Passing on

Kazuki's journal

I keep having the dreams. Even two years after the ritual, I keep dreaming of myself as that horrible monster. I can't stop killing. I don't know what's hiding inside me, but I hope to God that it never gets out. Daichi was right about the ritual boosting my powers; I can't believe how much stronger I am now. Everything seems so easy, so simple. Daichi even sent me to study as a Konoha shinobi for a while. Ha, passed at the top of the class and the chunin exam was a piece of cake too. So know I'm officially a Konoha ninja, but apart from a snazzy new headband, the whole process had little meaning. Although I did meet this weird orange haired kid who kept saying he was going to be Hokage one day. I decided to humour him and wished him good luck. I seriously doubt that little idiot is going to achieve anything though.

Anyway, over the two years I've been training after the ritual, I've pretty much perfected the animal transformation jutsu. I can transform into basically any animal I want with little effort and stay in form for hours and hours. I'd like to say it's my own skill, but really it's all from the ritual. I'm not sure exactly what happened that night, but my chakra levels seem almost unending. It's amazing how so much power can stay in one human being without it exploding out all the time. Although… sometimes I feel like I can't control what's inside, like anytime the beast is going rip itself out of my body and go on a rampage. But maybe I'm just being paranoid…

My sixteenth birthday has just gone and I received the first birthday present I'd ever got. I was surprised to find Daichi standing over me when I woke up, holding out a long rectangular parcel. I opened it eagerly and found it was just a lump of metal with a weird pattern of cracks running across it. He wouldn't tell me what it was but he said that if I ever got into trouble, it would help me out of it. No birthday cake, unfortunately.

Two years ago

The deer didn't suspect a thing. One second it was grazing peacefully in the woods, the next it was flailing on the ground, blood spurting from a huge gash in its neck. Pinning it down was a large, sleek leopard. The huge cat latched onto the creature's throat and tore a huge chunk of flesh out of it. The leopard gulped it down as the deer's life slowly flowed out onto the ground. Licking its lips in satisfaction, the leopard was engulfed in a veil of blue light. When it faded, a bleach blond youth stood over the body of the deer, wiping the errant specks of blood off his black leather vest. His mouth clear of gore, Kazuki pulled his black scarf over it, hiding the lower portion of his face. He felt slightly bad about leaving so much of the corpse, but he knew that other scavengers would soon come and take their fill. Anyway, he wasn't really that hungry…

Before the ritual, Kazuki would never have even considered hunting like this, but now it just seemed natural. Kazuki now understood the concept of the food chain, and he had the opportunity to always be at the top of it. Daichi was lounging in a deck chair on the porch when Kazuki returned. He glanced up from his book.

"That was quick." He noted, shielding his eyes from the sun.

"Easy hunting." Replied Kazuki bluntly.

He looked at Daichi's wrinkled face. The signs were subtle, but Kazuki had been noticing a decline in Daichi's fitness. Kazuki didn't know his age, but he guessed that his master did not have long to go. Daichi caught Kazuki's look and understood.

"I need to talk to you," He told Kazuki, "inside."

The two of them sat around Daichi's table, a hot cup of tea in front of each of them. Kazuki glanced briefly at his.

"After four years he still forgets I hate tea…" He thought with concern.

Daichi stirred his cup absent mindedly while sitting in silence. Eventually he side and pushed it away.

"Kazuki…" He muttered. "No doubt you have noticed that I am getting older."

Kazuki had to restrain himself from nodding.

"And I already know that I have little time left." He scratched the back of his hand. "After I am gone, there is something I need you to do."

Kazuki nodded. "Anything." He replied.

Daichi smiled appreciatively. "You need to leave this house and find a new master."

Kazuki frowned. "I don't need a new master." He protested. "I have nothing left to learn."

Daichi shook his head sadly. "Yes you do," the old man corrected him. "You may be an expert in the jutsu and your chakra levels are admittedly staggering… But can you control that power?" He raised an eyebrow at Kazuki.

Kazuki stared at him, well aware that he had doubts about that himself.

"That's why I'm sending you to my sister." Daichi continued.

Kazuki started. "Your sister?" He said, puzzled. "She's still alive?"

"Very much so," answered Daichi. "She runs a small hospital north of here. She can help you."

Kazuki thought for a moment. "Alright," he said. "I'll do it."

Daichi smiled broadly and hugged Kazuki tightly.

"Thank you, Kazuki-kun." He whispered. "I've always thought of you as my own son."

Kazuki saw that a tear was running down Daichi's cheek. Then Kazuki realised there was one running down his own.

Kazuki woke to a gloomy dawn. There was a faint drizzle pattering against the window panes. Kazuki padded down the hallway to the kitchen in the form of a cat, as he usually did when he didn't want to wake Daichi up. Kazuki was not much of a cook, as the blackened marks above the stove indicated, but toast was just about within his reach. After a few minutes, a 'ding' echoed out of the kitchen. A basset hound walked out into the living room, a slightly burnt piece of toast in its mouth, and leapt onto the sofa.

"Daichi's sleeping in late." Thought Kazuki as he chewed the toast with his dog's teeth.

Curious, the basset hound became a mouse, which scuttled down the corridor and slipped under Daichi's door. The windows were open and the curtains drawn. Kazuki found that the bed was neatly made and the room was meticulously cleaned and dusted. Turning back into a cat, Kazuki approached the bed cautiously. Seeing something small and white on the pillow, Kazuki became a human. He stared at the object. It was a dove, brilliantly white and lying motionless on the pillow next to a sealed envelope. With a growing sense of dread, Kazuki picked up and opened the envelope. Inside was a letter written with familiar handwriting.

Kazuki-kun

You have surpassed me. I would never have imagined, all those years ago when I found you as a pathetic, homeless child, that you would grow into such a person. I can feel myself fading away even now, and this is why I am writing this letter. By the time you read this, it will be too late for me. I have lived a long life, which I now consider complete because I managed to help you find meaning in yours. Please stick to your word and find my sister. It is very important that you do. There are supplies for the journey in the closet. Leave right away and you should get there in two days on foot. Oh yes, I need you to refrain from travelling by air. I do not have time to explain why, but you'll have to trust me on this. Flying would be far too dangerous right now. Don't worry, I know you are strong enough to make it through this (don't forget your birthday present; it will help you when you have need of it).

Everything I said about me thinking of you as my son was true. I know you never had a real family, but I hope you found some comfort in me, as I did in you. You cannot imagine how proud I am. Or how sorry I am. I know what it is like to be in your position, and I don't just mean being on your own. Being a Shiryuu clan member is a terrible burden to bear. You must fight the beast inside of you, lest it break free and take control. You will face untold hardships in the future, Kazuki, but face them you must, if you are ever to gain complete control of yourself. Do not forget me, I will not forget you.

Daichi

Kazuki stared at the letter in his trembling hands. He turned to the dove lying on the pillow, choking back sobs.

"Daichi-sensei?" He whispered tearfully.

He gently picked up the dead bird and cradled it in his hands despairingly. Suddenly, two shimmering doves flew through the window. Kazuki watched in awe as the angelic creatures' grabbed hold of Daichi's dove body, plucking it from his hands. The creatures and Kazuki shared a moment of understanding before they spirited his master away into the now brightening sunlight. Kazuki gazed after them, painfully aware that, after four years, he was alone once again.