Isamu's birthday had gone by already and in just a month the clans celebration would be held. Isamu's mother grew restless. There was nothing more the old lady could teach Isamu so his classes had ended but that time was not left unused. Isamu's mother nervousness and his own drive made him seize that time to train even more.

"No, no, no!. We've been through this. You must flow through the moves like water. We've practiced plenty of time, you already know them, now you have to be them. Again!."

His mother said sternly and proceeded to show Isamu the moves he was performing for yet another time.

"But mom I can't do it while being attacked" Pouted Isamu.

"You don't get it son, that's why you fail. Once you learn to flow instinctively then you'll be able to adapt it while fighting. You've done it once, try remember what it felt. Now, again. Attack me and don't hold back."

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Tonight was the celebration. Isamu was outside with what left of the clan through the war. Everyone was here to receive those who went to fight. To congratulate those proud clan members who went out to fight and returned victorious, and to honour those who perished.

Those who lost loved ones did not cry, for apparently it was an honour to die in battle. Isamu could not understand the reasoning behind it. Honour only mattered in life.

He also couldn't understand why the clan joined the war. Apparently they fought wherever there was a good fight to be held, never taking a side. In fact most of the war took place at the continent. Fighting for the sake of fighting didn't particularly appeal to Isamu, more if it left those he cared for alone.

He could see fifty men and women walking towards the clan's village entrance led by a beast of a man. huge, arms ridden with scars and muscles. Those men and women went through a path formed by people until they were up in front the main building of the village.

The clans patriarch, that huge men, walked the steps that lifted the building from the rest. He then turned to face the brave warriors and those who were left at the clan.

"Brothers and sister, we've returned home at last!" Shouted the patriarch, hice voice draw cheers and claps.

"We've returned at last. For we've been away for too long. Some of us have lost those we cared for, and I hurt for every one of them as if they were my own. But fear not, for they have died in glory, fighting till their last breath. And for that they make us proud." He said solemnly, no emotion shown in his face.

"Tonight we celebrate our return. Tonight we see the growth of our seeds. A time for them to prove themselves as proud sons and daughters of the mighty Kaguya clan. Their strength would honour the deaths we've suffered". The patriarch declared to everyone, yet Isamu saw how the patriarch eyes were stuck to him.

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Night came, Isamus mother had left him a white kimono with a camelia embroidered on the back the same shade of deep red the two spots in his forehead had.

Isamu heard her mother approaching. After the arrival of the patriarch her chakra had felt restless, as an animal that knew was being stalked, ready to jump away.

Even tho he was improving he had yet to keep up to his mothers expectations. His body supported a few scars, evidence of his mother's satisfaction. He had yet to make full sense of the dance, still unable to flow with it as his mother told him. While performing it he always felt close to a breakthrough but he always felt an insurmountable wall, like if perfection was close enough of him yet he couldn't reach far enough. His kicks, punches, stabbs, every move seemed to fall short.

His mother helped him put on the kimono. Isamu's mother was dressed in a pure white dress, for the first time in a while his mother grabbed his hand and held him firmly. They left the house hand in hand and started their walk towards the patriarchs home.

The night was quite, still. Somber. The coldness of the winter was approaching, hard, and he could feel its chill in his bones.

His mother stood still in front of the clans head residence. Its gate closed. She clenched his hand harder. Was she afraid? He felt sick. What was she afraid of? She always felt so strong. His soul was attuned to her, their chakras intertwined. His cheek had once felt the tender loving kisses of his mother yet now those same lips bore no joy. And so his cheeks hurt.

Sudden realization fell upon Isamu. Was that someone his mother feared the reason behind her change in mood towards him?, For her ruthlessness?. For taking his mother love away from him?. Isamus anger rose. His blood burned. His breath shortened, suffocated by the scorching ball of hate that had bore its roots deep within him. A vortex of hate forged over his constant failures, his self loathing, the disappointment of his mother. Her fear.

His amber eyes seemed to shine with a deeper, more intense colour. His bones trembled, ready to explode.

Isamu took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, pressing down his anger. His mother apparently did the same. She let his hand go and opened the doors.

A wave of heat and light disrupted the stillness of the outside. Inside dozens of men and woman laid drinking, eating, taking. The 12 clan kids that would fight sat separately with their families across the only table that seated all of the clan.

At a separate table, a step above the main hall seated on a throne next to a bland face looking woman was the patriarch. Even sat he was huge. A bulking figure. A beast. Towering over everyone, dark hair made into two ponytails at the sides of his head. His focus soon fell upon Isamu and his mother. The hall drew quiet.

