Reborn
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Chapter 2: Innocence
It has only been a few days since the deceleration of surrender from the Frost Country, as well as the death of Kasumi. In a secluded island, several miles from the southern coast of the Lightning Country, a few small children play on the beach. They spar with each other, use wooden weapons and chase each other through the sand. A few women sit under umbrellas, as they watch their children play.
Child “Hey Iseiya come on lets have a race.”
Iseiya “Mommy can I?”
Kana “Alright, but don't go too far”
The small child leaves the embrace of his mother and heads to the other group of children. They ready themselves and then all of them take off across the beach in a race. They head further and further down the shoreline until they reach this large bolder, where they end their race. The youngest of them, Iseiya, wins the race by a landslide, out running his older peers and friends. By the time they reach the bolder, they're all exhausted and hobbled over panting. They laugh, all enjoy a laugh with each other afterward and look at each other.
Child 2 “Hey guys maybe we should get back, I mean out moms said not to go too far”
Child 3 “You worry too much, there's really nowhere else for us to go from this point, right Iseiya?”
The children turn and look to see an unresponsive Iseiya. His gaze is fixated out towards the sea, as his stare is like a trance. The others turn and look out with them, and way in the distance they see little specks on the water. The specks eventually get larger and larger and they can be distinguished as ships.
Child “Hey those ships...do you think?...”
The ships get closer and the voices of the men on the ship can be heard chanting. As the range of sight increases the children can see the insignia of the Yotsuki clan on the mast.
Child 2 “It's them, they're back!”
The faces of the children light up with joy as they see their clansmen return home...
Woman “We told them not to wander off too far, I think I should go and get them”
Just as the women get up they see a large amount of people coming up in the distance. They see Iseiya leading, with the other children on the shoulders of the men coming. Just as the faces of the children lit up, so do the women on the beach side. The Yotsuki clan shinobi have returned home from their war. The shinobi and kunoichi from the Yotsuki clan rejoin their clan. The women on the beach head into the small crowd of shinobi and they greet all affectionately, and they reconvene with the members in their individual families. The group walks through the beach, and over the hills above and as they come down a small little village is placed, with several people within it. The area is over a large agricultural setting, large farms, with people working together to produce crops, small mills, basic water systems, and few livestock and animals being bred. This is the traditional setting for most clans, shinobi or not. Every person within the clan, regardless of their being a shinobi or not has a job to do. The whole clan close to one another, to the point all are just as important as the immediate family. The organization and teamwork of these clans, is what shapes, not only their success as well organized shinobi, but as a unit.
As the Yotsuki shinobi and kunoichi make it into the village, the clansmen all rejoice at the return of their shinobi safe. Things are hectic in the beginning, the overjoyed wives glad to see their husbands and, possibly children home safe, younger siblings glad to see their older siblings, family and close friends within the clans, anxious to see each other after a long span of time, with so many stories to tell...few families, mourning over the deaths of their loved ones, due to their absences from the group. Everything comes to a haul within the village for a short time, just for this, seemingly festive occasion....The young Iseiya and his mother stand beside the main crowd of people, watching their clansmen catch up for the first time in years, until one man emerges from emerges from the crowd.
Kin “Kana...”
Note: Kin=Yotsuki clan leader
Kana “Kin-kun...”
The leader of the clan runs towards his wife, overjoyed and embraces her in a giant hug. Kana simply smiles gently and hugs her husband.
Kana “It's been almost two years...”
Kin “It feels like much longer...each day without you felt like an eternity.”
Suddenly the shinobi drops to a knee, as he feels a sharp pain in his thigh. He turns to see the young Iseiya, who stands behind him.
Iseiya “Did you see that daddy, mommy taught me that while you were away. She said that, that spot in the back of the leg is very sensitive”
Kana “Iseiya-chan, you shouldn't use those techniques so carelessly. Especially since you're father has been so hard at war, protecting and helping our clan”
Kin “No, no it's quite alright. My boy, you've grown so much. You're starting to look more and more like me everyday, except for your mother's eyes”
Iseiya “Mommy taught me so many things while you were away, I've been training, and I think I'm almost strong enough to beat you now”
Kin picks his son up in his arms and smiles at him.
Kin “Not yet, you still have a fair ways to go before you can take on your old man”
Iseiya “I'll get stronger then you and then, when I get older I'll lead the clan and I'll go to war too”
The smile on Kin's face leaves for a moment, but he quickly regains it. Kana, however notices the change in her husband's expression and she gets a worrisome face in the process. The young Iseiya doesn't notice this however.
