Chapter 1: Two brothers, one mask
Nomi's POV
Being 800 years old is not easy as one wish it would. Instead of enjoying heaven with his family, I'm stuck here, teaching students that can't get fight like a true ninja can. Who am I, you ask. Well I have many names, like my birth name ,Nomin, or what my students call me ,Ninja-Nomicon... but you can just call me Nomi. Every year is the same, give mask, teach ninja, get mask, and so on, But this year has been different, and my student Randy Cunningham has been quite different from the others. And when I mean different I don't mean Jerk-MacAntfee-diffrent or do-test-expiriments-on-800-year-old-relics-diffren t. I mean true-hero different. Randy is the first student I have that could handle friends, reveal the katana, master air-fist, or focus his energy at such a fast pace. In fact he is also the first one to question my teachings...
One night, after his concert, he went to his room and visited me. At the time, I had never had a visitor after sunset, so I was quite surprised. I thought that he would come to apologies or lecture me more about my friends rules or even turn in his mask. But he didn't.
"Nomicon, why can't you let me have friends," Randy asked me, "I mean, Howard helped me when I couldn't help myself. I just wanna know why?"
I stood still for a sec.
"Is he actually asking me why," I thought, "Well this is new..."
I decided to let him see my true form and began the formation. Randy stood ,shocked, as rolls of paper started to put me together in front him. His face was priceless! As the transformation was complete I showed my longish red hair, black eyes, fair skin, and my black cloak with red lines.
"Hello Randy," I said for the first in many years, "It's the Nomicon."
"I..I..I," Randy stuttered, "I just want to know why you won't let me have friends."
"Well there is many reasons," I began, "But there is one reason in particular. Your best friend may double-cross you..."
"What," Randy asked ,almost yelling, "Why would you say that? Howard would never double-cross me!"
"I know but," I began looking behind me, "I use to have one that did.. it's a very long story but..."
"It's ok you can tell me," Randy said, "I mean, my mom thinks I'm asleep so I have plenty of time.."
"Well," I said as memories began coming back to me,"Alright, It was Shogamar, 1213.."
...
Shogamar, 1213
Nomi stood in battle stance with his sword up and his teeth grinding. His opponent was his older brother, Shin. He had black hair, black eyes, fair skin, and wore a brown and gold kimono and saddles. Nomi was wearing the same thing except his was black and red. Shin raised his katana with a crocked smile. Nomi hated when he did that, it was the face he made before he beat him like butcher with a pig.
"Are you ready to be beaten again, brother," Shin said as they circled around the room, not turning their backs on each other.
"Not this time, Shin," Nomi said as he glanced on his Sensei [A.K.A his grandfather].
He had white little, braided hair, a white long mustache, blue eyes, and a silver kimono. He gave him a nod of confidence and looked at his brother.
"Fight!" He said as he grabbed his cup of tea.
Shin and Nomi charged at each other and grinned their swords together.
"Its all about strategy, it's. All. About. Strategy," Nomi thought as he ended the grinding.
Shin swung his katana and Nomi ducked. Nomi swung his sword below his feet and Shin bearly dodged it. As he was in the air, Nomi kicked him to the ground and tried to sing Shin's sword off his hands. Shin gripped hard on his sword and quickly got up. Nomi stood still and waited for his brother to charge again.
"You are a fool," Shin yelled as he began to charge.
As he charged Nomi began to charge in a slower pace. He gripped his sword and focused on his target. Shin ran with his sword forward. Before his sword could touch his chest, he slid blow him and pointed his sword at his head.
"Excellent job Nomin-san," His grandfather congratulated as he steeped forward and Nomi put his sword away, "But Shin, work on your strategy, save your energy for your attack, not your charge. But even if this was a battle against each other, you two should learn to work together. One day your enemy may become your battlemate."
"I ever doubt that would happen," Shin said as he rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
"Now go rest," Their Sensei suggested as he left the Dojo,"We train again tomorrow."
"So what do you wanna do know, Nomi," Shin asked as they followed him.
"Lets head to the market place," Nomi said, "We promised Yumi we would help her prepare the Tengu Festival, remember?"
"Yeah, well you go do that and I'll go do something cooler," Shin said as he rushed out the door.
"I knew it," Nomi said with his arms crossed as Shin ran out of sight.
...
Nomi walked through the towns square. Cherry blossom leaves danced in the air. Nomi felt clam and peaceful until..
"THE END IS NEAR," an old man in rags yelled as he tugged the bottom of Nomi's kimono, "The Sorcerer will rise again and all will be chaos!"
Nomi looked at his rotting teeth and backed away.
"Ignore him, a female voice behind him said, "He's just a another madman.."
He looked behind him and found Akemi, his grandfathers housecarl and Yumi's older sister, standing behind him. She had fair skin, dark violet boned hair with a white streak and yellow eyes. She wore a green kimono, saddles, and a red rose above her ear.
