Chapter: Thunderstorm
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A thunderstorm was rumbling loudly throughout most of the night. The sound of the thunder booming in the sky was not only loud but it was shaking the houses in the village. A loud thunder boom, which lasted longer than the others and rattle the house woke Ana straight from her slumber. Her right hand moved to her belly where the little one was kicking up their own little storm.
Ana sat up in the futon and she turned her head to the right where her eyes settle on Ujio. His face twitched a little. His hand slid off her stomach to drop on her right thigh. Slowly and carefully, Ana got up from the futon with much effort due to her round eight month pregnant belly. She rubbed her hand in a circular motion against the side of her belly. Once she stepped out of Ujio and her bedroom, she began to hum softly underneath her breath.
The little one continued to kick against her hand while she walked around, softly humming a soft tune underneath her breath.
"I know little one. Mommy snapped awake from the storm too." Ana talked down to her pregnant belly with a small smile.
There was another rumble of the thunder, which made Ana to flinch a little at how loud it was. She walked around in a circle, but she came to a pause when she noticed something out of place.
The shoji door to the room which contained Ujio's samurai armor was opened. Slowly, she walked over to the room and she peek inside to see nothing out of the unusual in the room. Her eyes scanned every corner and every shadowy area to see nothing. Slowly, Ana pushed the door open some more to examine the room more closely.
Ana knelt down near Ujio's armor. She stared at the blades and war fans carefully set upon the stands. She knew Ujio had slept with one of the short blades underneath their futon every night.
Something did not sit well with Ana. She could feel something was off.
Suddenly the hairs on her body raised. It was not due to a cool draft drifting through the house. Ana touched one of Ujio's spare wakizashi on the stand beneath the other wakizashi he used daily. Her hand wrapped around the wakizashi. She could feel herself being watched now.
There was a loose floorboard in the room near the other doorway, which led into a small hallway which led out of the house. It would make a small squeak sound whenever someone stepped on certain parts. Ujio said he would replace it when he was not busy and on a nice day. This particular loose floorboard was what made Ana to know someone was in the house.
A soft squeak made her to clench the wakizashi, unsheathe the blade and she spun around to block a blade coming down on her.
"Ujio!" Ana screamed before the thunderstorm let out a loud boom.
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"Ujio!"
Ujio snapped awake. His hand wrapped around the keiken tanto blade he hid underneath his side of the futon. He sat up but quickly brought up the blade to block claws from slicing through him.
His eyes widen as it was ninjas. He knew instantly this had to be Omura's doing. Instead of attacking when everyone was awake, they were attacking when everyone was at their weakest, which was sleeping.
With a yell, Ujio pushed the ninja off and away from him. He stood up and charged the ninja. He tackled them through the bedroom shoji door. Ujio made sure to stab the short blade through the ninja's chest the moment they slammed onto the floor.
With the ninja dead, Ujio stood up and ripped the blade out. The thunderstorm raged outside, but he could faintly hear the yelling outside in the village. The village was under attack. He then heard clanking sounds from the other room where his samurai armor was.
Ujio ran to the room where he caught sight of Ana slice the head off of a ninja with his spare wakizashi. She panted as she stared down at the headless body. He stepped into the room some more.
"Ana."
She whirled around, panting, eyes were wide, and the wakizashi raised. She walked up to him and he wrapped his arm around her. He held her close. His eyes were on the headless ninja who dared attack his pregnant wife. He wished he was able to fight them to make them suffer for coming after a pregnant woman, but also, being a part of attacking the village.
"Are you both all right?" Ujio asked.
"Yes, we are fine. The little one won't stop moving though."
"The rush has you both filled with energy, especially you, with motherly instincts kicking in." Ujio said before he pressed his lips against the side of her head and his free hand rubbed against her pregnant belly.
"There is more outside, Ujio."
"I know."
"Go."
"Come with me. I will lead you to Taka's home."
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The rain was coming down hard. Thunder shook the whole land and flashes of lightning lit everything up in a whitish blue glow for brief moments before it gone dark again.
It was hard to detect where the ninjas were, but Ujio was able to notice them at the sound of their feet in the mud. He made sure to walk through mud and where there were a lot of puddles. His attention was all over the place to pick up any unusual detail.
A pair of hands clenched the back of his top. He was leading Ana toward Taka's home, where he saw a few ninja bodies laid about. As he got inside, he held up his katana as Nathan appeared in the doorway with his own.
"We are under attack." Nathan blurted out.
"Good observation." Ujio said dryly as he pushed Nathan aside.
Ana pulled the robe off from her head as she used it to block most of the rainfall. Nathan led Ujio and Ana to where Taka was with her two boys. Nobutada stood guard at the door, and nodded at them when they came near.
"Taka." Ana whispered.
"Ana." Taka stood up to come forth.
The two women hugged one another before Taka led Ana into the room, helping her to sit down and talking about staying calm, especially being in a pregnant state.
Ujio, Nathan and Nobutada stared at the two women before their eyes were on each other.
"We have to go out there."
