"Good job Nichuna kun
"Good job Nichuna kun. You hit every target." The sensei praised as Shoji Nichuna moved forward to retrieve his shurikun from the multiple targets. He was chosen at a very young age to be trained as a ninja, and had been training ever since, he could name all the lethal and non-lethal places that could be struck by a shurikun, katauna, or bare hands/feet when he was eight. Now at the age of sixteen he was a master of all those weapons and the wooden stave, as well as the art of concealment. With a sigh he returned to the throwing line and prepared to continue throwing his knives as the exercises became more and more complex.
When the sun was long behind the mountains sensei Shiro released him for diner, after a quick meal Shoji went to get some sleep before night training began.
Shoji worked hard to get where he was, most people didn't reach this level until they were twenty. When Shoji went out for his night training he was given an envelope, inside was three pieces of paper. The first sheet had his name at the top; below it was a description of a mission, the mission that changed everything. The second sheet bore a list of tools he'll be equipped with, fifteen shurikun, twenty throwing stars, a katauna, and a small bag of smoke pellets. The third and final sheet of paper was a map of the building he was to infiltrate as well as a fake I.D. so he could get in undetected more easily. You see Shoji's mission was to protect the Emperor without anyone knowing it. He would be going under the pretense of being a possible suitor for the Emperors daughter, the reason why he had been assigned this mission was he was the closest age, and the most believable, his fellow ninjas were either too old, or too young, not to mention not nearly as good looking as him, his long black hair was always pulled back into a loose ponytail, he had an air of authority, as well as confidence, his face was elegant with high cheek bones, and a distinctive jaw-line. His nose was long and narrow but suited his face perfectly; he was the obvious choice for the mission.
Shoji went to his barracks with a sigh and went to bed knowing he'd be up at sunrise and leaving an hour after. Once on his way to the capital with his companion, Chicho, who was a good six years older then him. Chicho was to play the part of his servant while at the palace. The two moved quickly, only stopping for the mid day meal and to refill their water skins. By the time the sunset they had just crested a large hill, and from there they could see the grand palace in the distance. From where Shoji stood it looked no bigger then his thumb.
Chicho collected wood while Shoji laid out the bedrolls and, once they had a good fire, he prepared dinner. After they ate Chicho pulled out two wooden swords and tossed one to Shoji, " Let us spar." Was all he said, he rose to his feet and got into position, Shoji was already positioned to fight by the time Chicho was ready. They sparred for only twenty minuets, for that was how long it would have taken Shoji to kill Chicho.
Getting up off the ground with a sigh Chicho retrieved his wooden sword and put it back with his stuff. " You beat me every time, your skills have defiantly improved since we last sparred, but then I guess it has been a long time, hasn't it?" he commented
" That it has, almost two years. I am always learning new techniques, and I am always gaining speed and strength." He replied with a smile.
The two men sat by the fire in a contented silence for a while before shoji said " It is late, you get some sleep I will take first watch." Nodding Chicho laid on his bedroll and quickly fell asleep. They alternated keeping watch throughout the night, knowing that if there was a hit put on the Emperor, then the hit men would be watching for possible bodyguards. Shoji was taking the last watch, just before dawn when he sensed something; it felt as though there was a new presence in the vicinity of their camp, it was human, he knew that, unfortunately, his great "sixth sense" (which he wondered about) couldn't tell their intentions, so being cautious Shoji prepared to fight. Soon however the presence was gone, and Shoji was left to wonder who it had been.
When the sun was half over the eastern ridge he woke Chicho and they packed up camp, had a cold breakfast, and continued on their way. When they were at the bottom of the large hill Shoji told Chicho what he had sensed, and they spent a good portion of the day discussing it.