"Oh hi, Akemi," Nomi said as he faced her, "What are you doing here?"
"Your grandfather sent me and my brother to make sure you don't get yourself into trouble," Akami answered in a sweet tone, "Oh, and also if your looking for Yumi shes in the Minoru's shop, helping him make mooncakes ."
She pointed at a wooden house at the left with a sign that said, "The Tengu's Nest," in front.
"Oh thanks, Akemi," Nomi thanked as he ran off.
"Any time Nomin-san," Akami said back as she walked towards the old hobo, "Drop it, Nobu. We already told that we are not giving you another mooncake."
"Aww," Nobu moaned as he trotted off.
"Hmm, I wonder what kind of trouble Shin has gotten into this time," Akami said to herself as she calmly followed Nomi.
...
Shin walked in the shadows as he looked for an open window. He looked at his empty pocket and only found a couple of gold pieces.
"My cash-flow seems to be empty again," Shin said as he made a crooked smirk and got his katana,"Excellent..."
Shin ran though the shadows and climbed up the ally. He peeked into every window, checking if it was empty. But most of the time it wasn't. Then at one particular house and found it abandoned. The certains were torn, the wooden floor was cracked, and spider webs covered...well..everything.
"Looks like a found a new hang out spot," Shin said as he slid in.
Suddenly, a man in a black cloak with a hoodie came out of the shadows. He had fair yet dark skin, blue eyes, and dark purple hair. This sanddles made a click sound with frustration.
"The boy never learns, does he," The man said to himself as he followed him, "Akami isn't gonna be happy about this..."
...
As Nomi entered The Tengu's Nest, as knife bearly hit the tip of his head. A fairly dark skin man with black hair with a red piece of cloth tied around, dark brown eyes, a white and black kimono, and saddles threw knives at one of his workers.
"Fool," the chef angrily yelled with a chinese accent as he tossed another knife, "You ruin business, you will face my wrath!"
"How was I suppose to know that you don't cook the fish in the Sushi," a worker yelled in a british accent as he shield the knives with a pan.
"Fine," The chef said as he put down the knives, "But if you screw up again, I will CRUSH YOU!"
"Wait you don't cook the fish," one customer asked.
"Nnnn-no we steam it," The chef said as he quietly strolled away.
Nomi looked around the room and saw Yumi talking to the british worker. She had fair skin, blue eyes, and blue violet hair in a bun. She wore a red kimono, saddles, and a pink rows beside her ear.
"So James, what is an english man like you doing in Shogamar," Yumi asked as Nomi walked beside her.
"Well, lets just say I did some time in prison and didn't," James said as removed the knives on the pan.
"Hey Yumi," Nomi greeted.
"Hi Nomin," Yumi said back, "Wheres Shin?"
"I don't know," Nomi answered, as he sat down on a table, "But I bet he's already gotten himself into trouble.."
"I just hope he isn't barging into citizens houses like last week," Akemi said as she sharpened her pocket knife under her sleeve.
...
The floor board creaked as Shin stepped into the room. Shin looked around the room.
"Why did I come here," Shin thought as he turned around, "There is nothing valuable here, maybe I should join up with Nomin.."
Suddenly a pair of hand grabbed him from behind and dragged him from behind. The cloaked man jumped into the room and watched him be dragged into the darkness.
"What have you got yourself into Shin," The man whispered to himself as he got out two daggers and climbed up the cieling.
He crawled through the darkness and squinted his eyes.
"Where is he," the man asked himself as he looked below him, "*Gasp* There he is!"
He could hear Shin heavily breathing as he was dragged into a basement.
As they reached the basement, Shin glanced behind him and saw a carved circle in the ground. It was glowing green and symbols were carved inside.
"What are they gonna do to me," Shin thought with widened eyes.
Shin was tossed into the circle like a rag doll. He tried to crawl his way out but the carvings burned his hand. He reached for his sword but it was gone.
"Don't worry my friend a female voice calmly said, "We are not here to hurt you.."
A mysterious female figure in a black-ish green cloak appeared from the darkness, her cloak cover her eyes and hair. A soothing smile was in her face. Similar beings circled around him. The figure pulled his sword out and threw it behind her. Shin looked at her with widened eyes as she came closer.
"No! Stay away from me, you crazy woman!" Shin yelled as he backed up.
The figure stopped and lowered her hoodie. She looked about his age with fair skin, black hair, and green soothing eyes. She had a green flower beside her ear. Shin smiled as stared at her as if he was hypnotized.
"Are we gonna get to it or what," one of the figures said as they stared at each other for a few seconds.
"Hello my name is Rieka," the female said, "The Mist Followers have expected you.."
