haru x shadow
The sun beamed brightly above, casting a golden glow over the quiet village. Birds soared in smooth, rhythmic arcs through the sky, their chirping weaving into the soft silence of the day.
On the rooftop of a quiet home, two teenage boys-no older than sixteen-lay side by side. One was Matsamaru, his blonde, short, spiky hair glinting under the sun. He wore a fitted blue robe, tightly tied at the ends. Beside him lay Hijen, clad in a layered white robe-loose and flowing, with a more fitted garb hidden beneath.
They lay in silence, letting the sun dry their robes and warm their skin. Then, Hijen broke the stillness.
"Say, Matsamaru-san... do you think we can ever become Shadow Ninjas?"
His eyes stayed fixed on the sky, his tone calm.
Matsamaru smiled faintly. He sat up, his gaze drifting over the empty streets and still buildings of the village.
"Based on our strength and capabilities right now? I'd say no... not in this world."
Hijen turned to him, surprised by the bluntness.
"...But based on luck-we can."
Hijen sat up, puzzled. "Luck? What does luck have to do with becoming one of the strongest ninjas in the village?"
Matsamaru turned to face him, his smile still gentle.
"Hijen-kun, there are times in life when there's absolutely no reason to believe. No signs, no hope. In fact, it feels like there never was. In those moments... you only need to believe in one thing-luck."
Hijen's eyes widened slightly, the words sinking deeper than he expected.
Matsamaru continued.
"When there's luck, it doesn't matter how or when. It just... happens. It pulls you out. No need for logic, no need for reason. When luck moves-everything else stops."
"So... becoming Shadow Ninjas for us now depends on luck," Hijen said thoughtfully. "Maybe there's a mission-one that threatens everything-and by sheer chance, we manage to stop it. Even if we're not ninjas yet, that could make us Shadow Ninjas right away."
Hijen smiled, convinced. Luck was the only way to reach the heights they dreamed of.
He lay back, eyes on the sky. "Maybe this mission is it."
Matsamaru nodded, a quiet agreement in his smile.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps broke the silence, growing closer and louder.
"I'll kill them the moment I see them-BASTARDS!" a furious voice shouted.
"Shino, calm down! We don't know if they're a threat! I'll-"
"Shut up! You want to die?!" the anger snapped back.
The voices were right above them now.
Another teen, Giyu Osai, stepped forward. His short, untamed blonde hair matched the free energy around him. Dressed in a fitted blue robe, he nodded toward Matsamaru.
"Thanks, Matsamaru. You've been a lot of help. We're closer now."
Finally, the group arrived-five teenagers, all around the same age as Matsamaru and Hijen. They stopped, eyes fixed on the two slackers lying comfortably on the rooftop of the quiet village.
The loudest among them, Shino Hayate, exploded with fury.
"FOOLS! CONSIDER YOURSELVES DEAD THE MOMENT YOU COME DOWN FROM THERE! Enjoying yourselves on a mission like this? This is crap! This is the WORST-"
He kept ranting, voice rising with every word.
Akira Tami, calm and collected, stepped forward. His curled black hair swayed slightly as he looked up. He wore a fitted black robe, his voice smooth.
"Oi. Found anything?"
Hijen blinked, confused. "Eh?"
Akira tilted his head.
"Yeah. I mean, that's why you were up there, right? Searching?"
Realization hit Hijen like a wave. He lowered his eyes in guilt. They had completely forgotten they were on a mission.
"S-Sorry guys, but we-"
Matsamaru cut him off smoothly, standing as he looked down at the group.
"Found nothing. But one thing's clear: they know we're here. And... honeki might be involved. The villagers are gone, yet nothing's been destroyed."
He slid down from the rooftop, landing quietly.
"We need to find them. Then we'll know their intent."
Henji was taken aback-truly stunned by how quickly and sharply Matsamaru had assessed the situation. That kind of response, so smooth and grounded, left him speechless.
Matsamaru turned to Chimaru Omi-the youngest of them. He wore a clean blue haori, with a neatly fitted robe underneath. His short curly black hair was tightened by a black headband, his expression tired and distant.
"Chimaru-kun," Matsamaru called, "you were in Haru's team. Do you know where he went or when exactly he went missing?"
Chimaru closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, his voice weighed down by exhaustion.
"You think Haru would tell me? No one knows when he disappeared. He left just after we regrouped... But if I were Haru, I'd be looking for the bandits."
Matsamaru's face grew more serious as he turned to the group.
"Yeah... That's definitely something Haru would do."
Shino exploded again.
"Ehhh?! That fool's forgetting something! I'M the leader of this mission! Damn it! He's dead the moment I see him! DEAD!"
Henji slid gracefully down the rooftop, landing as lightly as a leaf.
"Wait... did you guys agree to meet up after splitting?"
Chimaru nodded.
"Yeah. We told everyone to meet at the checkpoint while we search for the villagers and the bandits. We even made sure everyone had a flare in case of trouble. Everyone agreed before we split up."
Matsamaru stepped in, his voice slightly sharper.
"And Haru... agreed?"
The group exchanged glances. Giyu finally muttered,
"Well... majority carries the-"
But Matsamaru and Henji both let out a long, synchronized sigh.
Then suddenly, all eyes turned to Hiro-the one who had remained completely silent and detached the entire time. He hadn't spoken a word, only reading their lips from where he stood, expressionless and distant.
Realizing the sudden shift in attention, Hiro's eyes widened slightly. The weight of everyone's stare pressed down on him like a boulder. Anxiety began to crawl up his spine.
Shino stepped forward slowly, each motion exaggerated like a puppet strung by rage.
"Damn it, Hiro! What's your contribution to this damn excuse of a team? Look at the bright side! How long has it been since we heard your damn voice, you piece of garbage?!"
Hiro stammered, his voice soft and uncertain,
"Umm... I... have... a plan...?"
Everyone froze.
Even Shino, who had been practically seething with rage, stopped mid-step. They all blinked, stunned, and echoed in unison-
"Eh?"