The bright sun was reflected from the restive and clear river, whose waves continued to break and sharpen stones, which served as an unapproachable barrier between the coast and the river, preventing it from overflowing its rivers.
At a distance from this pond there was a lush and green forest, which assumed that this area abounds with all kinds of animals, who can use this river as their watering hole.
Only today everything was not like on a normal day, something or someone scared these animals away from trying to quench it thirst and this was a figure, which washed up on the sandy shore.
At first and with the naked eye, could assume, that it was a lifeless and breathless body, which get out to be here because of river strong current and this object was came here from the Land of Earth.
But all this guess was broken as if by a snap of the fingers, because suddenly the figure's hand hold on the shore and with significant effort ascend its disheveled head, starting to inspect the area for familiar places.
'What happened and where am I? How did I be here?' - I thought with a groan, sitting on the wet and cold stone, along which the crayfish continued to crawl.
Rubbing eyes trying to focus my vision, I passed my hand over head and straightened my tousled hair, which were now in disarray due to the current situation
Right now I needed to figure out where Im and how to get to...
Stop
Like a bolt from the sky, a shocking punched of what was happened dawned on me.
"Who am I and where should I get to? Why did I get washed up at all and what happened before I was washed up on this shore?" - I muttered to myself in a low whisper, feeling a small weight on shoulders and turning head in this direction, noticing a small hiking backpack there.
I hoped that I would be able to find anything about my past in it, but I found one small knife, wet blanket, matches, a few spices and an old plush doll.
'Nothing at all, what should I come to considering these things? Mayhaps I was in hunting with my dad? Why did I put this doll in backpack, it means so much to me? I hope I wasn't playing with dolls, it could look very weird, or maybe it belonged to someone, who was important to me, Kami, not remembering anything about myself is too weird' - in bewilderment and irritation, I muttered a few different thoughts in head in another attempt to get back something related to my past.
Decided to explore this area, I got to feet and walked slowly to the forest direction, hoping to kill two birds with one shot. I really wanted to find in this forest something far similar to food, because I felt like I hadn't eaten in days.
But it was a stupid conclusion because I didn't even know how many days I was unconscious.
In theory, I could have been lying there for hours.
At most, it could have been minutes, during which someone could have been looking for me, and in the worst case, everything could turn out like this, that I was out for a few days and in general the current brought me here from faraway.
"I just want that somewhere nearby there is a village in which I can figure where I am" - I said lazily, shuffling feet towards the forest, focusing on one strange thing. Suddenly my shadow started behaving like this, as if it wanted to go outside, why was I shocked and instantly jumped back, deduced that I might to split up with shadow.
While I was watching this with hands up, huge black and white dogs appeared out of the black materia, which pointedly looked at me with a cute heads tilt and wagging it tails.
The word "surprise" has become an exaggeration for me right now. What now appeared in front of me made rub my eyes in proof that this is all reality, and not imagination.
"Who are these dogs and how the hell did it get out of my shadow?" - I exclaimed in amusement and with wide-open eyes without fear went to these dogs because I did not feel any danger from it. I was drawn to them by a strange extraordinary feeling. It was as if it were asking me to be good to it. Like if dogs were trying to say that I was it owner.
"Shiro and Kuro. Bruuuuh it weird, why did such names come to my head? Probably that dogs are somehow affiliated with me and can help to remember my past?' - I thought gloomily, getting closer and closer to these dogs, who were humbly waiting for my actions.
From the one hand, it might seem crazy that it was wrong to approach these dogs, but following my heart words, I nearing them at a distance of a few steps and stretched out hand ruffling the fur of one of this buddy.
"Wassup guys, you're not going to eat me, isnt it?" - involuntarily I asked with a exciting voice, paying attention to how quickly it wagged their tails enjoying my touch. It became clear that Kuro and Shiro were also glad to meet me.
Slowly sitting down on the grass near to them and sighing heavily, focused gaze, trying to find the right solution in this situation. I couldn't look away because it eyes somehow able to enchant me. Dogs were resolutely trying to get more and more my attention.
