Solar Eclipse *Rewrite*

Chapter 11

Lee had become a member of their group rather quickly, despite being older than them. He was easy to get along with, polite, and a source of everlasting energy. He was a perfect balance. Shikamaru, Choji, and Sasuke were more laid back while Naruto, Koinu, and Lee were active. Sometimes, inhumanly so.

When Tuesday came around, Koinu found herself going up the steps to the Yamanaka compound. It smelled nice, like flowers. Shikamaru mentioned that it was a side business. The main branch owned and managed a flower shop. She reached out to knock on the door. It swung open, revealing a regal-looking woman. She held herself with an air of grace and authority. "Gin Mizu, Koinu?"

"Yes."

"Yes, ma'am. Or Madam."

Koinu blinked. "Yes... Madam."

She shook her head. "It seems that I have my work cut out for me. Come along. We have much to do." With a wave of her hand, she ushed her inside.

As she was asked to be called, Lady Yamanaka was Ino's mother. They shared the same no-nonsense tone, as well as the same figure. Though Lady Yamanaka had wider hips and was pudgier on the edges. "Lesson number one: pose. You are a princess, and as a member of high sociality, you must carry yourself as so. So chin up, shoulders back, back straight, chest out." To say she felt foolish was an understatement. "Good." She took a book from the bookcase, placing it on her head. "Now walk. Small steps."

"But wouldn't that mean I'll be slower?"

"No. Once you have had enough practice, you should still be able to get from point a to point b at the same speed as always. Now, walk in a straight line and try to keep the book from wobbling too much."

"Where did you learn this from?" She wasn't sure what to do with her arms. What was she supposed to do with her arms?

"One goes on your hip, the other is going to dangle and swing with your steps." Well, there was her answer. "I learned this from my mother. Who was taught by her mother and by her mother's mother. You get the picture. I come from a long line of nobility, granted, not as grandiose as yours. For I am not a princess, just a mere lady."

So far, this was the oddest of the lessons offered by clan heads. After nearly two hours of walking from one corner of the room to the next, they moved on to the next thing on their list—tea etiquette.

Now that. That was easy. Tea was mostly water. Water was her specialty. "Hold it steady, tilt the spout in a short, fluid motion. Hold it at a forty-degree angle." Too many rules for such a simple task. But she followed them nonetheless. The tea was poured into the cup, filling it before setting the teapot back down. "Very good. Now. Drink it. Don't worry, it's jasmine."

With the cup cradled elegantly in the palm of her right hand, she copied Lady Yamanaka as she turned the cup three full turns before sipping. They didn't have tea back home. They had fruit wine, though she isn't allowed anywhere near it until she turns sixteen. They also had coconut water, which was her favorite. She sipped her tea and slurped the last bit of matcha before setting the cup back down. There was a moment of silence before any of them spoke.

"Excellent. I'm pleased to say that you are a better student than my own daughter."

"Ino?"

"Yes."

Their session went on in a similar manner. They practiced walking, posse, and proper etiquette. There were a lot of rules that Japanese noble women were expected to follow. Koinu had been taught to stand up straight, her head always held up high. Her people would follow her example. They would seek her out for aid, and she would have answers. It was her duty to overlook the progress of the island, to deal out punishments when and where she deemed appropriate. She and her siblings were the face and leaders of their lands. They weren't expected just to look pretty and quiet.

In the end, Lady Yamanaka walked her to the door. "Next time, we will be going over arts. I'll have a seamstress here to take measurements."

"Why?"

"We have commissioned a few formal Japanese clothes for you to wear. As a princess, you must know how to wear it properly. Besides, it increases your chances of getting a good husband."

"Isn't... that thinking too far ahead?"

"No, child. Now run along. That demon boy friend of yours is not welcome here."

She growled as she descended the stairs to the front door. And just when she was starting to think Lady Yamanaka was a nice person. That little detail was going to make their session a bit more unbearable. In her fit of anger, she bumped into someone. "Ow!" They cried out. "Watch where you're going!"

That voice was recognizable from a mile away. Ino was back and was most definitely going to ask what she was doing in her house. Sure enough, the question came. "Koinu! What are you doing here? In my house?"

"Leaving."

"I meant before that."

"None of your business." She tried to squeeze past her, but Ino blocked her exit. "Look. I really don't wanna be here longer than I have to be."

"No. You're not going anywhere until I get my answer!"

I really don't have time for this, she thought. With a quick splash, she rushed a few steps behind Ino on the stairs. Once back in a solid form, she ran down the rest of the stairs. More than happy to get out of the building. She met up with her friends at the park. It was nice to run around after hours of learning to sit quietly and sip tea. With her friends, she could be loud and get dirty. And she wouldn't take it back for anything in the world.