Chapter 3
1993 Words
⚔️Jaraiya's POV⚔️
He raised the spare to stab me, and I saw death looming before me. I closed my eyes, bracing for the impact.
But instead of feeling the blade, I heard a gurgling cry.
A dagger had pierced the attacker's throat.
I opened my eyes to see Neji standing over me, her expression resolute.
"Thank you, sis," I said, struggling to my feet. "You've really saved my life."
Neji smiled grimly. "You shouldn't expect me to wait behind.
We both know how deadly those monsters can be.
Besides, you've saved me countless times.".
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Lying unconscious on the ground, the boy was limp and heavy. "Come give me a hand," Neji said, straining as she tried to pull him to his feet.
I rushed to her side, and together we lifted the boy, cradling his inert form between us.
"Let's get him out of here," Neji whispered urgently, scanning our surroundings for signs of danger.
We began to move swiftly, carrying the boy through the dense underbrush. His head lolled against my shoulder, his breath shallow.
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🌷Neji POV🌷
As we approached our village, Neji and I removed our cloth masks, revealing our exhausted faces.
In the distance, we saw Father, his sturdy frame wielding an axe to chop wood. His eyes narrowed as he took in our burden.
"Where are you two coming from, and who's that on your back?" Father's deep voice boomed, halting us in our tracks.
Neji stepped forward, her voice steady. "We encountered him on patrol, Father. He was attacked by... monsters."
Father's gaze lingered on the young adult's pale face before snapping back to us. "Monsters, you say? Bring him inside. We'll tend to his wounds."
"Despite all my warnings, you both still chose to ignore them?" Father's voice was laced with disappointment and concern. "What if you were killed by those cannibals?"
Jiraiya stepped forward, his eyes cast downward. "We're sorry, Father."
Father's expression remained stern. "You will get punished for disobeying my orders." He dropped the axe and approached us. "Lay him on the floor."
We gently placed the young adult on the ground. Father bent low, inspecting his body.
"Hey, you," he said, turning to me, "go get me my herbs bag."
I quickly rushed inside, retrieving the bag from its designated shelf. As I returned, Father was examining the young adult's wounds.
"Neji, boil some water," Father instructed, his hands already moving to clean the wounds. "Jiraiya, help me clean these gashes."
I handed Father the herbs bag, watching as he expertly tended to the young adult's injuries.
"This arrow is poisoned, and it went deep into his skin," Father said, his face set in concentration as he forcefully removed the arrow from the young adult's back.
He took the bag from me and retrieved the ground ginseng roots, sprinkling the powder into the wounds.
I watched in awe as the wounds began to heal before my eyes, the skin closing up as if by magic.
I was terrified and astonished, my mind reeling from the implications.
Father's expression was equally stunned, his eyes wide with wonder.
He stood up, facing us with an intensity that made me take a step back.
"What is he?" Father demanded, his voice low and urgent. "And how did you say you found him?"
Jiraiya's eyes mirrored Father's confusion. "We don't know, Father. We just saw him being carried by those flesh eaters."
Father's gaze narrowed, his mind racing. "Flesh eaters, you say? And he's... healing like this?"
Neji spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. "Could he be... one of them?"
Father's eyes snapped to her, his expression warning her to silence.
"Not now, Neji," he said firmly. "We need to understand what we're dealing with."
Who was this stranger, and what secrets did he hold?
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✨Theodore's POV✨
I opened my eyes to darkness, my mind foggy. As my vision cleared, I realized I was in a small, confined space. Relief washed over me – I had expected to be dead by now.
I stood up, my joints creaking, and approached the window. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I tried to recall the events leading up to my captivity.
Memories flooded back: the forest monsters, the chase, the fear.
I must be a prisoner of the cannibals, I thought, dread creeping in.
The door creaked open, snapping me out of my thoughts. A young girl entered, her eyes wide with surprise.
She stared at me as if I were a ghost, her face pale.
"You're finally awake," she whispered, taking cautious steps closer.
Her gaze roamed over me, searching for something. I tensed, unsure what to expect.
"Who are you?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
The girl's eyes locked onto mine, filled with a mix of curiosity and fear.
I watched as she made her ways passing through the door, She left.
Neji returned with a tall, broad-shouldered man, his face sporting a well-groomed beard, except for his distinctive mustache. The resemblance between them was unmistakable – this was her father.
He entered the room with an air of authority, his eyes fixed intently on me.
"Who are you, and how did you end up in the forest?" he asked, his deep voice commanding attention.
I stared at him, unsure how to respond. His words hung in the air, awaiting an answer.
The man's gaze narrowed, his expression skeptical. "Are you a wizard or possessed by a demon? How else could your wounds heal so quickly?"
I glared at him, confusion etched on my face. His questions made no sense.
"Wounds? What do you mean?" I asked, trying to piece together my fragmented memories.
The man exchanged a glance with Neji, who stood beside him, her eyes watchful.
"You don't remember?" he asked, his tone softer. "You were brought here injured, with arrow wounds. But by the time we tended to you, they were already healing."
I shook my head, memories of the forest monsters flooding back.
"I... I was chased," I stammered. "Those creatures... they attacked me."
