A/N: Hello everyone! This took longer than I thought it'd would. Sorry about that! Really, I am! I was interrupted many times while I was typing this out… ^_^ Sorry for the inconvenience! Enjoy!

Oh, by the way: 'Onii-chan' means 'Brother' in Japanese. Jenna will be saying that instead of Felix's name. Tell me if you like it better if she refers Felix as 'Felix' or 'Onii-chan'. And it's actually 'sougoi' and not 'sou-koi' for 'amazing!/ awesome!/cool!… etc. I changed that little mistake in previous chapters.

Chapter 11: Remembrance of Heart

"Warriors in our soul and heart,

Their spirits rise above us,

God, guide them free,

Above the heavens they watch,

God, set them free,

Spirit, mind, body,

They are with us,

Forever shall we remember!"

Garet quietly listened to his grandfather's words as he held his mother's and his grandmother's hands. All the villagers gathered around the shrine tower for the Ceremony of Passing, praying, crying, and silent. All the bodies of the dead were laid carefully in a well-made bed of sticks. Cremation of each body happened one after the other and each name was burned into the large stone tablet that stood before the shrine by the Wise One, Kallis Heidachi.

The sunny, cloudy sky shone a deep sky blue as the morning sun illuminated the village below with it's warmth.

"Follow heaven's path," his grandfather said aloud, to each of the bodies as they began to burn. The head pieces the ninjas wore were all given to their families to remember their courage and honour they showed that day.

When Kaylina's name appeared next on the stone, Garet couldn't help but utter a whimper as he began to cry. His mother also wept beside him, tightening her hold on his hand. His father looked emotionless at the ground before him, and beside his father were Jenna and Felix with their mother.

Garet had spotted Isaac with only his older brother among the crowd when everyone was gathering. But now he couldn't see where they were.

When all bodies were lit aflame, Garet's grandfather spoke once more to everyone. "The names of all who have died in the great battle are burned into the stone tablet in front of this shrine. Their souls watch above us in the high heavens. Forever, we shall keep their spirit within our hearts."

Thick, black smoke trailed up to the open blue sky above them.

Jenna quietly followed beside her mother while Felix lagged behind them. They were heading home after the sad and unwanted Ceremony of Passing. She listened carefully to each of Garet's grandfather's prayer as she numbly tried her best not to weep for her father. Crying shows weakness, and she wanted to be strong, just like her brother.

Her mother, too, didn't break into tears during the ceremony.

Jenna walked by Garet's home without realizing until she heard him call her name. "Jenna-chan…" he quietly spoke. He sat alone on the stone steps of his porch, smiling sadly at her and her family.

Jenna stopped walking, returning Garet's smile. "Garet-kun!" she cried. She gave him an unexpected hug. "I heard about… Garet… I'm sorry…"

The red-haired boy tensed under her touch, surprised at her words. "Jenna… You…" he said awkwardly.

Her mother interrupted him, however. "Jenna. Felix. Why don't you two play with Garet-chan, okay?" she asked her children who gave her a questioning look. "I think it would be best to get together and do something besides loitering at home today…" she explained.

"Yes," Garet's father added as he stepped out onto the porch. "It is a good idea to go have fun with your friends, Garet." He gave him a reassuring smile, patting his son's shoulder. "Go on, don't sit around here moping by yourself."

Garet slowly nodded his head, looking glumly at the ground. "I will…" he said quietly.

His father patted his head, "Be home before dinner, okay?"

Garet nodded. His father gave everyone else a small smile. Jenna's mother patted each of their heads. "Have fun now, okay? Be home before supper as well," she told the two siblings.

The three of them left the two adults alone, walking towards and unknown destination. Garet was the first to speak, "Jenna. Felix… You don't have to be sorry… you both… lost your father…"

"Father…" Jenna repeated, staring at her feet as she followed the boys.

They all fell silent, listening to the morning birds sing above them. "We should go back," Felix finally spoke, breaking the silence.

"Back where, onii-chan?" Jenna asked her brother who just brushed back his long hair.

"I want to see father's name…" he told her, walking ahead.

