Chapter 9- Tohru

I ran down the stairs and grabbed a toasted bread.

"Good morning!", I greeted as I sit across mom munching on the bread.

"Morning, Oh. You seem to be happier than usual today, Lhexi.", Mom said as Grandpa walked inside the dining area with his shoulders drooping and his eyebags visible.

"Good morning, Grandpa!"

He stayed up all night.

"Uncle! Didn't you sleep last night?", Mom worriedly asked.

"I'm fine...hehehehe...Lhexi-chan...", he turned to me and gave me a big thumbs up. "It's indescribable."

He pulled out a red book from his sleeves and showed it to us.

"What is that? A new book?", Mom asked unaware.

"Lhexi-chan wrote it."

"Really?! May I see!", Jiichan reluctantly handed her the book.

"Take good care of it Matilda.", he warned to which I chuckled.

She opened the book and read the title.

I had grandpa publish it under his name and we bickered a lot as to whose name should be written. I slammed the table and stood up as I glare at grandpa and the publisher just watch as he sweats buckets.

"Jiichan.", I huffed and he surrendered as he raise his hands and looked at back the publisher.

"Instead of using my name--", I stared at them. "--just write the author's name as Ryuu."

I nodded my head finally agreeing and we laughed as we went out of the tea shop. Teasing each other as people just smile as they look at us.

..........

Third Person's POV

"Water Style: Water Bullets!", a series of multiple balls of water shot towards a tree, destroying it in the process. Alexa panted a little as sweat trickled down her pale face with a reddish hue due to constant training.

She's standing on top of the river continuing below is the waterfall. Her hands form a series of hand signs before yelling another Jutsu.

"Water Style: Water Dragon!", water accumulated behind her as it become a ten-meter dragon before plunging on a nearby boulder getting smashed as its pieces went flying in everywhere.

"Oohhh!"

Eichiru together with two other people watch in awe as broken stones went splashing on the water in front of them.

"Water Clone Technique."

She created 4 solid clones encircling her each of them making a sign to create a spherical water dome to trap her inside. All of a sudden a large whirlpool began forming below the center of the dome, absorbing the other clones back to the water. The whirlpool became larger and larger it broke the dome as she went flying upwards landing steadily on top of the raging water.

She looked back after noticing a stranger's chakra standing near her family. It was an old man probably a decade younger than her grandpa. She was instantly relieved that Eichiru is just casually talking with him meaning he's not an enemy.

She run towards them with a grin her black red kimono top dangled in the air. The three adults blinked their eyes and saw she was already in front of them, her clothes remaining dry. Her tied upper black hair swayed as she placed her hands on her hips.

"My goodness what are you doing so early in the morning?", her mother rant as she threw a towel on her head blocking her sight, rubbing it gently with a little force.

"I can do it, Okaa-san", Alexa whined a little bit embarrassed at how her mother treated her like a small child in front of other people when physically she is. The old man approached her as he bow a little bit.

"So you're Alexa, huh?", the said girl looked above.

"Yes...uhm sir...?"

"Nice to finally meet you, I'm Chihaku Tatsumi an old acquaintance of your granduncle.", Eichiru shot him a look over the word granduncle which Tatsumi immediately noticed. "Err...I mean your grandfather...hahaha."

"Nice to meet you too, Chihaku-san", Alexa greeted as she bow her head before shaking his hand.

"So, it seems like you're quite the prodigy, there are only a few people like you and I know one...", Alexa narrowed her eyes a bit.

Her smile faltered as she look at him with a serious face, "Sorry for my rudeness, but please don't beat around the bush and catch to the chase already."

Tatsumi was taken aback at her change of demeanor. He looked towards his old friend as he mouthed some words.

'Is this what you mean?'

Eichiru only nodded his head.

"Takeda Alexa, I am hereby requesting you to be the new Water Hero of the Village Hidden by the Waterfalls."

There was an eerie silence as Alexa think about what he asked. Becoming the new water hero means gaining a considerable amount of chakra. Which also means gaining a higher chance of crushing Konoha.

But...

She would be tied to the Takigakure forever. She doesn't want to serve a village full of ungrateful civilians and stuck-up elders. She wishes to be free and live peacefully with her mother and grandfather once she fulfills her promise.

However, in the world of shinobi, peace does not last long. There would be always constant fightings and wars and most likely they would be entangled.

'Wait.'

Her eyes darted towards Eichiru and he was staring at her with stern eyes.

'Is he planning to...?'

She gritted her teeth.

'No way...'

Her mind was racing questions.

'Did he possibly train me because he wanted to...to...turn me into a...?'

She clenched her fists and breathe in and out.

"That's a good offer but, I refuse.", she was slightly confused when both of her family sighed in relief, and Tatsumi laugh.

"That's great!", Eichiru laughed and ruffled her hair as she blinked her eyes.

"Wait, what am I missing?"

They all laughed at her stupefied face.