"What," Shin asked, "How were you expecting me? And who are the Mist Followers"
"Well you see," Rieka began, "Long ago in the dawn of time, there once was a man who rules the world as it should have been. At first he was loved by all, but then the Ninjas of the Norisu Nine began to spread false rumors about the king being cruel and heartless! All but the Mist Followers believed their lies and started a unreasonable civil war! One night the Norisu Nine snoke into the kings place and killed the forbidden Tengu! They plucked his feathers and used it to make puttered masks! In rage, the king turned into a twisted demon and tried to enslave humanity! Sure they killed him, but it was their fault! They turned them into a monster! So, now we follow in his footsteps and listen to our masters cursed soul. And he has chosen you to be his champion..."
"Really," Shin said in surprise, "I never had an oppertunity like this.."
Suddenly the ground started shaking and everyone in the circle but Shin smiled.
"He's here," one of the figures yelled with glee, "The great and powerful one has returned!"
"Do you mean" Shin began.
"Yes my champion," A loud, male voice said from no where, "It is I, the Sorcerer and I have returned to seek my revenge... and meet you. You shall be the one to do my bidding, you shall be the one to take the throne in the name of me! In return you shall be granted endless riches and powers! All will bow to your feet and you shall rule for all eternity!"
"I...I like the sound of that," Shin said as he got up, "But what about.."
"Oh them," The Sorcerer's soul said, "Aren't you tiered of being misunderstood. I mean, don't have a reason to do what you do. Just look for yourself.."
A stank wall surrounded him and showed Shin's terrible past. At the right he saw his youngself getting teased, at the left he saw a group of people spreading rumors behind his back and in front... was Nomi taking all the honor Shin should have had. He grinned his teeth in anger and frustration.
"If you serve me I will make them all feel the pain you felt," the Sorcerer began, Shin felt a pair of arms on his shoulders, "They'll all suffer and fear you for the rest of their lives..."
As the stank wall faded away, Shin grew a crooked smile with the thought of torture and suffering.
"I'll do it," Shin said, "I'll help you.."
"Execllent..."
Suddenly Shin felt a shot pain on the top of his right arm. He made a blood-curling screams as the pain grew stronger and stronger. The man in the door way widened his eyes as Shin continued to scream. Shin raised his right sleeve and saw the skin of his shoulder carve into a marking.
"I have to tell Akemi," The man told himself as he darted out of the house.
...
"So that's how I escaped the English Prison," James finished as he pulled out the last knife.
"You got out of prison with only a spoon and a japanese costume," Nomi said as he raised an eyebrow.
"Yup," James said as he started wiping the tables.
"Well looks like nothing is impossible with an open mind," Akemi said as she put her knife away.
Suddenly the cloaked man barged through the door, out of breath with a worried face. He fell to his knees.
"Brother!" Yumi and Akemi yelled as they rushed to his side.
"Daisuke, what happened," Akemi asked as they helped him up.
"The..the Mist Followers have returned and they have Shin in their grasps!" Daisuke yelled as they sat him down.
"Oh, God," Akemi said as she got out her knife, "Yumi, you stay here and heal Daisuke. Ill get back up! WE WILL BRING THEM DOWN TO THE GROUND! THIS! IS! WAR!"
As if on cue, Shin came in.
"Hi," Shin said as he waved his hand.
"Shin, what happened to you," Akemi asked ,almost screaming, as she came to his side, "Did they torture you?"
"No I'm fine," Shin said as he walked up to Nomi.
"But I heard you scream in pain, Daisuke said.
"Oh, that was just a battle cry," Shin said, "I found a way to free myself after that."
"Can I just ask who are the Mist Watchers," Nomi asked.
"Oh don't worry, your Sensi will tell you about them," Akemi answered, "But all I can tell you now, is that they are people you can't trust..."
"It's getting late," James said, "I guess you youngsters should get home."
"Sure," Yumi said, "But Nomi, can you help us bring Daisuke home?"
"Of course," Nomi said as he helped them lift him up.
"Shin, you should just go home," Akemi said as she opened the door, "It's been a long day for you. You should get some rest."
"Thanks Akemi," Shin thanked, "I'll get home after you get Daisuke home."
"Alright," Nomi said as they left the inn, "See ya at home."
After they were out of sight, Shin made a crooked smile and his right eye change black and white.
"Fools," Shin said, double voiced. One was normal while the other sounded twisted, "This will be easier than expected.."
His eyes and voice changed back as he left the inn.
...
Sensei opened his eyes in shock. He looked around him, he was in his room, meditating. Family paintings were hung everywhere and bright lanterns surrounded the room.
"Shin-san...Nomi-san," Sensei thought, "This can't be..."
He got up and walked toward a black and red chest on a cupboard. He opened the top drover and got out a black and red key. As he unlocked the chest, he had a 'worried experetion in his face. The reached into the chest and grabbed a black and red ninja mask. He felt the smooth cloth in his fingers. He made a soft smile as a flow of sweet memories came back to him. But his frown soon changed as his goal came back to him.
He whispered to himself, "Only one can be the true ninja..."