The Hakagure Village

After the discussion I had with my father, I just remembered that I was on a time limit, I decided to visit my one and only bestfriend, one last time... Or at least I wish I could call him anymore, I basically told him straight to his face that I'm not in love with him, when clearly I've been head over heels for him eversince we first met as children. My father told me that love feels like a warm, aggressive heart pounding experience. My father loved his wife, so he would know better what love feels like. But for him, his love for my mother isn't as poisonous as mine. He's completely fine if other men were close to his wife, he isn't the type of person that gets jealous easily. As for me, I hate it when I see a girl do as so much breath the same air he's breathing. I'm the polar opposite of my father when it comes to love, I don't know why I'm feeling this way. I hope I don't go to far as to kill someone in order to keep whats mine, I don't want to resort to violance.

I was already waiting for him at his house. Someone answered it but instead of Ren, it was his father.

"Oh Aiko-san, are you here to see Ren?" His father asks.

"Umm... No not really, instead I came here to say goodbye to him."

"Goodbye? Your going somewhere?"

"Yes... My mother is asking my father to move me to hers... So I won't be here to attend the same school your son is." I tried my best to keep the fact that I'm the daughter of a Ninja clan. Well, not like they would believe a story like that from a child.

"Is that so...?" he puts his index and thumb to his chin showing that he's thinking. "Well... Everyone can say goodbye... But for Ren, I don't know." he says.

"What?! What do you mean you don't know?"

"Well you see, when he came home just now, he was crying and locked himself in his room." I knew that he wouldn't want to see me, but him still crying because of what I said isn't something I would expect. He really did loved me and I made him afraid of me. "I'll try and get him for you if you want." He offered.

I shake my head and said. "There's no need for you to trouble yourself. Just say that I'm moving out and might one day see him again, that's it." I smiled.

"You sure you don't to tell him that you self? Aren't you two close bestfriends? You two would tell each other anything, why not go upstairs and tell him." he offered again.

"I don't think so he wants to see me." I lowered my head down.

"You know what's going on with him?" he ask with a Suprise expression.

"Well, I don't think so you would want to hear it from me."

He nods cause he understood me.

"It's okay, I'll ask him if he's ready to open up to us."

"Thank you, Hiyama-san." I bowed to him.

"Again... You don't need to give me that much of respect." He smiled.

"No, as someone who is younger, I must treat my elders with more respect. That is one of the lessons my father tought me."

"Your father gave you more common sense then I ever did to my children." He said.

"Well I should be going, farewell... Hiyamas." I walked away from their homes and decided that only saying goodbye to him was all I need.

I went back home and packed up all of my belongings. I waited at my front door waiting for my father to come out and say goodbye to me. In which not before long, he did.

"Aiko... Did you got everything you need?" He asked.

"Yeah." I replied with a cold yet sad tune.

"It's gonna be okay, your mother will love you, she's not gonna show it to anyone but you and me."

I balled my fist tight and rushed back to my father, only to give him a final hug before leaving him. He was taken aback by my hug, but he slowly hugged me back with a soft smile. While I cry onto his shoulder since we are the same hight, I said my final goodbye to him.

"I love you dad." droplet of tears drops on his shoulder making that spot wet. "I'll miss you."

"I love you too... My little Aiko, and I will miss the times we spend together." His voice trembles and shakes with tears leaking out of his eyes.

I break the hug not long after, and open the door. But before I could take one last step on this house, I turn around and see my father smile with tears.

"Farewell... My Aiko, and good luck." He waves before letting me take my last step.

The moment I left, the first thing that came to my face was the three people that came into my house.

"Okay, let's get going. Get in the car." I nod at his request.

The drive was alot longer then I thought. We arrived and drove up the mountain for some reason, I'm guessing that this village is up the mountain. Or probably around it and we're just going through.

The mountain was so high up, almost as high as mount Fuji. When we arrived at the village, the houses seems old fashion, but the people looks very modern. This village is very lively if I do say so myself, it kinda gives off that vibish feeling I had back in Tokyo. Like how those kids are playing very recklessly just like how me and Ren were.

'That reminds me, when his father told me on what happend to Ren-kun... It sounded like Ren-kun hadn't told him yet... no, more like he hasn't told anyone yet, thank god I left before he told his family, otherwise I would be six feet underground by now' I shiver at the thought.

The car stops as I was greeted by 20 butlers and maids waiting for me in a line. As I stepped out of the car, they welcomed me with...

"Welcome home Aiko-sama. We have been awaiting for you return." they bowed.

"I'm... Home?" I said trying to think of a way to say more, but I was too flabbergasted to even say anything.

I walked into this huge house that they apparently said to be my mother's house. I walked up to the shoji door and slide it open.

Inside there were alot of old men and woman sitting at the side, and at the end of the room there was a beautiful woman wearing a black kimono with a red ribbon around the waist.

"Stand at the centre, Aiko." said the beautiful woman.

I did as what the woman told me. She had grey eyes and long black silky hair.

"First we would like to welcome you back to our village. Even though you might have no memories about this place, but we can assure you that your birthplace is here in this village." Said the grumpy old man to my right.

