The Light Of Konoha

Lamp Light And Darkness

Aki's P.O.V

The sun has just fallen beyond the horizon as Kakashi and I stepped out of the Hokage's tower. 

I peered up at the strange masked man.

"What did you and Hokage-sama talk about?"

Kakashi began to walk down the bustling streets and I followed,
he glanced at me with his eye.

"I'm going to train you," he said after a while and looked forward once again.

I clutched mother's kimono tighter, smelling the lingering scent of her.

I was going to be a ninja.

The notion almost brought a smile to my lips.
Almost.

"Where are we going?"

Kakashi glanced at me once again.
"Your clan's compound," he replied, picking up the pace.

'Why didn't you tell me, mummy.
Why would you not tell me about our clan...'

Staring hard at the kimono, as if it was her in my arms, I vowed to myself:
"When I become a ninja, I will wear your kimono, mummy..."

Before I knew it we were before large, ancient looking gates.

Despite years of standing, they looked brand new.
'They could be new,'
I thought to myself,
but quickly dismissed the idea after walking through them to find the land forgotten in time.

The structures weren't quite 'run down' per-say, just of old design and out-dated decor.

Banners and tapestries depicting fierce battles were hung all throughout the village, each as in good condition as if they were new.

'It must be a powerful jutsu on this compound to have lasted so long,' I admired mentally.

The clan symbol of an exploding firework was cleverly concealed in the background of every scene, all woven in the same dazzling gold that decorated the back of my mother's kimono.

The estate was far from civilisation yet not on the outskirts of the village, it was tucked away at the foot of a peculiar mountain with faces carved within the stone.

I recognised Hokage-sama amongst them.

'Past leaders maybe? Makes sense...'

I noticed Kakashi looking sheepish beside me and I stared at him curiously.

"Um... Not sure how to get electricity down here. It appears to be cut off from the grid..."

I froze.
Darkness.
My number one fear.

"N-no light?" I mumbled.

Stumbling from nausea at the thought of living here with no lights,
I neared a lamp post and it burst to life with a bright light at my proximity.

Kakashi reacted quickly, grabbing me and pulling me away, kuani drawn at the possible threat of danger.

As I moved further away the light faded and another burst to light behind us.

Kakashi remained still for a moment, still holding me tight to his chest.

Then he seemed to relax.

"Furasshu clan justu....
Ah, I see..." He mumbled to himself.

He put me down gently and smiled from beneath his mask.

"There is old justu throughout this compound it seems, it'll react to you being here as a member of the Furasshu clan..."

I furrowed my brow, slightly confused but understanding the general idea behind his words.

To test the theory I placed my hand on the lamp post, once again it burst to life.

After a while most in my area begin to react to my presence, like a rusty machine slowly warming up to working standard.

Kakashi began to walk further into the estate and I followed, lighting the way as I passed, bringing the network slowly back to life after years of being left to rust.

We reached the biggest house on the estate, and quite possibly the most extravagant.

"Since there won't be anyone else here for...
Well...
You might as well take the best house for your own, unless you want another," Kakashi said apprehensively.

"This'll be great," I replied, child-like wonder on my face.
Well, not exactly child-like since I am indeed a child...

Kakashi chuckled, "let's go in."

The inside looked just as regal as the outside, an old traditional Japanese layout greeted me as I walked through the sliding door.

The lights inside the house flickered to life aswell.

"I would give you a tour but I know as much about this place as you do I'm afraid..." Kakashi said, also gazing about the place in awe.

"I'll leave you to explore and a few days to settle in.
Training starts in two days time" he said quickly, closing his visible eye as he smiled,
then he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

'Well.'
I rose an eyebrow.
'That was... Quick.'

I did an full three-sixty as I surveyed my surroundings, a huge grin on my face.
'So much has happened in one day,' I thought to myself.

Walking into what appeared to be the kitchen and checking in the different draws and cupboards, my stomach decided that I'm hungry.

Although I was perfectly capable of cooking a select few meals by myself, I did question the decision to leave a five year old to look after themselves.

'Ah well, it's not like I can't of look after myself.
I mean, I did have my mummy but she wasn't always there and I would live on my own at times...'

After rooting around for a while, I found a stash of cup ramen.

'Easy enough' I mused.

I had worried that every time I neared an appliance it would burst to life like the lamps,
but it seems that things that require energy react to my needs at that moment.

'Useful.
It really is smart jutsu...
I wonder how powerful we were...
the Furasshu clan,
huh...'

After finishing the ramen, I explored until I found the master bedroom.

It was just as extravagant as the rest of the house but had a more cozy feel to it.

In a room connected to this one I could hear water begin to sputter and pour as, what I assumed was, a shower turned itself on.

"Stupid house..." I mumbled, pouting. "I don't need you to tell me that I smell."

I widened my eyes and began to chuckle,
already I was calling this house 'you'.

It was strange, this place did seem like my own companion.
Who knows, maybe it will keep me company by turning on random household appliances to communicate.

I washed the dirt and... Blood... off of my frail, small body.

When the water began to run clean I stepped out and a towel was waiting.

'Okay... Now it's just creepy...'

I brushed my teeth and hair looking at the reflection in the mirror, pastel blue and pink eyes staring back.

Even a night robe my size was waiting on the bed as I exited.

I pulled it on and crawled between the sheets that already were toasty warm.

The lights dimmed but didn't turn off completely.

'Wow... The house even knows my fear of darkness...'

And with those thoughts, my mind drifted to blackness and sleep consumed me.