Chapter 7- Insane

Alexa's POV

1 Month Later...

"Nine-hundred ninety-eight...", the sound of dripping sweat echoed throughout the room followed by my ragged breaths. I am currently doing upside-down push-ups, my arms supporting and balancing my weight at the same time.

My body is shaking rigorously threatening to fall any moment, but I continue the exercise as I bend down my arms and try to push myself upwards. I could feel almost all my strength being drained away as I apply every force on my body to my arms, shoulders, and palms.

"N-nine-hundred ninety-nine...", I breathe in and breathe out as drips of sweat- continue to wet the floor. My body lost its balance in the air falling over, but my left-hand skid backward preventing me to fall. My other hand did the same to evenly distribute my weight as I go for another push-up.

'One more!'

Grunting, I once again bent my arms down and raise them as I steady my messy breathing. For the last time today, I forced myself up and succeeded in doing so.

"O-one-thousand..."

Letting myself slowly flop on the wooden tiled floor, I let out a small whimper. I faceplanted on the ground, heaving breaths as I turn myself around. I've been doing this for the past 30 days, increasing the number each day.

"Hah...hah..."

My body is feeling hot and itchy at the same time especially on my arms and shoulders. My tied hair is a total mess, it's sprayed all over the floor. I covered my eyes with my forearm closing them in the process, as I place the other one on my stomach.

I'm in the same position for a few minutes, taking a rest. I sat up, my hands supporting me from behind. I looked outside the window only to see the dark sky, the sun hasn't risen yet.

I crossed my legs and brought my arms together my fingertips touching each other as I made a triangle shape. I erected my spine, closed my eyes, and breathe in deep, slow, and steady. I cleared my mind and every unknown force my body sensed until I blended with nature.

I don't know how much time has passed for all my focus is concentrating on my spiritual and physical energy. I began to balance the two, resulting in the creation of chakra in the pit of my stomach. I can feel it, the drastic chakra swirling around but...

'It's not enough'

I gritted my teeth, almost losing my focus. I have to remain calm and focused. Although I already have a huge chakra in me, I still need to increase it. Those forbidden techniques require a huge amount of chakra, I can't pass out on the battlefield, can I?

Sage chakra comes next when I can use the natural energy around me. I have to balance it evenly with the spiritual and physical energy. From what I recall from the anime, it gives me a boost in ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and taijutsu.

'Then will I become a Dragon Sage?'

Anyways, I still have to open all my Tenketsu points, so I can expel chakra from any or all my Tenketsu. I'm not a member of the Hyuuga clan, so it would be extremely hard. The pressure points in my hands have already opened, next comes my feet.

I opened my eyes, capturing the image of the sunrise in my head. I stood up from the mat and took a towel and walked towards the bathroom. I took a bath, gurgled my mouth, and wore my clothes. I headed downstairs to hear mom and jiichan talking about something.

"We only have a couple of thousand Ryo left for the month.", it was mom's voice. "And we still have to buy food necessities..."

"Looks like I'll have to work again, but I won't be able to see my lovely granddaughter often.", this time it was grandpa's, his tone was happy but it felt sad.

My heart stung for a bit as I clutched my chest. They've been taking care of me for the past 6 months, and I still haven't done anything for them. I'm only taking advantage of their kindness.

'I'm useless...!'

"Uncle you don't have to. I still have some savings left. I'll just work in the daimyo's palace again."

'Mom...'

Ever since they found me, they quit their jobs to take care of me. And here I am fooling them about my real identity. I ran down the stairs and immediately hug mom who is sitting on a chair.

"Oh"

"Good morning!", I held a bright smile. Mom had her eyes wide open for a moment before reverting to normal and returning the hug.

'For now, I will do this to at least cheer them up.'

"Good morning", she patted my head which I like for some reason.

"Ehhhhh...! Where's my morning hug?", Mom released me as I run to Jiichan. "Goodmorning, jiichan!"

"Morning", he sweeps me off my arms as he twirls me around, both of us laughing. It was our normal morning routine ever since I called mom, my mom. We ate, joked, and played.

As mom finished washing the dishes, she went up to both of us who are currently playing outside, under the cover of a dry and weak cherry blossom tree. Just 5 meters behind the tree is a cliff, beneath leads to the bottom of the waterfall.

