Hejdå: (Swedish) An informal way of saying goodbye.

"Is she on the battlements again?"

"She is."

Currently in the mid-section of the eastern tower, was myself and Owl. A very old witcher. Probably the oldest human alive. If you can even call witchers human. I'm leaning on the balcony, watching my daughter practice her sword skills.

Owl approaches the balcony, staring down at the witcher-in-training with mild disapprovement on his face.

"I thought we told her already. She's still too young to train by herself." Crossing his arms as he continues, "You spoil her too much."

"Pft, only I spoil her?" I look at my teacher with a raised brow.

Owl chuckles, "Alright, I guess we all have some fault in it. But if she is to become a witcher like us. She'll need to learn that it's not all rainbows and sparkles."

Almost silently I finish, "It's life or death."

"Exactly." He says just as quietly.

If I had it my way, my daughter would never be introduced to this life. Raised instead as a normal girl with a choice as to who she wishes to become. Sadly, we have far too many enemies that would gladly kill us. Or somehow do even worse things.

Hence, she will need to learn how be one of us. Become stronger than her enemies, so that she can live peacefully.

"I'll take her to the courtyard to get some proper training in. Wanna grab the others and meet us down there?"

Owl places his hand on my shoulder, "Sounds like a plan."

Panting, I swing my sword to-and-fro, twirling it in between my hands. Jumping over the parapets. I can't see due to the blindfold I put on. Nevertheless, I still keep my footing and balance.

Thump, thump.

Thanks to amazing hearing, I know they're, most likely, footsteps from an adult male.

My foot slips on the rock, after misjudging the distance, "Woah!" I falter a bit but regain my stance and continue.

"What sort of witcher missteps because of a sound?"

That would be my father.

In labored breath, "A bad one?"

"A bad one. You should be able to distinguish sounds without losing focus on your current task."

I hear him pace as he continues to correct me.

"Your sword skills and footwork—watch your step—should be innate; as easy as breathing. To allow you to focus—wrong stance—on your enemy at hand."

A couple minutes pass but it feels longer.

His pacing halts, "Stop—" I cease my movements, "—Get down."

I hop off the battlements on to the wooden floor below. Removing the blindfold in one go, I see my father; with his hands on hips; staring down at me.

"How'd I do?"

"Fine."

My shoulders sag and I can feel my lips turn into a frown.

"That's it? Just fine?"

"I can tell you all your mistakes later. Right now, we need to get down to the courtyard."

My father turns to his right and points out the scaffolds near us, "We'll go down that way."

"Wanna race?" I give my father one of my devious smiles.

He sighs, "Fine."

I immediately take off. I can hear my father groan in the back.

Jumping over the handrails on to the scaffold. I quickly maneuver to the ladder, sliding down it onto the next level. My father isn't far behind, his footsteps a bit faster than my pace.

But next thing I knew, I see a blurred figure on the side falling down.

"Cheater!" I lean over the railings on the scaffold's walkway and see my father already on the ground; heading towards the courtyard.

"Ah, never said we couldn't." He jogs backwards and flashes me a sincere smile.

You know, sometimes I really dislike my father.

I leap over the rails and climb down the scaffolding on the side. Making risky jumps as I go. Finally reaching the ground, I bolt for the courtyard.

Alas, my father; once the courtyard comes into view; is already there, not even the least bit exhausted. I, however, need to catch my breath and am already sweating.

Just shows you how gigantic the difference of skill between me and my father is.

"Seems I need to make training more intense." And here's Owl, secretly part fucking giant.

At least I'm the only one who thinks so.

"In my defense," turning around with one hand on my hip; facing the mountain that is Owl, "I had just finished training with my sword."

His dark eyes narrow.

"Okay, I probably shouldn't have trained alone. But—"

"Don't but me. Even if you shouldn't have trained alone; as I and the others have stated multiple times; that is still no excuse for your abysmal stamina."

I avoid Owl's gaze and sheepishly fidget around. Admittedly, I have been slacking in training.

"Especially when you'll be leaving here soon. Which is why," My head snaps up when I hear the shing of swords, "you're training will be taken up a notch."

Oh please, tell me I get to spar with someone.

Seeing the hope in my face, Dad promptly shuts it down.

"Youwill be sparring with a dummy. Don't get so excited."

"Whaaatttt!?" I whine.

"Face it, kid. You ain't strong enough to even so much as roughhouse with us."

I whip around to see Josiah strolling into the yard with Dorian right behind.

Two other witchers. They're older than my dad by a few years. Yet seem much younger than him, by the way they interact and defer to him.

"Just wait 'till I'm eighteen and can kick your ass."

"Language."

Josiah merely laughs, "You're barely outta your diapers, kid."

I can't wait until I am older and can punch his stupid—

"We'll work on the basics. Nothing fancy."

Owl throws two sheathed silver swords towards Josiah and Dorian.

