“First question,” said Yanmir as he faced Hinata. “Have you always been that small?”
That was a rather brash question, even for an animal. “P-Pardon?”
“I said have you always been so small? With humans, I can never remember. I seem to recall you not getting much larger than you are now.”
“They do tend to be so tiny, don’t they?” said Medve.
“Quite. If you are to be our sage and command any respect amongst the sloth, you’re going to need confidence and the stature to match such a position. You being a meager human simply will not do.”
Hinata did not like the sound of that. “D-Does that mean…?”
“You need to become one of us,” finished the female bear. “It’s a sort of physical training, if you will.”
Even after finding the magical pond that turn her hand into part bear, Hinata was still not able or willing to comprehend actually becoming a full bear. She had heard from Naruto that the training to become a sage was some of the most intense and absurd exercises he had ever done, with him almost ending up as a frog at a few points. But this went beyond anything she could imagine the sloth to ask of her for the sake of peace.
“D-Do I have to? I mean, there’s got to be some other way to earn the sloth’s respect.”
Both bears looked at her in a very unimpressed way. It didn’t take long for Hinata to see why. Bumbling through the bushes of the valley came several very large bears, though not nearly as huge as Medve or Yanmir. They looked to be cubs, all of them around the size as the wood Hinata had saved in the forest. They playfully pawed at her feet, causing Hinata to immediately seize up at the sight of a bunch of animals the size of cars attempting to swipe her legs.
“Well, go on,” said Yanmir, cocking his head expectantly. “If you can’t earn the respect of mere children, you can’t hope to earn the esteem required to command the sloth.”
Hinata threw her hands up in surrender as the cubs licked at her face. “E-Enough! I get it!”
Medve gave a soft growl, causing all the cubs to cease their attacks on Hinata instantly. They stood at attention as Hinata cleaned herself off of their spittle.
“Reason is not the way of the bear,” spoke Yanmir. “Strength and power show true leadership amongst our ranks. You cannot hope to have either as you are now, therefore you must become one of us.”
“I understand,” repeated Hinata in a much calmer tone. She needed to keep her composure, whatever the bear’s opinions were on diplomacy. “I apologize, but y-you must understand how difficult it is to simply give up my humanity.”
“No, I don’t,” replied Yanmir, gruffly. “You humans are soft and weak. Why wouldn’t you want to be a bear?”
“I understand,” interrupted Medve, earning herself an angry growl from her male counterpart. “I apologize for my mate. He does not understand sentimentality. I know you have some doubts, my dear, but rest assured this is not a permanent process. You can return to normal…Given time.”
The female bear’s reassurance helped Hinata relaxed slightly. So long as what she was getting into wasn’t forever, she could be more comfortable with turning into a bear, as strange as the concept was. Hinata closed her eyes and sighed.
“A-Alright, I’ll do it.”
“At last,” muttered Yanmir. “Come.”
The mighty bear took large strides further into the forest as Hinata and Medve followed close behind. Eventually, the group came to a clearing where there was a large ursine-looking tree surrounded by many other cubs like the ones that had swarmed her earlier.
“T-They’re all children,” noted Hinata.
“Of course,” answered Medve. “This place is simply a nursery or the first step in the journey for the bears on our pilgrimage. We are here as protectors and teachers, helping those too young to live on their own or those on their first step to joining the sloth.”
“S-So, it’s the first step in their journey.”
“Correct. A perfect place for you to start.”
That explained why the bear that had chased her into the cave in the first place. Hinata’s thoughts were interrupted by Yanmir, who cleared his throat and sat next to the bear-shaped tree. He towered over it. With one massive paw, he pointed in the direction of the “mouth” of the sapling.
“Drink.”
He was motioning towards the strange yellow liquid that seemed to be dripping from the fangs of the tree statue. Upon closer inspection, Hinata saw that the substance appeared to be some sort of sap from the veins of the timber. Considering the pool of water at the entrance had transformed her hand, she could only imagine what this would do.
There was no turning back now though. Both giants were staring her down, expecting her to take a sip. Hinata took a few deep breaths.
“Here goes nothing…”
She held back her long hair and dipped her head into the running liquid. Surprisingly, the substance was sweet, like honey. When she had gotten a good mouthful of the sap, Hinata leaned back and swallowed. Then she waited.
Nothing happened.
“Um,” said Hinata, looking herself over for any signs of change. “I-Is this supposed to happen?”
“Yes,” said Medve. “To partake in the Nectar of the Mountain is to begin a long process of transformation which will occur over the course of one month.”
“One month!?”
“We do not wish to overwhelm our potential sage with a sudden transformation when the intention is to get you used to the idea of being a bear. A slow metamorphism into a bear over the course of one moon will be enough for you to get used to the changes done to your body.”
“It’s better than my idea,” said Yanmir. “I wanted to simply toss you into the pool. Less waiting.”
Hinata gulped. “I-I see…Well, what can I expect then?”
“Over the month?” asked Medve. “Well, the first changes will be small, maybe your teeth will sharpen or your ears may change shape. But by the end of the first week, you will notice a great increase in mass and height. The second week is when the fur starts growing in. Of course, the changes aren’t just physical later on, but I shall not spoil the surprise.”
Hinata felt a creeping dread spread over her. She had been prepared for an instant transformation, but this almost felt like torture. “W-What will happen after the full month?”
“You’ll see.” Medve seemed to be smiling. “I repeat. This is to teach you how to be a bear. There’s no better way to learn.”
“S-Should I stay in the grove to learn?” Hinata’s thoughts turned to Naruto and the others.
“That won’t be necessary. You should say goodbye to your family and mate while you can. You’re going to be busy the next few months learning our ways. No human contact will be allowed during that session.”
Hinata nodded. “W-Well, thanks…I guess. So, I’ll s-see you both in…?”
“A month,” Medve politely finished. “Ta-ta, my dear. I never did learn your name.”
“H-Hinata. Hinata Hyuga.”
“See you in a month, Hinata.”
Yanmir merely grunted a farewell.
~
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