Kese was confused and dumbfounded as he watched the toad sitting on his bed. It was bigger than a normal specimen, about the size of his head. He leaned towards it and examined its white skin and red markings around its eyes, mouth, and on other parts of its body. He noticed its eyes were also red with a horizontal bar pupil. The toad wore a dark red and black vest with a white kanji on its back. – Please, don't eye me like that! – it blushed and spoke, trying to gain a little distance between them. Kese gently grabbed it and lifted it in front of his chest. Of course, the toad tried to get free, but in vain: the blonde's grip was firm and tender at the same time.

- Are you… albino? – it was the first thing he could say.

- Yup, but please, don't start mocking me. – it covered its eyes.

- Don't worry. - he put on a friendly smile. - I don't want to do something like that.

The toad went on, it was speaking sadly. - The others always make fun of me and my skin. And they never take me seriously. That's why I chose this serious vest, but it didn't help. – its voice and expression suddenly turned happier. – But when they hear I have found you, they would think otherwise of me!

- You... have found me?!

- Yup! My name's Gamashiro. I don't look like one, but I'm a boy. Nice to meet you!

- Well, nice to meet you, too. – the blonde shook his tiny hand. – I'm Kese.

Gamashiro tilted his head. – Are you sure?

- I'm pretty sure what my name is.

- Hmm... – he blinked at him a few times, then he looked like he got an idea. – Release me, please!

Kese put him down to the ground. Gamashiro hopped a little away then turned back to him. – Now I'll go home and tell this to the others! I hope I'll be back soon. Bye-bye!

And with this, he clapped and vanished, leaving behind a small cloud of smoke and a "slightly" confused blonde blacksmith. Kese sat down and glared at the spot the toad had been.

He had been living a (relatively) normal life with animals that did not speak. And although he had seen a few things, he didn't expect any animal to break this rule in front of him ever. So, to be more accurate, he was more than simply confused and dumbfounded, especially after Gamashiro's shocking exit.

- I can't believe it. I've just seen a talking frog disappear using ninjutsu*. Someone tell me it wasn't real!... I need to do something. I'm going for a walk. Or train. Yes, I'll train. – he muttered monotone, as he changed his clothes and left the village. He started to jog, then he ran, until he reached the small forest of the island, where he climbed a tree and jumped from one to the other. He tried some sharp turns, swings and other maneuvers, and when he got back to the ground, he continued with some martial arts practice. He didn't risk making clones to have opponents or using his chakra, because he didn't know who might watch him. After a while he was getting a little tired, but he kept on; he hadn't trained since he left the island, and he and his body needed it so much. He didn't know for how long he had been doing this, but in all of a sudden, he got slower, then stopped. He collapsed to the grassy ground, panting and grinning. 'That would be enough. Man, it feels so good now!' he thought and watched the leaves above him. But what for he had just done this all, he wondered.

To not think about that toad? Exactly. To not think about how much it resembled to the ones he had seen in his visions and dreams? Well… – It definitely won't come back! – he tried to convince himself, or at least make an acceptable reason for his strange morning experience. - I was hallucinating this toad. Yes, that's it! It was just another vision! - he calmed down immediately, then got up and leisurely went back to the village, while repeating "he wasn't real" in his head.

It had been almost three hours since he went out for a walk and he was getting back all the energy he had used up. When he reached Ushimaru's house, he didn't find him roaming awake. 'That drunkard must be half dead and half asleep', he thought when he unlocked the door of the forge and stepped in. He stopped when he heard voices coming from his bedroom.

- ... You convince us and lead me here with your uncertain findings, then you show me an empty room with no one!?

- I swear, Fukasaku-dono, he was here not so long ago!

'No, no, this can't be, that's Gamashiro's voice! He is friggin' real!' Kese's eyes widened as he quietly walked towards his room. 'The other voice… It's deeper and old. And considering the way he's speaking, that one must be his superior', he analyzed what he heard. 'Could he be that white-haired or blonde man I've seen in my dreams? It cannot be another toad, right?… Right?!'

- And what is your proof? What if he is not him? Then it will be a waste of time and energy, plus we will have to erase his memories about us!

- Please, Kashira-dono*, please, just...

