#introverses

[lazuliblur]

//Ficlet ideas: Minato and 'laughter' or Madara and 'books'

Give me a character and an object/scenario/time/whatever

Taking the Minato prompt.Thanks! It definitely helped. :D

The laughter was gone from Rin’s eyes.

Minato could see it and yet wished that he didn’t have to, for that meant that the bright little girl that had been entrusted to him all those years ago was gone. She had been so optimistic and cheerful, so full of hope that their crooked world could be made into a good place, and Minato had failed to protect her. He had kept her safe and physically whole, but the war had taken away her innocence. The filled out request form for a leave of absence in front of Minato read like that young girl’s last plea to be saved.

But he wouldn’t sign it.

“Rin, I… Are you sure this is what you want? This isn’t a good idea. Officially, the war is over, but there’s still too much resentment out there. It’s not safe for you to be living outside of the village on your own. You can’t hide what you are and if you were to run across an enemy ninja, there would be no one there to help you.”

Minato could have gone on listing reasons why she should not leave, but Rin had lowered her head to study the swirly red pattern of the carpet underneath the Hokage’s desk. She was smart. Minato wasn’t saying anything that she didn’t already know.

“Sensei, I have thought this through and this is the only way I can find to… I— I can’t be a ninja anymore! I just can’t.”

The folded headband laying next to the form on top of Minato’s desk attested to her desire well enough. The dents and grooves on its metal surface hadn’t completely tarnished it, nor were they as numerous as one would expect to find on a ninja of her age and with her experience. But then, it had never been in question that Rin’s scars were of a different variety.

“You don’t need to continue going out into the field. There are other options, other jobs you can do. I can assign you to the hospital and—”

“No!”

The outburst interrupted Minato mid-speech. It was so unlike her that he expected his well-mannered student to apologise right after. She was biting her lip, her eyes refusing to meet his.

“Please reconsider, Rin. You don’t have to leave Konoha in order to leave the fighting behind. There is a lot of good that you can do here, in the village. Think of all the lives you’ve already saved during the war. Those people have a chance to live on happily, to go and start families, to be with their loved ones — all thanks to you. I can’t stand the thought of you out there in the world all on your own. Your grandmother is here, your friends are here and I’m here for you too. I won’t sign off on your request until you’ve thought better about this.”

Minato knew her background, knew that Rin had chosen to become a medic to continue her parents’ work and so that what had happened to them during the Second Shinobi War wouldn’t have to happen to others. She just needed to be reminded of why she should be proud to be a Konoha ninja and she would change her mind about leaving.

He took a second look at the form that Rin had filled, all neat writing and orderly phrased arguments to justify her request. When he faced her again, his former student was close to tears.

“…How many people I saved?” she said. “I… I cut limbs and broke bones and gouged out eyes. I’ve done so much harm… Even when trying to heal I had to hurt so many of them… I can’t do it anymore. I can’t heal anyone when in my head I expect them to lash out or cry because I’m putting them through even more suffering!” The tears flowed freely as Rin knelt and bowed her head to the ground. The same ground where the pieces of Minato’s broken heart had fallen. “Please, sensei. I— I can’t! Please!”

The pen was right next to Minato’s hand, inkpot fresh and reflecting the sun and the view of the recovering village outside the windows of the Hokage office. It would take nothing for Minato to scrawl his name on the bottom of the paper in front of him. Less than a second and he could end Rin’s pain. But that was the easy way to do it, not the right way.

“Rin, I’m sorry. I can’t approve this.” Silence from the crumpled girl, even as her shoulders shook. “It wouldn’t be safe for you. But I’ll tell you what I will do. I’m putting you on desk duty at Mission Assignment. The hospital can wait until you’ve recovered.”

Minato could have told her about the casualties that they had suffered during the war, how her medical skills made her indispensible, but asking her to be indifferent to her pain would cause more harm than good in the long run. He could give her time to pull herself back together, a couple of weeks, perhaps a month.

