An afternoon in Kumogakure

Taking her offer of a free lunch, Rei and Tai followed Suzu home. Along the way, Rei brought up a subject he was curious about

"Tai, what exactly is going on with your family?" (Rei)

"!" (Tai)

"I also recall you bringing up a related subject the last time we sparred with Tango-Sensei. Right before we went on the mission to find Yugito-sama" (Suzu)

"..." (Tai)

"I'm only asking because I know how important your greenhouse is to you. When I heard you no longer had it, something must've happened" (Rei)

Tai looked downwards with a melancholy expression. His usual chipper demeanor was nowhere to be found. Ever since the mission involving Team Mabui, his new attitude hasn't missed the attention of his peers

But the subject appeared to be very touchy, as he was hesitant to respond

"If you don't want talk about it, you don't have to" (Suzu)

"I was just curious" {As long as it doesn't impact your ability to support me, I don't really care} (Rei)

"Mmmm, haaaaa...no, I'll talk about it. No problem was ever solved by running from it" (Tai)

"Wise words...to live by" (Suzu)

"My family has begun what we call...the selection. The process in which the next clan heir of the Yotsuki Clan is chosen, it's a very big deal not just for us, but for the village" (Tai)

"Because of your clan's...job?" (Rei)

"Yup" (Tai)

Tai's clan, the Yotsuki, is one that has served Kumogakure since before it's founding. Tasked with its border security, the clan possesses heavy influence in government affairs

A change in leadership would naturally be the cause for a major stir within the village, let alone the family itself

"Your father is the current clan head...and you're trying to take his place?" (Rei)

"That's what's expected of me, but whether I want to or not is another matter entirely" (Tai)

"You don't want-ah! We're here" (Suzu)

Before they realized, the trio had already entered a small, isolated slum within the village. In front of them, a small culdesac-like area with a single rundown house 

Entering the house, they were surprised to find the inside was in better condition than outside. This was the first time Suzu had brought someone into her house, and considering Rei and Tai were seeing an entirely new side of the enigmatic girl's life, the whole trio was nervous

A small dinner table and kitchen, a living area with a Butsudan¹Buddhist altar/Memorial shrine on the wall, there wasn't much to look at once they entered

{The walls and flooring...while the wood isn't as bad as outside, it still seems ready to fall apart} (Rei)

"Have a seat. I just have to heat some of this up" (Suzu)

"Need some help?" (Rei)

"It's fine. Most of the food the village sends me is preassembled. Usually, I just have heat it up after adding some spices and whatnot" (Suzu)

"Okay. In the meantime, let's get back to what you were talking about Tai" (Rei)

"Right, now where was I..." (Tai)

"Taking your father's place...how does that work exactly? You made sound like a competition between your family, do you have some siblings you never told us about or something?" (Rei)

"No, no, no...along with the clan head's children, elders of the family may also put forth their children in the selection" (Tai)

SIZZLE!

{Well...at least the gas works safely} (Rei)

Suzu was at work in the kitchen

"Meaning...you'll be going up against your cousins" (Suzu)

"Yeah...and all of them are older and more experienced than me" (Tai)

"Whoa, slow down. There's still something I don't get" (Rei)

"What?" (Tai)

"How EXACTLY does one become the heir. You say your cousins are competition but, do you have to fight them or something?" (Rei)

"No...that wouldn't be fair to those with different ages and less experience. We have a time period to rack up a certain amount of achievements which are then tallied after a set time period" (Tai)

"What kind of achievements?" (Suzu)

"The kind that mostly benefit Kumogakure, rather than the clan. Honorable, virtuous contributions to our home" (Tai)

"I see...kind of broad though" (Rei)

"Why do you think I'm in such a bind about it? I don't know how I'm going to win" (Tai)

Suzu finished cooking and brought food to the table. Plates with salmon, including different types of sauces and spices on each of them

"I only had salmon to cook, but I was able to improvise a bit. I know how much you like miso, Tai, so I made miso salmon for you" (Suzu)

"Oh! T-Thanks Suzu" (Tai)

"I didn't have any teriyaki, sorry Rei. You'll have to make due with this garlic salmon" (Suzu)

"Hey, I'm getting free lunch. The last thing I'm gonna do is complain, especially when it looks and smells this good. Much appreciated Suzu" (Rei)

"Mm" (Suzu)

Lightly blushing at the compliments, she sat down at the small table with them. Not that hungry herself, all Suzu ate was some fresh stir fry vegetables

"How much time do you have?" (Rei)

"Sigh...I was informed of it months ago but the selection officially started yesterday, it's a three year process" (Tai)

[Yesterday...that timing is...]

