ADA Ninjaz: Haruki

=== Chapter 1 ===
“Haruki,” the old man took the broom from his hands, “you’ve done enough”
“But I’ve only just begun sweeping,” Haruki gestured widely with his now free arm to the room of neatly arranged tables and stools. It had been a fairly busy night so they’d served longer than usual. Getting home on time came second to keeping the place running in these uncertain times.
“I can manage,” warm blue eyes smiled back from below a bushy grey brow. “Go, your mother will need you I’m sure. But first...” In his free hand Riku held out a handful of yen notes. “Take these too, you deserve this.”
“I can’t possibly, Riku.” The money wasn’t a lot, but Haruki still attempted to refuse the gift. Things hadn’t been the same since instability had returned between the clans.
“Do not refuse me boy. You need this and you do deserve it.” His voice, while gentle, held a stern force to it.
Haruki bowed and accepted the generosity, holding back tears. “Thank you, Riku.”
“Now go, see that your mother is well.”
Cool air greeted Haruki as he left the restraunt. He hooked a small backpack over each shoulder and sighed. Only a few sparse street lights glowed in patches on the cobblestone. Haruki flicked his hood up to keep the chill away from his ears and began to snake his way back home, daydreaming as he looked up at the rooftops. He imagined himself jumping from ledge to ledge, dancing across slate and beams. The figure appeared to have no cares or worries, confident and graceful like a true ninja. To the shadow, all that mattered was the next destination. After a period of indulging his fantasy, Haruki laughed. He’d only practiced such moves no more than three feet above the ground. No doubt he’d probably break a limb trying it for real.
Haruki wandered in the rough direction of home, confident he wouldn’t get lost. The streets on the southern side of the city. As the alleys became darker, Haruki noticed more footsteps echoing through the streets along with his own. If he turned a corner, they seemed to follow after a time. If he stopped, they would too. He picked up the pace not looking back, telling himself it was nothing. Asahi was the great city of Ninava after all. There’d be people going about all kinds of business no matter the time. Still Haruki quickened his pace, taking a turn to another alley that led closer to the busier, lighter districts. 
“Hey, kid!” A voice called out from behind. 
Haruki jumped at the call, and spun around. The voice sounded somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t place where from.
Having stopped, the figure behind was now only several feet behind. Haruki stiffened as he saw that there were in fact three shadows in the alley still moving towards him.
“Now I don’t mean to be rude, but.” The figure let out a cruel laugh. “You better hand over your money.”
Haruki eyed up the three, his heart already pounding. There was no way he could take them in a fight, but giving up even the little money he had in his bag wasn’t an option. He spun on his heel without a reply and took off. Haruki danced into a tight alley. He vaguely recognised the space from days meandering in grief. Brick and shadow blurred by as he instinctively climbed onto a bin and over a wall. He glanced upwards towards the low rooftops that called out to him, before dropping back to the ground. Tonight wasn’t the night for broken limbs.
“Hey. Give me a boost,” a voice called out from behind.
Haruki didn’t give himself time to see who might be accompanying the scrambling sound and dashed further into the shadows. After minutes of running, Haruki’s foot caught on something hidden. He fell in a rolling heap, crashing out of an alley into a well lit street.
He lay dazed looking up into the bright lights. Above skyscrapers littered the night sky, the crescent moon peaking beside one which had a bright red “GRDN” sign. 
“Are you okay, son?” A woman knelt down beside him.
Haruki looked back into the alley he’d just stumbled out from. He couldn’t be sure of it, but there seemed to be a shadow skulking out of sight.
“I-,” Haruki sighed, shaking with adrenaline, “I think so, yes.”
“Come on lad, let’s get you up.”
Haruki accepted the help of the woman. Too shaken up to try to hold his composure or dignity. The thanked her profusely while trying to control his shaking and thunderous heartbeat. After some time, he finally convinced the kind lady he was alright and made his way back home. For the rest of the journey he stuck to the well lit and busy Asahi streets. Here the rooftops were much higher, the shadowy image returned to traverse the, using signs, vents, and balconies as launchpads between the scattered ledges. 
--------------
Haruki carefully pushed the door to a close behind him, clicking the lock in place slowly. 
“You’re back late,” 
Haruki jumped and spun around, his heart slamming into action.
“Yeah, I’m all good,” he tried his best to regain some composure, struggling against the flight response. ”Just didn’t want to disturb you. Figured you’d be sleeping.”
“I like to know my son is safe,” Helisha brought him into a warm embrace, her pushed against his chest as she laughed. “Do you ever stop growing? You’ll be as big as your father soon. If only…” She trailed off.
“We had a busy night!” Haruki jumped to change the subject, he reached into his pack and pulled the extra money Riku had given him. 
“Oh son, you work so hard.” She beamed up at him before pausing at his hands. “What happened? Did you hurt yourself?”
Haruki hadn’t noticed the grazes on each palm, no doubt from a failed attempt to stop his fall. “Ah yeah. You know me ma,” he forced a laugh, “tripped up taking the bins out.”
“Oh son, you need to be more careful,” she sighed. “There’s a cream in the top cupboard. Make sure to apply it before you turn in.”
Haruki bid goodnight to his mother and settled into his bedroom. The room was simple, lacking many of the modern gadgets that could be seen in similar spaces of Asahi’s young adults. An old computer sat gathering dust on his desk, surrounded by books he couldn’t remember when last opened. 
He knelt down by the base of his bed and pulled out an old black case, his hands tingled from the small cuts. Imprinted on the side was a small golden “A”. Haruki took a deep breath and unclapsed the case before carefully opening it. Inside was a pristine katana, sleek and noble. The blade nearly as long as his arm reached down to a black banded hilt, his father was never one for finery. The weapon shone back at Haruki as if recognising his heritage. 
Tears welled up, but Haruki forced them back, not wanting to show such emotion before such a powerful symbol of strength. His father could defend himself, why couldn’t he? He already knew the answer, countless hours training and just as many studying. He thought back to the times he’d sit on his dad’s knee as he regaled him of his journey with the Aramar.
“Son.” He’d always start a lesson with that word, filled with passion and love. “The katana is a ninja’s most prized possession. It is an extension of oneself. To wield it you must trust it completely and it will trust you.”
“I miss you dad.” Haruki whispered.