A New Story

Death Of Forest Part 2

 "...Yes yes but what of the recourse?" I had just finished up my Aunts training, trying to catch my breath while listening in on their discussion. They called me in with a wave. "Yes I agree, Argies, come here" My aunt was being 'nice' again, meaning something unpleasant or difficult was ahead. Hmm, I wonder which one it's going to be...?

My uncle focused his attention on me, "Argies" he called me with command as if I wasn't aware of the instruction to listen, "tell us what the invigilators will expect of our ability?" I hated being told to do what I was already doing, like it wasn't my choice anymore when I had already been committed to the task all along, like they were commanding me and I was begrudgingly now submitting to the task...It just made me so angry!

"Argies are you listening" my Uncle asked again, already pressed far beyond his ability to contend with my treachery of disobedience. I nodded my head and slipped back into my thoughts, where is this conversation leading, pleasant or difficult? "What do the invigilators expect of our ability?" my uncle repeated and the answer rung bells in my head.

...and the winner is!!! Unpleasant conversation, judges tell the contestants what they have won!

"What do you mean uncle?" please be wrong, please be wrong!

"There would be a standard that is expected of us elders. Young Genin are very limited in what abilities they learn, those with Clans often learn only their clan jutsu. Of our age..." This is going to be such an amazing conversation... NOT! "They will believe us to be limited to only a few techniques"

I broadened my expression into a big straight faced bogus smile, lightened my tone and tried my best to sell it. "Well, both my Uncle and Aunt are Great ninja, I would expect every invigilator to know that by now" Yes I was avoiding the inevitable, but it hurts a lot less then jumping head first into a concrete pool.

"Have you personally told them this?" Anisue gently put a hand to my arms, I had folded them unintentionally and as a ninja I should have realised it was an obvious defensive behaviour. I need to keep track of these things for next time I try and get out of 'nice aunt behaviour' events.

"Isn't it kind of implied?" I tried "All ninja elders are Great ninja or at least fighting fit." They're facial features were already hardening, a way of saying their awaiting an answer and not a gentle dance around the details.

"Ok, from my understanding. In the Ninja academy the elders that attend Genin level training are the parents of or guardians of none ninja clan students, although there are also eccentric civilians that just want to learn ninjutsu out of amusement or passion." There are those people that just learn things for fun, besides most civilians do not understand or appreciate the ninja arts. I guess that's why parents with first generation ninja attend the academy to understand what their children are learning.

I continued apprehensive of the looks I was receiving. "There maybe a few elder academy students that just want to learn jutsu types of an area that was off limits to them akin to the studies of sealing jutsu like you intend to learn." I shifted my weight thinking further. "Others like ninja armourers are looking for ways to make money off experience and knowledge that is only available to higher ranks, but do not intent to be actual ninja" There was a silent conversation between my elders as they listened to my full explanation; perhaps reasoning where I got my knowledge from.

"Yes, Genin of my age limit themselves to clan jutsus. Orphans and students with no ninja family history learn Village jutsus; Earth Wall style and other elemental styles, basics that form the root of stronger techniques." I took a breath, it wasn't easy talking with the look they were giving me, 'care a little less Argies'