Esoteric Flame Breathing [INDEFINITE HIATUS]

Prologue

(A/N) = Author Note

italics = Thoughts

*_* = Sound effect/emotion

DISCLAIMER: I am not by all means fluent in proper Japanese Romaji. I searched online through credible resources since my high school Spanish teacher said that Google Translate is not your best friend. If any of my attempted translations are incorrect, tell me, and I will fix them. With that out of the way, enjoy the chapter!!

---------------------------------------------------------

The salty winds blew softly on the village below, a coastal fishing village by the salty sea. Most of the time, occupants of this village would work around the sea to either get food for themselves or make a profit. Others would work in the backside of the village as farmers who harvest potatoes or rice. This particular family happens to do a little bit of both. Currently, the mother was tending to the clothes in the washbasin. Meanwhile, the father and their two sons, who were eight years old and the other 12, were by the front door as if they were about to go out.

Satoru: "D-do you have to go, nii-san?" He asked his big brother in a nervous tone.

Isamu: "While I'd like to leave this job for the fellow fisherman, we've been struggling with numbers, and your brother volunteered, despite my objections." He said that last part in an annoyed tone.

Satoru: "I-I wanna come with you! I promise I'll help out." He pleaded in a desperate tone.

Nobuo: "That's generous of you, Satoru, but no. You're helping out Suda-san today, just like every other day." He replied as he patted his younger brother's head.

Satoru: "Awww..." He whined with a pout as tears formed in his eyes.

Nobuo: "But I'll bring back some goodies, okay."

Satoru: "Promise?"

Nobuo: *nod* "You can also consider helping Suda-san as strength training."

Satoru: "W-why do I need strength training, exactly? Y-You and Tō-san are strong enough to protect us."

Nobuo: "While we are strong, we can't protect Ka-san if it's just us. She's growing weaker every day, Tō-san is always busy fishing, and I'll be leaving home one day. I want to ensure you're strong enough to look after them before I do that." He explained as he smiled and placed his hand on Satoru's shoulder.

Isamu: "Planning ahead, huh?" He asked Nobuo with a light chuckle, to which the latter responded with his own laugh.

Satoru smiled back at his older brother as they all walked off to their destinations. While Nobuo and Yori were heading for the port, Satoru's destination happened to be on the other side of the village. A few minutes later, Satoru eventually finds his family friend, Hiroshi Suda, with a cart in front of his house with a few bags of potatoes and rice.

Hiroshi: "Ah, Satoru-kun." He said with a smile before looking around the boy. "Where's Nobuo?"

Satoru: "H-he's helping Tō-san."

Hiroshi: "Ah, yes. It's too bad people have been missing for the past few days." He muttered.

Satoru: "Huh?"

Hiroshi: "Nothing! Maybe my age is getting to me." He quickly said with a nervous chuckle in the end. "Anyways, let's get started."

Satoru: "H-Hai!" He managed to say before they both walked into the village to start selling.