Futari no Kyori

It’s been a long day, but Shunya was finally home. She’s proud that her students were selected for promotion to chunin, she only wished that it didn’t require her to fill out so much paperwork. Literally running around the village to obtain the proper seals to file each form was unnecessarily tiresome.

She braces herself by holding onto the bamboo railing in the foyer of her parents’ house, then calls for Jun as she unclasps her knee-high sandals and kicks off the shoes. The feral cat has always preferred roaming outdoors, but she hoped he had come home tonight so she wouldn’t feel so alone. The years after her adoptive parent’s passing have only gotten more desolate over time; nights as an adult now stand out as relentlessly lonesome.

It would help if she weren’t such a recluse herself; her natural introversion clearly has its downsides. Shunya trudges into the kitchen to find something to call dinner. She questions when she last picked up groceries and claps her hands together in a silent prayer that there was at least one egg left to accompany a steaming bowl of rice or quick pot of instant ramen.

The black cat barely makes a sound as it jumps onto the counter, before lying down calmly as a ‘Welcome back’ to the jonin. His presence should’ve ushered good luck, but the fridge is empty and Shunya can only pet him as she laughs. He allows her to collect him with one hand, then place him back on the floor before crossing the small space put his food out.

“How many times have I told you Jun, no jumping on the counter. Who knows where your paws have been.”

Her voice lacks any hint of reprimand. Shunya is tempted to pet him, but knows better than to interrupt his meal. Instead, she decides to boil water for tea.

Assembling the tea set reminds her of her youth, back before she started at the ninja academy. Her adoptive parents were past their prime but her father refused to retire. Since her mother was unable to walk, Shunya learned how to serve and prepare her medicinal teas. The fond memories of receiving head pats and hand-stitched temari balls were her earliest recollection of kindness and warmth.

The nostalgic thoughts weren’t helping her feel any less lonely. It wasn’t too late to run back out for a quick bowl of ramen, or even her favorite nama tako sushi, but Shunya opts to retrieve a box of rice crackers from the cabinet before leaving the kitchen. It wasn’t like she didn’t have co-workers or friends she could meet up with. After losing the few people she truly cared about, she simply decided to keep all others at arms length. The kanji tattoo down her right cheek also served as a deterrent. She was a black cat; only the older generations would consider her an omen of good luck.

She strides into the family room, then drops to her knees and places her tray on the floor. Her mother would have scolded her for leaving the mess of pages strewn about the table, but Shunya was barely home long enough to finish a load of laundry. She rolls up a few scrolls, then slides the rest of the papers to one side to lessen the chance of staining any with green tea. The tray fits neatly into the open space and causes Shunya to grin.

Although it hardly counts as dinner, it’ll do. The small clay teapot fits snugly into her palm. Before pouring, she takes the moment to enjoy its warmth. It may not be filled with the highest quality sencha, but thanks to her heightened sense of smell, the pale green tea is fragrant enough. Shunya uses her free hand to place senbei between her lips as she begins to pour the tea. She was hungrier than she thought, feeling saliva pool around her tongue as she teased her palate with the sweet rice cracker. In an instant, the cracker splits in two as soon as she closes her jaw to bite.

The teapot is placed back into position while Shunya brushes crumbs from her chest, then rolls her eyes as bits fall further between her breasts. Without another thought, she tears off a blank corner from her latest automaton redesign to make a grocery list. Rice would just as easily tuck itself away within her skin-tight jumpsuit, but it’ll be far more filling. As an adult, she should at least have eggs, milk and bread on-hand. The quick stop at the corner store after her training session tomorrow it worth it.

As she continues to scribble, the list gets longer. She knows the scrap of paper will either be lost or discarded as soon as she sets foot into the store. Her chin rests against the back of her hand as she stills, staring at the page and beginning to scratch off the unnecessary items. With her inheritance, she could probably afford to hire a maid. The thought of some random woman moving and possibly throwing away her possessions is unpleasant. She would prefer to delegate housekeeping to her genin. Perhaps she could turn it into a training exercise? The one level home has remained unchanged since she first stepped foot into it nearly twenty years ago.

