Chapter 7

Ashidon awoke from a dreamless slumber in the twilight hours. These days, deep sleep is a commodity in scarce supply. Sitting up he noticed that everyone was still asleep. Looking at the entrance of the cave he spotted a lone figure.

Making his way over he sat next to Sumari who gazed upon the cloudless sky. He didn't speak, just sat beside her and gazed alongside her. As he gazed up he couldn't help but think about the past days.

'I've really come a long way, from a simple kid to a very effective killer. And yet, I almost feel nothing.'

The silence between them was interrupted by Sumari's soft voice. "It's nice isn't it?"

Ashidon turned to look at her. Her eyes remained glued to the dark sky. She seemed enraptured by the sight. She continued before he could reply.

"Even though we're in foreign lands, deep behind enemy lines, the sky still looks the same as it does back home."

She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, almost savoring it. "I would always wake at this time and just stare into the sky. Watch the stars disappear one after another, giving way to the closest one that would usher in a new day.

I love the serenity of it, even the air had a newness to it. But, lately every time I'd do this, it doesn't feel the same. The air, all I can smell is blood and death."

A single tear fell from her shut eye and trailed down her face. Ashidon was at a loss for words, he just stared at her. She smiled at his silence and opened her eyes before looking at him.

"Sorry Captain, I didn't mean to burden you like that."

He shook his head vigorously. "Not at all, I was just surprised. I have no words, none that would be appropriate."

"Haha, I sometimes forget that you're still a kid." She said, turning back to look at the sky.

"I'm not just a kid, I've got too much blood on my hands." Ashidon replied while staring at his palms.

"We all do, and the blood has only just begun to flow." She replied.

Ashidon was silent, unsure what to make of his emotions. On some occasions he'd smile and joke with his team, acting as he would in his previous life. And others he would become cold and ruthless. It was like a switch would be flipped and he wasn't sure if that was a boon or a curse.

"When this is all over, we should hang out sometime." Ashidon suddenly said, instantly regretting it the moment the words left his mouth.

Sumari turned to look at him with a raised brow. She shrugged her shoulders before replying. "I suppose we could, I mean you did save my life many times now. Though, being asked out on a date by someone nearly a decade my joiner is a bit odd."

Ashidon quickly waved his hands. "It's not a date, just hanging out. We could even watch the sunrise together."

"Sure, that's what it is, nothing else at all, haha." She chuckled slightly.

"So is that a yes?" He asked.

"It is, I know this really great spote. I go there nearly every day to watch the sky." She replied.

Ashidon smiled, he raised his pinky up to her. "Pinky promise?"

Sumari eyed the pinky in confusion before asking, "what does that even mean?"

"We make a promise and bind it with our pinkies." He replied.

"That doesn't make any sense," she said.

"Indulge me," he replied.

"You know, you don't sound like any kid I've ever seen, but sure, pinky promise." She said while locking his pinky with hers.

"Now that your date has been arranged, why don't we focus on finishing this mission." Nakko said from behind them.

Ashidon jumped and looked behind him only to see everyone awake and smirking at him. Sumari laughed at the look on his face and the others joined in. Ashidon for his part rolled with the friendly joke. He did point out that at least he had a date while the rest of them were a bunch of lonely old farts. That got another round of laughter.

Ashidon appreciated the small respite from the seriousness of the past few days. But it was time to get back to work. They gathered their things and the group split up. Ashidon made sure to leave some crows to help them out before he left.

Ashidon and his group began the trip back to the main camp. They followed the route they took to get there. Taking out any enemy they came across. None of the forces they encountered posed any serious threat. Ashidon would spot them long before the enemy even knew they were there. And with his void smoke, taking them out was easy.

With every kill Ashidon would absorb the souls of the slain. He could feel the slow progression to his last ability and he couldn't wait. It got to the point that he would stop to kill any enemy nin even if they weren't on their path. The others chalked this up to him being thorough.

After a week they made it back to the main force. Ashidon reported to the same jonin commander and reported everything that had transpired since their departure. Even including the decisions leading up to the ambush and subsequent death of Kyusai.

The commander and his aides listened to the report and when it was over Katto cooberrated his report. They applauded his efforts and formally made him a captain. They were very intrigued by his powers and thoroughly discussed their applications in this war time.

The meeting went long into the night with Ashidon marking locations on the map and discussing the route to the next camp site. When it was over they were dismissed and given two days of rest. The main force would move out by then and Ashidon and his team would lead the way.

Yet, Ashidon couldn't shake this odd feeling, as if he was having a premonition of something. He chalked it up to his nerves and attempted to relax. And the two days passed in the blink of an eye. Ashidon and his team stood at the head of the main force awaiting the go ahead from the commander to move out, with them at the vanguard.