Kin “You will lead our clan my boy, and you will defiantly get stronger them me. That's the destiny of every son, to surpass their father. I will teach you how to be strong, and then one day you will surpass me...Then you'll find a great woman who will love you and take care of you. You will take care of her and love her as well. Once you do that, you too will have a child and you will train them to become stronger then you. That is how it's going to be...do you think you're going to be up for that challenge?”
Iseiya “Yes sir!”
Kin “Alright then, we'll start your official training tomorrow morning, and we'll start a routine”
Iseiya “Alright (smiles)”
Kin puts his son down and he runs off into the crowd with his friends. Kana comes up to Kin and puts her hand on his shoulder. He turns around, maintaining a false look of calm serenity on his face.
Kin “It's hard to believe he's already four years old. He could barley walk the last time I saw him...it truly has been a while hasn't it (sighs), I am so happy to be home”
Kana “I'm so happy you're home too dear...Kin...is their something on your~”
Kin “We should have a festival tonight...it's still rather early in the morning, we could have everybody finish up their duties for the moment, let everybody freshen up and take a breather and then we can have a festival tonight...that sounds like a good idea. All the women will ware their most elegant yukata, get their hair done, and decorate themselves, and we can all get together and formally catch up with one another.”
Kin cut his wife off, straying away from the subject she was about to initiate, with one of less tension and worry. Kana looks at his husband with worry again but quickly turns it into gentle, reassuring one.
Kana “Yes that sounds like a wonderful idea, why don't you go make the announcement and then me and all the women can get together and prep everything while you men go and rest yourselves”
Kin kisses his wife and leaves her. He heads into his house behind them and Kana heads into the crowd...Several hours pass by since the return of the Yotsuki clan shinobi. Night falls over the land, however the small little clan is far from dark. Several lights and decorations are set up all throughout the small little village. Fireflies, held in jars hand over every doorway of the homes. All the women and little girls in their festive yukata gowns and their hair down in beautiful and elegant fashions. The men ware their most simple kimono. The festivities around the village, singing, dancing, talking, and games fill the atmosphere with great vibes of joyfulness and no worries.
In a large lot in the back of the village, all the clansmen of the Yotsuki clan gather, with their leader and his wife and son in the center. They all gather around a large fire pit, around their leader.
Kin “Fellow Yotsuki clan members. I am happy to inform you that the war between the Lightning Country and the Frost Country has ended, and in the favor of Raiga-sama from the Lightning Country”
A large burst of applauds thunder throughout the area as they hear the good news.
Kin “I have even more good new. Raiga-sama has formally invited our clan to fight for his country and to live in the Lightning Country. He has extended this offer to our entire clan and has agreed that our clan will rewarded for our valiant effort in helping him win the war. I have accepted this offer on behalf of our clan and with that we shall become wealthier and even more prosperous then it has ever been”
More applauds burst out after the speech from their leader and the entire clan is filled with happiness.
Kin “The signing of the treaty between Frost Daimyou and the Lightning Daimyou will take place in a weeks time, in which time we shall pack out things and sail to the Lightning Country and officially become part of the Lightning Country. Raiga-sama has promised us over five times the land that we have now, triple our livestock, and grain and has placed us on a plentiful land. Our small clan now has room to grow and live an even more comfortable life then we have for generations. My friends, enjoy this festival, and enjoy each other's company, as this is only the beginning of our rise to a greater point for our clan, and the future generations.”
The applauds reach their peek of thunder. The Yotsuki clan will officially become part of the Lightning Country in a week's time and their status as a powerful shinobi clan shall rise. The festivities of the clan continue on after Kin's speech. Dancing, singing, socializing and games continue on. Several more minutes go by and the festival continues on. Behind the village, on the beach Kin and Kana walk together along the shore with each other. They're the only ones on the beach. The cold wind blows through the air, bringing, along with it, the smell of the sea. The currents of the sea are majestic and peaceful as the couple walks beside it. The atmosphere that surrounds the couple, from the nature around them, is very soothing and relaxing...however the atmosphere that them isn't all natural. A tension in the air breaths through Kin, that has been fermenting for several hours, and a breeze of worry flows through the air coming from Kana.
Kana “Kin...there is something bothering you. I can feel it”
Kin “So you can...You've always been able to sense how I was feeling”
Kana “It was something Iseiya had said...you're...you're not upset with him are you?”