Jenna and Garet followed right behind him, keeping quiet.

When they arrived back in front of the shrine, the thick smell of smoke wafted around them, stinging their eyes. Jenna coughed and covered her nose. Some villagers were still gathered around the shrine, seeking comfort from each other as they watched the tablet, beautifully written with the names of the fallen ones. Jenna, Felix, and Garet pushed their way to the front to see.

"There… Father's name," Felix said, pointing close to the top. Jenna had to crane her neck to find it, slightly smiling as she did. "Rico Kiyoma," Felix read out loud, clenching his fists.

Jenna sighed. To her left, she spotted familiar blue hair by the shrine entrance. Without a doubt, it was Yime, and he wore his new golden Kuuyin head piece that replaced his old silver Genyin one. Beside him was Isaac who held onto his older brother's hand.

Jenna tugged on her brother's sleeve. "Isaac's over there. Let's go see him!" she said. She ran towards her friend who spotted her and waved. She smiled and waved back. "Isaac-kun! Satoshi-san!" she cried stopping in front of them, coughing slightly from the smoke.

They both gave her a smile. "Jenna-chan, how are you doing?" the older boy asked.

Jenna shrugged. "I don't know… Satoshi-san. I'm not sure how I should feel…" she told him, looking up at his golden eyes that were dimmer than ever…

Yime nodded, closing his eyes. "Yeah… I know how it is," he said softly. "It's been a tough day today."

Felix and Garet caught up to Jenna and greeted the two boys.

"Hi Isaac," the red-haired boy greeted.

Isaac gave him a timid smile and quietly said, "Hi…"

Garet tilted his head to the side, raising a brow at him. "What's wrong Isaac?" he asked the boy.

Isaac flinched, looking away as he quietly sighed.

Yime was about to speak but Jenna was first to answer. "Garet… there's something you should know…" she whispered into her friend's ear. "Isaac doesn't remember anything…"

"Nani?!" Garet cried, eyes as big as saucers. "W-What do you mean…? He doesn't remember… anything?" he said quietly, staring at his lost friend.

Jenna slowly nodded. "Isaac doesn't remember us…" she told him. "Something happened to him that made him forget…"

Garet's face fell. He shook his head, put on a smile and approached the shy boy who was once his best friend. "Isaac!" he grinned, "I'm Garet, remember? We used to train with each other before school started."

Isaac scratched his head. "Garet?" he wondered, "Hmm… You do seem familiar…" But then he shook his head. "But… I don't remember…"

Garet frowned a little, but then he grinned again. "It's okay, Isaac. I'll help you remember. We're friends, right?"

Isaac started to smile. "I guess so…" he answered.

Garet laughed. "I guess you don't remember that. But it's true! We're friends. And we'll always be friends no matter what!" Garet grinned, bringing his fist out and winked.

Isaac grinned back, imitating Garet's posture. Garet laughed, "You remember that?"

Isaac blinked, blushing slightly as he giggled. "I don't know… I felt like copying you…"

Jenna felt happy inside. Isaac was still Isaac, no matter what.

Yime patted the boys' heads. "I gotta go now, okay? The Wise One wanted to see me, so I'm going inside." he explained, receiving disappointment from Isaac. "I'll be back soon. Isaac, you can go play with your friends, okay? Meet back home… Oh, uh… you remember where that is right?" he asked nervously.

Isaac nodded, receiving another pat on the head. Yime grinned, "Okay! When you're done, go straight home. See ya then, Isaac-chan. Je ne, mina!" Yime waved and entered the shrine.

Felix, who remained silent the whole time, grunted and walked away. "Onii-chan, where are you going?" Jenna called after her brother.

Felix headed towards the training grounds, ignoring her call. She frowned, biting her lower lip.

Jenna heard Garet and Isaac behind her, "Let's follow him," Garet suggested.

They quietly followed right behind the dark haired boy. They reached the training grounds, but Felix kept going, heading straight into the target range.

When they arrived, Felix stopped, turning sharply at them. "We should train here. Te become strong. To become ninjas!" he emphasized the last word. He gave Jenna a stern look, then glared at Isaac. "Right, Isaac? You remember how it is, don't you? You want to be strong, stronger than any of us!"

