruto clones held down another bandit, who looked plenty beat up. The one who'd first attacked them was the worst off, a kunai sticking out of his leg. Sasuke had changed his aim at the last moment, when he'd realized these were regular bandits and not shinobi. The last one, tied up with ninja wire, had slightly scorched clothes.
"Maa, maa, I think you went a bit overboard," Kakashi chastised from behind them, where he stood with their client. He sounded more amused than anything. Hikari didn't feel too bad. None had permanent, or even serious, damage, and their client would get to their home safe.
5 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
Hikari rubbed at the huge bruise developing on the back of her right knee, trying not to wince. She glared at Arata. This was his fault as the aerialist in their partnership. They were beautiful arts, but some of the most painful ones.
Arata grinned at her, unrepentant, and passed her resin. She crushed it in her palms and rubbed them together.
"Ready for another go?"
"Yes."
4 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
Hikari opened the doors to one of the biggest gyms. She'd just come from a foam rolling session to flush out the soreness in her too shoulders and arms. Rhythmic didn't require strenuous upper body work, and Hand to Hand for the flyer was more about passive strength. It was all about holding shapes, holding balances. Aerial demanded that and more. You had to pull yourself up. And make it look effortless. The choreography took into account that it'd be their fifth number and they still had Arata's to go, but it still required a lot of strength.
She regarded all the different skills going on.
On the floor, a girl was doing a back walkover that went into cobra. To the side, a group of three were timing their pirouettes, trying to make it to five at the same time. Another group was running a circle while on their handstands. The older the kids, the more advanced skills they were practicing.
Aimi and her three friends, including Nara Kei, were the youngest of the fifteen they'd asked to step onto stage. They were only doing basic cartwheels and round-offs. The beauty of their moves was in timing and synchronicity.
Someone called for order and everyone moved to the center to practice the final pyramid. Two sets of simple three-man pyramids, done by Aimi's age-group and the next, flanked the final event. It was a set of nine, and none would be on all fours or on their knees. Instead, the pyramid started from left to right.
The first person laid down with their legs up and bent, feet supporting the back of the second person. The second person flexed their knees and trusted their weight to the first. The third person stepped onto the second's knees, clasping hands with them for balance. Th fourth formed a diagonal line in a lunge, hands supporting the third's back, whose hands were once again free. A fifth person stepped onto the thighs of the second, facing the third. The third grasped their hips and pulled them over their head, making them the highest of the figure. Number six also stepped onto the thighs of the second, who grasped their hips until they hung there suspended horizontally. On the other side, the seventh helped the eighth step onto the lower and upper back of the fourth. When they were as stable as they could be while remaining slightly diagonal, the eight went to the edge. She did a downward dog, stretching one leg up into a split and giving the foot for the seventh to hold onto. Finally, number nine leaned over the first, who raised their hands up until they cupped their shoulders. Then the ninth went upside down, hands on the first's shoulders, and struck a pose.
If the fifth managed to stay parallel to the ground instead of diagonal, then they formed a triangle with the top cut off.
The fifteen broke off, the dismount less graceful than it could be, belying everyone's tiredness after an afternoon of practice.
"That was lovely. Arata and I truly can't thank you enough for agreeing to help us," Hikari called out, making her voice carry. They all turned and came to greet her, smiles on their faces and pride radiating off them.
She stayed for a while, enjoying spending time with her people. This was the entirety of people from Movement within the ages of five and sixteen who hadn't had their first performance yet. She'd gone to classes with them, had been taught by them and had taught in return.
Finally, most broke off to do their own stuff, and Kei went back to his own compound. The one doing the modified back walkover stayed at her side.
"What if I fall, Hikari-senpai?" She whispered, shifting her weight from one side to the other.
Hikari pulled her over so her head rested on her shoulder in a side-hug. "Then you get up, but I don't believe you'll fall. I saw you today."
"But what if I can't do it that day, and I ruin your performance?"
"It won't ruin the number. It's about chaos, after all," Hikari said, trying to get her to smile. The girl did, but it was still too small. "It won't ruin the number," she repeated. "But if something doesn't go as planned, then remember you're the only one who knows that. Your audience doesn't know what is supposed to happen."
