Chapter 31: Land of Iron
'Thoughts'
Writing/Sound
Age 13
・
Yukino's POV
Shivering I opened my eyes seeing white snow around me. 'Where am I?' I asked myself trying to lift my head but unable to. The sound of crunching snow got closer but as I tried to speak only small whispers came out. Trying to keep my eyes open I caught a glimpse of armor before everything went black.
・・・
Opening my eyes I sat up slowly seeing myself in what would seem to be an infirmary. Looking down at myself I saw my bandaged arms and torn clothes. Feeling something odd on my head I patted it slowly feeling bandages. 'What happened.' I closed my eyes, seeing flashes of me running, trying to reach the exit that was glowing white.
Hopping off the infirmary bed I walked towards the door, but before I could open it two people opened it suddenly making me stumble and fall back. Wincing at the pain my behind had experienced I stood back up shakily with the help of an extended hand. "Thank you." I groaned.
"Good, you are awake." The man older man said with bandages wrapped around his head. "What's your name?"
"Uh, Yukio… I think." I answered. 'Why do I feel like that's wrong?'
"Where are you from?" Asked the man with a tattoo on his face behind the older man.
"Where am I from? I'm from… my home is…" I closed my eyes trying to remember where I'm from. "My home… I should know where it is…" I kept repeating unaware that he already left.
"You don't remember?" He asked.
"No, no. I should know this… but…" I put my hands in my pockets looking for anything. Taking out from one pocket there was a smooth stone with the word home on it and another smooth circular white stone with a circle and spiral in the center engraved on it. Thinking nothing off it I put them back in and looked out the window seeing the snow being blown violently.
The creaking of wood caused me to flinch and cover my head with my arms. Feeling nothing I looked up and saw that the man had just taken one step. "If you don't remember you can stay here." The man said.
"Really?" I asked and he nodded. "I will leave once I remember I promise mister…"
"Mifune," he said with a slight nod.
"Mifune-san…" I tested out the name and nodded. "I will make sure to remember it," I said as there was a knock at the door. In came in a man with a white lab coat and another dressed in dark baggy clothes.
"Listen to the doctor's directions, after that follow the young man to your room." The man said heading to the door.
"Thank you!" I said once again before he left.
・・・
Doing what the doctor asked he took my measurements before asking me questions which led nowhere. "Does it hurt anywhere?" He asked exasperated to which I shook my head. "Well let me replace the bandages and you can leave." He said standing up with a tired look in his eyes.
Replacing the bandages he tapped my shoulder. "Take off your shirt." He said. Looking over at the dark-haired boy that's been standing by the door silently he looked away when our eyes met turning around completely and facing the door. Shrugging I took off my shirt and held it in a ball. Jumping I backed away from the doctor the moment I felt something cold touch my back. "It's just a stethoscope." He said placing it on his palm. "See? It's harmless. I just need to hear your breathing to know if there's anything wrong with your lungs." Inching back I sat down while he moved the thing around my back before doing the same at the front. "Alright, nothing seems wrong. Put your shirt back on and leave." He waved me away.
Hopping off the examination table I ran to the door while putting on my shirt. Standing in the long hallway I inched towards the windows trying to look outside but unable to due to the snow. "Good thing we found you before the storm picked up." Said the boy that's been silent the whole time. "Sorry about that, my name is Takeo. I'm fifteen and like to eat green tea ice cream." He said with a smile.
"Oh, well you heard already…" I stopped and sighed. "Um… my name's Yukio. I'm possibly thirteen or fourteen and I don't know what I like." I referred to the doctor's prediction.
"Nice to meet you Yukio," he said with a small nod making his black hair bounce slightly. "I'll show you around." He said walking ahead of me. 'His teal eyes really contrast with his black hair…' I thought, following after him.
・・・
Following him with few questions to almost every room in the building I started to piece what this place was. 'Training rooms, equipment storage, library, cafeteria, baths, and rooms.' The answer was obvious. "Is this some type if school?" I asked.
