Chapter 5
I knew something was wrong, but I wanted to know what, so I asked him, "What's wrong? Why do I have to leave the orphanage?"
He looked me in the eyes and said solemnly, "Your mother is dead, Kimiko. She was killed in an Akatsuki attack almost a month ago. When they found her will, they sent it straight here, along with your package." I stared back in shock and he continued, "In her will, she requested that you be trained as a ninja and, if you ever discover your kekei genkei, that someone teach you to use it."
I continued to stare back blankly for a moment, then, "What's a kekei genkei?" I think he expected another response, because he looked at me in an odd way, but then said:
"A kekei genkei is a special ninja ability that is passed down from parents to their children. They are only within certain clans, and usually stay within those clans." A pause, then, "Kimiko, aren't you upset that your mother is dead?"
"Yes, but what can I do about it?" I said. I really just wanted to cry at that moment, but at the same time I wanted to start learning about being a ninja; I knew I couldn't do anything to bring her back, and I knew she'd want me to be strong, like her and my father.
He thought for a moment, then said, "You are a strange one." Then he reached over to pat my head and said, "Well, since we've got time before dinner and you have a new wardrobe, why don't we find Temari and start teaching you some basics?"
I smiled a little, but when he smiled his small smile back, mine turned into a full out grin. I ran upstairs and pulled out the smallest set of clothes in the bundle-which were still a little big on me- and neatly placed the rest in a drawer then pulled my hair out of my face with a hair band and ran as fast as I could back down stairs.
I had to wait a couple of minutes for Gaara and Temari to come back down stairs, but when they did, I noticed that Temari had a pair of sandals in her hands.
"I found one of my first pair of ninja sandals. You can use them until we can get you your own pair." She said with a smile.
"Thank you so much Temari-sama!" I said, giving her a hug.
Temari and I went out back and when Gaara had found a dull set of ninja equipment he came out of the house too. We spent about fifteen minutes talking about the different weapons that he presented to me. He explained what each one was, common uses, which weapon belonged in which pouch, and how to care for all of them. Then he carved out a target on tree a little ways away. When he came back he asked me if I had any questions. When I shook my head no, he had Temari show me the correct stance and form for throwing kunai-the big long knife things- and shuruken-the little star things.
"O.K. When I say go I want you to throw those shuruken as hard, as fast, and as accurately as you can." Said Temari.
I nodded, then threw them just as she had taught me. I was really surprised. They all hit the tree. The first one barely made it and was way off target, but the rest were inside the lines, and one even almost hit the bulls-eye. She seemed really proud of me that I did that well, but I was far from pleased. I asked her if I could try again, and ended up trying six more times. By my last try they were nearly all side-by-side and fairly close together.
Finally she laughed and said, "I think that's good enough for today. Besides, if you don't quit practicing with those, you won't get time to practice with the kunai." At that, she had my full attention, and she handed me the kunai pouch which I strapped to my leg like Gaara said it should be.
An hour and a half later of practicing throwing the shuruken and kunai at the tree, and a few tries throwing senbon at a pile of loose dirt, we headed inside to have dinner. And later, when I was finally alone in my room, I sat wondering if my mother was proud of me and if my father would have been; and for the first time in a very long time, I cried myself to sleep.
AN: Don't forget about the drawing entries! If you would like, I'm starting a competition. Just send me a link in the reviews, or on private messaging of a drawing, sketch, or painting of your favorite characters from my stories. You may include characters that are from the actual universe, but all entries must include at least one of the stories OCs. I'll start the first drawing on March 1, but if you're just reading, don't worry. I plan to continue this for a while