"Yes. Nathan with me. Nobutada, you will protect them." Ujio nodded toward the room where Taka, Higen, Magojiro and a pregnant Ana was.
"I will, you have my word." Nobutada nodded.
Ujio glanced at Ana, who lifted her head up to stare at him.
"You better come back." Ana said firmly.
A small smirk slid onto Ujio lips, enjoying the way his wife would not tolerate him failing at what he does.
"I will, Ana."
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There were bodies laid out in all the areas Nathan and Ujio ran through. There were samurai fighting off ninjas and taking them down with fury. Nathan and Ujio knew it would be a dangerous time going toward the temple where Katsumoto stayed. It was dangerous because they had to go through the woods, where ninjas would surely hide better than in an open village.
Ujio made Nathan to follow him with the idea to go through the woods itself without the trail. But also, far away from the trail, where he would assume some ninjas waited for someone to walk down the path to the temple.
It felt as if it took forever to go up the hills, dodge trees and bushes, but Ujio saw they made it without any attempts on them by ninjas. Nathan appeared beside him, panting a little and clenching his katana in his hand.
There were samurais fighting off ninjas throughout the temple land. Ujio and Nathan ran toward the temple, jumping up onto the porches to run toward a door to get inside. When they did, the two ended up back to back to fight up ninjas who were presence. Working together, the two managed to take down the three ninjas.
"Hmp."
"What?" Nathan looked at Ujio with a questionable look.
"So, your training did pay off." Ujio smirked as he walked forward.
Nathan sighed and rolled his eyes before he trailed after his brother-in-law.
The two came to an open room, where Katsumoto was fighting off four ninjas. Quickly, Nathan and Ujio charged forward to block blades coming down on Katsumoto before Katsumoto could block them. Katsumoto eyes widen at the sight of Nathan and Ujio, but soon there was a thankful look in his dark brown eyes.
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Taka's Home
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Ana had one hand rubbing her belly and the other clenching Ujio's spare wakizashi. She could not believe how close she was from being taken down by a ninja. Her body would not calm down and Taka saw that.
"Please, breath. You have to calm yourself." Taka whispered as she sat down beside Ana.
"They were so close, Taka. What if I did not wake and got up to walk around? What if—"
"Yes, what if." Taka said.
Ana eyes shot to her with confusion.
"We cannot change what has already happen. You are here. Ujio and you are alive with your little one. There is no more what ifs now because it has already happen. Now, I need you to calm yourself down and clear your mind of these what ifs." Taka explained as she handed Ana a cup of water.
It took a bit, but Ana managed to calm herself down as Taka requested.
The calmness could only last for a few moments.
The sound of Nobutada unsheathing his katana made the two women to peek out the half open door, seeing two ninjas coming down the hallway with their own blades out. Taka made her two boys to move to the corner, farthest away from the door and out of view. Ana and Taka stayed away from the door, but watched through the opening to be on guard.
The two women watched as Nobutada held up his own against two ninjas. But then a third ninja appeared, which made Nobutada to unsheathe his wakizashi to be able to block with two hands. He took down one ninja, and he tried to take down a second, but he got nicked across the back.
"Argh!" Nobutada staggered a bit away.
The two ninjas were about to take the opportunity of Nobutada unbalanced, not paying any attention to the two samurai wives in the other room.
Taka did not say anything as Ana stood up and chucked the wakizashi with a direct throw.
The wakizashi gone through the neck of a ninja causing them to let out a gurgle and dropped face first into the ground. The other ninja turned around to see what had happened. The ninja looked toward the open door where Ana stood with Taka. Before the ninja could come toward them, the ninja was stabbed straight through by Nobutada.
Nobutada panted at the exertion of fighting against the ninjas. He stepped near the ninja with Ujio's spare wakizashi through their neck and pulled it out. He stared at the blade. He knew he saw Ujio use this wakizashi before. Nobutada used a small cloth to clean the blood off before he walked into the room where the women and children were.
Taka had made Ana to sit back down. Once again Taka helped Ana to calm herself down. Nobutada stepped forward and knelt down before Ana, holding out the wakizashi with a smirk. Ana eyed him with a tilt of the head as she accepted the wakizashi back.
"Why that look?" Ana questioned the young man.
"Because you are definitely Ujio's wife." Nobutada smiled widely.
A small cough made Ana to look at Taka, who was trying to hide her laughter but failed to do so. Higen began to laugh lowly, and Magojiro laughed as he saw everyone else began to laugh. Ana pouted a little, but then she smiled as she looked at Nobutada.
"And I am proud of it." Ana nodded with a smile.
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The thunderstorm let up. The rain was not pouring in heavy droplets, but a light sprinkle. The thunder was moving toward the mountains, but the rumbling could still be heard. The sky was trying to light up, showing how much time has pass. The sun was going to be raising in an hour or so. The sky lighting up was enough to see the damage done upon the village.