"No, not really," he laughed. "Wait!" He turned around with wide eyes. "You remember something?"
"Not really… some of the rooms feel familiar. Like I've been to those types of places before. But that's all." I shrugged
"Oh," he looked saddened by that. "Look," he jogged to a door and opened it. "This will be your room, roommate." He moved to the side extending his hand to show off the room. There were two beds separated from each other against opposite walls. Next to each bed was a desk facing the windows. The right bed had dark green sheets and a light blue pillow which contrasted the plain left side that had a bag on it.
"The left bed is yours and so is the bag." He added going to the closet by the door taking out a blanket. "Here." he placed it by the edge of the bed.
"Thank you," I said pulling out the chair by the desk and placing the bag on my lap. Opening it, I took out every item inside it and placed it neatly on the desk. On the desk lay three jars filled with herbs, one vail filled with a questionable liquid, one ointment, and a cloak. Grabbing the vail, I shook it slightly to stir the contents before opening it. Sniffing it lightly it smelled sweet so I dipped my finger in and licked it. Nothing. Closing it I placed it back on the table. "Is this everything?" I asked Takeo who was sitting on his side watching.
"Oh! No, there was also this." He ran to his closet. "I forgot to take it out when I came back." He said as he was rummaging through the pockets. "Here it is. I found it near you," he took out a teardrop-shaped necklace. Placing them on my hands I looked at the stone carefully, moving the stone between my fingers. Something about it caused my heart to clench. "I will get you some food I will be back," Takeo spoke up leaving me on my own. Clutching the bag I felt something else in it. Putting on the necklace I found a book stitched in a hidden pocket of the bag. 'What is this?' I asked myself as one of my pockets grew warm.
Next Day
Struggling to open my eyes first thing in the morning I rubbed my eyes noticing my wet pillow. Touching my face I wiped away the wet trail. Hearing soft snoring I looked over to Takeo's side, a leg was dangling from the side as he had a hand under the pillow. The relaxed way he slept brought a sense of peacefulness and the faint light coming through the snow-covered window only enhanced it. Looking at the floor there was a worn bunny plushie. Wanting to get out of bed and pick it up I stopped. On the desk, the time was just a couple of minutes till six. "Sorry…" I whispered to the bunny deciding to curl up under the covers instead.
Beep! Beep! Beep! Click! Poking my head out I saw Takeo jump up from his bed and dress up in just a couple of seconds. "Oh, you're awake!" He said happily for someone waking up at six am. "Since we don't know your size you can use my clothes for now." He placed a pair of shirts and pants on the desk before running out of the room screaming for others to wake up which was followed by people groaning, telling him to shut up, or to wait for five more minutes.
Laughing I grabbed the clothes and put them on glad to be wearing something clean. Aside from the cold floor, everything else went smoothly. With the morning flying by quickly I became Takeo's second shadow. During breakfast, I couldn't keep my eyes down since everyone seemed so interesting. Some curious stares were thrown my way from by the time their training began. Watching them practice judo and kendo from the sidelines I watched in amazement when someone was pinned down. Creak! Snapping my head towards the sound I saw the equipment room door open just a crack. Standing up to close it I stopped seeing something shinning inside. Stepping in I saw a beautiful naginata propped up on the wall.
"Yukio?" Takeo said coming into the room.
"It's called a naginata right?" I asked still mesmerized by the beautiful weapon.
"It is." He walked towards it taking it off the wall. "Do you want to hold it?"
Nodding slowly he placed it on my hands gently. Lifting it above my head I turned the blade ever so slightly to reflect the sunlight coming from a small window. Something about the way I fit on my hands felt familiar as if I held this type of weapon before. Urg! Clutching my head with one hand a flash of two people dressed in shrine uniforms popped into my head momentarily followed by a memory of me holding a naginata up in what appeared to be a library. Ending it I saw my hands covered in dried blood.
"Are you okay?" Takeo said removing the weapon from my hand and helping me into a seating position.
