Kaza Togusa found himself in a different world after a long day—a world that was peaceful, quiet, and tranquil. As he looked around, he felt a sense of peace washing over him, calming his mind with each deep breath he took. His eyes scanned the fields that surrounded him, each one adorned with the perfect teal rose. He found himself sitting under the shade of the old shrine, which no longer looked old; instead, it shone with bright teals and whites like never before.
In that moment, Kaza realized that he was in a dream. It had to be a dream, for this was the only place where he could see the old shrine in such splendor. He wondered why he was having this dream tonight. It felt odd, yet as he sat there, he couldn't help but reflect on his day—it had been great, one of the best.
"Kaza Togusa, it is an honor, even in this dream, to get to meet you," a soft voice said, its tone relaxed and peaceful. Kaza looked over and saw a man move to sit by him. The man appeared to be in his early twenties, with a strong jaw and confident eyes. He had long, lush brown hair tied up in a low ponytail, and the same brown eyes as Kaza himself.
"You don't recognize me, do you?" the man said with a soft and affectionate voice, patting the young teenager on his back as they looked out at the field before them.
"That's okay," the man said softly as he smiled. "We never did get to meet, but I am your father. My name is Ryota Togusa," he said with a soft and warm smile as he looked at Kaza. "Consider this the power of this night, the night of light. A gift, I guess. I don't really know for sure but getting to see you for the first time... wow, you're something, kid."
Kaza looked shocked, it took him a moment, but he had seen his father in a picture or two, and it clicked. This was his dad, the person who had given him life or one of them. He looked as he thought, with his long brown hair, his sleek build, his soft and comforting gaze. He was at a loss of words for a moment. How, looking at him in this dreamlike state, it felt surreal yet comforting.
"Yeah I k..now who you are, I saw you in a picture or two, you are...my dad, Ryota Togusa," he said his voice showing that he could barely even hold back his own emotions, and feelings. For Kaza standing there, there was so much he wanted to say. He had never even heard his father's voice before this moment, and yet he was right there. "How, is this even possible?"
"Consider this a gift from the gods, and consider this my chance to say hello, to remind you, my boy, that I am always watching over you. We can see from the other side what you're up to," Ryota said, laughing as he tousled his son's teal hair. "I came with a warning and a bit of advice: be careful with the light release. Use it as little as possible. You don't know this, but that move will kill you when you reach the maximum use. At least, that is how it was for me. Only use it when someone who matters is in danger, like Inoichi's girl."
"Is that why we always die young, and we are always forgotten?" Kaza pondered, reflecting on his family's fate.
"My son, that is fine. If it is our fate to die for something worth living for, then so be it," Ryota replied with a shrug. "Plus, remember, it isn't how deep you're buried, my son, it is how high you have risen. Rise, be the man who fights for others, who never gives up. But honestly, I think you're already that man to begin with. Remember that I love you too, and well, we only have so much time, and I can't take it all up, so goodbye. Remember, I will watch over you."
With a smile, Ryota disappeared, leaving Kaza to look out and find another figure, someone who was perhaps the most elegant woman he had ever seen: graceful and beautiful. Her hair long and black, her eyes a soft blue, her face like that of an angel. She moved like one too, in her robes - the robes of his clan, that of a shrine maiden.
"Kaza-kun," she said softly, her voice as angelic as her eyes. She moved gracefully and pulled him into a soft hug, holding him tight.
As Kaza felt the embrace of the woman, warmth flooded his heart. He knew, somehow, deep down, who she was. He remembered her in the family photoes as well. He realized who this was, she was someone who he had always dreamed of meeting. He looked at her with her graceful figure, her long dark hair. As he did, he felt his eyes fill up with tears. He had always wondered what she was like, and what type of person she was as well. Yet, to see her even if this was a dream was a blessing of the gods to him.
"Mother," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion as he buried his face in her shoulder.
"Kaza-kun, it is okay, I am so proud of you, you're such a good boy," she said as she held her patting his head in that moment. "You're growing up too, thirteen right, my birthday boy," she said, pulling back her hands on his shoulder as she looked at him giving him a sweet warm smile.
"Yes, thirteen," he managed to reply, his voice trembling with emotion, emotions that felt so overwhelming now that he was meeting his parents for the first time in his life.
"Yep thought so, a normal age of passage for a Togusa, you will get to see us two more times in the future, when you turn 18, and one other moment, but you will figure that one later I am sure," she said brushing his hair away. "Your grandmother is very proud of you too, she told me to tell you that. Now, I have time to answer one question from my sweet boy."
Kaza's mind raced with questions, but one burned brighter than the others.
"Why did you leave me, Mom?" he asked, his voice trembling with a mix of vulnerability and longing.
"Well now, I think that it is hard to explain fully yet, but let us say when I lost your father, I just lost my heart, and I didn't have the will to go on. I was lost without him, and I couldn't live with him out of my life, I am sorry my son," she said softly as Tia looked at him. "I think you might be to young to understand this now, but sometimes there are poeple in life you just can't live without. I am sure in time this is something you will understand."
