The next chapter!

Kame and Jaken are said to be the only Chikaras alive. With Ziku and his mother being the only Nakamura's. Just before Totsuki left he found where Jin was hiding and ended up taking him. Natsumi tried to search and find Jin but she couldn't, she just assumed the worst. The village was in ruins only the Chikara and Nakamura clan suffering from loss and devastation. At this point the village was at stake, it was on the brink of collapse with there being no one to rule and guide the village, it just seemed there was nothing left to offer. Toko ended up bringing his family to the village. Azuma, Akuma, Asuna and Hitomi. Toko asks for everyone in the village to meet in the center at the Zulphlas Garden the only thing that isn't destroyed. Has to be a miracle. When all the villagers gather Toko is amazed to see how many people are still alive nearly 5,000. One woman steps up.

Cynra: "I sensed there was great danger approaching the village, so I gathered as many villagers and clans as I could. Unfortunately I couldn't convince everyone and save everyone, but to the thousands of people here alive I hope all is well."

Toko: " What do you mean sensed?"

Cynra: " um ever since I was born I was able to sense when there is danger approaching, whether it being a natural disaster or an immense amount of energy."

Toko: " Ah I see, and what clan do you belong to?"

Cynra: " None, I came here alone without any family. I met Kasai awhile back and he saw me alone, so he welcomed me to his village. He told me I wouldn't have to be alone and I could start a new family here. I gladly accepted."

Toko: " I don't understand. Why were you alone?"

Cynra: " As a child my village was attacked, only me and my family survived. I felt bad because we didn't warn anyone else and the whole town ended being destroyed. Years later both my parents died from a sickness and I was alone. For 9 years I was all alone, only surviving off of items I scavenged or stole. Kasai found me and that's when he welcomed me to join his village. Of course it wasn't complete at the time, but helping build a great village was something special and to just watch it all go away like this.... along with Kasai. It just hurts."

Toko: " Trust me, I know the pain of loss all to well. Let me tell you as long as you convince yourself you're living for the right reason and for the right people, it gets better. "

She smiles at him with Toko finally giving a smirk. Then Asuna quiets everyone.

Toko: " As you all know, without Kasai the village is in shambles. He told me that if he was to ever die he wants me to be the next emperor. I had to decline. Just like him we don't want to rule over anything we just want to live our lives. But it takes authority to keep maintain a village. Talking with Kasai he told me about a man who he felt was worthy of the title. This man he honored and respected for his strength, his will, and his leadership. The man I speak of is Ginsama Oporto."

After the speech everyone looked around trying to find Ginsama but no one could spot him. Then one kid stands with tears falling saying: " he died saving all the kids that were trapped."

Toko looks down as he realizes now that they are out of options and if it came down to it. He would have to assume the position. Until one man steps forward and declares that he should be the emperor.

Toko: " Why?"

Hoshi :" I trained with Ginsama, we were equal in strength it's only fitting that I be given the position."

Toko: " Hmm, you can't be trusted on strength alone, tell me your ideology and how you plan to lead this village. "

Hosu: " My vision is to first rebuild the village, making a great place to live. Then I have great ideas on how we could take steps to form alliances with other villages. I respected Kasai for all he has done and created for this village. His innovations will serve great purpose in what I hope to accomplish for the village."

Toko looks at him and just stares into his eyes. Then he looks around at the people, then looks at Asuna. Suddenly the people start cheering and boasting about Hosu.

Toko: " Your ideals are great. The people seem to think so as well. The inauguration for the 2nd emperor will commence in 10 days."

Hosu smiles and looks at the people and to the village. He puts a hand in the air and everyone goes crazy cheering for him. Toko shakes his hand as him and his family take their leave.

Toko: " Asuna. I need you to stay here."

Asuna: " Why me?"

Toko: " Kasai wants Ziku grow and develop under you, then when he's strong enough; to come to me."

Asuna: " What will all of you do?"

Toko: " We will try and protect the village from the outside, that being said, we won't be able to stop everything. You understand that don't you? If we are not here to protect this village, that falls on you Asuna, all this training, all you have done up to now. The village will show just how strong you are and your devotion to achieving peace in this world."