"Yeah… Yeah, I just remembered something." I closed my eyes. "But these memories… are so different." I stared at the weapon trying to understand what it meant.
"Don't force yourself to remember." He stood up placing the weapon back. "Let's go back outside." He held the door open, waiting for me to leave.
・・・
Sitting in the cafeteria I looked around feeling out of place. Everyone had trained hard that day and were now eating happily with their friends. "Hey, do you think I can train?" I asked Takeo who had been near me since I left the infirmary.
"I'll have to ask."
"That's fine." I showed him my bandages. "My injuries are mostly healed." Leaning close I whispered. "That ointment in my bag works really well."
"Okay, okay. Just don't complain when training becomes too hard." He laughed. Someone called him over to a table and without wasting a beat he said, "Let's go."
Once again I became his shadow. I wasn't complaining. It felt nice having someone to guide me. It felt nice, closing my eyes momentarily I felt a small bloom of warmth grow from inside. Sitting in the table he introduced me to his friends. Some being, the same ones I heard that early morning. Mentioning it some laughed and agreed. Dinner went too fast for my liking and before I knew it I was back in my room.
With Takeo sitting in his desk writing in his journal. I sat on the bed reading the book I found yesterday. 'Getsugan… What is this?' I asked myself not understanding anything in it.
"I just noticed but that's a nice tattoo you have," Takeo said. Looking up from the book I saw him pointing at my leg. Pulling up my pant sleeve I saw three vine-like coils around my ankle. 'How did I not notice this?'
"I wonder when I got it?" I asked stretching my leg to see it better with the light. Just as I did that a small flower petal landed on my foot.
"What the heck?" Takeo said looking up at the ceiling to see a hole leading to a garden full of flowers right above our heads. The world was inverted with the ground above our heads showing off its flowers in full bloom. Looking up with wide eyes at the falling flower petals I stretched out my hands without knowing. Slowly I stood on the bed reaching for the garden above. Closer and closer. I stretched my arms towards the bright world. 'Just a little more…' But before I could even reach it I was harshly pulled down. Landing on my back on the bed I gasped as it closed leaving only the petals. "What were you doing?!" Takeo asked.
"I was going to go in," I said staring at the ceiling blankly. "That place… I know it. I'm sure of it."
Click! Looking to the side we both looked at a young thin boy his age staring at both of us. "O-oh, I'm sorry I didn't think you two were busy." He said about to close the door but before he could someone kicked the door open.
"Takeo I didn't think you would be that type. We'll leave the two of you alone~" The second person by the door smirked and shut the door doing it on purpose.
"Wait! You're taking it out of context!" Takeo jumped up and ran out just as the ones outside began to run away.
Laying there on my bed I sat up and began gathering the flower petals that fell through, staring at the ceiling every now and again. Hoping that it would open up again. Taking the petals I placed them on the table and began arranging them to form the flowers that they must've come from. "I can use this one for tea," I told myself. "And I can use this for poison!" I said in the same tone.
Covering my mouth. I grabbed the poisonous ones and dumped them in the trash bin. 'How do I know that?' I asked myself as I tried to remember where the washroom was so I could clean my hands.
Weeks later
3rd POV
Getting used to the daily routine she finally understood the life of these training samurai. "Thanks for the food Yukio," One of the guys said as they passed by her. Having prepared the food that day she was glad for receiving compliments. As she was about to sit down she heard a loud rumble that was felt throughout the cafeteria. Without a moment to waste everyone left their trays and headed to investigate.
Arriving at the location she overhead someone say, "Some idiot got carried away and destroyed the wall." Weaving through the crowd a cold breeze blew in. Shivering from the cold she looked at the huge hole. 'The cuts look clean it must've been from chakra training.'
・・・
After training, she sat in the water comfortably enjoying the warmth of the indoor hot spring made to look like an outdoor hot spring with all of the stones. Sitting behind a small waterfall in the shadows she had a small white rock on her shoulder as she closed her eyes in peaceful silence.
