#shibi is a tired old man and has been feeling his age recently

[momiji-katsu-chiru]

"Soon the bells will start." (shibi ;3)

@inumbratte​ | Shiburt

  Indeed they would be. If not just to signify the changing of a year but to announce a change of an era. Things were to change in the coming month. His son would take over the duties of clan head. Leaving Shibi to mostly sit back and give the occasional advice when his son asked.

  It was in some sense a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach to do it.

   Shibi trusted his boy, he raised him after all and he knew Shino was truly capable of anything he set his mind to. But doing next to nothing after years of service drew him near mad. Not even occupying himself with gardening could help and Shino deserved to have the chance to lead the family. He had been groomed for it after all.

   Shino’s mother, bless her soul, would have probably convinced him years prior to hand it over sooner. But she wasn’t here. So he held on a little longer. But now his time was over.

   “Don’t go easy on him.” Voice thick in seriousness yet quiet as a spring breeze. Shikamaru had to know not to go easy on his boy. “Let him fail and learn, that is how we had done it before you.” Shibi and Shikaku may not have gone easy on each other but when it came to it. They held each other up despite their differences.                                                 And he could only hope the same for their boys.

       He breathed in deep the fiery toxic smoke that would once again plagued his lungs. The main source of stability he had found in many of tiring times. So many tiring times. The warm cigarette giving him something to pass his anxious thoughts from his mind to thick air he could exhale out.

But the new year was coming and he needed to learn to accept the change.

   “Mmm, happy new year young stag.” He blew out some smoke, giving a timely pause. Just to watch as his tedious thoughts slowly went away with the smoke. It was going to be rough. But they could make it.