We were having a board game of shogi, jiichan had his chin rested on his clasped hands as he visibly think hard about how to counter my attack.

"Dear, do you want to go out today?", I looked at mom when Jiichan moved up his pawn, blocking the way of my bishop to his king and threatening my knight.

"Hehehehe, what will you do now?"

"Really?!", I nonchalantly moved my other knight to the left accessing the spot of his pawn earlier and turned to see mom not witnessing Jiichan's face when his gold general together with his king was checked.

"Of course, you have never visited the village, right?"

"You're right, Arigatou Kaa-san."

*click* *click* *click*

"Alright get ready, we'll leave in 30 minutes."

"Haiii!!", Mom left leaving me alone with Jiichan.

I turned back to the game to see my knight eaten by his silver general, but the 4th column is left with no piece, making it easier for my promoted rook to pass. He had no choice or his king would be killed.

"You sacrificed your knight."

"It's all part of a plan."

I could feel his eyes boring into my face, as my focus is on the ongoing game. I took the offense and began attacking his king and his officials.

'So she sacrificed her knight to make a way for her other officials? That's brilliant, but a risky idea.'

He took the defense and I took the offense, every move I make has a meaning to it, and not forget about the captured pieces.

*click*

*click*

*click*

*click*

*click*

*click*

The game is finally coming to an end, I almost captured his King, when he counter-attacked. He placed my captured knight checking my king. I covered all possible routes and took the initiative to take my knight back.

"Looks like I won.", I did not respond to him when he moved his silver general. Just last one move and he'll finally win.

*click*

I moved up my pawn, opening up the way for my lance.

"EHHH?!!", he sulked in depression when I captured his king mumbling some words. "I lost again..."

"Ma jiichan there's always another round", I reasoned.

"You're a prodigy! I never won any of our games...! Next time I'll build up a better castle and attack you with...", bla bla bla, there he goes again.

"Hai hai jii-chan...", I laughed it out. 

'Of course, there's no way of beating me. I was a 7th-dan Professional shogi player before I died.'

Before jiichan even finish with his rambling, mom went to us to pick me up and go to the village. The truth is I'm super excited, I have never actually gone to any village before, so this will be my first.

"Let's go, Lhexi", I stood up and held mom's outstretched hand. We bid goodbye to grandpa, as we walk down the thousand stairs.

I was humming as we walk, when I saw mom has a frown on her face, her eyebrows raised and furrowed. Deciding to end the silence I gripped harder on mom's hand not hurting her.

"Ne ne ne mom, what's the village like?", she whipped her head to me as she smile.

"There are a lot of people, different food stalls, nin--"

'Ninjas'

"Hmm? Nin--?", I knew what it is, I'm doing this just for my cover.

"Oh, nothing, you don't have to know. Anyways you'll see the village once we get down there. "

When we arrived at the foot of the mountain, I was flabbergasted at the scenery around me. Now I know why it's called the Hidden Waterfall Village. It's a village hidden in dozens of waterfalls. Large trees were surrounding the village hiding them from being seen by others.

We walked around hand in hand as my eyes darted from one to another shop. There were food stalls, and clothing stores, and is that a bookstore?

Mom seeing me getting flabbergasted chuckled at me. I look back at her when someone called her name.

"Matilda-san!!!", I was a big woman selling meat.

"Oh, Amida-san?", Kaasan replied as we walked to her shop.

"Who's that little beautiful one?", she asked looking at me with a smile.

"Oh, this is my daughter, come on dear introduce yourself.", I nodded a little bit hesitant.

"My name is Alexa, a pleasure to meet you Amida-san.", I flashed my bewitching eyes and closed a smile after I bowed to her.

She gushed at my actions.

"Haah She's so pretty and so polite, I envy you, Matilda, I wish my daughter also acts like her."

Mom simply let a small giggle. "Then I'll buy 1 kg of beef.", Amida wrapped the meat and exchanged it with mom's money. "Here you go"

"Arigatou Amida-san"

"Mah thank you for buying, Oh, by the way, this is for you Al-lexa", she gave me a couple of beef jerky which I was really grateful for. "Arigatou Amida-san"

"Come again!"

