Private Family Ties and Masking Lies

[Sazuki Tsuki]

You're worried about this? I think its a great thing.

My dad is now the leader of the village. How is this any better of a thing?

We work directly beneath the Hokage. Take his orders, fill out missions, stand guard if needed. You'll be able to keep him safe. I'd say it's everything you could have asked for.

Tsuki paced his bedroom, curtains drawn firmly over his windows. His mask was gripped tightly in his hand, clutched to his chest as he kept eyeing the bedroom door. He's trained in everything we are and far more. He'll find me out any second. How could I possibly keep this hidden in his house? We're lucky he hasn't already caught on.

Even if he did, Keiko sighed, and Tsuki knew he would have rolled his eyes if they were face to face, he of all people would know better than to slip even a note about it. Hell, if you think he's this smart, he might already know.

Not helping?! Tsuki nearly tripped in his pacing, pausing only for a moment to regain his balance before starting up again. His eyes scanned the bedroom before returning to the door. He could come through at any second. Hell, he could probably slip in without me even noticing.

Then maybe you should stop freaking yourself out and just use a transformation jutsu on it or something. You've turned yourself into plenty of things. Keiko's resolution was such a simple one that Tsuki had completely overlooked it. His steps stopped abruptly, and he whipped out a needle from his bag. It was a simple enough task to hide the mask within one of his gloves. His heart began to settle now that one piece of the puzzle was back in place.

"Do you think I should still talk out loud to you? I think it's going to weird people out if they catch it."

You usually only do that when we're alone or around trusted companions anyway. I don't really care what you choose to do. Tsuki started pacing again, though this time just to keep his feet moving, no more panic quickening his steps. You can make us look batshit insane by screaming at me, won't change my fun.

The thought of someone seeing him screaming at nothing but himself made him both laugh and grimace in preemptive embarrassment. "Fair. Privately then. But I don't think I can keep conversation with you and with people outside at the same time."

No need to. When other people are around, I can just be an "odd thought" that you don't need to respond to. Another solution that seemed simple enough, but Tsuki felt like it would get out of hand eventually. If you think you'll ignore me on accident or get caught up in outside conversation, we can have a codeword.

"Codewords are great. What do you have in mind?"

Jashin could be good. You never use it, so I would know it was important, and I could slip it in whenever needed to catch your attention real fast.

"Not a good one. I hear you think about Jashin a little too much for it to work as a codeword. It needs to be something neither of us use a lot, but would be easy to remember and quick to catch." Tsuki moved to the desk in his room, twirling another needle between his fingers as he thought.

Chores.

"Shit, right." Tsuki shot up from his seat, the needle between his fingers slipping into his palm as he gripped it. Even with all his practice wielding the weapon and not falling victim to the sight of his own blood, Tsuki felt his control slipping the moment he registered his own yelp of pain and the red pooling in his hand. He dropped the needle, letting out a small curse as he slid back down into the chair. His head spun, and he closed his eyes. Only for a moment.

Keiko opened his eyes, staring down at the sight of his palm and the needle jutting out of it. Another sigh left his lips. "Fine. I'll do chores. You need to relax anyway." It was a pain given he didn't feel like doing anything close to cleaning, but he knew they had to get used to this "being the same person" thing if their identity was to remain safe. Besides, it was a lot more fun to let loose behind a mask. Keiko removed the needle from his palm, pulling out the roll of bandages they kept stashed in the desk drawer due to his host's constant clumsiness. He bandaged himself up - something he was used to - and slipped a sanitary glove over it to keep it in place and away from the chemicals and dust he would be dealing with. Keiko then made his way out of the bedroom, deciding he should check in on their definitely busy - and possibly cloned - adoptive father. It would help put Tsuki at ease to know that Nao wasn't really worried about their endeavors as of late either, given all the other tasks he definitely had on his plate. "I'm going to be dusting, you should put a mask on," he called out, attempting to sense the man's pulse and locate him in the house.

