The caw broke the stillness of the fall air. A squabbling garble of noise normally unwelcomed by human beings. The bird's call was primal, unlike the sing song nature of Haruka's trained messenger crows. It came from another, not one of her spies. She ignored its squawk, sprawled out on the floor in complete comfort. Her first moment of rest since returning home. The first leisure day actually used for leisure and not masquerading for Haruka's business gains. The crow hobbled along the windowsill, howling horrendously into the silence. She groaned, turning on her stomach to glance up at the crow.
“Ugly beast. Who sent you?” Her knees creaked as she lifted herself from the hardwood floor. A gentle hand reached out to pet the creature. Shima were the only known family to use a crow for their messages, besides Haruka's network of spies. She dreaded reaching for the scroll tied to the bird's claw. “This better be good news, or you're gonna be a cooked bird.” The crow replied dumbly, tilting its head to the side. Its powerful wings, the color of a dark night's sky, shuddered. The string fell off easily like it should have. Someone who used crows many a times would know such a trick. As she retrieved the letter, the beast waited no longer and flew off.
Haruka resigned herself to a chair, slumping over with a heavy sigh as she laid the letter on the table. For a while, the Haku stared at blank space. Another Shima child to look after. Masaru, the wayward outcast, came to Haruka by chance. A magnetic pull drew her towards the lost boy. She picked up his training because of that vibe. Their precious prince, Ai, sought after her. He seemed determined enough to gain Haruka's approval. He hadn't disappointed her yet. Now Setsuko desired Haruka to seek after Chiyoko.
Chiyoko, being Masaru's aunt, was actually slightly younger than her nephew. It didn't stop her from acting so grown up. The Spymaster had seen the girl now and then as she paraded through the complex with commandeering air and the all too familiar traditional grace of a Shima. She was much like Haruka's former years. The cold model of a Shima daughter. While there was nothing wrong with that, the elder Shima knew that it would take more than a simple conversation to turn Chiyoko towards an unconventional path. Especially with that attitude.
Why did the new generation pick her to lead them? She wasn't mandated by any Shima tradition to do so. Why couldn't it be Setsuko? She left the beaten path long before the dark haired Haku hybrid. Questioning her right to lead did her no good when she had the goal of Sennin just in her sights. If she couldn't handle a few family members, then she certainly wasn't ready for a whole branch. Shaking off the doubt, Haruka groaned. You'll owe me, Setsuko. But, I'll complete this task, for I should be thanking you for Masaru.
A slew of children raced pass the lone adult standing in the courtyard. Her solitary gaze sought out a figure that would stand out from the rest. She caught faces of laughing children, all huddled together to discuss their plans for the afternoon. First years with all the hope in the world. Children blinded by the foolish lies of men like Hayata Shin who promised their world would always be filled with love and honor. And as that thought sunk into her mind, she caught gazes with a particularly beautiful young girl. With striking dark eyes that tore through looks and silky black hair cascading down her back, Shima Chiyoko was the spitting image of Haruka in her youth.
So this is what its like to look into the past and change your future?
“Ugly beast. Who sent you?” Her knees creaked as she lifted herself from the hardwood floor. A gentle hand reached out to pet the creature. Shima were the only known family to use a crow for their messages, besides Haruka's network of spies. She dreaded reaching for the scroll tied to the bird's claw. “This better be good news, or you're gonna be a cooked bird.” The crow replied dumbly, tilting its head to the side. Its powerful wings, the color of a dark night's sky, shuddered. The string fell off easily like it should have. Someone who used crows many a times would know such a trick. As she retrieved the letter, the beast waited no longer and flew off.
Haruka,
I hope the crow didn't scare you too much. I wish I could of seen your face! You probably thought it was your father or some other stuffy elder, huh? Anyways, it seemed right to send you a letter as I haven't given my proper thanks yet. Thank you so much for looking after Masaru while I've been away. While you were away in Mist, I came to visit him. He seems to be doing very well. He's so much like his father that I was afraid he wouldn't have it in him to be a shinobi. With your guidance, my son will find his place among the village. It disheartened me to leave him without any training, but you've relieved my fears. He seems to have taken a liking to you too!