Those man's eyes pierced through Isamus'. Dark and sinister eyes.

Isamu didn't realize when, but he had stated sweating. He felt for his mothers chakra, to be reassured, yet even her own, even if her face didn't show it, was afraid.

The man stood up from his throne. The stillness of the room was suffocating. With his hands clasped behind his back the brute of a man said,

"Finally everyone is here at last."

He released a hand from his back, slowly, and gestured towards Isamu and his mother.

"Before we start I think there is a joyful introduction needed. Come forward, Kamichi. Come and introduce me to the boy".

As ordered they both stepped forward. Stopping a few steps away from the man Isamus' mother, Kamichi, gently pushed Isamus back.

"Patriarch. This is Isamu-chan.". "Isamu", she said looking at him, "this is the Patriarch of the Kaguya clan. Your father".

The clan patriarch, his father, smiled and opened his arms.

"Come forward son! let me see how much you've grown" He screamed, his grin growing wider.

Confused Isamu locked eyes with his mother. Her blank expression was unreadable. In need for reassurance he felt for her chakra. It burned with hate at those words, yet it laid still. Frozen. As prey in front of its hunter.

Isamu gulped. Unsure as he was he still had to obey. He brought forth courage. He would not be far from his mother should something bad happen. Creepy as he was, the clan patriarch seemed approachable. As friendly as anyone of the clan.

And so he took the first step. Steady. Then another one. Soon he rounded the table under everyone's quiet gazes until he was a step down of his supposed father.

"Lets keep this celebration going!, we've been far away for far too long, and at last I'm reunited with my child." Ordered the patriarch. "Come Kamichi, join us" he said, pointing at an empty seat next to him.

Isamu was seated at the left end of the table. His mother in between him and the patriarch. Next to the man, at the other end, sat the expressionless eyes were dim, as if devoid of all life, of joy. Red bloody meat and a few vegetables filled the table.

The celebration raged on, the smell of sweat filled the room. Shouting, yelping, cheers and the claps of mugs made a cacophony that dazed Isamu. The livid atmosphere made him made him relax a bit, yet he still felt wrong. Was his father, the patriarch, the man his mother feared? Was for that man that seemed so amicable why she pushed him to his limits?

"So son, how as your training been going? I hope you've already started, I await nothing but greatness from my own blood."

His father's question broke him from his daze. Was that a threat?.

Before he could utter a word his mother answered for him. "He's been progressing well, albeit slower than anticipated."

Anticipated?. Brief as it was Isamu could catch the glint of displeasure from his father. His mood turned sour. The man didn't even know him, he hadn't seen the hours he spent training, the blood and sweat it had costed him. With what right was he displeased?

His father stood up, mug in hand. The room quiet down. "Hear me, brothers and sisters. Tonight we dine and drink, for tomorrow the future of the clan will battle for glory. To prove themselves as proud members of the Kaguya clan. To honor the memory of our ancestors. Step forward, young promises, and show your faces to the clan."

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The twelve kids stepped forward and stood in line between the patriarch and the crowd. They all bowed in unison towards the patriarch table, and then did the same towards the crowd.

Cheers filled the room. The patriarch raised his hand.

"Commendable spirits. Hear now young seedlings of Kaguya. Tomorrow at first light you will face each other in fierce battle. It will last all day long until only one of you stands. It is our clans way to fight restlessly, against all odds, for we grow stronger with it. More ferocious. And I urge to fight with your all for having mercy with your foe is a disgrace to the clan."

His voice boomed across the hall, stirring the hearts of the clan members. Then he turned and looked at Isamu.

Isamu gulped as he rose.

"Tomorrow the order shall be known but know this beforehand, my brothers and sister. My son shall fight amongst the twelve brave younglings as only the strong can lead the clan. This tournament will give him the opportunity to prove himself to those who he will lead and to his elders. In fact, given the odd numbers he will not be the one exempt for the first two fights." he continued, "So stand Isamu and greet your competitors, remember their faces for you will face them in battle."

Isamus mother slapped the table and stood up.

"Are you mad!? He is but a child and you want him to fight with them? restless? He is not ready!" cried out his mother, angry. Indignant.

"Since when you dare to raise your voice to me Kamichi? He is the blood of my blood, and if he is to rule the clan then this little hurdle should be inconsequential" His voice echoing through the room, eyes fixed in his mothers.

"My child will do as I say. Do not ever dare to argue my decision or I shall show you your place" The patriarch spitted.

The tension in the room was palpable. Thick. Yet non wanted to change it, pleasure painted across every men and woman on the room. The possibility of conflict to tempting to be stopped.

