Shinobi Otome

A/N: So there goes the explanation. I hoped you liked it. Heres the prologue...

-----------------------------------------------

Prologue: The Alliance

Kuga Natsuki; after the death of her father, her only remaining family, she had been raised in the hidden rankings to the shinobi of Kaze.

Now what was a shinobi? A shinobi, in this world could be summed up with one sentence, 'A shinobi is someone who grows up and lives their life in a matter that'll train them to protect their village with all their heart and soul.' Some people could call them perhaps a weapon. Don't get me wrong, they are pretty powerful, and sometimes used as secret weapons of war to bring down the opposing sides...But in reality they were like you and me, except with skills.

Back to Natsuki; from yesterday and on, she was to protect the Queen, whom she had already befriended. Her training still continued, and reality, eventually was going to hit her square in the face. Turning to the only window that remained in her room she looked below to the peaceful citizens of Kaze. Was there to be war? She hoped not. Even though the Queen Mashiro was young, she was learning and learning well what it meant to be a queen.

Mashiro Kaze, queen of this ancient kingdom. This ancient kingdom of Kaze, built about 1000 years ago, looks old but is still standing strong. many things have happened in its past; wars, rebellion, and meetings of the other nations and villages surrounding it. The kingdom was, afterall at the center of the world. Mashiro has been Queen for two months now. She looks down at her people hoping they're happy, as her cat Mikoto purrs peacefully in her sleep. She turns to the side, her long hair getting in her face. Brushing it away she called out to her maid, "Aoi, it's almost time."

Aoi smiled at the Queen and nodded in agreement to the former statement. Now Aoi wasn't your ordinary maid, she loved to cook, clean and talk with her magesty, and she was also skilled in fighting. Her along with the rest of the servants.

Yes even the servents were put through training. This was the destiny of most who were born to serve the King and/or Queen. When one is born, they grow up like a normal child until a certain age. At this certain age, all depending on their parents or the state of the country, they begin to learn the hardships and abilities of a shinobi and train to be like them, but not exactly like them. There were others alike Kuga Natsuki who simply trained for the purpose of being a shinobi.

But none reached up to Aoi's rankings, and none would ever reach to the power held with Kuga Natsuki.

Midori, Sugiura Midori; had already began trailing up the stairs. Crimson eyes followed her leader and watched the passer bys. They have been in this castle before, but not for the reason they were there today.

Shino, Kikukawa Shino; had been trailing up stairs at the opposite end. Although they were going in through different ways, they were all heading towards the room of Queen Mashiro. Now you may be wondering, who the hell would let these people just walk in and get into Queen Mashiro's quarters? Well my friends, who said no one was watching them? A glint of red flashed through the walls, Miyu Glear had been watching them, so no worries.

Now what is this Miyu Glears doing here? Well, she is a shinobi android. A remarkable one at that. She was the right hand of the military leader, trusted by the Queen as well. Her powers were one to be rivaled with. So in result she was sent to watch their visitors as they decended the stairs to make sure they didn't do anything suspicious.

Suzushiro Haruka was behind Shino following diligently, hoping things will go smoothly and wondering how much longer will the old man hold out. Hopefully, the next leader, her childhood friend Yukino will be able to handle this new set up properly.

"Welcome," came the calm voice of Mashiro's maid, Aoi. Midori gave a quick smile to the leader of Koyuki and Shino smiled back at the leader of Gakutenou who, for a long time claimed to be only 17, when in reality she was 24. Shizuru smiled at Haruka and Haruka smiled back. When actuality, she was complaining in her mind about that woman who she declared her rival about two years ago when their villages had been in a small war.

Wars seemed to happen every year or so between villages, but nothing major has happened yet. It had been over boundaries, over trading items, and over supplies at times.

The four had been led in by Aoi as Miyu departed to meet with Miss Alyssa. Inside the area before the balcony was Mashiro sitting calmly smiling at her future comrades and her shinobi Natsuki looked emotionless but inside was annoyed by the look she was getting from a certain woman with light brown hair and crimson eyes.

"So, you both agree?" Mashiro asked simply, stroking the back of her cat Mikoto.

Haruka looked at Shino, Shizuru looked at Midori who were at the time looking at each other.

"I know we haven't been the best of friends," Midori began placing her hands on her hips, "In fact we hardly had any contact since that war of two years ago. Back then when father was ruling, I had hated this village of Koyuki, but now, I realize that they are like us."

Shino nodded in agreement, "We would be more than happy to join this alliance and keep peace among us."

Alliance is a strong word in this world. To put faith in each other's shinobi's abilities to always be there for each other. And to maintain peace for the good of all.

"Thank you," Mashiro replied, her smile widening. But it suddenly dropped when she looked behind Aoi and saw no Nagi with Chie, his top ninja, "Nagi of Artai, has he not talked with you?"

"Oh he's talked to me," Midori began with a little sigh, "Annoying brat thinks its too troublesome."

"I suspect bad things from him," Shino continued.

"Why is that?" Mashiro asked with curious eyes.

"He's still young to gain title of leader. His father, the previous leader was in war with you only last year and died in response. He could possibly be holding a grudge."

"Hmph, Nagi never was one who would share," Mashiro replied, "I remember when his father wanted him and I to marry so we could unite...Aoi and I felt that it was too risky and refused, thus leading to war..."

"That was the reason?" Shino asked, slightly surprised, "My, so many people died in that war."

"I know," Mashiro responded, "My parents among those who died...That village is too suspicious..."

"Yet you still offered them to be in alliance..." Midori continued. She bit her lip, "Damn do you think they could be plotting something?"

"In the war," Aoi began, "They had powerful ninja forces and their medical ninja was nothing to laugh at. She was very smart indeed and even thought of some sort of element to add to their own that made them incredibly fast."

"Not as fast as father, nor as I," Natsuki added coldly.

"Ah so the blue haired one speaks," Midori joked, "She your new shinobi?"

"As you know we have many shinobi," Mashiro responded, "She is the top of them, a trusted friend, a good fighter, and very beautiful to add."

"I see," Shino responded, "Well then lets get this over with. Hopefully Artai is simply too arogant and that we won't have to worry about a war."

"Yes," Mashiro replied as she stood up.

And from that day forward, the three differents nations united, yet still not clear about what was up with Artai.

In the past villages suspected other villages of doing something suspicious since they didn't present themselves at times, or even have any contact. Such suspicions could lead to war, or a meeting of heads. Thats where they would discuss each other's actions.

---------------

"Hmph," Nagi scoffed sitting in his chair in the leaders room. The leaders room was a special place where the leader usually was. Where he/she spoke with their ninja or citizens if anything came up. Now he was sitting alone, Chie was out to gather some materials, and Tomoe was training with the trio of the village. He was thinking about the alliance that was being made now, "I don't need to depend on other villages, or even that blasted Queen. Our operation is nearly complete and then...And then...I will take revenge father, and mother, I will complete what you and that other woman was working on. Then...I will rule this world..."

-

Chie had almost completed her list. She looked out into the Shinobi Cemetary, a frown on her face, "I hope I have not disturbed you all too much." She stared into the tombstones of the fallen. many famous shinobi laid there and it seemed wrong to be crossing over them without paying respects. She softened her eyes and let out a small smile, "This was all by order of my leader." Bowing, she picked up the bones that had reached the surface of the cemetary, "Just what are you thinking of doing with these Nagi-sama?" she muttered to herself jumping away into the forest on her way back.

-----------------------------------------------

A/N: Reviews and rewarded with cookies and pie. I take requests for other pairings, and if you have any ideas about the plot or confused, ask me, or they will eventually answer themselves...