Chapter 3: There be Monsters.
Training continues, and so does the psychopath behavior and actions of daddy dearest.
Again, let it be noted that dark shit happens, and will continue to happen in this story. It's about child soldiers murdering and dying their way across the elemental nations.
Also the story needs a triple M rating for Orochimaru alone.
As usual I do not own, make money off, or in any way have a right to the characters of Naruto or its world. I'm just a lowly fanfiction writer.
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There is something peaceful about working in my greenhouse. Yes, the flora I deal with is deadly if handled incorrectly, that just means don't be an idiot and you're fine. After a day of physical training and strained muscles, there is just something soothing about sitting in the dirt and taking care of my plants. Uncaring of muddy knees or dirty clothes. Of twigs and leaves in my hair. Just enjoying peace and calm and quiet, while learning how to care for flora I'll use to kill people.
Even the peaceful hobbies are for a purpose after all.
I am currently in my swamp biome, slightly mud covered, as I check over one of the plants from Kiri that supposedly works best in a swamp like climate. I am sweating profusely and running a slight fever, nothing too unusual, as I have taken to ingesting small doses of the safer plants, to start building up an immunity. None of the deadly plants of course. Simple paralytics made from Konoha plants. A choice to be safer rather than sorry if I ingest too much and need to visit the hospital.
Training lately has been going above my expectations. My chakra control is as finely tuned as I could see it getting right now, being able to run across water with leaves stuck to my every visible patch of skin, using 4 simultaneous chakra strings to trail kunai in the air behind me. Being able to manifest 4 chakra strings at the same time not only gives me a possible advantage in shurikenjutsu, it means I'll have a better chance to invade another person's Chakra with Genjutsu. Or multiple others. The possibilities are almost endless for someone willing to think far enough ahead, and willing to force reality to bend.
So I am pretty pleased with my progress there. As for my physical training I have honestly not expected this world's differences body wise - to be as major as they are. The level of strength possible in a body governed by chakra. I have always known, previously in my old life, that small children could only do so much physical and taxing training without stunting their growth. Apparently with chakra that is not completely true. The Maito Gai kind of insane training at my age would indeed probably cause issues for my body. Yet Kushina-sensei's flexibility, strength and stamina regimen now makes me able to keep working at it for most of the day if I so chose.
Of course I chose to do so. What else am I supposed to be doing, exactly?
I can now do a perfect split without effort, twist and bend and put my feet behind my head, which would be interesting when I am older I am sure. I can jump ten feet into the air, I can land and not break my legs. I can shatter the bark on a tree easily, just by punching it. The strength I feel by being able to reach these tiny milestones, they only drive me to work harder. It's why I have started to mix some paralytics, learning how to from the academy library.
Considering academy students would not have much access to the plants mentioned in the texts, the library has a very extensive collection on how to mix basic poisons and paralytics, since students aren't able to kill themselves without access to the actual plants. And that's why I've started working on immunity. The extra tiredness and soreness in my body is just another thing to make my training harder.
With Kushina-sensei's enthusiastic help I have begun to learn fuinjutsu. And I can totally understand now why it is so rare. I am fairly intelligent, but it quickly becomes obvious that intelligence isn't the main skill for fuinjutsu, neither is perfect calligraphy. Both help. Yet I can see why the best known seal masters are Jiraiya and Kushina. While people like Minato and Orochimaru manage to cobble together one or two very good things, and people like Hiruzen and Kakashi can do some things but couldn't push any further in fuinjutsu.
Creativity and impulsivity seem to be the main factors of a successful fuinjutsu user. There are known seals that you can copy down and understand, such as I have done. I have managed to learn how to make storage seals and explosive tags. Although Kushina-sensei keeps all the sealing paper and my finished work, she somehow does not trust me with explosive paper tags - rude. I have watched Kushina-sensei change seals on the fly, adding or removing a part because it felt just right. And have it work. Even though it specifically says in the material I was provided how to make such a seal. And her improvised addition just shouldn't work.
Fucking Uzumaki's, no wonder they killed them all. It's completely hax.
Fuinjutsu comes with a feeling in your gut about what is the correct way to change it, to create something new. An impulsivity to just add something or try something without more behind it than a feeling. Something that would blow up regular people like me if we were to mess around with it. Kushina-sensei assures me I have the ability to become quite competent with seals. And I can see what she means. I understand the framework, I can make them with a steady precise hand. I can become good. Yet, I will never become great. I went the intellectual route, I don't have the creative madness of Kushina. Or creative stupidity - in the case of Jiraiya - that's what separates Uzumaki sealing from the rest. It is done off a feeling. Not from repetition and research and painstaking copying of seals. Although sure that's how anyone starts, a master however eventually just starts throwing shit together and making it a working seal. I'll never reach that level.