The silence, however, was short. Hearing quiet laughter she recognized the sound and wanted to surprise the two boys. Submerging into the water she exited her hole, going around one of the rocks she was about to jump out but she was not prepared for what she saw. The two guys she saw on the second day of her arrival, were kissing with the skinnier guy, Hitoshi-kun, pressed against the rock.
"This is like Love among the Camelias." She whispered meaning to keep it as a thought.
Both guys jumped and stood where they were. "Yukio!" Hitoshi-kun said all too loudly. "Naozumi here was showing me his chakra manipulation. For his chakra blade."
"Oh, really?" She played dumb. "That reminds me. Naozumi-kun did I thank you for training?" She asked.
"I think so." He thought for a second.
"Okay. Good. See you guys tomorrow." She lowered herself in the water swimming away like she usually did. Knowing she had wandered into something private she tried getting out knowing that she just ruined their couple moment. 'Idiot!' She told herself while wrapping the towel around her waist. Creeping to the door she opened it and closed it immediately. Shivering she shook her head. 'How different can this be from normal training?' She sucked it up and went through. Putting her clothes on quicker than she ever did she wanted to stay in the hot springs but decided against it.
Heading to her room she saw that the situation was even worse. The rooms were cold and the electricity seemed to have gone down in just their side. Grabbing her blanket she lay on the cold bed in between the cold sheets. 'It's so cold…' she shivered curling up as much as she could while still being able to breathe. Slam! Barging into the room Takeo came in like a whirlwind taking blankets and pillows with him. Curious she jumped off the bed taking her blanket and followed after him. "Takeo what are you doing?" She asked helping him with the load.
"Since Mifune-sama is not here and the whole wing is freezing." He grunted as he adjusted the items in his arms, "I thought, why not have a sleepover with everyone?" He said opening the doors to the training room.
In there a huge portion of her wingmates were setting up pillows and blankets some even came in dragging in their mattresses. "Do I help with anything?" She asked him with a silly grin.
"Yeah," he threw the items in the air causing those nearby to either take it for their makeshift hill or lay down underneath to let it fall on them. "Can you look for some lights? I think I remember seeing some in the cafeteria."
"Okay." She nodded throwing her blanket towards the side before running out without hesitation. Opening the door to the cafeteria she ran to the kitchen and opened every cabinet, finding lanterns and flashlights.
・・・
With the thirty or so people of their wing setting up their beds the teens laughed throwing pillows at each other. "Guys!" Takeo yelled clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. "Have any of you seen Yukio or Hitoshi?"
Everyone looked to their side and shrugged looking for the two scrawny boys. "They're not here!" Someone yelled back after checking the mound.
Pounding at the door caused everyone to flinch. 'Did Okisuke-sama come back?' They all asked themselves as they held their breath. Turning their heads to Takeo they watched him as he walked up the door. Opening the door just a crack he relaxed making everyone sigh in relief. "We brought snacks!" They heard Yukio yell as he came in pushing the cart along with Hitoshi.
With the food and light issue solved all that was left was to settle in and so they did. Seeing the pillow fight erupt again. Yukio ran in between her wingmates keeping low to the floor before hiding in a pile of blankets. Snuggly hidden she watched happily from the safety of her pile, laughing when someone was hit. "Found him!" Naozumi yelled pulling her out from the pile. Holding her above his head she lay exposed as those around her threw pillows in her direction. Squirming like a cat she freed herself and used Naozumi as a shield. Grabbing a pillow she hit Naozumi before running away.
Laughing she tripped, falling on Hitoshi who was hiding as well. "Sorry-" Ploof! Being hit in the head she bent down and grabbed the pillow throwing it at the guiltiest looking person. Turning around she saw the tear in his shirt. "I'm sorry." She said unbuttoning her pajama shirt. "Here," she handed her shirt leaving her in a sleeveless pajama shirt. "Wait here for a bit." She said running through the fight in search of a sewing kit.
