TALES OF THE WARRIORS: Nabiki

Later that night...

A lone figure half ran half stumbled through a forest. Her breaths came out in ragged gasps as she tried to move faster. She jumped over a small fault, as two shadowy figures dashed after her. The female goat looked behind her to see how far away they were. Finally, she reached the opening of the trees where an open field leads towards a large town. Her face lit up with hope as she tried to use the last of her strength to dash for the town.

Suddenly two chains shot out from the trees and wrapped around her ankles. She fell on her stomach. The chains start pulling her into the forest, her hands scratching desperately to escape. Her face turned to that of terror as she was dragged roughly towards two shadowy figures cackling evilly.

"HELP ME! HELP!"

She was pulled in, and her screams ended abruptly.

The next morning at the Hidden Mountain Clan…

The sun had just started rising, yet the training grounds of the ninja academy was already full of students and teachers. Apparently, they had all started training about two hours earlier. It was to be expected with these kinds of ninja clans. Younger children ranging from ages five to eight were learning basic hand to hand combat skills and stamina exercises such as running and jumping. Nine to twelve-year old's were studying basic ninja techniques through scrolls and classes. Thirteen to seventeen were being trained in weapons combat. And eighteen and up were learning the more advanced skills.

Nabiki and those that she had grown up training with had just finished all their exercises and after a five-minute break, albeit one of three they had so far, were waiting patiently for their teacher to meet with them. Eventually Tenzo appeared, clad in his full ninja uniform sans the mask.

"Students, yesterday's mission had been a success. That doesn't mean you are full shinobi masters yet, as you and even I still have a long way to go." He said.

The group nodded. Tenzo continued to speak.

"One of the greatest techniques that our clan uses are the art of teleportation, the ability to move instantaneously from one location to another without physically occupying the space in between. With this we can move to certain distances and to give us an advantage in battle."

The group remained stoic but inside they were all feeling excited. All of them wanted to learn to teleport. Nabiki can already imagine herself just teleporting repeatedly around an enemy and defeating him with ease. Bao was imagining himself using the technique to go to places he wants to go in no time flat. Tenzo can already tell how they were feeling, having felt the same way when he was their age ten years ago. He then decided to demonstrate.

"Observe."

He suddenly vanished in a small puff of dust, reappearing right behind the group. The students turned quickly to see him smiling at them before teleporting yet again back to his original spot. This time a few of them couldn't hold back eager grins.

"That is how teleportation works. Being able to teleport requires a lot of training, mental discipline, and a good imagination."

He gestured to the ground behind him to reveal fourteen circles on the ground with an equal number of squares five feet away from the circles. "These are going to be used as practice for every one of you. The trick is to try and teleport from the circle to the squares. You have all read the scrolls and studied how it works. But can you do it?"

Everyone shouted, "Hai sensei!"

"Then let's go pick a spot."

One minute later everyone has picked their own circle and were standing inside it. Nabiki took a deep breath to better focus herself on the square. As the scroll had said, it was a matter of concentration patience, as it is for anything. She looked carefully at the square, slowly imagining herself going straight in. Tenzo stayed silent for another minute until he was sure everyone was prepared.

"BEGIN!"

The next thing Nabiki knew was that she was losing her balance and hitting the ground. She wasn't the only one though as some of the others were either stumbling or falling over like her. This was a lot harder than the scrolls said.

"That was graceful." She said sarcastically.

The pig ninja next to her only grumbled in response. Tenzo bit back a laugh.

"Good first attempt everyone. We'll be practicing this the entire day." He grinned.

Bao got back to his feet. "Did you have a tough time like us sensei?"

"Yes. Though unlike the rest of you I fell on my face." Tenzo said. "Now get back to training you lot."

The next few hours were just a time of watching these young warriors struggling to learn the art of teleportation. Nabiki constantly found herself somehow spinning in place without even meaning to, which kept causing her to fall over. One of the other students kept falling on his butt. Another paralyzed herself somehow.

At one-point Bao had shut his eyes and did some sort of hop into the square. He was so pleased with himself until he saw several students, including Nabiki roaring with laughter. When lunch time came, none of them have come even close to teleporting. Bao once again had jumped much to his utter embarrassment.

"Do not be discouraged my friends. It took Junichiro-sama years to master this skill. So this will become part of our training regime for a long time."

The ninja group bowed. "Hai sensei."

Tenzo nodded. "All right, you can have a quick lunch but be sure to be back in time. I believe we have another activity to get do next.

The group bowed again and then departed towards town. With many different food vendors, small restaurants and even a bar there was no way anyone could go hungry. However all the ninjas knew that in order to keep training they had to be careful not to eat too much. So it was that Nabiki and her friends Bao, and Ka Suo the ram only bought three bean buns each just enough to get them through the rest of the day.

"Teleporting in going to be a major pain to learn." Ka Suo complained. "As if we don't have enough ninja techniques to learn already."

Nabiki took a bite of her bun, swallowing before talking. "Tenzo-sama once said that we don't have to master all of the techniques in our lifetime. Just at least learn about them and feel for the ones that best suits you."

"Yeah, it's not like all of us are trying to become the head ninja." Bao added.

"I know I know, but it still feels like everything is being crammed together and that the need to master any techniques is pushed harder on us."

"There is always the option to quit." Nabiki suggested.

Ka Suo looked horrified. "And look like a wimp in the face of ninja history!? No way!"

"That reminds me, how did you two do in your teleporting?" Bao asked.

"I couldn't even feel the slightest hint of moving from one place to another."

"I kept on spinning and falling on my side." said Nabiki.

"Gee that sucks like a lot." said Bao.

"This coming from the cat who jumped into the square."

Ka Suo began roaring with laughter alongside Nabiki. Bao's face had a comical look of outrage as he sputtered to gain face. "Th-that only happened once!"

"Ha! Yeah, like ten times in a row!" Ka Suo had tears in his eyes as he chortled.

"Leave me alone will ya!?" Bao snapped. "Shouldn't we be heading back now!?"

Nabiki stood up, gathering the rest of her food. Though no longer laughing she still had a teasing smile on her face. "Yes yes, sorry Bao. We might as well eat along the way. Come on Ka Suo."

The ram got back up still giggling. "Coming coming."

As they walked back, Nabiki couldn't help but hear some of the gossip going around the village. Everyday the villagers always had something to talk about, whether it was about food, weddings, parties, events, or anything in particular, a person can bet that the village will be talking about it. So it was that Nabiki and the others were catching bits and pieces of the random conversations. Unlike most days where it is a happy gossip, today seemed to give an air of worry.

"Did you hear? This is the tenth attack this week."

"Some poor woman was chased."

"Is she alive?"

"I heard they stole everything but her undergarments."

"Such cowardliness."

"Bandits. Can't trust those jerks."

"I heard it wasn't just bandits."

"Poor thing is in shock."

Nabiki looked at her friends, knowing that they had heard the same thing. "Sounds like trouble."

Ka Suo nodded. "It sounds like these attacks are happening on a weekly basis. Yet no one has been killed."

"The attack happened last night apparently, The poor sheep was traumatized at the experience but at least she's alive." Bao added.

"Maybe we should tell our sensei's." Nabiki suggested.

"I have a feeling out masters already know about this."

Sure enough, Junichiro was looking over the reports with a frown on his face. Whatever is going on, it might not be long before his clan is affected too.