The Village Hidden in the Shadows

'Yamigakure, the village hidden in the shadow. Located beneath the southern-most mountain ranges of the Land of Fire, this village was created around the second Great Shinobi War, by the first and currently ruling Yamikage. Our village is very special for a reason no outsider knows.'

'Our military might and Shinobi corps is rather small. Elite, yet numbered. We have around 150 active-duty Jonin and Tokubetsu Jonin, 1200 active-duty Chunin and roughly the same number of Genin. In comparison with a village like Konoha, we have almost 5 times less Shinobi.'

'Our entire village operates on secrecy. Only the highest ranking officers and Kage knows of our mere existence, after all we do have to keep a diplomatic guise and convince them we pose no threat. The economy of our village is supported by various large conglomeration that was run by the council of coins. We supply various goods, ranging from Ninja tools to Technology.'

'Yamigakure is located underground in the Country of Mountain. We built a massive subterranean complex, and we grow our own food, source our own water and got our energy from the heat of the earth. Our Kage decided that as a community of reincarnated people with our past life memory intact, it might be best if we keep to ourself.'

'The two things that our fellow incarnate have in common, is the inability to accept death when it presents itself.'

'And only the most distinguished, sophisticated, intelligent, skillful or down right terrifying souls that was reborn into this world. Each and every one of them recall their expertise of their trade. The engineers, the scientists, the warriors, the scholars, even the hunter gatherer, the farmers and the killers of many. '

Saori finished her explanation.

Everything starting to make some sense, but it didn't lift the headache pounding in me.
Even after 5 years, i somewhat can't believe that I've been reborn in this world.
And to add salt to the wound, now I'm told that there's an entire village like me, spanning at least half a dozen generation.

"T-that's uhm, very enlightening.. Saori-san. At least.. I'm not alone" i said solemnly.
She picked up my sadness and grabs my hand "We're never alone, Kato-san. Please come and live with us, we'll protect and grow with each other" she said, smiling softly.

My gaze shamelessly fell into her eyes, i feel like i can stare into her forever. I feel like, i found a remembrance of home..
Even if she told me that there are many reincarnate from a thousand different world, and not many souls come from the same reality. But i sighed, knowing that even if i can meet someone from my earth, even if i can return back home..

I've passed away in that life. That chapter is over and now I've begin another chapter in another book.
5 years passed, and assuming time flows normally, they should have moved on. And so should I.

But I already have a loving and kind family here. Mother, Father, and my siblings all care and loved me.
I can't just leave them, even to join a village of people like me..

"I'm sorry, Saori-san. I-I can't leave my family just like that. I'm only five years old, they'd be worried to death if i went missing. And I can't exactly ask for permission to live with an underground secret society. Mom would kill me for that"
I told her, remaining incredulous and serious at the same time.

"Sigh, I-I understand kid. Most people who we brought back wasn't even a year old, not old enough to form attachments to their family. You're a special case, our sensors had difficulty sensing your chakra signature. And I won't hold it against you, if you wanted to stay with your Family" she said.

"Huh, you kept calling me Kid. I'm actually curious if you're older than me though. So let's say you're 16 in your new body, how old were you before?" i teasingly asked her.

Her face went red and she pretend to be offended. "D-did your Mother never taught you to be polite to a girl? Y-you're impossible!" was her retort. I grinned, she took the bait and showed her colour.

"Hmmn, judging from your response, you're either really old or really young" I teased.

"Whatever KID, you're just five. Anyway, I need to impart you this seal. Should you need our help, pour your chakra and intention to activate this seal. Our agents would be able to know your location and come find you. And that eye, you have to keep it hidden. There's a lot of nasty people who would hunt and kill you for that power" Saori told me, as she leaned closer and I froze in anticipation.

"Alright i get it i get it. W-wait what are you doi-umhhsagxsvjt" i stopped as my mind was scrambled by her kiss.
Her lips was soft, succulent and warm. For a moment it was the only thing i can think of as i melt in my chair.
She let me go after 5 seconds, which felt like an eternity.

"Sorry, but the seal requires physical contact" she grinned, knowing she's got the proverbial high ground.
I felt a stirring in my stomach, that must be the seal.
"D-did you have to kiss me to do that?!" I asked her.
"No, I just wanted to mess with you" she told me with a wink.
"Tch, you closet Pedo"
_

I realized it's way past noon, and Mother's probably worried to death.
I thanked her and she said that she'll have her people come check on me once a week.

I made my way home, feeling unsure about the whole situation.
But when before I arrive to my village, i saw a string of black smoke. The result of a big Fire.
My instinct flares up and i sense danger lurking in the village. I sense Killing Intents, blood, fire and destruction.

I ran into the forest, hoping catch a closer look while staying hidden.
What I discovered shouldn't surprise me, but it does nonetheless.
The thug that I beat half a year ago was back, he brought his friends. Some of them must have been missing-ninja.
Because the Killing Intent i felt prior couldn't have come from a non-shinobi.

I pour my chakra and will to activate the seal, and felt it stirring within me.
'Good, I hope Saori isn't too far already to come help'.
Now I just have to find my family, I pray cross my heart that they haven't been harmed.
Our house is located at the southern-most point of the village, and that little seclusion hopefully means that these pillagers haven't discover our house.

I took a good 10 minutes to sneak around before sprinting safely to my house.
Thank goodness it was still intact and there's no sign of struggle.
I slip through the backdoor and find my Mother cradling Hashibuya's as the child quietly sobs.
"Mother! It's me, I'm fine. Sorry i took so long to get back" I said, approaching her slowly to avoid her surprise.

"Kato, my dear I was so afraid that the bandits has gotten to you. I'm so glad you're safe!" she said while lunging at me for a hug. I embrace her in return and we stay that way for a while. I can feel the fear coursing through her, and it's stench covering the air. I-I can even feel the bloodlust and greed of the bandits at the other side of the village.

"We have to run away. If it comes to worse I can take on one or maybe two of those thugs, but you have to carry Hashibuya to safety!" I told her after releasing my embrace. She just nod tentatively.