[Solo] Bless the child
Who: Umino Iruka, Okuninushi
Where/When: Hisato - Week 3, Day 6
Status: Closed, Complete
Style: Second person.
Warnings: None.
Rare times, you realize how important a medic amongst your people would come in handy. Medics are skillful individuals everyone has grown to rely on over the years, including yourself. In a battlefield, they are the most crucial members of the team, the ones that saves and pulls those who are in the brink of death to live and see home for yet another day. This is something you drill in your children's minds, particularly those who are pursuing and focusing their abilities and strength in medicine.
You know their skills are admirable and this where you sigh and wonder, it would have been nice to pursue higher knowledge in medicine, wouldn't it?
An even heavier sigh leave your lips and with it the regret, lost amidst the fields of Valerian plants. Raikou, the new-comer living with you and occupying your guest room may be slowly healing, but there isn't much you can do for the pain, or to help ease him to a quiet and dreamless sleep. Valerian, you remember as you pluck the leaves from where you are crouched on the ground and line them up on one side of the basket by your knee, are effective sedatives. Much like how Meadosweet blossoms and leaves line one side of the basket for the flu and stomach-upsets, Feverfew blossoms for fever and Aloe vera for cuts and burns.
It is a bright day outside, sunshine permeating through the canopy of trees over head, endlessly quiet save for the buzz of insects and chirps of birds. The idea of collecting honey crosses your mind, and maybe on your way back home now that your basket is full, you can pick up a few fresh limes. Home made remedies are slow compared to chakra healing a medic can provide, but it will at least help.
A sharp tug at the last Valerian plant and your shoulders droop a bit, sitting back on your heels and looking up at the trees, shading your eyes a bit from the bright glow.
"Ah, I miss Sakura ..."
You miss everyone, but you miss Sakura the most because she would know quicker ways to help people, heal people. She would know the right concentration of herbs and chemicals. She would know efficient and modern ways of turning greenery and blossoms to consumable pills; the memory of the nightmare everyone suffered from days ago flashes in your mind, the bruises, the scratches, the headaches and so many other things. You guess dosages these days and back then, not overdoing it because you do not want to harm, but to heal, to help.
You are not a medic.
I kind of wish I was one, now ...
And it comes from your heart, the wish to help as your eyes scrunch up and you look away, ducking from the glow of the sun. It's too bright and too warm and you feel something embrace you. A calmness that makes you look over your shoulder for something that is not there. There are no ghosts this time, no lingering spirit or presence of anyone or anything.
You just see green and fields of Valerian plants, tall trees and blotching specks of gold from the permeating light over head. You feel alarmed, but you also remain strangely calm. There is no menace around you, but only a gentle breeze and the shadows disappearing when what you think is the sun, and the warmth of the sun --
There is a whisper.
A flutter even.
Quiet like butterfly wings and you turn to where it is the brightest, where the energy grows and grows and grows, your heart racing and eyes wide -
"You wish for such kind things, my child ..."
He is magnificent, bathed in light that is whiter than the sun, beautiful and god like, nothing like you have seen before. You feel the weight of the words and the soothing tendrils of energy caress the top of your head and you feels so utterly young and small before this ageless being, transfixed on golden eyes and the gentle face that makes you want to look away and duck your head out of respect.
And you do.
The light brush - almost a caress - against the top of your head, you realize, is a hand, or just light, or energy - you don't know. It feels like a hand, like how your father would pat your head as child, to soothe you, praise your if you've done something good and right, or when father feels proud. It calmed you then, this calms you now, and you are unable to step away from this stranger.
"I am known as Okuninushi and I have watched you for a very, very long time ... "
You feel the hand on your chin, tilting your head up and you do so without resistance, transfixed once more on a pair of golden eyes as words escapes you; you are poleaxed? Shocked? In awe? Hypnotized even?
"Tell me, child, if I were to grant your wish, will you pledge your allegiance to myself and the heavens?"
You are staring, like some gobsmacked child. And you are aware how rude you must look, how unpolished and how you lack manners --
Stop staring!
You try to think hard, and you want to say that your only allegiance is to Konoha and no one or nothing else. The reply is at the tip of your tongue, the resistance and hesitance reflecting like clear mirrors in your eyes. What are you talking about? No way! I can't do that! I can't turn my back on my people! You brought us here in the first place! He wants to step back and he finds the will to do so, wariness and suspiciousness surfacing like a quick tide. You recognize the name but can vaguely recall where and when and just exactly who Okuninushi truly is.
"I don't understand ..." You say this with honesty, no lie and you think you see something that might have been amusement or a smile or something of the sorts on that kind and divine looking face.
