AN: Happy reading!
Tenth Birthday
Over the past year, Arashi had been training and getting stronger day by day.
After beginning to trust Kaede, arashi found that she could train with no-one else.
As the training hours increased, Arashi felt the power build inside her; but only when Kaede was there did she not produce the sword of the ISe Shrine.
Without Kaede, Arashi's fighting became sluggish and immotivated.
She began to feel dependant on Kaede's moral support and training and this began to worry Kaede.
On Arashi's birthday, Kaede did not come to her room. She was discussing this dilemma with a fellow priestess, Harumi.
"Bringing Arashi chan to this shrine was the only thing to do in order to develop her powers. How else would she have been able to fulfill her destiny?" Kaede questioned.
"Her destiny wasnt only to help Kamui. Kaede san,you must understand that she was meant to come here. We have our own destinies to fulfill."
"That may be true, however...she has become like a daughter to me. Over the last two years, we have managed to create a bond--" Kaede was interrupted by Harumi saying:
"You were not meant to do this-it is not written that it would be this way. We were meant to mould her into a woman of great spiritual prowess and give her into the hands of another. She hasnt been able to train with me the past few months you know?Her dependancy on you is only going to cause hindrance to her growth."
Harumi's words caused Kaede to think with her mind rather than her heart. Since Arashi had arrived, she had done little of this.
"I have done nothing....you know that just as well as me Harumi san"
"She wont have you in the battle. You know what the old stargazer has said- WE will not be the ones with her. You have to let her go. He has mentioned that her protector isunderhis care at the moment, and understands his destiny. Why cant you let Arashi san do the same?"
".....You are right.....I'll give her the news that from now, you willbeher trainer and...she and i will have to meet less."
There was a small gasp and both Harumi and Kaede turned to look towards the door.
A small pair of feet ran over cold marble stone, from outside the room.
Arashi ran from the door crying at what she had heard.
After all this time, she had finally began to put her faith in someone and now they didnt want her anymore.
It had only been two years but as her hot tears stormed down her cheeks Arashi felt a sense of degression in her heart as the walls began to build up again.
She ran into her room locking the door shut behind her.
Throwing herself down onto her bed, Arashi choked back tears of anguish and hurt. There came the soft knocking at the door again.
'I wont fall into her trap this time' Arashi thought. Seeing her open window, Arashi saw her chance for escape.
Creeping across her room, she climbed onto the windowsill and onto the tree outside.
Down the tree the small girl struggled making sakura petals flutter to the ground.
As she hit the ground,she broke into a run.
Away from the shrine, past the gates and down the track towards the town.
---Arashi reaches the town---
Cheeks dry and heart racing, Arashi slowed down to sit at her old hang out-the dumpster in the dark alley. There was man huddled in the corner of the alleyway and rats had collected around him. The stench radiating from him was overwhelming, but still, Arashi remained where she was.
Looking at her hands, the same way she had two years ago, she realised how far she had come.
There was no dirt trapped in the cracks of her hand but her hands glowed white as she drew the small sword out of her hand.
'This is how its going to be and how its always been' she thought. Arashi reminisced about her time at the Ise shrine wondering whether she could ever return there.
Whether they were searching for her. If they even wanted her to return.
The rattling breath of the beggar quickened as he saw the blade glittering in the light.
Arashi winced in disgust that she was voluntarily returning to such a life.
Closing her eyes, Arashi leant back on the wall only to feel something sharp sticking into her back. She turned to feel the wall then her back.
Touching the obi of her kimono, Arashi felt something. She pulled the object into the light to have a closer look, only to find it was a gift.
'Tanjyobi omedeto Arashi chan' Kaede san.
Arashi unwrapped it to find a little doll with some okashi.
There was a little note that read.
'I might be a little late this evening.I hope you find this while you're waiting and dont get too hungry without me'
Feeling her tears begin to fall again, Arashi smiled.
She really did care. Even though she wasnt physically there with her..she made sure that Arashi wouldnt feel alone.
Alighting on the ground, Arashi put the little box of sweets where the beggar man sat. His eyes glinted out of the darkness as Arashi bowed out of respect towards him.
She walked away from the alley way, and back home.
AN: Any suggestions for future burthdays are welcome. Anything you'd like to see happening, just say -in a review - and ill try and slip it in somewhere.