"I just can't freeze, then," the girl breathed out, relieved. "We're of movement. Not freezing is easy."
Hikari threw back her head and laughed, but she was worried. Not for this number. For the whole event.
This was their only chance. They couldn't fail. Arata and she knew everyone was expecting something smaller. A number per specialization, maybe some narration. But they had both decided to do it differently. They had lengthened two numbers to show both of their individual specializations in one and free up some to show other skills.
Arata and she would one day lead. And they were both of Movement. It wasn't big problem. Fire had always been Movement heavy in their leadership. The Ishikawa regularly chose the Art. Hikari and her partner had taken Language classes in preparation for their positions. They also had a basic understanding of all arts, although it barely scratched some disciplines. They would lead more than just their Art. Their coming of age had to reflect that.
The first and last number were ballet and narrative heavy, for Theater. They didn't have the time to ask an actor for help, but their story could be seen as a play that enveloped all the performance, from beginning to end.
For Music, they had paired each number to the main instrument of the element: strings for water, drums for earth, electric instruments for lightning, woodwinds and flutes for wind, brass for fire. For yang, they had chosen a full orchestra although it wouldn't be live. For ying, piano. As the last piece, it honored her mom, who was a pianist.
Taking into account Language, they had crafted their story with a lot of care for every detail, every choice. They'd asked Masaru to carry it, since everyone thought he would one day be head of Language. He was, above everything, a singer. And song was a discipline of both Language and Music, the same way ballet was both of Theater and Dance.
For Visual Arts, they had spent afternoons going over their costumes, makeup, and lights. Before heading to the Training Grounds, Hikari had been decorating the outside of the building for a week. In two days, they'd start on the path that would lead out of the kyokuba-dan once the performance was over. Arata had helped the fifteen people in his choreography choose their costume and the clothes that would cover it until it was time to step up. They knew next to nothing of architecture, so they hadn't messed with the stage. Still, they thought they'd done a decent job in honoring the Visual Arts.
For Movement, they'd gone all out. Dance, acrobatics, rhythmic, aerial, and some minor trampoline in the shape of tumbling would be represented. In chaos, skills of all levels would be displayed. Their Hand to Hand number was a tribute to its Head, her dad. Fire would be aerial, to honor Arata's parents, who were partners when they performed. It was also the number that represented them as Fire kyokuba-dan. It showed off their boldness, beauty, and ability to handle danger. It had to be the most striking.
Seven numbers, seven states of being. Five elements, five Arts. One new ally to present it to.
They couldn't fail.
They wouldn't allow themselves to.
3 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
When she arrived to their meeting spot, Sasuke was leaning on the bridge's pillar and flicking a kunai up and down. Naruto and Kakashi weren't there yet. Since it was going to be a day full of D-ranks, she didn't start warming up with Sasuke. Instead, she pulled out her notebook and a small pencil, trying to figure out how to create the silhouette of a braid inside a circle. It was the only missing piece for them to start rehearsals.
"What is that?"
"This?" she waved her notebook, careful to keep the envelope inscribed with Uchiha Sasuke inside.
"Yes. You're always writing in it."
She made her way to his side, flicked to the beginning, and showed it to him.
"I don't get it," he said stiffly.
"It's a choreography for rhythmic. Each symbol represents a move, or indicates how it should be done. She pointed to a circle crossed out. "This means outside of visual control." Her finger moved to a horizontal line crossed with a diagonal one. "This one indicates the throw, catch, and apparatus handling is to be done under the legs."
He nodded and pointed out. "You didn't use to take it out as much."
"I didn't," she inspected him quietly for a second. He had been more open with her since they'd come back from Waves. He hadn't scoffed at playing dodgeball on the river. He had pointed out flaws in her genjutsu. He had demanded time for them to practice fighting together now that she was faster. But she needed more if she was going to invite him to their performance. She was alright with answering his questions because he listened, but it wasn't quite enough. She could tell him she was adapting ribbon to combat, which she was, but she decided to take a chance. "I've given you my answers. Will you give me one of yours?"
He crossed his arms. "What do you want?"
"You said your fireball was a family technique," she noted that he tensed, but went on. "What does Fire mean to you?"
"The element?"
"Yes."
It was clear that he'd prefer not to answer, but she didn't change the subject. Was he willing to share some of his truths, some of his family's truths?
