AN: Next chapter-thank you for your reviews mdears.

I'm just updating frequently now because my wonderful exams are over

This chapter is a bit shorter but lets see how it goes ey?

On with the chapter!

Twelfth birthday

After having a turbulent year leading up to her eleveth birthday, Arashi had become bitter and cold when it came to making friends. The walls enclosing her heart had become higher and harder to pass.

With ending friendships, the now growing Arashi focussed completely heart, mind,soul and strength on her powers and role in the final battle.

Arashi was now an outsider to all the other children at school.

By losing her closest friends, Arashi had no-one to bring out her youthful, warm and child-like side. She was forced to mature, and mature she did. But fast, perhaps even too fast for her own good.

Arashi trained more with Kaede and they remained as close as ever. Kaede would always take time out of her duties and make sure Arashi took breaks from training so that they could talk. So that Arashi wouldn't go into overdrive and go into self destruction mode.

Although Arashi remained as steely as ever, her relationship with Kaede grew closer once more after a year of what seemed like separation. Arashi would find herself remembering in her darkest moments that Kaede would always be there for her.

"But just remember-I'll always be there for you--Kaede san"

Arashi's sword had grown also and although Arashi had excelled enormously, this shocked Kaede. Arashi's lack of physical strength compared to the sword worried her. Arashi could not handle the power that exuded from it and often found herself passing out during training when trying to wield the sword. The power overwhelmed Arashi during trainig sessions after which she generally had to retire to her sleeping quarters.

Kaede and Harumi had both noticed that Arashi's sword grew as her emotions mounted. Arashi had started that year with so much disappointment and loneliness in her heart that the sword had grew faster than her physical strength had.
On her twelfth birthday, Arashi sat in the centre of the Ise shrine by the fountain.

The water trickled out of the fountain and into the stone pool causing the still water to dance as falling water created a chorus of sound in the cold silence of the courtyard. Sitting at the edge of the courtyard, Arashi watched the water in the cool light of the blue moon allowing her thoughts to wander to the farthest corners of her mind.

She thought of what the future could possibly hold for her, why she was chosen and had such skills if her parents could not even save themselves from death. How could she possibly help save the world if she couldnt even fight without having to rest soon after.

With a small whisper the sword grew out of Arashi's palm, glimmering and glinting in the light. In the blade Arashi saw the reflection of a young girl, uncertainties growing and hopes and dreams of a better time.

'This is not what im meant to become. Doubt is only the first step to fear and ..and fear is not a feature of a powerful fighter.' she sighed as she turned her gaze towards the stars.

'There lies the woman i must become. Its going to take time to become ...... and to live up to my name.....the tempest'.

The moon arrived in its supreme glory as it passed out from behind a cloud. The glow illuminating the courtyard even more, causing the water to appear as molten silver shimmering in motion. The stars seemed to shine even brighter with the moon's presence causing the sky to glitter with small diamonds.

'Is this a sign for the future?' She thought as the moon passed behind another cloud. She felt a shiver run up her spine as she withdrew the sword.

There had been few moments that Arashi had allowed herself a moment of peace and serenity. As it was her birthday, she felt she could accept one evening of indulgence of her soul.

Leaving the courtyard, Arashi walked back to the sakura tree below her room. Using the knots in the trunk, Arashi climbed up into the tree. She sat down where the branches split, surrounded by the feather-light petals of the blossoms. Arashi breathed in the sweet scent and the deep silence that enveloped her. Closing her eyes, Arashi accepted her world as she was.

Her life was not always going to be easy it seemed, she would deal with losses and grievances and yet also,there would be moments such as these. Moments where the whole world would fall away and there would just be Arashi.

Arashi didnt know how much time had passed as she lay there in the sakura tree but by the time she left, she felt her mind, body and spirit refreshed and awakened to a new day and a new year.

AN: A bit more contemplative but hmmm...whatever -you may review if you please