Chapter 1: My Upbringing

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GET UP! GET UP, YOU WEAKLING!” My father shouted out to me. I was at my breaking point, and was having a hard time breathing at this point. I was on the ground holding my side as the blood dripped from the side of my mouth.

“Kiriguya, that’s enough!” My mother shouted from the doorway. Father turned to her, before glancing back at me.

“Practice your basics before coming in for supper, Sen.” He mumbled, tossing his staff down, and walking inside.

“After supper, we’ll finish practice.” He added, and I felt my stomach churn.

“Kiriguya, I really think you’re pushing her too hard…” My mother mumbled as he stepped inside, and she slid the door closed behind him. I panted, still unable to catch my breath, but I reached for the staff, and used it to get to my feet. I took a few more deep breaths, and lifted the staff over my head, and whacked at the target. I began doing the simple maneuvers, ducking, diving, rolling, bobbing, and weaving, before doing a massive jump, and coming down, and bringing the end of the staff inches from the melon that was placed atop the target. I began panting again, and pulled the staff away.

“Why did you stop?” My father asked from the doorway. He was leaning against it with his arms crossed.

“It’s sloppy. It’s all sloppy. Not to mention you didn’t follow through at the end.” He grabbed the staff from my hands roughly.

“If this were a real enemy, they would have killed you by now. Why is that?” He asked, and I bowed my head.

“Because… I didn’t finish…?” I mumbled.

“Because you gave them the opportunity to!” He shouted angrily.

“Father, I’m-”


“It’s inexcusable, Sen! Why are you such a weakling?!” He screamed, bringing the staff down, and smashing the melon. The juice went everywhere, dripping down my face, in my hair, and staining my white training shirt.

“KIRIGUYA!” My mother shouted from the door. She had her hand on her hips, and an annoyed expression. When my father said nothing, mother walked out onto the field, and placed her hand on my back. She knelt down in front of me, and wiped the melon juice from my cheek with her blue apron.

“Go inside and set the table for dinner, okay sweetheart?” She asked, smiling sweetly. I nodded, and rushed inside quickly, not looking at father. As I was setting the table, I listened to the argument that ensued outside.

“Sumiko, you can’t keep baby-ing her like this!” Father shouted.

“What’s your excuse? You can’t keep training her like this, Kiriguya! She’s only twelve!” My mother fought. I ignored the rest as I finished setting the table. A few moments later, father and mother stepped through the threshold of the house as though nothing had happened. We all sat down for dinner, and it was as awkward as it usually was…and very quiet.

“Sen, your mother and i have something to tell you.” Father spoke up, causing me to look up from my meal.

“Yes, father?” I asked.

“Well, we’ve been talking, and your father agrees that it’s time for you to enroll at the ninja academy.” Mother said, smiling. My eyes widened, and a smile stretched across my features.

“Really?!” I asked, excitement obvious in my tone.

“Yes. There is only so much I can teach you here. So you will start first thing tomorrow.” He said, sipping his tea.

“I still expect you to train though, Sen. Along with your studies, you must balance it out with vigorous physical training. Do you understand?” He asked.

“Yes, father!” I agreed, nodding.” He nodded back, and took another bite of his curry.

“Finish your dinner, and get ready for bed, sweetie.” Mom smiled again, and continued eating her dinner as well. I finished up quickly, cleaned my dishes up, and went to take a bath. I was turning down the sheets of my bed when my mother walked in with a stack of clothes in her arms.

“I bought these for you. For your big day tomorrow.” She laughed, as I skipped over to her and took the training clothes. They were a pair of grey capris with a black sash across the front. Along with a dark red short sleeved V neck shirt. On top of the pile was a pair of black sandals like the shinobi wear.

“Mom, it’s great!” I smiled, hopping up and down twice.

“I’m happy you like them, Sen.” My smile slowly turned into a frown as I thought about earlier that day.

“Mom…?” I mumbled,and she turned back to me humming in question.

“Why does dad train me like his does?” I asked, and she smiled in an apologetic way.

“Your father cares about you, you know? He just wants you to be strong enough to defend yourself in case you need to one day.” I looked down, pouting, still not satisfied with her answer.

“Please don’t blame him, Sen. He is honestly a good man.” She assured, kissing my head, and leaving the room. I sighed deeply and placed the folded clothes on my desk neatly so I could get to them easily the next morning. As hard as it was to fall asleep due to the excitement, I willed myself to sleep, anxiously waiting for tomorrow to come.

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