When midday came around, instead of stopping they had a cold meal of bread and cheese, with dried meat. They were nearing the palace when the sun started to sink behind the western mountains, " Now remember, I'm your servant, not your friend." Chicho reminded him,
" Yes I remember, and you remember that we are only acting. I know how they treat servants here, so don't get mad at me for the things that I say or do. I know what I'm doing." Chicho nodded, he had expected a response of this nature, after all Shoji had been taken to the palace a few years ago, and Chicho had never been there before.
" I'll remember that." Was his simple response.
" Good, now ride behind me rather then beside, before we come in view of the palace." Shoji instructed, and Chicho did as he was told. And soon they came through the trees to gaze upon the magnificent palace.
Riding up to the front gates of the outer wall, where two guards stood, Shoji produced a roll of parchment that bore his fake identity, as the young lord of a small western country, the guards nodded and permitted him entrance, with Chicho dragging behind him. When they entered the large courtyard Shoji could hear Chicho's gasp of admiration of the beautiful sight. There were patches of multi coloured flowers scattered everywhere, and in the middle was a beautiful fountain, it was carved into the shape of two wolves, standing on a pedestal, howling skyward. Ones head came up about three inches higher then the other, and Shoji assumed it was male, and the other was female, they were standing shoulder to shoulder, and water was shooting from their howling mouths, once in the air the water arched on either side of the wolves, framing them beautifully, before landing in a small pool set around them. Taking the path that went to the left of the wolves Shoji continued towards the entrance of the palace.
At the entrance a man stood waiting for them, he was a tall man, he had short brown hair and light blue eyes, as Shoji approached he bowed and mumbled " My Lord" Shoji nodded in response and dismounted, holding his horses reins he stood in front of the man with an air of purpose, the man then started to speak. " Lord Nichuna-san, the Emperor has been expecting you, please allow my men to take your horse to the royal stables." Shoji nodded and added,
" And please take my servants horse as well, they have become great friends on our journey and I do not wish to separate them." The man nodded and two other men appeared and took the horses away.
" Follow me, I will show you to your quarters while you are a guest here." And with that they were off into the palace. They walk for what seemed like a long time until finally they stopped outside a heavy wooden door, it was elegantly carved with vines and flowers, with a dragon flying in their midst. " Here is your rooms sir. And your servant may have the adjacent room, with the adjoining door if you wish." Shoji nodded,
" That will do, thank-you." He said opening the door. Inside was a large room, decorated as elegantly as the door it's self, the walls were light blue decorated with tapestries of exquisite design, against the wall to his right there was a large dresser, with a mirror attached, beside it was a writing desk, equipped with quills, ink and parchment between the two was a door that he was sure led to a bathroom. On the far wall close to the desk was a large window, threw which he could see the western horizon, where the sun was currently setting, and when he looked down he could view the courtyard. Beside that was a huge four-poster bed, covered in a golden coloured bedspread. On the wall to his left was a door, which he guessed led to Chichos room,
The servant bowed, " The Emperor would like you to join him and the rest for dinner this evening." Shoji nodded again,
" Very well." Was his short response, before waving the servant off, who then informed him that he would be back in ten minuets to show him the way to the dinning hall. When he was gone Chicho sighed and went to the door on the left, and disappeared through it. Shoji sighed and went to the dresser and found it full of clothing. But before he changed he went through the door between the desk and dresser, and found he had been right about it being a bathroom.
Ten minuets later Shoji stood in front of the mirror admiring his choice of clothing. He wore a white long-sleeved shirt with gold trimmings; over it he wore a white haiori with a red and purple flower design on the shoulders and the ends of the sleeves. He wore white pants and black pull on boots, around his waist was a light blue obi with a pale purple design on it.
When a knock came on the door he opened it and smiled at the reaction of the servant standing before him. With a small cough the man bowed and Shoji responded with a curt nod, then he realized something, " Tell me, what is it you are called?" The he stiffened and said quietly
" I'm known as Jiria." Shoji smiled kindly, and waved his hand slightly as he spoke,
" Well, let us be on our way then Jiria, I do not wish to keep our king waiting." Jiria nodded and led the way to the dinning hall.
