"Every sunset is an opportunity to reset. Every sunrise begins with new eyes."

— Richie Norton


"How should we live our lives?"

Ever since humanity began to roam the Earth, there has always been one question that everyone asked, "what is the purpose of living in this world?"

Scholars, students, religious leaders, philosophers, and just about every person have attempted to answer those questions.

Some believe that it's a question best left for oneself to decide, many would say to worship their gods to be better people, and others say that it's all about the survival of the fittest, but no answer has ever been universally accepted.

Many conclude that life is all about fulfilling a purpose, a purpose that only they alone can accomplish, no matter the challenge.

However, life is forever fragile.

The spur of the moment could mean the ruin of one's life in this world.

Many would take the opportunity to ruin other lives to benefit their own, whether intentional or not.

Yet, ever since the beginning of creation, one thing still stands clear.

Life will always be at one's own desires…


The morning sunlight had started to rise to shine its light and beauty. The birds began to sing with joy and glee, the calm wind breezed in sync with the birds, with the leaves on the trees dancing with passion.

It was a sign for families throughout the land to begin their daily lives, especially with one such family of three living near the mountains.

There stood a house made of poles and thatch plants. It was well-insulated and had a fire pit at the center of the main room. An opening below each end of the ridge allowed smoke to escape.

"Kim-Heikachi…"

Inside, a pair of isolated villagers lived with each other, with only knowing of just their remote village.

Within a darkened room, more separate than the others lay a young boy twelve years of age.

He had a small frame with pallid skin, pitch-black hair, and wore clothes made from elm bark. Hanging on the wall is a sky blue scarf with vivid patterns and a jacket made with boar furs and the salmon skin that the village men had collected from their hunt.

"Kim-Heikachi."

It would seem like a normal morning for this young boy's small world, the daily routine of life as the heir to his kotan of people, life meanwhile had much more sinister plans for the child.

Whether he knew it or not, his entire outlook on life would be dramatically altered after this day.

"Kim-Heikachi! Wake up!"

For better or for worse…


"Hmmm", the young boy began to groggily wake up, rubbing his eyes to adjust to the light rays illuminating the empty room.

"Tokacup-kamuy is happy today, isn't she?" He said with a small chuckle staring up at the strawed ceiling.

"Oi son, are you up yet?" A woman's voice called from the other room, gaining the boys' attention, "It's breakfast time, hurry up, we gotta leave soon!"

He jumped off the ground, quickly changing into a pallid fur coat showing off multiple spiral patterns around the back. As he stepped into his boats and lifted a small fur bag, he turned to stare at a blue scarf with vivid patterns, hanging off the wall next to where his coat was previously.

"If only you were still here grampa…" The boy mumbled with a frown, as he grabbed the scarf and wrapped it around his neck for comfort as he went to the open area to eat.

"Must've had a good time sleeping huh Kim-Heikachi?" The woman's voice became clearer, as he sat down towards the indoor campfire.

The woman was named Hotene, she had long black hair bundled up in a hair tie, with black tattooed lips that formed a creepy smile when staring at them. She wore an orange attuish robe with the same patterns as the blue scarf the boy wore, it was made with the same items as her son's clothes, however, the most notable thing was her visibly pregnant belly.

"Yeah. After all, you told me to." Kim-heikachi reminded her, earning a chuckle from Hotone. He turned to see an empty spot to the left of him and frowned.

"The chief left early again didn't he…" He grumbled, gaining the attention of his mother.

"Kim-heikachi you know that his duties as the chief means a lot to this village," Hotene sighed while stirring soup with several vegetables in a clay pot. "Ever since-"

"Yeah yeah, I know… It's just- I wished he was here more." Heikachi admitted, sighing loudly. "I only know him as chief, not 'dad' and it bugs me that he ignores the both of us!"

"Son, I know it's frustrating, but you have to understand that the safety of this village comes first before any familial connection," Hotene explained but it didn't seem to change the opinion on Heikachi's face, she continued.

"I hate it as well, I would like your father to be home with the both of us more often, but your grandfather gave him a huge responsibility that he cannot ignore, and that's why you must-"

"Learn how to become chief" Heikachi interrupted, "yes Mom, I know what I must do for our people. There are you happy?"

"Sweetie, there's no need to be that rude." She lightly scolded, however, she gave him a smile that arguably was brighter than the sun. "Look, you might not want to become chief right now, however, I firmly believe that you will become an amazing Ainu for not only me but for this village."

"T-Thanks Mom you're the best," Heikachi answered with a small blush at the praise.

"Anyways dear, now time to eat!" Hotene exclaimed, pouring the soup into their little clay bowls, after it was finished she grabbed a long wooden, carved stick and held it in front of Heikachi, who grabbed the other end of the stick.