Kin “Of coarse not...he is growing up to be a fine man...I just...feel guilty that I wasn't there to help you raise him”
Kana “He's only four, you've only been away from him for two years, and you were out creating a better life, not only for him but me, yourself and the rest of the clan. You've always been in his life, and you've always been fighting for him and this clan”
Kin “You're right...but you don't understand how it feels to not actually be there in person for him...while I'm out there in war, I'm constantly thinking of you and Iseiya. Everyday I fought I was afraid that I was going to die...not so much for my sake but for your sake and Iseiya's. You two mean everything to me...I worry for your sake about my life. It's the only time I ever worry about my life...At first I thought it was selfish but...you and Iseiya...I don't know what I would do without you...and...the way I notice the two of you...I always worry about what you two would do without me”
Kana “Honey...”
Kin “And on the battle field...I look into the faces of all my comrades, kinsmen or not...and also into the face of my enemies and I realize...I'm not the only one who feels that way”
Kana “That's what you were worried about...what Iseiya had said about him going off to war”
Kin “Usually, the soldier never thinks of his enemy in such a way...in fact, for the longest time it was taught to soldiers to view your enemies below humans...that they were all animals for the slaughter...never before has anybody ever taken into consideration their enemies during a battle...or has ever looked back on them in such a way to realize...that they are not animals, but in fact humans...just like us”
Kana says nothing but looks at her husband as he stop, turning towards the ocean. A large breeze flows through the air against Kana and Kin. The breeze is chilling, but at the same time warm and damp with the sea's scent.
Kin “As I worry about my own life for the sake of my family and my clan. I look at my enemies...and I see the same worries I have deep in their heart...I see the same fears in their eyes as the ones I have...When I take their lives as well...I begin to think about the families they had and...how they would feel when they found out what had happened. I saw the looks on a few of our members when we came back...we lost several of our men and even now...it's still early, they still mourn. The pain I see in the hearts of my comrades hurts me, and...every time I took the life of a shinobi out in the field...I felt an even lesser pain in my heart, but a pain none the less”
Kana “Kin-kun...you're a wonderful and wise man. You've always been so caring and so kind. You've always fought with the interest of your clan, but you've always fought thinking of the other as well.”
Kin “I want to be a role model for Iseiya but...how can I do that if I'm never around...what's more, how can I teach him the right from wrong, whenever I do something like this I can never tell if it is either right nor wrong. I fight for my clan but I fight against somebody else who probably has that same motive. Somebody who fights for their clan. I don't want him thinking that war is a good thing. I don't want him to have to inherit a path where war is the only way to provide for your clan...”
Just as suddenly as the breeze flew in, it stopped. Kana came up behind him and hugged her husband reassuringly.
Kana “If you raise him just as your father raised you...and you have such a heavy heart of passion inside you, as I know you do...he'll grow up to be a great man just like you...and may one day even find a way to provide for his clan without the need for war...he can be that little piece of hope for peace, and as long as you're here to guide him until he spreads his wings, he will be a great man just like you...maybe even better”
Kin “I know why I married you now”
Kana “You mean other then my body, and my brains?”
Kin “Because you know exactly what to say to make my troubles seem like the most insignificant things in the world...and yes for you're incredible outer beauty...but your inner beauty supports what on the outside”
Kana “I get it from my mother...so long as we have each other we will be strong”
The breeze returns and the sweet smell of the sea returns as well as the cool and refreshing air. The atmosphere changes completely into that of a joyous and gentle nature. The couple returns to the village and the festival still goes on strong. The lights, festivities, and laughter from the clan compliments the physical setting around them, bright and colorful. The worries Kin are no longer a bother to him thanks to his wife, and all is well with the Yotsuki clan.
In the Lightning Country
In the residence of Kasumi and her children, the late Kasumi still lay in her bed. Her body lays at rest, looking so peaceful and without any pain. The sheets and covers of the bed have been changed by the young Saki...however, the days that have passed have left a devastating impact on all three of the children. The house is completely dark and silent. A cold chill roams throughout the house. Every room is empty and dull, without any emotion or emphasis on any such positivity. The atmosphere here is that of lifelessness and death.Saki sits beside the bed of her dead mother simply looking at her with an overwhelmingly sad look.