They suddenly became silent. 'Have they noticed me? Then it's the right time for me to show up.' And with this, he entered. But he saw no one in his room. He sighed and sat down on his bed. – Thank god, I was just halluci-

- Kese! – Gamashiro yelled and jumped right into his face. – I'm so glad I see you again!

The blonde took him off from his head. – You know, you don't have to-

- Look, whom I've brought with me! – Gamashiro turned and pointed behind him. 'Dear god, another toad!' Kese thought and he looked at that other, green amphibian. It had large white eyebrows, a goatee and a dark grey cape. It looked at the blonde with widened eyes and gaping mouth.

- Uhm, hello?

- Kese, don't say just hello! He's Fukasaku-dono, he's one of the heirs of the Great Honourable Grandpa Sage, and one of the Two Great Sage Toads!

- Okay, well... hi?

Gamashiro sighed; Kese stared at the green toad, who was still gaping like a fish. – What's wrong with him? He looks so creepy.

Fukasaku blinked in surprise. – What... have you just said?

- It was... – Kese thought back and his eyes widened. 'Oh, no, I used the forbidden word again!' – I can't believe I can't get rid of this "dattebayo"! – he palmed his face, then frowned at the green toad's laughing. – This is not funny!

Fukasaku stopped and smiled at him. He then turned to the other toad who was sitting on the blonde's thigh. – Nice work, Gamashiro. Take him home.

- Yes, sir! – he saluted and made a few hand-signs.

- ...What? – Kese blinked and suddenly, a cloud of smoke surrounded him and when it disappeared he wasn't in his room anymore. His chin dropped and his eyes turned into giant black and white blobs and he looked around with them.

He was sitting on the ground in the middle of a frigging rainforest! The rich foliage almost blocked the sky and sunshine, and the air was muggy, filled with tropical heat. He saw little and bigger toad-shaped stone statues here and there, along with oversized strange flowers and arthropods.

The whole atmosphere gave him a nostalgic feeling. 'I've seen this place in my dreams. Maybe one of my ancestors... No, not because of that.' – What is this place? – he turned to the albino toad in front of him, forgetting to ask how the hell he had done that.

- Our home, Myoubokuzan. It hasn't changed much since your last visit.

- …Since my what?! – the blonde yelled, making Gamashiro hunch.

- What did I say wrong?

- It's not that, I'm sorry, but... – he spoke eagerly. – Have I really been here? Are you sure of it?

- Well... I don't know, I'm just two years old, and since my birth no human has visited us. But, please, ask Fukasaku-dono about it. You know, he is much more older, and after all it was him who ordered us to look for you. – he turned away from the confused blonde and started hopping. - Please, follow me.

'Alright, they're real. But what is this now?' Kese shook his head. 'I don't know why, but I have a strange feeling.' He stood up and did as he asked. – What… are you talking about?

- When I was born the others were already searching for you... and I joined them in that… to do something so they could see me differently... – he stopped, panting heavily. – I'm weak, can't move and speak at the same time. – he jumped into Kese's arms. – I'll show you the way. Please, walk… So, it began when the Fourth Shinobi World War ended. Our only living summoner, a precious shinobi, disappeared somehow, and Fukasaku-dono ordered us to look for him. But not only Kashira: the leaders of the many ninja and even the slugs also asked us. – he spoke so nonchalantly, he didn't even notice how muddled up the blonde's mind and facial expression got. - And when I joined the other small toads in the search, I got some chakra and smell samples and a description about him. And so far, you're the first person who resembles that shinobi so much! Though there are some differences we don't really understand and want to investigate.

- What? – he tried to concentrate, but the heat started to cloud his mind. 'Something is not okay with me… My head and my scar hurts, and I'm seeing ghosts again. To hell with this place!'

- For example your name: you said it was Kese, but I was given a different one. Aaand your chakra. And your smell, too. Oh, and your appearance. So well, almost everything is a little different. But, you know, only a little, so still worth a look. But it would really be better if you talk to Fukasaku-dono and his wife, Shima-dono, because they know more. We're almost there.

And as he said that, they left the forest and entered a large clearing with enormous toad statues and a waterfall. Kese blinked at the latter, trying to figure out what he was looking at. – Is... is that oil?! – Gamashiro nodded and jumped out of his arms. Kese rubbed his aching scar. - This place's getting more and more hot, weird and…. familiar.