Medics were in short supply, though, and he could not afford to lose one more. Konoha was already without Tsunade, and their enemies were delaying negotiations for the release of the many Konoha medics that were being held in prison camps. There was little doubt in Minato and his advisors’ minds that they were being put to work to mend the enemies’ own troops. So, no matter what she said, and as much as it pained her to use her skills, Minato could not let Rin’s skillset to go to waste.

There was no response, no brisk “yes, sensei” like what he was used to getting from her when he would issue an order to the team. Just a dull gaze as Rin raised herself back to her feet and nodded her acceptance.

“Rin,” he felt compelled to add. “I can’t let you go for your own safety, but also because you’re very much needed here. The village needs you, I need you and Kakashi needs you too. You know this, right?”

She flinched.

Jiraiya used to say that the reason Minato was such a good ninja was because he could take one look at a person and see what was in their hearts. Minato disagreed. Perhaps in battle he was good at reading people, but not so much in every day life. Understanding usually only came to him in hindsight.

Rin’s reasons for wanting to leave were entirely her own and he wasn’t sure that she was prepared to fully discuss them. She was aware of the risks to her personal safety that came with her decision, but chose to ignore them. He was hurting her by pointing out that she wasn’t the only one who would be affected by her choice and that, in turn, hurt him. However, that didn’t mean that he could let her dig her head in the sand. He couldn’t allow her to put herself in danger just because she couldn’t handle the truth.

“Kakashi is… He will be all right. He’s strong and he’s not alone.”

Minato couldn’t argue with that. He had specifically assigned Kakashi to ANBU to ensure it. He had hoped that Rin’s crush on the boy might encourage her to stay in the village, though.

“I’m sure he’d miss you all the same if you left.”

For the first time since entering the room, Rin smiled.

“I know. But I wouldn’t be far.”

Minato sighed. It wasn’t the response that he wanted to hear, but it was better than nothing.

Rin wasn’t going anywhere and working at Mission Assignment would give her the time that she needed to heal. She would get over this idea about leaving Konoha.

[momiji-katsu-chiru]

What is something they always wanted to do but too scared? (for Tsume or Shibi)

@introverses || Ask a nerd x2

Tsume wouldn’t ever admit that she was afraid of anything, mostly because she isn’t afraid of much. Nevertheless of something she wants to do. If she wants to do something usually she does it.

Yeah she’ll think of her actions prior to doing them but otherwise she does as she pleases for the most part.

Shibi has an interest in plants and has raised quite a few different kinds! From cacti to trees and to some pretty poisonous greenery! He just hasn’t had any that have had to consume insects, for obvious reasons that is the fact…rearing a carnivorous plant like a fly eater while being a host of a hive like any Aburame would be psychologically painful. Yet a great part of him wishes to try raising one despite it. 

He probably never will though for the psychological torture that would come with it would indeed be gruesome. 

[lazuliblur]

For the writing prompts meme: Hiruzen and mirrors or Kakashi and firecrackers

Accepting prompts!

Thank you for the excuse to write Kagami! Ah, hopefully the point in this comes across. I didn’t want to spend too long editing it. Apologies if it sucks. :(

Kagami enters the Hokage’s office without knocking. There is a shift from the pair of shadows on each side of the door, a tremble of motion aborted as the ANBU take in the identity of the intruder. Tension lingers in the air but Kagami’s former comrades will not take action unless he gives them cause.

He doesn’t have time to waste on pleasantries. The issue that brings him to Hiruzen is of the utmost importance.

Until it isn’t.

There is a vase with a single white orchid on the corner of Hiruzen’s desk that had not been there before. The sight of it stops Kagami in his tracks. White porcelain with blue designs and silver trim, worked into waves and loops reminiscent of conches and shells. Water Country metalwork is distinctive for a reason: their designs are unique and the finesse of their craftsmanship unparalelled. Kagami has seen many a forgery attempt and none of them ever come close in elegance to the real thing. This is the real thing. What a Water Country vase is doing in such prominent display atop the Hokage’s desk, though, Kagami cannot fathom.