The Raikage would see it as a misuse of authority, but teenagers don’t have anything better to do with their days off. Goryo and Kintaro most likely spent the entire day sparring, if Goryo didn’t waste it at the movies, and Reo... Shunya hums to herself as she struggles to imagine what the young girl does in her spare time. Her eyes fall to her periphery and she takes the moment to glance about the room. It was a surprise that Reo hadn’t been sitting in the empty house, waiting for Shunya’s return.

Shunya ran into Reo a total of five times throughout her day today. After the third time, Shunya questioned if the teen was seriously stalking her every move. Perhaps it would have been wiser to agree to the proposed lunch date, but Shunya simply didn’t trust herself around the genin. The girl was cute but had an odd sense of humor. Aside from being unnaturally clingy, Reo was prone to declaring how she would be Shunya’s wife someday.

During field exercises and mission, Reo was adept at controlling the situations and taking charge. Whenever there was down-time however, the young girl was a brat. She treated the boys on her team harshly and segregated them as much as possible. With a sigh, Shunya reaches above her head to stretch before laying back.

This is her first set of students, so she has everything to prove. She wasn’t born into Kumogakure, only adopted as a child, so she needs to make a name for herself within the Village. Showing favoritism would strain the bonds between squad members, which is the last thing they need before the chunin exams. She remembers how her own team imploded when she was a genin and furrows her eyebrows.

She and Kisarabe tried to ignore their feelings for each other as long as possible. A single kiss ruined everything.

There’s a knock at her door and Shunya bolts upright in confusion. She’s on her feet after the sound of a second set of tapping, then raises an eyebrow at Jun who sits behind the door like a butler. Neutering him would be cruel, but if it’s another pregnant-cat owner, she swears she’ll do the job herself. As if sensing her hostility, Jun steps gingerly between Shunyas legs before disappearing as Shunya slides open the door.

“Konbanwa sensei! I brought groceries!”

Reo beams a huge grin that is soon eclipsed by the oversized bags she raises, “Your fridge is empty right? I’ll make dinner!”

The young girl doesn’t give thought to a possible ‘No’. She slips between Shunya and the open door to gently kick her shoes off before heading into the kitchen.

Shunya is confused and purses her lips, dumbfounded at Reo’s timing and pushing back against how perturbed she wants to feel.

“R-Rangaku-chan? H-How... W-Wait! You really shouldn’t-” Shunya flounders, following after the teen and wondering if she hadn’t made herself clear enough. She didn’t, and couldn’t, accept the girl’s affections. Although she’s sure Reo was always joking, Shunya would never consider marrying her own student.

She continues, “This is a kind gesture, but I can take care of myself.”

Shunya enters the doorway and leans against the jamb, watching in wonder. Reo’s stalker-like tendencies was astonishing, and Shunya questions if Reo even registered her words. Reo is focused on filling the fridge: separating and placing produce on the counter, while spinning to neatly pack everything away. The bags are emptied in a flurry, the rush finally calming as Reo ties on a frilly apron. Reo begins pulling out pots and pans from the cabinet, causing Shunya to groan audibly.

Reo chirps, “How was your day, Sensei?“, while opening a drawer almost absently. She pulls out a knife, then reaches to collect a pot to take with her to the sink.

“Rangaku-chan-”

Shunya suddenly feels tired. She takes a step into the kitchen but halts as Reo looks over her shoulder at her. The bright aquamarine eyes shine even under the dim indoor lighting and Shunya feels sheepish. She eyes the blade Reo wields, aware of its proximity as the girl pauses. Why didn’t Reo put it down on the counter before traversing the room. Shunya swallows. The red-head was volatile at times, but she wouldn’t toss the weapon in a fit of rage. Or, would she? Shunya presses her lips together in thought before attempting to restart, “R-Reo-chan...”

Reo smiles and turns back to her tasks. She sets the pot to boil on the stove before chopping salad vegetables. Without further discussion, Shunya knows this would have been avoided if she had eaten out with the genin before. She puts a hand on her head, then scratches it as she tries to decide how to handle the situation.

Emotional outbursts make Shunya extremely uncomfortable, and Reo had a tendency to overreact. She would’ve gladly taken the girl to lunch earlier, if Reo hadn’t insisted on considering it a ‘date’.