"The truth is we don't want to waste your talents in a remote village like this.", Alexa listened to Tatsumi. "You have the potential to become a great shinobi, although it would be a blessing and a gift for Takigakure to have a talented young one like you, you need to choose a better village to serve."

She slightly gasped as she process the information.

'Another village to serve?'

Without hesitating, she spoke.

"Konoha."

She did not understand why she said that. It was her enemy.

Why go and serve a village filled with enemies.

Tatsumi smiled and handed a piece of paper to her.

She looked down and read them.

"Fill that up. We're gonna leave in a few weeks." before Lhexi could even disagree Tatsumi already left.

"Damn it.", she muttered in her breath as her hands trembled.

Alexa's POV

I was picking up flowers near the river a bit far from our house. I don't know why I'm doing this, maybe because my body was used to the habit of Asuna.

I saw a beautiful daffodil just a couple of inches from the river, I walked towards it and picked it up. I smiled then placed it in my basket. I caught a glimpse of my reflection on the water, and I can't help but fall in love.

I touched my cheek.

And can't help but wonder.

"Is this me?", I asked then my reflection turned to a blur and I saw golden eyes looking back at me.

My eyes widened in shock. I rubbed my eyes and looked back at it again only to see my reflection.

I inhaled and exhaled deeply before standing up when a kunai was thrown aimed at my head. I backed a little and it hit the trunk of the tree on the other side of the river.

I looked towards the direction it was thrown from. From the bushes, a boy my age appeared. He scratched his skin and then went to look for something.

Was he the one who threw the kunai?

Then he saw me. Green eyes met purple ones. He was standing less than 10 meters from me. He was visibly star-struck and got lost in my orbs. He held his hand out and I blinked my eyes. He blinked his eyes and I smiled at him. Then pointed my finger to the kunai embedded on the tree behind me.

He went towards me.

"I'm sorry, I was not aware someone was here..", he apologized.

"Mmmm.", I shook my head. "It's okay."

He smiled a little and looked at me again.

"Are you alright? Wait, did the kunai just go past you? I'm truly sorry."

I shook my head once again my hair dangling a little.

"No...I'm fine, no need to apologize."

"I see, that's great then."

I nodded my head and he had a slight blush on his cheeks. I just smiled at him as a deafening silence grew within us.

"B-by the way, my name's Setsuro Tohru. I haven't seen you around here before."

Setsuro?

From the Setsuro clan?

"My name's Takeda Alexa. I live here, just a little up above the mountain."

"Ah! Are you Eichiru-jiichan's granddaughter perhaps?", I nodded my head.

I corrected him, "His grandniece to be exact."

"Ehhh...I didn't know Jiichan has a grandniece."

"Mah, anyways what were you doing?"

He puffed his chest up and crossed his arms smugly.

"I'm training."

"Training for what?"

He looked at me and grinned.

"To become a shinobi of course!"

If only he knew what it means to become a shinobi, he won't smile like that.

"Ehhh"

"How about you?"

"I'm picking some flowers.", I smiled as I looked at the pretty flowers.

"Flowers?"

"Hm. Is there something wrong?"

He then started laughing.

"Flowers? Really? HAHAHAHAHA", he was clutching his stomach and I feel a little bit triggered.

"What's funny?", I asked visibly annoyed.

"Because-pfft HAHAHAHA"

This boy...

"No-nothing-pfftt...Just what are you gonna do with those flowers?"

Give it to the dead.

"For designs..."

"Ehhh...But there's nothing cool about that."

"Does something have to be cool to do it?"

"Of course.", he replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Setsuro-san, you do something because you want to not because it's cool or anything."

His eyes slightly widened before he narrowed his eyes at me.

"Really?"

I nodded my head once again.

"Okay. I'll keep that in mind. Anyway, you can call me Tohru, Setsuro is too formal."

"I got it. Then, you can call me Lhexi. Just Lhexi, I don't want any honorifics."

"Nice to meet you Lhexi.", he held his hand out and I took it.

"Nice to meet you too, Tohru-chi."

"Tohru-chi?"

"Hmm."

He grinned at me and I flashed my signature smile at him. His ears turned slightly red.

Today was the day I made my second friend.

"Wanna see something cool Lhexi?"

"Sure, what is it?"

He looked at the flowers in my basket and he picked up one. A rose.

"You see this?"

I nodded in curiosity and he place it inside his hand and cupped it for a minute.

There was a white waft of cold air when he removed his one hand.

"Ta-da!"

My eyes widened as I stare at the red flower coated with frost.

"Wow."

It was kinda similar to mine, but it did not freeze, the flower was just covered with frost.

"Right? It's my clan's Kekkei Genkai.", he said proudly.

"It's beautiful.", I bend as I stare at the flower in his hand while I tuck my hair to my ear.

"Yeah, so beautiful..."

I looked at him who is staring at my face.

"Is there something on my face, Tohru-chi?"

His face turned red like a tomato as he shook his hands.

"No-Nothing!"

