A few weeks later…

"No way!" Jillian exclaimed, shocked at my revelation.

"No, I'm dead serious."

"Tonight, I want to see with my own two eyes! And if you're telling the serious truth, you will go down as the coolest gal in the world… or at least in my world!" She winked before running off to the science lab.

I smiled because I knew I'd prove myself right. All I had to do was get my parents in on the action. I really hoped they would, it'd be so awesome of them…

"What was that all about?" a male voice addressed to me as I turned the corner to get to history class.

"None of your business," I replied tartly, not in the mood. He cocked his head and looked at me with those gorgeous misty grey eyes. I attempted to ignore him and make my way into the classroom. He blocked me.

"Kentaro, move!"

"Tell me the big secret then."

I hated it when he did this; Jillian claimed it was because he really liked me. I wanted nothing to do with him. Even if he is super hot…

"No, it's a girl thing and its just between me and Jillian. Now, move!"

"It's so cute how your face blends with your hair when you're angry." He said calmly, bringing his hand towards my cheek. I froze up as he relocated several red strands of hair to behind my right ear. The bell rang and I finally regained control of my body. I slapped his hand away while shouting "Great! Now I'm late because of you!"

"You know Kaida," he whispered sweetly, "I probably know more about you then you do." I just stared at him blankly. Was that some sort of lame pick-up line?

"Whatever." I muttered, pushing past him to get into class. Luckily the teacher had been out of the room making copies of that day's pop quiz.

"No." was my father's simple response.

"Please papa?" I pleaded, "You've known Jillian just as long as I have. She promises to keep this a secret and she's my best friend and-"

"I already told you my answer. Nothing will change it." And with that, he re-opened his book to continue reading it. I was not done yet, still having one more trick up my sleeve.

"Mom!!" I yelled. My father raised his eyebrow.

"It's not going to work…" he warned. I knew it would. It always did. Dad never said no to mom and if she agreed to this, he would have no choice but to accept as well.

"What's wrong?" She asked coming out of the kitchen.

"Papa won't show me some of his old ninja moves" I whined.

"Tell her the rest of your proposal." he said, still reading.

"Jillian wants to see them too…" I added quietly. Mom's eyes widened.

"You told her your father's a ninja!?"

I feared I was about to get scolded.

"I may have implied it b-but me and her have been such close friends and we've all known her for like ever and please, please, please could you show her your moves?"

Mom frowned, unsure of what to do or say. "Well…" she finally started, "If its just Jillian you told…"

Dad knew exactly where this was going.

"Kasumi…" he said slowly but sternly. It was one of the few times I ever heard my father call my mother by her first name. Suddenly, I wasn't sure if even my mom could convince him at all.

"It's only Jillian, right dear?" Mom asked me again. I nodded.

"I'm not getting involved" dad said stubbornly. Mom walked over to him and put a soft hand on his shoulder. Dad shook his head, expression unchanging. She whispered something in his ear and his face softened.

What's going on? I wondered to myself. Was mom really going to get Dad to give in? He seemed so dead set against it. She continued talking to him quietly and what seemed to be a good five minutes, Dad did the sigh. Oh, how I loved the sigh! It meant mom finally won.

"THANK YOU SO MUCH!!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. I hugged mom super tight and bowed respectfully at my father. Then I hugged him super tight as well. He seemed to like it when I incorporated some Japanese culture into my American lifestyle.

"Only two minutes" he said after I released him from the hug.

"Ok, that's fair" I replied happily. I skipped upstairs towards my room whilst hearing my father say to mom "Must you always agree with her?"

I stopped skipping at the top of the stairs when coming face to face with my younger brother Toshi.

"Are ma and papa really gonna fight ninja style?" he inquired excitedly.

"Yep" was my proud reply. His eyes widened. My brother was obsessed with all things ninja and once he found out our parents were ninjas (a dangerously placed skateboard on the stairs revealed Dad's ninja abilities and a cake explosion revealed Mom's…), he'd beg them everyday to show him some moves. After awhile, Dad decided to teach him some basic Ninjustu under the solemn oath that he would never use it against anyone. So far, Toshi has kept his word but he's definitely on the mischievous side…

"COOL! I'll get to see Ma in action!"

