AGE OF SHADOWS (war at dawn)

Deep in the woods, a fire was lightening a certain area, above the fire was a roasted sow.

"Man, I just wish I could have had her to my collections", Sora seems sad.

"Quit whining about you chicken, crying over a meat?", Shinra laugh at him.

"Can't you feel her pain? You heartless freaks", Sora stunts.

*Ouch* "that hurts you know?", Kaguya glanced at him.

"If what you are saying is true then why are you still eating from it?", Shinra snatch the piece of meat Sora was holding and bit from it.

" Hey! Moron", Sora smacked Shinra on his head.

*Ah!* Shinra whine.

" There's enough of it right in front of you so stop stealing mine! ", Sora frown at him, Sora got closer to the roasted sow and cut a little portion off it.

" Geez, you have been complaining the whole time yet you continue eating it", Shinra point accusingly.

" I'm not a vegetarian like Shinokaze ok? So I eat meat ", Sora informed.

" I don't think I understand anything about you ", Kaguya frown in confusion.

" Neither do I ", Shinra add.

" (Delinquents)", *hm* Shinokaze bite from the apple he was holding, he was sitting next to a tree a yard away from the others.

"Just sitting out here in the cold doing absolute nothing is kinda boring", Sora grumbled.

"Seriously? You're a ninja so don't let the cold bother you at all, and how is this boring?", Shinra point both hands at the meat hanging above the fire, he was having a silly grin on his face, he yank the leg of the sow off and started eating.

*Ah!!* "Shinra are you trying to eat everything?", Sora growl.

"Geez, cool your horse ok? There's more than enough", Shinra continue eating.

" There won't be if you continue eating in such a rapid pace ", Sora eyed him but Shinra was too busy with the meat that he barely heard his friend, Kaguya was staring at him, his white hair almost covering his face, an idea hit Kaguya and she smiled.

" Since we have nothing doing other than stuffing our faces, we should try to bond a bit", she suggested, everyone stop what they were doing and look at her, including Shinokaze.

" What do you mean? ", Shinra ask dumbly.

"I mean we should get to know each other, is it a bad thing to know about ourselves? Our hubbies and dream?", she ask.

*Oh!* "Now I get it", Shinra jump on his feet and bit from the meat, he furiously chew on it and swallowed it, "standing right in front of you is the gloomy Shinra Akatsuki! My hobby is training and also eating all kinds of things edible, for my dream, my dream is to defeat Jigen Shōten and restore balance to the world! ", Shinra yelled and bite from the meat again.

The others were just staring at him not being able to find a word as their reaction was indescribable.

***

*Hmm* "it's such a dream you have there, or if I may say one that seems like a fantasy", Hayate was meditating on a rock that surfaces from a waterfall.

***

*Hahaha hahahaha* Shinokaze started laughing.

*Ugh* they were all stunned.

"I don't get it, I know Shinra's dream sounds really weird but it not something that funny if you ask me", Kaguya said quietly.

"Give me a break", Sora scratched his head.

"Seriously? What motivated you into having such a dream? A clown like you who can't use ninja arts, want to defeat the demon king, how ironic, I bet you can't even use any ninja tools properly, that dream of yours is only an imaginary one, got it?", Shinokaze said rudely.

"Hey that's not fair", Sora point.

"What ever punk", Shinokaze said without a care in the world.

"You know", Shinra was looking at the ground, "everything you said might be true, but, coming from a guy who doesn't know his left from right? Who doesn't know what he wants for himself, I can tell you have no purpose of living, you called me a clone, at least I have a purpose in life, you are only a spoiled rotten brat, arrogant bastard".

" You coward, don't think I will hesitate before breaking you in two, so watch your tough", Shinokaze growl," my dream and purpose doesn't concern you ".

" Really? It must be an imaginary one just like mine, right? Mummy's boy", Shinra said harshly.

" What did you just call me? ", Shinokaze was annoyed, Sora was just staring with a lazy look.

