The second he heard her say it, his heart stopped.
"I thank you for your concern, but I have one of those already."
He didn't move; the shock of what she said stunned him. His father had told him on many occasions, "The Adarakis Clan is destined for greatness, son. And you are part of that clan." In past generations, the Adarakis Clan had pledged themselves to serving Hokage. Why is it he was now being denied this honour? Who else did Hokage have in mind?
"If you really want to do your best for the village, work hard and complete your missions as best you can."
Still knelt on the ground, Mazrakiel nodded. Kaori continued to speak, but the sinking feeling in Mazrakiel's stomach overwhelmed his other senses; it felt like he'd swallowed a rock. Through his eyes, it was as if she spoke in slow motion. He would've given anything... done anything... but alas...
"Now, if you'll excuse me, there is much that needs my attention. It's a busy time for all of us."
He'd been excused, but he couldn't move. Eyes still closed, he could feel them burning. He stood slowly, drearily, still stunned; his head hung low so to hide the tears that were forming, and nodded.
"As you wish, Hokage-sama."
* * * * * * *
He turned away in time; the second he looked away from her, a tear rolled its way down his cheek. When Maz was passionate about something, it made him emotional; and whenever he was REALLY passionate about something, it'd make him cry. That feeling of wanting something, more than ANYTHING...
...but not getting it. He felt rotten.
He walked away from the building, his heart still in his stomach. He'd just been shot down. He wanted to feel angry, but he couldn't; the village did not need anger, the village needed hope, a hope Kaori gave to them. A hope Kaori had given
him.
And yet, Kaori already had someone else to assist her. What hope was there for him if--
"
Oh! And, one more thing!"
He heard her voice again. He turned around quickly, and looked back to her.
She smiled, and spoke softly... warmly...
"Ganbatte."
* * * * * * *
It was night time. He sat in an alleyway not far from Ichiraku, covered in shadow. The occasional passer-by would come up to him and ask him if he were alright, but he couldn't bring himself to answer, to which they would yell "Drunk!" and "Baka da!". But he didn't care. He was pondering over what had happened today, what she had said.
"If you want to prove yourself, complete the tasks you are given first." But, he wanted to do something that would set him apart from the other Genin of the village. He wanted to live up to the Adarakis name, and serve Hokage. But it was the way she said
"Ganbatte." So warm... so gentle... he, couldn't be angry. Perhaps, he told himself, that dream will come another day.
"Mazrakiel!"
His father had seen him on his way into Ichiraku. "I didn't see you after the inauguration ceremony finished. Where've you been?"
Glaring solemnly up at his father, he didn't want to say a word. This was the worst he'd felt in a long time. Why had he not been chosen? There was someone else. But... surely...
His mind wandered, and only after his father tilted his head to the side and gave Maz a funny look did he snap back to reality.
"Oh... I... uh..."
He could feel his emotions welling up inside. He didn't feel like facing anybody at the moment. It was then that he thought of something.
"Father, come with me. We're going to the top of the Hokage monument."
Kagemaru looked at him weirdly, but Mazrakiel had already turned to his shadow form, and was already on his way.
* * * * * * *
Kagemaru arrived seconds after Maz. His son had the Kagetokeru technique down pat, and in all honesty, Mazrakiel had surpassed his father in controlling the shadow form of Kagetokeru. But his father knew more techniques, and had a higher chakra control; as an Adarakis it was expected that you were able to control your chakra to the point where it seemed almost limitless.
Upon the Hokage Monument, Mazrakiel and Kagemaru were silent, and watched as night had completely fallen over Konoha.
"Father... train me."
Kagemaru looked at Mazrakiel oddly.
"I... want to... be stronger, so I too... can serve Hokage."
Kagemaru smiled, as if he'd just realised everything that happened today. "Ah... I see. That's why you wanted to speak with Tense... I mean, Hokage, today?"
Mazrakiel nodded.
"Ahhh, it makes sense now." Kagemaru himself had been assistant to the Ninth Hokage, long ago, before meeting his wife, and was released so he could tend to his family. "What did she say?"
The grim expression on Mazrakiel's face said it all, and even in the darkness, Kagemaru knew exactly what it looked like. He'd seen that face on his son, so long ago...
"She has, somebody else... to be her assistant."
Kagemaru looked a little stunned. "Really? Did... she say who she was?"
Mazrakiel hadn't bothered to ask; when Kaori said there was somebody else, he couldn't think of anything apart from how bad he felt. "No, she... didn't."
"I see..." said Kagemaru.
"Father, I want you to teach me. Everything you know. I want to... be strong, like you. To serve Hokage, like you did."
Kagemaru smiled. It made him proud to see his son wanted to follow in his footsteps. But, something held him back.
"I... This training may kill you... and... you're all I have left, son."
"I know, Father. But, let me ask you this... if there was something YOU wanted more than anything... and the only way you could get it was with my help..."
Kagemaru stopped, and pondered for a second, before telling him again... "Like I said, this training may kill you."
"And my dream is something I'm willing to die for."
Silence. All of a sudden, it felt very cold, very dark. Mazrakiel... had something... again... it was the way he said it.
"My dream is something I'm willing to die for."Kagemaru did not want to stop his son. He was very determined... especially if this was his dream. If Mazrakiel was to prove himself, he would need Kagemaru's help.
"Very well, son. Let's go."
The two of them nodded.
"Oh, and Father...
bring Kage-ryu-Ken," said Mazrakiel, eagerly.
Kagemaru nodded, and smiled. This training promised to be... exciting.
And with that, father and son set off from Konoha Village.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