I will keep at it as long as Kushina-sensei is willing to teach me, but it would only ever be an addition to my fighting style and skills, never anything more. No Hiraishin jutsu for me.
As cool as teleportation is, I think my style is going to be more - confuse, drive mad, and kill em before they know what I'm doing. then such a straightforward style as the eventual Yondaime.
I stand up and swipe some of the mud and dirt off my legs, my hair sweaty and matted to my face. I let out a pleased sigh as I leave my greenhouse. Another few months to go until the entrance exam. And I already have a feeling I'll ace it as I am now.
I am so used to ignoring my clansmen's sneers and muttered comments over the last few months, that I at first don't even notice the small group approaching me. I am busy pondering on whether a bath and a trip to the academy library was worth it, or whether I should bury myself in one of the Genjutsu scrolls my father has managed to acquire for me. Nothing above a C rank, but any practice on Genjutsu is vital to me. I only notice the group of children around ten or eleven years old, as I automatically dodge a rock that has been thrown at my head, having felt the intent just before it was even thrown.
"Was that supposed to accomplish something?" I ask in a deadpan, head tilted, not even looking directly at the group, treating them as what they are. Below my notice.
"You should just leave and die already! You're making the clan look bad!" A blond-haired chubby boy says with a sneer. As my gaze fixes on him, he looks around, as if to make sure he still has his group behind him, before taking a step forward and pointing at me, "You're a waste of space and my dad says you'll get yours!"
I can't believe my day is being interrupted by something as asinine as some brats regurgitating their parents whining about me not being a proper Tsubuki. I could reply, but really why should I. Winning a battle of wits with these losers is completely pointless. So I simply keep walking, completely ignoring them. Already my mind is half inside my Genjutsu scroll when I sense the intent of those behind me and I sigh. I ignore the sound of running feet even as my mind cataloged that three of the boys are running to attack me from behind. My complete apathy at their existence apparently angers them.
Bratty, spoiled, children. Tsk.
I simply flip up in the air over their heads as they rush me, landing gracefully behind them as they stumble on the dirt pathway, shocked at their quarry avoiding them. My eyes regard them coolly, as I attach a chakra string to each of them, standing still, my arms crossed, looking like I'm doing nothing at all, other than staring them down.
Magen: Narakumi no Jutsu, I think, sending my chakra along the pathways of their brains. The demonic illusion hell viewing technique, a D rank Genjutsu, it's supposed to drag someone's biggest fear out of their subconscious and show it to them. I've not had the opportunity to try regular Genjutsu through my chakra strings yet, I watch intently with a small smirk growing on my face as I pay rapt attention to the way my chakra moves in their brain as the Genjutsu takes hold.
I can learn alot from this kind of practice. Sure, ninja will be different. More difficult. But a brain was a brain. How the brain works, how the chakra pathways react. It can't be that different.
I barely notice as all three kids start screaming, my mind focused on the way my chakra flows, the way it blankets parts of the brain, hooks into others, slowly strengthening the effects the more my chakra controls. I'm taking mental notes for comparison once I'll get the chance to try it on someone with a developed Chakra system. This test is actually useful, I'll have to thank the brats for giving me an excuse.
"That is enough, Inohana." My father's voice cuts through my thoughts. I raise an eyebrow questioningly at him, and he gestures to the screaming brats, two of which are clawing at their faces. Bleeding scratches all over them, the third is banging his head against the ground. I hum in thought, studying them with cold eyes, my father not interjecting again as he walks up beside me, looking down at me with a frown. I can see the cruel delight in him however. I know he isn't asking me to end this out of any sense of mercy.
Yet, he is right. And the last thing I want right now is another reminder of how similar I can be to him.
With a sigh and a simple mental command, my chakra recedes. The brats waking up from their nightmare. Staring at me in fear - Good, they should be afraid. Their faces go even whiter when they realize my father is standing next to me. I'm slightly chagrined, that even after putting them through their worst nightmare. I'm still secondary for their fear.
Although… My father probably is their fear. Even with chakra at my disposal. He's still mine.
"You will not bother my daughter again. Take this as your punishment for daring to accost someone above your station." My father says coldly. The other kids long gone, the brats shakily nod their heads, before scrambling off themselves. I can't help a low chuckle as they don't even dare look at me as they pass me by. It seems I did have some effect at least.
