Chapter 15: Scrolls and cats
・
'Inner thoughts'
Writing/Tsukiyomi
Shakko-kun
Yukino's POV
Running quickly home I grabbed my satchel and took out the diamond, kunai, and hair tie and placed them on the shelf by my bed and grabbed a small glass container that had little purple balls inside with the medicine or 'essentials' as Tsukiyomi called it that she/he gave me a couple of days ago, placing it in my satchel I took out my canteen to fill. Up I went to the second floor of my little home to the water source to grab clean water. Having everything ready I put on my sandals and cloak before making my way back.
Wrapping the cloak around my satchel strap I began skipping back to the Uchiha home my anklets clicked together in a steady rhythm, my bag bounced as well as its contents inside and my hair brushed against my face.
Entering the compound I unwrapped my cloak from the strap and made my way back to the house. I was about to reach the main entrance when three men I didn't recognize exited, stopping I looked around to see if I was in the wrong area until I saw Fugaku-san in his uniform exit as well.
"Fugaku-san!" I waved. 'He must be going to work' I thought noticing the black, open front apron with white diamonds on the bottom. 'I should ask Mikoto-san what he does.'
"Hm." one his companions seemed to say as the other two turned to look at me. "Who is she?" the man with shoulder length hair and dark eyes with a sort of a frown on his face for some reason said.
"A friend of Sasuke's" Fugaku-san explained looking at him. 'Am I?' I thought 'I never asked.'
"Ah, Shisui!" A man with shoulder-length dull black hair with a black dot on his forehead said drawing everyone's attention to Shisui.
Turning I saw him coming to the house as well with a bag on his shoulder. 'Wait wasn't he in the house already?' I realized as I halted for a moment.
"Hi!" I waved before turning around. "I brought apples this time," I told Fugaku-san before making my way slowly around the mean looking guy that was glaring at me. Passing him I walked slowly on purpose to hear a bit of their conversation.
"Shisui." The old man said.
"Yashiro-san"
"I heard of your feats so far. The clan is overjoyed to have someone so talented be apart of us."
"Wait!" Shisui called grabbing my attention, "Please tell them I'll be in soon."
"Okay." I said turning around and walking into the house but not before yelling, "One question!" and going inside.
Entering the house I took off my sandals and headed to the kitchen to meet up with everyone else. "I'm back."
"Do you have everything you need?" Mikoto-san asked as she was packing something into Sasuke's bag.
"Yes and Shisui says that he will be in soon."
"That's good..." turning around she noticed my whole outfit. "Where did you get that?" she asked surprised.
Flashes of what happened in Suna passed through my head quickly, but that wasn't the only thing that came to mind and my chest became tight. "My guardian," I responded not really knowing what to say.
?
Fox circled the man blue eyes never leaving his black ones before coming to a stop and pouncing in front of him. During the jump, the fox turned into a woman with white hair along with a pair of fox ears and tail "So let me guess…" she said leaning close to the glaring man. "That girl isn't yours, not with how your body is," she said pointing at his body as a whole.
"What do you want."
"Nothing. Just answers" she said twirling around him while keeping a close watch on his movements. His every twitch and breath, "And it seems you've gotten better at speaking the current language," she said quietly.
"Is that really all you want?" he said ignoring the last bit.
The woman tilted her head in response, "Maaaybe."
"I thought that you became bored of me since then," he said keeping his eyes on her.
"My servants have told me of your odd movements, your constant presences in this area over the last two years. I ignored it at first until they noticed that you were with someone. A child," ignoring him she began rambling "Hm. Did you perhaps take her from her family?" throwing a glance she began pacing in front of him. "No? Now could she be that thing you were working on when I left?" Without waiting for a reaction she quickly added, "Did the dead give you the answers you seek, again?" Hearing his heartbeat speed up a bit made her lips curl up slightly. "Ah. Now that's interesting… so you were able to finally accomplish it."
"What makes you so sure that it isn't some kid I took pity on."
"A war occurred not long ago and you didn't do this… there is also another reason… the thing you can't control and has always given you away…" the woman said pointing her delicate pointy nail to his chest, "Your heart."
He brushed her hand away and started to walk away but she followed making sure to stay close and within arms reach behind him as fog started to suddenly appear and surround both of them.
"I saw your interaction with it… if you don't mind then… could I perhaps borrow her for a couple of days?"
