Kichimaru Tomaka, emotional ninja

Chapter 2

The creak of my bedroom door wakes me up immediately, but with practiced ease I continue to breath steadily and keep my eyes closed as I take in my surroundings. The poorly concealed giggles clue me in pretty quickly and I realize my two youngest siblings are here to wake me for breakfast. Given my parents long late evening work hours breakfast was the only meal where the whole family ate together, and the twins had made a game out of waking me up for it. Satsuki and Tsukiko were both 3 years old with black hair matching our Tou-chan and I, but had the bright blue eyes of our Obaa-chan. They looked plenty cute and innocent, but they were of the same scheming mind and always had a prank or some sort of revenge planned. Almost involuntarily, my lips twitch into a smile as Satsuki loudly shushes his sister, they were just too cute. I wait until they approach my bed and begin to slowly creep slower. As they turn to get each other with matching mischievous grins I suddenly shoot up and throw my heavy grey blanket over them both.

"Eh?! Aniki!!" They shout, but with happiness coloring their voices. I let out a booming laugh through my rapidly widening grin and grab both kids, one in each arm, still wrapped up in my blanket.

"Oh? What's this?" I tease, "Satsu-chan and Kiko-chan? I thought you were robbers here for my ryo!" They laugh and wiggle against my hold as I tickle them, never content to be still.

"Breakfast!" Kiko-chan finally manages to say between bouts of laughter.

"Oh! Why didn't ya' say so?" I set them both down but leave them to struggle out from my blanket.

"You didn't let us!" Satsu-chan crawls out and immediately pretends to glare at me with clearly pleased eyes. I let out another chuckle and pinch his cheek.

"Only my Otouto could be so cute when he's mad!" I coo as he begins to pout. I leave him alone with a chuckle as I finally grab my blanket, freeing Kiko-chan with a squawk, and begin making my bed. "What'd Kaa-chan make?" I ask as Kiko-chan hands me a fallen pillow, all of us used to this daily morning routine of rough housing.

"Dunno, forgot to check!" She grins without any shame. I click my tongue as I playfully waggle my finger at her, but she sticks her tongue out in retaliation making me laugh again at her gusto.

"Let's go find out then, ne?" I suggest with a lifted brow as we stand up, having finished tidying up. Satsu-chan is off immediately with a quick 'race you!' that sends Kiko-chan into frenzied action. They go bounding down the hall, loudly stomping towards the kitchen in their race. I chuckle as I follow calmly behind them, occasionally righting picture frames they managed to knocked over, affection swelling in my heart. After all, it's a big brother's job to protect and cherish his little siblings.

I was only 5 years old when Kaa-chan got pregnant again. As a very involved child my parents were worried I would be jealous of another baby getting their attention, and during her pregnancy I certainly was. I pouted for months about not being the only child and 'losing my parents', but as soon as Tou-chan put Megumi-chan in my arms I was in love. Baby soft skin and little wisps of dark hair endeared me, and toothless smiles stole my heart. I demanded to help during feedings and naps, and was soon babysitting often so Kaa-chan and Tou-chan could actually get some sleep. Although all Megu-chan really did was babble and poop, every laugh I caused and hurt I soothed made me love her even more.

When Hitomi-kun came 2 years later I learned that my heart was plenty big enough for more family. He was a very grumpy and stubborn child, but even when he pulled my hair and demanded apple sauce, I would smother him with affection until he laughed with me. Satsu-chan and Kiko-chan were a surprise, even to Kaa-chan, but by then I was big enough for piggy back rides and I hardly ever put them down. Kaa-chan and Tou-chan both have to work long hours to support us, even back then, but I stepped up to my role as Aniki and have never regretted it since.

Breakfast, as always, was a loud affair. Dishes clattered loudly as we passed food around the table and generally made a mess. I teased Hito-kun about his love of apples, helped Satsu-chan and Kiko-chan make their plates and cut their food, and pretended to faint when I saw Megu-chan's new dress. Kaa-chan watched us sleepily over a cup of tea with a warm smile and happy brown eyes at our antics even as Tou-chan half-heartedly scolded us when we spilled the milk. Too soon us older kids are headed out the door as the twins wave us off.