"You will carry the will of heaven, you will carry my will, and help those in need. Is it not your wish to heal and ease the suffering of those around you?"
You blink at the words and you stare yet again, rather dumbfounded for a long while. You can feel the patience of Okuninushi, feel his warmth embrace you more to ease the weight of the shock that makes you want to take another step back. But you do not take a step back and instead, you are nodding. You want to heal Raikou back home, want him to sleep well and walk straight. You do not want blood, or bruises that molts skin, or cuts that scars - you want to have stronger means to help the younger ones.
Especially the younger ones ...
"It is." You manage to say.
It seems to please Okuninushi because you feel hands on your shoulders now, a comfortable weight, one that spreads morewarmth and a calm you've never felt in your life, a calm that starts from the tips of your toes all the way to the top of your head. It is not like when you are around Sandaime, how he comforts you and brings the feeling of security like only a respectable Hokage would. It is not like the warmth of your home, the arms of your mother and father. It is nothing like Kakashi's warmth, even, and you know his hold and presence comforts and calms you like nothing else can.
This is more, so much more and beyond all that.
"Then accept my will and blessing and answer to everybody who is in need. What makes healers noble is that everyone under their hands are equal. They show no favor from one to the other."
You understand the words, but not.
"You must cast hate aside and answer to everybody, even those who have done you wrong. Do you understand, child?"
You do understand and you frown and hesitate once more. The weight of the new responsibility on your shoulders is heavy and you feel your knees shudder.
"What if I don't ... ?"
Because you understand what Okuninushi is saying with perfect clarity. If you choose to accept this gift, and if someone is injured, you must take care of that person; you cannot deny them anything now, no matter how much it pains you, or how much it can hurt. The faces of your enemies flashes in your head; Madara, Pain, Akatsuki, everyone who's brought grievances to those around you -
But then you remember the injuries and the blood and the pain and illnesses that can bring down the strongest of men to their knees; the grief that it can bring, the cold whisper of death and how it clenches and cuts the heart it two, squash a person where they're most vulnerable, like a stomp of a heel on a small and helpless insect. The helplessness that grief and pain brings, the pride of a warrior that can crack when he is at his lowest, what Okuninushi asks sounds like a small price to pay if it will prevent all that, you think.
Isn't it?
Okuninushi looks saddened by the question and answers with a finality that makes the chill settle in your bones.
"The one you love the most, will suffer the dire consequences of your actions."
You lower your gaze and feel your eyes prickle just a little bit. Would you be betraying your comrades? Your village, your home, your purpose? Would you be labeled a traitor for helping those that you are - by default - commanded to bring home, dead or alive? Wouldn't this destroy you? Can you handle the pressure this new duty will bring forth? It would be like going against your code of arms, your morality --
But what is morality?
"The right to live, my child," Okuninushi lifts your head and smiles at you, so kind and so patient and so utterly understanding. "is given to everyone. Equally. No one is higher than the other."
The words wrap around you like a warm embrace and a big part of you, the one that you know would bring smiles to those that taught you well, those that raised you, wouldn't hate you for agreeing.
It is, indeed, a small price to pay.
A double edged sword.
"You, of all people, understand this very well ..."
But if you can heal those that you hold dear ...
It's a small price ...
Okuninushi's face is bright as the answer cements itself in your eyes, determined, like the light that surrounds the god before you.
"I will serve you." You say, and swallow as you nod, accepting this new fate. "I will serve the gods and heaven and carry your will."
You see the shift of energy, feel it warm the air even more like a bright summer's day, feel it cool like a winter morning, feel it swirl and seep in to the pores of your body when Okuninushi's hands presses against your temples. You let your eyes close, feeling the blessing wash over you, as you inhales the divine power Okuninushi bestows upon you; it settles like an invisible warm hand on your heart and sears the weight and label of duty and responsibility in your soul.
When you open your eyes again, Okuninushi is fading and the light that surrounds the area gradually dims, his hand once more on your head; you think he is proud of you, like when father feels proud of you back then. You think he's a beautiful god, and your gratitude for the blessing glows on your face, as bright as the light that illuminates within brown eyes, and as wide as the smile that stretches on your lips. You feel something that you've never felt before, your toes curling and fingers tightening as you stare at your open palms for a long time - these will be hands that heal and do Okuninushi's work - and for having met such a beautiful god and being blessed by him ...
Okuninushi understands what you're thinking, what flits through your mind.
"Thank you ... " You say with all the earnest sincerity your small mortal heart and soul can gather.
The sound of laughter fills the space of the forest, like the sound of wind-chimes; the god is amused and pleased, perhaps even flattered.
"I will be watching you, my child ..."
And all you can think of once the forest is dull and it is only the sun that illuminates the area is that you must rush home.