"No." she pouted at his response since she really wanted to play with it.
"Why? I won't harm her. I'll just train her, isn't that why you have her?" She said as the fog started to lighten up a bit.
"Your definition of training differs from mine."
"It won't hurt to toughen her up a bit," she said as both of them stepped into a mountain area that wasn't there before. It had small houses surrounded by trees. However the trees in the clearing that they were in were the only ones with fog in it.
"No. I'm sure you can understand why," he said glancing at the woman behind him.
"My methods may be a bit rough but it works." She said skipping ahead and standing in front of him. "You will come to me at one point so why not sooner rather than later." The man pushed past her and walked back to the trees that had a thick fog around them. "Leaving so soon?" She said staring at his fading silhouette, 'Too bad I really wanted to know why you still cling to that form.'
He had long since disappeared but she stayed there staring at the area where he was. She gave a huge sigh before shaking her head "She hasn't changed one bit… that Tsu… well… I might as well go and see the girl." The woman told herself walking back into the trees letting the fog surround her.
Konoha Gates
Clutching the bag strap I looked at the huge gates in front of me 'whoa,' I thought looking up and stumbling back as I almost fell from tilting my head up. "Be careful," Shisui said pushing me up making sure I didn't fall. I thanked him and pulled my hood up.
"Sasuke, don't go too far," Itachi called walking in the direction of the little boy that was running through the gates and into the road. Regaining my balance I walked quickly to the two boys to not be left behind.
・・・
Passing through the many trees and shrubs I looked around curiously since the last time I was out it was at night time and I couldn't see as good. Looking back I could see both Itachi and Shisui talking with each other happily, well Shisui was doing most of the talking.
"Sasuke," I said trying to get his attention.
"Yes?" he said turning around immediately.
"Are we friends?"
"Of course!" He said with a smile when suddenly he breaks into a sprint, surprised I walk faster after him, he stops in front of a rock in the road he placed a foot on top while pointing ahead. Slowing down I start walking towards him and whip my cloak to the side to adjust my satchel.
"We take this road to Sora-ku right nii-san?" he yelled and Itachi nodded in response with a small smile.
・・・
I noticed how the sun had started to reach the horizon and Itachi and Shisui seemed to have noticed as well "Sora-ku is still a bit far but we will stay here for tonight." Shisui said gesturing that we go off the road and into the forest.
"I'll gather wood!" Sasuke said looking at his older brother for permission.
"We still need to find a spot to set up camp," he responded with a slight smile.
After walking for a while I kept glancing at Sasuke who was lagging a bit behind collecting a couple of sticks as we walked. Slowing down I kept glancing back and forth between the older boys and Sasuke to make sure I didn't lose sight of either, "I think this place will be good." I heard Itachi say as we caught up and entered a small clearing.
"And it's near a river too." I heard Shusui say as he came out of a couple of trees ahead.
"Can we start a fire now?" Sasuke asked his brother.
"Yes Sasuke, but I think we will need more branches," he said pointing to the sticks in his arms.
"Okay!" He said placing down the sticks he collected minus one and running to me "Look, grabs sticks like this," he said giving me the stick before running off and looking around for more. Looking at the stick in hand and the ones in his pile I noticed the similarities between them dry, cracked a bit, and had nothing growing on it. Placing it down I went looking for more.
'This has mold' I thought placing the first stick I found down 'This one has fungi' I thought at the third stick, throwing it in the process.
After a while of searching, I came back to the camp with as many sticks as I could find only to run into Sasuke carrying a bit more sticks than me. He noticed the comparison and smiled proudly at himself. Reaching the clearing I could see a soft red glow emitting between the trees. Curiosity had a better hold on me took control and I sped up slightly to see where the light came from. Emerging from the trees and almost tripping I saw Shisui sitting in front of a small fire along with Itachi as they were both fanning it to prevent it from going out.
・・・
We were all sitting by the warmth of the fire eating the food Mikoto-san had packed as I remembered my medicine. Pulling my satchel on my lap I began rummaging through it for the small glass bottle. Opening it I shook it slightly to drop a single ball onto my hand before closing the bottle once more.
"Yuki nee-san, what is that?" Sasuke asked curiously looking at the bottle in my hand.
"It's Yukino and why do you still call me, sister?" I asked quickly before answering his question, "and this is medicine" I told him shaking my bottle a bit.
