Chapter Text
It has been three months since Shachi started in the Academy. There were twenty eight students in her class including her, fourteen boys and girls respectively. Their ages ranged from five to eight years old. Some of them were tall and burly while others were short and wiry. All in various stages of growth.
She attended the Academy five days a week, from eight in the morning to two in the afternoon. Every Tuesday and Thursday the class has language lessons, basic maths, history and geography. The rest of the days were reserved for practical training which involves taijutsu, weapon training, field signs, navigating in the mist as well as how to set up and take down camps.
Shachi felt the curriculum was rushed, like they were rushing to prepare her for something. On the other hand, Ikkaku felt it was lacking. Too much practical training and not enough theory and knowledge. Sometimes after class, Ikkaku will teach her how to set traps, calligraphy and poetry. If the mist allows, he would bring her out to observe the landscape and the animals of the Land of Water.
“ If you are ever lost, at least you know how to find your way back. “ Ikkaku explained as he pointed out to her a tree that was native to the village.
Occasionally, Kohari would join in Ikkaku’s sessions. No matter how exhausted she was after a mission, she would go through her daughter’s kata with her. Kohari would find whatever time she had to squeeze in a little training. Be it doing mundane tasks or taking Shachi out to hunt and gather food, she would converse with Shachi the languages she learned from travellers and merchants. Shachi absorbs those lessons like a sponge.
However today when she arrived home, the house was silent. The creaking of the floorboards sounded louder than usual as she crept into her house. Turning around a corner, she spotted a slender figure with shoulder-length brown hair sitting in seiza sipping tea.
“ Hello, Aunty Kurage. “ Shachi bowed towards her.
Kurage nodded her head and patted the seat beside her. Moving silently, she sat down beside her aunt.
“ Did something happen to my parents? “
“ Nothing happened to your parents. They are just delayed. “ Kurage answered as she examined her cup. “ So how’s your extra training with your parents? “
Shachi frowned at her question. “ Otou-san said not to deluge my training to anyone. “
“ Ha! “ Kurage barked out a laugh. “ Little runt finally grew a spine. “
“ Runt? “
“ Mhmm! “ Kurage pinched her cheeks. “ He was like you. Father had hoped that he would become one of the seven swordsmen but Ikkaku could barely lift up a sword. Instead, he chose to bury himself in books about our family’s history. Not sure how that's going to help him. “
“ Otou-san is smart. “ Shachi argued. “ He showed me how to catch a rabbit with a seal. “
“ Sure. “ Kurage drawled out, lying on the floor. Reaching her hand out, she tapped on Shachi’s nose. “ Good for catching a meal but not taking down enemies. “
“ Enemies? “
Kurage smirked at her. “ I will show you a better trick. “
“ Tadai- You! What are you doing here?! “ Ikkaku pointed at Kurage.
Raising a brow at him, Kurage pointed at Shachi. “ Yes, hello to you otouto. And, I am not allowed to visit my niece? “
Ikkaku glanced at Shachi who was lying face down, surrounded by plates of fruits in various shapes, sizes and colour. Fear gripped his heart as he lifted up Shachi. Instead of a pale face and foam in her mouth, a confused expression was etched on her face.
“ Welcome back, Otou-san. “
“ Oh kami. “ Ikkaku felt weak in his knees. Cradling his child close to him, he glared at his older sister. “ Why did you let her be so close to them?! “
Raising her hands in surrender, Kurage pointed to the plates that were the furthest from them. “ I was supervising her. I did not let her be so near to the poisonous one. “
“ Aunty Kurage is teaching me how to identify which ones are poisonous. “ Shachi explained. “ She promised to show me how to extract it out. “
Ikkaku groaned, pinching his temples. “ Alright, but next time and when I am present. Have you finished your homework? “
Shachi's face paled and she glanced at the floor. She scrambled down her father’s arms and ran to her room. Once her door was shut, Ikkaku turned to face her older sibling.
“ Why are you really here, Kurage-ane-san? “
“ Why? Can’t I visit my cute niece and little brother? “ Kurage asked, patting his face.
Growling, Ikkaku swapped her hand and glared at her. “ Why? “
Shrugging her shoulders, her eyes wandered to the shut door. “ There have been more conflicts at the borders. And we are being sent out more often. “
“ We are a ninja village. We are sent out often. “ Ikkaku folded his arms.
“ Don’t lie to me, little brother. You know it too. The food stalls have been scarce for a while and we have been hunting for our own meals. “ Sharp dark eyes regarded him. “ And I hope Shachi survives. “
As promised, Kurage continued to visit Shachi. Under the watchful eyes of Ikkaku, Kurage guided pudgy fingers how to extract and coat her weapons with poison. Today, she brought a jellyfish over to teach Shachi how to use its parts.
“ If you fail to injure or kill your enemy at the first time, “ Kurage started, dissecting the jellyfish and stripping its tentacles off. “ At the very least you will know they will succumb to the poison sooner or later. “
“ But what if they are resistant to it? “
“ Then you better be sure to get it right the first time. “ Kurage answered nonchalantly.
A few days later, Kurage was sent out to the frontlines and the house was quiet again. Her crash course in poison came to a halt and was never picked up again by her parents.
“ Akaei and Kurage are the family’s best poison users. “ Ikkaku explained over dinner with his family. “ I didn’t really pick it up. “
“ Then can Uncle Akaei pick up where Aunty Kurage left? “
Ikkaku gave her a small sad smile. “ I am not on good terms with your uncle. “
“ Why? “
“ Well…”
“ Shachi, your dinner is going to be cold. “ Kohari intervened, putting some pieces of fish into her daughter’s bowl.
Pouting, Shachi shoved some rice into her mouth. Ikkaku shot a grateful smile to Kohari and the family began a quiet dinner.