"There is a limit of how much I can protect you if you do this again." He says, lips twitching, "Once you join the academy, any use of your skills against civilians will receive harsh penalties." He doesn't really sound like he cares. More as if he's telling me to be more careful in how I do it.
I scoff, "I know that much, yet I haven't joined yet have I?* My fear of my father has greatly diminished the more I twisted his mind to service my needs, yet it hasn't disappeared by any stretch. He would have never allowed this backtalk a few months ago, however. Or any backtalk really. Still, I am wary, my suggestions are not mind control, he'll still be him, outside those specific suggestions.
"Yet, if Uzumaki Kushina had been present you would have doubtlessly disquieted her." My father tells me mockingly. He grabs my shoulder hard, nails dug in, and makes me face him. I look up at him reluctantly. The pain is secondary. There is always pain when my father is around. I'm used to ignoring it.
"Although I paid for the mission, you have stumbled into an incredible opportunity I would have never imagined. Uzumaki Kushina is tied closely to the Hokage. She is dating one of Konoha's strongest shinobi. Who's master is one of the Sannin. Her best friend is to be the Uchiha clan matriarch." My father's grip on my shoulder hardens as he leans down to stare me into the eyes. "You can not allow them to see you for what you are until you are strong." He hisses, cruel eyes laughing at me. You're like me! I can almost feel him say. Not them.
I grunt in annoyance as his nails dig into my shoulder harder, my own eyes cold as I stare into his cruel cold eyes so like my own. I hate to admit that he has a point. I am incredibly lucky to have not only received Kushina-sensei as an instructor, but also - as had been made clear by her on several occasions now, a contact that would be sticking around and expecting to see me often.
In the war that is coming, cruelty and ruthlessness would be par for the course. Right now… If Kushina - or Minato as an example- would have seen what I just did. It would have come with consequences for our relationship. You just don't do what I just did in times of peace. Especially not to members of your own village or clan. No matter how bratty or annoying they are.
If that was allowed. Naruto would have already suffered brain death as a kid from half the population trying the same shit on him.
I sigh finally and shake my father's hand off my shoulder. "You are correct of course, father. It won't happen again off the field." Silently I attach a chakra string and forcefully 'suggest' he never touch me again. His brain's pathways are familiar enough to me by now that I can affect a change within seconds. I still utilize it rarely, as messing with my father's brain did come with the risk of me messing something important up. Although less and less risk the more practiced I became.
"See that it doesn't, daughter. Now I came to find you for a reason…" My father starts walking, and since I am heading back to the house anyway I fall in at his side. His pleasant facade that he now wears around me - not really hiding the monster beneath. My skin still itches in his presence.
I'll never be able to forget the things he's done or made me see.
Silence lasts for a couple minutes before he finally speaks up on his purpose. "Your mother has passed." He says matter of factly, not much different from him saying pass the vegetables. No real emotional attachment to what he's saying.
Maybe a normal person would stop and question this, maybe cry or have an emotional accusation ready to throw. I simply raise an eyebrow and study him closely. "How?" I ask.
My mother has not exactly made it difficult to understand she wants nothing to do with me. Another notch, proclaiming me the same sick person as my father. Her death is not exactly heartbreaking.
"Murdered." My father responds, just as coldly and unemotional. "She was found in her bedroom an hour ago." If anything this finally registers some annoyance from him. No doubt the fact someone dared disobey him, and strike at his house. Act on his territory, and deprive him of something he owns.
I do pick up that irritation from him, his face holds no smugness or pleasure as I would have expected if he had done the deed. "You didn't kill her." I murmur in slight surprise. And I truly was surprised that she died by another. My father is a psychopath and I truly have been expecting to eventually hear of my mother's death by his hands. And I didn't expect it to ever be an open casket funeral…
"No. I did not. Someone invaded our household." He responds, hands behind his back as he walks, cool and collected. "I can only assume the internal displeasure is escalating." Paradoxically he seems somewhat cruelly excited by this, as if having a potential internal war in the family is going to be enjoyable.
For all my studies into the brain and criminal psychology in my past life, my father is not someone I can ever completely understand. I guess that's a small mercy, that I am not completely like him.
"You think my uncle did this?" I ask, eyes on the road ahead of us. My mind whirls with thoughts, the family has been in uproar on the exorbitant costs of the greenhouse. Especially my uncle. His son was the most likely to be named heir once I officially became a ninja. Perhaps he is worried the riches of the clan wouldn't last until my graduation. "He is the most likely suspect, yet that could mean someone is framing him." I point out.
In fact, my paranoia tells me it's extremely likely someone framed him. His son is basically guaranteed to become the heir. Why would he make this move?
