The mountains surrounding the fortress estate were beginning to defrost in the early Spring, and the river was beginning to rise, the current growing stronger daily. The dead grass again becoming green and vibrant with the mineral-rich water nourishing the ground it comes into contact with. Yukialways enjoyed taking her time out in the wilderness beyond the estate’s compound. Oftentimes, her instructors will find her out in the trees, practicing the sword positions of her father’s training. All of the estate's workers knew very well what Yuki wanted to be, as the hallways and courtyards of the estate rang out with her words. “I’m going to be an even greater adventurer than my Father!” She screamed at every opportunity. Since she was little, no more than a kit, Yuki has strived towards becoming one of, if not, the most famous adventurer. Most of the townspeople, and even those who work closely with the Kai Family, would say that the ambition was born out of the weight of the family name. If you ask Yuki though, she will tell you the real reason is that more people should be able to become adventurers. It's too hard to break into the work without having generations of those who have done it before, she will tell you adamantly. It is her goal to make it a prosperous occupation for anyone who wants it for themselves.

Outside of the estate wall, Yuki was training in the forest, listening closely for the sound of her enemies. Yuki crouched down behind a bush, training sword in hand. She closed her eyes and began to focus on the sounds around her. The birds chirping in the branches high above, the wind rustling the leaves, and the slight sound of footsteps in the distance behind her. The footsteps grew more prevalent as a whistle, different from the wind, headed right at her. Yuki’s sword came up instinctively, deflecting a training dagger thrown at her back. Yuki spun to face her attacker, a larger Kitsune with black and red fur covering their arms and legs. Their hood covered their face making it hard to tell exactly who she was facing. The two circled one another, Yuki with her sword, and the hooded figure with a set of daggers. The hooded fox threw another dagger, as he rushed into melee range. Yuki avoided the dagger with a quick step and lunged her sword into the hooded figure's path. They quickly sidestepped around the blade and went for a lung of their own, which Yuki failed to prepare for. She took a shallow cut to her left side as she counter-swiped her sword at the attacker's head. The red and black kitsune was able to dodge the swipe, but only just barely so that it hit their hood, knocking it back and revealing a middle-aged male. He took his stance again and said to Yuki, “I see you are still one for an aggressive offense. Your defense leaves a lot of room for the enemy to strike.” Growling, Yuki replied, “My offense is my defense.” She then charged him again.

Hours later, the sun was setting behind the forested hills in the distance. Yuki was lying on the ground out of breath and covered in shallow cuts. “How did you learn your fighting style Uncle I’Kira? Daggers never were part of our family training regiment.” I’Kira laughed heartily, “It was a unique circumstance. I had the opportunity to train with a different family and combine both sets of teachings to better utilize my body structure. You see, Yuki, I do not have the capability of magic within me.” I’Kria’s voice dropped down to a melancholic whisper. “Brother was always much better at that side of our training.” Mimicking the saddened tone of her Uncle, Yuki asked, “Have you heard anything of Father’s mission? The letters stopped coming about 2 weeks ago. I know he is talented and strong, but I do worry about how reckless he is sometimes.” I’Kira met Yuki’s eyes and took one of her hands in his. “Your father is the strongest Kitsune I know. There is nothing that would stop him from coming back if he had any breath left in him. Come now, it's almost supper time. You know how Hiromi worries about you, more than you worry about your father even.”

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The two training partners picked up their belongings off the ground and dug several daggers out of trees. After a short time, they were on their way, walking down the stream back into the compound proper. “Uncle?” Yuki started, uncertainty clinging to the word, “How do others start adventuring? I can only assume that not every single individual spends their childhood training to fight…” I’Kira hummed in response and then went quiet for a few moments. “The others who you speak of, do they not have family traditions to uphold? Some are adventurers by blood, and others are blacksmiths.” Yuki glared at I’Kira, and he smiled back knowingly. “Yes, yes, I know young one, ‘But what about those who don’t want to do what their families have always done?’ I know that's the question on your mind. For that, we have the new G.U.I.L.D. system, employed by the six pantheon kingdoms. It now trains those over the age of responsibility on how to hone their natural skills.”

“What did everyone do before the new system?” Yuki questioned, thirsty for more knowledge. “Well,” I’kira sighed, “Mostly, no one did anything. Those within the Panthetic City’s walls had no need to fear anything outside. The rest of us… had to do what we could to protect ourselves and our loved ones, most who tried died. Although a few, like our family, had the gift of magic to help propel ourselves into the position of defenders that we are now.” Yuki cocked her head to the side and looked her uncle up and down. “Why didn’t the other families teach the rest of the people how to defend themselves? Why did the non-magical folk have to rely on others for protection?” Another deep-chested laugh came from I’Kira, “It's how my great-great-grandfather made his living. Would a Blacksmith show strangers their craft? Would a Tailor, or Boyer? Then why would we?”

Silence took grasp of the conversation, as Yuki started reliving the stories told by her father, Iskra. She remembered the times when he, I’kira, and a few other members went out on commissions. Yuki thought to herself how terrible it must have been for those people who required the assistance of someone else more powerful than themselves. How much of their livelihood went into hiring her father, or other parties for that matter? There were many times, now that she thought about it when her father wouldn’t accept the payment for a contract. Often, when he did take the payment, he found a way to place it back into the hands of those who hired him. Those actions were the kindness and altruism that she aspired to have. The stories that her father brought home, the ones of daring deeds and close calls, spurred Yuki on in her training. Her drive and desire to become an adventurer were motivated by the acts that she witnessed. She would chase the dream of safety for all, or at least all that her blade could protect.

“Yuki? Hey, come back to Panthia. Yuki!” I’Kira teasingly snapped his fingers in front of the young kitsune’s face. Yuki roughly was returned to reality as a carriage came rumbling past. Yuki dodged to the ground, falling hard on her knees. “You alright?” I’Kira said with concern consuming his face. “Yeah, I'm fine,” Yuki said, pulling herself up from the dirt of the road. “Look out for the carriages next time. Don’t get all lost in thought right before the gates, you never know what's coming in or out.” The pair continued past the gated walls surrounding the medium-sized town of Matari, the closest town to the Kai Estate. They continued their walk, Yuki no longer lost in her own thoughts. She gazed out over the rolling hills that were spotted with trees, hiding the walls of their compound. With the last of the sunlight fading, they arrived at the gates of the estate. The Kai Guards nodded to both I’Kira and Yuki as the gate fell open. An enticing smell of roast wafted on the breeze that blew out of the manor. Both I’Kira and Yuki’s stomachs made loud rumbles as that scent encouraged them forward. “Oh yeah, nothing like Hiromi’s Roast after a good day of training! The first one to the table gets to pick portions?” I’Kira said with a smirk dancing on the corners of his lips. The second he was done speaking, Yuki took off up the slight hill towards the manor, simply stating, “I’d love to pick first, thank you very much.”