Saki “*Mommy...we're all alone...I don't know what to do...I'm so scared...but I'm more scared for you...*”
She puts her hand on her mother's hand. Kasumi's hand is cold, and the moment Saki touches it she gets a pain in her chest. She remembers the warm smile on her mother's face and how she used to kiss her and Rei. The memories flash into her head like snap shots. Saki immediately lets out tears of pain and agony. She is only six-years-old, her mother has died, and she is in the most frighting situation of her life. She's the oldest of three siblings and has to protect her siblings, but she has no means of doing so. She's extremely hurt and frightened, but what hurts her more then her own fears, is the love she had for her mother and still has. She has lost her mother and still worries for her in her afterlife. She feels the ice from her mother's hand and the pain in her heart and wonders if they are the cries of her mother. The tears flow down Saki's face so fast and so excruciatingly.
Saki “(crying heavily) Mommy...I can't tell how you're feeling...I can't tell if your in pain or not...I don't know what I can do to help you...I...I...I don't know what I'm supposed to do”
Rei “Nee-sama...”
Saki bolts up and turns towards the door way and sees Rei standing there, holding a small pink blanket and her face wet from crying.
Rei “I woke up and you weren't there....I had a nightmare...”
Saki “Rei-chan...I'm sorry, I was just...come here with me...sit next to me”
Rei comes up and climbs into the bed with her sister and holds onto her. Rei takes the blanket and wipes the tears from Saki's face, and the two sisters smile at each other.
Rei “I remember when you gave this to me Nee-sama”
Saki “Yeah...mom said that she made it for me before I was born...She was going to make you one but dad died when before you were born and mommy was sad...she smiled though...when you were born”
Rei “You really loved mommy did you”
Saki “Of coarse I did...you loved her too right?”
Rei “That's not what I meant...you loved mommy more then I did...I mean I really, really loved mommy, but you always loved her differently. You always loved her more”
Saki “I think we both loved her the~”
Rei “I miss her too...but I think I've always loved you a little more because...you always did things for me just like mommy did...you always took care of me just like her...I think I would've been sadder if you died...I love mommy, but I love you too Saki-nee...”
Saki looks down at her little who has her eyes closed burred in her chest, holding onto her tight. Rei truly does lover her sister more then anybody and Saki notices this. Saki wraps her arms around her little sister tightly, holding her, protecting her.
Saki “I love you too Rei-chan...*You're right...I have taken care of you before...so that just means I have to continue doing it...It's my job now, just like it always was...I'll take care of you Rei-chan...don't worry*”
Suddenly the two sisters are awakened by the cries Kiyoshi. Saki's eyes open and they immediately fill with anger as she hears the cries of her baby brother. Her grip gets tighter around Rei and she notices this.
Rei “Saki-nee, I'll get him. You've already done enough”
Rei gets out of the bed and walks into the next room over. Kiyoshi lay in a little crib, squirming and crying, as Rei comes in. Rei walks over to her baby brother, pulls down the bars of the crib and sits next to him. She struggles to try and put him on her lap. She reaches for the bottle at the end of the crib, but before she reaches it Kiyoshi stops crying. He lay in Rei's lap motionless and calm. He falls fast asleep and is peaceful. He holds onto Rei's shirt as he sleeps and holds onto her. Rei looks down at her baby brother, with confused feelings going all throughout her head.
Rei “*He's the reason mommy is gone...but he's only a baby...*”
Rei puts her hand to her chest and she holds it, feeling an unsure, sensation within it. She feels pain but the pain she feels is for her mother and her sister only. She holds her heart for another reason entirely...she feels anger for the pain she feels, and for the pain of her sister, and the loose of her mother. She feels this anger but doesn't know exactly what it is...or who it's directed to...She still looks down at Kiyoshi though...puzzled.
Rei “*Why...do I feel this way?*”
She continues to look at Kiyoshi as he sleeps in her lap, holding her chest and still confused as to what her true feelings for her brother are.
One Week Passes
A large convoy of people travel through the forests of the Lightning Country. The Yotsuki clan makes its trek to the Feudal Capital of the Lightning Country for the treaty signing between the Lightning and Frost Daimyou. After the signing of the treaty, the Yotsuki clan would receive their new land and home, and begin their new lives. Hundreds of shinobi, men, women, and children from the clan travel together in a large group, heading down the forest. Kin leaves his clan in the front, with Kana and Iseiya close behind him. The day itself is bright and warm.Iseiya “Dad said once we get to our new home, that he would teach me this new taijutsu technique”
Kana “You're really excited I take it...you've been so antsy since we left”
Iseiya “I just want to hurry up and become strong so I can grow up faster and then I can do what dad said, to lead the clan and have a family of my own”
Kana “I see”
Kana holds her child in her arms and looks at her husband who leads the group.