Father inclines his head, "Even if he is innocent, a response must be made." It was part of my father's usual business policy. Any attack on the business or his family needed to be repaid tenfold to ensure no future attacks. There was a reason the clan was so wealthy. And had so few serious rivals. The things my father did to family… Not many civilian businesses could compete with such a man when he was willing to do so much worse to them. Hiring ninja only got someone so far, unless they were willing to have them on permanent retainer.
Of course, what my father is basically saying is that he knows that his own brother is innocent. Yet wants to see him dead anyway in retaliation, rather than leave this unsettled and search for the real culprit. I do not agree on this being a smart choice. It sounds cruel and needless to me.
Why he's bothered to come and tell me I am not sure. No part of my twisting his mind includes clan business, so what part do I play in my uncle's judgment? I stare at him incredulously, only one possibility coming to me. "You just told me to not use my ninja skills against civilians!" I say accusingly. Pretty sure my father was hinting at me to eliminate the threat.
Not only would that defeat the purpose of making an example out of my uncle. As it would have to be quiet. It would stoke fear in the clan. Surely with my father's dislike for hiring ninja. The clan will suspect me, for any surprise deaths. Especially so soon after my mother has passed. Whether or not my father will publicly admit she has been murdered is another question.
My father slides his eyes away from me and stares straight ahead. "I did. Luckily these aren't civilians, daughter." He smiles cruelly, "They're corpses."
That's not even clever, you fucking psychopath. I think to myself, sneering inwardly.
He leaves me at our house, no doubt heading off to his office to plan for the clan's future reorganization due to my uncle's untimely death. I bite my lip, wondering if I should just scramble his brains again. I know my father's meaning. To scare away anyone from trying to touch our family again my uncle's whole family needs to die, it's really stupidly cruel but probably will actually work if the culprit is another family member. Am I ready to do something like this?
Right now my father's wealth is essential to my future. I can not have him be assassinated or lose power within the clan. The greenhouse alone is worth their deaths. The merchants bringing home the plants of the elemental nations with every trip, is worth me killing every clan member to keep it, if necessary. Even Konoha does not keep such a well stocked greenhouse as mine would become given a few years.
I slap myself, letting the quick sting of pain settle my weak thoughts. I can't ever back down, if I want to be an S-rank ninja, a couple civilians couldn't be allowed to bother me. I need my father strong and in charge of the clan funds. Which means I need to kill my uncle. Before he, or whoever was framing him, could try again. And I need to not use obvious ninja skills. I really don't need the Uchiha military police sniffing around and poking inside my father's head. That would be a catastrophic event. It's not like I could mind scramble my uncle. My father would hardly accept that excuse, nor would I feel comfortable letting my father know I can do it. He's intelligent enough to immediately suspect I've done it to him.
I have planning to do. At least my mother's death will give me an excuse to avoid Kushina-sensei for a few days. I'd rather have this squared away sooner than later. And before Kushina-sensei can make me change my mind just by being herself. She has this annoying ability to make me feel all warm and gooey.
Ugh, feelings.
I briefly wonder if I am so cold because of being broken in my previous life, or because I am my father's daughter. Or if it was by choice, as I sometimes do feel things, even if only in Kushina-sensei's presence so far. Which could just be her strong emotions rubbing off on me, and not anything of my own.
In the end, it won't matter. To grow stronger, that cold ruthless part of me needs to be dominant. Not that young girl I was decades ago, just wanting a family.
I need it to survive. To win.
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My mother's death has been declared to be of an illness and she receives a quick burial. I do not bother to attend. Neither did my father. Her death is deemed to be of an illness, it does make it easier for me to plan. As now, there wouldn't be two suspicious possible murder events too close to each other. It would still be suspicious, as my mother is buried today, and I plan to have my uncle and his family taken care of in the next 48 hours. Yet the illusion of other causes will quiet any investigation, especially with father leaning on everyone.
Money is a power almost comparable to shinobi sometimes.
Unfortunately with my greenhouse and very open plant obsession, I can't poison my uncle's family. It would be incredibly obvious even to a civilian, let alone the military police. There could be no trace of Genjutsu or chakra at all. Again, if anything pointed to ninja I am the most likely suspect. Based on proximity if nothing else. The fact my uncle's son is likely to become the next heir if things stay calm - also gives me a possible motive. No, I need to somehow kill them in a way that makes it seem like a natural death, without chakra or poison.