There is work for you to do.
Where/When: Hisato - Week 3, Day 6
Status: Closed, Complete
Style: Second person.
Warnings: None.
Rare times, you realize how important a medic amongst your people would come in handy. Medics are skillful individuals everyone has grown to rely on over the years, including yourself. In a battlefield, they are the most crucial members of the team, the ones that saves and pulls those who are in the brink of death to live and see home for yet another day. This is something you drill in your children's minds, particularly those who are pursuing and focusing their abilities and strength in medicine.
You know their skills are admirable and this where you sigh and wonder, it would have been nice to pursue higher knowledge in medicine, wouldn't it?
An even heavier sigh leave your lips and with it the regret, lost amidst the fields of Valerian plants. Raikou, the new-comer living with you and occupying your guest room may be slowly healing, but there isn't much you can do for the pain, or to help ease him to a quiet and dreamless sleep. Valerian, you remember as you pluck the leaves from where you are crouched on the ground and line them up on one side of the basket by your knee, are effective sedatives. Much like how Meadosweet blossoms and leaves line one side of the basket for the flu and stomach-upsets, Feverfew blossoms for fever and Aloe vera for cuts and burns.
It is a bright day outside, sunshine permeating through the canopy of trees over head, endlessly quiet save for the buzz of insects and chirps of birds. The idea of collecting honey crosses your mind, and maybe on your way back home now that your basket is full, you can pick up a few fresh limes. Home made remedies are slow compared to chakra healing a medic can provide, but it will at least help.
A sharp tug at the last Valerian plant and your shoulders droop a bit, sitting back on your heels and looking up at the trees, shading your eyes a bit from the bright glow.
"Ah, I miss Sakura ..."
You miss everyone, but you miss Sakura the most because she would know quicker ways to help people, heal people. She would know the right concentration of herbs and chemicals. She would know efficient and modern ways of turning greenery and blossoms to consumable pills; the memory of the nightmare everyone suffered from days ago flashes in your mind, the bruises, the scratches, the headaches and so many other things. You guess dosages these days and back then, not overdoing it because you do not want to harm, but to heal, to help.
You are not a medic.
I kind of wish I was one, now ...
And it comes from your heart, the wish to help as your eyes scrunch up and you look away, ducking from the glow of the sun. It's too bright and too warm and you feel something embrace you. A calmness that makes you look over your shoulder for something that is not there. There are no ghosts this time, no lingering spirit or presence of anyone or anything.
You just see green and fields of Valerian plants, tall trees and blotching specks of gold from the permeating light over head. You feel alarmed, but you also remain strangely calm. There is no menace around you, but only a gentle breeze and the shadows disappearing when what you think is the sun, and the warmth of the sun --
There is a whisper.
A flutter even.
Quiet like butterfly wings and you turn to where it is the brightest, where the energy grows and grows and grows, your heart racing and eyes wide -
"You wish for such kind things, my child ..."
He is magnificent, bathed in light that is whiter than the sun, beautiful and god like, nothing like you have seen before. You feel the weight of the words and the soothing tendrils of energy caress the top of your head and you feels so utterly young and small before this ageless being, transfixed on golden eyes and the gentle face that makes you want to look away and duck your head out of respect.
And you do.
The light brush - almost a caress - against the top of your head, you realize, is a hand, or just light, or energy - you don't know. It feels like a hand, like how your father would pat your head as child, to soothe you, praise your if you've done something good and right, or when father feels proud. It calmed you then, this calms you now, and you are unable to step away from this stranger.
"I am known as Okuninushi and I have watched you for a very, very long time ... "
You feel the hand on your chin, tilting your head up and you do so without resistance, transfixed once more on a pair of golden eyes as words escapes you; you are poleaxed? Shocked? In awe? Hypnotized even?
"Tell me, child, if I were to grant your wish, will you pledge your allegiance to myself and the heavens?"
You are staring, like some gobsmacked child. And you are aware how rude you must look, how unpolished and how you lack manners --
Stop staring!
You try to think hard, and you want to say that your only allegiance is to Konoha and no one or nothing else. The reply is at the tip of your tongue, the resistance and hesitance reflecting like clear mirrors in your eyes. What are you talking about? No way! I can't do that! I can't turn my back on my people! You brought us here in the first place! He wants to step back and he finds the will to do so, wariness and suspiciousness surfacing like a quick tide. You recognize the name but can vaguely recall where and when and just exactly who Okuninushi truly is.
"I don't understand ..." You say this with honesty, no lie and you think you see something that might have been amusement or a smile or something of the sorts on that kind and divine looking face.
"You will carry the will of heaven, you will carry my will, and help those in need. Is it not your wish to heal and ease the suffering of those around you?"
