Kodoku {Naruto Fan-Fiction}

Prologue: That Night pt. III

All props for the wicked awesome cover goes to IvyXLacrimosa! She does tremendous work when it comes to not only covers, but her own writings as well! If you ever find yourself in need of a cover for your story, then I full-heartedly recommend her! Also if you're looking for a grand story to read as well. c:

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[Third Person POV]

The sun had completely dissipated on the horizon, leaving the moon its opportunity to rise and shine brilliantly in the navy-blanketed, fog-filled sky. A thick, ominous cloud was rolling in, filling the night with a humid air that made the air feel thick. It was to be a night filled with sounds that this village had grown accustomed to over the years it'd lain across these many meters of land. Everyone, except for a select few of the villagers and Chūnin-ranked shinobi lingering in the night, had gone to their homes and chosen to call it a day and await the next one to come . . .

At the Mitarashi residence, everyone had fallen fast asleep without a word spoken to the other from the tension that'd built up from events prior. Higa, their guest from the Mizukage's tower, had left their home and returned to his own as well.

Upstairs in Hikaru's room, the black-haired boy couldn't seem to close his eyes---his mind was too flustered with contemplating thoughts caused by his sister's words:

"Please . . . do what you think's best for everyone else, not just yourself."

Hikaru sighed and laid down in his bed, propping his arms beneath his head over his small pillow. "What did she mean?" he asked himself as he stared at the ceiling above with frustrated, onyx eyes. "Did she mean that I should join and protect the family . . . or stay by the family's side?" He groaned as he tugged at a couple locks of his hair. "It makes no sens---!"

His words were cut short by a loud boom of thunder that seemed to spread across the entire sky, partially shaking the roof of their home. Hikaru closed his eyes momentarily and took a deep breath. Higa did give me a week to contemplate their offer, he thought, his eyebrows furrowed, I can't go rushing my answer.

He glanced over at the black tree decorated beige wall and rolled over on his side. Sensing the tiredness that was hidden within his mind, he calmly closed his eyes just as another series of thunder emitted in the sky. "I have to . . ." he yawned and exhaled a quick breath, "get some . . . sleep."

Meanwhile downstairs in the master room of the massive complex that was the Mitarashi home, Yamato had been awoken by an ANBU crouching next to his bed with a white frog mask covering his features.

"Mitarashi-sama," said the ANBU in a hushed tone, "I bring urgent news from the Mizukage himself."

Yamato stared over at the ANBU and frowned, deepening his stern features. "What news?" he asked, whispering.

The ANBU kept his head bowed as he spoke. "Someone has stolen important records from his office. He has asked that you come there and dispatch a team of six of your best ANBU before the thief can escape across the border of our lands."

Yamato scoffed as he quietly removed himself from his low-lying bed and rushed over to his closet, grabbed his grey haori and kimono, and tied his loose charcoal hair back from his face. "Escort me there, Dai." he said as he grabbed his sword from beneath his bed, not taking notice of the man skillfully eluding his hand's reach underneath it.

Dai stood upright with a straight posture and subtly nodded. "Very well, Mitarashi-sama."

The wife, Ren, hadn't so much as made a soft moan in the bed as her husband and the ANBU hastily left the room, sliding closed the door behind them and leaving the mother to the foreboding solace of that bedroom with the hiding man.