Coming back Hitoshi was wearing her shirt as he had his on his lap. Taking the ripped shirt she began sewing it. "Your hair grew longer," Hitoshi pointed out as she had her head bent down slightly to look at her stitching.
"It has." She nodded as she continued. "Mm…" she hesitated. "Are you and Naozumi-kun a couple," she asked looking at him through her peripheral vision.
"So you did see us," he responded with as his face flushed. "To answer your question yes. But can you please keep quiet about it. The other guys get too excited when someone dates." He whispered sighing with wisdom that she wanted.
"Finished." She handed back his shirt. Leaning in close she whispered. "Do you think you can tell me what it's like? Being in love?"
His face lit up as his inner romanticist emerged. "I can recommend you some books." He whispered back blocking a pillow in the process. "Oh! I recommend this…" Nodding she took a mental note of the titles while avoiding the stray pillows.
・・・
With the lights turned off every one dropped one by one into slumber bringing the soft sound of snoring. Wiggling in her sheets she could not sleep leaving her staring into the dark.
"Can't sleep?" Takeo asked right next to her.
"No…" She whispered looking at the ceiling patterns. "I've been meaning to ask but… how long have you been here?" She turned her head to the side to look at him.
Staying silent for a while he closed his eyes in thought "I've been here since I was a kid." He said with a faint smile.
"That makes sense." She turned to the side to get comfortable.
"Really? How?" He asked with a smirk.
"You know the place really well and you seem to get along with the adults." She stated in a matter of fact voice.
He laughed and stayed silent for a while without saying anything. "Are you still awake?" He asked suddenly making her jump slightly.
"Yes." She tried to hide the fact that she was falling asleep.
"I have a question for you." He waited for her approval. "Is there anything you remember?"
"Not really and I don't think I want to remember." She whispered the last bit.
"Well, if that's the case then I wouldn't mind having you as a roommate for a few more years." He said making purposefully avoiding the last bit she said.
"Thank you. What do you think Hitoshi-kun?" She turned and asked the older boy who was laying next to her.
"I think he likes you." He whispered quietly for only her to hear.
"Shh! Takeo if you're going to confess do it properly!" Naozumi whisper yelled causing the few that were still awake to respond in agreement.
"It's not like that!" His voice wavered causing some to laugh. "I'll make you miss breakfast!." He threw the pillow towards Naozumi but missing landing on Hitoshi's face instead. "I'll make you miss breakfast," Takeo whispered not noticing that he got the wrong person.
"As if you'd ever do that." Naozumi grabbed the pillow throwing it back.
Weeks later
Yukio's POV
Proudly walking back from my first mission with my friends I said loudly for them to hear. "That was really easy."
"It was just guarding some merchants," Naozumi said which was followed by Hitoshi elbowing him harshly. "Fine, I guess for your first mission it was sort of difficult."
Smiling at the couple I looked towards the woods noticing a small bundle of white and black. "That fox is injured." I tugged lightly on Takeo's sleeve.
"It won't survive long like that." He pitted the fox.
"It won't?" Looking at the fox and him I took off my helmet and armor leaving me in thin clothing. Shivering lightly I walked towards the fox. "Hey there. Come here I'll help you." I extended my hand for it to sniff. Slowly taking off my bag I placed it by my side. Keeping my eyes on the small fox I put my hand in the bag looking for the ointment. "Hitoshi, look for some leaves and sticks," I called to the young boy.
"Here." He whispered placing the things I asked for on the snow.
"Thank you," I whispered back. "Hey, come here." I patted my lap. Slowly the small fox limped over sitting in front of me. Using the sticks and leaves I made a makeshift brace. Using the ointment to make it stick I saw for a small moment my hand glow faintly. Blinking a few times I didn't see it so I shrugged it off as a trick of the light. "There." I walked away slowly. "Don't move around too much and it will fall off on its own," I told the fox as if it would understand me.
Walking back to the group with a smile Noazumi gestured behind me. "Look, fox whisperer." He pointed to the fox that returned.