Shunya shakes her head and simply lets Reo cook. She exhales as she steps to the refrigerator to survey the groceries, while responding dryly, “Tiring. My day was tiring.”

It wasn’t as if Reo hadn’t been there for a good portion of it. Aside from running around, her day was overall uneventful. Without being able to chastise her student, Shunya was unsure if Reo would ever understand that her actions were not okay.

Reo hums, “Aww, sensei...” in response, before filling the silence with details about her own day.

Shunya remains quiet, listening as Reo rambles on about her own busy day. Shunya pays less attention to the sound of the teen’s voice, and more attention to how her small home is suddenly filled with noise. Its more than only sound though; Reo’s chopping and each pot and pan cooking on the stove is wrapped in the heat of the kitchen. The steam definitely contributed the bulk of the warmth, but this foreign feeling was thanks to the presence of another person. Its as if Shunya was experiencing the pulsation of ‘life’ itself.

A smile threatened to form as Shunya relaxed a bit. She reached to untie her headband, then headed back into the living room to properly clear off the table. Husband or wife, if this is what living with another person would bring, Shunya was interested. Jun was great, but he wasn’t big on physical touch and his presence never affected her this strongly.

The moment of peace lulled Shunya into a period of rest until Reo entered. She made a couple trips; while informing Shunya that she packed her a bento and put away the leftovers, Reo presented two perfectly portioned plates as well as bowls of rice and a salad to share between them. It was more than Shunya had enjoyed in a very long time. As great as restaurants and stalls were, their food could never compare to a home-cooked meal.

Shunya nods and thanks Reo, looking to her hamburg steak and admiting that it looked and smelled amazing. The sauce glistened even in the dim lighting and the meat was tender. Shunya’s chopstick breaks into a perfectly runny yolk and the golden topping coats the first morsel that is brough to her lips.

“You did a great job Reo-“, Shunya manages not to drool while speaking. Reo did an amazing job. The flavor spreads across her tongue and further fuels her hunger. It takes all her effort not to begin scarfing the meal. She continues to eat while speaking, “It really wasn’t necessary... I mean, I’m grateful, but shouldn’t you be at home? I’m sure your mother also has dinner ready. You’re young and you should spend time with your family...”

Reo eats slowly and Shunya tempers her pace to match. Being watched while she eats is unnerving, but there’s no way Shunya will let her awkwardness get between herself and dinner. Since Reo doesn’t respond, Shunya continues, “Your sister is expecting isn’t she? And your older brother was just promoted to jonin... You should be there to celebrate.”

The young girl bites her lower lip as she shakes her head, then laughs lightly before looking down at her plate. Shunya can tell something is bothering her, but is unsure if she should ask. She wants to maintain some semblance of professional distance.

“Nah, sensei, everyone is busy with their own lives,” Reo stabs a cherry tomato, then brings it to her lips as she mumbles, “They hardly recognize whether I’m there or not.”

Shunya frowns and moves her plate to the side to focus on Reo. With her hunger satisfied, she sees that Reo was trying to feel useful. She sighs, “Is that so,” unable to come up with anything particularly reassuring. Its beyond inappropriate to make yourself at home in a single adult’s house. Whether Reo thinks they notice or not, the last thing Shunya wants is for Reo’s parents- or anyone for that matter- getting the wrong idea about the time she and Reo spend together.

Reo stands and collects Shunya’s plate before heading back into the kitchen. Shunya figures that the least she could do is help clean up, so she follows after and begins rolling up her sleeves as she nears the sink.

“It’s alright sensei,” Reo appears at her side and touches Shunya’s exposed forearm gently. She has retrieved a can of beer from the fridge, only to place it against Shunya’s palm. The chilled metal feels wholly unwelcome as the older woman suffers a surge of panic. What would normally be refreshing makes her hand feel clammy, as each of the younger girl’s words slither from where the two women touch; they travel up Shunya’s arms, twisting as they rustle the black leather that binds her triceps, before tightening around the older woman’s neck like a noose.

“I can handle the dishes. You’re tired, so go ahead and relax.”

Shunya shakes her head but cannot find the words to respond until she takes a large step away from Reo. The sudden closeness was too much. Her body floods with a rush of warmth that is quickly followed by goosebumps.

