𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓【ROTTMNT】

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓. 𝟎

Child-like laughter ringed through the air. The sounds were accompanied by bells jingling and light tapping of a drum.

A young boy with his younger sister were playing with each other outside in their yard.

One holding a large leaf with bells attached as the other held a small drum with beads tapping the material with each swing.

The boy giggled loudly as he swayed the toy in his hand while skipping from place to place.

The girl giggled alongside with her brother as she watched with a huge smile.

It was such a nice day outside. It wasn't too cold nor too hot. The weather was just right.

A slim looking man watched the two beaming children with soft eyes and a small smile from his porch.

His chest felt warm at the sight of his two children laughing with each other with no care in the world.

The two young children felt as if they were on top of the world! Nothing mattered at the moment.

The girl squealed with excitement at her brother who almost tripped from his twirling. Yet, the boy didn't mind as he stumbled on his feet but kept giggling.

Nothing was going to ruin this moment.

...

𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓?

The young boy was tired after playing all day and helping with chores. He snuggly laid his head on top of his father's lap as he stroked his soft hair.

Breathing, huh? Of course, breathing was an essential part of a human to survive. If they couldn't, how would they live?

However, there was one proper way to breathe. Rumors say if you learn to breathe the correct way, you'll be able to dance forever.

The young boy wouldn't want to deny his father, he believed every word coming from his mouth!

Yet, he seemed confused for the most part. His family came from a line of dancers who use flames to ward off injuries and illnesses.

A proper way to breathe? How could there be a proper way? All he knew is to just get air out of the nose. Then you'll be able to breathe!

His eyes lightly flickered towards his mother who was outside putting out the laundry to dry with the help of his younger sister.

He perked up at the words his father slipped out this time. "Earrings" was one of them.

Ah, right. The earrings dangling from his father's ears. Passed down from generation to generation as a family heirloom.

The young boy doesn't know the story behind them, but he'll know soon when the time's right. At least that's what his father said. He tried to figure it out on his own, but there were really no clues to figure it out.

The earrings were so many years old, yet it looked good as new. Wonder what type of material the first user used it as. The story was important to the boy, almost close to the level of his dancing heritage.

Dancing was an important part for his family. If one of them couldn't dance, how would they ward off the illness?

'Kagura'

Doesn't seem familiar. Maybe he'll learn when he's older. Perhaps it's that dance his father performs almost every night in the harsh winter.

It amazes the child how his father can breathe through the icy air that was most likely able to freeze his lungs.

But, how? How was he able to set foot on the cold pavement of the ground? How was he able to twist his body and swing the staff in his hand without shivering?

So many questions ran through the boy's mind on that night. Luckily, his father was there to answer all his questions.

So... The answer was breathing?

Breathing...

Maybe one day, that boy might find out the right way so he can dance forever as well. Extraordinary... He has never heard the answer was to breathe properly.

He wonders if there are other things that he hasn't been told.

Maybe later.