Neji's timely intervention saved me from further questioning. Her father nodded, "Alright, I'm out of here. Keep an eye on him."
With that, he exited the room, leaving us alone.
Neji's gaze turned to me, a warm smile on her lips. "I'm Neji, and my brother, Jiraiya, and I went hunting when we saw you held captive by those monsters. We rescued and brought you here."
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "So, what's your name?"
I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal.
"I'm... Theodore," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
Neji's eyes locked onto mine, and I noticed the unusual green tint in one of her irises, a striking contrast to the white. It added an exotic touch to her already captivating features.
She pulled a stool closer and sat beside me, her gaze still fixed on mine.
"Let's go outside, so I can show you around," Neji said, offering her hand.
I took it, feeling a spark of electricity as our palms touched.
"This is our well," she said, gesturing to a sturdy wooden structure.
"And over there is our garden," she added, nodding toward a lush plot filled with vibrant vegetables and herbs.
As we walked, I noticed the secluded location, surrounded by dense forest.
Neji opened a door and motioned for me to enter. "This is our storage room," she explained.
Neji's eyes shone with pride. "We grow and hunt most of our food."
"What's your family's name?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
Neji's smile faltered for a moment before she replied, "We're the Uzumaki."
The name sounded familiar, but I couldn't quite place it.
"Is that... significant?" I asked.
Neji's gaze drifted away, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It means 'Whirlpool Circle.' But to some, it's a name tied to legend... and danger."
Her words hinted at secrets and mysteries beyond my understanding.
What did Neji's family have to do with this legend?
I gasped, my eyes fixed on the array of sharp blades lining the walls. What would a family need with such an arsenal?
Neji's voice broke my reverie. "All this you see here was designed by my dad."
My gaze roved over the deadly instruments, and my attention shifted to black leather attire hanging on the wall, eerily reminiscent of ninja garb.
"Are you... nin?" I started to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Neji's expression turned somber, her eyes clouding. "Yes. My father was the former general of the Shinobi clan, before his younger brother plotted to kill him."
The revelation stunned me. Shinobi? Ninjas? I thought they were mere legends.
"What happened?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Neji's voice dropped to a whisper. "My uncle, Madara, sought power and control. He betrayed my father, forcing us to flee and hide our true identities."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. This was more than just a family's history; it was a tale of intrigue, power struggles, and ancient secrets.
The weight of her words settled between us, heavy with unspoken truths.
Neji's voice trembled as she continued her story. "My mother was killed by assassins sent by his brother, so my dad managed to escape with us into this forest."
"Oh, sorry, you guys have really had some tough times," I empathized. "I know the pain of living without your mom."
Neji's eyes locked onto mine, understanding and shared sorrow reflected in them.
"So, what about your parents?" she asked gently, her question piercing the fragile armor around my heart.
Neji's expression softened further. "I'm sorry. And your father?"
"That's a long story," I said hastily, my wolf senses alerting me to the presence of someone outside. "I think someone's at the door."
Neji's eyes flicked toward the door, and she called out, "Who's there?"
A young male voice responded, "Neji, is that you?"
She smiled, "Yes, brother, it's me."
The door swung open, and a youthful figure entered, his eyes locking intensely onto me.
His gaze narrowed, scrutinizing me. "You're the one we rescued."
I nodded.
Neji intervened, "Jiraiya, this is Theodore. We were just talking."
Jiraiya's eyes never left mine. "I see. Welcome, Theodore. I wasn't expecting you to wake up so soon."
Neji's gentle touch on my arm reassured me. "Theodore, don't mind Jiraiya. He's just protective."
Jiraiya's gaze lingered on me before shifting to Neji. "Father wants to speak with us. There's something important."
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After their dad had finished discussing with them, Jiraiya turned to me with a hint of excitement.
"Hey Theodore, want to come hunting with me? It'll be a great way to test your skills."
I nodded, eager to prove myself.
"Let's do it," I said, smiling.
Neji intervened, her voice laced with concern. "Be careful, Jiraiya. Theodore's still recovering."
Jiraiya nodded reassuringly. "Don't worry, sis. We'll be fine."
As we prepared to leave, Neji called out.
"You guys should come back home on time!"
Jiraiya grinned. "We will, sis."
With that, Jiraiya and I set off into the forest, our senses alert for any signs of prey.
As we walked, Jiraiya asked, "Theodore, what's your hunting style?"
I thought for a moment. "I rely on my instincts and senses."
Jiraiya nodded approvingly. "That's the Shinobi way."
We continued, our banter easing the tension.
Suddenly, Jiraiya froze, his eyes locked onto something.
"What is it?" I whispered.
"Prey," he replied, a sly grin spreading across his face.
He selected the white arrow from his backpack...
Jiraiya swiftly nocked another arrow, his movements fluid and precise.
"This one's going to hurt," he whispered, releasing the white arrow.
It struck the leopard's leg, causing it to stumble.
The leopard's growls grew fiercer, its eyes blazing with fury.
"Get ready," Jiraiya warned, his voice low and urgent.
The leopard charged, its claws swiping wildly.
I stood frozen, my heart racing.
To be continue...
- Writer
