Inside out a dimly lit room,Kuki stood there motionless while holding on to his own face,his face was as pale as Orochimaru's skin,his eyes had lost their colors.He had just vomited from seeing the new state of his own face.
'I've become a monster…'Kuki thought to himself while he clenched up his hands into fists.All of his disgust,regret and worries soon turned into rage.
Kuki was furious,he was angry with his own weakness,he was enraged by how helpless he was and utterly infuriated at his inability to fight back against fate.
"I'm too weak…"Kuki whispered to himself while slowly lowering his head,his clenched fists beginning to bleed as tears fell from his eyes.
"I need more power…I need overwhelming power"Kuki once again reaffirmed his ideals of "Only strength is absolute,its a sin to be weak" this time with a newfound resolve to make changes.
He looked for bandages and proceeded to wrap it around his face once more,'No one should see me like this' Kuki thought to himself while preparing himself for breakfast.
__The Uragiru family's living room__
Higeki had just returned from the hospital yesterday,he was sitting with his wife and father eating breakfast.In the next moment,Kuki walked into the living room and sat down at the table.Higeki looked at his son's newly wrapped bandages in confusion.
"Kuki?Why did you change the bandages on your wound,wasn't it supposed to completely heal today?"Higeki asked out of concern while his wife was wondering about the same thing.
"It did…"Kuki said meekly as his grampa lifted him up and placed Kuki on his lap.
"Then why are you still wearing the bandages…"Higeki asked as he grew more concerned.
"It's because….I'm hideous…"Kuki said before continuing "the scar is really disgusting,I hate it…"
His whole family went silent,they frowned after hearing Kuki's remarks.
"Now dear,no matter how bad it is,we'd still love you"Kuki's mother was the first one to break the silence as she reassured Kuki.
"That's right kid,even if you're as ugly as a toad,you'd still be my grandson"The old
man said as he chuckled.
"FATHER!!!"Higeki and his wife yelled out simultaneously as Kuki's sad expression faded into a small smile.
"I'm glad that you guys are my family "Kuki said with an innocent laugh as his parents and grandfather melted from cuteness overload.
"Mom,Dad,Grandpa"Kuki said to grab his family's attention,"I'm going to the capital,to join the samurai order" Kuki announced as he made a determined face.
"Huh?Why?"Asked Higeki in a surprised tone.
"I can't stay here,the people of this village have long abandoned me,as you guys may have known,all of the kids avoid me saying that I'm cursed,the adults treat our family with prejudice just because of baseless rumors"Kuki said while his family's expression grew dark knowing that he's completely right.
"If I keep staying here,it's only gonna get worse,that's why I'm leaving with Uncle Isane to become a samurai,I'll come back when I'm strong enough to defend us"Kuki had already talked to Isane about his decision,Isane was about to stop Kuki before noticing Kuki's determination.Moved by Kuki's resolve ,Isane reluctantly agreed to help.
Higeki was about to convince his son to stay but abruptly stopped. After a moment of silence,Higeki looked at his son with regret and asked "Do you think you are ready?"He said softly.
"Yes I do,I'm willing to work hard for this family"Said Kuki,without a trace of hesitation.
"Well then,…..good luck…son"Higeki said while tears dripped from his eyes thinking about how badly his son's been treated by the people here as Kuki's mother and grandfather nodded reluctantly.