This isn't the reason I sent a message though. I have one more favor to ask of you. You'll do it right, for your favorite cousin? I know you must be busy now as Spymaster and its a miracle enough that you've spared some time for my son. However, my little sister, Chiyoko, is graduating from the academy soon. My father and mother both doted on her ever since I left home. Trying to raise her to be the proper Shima princess we couldn't be.
You can't let her be placed in the medical branch! It'd be a terrible waste of her abilities. She'll follow whatever my father says. Its not that she's stupid, we were all like that at her age. Nothing wrong with being a medical ninja, but it's not for her. Chiyoko has a gift. She's a daredevil and a total pain in the ass most of the time, but she's got vicious strength. That girl's got potential and I'd hate to see her squander it all under Harukaze's watch. You know what that's like. Please consider my request, cousin.
For the future of the Shima,
Shinomiya Setsuko
I hope the crow didn't scare you too much. I wish I could of seen your face! You probably thought it was your father or some other stuffy elder, huh? Anyways, it seemed right to send you a letter as I haven't given my proper thanks yet. Thank you so much for looking after Masaru while I've been away. While you were away in Mist, I came to visit him. He seems to be doing very well. He's so much like his father that I was afraid he wouldn't have it in him to be a shinobi. With your guidance, my son will find his place among the village. It disheartened me to leave him without any training, but you've relieved my fears. He seems to have taken a liking to you too!
This isn't the reason I sent a message though. I have one more favor to ask of you. You'll do it right, for your favorite cousin? I know you must be busy now as Spymaster and its a miracle enough that you've spared some time for my son. However, my little sister, Chiyoko, is graduating from the academy soon. My father and mother both doted on her ever since I left home. Trying to raise her to be the proper Shima princess we couldn't be.
You can't let her be placed in the medical branch! It'd be a terrible waste of her abilities. She'll follow whatever my father says. Its not that she's stupid, we were all like that at her age. Nothing wrong with being a medical ninja, but it's not for her. Chiyoko has a gift. She's a daredevil and a total pain in the ass most of the time, but she's got vicious strength. That girl's got potential and I'd hate to see her squander it all under Harukaze's watch. You know what that's like. Please consider my request, cousin.
For the future of the Shima,
Shinomiya Setsuko
Haruka resigned herself to a chair, slumping over with a heavy sigh as she laid the letter on the table. For a while, the Haku stared at blank space. Another Shima child to look after. Masaru, the wayward outcast, came to Haruka by chance. A magnetic pull drew her towards the lost boy. She picked up his training because of that vibe. Their precious prince, Ai, sought after her. He seemed determined enough to gain Haruka's approval. He hadn't disappointed her yet. Now Setsuko desired Haruka to seek after Chiyoko.
Chiyoko, being Masaru's aunt, was actually slightly younger than her nephew. It didn't stop her from acting so grown up. The Spymaster had seen the girl now and then as she paraded through the complex with commandeering air and the all too familiar traditional grace of a Shima. She was much like Haruka's former years. The cold model of a Shima daughter. While there was nothing wrong with that, the elder Shima knew that it would take more than a simple conversation to turn Chiyoko towards an unconventional path. Especially with that attitude.
Why did the new generation pick her to lead them? She wasn't mandated by any Shima tradition to do so. Why couldn't it be Setsuko? She left the beaten path long before the dark haired Haku hybrid. Questioning her right to lead did her no good when she had the goal of Sennin just in her sights. If she couldn't handle a few family members, then she certainly wasn't ready for a whole branch. Shaking off the doubt, Haruka groaned. You'll owe me, Setsuko. But, I'll complete this task, for I should be thanking you for Masaru.
A slew of children raced pass the lone adult standing in the courtyard. Her solitary gaze sought out a figure that would stand out from the rest. She caught faces of laughing children, all huddled together to discuss their plans for the afternoon. First years with all the hope in the world. Children blinded by the foolish lies of men like Hayata Shin who promised their world would always be filled with love and honor. And as that thought sunk into her mind, she caught gazes with a particularly beautiful young girl. With striking dark eyes that tore through looks and silky black hair cascading down her back, Shima Chiyoko was the spitting image of Haruka in her youth.
So this is what its like to look into the past and change your future?