Chapter 10 Part 1
Little birds are chirping, the trees gently rustling their lush crowns...
"WAAAH!!"
SPLASH!
...and Naruko's making noise. Almost idyllic.
Stifling a yawn — I really did push myself hard yesterday — I set aside my notebook. My head refused to think clearly. Spiritual fatigue in all its glory: I woke up feeling pretty wrecked and had to actually work at not using any quick-fix recovery methods. It's way better to recover naturally when you can. Kind of training in itself.
Still — totally worth it! A bright sense of satisfaction settled deep in my soul, and no amount of exhaustion could budge it. It's good to do good things. Help people. And non-people too. Gotta admit — I was a little nervous yesterday. The method I used? First time. Not much experience with that kind of thing, so yeah — some apprehension. But it all worked out, and that made me really happy.
What did I do? Kinda hard to explain clearly in words. In simple terms — I brought Mujomizu back to the mortal world. Though that sounds way too grand, at first glance. What I did in that abandoned shrine was... something like a memorial service. Roughly speaking — but that's the closest term. See, it's all about the nature of beings like Kami. They sustain themselves and do their works based solely on people's faith and offerings — that's where they draw energy. Without that, they weaken. Vanish. Some can preserve themselves in some other form, but that depends on each case. Not important. The interesting part is that my actions jump-started the rebirth of the god of misty waters — just in a slightly different state. Like I've said: gods and spirits in this world aren't always enemies. Most of the time, they interact in different ways. Amaterasu-sama is one of the mightiest deities in this world — and even though she differs in some ways from the Amaterasu of THAT reality, she's still got a reputation as a just and noble god. And I, as her priest, have certain authority — including conducting secret rituals in Her name. Taking advantage of the fact that Mujomizu was undeniably a "benevolent" god, I performed the "Ritual of Glorification" — basically "confirming the existence" of the god of misty waters. Don't know what criteria she used, but the supreme goddess showed her favor.
In the end, Mujomizu, god of misty waters, was reborn. No — not quite. He was restored, but changed. No longer a god. Now he's closer to a "loa" or an "angel" — a powerful spiritual entity standing between gods and weaker beings like yokai and mortals. He no longer depends on prayers — no longer being a god — and isn't bound by divine authority. But. Now Mujomizu serves directly under Amaterasu-sama.
I understood all this as the ritual ended. By then it was dark — I collapsed, completely drained, onto the floor of what was now no one's shrine. It wiped me out. But even so — I couldn't stop the smile creeping onto my face. The mystical barrier vanished, returning me to normal space. The ruined shrine was lit only by the soft glow from the altar. For a moment, I thought I saw something like a smile in that light — my ears caught some indistinct words. And then it just... ended. The glow faded, and the shrine sank into twilight.
I got back to the village fast. Like — really fast. The old Kappa, sobbing with happiness, was ready to carry me there on his own back! Thank the gods I managed to talk the deeply moved yokai out of that. Instead, he hauled out a lily pad from somewhere. Clarification: a BIG lily pad. So big three people my size could sit on it comfortably. Then he just ferried me to the bridge. Didn't stop sobbing and singing the praises of me and Amaterasu-sama the whole way. Don't know about the goddess, but I was mortified!
"Arrr!! Dammit — one more time!!!"
"Pf! What an idiot..." came a mutter from the side.
"She's not gonna give up that easy, is she?" I asked Sasuko, who was busy wringing water from her hair.
"Like I said — idiot." Uchiha shrugged.
We watch in silence as the blonde — spraying water everywhere — takes a running start and tears toward the shore. Her feet hit the water, throwing up clouds of spray. One meter, two...
SPLOOSH!!
"Uggghbl!!!" Uzumaki gurgled, tumbling head over heels. She'd gotten a good run-up, so inertia carried her a fair bit forward.
"Hmm... We don't really talk much, do we?" I turned to the brunette. Come to think of it — we've basically never had a real conversation. Even during training.
"That's right," Sasuko said shortly.
"Uff-uff... aaand... One more time!!!!"
"Naruko's kind of amazing, isn't she?" I nod toward the girl lining up yet another run.
"'Amazing'? What about it?.." She glanced at me, puzzled, wrinkling her nose in that funny way she has. "She's just a narrow-minded idiot who doesn't know when to stop!"
KERSPLOOOSH
"Avvverrbubble-bubble!.."