"Can you guys please calm down a bit, it hasn't gotten to this ok?", Kaguya tried to step in before things get worse.

*Hahaha* " seriously? ", Shinra started laughing," so you still haven't noticed that you're a mummy's boy? It seems like I can't shut my big mouth ", *hehe* " that's what a lot of people call you, you know? ", Shinra grin.

*Tch* Shinokaze grit his teeth and his body started trembling furiously, "come again", Shinokaze started emitting some killer instinct.

"(It seems like Shinra went too far, but, Shinokaze started it all, Shinra can sense the killer instinct oozing off Shinokaze yet he stayed unfazed, things are about to get out of hands, man)", Sora frown.

"I said lot of people in the village calls you a mummy's boy, and from the look of things I can tell they're right", Shinra smirk, "now do your worst, idiot", Shinra was fully ready for the son of the Sennin.

"You bastard! It's your funeral!", Shinokaze threw a fistful while Shinra ready to evade his attack.

*Ugh* both Shinra and Shinokaze gasp in shock as they felt a needle pierced into their neck and they collapsed on the ground.

"What the...", Shinra was shocked.

*Huh* Sora was stunned.

"At least that kept the peace between you two", Kaguya smile.

"You!!", Shinokaze glared at her.

"You guys don't look comfortable in that position, come on Sora, help me move them", she plead.

"Man", Sora stare at her weirdly.

***

Shinra and Shinokaze were placed next to separate trees so that they can lean on them.

" Ok, now that we are all settled, let restart the introduction, Shinra?", she ask with a smile that seem terrifying.

*Huh* "but I already did", Shinra protest.

"Sorry but we have to restart, and everyone is going to take part in it, understood? ", her expression harden a bit.

*Umm* Shinra almost choked on his spit," (geez, she is something else)", Shinra frown and look away.

" Please, I really want to know about you, lord Shinra ", Kaguya plead with a smile.

*Woah!* Shinra's eyes widen," (she's... Truly a goddess... And she wants to know about me)", Shinra blush not being able to withstand her beauty," come on, stop using lord on my name, it makes me feels...", *mmm* " geez", Shinra was turn red.

" You may not be of a royal clan, but you are still my lord", she smiled at him making his heart race like hell.

*Ha!!!!* "Ok, ok, I will", *hehe* "I'm Shinra Akatsuki, my hobby is training and trying everything that is edible, my dream is to get rid of the demon king Jigen Shōten", Shinra grin.

*Oh!!* " So sweet, I really like that ", she clapped her hands together.

"Really?".

"Yeah".

"Alright, you can ask whatever you want to know about me when ever you want ok? ".

*Mm hmm* she nod.

" (So that was all she had to do just to make he talk? Man you are a moron)", Sora was disappointed by his so called friend.

" Ok, your turn lord Shinokaze ", she said to the blue haired boy.

" Get lost ", Shinokaze spat out.

*Ouch* " that hurts ", she held her chest.

"hey! Don't dare raise your voice on her", Shinra growl.

" And what are you going to do if I raise my voice? ", Shinokaze yelled.

" I... I... I will break every bone in your body you idiot! ", Shinra yelled back at him.

" Then let see you tr...", *ugh* Shinokaze was cut off as he felt Kaguya kneeling next to him with her hand on his shoulder, she was smiling.

" Please introduce yourself, lord Shinokaze ", she said.

" Get your hands off me! ", Shinokaze yelled at her.

" Please don't make me use force", she showed off few of her needles," I would like to open you up and see what your inside looks like ".

*Huh* " you won't dare", Shinokaze threatened.

" Let see about that, lord Shinokaze ", she held his garment and was about to rip it open.

" Hey stop it, it's an order! ", Shinokaze yelled but Kaguya was paying deaf ear," hey! Hey I'm talking to you ".

" Man, I don't think she's going to stop until she gets what she wants ", Sora whispered to himself.