Kana “*Kin-kun...you're son has already taken that goal you gave him in his heart...if only you knew just how much he means to you...*”
She smiles and kisses her son on the cheek. The convoy continues onwards through the forest. The officially enter the Lightning Country's empire once they reach a large mountain pass. From the forest, a wide area opens up, sandwiched between two large rocky hills, that stretch on for a few miles.
Yotsuki Shinobi “Kin-sama, the map says that we should come to a large mountain with large caverns. It looks like it would be easier to go through the caverns instead of taking the mountain path...we should reach in an a little under an hour if we keep up this pace”
Kin “Alright, we'll continue on then, once we pass through the caverns it should only take a short time to reach the Capital”
The convoy continues onwards, however...on the hill side, small little stones and pebbles begin sliding down. At first it was subtle, but eventually more and more small rocks and stones began sliding down the hills and it catches the attention of all the members of the convoy. Suddenly, from each side of the hillsides several kunai begin raining down on the Yotsuki clan. The shinobi immediately react. Two shinobi leap up, back to back against each other. The both make quick seals in retaliation to the kunai rain.
Yotsuki Shinobi “Shuriken Kage Bushin no Jutsu (Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique)
Yotsuki Shinobi 2 “Doton: Doryuheki (Earth Release: Earth Style Wall)
The one shinobi makes hundreds of shuriken clones, which deflects the shuriken, while the other shinobi puts up a wall to protect his side from the shuriken. The shinobi who threw the kunai reveal themselves and it is shinobi who fought for the Frost Country. They suddenly leap away from the area in a hurry, which confuses the Yotsuki shinobi.
Yotsuki Shinobi 3 “Was that it?! Was that wall they had for an ambush”
Kin “*No there's something else...*”
Kin looks around and he sees small little tags on the kunai and he notices them scattered around the area.
Kin “*Shit!* IT'S A TRAP EVERYBODY R~”
Before he could finish his sentence the kunai began to glow and suddenly the begin to explode all around the area. The wall of earth that the shinobi put up begins to crumble and large chunks of earth begin to fall around the clan. The kunai that are spread out around the area begin explode all around the clan and they're sent into an uproar. They all begin running away however several clansmen are caught in the explosions and the mountainous hills begin to crumble and an avalanche is caused. The clan makes it out of the area, but several of their shinobi and civilians were caught in the explosion and killed. The Frost shinobi reappear and begin throwing more kunai and shuriken, maintaining the high ground. The sound of metal clashing rains throughout the area. Shuriken and kunai go flying, the Yotsuki clan trying to keep the explosive projectiles away from their clansmen...just a little over a mile away, Saki stands in her kitchen.
Saki “We're almost out of food...I wonder if...”
Saki hears a very faint noise...she heads outside and closes her eyes to focus. She focuses on the sound and she can hear cries of pain, clashing metal, and many shouts. Saki's eyes open wide as she begins to suspect something wrong. She runs back into the house and see's Rei sleeping right next to Kiyoshi.
Saki “Rei-chan...Rei-chan wake up we have to go”
Rei “Nee-chan?...what's going on?”
Saki “There's something wrong...I think I hear fighting...it doesn't sound that far from here, we need to go”
Rei “Who...who would be fighting?”
Saki “I don't know, but I can hear it and mom said that if you could hear it, you were close enough to be affected by it. We have to get out of here and fast”
Rei nods her head. Saki runs to the door and turns around to see Rei picking up Kiyoshi and putting him in a baby carrier.
Saki “What are you doing?!”
Rei “You said we have to go right?”
Saki “I meant with him?! Why are you bringing him?”
Rei “What do you mean? He's our brother, we can't just leave him. What if something happens?”
Saki “He's not our brother, did you forget what he did to mom? He's the reason we're all alone. I say leave him here and hopefuly once we're gone he'll be caught up in whatever is going on”
Rei “But...nee-chan...mommy said that me and you came from her, that's why we are sisters...and Kiyoshi-kun came from her too that means he's our brother...we can't just leave him...he'll die”
Saki “He shouldn't have been born!”
Kiyoshi begins to whine and he begins crying.