We continued strolling and buying food when I spotted a rundown store, and there were only a few items displayed. Looks like the owner is bankrupt.

'It's not my problem anyway.'

"Lhexi, here.", Mom placed a hundred Ryo on my palm.

"Kaa-san, there's no need, I don't have anything to buy anyway.", I pushed it back to her, when she forcibly close my hands encasing the money. She shook her head. "You should at least buy something, you want to write novels and stories right? Then how about buying some papers or books?"

I held my tears from falling. Writing is a part of my being, my life. It's one of the reasons I got over my depression. I stared down at my clasped hand and jumped to mom wrapping my arms around her waist. "You're the best! Thank you, Mom!"

She planted a soft kiss on my head and gently patted me. "Anytime dear, now go buy something."

"Yup", I replied as I released her from the hug. I ran towards the nearest store which contains empty books, papers, and pens. I opened the door, hearing the bells ringing. I look around to see not many people, there were only around 4 of them including the cashier. From the corner of my eye, I could see numerous people jumping from one roof to another at a crazy speed.

My gaze stopped over several red stacked books in the corner of the room. Walking over, I saw a tag that says '45 Ryo'. I grabbed two and went to the cashier and gave the money, leaving me with only 10 Ryo.

That was the first thing I bought in this world and seems like my anxiety about overcrowded people is gone. I looked for mom, finding her talking to another lady holding a kid younger than me. I was about to approach them when someone bumped into me.

"Ouch!", the girl yelled when she dropped down to the ground. Me standing above staring down at her, those workouts helped me strengthen my muscles.

"Oh, sorry."

Why am I apologizing when she was the one who was at fault?

She clutched her sore side when her orange eyes met my purple ones. She looked at me wide-eyed, getting hypnotized and lost in my orbs.

I blinked.

She blinked.

"Are you okay?", I ask stretching my hand to her. She grabbed it, maybe a little bit shocked. "Oh? I'm fine, fine, thank you, and sorry for bumping into you earlier, hehehe...how 'bout you? You okay?"

She scratched the back of her head as she apologize. I observed her, feeling she looks familiar, she had tan skin, orange eyes, and mint-green hair. Also, I could sense a powerful chakra inside her, much bigger than mine.

'Fuu, the host of the 7-tailed Beast Chomei. In the anime, she is shown to be friendly and so eager to make friends. She even tried to befriend Kakuzu, an ex-nin, from Takigakure.'

"I'm fine", I smiled.

"I see!", her voice sores up, shouting. "Ne ne ne!"

"Hm?"

"My name is Fuu, want to be friends?!"

'Umm... we just met 30 seconds ago...'

"The name's Takeda Alexa, a pleasure to meet you."

'Might as well befriend her, maybe I can use her later...'

"Sure, let's be friends", I close-eyed smile, noticing her eyes sparkling and brimming with tears.

"Are you sure?!", I held the package of books to my chest as I nod. "This is the first time I made a friend! YES!"

'For real? Girl, You don't ask a stranger to be your friend, whom you met for barely a minute.'

"Let's go play!", she asks me to join when Mom approaches us. Pausing for a bit when she saw Fuu.

"Oh, there you are Lhexi let's go home."

"Haiii..", I replied.

"Sorry, maybe next time I have to go home now you see."

She slumped down a bit, feeling depressed for a second before reverting to her joyous side.

"Alright!"

"Then, let's play next time. See you Fuu-san!", I waved at her as I run to mom.

"Yes, let's meet again Takeda-san!", I smiled at her, before taking mom's hand and returning home.

We arrived at the top of the stairs, making me heave numerous breaths. Mom only chuckled at me, again. We were about to walk to the house when I heard metals clashing with each other. All my senses heightened as I let go of mom's hand and dashed to where the sound is coming from. My heart dreaded a little when I thought about jiichan.

'Grandpa!'

I ran past the house, seeing jiichan nowhere. My feet led me to the river, seeing some shinobis clashing their metal weapons against each other. Upon observing five out of them had their headbands slashed.

'Rogue ninjas?!'

The other five were shinobis from Takigakure.

'Just what the hell is happening?!'

"AAAAHHHH!"

Suddenly I heard mom's piercing scream.

'Idiot! Why did you leave her alone?!', I cursed at myself as I run back towards mom.