" (That smile, it's always on her face, that's how it was the day she almost opened me up in the female's hot springs when she caught me spying on her, and she didn't even care that I was seeing her... I better stop thinking about that)", Shinra swallow on his spit.

" Ok I will introduce myself! ", Shinokaze growl in defeat.

" Great, now we are getting along pretty well ", she was still smiling.

" I'm Shinokaze Hoshino, my hobby is reading about history, my dream, is to killed the soul breaker responsible for... That's all", he growled and look away.

" Well, we are going with that, right guys? ", she as the others.

" Yes ma'am ", both Shinra and Sora nod in agreement.

" Ok then ", she turned to face the brown head boy.

" I am Sora Nosuke, my hubby is, well my hubby is taking care of animals and my dream is to break the Nosuke clan record by doing the impossible ", Sora said," (there's no way I am going to let her get closer to me first, she's like an interrogator)", Sora eyed her.

*Wow* " that was smooth... Ok my turn, I'm Kaguya Yakushi, my hubbies are taking care of sick people and help my mom and big sister Hikari with house chores, my dream is to become a kōjin like my dad and big sister", she said with a smile.

"(At least it all turned out well, except for those two)", *Huff* Sora sigh in relief.

" Hey, Sora ", Shinra called out.

*Umm* " what? ".

" Can you please feed me a little piece of meat, my body is numb and my meat is on the ground so I can't eat it ", Shinra said with a grin.

" Seriously? ", Sora frown.

" Don't worry yourself, I will do it ".

*Ugh* they were shock to see Hayate standing on a tree branch.

" (When did he get here)".

" (I couldn't smell or hear him coming)".

" (He really knows how to conceal his reiketsu and hide his presence)".

" (Where did he come from?)".

The teens were all staring at him as he dropped from the tree and walk over to the sow above the fire, he rip the other leg and walked up to Shinra, he then crouch in front of the white haired boy, instead of placing it in front of Shinra to bit, he started eating it.

*A!!!!!!!!!!!!* Shinra scream in horror.

" This taste so good ", *hmm* Hayate continue eating it.

" Why you!!!! That's is mine so stop eating it!!! Give it back, give it back, give it back!!!! ", Shinra was screaming like crazy.

" Why don't you come take it from me ", Hayate wiggle it in front of Shinra.

*Ah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!* Shinra was trying to move but find it impossible as his entire body was completely paralyzed *ah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!* Shinra continued.

" (This guy is a real bully, he know Shinra won't be able to move, yet he's eating in front of him, is he trying to make Shinra die?)", Sora made a weird face.

"Shinra stop it, you are going to cause harm to yourself", Kaguya warned.

"Like I care!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!", Shinra cried out, he pressed his hands on the ground and forced his body up little by little.

"No way, he's ... This can't be happening", Kaguya's mouth was widely ajar.

"He is moving", Sora was stunned.

*Ugrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!* Shinra stood up on his feet and launched at Hayate, Hayate easily side step him but Shinra continue running and Hayate was confused, Shinra dive after the remaining part of the sow and grab the two last legs, he made a spin in the air ripping the meat off and land on the other side, "victory!!", he cheer and raise the meat up, "you have just one while i have two", *hahaha*.

"The sedative seems to have fade off, but how? He was supposed to be down for an hour plus", Kaguya was surprised.

*Oh* "shit", Shinra collapsed again, but this time his hands were up keeping the meat save, "there's no way I'm going to let them hit the dirt", Shinra grin.

"(He was able to do all that, just for what? This guy is unbelievable)", Sora face palm himself.

" (He was... Dammit)", Shinokaze ball his fist furiously.

" Don't try to move, you are nothing like him, except you want to find yourself in the land of the dead", Hayate said in a way only the blue haired boy could hear," (his regeneration ability is resilient)", Hayate was staring at the goofy white haired boy.

*Hm* Shinra got to a sitting position and point at Hayate," hey old man, I bet you to a challenge, I can finish these and the remaining one over there before you can finish yours".

