Chapter Two
A New Task
I was thirteen when Laylo died. I had learned enough from her to handle her house like my own. She had left a lot of money in her will for me, and now and then I would do chores for neighbors to get my own money.
As a chuunin, I practiced and trained myself everyday to become one of the best. I would remind myself everyday that I am a ninja of peace, I would not kill people that have done nothing, I simply just protected my country. When I'd say those words, it was to tell my parents that I have not betrayed them, and to Laylo, telling her I will make her proud.
My life became a daily routine, the only thing I found interesting was training at night. I made new jutsus and perfected old ones. But even then I wished for more. I wanted to wield one of those swords, examine every single one of them and hold one with my own hands.
It was just a fantasy; I knew it wouldn't come true. A) Because I'm a girl, not a 'Swordsman', and B) because the Seven Shinobi Swordsmen of the Mist are the strongest shinobis in the village! And if I did my homework properly, I would know that in order to become one of them, all the participants had to kill each other; the seven remaining would get their own sword and be classified as the strongest in the village. Killing people who are innocent is something I would never do, it goes against everything i was taught.
It was that year when most of the Swordsmen became missing-nins, they had betrayed their own country. One even joined Akatsuki along with Uchiha Itachi, the man that killed his own clan! When I found out, I stayed up that night, lying down on the roof of the house, gazing up at the stars. I just couldn't believe it! The first time I saw them, they looked so good, like God sent them down to the Water Country himself. I didn't know back then that the aura they were sending wasn't the power and will to protect their country, but just the bloodlust and cockiness to be the strongest and to kill.
When I had lost Laylo, I thought there was something I can do to show her my gratitude. The answer that I came up with was to become the strongest ninja I can and still obey my parents' beliefs. Now, it wasn't just Laylo and my parents that deserved something from me, it was the Water Country too, and maybe the world of ninjas itself. It's time they understand that this world should understand the meaning of peace, and the only way that could happen is if I do what I must to make it clear.
I will become a Swordsman of the Mist.
Back then, I didn't care if what I did killed me, I was too busy thinking of ways to help people, a compromise between my parents and my sister. All ninjas couldn't be bad, and for the bad ones, they just needed a lesson. And I won't do it by joining Akatsuki. Instead, I chose to become one of the Seven Swordsmen; they are known as the strongest shinobi, so maybe if I become one of them, I can set an example to everyone.
~*~
I wasted no time talking to others. I did my missions with the group I was told, and thought of multiple ways to succeed. I would watch the other ninjas, my age and older, and learn from the different techniques they would use. And when the sun went down, I practiced and trained just like Laylo was standing right next to me.
As I became a jounin the following year, age fourteen, my calendar began to get fuller, and I found myself communicating with my peers.
Don't get me wrong, although I did become social, I still never got too close, I didn't want to feel that same pain I felt so many times when they die.
But it turned out, being social had its ups and downs; well, more like just its downs. When people would challenge my friends, or pounce at them, I had a sudden urge to just jump in front of them and block the person's way. Doing so would cause the challenger to become angry, and he or she would want to challenge me instead. I denied the offers but then that made everyone curious. Now, wherever I'm seen, I always hear gossip about me and my 'Secret Powers' that I want to hide, and a bunch of other rumors.
It's not like it matters what other people say; I'll just follow my own dream. No, not a dream, a task, something that I have to complete.
So I followed that statement and continued how I was, working to become perfection. I didn't know that becoming social would lead to what happened next, but in some ways, I'm sort of grateful for it.
~*~
One night, while I was training, practicing with as much water clones as I can create, something moved in the shadow. At first I thought it must of been a squirrel or a cat but then the shadow began hiding in the bushes, peering at me. It was beginning to get ridiculous.
"Show yourself!" One of my water clones said, I had her speak so that the attention would be on her and I could hide into the bushes without being seen.
High up in a tree now, I looked down and spotted my stalker. He looked about fourteen, hair as white as snow falling down both sides and the front, almost reaching the shoulder, eyes so dark you couldn't tell the colour, and the Hidden Mist forehead protector around his arm.
"Water Prison no Jutsu," I said the instant I had my water clones surrounding the stranger, right before he decided to make a run for it.
"I've done my research, you havn't killed or hurt anyone that you weren't commanded to do, I know you won't hurt me," he said with a smile. Clearly, he was amused.
I didn't hesitate as I spoke, I was clear and firm. "What do you want?" I demanded.
"Nothing that would cause you any harm. My name is Hozuki Suigetsu." He replied.
Hozuki, Hozuki, I thought. Why did this name ring a bell?
"You've seen me before, that day when the Seven Shinobi Swordsmen were first introduced, remember?" He said, obviously seeing me still confused.
My eyes widened as I suddenly remembered the boy. "Hozuki Suigetsu." I said softly, just for myself. "Follow me."
My water clones vanished with the water prison as I lead the boy into my house, tightening my grip on the blade that I held.
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