I understand that what I am doing is wrong, from a certain point of view, my old view. Not that Ninja didn't kill civilians for as simple of a reason as money all the time, but this was my own family. Yet I can't help the thrum of excitement as I plan and think out how to commit the deed. A self given mission, with difficult parameters to meet. I've never felt so much a ninja, as when I plan murder. And funnily enough I was pretty sure the Academy has theoretical scenarios students go through to plan exactly these kinds of things.
I guess I'm testing out early in this subject.
In the end I decide stealth will be my main avenue of attack, obviously of course. It wasn't like I could walk up and stab them. But even the obvious steps of a plan needs planning out.
I'll hit them in the middle of the night while they're sleeping, it would also limit any chances of random guests popping in for a hello. I can't do something as simple as slitting their throats of course, hardly accidental, that. I know they have a gas stove like most of the houses in our compound. My plan is to stage the scene as if it was a fatal gas leak, taking the whole family on a tragic night. More probable than I first thought, as some research proved these gas stoves were notably finicky. They certainly aren't up to my standards, the ones of my previous world.
This world has some weird technology, seeming to be somewhat against all technology, yet utilizing stoves and fridges and their like.
Plan made, I gather the supplies I will need, I can't seal them in a storage scroll as I won't be able to unseal them onsite. So I dress in all black, covering my hair and face, securing several belts across my body to which I attach the ropes - lucky find, if somewhat disturbing - and other supplies I would need. Then I sit down and meditate, and wait for nightfall.
That first night ended up being a bust. I managed to get over there, unseen. Neighbors were asleep as I quietly came over the roof. Unfortunately my uncle has a small child amongst his children, one that isn't feeling too well. And who's constant fits is keeping the family awake. At 4am I give up and return home. I did not have enough time left to ensure I could properly stage the scene and escape before light, or before neighbors could possibly be awake and notice me on the roof.
If I send a note in the morning to the clan doctor, faking my uncle's handwriting, asking for medication for their young child to sleep. Well, I plan ahead when I can. I seriously doubt my uncle will question this salvation dropping in his lap. And even if he does, he'll be dead, so no one can ask him about it. The doctor definitely wouldn't be talking, he's the one patching up my father's playthings after all. Including me.
I try again the next night. To ensure my targets will likely be asleep, I wait until 2am to carefully and silently climb out of my window. Their house is nearby so I don't even need Chakra to roof hop my way over there - not that I will use it even if I needed it. Yet even with that, I pause silently after every jump to listen for any sound of people awake and paying attention, there are none.
I creep silently across the house my targets are sleeping in. The only sound I can hear is my uncle's loud snoring. It seems he has left his bedroom window open. It certainly bodes well for the start of my mission. Certainly a better sign than a crying child.
I creep down the wall, making sure to carefully check my grip each time, I can't afford to slip and subconsciously attach with chakra. I peek over the edge of the windowsill. Two shapes lay on the draped bed, my uncle and his wife. Both are deeply asleep. I lift myself over the window sill, silently climbing inside, my feet touching the carpet without a sound. Now comes the really difficult part. Not so much in execution, as in… I'm really doing… This.
I silently step over to my uncle and his wife, unhooking the silky ropes I have appropriated. They were the kind likely used for bondage sex play, meant to restrain but not hurt or leave marks - and no I have absolutely no reason to share why I so easily recognize that. Why I have this rope deep inside the closet of my bedroom I am not sure. I certainly didn't put it there. But it has saved me from going out and finding something similarly useful.
Carefully I tie down my uncle and his wife, ensuring they can not move an inch. I use the bedposts as the final tie in, to keep the bondage rope secure. I test the strength one final time. It will hold. I move to the side of the bed, the side holding my uncle's wife. She is a cute twenty something blonde. Stark contrast to my fat old uncle. Wealth seems to attract the young trophy wives. At least I don't see the bruises on this one's skin - that I've seen on all my father's playthings.
Silently I use both hands - both, because one of my hands isn't enough, and isn't that distressing - to cover her mouth and nose. She soon comes awake with a muffled, confused and shocked gasp, struggling in her bindings. Panicked eyes stare up at me, tears springing from them when she can't move. I don't look away, I owe them that at least. I hold my hands steady as she slowly struggles less. Waiting until her eyes turn glassy and lifeless. I let out a shuddering breath. I have taken a life. And it has been… So easy. Too easy. I really… Am a monster.
Somehow it feels like something like this should have been harder. Like there is something wrong with the world, that killing someone shouldn't be this easy. I shake off my introspection and disquiet. I need to do this. And I move on to my uncle. He struggles much harder, yet to the same result. I wait for what feels like hours but only lasts minutes, and then my uncle, my own family, is dead at my hands. If I picture my father's face as his breath fades away. No one will ever know. I silently unwind the bondage ropes, and hook it back to my belts. I use a cloth to dab away my victims' tears, gas victims die silently in their sleep after all. Nothing left to chance.
