Ayra and the other rookies were stricken with anguish and grief. The loved Third Hokage was gone. Only hours ago the great Hokage had died.
He was like a part of everyone's family, a wise and grandfather type figure. When the news of his death was announced, the village quickly forgot about the Sand and Sound and how they tried to invade their home.
The funeral would be in a few days, the entire village would be there. They would all greave for one of the men that everyone would cry for.
However this was not the only reason for the village's distress, the people realized that the Third had not picked out the next Hokage. Now they were defenseless to another attack.
The people were not only grieving, but they worried for everyone's safety as well. This was the village of Konoha's darkest hour.
Stijn and Ayra silently walked out of their home. They closed their eyes in a brief morning before the funeral. Both of them were saddened by the death of the Third. To them he was like their grandfather, but now he was a dead man that many people still respected.
Even in death, many people still cared for the old Hokage. It did not surprise Ayra to see everyone so gloomy.
As they still continued to walk to the tower, Shounta caught up with them. The three of them walked to the tower.
When they reached the top of the tower, a depressed mood seemed to fall down on them. The presence of the grief and sadness choked them to the point that it was all they could do not to sob uncontrollability.
They all stood in rows as people continued to talk about the great man that had lead them for so long. Everyone was in pain, even the emotionless Hyuga clan showed pain without worry of anyone caring.
This was truly a sad day for the village.
Among the pain that lived within the people on this day. Memories of happiness and triumph continued to take control of the people's minds as they honored the great man.
The pain was so great, it felt like they were suffocating with grief and pain. It was all everyone could do not to cry in anguish. Not everyone had control over their emotions, many sobbed uncontrollably for the entire time.
As they bowed their heads in silence, to give the man his peace. Many of the people thought of the man as a family member. But he was not, he was a great leader. One who had lead them and cared for them before some of them were even born.
As the line moved forward, people stopped to give their own respect for the man.
Tears rolled down a young teenaged girl's face. She had refused to sob and cry like so many others. Her pride was too much for her to sob, but not enough for her to let tears fall for a great man she thought as a grandfather.
She could only stand there as she let tears fall. On the inside her heart and soul were shaking with sobs and grief. Her eyes looked to her left at her brother and friend. Through her burly sight she could see them crying as well.
"Stijn-nii-chan?" Ayra asked her brother, voice cracking from all the pain. Stijn looked at her through his tear-filled eyes. Shounta also looked at her.
"Hai, Ayra-nee-chan" Stijn replied. He looked distressed and tried. "I miss the old man." Ayra said quietly. Stijn looked at her and nodded.
"Ayra-chan, we all miss old man Hokage. Right that's why we're all here." Shounta said her voice also cracking. "Hai, I guess so."
Ayra looked forward, seeing Naruto and a few other people she knew. As she stopped in front of the Hokage picture, she laid the flower down. Memories flashed through her eyes like a slide show.
As she walked away she remembered a time when she and Stijn were five.
She and Stijn were playing in Konoha hills. Running among the grasses.
Ayra and Stijn had just met Kiba, Sasuke, Naruto, Shino, and a few other boys She had tried to play with the boys but they wouldn't let her do much. Stijn had tried to help his sister out, but the opportunity of friends was to great for him.
Like the others he had turned her away. Just so he could keep his friends. She pouted and stomped through the grass, angry with her brother. She and her brother had always gotten along together, but now he seemed to be a bastard to her.
When she reached the top of the hill she sat down, still pouting. She bitterly watched her brother and his new friends play tag in the grass.
"Ah, what's a young girl like you sitting all alone up here on a hill, where no one can see you?" An elderly voice asked her from behind. Ayra quickly turned her head to see the old Hokage.
"Ohiyo, Hokage-sama, sir." Ayra said jumping and bowing low to show her respect. "Ah, it's alright young one. Tell me what is your name?" The Third asked her his hand on his pipe.
"My name is Ayralena Ickerrocka, Hokage-sama." Ayra said quickly. The Hokage noticed that her quickness in speaking was nervousness.
"Well, Ayralena, why are you all along when there are other kids your age playing down the hill?" The Hokage asked. Ayra looked up bitterly.
"They said they don't like girls playing with then. My Onii-san didn't let me play either." Ayra said, slightly sniffing. The old Hokage was interested now. He didn't really know what to make of this.
"Who is your Onii-san?" He asked. "Stijn, he is my twin." Ayra said through her sniffing.
"Well, Ayralena-chan. If you want someone to play with, maybe you should find some girls your age to be your friends." The Hokage said wisely.
"Alright, I will." Ayra said getting up and looking for someone to play with.
Ayra smiled at the memory, that's what had let her met Shounta and some of the other girls.
She had one last thought before she and Stijn went home.
'Goodbye, grandfather Third. And thank you.'
Ok, it was really hard to write most of this chapter, but I did. Hope you liked it.
Like always...tell me if you have any questions are ideas.
Please...review
Ja ne
Fantasy