Chapter 3: The New Kid on the Block – Sari Fukiomi

I was just walking on the path when I heard two horses approaching. I jumped up into the trees and waited for the riders to pass. Looking down I saw a young man in blue with an eye patch riding a black stallion. There was also another man riding next to him on a chestnut, and he seemed to be giving the younger man in blue a lecture of some sort. As the two men passed, I stepped closer to the tree so that I would not be seen. The riders passed under me and were soon out of sight. I jumped down and resumed my walk. I was in a bit of a hurry now, so I took to the trees and began running with my ninja speed pushing me forward. I was late for a meeting with an old friend.

I was soon at the appointed meeting place. I looked around the place before coming out of my concealment. There was a large lake in front of me and to my right was a waterfall cascading down. There was also a fire pit to the left of me with five flat stones around it. I made my way over to the pit and set my small pack on the ground next to one of the stones. The stones where big enough that two people could sit on one and not touch or one person could lay on one and sleep comfortably. I took another look around and decided that my friend wasn't here yet. So, I sat down on the stone that was facing the lake with my back to the forest.

After a while I heard a rustle in the trees behind me, but I didn't move. I kept as still as possible, but allowed my heart and breathing to continue on evenly. There was another rustle before it got really quiet. Suddenly something shot out at me. I jumped and the thing passed right under me and into the lake with a big splash. As I straightened myself out, a figure appeared from under the water. The woman was about my height, with long blond hair that was pulled back. She was dressed in a black ninja suit and was now completely drenched. It was so comical I had to force myself not to laugh out loud. I walked over and knelt down in front of her at the edge of the lake, offering a hand to help her out. She looked at me and I couldn't help it, I smiled and chuckled softly.

"How's it going Kasuga?" She glared at me before taking my hand and allowing me to pull her out of the water. I went over to my pack and got a towel for her. I threw it to her and she removed the soaked clothes and wiped herself down. I started a fire and laid her wet clothes out to dry. Kasuga took a pair of dry clothes out of a bag I had not noticed before. She got dressed and then came and sat on the stone across from mine. I took my seat and we both just stared at each other for a moment. Then she smiled at me and the tension was gone. "It is good to see you Sari. How long has it been?" Kasuga asked me. I looked at her and tried to remember the last time I had seen her. "Four years I think. At this very spot no doubt." I replied smiling, remembering the time. I knew she would yell but I had to say it, "You fell in the water back then too."

Kasuga looked away from me, but I saw the smile playing across her lips. Nope, she had not changed much in the time we had been apart. I got up and took a pack of fish out of my sack. I put them on a stick and began rotating them above the fire. Kasuga kept a round of question and answer going while I cooked. She asked where I had been, who I had been with, why I had left, how long I was planning to stay, etc… I answered her as well as I could but I didn't really tell her the whole story. There where parts of me and my past that I wanted to stay in the past.

After the fish were cooked, I handed her some and I ate some. While we ate it was my turn to play question and answer. Kasuga did most of the talking as normally she did. She told me about how she had been ordered to kill one Uesugi Kenshin. But when she saw him, she fell completely in love with him. She was now his must trusted ninja. She told me about the rivalry between Kenshin and a man by the name of Takeda Shingen. I listened as she described the ninja of the Takeda clan, Sarutobi Sasuke, whom she absolutely loathed. I had to laugh at that. You see Sasuke, Kasuga, and I had all trained at the same ninja school. We had known each other for a very long time and Sasuke was always making fun of Kasuga. I was the smart one of the group and the outcast. I never really gave my loyalty to anyone except my family. "Sari?" It was Kasuga and she looked worried. "Sari are you alright? You have this really dark look on your face." Oh, I must have been thinking too hard about my family. "Oh, ya I'm fine. I was just thinking about how you and Sasuke were always such a handful as friends when we were in school is all." I watched as her concern went away and she started up about Sasuke again. That was close. The last thing I need is Kasuga worrying about me.

We kept talking long after the sun had gone down. Both of us lay down on our own stone and looked up at the stars. After a moment of silence, Kasuga sat up on her elbow so that she was looking at me. "Sari, would you like to stay here with me and Lord Kenshin? I'm sure he wouldn't mind having another ninja and I also think he would really like you. What do ya say?" I was a little surprised at the sudden offer. I hadn't really thought about anything except coming to see Kasuga and maybe Sasuke and then leaving again. Staying in one place was a little hard for me. But now that I had a place that wanted me and people who would like me to stay, I felt really good about it. I looked over at Kasuga and she was still propped up, looking at me, waiting for an answer. "Well, Kasuga I think we should talk to your Lord before anything else. I don't want to be a burden to anyone." Kasuga's face softened and she nodded. We both fell silent then, thinking about different things. We eventually fell asleep.