"Yukino-chan," Shisui joined in from his conversation with Itachi "It seems that little Sasuke-chan here has a liking for you and gave you a nickname," he said giving a wink, that had some meaning to it that I couldn't quite grasp.
"No, I don't," I heard the small grumble beside me.
"Nickname?" I chose to ask instead.
"It's another name a person can call you aside from your real name."
"Oh." I nodded while taking out my canteen and putting the bottle back inside.
Realizing the conversation was over Shisui turned back to Itachi as they both continued talking in low voices. Popping the pill into my mouth I started to munch on it and swallow before drinking water to wash away the taste, as I put down the canteen I could see Sasuke's face scrunch up in response, "Isn't it sour?"
"No this medicine is sweet,"
"Really?" I nodded in response, "are you sick?" he asked his eyes wide.
"No, my guardian said so I could grow strong… or something." this seemed to catch the attention of the two older boys as they gave a glance to each other.
"Really? Could I have some?" Sasuke asked as his face lit up.
"No. She… no, he said that medicine…" taking some time to think I remembered what he said next, "given to those that it was not meant to can harm instead."
・・・
Sitting at the base of a tree I watched as the last embers of the fire start to go out, placing my head on my knees I turned to see Itachi and Sasuke sleeping together peacefully at the base of another tree. A pang of guilt suddenly hit me as I tried to push the feeling aside I straightening up and looked at the sky above me and closed my eyes hoping for sleep to take over, after a couple of minutes I opened them again to see the same stars and branches above me.
I hated the silence of nowadays it gave me time to think and hear said thoughts and the ones that popped up weren't happy ones. "Can't sleep?" The sudden voice asked startling me, looking above me I saw Shisui sitting on a branch.
"I want to… but can't," I answered quietly to not wake up the two sleeping boys, grateful for the distraction "you?"
"I'm keeping watch," he answered jumping down from his spot with a small thud.
"Watch for what?" I asked as he sat down next to me at the base of the tree. Feeling my legs go a bit numb I stretched them out in front of me, but that moment was enough for him to notice the engravings inside of my anklets.
Worried he chose not to show it and decided as if he didn't notice, "There are dangers in the forest so we need to be careful."
"Oh. Like a bear?"
"Yes like a bear or boar," he said keeping silent as his eyes scanned the trees. Depending on the angle he moved his head the thing on his forehead would reflect the moon's light. Glancing at Itachi I noted how he had one as well but Sasuke didn't.
"Shisui?"
"Hm?" he said turning his head to face me as he did I noticed the shape resembling a leaf on it.
"What is the thing on your forehead for?"
"This is a symbol that I am a shinobi of Konoha," he said tipping it a bit.
"How do you become a shinobi?"
"Mmm… Depending on the village you live in it can vary." He said before stopping and thinking on how to explain it "in Konoha you have to attend the academy and graduate to become a shinobi."
"How do you enter the academy?"
"There are three requirements. 1. you must love the village to help keep peace and prosperity," he said lifting one finger, "2. you must have the will to work hard and endure tough training" this time lifting two fingers, "and 3. you must be healthy in mind and body." this time he raised three fingers before placing his hand back down. "Why do you want to become a shinobi?"
Hearing his question I stayed silent not knowing how to answer 'Why do I want to become shinobi? Because Tsukiyomi told me to or…' Flashes of the shinobi I met in the woods along with Shijima-sama appeared giving me an answer "I want to help." Was the only thing I could say before a sheet of silence engulfed us, the me within me told me to not to tell but a part of me wanted to just tell someone to at least to remove some of the heavyweight I was carrying, "I'm lucky to be here…" I said my voice quivering slightly, "had I known how to fight I might've helped and she wouldn't have been taken away, she would still be home with her sister." I quietly said wrapping my arms around my knees feeling a familiar burning sensation reach my eyes along with the tight feeling in my throat I glanced once again at Itachi and Sasuke peacefully sleeping. 'They're separated because I couldn't help.'
"I don't know what happened but had you fought you might've not been here." He said patting my head "I'm sure you did the best you could."