The fox walking closer dropped something on the dirt pawing at it. "Wait don't!" Hitoshi stopped me. "Its a camelia." He said holding onto my sleeve.
"What's wrong with a camelia doesn't it mean love or something?" I asked him.
He nodded but immediately shook his head. "For us it means death. It's a bad omen." He said shivering.
Looking back at the fox it shook it's head bitting down on the camelia and ripping out a leaf. Taking the single leaf it placed it down pawing it. "A leaf can't be harmful." I removed Hitoshi's hand walking over to the fox. "Thank you," I said taking it. It just stared at me and shook its head before walking towards the bushes.
Twirling the leaf I walked back to the group. "Let's stop here," Takeo pointed to the town small ahead. "After Yukio puts the armor back on."
Doing as he asked we all split up and went our own ways. Being a small town I wandered around trying to familiarise myself with it.
Clink! Clink! Clink! The faint sound of something hitting metal caught my attention as it led towards the outskirts of town towards the surrounding woods.
Curiosity getting the better of me, I walked towards the sound finding a house with smoke coming out of it. Next to the opening, was a sign for a blacksmith. Trudging towards the entrance I peeked inside to see an older looking man hammering a piece of red hot metal. Watching in silence I stared how the metal was pounded over and over before they placed it back in the huge furnace.
"Do you need something, miss?" He said turning his eye in my direction.
"I was just curious," I said from my spot.
"Well don't be shy. You can come in." The older man waved his hand for me to enter.
"Is it really okay for me to watch?" I stepped out from my spot lingering near the entrance.
"Of course, you can even ask."
"Really?"
"Yes, it's better to speak up and get answers than to keep it bottled up eating at you." Accepting the invitation I stepped in. Sitting down a small distance from the man I watched as he repeated the process over and over. No matter how many times he pounded on the metal it was still amazing seeing the metal flatten slightly.
Seeing the metal go back into the furnace I looked outside and saw that the shadows have gotten longer. "I'm sorry I lost track of time! I need to go back to my friends." I immediately stood up.
"Go, go," the man waved me away, "time is precious for the young."
"Bye! I'll try to come to visit again!" I ran out of the building heading back to town. 'I hope I'm not the only one they are waiting for!'
・・・
As promised I returned to the small town on my next day off. But instead of stopping for a snack at a nearby shop I made a beeline towards the blacksmith's home.
Stepping through the opening of the home I saw him already working on the sword "What's the metal?" I asked after announcing my arrival.
"It's from a meteorite that fell." He got up walking over to a barrel filled with rocks. Taking out the ones on top revealed a secret compartment where he took out the white meteorite.
"Wow… Did the metal turn black because of the heat?" I guessed and he nodded. "Can you really make a sword from that?" I asked rocking in on my stool.
"Well, I'm going to try." He said as the flames turned purple. "Can you take it out for me?" He asked putting the meteorite back in its place.
Quickly putting on the gloves I went in there and took it out placing it where he would hammer it. Sitting a good distance away I watched as he folded the metal and began hammering the impurities out. "Wow…" Seeing the effort put into making it I looked at my own sword. 'I need to take care of it better.'
Some random day
Practicing taking out the sword from the scabbard. My mind kept wandering to the blacksmith. "Your stance is wrong," flinching I saw Takeo who had possibly been watching me for a while. Walking over he adjusted my arms and feet. "There."
"Thank you," I returned to what I was doing. Sighing I put the sword back in. "Takeo why is it important how I draw and sheath my sword?" I asked wanting to know what he thought.
"Why do you ask?"
"Hm… I wanted to know what you think."
"Well, how should I put this? In a fight, it is important to finish as quickly as possible. The longer the fight goes on the more likely it is that the sword will break." He took out my sword pointing to the blade and hilt. "So drawing your sword first increases the chances of ending the fight quicker. Also," creating some distance he did a small flicking motion with the sword before sheathing it smoothly, "doing this will clean your sword of any blood on it making it cleaner and easier to draw next time you use it if you are still fighting." He gave it back.