"Stop!" Isamu . He jumped on top off the table, between his mother and the patriarch.

How dared he speak like that to his mother; how dared he threaten his mother, he thought. Isamus rage pulsed through fanning his fiery chakra. A flame burning bright and violent.

"If you want me to show you strength then I will. But. Never. Again. Threaten. My. Mother. Never." Each word spew like venom. Fists clenched. Eyes unwavering, more yellow than ever, focused only on the patriarch. Wisps of blood thirst leaching out of him.

A soft, tender touch at his back made him turn violently. As he turned his eyes met his mothers.

Isamus mother pressed his hands against his cheeks and whispered to his ear "Calm down my child".

Isamu released the hold of his anger and relaxed, still he turned around and faced the patriarch.

"I am sorry patriarch, it was never my place to defy you" She continued, bowing down to the man and gesturing Isamu to do as well.

Yet Isamu stood still. His anger might have receded, but his eyes still held the same intensity.

"Good, at least you got spine." The patriarch held Isamu gaze. A small smile crept from his face. He had seen to small bones breaking the child's forehead skin, but that woman had kept the beast in check. The boy still needed to be pushed, his weapon still not fully matured. But at least now he knew his weak points and he would make good use of them. He eyed Kamichi, a faint smile in his face, no words were needed. They both knew what had to be done.

"Sit and eat, dear contenders. For tomorrow a long day await us" The patriarch declared. Cheers echoed again. The tension of the atmosphere gone as if it had never been there.

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The evening went by with no more outbursts. Isamu and his mother were dismissed with the rest of the other competitors families. They needed to be well rested for the fights to come.

Isamu was exhausted, his outburst had taken all of him so he went straight to bed yearning for some sleep. Unbeknownst to him his mother lingered in his room and watched him sleep, caressing his hair, a dark smile on her face.

Isamu had a restless sleep. He opened his eyes, still night with only the moon casting a somber light. Isamu, unable to find sleep stood up and walked throughout the house. He found no one. Room after room stood empty. At last he arrived at the slide door that led to the backyard of his home. He slid it open. A small boy stood there, dressed in the purest white. Its back facing him. The moon hung alone in the sky. Full. Bright. Red. Cloaking the garden in a bloody tint.

He approached him slowly, not even tho sound of wind was present.

"Who are you? Where is my mom?" Isamu said worriedly, not daring to get closer.

The body suddenly turned. Isamu watched an exact copy of himself, yet its face was devoted of all emotion. Pale as death. Suddenly a wicked scream left Isamu's copy. Blood cascaded from its eyes. Its mouth opened agape able to devour the world itself. The being started morphing, brones breaking and twisting in unnatural positions. Only its amber eyes, locked in Isamu, remained unchanged.

Isamu ran into the house. He was scared. Frightened. A huge black hand destroyed the back of the house and flung him away. Isamu crashed against cold rough stone. His home nowhere to be found, replaced by a stony dim lit corridor.

The amber eyed shadow was fast approaching, The corridor shook with its stomps. Isamu stood and run as fast as he could not daring to look back. The shadows steps were earth shattering. The never ending corridor groaned in pain. The dark figure gain on Isamu. Its hand swatted downwards and slammed him to the ground.

Darkness enveloped him. Isamu opened his eyes and he found himself stuck in a dark cave. The dark figure nowhere to be seen. Yet a demonical gathering of deformed shadows and shapes moved through the walls. Savage whispers that reeked of death and violence flooded Isamu, their true meaning lost to him yet they clouded his mind burying themself deep within his soul.

On the floor at a corner of the cave was small ball of light. It called for him. As Isamu crawled to it he felt himself growing calmer, warmer, the whispers slowly faded. He felt safe.

Isamu mustered courage and grabbed the ball of light. He curled up next to it. By the seconds it grew bigger, brighter, banishing the shadows that enveloped the cave, silencing the whispers that corrupted Isamu. It soon expanded from the size of a fist to one big enough he could no longer hold it. Isamu was in awe, he could not take his eyes out of it. Tears ran through his cheeks. He basked himself in it, drawing power from the light.

But soon as it grew, the ball of light started fading. Isamu felt it dying. "NO, NO, NONONO!" He screamed. The whispering shadows emerged again and soon their voices mixed with Isamus pitiful screams. His anger rose fueled by his sorrow and fear. He pressed on the dimming ball of light with all his might, guided by those dark whispers Isamu willed his anger to the ball of light in an attempt to stop the unstoppable. To stop its death.