・・・
Opening my eyes I realized that I had fallen asleep at some point, rubbing my eyes and wiping away the tears I realized that I was leaning on Shisui. His face was peaceful as but his body was cold as he leaned back against the tree, pushing myself away carefully to not wake him up I stood up and brushed the frost that started to form on my hands and face. Feeling so much lighter than before I took off my cloak and placed it on top of him to warm him up since my frost had reached him. Looking at him I gave a silent thank you before looking up at the tree taking in a deep breath I began climbing, reaching the top I got myself comfortable and began meditating to calm myself.
What's wrong? Taking a while I hesitated a bit before answering 'Do you think she's fine?' Who knows his answer added more weight as I asked another question afraid of the answer 'Do you think I'll see her again?' Only if you look for her the answer gave me some hope 'Where do I start' Start by getting stronger 'I'm already doing that.' Learn techniques, what about that book? Does it say anything on how? Realizing he had a point I pulled the book out quickly from my satchel and started flipping through it reading the title of each, eyes, rewind, time dilation, time insertion, medical ninjutsu, water manipulation, teleportation… The last three.
Reading the medical ninjutsu pages seemed difficult involving the study of the body, humans, animals, nerves and other important things.
The water manipulation seemed interesting all that was needed was good concentration and the fusion of both chakra and water. Thinking back I remembered how Tsukiyomi used something like how the book described back when we were returning to the village. Flipping to the next pages a certain word or should I say name caught my attention Shisui going back to the beginning of the sentence I began reading.
There is a shinobi known for his great talent for using the teleportation technique in battle, that shinobi's name was Shisui of the Body Flicker. By now you should have met him when you find time to ask him to teach you.
A shiver ran up my spine knowing that that was indeed true I met him but how did the person that write it know?
The cry of a hawk caught my attention before I could read more as I looked up to see where it came from. Extending my arm as I've seen Tsukiyomi do, the hawk flew down with a good grip on my sleeve giving me a good view of how sharp its talons were. Reaching slowly for the letter on its back I took out the small roll. The hawk started to suddenly flap its wings and lift itself into the air as it flew away I sat there looking at its form before looking at the letter in my hand and began unrolling it.
This will be my last letter to you. No matter what happens please remain to be friends with Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari-sama.
-Yashamaru
'Did he move?' was what I thought at first but something told me that wasn't it. Folding the letter carefully I placed it inside my satchel. Sighing I opened my book again and decided to start reading from the eyes pages again.
Sora-ku
The whole way there I avoided eye contact with Shisui not knowing how to talk to him over what happened last night and stayed close to Sasuke putting on a smile like a day prior. Sora-ku was dark empty and really there wasn't much to look at first glance, but if you give it a closer look you could spot people in some of the buildings.
Even with how the city looked the boys seemed to know where to go so I followed them to this abandoned looking building. The place was empty until we entered this one room with an older looking woman with wild gray hair and cat ears on her head.
"Neko-baa!" Sasuke exclaimed at seeing the old lady.
"Sasuke-chan, are you here for another task?" She said, "who is this, nya?"
"This is Yukino-chan, kaa-san asked her to tag along," Itachi said introducing me to her, "this is Nekobaa, Yukino-chan."
・・・
After the introduction Itachi and Shisui began talking to Nekobaa about kunai, paper bombs, and stuff as I zoned out and looked around to distract myself, noting how there were a couple of cats laying around. A couple of them glanced at me and went to sleep not taking interest in me anymore.
Looking at Sasuke I could tell he was beginning to become impatient by the way he was looking around and looking at his brother frequently.
"Sasuke-chan, here is your task, nya," Nekobaa said to Sasuke beckoning him to grab the paper she had in her hand as she was holding it out for him.
His face lit up as he made his way to her, "thank you!"
"You'll find your target at the abandoned library." Hearing the word 'library' piqued my interest as I looked at both of them.
"Okay." He said running out, standing there I just looked at the exit and at Nekobaa "Yuki nee-san help me look," he said popping his head from the exit.
After passing by abandoned building after buildings with people selling interesting stuff and being pulled away by Sasuke calling them "Shady" a big smile was plastered on his face the moment we entered the abandoned and crumbling library. "Look here I'll look in the back," he said running off.
Glancing at the many books I searched each aisle for the cat that was on Sasuke's paper. Empty. Empty. Empty… I thought as I passed by an aisle with a lady. Shaking my head I looked back at the aisle to find it empty confused I turned around only to bump into someone, "S-sorry." I said without looking at who it was.