Kaza thought about it and had an understanding that without dad, that she lost the will to go on. It was what he figured his whole life. Did that make it easier, no not one bit, but it was the truth.
"I Think I do get it, but mom, I also do miss you, Mom," he replied, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank you for coming to visit me, mom, even if it is in this dream or vision or whatever."
"I miss you every day too but know that I am right here in your heart and watching over you every single day," She said as she kissed her forehead as she then started to disappear, "Happy birthday, I love you my son," she said before she disappeared.
Kaza woke up the next morning to the sun shining through the window, his room filled with warmth. Although he remembered the events of the night before vividly, he quickly grabbed a book and wrote down every detail of the dream, ensuring he wouldn't forget a single moment.
Kaza put the notebook down before heading out for the day. He had so much on his mind as he wrote down the details. Still tired from the day before, he had pushed himself far too much. However, he had to clean up the shrine from the blankets and trash left from the night before. He also had to arrange the gifts and account for them. Despite feeling exhausted, he knew he had to handle it all.
As he got dressed in his old pair of brown shorts and white shirt, he tossed on some boots and walked over to the shrine, only to be shocked. It was already cleaned up, and he noticed that the gifts were put away in the old warehouse of the shrine with a new lock on the door. He found an envelope as well, and upon opening it, he discovered a letter from the Hokage of all people, thanking him for putting on the festival and explaining that he had completed the cleaning and putting away of the gifts as well as a D-ranked mission. The boy should be proud of himself.
Kaza looked at the letter for a moment and smiled. It was like his life was changing in the best of ways. He smiled, knowing that he would have gotten this work done, but now he had time to relax. As he went home, he took a long bath before resting for a while. He had one big thing left to do that day: take a beautiful blonde to a movie that night with the two tickets he received.
Kaza got ready that night, carefully selecting what he thought were somewhat stylish clothes: a pair of nice brown pants and a button-up white shirt. He put on his boots and headed out. He was on his way to meet Ino at the movies; they knew the start time, and he could feel his heart beating quickly. He was nervous to be going out on his first date with Ino-chan.
As Kaza arrived at the movie theater, he saw Ino waiting outside. He found her dressed in a beautiful purple dress, her haire was done up and she lay it hang over her shoulders. She had taken time to get ready for this date, to have a impact on him. He felt his heart race as he looked at her. He smiled blushing at the mere sight of her, as he knew that this was outside of his late parents and grandmother, the most important figure in his heart.
"You are looking beautiful tonight, Ino," he greeted her, his voice slightly shaky with anticipation. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."
Ino smiled warmly at him, her eyes sparkling with happiness. To see Kaza cleaned up ready for this date was the best. She couldn't help but feel happy about it and seeing him blush was rather adorable too. "Not at all, Kaza-kun," she replied. "I'm just excited to spend some time with you."
Kaza nodded, feeling his heartbeat quicken. "I am also very happy to spend this time with you as well, Ino, this is such a great blessing to be able to be with you on this date," Kaza said as he smiled taking her hand into his own and holding it firmly. He looked up at the screen with a smile on his lips. "These last two days have been the best in my whole life."
The movie began for the two of them as they sat side by side comfortable with their closeness. Ino leaning a bit across the chair into Kaza's shoulder. He was grateful for the darkness of the theater, which hid the flush of his cheeks. Throughout the movie, they shared soft laughs and whispered comments, deepening their bond with each passing moment.
As the credits rolled and the lights came back on, Kaza turned to Ino with a smile. "Did you enjoy the movie, Ino-chan?" he asked, hoping she had a good time.
Ino beamed at him, her eyes reflecting the glow of the screen. "I loved it, Kaza-kun," she replied. "Thank you for inviting me."
Kaza felt a surge of happiness at her words. "Anytime, Ino-chan," he said, squeezing her hand gently. "I had a wonderful time with you."
"Thanks I will see you in a couple days at the chunin exam right," Kaza said as he walked her home. He was going to be a gentleman at least.
Kaza walked with Ino, his hand holding her hand firmly still as they walked down the street of Konoha. It was a beautiful night, and he had a beautiful date. He thought about what his mother said about someone she couldn't live without. He looked over at Ino out of the corner of his eyes as he smiled. He was starting to feel that was about her. That she was someone he knew he wouldn't be able to life without in his life. He wasn't sure, completely, but he had a good feeling that was the case.
When they got to the Yamanaka residence, he stopped and smiled holding both of her hands. "Ino-chan, tonight was a great date, and I hope that we get to do this again. I mean if you don't mind that is."
Ino smiled warmly at him, her eyes shining with affection. "I had a wonderful time too, Kaza-kun," she replied. "Kaza-kun, I had a great night, and it was a fun time. Yes, I would like to do this again with you."
Kaza kissed Ino on her cheek after building up the courage to do so. He pulled back and looked her in the eyes. "Now, I look forward to that."
Kaza walked home that night with a greater sense of purpose, a greater happiness and a joy deep in his soul. He knew he had found the person who was right for him in life.