Another short chapter sorry, i can't really have the perspective of a small child with a basic thinking process, but i don't want too large timeskips. I also plan to introduce the 'masters' in some of the following chapters.

H.F.

---

Azul woke up. He's still small eyes opened as the sunlight from the dawn light fell into his eyes.

He made a slight murmur, as the sun blinded his ever frightening blood red eyes. He stretched his small limbs while trying to get out of bed.

2 years had passed since Azul had arrived at the 9 lives orphanage. In this time not much had happened.

Azul had been mostly in seclusion in the teens chamber. He had rarely been allowed outside.

Azul had developed an unsatisfiable curiosity. For his sake, had locked him in his chamber.

It would be strange to see a just over two year old boy with shining white hair, something that looked like tattoos on his arms. While having the most terrifying eyes ever seen in this world.

It would be very strange to see him wobble around picking up everything. And inspecting it like he had found the most profound object in the universe.

The other people of the orphanage had learned of his existence even if he was locked in the room of the teen most of the time.

He was known as Snow to these people. They didn't know his real name. But the teen had given him a temporary name until they found out his real name.

A/N: Azul will be called Snow when he is with the people of the 9 lives orphanage. I will therefore use that name to describe him. He will regain his name in the future!

They felt that Snow was a pretty good name, as it was full of elegance and grace. The name fit Azul as he was already showing signs of becoming a handsome boy. And of course from his fairly short pure white hair.

The reason why the teen had chosen the name Snow, Might refer to the fact that snow could lie atop blood without noticing it. Hiding a murder in plain sight.

Snow was pretty gentle and cunning for a child of his age. Even if he was just over two. The teen had already started educating him in basic skills. Such as writing and reading. Even if, there had not been any success until now. But he was young after all.

Snow had begun recognising people. And the first word he had said were surprisingly grandpa and that title fell to the most unlikely of people - the teen. This made him deeply shocked the first time he heard that.

Not many people knew his real age, as his appearance was a timeless illusion. And he showed ageless youth. He wondered how the small boy might have figured out that he was older than he appeared.

---

Snow had been let out of the room, as the massive gates were closed. Though they were closed 99% of the time. There was still a small chance that someone might visit the orphanage. This made it so that Snow was only let out whenever they were 100% sure no one would visit.

This was all because the teen had said that they couldn’t reveal Snow’s existence.

Why he went to such great lengths none of them knew.

---

Snow was wobbling down a stoney path while the sun was shining on his pure white hair. It looked like a silver ocean as it sway in the wind.

He had learnt to walk by himself a while ago. And it meant that he disappeared when no one was looking. Currently he was moving towards a small pond behind the large orphanage building.

This pond was his favorite spot when ever he could get out of the room.

He would just sit on the shadows of a large oak tree by the side of the pond. He would just sit and watch the carps in the pond swim about.

He looked as if he was comprehending a profound mystery as he followed the graceful movements from the carps.

When he was tired he would lie on his back and watch the sun flash through the dense leaves of the oak tree.

He truly was carefree as he brought his right wrist to his nose. And inhaled deeply.

On his right wrist was a small cloth piece rolled up with a copper piece strapped to it.

He murmured as he said softly “mother...”before going to sleep.

---

While Snow was sleeping, a mission was going on somewhere in the noble quarters of the capital city.

8 hooded men clad in jet black cloaks, with a small scabbard on their backs. This scabbard was for a small tachi. Which in this case is a small sword with a single edge used for assassination.

They all had a giant black symbol on their backs. Which showed a bloodied dagger with a black gold letter 9 on it.

These people were clad in the same symbol as the people of the orphanage 9 Lives.

These people were all hiding in the shadows as if waiting for something.

After a few seconds a shadow seemed to wobble near these people. But with their sharp senses. They faced the shadow and immediately knelt and bowed their heads.

From the shadow came a person clad in mostly the same cloths as the other 8, but he lacked a tachi and wore a mask covering everything but his eyes. His cloths had a deep red edge. Giving of a menacing look.

The mysterious man had a deep red 4 on his chest.

The 8 people muttered in unison. “shadow greets, master 4.”

4 made a few hand signs and the ‘shadows’ dispersed as if nothing had been there.

4 looked towards a fairly large mansion a few hundred meters away.

He then moved back into the shadows again before disappearing.

