Eight

The sunlight trickles through the foliage of the greens above,

The wind carelessly whispers its secrets to those who hear

And the balance of harmony exists.

Out here in the open, I can be as who I want,

Right now I am all that I am.

The scent of life courses through my veins,

I feel I live.

I know not how the past was moulded,

I know not what the future holds,

Each present day is a gift,

Each I hold close and dear.

My dears,

I miss and hurt.

I will never forget.

For I exist because of you.

Her hand encloses upon a shiny tag. Like the lotus flower, fingers open to reveal it in its full nature when basked in the glorious sunlight of day. Thin and rounded on the edges, the thumb caresses the carving on it. It traces the intricate hollowed bits and protruding surface, for one fine master craftsman had engraved upon the shiny metal the motif of a majestic creature. A creature of power, speed and pure courage - a tiger. Of but the only memento to unlock many memories of the past.

"I miss him too." A voice sailed through her thoughts.

Keishinn turned and found Kendon leaning casually against a tree. He had arrived just a few moments ago but she being too distracted did not noticed.

She smiled quietly. The patch of grass they were on gave the observers a magnificent view of the village. Ken touched her shoulder sympathetically.

"Some things you have to learn to let go. He would have wanted you to live happily. You do remember his last words, right?"

Flashes of the past flew past her eyes. It seemed like only just yesterday.

"..........promise me you will be happy. Promise me that one day you will learn to smile again. For you, above many, deserve to be happy........."

"Yeah, I do." She sighs deeply. "I do."

"..........." He stood there quietly, feeling rather helpless. After all, Ken can only offer that much of a consolation as a friend, he couldn't really blame her. He reckons that even he would have had difficulty getting over it. Heck. He could still remember every bit of it.

His eyes shut to have things rewind to the episode........


FLASHBACK

The lot of us was only 15 when it happened and was on a mission to carry out an assassination on a certain individual from Lightning Country. Our first mission as the newly promoted batch of elites. We were ambushed in the dark which led to a fight of survival. A test of mental strength and the need to survive raced against time as the lot of us got caught up in a fight with a particular snake.

The underlings were easy to take care of. It was the guy with those demonic eyes that gave problems.I got careless and got picked up by a boa constrictor around my body, squeezing the life of me.My eyes shut due to a growing weariness.

I remembered hearing a cry.

I remembered being released and collapsing in a pile on the damp grass.

I remembered hearing the clash of wills as the sound of metals collided alongside with the will to live.

After agonizing minutes of momentary torment,I forced his visuals to open.The eyes saw Kei fighting for life trying to fend the fellow off. Pitting strength for strength, Skill for skill.

Every stroke offered by the devil was defended gamely by the girl.

An almost evenly matched fight.

If only she wasn't already injured from her clash from one fellow with a big sword.

A slip in concentration saw her flying across the damp forest. She spun and tumbled ungracefully through the hedges, with a trail of broken branches trailing her flight. It was followed closely by a sail of shurikens that had her pinned against a tree. With limps hanging uselessly and in blood-soaked anger, she stared at her opponent.

"Interesting...." He hissed as he witness her defiance.

I cursedmy helpless state.

Cursed the body that was too weak.

Cursed as he could have prevented the tragedy.

Cursed at the 'what ifs' and 'if only'.

Cursed at regret.

The regret that saw my buddy's sacrifice. One dude with a crooked smile and of an even more wicked humour. A person of rare talent and of pure courage. One buddy who thought better and had flung his already limp body in front of Kei and took the fatal plunge of the sword to the heart. One guy who loved others more than himself. The guy who will always be missed by the others he saved.

The guy was shocked. He seemed to recognise Natsu whose mask had slipped off. He found it amusing and was pleased. He laughed and commented about the situation being ironic. The others called him away and soon he left us to deal with the inevitable.

We gathered round and watched as the last moments slipped past.

Nothing could be done, the damage was beyond repair.

Also at that time, Kei didn't have it yet.

It was utterly useless.

I remembered someone removing the kunais that crucified her against the tree and with the help of another friend, brought her next to Natsu.

Even with no visible expression, anyone could see that she was affected.

She leaned on me for support while she looked down at our fallen comrade.

"Ano sa.....Kei-chan....... don't be sad........"

"Shush. You don't need to talk."

He reached to touch her bloodied hand.

"Haha..... Let me be..... It's for the last time anyway......"

He looked at her intently and lifted his hand to stroke the side of her face.

"Just promise me one thing. Promise me that you will be happy........ Promise me that one day you will learn to smile again. For you, above many, deserve to be happy......."

