When The Sun Shines (A Reika Namikaze Story) Book 1

17

I stand in front of the mirror in my home wearing my war outfit. I had brushed my hair back into the high ponytail. My blue eyes dull but not void of life. Not yet, at least. I still got fight left in my soul.

I tie my forehead protector on my forehead and grab survival supplies. I also grab a notebook I have been using to keep tabs on everyone including my old classmates. It's my own version of Kabuto's info cards.

I head down the hall and glance to the kitchen where mom usually cooks but sees it empty. I then glanced to the other side to see dad feeding Reita while rocking her in the living room. I quickly make note to go grocery shopping later before grabbing my ticket and kissing dad on the forehead running out.

Today is the first stage of the chuunin exams, usually a written portion, so I didn't bring as much as I usually do.

"Still paranoid, eh." I heard a familiar voice joke. I scrunched my eyebrows together in confusion.

I tilted my head back to give him a confused look. "Someone's in a good mood." I countered to see Tobirama shrug his shoulders.

"Someone's gotta be. What with you being out of the question." He began walking next to me. "You still looked armed to the teeth and that's saying something coming from me." He continued.

I nodded my head in understanding. He is right, the war has me paranoid to go anywhere without my war outfit. I always have over three hundred pairs of shuriken, kunai, and senbon each. And when I go, I have over a thousand each. Paranoid doesn't do me justice.

Anyway, we began walking side by side as we headed towards our destination. He put his hands behind his head while I shoved mine in my pockets.

"And why is that a bad thing? We are at war." I mumbled.

He glanced in my direction with eyes filled with wisdom. Eyes that held the horrors of the wars before. A hint of longing can be seen. "And why do you think we are at war?"

I paused in my step. He took a couple more before stopping and turning slightly to observe at me.

Why are we at war? How did it start? What could we have done differently? Could all the death have been prevented? Why had this never crossed my mind before?

"Those questions running through your mind is exactly why I have decided to take you on as my pupil. You don't like the outcome of any situation, so you begin to analyze and think of ways it could have been different." He walked those steps towards me before bending forward to look me in the eyes. "Your will to suffer so others don't have to. Your will to take on the world so others won't need to. You taking on an army so there are no casualties. You are only ten years of age, yet you think exactly like a kage should. You are a natural born leader who thinks in a way that I truly believe can bring the world to peace."

At this point my eyes glistened as I listened to his words. So much responsibility, so many lives, he is putting it all on my shoulders. But, I've already done this. I already know the feeling and I find comfort in it. My eyes began to be filled with determination as I look him square in the eyes.

"There it is," he whispered patting my head. "I will be right beside you as you continue to grow. I will help you overcome it all." He said as we then began heading to the building of the chuunin exams but this time my eyes are fueled with the will of fire.

"So, why are we at war?" I asked as we got to the entrance.

Tobirama chuckled saying, "I'll tell you when you come out," before waving his hand and leaving.

The battle of home front, from which it is being named, left me traumatized. I am scheduled for therapy every month. I find myself unable to smile at times. I'm just not the same.