"Wow. What pretty eyes you have they look so similar yet different I wonder why…" said the person as they lifted my face with both hands and I was met face to face with a pretty woman with white hair and blue eyes. "Oh, and such chubby cheeks must be because of the baby fat," she said pinching them slightly.
"Umm.," I said feeling uncomfortable with the sudden closeness.
"Oh. Sorry," she said giving me a sheepish grin "But I need help, you see my wrist hurts and I can't reach the scroll up there," She said pointing with a hand that had a bandage around the wrist that wasn't there before. Looking at where she was pointing I spotted a thin scroll poking from the highest shelf being illuminated slightly by light that shone from a hole on the library's roof. I turned to look at her. To which she fluttered her eyes "please…" she pleaded.
'Maybe I could see the cat from up there' I thought convincing myself. Nodding I looked for a ladder and pushed it as close to the scroll as I could and began climbing. Reaching the top I reached for the scroll and grasped it easily, upon closer inspection the scroll was different from the ones I've seen it had engravings on the sides, swirls and leaves nothing fancy.
"If you want the scroll you can take it, nya" the sudden voice startled me as I almost stumbled back. Holding onto the ladder tightly trying to not fall back I looked for the source of the voice and coming face to face with a grey cat with a white spot on its chest. "You see these books and scrolls just collect dust, there isn't enough space to sleep here because of them, nya" the cat meowed resembling the one Sasuke was looking for, except for the white spot.
Looking back down for the lady I saw that she was gone, but I heard the cat grumble something about foxes, "Uhm? Really?" I asked hungrily scanning through the books on the shelves I could see.
"Yes, they've been collecting dust for years now. You would be doing me a favor, nya" the cat said wiping the dust off with its tail on the spot where the scroll was.
"Excuse me Neko-san but have you seen a cat that looks just like you but without the white spot?" I said pointing to its chest.
"White spot?" The cat looked down at its chest, "how embarrassing, thank you for telling me, nya" He said wiping off the white spot with one of its paws. 'So it is the cat.'
"Um excuse me Neko-san but could I get your pawprint? My friend wants it," The cat looked up from cleaning itself before looking at me in the eyes.
"Hah? Do you know what you are asking for?"
"Your paw print?" I said with uncertainty.
"No! Getting my pawprint is the equivalent of seeing one naked!" He cat said puffing its small body.
"Is that bad?"
"Of course it is! Tell me why do you see your kind wear clothes then?"
"Because it's cold and also that's not true once I saw…"
・
Flashback a couple of days ago
Smiling after placing the fresh new batch of permissions in the fruit bowl I was about to open the door to go outside when I heard laughter coming from the veranda as well as screaming "Sasuke come back you are going to catch a cold!"
Curious I opened the door leading to the veranda to see a naked Sasuke run by, along with Itachi in a towel chasing after him with a towel in hand.
Flashback end
・
"And he didn't get sick," I said after finishing the story.
"Yuki nee-san do you see it from there?" I heard the familiar voice say from below.
"Sasuke! I found him." I said motioning to the cat next to me.
"Hey!" The cat hissed at Sasuke down below, "Next time you chose to run around naked have some decency about it and make sure no one is around!"
・・・
"I'm sorry…" Sasuke said, by then I was already in the ground with the scroll and the cat had given him his paw print along with a lecture. 'So it's bad to run naked when someone is watching.' I concluded from the whole conversation, but I chose that I wouldn't want to do anyways 'it is too cold for it.'
"This stays between us, you hear me, nya?"
"Yes," we said in unison.
I watched as the cat turned to leave feeling a tug at my sleeve looked at Sasuke "Let's go back to Nekobaa."
I nodded but I remembered the scroll that I still had in my hand, "excuse me, but can I really keep the scroll?" I asked lifting it up.
"Hm? Sure I bet that fox was just playing around with you. Be wary of them, nya" he said before entering once again into the shadows of the library. Glancing once more at the library I made a silent vow to the books, 'I'll come back for you.'
・・・
"We're back," we said in unison as we entered the room.
"Hm. Did you two complete the task already?" Nekobaa asked as Sasuke pulled out the paper with the paw print. She took it and placed it inside a book with pictures of different cats along with their paw prints.
"Just in time too we already finished what we came to do," Shisui said pointing to a scroll he had in his hand.
"Thank you Nekobaa for your help," Itachi said putting on his bag.