Isaac avoided his dark eyes, afraid of his tone. "I… don't remember…" he quietly answered, shifting his feet uncomfortably.

Jenna furrowed her brow at her brother, "Onii-chan… what are you doing?" she asked him. Felix ignored her however, keeping his glaring eyes at Isaac.

The dark-haired boy tightly clenched his hands into fists as he approached the blond-haired boy. Isaac averted his eyes away, not wanting to look into Felix's cold dark glare. "You don't remember, Isaac?!" Felix growled at him. Isaac slowly shook his head.

Felix brought his fist up… and knocked Isaac squarely across the face, knocking the boy into the ground. "Who?" Felix hissed. "Tell me, Isaac. Who are you? You're not Isaac! You're not him at all! Who?! Who are you?!"

Jenna shrieked in surprise and hurried to Isaac's side. The blonde haired boy slowly sat up, rubbing his throbbing cheek as tears of pain stung his eyes. Jenna growled at her brother, "Onii-chan! What are you doing?!"

Garet stood between the two boys, giving Felix a hard stare. "What are you doing, Felix?! Why'd you hit Isaac?!" he roared.

Felix simply glared an icy stare at the redhead. "Because," he answered coldly, "It's his fault he lost his memories! He's not Isaac… Not the Isaac we know!"

Garet shook his head at him. "He is Isaac! Just because he forgot everything doesn't mean he still isn't!" Garet yelled back.

Jenna helped Isaac stand up. "Isaac-kun… are you okay?" she gently asked.

He pulled away from her grasp. "Isaac… that's who I am. Isn't it?" he quietly asked her.

Felix however, overheard. "You are not Isaac," he answered, harshly.

Garet narrowed his red eyes at him. "Felix! Stop it!" he growled.

"You. Are. Not. Isaac!" Felix repeated.

Isaac took a shaky breath. He turned around abruptly and ran away…

"Isaac-kun!" Jenna cried after him, but he was out of sight. She ran up to her brother and slapped him across the face so hard that the smack echoed around them. "Onii-chan!" she cried, tears falling freely from her angry eyes. "Why?! Why did you do that?! It's not Isaac's fault he doesn't remember anything! It's not his fault!"

Felix touched his red cheek, falling to his knees. He didn't meet her eyes, but stared at the ground. His shoulders shook slightly as he began to gently sob. "Jenna… It's not fair…" he whispered. "D-Dad's gone forever, Jenna… And now Isaac… the real Isaac is gone too…I want to be strong… but I can't… I failed, Jenna… I failed…"

Jenna felt all her anger float away, seeing her brother cry tore her heart apart. Felix never cried… He was the strong one between the both of them. But now seeing him break down, Jenna had to be strong. Not only for herself and Felix, but for her mother as well.

Jenna couldn't stand the sight of him. She grabbed both his shoulders and shook him. "Onii-chan! Get a hold of yourself!" she cried. "You're the strong one, not me! Please, onii-chan, please! I can't do this alone! I… I'm not as strong as you… Please, onii-chan…"

Felix continued to sob. He shook his head at her, continuing to stare at the ground. "I… can't Jenna… I'm not strong enough… I'm a failure…"

Anger rushed through her again as she slapped him across the face once more. "Onii-chan!" she screamed. "You are strong! You're stronger than I will ever be! Please, onii-chan! Mommy needs your strength… I need your strength… Without it, I'll never be able to live another day without Daddy around…" She began to cry again.

Garet gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Felix looked up and stared at his younger sister with his tear streaked face. "Jenna…" he whispered, choking back a sob. "Jenna… I… I'm sorry." He stood up and wiped away his tears with his arm. "You're right… Jenna. I have to be strong, for you and for mother."

Jenna started to smile. Felix smiled back. "I will become stronger, Jenna! One day, I will avenge father's death. I will become a real Shinobi and I will defeat the Fire Clan on my own!" he roared.