The ninjas were disbanded. Some ran off out of the village, but most were dead in the village. Katsumoto moved throughout the village, seeing not only the bodies of ninjas, but faces he had never seen before in the village. It was clear Omura had sent some of his own personal men, or those who stand by Omura and who could fight. Katsumoto bowed his head when he saw the grief of the villagers faces. There were villagers who were killed in this unexpected attack by Omura. There was a portion of samurai who were killed too.
"This is a cowardly move." Nathan blurted out.
Katsumoto halted in his steps to look at Nathan, who had rage in his eyes. On the other side of Nathan stood Ujio, who had rage in his expression too. Both men stared at the damage done with pure agony and rage.
"Attacking at the weak point. Trying to assassinate when we are all sleeping." Nathan said through clenched teeth.
"And it shows he cannot face us face-to-face with honor." Ujio said strongly, clenching the hilt of his sheathed katana.
Katsumoto looked away from them to continue to stare around at the village.
"We will need to rebuild, but we need to come up with another plan to defend our village throughout the whole day and night." Katsumoto said as he began to walk toward his sister's home.
"And Omura? What about him?" Nathan asked.
"We took down most of what he sent twice." Katsumoto replied.
"He can hire more, my lord." Ujio pointed out.
Katsumoto glanced at Ujio, eyeing his close friend and the sword master. He knew Ujio was always the one to speak up to add in a new suggestion or to give Katsumoto a look from another view. Yet, Katsumoto also realized Ujio spoke up even more because Ujio has a wife and soon to be child on the way. The sword master would do anything to keep his family safe.
Katsumoto looked away from Ujio. He knew Omura would continue to retaliate against them unless something was done to make Omura to end his revenge. Katsumoto looked around the village again, seeing those who were killed and then seeing the villagers and samurai mourn over their close ones. Katsumoto knew what must be done.
"Omura dares to attack us at our home. Why not take it to his?" Katsumoto said strongly, showing he has had enough too.
Both Nathan and Ujio glanced at one another before their eyes settle back on Katsumoto. The two gave a firm nod. Katsumoto gave a nod back before he stepped up onto the porch of his sister's home.
The sight of three ninjas bodies made Katsumoto, Ujio and Nathan to rush toward the room where they found Nobutada with the women and children. Nobutada was being treated by Taka and Ana for the wound across his back.
"We are safe." Ana assured the men.
Ana was about to stand up, which made Ujio to step over to her and he helped her up. She gave him a small smile and she reached out to touch his cheek, brushing strands of semi-wet hair away from his face.
"Good to see you back. You are not injure, are you?"
"I am good." Ujio answered, rubbing his right hand around on her belly and feeling the little one move around.
"It seems you had company." Katsumoto said as he knelt down in front of his son.
"Yes, they came in through the front and appeared to be checking the inside out. They soon came forward. It was two at first before a third showed up. They caught me off guard." Nobutada said, wincing a little as Taka was finishing with cleaning his wound.
"I am glad you are okay. You did well." Katsumoto rested his hand on Nobutada shoulder with a tiny grin.
"Thank you, father. And Ujio?"
"Yes?" Ujio looked away from Ana to stare at Nobutada with a raised eyebrow.
"She is definitely your match." Nobutada said.
A small laugh escaped from Higen and a tiny grin on Taka lips made Ujio to stare at all of them with confusion before his eyes settle on Ana. Both Katsumoto and Nathan also stared at everyone with confusion, not knowing what Nobutada meant and why the others found it amusing.
"She took down one of those ninjas with the wakizashi. It goes to show you how well train she is by Ujio. Anyone can tell she is the wife of Ujio by the way she fights." Nobutada explained.
Now, Katsumoto, Nathan and Ujio could understand the amusement. The three shook their heads, trying to hide their amusement from their faces, especially with the situation that happen. Yet, they did not mind there was some uplifting emotions in this gloomy, dark day.
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The clean up of the village was on the way. There was a ceremony held for all those who lost their lives during the unexpected late night attack. There were many would grieved. Some turned their grief to anger. There were many who wanted to get back at Omura, which Katsumoto assured everyone they would face Omura.
Ana sat on the back porch of Ujio and her home. Her hands were cupping a cup of green tea. The warmth heating up her hands. The little one continues to be active inside of her. She would rub her hand against her belly, hoping it would calm the baby down.
"The little one has not stop moving yet?" Ujio appeared around the house and stepped up onto the back porch.
"No, but I am entering the nine month period, Ujio. I am afraid."
Ujio sat down beside her. One of his hands ran down her back and the other ran over her bulging pregnant belly, feeling their little one move around. His eyes flicker up to Ana, seeing how worry she was for their baby. Ujio took the green tea cup from her, setting it down on the tray on the other side of her before his arms came around her.
Ana shut her eyes as Ujio held her against him, and one of his hands began to rub calming circles on her stomach. She then heard Ujio speak in a low tone, speaking toward the baby. She could not help but grin, listening to him tell their little one to calm down so she did not have to worry anymore.
"You both will be fine Ana." Ujio whispered, resting his forehead against the side of her head.
There was nothing she could think of as a reply to Ujio. She simply kept her eyes shut, listening to Ujio continue to speak in a calm tone to their little one.
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