Chapter 2: Schnee Manor
Kakashi, now known as Rinko Schnee, is one of Jacques Schnee's children and the twin brother of Weiss Schnee. Currently, Weiss is in Vale, enrolled at Beacon, one of the four prestigious Huntsmen academies.
What is a Huntsman?
Huntsmen are skilled warriors dedicated to combating and eradicating Grimm, the monstrous creatures that threaten humanity. They not only eliminate these threats but also capture them for authorities. In addition to their role in fighting Grimm, Huntsmen have the authority to apprehend individuals involved in illegal activities, effectively serving as protectors and enforcers in their communities.
He learned everything from Klein's brief and yet concise explanation.
Klein told him that he, Rinko, left Wheatley Schnee to follow your father's agenda and footsteps. Rink was an arrogant, selfish, asshole. Even to his siblings. Rinko wasn't a fighter, but more like a businessman. Like his damn father.
Kakashi sighed. He wore a pleasant-looking suit as he went to follow Klein, leading to his father's office.
Klein paused in front of a brown huge door. He knocked on it three times as he sidestepped, gesturing to Kakashi that he may now go in. Klein bowed again as he closed his eyes.
Kakashi placed his palm on Klein. Klein opened his eyes slowly as he met Kakashi's gaze.
"Thank you, Klein."
Rinko sounded genuine. This formed a smile on Klein's face as he nodded.
Without hesitation, Kakashi pushed open the door to his father's office. He found Jacques Schnee seated behind an imposing desk, a glass of wine in hand.
"Well... it's about time, son," Jacques said, his voice smooth but laced with impatience as he set the glass down on the desk with a soft clink.
Kakashi took a moment to absorb the sight of the man who was both his father and a stranger. Jacques radiated authority, with an air that commanded respect, yet Kakashi could sense the underlying tension in the room.
"What? Are you just going to stand there?" Jacques snapped, irritation creeping into his tone.
Rinko flinched at the sharpness of his father's voice. His hand instinctively curled into a fist, a surge of defiance rising within him.
"Hello, Father," Kakashi said, forcing a calmness into his voice. Adapting to new situations was something he excelled at; as a prodigy and a ninja, he was used to rolling with the punches.
Jacques leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "I trust you're feeling better. You've caused quite a stir by disappearing like that."
Kakashi felt the weight of his father's gaze. He had to navigate this conversation carefully, balancing the expectations of Rinko's life with his own sense of identity.
"I... had my reasons," Kakashi replied, his voice steady, though uncertainty churned in his mind.
Jacques raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of intrigue in his expression. "Reasons? You do understand that you have a responsibility to uphold our family's reputation, don't you?"
Kakashi clenched his fists, the weight of Jacques's words pressing down on him. He was acutely aware that he was playing a role, one that required him to tread carefully.
He nodded, feeling the gravity of the situation settle heavily on his shoulders. He was not merely Rinko; he had to navigate the complexities of the life he had left behind, a life that now intertwined with this unfamiliar reality.
Jacques studied him for a moment longer, then nodded, seemingly satisfied for now. "Good. I expect you to keep your priorities straight. Our family's legacy depends on it."
"Of course, Father..." Kakashi replied, suppressing the distaste rising within him. Everything felt sudden and overwhelming, yet he knew that adaptation was his only way forward.
"We'll be meeting with our business partners this week," Jacques continued, his tone firm and authoritative. "I want everything packed and ready for our trip. Am I understood? You'll have a crucial role in this family, Rinko."
"Understood," Kakashi affirmed, masking any hint of rebellion.
Jacques paused, studying Rinko once more, a frown knitting his brow. There was something off about him; he usually exhibited a far more energetic demeanor when it came to business trips.
He regarded Rinko as his true son, observing how the boy resembled him in his youth—filled with ambition and enthusiasm.
After a few moments of contemplation, Jacques shook his head, dispelling his doubts, and gestured dismissively. "You're free to leave."
With a final, fleeting glance, Kakashi turned and exited the office. Klein was waiting outside, his expression a mix of concern and relief. He had been tasked with monitoring Kakashi's well-being, especially after his unexpected collapse.
"How are you feeling?" Klein inquired, his tone gentle.
Kakashi forced a smile, trying to mask the tumultuous thoughts swirling in his mind. "I'm... getting used to it."
Klein nodded, though his eyes betrayed a hint of skepticism. "Let's get you settled. You have a lot to prepare for."
As they walked together, Kakashi pondered his new reality, acutely aware that he had to master the art of deception while navigating the intricate dynamics of the Schnee family.
As they made their way back to his room, Kakashi clenched his fist, feeling a wave of frustration wash over him. It was weak, a reminder of his unfamiliar body. He struggled to fully close his hand without fatigue setting in, each movement feeling laborious.
'This body needs training,' Kakashi thought, his determination igniting a spark within him. He couldn't afford to be weak, not in this new life where survival depended on his ability to adapt and reclaim his strength.
As they rounded a corner, Kakashi spotted Wheatley leaning against the wall near the library door, his expression dark and hostile.
Their eyes met, and Kakashi felt a rush of unease. Whitley's gaze was venomous, filled with a mix of resentment and unresolved anger.
Without a word, Whitley turned sharply and entered the library, the heavy door closing with a definitive thud behind him. Kakashi watched him go, sensing the tension in the air.