Jenna's smile faded. "Onii-chan…"

Felix's eyes burned with pure hatred as he smirked at both of them. "I'll kill them all!" he hissed, clenching his fists and raising them into the air. "I will kill them all!" he cried into the blue sky above them.

Yime grabbed the ancient scroll into his own hands, examining the beautiful blue symbols and markings that covered the rolled up piece of ancient paper. He cocked his head to the side as he raised a brow at the Wise One. "Ne? What kind of scroll is this?" he asked the old man.

He and the Wise One were both at the top floor of the shrine tower where all valuables, treasures, and a rarity of fine weapons of Vale were stored and locked away behind a magically sealed stone door. Golden swords and silver spears and other types of weaponry hung on the walls while old paintings of ancient history and war hung alongside them. The large arced windows were open to let in a nice cool breeze into the stuffy room.

The Wise One took a puff of his pipe before answering. "That, my boy, is Leviathan."

Yime almost dropped the scroll as his eyes widened with shock. "L-Leviathan?!" he cried, "Why are you giving it to me?!"

The old man took another puff. "I want you to take care of it, Yime. As you probably know by now, no one in this village can summon the beast."

Confused, Yime scratched his head. "Huh? What do you mean, Heidachi-sama?" he wondered.

Heidachi took the pipe out of his mouth and smiled. "The power of Leviathan… No one in this village can control it. Leviathan controls the Water Element, Satoshi," he answered, giving the boy a hint.

Yime laughed nervously. "Uh…Do you mean to give this to me just because I…" he trailed off, carefully examining the scroll once more.

Heidachi nodded. "It's no use to me, or anyone else in Vale. Our Psynergy cannot summon Leviathan; the previous Wise Ones all tried and so have I," he told him, putting the pipe back in his mouth. "I believe only the one with the same powers as Leviathan can completely control it."

Yime grinned and kneeled before the Wise One, holding the ancient scroll before him. "Thank you, Heidachi-sama! I promise that I will keep this safe with me always… or… I could leave it here in the shrine. Um… Should I?" he asked nervously.

"Keep it with you, boy. You are the sole protector and user of the scroll now. Keep it hidden in a safe place that only you would know," the old man replied, stroking his long, white beard.

The blue-haired boy nodded, grinning seriously at the older man. He was about to thank him once more, but they were interrupted by a woman's voice coming from the doorway…

"Two are gone, and now two remain, Kallis."

Yime turned sharply around, finding a young woman in her early twenties, dressed in faint violet robes standing before him and the Wise One. She had a stern look plastered on her delicately strong feminine features. Her long purple hair was neatly tied in a bun at the top and in her hand she held a silver staff with a pale green orb held at the top by a silver bird.

"Who are you? And how did you get here unnoticed?!" Yime growled at the suspicious stranger. He pulled out his katana, prepared to fight.

Heidachi, however, blocked him from advancing further. "There's no need for that, boy." he told him, then to the stranger, "We meet again, Hama."

Her deep violet eyes stared hard into him as her lips curved into a smile. "Kallis, why didn't you heed my warning?" she asked him sternly. "I told you about the Fire Clan, and yet you didn't bother to listen."

Heidachi closed his eyes and puffed on his pipe. "It isn't easy to believe in words of the future, Hama. What you said back then didn't matter to me," he replied sharply, giving her a hard look.

Hama shifted her hold on her staff, sighing. "I gave you a fair warning, Kallis. Sacrificing the Ancient Dragon was a mistake, just like when your ancestors sacrificed the Phoenix to protect this village. The four Guardians are to retain the Stars once more to shine the light for our world's destiny. If you do not follow this prophecy, darkness will once again rule the world as legends have told of the Dark Bringer!" she warned him.

Heidachi didn't look interested in her ramblings as he kept his eyes closed, puffing away on his pipe. Hama continued, ignoring his stubbornness, "When the balance of Elements is broken, the Dark Bringer will return to consume the world in darkness; throwing all life out of existence!"

Yime looked back and forth between the two, feeling confused and overwhelmed by the woman's story. He shifted uncomfortably as he listened to her speak.