"Shiramba-Kamyu…" Both prayed towards the stick, "We thank you for this meal, may you be cherished with our love and support in your domain."

After the prayer, both mother and child proceeded to consume the entire pot filled with soup faster than the eye could see, almost like it was a contest between them.

"Don't think me being pregnant with your sibling will get you the victory!" Hontene shouted as she gulped down her first 3 bowls near instantly.

"I better not hear any excuses if you lose again!" Heikachi responded with his mouth full of soup.

This went on until the entire pot's content was consumed.

"I… win… this time…" Heikachi panted as he lay on the ground, with a comedic-sized stomach resembling his mother's pregnant belly.

"Only… cause… your sibling didn't want… any more food…" Hotene countered while panting as well, learning a raspy chuckle from the both of them.

After catching their breath, Heikachi lifted himself off the floor, helping his mom to her feet, she shrieked in realization.

"Oh, crud!" Hotene shouted, "I'm late for my appointment with Horpecha! Also you need to meet the other-"

"Other elders of the village for my teachings, yeah you've told me this already," Heikachi scorned, interrupting her again, "But I'm more concerned about your health compared to some geezers telling me how to rule."

Hotene gave her son with a stoic face, that Heikachi had expected to hear another round of scolding but instead, he saw his mom starting to tear up with a pensive smile.

"Awww, my son!" She quickly gave Heikachi a squeezing hug that cut out all remaining air in his lungs. "Yushkep-Kamuy gave me my greatest blessing in this world…"

"M-Mom! Y-You're s-s-squeezing me!"

"Oh crap, sorry about that!" Hotone shouted in embarrassment as she relinquished the bone-crushing hug. "Is anything hurting?"

"Not yet, I'm still alive and well!"

"Seems like your sense of humor is still the same as your grandfather's," She laughed

"Not like you've done this plenty of times Mom," Heikachi smirked, offering her a smoothly carved, wooden walking staff for support.

"Thank you son, I appreciate it." Hotene smiled, "Now we gotta get going! I'm already in trouble as it is!"

Heikachi nodded, as the mother-son duo began heading down toward the kotan to begin their daily routine.

As they gravitated down the hill overlooking the kotan, both quickly noticed a young boy about seven years of age performing dancing moves with a young girl of similar age, watching him with curiosity.

The boy wore a blue cotton coat with white appliqués, forming vivid spiral patterns all over like Heikachi's scarf all over his normal attush robe, with thick salomon leather boots. and waved, the girl had black wavy hair down to her shoulders, with a distinctive birthmark on her left cheek, while holding a Kokeshi wooden doll.

Watching them was a tattooed lip, a woman similar to Hotene age. She had black bob-cut hair and wore similar clothing as the small girl, presumed to be the mother.

"Hotene! Where were you, you're late!" The woman hissed out, noticing Heikachi and Hotene arriving at the square.

"Hehe sorry Pukusa, me and Heikachi had a bit of a 'hiccup' along the way" Hotene chuckled nervously, earning skepticism from Pukusa who sighed.

"Anyways, let's get you in here," she pointed back towards the entrance where she stood from. "Mom isn't too pleased with you being late, again."

"Hey, I said that I was sorry already!" Hotane shouted, she turned to Heikachi who was holding his laughter with the other kids.

"Now you better be on your way, mister! Don't take too much after me!"

"Alright, mom! See you in a bit!" Heikachi replied as he walked towards the kotan meeting with the 2 kids following him in excitement.

"I-Irankarapte, Kim-Sontak, g-good morning, T-Tokapcup-kamuy must be very tired today! " The girl greeted me with enthusiasm.

"Irankarapte Nipopo," he paused to study the now dim-cloudy atmosphere.

'That's strange, Tokapcup-kamuy was showing out her excitement not that long ago! Is there something happening in the land of the kamuy?' Heikachi silently thought to himself.

"You know, I think you're right about her mood Nipopo!" Heikachi responded to the girl not to worry her, earning a small giggle.

"Irankarapte Haisen, what were you showing off to Nipopo?" He turned to the small boy with a smile.

"Kimtak!" Haisen answered proudly, "I was just showing Nipopo some dance moves. Here, watch this!"

He began to move his feet around in a circle while holding a carved wooden staff. With every move the boy made gaining the interest of Heikachi who could see some sort of beauty with the art of his movements.

But before Heikachi could gauge what the dance was about, Haisen misjudged his positioning and tripped over his left foot, falling flat on his face.

Heikacihi couldn't help but crack up at the sight of Haisen's soil-smeared demeanor. "Pfff, I don't think that is what the dance looks like."