After being quiet for a few minutes in it surroundings, I deduced that I just necessary to try to establish some kind of mental connection with dogs. If Kuro and Shiro appeared from my shadow, then it is very likely that our connection is much closer, than usual dogs with owners, and only because of this I chosen to trust my instincts and check theory.
"So, so if do I understand correctly that you must not wish me any harm. You know who I am and how I be on this shore. I really don't remember at all what happened before I woke up." - convinced asked I, attracting attention of this calmed dogs
I really did not remember anything and unable regain my memories without outside help.
From what I could get, it have been with me since I was born, but I only begin summon it a few weeks ago. The most interesting fact was that it were created not with chakra, but with some Cursed Energy manipulation.
I was glad because they remembered my name and place where I lived with kasan. My name was Kourai and I lived near the border of the Land of Stone and Rain and the worst thing was that I was unconscious for 3 whole days.
All this was foreshadowed by a case when I was practicing abilities in the forest and dogs sensed an approaching nukenins who going to my village.
Only now did I figure out that I was completely in trouble. Right now I need go home and then find kasan. She has almost certainly already crossed through one of the great countries, so it will be almost unreal to find her.
Sadness overwhelmed me and if not for dog presence near to me, I would obviously have fallen into deep despair, but I needed to control myself and try to discover where I was. So I decided to go into the depths of the forest and try to find something interesting.
"That's right, it's not time to be sad, the world isn't too big, I'll also almost certainly be able to use your noses." - I exclaimed cheerfully, quickly returning myself to normal, raised up from the grass and throwing the backpack over my shoulder.
Attentively watching the moon for a few minutes without taking eyes off it, while wild rabbit was cooking on the fire, one sad thought came to my mind, which made me quickly shake me head and look at another object.
"Hmm, I wonder if I'll ever be able to find woman who was my kasan, does she believe that I'm still alive and trying to find them after this incident, and the fact that I don't remember her and my past at all. And I don't even assume how she looks like, it's like looking for a black cat in a black room." - I muttered to myself in a disappointed, throwing a few dry twigs into the almost extinct fire.
I could not let this fire get down because i half of the matches from my backpack were soaked and I did not know how many days it would take me to find a way out of this forest, in which I apparently got lost.
It began to seem to me that for 24 hours in a row I was walking in lap and because of pointlessly repeating trees, I solved to give myself a rest and gain my strength I would need on the next long journey.
'I can assume that this rabbit is almost cooked, if I get it on the fire for a few more minutes, meat will become too dry' - having made a reasonable decision, I crawled on knees to the fire, which attracted a lot of insects to itself and took a branch with meat impaled on it, pre-sprinkled with salt and spices.
While enjoying the grilled meat savoring every bite I regretted only one thing, the lack of any garnish of vegetables, which could complement this meal.
I had no idea why such a thought came to my mind, couldn't I have had enough of an fried rabbit?
'Who was I before I woke up on the coast of that river? What have I been doing? I feel like I've been trained to hunt and cook wild animals' - I mused with sadness, realizing that I am slipping into self-flagellation over and over again and want to throw this problem on someone else's shoulders
On someone else's shoulders in a dense and abandoned forest.
"Yes, it's definitely time for me to stop snotting, no one except Kuro and Shiro will help me. I have to move on and try to find a way to survive." - I muttered with a sigh, launching a rabbit bone into a dark bush.
Remembering about my dogs, my eyes widened because I thought that at the first meeting I did not even pay attention to the fact that dogs informed me about one thing that I had no chakra paths.
'Who the hell am I?' - I asked myself gritting teeth, not noticing at all that distinct footsteps were approaching me from behind.
I wouldn't even have paid attention to it if one of those who approached to me hadn't stepped on a branch, making me immediately alert and jump to feet taking a clumsy fighting stance, even if I had no idea how to fight because it feels like I've never done it, although the fact that my hands were roofed in calluses, which proved theory that I was not afraid of hard work.
