Tale of Touma Hyuga
"In this world there are three kind of people. Those who delves into Darkness, those who uphold Noble Values, and those who do nothing. Whoever you are, never be the third people."
September 24th, Year 64 after the foundation of Konohagakure
In a small village at the outskirt of Kirigakure. A baby was born with white hair, fair skin and lavender eyes. His arrival was not marked by any cries, instead of a light snowfall during a silent moonlit night. A man dressed in a simple white garb enters the room, his eyes fondly gazing the newborn "His eyes is just like yours, my love". A woman covered in lavender kimono caressed the infant's scalp, "He shall be named Touma. A Kaguya just like his father".
The man in question flinched. His face clearly display his concern "The village is going to war, the Mizukage has gone mad. He will have his forces burn down this village before long. You must take him with you" he said. "My clan will not accept him like that, they will demand him be abandoned and have his eyes sealed away. However, if you bring our baby back to my village.. I know, they will care for him" she said, holding back her tears. "Don't ask of the impossible. I can't leave you here, I've lost most of my clan to the war. I won't let them take you too.." he sobbed. "You must, my husband. Our child must live on, if not to preserve your clan, then let it be to preserve our dream. He must live on, and I know he will accomplish great things. One day, I know he will bring peace into our village."
A man rushed through the door, panting and his face painted with urgency "K-kaguya sama! Sir, the Kirigakure has located our hideout! They're gathering their forces outside the barrier as we speak! We've spotted over a hundred of them, but more are showing up. You must leave immediately!". "No.. not now! I can't hold them back and protect all of you! My love, I can't abandon my men in times like this.. Even i-if I have to stand my ground, even if it means my end.. I-I can't..They will stand no chance" said the man addressed as a Kaguya.
The woman nodded, and turned to the news bearer, "You, take this scroll and my baby. You run as far and as fast as you can. When the dust settled, head to Konoha and give this scroll to the Hokage. He will grant you refuge in the village. My son will be raised there, please watch over him". Her voice bare, shaking, desperately hoping that this unknown man will abide her last request. For she know her fate and her lover's is to stand against the might of a village, buying time for the refugees of the war to safely retreat. The war against Kekkei Genkai clan was young, but it's ever-escalating and ever-more so bloody with every passing moon.
"I-I understand. It has been an honor serving with you, Kaguya-sama, Hyuga-sama. I will ensure your children survival as if his were my own" the man bit down his tounge as he tried to part with his final words. "Farewell, and.. Thankyou" they both nod and smile at his display of gratitude and determination. A second wind of guts blew through the room, as the pair stood up, ready to fight against the forces of Kirigakure. "Go now, and never look back".
- 12 years later -
"Congratulations, you are now a Shinobi of the hidden leaf. I will hand you your Hitai-ate. Wear them proudly, they signify your place amongst the defender of Konoha. Your responsibility is to uphold our village's good name, and obey your superiors. Look after your friends and teammates. Defend your home. That will be all. Now I will announce each of your name, and you will be assigned a Jonin leader. For those whose name I mentioned, please step forward" said our Exam instructor. On cue, he started listing the names of various graduates.
Not that I cares. I was invisible, and I kind of liked it that way. Only my teachers noticed me, thanks to my prodigious accomplishment. The only times my classmates noticed me was when their envious and distant glare every time I was commended for, or got better results at tasks or sparring. At least the kids at my old orphanage treated me like one of their own, despite their confusion at my appearance. To the rest of Konoha, I was an orphaned-refugee from another village. A child with a strange bloodline power, an alien.
Now the teacher was nearly done listing off the Jonin teams, and I put more focus into hearing the team placement. It wouldn't do good if I fail to impress a Jonin sensei. "Tenten, Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga. You are designated to team 13, led by Jonin Might Guy" he paused. Maybe that's all of it. 'Oh well, if I don't get assigned to a team, at least I won't have to pretend to get along with others". But the instructor continued, and my ears perked up in hope "Ahem, the last are Aibara Fubaru, Takeshi Nohara, Touma Kaguya. You will be team 14, led by Jonin Anko Mitarashi. Please head out to training ground 11, your sensei will be waiting".
