Haurutsuki: Beautiful Snow

10. The Tale of Thunder Mountain

Granny Fumiko sat down on the empty couch, "Ah... The Mountain of Thunder. Well, it's an old folktale around the Village. Would you like me to tell it?" They all nodded, "Yes, please." Obito added as he munched the big pink-iced biscuit. "Well, it dates back to my mother's generation... I was only a little girl when it happened. But it was a sight I would not soon forget. Thunder boomed for the first time in months, and everyone rushed out to see why. We were in the dry season, you see. Anything excited us back then. But that night, something truly amazing happened... The moon lit up and exploded in a wave of beauty. Stars fell from the heavens like rain, striking down on one of the mountains outside the Village. It was like a violent and violet moon beam. The purple lightning felt like it was raining down on us from the moon itself." Kakashi rolled his eyes at the absurdity.

"Wow, a purple moon beam??" Obito's eyes sparkled. Kakashi huffed as she nodded in delight, "Yes. But that wasn't how it got its name. You see, our Shinobi flocked to the mountain, arriving at its misty peak. It was too high to be seen from down here. Out of nowhere, thunder boomed once again! The purple lightning scattered from its origin on the mountain top, all across the starry sky.'' Kakashi and Minato narrowed their eyes, remembering Miyuki's oddly coloured Lightning Technique.

"It was a beautiful and powerful display... But deadly. Screams echoed throughout the Village, and that night... Not one ninja returned." She grimly added. "No one?" Obito couldn't believe it. She shook her head in sorrow, "Not one. We knew then, something had inhabited that mountain. As if it was the God of Thunder, himself. The Mizukage of the time took charge and went up the mountain to investigate. Miraculously, he returned that morning unharmed and announced that no one is to go near 'The Mountain of Thunder' without his direct permission. And that's how it got its name."

"Why do you think the three of them belong to the mountain?" Minato probed. "From time-to-time thunder is heard. And faint sparks of purple flicker. Whatever landed on that mountain, it stayed there. Some say they're immortal Gods, falling from their slumber in the sky to destroy our war-driven world. Others say they were just people. People with purple colored Lightning Style Jutsu. Either way, nothing that goes in, comes back from that mountain. It's as if the Mist itself is sworn to protect it and keep them hidden." Lee walked up behind her couch and put his hands on her shoulders before looking to Minato, "We've been around long enough to know what's what. And what's what, is that those kids belong to the Mountain of Thunder." The three Leaf Shinobi couldn't help but feel uneasy knowing all this.

"They say the Mizukage went up there to offer them a deal, using his Shinobi as sacrifices." Granny deviously added. "What!?" Obito panicked. "It's a folktale we use to keep kids in line around here. If you don't do what your parents tell ya, the Mountain of Thunder will unleash its wrath, and the Thunder Gods will rain down and electrocute ya!" Obito nearly jumped out his seat with old man Lee mimicking a quick snatch of a child. The old couple got a good chuckle out of it.

"But enough storytelling, Fumiko. Ya scaring our customers! Let's show these chums to their rooms. You better not wear your headbands round here. We may not have many guests, but there are some with big mouths upstairs." Old man Lee pointed out. "And you're only telling us this now?" Kakashi flatly inquired. "What was that!? I can't hear you! I'm old!" Lee yelled out. The three sweat-dropped. It was going to be a long night.

By now, the three were professionals at sneaking-in and out of the Village. They ran up the mountain, and instead of going home where they were supposed to shower and change from training, they went straight to Kaiyo's for dinner. They arrived just in time, only to be scolded for what she thought was training until late. They were forced out Kaiyo's to take a bath and get to bed in their own house. The three knew she had been awfully moody lately and wasted no time in doing so. While the brothers laid awake in their beds, replaying the day's events, Miyuki took her usual seat at the window. She stared out, watching the snow fall. "You're mad at me, aren't you?" She asked, still fixated with the window. Ryuu frowned from where he laid, "I'm not mad. Just... upset with what happened. That's all. You both broke our promise not to kill anyone." He explained. "Sorry, Ryuu." Katsu said, not meaning to come off as emotionless as he did. "It's okay... I guess. Let's just try to think about something else and get to sleep. You know you need it, Miyuki." He reminded her before adjusting in his bed.