"I'm home....I'm finally home..."The Saeko Clan EncampmentThe path to finding the Saeko Clan was easy for any true clan member to do. Despite their movements and nomadic behavior, they did have locations and places in which they would remain for a season to begin discussions of trade, marriages, and the exchange of their best to leave and learn within Sunagakure. It was based their prospective talents, as well as their dedication to the Clan and it's future. These decisions were made by the elders, but usually those that were chosen for such roles were picked due to recommendation from other members.
The Saeko were like a family in that regard, and when they came together in one place, it was usually for difficult decisions or celebrations. It was rare when someone called an Honor Meet in which someone was to be judged for their actions and their name stripped away. It had only happened once and to her knowledge, the other occasion had been when Lady Kasumi had run away. So this gathering was a serious matter to the youth, who soon found herself walking into the encampment, drawing her hood back as she soon was greeted by two huntress.
"እኔ ቤት መጥቻለሁ ታላላቅ እህቶች... እንደተጠየቅኩት..."
(I have come home big sisters....as I was asked...)
The young girl would smile, but see no such kindness returned as she could see the coldness in their eyes as they allowed her passage.
"ወደ ሥነ ሥርዓት ዓለቶች ሂድ... እና ከእንግዲህ ወዲያ አትናገረን።"
(Go to the ceremonial rocks...and speak no more to us dishonored)
She always thought that she'd be happy to see her brothers and sisters again...the clan was her home...her family...the shame she felt when they disowned her cut deep, but she didn't imagine it would feel worse than that....to even those she had known since she was an infant looked upon her as a disgrace. Still, she'd do her best not to let the hurt show, nodding only as she walked through them and moved further in.
The looks she gained, their expressions, their lack of even acknowledgement of her presence among them...even the children seemed to run from her path like she was an wild beast. As she drew closer to the structure, she'd see the faces of her mother and father, her eyes lighting up as she rushed toward them.
እማማ! አባ!!
(Mamma! Papa!)
Her arms would outstretch to embrace them, only to feel a gently push as they looked at her. She could not see it any light in their eyes. No joy to see their daughter here...no words...not anything...
In moments, her mother would look to her and then close her eyes.
"We do not know you dishonored....and we have no children to call us such..."
That was enough to shatter her heart to pieces, her eyes welling up as the two walked from her, moving to their place with the others. She went to give chase, only for a hand to stop her as it pushed her back on the path.
"You go no further than the rocks..."
"MAMA! PAPA!!!"
Ayukawa would feel her eyes shed tears, but she knew that she could not go after them. Her arm reaching her face, she'd rub the tears away as she then continued down into the pit.
The Ceremonial Rocks....it was where those who had shown their skills, strength, and loyalty to the Clan were honored. Where those that had been lost were welcomed home or given blessings to be with the ancestors. It was also were judgement was passed...
The reason she was here....
Someone had called for her punishment to be permanent, her banishment, her name removed from ever being part of them. It was the ultimate removal of who you were...
She began to recall what Zakku had told her, how she should feel about herself, but facing this alone....it was hard to remember the words she had worked so hard to memorize.
She looked to see if Arashi was there...or Lady Kasumi....but none seemed to be in audience. Not even the Chief, which meant that this was a matter that he left to the elders to resolve.
She could see her parents within the group, but they looked away as much as the others had as she finally came to the bottom, looking to the rocks and stones as she awaited for them to start.