I hate to admit it but I'm glad I was proven wrong. Let's just hope that my new team mates and sensei isn't a loss cause. "So you're my team mate? Ugh, out of everyone why do I get assigned on a team with you.." said a girl with fair skin and that wore a training sweater. 'Must be one of the lesser clan of Konoha, otherwise I would have known her. Or not, I never paid attention to my classmates after all'. I lazily drag my gaze over her, "Wow, some guts you've got. I don't even remember your name, must be too mediocre and unimpressive. Just don't hold me back, alright miss?"
"Huh, what did you say! You're just an outsider you brat. You don't belong in this village. Why don't you leave and go back where you came from!" she retorted angrily. As petty as this was, she's knows just how to push my buttons. And I had to put considerable effort into holding back my emotion, it wouldn't do good to get in a fight with your allies after all, and a new team mate at that. "If only you got as much fang as you bark. I would've hate to kick a defenseless dog, no matter how rabid you are" I scoffed.
"Now, now.. Please don't fight right away guys.. I-I mean, don't fight at all. We're gonna be a team after all.. Let's get along together.." a boy's voice can be heard behind us. We both turned to see a boy with black t-shirt and a brown scarf, he wore a frameless glasses and had a purple rectangle marking on both his cheeks. I asked "Hn, you must be Takeshi? Nohara Takeshi?". "Y-yes, that's me. Now let's just get going and meet our sensei" he said, he's a bit trembling and nervous. 'Is this boy for real? He's so nervous and jumpy, you wouldn't ever thought of him as a ninja if you meet him for the first time".
"Ugh, damn it Takeshi, don't butt in! But you're right. aAnyway, no need to heed this outsider. Let's just leave and meet our sensei, hopefully she'll have some sense and fail this useless outsider" said the girl, her scorn truly undo her apparent beauty. "Whatever, you're just like everyone. Nasty, unfriendly, yet without redeeming quality. If our teacher is anything, she'll see through your mediocrity". I huffed and make haste towards the meeting point, there's no more reason in entertaining a character like her. 'Sigh, I can already tell this team won't be together for long. I doubt we'll even impress our sensei".
Training Ground 11, 12 minutes later
I arrived to at the grounds rather early, and it was bare except for half a dozen of training logs and shuriken dummy. Not long after followed by my 'team mates'. "Where's our sensei? She's supposed to be here and meet us" the boy asked out loud. "If you had paid more attention, you'll find one of the object here rather peculiar. For example, a wooden log without any shadow. How foolish do you think we are, huh sensei?"
'Poof', a tell-tale of a henge's unbecoming. "Wuaa, one of my student's perceptive enough to see through my illusion! My, my.. How interesting you are, Mr?" a woman clad in light-brown jacket and dark mash poofed into existence. "It's Touma, Kaguya Touma"
"I-I'm Nohara Takeshi, please take care of me sensei!" said the boy. 'Does he always talk like that?". The annoying girl from before also stepped in, "I'm Fubaru Aibara, pleased to meet you sensei". The aforementioned woman grinned, and let me tell you it was quite unnerving. "Ah, such a prospectful Shinobi. Now, before we continue with anything please introduce yourself to each other. I'll go first okay"
"My name is Mitarashi Anko, the things I like are sweets and desserts. I hate people who betrays their friends. My dreams for the future… is to stop a certain someone. As for my hobbies, I really like to eat sweets and train with strong people. Now you go, Takeshi-san"
The aforementioned boy gulps. "H-hi. I'm Nohara Takeshi. Things I like, is reading book and observing animals. I have no dislikes in particular. My dreams is to be an accomplished Iryo-nin and save many lives. My hobby is t-to collect interesting books and encyclopedia".
The annoying girl perks up, "I'm Fubaru Aibara. I like practicing ninjutsu, and I hate people who are arrogant and think they're better than they really are. My dreams is to be a famous Shinobi and bring glory to Konoha. My hobby is going camping and other outdoor activity".
