Chapter 6: "So... That Means No Dinner"
Entering his clan compound or rather, the streets filled with clan members around it he headed to his house. However, the lights were off, and there wasn't the usual smell of his mother's cooking. It was quite quiet.
Other than the cool evening breeze rustling the leaves of the trees in the courtyard, everything was still. Did they go out? Am I back too early? he asked himself.
However, remembering his father's mischievous expression before he left earlier in the evening, a weird look crossed his face. Shaking his head, he turned around.
Let's not disturb the lovebirds, he thought. This is good anyway. I was thinking about suggesting they get me a little sister to dote upon. Perhaps mother's worrying nature could be passed on a bit. While I won't be spoiled as much, having a cute sister to tease is always fun.
He remembered that he'd had a younger sister in his previous life. However, they'd only met a few times over the years, having lived apart from each other. With the drastic age difference him being a young teen when she was born he'd been a bit indifferent. However, by the time he outgrew this phase, his little sister had grown up, and he'd missed the best parts. It was only when he was older that he looked back on it with slight regret.
Deep in his thoughts, he decided to visit his aunt. This was his mother's twin sister. His cousin should be at home as well. He remembered his cousin was a few years older than him around nine or ten and quite energetic. The boy had his own little clique of friends he hung out with and did their mischievousness around the village, causing small trouble for his parents.
Gently closing his yard gate, he put his hands in his pockets and slowly headed down the street.
He would stop by, have dinner, and explain the situation or rather, not explain the situation directly. His aunt would understand well enough what "Mom and Dad wanted some time alone" meant without him having to spell it out. Adults always got those things.
A scrumptious dinner while he waited for his old man to wrap up whatever he was doing sounded perfect.
As he headed to his aunt's house, he thought about the conversation he'd had earlier with Kaori, thinking about his current training. He was just doing his chakra control exercises and basic strength training nothing too overboard.
Before, he wasn't in a hurry to find out what this unusual thing in his body's purpose was or what advantages it might bring. But with the earlier conversation about chakra enhancement stages and the legendary figures who'd mastered them, he couldn't help but wish it would awaken that much sooner.
What path will it push me toward? he wondered. Strength? Speed? Jack of all trades or Something else entirely?
Soon he arrived at his aunt's house. It was a two-story Japanese-styled house with a front courtyard of decent size. His uncle was one of the elders within the clan, possessing considerable wealth based on the furnishings compared to other members of the family. Even when most families didn't have extraordinary houses or furnishings, all he could say was that his uncle's taste was exquisite.
Pushing through the large gate and entering the spacious front Japanese courtyard, he was greeted by a small pond so clear you could see the very bottom with its ornamental stones filled with various small fishes.
Various styled Japanese lights illuminated the space, and the lawn and pathways were immaculate in their care and design. Small batches of flowers were spread around the front, and the faint smell of flowers and fragrant trees wafted over, washing away the day's fatigue.
Just then, he saw a figure quietly sneaking out. It was a boy a few years older than him short black hair with striking blue eyes. He was tiptoeing, trying not to make a sound.
Knowing this was his cousin trying to sneak out right at this moment, Kuro couldn't help but wonder about his cousin's luck. The boy would probably be frightened upon seeing him, giving away his position and revealing that he wasn't in the house ruining his own plans for the remainder of the evening.
As softly as possible, he called out to his cousin. "Psst, yo! What's up? Where you heading?"
His call caused his cousin to freeze and slowly turn around, fear etched across his face. The look almost caused Kuro to smile.
Internally shaking his head, Kuro asked, "Where are you headed? Are Aunt and Uncle here?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," his cousin said quickly and as softly as possible, waving his hands frantically. "Mom and the geezer are having dinner right now. But me and the boys are heading out for a meetup a quick rendezvous to prank a shopkeeper that overcharged a lot of us because we keep patronizing his store."
He grinned mischievously. "So we plan to have some fun in return, you know? Get our money's worth. After all, there's no such thing as a free lunch." His cousin said it so matter-of-factly, as if this was perfectly reasonable logic.
"What are you doing here, cuz?" his cousin asked, clearly eager to deflect attention from his own schemes.
