Chapter 43: Lost

The sun is setting. Birds are chirping and someone is suffering...

Little Roy is tired. The boy is so exhausted that he falls to the ground. Again.

"Get up. We aren't done yet.", Wasuke said to the boy.

Roy tiredly stands up again, trying to not fall asleep. It takes him about a minute to get up. The tired boy then looks up to his master, waiting for what he is about to say next.

"Catch this.", Wasuke throws him a wooden sword.

The tired boy sees the sword coming and it hits him on the forehead.

"Ouch.", Roy said.

The pain Roy deals with gives him a bit of energy. Roy rubs his head with his left arm and grabs the wooden sword with his right. Wasuke then holds another wooden sword.

"From now on, we'll be using these wooden swords until I deemed you ready to wield your Demonic Saber.

The weapon is as good as the hands that hold them. Until then, never use it, do you hear me, Roy?", Wasuke asked for reassurance.

"Yes, master...", Roy tiredly said.

"Say it with respect!", Wasuke immediately scolded Roy.

"Yes, master!", Roy exclaimed as he bows.

Roy immediately holds the wooden sword with both hands and prepares himself to fight his master once more, trying his hardest to keep his eyes open. Wasuke holds his sword and attacks.

Wasuke strikes first and Roy blocks it. The boy blocks it but he flies off due to the sheer strength of Wasuke. This, and the weakened and tired Roy.

Little Roy then crashes to the ground. Roy stays there for a second, trying to catch a breath. After that, Roy stands up but is soon met by another strike by Wasuke.

"AHHHHH-Oof!"

The boy launches and hits a tree behind him. Roy is winded. After that, Roy falls to the ground, faceplanting the dirt.

Wasuke walks over to Roy. Seeing the boy, just laying there. Roy kneels and tries to see if Roy is still breathing.

Until Roy suddenly hits Wasuke in the face, pretending to be knocked out and strikes at the perfect time. Roy hits Wasuke on his arm. After that, Roy stands up and wobbles his way backward, trying to get some space. Wasuke stands up and smiles.

"Clever. You're very clever...but...", Wasuke said.

"GWUAH!!", Roy uttered.

Wasuke quickly strikes Roy on his stomach region.

"You're too weak!", Wasuke added.

Roy flies off once more. As Roy flies off, he sees rock and-

THUMP!!!

"Is he going to be ok?", a distant voice can be heard.

"I don't know... I heard his training was brutal.", another distant voice.

Little Roy felt that his body was heavy, real heavy but soon, he sees a light. A light that suddenly shines through his eyes.

"Guys! Guys! He's awake.", Yoel yelled.

Roy wakes in his room, lying in his futon. The boy then touches his forehead to feel some sort of cloth there. As well as a bit of pain. The boy's brothers scurry near him, surrounding Roy even. All of them are curious about what happened to Roy.

"Heya Roy. How are you feeling?", Odaka asked.

"I'm alright...", Roy sits up on his bed and answered.

Roy looks over to their window to see that it's already night.

"How was training? Was it hard?", Gabriel quickly questions.

Roy then remembers what happened earlier. Remembering the training that he does this day. Remembering the pain that he feels.

"It was...challenging. I mean training wasn't supposed to be easy.", Roy concealed his anguish.

Roy's brothers then become even more curious about the training. Even happy to hear their oldest brother gone through a difficult one.

"Have you gotten stronger?! Like, did you feel like you could take on anybody?", Yoel asked.

"Well, not everybody. Master Wasuke is really strong.", Roy replied.

"Can you do Element Sword Styles now, Roy?", Victor was curious.

"I mean, I could only do one, which is Flame Style.", Roy answered.

"Wow! That's so cool! Can you show it?", Basho was amazed by this and wanted to see it.

"Ok.", Roy said.

Roy tries to stand up, but then his body stops and falls again. Luckily, his brothers are there to save him, catching Roy when he falls.

"Maybe not now...", Basho commented.

"Yeah...", Roy agreed.

"Man, I can't wait to find out what my affinity is.", Yoel is excited to find what's his affinity.

"I know right! I could get to do cool sword styles if I were trained like Roy.", Gabriel agreed.

"I hope that I would have water in my affinity. That would be awesome.", Basho hoped.

Hearing all this, makes Roy worried. After enduring all that, Roy knows how terrible he will experience in the future.

"It's because you need to learn how to be strong and protect someone. And you can't defend somebody if your weak, right?"

Roy is also reminded of what Bakin told him.

'Protecting someone... I don't want them to endure what I did.', Roy thought.