'I guess that's my cue'. "My name is Kaguya Touma. Things I like is to practice and gain more battle prowess. I hate people who stuck their nose in other's life, and generally weaklings who act like bullies" I paused and pass a glare at Aibara, who took it with insult. "My dreams is to restore my Clan. My hobby is practicing taijutsu".
"Alright then! Now that we're all well met, let's get down to business. Now don't get me wrong, you're all graduated properly and are an official Shinobi by the village's standards" said Anko cheerfully. Until she abruptly stopped and her face express dire and seriousness. " But you're all green. You're a bunch of childish, petty and weak children. Let me fill you in, in case you didn't get the memo. As a Shinobi, you're expected to work together, put your self interest behind and complete your missions. You're expected to spy, sabotage and kill if need be. Now I've seen this attitude before, some of you thought yourself better and higher than the other. Fubaru-san, Kaguya-san, please step forward. Your childish attitude better stop here or I won't even entertain the thought of taking you as my genin team. If you have any dispute, please settle them right away!"
'Ouch, that was very straight forward. As troublesome as this is, she's got a point. That Fubaru girl really gets on my nerve, she's childish and petty, but I shouldn't have taken her bait and had my banter with her'. The girl in question jerked, her expression is one of annoyance, "But sensei, this.. this outsider had the gal to insult me. Why do we even accept him into the village, I mean, surely you know how everyone views him! He's got strange hair and a creepy bloodline! He can't mean good to the village!"
Sighing, Anko stepped forward and put her hands in Aibara's shoulder. "Fubaru-san. You're right about how most people view him. But then again, they know nothing about our friend here. So do we, and a good Shinobi doesn't make baseless assumptions and throw insults around. We have to act mature and be a good representative to the Village. For what I can tell, Touma here was a special case in how he got into the Village. His parents is somewhat of a relative to Konoha's clan. And as a baby he was brought here by a refugee from a war in the land of Mist. I've seen him as a calm and quiet kid at class, he wouldn't have insult you if you didn't say anything out of the line. Now, be a better person and apologize. If you want to be a Kunoichi you must put aside your differences and learn to work together as a team"
'Hmmn, she's had it quite well in handling a problem child that way, and she's nice enough to not judge me like the rest.. Maybe this team have a future after all.. But still, I have an idea to solve and settle this problem once and for all'.
As Fubaru stepped forward tentatively, still unsure and cautious about me, she extended her hand forward "I-I'm sorry for calling you names. I guess you can't be that bad". 'Oh, having second thoughts are we? Well, I still have to try aprove her doubts about me being mysterious and untrustworthy wrong'. Accepting her apology and shaking her hands, I nodded but kept a firm handshake, But I wasn't letting go. "As a gesture of goodwill, and to prevent further ire.. Let's solve whatever issues we had with each other right now. Spar with me, I'll even limit myself with Taijutsu so it'll be more challenging" I said with a half-smug, half-entertained smile. That's a sure way to stir up a person like her.
"Oh, did you really just said that? Boy, I'll make you regret that" She countered with an arrogant-insulted smirk. "It's on then.. Better be careful missy, I'm rather confident in my ability" I said, walking a distance away and preparing for the spar. "Sigh, kids these day. Hopefully you two will cease that arrogance and attitude with this match. J-just, try not to injure each other, or yourself" Anko sighed submittedly. "These kids gonna be a headache"
"U-umm, please don't go too hard on each others, guys" said Nohara. 'Poor kid, we're probably scaring him a bit like that'. Getting into our respective stance, we both make the confrontation seal and bowed to each other. "Begin if you feel like it" said Anko-sensei lazily.
'Poor sensei probably didn't expect much, or she haven't read up on my bloodline. Well let's hope this doesn't freak them out too much'. I step into my taijutsu stance and using my bloodline, I grew a bony claw at the tip of my fingers. "Shikotsumyaku - White Ivory Claw".
"W-what the! What is that!" yelled Fubaru. "This is my Kekkei Genkai, kinda freaky right? I have the ability to grow and modify my bones. You best watch your distance or get hurt!" I yelled the last part as I dashed forward to her. "Katon – Flame Bullet" a trio of rapid-approaching orbs of flame shot from her mouth. I took the the sky and dodge those bullets, 'Quite impressive to do a Fire jutsu right off the Academy. Her chakra control must be quite advanced' I thought to myself.