Rei “Nee-chan...you made him cry”
Saki “I don't...*wait*”
Saki puts her ear to the wall and she hears a whistling sound and something drop. She heads to the window and sees a kunai knife outside in the backyard. Saki runs to Rei and grabs her hand.
Saki “We have to go now!”
Saki pulls her sister and they run out of the house. The make it away from the house and go through the trees and suddenly a large explosion goes off in the back of their house and it startles them. Suddenly a few more knives fall on top of the house, and in the front yard. Those begin to explode and the wave of the explosions knocks down the three children, despite being out of immediate danger of the actual explosion. As they run, Saki gets a look of horrifying shock on her face.
Saki “*Mom!*”
Saki turns back and begins running back toward the house. Rei sees her sister running back and she takes off the Kiyoshi and places him, gently up against a tree and heads towards her sister. Rei catches up with Saki and grabs her arm, stopping her. They're within sight of their home and they both see their house, lit up in flames and and their yard in ruins and flames as well.
Saki “Let me go! We forgot mom!”
Rei “Saki-nee, we can't do anything, we'll die too. Just look at those fires their really big. You wouldn't be able to get into the house”
Saki “We can't just leave her in there, she'll burn to ashes!”
Rei “Saki!”
Saki closes her eyes and clinches her fist and she lets Rei pull her away. She opens her eyes and sees her house burn and sees bits and pieces of it collapse. Before they get completely out of sight, their entire house is lit up in flames and tears flow down Saki's face...
At the Battle Field
The Yotsuki clan shinobi are now head to head with the Frost shinobi, clashing blades. Explosions from kunai continue to go off, as the Yotsuki clan tries to place a barrier between them and the rest of their clan, to allow them to escape. Kin fights hard, taking out countless shinobi, trying to buy time for his clansmen. As the clan runs Iseiya sees his father beginning to get overwhelmed. He breaks free from his mother and runs towards his father in a panic.Iseiya “Daddy!”
Kin “ISEIYA GET OUT OF HERE!”
A rather large shinobi cuts off in front of Iseiya.
Frost Shinobi “So you're the runt of that leader over there...(smiles cynically), well this will end the reign of the YOTSUKI!”
The shinobi lifts up a blade and swings it down towards Iseiya. The young child is struck with overwhelming fear. His fight or flight reflexes haven't kicked in and he stands frozen with fear.
Kin “Iseiya!”
The blade comes down and Iseiya closes his eyes. The blade it's the flesh and blood comes down on Iseiya's face...however it's not his. Iseiya opens his eyes and sees his father standing in front of him, the sword of the shinobi in his shoulder.
Frost Shinobi “*Exactly as planned*”
Kin “(Panting) You...bastard”
Kin is exhausted from the fighting and he tries to lift his hand with his kunai to strike the shinobi. The shinobi catches his hand, and rather easily, forces it around to have Kin stab himself. Kin's eyes widen and he couchs up blood. Kin drops to his knees.
Kin “Iseiya...”
Kin falls right in front of Iseiya, and the young child looks horrified, still frozen in his tracks. He looks down and see's his father, laying motionless.
Iseiya “No...daddy”
Tears begin to form in the eyes of Iseiya as he drops to his knees trying to shake his father awake.
Iseiya “Daddy...daddy wake up...wake up, come on”
Iseiya's efforts are useless. His father lay dead before him, his blood fluently flowing out.
Iseiya “Why...why did this happen...how~”
Frost Shinobi “You want to know how?! Because your father was weak. Your father was too weak to survive this attack. Here is a little wake up call for you kid. Only the strong will ever survive. You have to have power to survive, and you have to have power to lead a clan. That's why your pathetic clan is going to fall right here and now, because you're all nothing but weakling!”
The shinobi takes his sword out of Kin and motions to swing down and kill Iseiya. Kana comes in, intercepting the attack, blocking it with a kunai. Her face is full of determination and anger.
Kana “You...you will pay for what you've just done, and what you've said to my SON!”
The shinobi backs away from Kana and gets a cocky smile on his face.
Frost Shinobi “Bring it on bitch!”
He runs at her and swings his blade, but with admirable speed, she simply ducks and raises a knee fight into the shinobi's stomach. Despite his waring of armor, he still gets the wind knocked out of him from the force of the attack. The shinobi doubles over and Kana simply strikes on the back of the neck. She hits the top of the spinal cord, snapping it, causing the shinobi's neck to break and he's dead before he hits the ground. Kana turns to her husband on the ground and her face begins to fill with tears of agony and pain. She holds her heart and she begins to cry. Iseiya goes to his mother and grabs her pant leg and hugs her. She wipes the tears from her face and looks down at her son, who is also crying. She then looks over to her clansmen, and then the shinobi fighting...She realizes that she can't continue cry, at least not in this most serious time. She wipes her face again and she pushes Iseiya gentle away from her.