"Kallis, our future is at stake!" Hama cried, tightening her grip on her staff as she furrowed her brow.

Heidachi grunted in response, opening his tired eyes to look straight at her. "I do know about the Dark Bringer. But your prophecy may be wrong, my dear. The Ancient Dragon may be gone for now, but the great Phoenix has returned. It's been over a hundred years… surely the Phoenix has been reborn. So the world is still in a fine balance of Elements." he explained in a even tone.

Hama gave him a spiteful look before closing her deep violet eyes. "There may be still balance now, Kallis," she said evenly, opening her eyes, giving Heidachi a stern smile. "But the future does not bode well as the third of the Four Guardians will soon be sacrificed as well, along with the Phoenix… As we speak, the Fire Clan are heading towards my hometown, looking for the sacred Golden Scale. They're planning something that has to do with the prophecy. But I cannot tell…"

"The Fire Clan?!" Yime burst out loud. He blushed slightly when he noticed that both Hama and Heidachi gave him a nod.

"The Fire Clan, is it?" Heidachi muttered under his breath. "It seems they never give up…"

Hama nodded. "Don't underestimate them in the future. Or the demons… I warn you both: beware the darkness that lurks within the shadows of the world."

She turned sharply around, heading out the door. "Wait, Hama." Heidachi stopped her in her tracks but she didn't turn around. "Is there something else you wanted to say?" he asked her politely.

Yime could see a small smirk in the corner of her lips. "I didn't think you would care, Kallis," she answered. "The four Elemental Stones. The four Guardians. The four Sacred Grounds… Remember those words as the prophecy unveils before you. I bid thee farewell, Kallis, Yime." She left the room without another word and disappeared from sight as Yime ran to follow her.

The blue-haired boy, scratched his head, confused. "How did she know my name?" he wondered out loud.

"She can read your thoughts, boy." Heidachi answered, still puffing on his pipe. He took one last puff before taking it out of his mouth. "It's been ten years…"

"Ten years?" Yime asked. He realized he still had his katana in his hand and placed it back in it's scabbard.

Heidachi sighed. "I met her when I was searching for the Ancient Dragon. She appeared before me when I entered Wind Valley. She told me how we are alike with our powers and how she can read minds. Then she told me a fairy tale of how she can predict the future and how I can change it. She warned me about the Fire Clan, and how they will attack Vale on a bleak cloudy day, ten years in the future…" he whispered, lowering his head.

Yime gasped, opening his mouth to speak but closed it as Heicachi continued.

"I didn't believer her, however, and told her she was full of it. But now, since the Fire Clan's attack, I realized that she is more than a story teller; she's a prophet."

"A prophet?" Yime repeated the last word, unsure what it meant since he never heard it before.

The Wise One nodded as he approached an open window, gazing out at the quiet village below. "A person who knows much wisdom and knowledge of what's yet to come, my boy. You see, she comes from a village just like our own; deeply hidden from the outside world to protect a powerful secret. It must've been luck that I ran into her, but she called it fate…" He stroked his beard as a cool breeze brushed past him and into the hot room. He didn't say a another word until Yime stiffened a sneeze from the dust floating in the air.

"Oh! Yes…" he continued looking as though he just realized that Yime was still in the room. He cleared his throat, giving him a wary smile. "Don't worry too much, boy. These matters don't concern you. If the prophecy does ever come, we will be prepared."

"As you say so, Heidachi -sama," Yime told him. "When do you think-"

"Not too soon, boy." Heidachi answered abruptly, "Ten years ago, she mentioned that 'wings of a golden dragon will the awaken the light of hope for the flaming bird.' So that means the Phoenix has yet be found. She mentioned that the Phoenix, along with the third Beast, would be sacrificed. And yet, we have no whereabouts of the bird, nor the third Beast, Kyubi."

Yime gave him an unsurely stare, not sure if he should be glad that the world hadn't plunged into darkness yet or that there was plenty of time before that would happen to the world.

Heidachi bellowed in laughter. "Don't worry, Satoshi. I won't let the same mistake happen twice on me. I swear… But when the time comes, I will know for sure. Now, off you go. I have some things to do." He gestured towards the door with his hand.