By the time I touched the ground, I channeled some chakra to my feet and ran in a zigzag line to avoid her barrage of flame bullets. 'I'll just drag on the fight a bit, no matter how impressive this girl at her fire jutsu, her chakra reserve can't be that great for someone of her age'. As if on cue, her rapid cast of the jutsu slows down to the point her jutsu only render two orbs of less intensity and speed. It was at this moment I decided to rush ahead and nip a bit at her defenses. For someone tired and running out of chakra, her reaction was quite good as she drew a kunai in attempt to block my first swipe, which she barely did. My second swipe however was quite faster than she could handle, and I ended up scratching her left forearm and draw blood. 'It's not enough to take her down' I noted as she tried to land a front kick, which I deflected downward and counter with a leg sweep of my own.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, I pounced on her and held her down with one hand, the other poised to strike at her neck. "Hmph, Yield. You're done with" my voice was heavy and grave enough, it unnerved me a bit. "I-I yield! I yield!" She practically screamed and squirm under me. "That's enough Touma-san. Don't scare your teammate too much, you know. You wouldn't want to be feared by your allies. However, that was quite a killing intent you displayed. Was that on purpose?" asked Anko who suddenly appeared next to me.
"H-huh, yeah. I mean, no. I didn't mean to harm her or anything.. Sensei.." I was shocked to hear that I leaked killing intent. Was I that messed up? "Fubaru-san, are you alright?" I turned to look after I stepped off her. Her expression was half-contorted and fear was written over her face. 'Oh man, I totally didn't mean to do this. What the hell is wrong with me…"
I approached her again and took her shoulders as I try to get her back on her feet. "I'm really sorry if I scared you a bit, didn't mean to hurt you or anything Fubaru-san. Please, forgive me" bowing and trying to sound as sincere as I could, I hope this doesn't sour my relations with them in the future. "Fubaru! Are you okay? What was that Touma! You really scared her you know!" exclaimed the previously timid Boy. 'What.. did I imagined that or did Nohara-san suddenly grew a spine..'
"All that's important, you both performed rather impressively in that spar. While it appears that Fubaru-san was a bit reckless and straightforward in her tactics against an unknown opponent, it seems our friend here, Touma-san was a bit into the battle. Touma-san, mind accompanying your sensei a bit after this? Fubaru-san, you should get that scar on your arm checked, it doesn't look deep but it's best to be careful and avoid an infection alright? Nohara-san, maybe you can accompany your friend to the nearest clinic?" Anko interjected. 'Ugh, it's bad enough I just scared off my teammates, now my sensei probably going to scold me over for this fiasco'.
"Alright Sensei, Touma-san.. Sorry f-for my outburst earlier. But you shouldn't act like that to your team mates, even if you had issues with them" said Takeshi-san, his tone serious and overtly cautious. "I-I'm very sorry for this, Fubaru-san, Nohara-san. I'll make it up to you somehow. Please forgive my behavior". Said girl glare at me, and I can't read her expression, which I really hate "Forget it Kaguya-san, it's no big deal". 'Oh no, when girls said it's no big deal it probably is a very big deal..'
"Oh, and kids. Come back here tomorrow, the same spot, at 9 am. I'll be giving you a test. Getting assigned to me doesn't mean I'll accept you as you are. Get some rest and bring your gears for tomorrow. Now you two should go see a medic, while I'll have a little chat with our friend here. Shall we go, Touma-san? Hehehe.." Anko's cheerful laugh was the point of the proverbial needle that drain my face of colours. 'What am I getting myself into, sigh'
"Say, do you like dango? Let me treat you some!" she winks. 'Dango, I thought I'm about to get in trouble. What a strange woman'. "U-uuh sure sensei. But don't bother yourself, I'll pay for the dango.." I said. "Aww what a sweet boy, I'll take you up on that offer than" she said as she cling into my arm. 'It's gonne be very long, awkward afternoon. Gulps'.