A.N: Unsure about how I feel about my explanations in this one. I might have to come back and revise it a tad later on. Please let me know what you think.
A few days later, Sano walked with Jogan down the streets of Konoha, stopping before a very traditional Japanese styled building. It was made of dark timber, with clay tiles and interlocking wooden joints made without nails. It even had those sliding doors from Japan! Shoji-style, if she remembered correctly—the ones with translucent paper with many designs. The Kurama didn’t have a compound like the Aburame, just a big building.
They also didn’t appear to have any guards, or if they did, they were better than average as she couldn’t see any of them. Nonetheless, Jogan led the way up through several Tori gates, arriving in the open courtyard before the entrance of the building. He didn’t knock or ring a bell to notify the Kurama, he simply stood waiting. Sano followed his example as she fidgeted with some nerves.
While she knew that the Kurama were a small clan, and indeed a clan, Jogan had drilled into her that being invited to another clan’s home was something of importance. She’d even gone out and spent some money on some new clothes. Today, for the first time in a long time, she was not wearing her facemask nor her trenchcoat. She wore a dark gray sleeveless strapped romper, something fit for her age and while not business wear, it was something above the everyday casual. Her normally wild long black hair was brushed and taken care of… although it still had many loose strands as her hair didn’t want to cooperate on the best of days. In her honest opinion, she looked quite cute!
The only downside to not wearing her trenchcoat, which she still brought along just in case, was that her scars were shown off. They weren’t massive or eyecatching by any means, simply lighter marks which littered her skin, but still scars from when her bugs decided she was no longer suitable. They were there, like small razor blade scars every few inches on her arms and legs, with thankfully none on her face and very few on her torso.
Jogan’s hand tapped her on her shoulder as she fidgeted and he sent her a nod as he straightened his back and stared forward. Moments later, the large sliding door before them opened up, revealing Murakumo. He gave Jogan a very formal bow, then turned to Sano and blinked owlishly. Then, Murakumo looked between Jogan and her, face full of growing confusion. “Jogan-san, who’s this?”
Sano’s eye twitched as she released a deep breath through her nose. The worst part about his reaction was that he appeared to be genuinely confused. Uncle Jogan was a hard man to read even on the best of days, but Sano caught the nearly imperceptible twitch of his shoulders… he was amused. Sano dug into her thigh holster—which of course she still had, she was a ninja—and took out a pen and a notebook.
Yes, she indeed went and bought a marvelous pen! They weren’t very popular due to their price and limited time of use, but Sano would buy them for the rest of her life if she never had to use a brush again for casual conversation.
‘It’s me, stupid.’ She wrote out, ripped off the small page, then pushed it against Murakumo’s chest.
Murakumo read the little slip of paper and his jaw dropped to the floor. He took her in with his eyes again, as if comparing her normal attire to what he was seeing now and having an error. “Oh…” He eventually muttered. It was like a lightbulb went off as he remembered he was greeting guests.
“Oh! Welcome! Welcome! Please, come in!” He hurriedly stepped aside and gestured inside. Sano followed her uncle as Murakumo led the way, then took a look around the inside…
Holy shit! Sano’s mind pulled a Murakumo, short circuiting as she rapidly looked around her, eyes struggling to comprehend what she was seeing. All around her, glittering gold lined the walls, furniture, floor—everything had gold in or on it! Were the Kurama rich?! Her head snapped to her friend, finding that even his clothes had threads of gold lining the seams! He didn’t normally have any gold at all! She looked to her uncle, who ignored the absurd wealth all around them and trudged on as he usually did, which was very stoically.
Murakumo didn’t spare a glance to their surroundings, and seeing as he lived here, Sano assumed this must have been normal for him. Which, in itself, was absurd. She’d seen the kid eat the most basic onigiri nearly everyday and even a disposable cup of ramen! He’s a fraud! After walking down hallways full of gold, artwork, and dozens of prized weapons hung up around for display, some of which glowed, Murakumo slid open a very beautiful door depicting a crashing of waves against a cliff by the sea.
Inside, was a much simpler room, yet still grandiose and lavish with expensive gold and ornaments. At a zataku—which were long and low dining tables where you sat on mats—Kotarou Kurama gave them all a nod as they entered. Jogan gave the man a slight bow, but didn’t speak, letting Kotarou take the lead in his own home.
Kotarou smiled and waved them forward with a regal air about him, causing Murakumo to play servant and lead them to their seats. As they sat and got comfortable, Kotarou looked right at Sano. “Welcome to our home. Your new style suits you, Sano-chan. Tell me, what are your current thoughts?”
Sano raised her hands awkwardly, unsure if she should be honest. If she was, then she was probably going to offend them. As if reading her mind, Kotarou gave a playful smirk. “Honest thoughts.”
‘Very…’ Sano realized she didn’t know the sign for extravagant, so filled it in by spelling it out. ‘extravagant’
“What?” Murakumo gave her a look of befuddlement as he started to pour tea for them all, but Kotarou gave his grandson a glare that quieted the young boy.
“And tell me, do you think that we, the Kurama, have the means to be extravagant? As you’re probably aware, we are a small clan with an unreliable, yet powerful, Kekkei-genkai.” He waited patiently as Sano grew more confused by the start of their talks. She had thought she was coming here to learn. Was this some sort of test?
