Chapter 7
The sealing had been incredibly painful for Reina, every moment agony, as she tangibly felt her jutsu being ripped from her. Each addition that Aiko added to the seal increased the burn on her back, and it took everything in her not to move.
Once the final part of the seal was completed, Reina felt the same underwater feeling she had felt when she had tried to stop using her jutsu. This feeling, accompanied with the feeling of loss made it hard for her to do simple tasks. Of course she still had her kekkei genkai, but knowing it was still there, yet unable to use, was maddening. It had left her bed ridden for almost a full week.
That wasn’t her only problem though.
“Mmhph”
Reina let out a muffled grunt as she was once again knocked in the dirt.
“Again” Aiko yelled out, “your stance is too wide. Without using the extra senses you're used to, you have to find your balance.”
It was almost as if Reina was a newborn, toddling around on normal 10 year old legs. Without her added boost, she couldn’t have been much better than any kunoichi in her class.
‘WHAP’
Aiko used a wooden pole to knock Reina’s back straight. Causing the girl to wince, a sensation she wasn’t used to feeling.
“Now come at me” Aiko said, eyes full of mischief.
This was a common scene between the two after Reina had somewhat recovered her bodily functions. They would Come to a remote training ground, one that was old and often overlooked. It would be dark outside when they arrived, and then dark when they left. Spending the majority of their time on the training ground to go over basics that Reina had already known, and had mastered by the age of 6.
It was mind numbingly dull for her, and slightly insulting, but because she had to learn everything over again- with no jutsu- it was imperative that she got this right. It was also important, because it gave Reina the chance to understand the struggles of people who didn’t have the bloodline advantages that she had. It really put everything into a better perspective for her.
‘WHAP’ Aiko corrected the young kunoichi, for the 100th time that day.
“Foot flat! Spread out the point of contact! C’mon Reina, I know you know this!”
Reina let out a growl, allowing her anger to show around Aiko.
“I know! I know! It’s just that I lost the muscle memory I had before!”
Aiko scoffed at her response,
“Then re-learn it, cutie pie. What do you think we’re doing”
Still not used to her teacher’s quips, Reina went to retaliate, but schooled her features. She was getting too comfortable around Aiko about how she presented herself. Next thing you know, she’d challenge Sasuke to a K.O match just because he was looking at her weird. Her mother wouldn’t have even thought twice about shaking the kid around a bit….. But apparently that was a no no around here.
Aiko rolled her eyes at the kid, it was impossibly easy to tell when she was angry and holding herself back. It would definitely be something they’d need to work on. Maybe she could get the girl a mask like…….
Aiko tried to hide in her blush by sassing her little student.
“Save the Act kid, we can work on it later. You're not too good at this ‘looking calm’ thing” Aiko pointed to Reina’s eyes, “it’s all in the eyes, you’re too intense. You need to lighten up, kid.”
Reina copied Aiko’s earlier gesture and rolled her eyes.
“Hmmmmm, I don’t know, maybe it has to do with The fact that I’m a ten year old that has the sole responsibility of keeping up the jutsu of my clan??”
Aiko brushed off the loaded statement, albeit slightly impressed by the girl's sass.
“Sass isn’t your thing, girlie, stick to your silent anger bit. Suits you better…. Now, break’s over, come at me again.”
On the two went, training for a few more hours. Luckily, as time went on, Reina was able to pick up on skills quicker. She wasn’t anywhere close to where she had been, but it was major progress.
After Aiko called out the last exercise, Reina dropped down to the ground in a big ball of sweat. She wasn’t a stranger to working hard, given she had trained with an immortal being, but due to her seal it made everything harder. Not to mention Aiko was a total drill sergeant.
Feeling Aiko sit down next to her, Reina turned her head towards the woman. Since the sun was high in the sky, it had a halo effect around her teacher, and just highlighted how pretty she was.
This was another effect of living in konoha. Reina had never really debated on the beauty of things before she had gotten here. But, in one of the books she read in her first week here, it had talked often about the concept.
It still confused her slightly, but it was easy to tell that her sensei fit those standards- but what stood out to Reina was the fact that she could be considered “beautiful” in her village too.
Everyone had looked similar in her village, so oftentimes “beauty” was who became the best warrior. Of course it had some to do with looks, but she didn’t quite understand them yet- she was only 10 afterall.
Seeing movement above her, the musings of Beauty left her head. Affectionately, Aiko placed a towel next to her student’s head, which was also paired with a small snack that Aiko had obviously made herself(which made Reina slightly less angry about being beaten into the ground because hey, someone cared about her enough to make her homemade snacks).
Getting up with a groan, Reina addressed her teacher on something she had been thinking about.
“So, when am I going back to the academy? I understand I was largely taken out because of my chakra presence, but now that it’s gone, when will I go back?”
She hadn’t seen Naruto or any other people for a while, and she felt like she’d never assimilate if she didn’t interact with others. Reading books was good, but the best experience was… experience.
Aiko sighed, scratching the side of her head.
“I was afraid you’d say that”
Reina tilted her head to the side, “Why?”
Aiko looked like she wanted to say something, her look almost spiteful. but quickly, the woman looked away from the girl and schooled her features.
“It’s because I’m not sure, Reina. The Hokage is a very busy guy, and he said that you couldn’t go back until I get the approval.”
Reina didn’t understand what she meant by that. Why did he need to okay her going back to the academy? Had they decided to make her genin?
Noticing her confusion, Aiko continued, albeit slowly.
“You see… there was a… complaint about your behavior. Until we can prove you can assimilate, or at least find a good act for you- you can’t go back.”
Reina jumped to her feet, the towel she had been using falling to the ground.
“What? A complaint? What the heck is that? I didn’t do anything….”
Aiko pinched the space between her eyebrows. A gesture Reina was quickly getting used to seeing.
“Apparently, the inuzuka’s weren’t too fond of you stealing one of their clan’s partners. I’m sure you meant nothing by it, but we need to explain the clan system to you- aaaand then find a good personality for you to take on.”
Reina stared at her teacher in disbelief. Steal? She had pet a freakin dog! He had liked it! What was this nonsense!
“Personality? I already have a cover?”
Aiko Shook her head.
“No, I'm talking about training you to act certain ways in certain situations. Actions are the hardest to fake. You can spout a cover story all day, but until you can act ‘normal’, or at least fade into the background it will be obvious.”
Reina scratched her head, “So like, training for people to think I am someone I am not? I have to act?”
It made sense to Reina. If she wanted to not be found out as a Ryuuchi, or bring attention to her, she couldn’t just lie about who she was. It was a town filled with Ninja, and ninjas lied. This meant she would have to act the part holistically.
“In a way, Yes. Ideally, I’d like to get you to the point where you look calm- bored even. It’s a tactic that a very talented ninja I know uses, and it works really well for him. For now though, I could settle for you just being quiet. The facial and body expressions will have to be something you will have to work out on your own.”
Reina didn’t understand why her sensei’s cheeks were red, but she got everything else she was saying.
“So all I have to do is stay quiet? Can I go to school then?”
Aiko brought her hand to her chin and stroked an imaginary beard, pursing her lips in thought. After a moment, she grinned wildly.
“Yes. But, you have to come with me to the inuzuka’s compound and successfully apologize to the Kiba boy- with no mishaps.”
Reina narrowed her eyes at her teacher in disbelief.
“Apologize for petting a dog? Why would I fucking do-”
Aiko made a tutting sound at her response.
“Language, my dear”
Reina grunted, knowing this was going to be a lot of work.