Legacy

Chapter 8.5

Past 01

The sun hung high in the sky, bathing the forest in warm, golden light. The girl with knee-length white hair moved with a grace, her feet stepping softly on the forest floor. She had slipped away from her clan, her heart pounding with excitement. The world beyond the boundaries of her home was vast, and today, she wanted to explore it.

As she wandered deeper into the woods, her sharp eyes caught sight of something shimmering in the sunlight. A pretty butterfly, she has seen many in her compound, but this one was different. The butterfly fluttered past her. Her breath hitched in her throat as she watched it dance through the air.

Without a second thought, she began to follow the butterfly, completely forgetting about her original plan. She skipped and jumped after it, her hands outstretched in an attempt to catch it. Each time she got close, the butterfly would flit just out of reach, leading her towards the unknown.

Her laughter filled the afternoon air as she chased the butterfly. She was so entranced by the butterfly that she didn't notice the river until it was almost too late.

"Woahh!" she yelped, her arms flailing in wide circles as she wobbled on the edge of the bank. Her heart raced as she struggled to regain her balance, leaning back just in time to avoid falling into the cold water. She landed on her butt with a soft thud, her breath coming in short gasps.

"Too close," she muttered to herself, her voice filled with relief. She remained seated for a moment, but then, a strange sensation washed over he. Slowly, she turned her head to the right, her wide eyes scanning the shadows.

There, standing not far from where she sat, were two boys around her age. Their expressions were blank, their faces devoid of emotion as they stared at her. They wore blue and light green clothes.

"Ahh!" she screamed in surprise, scrambling to her feet. Her hands instinctively went to her chest. The boys didn't move, their gaze unwavering.

Asami looked at the two boys more closely. The one with black spiky hair had a fierce, almost stubborn expression, while the other with brown hair seemed more easygoing. 

"I never thought I'd meet someone as stupid as you," the black-haired boy said, his voice laced with irritation.

"I'm not stupid," the brown-haired boy responded quickly, a frown appeared on his face.

Asami blinked, still trying to process the situation. "Who... who are you?" she stammered, her voice trembling slightly with curiosity.

"That's what we should be asking," the spiky-haired boy shot back, narrowing his eyes at her. "Tell us, or I might have to use this." He brandished a flimsy stick as if it were a deadly weapon.

"A stick, Madara?" the brown-haired boy questioned with a tilt of his head.

Madara. So that's his name, Asami thought.

"You idiot, don't reveal our names, Hashirama," Madara snapped, glaring at his companion.

"But you just did," Hashirama replied with a shrug.

Asami couldn't help but giggle at their exchange. "I thought you said he was stupid, but you're about the same as him," she teased as she stood up, brushing the dirt off her light kimono with gold accents. She looked like villager or a princess to them.

Hashirama burst out laughing, his laughter echoing through the forest. Madara's face flushed red with both embarrassment and frustration.

"My name is Asami," she said brightly, her smile warm and genuine. "Nice to meet you, Hashirama and Madara."