Both Megu-chan and Hito-kun attend civilian school, being 10 years old and 8 years old respectively, while Satsu-chan and Kiko-chan stayed with our grandparents during the day once our parent's leave for work after lunch. When they were younger, Megu-chan and Hito-kun both had their ninja phase claiming they would be like me, but much to my relief they had both settled on a calmer life. Luckily, I'm able to walk them to school everyday and then report to the Genin corps. Our grandparents pick them up from school with the twins and watch them until I get off after dinner and can walk everyone home. Luckily for everyone, Obaa-chan doesn't work anymore and loves spending time with us grandchildren. And when I got assigned longer missions, she was more than happy to watch the kids overnight and bring them back in the morning for breakfast.

"Aniki you look stupid." Hito-kun deadpans. His childish face set into a scowl sets my laughter off, only making the scowl deeper. I'm fully dressed in my uniform, long black shinobi pants wrapped off at the ankles and long-sleeved black shirt with the half face mask pulled over my nose under my deep green jacket. My bangs are held back with a clip, as I usually do when around my family, and as usual I didn't take the time to lay my hair flat. Rather, immediately behind the long clip my bangs stick out which causes my hair to look like a rooster's head. Honestly, I thought it was hilarious and almost never bothered to clip my hair back correctly.

"Hito-ni! Don't be rude!" Megu-chan defends me valiantly. They are both holding my hands as we walk, so she has to lean around me to scold him. As my laughter settles a shit eating grin forms on my face.

"Hito-kun! You wound me! I will never recover from this!" He rolls his eyes, but can't hide his small smile as I tease him.

"Whatever, you think so too Aniki." He shoots back.

"I'm like a rooster!" I let go of their hands and begin to flap my arms and crow loudly without care for the people around us, causing both of their faces to turn red as vendors and bystanders turn to look at us. Embarrassing younger siblings is a first born's job after all.

"Aniki stop it!" Megu-chan pleads as she hides her red face from view while Hito-kun grumbles with a slight blush.

"Hehe, for you Megu-chan! ~" I wink at both of them, then settle down and hold my hands out to them. Without argument they grab my hands and lead me quickly away from the scene I caused, further cementing my grin.

The civilian academy is fairly close to our home, considering we live in the civilian sector, so before long I'm waving them off and blowing exaggerated kisses as they walk in.

"Ah, embarrassing them never gets old." I muse to myself happily. I look up at the sky to try and gauge the time. "Almost late, perfect!" I reach up and unclip my dark hair, allowing the previously held back bangs to cover my face. My hair isn't particularly thick, thanks Tou-chan, so I'm still able to see out a little, but usually I rely more on my chakra sense than eye sight on duty. I crack my knuckles and stretch out my legs, much to the amusement of the civilian parents who know me, then pull my jacket hood over my head and secure it with my hair clip. With my uniform now on, I settle into a calmer headspace. Now I am a member of the Genin Corps, not just Kichimaru, and I'm ready for orders.

Without another second wasted I shoot off into the closest ally, appearing to disappear to the civilians around, and begin sprinting towards headquarters. The rooftop route is much more convenient for shinobi, but something about ducking and weaving through carts and sharp turns while never being seen makes my heart sing. The rush of sharp wind on my face causes my bangs to fly wildly and the feeling of weightlessness as I jump and flip has my blood pumping with excitement. The Genin Corps headquarters is on a lower floor in the Hokage's tower, while the civilian sector my family and I live in is on the outskirts of Konoha close to the gates. It would take a civilian hours to make the journey I do daily in minutes. It's when I'm traveling I appreciate my ninja training the most, the convenience and thrill, in my mind, more than make up for the work I do.

I land in a silent crouch before the tower, and start my shift.