Indeed have today was a great day for Burittsu he was now almost an actual Jounin but for now he was what he considered below average one more rank to the shinobi would mean it was a treat for him to actually be himself. Not the person he played out to be in front of many shinobi he indeed was growing stronger day by day but eventually the time would come where he would have to cut the ties. Walking through the forest with the sun cutting through the branches and leaf’s he was now almost ready but indeed today was a day for him to truly relax and enjoy himself. The path that he was headed on would lead him to a place of comfort but one that he had not been on since the day he met his first actual friend the path felt longer than it used too most likely because he was always running instead of walking when he was younger. So much ambition in his eyes but also confusion and hate his heart used to be black and cold shut off from everyone indeed meeting his friend pierced a hole into the darkness having some light shine in blessing his soul and body with something he had never felt before until he met Genbu.

Coming to a stop as he thought about how they really met the very first time only brought a grin on his face his feet continued the pace taking him down the memory lane literally he recalled himself first dashing into the sunlight after leaping in the shade for far too long. As the sunlight did blare into his eyes he recalled hearing the laughter of other shinobi and children at the lake his memory felt real enough that it all felt real the sun in his eyes and the smell of the salt lake underneath his nose. Seeing the running children soar into the water on the hot sunny day as it looked remarkable having the sunlight bounce off the surface blinding whoever looked at it and the blue of the lake attracting everyone to get somewhat curious of what is hidden in the depths below.

As his mind played the course of his memory his actual body stood motionless now facing the shore he was thinking about how it had so much life before and how now it was empty quiet and the site of deer from the forest that loved to drink the cold water of the lake. It had seem till the time was right everyone avoided a nice cool dip into the waters it was foggy around the lake no wonder it was lifeless as he took his steps entering the shore he kept on moving until his feet were submerged underneath the surface of the cold water.

Exactly where he stood before meeting his friend he closed his eyes once more drifting away dipping back into the pool of his memories of the clear sunny day as this time he watched himself the younger version of himself from his perspective. Standing alone in the water no friends just by himself enjoying the cool sensation of his feet until what seemed a body to drift up to him interesting it was now that he talked about it out of everyone him the confused genin with no friends or ounce of love in his heart. He watched his younger self look and and the floating boy quickly stand up as their eyes locked and mouths started to move in a mere moment the two was off walking on the shore as they plopped down in the shade enjoying in conversation that simply changed the way he saw life.

What happened next was the true cause of the friendship knowing his former self he probably insisted on fighting to see out of the two which were the strongest and as it seemed it was in taijutsu the art of hand to hand combat. With that in mind he only gave off a smile as stepped out of water drying his feet and footwear on the shore the smile on his face and rubbed the back of his head as he gave out a chuckle or two.

“So that’s how it all started huh.. If only you were alive to enjoy these memories with me Genbu.”

WC:727

With his feet now drying off he only looked upon the shore as he thought long and hard how it felt easier to be a genin in the ranks didn’t have to do much as he didn’t even have to work as hard either taking all the easy missions. Basically invisible to the naked eye he missed those days when everything was simple and easy but the memories that came with them would never perish always burned into his mind just like how he first met Genbu. On the very spot he stood the fight between the two started he could only close his eyes to take in every ounce and single moment of that day the heat of the sun beating down on his skin as he balled his fist up ready with nothing but confidence in his stomach. The rest was basically history Genbu dealt him the blows left and right sure he tried but it wasn’t enough Genbu was a step ahead of him the whole time as shinobi but mostly as a human. Giving his all to a person he knew he could beat without much of a sweat but he still gave into such a crazy offer of beating him and the outcome was that Genbu won but what he didn’t know was that day the male’s fist seemed to speak louder than his words punching holes in that dark heart of Burittsu. As if he was freeing the shinobi from the chains he carried all his life that loss seemingly was a big change in fact that was his first friend after all and the taste of defeat from someone who didn’t boast or rubbing it in his face was something he never seen coming but it did happen. Scratching the back of his head Burittsu opened his eyes looking down in silence as the fog continued to roll over the lake and the area around him it was silent he enjoyed it.

