Bryant woke up looking at a pair of boots. He knew whose they were and was not excessively pleased with his current position.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡa82UlQEAiE
"How long has it been?" he asked, sitting up.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WfojM5cId
"Only a few minutes," Adan, his sensei, replied. "You almost made it this time."copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAI4WUwD2W
Bryant hopped back onto his feet and brushed the dust off of his clothes. Even though he had just failed to evade his sensei, he didn't care, not that day. It was his birthday, and he almost couldn't wait to see how badly the villagers tried to insult him with their gifts.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc5y6roL2H
He suddenly darted in the direction he had been heading when he blacked out, but Adan was too fast. He felt himself being hauled backward by the shirt.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8DGwXsBab
"Sorry, but you've already failed. Nice try, though. Go train. Tomorrow will be naginata practice. Don't expect me to make it easy for you."copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOMySIspmu
Bryant smiled and melted back into the forest. He was almost eager to go home.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSHrqOSPzU
For such a small kid, Adan thought, he's got a scary smile.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ2bGz88bi
Bryant smiled often, but not widely enough to show any teeth. When he did grin, though, his small fangs were revealed. He had inherited them from his half- kitsune father, William, as well as bright blonde hair ( which was surprising, considering his mother's hair was black) and blue eyes. It was his grandmother, though, who had created the marks on his face- one thin black streak on each cheek- that made him look, he had been told, like a sad knockoff of a manga character. He also had short hackles on the back of his neck. Even though he was only five feet three inches, unlikely to grow through a growth spurt anytime soon, and excellent at being invisible, he could never escape stares from the others. His appearance was just another reminder to them that he wasn't entirely human, and they could be unkind about it.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡj075y0O1pa
Bryant had, like other ninja, such a light step that even fallen leaves were silent beneath him. He used this skill better than most of the others his age, resulting in the question when he came into the sandy clearing.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL2dct15jB
"How is it that you, even though you're a month younger than me, are that much better at walking through dead leaves?"copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQB21hCaqN
This was Mikael, who could almost be called Bryant's friend. Bryant's answer was simpler than the question.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKOBPmBEo0
"I weigh less."copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡPULR8Yl93E
"I thought that was why. Want to let me practice on you?"copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3vm6wEIH4
"Try it."copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbOjMEGnj4
Mikael ran at Bryant, hurling an arced punch, which the smaller boy found easy to dodge.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8Z9077lhb
"Could you try to avoid something that will break my jaw? I'd like to be able to eat."copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03fvpl243J
"Fine, but will you let me hit you? Just once?"copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zUXTGCz4V
"No! How old are you, six?"copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr3EB3MJp4
Mikael grumbled and went for the fastest punch he was capable of. He still couldn't match Bryant's speed.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp7aUxvWBy
"Why are you so fast?"copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK8AI1hkBl
Bryant leaned away from a kick that Mikael sent his way and replied, "I run through the trees, but I don't dodge them until they're really close. It works better than it sounds."copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡffNjUpmG8M
"It must."copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4bRe6pJ20
After that brief exchange, neither of them talked much; instead, they both focused on their respective tasks. They practiced until Mikael was tired of trying to hit Bryant. He hadn't succeeded once.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡiILqjtsAN3
"You still can't hit that little fuzzball, Mikael? You should let me try. I can put him down easily."copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3jKmd9JUi
This was Chris. He was the main jerk of the five teenagers in the village and had seemingly disliked Bryant from the kitsunekage's birth. He never stopped trying to put the younger ninja at a disadvantage, but his efforts were often quite childish.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEmHwBNVkQ
"Come on. Let me take a turn. I need a punching bag too, you know."copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDyH4SawsY
"Why don't you try being a punching bag for once? Or do you like being a windbag better?"copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp1Tao6k70
The interruptor was Eva, the closest thing Bryant had to a sister. Physically, they were nearly opposites, with her having very dark skin, hair, and eyes, but that didn't matter. Working together, they could completely destroy a group twice their size. Being between them, as Chris was now, was not a good position from which to aggravate either one.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDFZkcB88V
When Chris turned around, Bryant used the distraction to flee up the nearest tree, where he crouched, immobile until he was nearly impossible to see, even fair as he was. Eva instructed Chris to either train or go away, and the boy chose to leave. Bryant, however, stayed in the tree.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4ywMDoX9R
Eva looked up in his general direction and said, "Why don't we mutilate a practice post, Bryant? It sure would feel good about now."copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJhXCrlILs
Bryant smiled slightly and climbed down.copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp6poqCZyK
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