Yime nodded as he held the scroll tightly in his hand. "Thanks again, Heidachi-sama! I will protect this scroll with my life and honour! You can count on that for sure!" he said happily. He did a little bow and left the room.

Such great honour! Yime thought joyfully as he clutched the scroll of Leviathan in his sweaty palms. He wanted to show everyone what he had received, but thought twice on that. The Wise One handed it to him because he trusted him, wasn't that right? So he should keep it as a secret from others.

That must be what the Wise One thought when he handed Yime the scroll. Well, whatever it is… I have Leviathan in my own hands! And I promise to take good care of it.

Isaac was wrong when he said he remembered where his home was. He sat on a random step of a random home, tired from running and walking around the village, looking for his house. Each house looked just like the other beside it.

He was also angry and hurt from earlier. The dark-haired boy, Felix. Isaac hated him. He hated the way he talked to him, and he hated how he looked at him. He hated him period. Why he hit him on the face didn't make sense. It couldn't have been your fault if you lose your own memories, could it?

He hastily wiped his eyes, feeling a wet presence of old tears on the back of his hand. He stared gloomily at the dirt ground, pulling his legs up to his chin. He watched the soles of people's feet walk past him, waiting. What he waited for, he didn't know.

One thing he didn't want to see were his friends. The friendly purple-haired girl, Jenna, and the flaming red-haired-boy, Garet. They were his friends, but he didn't want to see them at the moment. Not after the incident before.

His stomach growled for food. It was far past noon, and he hasn't eaten since this morning. He clutched his stomach tightly, trying to stop the grumbling.

"Isaac?"

He looked up into the golden eyes of his brother who looked worried. Isaac gave him a small smile, nervously scratching his head. "Uh… I forgot where our house was! Gomen, Yime! I didn't think…"

Yime smiled back, "It's okay, Isaac! It happens…" His smile faded suddenly when he looked closely at Isaac. "What happened to you?! Did you get into a fight?! Did-"

Isaac cut him off by shaking his head vigorously. "It's okay! I'm fine! I just got…into a little… fight…" he said, feeling uneasy.

Yime gave him a slight nod. He then grinned broadly and stuck out his hand, showing Isaac an old worn out scroll. "Guess what this is!" his brother said happily.

Biting his lip for a moment in thought, Isaac shrugged. Yime waved the scroll in front of him, still grinning. "This," Yime said, "Is Leviathan!"

He raised a brow and wondered what Yime was talking about. "What's that?" he asked. He flinched when he saw Yime frown with disappointment for a second and then smiled, rubbing his head.

"Haa! This is a summon scroll! I forgot to explain about them to you," Yime told him. "Come on, let's go home and eat. I'll tell you more after, okay?"

Isaac nodded. "I'm really hungry! Let's run home!" he said gleefully.

Yime smirked at him. "Run home, ne?"

He nodded. "Mm! I'll follow right behind you!"

"Yosh! We'll run at top to avoid collisions with people. Follow me!" Yime laughed as he hopped onto the wooden railings beside Isaac and jumped up onto the roof of the house.

Isaac grinned. Inside, he knew he could do the same simple task that Yime had done. He doesn't remember jumping on top of houses, but his body does. He followed suit, and soon he tailed close behind his brother as they leapt from one house to another, and another, and another, until they reached the house with the red brick chimney. Lots of sparrows and other small birds perched around and on top the chimney, chirping away with an afternoon song.

"It's simple, really, to remember where our house is," Yime first said as they landed in front of the door. "Just look for the only house that has birds on it all the time. I don't know why, but they seem to like our roof because they're always there. I used to scare them away when I was little and they always come back. Strange, don't you think?"

Isaac watched the sparrows above him and nodded. Yime groaned, "They make such a mess though… I'll need to clean the roof again… Bleah… Come on, Isaac. Let's eat! Then I'll tell you everything about your parents, and everything you need to know about becoming a ninja."

Isaac grinned happily as he followed his brother inside. He took one last look at the birds, seeing them fly off in search of food, then entered inside.