One hour later I find myself sitting silently in front of the gas stove on the bottom floor. The children have been so much harder to process. Their confusion, their absolute terror. I could feel their accusing eyes following me still. They can't possibly have known it was me. Yet it feels like even now they are staring at me, at the kinslayer. I shudder, and turn on the gas, easily wrenching apart the safety mechanism that would stop it running, making it seem like wear and tear was the culprit. Not difficult with the absolute shoddiness of the quality of metal and piping on this thing.
Then I go back upstairs, climb out the window, and silently close it. I have just successfully murdered a family of 5. I am supposed to be a cold hearted ruthless bitch. So why do I feel so sick to my stomach? Why am I feeling anything? This was needed, I had to do this. Didn't I?
I do not sleep at all when I get back. Reporting the deed to my father, who gives me a silent pat on the head, the sudden feel of his arousal making me gag. Some poor woman suffers later that night because of me.
At least it wasn't me that suffers.
I don't sleep the next night either.
I attend my uncle's funeral, feeling like an impostor, Kushina-sensei by my side, my sensei dragging me out of my house when she'd heard I'd lost my mother to illness and my uncle to a tragic accident all in one week. I almost laughed during the funeral. Finding it hysterical I was being comforted, when I was the one behind most of their deaths. Kushina-sensei's warm presence keeps me grounded enough to survive the funeral without any major faux pas.
I don't really feel better. I thought death would be easy to deal with, these were basically just fantasy characters, not real. I have to get better, I need to get stronger. My fists clench as I stand there listening to the eulogy of the man I murdered. I was too weak. War was coming. I couldn't afford to be this pathetic.
I will kill this weakness inside of me. I swear. A shiver runs up my spine, I turn my head. Feeling like accusing eyes are following me. There is nothing there.
Later that day my father tells me he is proud of me for the first time. I immediately go to a training ground and punch trees until my knuckles break. Kushina-sensei eventually finds me crying against broken bark, gathering me into her arms and soothing me. Disgust warring within me against pride of a job well done.
I was not okay.
Because that had been so easy. So incredibly easy. So why do I feel like I'm my father's daughter? All ninja kill. Why am I so weak?
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I blink blearily, coming awake slowly, feeling drained. Poisoning myself and then going through a severely emotional and draining experience obviously was not good for my health. Physical and mental. I blink more rapidly, feeling puffy and not sure what exactly I am seeing.
I am not in my room… Everything around me is extremely bright. The walls are an eye searing burnt orange color. The curtains over by the window were yellow with little kunai on them, there is a small bookshelf against the opposite wall. Curiously with no books or scrolls inside, only cutesy figurines of miniature ninja. I have a slight feeling I might be at Kushina-sensei's place. I think wryly.
I slip out of bed, bare feet hitting wood flooring, some color comes to my cheeks when I realize I am in an overly large orange shirt that smells of Kushina-sensei and nothing else. Kushina-sensei has undressed me. Not like I have anything to see, yet, besides it's sensei. It still feels a bit awkward. I walk silently to an open door by the bookshelf that leads to a hallway, thankfully in a muted blue color - Sorry, not sorry, orange isn't a proper color for any home decorations, sensei. Another open door in front of me leads to a bathroom. Not feeling Kushina-sensei's chakra anywhere in the house I walk into the bathroom and climb up on the sink to check myself in the mirror.
My eyes are red and puffy, my hair is a rat's nest, knotted terribly and sweaty and matted. I sigh explosively. Puffing my cheeks out. Even looking like I came out of the woods after being lost for a week I am still disgustingly cute. At least it might serve to make ninjas underestimate me. I eye Kushina-sensei's shower and figure she hasn't left a note to tell me to go home yet, so I can wash up before I look for my clothes.
The water feels cathartic, like I am washing away my sins. I feel somehow more put together today. After my shameful crying fit last night. I shamelessly borrow some of Kushina-sensei's shampoo, and decide I definitely need some of my own. It has a muted forest scent, a good scent for a Konoha kunoichi. Surely sensei won't mind if I stea- borrow - some of hers?
Afterwards, I wrap myself in a fluffy towel bigger than me - and walk into the living space. Having felt Kushina-sensei's chakra arrive during my shower. It's usual enormous presence feels comforting to me today. Makes me feel less like a pathetic weakling.