"I know!!"

Later that night…

"This is so exciting" Jillian said as we entered the training room. This is the room where my dad spends the majority of his 'at home' time. It was rather large with a dull yellow colored tiled floor and the walls were lined with mirrors. Only the wall on the opposite side of the room to the entrance was mirror-less and it showcased a beautiful sword. My father once told me it was called the Dragon sword. I asked him if he ever used it against someone and he told me no with a smile on his face. Said it was simply passed down to him by his father. He waited patiently as we all sat down where we believed we could get the best view. Jillian stared at my father, who was sporting a lightly form-fitting sleeveless green T and beige cargo pants.

"He's sooooo muscular…" she sighed dreamily, "totally unlike my blob of a dad."

I knew my father heard her because a slight smile crossed his face. Jillian looked around the dojo.

"Kind of reminds me of the gym I go to learn karate."

"The one in Germany?" I asked. She nodded; her mother was from Germany and made sure that every year they went to visit. Her mother was really close friends with a woman named Hitomi who owned a Karate dojo, thus inspiring Jillian to take up the art. She told me once she got her black belt, she'd challenge me to a duel. At that time, Jillian didn't know I had martial art skills of my own and I humored her.

"Karate?" Toshi repeated, staring hard at Jillian, "Ha! What a weakling martial art. Ninja style Ninjustu is way better!"

"Bite your tongue!!" Jillian yelled angrily, "Karate is just as awesome. You should see my teacher Hitomi in action…I bet she could defeat any Ninja style Ninjustu, uh, user"

When Jillian said 'Hitomi', my father's eyes lit up for a second as if he knew the name.

"Nah-uh!!"

"That's enough," my father interrupted," Toshi, no martial art is weak. When used by one that is truly skilled, no matter the type, it can be deadly." Then he slightly chuckled, "And there is no such thing as ninja style Ninjustu."

"There should be, its such a cool name…" Toshi went on, and then under his breath, "Karate is still lame…"

I nudged him in the gut, hard.

"Everybody ready?" Mom asked, being the last to enter the dojo. We all nodded. She had her red hair up in a high ponytail and was wearing a form-fitting red/white top with matching sweats. Some sort of gold design ran up the leg of it but she moved so fast, I couldn't get a good look.

"What your about to witness in this room must stay in this room." my father said sternly.

"Yes sir" "Yes papa" "Understood" were the responses. He nodded, satisfied. Then looked at my mother; who stared straight back at him. Her expression was unusually solemn. She almost always sported a smile but I figured it was a ninja thing. They changed into their fighting stances, which were different. Dad looked to us.

"Right now, we are about to engage in combat using two variations of a similar style" he explained, "I am using Hayabusa clan ninitsju."

"And I'm using Mugen Tenshin clan Ninjustu" my mother added expertly. In our minds, we took notes.

"Watch carefully but do not try this yourselves." my father went on, in an I-mean-business tone. Again we all nodded and he returned his gaze to mom. She was ready. They bowed and suddenly they both disappeared. Toshi, Jillian, and I stood up in amazement.

"They really are ninjas!" Jillian exclaimed. My parents soon re-appeared and mom tried to high kick dad, who blocked it with ease. He attempted a sweep kick but mom leapt and kicked dad in the chest. He staggered back slightly but when mom came in to take advantage, he countered her punch by grabbing her arm and throwing her into the air! We watched as dad teleported up, catching mom in mid air and then letting her down softly.

"Teach me that!" Toshi yelled, still on his feet. We all were, this was more exciting then any martial arts movies we've seen! Neither parent paid him any mind and continued fighting. Mom was quickly gaining the upper hand with crazy punch, punch, kick combos. A flip and a teleport were thrown in for variety, keeping dad guessing. But, he soon caught on to her little game and began countering. It was insane! He'd counter, then she'd counter, then he'd teleport, then she'd do a combo, he'd do a counter then combo, and so on with fighting moves we've never seen them use before. Suddenly, they stopped, bowing at one another.