"Do you think you'll be okay?" Klein asked, his voice breaking through Kakashi's thoughts.
"I will be," Kakashi replied, though he wasn't entirely sure. The emotional landscape of this place was treacherous, and he needed to tread carefully.
As they continued walking, Kakashi couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, that there were eyes on him from every corner of the estate. The weight of his new identity pressed heavily on him, but he resolved to transform this vulnerability into strength.
Rinko Schnee's Room
Rinko stepped into his room and immediately paused, taking it all in.
Despite the whirlwind of emotions and uncertainty swirling in his mind, he couldn't help but be mesmerized by how immaculately clean and organized everything was.
The soft glow of the lighting, the perfectly arranged furniture, and the subtle scent of fresh linen—it was almost unsettling how pristine it all felt.
'Impressive,' Kakashi thought, briefly appreciating the effort put into maintaining such a space. He had been used to rougher environments back in Konoha, so this kind of luxury felt foreign.
He wandered through the room, his eyes tracing every detail.
The large windows let in just enough natural light to bathe the room in warmth. The bed was made with crisp, white sheets, not a wrinkle in sight. Even the surface of the wooden desk gleamed, free from even the slightest dust. Everything was in its place, almost too perfect.
Kakashi turned his attention to the bookshelves. He ran his fingers along the spines of the books, reading their titles.
Most of them were about business, economics, and politics—subjects befitting the son of Jacques Schnee. The genres were a far cry from the novels he enjoyed back in his world, but they might offer a glimpse into Rinko's life and priorities.
One book in particular caught his eye, a worn-out cover that stood in contrast to the newer, untouched volumes.
Curious, Kakashi pulled it from the shelf and flipped through the pages. There were handwritten notes in the margins, scrawls of thoughts and ideas—Rinko's, presumably. It wasn't just about business; it had personal reflections, frustrations, and aspirations.
A personal journal.
'So, there's more to this kid than just arrogance and a sense of entitlement,' Kakashi mused, flipping to another page.
The room, spotless and orderly as it was, seemed to hold layers of the person Rinko had once been. Kakashi knew that understanding these details might help him blend in better, but it also gave him a glimpse into the fractured life he was now living.
"I wish I could find my own path," one entry read. "Every time I think I've made a decision, I can feel Father's gaze, judging me. I'm not sure what he would think if he knew how often I just want to be free of this burden."
This journal offered a glimpse into a world where Rinko was more than just a privileged heir—he was a young man grappling with the weight of his family's legacy.
Kakashi found himself resonating with those feelings, reflecting on his own struggles to live up to the expectations placed upon him.
The room, spotless and orderly as it was, seemed to hold layers of the person Rinko had once been.
Kakashi knew that understanding these details might help him blend in better, but it also gave him insight into the fractured life he was now living.
He continued to explore, noticing a collection of framed photographs on the desk.
Each one captured a moment in Rinko's life—smiling with Weiss during a family gathering, standing beside Whitley with a confident grin, and one particularly candid shot of Rinko on a mountain hike, laughter evident on his face.
Kakashi paused, his gaze lingering on the photographs. The joy and warmth they radiated felt like a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere he had just experienced with Jacques.
At that moment, he felt the sharp sting of Rinko's regrets seep into him as he flipped to another diary entry, his heart heavy with empathy.
"I wish I could apologize to Weiss, to Whitley... to Winter. I said so many terrible things to them. But I somehow can't muster up the guts to even tell them... Father told me to be selfish. Bonds were meaningless; they only get in the way, he said. After hearing those words, it hurts."
The vulnerability in Rinko's words struck a chord within Kakashi.
He could sense the deep-seated conflict between familial loyalty and personal desires. Rinko had been conditioned to prioritize the family's reputation over genuine connections, leaving behind a trail of fractured relationships and unresolved feelings.
Kakashi felt a pang of sorrow for Rinko, realizing the true cost of living under Jacques Schnee's shadow.
It was a painful existence, one that echoed Kakashi's own past where duty often overshadowed connection. This young man had been trapped in a gilded cage, with expectations weighing down on him like an anchor.
He turned the page, searching for more insights into Rinko's thoughts and emotions. Each entry revealed glimpses of a mind tormented by the need for approval while longing for authenticity.
Rinko's regrets poured out in ink, each stroke revealing the turmoil of a heart caught between love for his family and the painful lessons taught by a father who valued ambition above all else.
The dislike her mother held upon him due to him resembling Jacques Schnee.
Kakashi sighed softly, realizing he couldn't ignore these feelings.
Rinko's struggle was not just a subplot in his new life; it was the core of his existence as Rinko Schnee.
To truly embody this character, he would need to understand and confront these emotions head-on, perhaps even navigate a path toward mending those broken bonds.
As he pondered the implications of Rinko's struggles, Kakashi closed the diary and set it back on the shelf.
This room, with its impeccable order and haunting memories, would become his training ground—not just for adapting to the role of Rinko but for confronting the shadows of the past.
Determined to honor Rinko's experiences, Kakashi knew he had to take action.
He had to step beyond the expectations laid upon him and find his voice, even if that meant challenging Jacques's narrow views on relationships. The path forward wouldn't be easy, but Kakashi felt a flicker of resolve igniting within him.
[End]