A new year started in Konoha. Celebrated by many families across the village. And the Hikarime clan was no different.
" How much did we spent on these lanterns?" I asked as Kenji answered.
" My lord, these lanterns were created by the children of the clan."
" I see." I nodded before stopping in front of my parents tombstones and laid a bouquet of flowers and food.
" Kenji."
" Yes? Lord Hilarime?"
" You should spend time with your wife, I'll allow it." I didn't turn towards him as I sat down.
" Thank you for your generosity my lord, but I think I should-"
" Kenji."
I felt the servant jolt as I glanced back at him, his eyes closed shut as he bowed.
" thanks for the consideration, but I want to be alone."
" Yes my lord." Without arguments, kenji retreated as I heard his footsteps fading away.
" Sorry, I haven't had the time to visit." I took out a dinner box as I also gave them to my parents.
I ate, the background music was playing from the background.
" You created quite the clan dad. I'm still learning… oh, I've also learned basics of a shinobi…"
My mouth began to spew things on its own as I described my training and life in the clan.
" thank you… for giving me this life." I lifted my blurry eyes to the clouded sky.
***
"Souta, you're grip is too tight." An older man spoke, his voice gentle yet firm.
Felt like I was moving through water, clear water, waves blurring the light as I find myself moving.
' Where am I? This is a dream ain't it?'
Dad? I remembered. The day before my father left for a mission.
The sword in my hand was familiar. A white blade with golden streaks. Fathers connected sword, Gekki no Tsurugi.
I've heard rumors about it, how dad was sent on a mission to fight a rogue ninja who slaughtered civilian villages. But father wasn't the only one who was sent, he had a team.
And they managed to witness something incredible, a genkai Kekkei awakening.
But father told me the truth, a sword so powerful that it managed to corrupt a rogue ninja.
The blade in my hand flickered, wavering in the air.
" Your affinity with water is high." My father spoke with a proud smile.
I swung the sword like a child would as my father chuckled.
" Haha!" Fathers laugh echoed as I turned my head towards him. His face blurred as I realized something.
' I can't remember…'
***
" Sigh, goddamn it." I got up from bed wiping the sweat from my forehead as I stepped onto the heated floors then walked to stepped outside.
Meow
Shiro followed nudging my foot before I carried him into my arms.
I sat at the edge watching the snow fall. Before feeling an urge to explore, I placed Shiro on the bed as he started to curl into the bed sheets.
Giving one last pat to Shiro, I put on my winter clothes on and snuck outside the clan compound.
Blankets of snow covered the village. A few villagers stumbled pass reeking of alcohol.
' It's late… and getting colder.' I thought, glancing at the drunks one last time before walking down the road.
After a few minutes of walking, I found myself in a white forest walking on a snow trail that I don't know where it led.
Without a second thought, I followed the trail to a training ground.
' Recently used…' I thought as I observed the footsteps on the ground and the scattered snow.
' Hmm, target practice… hidden in the snow… someone is training to fight targets in the snow.' My eyes counted the amounts of targets, some barely hidden from the snow piling on it.
I pulled a kunai from my hidden tool bag and threw it at the first target. Snow flew off of the target as the kunai hits its mark.
I quickly threw the second, then the third and the fourth but just as I was about to throw the fifth target I shifted my stance and threw the kunai at the trees.
" Wah!!" The stalker fell, falling on their back but quickly rolled back to his feet.
" Wait! Wait!" He shouted raising his hands in surrender.
" Why hide?" I asked as I observed the young man.
" Lord Hakirime! I didn't think you would find me…" He blurted as he approached.
" Kito… training at this hour? And far from the compound?" I asked, crossing my arms as Kito smiled helplessly.
" Elder Shuri complains about my training waking others up so I decide to train here, as for the time, well it's mostly because of this." He replied pointing his finger to the sky.
My eyes followed his finger to see the moonlight shining through the clouds as the snow drifted through the air.
" Ah… I see…." I agreed before looking back at Kito.
" Well then, enjoy your time here, I'll be heading back." I walked away as Kito nodded and bowed.
" Yes, Have a good night my lord." He replied.
***
The night passed and the light shines once again the hikarime dojo.
' Training again.' I thought as I sat in the middle of the dojo.
The door behind my opened as I glanced back to see Elder Shuri.
" We'll be going through the basics again." She instructed.
I nodded and picked up the brush then dipped it in the ink before placing it on the sheet.
" Calligraphy is an act of art, a reflection of your soul." She spoke softly as she observed my strokes.
A withered tree was drawn, its leaves scattered across the earth.
" Hmm, you've gotten better." She admired as she glanced at the tree outside in the courtyard before nodding.
" Souta."
" Hm?" I glanced at her before staring back at the old tree.
" You'll be attending the ninja academy next year." She said as she exited the room.
' The academy?' I thought as I looked down at my small hands and closed my eyes as the memories flash through my head.
' Oh… I think I'm forgetting a few things as well.' I frowned as gripped my head before relaxing.
" It doesn't matter… as long as I know the major events." I whispered to myself as I readied myself for another day of training.