"You two will spar together, Yokuto's with me."

I take out my own sword and make my way over to the dummy; huffing as I go. The dummy is made of straw and clothed in an old burlap bag filled with some sand. Tied with a rope on a wooden post. The head has an old steel helmet on it. Rusted and dented.

A 'worthy' adversary.

I get into the basic stance; my right foot in front, left foot behind. Parallel with my shoulders. Knees bent and not locked into place. Both hands on the handle of my sword. Dominant hand on top. Body to the side and sword right in front of me.

Already, I hear the clash of metal against metal behind me.

This is so not fair.

Next, basic attacks; first, a diagonal slash from the top right to the bottom left. Followed by a horizontal slash from mid-left to mid-right. Switching my feet and body as I maneuver the sword. Then a lunge right into the dummy's gut.

I pull out my sword and sand starts falling from the dummy's gut.

"This is boring!" I shout back towards the others.

Dorian and Josiah can't hear me; too focused on their match. Completely forgetting that we're supposed to be focusing on basics.

Owl and Father seem to be going at it much more slowly. Deliberately slow.

"Focus on defensive next." Dad switches to a parrying stance.

"I'm fighting a dummy. 'The hell am I defending against?"

"Use your imagination."

I groan.

Switching to defense; I copy the basic stance before but with my sword diagonally in front. The blade tip near my right shoulder. My hands to the bottom left.

Ohmygod, this is boring!

Deciding to take out my anger on the dummy. I opt for an upward slash with my sword. Putting all my strength into it. So that I can make the stupid dummy's head fly off.

The sword connects and instead the helmet goes flying off. Quite high, actually. Like over the wall, high.

"Oops."

I can hear both Owl and Father sigh.

Owl walks up next to me, "I'll get it."

As he walks off in the direction of the flying helmet, my father approaches on my right.

I rub my neck sheepishly, "Hehehe..."

Dad crouches to my level and looks at the dummy, "Seriously?"

"Sorry."

"No need, I know you're itching for a real fight. I was the same at your age. We all were." Dad turns to look at me with a soft smile.

I return it, "Even Owl?"

"Probably, but that's still no reason to rush for one. The type of fights we get into are dangerous. You still have seven years for that to happen. And many more after that."

"What about this Konoha place we're going to?"

"Relatively safer than most cities, but it's the journey there that will be hazardous. I need to know that you are ready for that 'cause it'll just be us."

"I am. Ready that is. I just forget sometimes."

"I know." Dad stands up and rustles my hair, "You should get some rest. We leave tomorrow morning."

According to the books we're going to Konohagakure; which is the hidden village of ninjas for the fire nation. There are four other major ones; Sunagakure in the Land of Wind. Iwagakure in the Land of Earth.

Okay, that's redundant.

Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning and Kirigakure in the Land of Water.

A classic oxymoron.

Seriously, they have some horrible names for these places. There is even a place called Land of Sky. I mean, how did most of these countries agree to these basic ass names?

But that's just the general area around these five ninja nations. There are countries past it that aren't themed like these. Instead they have the occasional samurai and knights, with persons of authority called kings instead of daimyōs.

Both practice what is called feudalism, albeit different versions. My country, Valerious; the one I'm in right now; doesn't have a government.

Why the hell are we going here? I know my father says that we are going to live in Konoha for a short while but like, why?

Currently sitting atop my bed in my room. I have just finished packing my stuff into a decently-sized bag. And now I await for my dad to finish.

So, I decided to do some research on Konoha. And this is what I found so far.

Dad says we'll be leaving for a couple of years. To continue my training, he said. I've never left Valerious before. Hell, I've never really ever been far from Kaer Morhen.

I'm excited and nervous.

Apparently, Dad used to be friends with some of the high-ranking ninjas in Konoha. Same with Mom. He says that they have kids around my age that I can befriend. Not that I really want to.

The door to my room swings open. In comes, the only other female and mage, Rosalie. Twin sister to Josiah.

"Ready, my dear?" She seems to hesitate and has a melancholy look on her face.

"Yeah." I hop off the bed, grabbing the bag with all of my stuff and sling it over my shoulder.

"Where's Dad?"

"Waiting for you at the gate." Beckoning her head, she sets off down the steps.

I follow and catch up to her stride.

"I hope you brought everything, you'll be gone for quite awhile."

"Everything that matters." I smile at Rosalie.

She smiles back, although it doesn't reach her eyes.

"Be careful out there. Listen to your father and remember we have many enemies."

"I know, Rose. You don't have to lecture me."

She stops and grabs my shoulder; turning me to face her in the process, "I mean it. Okay?" Her eyebrows are furrowed together and her mouth is in the shape of a frown.

Ah, she's just worried.

"Okay."

She pulls me into hug her. Quite forcefully, I might add.

"Um, Rose."

"Hm?"

"I can't breathe very well."

