Chapter 45: Teaching Mei

Few weeks have passed since Mei started living with Rei and Konan.

Konan and Ringo were in a clearing, doing the usual three areas exercise. Ringo was getting stronger faster and faster as her senses and speed were trained and her strength increased bit by bit every time Konan's doton-hardened paper slices hit her. Konan wasn't just swinging them at her. She was precisely targeting the sets of muscles that needed to be put under pressure. Ringo was very grateful when she found out how effective this training was for her.

Still, she didn't manage to reach Konan yet. She once reached the third area and was jumping in joy but then out of nowhere a flood of the river was released from the papers, washing Ringo all the way back to the start. She would grumble for days after that.

While Konan spent time training Ringo, Rei was with Mei.

Ringo was quite uncomfortable around the younger girl. She was used to being the one taught by Rei but eventually accepted it. She knew her time in Rei's team was coming to its end as she was already informed about her upcoming promotion. Getting chunin rank meant her being put under the tutelage of the Kiba wielder to be his successor. It was disheartening but it was her dream.

As for Rei and Mei... Mei was liking Rei a lot! He was kind to her and patiently taught her. He didn't beat her when she didn't get the thing done in one try! He...

Well, let's just say that Rei was getting creeps by the rising adoration he saw in the girl's eyes. He cursed himself for letting her stay with Konan's clone. He came home from the Mizukage's office and the girl was droning about being a 'good girl'! Ugh.

That night, he and Konan had a very heated and very sweaty debate on raising young children. A debate he sadly lost...

Moving on!

Rei decided to teach Mei properly. He started small with tree-walking and water-walking after she managed the paper-sticking exercise. He had to give it to the girl, she was determined and a prodigy. It was obvious why she would become the Fifth Mizukage in canon. In just a week she managed tree and water-walking. Yes, Rei was there with her every step of the process, always sensing what she did wrong and corrected her. He would not be a jerk like Kakashi and just say, do it. It was counterproductive.

Then, after she managed these exercises he found out the girl had suiton, doton, and katon chakra natures. Well, obviously since she had Futton and Yoton.

(Author Note: Futton - Boil, Yoton - Lava, Futon - Wind)

Rei decided to start with Futon. Something the girl didn't have a predisposition for and even her canon self didn't know. He somewhat remembered Mei Terumi in canon doing some suiton with raiton combo so she knew raiton but he didn't remember the Jutsu. But he knew canon Mei never practiced Futon. But he would be damned if a girl with Futton didn't know Futon to spread her boiling mist!

Rei also started practicing Futon alongside her. They made a game out of it. Seeing whose paper would move sooner. Well, of course, he held back and let the girl have her minute of glory and joy. Rei usually watched Mei as she always slightly stuck her tongue out while focusing and thought it was cute. He kinda suspected she started to crave winning not because of the win but because of the hug, he would always give her. But then again... as long as she had the drive to practice, all was well.

After a week, again, Rei noted. Damn was Mei fast in nature training. Sure, most of it was due to tips she received from Konan who was almost master in it, nearing perfection, and from his careful and precise tutoring. But for a child of six? A child that has to go to the academy almost daily? Oh, the complaints Rei received that Mei wasn't paying attention and instead was 'fiddling' with her paper...

Rei knew that Mei would be a Ninjutsu freak. Her chakra reserves were already almost genin level. Something Rei was really jealous of as at that age, he had only civilian reserves. It was all due to years in the academy and diligent practice of the chakra circling, he found out. The exercise isn't that good and the kids don't really practice it that much but Mei was VERY diligent in it. She didn't miss even a day of practice even if she was hurting from a beating.

Right now, Rei and Mei stood opposite each other and they played with a ball. A ball made of paper, without touching it, using only futon chakra to keep it afloat. It wasn't powerful but it propped the ball up after every burst that created a very weak uplifting wind. If the ball wasn't made of light paper, it wouldn't even raise an inch. But it was training a fine control of futon.

Mei loved the exercise as she always laughed when she managed to 'outplay' Rei and he 'missed' the timing, letting her win only to heave her into his arms into a hug.

...

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Rei walked into the bedroom they gave to Mei and saw Konan sit across Mei behind a table.

"...this?" Konan pointed at a paragraph in what Rei recognized to be Kiri academy book.

"It is supposed to spur awe and make us think we can also reach greatness if we stay loyal to Kiri." Mei stated and Konan nodded. Just then she saw Rei and smiled.

"Mei. Looks like the diner is ready." Konan pointed in Rei's direction, making Mei perk up and run into Rei's waist for a hug.

Rei stroked Mei's short hair and forbade her to cut and ushered her out of the room.

"Go eat, Mei. I have to talk with Konan, kay?"

Mei nodded and left the room as Rei sighed, sitting in the exact same spot Mei was a moment ago. He leaned towards the book and cringed.

"The Heroics of Second Mizukage?" He raised his eyebrow at Konan.

"I am teaching the girl to recognize indoctrination." She shrugged. "She had her first kill and it was pretty gruesome. Behind that happy kid that loves hugs is already a killer. She is mature enough."

"I am not admonishing you." Rei rolled his eyes. "Merely curious."

Konan bit her lower lip and took a deep breath.

"I know you love Ringo." She stated with a grimace, making Rei look at her intently, patiently waiting for her to continue. "Maybe not entirely romantically but you are way past just liking your energetic baka-deshi."

Rei slowly nodded. There was no need for lies between him and Konan.

"I also know you would never let her get closer to you because we both know she is Kiri-loyalist to the core. She would betray us in due time."

Rei again slowly nodded. Again the truth. Konan sparred, taunted, and probed Ringo enough to know the core of her personality, aspirations, and loyalties.

"But I see your interest in Mei's bloodline and talent. I won't let her go the Ringo-route. She WILL be loyal to us if we are going to teach her. I dunno if she will love you that way when she is older. I don't even know if you will see her that way. But I know I am not just letting her be and hope for the best." Konan huffed and crossed her arms. "I already made that mistake with Ringo because I didn't like her intruding in our alone time. If I acted, she could be here in my place, teaching Mei while we could have been making out in our bed!"

"Sure. Do what you think is best." Rei's lips stretched into a smile as he chuckled and leaned closer, kissing Konan. "I love you and trust you to do what you believe is best for me. Always will." He gave her another long kiss. "We should go and eat our diner."

They happily took a hold of the other's hand and went into the kitchen. Mei was surely lonely, eating alone.

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