Asuna looks down, then looks at his family who are smiling at him. They prepare to leave as they all hug him and walk away. Hitomi stays just looking at him as she hugs him one more time.

Hitomi: " Be careful Asuna, I will visit you whenever I can."

Asuna nods then watches her run to catch up with the family. Asuna turns back and heads towards the village. As he's walking he finds an 8 year old Ziku wandering around. He watches him as he notices Ziku walks to a part in the village that is destroyed. It seems to be what use to be a river. He sits down on the edge and just stares. Asuna goes over to him.

Asuna: " Does your mother know you're out here alone?"

Ziku: " I told her I was going for a walk, she told me to be back before dinner."

Asuna: " Ahh, so why did you stop here?"

Ziku: " When my dad first came back, this is where he took me to train. But we also went fishing and he tried teaching me how to swim here. I loved it."

Asuna is at a lost for words. He doesn't know what to say cause anything he says could make the situation worse.

Ziku: " Hey, how do you feel about this world?"

Asuna: " Hmm, personally I wish this world was better. This world can give and it could also take. I guess I don't like it."

Ziku: " I haven't even been alive that long. And already this world has broken me. It beat me down to my knees. But I know it's not over I choose to keep moving forward not living in the past. Cause someday I want to be like my dad. Someday I want to change this cruel world hopefully my father will be watching. "

Asuna: " Hopefully your mom could be there every step of the way. "

Asuna puts his hand on Ziku's shoulder making him smile off in to the distance. Asuna takes Ziku home and leaves right after. 3 days go by and the village is having a funeral for all those who died. Everyone gathers as they mourn their loved ones placing pictures of them. Ziku and his mom stand next to a pillar that has Kasai as they both tear up. Then Ziku looks over to see Kame and Jaken doing the same. Just seconds after Ziku and Kame make eye contact and as they are walking away they continue to stare at each other. 2 more days go by as the village has begun its rebuilding process. Omoi and his mother comes by as Ziku and Omoi are glad to see each other. Natsumi and Mina sit down and begin to talk.

Natsumi: " So where is Kotomi?"

Mina:" I have no idea, he just left without saying anything."

Natsumi: " What about Omoi? How is he feeling."

Mina: " You know he was sad at first, but I told him he would be back and then I told him we were coming to see you guys and he smiled cause he was going to see Ziku."

Natsumi: " Aww that's sweet, just mentioning his best friend could put a smile on his face. You know their bond is strong, It'll be nice to see them grow up together."

Ziku and Omoi are outside playing. Omoi runs up a tree and hangs on a branch Ziku is amazed, he tries it but falls down and bumps his head. Omoi runs down to see if he's ok but Ziku just starts laughing making Omoi laugh with him. Both Natsumi and Mina watch as they both smile.

Omoi: " Hey Ziku, look what I learned."

Omoi demonstrates how he can make a ball of wind as he throws it through trees making a gust of strong wind brush past them. Ziku is astonished.

Ziku: " That was so cool!"

Omoi: " Yeah, your turn. What can you do?"

Ziku: " Umm, I don't know yet."

Ziku trues to figure out his abilities, but nothing seems to happen. He looks at his hands and wonders why nothing happens or comes out.

Natsumi comes out tells both of them to come inside since it's time for dinner. When they go inside Ziku gets excited because they made his favorite food. Chicken/shrimp Alfredo. Ziku runs and sits down, he prays and begins to chow down. Natsumi stares at him smiling thinking to herself how he's just like Kasai.

Natsumi: " haha where did that appetite come from Ziku?"

Ziku shrugs as she just continues to smile at him. After they finish eating Omoi and Ziku go to Ziku's room. Ziku pulls out a journal and opens it.

Ziku: " I found this in my parents room, it belonged to my dad."

Omoi: " What does it say?"

Ziku: " It has a lot about him when he was younger."

Omoi: " Is that you?"

Ziku: " haha I thought so too, but no it's my dad I guess we really do look alike huh?" He says smiling.

