Chapter 87.3- One Thousand Hands

“Do you think I don’t hear Tobi’s voice as well? Do you think my conscience has cleared me for sending hum to save my family and having him not come back? I had hoped this would change with the village, but all the village has done is not prepare you adequately. You will love, and you will lose that love. My children, my husband, my siblings, cousins, friends, all dead. Each one is another voice in my head. And one day you will have so many voices that they will all blend together. Now leave here. Do what you must. If you fail to rule in the present for fear of a ghost in your ear, then you might as well be dead” Her voice was colder than I’d ever heard it.

“Yes, Grandmother” And what choice did I have but to obey.

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“May I cut in?” I heard another voice cut in in the middle of the dance, one as I spun Kira Yamanaka, or was it Yumi? It was impossible to tell with the two of them. Well, as I spun one of Inoken’s sisters around the floor.

“Kind of in the middle of—“ I said without even turning to Uzume, not wanting to be rude. Grandmother had specifically mentioned dancing with the Yamanaka, and I had little doubts there was some game she was playing there. Wouldn’t want to go and then achieve the exact opposite of whatever it was she wanted.

“No, no. I think I see my sister looking for me” Yumi? Kira? Said, looking over at Uzume over my shoulder and seeming to go a few shades paler.

“Oh Alright then” I said, trying and mostly failing not to let my mirth show on my face. I turned around to see that she had changed her armour out for a simple Kimono. Well, simple for the Uchiha. It was made well, black, and had flames licking at its bottom. It fit her well, I thought.

“Really? Flashing scary sharingan eyes at Yumi Yamanaka?” I asked.

“That was Kira” She said.

“I knew it” I said, finding my first guess had been accurate enough. Her look was far from pleasant as she regarded me.

“And what is with the sudden interest in the Yamanaka?” She asked, tone saying something(?)

“Nothing. Grandmother mentioned dancing with them so I just figured” I said with a shrug as I accepted her in my arms. One arm going to her waist and the other on her shoulder,

“She did, did she? Perhaps I should speak to the Yamanaka myself”

“You have dealings with them”

“Not at the moment, no” She said.

“But that’s enough about the Yamanaka”

“You asked about it in the first place” I shot back.

“And now I’m changing the subject. I didn’t expect to see you here. I don’t think anyone did”

“Grandmother” I said, like that meant everything, and it did.

“I didn’t take you for the impromptu festival kind either” I said.

“A bird whispered that you were here, and I had to come see for myself”