“Open your eyes, Kagami! I know you’re old enough to remember what it was like before, when Madara still lived. This so-called peace… what good is it? It used to be that clans looked after their own! Now we are to follow one who puts strangers and foreigners before his own? Did you see the way the Hokage grovelled before the other villages, like he was apologising for winning the war? How can the Uchiha trust such a person?”

Setsuna Uchiha had said those words only hours ago and they still ring in Kagami’s ears. He had dismissed the head of the Uchiha clan as ignorant — Hiruzen was most definitely trustworthy — but now he has to wonder who the most ignorant of the two of them is. Because there is a Water Country vase on top of the Hokage’s desk and it was not so long ago that Kagami and his clansmen were out on the road under attack by Mist ninjas.

Hiruzen breaks the impasse.

“My dear friend! I haven’t seen you in a while. How have you been?”

Kagami’s attention doesn’t fully stray from the blue hatching decorating the bottom of the vase.

“A while? Your memory’s failing you, Hiruzen. Don’t you remember me relieving the weight from your pockets last week?” The banter is normal and the vase is ultimately meaningless. Any wandering merchant could have brought it into the Leaf. It was hardly evidence of favouring a foreign nation in detriment of their home.

Kagami’s comment is met with a less than enthusiastic expression. One might almost call it a pout, if it weren’t disrespectful to insinuate that the Lord Hokage pouts like a child. Hiruzen retrieves his tobacco bag from a drawer and busies himself packing his pipe.

“Yes, my pockets remember it well. So does Biwako. I prefer not to.” He presses down the tobacco and clenches the pipe between his teeth in preparation to light it. He looks at Kagami from under the edge of the Hokage hat.

“Not my fault you gambled away the money for your girlfriend’s birthday present,” Kagami says.

Despite his initial rush, he now feels the need to approach the issue that brought him there with greater caution. He never intended to name Setsuna or denounce the type of biting conversations that were becoming common-place around the KMPF headquarters — only to advise Hiruzen to be more attentive towards what the clan heads had to say when the next village assembly came around. He doubts that his friend realises the snowball effect that a single gesture from him can generate.

He points at the vase. “That’s new. Where did you get it?”

Hiruzen breathes out a few puffs of smoke, looking confused.

“You barged into my office to comment on interior design?” He shakes his head. “It was a gift from that Water diplomat that was here last. Very generous man. Now I’m sorry, Kagami, but if that’s all, we’re going to have to catch up another time. I am extremely busy. Maybe we can meet this weekend? Give me a chance to win back Biwako’s present?”

Hiruzen dismissal is subtle. Kagami’s training acknowledges it as the order that it is, but he hasn’t been the obliging, obedient child in a while now.

“Actually Hiruzen, I wanted to talk to you about the meeting—”

“Oh! No need.” The Hokage taps his pipe on a pile of scrolls sitting on top of his desk. “I already got Setsuna’s message.”

Kagami is caught false-footed. He didn’t know anything about any message.

“Setsuna wrote to you?”

“Yes. It came in last night, my assistant tells me. We’ve already scheduled the meeting for tomorrow.”

“A meeting? Tomorrow? That’s good!”

It’s wonderful, in fact. Kagami had feared that Setsuna’s doubts about Hiruzen’s conduct would cause him to break away from the Hokage office, widening the split between their clan and the village. There remained resentment between them due to the heavy casualties that the Uchiha, more than any other clan of the Leaf, had suffered during the war. Instead, Setsuna had reached out and asked for a private gathering with Hiruzen. It was an excellent sign that Kagami had worried for nothing.

“Yes,” Hiruzen confirmed. “One city block, was it?”

