The Sound of Silence.

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The fog rolled in from the mountains, a chilly breeze ruffled the young boys flame-like hair. He watched as streaks of sun made there way through the clouds then disappear behind its mass. A storm was coming, a bad one, but the boy didn't care. He smiled as a light drizzle hit his face and ran down his exposed skin. The sun still peaking its way from behind its hiding spot in the sky.

It had no need to show its self to the world, the globe's residents knew it was there. It hid away yet brightened people's days, brought joy for those in dark times, reminded people that while there's some bad - there always something following behind to remind them of the time here on earth. The boy dreamed to be just like that. The sun to others' days.

He had dreamed of this since he was young, since he had fought his first battle of learning to walk and the joy on his parents' faces. He doesn't remember it, but he has been told it was one of the best days of their lives.

The boy closed his eyes, smiling as the rain continued to remind him of the beauty of life. Flashes crossed his mind; a boy, seeming a few years older than he, with silver hair fighting in a small garden with other children. He opened his eyes once more, the boys face has always be hard to make out. He only guessed it was a boy due to the body structure.

He had been having these flashes ever since he was around the age of 6, but was surprised to find out no one he knew would experience this. Instead, his parents told him to keep this ability private as it could be seen as ... magic? And he'd be killed? The boy couldn't remember the exact reason.

Kyojuro smiled, turning from the mountains edge towards the village nearby. He wasn't allowed to stay past sunset, his father had warned of demons lurking in the shadows for an easy target. The child shook his head, he didn't fully believe his father's stories of monsters and demons that could end you in one easy slice, but it was best not to question the man's ideas.

His mother greeted him, the smell of a freshly cooked meal wafting into his nose. Kyojuro asked about dinner, the reply the same as lest Tuesday. Ramen with rice. They had no need to prepare such large meals on Tuesdays, while Kyojuro would like to eat cooked sweet potato's on the side of tonight's dish he thanked his mother and offered help. His offer was turned down.

Instead he was tasked to go take care of his brother, as it usually was. He found him quickly, the year old Senjuro giggling at some wooden toys on the floor as he played with them.

Kyojuro was 8 so to him that meant he had responsibilities. He cleaned clothes along side his mother, took care of his baby brother when his mother couldn't, cleaned the two kids' bedrooms, etc. The boy honestly did whatever he was told to.

When he turned 10 he gained something called a "soul mark" near the base of his hair and neckline. He had learned that everyone gained one, the mark would burn the closer your bond with your soul mate was. To meet your soulmate was common, to actually fall in love and marry them was not. Kyojuro feared he would never meet his soul mate.

Around the age of 11 Kyojuro started training, his father would teach him ways to fight and he would learn the moves as best to his ability. He quite enjoyed the experience, unaware of how far he would go in the future with these skills.

-

Tengen's 10th birthday was coming up, he had learned of soulmates from his older siblings and was glad one had found theirs already. The boy looked at all the people around the estate, they were there to celebrate his birthday and he was overjoyed.

That night after the party, he layed in bed and stared at the ceiling. His mark on the upper back of his neck where his hairline was, he had been told it looked like a small orangey-red flame design but he shrugged it off. It was just some mark, he would be forced to marry in a couple years anyways.

After years of training as a Shinobi, getting married to three wonderful ladies, and growing up, he became a demonslayer. He quickly ranked up, soon joining the Hashira.

When a new member joined one day, his heart beat fast. His mark stung for just a second as they greeted each-other. The flame-like hair, his presence, his personality.. everything about the new addition caught Tengen's eye.

He needs to be friends with him.