"?" (Rei)

"That's quite a bit of time" (Suzu)

"Achievements like the ones I've mentioned don't happen overnight. Any past achievements you've made prior to the start of this process aren't factored in as well" (Tai)

"To keep things fair. Well, at least you've got time" (Rei)

"Uh-huh...honestly, I wouldn't mind if one of my cousins took the seat" (Tai)

"Oh?" (Suzu)

"I was under the impression they were your enemies. Considering these guys are the children of the elders who want to remove your dad from his position as clan head" (Rei)

"I said competition, not enemies. This whole thing started because of a difference in opinion. Many of our family died in the last war and my father, being the one who led our clan, must bear the responsibility. It's in any of the elder's right to apply for the job if they think their children can do it better" (Tai)

"That doesn't seem very fair" (Rei)

"True, but that's the price for carrying a position of power. Every loss is the leader's burden to bare" (Suzu)

Despite her rational words, Suzu was frowning. Being a victim of bad heritage herself, she disliked the idea of one paying the price for something that wasn't their fault to begin with

Tai's father, or anyone else, couldn't possible have protected EVERY single soldier they sent to war. Casualties were inevitable, definitely on the scale as the 3rd Shinobi World War

"Despite how it sounds, it's fair. They're not doing this out of spite, some simply believe it's time for a change of policy" (Tai)

[Ugh...Politics always ruin everything]

"Only when it doesn't work" (Rei)

"Hm?" (Tai)

"Nothing. In short...you don't hate them?" (Rei)

"They're my cousins, of course not! To them, this is just a fun competition, that happens every time a new leader is chosen. There's hardly ever been any bad feelings left over whenever my clan underwent this process" (Tai)

"Then why are you so freaked out?" (Rei)

"..." (Tai)

"...Tai?" (Rei)

"..." (Tai)

"Honor...right?" (Suzu)

"?!" (Tai)

"For your father I take it" (Suzu)

"You saw right through me Suzu" (Tai)

Suzu glanced at her family shrine

"Not really...honoring your parents is something I get..." (Suzu)

"..." (Rei)

Tai took off the white armband tied on his right arm, close to his shoulder, and placed it on the table

"Is that...?" (Rei)

"Yes..." (Tai)

"My clan's symbol" (Tai)

"..." (Suzu & Rei)

"My Father, and his father, and his father before him...up to four generations of my line have lead the Yotsuki Clan with pride and strength" (Tai)

"...You don't want to be the one who breaks that chain" (Rei)

"And your father is..." (Suzu)

"His only response was, 'I don't care if you participate or not'. I've never really been the pride of the clan after all" (Tai)

[That's odd, considering Tai's talent]

{Notitia's right} "You came up with ninjutsu that's basically chemical warfare, at the age of 7" (Rei)

"My family's never been easy to please...guess that goes doubly for me" (Tai)

{Maybe...but there's seems to be more to it than that} (Rei)

The group finally finished their meal. Tai quickly volunteered to help Suzu with the dishes, because the kitchen was small, there was no room for Rei to help out

CREAK!

"?!" (Tai)

"It's fine, the pipes here are just old" (Suzu)

"..." (Rei)

After cleaning, the group sat down in the living area near the house shrine

"And that's the gist of it. The greenhouse where I make my oils was taken back to clan house when they ordered me to return" (Tai)

"That's why your fighting with Tango-sensei was so-" (Suzu)

"Yeah" (Tai)

"Hey guys, I think Tango-sensei saw this coming" (Rei)

"?" (Tai)

"What do you-?" (Suzu)

"Think about it, wasn't today's training session a bit off?" (Rei)

"Off like how? Everything seemed normal to me" (Tai)

"Now that you mention it..." (Suzu)

"Hm?" (Tai)

"Today's session wasn't filled with his usual lectures and exercises. And while we've done it before, he told us to go all out for sparring this time" (Suzu)

"..." (Rei)

Rei looked at the chakra training bracelets on his arms he received from Tango earlier today

"You keep looking at the bracelets...does that have something to do with what you're getting at?" (Tai)

"Sort of...like you said, this ordeal with your clan is something even the top brass of the village pay attention to. Top brass includes all Jonin as well" (Rei)

"So what...you think he gave me these bracelets for practicing, to prepare me for the selection?" (Tai)

"He did seem to already know what was off with you today" (Suzu)

"You got three years, now's the best time to up your training" (Rei)

"..." (Tai)

"You up for it?" (Rei)

"Better now than later huh? Heh, fine...gotta start somewhere" (Tai)

"Good to hear, let's get to work" (Rei)

"Aren't you forgetting something?" (Suzu)

"Hm?" (Rei & Tai)

"Tango-sensei said we should find a daily activity to make proper use of these bracelets" (Suzu)

"Oh yeah, that's right...what should we do anyway?" (Tai)

"..." (Rei)

As the trio pondered, Rei opened his eyes and look at his surroundings before smiling

"Ya know, a thought just came to me Suzu. Tai and I haven't payed you back for the delicious lunch" (Rei)

"I already said it wasn't necessary, you don't have to worry about it. We're a...team after all" (Suzu)

"True. But a meal as good as that deserves proper compensation...wouldn't you agree Tai?" (Rei)

"Umm...yes?" {There he goes again...suddenly talking like an adult with that evil grin on his face. Reminds me of graduation and Sekiei...what the hell is planning this time?} (Tai)

"I've found our activity" (Rei)

"What?" (Suzu)

Rei stood up and pointed upwards

"Huh? Eh?!" (Suzu)

"Wait...are you suggesting we-?!" (Tai)

"That's right. Suzu..." (Rei)

"..." (Suzu)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We're gonna fix your house"