Roy then decides to protect his little brothers by taking all of the sufferings to himself.

"Um, guys...", Roy called out to them.

All of them looked at Roy.

"Hm?", Odaka uttered.

"What's up?", Yoel said.

"What is it, Roy?", Gabriel asked.

"Do you have anything that you want to say?", Basho also asked.

"Bro?", Itsumi replied.

"Yes, I'm all ears.", Victor stated.

His brothers stare at Roy, waiting for his response. Roy sighs and says what he has in mind.

"Guys, can you all do me a favor and not show them all your affinity?", Roy asked for a favor.

"Huh?! Why?", All of them asked in unison.

"It's because... It's because...", Roy couldn't think up an excuse.

"It's because you wanted our father to focus on you and get you stronger fast?", Odaka made Roy's excuse.

"... Uh, yes!", Roy agreed.

"I'm the eldest here, the whole village will be depending on me when I grew up. I need to be strong quick so I can protect this place. Protect you all from our enemies. Do you guys understand?", Roy added.

The boy's brothers nod, understanding what Roy is saying.

"Well if you say so, might as well make a list of what elements we can and can't use as well as keeping this a secret. Let me grab a paper and pencil.", Victor smartly said.

"Dibs on lightning!", Yoel exclaimed.

Roy learns how to suppress his pain. The boy is surprised that he could do this. This isn't going to be his last though.

"HE'S JUST A BOY!!", someone yelled outside.

The boys turn their heads towards the source of the noise. Shocked and afraid.

"That came from the garden.", Gabriel said.

Roy then stands up, trying to see what's happening in the garden. Roy then falls, until Odaka caught him.

"Hey, I got you.", Odaka said.

"Thanks...", Roy quietly thanks Odaka.

Roy's brothers see this and support Roy towards the garden. They are also curious about what's happening in the garden. They slowly slide the door open. Only peeking at what's happening to see their mom, father, and uncle arguing.

"Do you even understand how fragile children are, Beni?!", Bakin yelled at his brother.

"That's why I'm making him do this training. So he wouldn't be fragile as the rest of the children in this whole world.", Beni argued back.

"Are you even listening to what you're saying? Have you ever seen the state of your own son?! This type of training is too fast for a normal kid.", Bakin said.

"Roy isn't like any normal kid. You know that as much as I do. He's special and has the potential to be stronger than I am. Besides, I'm not letting my son follow the footsteps of someone who skips their training when they were young, Bakin.", Beni reminded Bakin.

Bakin then draws his sword upon hearing this.

"I had enough of your nonsense! You won't listen well maybe! Maybe you'll listen to the sound of my blade.", Bakin threatened.

Beni crosses his arms and then he looks at Bakin with intimidation.

"Are you really challenging me again? Because the last time you did this, you lost.", Beni reminded Bakin.

"Oh, I am challenging you again, brother!", Bakin reassured Beni.

"Very well, might as well show you that power controls all.", Beni unsheathed his katana as well.

They both stare at each other. Ready to fight. The boys hold their breath at what's going to happen next. Until...

"Stop it! Both of you!", Bashira interrupted them both.

Roy's mother stands between them, trying to not let them fight like last time.

"Both of you are right, Roy isn't a normal child but that doesn't mean you can treat him as such. He needs love and compassion like any other kid there is, Beni. And so far, you're not showing much love to him, only tough.", Bashira said.

There is a moment of silence. None of them spoke up. Until Roy decides to interject in the conversation.

"Father's right, mom. I need to be strong for the village.", Roy said as he walks towards them without the support of his brothers.

They're surprised that Roy is listening to their conversation.

"Like you said, mom. I could be a hero that can protect and save the village.", Roy reminded Bashira.

Bakin puts down his sword and faced Roy.

"Roy, you don't know what you're saying. You're still a kid.", Bakin tries to convince Roy.

"I don't know about much, but I know father can't protect us all forever. I need to step up and become the next ninja that will take his job.", Roy logically said.

Bashira quickly heads over to his son, hugging Roy tightly. Roy hugs back. Bashira then moves away and places her hands on Roy's shoulders.

"Roy, honey, I know I said that you need to be strong for us, but you need care for yourself mo-"

"That's enough. Roy, come with me for a second.", Beni interrupted.

Beni puts his sword in his scabbard and approaches the boy. Bakin charges and pointed his sword towards his neck, trying to stop Beni from getting near Roy.

"Wait, no! It's ok, I'll go.", Roy volunteered himself to go with his father.

