The Water Maiden

8

It's been a week since I got back. I told Itachi what happened and he froze up per usual. Seeing him try and comfort me was funny. He doesn't know how to act around girls. He just sucked at it. Today, I was called to the hokage's office. There, I saw the hokage, Keisuke, and two weird men.

"Thank you for coming, Ellie." The hokage greeted.

"Why was I called here?" I asked, looking at the men with suspicion.

"I was playing a game of shogi and thought you'd like to play against someone who's highly intelligent. I know you like a challenge and thought of you." The hokage said.

"Why? Is it against one of the old men?" I asked, turning my head towards the two men.

"These are the clan heads of the Nara and Yamanaka."

"Greetings. I'm the future clan head of something." They seemed confused.

"Ellie." Sensei karate chopped my head lightly. I pouted.

"I'd like you to play against the Nara clan head." The hokage said. I sat on the couch while the man sat in front of me. "Take your time, Ellie." The hokage said. I looked up at my opponent. "Yes?" He questioned. "I'll sweep the floor with you."

After a couple of hours, I was beaten. "You cheated!" I pointed at my opponent.

"I didn't cheat. You're the one who cheated more than once." The Nara clan head said.

"Liar! Those moves were legal. You're just too much of a coward to admit you couldn't think of a brilliant plan." I said, looking down on him.

"T-they weren't legal! I beat you fair and square. Just admit defeat."

"Never!" He laughed at me.

"You'll always lose against me, little girl." Before I could do anything, Keisuke held me in his arms. I was kicking and wiggling in his arms.

"I'll drown you! I'll make you suffer! I'm not little!" This only made him laugh at me more.

"Calm down, Ellie." Keisuke said.

"I'll drown you too!" The hokage walked over and rubbed the top of my head.

"Now, Ellie, that isn't any way to act after losing." He said softly.

I glared at him. "Sit down." His body fell to the ground.

"No! Bad! You can't use your kekkei genkai like that." Keisuke put his hand over my mouth. I was growling like a beast.

"My, she's very violent." The Yamanaka said, amused at me.

Keisuke had me sitting in his lap. His hand was still over my mouth. "Let's make a deal. If you come play shogi with me every week, I'll teach you everything about calculating shogi moves." The Nara clan head said. It was a good proposal. My eyes grew in size. He'd do that? I took Keisuke's hand off my mouth.

"Why? You have nothing to gain." I pointed out.

"You're wrong. I finally have a formable opponent. Plus, the village will gain your brilliant mind. What do you say?" He held his hand out.

I hummed, thinking things over. "Will there be food involved?" I asked him.

"Of course."

"Deal." I shook his hand with a smile immediately. "You know, you could have just said there would be food." "Huh?"

"You shouldn't think with your stomach." Keisuke said.

"No complaining." I said.

"Well, Ellie, it'll be fun having you over."