Starting a series of oneshots for LTTA about characters before the start of KRBAY:LTTA/their debut episode. This one's about Benikage, and why he left his village.
The moon shone its half-full light on a sleeping village, deep in the forests of Popstar. Its residents slept soundly, knowing and preparing for another routine day of training and work. Only the stationed night guards were awake . . .
. . . And one youth, slipping out the door of his dormitory building.
Benikage was thankful that for all his lack of skill, he was still adept at the art of stealth. Even if it was to avoid bullies.
He'd packed up the few possessions he had, and some copies he made of scrolls, earlier that evening. The bag on his shoulder felt pitifully small, like it was missing something important.
But it was easier to carry this way.
Carefully dodging through the dark streets, he made his way to the outer wall surrounding the village. It loomed over him like an impossible challenge, but the youth gritted his teeth and started to climb.
Be determined. Be deliberate. Be silent.
The squeak he made as he dropped down to the ground on the other side was none of those things, but luckily the guards didn't seem to have heard. So he kept going, into the forest.
He'd never been in the forest so late at night.
He'd never been in the forest alone.
But the half-moon's light made it bright enough to see by, sitting in the clear night sky like a lantern.
Slowing to a stop in a clearing, he stared up at it, hoping it'd guide him well tonight, and for many nights to come.
"What are you doing so far out, youth?"
Benikage let out an undignified squeak as he whipped around to face his follower.
And why, of all the ninjas why did it have to be Bio Spark. One of the best in the village, well on track to becoming a master. A star pupil.
And yet, standing face to face, they didn't seem haughty or aloof as Beni fumbled for words. Simply staring with patient milky pale eyes that matched the observing moon.
"I . . . I'm leaving.
"I'm sure you've heard of me, of course. That good for nothing student who's only skill is not being found when I'm wanted. The one with no hope of ever becoming a master, or even a proper ninja. I'm tired of being just the disappointment, so I'm leaving. And I'm not going to come back until I'm stronger and better."
The youth looked down at his feet, trembling and not even daring to meet his better's eyes.
"Please don't try to stop me."
A serene contrast to the shaking young novice, Bio Spark simply stepped closer, tilting their body to try and look in Beni's eyes.
"You know, I've never heard of you. I've never even seen you until tonight."
"Eh-?"
Blinking in surprise, he drew himself up a bit to stare at his elder, who simply turned to face the night sky above.
"And choosing to train alone . . . It's a difficult thing to do. But if everything you just told me about yourself are things your teachers have said of you, perhaps it is the wisest choice.
"What's your name?"
"Benikage, sensei."
Bio Spark blinked at the usage of the honorific, before giving a gentle laugh.
"Oh, no need to call me that. I'm far from a master yet. Please, just call me Bio Spark or Spark."
"Oh! Okay sen- I mean Spark!"
"Thank you. Benikage, might I tell you something foolish?"
"It can't be foolish if it's from you. A-And you can just call me Beni, if you like."
"Hmm. Look at this Beni."
Pulling a piece of creased paper from inside his mask, Bio Spark carefully unfolded it and held it up to be seen. On it was drawn a simple, five-point star, and writing next to it declared it "the symbol of those who fight for the stars."
"You've heard about the war, yes? The one that was fought against a great force of darkness?"
"Of course, the masters talk about it all the time! Is this . . . "
"This symbol was borne by those who opposed the darkness, and could purify it with the force of their hope. Many ninjas fought at their side, proudly bearing these stars.
"I confess, I've always yearned to bear such a star myself, and fight alongside these warriors."
Benikage gazed, first at the drawing, and then at the longing expression on Bio Spark's face.
"Well, I'm sure they aren't all gone. There has to have been warriors who survived the final onslaught. A-And . . .
"I hope someday, we get to fight by the side of those warriors together."
" . . . Thank you."
In a shocking movement, the more experienced ninja wrapped their hands around the novice with eyes misty.
"I wish you luck with your training, Beni."
And then they were gone, like a breeze in the night. And Benikage was alone once more. Sighing gently, he turned and continued on into the forest, once more with only the moon to guide him.
Next time he saw Bio Spark, he'll be much more skilled.