"Two minutes are up" dad said. All three of us stared at them in amazement.

"You never told me you could teleport!!" Toshi exclaimed. "I gotta know how to do that!!"

"Me too!" I yelled.

"No, the technique is far too advanced" he answered, "first; you must complete your basic training." I smiled. I was closest to finishing my basic training. My brother pouted, he was quite a ways off.

"Who wants Strawberry Millefeuille?" My mother asked sweetly. Toshi and Jillian both yelped with delight and followed my mom downstairs. I stayed in the dojo with dad.

"You don't want dessert?" He asked me, smiling.

"I'm ready to finish basic training" I responded. He sighed.

"Tomorrow morning, 5 a.m sharp."

"Thank you"

"Kaida?"

"Yes?"

"Could you bring up some Millefeuille for me?"

"Of course papa" I left the room. And the next morning, as promised Dad had me complete the basics and even taught me to teleport (after much pleading on my part).

Jillian was still psyched about last night's events.

"You weren't kidding when you said your parents were ninjas!" She said loudly. I quickly hushed her.

"It's a secret, remember?" I reminded. Jillian nodded.

"Not like anyone else would believe me anyway…" she added playfully.

It was true; Jillian had a huge imagination and was obsessed with all that was anime related. That was what attracted her to me, I was told (by her) I looked like a Kunoichi from a fighting game she loved playing…and then would tell everyone I was a Kunoichi. She was humored but not believed. I couldn't prove to everyone I really was because of my father's strict rules about not using martial arts outside the house. Mom backed him up on it, though neither explained why. I knew never to use it against someone but showing off a couple of moves couldn't cause any harm, right? So I kept it a secret that I was a Kunoichi from my best friend from grades first thru eleventh. During our senior year of high school, I had to tell her. She was like a sister to me at this point and I felt really bad about hiding part of my life from her. I showed off some moves, and Jillian thought I was awesome. Then I told her my parents were both ninjas. The rest is history.

The bell rang for lunch.

"I don't know why, but I'm still in the mood for more of your mom's strawberry millefeuille." Jillian slightly whined.

"They have strawberry short cake?" I tried compromising, pointing towards them as we waited in the lunch line.

"It's not the same."

Only two cakes were left and one was taken by platinum blonde girl and the other was grabbed by Kentaro. I became really mad, I wanted that last slice! He saw me eyeing the slice and grinned. I rolled my eyes and settled for a humble slice of apple pie. Jillian followed suit and we sat down at our usual spot in the lunch room, the table right next to the window.

"Darn Kentaro…" I mumbled.

"Why don't you ask him to trade?" Jillian wondered smiling, "I bet he'd give it to you for a kiss!"

"No way!" I responded quickly, "that guy is a total jerk."

"Then use some slick ninja moves on him, didn't you learn how to teleport this morning? I say go for it!"

"I'm not that good yet and besides, my dad is super strict about using martial arts outside the house."

"Even for an emergency?"

"Yea…well, this isn't really an emergency. It's just Kentaro being Kentaro." I sighed. Then I started imagining beating the living daylights out of him …

"Hey Kaida."

My thoughts were interrupted by a deep male voice. Knowing exactly who it was, I stood up to face Kentaro face to face. Well, not actually face to face. The dude beat me by 7 inches. Either way, I glared up at him as evilly as possible. He grinned.

"Why are you here anyway?" I snarled. He continued grinning.

"To ask you out on a little date."

"NEVER!!" I yelled. The entire lunch room went silent and focused their attention on us. Kentaro looked at me thoughtfully.

"Sorry if I offended you or anything but honestly, I'd like for us to hang out, ya know?" He sounded legit. Plus he was hot.

"But still-"

He grabbed me for a kiss. I let him. Jillian choked on her pie. People gasped. Some clapped. A teacher grunted and told us to break it up. The date was set…