Kuro said calmly, "Mom and Dad are busy, so I came to visit Aunt and Uncle and eat dinner."
His cousin nodded knowingly that particular knowing nod that suggested he understood exactly what "busy" meant. "You came at the right time. We're having dinner now. I just made an excuse to ditch and head out."
He started backing away toward the gate, clearly anxious to leave before getting caught. "Take your time! Mom made your favorite, Kuro!"
Kuro's eyes lit up at that.
Waving off his cousin, who quickly slipped out the gate like a shadow, Kuro approached the front door and knocked, saying playfully, "Aunt! Your favorite nephew is here! I heard you were cooking!"
Soon he heard footsteps, and a beautiful woman who looked a bit like his mom appeared. While his mother was more slender, his aunt was a bit more on the curvier side, with short shoulder-length hair compared to his mother's long back-length hair. Her face broke into a warm smile when she saw him.
"Kuro-kun! What a pleasant surprise!" She stepped aside, gesturing for him to come in. "Come in, come in! We're just having dinner. Your uncle will be happy to see you."
As Kuro stepped inside and removed his shoes, his aunt studied him with the perceptive eye that seemed to run in the family. "Is everything alright? Your parents...?"
"They're fine," Kuro said, keeping his tone light and casual. "They just... wanted some time together this evening. Dad suggested I visit the park to make some friends , however after getting back the light were off and i could smell mother cooking , seemly as if no ones home decided to come to aunt."
His aunt's expression shifted to one of understanding, a knowing smile playing at her lips. "Ah, I see. Well, you're always welcome here, you know that." There was a twinkle of amusement in her eyes that suggested she understood perfectly well what "time together" meant.
Adults really do just get it, Kuro thought with some relief. No awkward explanations needed.
"Come, come! I made katsudon tonight I remember it's your favorite!" His aunt led him down the hallway toward the dining area. "Your uncle is already at the table. He'll be pleased to have company. He's been complaining that Takeshi has been spending too much time with his friends lately."
Takeshi that was his cousin's name, Kuro remembered. And he's definitely not here right now. Probably halfway to whatever prank he and his friends are planning.
"Where is Takeshi?" Kuro asked innocently.
"Oh, he finished his dinner quickly them headed to his saying he needed to study in his room. Some academy homework or something," his aunt said with a slight sigh. "Though between you and me, I suspect he's up to something. That boy has the same look his father had at that age pure mischief."
If only you knew he was already gone, Kuro thought, but kept his expression neutral.
They entered the dining room, where a sturdy-looking man with graying hair at his temples sat at the low table. His uncle looked up from the document he was reading, his stern expression softening when he saw Kuro.
"Kuro! This is a surprise. What brings you here this evening?"
"Uncle," Kuro greeted with a respectful bow. "My parents were... occupied this evening, and Father suggested I got out to mingle with other but they were gone when i went for dinner , this led me to visit for uncle for dinner."
His uncle's eyes crinkled with understanding, and he chuckled. "Ah, I see. Well, their loss is our gain. Sit, sit! Your aunt's cooking is exceptional tonight."
As Kuro settled at the table, his aunt brought out the promised katsudon, the rich aroma making his stomach growl. It looked and smelled amazing perfectly breaded pork cutlet over rice with egg and savory sauce.
"So," his uncle said, setting aside his document, "how was your first day at the academy? Your father mentioned you'd be starting today."
"It went well," Kuro replied, picking up his chopsticks. "I was placed in Class 1-A."
His uncle's eyebrows rose with approval. "Class 1-A! Excellent! That's the advanced course, isn't it? Only the top students get placed there initially."
"Fourteen students out of over a hundred," Kuro confirmed.
"Impressive!" His aunt beamed with pride as she brought more dishes to the table. "Your mother must be so proud! Did you meet any interesting classmates?"
"A few," Kuro said, taking his first bite of the katsudon. It was delicious even better than he remembered. "There's an Uchiha and a Hyuga in the class. Some other clan kids and a few from civilian ninja families."
"Good mix," his uncle noted. "It's important to build connections early. The academy isn't just about learning techniques it's about forming camaraderie , the bonds and that will support you throughout your career as a shinobi."
