Chapter 11 : Here We Go

Esketit.

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Almost a year later...

Kenji felt the brush of a sword brush by his, now, ten year old face. Slightly leaning backwards, his developed, red eyes sweeped back and forth and up and down. Scanning his opponent, reading the speed of attacks, and scanning for his opening. The opposing sword redirected and raced up towards his neck. Kenji gripped his weapon and quickly slashed upward. The two swords collided inches from his neck as the richochet broke their footing. Kenji backed away, resetting himself. His opponent took advantage of his retreat.

Kenji witnessed the opponent move hands at lightning speed. Kenji concentrated his vision. Studying his opponents hand signs as a bead of sweat rolled down his face. Kenji began to copy the jutsu.

In less than two seconds, both fighters yelled, " Lightning style : Lightning Fang!"

Bolts of lightning shot from each hand. Lightning collided with each other, sending currents everywhere, robbing the ground of its green grass. The lightning users eventually came to a stalemate and a lightning ball formed at the site of collision. The ball expanded and blew. A shock wave was released, but at the time of explosion, both swords shot up and flickered across the battlefield. The opponent slashed furiously at Kenji. The boy dodged each strike, occasionally striking back with his sword. Then, the opposing sword began its decsent over the top of Kenji's head. Kenji quickly backed away while bringing his own sword from up under to meet the opposing force. At the last second, Kenji swept his blade to the side, completely missing the other. He whipped it around back onto the top of the opposing blade with all his strength and jammed it in the ground. He focused his sword to the body of his opponent with a smile.

"Not bad." Aya said with a smile.

Kenji frowned. "You didn't even go all out."

Aya's smile turned to seriousness. "You don't want me to go all out, son."

Kenji deactivated his sharingan and sheepishly grinned.

"Remember, there is honor in fighting with the sword, but when faced with death, that honor goes out the window. You hear me? You do everything you can to win."

"Yes Ma'am." Kenji didn't salute given the serious vibe he was getting.

"Come on. Let's go eat." Aya turned as she sheathed her sword.

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Kenji struggled through the past year. He supported Hansuke and his team even more. Which they needed. Aya focused on training his Kenjutsu heavily and keeping an eye on him. She was able to stay undetected while she watched his training. Kenji didn't know how, even when he asked her she said it's a secret, with a playful face. Kenji ached with the knowledge he couldn't have, and Aya loved teasing him about things like this. She wanted to relieve the stress as much as possible.

As they ate, Aya continued to struggle with the right time to tell Kenji about his life. She wasn't eating her dinner. While Kenji scarfed his down growing boy style, he sneaked a glance at her. The Commander was a terrible man, but he knew what he was talking about. Kenji's instincts concerning deception, lies, and wrong started popping. He picked up on many things about Aya that lead him to a conclusion. She twiddled her thumbs, clenched her cheeks, averted her eyes from him. He knew she was struggling with something. The need to know washed over Kenji. Suddenly, he was reminded of the greatest mystery he has yet to solve in his life.

"Mom, you ever gonna tell me who I am?"

Aya was struck. Kenji hit it right on the money. She darted her widened eyes to Kenji who proceeded to clean his plate while looking at his mother. Aya's heart sank to her stomach. She calmed herself down, trying to convince herself Kenji would still love her afterwards.

"First, do you promise me you'll still love me?" Aya pleaded.

Kenji became a little frightened, but he nodded with eagerness.

"Ok." Aya took in a giant breath. Exhaled. "Here we go."

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Aya laid it all out. She lead with "I'm not your real mother." This tore a hole in Kenji's heart. After Aya was about to finish, her and Kenji had since moved to the couch. Aya sprung from her seat and knelt in front of Kenji. She cupped his kneecaps and said, "I know you're probably mad at me, but ever since you were placed on my doorstep, I fell in love. And I realized you were the thing I needed most in my life. I may not be your real mother, but you're still my son!" Aya poured her heart out.

Kenji laughed. Aya shot her head up and was met by Kenji's arms around her. "Like I could be mad about you loving me. You'll always be mom to me." Both teared up.

When everything was out, Aya felt amazing. It would probably never be the same, but it would be better than before. She was busted out of thought when Kenji asked, "So who are my birth parents?" with a face stung by wonder.

Aya remembered the note she received that was tucked between Kenji's blanket as an infant.

"Your father was an Uchiha. One of the big clans that resides in Konoha. You probably learned about the massacre in school, so I'm not sure how many are left around now." Aya explained.

"So that's why I can't use the sharingan." Kenji looked sad.

Aya said, "Wait, You know what it's called?!"

"Yes. I read a lot mom. I'm proficient in Lightning style and Fire style. Black hair. Black eyes. They didn't tell us about the sharingan in the academy though. I had suspicions, but once you said Uchiha, it all connected."

"So.... who was my mother?" Kenji said without changing his expression.

Aya looked at her feet. "I'm not sure. I have a feeling she was an important woman since she was killed also, but her name on the letter was smeared."

"Kenji, I'm sorry. The reason everyone looks at you like trash is because you look like your father, a full blooded Uchiha, and the Mist has not had the best luck against them."

"It's fine, Mom. I want to get through graduation and then I'll search for these answers. Since you know I can''t live without them."

Aya laughed. "Do you feel confident? The first trial starts tomorrow right?"

"Yes Ma'am." Kenji saluted. "I have the confidence of a bull in a china shop sir!"

Aya pushed her hand into his face lightly. Kenji smiled as she ruffled his dark hair.

"Come here. I want to give you something." Aya started toward her room.

Kenji became excited. Aya always said he would receive something when he was ready, but she never told him what.

Aya reached under the drapes of her bed and pulled out a black wooden case topped with dust. Aya unlocked the case, placed it on her bed, and slowly lifted the lid. Inside was a sword encased in a sleek black sheath. Aya carefully lifted the sword like it was her greatest possession. She turned towards Kenji.

"This was my father's sword. I want you to have it, since you are my son." Aya smiled.

Kenji stood in disbelief. She always talked about her father's success as a swordsman. He was the one that trained Aya and made her who she is. Kenji wanted nothing more than to carry on this man's legacy. He graciously accepted the sword. That annoying feeling of 'I need to see what this looks like fam' entered Kenji's mind. He grabbed the hilt and slide the slightly curved blade from its home. The blade looked untouched. It's black, seemingly perfect blade, reflected Kenji's face back at him. The handle seemed so broken in. So comfortable. Like he had practiced with this sword for years. He returned the blade home and laid it on the bed. "Thank you." Mother and son both smiled and embraced.

Aya figured the trials would be awful, but she believed in Kenji. Even more so with her father's sword watching over him.

"You better get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day." Aya said while rubbing the back of Kenji's head.

"I'll try." Kenji lowered his eyelids and deadened his eyes. He knew these trials would not be easy.

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Note : Dayum this chapter kind of ran away from me. Next chapter is where it gets real bruh. The team's first trial together. Lit. I'm writing the next one straight after this chapter is uploaded so it might be out later tonight. I'm out. YERRR!