1 || Beginnings

And there the two stood at the same special cherry tree they always played at when they were young, it was the last day of Spring and Summer will soon start. Reminiscing their past as they sat on the grass field. With her snow like hair color flowing and her sky blue eyes beaming with excitement as she played with the other's hair.

She was a girl named ``Kagura``. A cheerful girl that resided in the Kagura Family, the eldest and most powerful household that could wield the power of the Yin and Yang. Wearing a turquoise kimono that ended at her knees, and violet geta sandals with white socks that covered her feet.

The silent one was called ``Hayabusa``. A man with a few words and with a serious appearance. A ninja from the Shadow sect, the split faction along with the Scarlet sect. Although with his mask off, revealing his dark hair and dark amber eyes aside from the fact that he had his nose covered with his black shinobi like attire, and a red scarf wrapped around his neck.

``You should show your face more...~`` She'd smile as she kept playing with his hair, circling her finger as the ninja could only shake his head.

``Why not? Hayabusa's face is really adorable!`` She'd squeal as she stopped and stared at the sakura tree's petals flying in the sky.

``It serves no purpose.`` His only reply as he also gazed at the petals flying around. Kagura understood his reasoning, she did know him ever since they were young children. The two were playmates arranged by their elders though the two did not complain.

Kagura was the only person Hayabusa could trust in his life. Ever since the betrayal of the disgraced shadow his trust has faltered to only his own mother and his father, anyone outside his family was an outsider except for this bubbly girl.

He had conflicted feelings inside his brain. Not forgetting the mission he must carry out, to take down that disgraced shadow. The mission would start by Fall, he had his whole summer to spend time with his family and the spiritualist. He sighed, he needs to forget about this whole ordeal for now he still had a whole summer to live here in Iga.

``. . . Hayabusa?`` A voice interrupted his thoughts as he looked at the girl at his right, she noticed this and proceeded to talk. ``I was telling you how beautiful the petals looked! See?`` She held out her hand as she showed him the two petals on her palm,She'd close her eyes and smiled innocently.

``Mhm. . .`` He nodded, she was so innocent and pure when she smiled. He wondered if there were any problems in this girl's life, his mindset shifted to a question.

Would she be devastated if he left?

He never told her his mission, he wanted her to remain ignorant of the whole thing. He didn't want to make this smile disappear, but that nagging feeling was killing him inside.

``Ah I need to go back now.`` She stood up and picked up her signature violet umbrella that had sakura patterns. He also stood up as he pulled over his head cover.

``See you.`` He'd only say as she cheerily waved and ran off to her home.

Hayabusa looked at the peaceful cherry tree behind him as he started dashing off to his own home.

---

As he arrived home he saw his mother sitting on a floor pillow cushion drinking her herbal tea. ``Hayabusa there you are.`` She'd look over as the ninja walked over to her silently. She'd motion for her to sit down and that he did.

His mother sat down her tea as she pointed to a folded letter on the wooden table in front of them.``It's for you.`` She said as Hayabusa grabbed it curiously.

``What is this...?``

``Read and find out.`` She only smiled.

He'd unfold and read the contents, feeling quite surprised. It was an invitation.

``You are hereby invited to be a part of a special class

that will take place in the Moniyan Empire, this very

class enhance your abilities and hone your skills for

the better. If you are willing, please come to this location

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx at the dawn of the xxx.

-xxxxxxxxx``

``Give it to me.`` She'd command as he obeyed, silence entered the room as Hayabusa began thinking.

``I see...`` She'd nod as she placed it on the table facing her son.

He could clearly see this was beneficial for him, he could improve and even meet new allies. Scratch that allies part he wasn't very social. Although it meant leaving his family and even Kagura, his only friend and he even swore that he'll spend more time with them.

``If it was me I'd say go for it. It's only a month after all.`` His mother answered. ``And. . . it can help with your mission.`` Her eyes wary.

``Does father. . .``

``Your father will be notified once he gets home. You have the whole night to decide.`` Hayabusa nodded as he stood up but her mother wasn't done talking.

``That girl from the Scarlet sect, she's also invited.`` He paused as she grabbed her tea.

``. . .`` He'd walk out of the house, he needed to cool off his head and think things through. He'd dash off, using the rooftops of the multiple houses to travel. His destination was the Sakura tree, pleasant memories occurred there after all. He stopped in his tracks when he bumped into a figure almost falling off the roof.

``You. . .`` The figure voiced as Hayabusa was on guard, he was glad he was on guard since the figure was very familiar to him. This figure was the girl from the Scarlet Sect,

``Hanabi.`` He stood there as he gazed at the girl. She was Hanabi, an old rival of his. She is quite prideful and is always determined to be the best. She tied her black hair into a high ponytail using a big red ribbon, a mask covering her mouth and with fierce red eyeshadow and emerald eyes. She had on a black kimono that ended above her knees matched with red and black knee high socks and black geta sandals.

``Do you know who just got invited to a special elite class?`` She asked, Hayabusa remembered that she too got invited but he chose to remain silent.``I myself was invited, they acknowledged my abilities.`` She'd smirk feeling superior.

``. . .`` He wanted to cool off and think of his own decision but he had to be stopped by his old rival. What should he do. . . ?

He dashed off, using his shadow technique. Hanabi was surprised as she saw the retreating figure of the ninja. ``I wasn't done. . . !`` She yelled, not caring for the sleeping residents below her.

---

As he sat on the branch of the sakura tree he gazed at his surroundings. He had his peace now and he started thinking of lots of things. His mind shifted to the disgraced Shadow, oh how his eyes burned. That man betrayed his companions all to fulfill his pride and greed, surely he was despicable. And he's still out there, killing innocent lives to show his power.

Hayabusa closed his eyes, he needed to make a decision. The summer class will begin 2 days from now and he needed to make this decision by tonight. He gazed at the direction of his house, having a cold gaze. He could hear the cries of the crickets as the moon has showed.

. . .

. .

.

``I'm going.`` He said to himself.