"Our symbol is the uchiwa because it fans the flames. Uchihas burn twice as bright as others. Our Fire is not a gentle candle. It is wildfire, growing hotter by will and power."
She let the words settle between them before speaking. "Thank you. I have been spending more time choreographing because soon I'll perform with my partner. You are invited to the event." She handed him the invitation. He turned the envelope over as if it'd come alive and bite him. "I hope you come. Kakashi-sensei is."
2 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
After a short meeting with Haruno, Hikari went home, set an alarm for rehearsal, and slept.
1 DAY TO PERFORMANCE
After Naruto managed to set off a mine field while walking a dog, Hatake Kakashi told his genin to go home and take tomorrow to rest. Naruto went, clothes a little scorched but not hurt. Hikari sent him and Sasuke a smile and small wave before setting off. His third genin stayed.
"Do you need something, Sasuke?"
"You gave us the day off for Hikari's event."
Kakashi stilled, but wasn't very surprised Hikari had invited Sasuke. Since Waves, both of them had been spending more time together. Although he wished they'd included Naruto, Kakashi approved of their training in the river. By now, they'd progressed to actually sparring on it. Kakashi had laughed himself silly when Hikari had landed a solid hit on Sasuke, who had gone down with the force of it, and then been joined by Hikari, who'd let go of the chakra coating her feet in her surprise. "Yes."
"You're going, then."
Kakashi decided to stop making him suffer. "I am. Should we meet at the usual training ground before heading there?"
"Yes."
0 DAYS TO PERFORMANCE
When they were in sight of the painted gates, Hatake Kakashi stopped Sasuke.
"Alright. I've met her parents once before. Her mother leads the kyokuba-dan and is a singer. Be respectful," he warned. The Hokage needed permission to enter those gates. The kyokuba-dan were a power on their own right, and he didn't know how much leeway being Hikari's team would give them. It was just as likely that they wouldn't tolerate an insult. "Her father is Head of Acrobatics, and he taught Hikari and her partner."
The boy nodded.
"The Naras are already here. I figure we can take our cues from them."
"Hn."
They entered the gates, and Sasuke glanced around. With far more discretion, Kakashi did the same. Compared to the last time he'd been here, it was almost empty. Most people, a lot of them Nara, were standing in front of a big building. Kakashi had seen it before, but then it hadn't been decorated with vines, flowers, tiny lights, and thick braided ornaments. Kakashi's eye narrowed. Were braids the kyokuba-dan symbol? He'd dismissed them on Hikari because her mother wore them, too, and it was a hairstyle. But he remembered her father had been wearing a braided bracelet and most kids had some in their hair.
He led the genin to his jounin commander, wincing a bit when he saw he was wearing formal attire. Sasuke had tensed too, when he saw people in formal kimonos. Kakashi pushed him to keep walking. Some of the kids he saw in the distance were wearing hoodies, so they were probably fine. Shikamaru and the rest of Team 10 were nowhere in sight.
"Any tips, Shikaku?"
Shikaku considered them both before answering. "Don't touch anyone if they don't give you explicit verbal permission or initiate contact first. You were both invited, so you're welcome to ask questions. They'll tell you if they prefer not to answer."
Kakashi thanked him and turned to the figure approaching. It was Akio, Hikari's father.
"Good evening," he greeted.
They all murmured back pleasantries.
"Shikaku-dono, Yoshino-san is already inside and waiting for you."
Shikaku excused himself.
"Kakashi-san, thank you for coming," he smiled before turning to his student. "I am Sakasu Akio, please be welcome."
"Uchiha Sasuke."
Akio nodded. "Hikari-chan has talked about you. She said I'd love your movements' clean lines," He smiled at Sasuke. "You may have noticed my daughters' tend to have flourishes, although we've tried to cut them down."
Sasuke nodded, a bit cautious and likely not having expected Hikari to talk about him to her father. "It works for her," he said stiffly.
The smile got wider. "I'm glad to hear it. Go on in, you are seated next to Shikamaru-kun, who is already there. Hikari-chan left you both envelopes. I do not know if they are intended to be opened now or later."
"Thank you," Kakashi said before putting a hand on Sasuke's shoulder once more and pressing him forwards.