“I-If you’re sure then, I’ll be in the living room!”

Her distress is evident, but she retreats before Reo can give her any reply. It isn’t until she’s seated dumbly, back at the table, that she realizes she’s still clutching the can of beer. There is no way she’s drinking with Reo around, so she places it on the table before turning to look at the doorway.Reo shouldn’t terrorize her. Shunya clenches her hands into fists as she realizes how tense she’s become. Her breasts bounce as she shakes her shoulders in a shimmy, and the motion releases the tension she’s been storing.

A simple touch. Shunya can still feel the imprint of Reo’s hand on her arm as she shuffles over to her work desk. The only other person she’s ever felt so strongly about was Kisarabi. As her teammate, Shunya couldn’t do anything aside from putting up an emotional barrier to protect herself, and that wasn’t enough in the end. She sorts trough scrolls and pages to locate the designs for her newest automata.

Kisarabi’s lips were like marshmallows, soft and oversweet. She taps her thumb to her lips in memory as Reo reappears with a bowl of ice cream. A spoonful hangs before her nose in offering, but Shunya holds up a hand in refusal.

“Reo-can, you are going home tonight, right?”

The weight of her first crush can still be felt, as if the girl herself was still straddled around Shunya’s waist. Reo puffs her cheeks out in thought, then tilts her head to the side as she pouts, “Do I have to sensei?

“I wanna stay here. We have training in the morning, so this is more efficient...” Reo leans closer to Shunya, clearly intrigued by the design spread out across the desk. Her hovering is too close for the jonin’s comfort.

With an exasperated sigh, Shunya turns her face and raises an eyebrow. They are nose-to-nose but Shunya can’t back down now. It is apparent that allowing Reo to have her way will never solve the problem. As uncomfortable as it may be, Shunya must have this conversation. As long as she remains clear and concise, Reo should understand.

“I would prefer if you went home, Rangaku-chan.” Shunya begins, then blinks to steel herself before continuing, “I appreciate all that you’ve done for me tonight; it is more than I deserve as your sensei. I’m not trying to be mean or kick you out, but you honestly can’t spend the night here.”

Shunya wanted to mention how Reo keeps intruding into her personal space, but notices that Reo has begun tearing up. Disciplining the genin’s clinginess will have to wait, as Reo takes a step back and curls up into a ball on the floor.

Reo mumbles into her thighs as her forehead pushes against her knees, ”Nobody wants me around! Not my teammates, not my family, not even my sen-sei! Wh-What did I do wrong!? I try and try and try so hard! I studied hard, but my parents won’t let me join them in the lab! Goryo-kun refuses to accept me as the leader, and Kintaro-kun calls me scary! Now even sensei pushes me away!”

The sound of the teen’s sobbing is unbearable. Shunya is unable to make out more of the muttering as her worst fear is realized. She sees that she’s hurt Reo deeply, and is now unsure how to fix it or quiet the sobbing. Shunya could leave, but what would that help? This is her house, so she can’t just ditch and waltz around the village all night.

Shunya reaches out and notices how intensely her hands are trembling. She’s an absolutely pathetic excuse for a jonin kunoichi and a sensei; she can’t even reach out and offer her suffering student support. It’s not like Reo hadn’t shown signs of distress. What kind of teacher throws salt in a student’s wound?

“R-Reo-chan! Th-That’s not true at all!” Shunya drops to one knee and places a hand on Reo’s head to pet her. She always thought that Reo’s red hair looked like silk, and now she knows that it feels like silk as well. Brilliant and smooth as her fingers disappear beneath the strands, without feeling slippery or unnaturally greasy.

The simple touh isn’t enough, so Shunya takes a breath before wrapping her arms around the girl. She continues, “You’re a little clingy, but that’s not anything to cry about. You probably don’t need to try so hard. Just be yourself and everyone will sort themselves out. I’ll even talk to Goryo and Kintaro tomorrow. I chose you as the leader. You are an exceptional kunoichi!”

Shunya can feel Reo trembling against her breasts and tries to ignore it. Although quiet, Shunya isn’t sure the teenager is truly alright. “Please stop crying. You can stay the night, just this once.”