The silence always kept him at bay and kept his mind straight as he felt the gentle push of the wind upon his back it seemed he only had more memories to get on too around the wilderness and probably some that actually took place in the village behind the gates. He only had a smile on his face that even Genbu would actually be grateful to see especially for one with a closed heart like Burittsu never happy with anything but still stuck his neck out when needed. As he took his steps closer back onto the path he only recalled the final goodbyes to Genbu that evening as he darted quickly back into the trees and headed back to the village due to the fact he really didn’t know how to properly thank this random kid he just met for beating some sense into that thick mind of his allowing him to see that the world had many people all with different hearts.

Leaning upon the tree everything seemed to happen so fast in his life that if he took his time back than to actually stop and look at the word in a different way probably he would have found his happiness but he didn’t he was on a path of anger. Something he didn't take into account when he was younger but now he only wished if things could go back if he would have said that simple thank you before the two were destined to meet again later on to show Genbu exactly how much he appreciated the male not just always wasted his time with petty battles between the two. Giving a sigh as he continued to lean on the tree only to look over his shoulder back the cold dark lake that will soon be filled with so much and given so much attention that probably even the visiting shinobi from other villagers would shake off the stress for a while and come down to the lake to relax and breathe leaving their troubles and worries behind them. Turning his head back upon the path where he came from and it was in that moment where he accepted to try harder in the near future and always fight for what’s wrong.

“I’ll make it right old friend..”

WC:713

Taking a last look at the shore and the amazing lake that blessed the land it was no joke that the view would be missed if he did decide to follow his plan all the way through and leave it behind. He doubt any other place had such a marvelous view and to top it off he thought it would always hold such cherish memories of friendship especially on that day that they met emotions were high but he even knew himself that this was a cold world where at any moment in time a friend, lover, and family member could be found dead or go missing. He knew that the one who planned this killing or wanted it to happen was out there in the world somewhere unless if what Yasou told him before and Yasou was the real mastermind behind the killing the whole time. It didn’t matter now who the mastermind ended up being the result will still be the same a body was going to be face first on the ground motionless not a single heartbeat as death himself would come down to claim the poor soul.

That was his goal to make the person who caused him to suffer feel the same pain one way or another whoever stood in his path let it be that they are from other lands or even allies he once knew he would bring revenge upon the land that hurt him. But mostly on the individual that killed him reverting him slowly back to the person he was the one who only saw one thing in front of him and that was death around every corner and much more. Before even taking a step on the path to head back home he truly thought this was place that should be remembered to him for one reason looking around the male found a flat stone engraving multiple characters upon it. It took time to get it right but once he had it he found the nearest tree smashing stone into the bark of the tree multiple times as it took a great amount of time having the stone fall out multiple times but indeed he kept on trying and smashing the stone in.

It felt longer in fact but it was only a couple minutes that passed as the tree that stood next to the path for all to see now had a stone on it upon the stone itself was characters “ジェンブ” which stood for the first person in his life to truly give him the happiness he had long sought out his friend Genbu. And with that a grin upon his face was made as he bowed to the tree which now held the name of his dearest friend between it’s barks hoping that the stone would stay there till the next generation and that long after him his smile was hard to bare without a tear or two rolling down his face as his smile faded his eyes gave in to his emotions and those became the tears of appreciation rolling down his face.

Letting out these emotions seemed unacceptable for shinobi especially to honor those who died in battle so he wiped those tears away and bowed his head with probably the last smile that would ever appear on his face again. Turning his back on the lake and the tree he ventured down the path heading back into the forest and probably back home the walk was going to take longer than the rest he knew that for a fact due to each step he took was heavier than the last as he was ready to break down but he knew he couldn’t the fact of the matter is every step he took was a step for him and his fallen friend.

“Thank you for everything you’ve taught me Genbu..”

~End~
WC:645
Total WC: 2,085