Roy puts his mother's hands away and runs towards his father, hugging him on the waist.

Seeing this, makes Bakin lower his sword. Bakin gives Roy a worried look. Roy looks back for a second and looks away. Beni then holds the hand of the boy. After that, Beni drags Roy out of there. Roy looks behind to see Bakin looking down on the ground. Bashira looking at his son worried. Roy's brothers are wearing the same expression. Roy trips on the dirt but manages to recover. This causes the boy to focus on the road ahead.

"Roy, you're special. You're not like any boy there is. I will make sure you will reach your potential.", Beni said to his son.

Even though Roy is told to be special, he doesn't feel like one. Roy has this small gut feeling that he doesn't want to be special.

"Roy, you have the potential to be stronger than your father."

"Roy, you can be the hero that the village needs."

"Roy, you can be the strongest there is and you'll be able to protect the people you care about and love."

Roy's second thoughts then kick in, reminding him what his motive is. His goal is to be strong. Not just strong, but the strongest there is. Roy is determined to fulfill that goal...

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Samuel is sleeping in his bed. In Roy's room, having a dream...

Samuel is walking around. The dog is in a fluffy and cloudy place. The dog then catches a scent. Sam's ears raise, eyes widen, and nose sniffing enhances. Sam then sniffs the ground, following the scent. The dog smells another scent and another, and another, and another, and another, and another, and another. They all go in the same direction. Sam keeps following until he sees the backs of 8 people. It's Roy, Odaka, Yoel, Gabriel, Basho, Itsumi, Victor, and Reika. They all turn around with happy smiles on their faces, stretching both their arms. Like they're welcoming Sam to their family. Samuel then immediately bounces and moves all about, feeling excited to be with his family. Sam rushes towards them, getting nearer and nearer. Sam jumps towards his family to realize that there is a huge hole below him. Sam then falls into the hole. Sam then is terrified. As he's falling, Sam sees stray cats.

"Meow. MEOW!!!"

Sam, then sees other dogs. Street dogs.

"ARF!!! ARF!!!"

After that, above him, Sam sees falling trash bags. Soon Sam feels into a deep abyss. Along with the trash...

Sam then got up, out of the trash cans, looking dirty and all.

A spotlight then appears, revealing a small puppy. Barking cutely and all. It's Sam but when he's small. Happily biting in a toy carrot.

Another spotlight appeared. It's showing a more grown-up Sam being professionally trained.

"Good job, Seji! Have a treat.", their trainer said and threw a treat.

Seji catches it and eats it happily.

A third spotlight appears. 3 humans then enter the light. A mother, a father, and a boy.

"He looks so cute, mom! Can we keep him?", the boy asked.

"Absolutely no dogs in the house!", the father stated.

"Oh come on, honey. Just one dog.", the mother whined.

"Please, I'll take care of him! He's even trained.", the boy pleaded.

The father then looks at the dog once more. Thinking...

"Fine! But you need to be the boss of this dog. No poops and no pee in the house. Got it?", the father asked the boy.

"Got it!", the boy agreed.

A fourth spotlight appears, revealing a boy and a dog entering the house. The dog's paws were muddy, so he leave a trail of mud everywhere.

The boy suddenly notices this and tries to get some paper towels to clean up the mess, but it is too late.

The door opens, revealing the father returning from work. Stepping into the mud trail.

"Ugh! What is this? Mud?", the father complained.

"I'm sorry, dad. I'll clean the floor right away.", the boy said.

"Clean the dog while you're at it. He's stinky.", the father replied.

Suddenly, several spotlights appear at the same time. All of them have the father and the dog in them.

"Hey, don't chew my shoes, Seji!"

"Stop bothering me! I'm busy, Seji."

"Quiet down, you mutt!"

"Our house smells like dogs now!"

"Ew! I stepped into Seji's poo!"

"Our front lawn is filled with holes!"

"Why the hell did you chew the couch, Seji?!"

After all that, all of them disappear. Sam is in the dark for a moment until another spotlight appears, showing the whole family and a Pick-up Truck.

"I had enough of this dog! I'll be taking it far from this place.", the father said.

"Wait! Don't! Please! Don't take Seji away from me!...", the boy begged.

"Just give him another chance, honey.", the mother pleaded.

"I gave him too many chances. I'm done giving more.", the father doesn't change his mind.

The father and the dog go in the car and they drive off. Leaving the boy and his mother alone.

After driving on the road for more than half an hour, the car stopped. The father goes outside and drags the dog out of there, out of nowhere.