What obliged me take an even more defensive position from with what eyes they looked at me first, and then at the cooked rabbit. From their look, nukenins didn't need my permission to take my food. I was also enraged by the fact that they saw my backpack and their eyes of one of them flashed with an incomprehensible sparkle.
Apparently they were some kind of ninja with crossed out headband on heads.
They were grinning as they slowly approached me, showing their dominance in this situation.
At the same time I trying to find an opportunity to get out of this standing without consequences, I also wanted to ask them a few questions about what they need from a child like me.
My heart was beating so fast and loud right now, that I was convinced in fact that this three ninja in front of me had heard my heartbeat, which blending with my anxious expression.
"Shinobi-san, do you need something from me?" - I asked with trying to look brave, holding back the tremor in voice watching how as one of them shaken out my backpack entrails on the ground and my eyebrows furrowed from his actions and my legs instinctively rushed towards the backpack, but I was immediately stopped by a solid blow to the chest, which made me fly away a few meters from this nukenin group.
"Guaaha"
"You weren't allowed to open mouth, brat, wait our permission. If you don't want to lose your life, give us all the most valuable that you have, and then we'll think about what to do with you." - said a nukenin in a black suit with a serious voice, slowly approaching to me, twisting kunai on one of fingers.
My eyes widened at such allegation. For no reason, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of fear for my life. I frantically began to watch as one of his friends scattered my backpack entrails in different directions, and the other began to eat my food.
Injustice feeling overwhelmed me.
"What the hell are you doing, who are you and who allowed you to do like that?" - I shouted in anger trying to get up, but I immediately fell to knees after my legs buckled due to the pressure that my shoulders felt.
Looking up, I saw with a sinking heart how adult who had early punched me put his foot on my shoulder and tried to press me into the ground, showing his fake smile.
And after this with loudly laugh added strength and pressed my body into the ground
"We are ninja kid, we are free to do what we want and when we want. Do you know the rules of life?The strong rule, the weak obey. This is the law of survival. He's strong and you're lying at his feet. Accept it." - chewing food, said one of the intruders, throwing a rabbit bone exactly in my head.
I gritted my teeth at this injustice.
Is this the whole essence of ninja? Do the weak obey the strong? My eyes started to shine because of tears appeared and I tried to stand up, but the pressure on shoulder was too strong.
"I told you not to move, trash." - angrily cooed bandit, kicking me in the gut, which is why I made a few turns while rolling on the ground in campfire direction.
Why? Why? Why?
Shinobi should be protect civilians.
Why are they doing this to me?
Is this the way they try to affirm themselves? They wouldn't have done it if someone strong and skilled enough was standing in front of them, right?
In a rage, clenching teeth so that almost bit my tongue until it bled, I against my hands on the ground and slowly got up from feeling a strong pain in my chest, feeling the heat from the burning fire.
"Piece of shit. Give away all the most valuable? Your eyesight is failing you, isn't it? You've already turned out my backpack and searched it. Do you think a child like me can have valuable? The most expensive I had was that rabbit that was eaten by that fat freak with a beard." - I shouted in anger, spitting out some blood in my mouth, expressing my dissatisfaction with their actions.
Judging by how faces of these nukenin frown, they didn't like my disobedient behavior at all and the fact that I dared to disobey them.
"You shouldn't have said that, brat. Kids are so naughty nowadays, but at least you fed our boss. Of course, it's a pity that you didn't have anything of value, but you're going to entertain us." - the one who was sorting my backpack answered gloomily, taking a few things for himself.
Entertain them? Great, bring me this.
"Even if I don't get out of this alive, do you really think I won't resist you? There will be no winner in all this and everyone will suffer, I will not give up until I cripple one of you." - I said slowly from under my brow. My eyes were hidden by bangs, as if I could control this situation.
Internally, I panicked and tried to think of how I would try to fulfill my promise which I given to this bastards
"Ahahahahahaa, did you hear him? He's threatening us. Wasn't it my imagination? kami, kids in these days. Who do you think you are, stupid kid, and how did your parents taught you?" - hearing his slurred speech and question about my parents, I remembered the main goal, why I end up in this forest at all.