"Had your father never commit such act, you could have stayed and make great memories here." The old woman to my right said.

'Had I never left this place, I wouldn't have met Ren-kun and fallen in love with him. The momries I shared with dad and Ren-kun's family would never be replaced, but that won't matter anymore, it's not like he's going to forgive me anyways. I should just forget about him and start my new life here with my mother's people, but will I ever experience what I did back at dad's?' I held and cross my arms.

"High elders, do not remind me on what my husband did on my daughter's return. I do not wish to see her as much as a mistake like him." The blackhaired woman said.

'So she's my mother. My father said she had me when she was nineteen. So she's around her mid 30s, but why does she look like someone not even older then eighteen!?' I thought.

She turn her attention to me and ask me.

"Aiko... How has your father been treating you?" She said with an angry expression.

"Um... Ah he has been uh." I was too nervous to even speak to her, because this is the first time I met her, never once I've seen someone so beautiful.

"Kasumi-sama, we shouldn't waste time on pointless question, especially since the question is about that man." The man beside her said.

"Is it wrong for me to make sure that man treated my daughter with care? After all he has been taking care of her eversince she was born, without a mother might I remind you. So of course I have to ask."

"That's a fair point ma'am. But please save the questions for later when the two of you are alone. There's an even more important matter we must tell her."

"Very well then... " She gets back to her position begins to tell me about the important matters. "... Aiko Nijima, my name is Kasumi Nijima the wife of-" she was cut off by one of the elders.

"Kasumi-sama, saying your name and telling her that you are her mother is quite enough. Giving her a full disclosure of yourself will take very long." said the man beside her.

"My apologies, then I should get straight to the point then. Aiko, you are my heir and you will one day take my place as cheif once you have given birth to an heir yourself. That is if your age is above sixteen."

"You skipped some of the important details Kasumi-sama." The man beside her said.

"Oh... It seems I'm not being myself today. I don't normally forget important details like this."

"Our apologise dear Aiko-sama, your mother just recovered from a fever yesterday, so it would make sense if she isn't functioning properly." Said the elderly woman.

"I... See." My mother seems like a very serious person, was what my father said about her really true? Is she actually nice then what she seems?

"Well then... Aiko, since you have return to me and our village, you will one day be the new cheif and lead the new generation. But before that, you must first learn of our ways."

"That is true, since you lack our traditional heritage, you must first learn how to be one of the Hakagure clan." The elders spoke.

Well that would make sense, I've been with my father eversince I was a child, so me not knowing their traditional ways is a good reason for me to learn.

"Yes, the first is learn how to fight like a Hakagure." My mother's words surprised me.

'Fight like a Hakagure?! Do I have to?' I thought.

"It is necessary for the people of the Hakagure clan to learn combat at the age of fourteen, and you who are fourteen must learn as soon as possible." The grumpy old man said.

"Kids my age learn how to fight?!" I said.

"Yes and whenever they have graduated at the age of sixteen, they will recive their combat official licence and have the decision to become a Ninja if they desire. Of course they have the rights to leave the village but must first have permission from the village gaurd. If not then they are called outsiders the moment they step out of the village unnoticed." Said the elder woman.

'So I get to leave and see dad whenever I want once I'm sixteen? I might as well see Ren-kun, from afar that is. I doubt that he wants to see me after the last time I saw him.' I felt a spark of hope when the thought of seeing them again occurred.

"Oh and one more thing..." The elders continue. "... Anyone who you meet out side of this village must never know your relation to our clan. If such thing like your identity has been revealed, that person must be killed or if you so desire, you can make them join us and make them your slave."

"Slavery... I wouldn't do such thing and make them suffer!" I retorted.

"Don't worry Aiko..." My mother said. "... If this person happens to be someone you have fallen in love for and this person trust you. The option to marry them is on the table."

My face turns red when Ren suddenly came into mind.

"We-well... I guess that won't be a problem." my thoughts came aloud.

"What won't be a problem?" My mother ask.

"Huh!?" Me not realising the I said those words out loud made me embarrassed. "N-nothing mother! I'm just thinking of someone!" me and my stupid mouth.

"Someone?" she raised her eyebrow.

"Uhhhh...." I was at a lost of words.

"We shall discuss about this later young lady."

"Ye-yes ma'am." I look down.

"Good... Now then about being cheif..." Mother continue. "There are about 3 conditions to be a cheif, first one must have reached the age of sixteen, that is for women like us, men must be eighteen in order to be able to become cheif. Second, you must have the blood of the cheif before, luckily your my daughter and so you have the right to become one. Lastly, you must have an heir in order to become cheif."

I blush harder at the thought that I must have a child before being cheif.

"Why!?"

"We lost a cheif once and he didn't had a heir to continue his legacy." The elder woman said.

"Yes and when that happend our people fought against each other in order to prove who will be the cheif. Those were the dark times, the times where we wish to avoid. That's why we made this as a rule so that we can rest easy knowing that the legacy will continue." My mother said.

I was standing there trying to digest the information I've been given.

"Well... I guess that's fine, I won't be having a child at any point until I turn sixteen, right?"