Kana “Iseiya-kun...go back to the others and tell them to keep moving...tell them the rest of us will meet up with them soon”
She says this to her son without looking at him and he simply nods and runs towards the crowd. Kana takes out a needle and wraps her hair up instantly. Her face filled with seriousness.
Kana “Yotsuki shinobi! Scatter!”
They hear the voice of their leading lady and they do as she commands of them without hesitation. The Frost shinobi look and see the woman standing in front of them and the all leap forward at her. She make one seal.
Kana “Raiton: Raipansa (Lightning Release: Lightning Panther)
a large amount of lightning, emits from Kana and it takes shape into the form of a large panther. The Frost shinobi stop in their tracks as the see the size and shape of this lightning. The panther runs towards them and as hits, it makes contact with the entire force. The powerful electricity kills several of the shinobi, and renders many unconscious. The remaining few who aren't caught within the jutsu see the dexterity of the technique preformed by the woman and they decide to mount a retreat. Once they leave the field completely out of sight, Kana drops to a knee, and begins panting. The jutsu she used took a lot out of her, but she couldn't show it to the enemy. Some of the shinobi head down and help her but she refuses. She stands up and heads to one of the shinobi.
Kana “Summon one of your hawks, and send a message to Raiga-sama and tell him that we were ambushed by his shinobi from the Frost Country.”
Yotsuki Shinobi “Yes Kana-sama”
The shinobi bites his finger and summons a large hawk and leaps on its back and he heads out to relay a message to Lightning Daimyou. Kana turns to her people and then she looks down to see Kin. She turns her head, closing her eyes, trying to relieve the pain. The other shinobi make a stretcher and they put Kin on the bed and they lift him. Kana leads the shinobi to the rest of the clan...The pace has surly slowed in the clan, and they don't make it past the caverns until sunset...After they do, the decide to rest for the night, and a ceremonial cremation of Kin is held. Everybody in the clan bows their head down in honor and respect for their fallen leader, many crying with heavy tears, but none so more then Kana...Surprisingly Iseiya doesn't cry but simply stands looking into the flames as his father burns. The expression on his face is emotionless, as he looks as if he were in a trance. He remembers the words spoken to him by the shinobi who struck down his father....
Your father was too weak to survive
You have to have power to survive, and you have to have power to lead a clan.
Iseiya simply looks into the fire, thinking of those words said by that shinobi.
Iseiya “Power...”
In the Forest of the Lightning Country
Saki, Rei, and Kiyoshi make it deep into the forest of the Lightning Country. They no longer hear the explosions, or the fighting of the shinobi. They've been walking for hours, but they eventually collapse from exhaustion and hunger. Kiyoshi begins crying from the pain of hunger and Saki looks up and looks at him. She gets up and she walks over to him aggressively.Saki “Shut up!”
She smacks her baby brother across the face, which only makes him cry more.
Rei “Saki-nee why did you do that?”
Saki “Because I hate him! This is all his fault and now he won't shut up!”
Rei “He's only a baby, he can't help it, he's hungry”
Saki “I don't care, he's the reason mom is dead, and he's the reason for all of this!...Why did you even bring him, you should have just left him there!”
Rei “But he would've died”
Saki “That's the point...he should be the one dead, not mom...you shouldn't have stopped me from going after her...why did you want to bring him and not mom?!”
Rei “Because mommy was already dead”
In a fit of rage Saki smacks Rei, knocking her off her feet. Rei holds her cheek and looks at her sister frightened.
Saki “You love him more then you loved mom! I hate you if you do! I'm leaving, and if you're coming with me you better leave him here, because I won't want anything to do with you then!”
Rei “Saki-nee-chan...”
Tears fall down Rei's face like a river and cups her face, crying with heavy pain in her heart from her sister's words. Saki looks at her sister and then gets a pain in her chest and looks at her with the greatest guilt and regret.
Saki “*what did I just say...what did I do?!*”
Saki runs to Rei and pulls her in tight. Saki begins crying as well, moving Rei's hands away from her face, and wiping her tears.