Kuro nodded, thinking about Miyuki and Kaori. Those connections were already forming, though not in his class directly.
"And after the academy?" his aunt asked.
"yeah that's when dad cancelled after noon training and saying i should mingle with other that how i end up at the park," Kuro said. "Met some Inuzuka clan members two sisters. One is a recent chunin, and the other is in Class 1-B. They were doing training exercises."
"The Inuzuka are good people," his uncle said approvingly. "Direct and honest. You could not do worse for allies."
They continued eating, the conversation flowing naturally. His aunt asked about his plans for training, his uncle offered some advice about focusing on fundamentals, and Kuro answered carefully giving enough information to seem engaged without revealing too much.
As the meal progressed, Kuro couldn't help but notice the warm family atmosphere. This was what he'd missed in his previous life these simple moments of connection over a meal, the casual conversations, the sense of belonging.
This is worth protecting, he thought. This peace, this normalcy. Whatever path I take, whatever I become, I need to be strong enough to keep this safe.
"More rice, Kuro-kun?" his aunt asked, already reaching for the rice cooker.
"Yes, please," Kuro said with a genuine smile.
As his aunt served him another helping, his uncle leaned back with a satisfied expression. "You know, Kuro, your father has done well for himself. Going from a merchant clan background to jonin that takes quite the single-mindedness to strive for. Natural talent helps, of course. I hope you inherit his talent. Then only dedication is needed to become just like your father."
I'll definitely strive for it, Uncle," Kuro replied.
"Good, good." His uncle nodded approvingly. "And don't let the clan kids intimidate you. Bloodlines and secret techniques are advantages, yes, but they're not everything. Hard work and intelligence can overcome a lot."
If only you knew about the mysterious thing growing in my chakra network, Kuro thought wryly. That might be my own 'bloodline' advantage. Still, it's too early to tell.
"Where is Takeshi, anyway?" his uncle suddenly asked, glancing toward the hallway. "He should join us. Family dinner and all."
His aunt's expression showed a flash of suspicion. "He ate earlier, before you came," she said.
"Takeshi said he would be in his room studying..."
"I'll check on him," his uncle said, starting to rise.
"No need," Kuro interjected quickly. "I saw him briefly when I arrived. He mentioned he had to meet his study group something about preparing for an academy test."
Forgive me, cousin. But I'm not throwing you under the cart completely. This gives you an alibi, at least, Kuro thought.
His uncle settled back down with a grunt. "Study group, eh? Well, at least he's taking his studies seriously. About time. However, it's a bit late I'll walk you home, Kuro, then go check his usual gathering spots."
His aunt looked less convinced but didn't press the issue, though she gave Kuro a look that suggested she suspected he was covering for Takeshi. But she said nothing, simply offering him more food. However, with her husband planning to check later, she decided not to make a fuss. Her husband seemingly had his own suspicions.
They finished dinner with pleasant conversation, and as Kuro helped clear the dishes despite his aunt's protests, he felt a sense of contentment.
"You're welcome to stay as long as you need," his aunt said warmly. "If your parents are still... occupied when you're ready to leave, you can even stay the night in the guest room."
"Thank you, Aunt, but I should probably head back soon," Kuro said. "I have academy tomorrow, and I should get proper rest."
"Sensible," his uncle approved. "That's good thinking. Always prioritize rest before training it's when your body actually grows stronger."
After saying his goodbyes and thanking them profusely for the meal, Kuro stepped back out into the evening. The courtyard was now fully lit by the Japanese lanterns, creating a serene atmosphere.
As he walked back toward his house, he couldn't help but smile.
So... that means no dinner at home tonight, he thought with amusement. I was planning to have it for breakfast if I came back and Mom was cooking. But that's alright. Sometimes the old man deserves some time with Mom. And I got a great meal out of it anyway.
The house was still quite. The lights were still off, confirming his parents were still... occupied.
I'll just slip in quietly, head to my room, and do some light meditation before bed, he decided. Tomorrow starts the real academy routine.
As he carefully opened the front door and moved through the darkened hall way toward the entrance that led to his room, deciding to wash first then meditate before bed.