Not even a lingering odor was left. It felt like their previous existences had disappeared from the world.

---

8 shadows moved across a 4 meter tall wall. The wall belonged to the mansion 4 was looking at before.

The mansion had a vast amount of guards patrolling. One could only wonder why there were so many guards.

The guards even moved I group of 4, each with 2 shield bearers, 1 swordsman and a magic user of various kinds.

This however, was no obstacle for the shadows. They spread out in two groups of 4. Zooming after these groups of guards.

Even when they moved together no sound was made. They moved from shadow to shadow hidden.

A group of shadows moved towards a group of guards. As if teleporting the 4 shadows moved directly behind a guard each.

An with a quick stroke they were no already sheathing their blood red tachi.

Before the guards could make a single sound they were now already falling towards the ground. Lifeless.

The 4 shadows each took hold of a guard each. To prevent the bodies from making a noise.

They quickly moved the bodies into shadows trying to hide them.

When the bodies were moved it revealed a dry cut on their throats. It was definitely weird. The shadows had cut the main vain connecting the head to the heart. Yet not even a single drop of blood were spilled.

These event were extraordinary and showed the extreme efficiency of these assassins.

The two groups of assassins continued to ‘clean’ the mansion of guards. They were finished after a short amount of time.

When they were sure no guards were left. They moved directly into the mansion.

They had a plan on where to go and they moved directly towards the master bedroom.

While killing every ‘obstacle’ along the way.

When they had killed the two guards standing outside of twin wooden doors leading to their location. They all gathered in a square formation before entering.

When they opened the doors a scream erupted as a fairly big man in the middle of the room took up the role of target practice for 4. Who stood against the wall, yawning.

The man screamed “don’t you know who I am?!! I am Vilddyr of the prestigious Metyl clan.”

4 didn't say anything but he kept throwing little knives at Vilddyr without batting and eyelid.

After he had, taken his time. He picked up a larger and golden knife before throwing it directly into the forehead of Vilddyr.

Vilddyr didn't even seem to notice before falling forward unto the ground with open eyes.

Clearly the hit was fatal. Vilddyr had died in a single hit.

4 knelt beside Vilddyr before whispering something in his ear.

The shadows didn't hear it but they didn't need to hear it as the message was just so that the soul would be enlightened as it moved to the underworld.

The message whispered was “you saw something that you shouldn’t have seen. The little white haired boy from back then must not! Be known!”

---

Snow woke up when a blood red petal from a flower tickled his nose.

His blood red eyes quivered a bit before settling.

---

The teen was in his chambers when a knock was heard on the door. The teen didn’t say anything, but someone entered anyway. In came a middle aged man looking to be around 50, his hair looked like steel wire which was cut in a tight army cut. His eyes seemed sharp and his eyebrow were sharp like daggers. He had a slight beard, but it was well kept. The color was a mix between black and gray, signifying his age.

He had a rough face, but robust body. It wasn’t too big, but very athletic. He stood before the wooden desk, waiting for the teen to finish his work.

He glanced at the corner of the room, where a small boy was inspecting a very large book, with leather wrapping. he didn’t seem like he understood the book, but he showed interest in the different letters.

He looked at the neck of the boy, but noticed that he didn’t have the usual slave collar on his neck. Actually he didn’t wear any jewelry, except his cloth bracelet.

The teen put down his pen and said “I expect it was successful leon?”

The man’s name was Leon and he didn’t have a collar on his neck either.

He replied in a rough rusty voice “4 reporting, mission successful. Target eliminated and dagger ‘planted’. Evidence has been provided.”

The man also took the persona of 4, the mysterious knife using assassin.

“Good work, you can go!” Said the teen as he waved at the door.

“Permission to speak freely” asked Leon

“Granted” said the teen with a raised eyebrow.

“I observed the shadows, and couldn’t help but notice, that we need more ranged assassins, even if we the masters are able to used ranged hidden weapons, the shadows need more efficiency. Permission to initiate hidden weapon training requested.” said Leon as he bowed.

“Hmm. Good idea, permission granted, you can take the resources from the vault yourself.”

“Thank you, training will be initiated, when a training plan has been made.” said Leon in a cold voice as he walked away.

Before he exited the door, he went to a shelf and picked up an oversized golden dagger. The same design and size as the one he ‘planted’ in the head of Vilddyr.