Saki “Look at me Rei...Nee-chan didn't mean to hit you...she didn't mean to say that to you...she's just scared...I'm really...I'm really scared and I'm stupid. I'm really stupid...I didn't mean to hurt you like that, I love you...and I'm going to take care of you...I'm so sorry, please forgive met”
Rei looks up at her sister and wipes the tears from her face.
Rei “I'm scared too nee-chan...I forgive you”
Saki turns her head and looks at Kiyoshi who still cries. Her look is filled with anger but she calms herself down.
**Flashback**
Note: Around the time Saki was 4
Saki tries to hold her two year old little sister in her arms to stop her from crying. She can't pick her up because she's too heavy for her. Kasumi comes in and looks at both her daughters, smiling.
Kasumi “Saki-chan, don't worry I'll take care of her”
Saki “She's, my baby sis, I have to stop her from crying”
Kasumi “You're being very mature Saki, but you don't have to worry about this kind of stuff yet. You're still young yourself”
Saki “Ma..ture?”
Kasumi picks up her two year old daughter and sits on her bed, feeding her a bottle. She pats the bed, asking for Saki to sit next to her.
Kasumi “Being mature means that you act very grown up. When somebody is mature they make the right decisions and they do things that are very good...it's a little hard to explain, but it means you take responsibility for things. Even if you don't want to but have to. Doing something that you don't want to, but have to or need to show that you are mature. It's a very good thing to be, and I know, the way you love your sister and the way you try to do things for her, even though you may not be able to...shows that you'll be a very grown up person one day”
Saki “So being like you? That's what mature is?”
Kasumi “Yes...you're a very smart girl Saki...(kisses her). There will be times that you'll be in a tough situation or be in a spot that your afraid and don't want to be in...but you will have to do things that you don't want to do, but you'll need to, and that's when you become mature, in those situations. You may not want to but you're going to have to...and if I know my girl at all, I know you'll rise to the occasion and you'll be very mature”
Saki “(smiles) I will Mommy”
Kasumi “But you don't need to worry about that for a while now. You're still very young, you won't have to worry about such things for a long time”
**End Flashback**
Saki looks at Kiyoshi and she leaves the embrace of her sister and heads over to him.
Saki “Did you bring anything for him to eat?”
Rei “I uh...I brought three bottles of milk for him”
Saki sees the milk on the side of the carrier and she picks one up and holds Kiyoshi in her arms gently. Her faces is expressionless yet the discontent can be seen in her eyes. She feeds her baby brother his bottle, but only allows him to take a few gulps, and then puts it away.
Saki “We can't let him drink them all right away, until we find some place to get more, so we can only give him a little for now...Rei stay here with him and I'm going to try and go find some apples. Mommy used to take us to get apples out in the forest...I don't know exactly where we are but there should be a few trees with fruit near by. I'll be back in a little bit okay, stay here”
Rei nods and she crawls over to Kiyoshi. Saki grabs the pink blanket that Rei and takes it with her as she goes into the forest. Before she looses sight of her siblings she tares a small piece of the blanket and puts it down on the ground. She continues doing this every few minutes as she gets deeper and deeper in the forest.
Saki “*I have to be mature...I have a responsibility now*”
Saki has finally taken initiative. Although she still holds a deep hatred of her brother in her heart, she remembers what her mother told her about being mature. Her face is determined and she is determined to take care of her siblings until they get out of the forest and find civilization. Saki has become mature...but as she does, and as she becomes more aware of her environment and her surroundings...her innocence as a child begins to die, as she's forced to become an adult in order to protect her siblings.
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Authored by
~naruto kyuubi & Reborn~
This is the second chapter of naruto kyuubi and my series Blood. From this point onwards, we will be focusing on another main character, Iseiya Yotsuki, who will play a key role in this series later on in the series. This chapter, titled innocence, symbolizes the actual loss of innocence of the children in this series (Saki, Iseiya, and Rei to a lesser extent). With this chapter you see a lot of strife, more so for the family of: Kiyoshi, Saki, and Rei who are still dealing with the loss of their mother, and now being alone, having little to no supplies, out in the world all their own and still being so very young. With Iseiya the strife he goes through is introduced and emphasiszed more towards the end, rather then the beginning. Anyway we hope you enjoy. I apologize for any grammatical errors, as I have a cheaper version of Microsoft Word that doesn't tell me my grammer errors, only spelling. My grammer may be off in some places, so I apologize now and in advance for my furth chapters when I type them.
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