"Inohana-chan! Are you feeling better, Dattebane?" Kushina rushes to me and crushes me against her chest. Her chakra rushing in to soothe me, blanketing around me, making me feel safe. I take a deep breath, just breathing in the sense of her chakra and the scent of forest and ramen. Of course that's where she was, I giggle to myself.
"Kushina-sensei, why am I in your house?" I ask instead, not really wanting to talk about my feelings if I could help it. Ever.
She buries her head in my hair and mumbles something. I let out a breath, "Sensei I can't hear you."
She draws back, puffing out her cheeks and looking stubborn. "I kidnapped you, Dattebane!"
There is a deep amused sigh behind us both and we both freeze. I can't believe I missed another chakra entering the house. Kushina-sensei your chakra is too freaking large! I complain internally.
"Do I want to know why you're holding a naked child and talking about kidnapping?" The amused male voice asks.
"Minato!" Kushina screams, face red, and I could already see what was going to happen before it did. I try to stop it. "Sensei! Let me go fi-" too late - I was crushed yet again between my sensei and another person. Oh my god. My first meeting with Namikaze Minato, and it is happening with me only wearing a towel. I want to die… Then I hear the lips meeting and I panic. Nope! Keep it PG-13 here! Sensei! Let me go! Come on, let me go! My sensei is unfortunately not able to pick up on silent cues at the moment. So plan B.
"SENSEI!" I literally screech, "You're not making out with your boyfriend with me in the middle!" And I start to kick her. Hard.
I am set down by a sheepish Kushina who ruffles my hair in apology - which again, I actually hate, so how's that an apology? Minato looks quite embarrassed as well. And good. Like I can not explain to you how good he looks, like give me another 15-ish years and I wouldn't have been complaining about being in this sandwich. And there Kushina-sensei goes again, it's like watching a bear attack. The victim has no recourse but to stand still and take whatever comes. At least she always smells nice.
"Oh kami, I'm going to go change please be done with this by the time I'm done." I say, not wanting to watch this make out session. Especially as mentally I find them both way too attractive even if my body is a decade away from caring. I stomp away as Kushina-sensei giggles against the lips of her boy toy. Boyfriend. Whatever he is at this time.
Luckily by the time I have found my clothes and gotten dressed, Kushina-sensei and Minato are sitting calmly on the couch sipping tea. I walk into the room looking at them suspiciously. "Is it safe to come around, are you guys still wearing bottoms?" I ask, wanting to get back at sensei. And also make sure they didn't do a ninja quickie or something. Is that a thing? Can you use chakra for happy fun time? Where can I find out? I mean later. Much later. But still.
Enquiring minds want to know.
Minato chokes on his tea which is pretty satisfying to see. Not as satisfying is a red faced Kushina-sensei chucking her full cup of tea at me. Thanks for the training Kushina-sensei, I think, as I thankfully dodge the flying tea cup. Kushina pouts as it smashes against the wall, spraying tea all over.
"How old are you?" Minato asks wearily.
"5, going on smartass, Dattebane." Kushina-sensei says, her face is still red as she gives me the stink eye.
"I'm not 5 yet." I remind sensei. Walking to the front of the couch and bowing slightly towards Minato. "Hello, pleased to meet you. I'm Tsubuki Inohana. Kushina-sensei's official babysitter."
"Brat." Kushina says, rolling her eyes and trying to swat my head but I dodge out of the way, sticking my tongue out at her.
Minato looks amused at our byplay. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Namikaze Minato."
I make my eyes go big and wide, "I know, Kushina-sensei never stops talking about you, how cool you are, how strong and manly and just better at being a ninja then her you are." I gush.
"Really?" Minato drawls, amused. Eyes sliding towards Kushina-sensei who's giving me a look. It's not a particularly friendly one.
I turn innocent eyes on her. She shakes her head wryly. "I'm glad you're feeling better, but you will pay for that in training." Giving me a shark teeth grin, and for the first time I get to see her hair rising in the air forming tail like appendages. Oops, I shouldn't have pushed the Minato button.
I backpedal, raising my hands in front of me, "I was just kidding Minato-san, she hasn't mentioned you at all." Somehow this doesn't seem to improve Kushina-sensei's mood.
"Inohana-chan, stop talking." Kushina-sensei says with a twitch. "Minato, this is my adorable and totally going to get run into the ground, apprentice."
"Apprentice?" Both me and Minato ask at the same time.
Kushina rolls her eyes and grabs my arm and forcefully drags me into her arms as usual. "You think you're still just a mission you little brat? I'm teaching you sealing. You're my apprentice, Dattebane."