As time goes by Ziku and Omoi continue to look through the journal. Then they fall asleep. Natsumi walks in with Mina and they both stop. They both start to tear up because of what they see, which is Omoi and Ziku sleeping together.

Natsumi: " They're so cute! They are just the best of friends."

Mina: " yeah, it's moments like these that make you dream of peace. Look how peaceful they look, it's hard to believe the world we still live in."

Natsumi: " Yeah, lets take a picture, so that this reminds us that there's still hope for the world."

They take a picture and frame it. It's morning and the first thing Ziku and Omoi go do is spar outside. They spar 4 times each for 2 minutes and each time Omoi has won. Ziku likes sparring, but it's hard for him since he doesn't want to hurt Omoi so he pulls his punches, ultimately making him lose. But he doesn't want to tell Omoi that. Ziku loves fighting, he just can't fight friends or family. Few days go by and it's time for the inauguration. It doesn't really take long, all that happened was the village gathered, Toko named Hosu the new emperor and there was a celebration after. After the inauguration, everyone went about their duties and continued to rebuild the village. Ziku walks by a wall and posted on it was a paper to sign up for the academy starting up in 2 years. Ziku smiles and signs his name along with Omoi's. Ziku runs home to tell his mom. At first she's angry at Ziku for signing his name without her permission. Eventually giving in because she sees how much Ziku wants to do this. Natsumi invites Mina over so they could talk about it.

Natsumi: " I don't know I'm not even sure if I want Ziku to be a warrior. Let alone fight for the village."

Mina: "He is Kasai's son after all, it's only natural he would want to be just like him."

Natsumi: "I get that, it's just....."

Mina: " Your son is ready, it's just that you are not. I'm not going to go against you, whatever you decide that's your choice. But Ziku and Omoi have so much potential not to mention they would be together throughout everything."

Natsumi looks out the window to see Ziku and Omoi training again. She smiles.

Few days go by as Natsumi goes to Ziku and gives him a sword. Before she hands it to him she tells him all about it and explains the type of person that is able to wield it. She tells him that her mom gave her the sword, but she never had to use it cause she always had Kasai. Before giving it to him she says that it's heavy. Ziku takes it and wields it like nothing and plays with it like a toy. Natsumi smiles thinking to herself as one must be pure of heart in order to wield the sword. She smiles cause she sees how happy Ziku is and how innocent he is. There was never a doubt that Ziku was pure hearted.

Ziku accidentally drops the sword and it makes a huge hole in the ground. Ziku begins to laugh while rubbing his head. Natsumi grabs him, looks him in the eyes and says: " I'm going to train you until it's time for you to start the academy."

Ziku: " Really!?"

Natsumi: " Yes, I will teach you Okinawan Kobudo."

Ziku just stares at her because he has no idea what she just said.

Natsumi: " Your father was strong, but if it wasn't for me he wouldn't be as proficient as he was with weapons."

Ziku:" You trained dad?"

Natsumi: " Ever since we were little, your father acknowledged my skills with weapons. One day I promised him that I would teach him, after training with him a few times and having conversations I fell in love. I fell in love for who he was and who he strived to be. Never would have thought we'd get married. "

After she said that , she looks down and gets sad. Ziku hugs her and tells her it's ok. She smiles, hugging him as they both tear up behind each other's back.

Few days go by and Natsumi is training Ziku. At first she demonstrates moves and techniques for him to mimic. When Ziku tries it, he matches her moves perfectly and he does every technique with ease. When he's finished Natsumi is just staring at him.

Ziku: " What? Did I mess up? I'll try again."

Natsumi: " No Ziku, you.. you did it perfectly!"