"That's what I'm here for, nya"
Mount. Inari
'Why did the cat have to appear…' the fox thought to itself, but she smiled nevertheless, 'At least I gave her a little gift. I'm sure Tsu won't mind' remembering that the girl wasn't alone she snapped her fingers and two white foxes with red scarves around their necks appeared.
"At your service-"
"Skip it," she said cutting them off, "Now, the job I have for you is simple please investigate this girl," she lifted her hand up creating an illusion of the girl she saw, "and the people she is traveling with at the moment."
Knowing that she would cut them off again they nodded slightly before disappearing in a gust of wind.
・・・
Standing up excited at the appearance of the two white foxes she inched closer to them "So? What did you learn?"
"One is a prodigy of the Uchiha clan only 10 years of age," the fox on her left spoke first.
"The other is a talented shinobi of the Uchiha as well only 13 years of age soon to be fourteen," Finished the second fox.
'Interesting…' "Is that all?"
"No, there is another aged 5. This one, however, is slightly above average if compared to other children his age." they both said in unison.
"In his clan?"
"In his village," both foxes said in unison.
"That will be all," the woman said as the two foxes disappeared quickly. 'Hmm… this is quite intriguing.'
Land of fire
The road back to Konoha was the same, Sasuke was ahead and Itachi and Shisui were behind. Thinking back to the night before I slowed down to talk to Shisui.
The two boys noticed and Itachi nodded deciding to go ahead, "Shisui?"
"Is something wrong?"
"N-no, just… thank you."
The boy stared before giving a soft smile "It's fine. Friends do this for each other." he said ruffling my hair.
"So we're friends?" I asked taking out the comb and fixing my hair.
"Of course."
Smiling I looked ahead before I remembered what the book said, "Shisui, can you teach me the teleportation jutsu?"
"How did you know I can perform the technique?"
"The clan… I heard." I said remembering what the old man said. 'Maybe it's related to that.'
"So you heard about that." He said laughing embarrassed. "Anyways sure… I'll teach you." I nodded enthusiastically forming my hands into fists in front of me 'I WILL train hard.' "Yukino-chan?"
"Hm?"
"You always seem to be wearing those anklets it's almost like you never take them off," he jokingly said, trying to confirm some of his suspicions.
"Right. He said not to take them off until I'm told to." he continued his fake laughter until things became silent, "Can I use my question?" I said cutting through the silence.
He glanced at me before laughing trying to lighten up the mood, "But you already asked so many."
"One more!" I said skipping in front of him and turning to walk backward.
"Fine just another."
"How old are you?"
"Me? I'm three years older than Itachi at the moment, can you estimate how old I am?"
'So Sasuke is 5 and Itachi is older than him by five…' extending both hands in front of me, I saw my answer '10. So 10 plus 3 is… 13' "Thirteen! You're thirteen!" I exclaimed pointing at Shisui.
"Close, I'll be turning 14 in a couple of days, on October 19."
"I was still close."
Settling in the forest once again we sat by the fire that they older boys made as they set fish in sticks cooking them slowly.
"Hey, Yuki nee-san." Sasuke said nudging me slightly, "what does the scroll say?"
Upon mentioning the scroll I turned to my satchel and took it out and began reading it aloud.
・
There once was a boy, who lived within a small house
In his house lived a dog and a mouse
In the pond next to his house lived a goldfish
Each night he had a vivid dream that showed his wish
To fly like a bird
One day while fishing he found a scroll
That taught him to run as fast as a dog
To swim even faster and jump even higher than a frog
But he still wished to fly like a dove
The cloudy sky, the starry night above
The boy soon realized that the scroll was the clue to find the next
Such a joy and rush at seeing this was the effect
He searched in the toad's land and snake's cave for the next clues
Finally, he arrived at the fox lands a place of fire so blue
With the scroll in hand, he looked at the secret within
To master the first scroll one can master the second
Wings sprouted and finally, he could fly with a big grin
But as luck would have it he lost it in a sec
Now waiting in the land of swirling waters for the next one to find it
・
Finishing the odd story I turned to Sasuke, "That's all," I said looking at his confused face. Knocking off my leg the rolled up portion of the scroll, I looked and noticed more writing peeking from underneath the rolled up portion. Unrolling it a bit more I could see instructions in an old language I was familiar with, referencing to the boy's story I just read.