Trying to do the flicking motion I asked: "Hey, our day off is coming soon right?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Let's go to the nearby town together," I told him.
"Sure." He smiled as he usually does. "I'll wait for that day." He said it with a small giddy laugh.
・・・
With Takeo in tow, we made out way to the town. "I know a good store that sells sweets," Takeo asked the moment we stepped foot into town. His face was pink from the cold as he said it.
"Oh, sure. But right after we go to the place." I let him take me to the place he had in mind.
Staring at the delicious treat in front of me I eyed it carefully. The dango looked round and colorful making my mouth water. I the dango in front of me I took a bite out of it. "Mm…" I closed my eyes seeing flashes of my past. Two boys popped up, both with black hair and eyes. Both happy and gentle, both bringing heartache. "It's really good!" I put on a smile eating the rest.
Waiting for Takeo to finish I stood up immediately. "By now it should be done. Come on I want you to see it." I rushed to the door anxious to see the end result.
With the snow crunching beneath our feet, we were approaching the house and to my surprise, there was no smoke coming out of it. "It must be finished…" I walked even faster.
Entering the same room I've been in I looked around seeing no one. 'Weird he is always here.'
"Are you a relative?" Turning my head I turned to the entrance. A young man stood there looking around as well.
"No. Do you know where he is?"
"Uh… how should I say this he has been dead for a while now." He said making my heart drop from my chest. 'Wait have I been talking to a ghost?' I kept my lips tight as I stared at the floor. "I'm sorry. It's just that I've seen you come by a couple of times and just stare off into this old house."
'I what?'
"Well… I just wanted to tell you. Goodbye." He left walking towards the town.
"Wait… Have I've been talking to a ghost!" I shivered at the thought. "No!" I stomped on the ground. "It couldn't have been."
"Yukio. Maybe you just imagined it." Takeo said looking at the holes in the ceiling.
Touching the furnace I felt nothing. Touching the tools for any warmth gave me the same answer. "I know I didn't imagine it." Takeo stood to the side watching me as I went touching everything in the room. Stopping I looked at the only place I didn't look. The barrel. Removing the rocks I lifted the fake cover to see a beautiful white sword, the white meteorite, and a yellowing paper. "Knew it!" I took out the note.
I know this may seem absurd. But if the young lady that visited me on my last project finds this I want her to keep the sword she helped create. It would be useless for me since I won't be needing it where I'm going. She will put it to use unlike me.
The sword's name is Nagareboshi. I'm sure if she reads this she will know why.
'Falling star…' Folding the paper I tucked it into my clothing. "I was right," I said taking out the sword to show Takeo.
Looking down at the meteorite I picked up the fake cover and put it back on. 'He only said to keep the sword.' I told myself as I placed the rocks back on top. Looking back at Nagareboshi I marveled at the blade's night sky blade contrasting with the snowy white hilt and scabbard.
Standing in line for the full physical examination. I waited for my turn patiently. Zoning out as one by one people were being called in. I reached the front before I knew it. "Next!" Entering I closed the door. "Okay undress and step on the scale." He said without looking. Doing what I was told I stood in boxers on the scale. Seeing how my weight had increased slightly since I got here. 'I mean I was pretty scrawny.' "Get off." He said. Stepping off I saw him jot down the number on the scale before he looked at me dropping his pencil in the process. "Yukio. Uh," he cleared his throat and fidgeted slightly. "Uh, I have a question. Do you have male genitalia." He said quickly as one with experience would draw a sword.
"No, why?"
Dropping his clipboard he turned away. "Put on your clothes." Waiting for a while he turned around before walking out of the office dragging me behind him. "Everyone go to your rooms and do whatever!" He yelled as he passed by the long line.
Being dragged along he stopped in front of Mifune and his aid. "Yukio is a girl." He stated.
It took a moment but they soon processed what they heard. "Yukio did you know this?"
"Yeah, I thought you knew." I looked at them with interest.
"In the baths didn't anyone see your lack of," the doctor motioned to my lower half.