Unlike a ripple cause by a pebble in a lake, Natsu is not to be forgotten.

END OF FLASHBACK


Ken came back to the present moment, only to be surprised at what happened next. Kei was kneeling down in front of a tree and was busy digging away. Upon closer inspection, saw that the memento was about to be buried.

"Kei?"

"We never had a chance to give him a proper burial. Besides, he did say before that he was from Hidden leaf Village and this looks like a peaceful spot to rest."

He watched as she laid the 'tiger' to rest and covering the tag with soil and rocks to erect a small mount in front of the tree that stood aloft from others. Next, she released some chakra to her fingers and carved out words on the bark that read:

'Here lies a hero of all

A friend of infinite proportions

A flame that faded too fast

A memory that lives on forever in our hearts

Rest in Peace

Uzumaki Natsu'

"Are you sure about this?'

She smiled.

'Yes, I'm sure. It's for the best." She touched the cravings once again.

".......it's for the best..........."

Aye, she remembered........


FLASHBACK

She was 12, minding her own business after one training exercise. She stood atop a tree, perching upon one of the branches as habit. She loved heights. The serenity of solitude and of being away from everything. Ground was connected with rules and regulations. It was linked to conformity and of only death and blood. On the ground, only the law of survival existed.

The Black Dragons were a success story only because it had no compassion. It was efficient because everything was duty-bound and the only loyalty each of them had was for the head. At least, that is what they had to show.

All who entered had to endure a good 10 years worth of training to be able to move up into the ranks of the working shinobis. There is no other route; the only door aside from up is death. You either live or don't make it at all.

10 years sounds long but only because, you needed that amount of time to develop every single skill that you are possibly capable of in order to survive the last test.

10 years to cultivate your chakra abilities.

10 years to mature a body that is strong and fast enough.

10 years to mould a mind that can save you from the insanity of living like a robot.

10 years is also all you got.

She still had 2 years more. Thankfully.

She looked around the ground below. There were currently around 60 in her batch; however, only 10 will make it to the ranks. The head only took in the crème de la crème of every batch that they train. The elites will then proceed on to being mere tools for profitable means.

It was interesting how much people were willing to pay to get some dirty work done.

So long as there exists greed and insecurity in the world, there will always be never-ending business for the Black Dragons. There is always some scroll to steal, spy work to done on neighbouring countries or someone to be silenced. Tsk, what a wonderful world we live in.

"Ano sa!!!"

She looked down. A guy of 13 years was looking up at her with a crooked smile. A blonde-haired guy with a tail at the back of his head. Looks familiar.

"Do you know who I am?"

She paused.

"Nope, never noticed."

Crash!

He fell down in a heap, utterly demoralised.

"Hahaa..... That's ok. I saw you alone and thought that we could be friends. My name is Natsu. Uzumaki Natsu."

"Ah."

And promptly ignored him. He was wasting her time to enjoy some peace.

Sweat drops accumulated at the sides of his temples.

"Ahh..... What's your name? It's hard to talk to someone when you don't know their name."

Persistent fellow isn't he? Sigh. Poor thing.

"Keishinn."

"Kei-chan!!!! What is the rest of your name?? Come on, don't leave me hanging with only half a name. It only gives a one-dimensional aspect of you."

"Hmmm..... when I figure out a jutsu to bring forth my parents' spirits, I'll let you in on the other dimensional aspect of me all right?"

"Ahh... gomen. I didn't know."

"If you did, that would be scary and I will brand you a stalker. Anything else? If there's nothing, please leave me."

He twiddled his fingers and was looking rather nervous.

"Ano.......'

She stared. And after a few moments, she proceeded to get up and prepared to move to another spot.

"Chottomate (wait a moment)!!!" And he was standing in front, holding her arm. She was nearing her limits of patience.

"Ano.....I just wanted to say that......"

"Hmmm?"

"I like you very much."

That was the first time she ever heard anyone say that to her. And man, she sure didn't know what to do.

"Erm..... Ok......"

"Cool!!!! Let's get together and get married!!!!!!!"

POW!

He received a huge blow to the head, causing him to fall off the branch and land on his head.

Two bumps on the head appeared.

She hopped down from her perch, only to leave a warning message.

"Leave me alone, baka. It's for the best unless you wish to die a painful death."

"Ooh.......feisty lady......I like........."

He sat up and rubbed the bumps.

"Ano...... I am Uzumaki Natsu!! And I'll never give up!!!! I'll woo ya until the day you fall for me!!!!!!!"

She remembered slapping her forehead in disbelief and at such bad luck.

END OF FLASHBACK


She smiled now.

Memories as such are all she has left now.