"Goodbye, mutt", the father said before entering the car again and leaving.

Leaving the dog all alone to fend for himself. Day after day. Night after night. Cold, hungry, with no one to love him. Dodging stray cats, running away from street dogs, and eating food from the trash.

"Hey! Get out of here!", a random person shooed the dog away.

Even that wasn't enough for him until he gets tired of walking and sat beside a road, feeling tired and hungry. Suddenly, the dog smells a delicious aroma and looks around to find where it is to see 2 schoolgirls walking past them. One has short blonde hair and the other had long silvered hair.

The dog then stands up and quickly follows the blonde-haired girl. The blonde girl sees the dog and quickly moves away from him. Afraid. The dog smells that delicious aroma coming from. The approaches the blonde girl which immediately ran away. The dog's instincts turn on and chase after the blonde-haired girl. The silvered-haired girl follows as well. They are at this for a few minutes. Then they reach a certain point. They both run past a guy with black hair and eyes. The dog takes a glimpse at the guy. The guy looks at the dog with shock. They both stare at each other for less than a second. Seemingly like the world froze around them...

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Samuel then wakes up, feeling stressed and afraid. Roy gets up and looks over to his master's bed to see him not there. Roy then sniffs his bed trying to track his master down, which leads him towards an opened window. Samuel then tries his best to get through the window. It takes him more than a minute to get up there but he does. Now Sam's on the roof. Samuel quickly sniffs his master around, to find out that he's over yonder. Sam goes towards the edge, looking over at the ground. Sam smells his master's scent again. After that, the dog jumps. Sam jumps on the roof and lands on the ground. One of Sam's paws slips on the ground, which causes him to limp. Sam yelp in pain. After that though, Sam continues, powering through the pain, the dog continues to search for his master. To search for Roy.

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"Alvin? Is that you?", Roy asked.

The hooded figure then lets down the hood, revealing it's Alvin all along.

"Roy, why are you up this late?", Alvin asked.

"I should be asking you that question. I've never sensed you to be in these parts of town at this time before. Shouldn't you be at home?", Roy replied.

Alvin looks down, avoiding eye contact for a moment.

"I just... I just need to get away from home...", Alvin answered.

Roy looks at Alvin's expression, looking at his avoiding eyes, posture, and even body actions.

'I think he's going through a lot right now...', Roy thought.

Roy scratches the back of his head trying to think of something.

"You shouldn't be outside late this night. How about you..."

Roy sighs, not wanting to say this but has to.

"...stay at my place?...", Roy asked.

Alvin's lighten up.

"Are you sure? You seem to not like the idea?", Alvin asked for reassurance.

Roy breathes heavily trying to calm down.

"Yes... I'm ok with it...", Roy reassured Alvin.

Roy then imagines something, imagining something out-of-world.

"Good morning, Roy!", Odaka opened the door to Roy's room.

Odaka then sees Roy and Alvin sleeping together. Odaka is shocked to see this.

"Roy... I... I'll leave you to alone.", Odaka slowly closed the door.

"Wait! It's not what you think!", Roy exclaimed.

The door suddenly opens again to see Roy's whole family on the other side.

"Ha! Gayyyy!", Yoel teased.

"Roy, you never told us you were gay?", Basho was dumbfounded seeing this.

"There's nothing wrong with being gay...but...please...don't do it here. We have a child.", Victor said.

"What is onii-chan doing?", Reika asked.

Itsumi and Gabriel cover Reika's eyes, preventing her from seeing what's happening.

"Don't look, Rei!", Itsumi said.

"You're too young for this!", Gabriel added.

Roy feels all the shameful gazes of his brothers. Roy even feels great shame for himself.

"Dammiiiiit!!!", Roy shouted towards the sky.

Roy shakes his head, getting his focus back. Roy then looks at Alvin.

"Come. Follow me.", Roy said.

"Ok", Alvin replied.

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Roy jumps on the roof and then he reaches downward, pulling Alvin. They both then head towards the window to Roy's room.

"Remember, just act like you don't know about us being ninjas.", Roy reminded Alvin.

"Oh ok!", Alvin said.

"Shhh! Quiet. You'll wake Sam. He'll bark when he sees us. That will awake everyone.", Roy shushes Alvin.

"Oops, sorry.", Alvin apologies quietly.

Roy enters first in his room and then Alvin. Alvin closes the window behind him. After that, Roy turns around trying to look at Sam on his bed... Roy then heads over to the light switch of his room, turning it on.

"Where is he?", Roy asked himself.