Prologue
Legend has it that there were dragons living amongst humans. The dragons protected the people as they hid their identities from the people so they were unaware of their existence. They had stories about them but nobody knew if they were true or not. Even though they don't know, they kept a large amount of respect and honor for the creatures.
But one unfortunate day, a dragon threatened the existence of the humans. The other dragons stopped and destroyed him but the people thought of them as demons sent from the underworld to end all of humanity.
Many were executed.
Only a few survived during the slaughtering of the dragons.
My grandfather has told this story to me since I was little. He would tell me this as a warning for me to be wary of others who would execute me the same way as my ancestors. Like a good girl, I kept my dragon side hidden and only let it out when I need to or when I'm doing chores. But there are times, the monster within me wants to expose itself. As I get older, it gets harder and harder to keep it wrapped up.
There many stories I have heard about dragons. There is even a religion that worships them as gods. My grandfather believes in that. He believes that every dragon has a destiny that will restore their them has protesters of the people. Unfortunately, not many people strongly believe in that like he does. He tells me how someday I will gain a destiny and regain the lost honor of my ancestors. I didn't believe I that as much as he did though. I always believed that I will just be a 'normal' temple slave girl for the rest of my life.
But one day in my little village everything changed as a destiny became acknowledge by the gods for me to gain respect and honor that was lost for so many years.
...
"Grandfather I'm going to get so more firewood!" I called out to my grandfather.
"Be back before dark Aoi!" he calls to me as I leave the temple.
I run through the village like I do every day doing errands for my Grandfather. As I run, I accidentally run into someone. As I looked up I see a young man in a white with deep red eyes and white hair.
"I'm so sorry!" I said, quickly getting up from the ground and bowed to him.
"It's fine." he said in his deep voice. Then he suddenly gives me a rice ball. "It was my fault that I was in the way. Here, as an apology." he said, walking away.
"Thanks..." I said to him as I watched him walk away. Then my memory of getting firewood came back to me and I quickly gobbled up the rice ball and quickly run to the woods.
As I run, I ran into more men by accident. As I did with other man, I bowed and apologize to them.
"Watch where you are going little girl." one man with dark hair with dark blue clothes said to me harshly.
"Don't be like that to a girl. Are you alright sweetheart?" a man with red hair said to them and helps me get up. Then he quickly pulls me into his chest. He forces me to look at him by grabbing my chin. "Wow aren't you cute." he said flirtatiously.
"Stop that! You are scaring her!" the last man with bright hair with scars on his face said the red haired man as he helps me get away from him.
"Sorry about th-" he starts to say but stops as he looks into my eyes. "Wow he's not lying!" he shouts in surprised. I feel the creature inside flip around feeling as if it was threatened by them. I squeezed my fist tightening the creature, pushing it back down.
"I don't." the dark clothes man said looking at me. "She doesn't have any sex appeal whatsoever." Wow how rude. The monster became harder to fight back. I finally pushed the man away and ran to the woods. I grabbed onto a tree and breathed heavily, calming myself. The monster inside be same quiet after a while.
"Finally!" I said happily. Today has been a weird day. Running into four handsome man doesn't happen everyday. I almost could have lose myself. I ignored it, making myself forget and went to a part of the woods where I usually get firewood.
I got there without any obstacles feeling relieved that I didn't run into any strangers. A lot of people avoid the woods anyway. These woods aren't safe because of snakes, bears,and wolves. I know how to get around in these woods because...
I'm not human.
I looked around trying to find any fallen trees. I found one a few feet away from where I was standing. I raised my left arm up to mouth a bit into it. My arm burst into blue flames and becomes monstrous. My arm and my fingers became longer, thicker, scaly, and my nails were sharp like an animal. I sliced the tree into thick blocks of wood in no time. My arm went back to normal as I gathered some wood. I headed out of there as the sun went down.
On my way back to the temple, a four men dressed like villagers surrounded me.
"This is her right?" one of the them asked.
"Yup, this is the princess." another smiled at me and took out a sword. The hair on the back of my neck stick out as fear rises within me. 'Princess? What are they talking about? What do I do anyway? Who are these people? I can't hurt them or else Grandfather will be angry.' I thought. One man run towards me shouting die. I quickly ducked and waited for the sword. I waited but nothing happened.
I hesitantly opened my eyes and see a familiar man standing in front of me, protecting me from the man with his own sword. It was the 1 nite haired man from earlier! Then he quickly pushes him away and slashes him across the chest. Blood splattered everywhere as he strikes the others.
'Blood...so much blood...' I sniffed. I felt something stir within me as the aroma became thicker. Then the man quickly picks me up and runs all the way to the temple.
...
"Aoi!" Grandfather shouted at me. He had a worried look as he take me away from the white haired man. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"I'm...fine." I said trying to keep a straight face. I was frightened from the men who tried to attack me but I was also afraid of myself. All that blood...
Smelled so good.
"Aoi." grandfather's voice became serious. "We need to talk." he said and brings me to the dining area.
When I entered the men I met today were sitting around the table. There was also an older man with black hair sitting at the head of the table.
"It's that girl!" the light haired man shouted in surprise.
"Don't tell me she's..." the rude man said looking disappointed.
"Everyone meet Sakuya Aoi." Grandfather introduced me to them. "Aoi these men are ninjas. These men are Sasuke Sarutobi of the Koga clan, Goemon Ishikawa of the Iga clan, Saizo Kirigakure of the Koga clan, Kotaro Fuma of the Fuma clan, and Hanzo Hattori of the Iga clan." he introduces the man as he points to each one. "They are going to protect you from now on." he said looking down.
"What do you mean protecting me Grandfather?" I asked confused to what was going on.
"Sakuya Aoi, you are the Ninja Princess." the man Hanzo answered me.
"Ninja Princess?"
"You were chosen to be the symbol for the ninja as we fight against Oda Nobunaga who threatens to end the Ninja." the red haired man, Goemon says bluntly.
"Oda Nobunaga has claimed power in this region of Japan and has started war to end all ninjas." the rude man Saizo fills me in. "And everyone decide on a symbol of peace for ninja. Like your ancestors who were also symbols of ninjas we picked you."
"So now we want you to decide who will protect you from those are sent by Nobunaga to kill you. If we all protect you, it would be suspicious." Sasuke said to me smiling. I was lost at this sudden revealment. Me a princess? Why me? I'm a monster but they chosen me to be a symbol of peace.
"Aoi, let's talk privately." grandfather speaks up and we both went down the hall, away from the ninjas.
"Aoi," he whispers to me. "You know what you are right?" he firmly grabs my shoulders, giving me a dark look that I have never seen before. I nodded my head.
"You must remember to keep yourself under control. You cannot tell these men about what you are. These ninja picked you to be the symbol of peace. You are a creature that hasn't existed in centuries. There has been peace since then. They would kill you as a threat to humanity like with your ancestors. There are a few others who know about you and they believe you are destined to end this war. I've been talking with them and they decide to help you train to control your power. But promise you will keep that monster inside you under control as you travel. Do not let your instincts take over understand me?" he whispered while his voice shocked and became hoarse.
"Grandfather don't worry. I'll be fine. I promise." I hugged and kissed his forehead. "Thank you for what you've done for me for all these years. I also promise that I will come home safely." I smiled. We held each others hand and went back into the dining room.
As I went back, I looked at the men that were still sitting. I took a deep breaths, calming myself a little.
"I chose..."