- That is because you have spent some time at us in the past. – Kese turned and saw a smiling Fukasaku with another toad at his side. That one was purple and light green, wore a black cape and seemed to be a female one with an even stranger hairstyle than the green toad. – Though it has been a while. – Fukasaku added and stepped closer to Kese. In response the blonde cautiously stepped back from him, which surprised the toad elder greatly. – What is wrong?

- I do not know you.

Heavy silence fell over the clearing, only the rumbling of the oilfall filled it. All three toads were looking at the blonde with confusion; and he was just standing there, filled with doubts and suspicion.

The trembling voice of the purple toad was the first to break the silence. – What do you mean by this?

- I don't know who you guys are. I only said this place looked familiar, and that's all. – he got dizzy and nervous as his visions became more vivid. He wanted to go to a safer place, back to Siplak, or right home. - I don't remember you, and I don't know if I should at all. All I know is that two speaking frogs brought me to this frigging place and I'm confused as fuck.

- Hey! – Gamashiro yelped.

- Sorry, toads.

- What got into you, Nar-?

The purple toad screamed at him, but Fukasaku interrupted. – Calm down, Shima. – he turned to Kese, who was rubbing his aching temple. – We are sad to hear this from you. Are you sure of it?

- Hell yeah. – the blonde replied, not aware of using the annoying suffix again. The place, the toads, the things Gamashiro told him, the muggy air of the rainforest, and those damn perky visions altogether were getting too much for him.

He noticed some kind of hope in the green toad's eyes. – We can sit down with a nice cup of tea and talk about-

The blonde shook his head violently, trying to not lose his balance. – No. Please, bring me back.

- But Kese! – the young toad yelped again.

- Stop it, Shiro. – Fukasaku ordered him firmly, then stepped to the blonde. – Alright. We are sorry we disturbed your peace. I hope we will see each other soon. – he smiled. – Good bye.

Before Kese could say anything, the toad nodded to Gamashiro who sadly jumped into his arms and clapped his hands. Another cloud of smoke appeared around the blonde, then he was in his room in Siplak again and Gamashiro nowhere to be found. – Thanks. Bye. – he panted. – I'm gonna faint. – he collapsed onto his bed right before his vision hit him with full force. How many toads there were! And that white haired man appeared in front of him again! Then he signed a scroll with his blood, and he saw names on it, but didn't see them clearly. Lastly he saw Fukasaku and Shima, until his vision faded away.

His headache slowly ceased and his scar became numb. After he successfully calmed his breathing, a heavy gush of remorse and regret hit him. – I'm so sorry, guys... – he sighed. 'Why do I want to go to back to them so badly? Why do I feel I'm connected to them?'

'…Could I be the person they were looking for?'

- Wait… I am not. – he whispered, shocked by the truth he had just discovered. 'I can't be that person because I am not the person I was before I got to the Silent Island… Someone else was born then, when I woke up in my bed and entered the Magors' little society. I had my basic personality since my birth, I couldn't lose that. And I built up the rest from my environment, family and friends, sucking in their values and lifestyle and everything. Not to mention my visions and everyone in it. And that is why I'm not the same person', he sighed again.

Then he suddenly realized something. 'Oh, damn great! I had a chance of learning something that sounded like my past, and, congratulation, you idiot, you just ran away from it! – Argh! – he growled. 'Why is it when I have a chance to learn something about my past I just decide to push it away pretending it does not exist?'

He stared at his hands. - Because I don't consider it my own part. I don't consider it me… Despite the evidences, despite so many evidences I've experienced so far: my dreams, my chakra manipulation and now these toads... I simply can't take in my former me so readily as I want to.

He got frightened. He realized not only was he clueless about his past, but he didn't even know his present self well. 'Is it me who truly control my life? Or everything I have done so far was only the effect of my visions, dreams and people in my life?' He looked back at that everything he had done so far, and asked himself. 'What was me from all of that at all? What was really done and felt by me?... Who am I at all?' He couldn't answer his question. All he knew was he wanted to know more about himself. And he needed knowledge of his past life for this, hence, he had to speak with the toads.

'But no matter what I saw in Fukasaku's eyes when we parted, and no matter how much I want to see them now, there isn't much chance we'd meet again. Concerning how I behaved…'

- In this case… - he smirked. – It's up to me to summon them!

