The boy's POV

Kaede sat cross-legged on a futon cushion, his dominating aura radiating throughout the tent. Michiko beckoned for me to sit on the tatami mat opposite while she settled herself beside him. The tent was a bit different from the rest in that it was more spacious and airy, which allowed the accommodation of an assortment of weapons and chests of scrolls. I caught sight of one of the scrolls that had rolled open, instantly making sense of the list of names, some already crossed out. I shirked at the thought. These people were really… A giant paper map hung on one side of the tent, annotated with red crosses, arrows and circles that reflected the considerable thought and effort that have gone into them. I looked around nervously, my eyes darting from one weapon to another. I felt as though I had entered the domain of a war general. Swords, katanas, kunais, shurikens, daggers, nunchaku, smoke bombs, needles, powder and a bottle of poison (?)- I didn't know what that dark liquid was but it looked suspicious. A set of bow and arrows that perched proudly on a black wooden stand caught my attention and I found myself actually gazing at it, my initial fear and anxiety pushed to the back of my mind. It was nothing flashy, really. No exquisite engravings or gold coating. Just a plain equipment. Yet I adored its elegance and simplicity. The way it was placed amongst the duller weapons easily made it the centrepiece, and-

'Er hum,' Kaede cleared his throat, bringing my attention back to their presence. My face heated up with embarrassment at my apparent rudeness and disregard towards them.

'S-Sorry,' I stammered. I expected the creases on the forehead of the solemn man to deepen but instead he broke into laughter, his small eyes twinkling with amusement.

'Why the nervousness, boy? We're not going to eat you up! Michiko, what did you tell him?' I was surprised at his response.

'Come, come! Have a drink. The morning is unusually cold these days,' he offered, pouring me a cup of hot green tea from a ceramic pot. I received the cup gratefully, taking small sips to avoid burning my tongue. He made small talk, about the speciality of the tea and the bizarre weather, occasionally cracking awkward jokes to which I laughed in politeness.

'And I see you're interested in the bow and arrow?' he inclined his head towards the set of weapons I was admiring earlier. I nodded my head meekly, and he proceeded to tell me of its ling history of owners. Gradually, I realized that the chief was not as intimidating and unapproachable as I thought. I fact, he was just as friendly, warm and amiable as the rest. I started to enjoy the casual conversation that flowed smoothly between us. The, the conversation took a more serious turn ,and Kaede's tone changed as he made a tactful move towards the purpose of this affair.

'So.. Michiko told me you were curious about us, yes?'

I gave a slight nod.

'But after all these talk, I believe you already have a few possibilities in mind?'

'Erm.. more or less.. but it's not good to jump to conclusions,' I replied earnestly. I didn't want to offend them with something they were not.

'I see…' he leaned back and gave a low laugh. 'But we are a highly secretive organization. At this point of time, I have no wish to divulge information to an outsider.' His voice became gruff and authoritative, a complete opposite form the tone he had been using. It reminded me of the first time I saw Michiko. Their ability to switch personalities so quickly scared me. They could be threatening and heartless one moment, and then sweet and caring the next.

'Er…' I gulped. I didn't know the right way to respond. I had seen things I should not, heard things I should forget. Were they going to dispose of me now? Surely not, right…? I laughed nervously, locking my eyes to the ground, unsure and afraid of what is to come. My initial fear resurfaced. Maybe everything had been a farce. Maybe they had meant to kill me afterall, and were just waiting for the right time and place. I suddenly remembered. Hide said there was a cave nearby, right?

The songs of the cicadas filled the empty silence as Kaede considered for a moment, then changed the subject.

'Are you sure you don't remember anything?' he clarified, a hint of doubt in his voice.

'N-No I can't..?' I squeaked, not daring to meet his eyes.

'Nothing at all? Tell me, what was the last thing you can remember?'

'E-Er..I only remembered waking up in that cotton field…a…and- but..I don't know why I was there,' I was stumbling in my words, shaking with fear but trying hard not to show. However, Kaede was rather persistent in his interrogation.

