Ikki Yamanaka sat under a dead tree and put his satchel and guitar at his side. From his satchel, he brought out bread he has bought from the village he just passed from. After helping the baker's daughter fully heal from a dangerous fever, the parents of the girl showed so much happiness for what Ikki has done and gave him their finest breads as a sign of gratitude. Seeing the parents hug their now healthy daughter made him miss his family back home. He was grateful that the disease of the young girl wasn't near death yet, for he doesn't know how to help her parents if he was too late. If there's anything that his magic cannot heal, it is the pain of the heart. His neighbors back at home used to come to him for such problems, asking him to take away the pain they have felt from the departing of their loved ones whether by physically leaving or by death's hand. He hates disappointing anyone who is relying on him for so much. 

One time, he ran crying to his parents, asking them on why he feels useless that can't he heal his friend's pain from the death of her father. His parents would look at him with melancholic smiles, while his father would say, [i]"Our magic can only do so much, my son. We can heal their souls and bodies, but we cannot take heal their heart."[/i]

[color=f49ac2]"W-w-why i-is that?"[/color], Ikki would say while crying.

His mother cupped her hands on her little son and said, [i]"Because, little cherry blossom, we cannot influence the heart to forget, to heal, and to move on in an instant. Our hearts are the only piece of ourselves that are as limitless as the universe itself. The only one who can heal a broken heart is the person itself. I am very sorry we cannot explain it any further than we can, but what we can promise you, my son, is that all of this you can understand when the right time has come."[/i]

His parents would hug him afterwards. Indeed, he didn't understand a thing they've said, but they have kept their promise. He finally understood why he cannot heal a broken heart, but it didn't stop him from giving all of power in helping others. 

He leaned back at the tree and looked up. Clouds have filled the morning sky and the sun peeks through whenever there's a hole through the clouds. He closed his eyes and meditated, reminiscing every moment he has made since leaving home. Months of travelling can make an adventurer such as himself become really tired. He began to smile at himself. He's officially become an adventurer! He used to hear about such people only from her parent's storytelling back when he was young. Travelling across the great desert, climbing the tallest mountains, exploring the deepest caves, battling ferocious monsters: that's the life for him. What he loves most about being an adventurer, however, is the people you meet along the way. He's always so fascinated to meet people of different culture and ethnicity, for he believes it will help him become a better person and have a more grand perspective of the world around him. Even if he has met various obstacles and troubles along the way, he has overcome them all with patience and virtue, two of the precious family values of the Yamanaka Clan.

He breathed in the fresh air. Finally, he got his ukulele and tuned it. He acquired the instrument when he spent his days with a travelling band. They were always so merry, laughing and sharing jokes around a campfire while eating. When they performed in a city, Ikki would always look at them and be amazed by how they can put smiles on the faces on everyone that would watch them. Even they themselves would laugh while they are performing, showing the townspeople that if there's always a chance for you to be happy, take that chance. 

When he left the merry group, the leader decided to give him his ukulele as a token of gratitude and respect, and also to not let Ikki forget about them. In return, Ikki gave them one of the chimes that adorned his clothes as a reminder that he will be eternally grateful for the time they've spent together. A few tears were shed, but in the end they all bid farewell to each other with smiles on their faces,  knowing that they would meet again one day.

Satisfied that his ukulele is on tune, he began to play it. Days of practicing playing this instrument really paid off, and Ikki is proud to call himself a professional ukulele player, if that's what you call it. Going along with the music, he began to sing:

[center][color=f49ac2]"The sun is shining, full of light,
It makes our smiles shine as bright.
See all the vibrant flowers bloom,
It will wipe away all your gloom.

There's more to life than what meets the eye,
Our dreams of tomorrow exceeds the sky.
Let all our hearts be filled with love,
Love that reaches the stars above."[/color][/center] 
 
His parents would often praise him of having a beautiful voice, describing it as if life could sing, that would be it. He would always sing in the festivals of his hometown and the townspeople would marvel at his beautiful singing. This time though, he channeled his magic through his singing, and at the end of his song, he chanted. [color=f49ac2]"Let my gratitude reach you dear tree. Live and prosper for a hundred years more. [i]Arc of Life: Rejuvenation![/i]"[/color]

Gold-colored energy swirled around the dead tree along with sakura petals. Its dark coloration began to turn into a healthy brown and leaves started to grow once more from its branches. Finally, the golden energy dispersed and the sakura petals settled on the ground around it, showing the majesty of the once dead tree. It grew bigger and taller than before, and anyone near it can feel the life emanating from the plant.

Satisfied with his work, he began to pack his things to leave when he heard a loud snap from a distance. Birds flew in panic from the source of the sound and Ikki quickly rushed to the place. When he got there, he saw a peculiar looking rabbit, its leg caught in a trap. Ikki could clearly see the creature writhing in pain. Acting quickly, he looked around the area for hunters and approached the creature with his knife in hand. He dismantled the trap as fast as he could without causing the creature more pain. When the rabbit was released, it's still in shock from the pain on his leg. Ikki put down his hand on the bunny's torso while his other hand hovering atop the wound on it's leg. He said, [color=f49ac2]"Don't be afraid, little one, let me help you. [i]Arc of Life: Healing Palm[/i]."[/color]

Energy in the form of a sakura flower bloomed on the wound while golden energy surrounded the whole leg of the rabbit. When it is done, the sakura and the golden energy dispersed, leaving behind the rabbit's leg fully healed like nothing has happened. Delighted, the rabbit jumped and, much to his surprise, flew around Ikki. He hasn't noticed before, but the rabbit is no ordinary rabbit for it has wings!

[center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/736x/62/c8/f6/62c8f620a0a4ecd0bcfb50e2fe5fa49f--mythological-creatures-mythical-creatures.jpg[/img][/center]

The flying rabbit nuzzled against Ikki and he laughed while stroking its fur. "You are welcome my friend. You are quite a fascinating creature yourself."

He heard shouting from a distance. No doubt those were the hunters who set the trap for the rabbit which caused it to be wounded. Alarmed, he turned to the creature. [color=f49ac2]"Quickly my friend, fly away! It's too dangerous here!"[/color]

The flying rabbit didn't flew away. Instead, it settled on the ground and moved closer to Ikki. "Do you want to come with me?" The rabbit nuzzled him in response. [color=f49ac2]"Alright, let's make a break for it. Go!"[/color]

Ikki ran away on the opposite direction of the incoming hunters while the rabbit flew at his side, his long pink hair trailing behind him. One thing about Ikki is his also a fast runner. Covering a few distances away from his foes is easy as pie for him. Fortunately, the rabbit seemed to quite fast in flying as well. As they fled, a nearby city began to appear in the distance. [color=f49ac2]"Come on, my friend! To the city!"[/color]

[hr]

[b]Additional hours of sleep:[/b] +3