The sun decided not to burn my retinas this morning. My grandfather didn't even call for me, what was up with yesterday?

As I get up, I remember the attack I had suffered yesterday. Well, the intense pain sort of jogged my memory.

"Don't strain yourself Reo, you'll make it worse."

Grandfather was at the door watching me. He walked over and let me lean on his shoulder.

"You're too kind to me pa."

"You were almost killed yesterday. It's pity."

"Feeling the love."

He brings me downstairs and sits me at the kitchen table. Something about how he was walking and acting seemed off. Grandfather is a kind and sweet gentleman. This morning he's acting kind of shifty.

"Reo, I didn't dismiss you from school just because of your wounds." He sits down, opposite of me. "There's something else."

"What is it?"

He furrowed his brow. "It's about your parents. Do you know what happened to them?"

I shook my head. "You haven't really talked about it much. Tomoya doesn't bring it up either. Why?"

He looked me in the eyes. "Come. I'll bring you to the cellar." He picks me up and we walk towards the fireplace. I didn't even know we had a cellar. Grandfather reaches out and presses one of the bricks in slightly. Suddenly the whole place rumbled.

"You're parents weren't in a car accident."

The fireplace opened up and behind it lied a staircase. My mind was racing. What were my parents? Spies? Warriors? Assassins?

He carefully brings me down the stairs, taking extra care that I don't fall, and what I see astounds me.

Nun chucks, swords, suits of armour. You name it. Grandfather sits me down on a nearby chair.

"Reo... you're parents were legendary shinobi. Both of them were powerful warriors, and the best at what they do." He turned and looked at me. He was giving off a vibe that was amazingly powerful. "I was a shinobi. I taught your father all that he knew, and I will teach you as well!" He shouts the last words.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Grandfather, this is all too much to take in. How will I become a shinobi? I'm tiny for Christ's sake!"

He looks at me solemnly. "Reo, the first step in becoming a shinobi is confidence. Is that what you lack?"

I thought for a moment. I thought I lacked confidence, but what about when I fought Sora? I did throw the first punch.

"No... no I don't!" I shout. "Grandfather, I will continue the Mataki line of shinobi!"

I never saw Grandfather so overjoyed. "I am very glad you said that." He took a couple books from the shelf and laid them in front of me. "These books will teach you about everything you need to know. There's the history of shinobi. Weapon techniques. Shinobi transformation..."

"Grandfather... you're getting ahead of yourself."

He chuckled and cleared his throat. "You're right. I can't expect you to become a master shinobi overnight."

He opened the first book, weapon techniques, to the first page. "Study up."

"All of these books?"

"Every one."

I sigh. "You know grandfather, I though I would be able to rest on my day off."

"Well you aren't around those kids anymore. Do I need to get Sora over here?"

I chuckle. "I'd rather you not. Chapter 1!"

He laughs and leaves the basement. I find it odd that he didn't tell me exactly how my parents died though...

A couple of days later, grandfather officially dropped me out of my school. My wounds have healed nicely and I'm able to walk on my own again. I was also able to go through the books he gave me but it's one thing to know about the shinobi and another to become one. Grandfather gave me a replica of a sword to train with. It can't cut anything, but it helps.

"Reo, you need to attack the weak spot of the dummy. Hitting it like a barbarian works, but it's not quick."

I sighed. Grandfather had me up at five in the morning. I had been using the replica sword to hit a practice dummy. When I hit a weak point, a flag would rise up. After many thrusts and swings, I managed to hit one. A small beeping sounded and the flag rose.

"Nice one Reo! It may not seem like much, but you're getting it."

I sit down and wipe my forehead. It's only 9 in the morning, but it felt like a whole day passed. Grandfather sat down next to me.

"Now Reo, there's more to being a shinobi then fancy weapon moves."

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a scroll of some sorts. "This belonged to your father. It's a Ninja Art Scroll."

I take it from him and I immediately feel the power. It was like a bolt of lightning ran through my bones. "W-wow..."

"You felt something, didn't you?"

I look at him. "Of course I did. What is this?"

He smiled. "Just hang on to it. I'll explain later. For now, back to training! Work on the shuriken!"

The shuriken is a small star like object. Most people just call them ninja stars. They are extremely sharp and perfect for taking out foes from a long distance, if you can throw them right.

I stand up and begin practising. Hitting the target wasn't too hard. Getting it in the right place however, is a different story. The chest and the back of the neck are good spots. Even grazing the side of the neck works too, even if it's a bit more messy. Every time I hit the target, or do something right for that matter, grandfather never ceases to praise me.

"Keep working at it Reo. Tomorrow we'll work on stealth and swift movements. Meet me in the forest outside of town and don't be late!"

I continue practising for a couple more hours then sit down for a while. It's already night time! I go to my bed and fall asleep quickly.

I was surprised that I didn't need my alarm clock this morning. Grandpa told me to be up at 5 am, and I was.

He had previously told me to meet him in the forest. When I arrived there however, no one was in sight. Suddenly, a blur rushed past me, the figure jumped into the trees and easily manoeuvred on the branches. After getting a closer look, it seemed to be a girl. This girl was wearing a traditional Japanese style skirt, and was holding two swords. She was gone almost instantly.

Grandfather arrived moments later. "Good morning Reo. Did you sleep well?"

"Good enough, what are we doing out here? The bugs are bad..."

"Quit complaining. A shinobi is able to stay underwater for 3 days straight without food or water."

I chuckle dryly. "Alright, bugs aren't so bad."

Grandfather nodded. "Alright, now let's work on movement. A shinobi is a master of stealth and speed. Try to follow my exact movements."

He then swiftly jumped onto one tree branch, then two others in a matter of seconds.

"How could I possibly do that!" I shout up to him.

"The scroll I gave you will help.. now try!"

I wasn't so sure, but I gave it a shot. The scroll seemed to be giving me power, and I easily jumped up onto the branch, but lost by balance and fell. Grandfather chuckled.

"It isn't funny!"

"From up here it is!"

I looked up at him from the bush I fell in.

"You have to keep your balance Reo, try it again."

Me and Grandfather practices jumping from tree to tree and blending in with my surroundings for the whole afternoon.

"Now Reo, that scroll was only meant to help you for a bit. You need to learn how to jump on your own."

I chuckled nervously. "I don't think I can do it without the scroll."

Grandfather shook his head and took the scroll. "Give it a try."

As soon as he took the scroll away I felt my power drain a bit, but I was still determined. The old Reo Mataki is long gone, I'm a shinobi now!

Well, in training.

I took a deep breath and leaped for a branch. I made it, but it took a lot more strength since I didn't have the scroll.

"Grandfather... I did it!"

He chuckled wholeheartedly. "Good job grandson!"

We practised jumping without the scroll for a while until nightfall came, then we went home.

"So Reo, I have one last question for you."

"What's that Grandfather?"

He smiled and looked at me. "Are you ready to start school?"