MFT
WC: 886
[For Sazuki Nao]

Tsuki speech
Tsuki thoughts
Keiko speech
Keiko thoughts

 

[Sazuki Nao]

It sadly was indeed a clone at the house of Sazuki. Nao himself was quite busy and always kept a clone up with their contract, just in case. This time, it was Excursai, close to the clone, and busy helping to sort out the books in the study. "Seems like the costs of living went up further.." Excursai said to the clone, who in turn punched in a few numbers into the expenses book. "True, but that ain't the only thing." He would scratch the back of his neck. The clones of Nao were never an exact copy, as he could hardly copy his feelings 1/1 to them. This one was a lot more laid back and actually didn't wish to do too much. "But I do think it's a drag that we have to do this every single week." Excursai is already used to the multi-personality of the clones. Would chuckle.

It was then that they heard the voice from either Tsuki or Keiko, since it was a single line they had a hard time figure out. The Nao clone would smile soft and warm. "They sure are growing up..." Excursai shared that feeling as he saw a brighter future than the last timeline. "That sure is... You did a hella of a lot better now." He chuckled and Nao got a small blush who started to work on the numbers. "Alright!! But be sure to wear one yourself!" He shouted back and would listen to see if he heard their footsteps. Sometimes he could find out which one was... Every person had their own way of walking. Every floorboard had their own way of sounding with that too... As a small child, Nao had already quickly learned how to 'read' these.

 

[Sazuki Tsuki]

Keiko heard the call back from down the hall, a muffled confirmation that Nao was home in some form. That was enough for him. He could track the man down later - after the tasks in front of him were finished. The dust came first. He tugged his own mask into place, the cloth snug across his mouth and nose. The first few breaths were shallow, a forced patience as his lungs adjusted to the thinner pull of air. When he felt the rhythm settle, he picked up the rag and glanced toward the corner of the hall.

Are you not grabbing the extended duster for the hard-to-reach places?

A scoff rippled through his chest. Hard to reach? Do you forget everything you practice? Keiko centered his weight and pushed a controlled stream of chakra into his feet. Warmth surged through the small veins around his toes, a pulse of blood mingling with chakra before settling into the soles. With a casual roll of his shoulders, he slid on a clean pair of socks - couldn’t leave scuffs or tracks - and stepped onto the wall as if it were the floor.

Balance came easily, the hallway turning sideways around him until the ceiling was the only thing underfoot. He walked along it with deliberate, unhurried steps, dusting the high corners, shelves, and light fixtures that Tsuki’s “extended duster” could only dream of touching.

You don’t have to show off, you know.

“Just working smarter, not harder,” Keiko muttered, irritation curling his voice. Besides, I told you to take a break. I’ll do things my way, and it’ll look like you finally learned something. Maybe if you sit still long enough, you’ll actually pick up a thing or two.

Tsuki’s silence followed, which suited him fine. Quiet in his head meant freedom. He moved from room to room at a steady pace, dusting every surface he could find. The house was already well kept - his other half saw to that - but Keiko wasn’t satisfied until he’d run a finger over each ledge, each frame, each stretch of molding. Even the faintest film of dust was unwelcome.

I’m not used to you going to this length. I’m the detail-oriented one.

Rolling his eyes, Keiko strolled upside-down into the front room, crossing the ceiling to reach each dangling light and doorway. We just got through a virus. Who’s to say another won’t blindside us the same way?

Maybe the effort that went into stopping the last one? And the fact that our dad just became Hokage? He knows how to keep people safe, Keiko.

The words should’ve reassured him, but they only dulled the edge of his unease. His hand tightened around the rag. I don’t want to consume blood tainted by illness. Not only would it harm us, but the taste… He paused, letting the memory of it sour his tongue. …is putrid.

Oooh, big word from Keiko!

He cut the voice off, slamming a door shut in his own mind. No more chatter. No more interruptions. Just the work. He wiped, dried, and checked again, relentless until the main walkway gleamed under the light. Only then did he lower himself back to the floor, his stride steady as if nothing unusual had happened. The mask came off in a practiced tug. He exhaled once, deeply, and set about the next task. A pot of tea was in order before the sweeping and mopping - one of the blends Tsuki favored, and therefore one their adopted father would likely enjoy.

MFT
WC: 591

Tsuki speech
Tsuki thoughts
Keiko speech
Keiko thoughts