"Urgh! I know how to do it!" Haisen shouted in frustration, while he lifted himself from the dirt ground, showing off his dirt-smeared face. "It's just that I'm not suited for dancing!"

"I-I think i-it was beautiful, Haisen," Nipopo said with a light stutter in her voice. "Y-Your movements w-were good!" Upon noticing Haisen's face had dirt smeared, she reached for a rag in her pocket.

"H-Here, let m-me wipe off all that d-dirt."

Heikachi noticed Haisen's face lit up in a massive blush, forming a smirk.

'Seems like Haisen's got a little crush, I wonder how I could tease him later…'

"Sontak!!! Get over here now!" A booming voice blasted over the kotan.

"Oh great, the chief's calling…" Heikachi sighed and patted both kids on the head "I have to go now, Apunno oka yan!"

"A-Apunno oka yan Kim-Heikachi!" Nipopo said while waving, "H-Have a great d-day!" Haisen followed suit but didn't speak due to Nipopo going a bit overboard with her whipping with her rag.

'This is going to be fun…' Heikachi groaned to himself


As Heikachi arrived at the chieftain's chise he sighed as he entered to see five men sitting across a circular table, discussing village matters.

In the middle of the table was his father, chief Pettennouk. He was a massive man with black triangle hair with a bushy beard. He had similar tree bark clothes as the other men in the room. All carried bows on their backs, emitting off their warrior authority towards the inexperienced Heikachi.

"You're late…" Pettennouk angrily growled at Heikachi, and the other men turned to Heikachi's presence with displeased scowls.

"As I care about being late to your little warrior meeting chief," Heikachi replied, not caring about the brewing tension in the room.

"You insolent child! Don't you dare talk back to your father!" An elderly man beside Pettennouk shouted in disgust and anger.

"Why were you late boy?" Pettennouk questioned, glaring at Heikachi with malice.

"Just keeping mom company, something that you fail to d-"

ZIP!

An arrow grazed Heikachi's left cheek nearly causing a scratch of blood to begin dripping out. Heikachi kept staring at his father who fired the arrow, not bothering to check his blood dripping on the floor.

"That woman does not take priority over the survival of the kotan boy. Now come and sit down so we can keep discussing important matters." Pettennouk commanded Heikachi, who begrudgingly sat on the only empty chair in the room.

"Back to our discussion, what did that scroll have?" A younger clean shaved man beside Heikachi asked towards a papered scroll that Pettnouk held.

"It's nothing of our concern Resak, only a bounty of some Sisam man with a weapon roaming around Ainu Moshiri"

Resak and the other men grunted with disappointment, Heikachi even noticing Pettnouk's tight grip on the now wrinkled scroll.

"That matter can be dealt with later," Pettenouk announced to the group, as he coldly gazed at Heikachi, who gave him a mirrored look back at him.

"Everyone but Heikachi please leave…"

The other men grumbled but acknowledged the request and left the chise headed out of the meeting chise, as they left the group, Pettennouk punched a hole through his spot on the wooden table, with the other men didn't react at all, as if they were used to the behavior.

"How much longer are you going keep disobeying me, boy!" Pettenouk shouted with anger seeping out his breath, glaring at Heikachi, who stared back at the damage on the table in silence.

"Why can't you see that your purpose in this tribe is to become the chief of this village? To protect your friends and mother from other tribes!"

"Grandfather told me that I can live whatever life I wan-"

SMACK!

Heikachi felt the hot sting from his father's slap, he didn't react to it but instead glared at Pettennouk, noticing he had some gashes from punching through the table.

"Don't you fucking dare say lies about that man Kim-Heikachi!"

The room became eerie with anger, easy to cut clean with a knife. Both men breathed out slowly, waiting for the other to speak, yet they didn't utter a single word.

"Your grandfather was the ideal Ainu!" Pettennouk exclaimed, surprising Heilkachi as he never heard any sort of praise from Pettennouk in his life. "A merciless warrior that sent chills all over Ainu Moshiri when uttered! Yet everytime I see you talking about him, it's nothing but lies of the true Ainu he was!" He began creepliy moving himself towards Heikachi, with every step raising the speed of Heikachi's heartbeat.

"No one in my villiage will tarnish my father's warrior name, even if it's my own flesh and blood. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"

Heikachi's heart was screaming for him to stop, the intensity of Pettennouk's voice caused Heikachi to scowl to the ground, as if he was bowing down for mercy.

"Yes father I understand, please forgive my language." Heikachi said defeated, gaining a pleased grin from Pettennouk.

"Good child, now it's time for your hunting training, Resak, please show him towards his task for today!"

Resak entered into the chise and nodded, gesturing for Heikachi to follow him, as both men walked out Petennouk faced opposite towards a charred fire pit.

"Why did you have to leave me alone again dad…"