‘Anyone can become wealthy given enough hard work.’ Sano signed slowly, speaking her mind truthfully yet still slightly unsure about the nature of the question.
“True, to a certain degree.” Kotarou conceded. “You’re here to learn more about genjutsu, which is what my clan focuses on. We are not masters, I will be the first to admit that, but we are dedicated.” Kotarou kept staring at her, as if waiting. He continued to speak. “Many shinobi see genjutsu as tricks to give them a brief opening to use other tools of their trade. Murakumo has spoken about your spar in your class's little contest. So you, of course, see its application.”
Sano nodded, earning a slight smile from Kotarou. “What others often forget, is that genjutsu is not all simple tricks and the source of openings. You seek a way to speak again, correct?”
At that, Sano nodded eagerly, causing the older man to laugh softly and kindly. “You can indeed achieve your goals with genjutsu.”
Sano’s eyes went wide as Kotarou spoke… without speaking. His mouth still held his smile, but the words filled her ears as if he had. She nearly stood up in her shock, when she caught all the glittering gold that surrounded them fading as if time accelerated, tarnishing the metal until it warped and resembled simple wood.
“And the most important aspect of genjutsu, in my opinion, is when people don’t even know they’re in one.” At that, Sano began to understand. “Unless you’re going to ask every single person you wish to speak to for permission, then I suggest you focus on being subtle.”
‘When did you cast it?’ Sano asked, signing quickly with unreserved eagerness, now knowing that as soon as she had entered the door to the Kurama clan’s home, she’d been under an illusion.
“What makes you think I cast anything? Jonin Jogan, I believe your niece is growing confused.” Kotarou chuckled evilly.
“I believe she is.” Jogan also had some mirth in his tone… they were conspiring against her! “Afterall, to me, nothing has happened. How odd. Probably just a childish whim.”
Sano took a moment to think about everything going on. Murakumo was just befuddled and confused, obviously not in on the ploy. Jogan and Kotarou were conspiring… From their perspective nothing changed, yet they knew something was happening or happened to her… Was this also a test? No, this was a lesson…
Genjustu is hard to prove? Even in its discovery, it can cause chaos? Something like that? She thought, humming as she narrowed her eyes at her uncle suspiciously.
Seemingly done with his teasing, Kotarou looked to Jogan and with a silent conversation gave him the floor. “Sano, I am not well versed in genjutsu. Kotarou is a well respected leader of a clan whose Kekkei Genkai derives from it, and has agreed to give you… not lessons, but advice towards reaching your goal of being able to speak.”
She made to sign, but Jogan shook his head, stopping her as he carried on with a question. “Do you know about Yin and Yang?”
Well, she’d remembered Yin and Yang from earth with the peace sign and other religious things, but she doubted that was what he was referring too. Seeing her lack of response and correctly taking it as a no, Jogan explained. “Yin and Yang are the parts of the fundamental duality of chakra. Yang represents the physical—your vitality, muscles, and body in all. Yin is spiritual. As one, they are chakra. While everyone has both, people are normally predisposition towards one or another. The Aburame are heavily skewed towards Yang. It is why our bodies are hardier and we have the constitution to become hosts for the hive.”
She nodded kinda sorta understanding what he was saying, but not really seeing the point.
“Yin on the other hand, is more spiritual, dealing with aspects away from the body itself. Genjutsu and many other techniques—including the Nara’s Shadow Possesion—rely on it.” Jogan finished.
‘The Akimichi use yang?’ She copied the sign for yang, which Jogan had demonstrated during his explanation. He often signed and talked at once so she could learn.
“Not quite. Everyone uses both. Their chakra is predisposed towards yang styled techniques like us. This does not mean that they cannot focus on yin, it’s just that yang will be easier for them to learn.” He finished, and Sano noticed Kotarou nodding along. Murakumo also nodded, having apparently known this information.
‘So… it’ll be hard for me?’ She asked, earning a gentle staredown from her uncle.
“I don’t know.” He stated sincerely. “Your chakra supply is quite large for someone your age, considering your body no longer needs to donate any chakra to Kikaichu. I’ve known you all your life, and can say with a certainty that your reserves grow steadily. Before the war, you were safely in the yang side of the spectrum. Now, after learning fuinjutsu and now learning genjutsu, you may find yourself siding with yin. Nothing is absolute.”
“I think young Sano might need some time to think about the duality of chakra. I know it’s not something easy to conceptualize.” Kotarou spoke, adding to the conversation. “I say we’re ready to begin in earnest. Agreed?” He asked, looking between both Aburame.
‘Yes!’ Sano signed, ready to learn! Soon, she might be able to speak.
Jogan simply nodded as he placed a hand on her shoulder giving it a squeeze. “Learn well. I must get going.”
‘Okay!’ She hadn’t expected him to stay. He was a busy man in the first place… probably?
Kotarou made to stand. “Murakumo, fetch the books.”
“Eww. Really?” The boy asked in return. “Those suck.”
“Go before I tan your hide in front of your friend.” Kotarou’s friendly demeanor flashed into one of a mean spirited elder, sending Murakumo scampering away. After her classmate fled, Kotarou laughed, belly full of mirth. “I hope you like reading. You’ll be doing a lot of it. Here soon.”
She didn’t mind reading at all. Actually, she might say she enjoyed it! Don’t threaten her with a good time!