Beast Soul: the capturing of an animal's essence through living like one for a full day or more depending on the complexity of the creature. At the end of the process, one must acquire a part of the animal significant to it and placing it within the sealing circle drawn. A fallen whisker from a cat, fur from a dog, or the scale of a fish. And placing that seal somewhere on the user's own body.
Stopping myself from reading anymore I began rolling it back up 'Another thing to study…'
Leaf village
"Did you enjoy going to Sora-ku, Yukino-chan?" Mikoto-san asked as we entered the house.
"Yes! I learned so many things and will learn more!" I exclaimed wanting to tell her all about it.
"That is wonderful." She caught a glimpse of the outside and stopped me from taking off my shoes. "It's getting late you should return home before it becomes dark, Shisui if it isn't a bother can you accompany her?"
"I don't mind," he said before waving goodbye to Itachi and a sleepy Sasuke that was on his back.
"I'll see you tomorrow!" I said waving goodbye.
・・・
"Yukino-chan are you sure your house is nearby?" He asked the moment I stepped into the forest.
"Yep," I confirmed moving a couple of shrubs aside but as I did my cloak became snagged on a branch so I stopped to pull it free. Once free I looked back up to see a shadow in the trees making me jump.
"You returned I thought it would take longer." The familiar voice said calming me.
"Tsuki- I mean. I'm back," I said remembering how Shisui was still behind me.
Noticing that I've been talking to someone, Shisui sped up to reach me, "Hello, I'm Uchiha Shisui," Shisui introduced himself when he noticed Tsukiyomi while he just stared at the raven-haired boy who smiled with one hand extended.
"Nice to meet you," he said giving him a small smile but ignoring his hand. He bent slightly toward to me to whisper, "there are some things I need to talk to you about," he tilted his head to the side signaling for me to go home.
"Okay. Bye Shisui, see you!" I said waving as I left glancing back once more.
Shisui was left waving as he turned to the other male next to him "So what's your name…" he started asking but noticed that there was no one there.
Tsukiyomi's POV
Standing outside her home the girl just stood there looking around for him. Sighing he tried to shake away the words that the fox told him not long ago.
・
Flashback to a couple of hours ago
Watching from the broken roof of the shrine he lingered thinking. His face scrunched up in pain, as he lifted his fist and was about to hit the shrine but stopped and instead held his head in his hands.
"Oh, this is a first."
"What is it," he said replying to the all too familiar being behind him.
"Well, I've been thinking after I went to see the child and you know what?" The woman said placing herself down next to him. He gave no answer but she kept talking "I doubt that you only need her to become strong, in fact, I looked at the boys she was traveling with and two of them seem very promising they are sure to give strong offspring."
Shaking his head he started to stand up to leave but something told him that this wasn't the end of it.
"Wait, hear me out," the woman said pulling him back down. "There was another thing I noticed about the girl when I got close… she resembles you slightly, doesn't she? She also smells vaguely similar to you as well, I only notice such things between parent and offspring." the woman said watching him closely as she pulled him down to a sitting position, "Did you make her just so she could continue on with your bloodline?" The woman asked staring at the man before her frozen, suddenly the male form he was in crumbled into snow and there sat the black haired woman staring at the ground trembling.
Flashback end
・
It took a while for him to regain the form he was in so she couldn't go pick up the girl the moment she entered the village. He hated to admit it but that fox was as clever as ever and knew what to say to make her crack. Her previous methods didn't work so she has resorted to doing things she wasn't proud of and that girl was the result.
Stepping out of the shadows, the girl noticed him and ran to him with a grin on her face. He was about to step back but she stopped before making contact with him and stared quietly instead, "Listen, I want you to start studying the history of ninshu once you do make sure to practice these," he said pulling out a purplish scroll containing the mind transmission technique an older version of the mind-body transmission technique, from his sleeve and handing it to her and then pulled out another scroll as well, this time in a black scroll containing a forbidden technique inside, "Never show the black scroll to anyone and only begin studying it once you have learned the one in the lavender scroll." He said gripping her hand holding onto the black scroll before letting go "You will find the books you need in the library." He said normally.
・
This is a huge chapter (18 pages new personal record!), the reason behind is because I didn't want to split them up into two parts.
Another thing a time skip will occur in the next one leading up to the academy years which means that I will skip age five.
What could have been Tsukiyomi's previous attempts? Only I know but I won't reveal it just yet.