When they entered Jiria bowed to the people already seated and announced Shoji's entrance, Shoji then stepped past him and bowed to the head of the table where the Emperor sat. A young woman showed him to his seat, three seats down from the Emperor on his left, before disappearing through the doors to the kitchen. Smiling warmly Shoji turned to the Emperor,
" I apologize for my lateness your highness, I didn't receive your invitation until just four days ago." The Emperor returned the smile and replied,
" And I apologize for the short notice, but I only have but four messengers, and as you can see it was a lot of work for them." Shoji nodded still smiling.
" I understand, and I must say I enjoyed the journey, it was a nice change from what I'm used to." The Emperor nodded as food was brought into the room and set on the table. Shoji took the chance to look at the other suitors, there were five others, the first one, to the Emperors immediate right was short with dark brown hair that was cut quite short, other then that there was nothing really defining about him, so shoji moved to the next face, the man beside the first had lighter hair, it was dirty blond and seemed to have some lighter blond highlights, his eyes were a deep shade of blue, and, shoji noticed, he had a nasty scar near the base of his neck. Next he examined the man directly across from him. He was smiling widely as the servants laid trays of food in front of him, his hair was medium length, too long to stay out of his eyes, and too short to put into a ponytail, so his dark ebony locks hung in front of his hazel eyes. On his chin he had the remnants of a beard, Shoji took an immediate liking to him for some reason.
The young man to his right had long hair like his, only it was a golden brown rather then black, but Shoji couldn't see his face real well, so he looked past him at the man on the emperor's immediate left, he had black hair, and a goatee, he was also wearing a wicked smile.
Once the food was placed on the table and everyone was quiet, the Emperor cleared his throat,
" I'm sorry to inform you that my lovely daughter will not be joining us this evening. Please, dig in." Soon everyone was eating and sharing stories, but most people seemed interested in Shoji, since he was the only one who had not been there the night before when they had all been acquainted. Shoji, being a smart young man, told many stories of his land in the west, all of which were true, or had some truth to them. After the sweet dessert the table was cleared and glasses were brought out for everyone, who were telling jokes, and discussing different trade options and different resources of the different lands etc. when a tall man moved around the table, starting with the man on the Emperors right and moving counter clockwise, pouring deep red wine in each glass. Shoji thanked him as he moved on to the next man. They were all slightly intoxicated by the wine they had had during their meal, but shoji stayed vigilant, he watched as the man poured wine into the Emperors cup, then before leaving the room stealthily emptied a small vile of a white powder that disappeared into the dark wine instantly. If Shoji hadn't been watching so closely he would have missed it like everyone else.
Before he could act however the Emperor raised his glass to his lips, thinking quickly Shoji called out,
"Wait! Your Highness, in my land it is custom for the guest and the host to drink from each others glasses on the first night." Slowly the Emperor lowered his glass and smiled,
" Very well young Lord Nichuna." Smiling he passed his glass to Shoji, who passed his back, then raising his glass he said,
" To your majesties kind hospitality." And there was an echo of voices saying " to his majesty" before everyone drank deeply from their cups, Shoji sighed inwardly realizing how close an eye he would have to keep on the Emperor, as he drank the poisoned wine.
After a while everyone agreed that it would be a good idea to go to bed, so they departed for their respected rooms. Shoji made his way towards his room remembering the way from when Jiria had shown him the way to the dinning hall. When he made it back he rushed into the washroom and was sick. After he was sick he ran a bath, once the large tub was full of steaming water he undressed and got in, making sure the soap was within arms reach. He sat in the warm water thinking about the events and keeping the image of the man who had poured the wine in his mind as he scrubbed himself clean. Once he was satisfied with his cleanliness he simply sat and relaxed in the warm water. He sat there for what seemed hours before he finally pulled himself out of both the tub and his thoughts, dried off, and put on his night clothing.
With a sigh he climbed into the large soft bed, marveling at how soft and comfortable it was.