She quickly lets go and gives me an apologetic look.

"Come, we don't want you to be late."

Reaching the gate, there is a wooden cart lead by two pretty brown horses. Owl and the others are conversing with my dad; who is on the seat of the wagon.

"Here she is."

I hop up next to Dad, placing my bag into the cart behind us. Which isn't filled with much, just my bag and two others.

"Ready." I look up at my father, who simply smiles. Then turns toward the others and says, "Any final goodbyes?"

Dorian speaks up first, "Be careful out there."

A witcher of few words.

"Look out for each other."

Rosalie, always the mother hen.

"Show those ninja, that us witchers are vastly superior in every way."

And the ever arrogant, Josiah. His comment earned a small smack from his sister.

Owl, he just nods and my father nods back.

Dad snaps the reigns and the horses are off.

In a last minute decision, I yell back, "Bye guys!" Waving at their shrinking forms. Turning back to my father, "So, how long is the trip going to be anyway?"

"You might wanna take a nap."

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Are we there yet?"

"Quit."

"It's already been a week on this stinkin' boat! How much longer 'till we see land?!" I groan, loudly.

"I thought you liked the ocean."

"Only when we are near the shore."

Seriously, just a couple hours after we left. We got on a boat and haven't seen land for a week. I mean, I knew Valerious was an island and a bit far away from everyone else. But I didn't realize it would take this fucking long.

"At least a couple more hours."

"At least!?" I sit up fast and feel immediately light-headed.

"Yes, at least. Work on your studies in the meantime, it'll help the time past more quickly." Father gets up from his seat and heads toward the quarter deck, which is where the captain and steering wheel are.

Flopping back down, I groan, "Uugghh."

I get up. Slowly this time, and go towards the bow of the ship. Settling down on the beam on port side. I stare out into the endless blue.

I do like the ocean. I find it beautiful in how vast it is. But I also like land. I like it all, really. Although, there is just a certain point where one thing gets boring after awhile. Like now, I've been surrounded by only ocean for a week. At least back at Kaer Morhen, I had mountain views and a lake nearby with forests all around.

I didn't look up the geography of Konoha, but it's called the Village Hidden in the Leaves. So, I guess there has to be some forests around.

I wonder what shinobi are like. Maybe they slink around in full head-to-toe black garb. Do they wear armor? I know they use chakra and can personally use it, but what about magic? Then there is apparently a language barrier between Valerious and the rest of the world.

Because Valerious grew separately from them. We developed a language called Valerian.

Not a very original name.

Instead they have Japanese. I know how to speak it, it's my second language. Except I can't read it very well, nor can I speak it without a slight accent.

The kanji, hiragana and katakana; it's all confusing to me. Speaking it is more easy.

My father insists that for the rest of the trip to Konoha, I study up on the language and culture. So, that I am not overwhelmed by everything.

He has a point as he usually does.

"Land ho!"

Geez, how much time did I lose track of?

Looking over to my right. The horizon, usually just the curve of blue, now has an indistinct green blob coming up.

Finally.

I sprint towards my father, who is still on the quarter deck. Talking with the captain.

"How much longer now?"

"About an hour until we hit land, then two more days by land to reach Konoha."

"I think I can manage that." I smile, Dad reaches out and rustles my hair.

Okay, this is actually a huge ass forest. Like enormous. There are hardly any clearings around.

"So, will reach this village around sunset?"

Trailing behind my father, I'm taking in all the sights. Not that there's much aside from the trees, dirt road, shrubbery, and the occasional traveler.

It's still beautiful though.

"Should be if we don't make any stops. And even though it's called Village Hidden in the Leaves, doesn't mean it is. It's more city-like."

"Cool."

I catch up to my father's side, "Who are these friends you have at Konoha?"

"They're some semi-influential shinobi within Konoha. Why?"

"Was curious. Where will we live while we're there?"

"Your great-grandfather acquired a house there, as a reward for a job he did. It's been ours ever since."

"Huh. Your grandfather or Mom's?"

"Mine."

"What will we do while we're there?"

"You'll see."

I huff, "Well, now you're just being cryptic."

"And you're antsy."

"Yeah, well, you're...ugh."

Dad just chuckles, "They say patience is a virtue."

"They are idiots." Air-quoting around 'they'.

The sky slowly turns to an orange hue. No clouds anywhere to be seen. Hints of blue can still be seen to the west.

"It's sunset." I look at my father with annoyance, quite clearly written, on my face.

"I noticed." Dad has a tiny smirk on his face.

"Seriously?" I deadpan.

"Maybe you should look ahead of us."

I peer over at the road ahead of us and see a wooden wall with green gates; the left has the hiragana for 'a' and the right has 'n'. They spell out 'an', which if I remember correctly means 'hidden'. Above the entrance, has a weird leaf thing.

"Oh."

"Welcome to the Leaf Village, Lyra."