&The dream was always the same, but it always caught me off-guard. I was running in a wood and there was something behind me, chasing me. The figure that always appeared in my nightmares. I knew who it was, but I didn't want to see that face. I hurt like hell every time I had to see it. I kept running and the thing kept chasing. In my mind I was trying to find out why I couldn't get away from this thing. Why did I have to keep running? Why couldn't I just find a nice place that it couldn't find me? I tripped and fell to the ground. The shadow that had been chasing me rose up in front of me. I looked up into the figures face but it was covered in shadow. A hand formed and as it reached out to grab me…

"Sari?" someone was shaking me. I bolted upright and knocked my head agents Kasuga's who had been leaning over me. I rubbed my head and looked at Kasuga who had fallen back. She stood up rubbing her head to. We looked at each other and began to laugh. "Daja vu right?" I asked her. She nodded her head. We had hit out heads together the last time too. "Are you alright, though? You seemed to be dreaming about something unpleasant." Kasuga asked me, her earlier worry coming back. "Ya I'm fine. And about not dreaming of something pleasant, not all of us can dream about our lord now can we?" I asked her and watched as a deep blush appeared on her cheeks. We both got up and changed into our ninja uniforms. Kasuga was wearing her black one from the day before, it had dried overnight. I put on a pair of black pants that fit me well but allowed me to move. My shirt was blue and it had the yin-yang symbol on the back of it. I pulled on some sandals and we took off into the trees, leaving the lake behind us.

Kasuga wanted to show me around the capital of the Uesugi territory. We landed just outside a stone walled gate and we were greeted by two officers. They greeted Kasuga and stared at me. I blushed and looked away. We walk past them and into a big, bustling city. There were people everywhere and they were doing everything you could think of. Some were selling, some buying, and some trying to round up kids. I kept looking around at all the different types of food and clothing and other things I couldn't identify. Kasuga caught my wondered expression and laughed at me. She then took my arm and began walking me through the city. People greeted her and some bowed to her, but they were all friendly. Men stared at us wherever we went, me mostly. I couldn't help but be wowed. I had never seen a city before. Where I came from everyone was spread out and didn't like to be around crowds much. And no one was nearly as nice as the people of this place.

Suddenly everyone began to cheer and gather in the center of the roadway. Kasuga pulled me off to the side and we stood there and watched as everyone kept trying to push forward toward something. I was about to ask Kasuga what was going on, but when I turned to face her she was gone. I looked around franticly but I couldn't see her. Suddenly all the people stopped cheering and bowed. I was the only one not bowing, but I could know see why everyone was cheering.

About ¾ of a mile from me was an armed guard of men. I went for my katana, but something stopped me. A small hole had been made in the guard and a man was stepping out of the center of it. He was young maybe mid-twenties. He had ice blue eyes and was wearing white and blue garments. He was handsome, but what had stopped me was the fact that Kasuga was beside him. Kasuga was talking to him and he was looking around at the people, before his eyes locked on me. Kasuga followed his gaze and smiled at me. Kasuga said something to the man and he nodded. Then he began to walk toward me. Everyone by now had straightened up and they parted a pathway for him to walk. The people kept greeting him, saying "My Lord Kenshin." So, this was Uesugi Kenshin. I kept my hand on my sword hilt but I didn't move. Kenshin was now standing about five feet away from me, and I had no idea how to act.

Kasuga, obviously seeing my distress, came to my rescue. She stepped forward and came to stand beside me. Then she faced Kenshin and, while grabbing me, bowed to him. With her hand on my back I had no choice but to bow as well. We straightened and I saw that Kenshin was smiling at me. I relaxed a little, but not before Kasuga saw my hand on my sword. She exploded. "What are you holding you sword hilt for? What were you going to do? Attack?" she yelled at me. I grimaced at her words and she continued to rant. I looked around and watched as all the people went back to what they were doing normally. Kenshin stood there and was finding Kasuga's ranting humorous. Then, he stepped forward and put his hand on her shoulder and Kasuga fell silent. I was impressed; I didn't know anyone who could stop Kasuga when she went off the handle like that. Kenshin then turned back to face me. "Well it seems as if Kasuga has forgotten her manners. So, I will begin the introductions. I am Uesugi Kenshin." He said bowing to me. I blushed slightly, the lord of a territory just bowed to me. He stood up and I realized it was my turn. "My name is Sari Fukiomi." I said and bowed back to him. When I straightened up he was smiling at me. I gave a small smile of my own in return.

Kasuga had just stood by until now she stepped forward and said to Lord Kenshin, "I was showing her around the city. She comes from a place where there are no cities." Kenshin looked a little taken back at the sound of this. I blushed again, thanks Kasuga for making me sound like a complete fool! Kenshin saw the blush and smiled again, "Then I will join you on your walk. I could tell you many things about this city." He told me. I nodded and thanked him. He just shook his head. Kasuga grabbed my arm and began pulling me through the city again. Kenshin followed behind us silently, though I always knew he was there, I could feel his eyes on me.

I soon forgot about that as we kept walking. I saw a group of people behind a stage looking thing and a couple of children were watching as the people behind the stage used these little people to tell a story. Kasuga told me that is was a puppet play and that the little people were the puppets. I was fascinated by this, I had never heard of such a thing. When I asked what it was for, Kenshin laughed. "It is just something for the kids. It is a none profit thing." He said. I was stunned. People doing something for others and not wanting money? I had never heard of it. We kept walking and we entered a square that was surrounded by people selling food of all kinds and there were people in the middle of the square dancing to a group of musicians. I stood there watching as the people dance and ate. Kasuga soon pulled Kenshin into the dance and they were having a ball. I was sitting on a bench watching and smiling as my friend danced with the person she loved most. A young man soon came up to me and bowed asking for my hand. I agreed and he led me out into the group of dancers. We danced for a couple of songs and I really enjoyed being with someone normal. Kenshin, Kasuga, and I found each other again. The young man bowed to Kenshin and smiled at me before leaving.