The light that escaped from his fingers disappear. He scream voiceless, veins popping on all his face. Tears of blood flowed from his amber eyes. A slow pulsing from his palms draw him away from his rage. Isamu opened his hands to find a small black crystal with a red tinted center in his palms. Its bloody spec draw him in. Joy and pain ran through him. His vision grew dark only the blood red spot remaining in the center of his vision.

Isamu opened his eyes. He was in his bed, drenched in cold sweat. His head throbbed.

The sun had just rose.

Isamu left his bed. His home was quiet. Isamu walked to the stairs and went to the kitchen. He heard faint noises from the kitchen. There was someone there. Isamu stood still, uncertain, remembering his nightmare. He pinched himself, it hurted. Isamu took slow steps towards the sound. He peeked through the doorstep. His mother was making breakfast. Isamu sighted, relaxed.

Kamichi turned toward his son, having sensed him a while ago.

"Dear go take a shower and put on your training clothes, I'll have breakfast ready then." She said, her back still turned towards him, pointing a finger to a neat pile of clothes.

Isamu did as told and changed into his white, long sleeved shirt and long pants and returned to his table. Breakfast as usual was quiet.

Before they were ready to leave, Isamus mother crouched until she was at his eye level.

"Son, before we go I want you to remember that I love you and I'm proud of you. Remember that, no matter what." She stood up, grabbed Isamu hand and walked out towards the training ground where the tournament would be held.

Isamu was bewildered. Baffled. Happy. His mother had finally said something nice again. She loved him, she was proud. But a thought struck him, was something bad going to happen?

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As they approached the grounds the steady beat of drums could be heard. Stands for the clan to sit and enjoy the spectacle defined a side of the round grassy arena, white stones marked the other edge. At the middle of the stands was a more ample space for the patriarch to sit.

Isamu left her mother and joined the other competitors at the arena. They were talking with each other. There were still some more to come as it was early in the morning. Isamu ignored the others and proceeded to sit cross legged on the floor facing the stands, concentrating on the battles to come. He breathed in and out, steadily, his heart beating in tune with the drums.

The drumming stopped. Isamu opened his eyes. Next to him stood the twelve challengers. He stood as well. His sight focused on the patriarch who stood in his booth meeting his gaze. Resolution was written on Isamus face.

"Welcome everyone, and welcome challengers!. Please brothers and sisters, please take a sit, for today a great spectacle await us. Today marks a glorious day for our young ones. Today they will battle in bloody fights until only one of them stands tall. Today I present you the might of my blood, for my son will face them all to prove himself worthy of being followed."

The patriarchs voice boomed through the field and the steady bat of the drums sounded again.

"Now, children of Kaguya, walk forward and grab a plate so that lady luck can decide the order of the matches. Except you my son, as promised you'll be the first one to fight" the patriarch declared for all to hear.

Isamu stood still, eyes never leaving the patriarch. One by one the other kids grabbed a plate that the patriarch laid for them to choose. Soon they were all back facing the crowd.

A clan member standing next to a board started organizing the board.

Isamu didn't know their names he just remembered the faces of those who had beaten him a few years ago. But he paid no mind to them now, they would only mattered whenever he would face them for he would enjoy stepping on them. The only thing that stood out to Isamu was that the oldest kid of them all and the one that leaded the kids when he fought them, a guy named Massu, was the one that would jump straight to the semi finals. He had to be wary of him as he was surely the strongest.

His first fight would be against a 5 year old girl named Yana. Soon only he and his foe stood at the arena.

Isamu stood there, calm, focused. He would need to use his energy with caution, as not overexert himself, so he refused to fight using his chakra. No one knew that he could use it, and he wasn't sure if anyone else knew how to use it, so he would keep it as his trump card.

He opened his eyes, ready. He looked straight at the patriarch, and closed his eyes again. "Start". The judge stated

Yamu jumped towards the unmoving Isamu she threw a straight punch with her left hand. When the first fist was about to hit him Isamu opened his eyes. He swiftly dodged to the side grabbing her forearm with his right hand. His palm struck heavily against Yamu's outer elbow. A loud snap followed by a painful cry filled the air.

Yamu fell on her knees holding her arm. Bone spouted from the arm ripping skin, blood gushing out from it. She tried to get up, to continue fighting. A hand fell on her shoulders, forcing her down.

"Surrender, you don't have to make your pain last any longer." Stated Isamu emotionlessly.

Yamu quivered, the loss of blood drenched color from her face.

"I surrender" she said defeated. face looking down in shame.

"The first fight is over. Isamu wins the first round!". The crowd cheered.