Prologue

"The dark tournament," a long haired girl said as she sat next to her friend. "I don't know about that. If it's a good idea." Her dark red eyes looked over to the boy. He laid down in the grass, his head resting on his arms.

"I thought I'd get your support at least," the boy answered back, a hint of slight irritation showed in his voice. He glimpsed at her face, her expression gave off a deep sense of aggravation.

She frowned, "You do have my support, Touya, I just don't think it's a good idea." Touya gave her a look that he know only she would understand. He wanted her to give him a better reason. She looked out into the horizon. The Shinobi village was on the ground below. There were small clay houses, all bunched together. Children running and playing. Mothers watching out for them. Shinobi training. Masters teaching. This was their life, this is all they ever knew. "Because," she started, trying to find the words. "Why try to break away from our home?"

Touya sat up, his blue pupil less eyes met her warm fiery eyes. "Aren't you tired of this? The darkness?"

"What are we in now?" She asked, without Touya's answer she continued, "Daylight."

"Kenina, You know that's not what I mean." Touya said.

Kenina hugged her knees to her chest, "I know, I know." The two sat next to each other quietly. Kenina broke the silence, "I just want you to reconsider this." Kenina brushed her dark balck bangs out of her eyes and gazed at Touya's stern look. "I know you wouldn't reconsider. Then, can I be the team's extra fighter?"

Touya didn't hesitate to answer, "Implying that someone in our team is going to die?"

"No." Kenina answered.

"Well, there's your answer." Touya responded, "It's too dangerous." Kenina didn't bother answering to that. She was a Shinobi just like Touya and the rest of the team. The only thing that separated her from the most other Shinobi was her sex. Not many girls in the village have a death wish. Women can become Shinobi if they wished and if they were willing to put fourth the effort.

Kenina stood up, "Maybe. I'm gonna head back home now." Touya waved her goodbye. Kenina turned and looked back for a second before continuing to the village. She arrived at the village soon. She walked around the towns and shops; occasionally stopping at food stands wondering if she should bring fruit home. Kenina picked up a fruit and looked up. Her eyes were drawn to a rather large fellow. He had dark skin, several battle scars, and very large muscles. Kenina stared at him, she recognizes the face but she couldn't put a name to it. It came to her suddenly, Bakken; one of Touya's teammates for the Dark Tournament. He was showing off his muscles to a small group of children. She put the oddly shaped fruit down and walked off.

Kenina's house was larger than most houses in the village. The Shiobi masters often got the best of everything. Both of Kenina's grandparents were masters. That's how she first met Touya. Her grandfather taught everything Touya knows about ice and how to fight. Kenina was trained by her grandmother in the art of mastering fire. Her grandmother always told her she looked like a fire master; with her fiery eyes and coal back hair. Her grandfather would say her skin was as fair as snow. They both wanted to train her, but only one could.

Since Touya was one out of the many pupils her grandfather trained it was safe to say that the two practically grew up together. No doubt, Touya was her best friend. They became Shinobi around the same time so she had been through many missions with him. He was like a wise older brother to her. Whenever something wrong, in or out pf the Shinobi's dark world, Touya was always there to help.

She sat outside and watched several little boys play and little girls help their mothers clean. The village had no set standard, it was funny how they all played one anyway. The sun was setting and it hued the demon world sky deep red with tints of pink. Kenina squinted her eyes, someone was there. Once her eyes adjusted and she caught a glimpse of the sky borne Shinobi, she knew exactly who it was. Jin. He was a funny guy, smart too; she had worked with him on a few missions. It was always fun working with him. He was always trying to make a serious mission feel a lot less serious. Jin was going with Touya also. She didn't really see him as someone who was unhappy with the Shinobi lifestyle.

The door across from Kenina opened. A tall man exited the house with a young child in his arms. A woman, his wife, stopped cleaning out front and took her daughter over to him. The woman took the child from him, gave him a kiss and a hug, and watched him leave. He must have a mission. Kenina couldn't put any name to him. It was strange; everyone is so close in the village, but yet, it seems like no one knows anyone. Everyone is so busy with work. There is no time to talk to a neighbor, no matter how many times you see them.

The door behind Kenina opened. "Your friend, Touya, is leaving tomorrow." Her grandfather said.

"I know. I'll see him off in the morning before he leaves." Kenina relied looking at her grandfather.

"And the team?" Her grandfather asked.

Kenina paused and thought about it. "And Jin. And Gama. I don't know the other two."

"Fair enough." He responded. "Dinner is ready inside." Her grandfather opened the door and walked in Kenina followed behind him. They at the table, her grandmother set down plates and shoveled food on them all.

Kenina counted the plates. Three. "Where's dad?"

"Working." Her grandmother responded. "He should be back in the morning. If everything goes well maybe later tonight."

Shinobi rule number one: always plan to stay longer. "Yeah, I doubt that." Kenina took a piece of bread, "Work has been kind of slow." She took a bite and swallowed the dry bread, "For me at least."

"Getting bored are you?" Her grandfather chuckled.

"Of course." Kenina sighed.

"Something will come up, you're a fine Shinobi. Might need to talk to the other Shinobi and see if there are any missions." Her grandmother advised.

"I would," she started in between bites. "But you know I don't like asking for work. I like people coming to me with something to do."

"You know it can't always be like that." Her grandfather replied.

"I don't have any work, so yeah, I know." Kenina finished up her small portioned dinner and picked up her plate to wash it. She walked over to the other room; the kitchen. She put her plate in the sink and washed it. From the kitchen she yelled, "I'm going off to bed. Gotta wake up early!" She walked out of the room and gave her grandparents a hug goodnight.

Kenina headed upstairs and walked to her bedroom. Her room was a mess. Wooden swords scattered throughout her floor sharp daggers dug into her walls. Her bed was undone as usual. And clothes covered almost any sign of her floor. She made her way to her dresser, careful to watch for any pointy objects hiding in the mess. Kenina grabbed something to dress into and put it on. Hopping over sharp unsheathed swords on the floor she made it to the safety of her bed. Pulling the dark purple covers over her shoulders she rolled over to sleep on her side.

"Kenina time to wake up! We must leave soon!" Her grandfather called from her door. Kenina shot up and hurried out of bed. Without thinking too much about what to wear she threw on her Shinobi uniform specifically made for her; common wardrobe choice among the village. She and her grandfather walked to the far outskirts of the village. It all seemed peaceful and calm. It was early and most were fast asleep. There, waiting for their goodbyes, was the group.

Kenina walked up to Touya, "Be safe."

"You know I will." He replied and gave her a hug, which she returned back.

Kenina approached Jin and looked at him, unsure of what to say. She smiled and told the wind master, "Stay out of trouble."

Jin gave her a toothy smile, "I'll be tryin'" She gave Jin a hug as well.

Kenina and Gama were fairly good friends. She was known to tease him so her goodbye came naturally, "Makeup. Really? Good luck." Gama gave her an irritated look. It always bothered him how she could easily mock his power. Kenina smiled, "A joke. You know that. But really, good luck."

Gama sighed, "Thanks."

The group headed off. Kenina watched them walk away until she could no longer see them. Oblivious that those were the final goodbye for some of them.