We kept walking until I had seen the whole city. It was getting late and I wanted to head back to the lake soon. However when Kenshin heard this he shook his head no and said, "You are going to be staying at the mansion with Kasuga and I. I will not have one of my ninja outside this wall late at night." I just stood there and stared at him. His ninja? I turned and looked at Kasuga and she wouldn't meet my gaze. Kenshin saw this little interaction and figured out the problem. He smiled and said, "I'm guessing Kasuga didn't tell you that I had already accepted you into the Uesugi army?" I looked at Kasuga one more time before turning to face him and answering, "No, Lord Kenshin, she did not. Kasuga asked me to stay here just last night and I have not given my answer." Kenshin looked at me then, "Well then what is your answer?" I was a little dumbfounded. It was almost as if these two had planned… all of…. this….. and then I looked at Kasuga who was just now looking up. I glared lightly at her and she smiled back at me. "I guess it would be rude not to accept your proposition, my Lord Kenshin. And I thank you for allowing me to stay." I bowed to him and Kasuga run up and nearly knocked me over as she hugged me. Kenshin smiled and with that he turned and led us up the path to a ring of trees.

I found out that the ring of trees was meant for privacy. After the trees there was a huge mansion in the very heart of the city. The white bricked structure was very impressive. A man met us at the sliding door and asked that Lord Kenshin go with him. Kenshin told Kasuga to get me settled and then he said goodnight and left. Kasuga seemed worried, but she did as she was ordered. We went up three flights of stairs and down a couple of halls. I was glad I had a photographic memory, I wouldn't not like to get lost. We went into a room and there was a bed roll and a small table in it. I looked around and then faced Kasuga. She was obviously worried about whatever Kenshin was dealing with right now.

I walked over and put my hand on her shoulder. She looked up and gave a weak smile. I said, "Go. He needs you more than I do right now. I'm fine." She looked at me before hugging me tightly. "I'm glad you are staying." She told me. Then, she was gone. I slid the door closed and set my bag on the small table. I walked over to the other wall of the room and opened another sliding door. I walked out onto a privet balcony. It was rimmed with wooden railings and it over looked a small pond in the yard of the mansion. It also gave a great view of the moon and sky. I walked back inside my room and slid the door closed. I got out of my ninja clothes and put on loose fitting pants and a sleeveless white shirt. I put my sandals agents the door leading out into the hall. I put my katana next to my sleeping roll and lay down. I covered up with the blankets on the roll. I hadn't slept in the mansion like this since I left home. I was beginning to drift off into sleep when I heard a rustle in the trees outside. I got up and walked outside for a moment. There was not wind, but the leaves of the trees across from me were disturbed as if someone had just been there. I waited for a minute. Nothing happened. I put it up to my nerves and went back in. I lay down again and waited for a moment. After that I drifted off into sleep.

The man jumped down just in time to avoid the girl's eyes. A young teenage walked out and looked around. She had shoulder black hair with red highlights on her side bangs. Her silver eyes looked around and the man was just close enough to make out some of the gold in them. The girl waited for just a moment before returning to her room. The man smirked, she hadn't noticed him. She was losing her touch. The man ran to the edge of the trees that circled the house, through the town, and over the wall that surrounded the city. His black horse was waiting for him and he jumped on and rode off. The man made great timing and was back in Owari, before the next afternoon. He dismounted and walked into the mansion of his lord. He was shown in and went and bowed to a man sitting on a black thrown. The man on the thrown was tall and muscular. He had black hair and a black mustache to match it. But the thing that was most interesting was the eyes. They were fire red and they were as cruel and their owner.

"What have you learned Mitsuhide?" the man on the thrown asked his general. The man bowing looked up and smiled cruelly, his long white hair framing his face. He stood up and approached his lord. "I have just found the one you have been searching for. She is in Echigo. It seems she plans to stay there for a while." Mitsuhide reported. The girl he had seen was a very fine prize to both him and his lord. The man on the thrown grunted and stood up, showing off his height of about 6" 6'. "Then we shall deal with the Dragon of Echigo and bring her back here where she belongs. Tell Noh and the others to prepare to leave." With that the man left the room. Mitsuhide began to walk back the way he came and said, "As you wish, Lord Nobunaga."

Back in Echigo, I shot up out of my bed. I had just had the strangest pain in my life. I felt like something was coming. And my heart was aching because whatever it was was going to take me away from this place. I got up and went outside onto the balcony. I had only spent one day here but I already didn't want to be parted from it. Kasuga, Kenshin, the people, it had all became important to me in only a day. I wasn't going to let anything separate me from my place here. Not even that thing from my past. I stood there watching as the sun crept over the horizon and the people began the new day.