The Lion and the Lamb

00.

Hanae shyly hid behind her fathers leg along with her brother, occasionally catching onto glances of other nervous students, awaiting the next biggest event in her life.

Starting the Shinobi Academy.

“Hanae.” her father called kindly, “everything’ll be fine. Daisuke will be right there with you.” he reassured his young daughter.

“I promise I won’t let anything happen to you, Hanae.” Daisuke promised, showing a smile that he only revealed to his little sister. The one that he vowed to protect, no matter what.

“But what if they don’t like me?” Hanae questioned, looking down at her feet.

“They’ll only dislike you if you give them a reason to. Besides “ he father paused while crouching down to her level “There isn’t a person on earth who could dislike you.” he promised, cupping her cheeks in a loving fashion.

“Parents!” a stern but kind voice called from the academy door way “Thank you and your children for being patient. You may now allow your children to enter the academy.” he instructed, making room through the doorway.

Hanae looked around curiously at the children surrounding her as they gradually bid farewell to their parents. Some ecstatic. Some heartbroken. Some indifferent.

Some who didn‘t even have parents.

“Hanae.” her father called, gaining her attention once again. “You be good now, you hear?” he instructed with a light smile, giving her a tender kiss on her rosy left cheek.

“Daisuke, take care of your younger sister.” he commanded gently.

Daisuke nodded his head, symbolizing that he understood. “C’mon Hanae. I’ll walk you to your class, alright?” he asked, taking hold of his baby sister’s hand, who was just a year younger than him.

“Daisuke?” she called quietly, looking up at him. “Why didn’t some parents come with their kids?” she asked curiously.

Daisuke went silent. “Some kids don’t have parents.” he answered quietly, tightening his hold on her hand. “Some kids lost their parents because they were shinobi.”

Hanae’s eyes widened slightly. “Are we going to lose papa?”

With a light smile, Daisuke looked down at his sister. “No we’re not. Papa’s too strong to ever have that happen Hanae.” he reassured her. “Here’s your class. Meet me by the swing we saw out front earlier at lunch.” he instructed, walking her up to the doorway.

A light blush found it’s way to Hanae’s face. “I don’t want to go Daisuke.” she countered, maintaining her hold on his hand.

“In order to become strong shinobi like mama and papa, you have to Hanae. We have to make them proud.”

“But I’m scared.” she whined, tears welling up in her eyes.

Daisuke reached for her left arm, and showed her the bracelet she’s had ever since she was born. “As long as you wear that, you don’t have any reason to be afraid Hanae. Besides, I’ll be right down the hall.” he said, pointing to his own classroom. “I’ll be here whenever you need me.”

“Promise?” she sniffled.

“I promise Hanae. Now get going, we don’t want you to be late on your first day of the academy.” he said, shooing her off into her classroom.

A small smile grew on her face. “I won’t let mama and papa down!” she promised while bowing slightly, before turning into the door way of Iruka Umino’s classroom.

Daisuke lingered there for a few moments more, carefully watching his little sister, his parents kichona musume, begin one of the longest journeys she’ll ever experience in her life.

Becoming a Leaf Shinobi.

I know you can do it, Hanae. Daisuke thought to himself as he slowly entered his own classroom.