'And..? Before that?'

'Mmm,,,' I pondered hard but to no avail. It seemed as though my life had only started the moment I woke up that night, for everything before that was beyond my grasp. I exhaled in exasperation. Kaede's gray eyes pierced into mine, searching for signs of deceit.

'Dear, don't be so harsh on the boy. He hasn't done anything wrong and I don't believe he is lying. You're scaring him, you know,' Michiko reminded her husband gently.

'Oh, this has become second nature to me huh. One last thing…'

I can't wait for this little interview to be over. I thought I came here to seek answers, not to be questioned.

'...Is it that you can't remember, you don't want to remember, or that you are afraid to tell us?' he spoke slowly, placing enough emphasis on his words.

Was he testing me? And what's with me not wanting to remember? Nobody would want to forget who they were.

'I… I really can't remember…It's not that I don't want to, but I really can't! I want to remember. Even if it's something that I am better off not knowing, I still want to remember coz it is so…' I started crying. I was surprised at myself for revealing my inner emotions so easily.

'..so frustrating.. not to know even my own name, who my parents and friends were, my personality and worse.. to forget about the people whom I cared for..' I broke down in tears, not bothering to wipe them or disguise my small hiccups as my strong facade broke. This is it. His simple question had unintentionally triggered a wave of emotions within me. Confusion, loss, sadness, uncertainty, and all that internal doubts, worries and frustrations that had plagued my mind. I was emotionally exhausted. Drained. And I didn't know how or what to think anymore. The only thing I could do was to cry.

'There.. there.. we understand, child. Just give yourself a little more time, ne?' Michiko came to my side and embraced me, brushing away my tears. I was a little embarrassed. I was an 18 year old. Guy.

There was another moment of silence on Kaede's part as he thought over the problem deeply, rubbing his chin. Finally, he spoke.

'We.. can help you. We've seen the turmoil you are going through and we want to help. But on one condition. After you've regained your memories, you may choose to, or not to, return to your old life. Should you choose to return, you shall not speak of us to anyone. Not one person.'

'Kaede you don't mean…' Michiko glanced at her husband, her face lined with worry and doubt.

My eyes lit up. That was an easy condition to fulfil.

'And to ensure that your lips are sealed, we'll be binding you with a jutsu that will kill you once you try to convey information about us, whether it's written or whether it was through mind-probing by someone else.' he paused, allowing the information to sink in.

'So, are you still willing to proceed?'

I kept staring at him, dumbfounded. He must be joking right? Why take such lengths to silence me? Especially when I haven't learn of anything of importance yet? Still, the thought of regaining my memories and eluding this emotional torment drew me in like a black hole. I would do anything to get my memories back. Besides, if my past turned out to be something I should run away from, at least I would know who my enemies were. At least….I would know who I was….

I had everything to gain and nothing to lose.

'I'll do it,' I replied, my voice piercing the silence.

Later that night…

I sat in a circle of elaborate symbols incomprehensible to my simple mind. A few candles surrounded me, their wax feeding the flames that illuminated the otherwise dark tent. It was a silent night. The moon hid behind the clouds and even the cicadas fell silent, as if in anticipation of the results I had came for. In front of me lay a dagger which I had to cut my wrists with. It was supposed to be a simple ritual but somehow I grew afraid. Afraid of it going wrong, afraid of the pain I may be experiencing, afraid of my own memories, afraid of the future.

I may regret this later…

Kaede started forming some hand signs, his demeanour calm and collected. With a slam of his right palm onto the ground, he shouted 'Kai!' and the circles of symbols glowed yellow. I took this as the cue to slice my wrist, letting my blood drip freely onto the glowing symbols. At first, nothing happened. Then without warning, a throbbing pain filled my head and I cried out, clamping my ears. The world started to get dark and then upside down as I fell over, heaving deeply. It felt as though someone was tearing my head apart and I screamed. Gradually, the accelerating pain subsided but I grew sleepy. Closing my heavy eyelids, I welcomed the darkness that quickly took over me.