Hidden Villages

I: Normality

Clouds soothed the soul. The white fluffy nature of the cloud brought back childhood memories of looking out at the sky dreaming of eating them despite the vast distance between him and the clouds. Sometimes the cloud became painted with vivid colors as the sun rose and set. On rare occasions the gray clouds brought rain, but in their village clouds were everywhere almost all the time begging for one to reach the sky.

All buildings in Kumogakure were built with windows which allowed the sky and light emanating from the clouds to filter into the room. Some buildings, however, had one room which cut one off from the sky, but the room in their clan estate was the last place C ever wanted to go as he became cut off from the sky, but also his fellow villagers outside. Outside the Raikage was in control, but inside the oldest of those named C held control.

Arriving home, he found a walking stick the man didn't need shoved into his chest painfully. "What is this I hear about you becoming the personal bodyguard of the Raikage?"

C quickly let his eyes drift down from those of his grandfather and father. "I take it father told you?"

"Yes. Your father told me, but also told me he didn't know the Raikage planned on doing that. The Raikage should have consulted with me first. Did you think me a fool..." The man uttered a name other than C.

Hearing the name made C's head dart up. The humility he attempted showing his elder left. Instead, the serious look he put on for the entire village sprung forth. "Don't call me that. I hate being called that."

His father's facial expression softened. "C, that is the name your mother gave you."

"She's the only one who doesn't have to seek forgiveness for using that name, though there is nothing she need ask forgiveness for in the first place in that regard."

The walking stick darted up knocking C lightly in the chin, but he found himself looking into his grandfather's eyes. "Know your place. Such talk towards the head of the family is not only out of line, but your place in this family is a tool towards gaining power both inside and outside the village."

"Yet you're not happy with the fact I've been named bodyguard for the Raikage."

"Did you think getting into his good graces would be a political move I'd praise you for? I am not going to praise you..." The forbidden name came out again for the mere purpose of hurting another. "... for going behind my back."

"I didn't. I didn't know why the Raikage summoned me."

"Yet you didn't tell me he had summoned you, did you."

"I'm sorry you're not on good terms or the fact your position on the council is now father's." C kept his normal composure on his face. The youngest C watched as the oldest raised his cane in anger, yet a bit of emotion slipped through upon seeing the anger in the man's eyes. The stick swung forward aiming to knock him across the face.

However, the sound of the walking stick hitting flesh wasn't the sound of C's face being hit. Instead, he watched his father grab the walking stick right before the contact, but glare at the old man who continued looking angrily at C. "Need I remind you that if you do that your plans for C will be ruined?"

The man lowered the cane down. "My plans were ruined when they forbid the taking of brides. I picked his mother carefully, yet all I got was this ungrateful brat who can't appreciate the fact I took careful consideration into his existence or the fact all my careful consideration for his offspring is now ruined. As such I had to come up with new plans to strengthen our clans power. Ungrateful brat can go without super for all I care."

The man turned and walked away while C frowned. "I really was sorry he's not on good terms with the Raikage or that you've taken over his place on the council."

"You also said that with a straight face and no change in your tone of voice." His father let out a deep sigh. "Honestly, it is my fault for teaching you not to show your emotion at all."

"No. A shinobi isn't supposed to have any emotion at all, but I was the one who had the weakness of having emotion. I thought..."

A hand clamped down onto his shoulder. "You thought what?"

"Outside of the family structure I am the tool of the Raikage, but inside I am the tool of the family, so shouldn't I care if things are not going the way the family wishes it to? One emotion I am supposed to have is pride in my family, but living up to the ideals you taught me, such as not displaying any sign of emotion upon my continuance."

"Regarding the extracurricular activities your grandfather is having you partake in, you don't have to."

"I do. The rules are the rules. As long as I am under his roof I follow his rules as I am an extension for him to use."

"In other words what the jinchuriki said at the council meeting meant nothing to you?"

C's mouth opened slightly, wondering if he happened to have an answer back regarding what the man asked. He quickly regained his composure and glared at the man. "Why are you two acting strangely? What rules have I broken? He used that name I don't like hearing, but I've done what he's wanted without question. You're also suggesting I not follow his rules despite everything you and he taught me. I don't understand why you'd ask me to do that."

"Perhaps one day you'll understand rules don't mean everything."

"You shouldn't let grandfather hear you say that."

"Never mind C." The man lifted his hand slightly and patted him on the shoulder.

"Good. I'd best see if there is anything he wants me to do."