You blink at the words and you stare yet again, rather dumbfounded for a long while. You can feel the patience of Okuninushi, feel his warmth embrace you more to ease the weight of the shock that makes you want to take another step back. But you do not take a step back and instead, you are nodding. You want to heal Raikou back home, want him to sleep well and walk straight. You do not want blood, or bruises that molts skin, or cuts that scars - you want to have stronger means to help the younger ones.
Especially the younger ones ...
"It is." You manage to say.
It seems to please Okuninushi because you feel hands on your shoulders now, a comfortable weight, one that spreads morewarmth and a calm you've never felt in your life, a calm that starts from the tips of your toes all the way to the top of your head. It is not like when you are around Sandaime, how he comforts you and brings the feeling of security like only a respectable Hokage would. It is not like the warmth of your home, the arms of your mother and father. It is nothing like Kakashi's warmth, even, and you know his hold and presence comforts and calms you like nothing else can.
This is more, so much more and beyond all that.
"Then accept my will and blessing and answer to everybody who is in need. What makes healers noble is that everyone under their hands are equal. They show no favor from one to the other."
You understand the words, but not.
"You must cast hate aside and answer to everybody, even those who have done you wrong. Do you understand, child?"
You do understand and you frown and hesitate once more. The weight of the new responsibility on your shoulders is heavy and you feel your knees shudder.
"What if I don't ... ?"
Because you understand what Okuninushi is saying with perfect clarity. If you choose to accept this gift, and if someone is injured, you must take care of that person; you cannot deny them anything now, no matter how much it pains you, or how much it can hurt. The faces of your enemies flashes in your head; Madara, Pain, Akatsuki, everyone who's brought grievances to those around you -
But then you remember the injuries and the blood and the pain and illnesses that can bring down the strongest of men to their knees; the grief that it can bring, the cold whisper of death and how it clenches and cuts the heart it two, squash a person where they're most vulnerable, like a stomp of a heel on a small and helpless insect. The helplessness that grief and pain brings, the pride of a warrior that can crack when he is at his lowest, what Okuninushi asks sounds like a small price to pay if it will prevent all that, you think.
Isn't it?
Okuninushi looks saddened by the question and answers with a finality that makes the chill settle in your bones.
"The one you love the most, will suffer the dire consequences of your actions."
You lower your gaze and feel your eyes prickle just a little bit. Would you be betraying your comrades? Your village, your home, your purpose? Would you be labeled a traitor for helping those that you are - by default - commanded to bring home, dead or alive? Wouldn't this destroy you? Can you handle the pressure this new duty will bring forth? It would be like going against your code of arms, your morality --
But what is morality?
"The right to live, my child," Okuninushi lifts your head and smiles at you, so kind and so patient and so utterly understanding. "is given to everyone. Equally. No one is higher than the other."
The words wrap around you like a warm embrace and a big part of you, the one that you know would bring smiles to those that taught you well, those that raised you, wouldn't hate you for agreeing.
It is, indeed, a small price to pay.
A double edged sword.
"You, of all people, understand this very well ..."
But if you can heal those that you hold dear ...
It's a small price ...
Okuninushi's face is bright as the answer cements itself in your eyes, determined, like the light that surrounds the god before you.
"I will serve you." You say, and swallow as you nod, accepting this new fate. "I will serve the gods and heaven and carry your will."
You see the shift of energy, feel it warm the air even more like a bright summer's day, feel it cool like a winter morning, feel it swirl and seep in to the pores of your body when Okuninushi's hands presses against your temples. You let your eyes close, feeling the blessing wash over you, as you inhales the divine power Okuninushi bestows upon you; it settles like an invisible warm hand on your heart and sears the weight and label of duty and responsibility in your soul.
When you open your eyes again, Okuninushi is fading and the light that surrounds the area gradually dims, his hand once more on your head; you think he is proud of you, like when father feels proud of you back then. You think he's a beautiful god, and your gratitude for the blessing glows on your face, as bright as the light that illuminates within brown eyes, and as wide as the smile that stretches on your lips. You feel something that you've never felt before, your toes curling and fingers tightening as you stare at your open palms for a long time - these will be hands that heal and do Okuninushi's work - and for having met such a beautiful god and being blessed by him ...
Okuninushi understands what you're thinking, what flits through your mind.
"Thank you ... " You say with all the earnest sincerity your small mortal heart and soul can gather.
The sound of laughter fills the space of the forest, like the sound of wind-chimes; the god is amused and pleased, perhaps even flattered.
"I will be watching you, my child ..."
And all you can think of once the forest is dull and it is only the sun that illuminates the area is that you must rush home.
There is work for you to do.