The question catches Kagami off-guard. “Excuse me?”

“The police force. Setsuna says that it needs more space. I believe he mentioned wanting to expand the building to the rest of the block?”

“Yes, there was some talk of that. The current headquarters are pretty cramped and the extra space would help a lot.”

“Well, I’ll give you the insider’s scoop and say that I see no reason why it cannot happen. We’ll find somewhere to relocate the people living in the buildings around the current station.”

Kagami nods, trying to stay optimistic about the news. The KMPF already did not enjoy the favour of their neighbours, who did not like the thought of criminals being kept so close to where they lived. Now, they were to be responsible for taking people away from their homes too? Hopefully the civilian population would realise that the larger building meant that the police could do a better job keeping everyone in the village safe.

“Was that all that Setsuna said he wanted to discuss?” Kagami asked.

“Oh? Is there more?”

“Well, yeah, but if he didn’t mention it, I’m sure it’s not important.”

Setsuna had gone to the Hokage about the police force headquarters. That knowledge gave Kagami hope that he would also not hesitate to go to him about any other matters that he felt needed to be addressed.

Maybe Kagami got the wrong impression when they spoke. Maybe Setsuna had spoken more out of frustration than actual grievance or mistrust in Hiruzen’s leadership. The war and subsequent peace talks with the other nations had been tough on everybody, with difficult concessions having to be made on all sides. Maybe the relationship between the Uchiha and the Leaf was already well on the mend.

He points again at the Water-made vase. “It’s pretty. A little girly but it suits you. Looking forward to emptying your pockets this weekend again, Lord Hokage.”

[momiji-katsu-chiru]

✎ + Grandparents (for Hinata)

@introverses || About those relatives - Hinata

   “Obāsan and Ojīsan? You’re asking about my fa-father’s parents r-right?” If that was it then there wasn’t much she could say that she actually wanted to say about them. Hiashi’s parents were…well they were truly traditional- not that her mother’s parents weren’t either but at least they were a bit more kind.

   “Obāsan passed away a few years ago but she use to play the koto a lot.” And she use to play it so elegantly but Hanabi got most of her attention as she did with Ojīsan. She never had much of their attention, she looked too much like her mother apparently and had too much of her gentle soul.

   “A-as for Ojīsan h-he’s still alive…” There was a momentary pause in which she thought about her interactions with the Hyūga elder and most of them were distant and less then desired. It was when her silence lingered just a little too long, a little too wide in the time of space, a little to distant much like they’re relations were. “A-Ah! Which i-is a ve-ver-very good thing o-of course!” Hinata sputtered out nervously.

   Hinata poked her fingers roughly together in thought, while she was thankful he was still around it just didn’t ease the feeling of his disdain for her.

   “Ojīsan…Ojīsan enjoys taking his tea with ginger and honey on warm days, I-I often make him his t-tea, along with father’s too.” In truth she didn’t want to speak any more about them.

[koharu-utatane]

✊ - keeping promises

“I always endeavor to keep my word. As such, I rarely make promises over anything. Trust is such a rare treasure in this world, especially in our line of work. Those who trust too easily quickly end up dead… but so do those whose oaths mean nothing.”

[hanafudafists-blog]

@introverses liked for a starter

There’s a couple of bugs dancing the jig in a vial; Tsunade knows them very well. As far as the antidote goes, it’s simple. Excruciatingly so. It’s the case for the dozens of vials she’s collected from Torune, each one a day older than the last.  

That’s the problem with Aburame bugs, though. Their reproductive speed is astounding – inspiring even. New helixes of venom were popping up faster than she could say ‘ rinkaichu ‘, and the more she looks at it a long term solution just doesn’t seem possible. Shibi spent a lot of money to find her, but facts are facts. 

“You have to find a way to control this. There’s no way that anyone could produce antivenin at the rates you need it, and even if they could, the Aburame clan would never be able to afford it.”