The next week Kese was so occupied by the toads, his self crisis and his unsuccessful summoning he didn't even bother asking why Ushimaru decided to work along with him. After his boss survived his another hangover on Monday, he joined the blonde in the forge the next day and they worked together mutely. They exchanged a few words, but didn't really talk. It was clear the blonde was nothing but a burden for Ushimaru, but he had to put up with him if he wanted his money from the pirates. Besides everything else, Kese was also thinking about how he could get some information from him, when the other blacksmith tripped over something. The heated piece of metal he was holding with a nipper jumped out of his grip and landed right on the blonde's uncovered left hand.

Kese had never cussed so long. And Ushimaru was just laughing at him as he "danced" around in the forge in pain then rushed into the bathroom and applied cold water to his burned skin. He was used to getting cut accidentally, but he hadn't burned himself since his first few lessons with his father. When the pain was more bearable, he took a look at the blood red skin. Fortunately, the heated metal had touched only the back of his left ring finger, which was now twitching a little because of the pain.

- That'll leave a mark. – Ushimaru mocked him, still chuckling. – You should've covered it, dumbass! - Kese repressed the urge of raising him another finger, but he realized there was no reason to keep on being polite with this man. 'After all, he can't really fire me!', and so he showed his boss the middle finger of his other hand, and even commented it. Ushimaru just replied with the same kindness.

But the older blacksmith was right: when Kese woke up next morning he discovered a clear red marking on his burned finger. He couldn't really decide whether it had the shape of the letter "V" or "A", or the shape of a frighteningly familiar symbol from his visions and dreams. 'How the heck could it burn me like this?'

Ushimaru kept on making him work more and more, and the blonde figured out why. He wanted to keep him near the forge. 'Could it mean the pirates are going to come for me soon? I hope not.' He visited the brothel again and went to the inn too, but nothing indicated they would be there soon. He was about to stop his usual eavesdropping on one of his boss' evening chats with his friend, when Ushimaru brought up the topic. They were speaking on their language again.

- I've got a message from Nezu. He said they're still forced to stay near Kiri and play good little transporters.

- The mist ninja are vengeful, man…

- Oh, and he's waiting for the Deacon to arrive.

- The Deacon? Heh, Gorou'll get a lesson from him then. – Osouma smirked. - He shouldn't have been so fuckin' reckless after all, wasting all those bootlickers.

- They better get here fast. The brat's getting more and more annoying. I don't know why Nezu thought this blonde fart needed professionals to take over. - Ushimaru sighed, and Kese peeked in the window a little, to see they were drinking again.

He spotted a letter in Osouma's hand which he raised. – I see you're still thinking about this job.

- Yeah, it would be a perfect goldmine. But I can't go there, not until I'm paid for being a babysitter. I can't let him leave the island.

- Why don't you go and bring him with you? It'd be easier for them to capture him.

- No. If I brought him to the construction, the ninjas would register him as a worker. And if he was to... disappear suddenly, they would get very suspicious.

- Well... – Osouma scratched his chin. - This sucks.

They changed the topic and began talking about the women of the village, until they left for the inn. Kese decided to not go after them this time and returned to his bedroom. 'It seems I still have some time left to figure out what to do when they come for me', he shuddered. 'Oh, god, I can't believe I can think about this so lightly! Hey, idiot, a bunch of pirates wants to kidnap you!'

He couldn't eat much dinner, his thought were roaming in his head. He needed to sit down and write in his new booklet which had became kind of a diary lately. This time, he couldn't write more than a few sentences. "...That well-paid job sounded interesting, I should figure out more later. And this Gorou-pirate-thing is still foggy, too… They mentioned the Deacon. If he is some kind of spiritual person, then why does he has his hands in things like chakra trading and dealing with pirates?" He was thinking about this while doodling in his booklet, and couldn't write more. – I guess I'll have to find out everything by myself. – he sighed and went to bed. He could have stayed up late, because the next day was Saturday again with no work; but he was just too tired.

In his dream he was a shadow. He was in the middle of nowhere, lost in thick mist. He knew he was chased and he tried to run away, but he couldn't, his shapeless feet were too heavy. There was an explosion behind him and he fell to the ground. Then his dream became very familiar: he was lying on his back, his body was exhausted, and his belly numb. He smelt blood, smoke and death. His ear was ringing, but it was slowly fading away, and he heard more from the chaos and hell around him. Suddenly, he heard a girl's desperate shout. – Open your eyes!