Natsumi starts to think to herself that maybe since she was born very proficient in weapons, there is a possibility Ziku was too, but at the skill he's at now, he could easily be better than her in just a few weeks. Next couple days they undergo Bo staff training. As the days go by it's the same thing, Ziku is very good with using the weapon. Next weapon is the Nunchucks, at this point Natsumi isn't shocked that Ziku is proficient with the weapon. The only thing is that Ziku doesn't like using them. Next lesson is ninja tools including: shuriken, kunai and the Kusarigama. This lesson proved just a little difficult for Ziku because he couldn't aim the shuriken to hit targets, but with kunai he was able to easily deflect attacks. The shuriken lesson took 3 months for Ziku to even hit a target, he wouldn't stop until he was able to hit it. When he finally hit it he was so excited and even burst into tears. Last lesson was the bow and arrow. Ziku was distraught over the idea. Natsumi grabbed him smiling as she told him life doesn't get easier, not everything we do is easy. The difficulties we face are what divides people, most people give up and quit when it gets too hard, but those who are strong enough to keep trying, those are the people that go far in life. Ziku looks at her and then looks down, then he goes to pick up the bow and arrow. Ziku undergoes difficult training only to not be able to hit a single target with his arrow. When he misses he smiles and just keeps trying. Every time Ziku hits a target Natsumi makes the distance from him to the target further. All together for 100 meters it takes Ziku 4 months. Add on another two for him training to hit a moving target.

Finally Ziku is done with his weapon training. The next step for Ziku is to learn how to use his speed. Natsumi demonstrates how fast she is by doing an afterimage technique and flash step. Ziku is mesmerized by the speed of his mom. She also shows him how fast she can evade attacks and her speed on feet.

Ziku: " So cool!"

Natsumi: " Is it hard to believe I'm not even half the level of speed your father was at?"

Ziku: " Really?" Dad must have been so fast!"

Natsumi: "Yeah, your dad was just amazing." She says this smiling.

For awhile it's just awkward silence. Then the silence gets broken by Omoi.

Omoi: " Hey Ziku!"

Ziku turns to look as he sees Omoi and Mina. Ziku gets excited and runs towards Omoi jumps in the air and hugs him. Omoi is confused and doesn't like hugs so he grabs Ziku and pulls him away.

Omoi: " What are you doing."

Ziku: " sorry it's just..... we barely see each other and it seems like months go by until the next time I see you. You're my best friend and I want you always by my side."

Omoi blushes and turns around.

Omoi: " Hey, cut that out. It's embarrassing."

Mina and Natsumi just start laughing. Then Ziku tells Omoi that there is a little over a year until the academy. Then they both get excited and decide to spar. Before they fight Ziku closes his eyes and breathes in. Omoi looks and doesn't move because he's confused. Then all of sudden Ziku makes afterimages just like he saw his mom do and they all surround Omoi. Omoi thinks about attacking but he can't figure out which one is the real one. He tries to punch one, but then he hits air and Ziku kicks him making him go flying until he hits a tree. Ziku runs over to him to ask if he's ok. Omoi rubbing his head and then looks at Ziku and smiles.

Omoi: " You're teaching me that before we go to the academy."

Then they both start laughing. After it gets dark Ziku asks if Omoi could stay the night and Mina says yes. Ziku and Omoi stay up late just playing, at first they had a pillow fight just throwing them around. Then Omoi goes back and forth putting on clothes making costumes and pretending like he's a hero. Then Omoi slips on his cape and falls and they both start laughing wildly. After awhile they get tired and try and go to sleep.

Omoi: " Hey Ziku. Why do you want to join the academy?"

Ziku: " In all honesty, I just want to be like my dad. I don't care about being the strongest like he was, I just want to make sure I can protect my mom and the village."

Omoi: " That sounds like you."

Ziku: " what about you?"

Omoi: " I'm only joining because you are. I don't care about being the strongest either, you're my best friend in the world. Honestly you're my only friend and I wouldn't trade your friendship for anything."

He doesn't hear a response and then he looks over and sees Ziku sleeping. He laughs and just stares at Ziku.

Omoi: " I really wish we are friends forever, I don't know what I'd do without you. I'm afraid this world will try and tear us apart. What am I saying nothing will ever break our bond!"

He smiles and closes his eyes to sleep.

Kame awakens and goes outside to just watch the sky. Not having either of his parents and living with his aunt has taken its toll on him. Kame notices a paper flying around, he tries to grab it as it takes him into the woods. He keeps following it, but then it lands in someone's hand. Kame looks up and notices a tall man. The man hands him the paper and lets him read it. Kame smiles wanting to join the academy. The man identifies his name as Kenshi.

