The Last Straw

“Mom, come on, it’s not that big a deal!”

“That boy would have died if Yuki Kito had not been there to freeze both him and his leg.”

“Yeah, but he was, so they can reattach it without a problem!”

“I did not raise you to be so flippant!”

“You barely raise me at all!”

Sometimes; Katsumi Tamashiha responded with whatever smart-ass remarks came to her head before really considering; the words had escaped her lips before her conscious mind even thought about it.  Yes, her mother was busy, being away from Kirigakure for months at a time on diplomatic missions to other villages.  She knew the woman loved her, and tried her best, but her duty kept her from being anything close to a full-time mom.  Despite that, she immediately regretted the words as she saw the hurt flicker across her mothers face for the briefest moment.

“Mom, I’m sorry, I didn’t mea-”

Tamashiha Ayumi sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration.  “No, you are right.  I have been lax in my duties as a mother.  I do not, nor will I, have the time to properly reinforce the training in etiquette and diplomacy.  Do you remember the meeting with the Konohagakure representative last month?”

Katsumi didn’t meet her mothers eyes, she had fallen asleep during that discussion. Her mother, of course, knew that, and continued the thought, “We were to put forward names of academy students for an exchange program, they are due at the end of this week.  So far, we have had no applicants.”

The young girl’s eyes went wide, there was only one reason mother would bring this up, “Mom, no; I’ll be good, I’ll practice tea ceremonies, I’ll –”  Her mother continued over her protests, “This is an important diplomatic opportunity for the village, but most of our shinobi families are loath to send one of their children to live alone in a foreign land.”

“I won’t fall asleep again, I’ll pay attention duri–”  “However, my younger sister is willing to offer a room to host the exchange student from our village.  She is all but retired, and would have time to ensure that whoever the student is does not embarrass Kirikagure.”

Katsumi couldn’t stop the tears from welling up, she didn’t want to be separated from her friends, her brothers, her village.  “Mom, no, please. I’ll do whatever you want.” “What I want is for my daughter to behave as the future leader of the Tamashiha clan should behave.  I, as you so aptly pointed out, do not have the time to ensure your proper education.”

She started to object again, but a glance from her mother’s steely eyes showed that the decision had been made, and any arguments died in her throat.  That was it, then; her mother was a stern woman, and there was no doubt in Katsumi’s mind that she had been considering this since the meeting last month.  She had probably discussed Katsumi’s ‘unruliness’ with Aunt Niji, and they had made plans if there were no other volunteers.  Maybe her accidental separation of the Hoshigaki boy’s leg was just the last straw, but this was probably going to happen anyway.

She hung her head, not wanting the freely flowing tears to be seen, “Yes, mother.”

Ayumi nodded firmly, the matter settled, “The exchange program will last for five years or until you become a Chuunin.  We will go and make the arrangements.  Come.”

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