"You have disgraced us most highly! What do you have to say for yourself?!" the older man said, turning his steely gaze to the younger man in the middle of the floor.
He was on his knees in his ninja outfit, although all the others could plainly see that it was not fitting him properly. The shirt seemed more snug that usual for the most skillful and lithe ninja of the clan.
"I know that I disgrace you, Master, but as much as it pains me to say this to you, it is in all truth: I could not help it."
"Couldn't... couldn't help it?!" the older man sneered.
He walked over and grabbed the fabric of the shirt and revealed the disturbance of the shape: a bulging stomach that was too taut to be fat. The young man stayed stoic, not hinting how disgraced he was already, not needing any help from his master or having more from his fellow ninjas. The others made no sound but every one of them was staring in horror and confusion at the revelation.
"Explain to me how exactly this came to be about!"
"I fear I can't give you specific details... It was sometime after the invasion of the emperor's castle. I had entered through the apothecary on the lower levels of the castle, as was instructed, when I turned and was met by the medicine maker. She was not just a medicine maker, Master, she was... something else. As I jumped away, I remember her yelling something and she threw a powder on me. I cannot tell you for certain what it was but it wasn't hindering me nor cause me any problems. I took this as the ravings of a mad woman. It was after this intrusion that I began to feel sick, as you recall. Slowly, I was unable to fit into my uniform properly... I... don't know what this is."
"You know damn well what it is, Tsume! Tell the rest of the clan what you are." He seethed, letting the shirt go, still exposing his stomach.
Tsume closed his eyes. "It looks as if I am pregnant, Master."
With the revelation in the open, the rest of the clan could no longer keep back their surprise as small gasps and whispers echoed the walls. Tsume clutched his hands to keep from running away.
"You were clumsy and had a run in with Shintoe, the Enchantress. My most skilled ninja, prized and valued more than any here, made a mistake and has disgraced us."
"I am truly sorry, Master." Tsume said, shifting so he could prostrate himself better on the floor. "Give me whatever punishment I deserve."
The older man swirled around, his graying black hair seeming a whip in the air as he glared at the bowing man in the middle of the dojo. He grabbed his katana and walked over to him, touching the blade to his forehead. Tsume looked up and the old man dropped the katana on the floor.
"I want you to get rid of it."
"I cannot, Master." Tsume said immediately.
"And why is that?"
Tsume, for the first time in his entire life as a ninja, had decided a long time ago that if the decision came to this, he would rather live alone than with this guilt.
"Because it is mine and I wish to keep it."
The ninjas all began to murmur again and the Master stood in front of him.
"You wish to keep it? You would defy me and disgrace the clan for your selfishness?"
"I feel it is my right to have it."
The Master then swung back his leg and swiftly kicked Tsume in the face, sending him flying out of the dojo. Tsume, although tainted, had not forgotten his training, and instead of landing hard in the yard, sprung from a hand spring and landed lightly on his feet.
"Then you are henceforth banished from the Kayoshi Clan and from the Benitone family. Your mother will cry over your death, for that is what I will tell her."
Tsume put his hand to his fist and gave a small bow.
"Of course, Father."
He hoped he didn't sound as watery as his eyes were proving to be.