A new life begins (Open, join whenever you want)

As a new day rose with the sun, so did my new life in this world yet unknown to me. So far, I could have told very few differences from what I was used to. The customs seemed the same, yet some were slightly different.

It was time for me to start anew, to rebuild what I had left behind, to rise once again above all in order to be prepared for a bitter future, if it were to ever happen.

With this idea in mind, I walked the roads of my new village, my new home, scouting my environment and starting my researches at the same time.

Furaibou was walking around the village as part of his training. Even though he lived in Kirigakure, he enjoyed to train inside Konohagakure due to being a peaceful village, as opposite to Kirigakure, where he had some trouble with street gangs before. Observing the environment filled with buildings and people, the young lad noticed something that didn't seem to fit. A person- or at least, that's what it seemed to be- wearing a mask and a long cape which covered its whole body. Furaibou decided to follow the stranger closely, suspecting him of being about to commit a crime. "You never know when might be your chance to save someone", he thought to himself as he sneakily followed the man's trail.

As I ventured forth, I began to notice a boy following me. Starngely enough, something felt familiar about him... Memories of a tortured young boy came back to my mind, one that I had turned into a monster...

After a while, I reached an empty square and, apparently, the boy was still following. The temptation was too great, I had to know. Was it really him? I quickly turned around to face the boy and said, loud enough for him to hear me:

"Well, well. It has been a long time, Damasu."

Noticing the man turned around, Furaibou attempted to hide behind a dog, which shortly after left its position, leaving the boy completely in sight. Seeing that he couldn't hide anymore, he decided to look to the sides, to see if anyone answered to that man's convocation, but no one did.
"S-sorry, mister, but I think you may have took me for someone else", Furaibou said, nervous.

I took a better look at the boy and, indeed, I had been mistaken. In no way that yougster could have been Damasu. Crossing my arms together, I kept on looking at him and said, a bit annoyed:

"Sorry, kid, I though you were someone else. Who are you and why have you been following me? Is it something you want?"

"Pardon me, mister. I am Furaibou Balmung. It's just... It's so rare to see a person in those garbs around here. The first thing that comes to mind is that the mask and robe serve to hide the image, in case you were about to commit a crime or something. That's why I followed you, mister", he said, standing up.

I was not sure if that was supposed to be a compliment or an insult, so I just sighed. After all, I could do nothing but accepting he was right. Very few people tend to dress as I do.

"Well, my choice of clothes is my own, and I will not change it because it brings up suspicion. On the other hand, a boy like you following someone like you do could attract even more. Curiosity is often the cause of our doom."

"A-aye...", he said.
"But still, it doesn't clear up your profile. You still seem pretty suspicious", he said, holding his two swords without unsheathing them, in case he had to fight.

I could not stop a small laughter to get to me. Although he sounded scared, he was still able to stand his ground, not hesitating. He seemed like a good boy, after all. I lifted my shoulders and carried on talking.

"Do you know about ANBU? These shinobis wear a mask all the time, yet that does not make them suspicious at all. Who knows, I could be one of them."

"B-but they wear animal masks... And they certainly do not dress like that. It would hinder their performance in missions, I suppose", he said.

I nodded. He seemed to not know much, after all.

"Well, to each his own style, I guess. The Nindos are as spread out as there are Shinobis in the world. I have my own, just like you, I am sure, have yours. While some might be in conflict with another, they should always be respected by everyone as one's way of life, and his own choice. What right do we have to judge others based on opinions other than facts?"

"A-aye... mister. I apologize", Furaibou said.
"So... T-that means you're not gonna commit a crime, aye?", he asked.

I sighed, yet I could not deny his evident will. He reminded me of Damasu; stubborn but determined to learn.

"You have my word. Unless I have no other choice, I shall not commit any crimes."

"W-well... that's... rather comforting, I guess", Furaibou said.
"S-so, mister... If you don't mind, could you tell me about this "Damasu"? I could even help you look for him, if you so desire", he said.

I looked down, a little ashamed.

"I am afraid I will not be able to ever find him. Not here, that is. He was a student of mine, we trained together and developed our skills in the meantime. I thought you were him because your aura looks like his. And you have the same manners: shy yet determined."

"Uh... I'm sorry, mister", Furaibou said.
"...Wait. What do you mean, "not here"? You mean "not in this village"? I tend to travel to other villages a lot. Maybe I can find him", he said.

I shook my head negatively.

"Yes and no. He is not in this village, yet is is nowhere either. I doubt anyone can find him now that he disappeared. He is quite good in hiding, almost as if he had a natural camouflage."

I could not just say that he was not of this world, just like me. I had to lie, or it would have drawn even more attention on me.

"Why would he be hiding, mister? In this village, there's no reason to hide. Peace is plentiful. So why?", he asked. The man's inconsistent excuse was confusing him.

I lifted my shoulders, showing that I did not know it myself.

"Maybe he has his reasons. But, I do believe that, one day or another, he will stop hiding and return to his friends."

The more I spoke, the more I felt I was describing myself more than Damasu. Maybe, someday, I would be able to return home, with my family?

"I see... I don't see him much different of me, either. I'd hide, if I had a reason, I guess", Furaibou said, turning his head sideways.

Suzuha was walking by........

She stopped and saw the two. She leaned forward to their conversation, her eyes wide open.

I noticed our conversation had brought in another actor. A young woman, probably as old as me, judging by her looks.

I turned towards her and asked, bowing politely:

"May I help you, milady?"

"A-aye... Need something, miss?", Furaibou asked, trying to be polite.
He put his hand on his sword's handle, keeping it there, in case he had to fight.

He sees Furaibou with his hand on his sword.....already!

Suzuha leaned back, folding her hands behind her back and puckered her lips innocently.

"How rude....."

Her comment made me lift an eyebrow. I had to give her at least this much, it was rude of him to put his hand on his sword, but it was just as rude of her to interrupt us. Lifting my hands in the air, I looked at the two of them, motionning them to calm down.

"Now, now, no need to get on our high horses. Why can we not just calm down and relax? What about telling us what brought you to us, milady?"