Kenshi: " You want to join the academy huh?"

Kame nods.

Kenshi: "Hmm let's see if you can first. Let's go ask your parents. Where do you live?"

Kame points.

Kenshi: "How about you show me?"

Kame starts walking and Kenshi follows. They get back to where Kame and Jaken have been living. Jaken comes outside to greet them, but she doesn't take to kind to strangers as she pulls Kame away and ask what Kenshi was doing with him.

Kenshi: " Don't worry, I found him chasing him after a paper near my home. When he looked at the paper he saw that they are starting an academy for the youth. He got excited so I assume he wants to join."

Jaken: " No. We are not fighters. As it stands now I won't even be able to afford anything like this."

Kenshi: " I see the both of you are struggling. I'll be willing to train him and provide him with everything he needs."

Jaken: " But why? What do you want from us?"

Kenshi: " Nothing. I'm not doing it because I want something. I'm doing it because I have nothing."

Jaken: " What do you mean?"

Kenshi: " Growing up I had nothing and no one. That is until I met someone that changed my life around and gave me a purpose. I see myself in Kame. I see something in him as well. He's made for this. Allow me to train him and make him stronger."

Jaken stares at Kenshi and then she looks at Kame who just has a blank expression. She thinks to herself that maybe Kenshi can make both their lives better, and turn Kame back into the cheerful and full of spirit boy he once was. Hesitantly she agrees.

Kenshi: "Great! We have 9 months left, but that's all we need. Training begins tomorrow Kame be ready!"

Kame smiles again. And this is the first time Jaken has seen him smile. It's the next day and Kame rushes to get dressed and hurries outside. Already arrived is Kenshi.

Kenshi: " We will begin with Muay Thai."

Kame just nods and gets into a stance.

Kenshi: " Natural stance. You were made for this. Now let us begin!"

Kenshi shows him basic techniques, how to guard and some efficient combos. After watching him, Kenshi notices that Kame is a natural with martial arts and that he has a bright future ahead of him. After 6 months of training, Kenshi thinks it's time for their first spar match. While they're fighting Kenshi can tell that Kame has improved a lot and he notices Kame's ridiculous strength. Every time he dodged an attack Kame either broke a tree, a rock or made a crater in the floor. Jaken just watches, she doesn't understand, she thought that she knew what was best for the both of them by keeping him isolated from the world. She never would have thought that what he needed was a kind of father figure to train with him and make him stronger. Already she is noticing a difference in how he acts and a major personality change. For one he's smiling more. It's like fighting brought who he really is out and he broke out of his shell.

Only 3 months remain.

Kenshi: " I think you're ready."

Kame: " Thank you. I idolize you in every way. You turned my dream into a reality!"

Kenshi: " No problem kid. Don't worry I'll be training you until you move on. Promise me when you get stronger you won't forget me haha."

Kame: " I won't. Now I just wait 3 months and we see what happens. I am so ready to show everyone what I am made of!"

Kenshi smiles as he starts to think how it's only been 6 months and he's built a strong bond with Kame he even kind of sees him as his son.

Ziku is staying over Omoi's house as they both decide to go into the village and walk around and browse. As they are walking through, Ziku bumps into a kid. Ziku immediately apologizes, but the kid just walks away.

Ziku: "He's cold!"

Omoi: "Yeah he seemed weird."

Ziku: "No, like he's actually cold! When I bumped into his shoulder he was freezing!"

Omoi: "Woah. What we get for living on the outskirts of the village, we are new to everyone and how they act."

Ziku: "Yeah. Let's head back."

When they start walking back Ziku starts to hear a melody. And it gets louder. He starts to walk toward it, Omoi tries to stop him, but Ziku just keeps going. Omoi has no choice but to follow. Ziku just stops and starts staring, Omoi ask what he's looking at as they both see a girl standing on the edge of a cliff. Ziku calls out to her.

Ziku: " Hey!"