I saw another rogue ninja, a woman pulling hard on mom's hair who is forced to kneel on the ground. I felt something boiling in me when I saw her in that state.

"How dare you! LET GO OF MY MOM!", I yelled at the top of my voice as I dashed towards them.

"Oh, a brat?", the brown-haired woman said, as she forcefully kick me in the stomach. I threw up as I felt my body smashing into the trunk of the sakura tree. I fell with a heavy thump.

"LHEXI!", was mom's voice.

I tried to open my eyes, to see my mom desperately begging to spare my life...?

'Is this how far I'll go...? All those training going to waste?'

I dug my fingers into the dirt.

'I'm weak...'

I tried to stand up.

'Pathetically weak...'

My hand pushed me up as I lay my back on the trunk for support.

'I already lost my family...'

Blood dripped in drops on the ground I am standing.

'That's why I don't wanna get attached to anyone else again...'

I wiped the liquid off my lips, as I stagger back and forth when I tried to regain my balance.

'But somehow, these people reached deep into my heart...'

'That's why...'

I gritted my teeth.

'I don't wanna lose someone precious to me again...!'

It was as if I discovered a newfound strength when the power surged inside my body, trembling excitedly, swirling around my body, forcing each of my Tenketsu points to open so it could go out.

'What is this?'

I bit down my lower lip and closed my eyes, feeling the intense pain stretching throughout my whole body.

'This pain is nothing compared to that night!'

I bend down, sliding my left foot backward, then I opened my eyes and made a move when I heard something crack. Before I knew it, I was above the rogue ninja who kicked me a while ago.

I pulled a sword made of ice out of nowhere and with all my force I brought it down delivering a blow to her skull, her body getting torn in half. Blood splattered on my face and my mom's. I dropped down on the ground squatting to regain my footing. The dead woman's body also dropped on the bloody solid surface, letting go of my mom's hair.

I looked down at my hands covered with crimson liquid.

'I just killed a person...'

I looked toward mom, who realized what happened just now. Her face twisted to a horrified look when she saw the ninja's organs from her brains to her stomach displayed quite vividly. Her eyes then turned to me.

'Will she hate me?'

Her hazel eyes opened wide when she saw me. Her eyes brimming with tears, as she got up to hug me.

"K-Kaa-san...I...I...ki-killed some-o-one.", she hushed me as I tugged on her sleeves.

"Shhh... it's okay darling, it's okay...", she tried to calm me down. Surprisingly I wasn't crying or feeling guilty. But the fact that I took someone else's life bothered me. Why? It was thrilling. I felt good for some reason and I'm scared that I find it exciting and pleasurable.

"M-mom...", I wiped my face on her clothes as I hug her back, dropping the sword on the ground and dispersing to nothing, leaving no clues about how I killed the shinobi.

A few seconds later, the shinobis of the Hidden Water Village I saw earlier went to our side, dragging the remaining rogue ninja tied with chakra suppressors. They narrowed their eyes at the dead body then they looked at us.

"Are you alright, Matilda-san?...and little girl...?", he kneeled to my level to look at me trailing off when he saw my hands, face, and clothes smeared with blood.

I was gripping hard on mom's clothes as I stare at the man before me. Like anybody else he got lost in my eyes, shrugging his head from side to side to snap out of it. I look away, noticing the ground where the cherry blossom tree is standing had a huge crack in it.

"I'm fine, but my daughter..."

I look up and she looks down at me, wiping off some blood on my face. I snuggled to her when the man earlier tried to touch me on my shoulder.

"M-mom, I'm s-scared...", I feign innocent, the shinobi stopped in his tracks, maybe he felt a little guilty. "It's okay, mom's here."

I smiled loving her hug. The Shinobis asked mom a few questions and apologized quite a lot. Then after cleaning the body grandpa arrived with a frightened and tense face, but immediately relaxed when he saw us safe. He hugged both of us and said he went away because he had to meet with his friends.

I was glad, none of us was hurt or killed. Just a few scratches, but Jiichan can cure them. So the day passed with us sleeping at home a few ninjas guarding and surveying the area to see if there would be any disturbance. Luckily, there was not, this continued for a few more days before they all left.

I clenched my chest as I stare at the moon.

'Did it possibly manage to get out?'