" Don't even dare come close or I will kill you ", Sora stood defensively in front of the remaining portion of the sow on the fire, the vain on his forehead were now visible.

"Hey, I'm back remember?", Hayate ask making them a bit tense," and now that I'm here, we need to proceed", Hayate informed.

"At least give us a break to finish up with our meals and relax a little, or do you want us to puke while fighting?", Shinra questioned.

"No,not at all, I have no intention in battling weakling", Hayate said.

*Woah!* Shinra, Sora and Kaguya turn red.

" Exactly, but I do have a question for you four, Shinokaze, Sora, Kaguya... I want you to give me the right answer to the question, understood ?", the orange colored haired ninja said.

" Yes sir ", Kaguya and Sora nod.

*Hm* Shinokaze scoffed.

" Wait a minute, what about me? What are you trying to say that I'm dumb or what? If that's it then I won't take such insult you get it?", Shinra yelled.

" You are dumb so be quiet ".

*Hum* " (this guy is mean)".

" Ok, let begin ", Hayate was standing in their midst," what is the purpose of a ninja?".

*Ugh* " that's the question?", Sora ask.

" It sound real tricky if you ask me ", Kaguya said.

" Hey", Shinra raised his hand.

*Um* Hayate look at him," yes? Shinra ".

" The purpose of a ninja is to defeat bad guys like the demon king and his crew, and also samurai, is that correct?", Shinra ask with a grin.

" Kaguya ", Hayate called.

*Eh!* Shinra's smiling face fell," (geez this guy is so uncool)".

" A ninja's purpose is to protect his or her home from the hands of destruction at all cause ", she answered.

" Sora".

" Yes, the purpose of a ninja, it is to carry out their duty effectively and hunt down anything that pose as threat to not just their home alone but the whole of humanity", Sora answered.

" Shinoka...".

" The purpose of a ninja is to get stronger physically and mentally to bring evil to their knees, even if it's a human ", Shinokaze said cutting Hayate off.

*Hm* " I really can't find anything different in all your answers ", Hayate said to them.

*Umm* " how is that?", Shinra ask.

" I wasn't expecting much from you brats though, even when I thought I was, so, what can I say ", Hayate shrug his shoulder.

" If our answers are not good enough then tell us what a ninja's purpose is ", Sora insist.

*Oh* " of course I will ", Hayate said," you see, to be a ninja is to embody a way of life. It's not a path we choose for personal gain or glory, but a duty we undertake to protect and serve. Our purpose is clear: to become stronger, to defend the innocent, and to vanquish evil.

Shinra was done eating one of the legs he ripped off the roasted sow and was eating the other.

"We are the blades that shield the weak, forged in the fire of adversity and tempered by our unwavering commitment. Our existence is marked by sacrifice, and our lives are often forfeit to ensure the safety of others", Hayate look over at Shinra and toss his meat at him.

*Huh* Shinra caught the meat in time not wanting it to hit the dirt, he was confused about the fact that Hayate gave him his meat.

Hayate dust his hands and pocket them," yet, we are not naive to the weight of our actions, we have walked the fine line between light and darkness, and our hands bear the scars of our actions, still, we press on, driven by a code of honor that demands we put the needs of others before our own.

They were all staring at Hayate and they were listening attentively, even Shinokaze was paying attention.

"To be a true ninja, one must be willing to surrender their own desires, to endure the unendurable, and to stand firm against the tempests that rage around us. It is a path that few can walk, but for those who do, there is no greater honor", Hayate finished speaking and walk over to a little pond nearby.

" So now what? We get the lecture, but why do I feel like there's more to it than just lecture ", Sora glanced at the elite ninja.

*Hm* Hayate turn to face them," I have a proposal to make... Become my student and help me fight alongside the other kōjin and their code, or you can return back to your usual way of leaving, as a genin or whatever you are, the choice is all yours".