"Weell... Maybe Naru-chan's a little bit dumb..." The black eyes look at me oddly. "Hm... Also: loud, quarrelsome, boastful, annoying, dumb... Gm? Did I say that one already?.."
All I got back was a smirk and a contemptuous snort.
"What nonsense." Uchiha shook out her wet hair.
"Maybe?.. But you know, Sasuko-san — despite all that, it doesn't take anything away from Naruko's good points."
"Hmm? Like what?"
"Like?.. Stubbornness." I point with my eyes at the subject of discussion. "Hard to find anyone more stubborn than her. Once something gets wedged into that fluffy head of hers, nothing's knocking it out. If anything — hitting it just drives it deeper. The naivety... isn't exactly a fatal flaw either. And despite everything, she's a really open person. You might not see it, but she's fiercely loyal — really values friendship. Be her friend, and she'll run herself into the ground for you. Oh — and she can't lie worth a damn," I added after a moment's thought.
"You know her that well?" Uchiha asked after a pause.
"Well... We're neighbors!" I spread my hands with a grin. "And she's always barging in for dinner... and lunch... and breakfast... and she eats for three... food costs... argh!" I ruffled my own hair, cutting myself off. "Anyway — I've had plenty of time to get to know Naruko. All sides of her."
"Pfeh!.. Only idiot-Naruko would do stuff like that..." Sasuko murmured with a smirk.
"That's not good," came Sakurai's voice from where he was sprawled nearby. Also soaked — but mostly dried off in the sun by now. Oh. Kind of forgot about him. The boy was frowning: "It's not good — her mooching off you and causing trouble, Kaoru-san! You should be firmer. Don't let her get so brazen, doing whatever she wants! It's just not proper."
"Well... I don't really mind." I shrugged casually and smiled. "Honestly, I like cooking for someone besides myself. Reminds me of kitchen shifts at the temple! There were just under thirty of us — all those mouths to feed, and we didn't exactly have staff. Wake up before everyone, get the cauldrons on the fire, then prayer in the main hall, quick breakfast, cleaning the grounds, whatever work needed doing, a bit of free time, evening service, leftover breakfast for dinner, washing dishes, a little more time, then sleep. New morning, new chores..." I close my eyes, seeing our temple — and the perpetually pissed-off Old Man. Always with that damn broom — devils take it twig by twig... I saw it, and couldn't help a sigh. "Man. Nostalgia."
"Ooh — really?" Haruno's voice cut through the haze. I could hear the curiosity clear in his words. "I've never been to a temple in my life. What's it like, Kaoru-san?"
"Peaceful." I didn't even have to think. "Calm. Quiet. I lived there since I was a kid. The Temple — it was like it was cut off from the rest of the world, even with all those villages and towns right below. And living there was also kind of boring." I smile. "Not for my personality. As long as I can remember, I always wanted something more than a quiet, steady life. So... I ended up here. Ha-ha..."
"Hm." Uchiha's contribution — brief as ever — tilting her head back to look at the sky. This time she was hard to read.
SPLASH
"Hah — okay, this is too much for me." I got to my feet, reluctantly. "Stooooop, little goldfish!"
I catch Uzumaki by the collar just in time. Soaked to the bone!
"Wabb?!!" She gurgled, surprised. "Koru-chan?"
"Better take a break, Naruko. Rest. Try again later!" I say it sternly, looking past the wet tangles of hair into her blue eyes.
"I don't have time for that!" Naruko protested — though she was pretty out of breath. "Just a little more! Just a tiny bit! I'll show them I'm not a loser! That stuck-up Hedgehog, and idiot-Sensei, and that little brat!"
"Ram your head into a wall, and the wall wins!" What a goof. She worked herself up way too much.
I carefully clear the aforementioned forehead of hair and — very deliberately — rap on it.
"Ow!"
"So — no need to overdo it." I say it like I'm teaching. "Sometimes it pays to stop. Think a little. And now — you need to dry off. Shinobi are tough, but you shouldn't walk around in wet clothes."
"Ahh... I'll be quick! Watch this, Koru-chan!!!" Hands clapped in a seal — she took a breath and...
FWOOOOOOSH!!
"M... pafh?!" I shake my head, dazed, flicking water from my face.
"How d'you like that, Koru-chan?! Cool, right?!" Flashing a huge grin, the girl bounced in place. Water no longer streamed off her like a leaky bucket... instead, everything around her was soaked.
