A/N: Err, yeah, quickie update. I still feel sorry for not updating any sooner, and I'm stuck in a writer's block rut so...yeah.

If you read the ending of the prequel Pyrus 'n Ventus, you would probably know the ending of this story too, but well, can't help but hope, right? I'm gonna tell you now: the entire story of Billowing Ashes is following one timeline; a timeline that stretches from when Shun enters freshman year until...well, you know. Anyway, I'll stop stalling. Go ahead and read the next short-ish chapter. And don't forget to review!

3. Reflection

The Sunday morning routine went on as usual: waking up, trying to fall asleep again, mentally slapping himself awake, getting out of bed and staggering to the bathroom, shower, dry, brush, wash face, put on his clothes, fix his hair a little, go downstairs, greet his grandfather, eat breakfast, and then finally going out of the house and inhaling the fresh early morning air. Shun just hated being cooped up in the house sometimes, and what happened the few nights before made him want to get away from his old man even more. The teen needed some time to think over what he said-no, warned was the better term. He sighed to himself as he glanced at his own right hand; staring at it with a frown. "Am I really not good enough?" he mumbled softly.

First came warm ups, then drills (yes, they were different from warm ups), then training. The old, usual training. It's been over three months since his grandfather stopped coaching him; teaching him anything new. He was still urged to continue practicing until perfection, and Shun was fully convinced that he did as well as his grandfather could, maybe even better. Still, he wasn't complaining. No new moves equals to more time to focus on his studies, and some time to rest and just hang out. He found it strange that it was almost like a requirement for him to at least kick back for even a few minutes every day. "Dan must really be rubbing off of me." he grumbled; realizing this didn't pick up his spirits much.

He turned his attention on one of the big trees nearby and jumped; smoothly landing on one of its thicker branches before heading to the roof; nearly missing his mark. He cursed silently as he made another jump to the highest point of his house, and from there, he had a nice view of the entire city and the mountains far away. The mountains that grandfather threatened to send me if I stop messing around.

The teen scowled. "Messing around? The nerve of him! I-I don't...I would never do such a thing..." his voice trailed off; his fist clenched and positioned firmly on his chest. "...I'm not, right, mom?" he shook his head vigorously; trying to snap himself out. Training; need to do training first.

With a sigh, Shun proceeded to jump down to the huge garden; soon touching the soft grass. He then began to walk towards the other gate that lead to a large forest before he stopped in front of something he normally didn't look at. "That's right...grandfather told me to feed the koi today." turning around, he headed towards the nearby shed and took out a small plastic bag that had hundreds of colorful circle shaped pellets inside. The black-haired male then walked back to the fish pond and took out a handful of food. "Time to eat." he threw the pellets in the air before they scattered around the small body of water; the large orange and white fish moving around quickly to get as much food as they could.

He couldn't help but smile at the peaceful scene; the morning was quiet; serene. He wished he could just stay like this forever.

The teen gazed at the water; the ripples coming and going because of the fish underwater, but when the koi went deeper in, the disturbances disappeared and revealed a clear reflection of him. A reflection of him with that peaceful smile; yet, the expression soon faded and was replaced with a frown.

"If you continue the lifestyle you are living now, grandson, you will never become a great ninja. I've been silent this entire time, but no more. It was then I decided I will give you a test to see if you are truly qualified to be my heir. The near end of your year in school is the time we shall fight. If you fail to defeat me, I will send you to the mountains for you to train harder. If you win, I will no longer burden you with my teachings and you are free to do as you wish. You will not refuse, and you will not run from it. Understand?"

All he saw in the pond was a boy that was denying the inevitable.

"Yes, grandfather."