"Yes, and we wish that the person you wish to make an heir with is a fine young man... Or woman, which ever you prefer." My mother said with the same blank face.

'He is mother... He's a nice man, the perfect man for me.' I thought.

"Well... That should be all we are going to discuss." My mother clapped her hands.

Everyone bowed while sitting, stood up and walked out of the room.

"Aiko... Go into that room there." she points.

She lead me into the room and closed the door behind us.

"What is it moth-" I was surprised that my mother hugged me so suddenly.

"Aiko, my sweet dear Aiko." my shoulder feels wet, probably because shes crying. She let's go of the hug and held her soft hands on my cheeks. "Oh you've grown so... Tall, and beautiful. I'm surprised that your still a fourteen year old girl." I could properly see her crying smile.

'So, father was right... Mother isn't what she seems. She's always serious with other people, but in reality she's actually a sweet lady when it comes to her family.' I smiled.

"I got my genes from my father I guess." I laughed.

We both shared a laugh together. We talked and catch up with each other for the whole night.

"Ahaha.... Your father never was the romantic type, he was soo dense when I first met him too." My mother shared.

"Dad was that much of an airhead back then?!" I said while wiping some tears of laughter.

'From what I'm gathering, mom never hated dad. She loves him, even though our people resent him, she still have that soft spot for him.' I smiled wondering of what my parents would be if dad was never banished from here.

"Yeah, he hated when I get grumpy, so I used it to my advantage to get his attention." she smiled softly while reminiscing her past moments with dad.

"You two were all lovey-dovey back then right? Dad did mention that your always clinging onto him whenever you get the chance."

"I did! And it was so fun too... I just can't help it, seeing his cute flustered face made me want to tease him even more!" She giggled.

Dad being all flustered is the one sight I've never really seen, he used to be all sad and depressed whenever he's alone in his lab. But when he's with me, he's always smiling, and I can tell that his smile is genuine, he never lied when it comes to me. I love my father, and I will learn to love my mother as well.

"It's been a while I've had this girl talk with someone. I was hoping to have a girl talk with my daughter one day, and it's as great as advertised." She laughs and wipes a tear with her index finger. "Actually, while we are on this girl talk topic-" she leans in ask me. "-So who is this 'someone'? Hmmm." she tease me.

"I... Umm huh?! I don't know... What your talking about." I tried to hide it but it's too late.

"Ohh... Hiding it from me isn't gonna do anything honey. Your father must've never mentioned this about me to you but, I always get the I want, even information." She smiles devilishly.

"I was really hoping you would forget about it." I smiled in defeat.

"Aiko, I'm not that old. I even sometimes want some interesting 'tea' once in a while..." She felt proud of herself. "... So! Who is this lucky person?!"

"It's... A guy." I said feeling embarrassed.

"Ohhhh~ Who is he." She jokingly jabs my shoulder with her right hand slightly covering her mouth, trying to hold her laughter.

'She's a completely different person when it really comes to girl talk' I thought.

"He's... My childhood friend. And I've been in love with him eversince the start of middle school."

"Kyaaa! Childhood romance is something that makes my stomach all jittery..." She had her hands on her chin with a red face. She leans closer to me. "So! Who is he, what's his name?! Is he a year older or younger?!"

"His name is Ren Hiyama, and he's the same age as me." I had my fingers poking each other.

"Ohh... What a lovely name." she said with a motherly aura. "So, do you have any pictures of him?"

I pulled out my phone and open my gallery to show her a picture of him. I showed her a picture of me and him on our trip at Kyoto, it's a selfie of us.

"Oh my... He's one cute little sprout... Well a sprout for you. Cause you look like a giant to him. Hehe" she tease

"Mom! Stop teasing me." I said with puffed up cheeks

"Sorry, sorry... I just love teasing people." She smiles. "Well, he is a very cute boy, but he seems pretty weak, not that I mind. Your father wasn't even part of our village, he was an outsider before he found out my relation with this tribe. People of our village falling in love with outsiders is very common."

"So, your saying its fine if I were to marry him?" I ask her.

"Yes, it isn't taboo to marry an outsider. As long as they keep our people and it's village a secret, then there will be no problem to marry."

"Thank you mother, I know you will like him. He's a sweet innocent boy, and there isn't a single flaw about him that will make me hate him." I said with a crazed smile and wide eyes.

"That's umm... That's good to hear, ehe." my mother nervously chuckles. "Well, in the meantime, you should learn about our people and it's history, there's a nearby school near here, you attend there in the morning and at night, you train to be one of us." She went back to her village chief mode.

"Yes mother. I'll do my best to make an amazing impression for you."

"That's my girl, well I should leave now, I have to prepare the welcoming ceremony. You should come, we have skewer beef grilling tonight."

I smile and nod. '...' Once she leaves I look outside the window and lean over to watch the view of the mountain. 'I'll come back and see you again father... And Ren, I'll never forget about you, I'm sorry for what I said, I will forever love you. And once I see you again I'll be sure to make you mine.' I gave a big smile with heart eyes.

"I wonder what your doing now, hehe." I giggled.