"Naruko... May I ask — what was that?" I ask calmly. With a calm gesture. Calmly wringing out my sleeve. I am calm. Completely calm. I think I've just gotten used to not being surprised by whatever this girl pulls.
"Invented it myself!" Uzumaki declared, cheeks puffed with pride. "Sensei said you've gotta push water away to walk on it. But sometimes I push too hard — it throws me in the air!!! So I thought — hey, this thing's great for drying clothes! I'm awesome, right?! But I think it messes up my outfit a little..." She poked at a frayed spot on her suit, looking a bit sheepish.
"Yeah, I see that... That's... pretty amazing." I murmured, thoughtful. Naruko... is so Naruko. What kind of mental gymnastics do you even need to arrive at "dry yourself with concentrated chakra bursts"? On the other hand — it works! She's basically dry now... The clothing damage? Probably the high-speed moisture repulsion tearing at the fabric. Or something. Don't feel like thinking about it. "That's really creative, Naruko. Don't think many people use chakra that way."
"Yep! I'm awesome!" The girl beamed, pleased.
"Ah — by the way, Naruko?" I suddenly remembered.
"Huh? Nani-nani?"
"I heard from Sakurai-kun what happened yesterday. Naruko." I put a hand on her shoulder. "Naruko. You... you tried to beat up a kid? Seriously? A child half your age? A civilian? Seriously, Naruko?!"
Under my stare, Uzumaki's smile wilted — her head drooping lower with every word until she couldn't lift her eyes from the ground.
"W-well..." she mumbled, ashamed. "And what about him?! He was... saying stuff... scaring people with some... some 'Gato' or whatever... They underestimate shinobi!!" She lifted her head, fixing her eyes on mine. Everything was in there: shame, outrage, hurt, guilt. And determination. "We're not a bunch of weaklings! I'm not a weakling! I won't let anyone underestimate me!.."
"So... did you beat him up?" I cut through her outburst. Hm — this is getting a little dangerous. She's starting to stink of the Tailed Beast again.
".... No." She mumbled, dropping her head again.
"Good." I smile, satisfied. Looks like Naruko's better than I thought. I was worried she had no restraint when she got worked up — but she can hold herself back. That's good. I gave her wet hair an encouraging ruffle — getting a surprised, uncomprehending look from those big blue eyes. "You shouldn't blame him too much, Naruko. You've gotta understand — he's just a normal person. Normal people are weak against stuff like this. Fear. Despair when something feels inevitable. Not everyone can fight it — not everyone's got the strength. But it's not their fault, you get that? Maybe not in your heart — but your head's gotta understand. You see what I'm saying?"
"Uh-huh?.. I guess?" The girl sounded doubtful — everything about her screaming she'd understood very little, if anything.
"It'll come. With time." I shook my head. Although... I didn't totally follow my own words there. But I can't show that. In these situations, you just pretend it was all exactly as planned. "Now go rest. At least an hour. Pick up training later."
"Uh-huh..." Staring off somewhere, the girl replied — walking toward the village with a distant look.
"Kaoru-san?.." Sakurai called. I turned and met Haruno's eyes. Something serious going on behind them.
"What's up, Sakurai-kun?"
"I think... I get what you said now. About shinobi being... far away." He glanced toward the departed Uzumaki. "We're that disconnected from regular people, aren't we? We're something beyond what you'd call 'ordinary,' right?"
"That's right."
"And there's nothing you can do about it, is there?" He asked — but didn't seem to expect a different answer.
"That's right," I said again. "The gap's too big. I've heard samurai from the Land of Iron can go toe-to-toe with shinobi — but they use chakra too. So they're not exactly regular warriors either. If it helps, Sakurai-kun — the world's never been equal, and nobody can change that. Maybe the gods could?.. But they've got no reason to. Besides — they're not equal either. In this case, you just accept it and act accordingly."
"Maybe that's how it is." The boy sounded thoughtful.
"Maybe." I shrug. Then smile: "Or maybe I'm just sleep-deprived and spouting nonsense — half of which I don't even understand myself! Ha-ha!.."
"You're joking, Kaoru-san?" Sakurai smiled.
"Only partly. Maybe?" I spread my hands, carefree.
"Hey — that IS a joke, right? That's a joke, right??"
"Ha-ha!.."