Unbreakable Bonds 《Book 2》

Chapter 29

- Mizuki -

The cold air nips at my skin as I quietly close the door behind me, stepping out into the night. The village of Konoha is silent, bathed in the pale glow of the moon. It's past midnight, and the only sounds are the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl. I clutch my hand—still bandaged from the last training session—as I make my way through the familiar path to the training ground. Each night it's the same: sleepless hours, restless thoughts, and the nagging feeling of being too weak. Too helpless. Too... worthless.

"Stop it," I whisper to myself, shaking my head as if I can rid myself of these thoughts. But they cling to me like shadows.

I push myself harder, night after night, trying to control the wildfire nature that has become a part of me. But the more I train, the more it burns—literally. My hands have suffered the worst. Thin red scars run along my fingertips, seared into my flesh from failed attempts to channel the flame without scorching myself. It's as if my chakra is mocking me, taunting me for daring to think I could master it.

With a deep breath, I reach the training ground, standing alone under the stars. I glance around warily, ensuring no one's watching. Last time, Kurenai-sensei caught me sneaking out, and her eyes were filled with concern and disappointment. I can't handle that again. They all look at me like that now—like I'm fragile. Like I'm broken.

But I'm not broken. I'm not.

"Okay... focus," I mutter, holding out my trembling hands. I close my eyes, feeling the chakra swirl inside me, coiling around my center like a slumbering dragon. With careful precision, I try to push it forward, imagining the fire chakra forming a small flame at my fingertips. I open my eyes—

"Ow!" I yelp as a spark explodes, scorching my glove and burning my skin. I drop to my knees, cradling my hand, blinking back the sudden tears. Again. It's happened again.

Frustration wells up inside me, thick and choking, until it bursts out in a harsh, angry shout.

"Why can't I get this right?!"

"Maybe because you're pushing yourself too hard."

The voice is soft but firm, and my heart freezes. I whirl around, eyes wide, to find Onii-chan standing a few feet away, his arms crossed over his chest. His usually bright eyes are dark with worry.

"O-onii-chan... What are you doing here?" I stammer, scrambling to hide my injured hand behind my back. "You shouldn't be up—"

"I could say the same thing about you, Mizuki," he cuts me off, his tone sharper than usual. He steps forward, closing the distance between us, and I instinctively shrink back. "What's going on? Why are you out here in the middle of the night? And don't even try to lie to me."

"N-nothing's wrong," I say quickly, forcing a smile that feels wrong on my lips. "I-I'm just... training."

"Training?" Onii-chan echoes, his gaze narrowing. He reaches for my hidden hand, and I pull away, but he's faster. He gently pries my hand from behind my back, gasping softly when he sees the fresh burns peeking out from under the bandages. 

"Mizuki..."

"It's nothing," I whisper, avoiding his eyes. "I-I'm fine, Onii-chan. I just—"

"'Fine'?" He raises his voice, and I flinch. He rarely gets angry like this. "You call burning your hands fine? You're hurting yourself!"

"I-I have to!" The words tear out of me before I can stop them. "I-I have to, Onii-chan! How else am I supposed to get stronger?"

He blinks, taken aback. I see his anger fade, replaced by confusion and something that looks like hurt. "Why... Why do you think you have to do this alone? You know Kakashi-sensei and Sakura would help you, right? I would help you!"