Chapter 37: Chapter 37: A Path Crossed by Fate
Kyojin walked.
And walked.
And walked.
The world around him had changed, but he had not.
His body moved forward out of habit, his eyes dull and empty. The weight of his wooden sword rested against his hip, a constant reminder of what he had lost.
Days passed like fleeting moments, the sun rising and falling with no meaning.
Until finally—
He saw them.
A group of people moving along a dirt road.
They had large carriages filled with goods, their bodies clothed in fine silks and sturdy travel gear. Some of them laughed and talked as they walked, while others kept quiet, their eyes scanning the road ahead with caution.
Merchants.
They noticed him almost immediately.
A lone boy walking barefoot along the path, his white kimono stained with dirt, his black hair long and unruly, and his expression devoid of life.
One of the older men stepped forward.
"Hey, kid."
Kyojin stopped walking and slowly looked up.
The man frowned at the sight of him. "Where are your parents?"
Silence.
The man sighed. "Are you alone?"
Kyojin gave a slow, almost imperceptible nod.
The merchants exchanged glances.
"…You got a name?"
Kyojin hesitated for a moment. His voice felt strange when he finally used it.
"…Kyojin."
The man sighed again. "Well, Kyojin, this is no place for a kid to be walking alone. We're heading to the Hidden Leaf Village. Ever heard of it?"
Kyojin shook his head.
The man scratched his beard. "It's a big village, full of people. Safer than wandering alone, that's for sure. If you don't have anywhere else to go, you can come with us."
Kyojin thought for a moment.
Then, without a word, he nodded.
The merchants accepted his silence and made room for him in one of the carriages.
—
Kyojin spent most of the journey asleep.
He lay in the back of the carriage, nestled among the crates of goods, his wooden sword resting beside him.
The gentle rocking of the moving cart lulled him into slumber, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, he dreamed of warmth.
Of soft arms cradling him.
Of a home that no longer existed.
And though his heart remained heavy, for a moment, he was at peace.
—
After several days of travel, the merchants finally arrived at their destination.
The Hidden Leaf Village.
Kyojin stirred as the carriage came to a stop. The bright sunlight and the sound of bustling activity pulled him from his slumber.
He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes as he looked forward.
Towering wooden gates loomed ahead, guarded by two men wearing headbands with a symbol etched into the metal plate. The symbol of a leaf.
The guards approached the merchants, inspecting their goods and asking a few routine questions.
Then—
They found Kyojin.
The young boy sat quietly in the back of the carriage, his white kimono draped loosely over his small frame, his wooden sword resting at his side.
One of the guards frowned. "This kid with you?"
The merchants glanced at Kyojin, then back at the guards.
"Yeah," the old merchant from before said. "Picked him up on the road. He's alone."
The guards exchanged glances before stepping back. "Alright. You're all clear to enter."
The gates of Konoha swung open, revealing the vibrant village beyond.
Kyojin stepped down from the carriage, his sandals pressing against the dirt road.
For the first time in a long while, he took in his surroundings with quiet curiosity.
The streets were alive.
People moved in every direction, talking, laughing, shouting as they went about their day. Children ran through the streets, weaving between shopkeepers and carts filled with fresh produce. The scent of food drifted through the air, warm and inviting.
It was so different from the cold, desolate silence he had become accustomed to.
But the sight did not move him.
It did not bring warmth to his heart.
He simply watched.
The merchants had no reason to linger.
They had reached their destination.
The old merchant placed a hand on Kyojin's shoulder. "Well, kid. This is where we part ways."
Kyojin nodded.
The merchants gave him one last look before turning and heading deeper into the village.
Kyojin watched them disappear into the crowd.
Then, finally, he turned and walked in the opposite direction.
Alone once more.