I smiled once again as I stood up straight.

"Ne Tohru-chi?"

"Hm?"

I held out the whole basket of flowers and handed it to him.

"Can you cover all of this with frost? I want them to remain beautiful forever."

A bid of sweat dripped down from his forehead.

"Sorry Lhexi-chan but, this would take a lot of chakra and I can't overuse mine."

I held a disappointed face.

"I see...", my smile faltered as I stare bitterly at the flowers.

"I'm sorry Lhexi-chan."

Then I thought of another way.

"Oh, right, Tohru-chi, it's your clan's Kekkei Genkai, right?"

"What of it?"

"You want to become a shinobi right? Why don't you add these to your training? It will boost your chakra storage and you can use it a lot more precisely later."

It was as if he found the biggest secret in the world when his eyes sparkled.

"Lhexi, you're a genius!", he held both of my hands.

"Eh?"

"Why didn't I think of this before?"

"Then you'll do it?", I ask slightly excited.

"Of course! Leave it to me!"

"Hm!", I agreed.

The next few hours he fell panting on the grass. He only finished half of them.

"Ha...Ha...Ha...I'm so tired...", he said while spreading his arms.

I took out a clean towel from my pouch and wiped his face.

"You should rest, for now, you know.", I reminded him.

"Okay!"

I sat next to him as we watch the leaves and flower petals dance to the wind.

"Ne ne ne, Lhexi."

"Hm?"

"How did you know of chakra? Almost all kids my age don't even know about it.", he asked.

"My granduncle thought me.", I replied.

He looked again towards the sky. "Are you also going to be a ninja like me?"

I smiled. "I'm still thinking about it."

"Why do you want to become one?", he asked curious and oblivious to the real world.

"I don't want to remain weak and I want to protect those I love.", his eyes slightly shone with admiration at my words.

Then he was back to his usual kid attitude. "You don't have to, you know. I'll just fulfill that for you."

"You?", I asked teasing him.

He sat up and glared playfully at me.

"Why? Do you think I'm not strong?"

"No, it's not that...", I smiled.

"Just you wait, Lhexi, I'll become the strongest shinobi you'll ever see!"

Let's see how strong you'll be in a few years.

I'm itching just thinking about fighting you.

"I can't wait for that day."

"Then..."

"Then what?"

He blushed slightly as he look away from me. "I'll protect you...", it was barely a whisper, but I heard it.

"Nothing.", he said as he look at me again.

He stood up and reached for my hand.

"C'mon. I'll show you to my secret training ground ."

I held his hand and he pulled me up. He picked up all the frosted flowers and place them inside the basket.

Then he runs while holding my hand. We went past through bushes, trees, and plants before reaching his so-called secret place.

There was numerous target board on almost any tree we look at every height. And several posts had blood stains on them.

This boy is giving his all...

Just how strong will he become...?

"Lhexiii...", I looked towards a direction he was pointing at.

I looked up to see a treehouse, almost unseen because of the leaves below it. He walked towards it and I joined him. There was a narrow stairway and we began walking to the top.

"TA-DA!", he shouted as he open the door revealing scrolls, weapons such as kunai and shurikens neatly arranged.

I walked inside then I heard him shout. "Lhexi, Wait!"

I caught a glimpse of a wire stationed on my feet which I intentionally moved. Then several shurikens and kunais were thrown at me in different locations.

It was as if slow-mo as I compute to the place they would hit. I walked faster forward and all of the knives went past me.

It all hit the door and Tohru was able to deflect a couple that went on his way. But, sadly had his arm stabbed with a kunai.

"Argh!", he held his arm as he suddenly hide it when I run towards him.

"Are you okay? I'm sorry! I didn't know there was a trap!", I feigned innocence.

"I-I'm fine!", he forced a smile as his other hand trembled.

I looked behind him and there was blood dripping down the wooden floor.

"Let me look at it!", I said as I pull his hand from his back.

I looked at it carefully.

"There are no more traps here, right?", he nodded his head and I pulled him towards one of the wooden couches.

I made him sit and I did also. I gently removed the kunai as he hissed loudly.

"Ah! I'm f-fine I-I can do it!"

I ignored him and began concentrating chakra on my hand as the green light was emitted.

"Woah!", I heard him gasp as he watch his wound getting healed.

I stopped and pulled out a bandage from my pouch and patched it.

"What was that?"

"That's called mystical palm Jutsu. It's a medical Ninjutsu, jiichan thought it to me."

He was astonished, "W-wow!"

I slightly got ego before I walked around and looked outside the large window and gaped when I saw the whole horizon beneath us.

It was beautiful.

That day and the following months we usually stayed there and enjoyed the view. Sometimes, he tried to teach me how to throw shuriken and I intentionally failed. He would just laugh at me about it and shrug it off before we would play in the river.

But, our beautiful friendship was severed when I left.

Although, not exactly.

I touched the bracelet on my right wrist and smiled before the ride took off.