He startles her and she trips and falls off the edge. Ziku runs to try and catch her. The girl is falling, but Ziku jumps after her, dives and catches her hand. He can't get a grip on the cliff and they both keep falling. He brings out the sword from its gage and stabs into the side of the cliff. They stop falling. Ziku lifts her up on his back and tells her to hold on. She clinches on tightly and closes her eyes. Ziku starts climbing up using the sword to pull them up. He gets to the top and Omoi pulls both of them up.

Omoi: " You guys all right?"

Ziku: " Yeah, I'm fine."

Aiko: " Yeah, me too. Thank you for almost killing me, but also saving my life."

Ziku: " I'm sorry it's just, I heard this melody in my head and I...."

Aiko: " A melody?"

Ziku:" Yeah, when I followed it, I ended up here."

Aiko: " Before you two showed up I was humming one of my favorite songs my mom use to sing to me before I went to bed."

Omoi: " It sounds like Ziku heard you humming and it brought us here."

Aiko:" I don't understand, how were you able to hear me?"

Ziku: "I'm not sure, I just heard this beautiful melody and it called to me, next thing I know I ended up here with you."

They all just sit there looking at each other.

Omoi: "Ziku we should go, it's almost time for dinner."

Ziku: " Yeah, umm I apologize umm..."

Aiko: " My name is Aiko."

Ziku: " Aiko. That's pretty."

She blushes as she watches them walk away. Then Ziku turns around and they both make eye contact. Ziku smiles at her and waves, Aiko's face turns red because she's blushing a lot and she awkwardly waves back. Ziku and Omoi get home and Mina has already prepared dinner. They eat and then go to bed.

Omoi: "You ok Ziku?"

Ziku: " That girl. I can't stop thinking about her. Like why was she there alone?"

Omoi: "I don't know it confuses me too."

Ziku: " The whole day, all I could think about is her and I'm not sure why."

Omoi: " Could we talk about this some other time, I'm actually really tired."

Omoi ends up falling asleep and Ziku soon after. The next day it seemed like they had forgot all about the girl and Ziku goes home. More time pass and it's only a week left until it's time to start the academy. Ziku tells his mom that he's going to go to the river. When he gets there he sees the girl again. He calls out to her, but when she turns around he sees tears falling from her eyes.

Aiko: " What are you doing here?"

Ziku blushing, then goes to sit down next to her.

Ziku: " I come here sometimes to just think. My father took me here when he came back and it immediately became my favorite place."

Aiko: "Oh, I see."

Ziku: "Why are you here?"

Aiko: "I never knew my real parents. I live alone, never had anyone. But whenever I go out, I could tell the villagers see me differently. My hair, my skin makes them afraid of me because it's different, I guess people are afraid of things they don't understand. They treat me like I'm some type of disease and at times I just don't want to live life anymore."

Ziku: "I'm sorry you feel this way. But hey, it doesn't matter what the village thinks. As long as you know who you are and who you want to be none of that matters. You're weird, but I can tell you're special. "

She just stares into Ziku's eyes.

Ziku: "Oh, you should join the academy!"

Aiko: "I'm not a fighter, I'm weak."

Ziku smiles at her and says: "No you're not, there's something about you that just feels special. You don't have to be the strongest, you could be strong and unique in your own way."

Aiko stares at Ziku then wipes her tears. She starts to blush.

Aiko: "Are.. Are you going to be in the academy?"

Ziku: "Yep, me and my friend Omoi."

Aiko: "Ok. I'll join."

Ziku:" Great I'll see you there!"

Aiko: "Thank you Ziku!"

Ziku:" You're welcome... umm... I'm sorry I forgot your name. I'm terrible with names."

She laughs and says: "It's Aiko. Don't forget!"

Ziku: "I won't"

Ziku waves at her as he's leaving and she waves back. He heads home, but the whole way home he's smiling. When he gets home he tells him mom all about Aiko and how he changed her mind and got her to join the academy along with him and Omoi. It's night time and everyone is heading to bed. More time pass as all the students have the date set and are ready.

Ziku: "One week!"

Omoi:"One week!"

Kame: "One week!"

Aiko: "One week!"

All of them in different places, but thinking the same thing as each and every one of them is excited for the next chapter in their lives!