"Oh." I say quietly. Trying to not cry because that's just more than I expected. I know Kushina matters to me. I hadn't realized I mattered just as much to her. I did plan on making her care, but somehow I just fit with her.
"You're really thick sometimes for such a smart girl, Inohana-chan." Kushina-sensei chuckles.
"I'd hate to ruin a moment, but can we go back to whether your apprentice is kidnapped or not?" Minato asks, watching Kushina cuddle me fondly.
"Her father is awful, Dattebane. It's justified kidnapping." Kushina-sensei argues, "Her mother and uncle just died and he doesn't even care."
I wince, oh it's definitely worse than he doesn't care. How about he told me to kill most of them? Not that I can ever admit that.
Minato's eyes soften, "I'm sorry for your loss," He says to me softly. He turns serious as he looks back up to Kushina-sensei, "What if he reports you, Kushina? The Hokage would have to censure you for any action against a civilian."
"My Father won't do anything." I pipe in where I'm cradled in Kushina-sensei's chest, her hair a curtain around me.
"And why is that?" Minato sounds skeptical. And normally he'd probably be right. With a normal family.
"I'm going to be a ninja so he doesn't really care what I do anymore." I say, making the excuse, explaining why my father lets me do whatever I want. Sounds better then I poured chakra into his brain until he started doing what I wanted.
"That's… I'm sorry you have to go through that." Minato says tiredly. No doubt he's run into a lot of civilians with that thought of ninja. "Kushina, you still can't keep her." He warns as Kushina has brightened. She gives him an evil look and he relents somewhat, "Borrow sometimes maybe." He says with a wry grin, rubbing the back of his head.
"I should go home anyway." I pipe in. Crawling out of my Kushina-sensei snuggle cave.
Kushina-sensei pouts like a child at me as Minato watches with a fond look in his eyes.
"You don't have to leave." Kushina-sensei protests.
I give her a look, "I don't want to be here for what happens next." I say bluntly, making a hole with one hand while inserting a finger through it with the other. Both of them blush bright red. Kushina-sensei spluttering, "how do you even know about that stuff, you're too young, Dattebane!?"
I hesitate on my response, definitely not wanting to mention watching my father rape my caretaker, or... All the other things he's done. Or my previous life and sexual experiences. And my mind blanks, not having another lie handy, my mind coming up completely empty at such a bad time. My silence has both of the adults in front of me straightening and looking at me with worry. Crap, I don't need this right now. I swear to myself. Trying a lie now would be worse. Eject!
"Bye, see you for training, Kushina-sensei! Nice to meet you Minato-san!" I blurt out and run out of the house. I'll definitely have Kushina-sensei interrogate me about my father again, but at least it wouldn't be today. And I could come up with a believable lie and not freeze like I have never told a lie before. What the hell was that?
I sigh as I run down the street, I was halfway across Konoha from my house. That hadn't been the best introduction to the future fourth Hokage I could have had. And seriously how was he so dreamy? It was just… Gah. Why am I so young!
At least I am apparently Kushina-sensei's apprentice. That makes up for everything bad that's happened this week. I groan as it suddenly comes to me, why didn't I just tell them I read about it in an anatomy book or sex education book, surely the academy library has both. I am an idiot!
＊＊＊
In the house two adults sit silently, watching the door from which the young girl had just fled.
"Her father, you said?" Minato asks, eyes sharp.
"Yeah, her father." Kushina growls. Her lip is bleeding from where she bit right through when Inohana had run out of the house to avoid the question. That was not a normal reaction.
"I'll ask around intelligence and see what they know. Inoichi owes me one." Minato offers quietly.
"If he's touched her…" She can't even finish that sentence, she feels sick. She had a bad feeling about that man. He wasn't right. There was just something wrong about him.
"She's your apprentice, we'll protect her." Minato promises seriously. He couldn't help but grin slightly however. "I didn't know you were so great with kids." He teases gently.
"Minato-baka!" Kushina huffs. But falls into his arms for comfort anyway, even if he was being a jerk. She's missed him.
"I got you, Kushina." Minato says softly into her hair. "I got you."
＊＊＊
Authors Note:
Great family times as usual. Bad times aren't over yet, but as I've stated, the civilian side of things will fall off within the next few chapters, and then only reappear when plot needs it.
And chakra or not, Inohana still fears her father enough that she hardly spends a second thinking of not doing what he asked.
Let me know what you think.
If you have questions, opinions, want to know more about anything. Feel free to ask, and I'll try and answer if it isn't too spoiler-ish.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus