AGE OF SHADOWS (war at dawn)

*beep beep beep* the alarm was blaring and a certain white haired boy was sleeping like a dead log, he was snoring and drooling as he sleeps.

*Huh* he groan and turns on his side, "got... To... Shut it...", Shinra was trying to reach out to his alarm, his eyes remain closed as he was trying to reach out to the alarm, in trying to do so he fell off his bed and land on the floor *ouch*.

Shinra got up to a sitting position on the floor and rub his head, his eyes were barely open, he look at the alarm and frown .

"Next time I'll try to keep it close", he grumbled as he shut the alarm *whew*.

Shinra stood up and started stretching his body, he look at the alarm and his eyes snapped in realization.

*Ah!!* "Our first mission is starting today and I'm still here, geez sensei is going to kill me for being late".

Shinra dash into his bathroom and in less than a minute he was out with a towel around his waist, he open his closet and picked out his ninja attire and hurriedly put them on, it was a black jacket, a black loose fitting pants and a tabi split toe shoe, his lower arms and legs were wrapped up and a black belt was wrapped around his waist securing his jacket and pants in place.

"Yeah", Shinra pulled out a small backpack with a single belt strap and opened it, after going through his ninja tools he frown *hmm* ,"I'm out of kunai and shuriken, how did i not know about this?", Shinra buckled his sword scabbard on his backpack and put on the backpack, the sword scabbard was now between the backpack and Shinra's back," time to go get some off those ", *hehe* Shinra grin.

***

It was still dark and Shinra was running through rooftops , "(hurry, hurry) he leap through rooftops trying to get to his destination.

(Flashback)

" I have a proposal to make... Become my student and help me fight alongside the other kōjin and their code", Hayate said to them.

*Huh* Shinra's eyes snapped.

"(This guy doesn't seems like he's kidding, is he for real?)", Sora ask himself.

"Is he really asking us to be members of his own code?", Kaguya was stunned, Shinokaze on the other hand was just staring without saying a word.

"I'm not forcing you, the choice is yours to make, decide if you want this or not", Hayate informed, after what seems like hours of hesitation, Shinra raised to his feet.

"I'm in, sensei, I will become your student", Shinra said with determination.

*Hm* Sora look at his friend, "man, what can I say... I'm also in, sir", Sora walk over to stand beside Shinra, this made the white haired boy to smile.

"Same here, I want to be your student as well, lord Hayate", Kaguya joined the boys.

"Look, you don't have to just because one of you decide to do so, being a code grade ninja is not a joke, it won't be like the team they group you into were you battle and struggle with a zenith level demon or an abnormal, being a code grade means you have one hundred percent chance of fighting higher level samurai, warlord level demon and kaiju, or worst a soul breaker, are you sure this is what you want? ", Hayate brief them.

They were all quiet, contemplating with what to do or say," (is he trying to break us down, trying to scare us? No, that's not it, everything is true, ninety percent of kōjin and their codes are mostly killed by a soul breaker, I'm feeling really terrified right now, I can feel my limbs shaking, but still)", Sora closed his eyes.

" (This is one of the only way for me to be a kōjin, but the road is not easy, and it will never be easy)", Kaguya thought.

" It doesn't matter, I'm still one hundred and ten percent in, achieving success is never easy, there's no easy path to achieve our goal, that's why we will strive hard, right guy? ", Shinra ask with a grin.

*Ugh* both Kaguya and Sora were staring at him.

*Hm* Sora smile," of course, Shinra ".

" Then what are we waiting for? Let do this as one", Kaguya smile.

*Hmm* " (he seems to have motivated them, nice job)", Hayate smile.

"Hey, Shinokaze, what about you?", Sora ask.

"Bastards, you all are going to end up dead on your very first mission, that's for sure, and that's why you will need someone to bring your asses back alive, so I will tag along, beside, it is my duty to protect my subjects", Shinokaze said with pride.

"What!!! Why you? Look who wants to protect someone's ass is still sitting on his ass, and don't forget how you got to that position, it was a girl who got you there", Shinra point.

"Shut your mouth you coward", Shinokaze growl.

*Oh* "I will be honored if you come help me shut it, but how are you going to do that when you can't even move, for one who is to become the next Sennin you sure are weak", *mm hmm* Shinra nod with his eyes shut.

"Show some respect", Hayate punched Shinra on his head.

*Ah! Tatatata* "that hurts sensei".

"Don't forget he's lord Sennin's heir, understood? ", Hayate ask.

***

" As of today, I declare you, Hayate Mamoru as the leader of code 4 ", Shinji said," you are to guide and mentor this young ninja to become the best and a great asset to our land".

" Understood... Lord Sennin ", Hayate and the teens were kneeling before Shinji, Yuuto Mori was standing at the side with some folded clothes with him.

" Sora Nosuke, Shinokaze Hoshino, Kaguya Yakushi and Shinra Akatsuki, you are no longer a genin level ninja, I declare you all jōnin ", Shinji look at the young ninja before him, " your journey has just begun, there will be lots of pain, sorrow, grief, lose and mourning along the way, but you mustn't let that stop you from pushing forward, for a ninja must know the importance of enduring... Now step forward, Shinra Akatsuki ".

" Yes sir", Shinra walk over to lord Sennin, Yuuto walk over to lord Sennin and lord Sennin took a folded cloth from him, there was a headband on top with a kaiji for jōnin written on it.

" This is your new outfit ", he hand it to the white haired boy who gently received it.

" New outfit?", Shinra was confused.

" Yes, we no longer use the former one as we are able to make a more outstanding and light weighted one with great durability, it will be hard for demons to penetrate through with their fangs and claws", Shinji explained.

*Wow* " thank you very much, lord Sennin ", Shinra bow and walk back.

" Sora Nosuke ".

" Yes sir", Sora walk over to them and receive his as well.

" Recently the demons our ninja have encountered are more powerful than they were before, so the fabric of this outfit will add to your layer of defense, so be careful out there", Shinji add.

" Thank you, lord Sennin, I deeply appreciate", Sora bow and return to his position.

" Shinokaze Hoshino ".

Without a word the blue haired boy went to receive his outfit.

" Before I forget, this new outfit was made not just because of demons alone, we have the samurai to face as well, as they prove to be a great trouble more than demons due to their intellect as a human, just like we ninja, the samurai are also enhancing their katana and their defense as well", lord Sennin hand Shinokaze his outfit.

"We will do how best to keep it from breaking", Shinokaze bow and walk back.

"And Kaguya Yakushi".

"yes".

"Lady Kaguya, the kunoichi's outfit are made in a whole different pattern, so it's different from the boys, but still it's made of the same fabric".

" Understood ", she bow and return to her position.

" Hayate, I believe you choose the right ones".

" Yes lord Sennin, they have every quality of a ninja ", Hayate said with pride.

" Very well then, I will assign a mission for you later, but for now, dismiss ".

"(Flashback fadeout)

Shinra dropped from a rooftop and land as quiet as he could, "(this new outfit is clinging to my body, lord Sennin seems to have hope on us, there's no way I will want to disappoint him... And it's all thanks to Hayate sensei who chooses us to be his students, now that I'm a member of a code, others will be looking up on me, I have to do my best)", *Huff* Shinra raised his head *ugh*.

In his present location everywhere was quiet and look somewhat deserted, it was likely that everyone were still asleep as all doors were shut.

"Geez what's wrong with everyone, why are you all still asleep by this time", Shinra scream out of annoyance, "now I have to go out on a mission with no shuriken and kunai, this sucks", Shinra frown in disappointment, "what can I do about it, just got to catch up with the others and borrow from Sora, he will be happy to lend me some", Shinra smile, he turn around and started walking away.

"Hey, who is that idiot screaming, it only four in the morning, are you trying to wake everyone? Idiot! ", Shinra heard the voice of a child.

*Ugh* " who are you? ", Shinra ask looking around.

" I'm the one to ask the question here, get it? Now, who are you? ", the voice ask.

" How are you going to know me if I say my name? ", Shinra ask.

" Then I guess your name sucks, so get lost ".

*Ah!!* " How dare y... ".

" What are you doing out here? ".

*Ugh* Shinra spun around and saw three chuunin level ninja *wow* "(I was so distracted that i didn't even notice them coming)".

" You don't seem to be a member of the patrol team are you? ", one of them ask.

" No, I don't think so ", Shinra grin.

" Then what are you doing here? ", the second one ask.

" Look, I have a mission and I'm out of ninja tools so I wanna hurriedly get some before heading out", Shinra informed.

" Were you not supposed to do that before hand? ", the first one ask.

" Yeah, but I kinda forgot ", *hehe*

" Now how many of you are there? You better leave this environment ok, you moron ", the voice yelled.

*Huh* who's that?", the third chuunin questioned.

"Who ever that brat is I am going to break him", Shinra growl.

"Let see you try! Worm ".

*Ah!!!* "That's it, I've had enough", Shinra took off.

"Hey you! Stop!", they ran after Shinra.

"(Now where is the voice coming from)", Shinra was trying to track the person.

"You better get lost and stop disturbing those asleep, understood?".

"(There)", Shinra grin and leap on the second floor of the building, at that moment the chuunin all appear.

"Hey kid!", the second chuunin yelled at Shinra, Shinra act as if he didn't hear them and slide the window open, he was now right in the child's face.

*Ugh* Shinra was stunned, "it's you? You were the brat I rescued from that kōjin the other day right, you and your old man", Shinra was surprised.

"And you have to come out here to disturb my sleep, for what reason?", Kei frown," just because you save us? ".

" Hey, try to be grateful ok? ", Shinra pulled him by his shirt.

" (So this is the brat that fought with lord Tsurugi)", the first chuunin frown.

" Hey keep it down will you? If you really want to buy anything then wait till daybreak when they have opened their shops, now get down ", the third chuunin ordered.

" Calm down will you, I'm a code grade ninja and you are a chuunin, which means I'm higher than you in rank so show some respect ", Shinra said sarcastically.

*Ugh* they all gasp.

" Wait, you want to buy a tool? ", Kei ask, his expression changing to that of a trader.

" Now you're asking me ", Shinra gave him a weird look.

" Come on, what are we buying? ", Kei grin.

" I needed some dozen of kunai and shuriken, hurry up, my sensei and teammate are waiting for me", Shinra said to the kid.

" Ok, I'm coming, just wait here", Kei ran off, less than a minute later he was back with the supplies, "here they are... and I kinda brought something you would like".

"What's that?", Shinra furrow his eyes.

"Our latest kusarigama ", Kei pulled out a sickle connected to a chain.

*Wow* " awesome", Shinra was excited.

"I knew you would like it after I saw how you used that chain against that old guy", Kei smile.

" Of course... Now how much am I paying? ".

" Well for the kunai and shuriken you are paying ninety four thousand yen, for the kusarigama it's seventy thousand yen ".

" Wha!!! ", Shinra almost explode.

" That's a hundred and sixty four thousand yen in total ", the third chuunin could not believe his ears.

" This brat is something else ", the first chuunin confessed.

" But that's too much, I remember my last time buying a kunai and... ", Shinra was cut off.

" This is business, are you in or out? ", Kei ask with a smug smile.

" Fine ", Shinra bring out the money in hesitation.

" Thank you there you go, good bye ", Kei snatched the money and pushed the items to the white haired boy, Kei then shut his window on Shinra who remain silent.

"You just got robbed and couldn't do anything about it, poor thing", the second chuunin said in pity.

"(That was... That was... More like a life savings... I think I'm about to pass out)", Shinra fell off the building and passed out.

"Hey! Wake up", they were trying to wake the white haired boy.

***

At gate twelve on the eastern side of the village were code 4, Shinra was the only member absent, the boys were all having the same outfits just like that of Shinra, their sword scabbard was also between their backpack and their back, Hayate was the only one with two swords and a grey belt securing his jacket and pants.

Kaguya was wearing a black sleeveless gown with a hood, the gown almost reach her knees and split on both sides, she wore a black tight short and a tabi split toe shoe that reach her lower knees.

"When is Shinra going to get here", Sora grumbled.

"I bet he's still in bed", Shinokaze said with anger staining his voice.

"(That brat)", Hayate was staring at a pathway.

"(I wonder what Shinra is still doing)", Kaguya was a bit worried.

"Lord Mamoru".

*Um* Hayate turn to face the five ninja at the gate.

"Is your code not ready to leave yet?", one of them ask timidly, their faces conjure with fear.

"We will be leaving any moment soon", he answered in the most polite way he could, but his face still makes them a bit terrified.

"I'm starting to get annoyed little by little", Sora ball his fist.

"Hey guys, did anyone miss me?", Shinra ask with a grin *huh huh* is grin slowly wash off, the boys were all glaring at him *hehe* "is everyone ok".

"Shinra Akatsuki, explain the reason for your lateness, now", Hayate cracked his knuckles making Shinra terrified.

*Uhh* Shinra went pale.

***

*Ouch* "that hurts like hell", Shinra rubbed his head, he was sitting on the ground.

"Are you alright", Kaguya was beside him.

"Yeah, there's nothing to worry about, trust me", Shinra faked a smile at her.

"Ok brats, hope you remembered everything about the mission?", Hayate was staring at them through his shoulder, they all nod in affirmation, "good, we will be heading out now, but first", Hayate pulled out something from his backpack and walk over to Shinra.

*Uhh* Shinra ran out of color as Hayate crouch next to him, he placed whatever it was on Shinra's ears and got back up.

"There you go", Hayate said, it was a dangle earrings with four gemstone of red, blue, yellow and purple on each side.

*Wow* Shinra flick his finger on his right earring and it giggles.

"They look good on you", Kaguya confessed.

"Really?", Shinra seems excited, "thanks a million times Hayate sensei", Shinra grin.

"(Those are not from me, lord Sennin is the one who ask me to placed them on you, with these earrings on you, it will be hard to fall into darkness)", Hayate said to himself, "alright boys, let hit the road", Hayate pulled his lower mask up to his nose, it was embracing his lower face downward into his jacket, he then pulled the hood of his jacket over his head.

His students walk to his side and they had all masked up as well, the giant gate open slowly revealing the outside world.

"(This is it, our very first mission as a code... There is no time for sitting around anymore, this is the real deal)", Shinra said to himself.

"Let go", Hayate leap out followed by the teens.