moonlight

Chapter 18 - Strangers in the Village

"Youth, hehehe..." Kakashi whispered and the bluenette turned to him angrily and pouted. 'What is the meaning with all of this? I don't understand at all!'

Then they walked faster, hoping to be home fast.

----

It was morning, Kakashi-sensei wanted us to meet at a bridge. I walked from the training ground I was at since early in the morning.

I didn't get much sleep, because my father ordered me to train my Kurayami.

~~ flashback to yesterday ~~

"Your first ring is for increased speed. Your brother activated his first ring when he was six, so you aren't anything special, just because you activated it as the first female Takeshi.

Hmph, either way, if you train more, you could unlock the second ring, but let's be honest, that's going to take you a lot of time." The elder of my clan said in a strict voice. My father and I both visited them to inform them about my success.

They assigned me to increase my training after the Chunin Exams and my father agreed to it.

"I will work hard." I bowed as I spoke. The elders scoffed and let us go home.

"We will train numerous water jutsus at home. You have to learn them now because you weren't able to when you were younger. I expect you to learn them as quickly as possible, we have a tight schedule. We will cut your breaks more so that we have time to train you." Father stated, looking down at me with his usual distant eyes. "Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir. I will do my best." I answered, hearing him grunt and feeling him tug my wrist forcefully.

When will this end...

I looked into the distance as a silent sigh left my lips.

---

At home, my brother had recently arrived after a long mission.

When I arrived, Atsuko decided to trail behind me.

I greeted my brother because I was forced by my father. Once I did, I intended to go back to my room, but Ken'ichi grabbed my wrist and turned me to him.

This was unusual for him, as we never really talked and he usually only messed my hair up. Atsuko also stared at him in surprise.

He grabbed my face with both of his hands and stared at me.

I started to glare as he stared at my eyes mostly. "What do you want, brother?"

"You..." he started. "you activated your Kurayami?"

I nodded and smirked when his face showed an emotion which he mostly didn't have on his face, it was one from shock.

My eyes stung suddenly, but I took a proud stance.

He let go of my face and asked. "So you got the first ring?"

Something inside of me boiled when I looked at him.

With a cocky voice, I said. "Yes, and soon it'll be all of them, don't worry, I will surpass you, three-ring. Heh."

Ken'ichi's face turned emotionless again, but I could have sworn I saw him smile at me weirdly. He then sighed and walked to the living room.

Atsuko took a hold of my hand and looked at me worriedly. "Tsuki-nee, what did he mean by that? Is it something bad?"

I chuckled and pat her head. "No, your sister only got a lot stronger." Her face brightened as she swung our hands back and forth.