Kid or Squid: Splatoon Meets Ninjala

Days of Yester: Eagle City

"Sis? What happened to dad?"

During the earlier years, it was just Auburn, Berecca, and their father Dr. Sean. He was a scientist who worked with the World Ninja Association in order to rediscover the powers of the ninja, all the while being an amazing father to his kids. Even Burton was considered to be a godchild to him due to his fascination with science. As years went by, Berecca and Burton finished their school years and college to become scientists of their own. Auburn on the other hand has always set his sights on being the hero that people needed. He made lots of friends in his school, with his best friend being a kid named Van. Though he teases him about being a superhero, Auburn didn't mind it at all and got him back by beating him in one round of hoops. Everything was fine for the most part, until...

One day, Berecca and Auburn threw a surprise welcome home party for their father. The WNA sent Sean to Oedo on an expedition with their godfather Leonard. He estimated that he'd returned tonight with gifts from the Oedo hot springs for both. Though Auburn was exuberant to see his dad finally coming back home, he didn't show up. Not even at the break of dawn, he never came. Though he didn't come back, Berecca assured him that he might've just missed his flight which lightens him up just for a bit. Though the next night, Auburn sat on the couch, waiting for him. As the clock ticked by, he soon fell asleep. At the same time, Berecca tried to check on her father if everything was okay, mostly because this was not like him. On the phone, she dreaded the one message, "beep, beep, beep! The number you have dialed is no longer in service... Goodbye!" In an instant, she tried to call Leonard, but the result was the same. Next was Burton, and thank goodness he picked up, she asked if he heard anything about her father from the WNA. Yet he responded that he hasn't heard anything about him yet.

So with no other choice, she called the WNA's emergency hotline asking if there were any reports about Dr. Sean at Oedo. Disturbingly, she answered with this. "I'm sorry, but no one by that name has ever worked here at the WNA." ... She dropped her phone and fell on her knees, sitting there for about thirty minutes in dead silence. While Auburn slept on the couch, Berecca laid down around him and embraced him in the most caring way, welling up with tears on her despondent face. To her, telling him in the morning would shatter his very heart, but no matter what, she'd be here to take care of him as long as she lives.

-----

When morning came and he woke up in her lap, she told Auburn to be strong for her... for she told him that their father might not come back, ever. After the first few minutes he wouldn't believe it, but he knew that his sister would never lie to him. Even though he cursed at her for lying, he knew in his heart that his father was truly gone, his tantrum almost caused him to hurt himself but Berecca stopped him from doing so. After the struggle, they both cried in each other's arms knowing that they're all alone. Their mourning lasted what seems to be hours, yet it only lasted until midday. Around that time when they could finally breathe, Burton came to their home to find out about what happened. He tried to find out about Sean and Leonard as well after Berecca hung up on him. But Berecca couldn't wrap her head around that question, for no answer couldn't be found. She wanted to go search for him herself, but it'll mean that she'll leave her brother all alone.

Now the only thing they have left of their father were the bells from Oedo; Berecca's was on Goro's collar, and Auburn held his bell close to himself while being comforted by Goro. Seeing them like this was something horrifying to Burton, he wanted to help them more than ever. He even went through the trouble of calling another colleague from their lab for some moral support: Ron. As sad as this was, Ron advised them to move forward in life. He even assures them that their father might not be gone, but missing. As long as Berecca continues with the Ninja Gum Project, Ron will have his "connections" find out what happened to Sean and his associate in Oedo.

With that, it sparked a new hope in both of them. While she and the science group continued with their work in the research and development, she wanted Auburn to go back to school while praying that their father's still out there. Burton even discusses Auburn coming to the lab after school while they still worked on their project. Though reluctant at first, Auburn agreed under one condition: that he'd know why his father was there in Oedo from the start. Burton wouldn't know about that and Berecca only knew minor details about his trip, but Ron assures him that he'll find as much info about that as long as he's not that busy.

With the following weeks after, Auburn returned to his school though a bit glum for any other kids to be around. Back then, he was bombastic as any other energetic kid would be. Yet with his only parent out of the picture, he didn't have much to look up to. The only one who took notice was his friend Van who just came back from vacation with his family, he was the only one he could tell secrets to and vice versa. Once Auburn told him everything, he felt sorry for his friend and tried to cheer him up with some good old fun. For the most part, it did cheer him up a bit. Day by day, he started to get back into the groove of things.

This also gave Berecca some confidence as well, every time he came back from school and into the lab he would tell her about his day. She'd usually find that rather annoying, but hearing him getting his spirits back was a magnificent sign for her. The only thing in her heart was the hope that their father would still be alive, somewhere.

"I don't know Aubby, but I hope he comes back to us soon."