Chapter 3
I stared at my village from that hill. I could hear the silence and knew it was over. Don't ask me how I knew, but it's a feeling I had. I carefully made my way down the hill, senses on high alert for enemies. I scanned my surroundings and felt no present malicious intent. I could feel the rage building as I entered the village and saw the first of the massacre. Lying amongst the streets were people I had grown up with my entire life. Mentors, friends. What got me the most was the children. These innocent children who hadn't done anything wrong except be born into the wrong clan.
I clenched my fists as I made my way towards my home, the last bit of hope leaving me. Surely my father, the next Elder and one with the Korigan, would be able to protect the clan. Surely Elder, one so powerful, could protect the clan. However, I knew it was pointless. I slowly went inside my home and what I saw was something nothing could prepare me for. Whoever did this wanted to make sure Elder and my father would not ever be recognizable. My father's head had been separated from his body and his eyes gouged out. It was true that leaving a ninja's dead body behind was dangerous because all their secrets could be taken from the body. The same thing had been done to Elder's body. I could tell based on my mother's positioning that she had been kept alive long enough to witness this horrible scene. Her eyes were wide with terror, but mostly rage. She was sprawled protectively over my father's body.
I fell to my knees and something happened that I to this day can't recall. All I remember is everything going white as I screamed with despair, grief, and rage. So much rage that all I wanted to do was kill the ones who did this. Find them and give them a fate so much worse than death that they beg for death. And I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of death. I would make it so their death would look wonderful to them. But I wouldn't be merciful. I didn't want to be.
I don't know how much time passed before I finally came back to my surroundings. I slowly stood up, tears streaking my face, and set to burying my family and the villagers. As I began digging the graves of my people, I noticed something. There were no sounds of birds or wildlife anywhere. Disturbed, I decided to investigate and found something truly confusing. Around the forest was littered animals, some dead, some unconscious. I began to wander around and found that this phenomenon seemed to occur in a circle about 5 miles around my village. As I went back to burying the dead, I came to the only possible conclusion. I'd awakened my Korigan. The rage must've awakened what Elder had been saying was lying dormant for all these years. I knew this had to be the case, but I was still confused. I didn't know everything the Korigan did, but I was pretty sure it didn't knock out or kill any living thing in a certain radius. As far as I knew, no one with the Korigan could do that. But I somehow did.
I looked at the sky as I finished the last burial. The sun had risen perhaps an hour ago. I had some decisions that needed to be made rather quickly. I wanted to hunt down the murderers of my clan, but I know in my current strength, that was a fantasy. So where could I go? I knew without realizing it what my answer was. I was already heading in that direction. My grandfather's last wish for me was to live amongst the Village Hidden in the Leaves. He seemed to trust the that the Hokage would not betray me or send me away. It was clearly my best choice until I honed my new Korigan. It wouldn't be easy without a mentor, but I had to do it for my family. For my people.
This is what led me to stand outside the gate of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. This is where my new life begins. A new village. A new home.
I walked through the gates and was surprised when the guards let me through without saying anything. The Hokage knew I'd be back. I wasn't sure how I felt about that. Having no idea what else to do, I made my way towards that large building that held the Hokage's office. I was nervous to say the least. I had stormed out last time. Why was she allowing me back in as though I weren't a threat? Maybe she took that letter seriously. If that was the case, what she was about to ask would be easy.
"Hey. Who are you? I haven't seen you here before. Do you have permission to be here?"
I started, cursing at myself for not paying better attention to my surrounding. This was unfamiliar territory and I should be on alert. I looked at the man who addressed me. Or boy. He was about my age, maybe a year or two older, so maybe 17 or 18. He had long dark, brown hair tied together loosely at the end and a leaf headband on his forehead. He wore a white shirt with long, loose sleeves and drawstring bag on his back. His eyes, well they were what caught my attention the most. They were a lavender color and seemed to see everything, which was impossible, even if he was using them to scrutinize me.
"I-" I began but stopped abruptly. What was I supposed to say that would make him believe me? Fortunately, I was saved by a new voice.
"It's fine, Neji. She's come to talk to me." The Hokage was beginning to freak me out. She had this uncanny ability of knowing what was happening even if she wasn't there. I guess that goes with the job of being Hokage. Nonetheless, I was relieved she came for me. I'm a good judge at strength and I knew without a doubt that I was no match in my current state against this Neji.
"Lady Tsunade." Neji gave her a curt nod and said. "I'll take my leave, then."
"Thank you, Neji." She then turned to me and said after seeing the look in my eyes, "Please don't judge him. He's naturally cold to people he doesn't know and especially cold towards those who may hurt the village. He's very loyal and strong. I guarantee the longer you stay here, the more he'll warm up to you. Now come with me. We must discuss a few things and then we'll have you shown around the village."
"How did you know why I came?" I asked quietly as we continued our trek towards the Hokage's building.
"I remember your elder. Even more so since you left in a hurry. He may have been weak when I saved him, but a coward, he was not. I assumed you would be the same and want to avenge your family. The first step would be to have allies and those who could train you." She paused in front of the double doors before saying, "I would do the same if I were in your shoes, but I would advise cautioning yourself against being swallowed by vengeance. I know a child, a good child, consumed by hatred and vengeance. It's not good for you soul."
She opened the doors and beckoned for me to come in and sit down. I waited without saying anything. What was there to say?
After about five minutes of the Hokage pacing, she finally spoke, "What happened, Artemis? At your village. You've come back with a new look. One no child of your age should have. So, what I want to know is, what happened?"
I paused, considering what to say, but decided if this was to be my new home, I should tell her everything. And so I did, in gruesome detail because she was the Hokage and needed to know why I came back with that look. After finishing, I added one more thing. Something that was difficult for me to say after growing up in secrecy for so long. "My Korigan awakened and it did something it wasn't supposed to do. I'm scared. I don't know how to control it and I have no one to teach me."
Tsunade studied me for a moment before clearly making up her mind on something, "You can tell me more about the Korigan as you grow more comfortable with me. Suffice to say, you need mentors and those mentors should at least have some visual prowess. That would be either someone from the Hyuga clan, or Kakashi Hatake. The boy you met earlier, Neji, is of the Hyuga clan. They possess the Byakugan. Kakashi possesses the Sharingan. Perhaps they can help you train even if their powers are different than the Korigan. I'll introduce you to them and see who will work best with you. Come with me."