And he opened his eyes to find himself in his own bed, sweating and panting. He needed a few seconds to realize he had just woken up. – C'mon, it was just a dream. A very, very scary dream. – he wiped his wet forehead and turned to his side. He didn't feel himself safe though, something was odd. He reached under his pillow and grabbed the knife he kept there. He had put it there to have a weapon to defend himself against the pirates, if they wanted to take him while he was sleeping. He took smooth breaths. And listened.

Something was moving in his room.

He steadied his grip. His muscles tensed and in a blink of the eye, he jumped out of his bed, pinned down his visitor and raised his knife. He suddenly stopped when he realized whom he was holding down.

A frightened albino toad was under his hand. He stammered something on the verge of crying, but when he noticed the knife, he completely freaked out. – I'm sorry, Gamashiro, I'm so sorry! I didn't know it was you, I didn't want to scare you! – Kese tried to calm the crying amphibian who had curled up in a ball. – I'm so sorry... – he touched the toad's back and rubbed it to erase his shock, but he saw his own hand shaking. 'Am I really this nervous?!' He leaned his back to his bed and covered his face. 'Have I been so tensed in the past days I didn't even notice?' He gritted his teeth and felt tears gathering in his eyes. 'Fuck, no, no, no, could I be afraid this much?!'

He almost jumped out of his skin when something touched his hand. He looked down into the toad's worried eyes. – It's alright, don't worry. – Gamashiro said as Kese rubbed his eyes, and turned his face away. – What's wrong?

- It's... – the blonde hesitated. – Nothing.

- I don't know what's up with you right now. But, you know, I think it's… it might be kinda okay to feel that way. Just don't let it overwhelm you and paralyse you.

Kese looked at him and blinked. – That was... wise. – he thought about it for a second, then nodded. – You are right, thanks.

'Indeed.' He stated, watching the smiling toad: his advice was all he needed in that second. 'If I let my tension and fear overcome me, I'm lost.' – Thanks, Gamashiro. This helped a lot... – he collected himself. - By the way, why are you here?

- Eh? Well, uhm... What was it?... Oh, yes! Kashira-dono would like to know if you want to visit us.

Kese opened his mouth to answer; then closed it and turned away. Gamashiro suddenly lost his enthusiasm.

- You don't want to come? – he whispered sadly.

- No, no, of course I want to, but... the way I behaved last time... I don't think I should return there.

- Why not? – Gamashiro tilted his head, and they stared at each other. – Fukasaku-dono isn't mad at you. He told me he wished to talk to you, and he wanted to understand you.

- That's why he sent you, right? – the little toad nodded. Kese hummed, then stood up. – Give me a minute.

At first he walked around the house until he heard Ushimaru's snoring, then he went back to the forge and locked it from inside. He put the keys under his pillow and made his bed. He went to the bathroom, out of his visitor's eyesight and put on his hidden blade. He still didn't trust the toads enough and felt a little uncomfortable amongst them (except Gamashiro). 'Taking this will make me feel more secure. I won't need to use it, I'm sure of it. I don't want to hurt them. Just... it feels so safe when it's on me.' He put on a long sleeved thin shirt and stepped into his room. – Okay, let's go.

Gamashiro jumped into his hands. – Hold me, please. – he grinned and clapped his hands. When the clouds disappeared around them, Kese opened his eyes and saw the rainforest of Myoubokuzan and the oil waterfall.

In front of it, Fukasaku and his wife stood. The green toad smiled at them and kindly greeted their blonde visitor. – Welcome back, Kese!

~~~For those who hasn't read or watched Naruto~~~

Ninjutsu: In the Naruto World, ninjutsu is a term referring to almost any technique which allows the user to do something that they otherwise would be incapable of doing, including the usage of weapons. Unlike genjutsu, which makes the opponent see illusions, the effects of ninjutsu are real. They vary greatly in purpose, with the simpler ninjutsu serving such tasks as transforming the user or allowing them to evade attacks. (Source: Naruto Wikia)

Kashira-dono: Fukasaku is often referred to as Kashira (Head); and "–dono" is a Japanese honorific, meaning lord or master.

Gamashiro's name: 'gama' means toad and 'shiro' means white.