"I put the towel around my waist like in all of my memories. Also, I always entered after everyone and no one bothered me in the bath." I explained.
"How much do you remember?"
"Not much. I see a few people. But that's it." I explained taking out the white rock. "I did see a shrine in my memory with this symbol. But it seemed abandoned. So I thought nothing of it." I held it up for them to see.
"A clan symbol…" the doctor said somewhat recognizing it. "Where did you get it?" He asked me before realizing how pointless it was. "Forget it. I remember seeing this somewhere." He ran off with my rock in hand.
Chasing after him I clung onto him "Wait! I can't be far from it!" I yelled at the doctor. "I don't know why but I know that I just can't! Something bad will happen to me if it does."
"Fine, just let me draw it first." He gave it back. Taking a pen out from his coat he drew the symbol on the palm of his hand. Once finished he left running towards the library.
"Yukio, we need to talk about your stay here," Mifune said, something about the tone told me that my stay was no longer accepted here. Oh, how I hated being wrong.
・・・
Stuffing my things into the bag I cleared out my side of the room before tying the sword to my side. 'Everyone must be eating by now.' I told myself, hearing nothing but my footsteps as I walked through the empty wing. Stopping at the edge of the stairs I bit my lip. 'I should at least see them…' Shaking my head I ran downstairs. The orders were clear. Leave no trace, as if the wind just came and swept me away. I was a girl in an all-male base, my stay was no longer welcome nor permitted.
Avoiding people that I knew as I went down was easy it took some waiting but eventually, I made it to the front. The entrance was clear except for two people, Mifune-san and the doctor.
"Here." The doctor said handing me a map and a slip of paper. "I wrote down places where you could possibly come from and a note explaining what the symbol means."
"Thank you." I sighed holding onto it to look at later.
"Do you need someone to guide you?" Mifune-san asked as a last favor.
"I should leave no trace of myself right?" I said avoiding eye contact. Shaking my head at my childlike behavior I looked at his eyes. "Sorry. Thank you for letting me stay here," I said before looking back down. "I'll send a note when I find my home."
Stepping towards the doors I pushed it open and stepped out. Looking towards the snowy hills my pocket grew warm once again. "Bye!" I yelled walking in the direction of the nearest town.
Once I was far enough I stopped to look at the map. Right away I saw that only a few places were marked down. 'The land of fire… and this is Konohagakure.' I traced over the marked area with my finger. Unfolding the map completely I groaned seeing how there was a lot of land I had to go through. The other location was even further and written next to it was a simple sentence. Look at the slip.
Doing as told I read it. The symbol seems to be from the Uzumaki clan of Uzushiogakure. It's best not to go there since it was destroyed more than a decade ago. However, they were allied with Konohagakure so that's a place you should start.
Flipping the note I saw nothing else written on it. Crunch. CrunchCrunch! Looking down at myself I saw that the snow crunching didn't come from me. 'Then who is!?' I asked myself turning my head swiftly.
"Yukio!" Takeo yelled. Running towards me in his training clothes.
"Takeo?! What are you doing?! You're going to get frostbite!"
"I heard what happened." He stopped at arm's length away. "And I wanted to say that… we will all miss you and that we would like it if you came to visit us someday." He said biting his lips as if there was more that he didn't want to say.
"I will try."
"T-that's great. Great!" He said rubbing the back of his neck. A gust of wind blew over making him shiver slightly. "Don't be a stranger!" He said with a small chatter before running back to the base.
"Bye!" I yelled seeing him leave. Turning away from the base I looked back down at the map deciding to take the fastest route. My life with them ended that day as I walked towards the unknown unaware of the changes that lay ahead. Maybe it was for the best. Living that quiet life as another.
Yukino: Too bad I had to return to my old life so soon.
?: I mean it couldn't have been too bad right?
Yukino: There were some good things, like talking to you more, but there were also some bad things.
Hi! The next chapter may be delayed by a week or so. Being a senior I have projects due next week and I have to be working on them. Sorry.