His friends began to laughing non-stop because my threats and could not be so thorough.
I can't die until I get kasan, who can help me back my memories.
"You really entertained and fed me, but you shouldn't have insulted us. I don't like being called like that. I suppose you should be punished." - a big man with marks on his face said without emotion, lifting club on his shoulder and towering over me.
"Then why don't you dare to do it, fatty" - I said with a big and wide smile, lifting head up so as to look him straight in his eyes, and with my hands I created a sign with which I summons my dogs.
'Goykuken' - I whispered and to their amazement 2 big dogs appeared from my shadow, which growled loudly, and then rushed in different directions attacking my enemies.
Nukenins did not have time to recover from this turn of actions, so I had time to start my move and attack to fat man who was conveniently stay near to me.
I blessed KAMI for not being so tall, which gave me opportunity to get a direct punch in his crotch, which was the most unprotected place which I could hit.
Blow was so dense that I felt it as if I had hit a dense bag.
Fatty was taken aback by such an action and because of this punch, get down from the pain received and this gave me chance to pull him by one of legs, forcing him to fall on back, continuing to writhe in pain and not noticing what is happening to him now.
I instantly climbed into his stomach and pressed my thumbs on his eye sockets, destroying eyeballs under the terrible screams of his friends, which my dogs already too mutilate without getting any damage for reasons I don't understand.
Pain threshold of the one whose eyeballs I squeezed out, was not that big, so he instant forgot about groin injury and tried to throw me off stomach by grabbing me, but I proficiency got one of his hands and bit his wrist with great effort, forcing him to emit a new batch of loud painful screams.
Such a non-trivial action got to, that let kunai from his hand and I got it from the ground, grabbed this weapon with both hands and with a clumsy movement stuck it into the neck of this man, moving this kunai a few centimeters to the left, opening fatty throat.
All this attack took me no more than 30 seconds and after this work I started to breathe heavily because of, that adrenaline flooded my body and forced heart to beat at such a speed, that it threatened to burst out of my chest.
I showed even more disrespect to this person when I unintentionally felt vomiting and a previously eaten rabbit came out of me, right at him
Shock engulfed me as my previously scattered eyes focused on the other two victims and fact that Kuro with Shiro had successfully fulfilled my request and returned to the shadows.
"AHAHAHAAHAHAAH, look at yourself now, stupid bastards. Who's weak now? Who is standing now and who is lying on the ground groveling in front of me? Oh, I'm sorry, you're lying with your open throats and are not able to answer me. What an irony, an unprepared and weak child with no skills, defeated three nukenins. Are shinobi really that weak?" - throwing up my hands, I shouted, laughing excitedly and hysterically, mentally thanking Kami that no one saw given mental state.
Suddenly, an inexplicable feeling of self-loathing engulfed me because realization of what had happened encroach in my head.
'NO, NO, NO, NO, I shouldn't talk and think about such things, just that I killed a man and I can't be happy about it. I shouldn't be like them, otherwise I won't be better than them in the future' - I thought in shock, returning to normal state, falling to my knees and wiping my face from unconsciously shed tears.
Taking another look at my hands that were covered in blood, and then on fatty whose head and neck were in knife holes, the cruel reality has fallen on my shoulders.
"Why did I assume, That I only landed one punch in this guy's neck if his head literally turned into something like mincemeat" - I said with fear, quickly crawling away from this body, bumping into something solid, without taking eyes off what been a human head, and now was a mess of brains and blood.
If the situation wasn't frightening for me until now, a voice behind me made me jump up in fear with a kunai in hand and look at a man in an incomprehensible suit.
"Its was perfect. This show was interesting"
Looking at this man, I came to the conclusion that the most unusual thing about him was that he had yellow snake eyes.
An aura of fear and darkness emanated from this person, from which my body began to tremble, as if a big snake had wrapped itself around my body and was about to absorb me.
"Who are you? Don't come near to me!" - I shouted with fire in my voice, but before I could hear this man's answer, the world around me darkened and I fell into a deep a
