Passing the Torch

United Nations HQ, New York City, New York, USA…

After being saved by the mercenary ninja Crow, Urenna was sent to the UN headquarters in New York City. As soon as possible, Crow would go back to Nigeria and hunt down the very person responsible for sparking the Civil War there, the General nicknamed "Cain". Crow left Urenna to the watchful eye of his Commanding Officer, a woman at the time, named Kari Grady. Kari allowed someone else to take her spot as a dispatch for Crow to follow instructions. Kari wanted to know more about this sudden refugee that Crow rescued. So she took the 7 year old Urenna into a small room, just by themselves to talk.

Kari: "Urenna, I brought you here because I wanted to ask you some questions about yourself. Is that ok?"

Urenna said nothing, only looking down…

Kari: "Hmm…oh I know. You wanted to know about the man who brought you here right? To New York?"

This caught the girl's attention…

Kari: "Well his code name is Crow. A crow is a bird and we use animal names to give our spies so they can hide their real identities. He can be harsh at times, but Crow is a very kind man. I wonder, how did Crow find you in the first place?"

Urenna: "I…I dunno."

Kari: "I see." (Pauses) "Are you in school right now, eh Urenna?"

Urenna: "Uh huh."

Kari: "You are? There is a good boarding school that I used to attend as a girl. Maybe we can send you there until we can figure out something better."

Urenna was indifferent about it…

Kari: "Or how about we just leave right now and I can take you home with me. I took the rest of the day off. You can play with my niece's toys. She doesn't use them anymore. What do you say?"

Urenna (Thinks about it, then agrees.): "Ok."

Kari smiled when the young girl agreed to go home with her. She understood that Urenna had been through a lot given her young age. Kari hoped that Cain would get captured by Crow or even die by the ninja's blades. The CO was not the type to wish death on anyone, but individuals like Cain really deserved nothing more than eternal slumber.

Living well within the suburbs of Staten Island, New York, Kari let Urenna inside her home. As promised, Urenna stayed in the guest room where Kari's niece kept her toys stashed in the closet. Kari cooked her dinner and the two eventually had a dialogue about Urenna's life prior to the civil war in her country. It turns out Urenna came from a wealthy family and she was the princess of her tribe. Urenna's father, Udoka, was the person who made the distress call to the UN forcing Crow to take action against Cain and his allies. Knowing how good Crow was in his investigations, it would not take long to hear back from him. Kari assured Urenna that justice would prevail and she could rest easy inside her humble adobe.

The next day…

Urenna unexpectedly woke up early in the morning much like Kari did because the CO wanted to hear back from Crow. Rushing to the job before traffic could get bad, Kari was back in her post. Urenna once again had to stay in the room where she was being held the previous day. At least this time she borrowed the old Magna Doodle Kari's niece played with, which still worked much to the woman's surprise. After an hour of sitting anxiously, Kari finally received a message from Crow.

Crow: "CO do you copy?"

Kari (Commanding Officer): "Yes Crow, crystal! I was getting worried about you!"

Crow: "Who me?"

Kari: "Yes you! Don't you know you have a little girl stranded here in New York, while you went back to Nigeria? Did you get Cain?"

Crow: "You sound more animated than usual. I take it you and the girl must have bonded last night."

Kari: "We reached a sense of trust. Anyway let us get back at the matter of hand. Did you find Cain?"

Crow: "I did. However, after I defeated Cain I could not find his body after I kicked him off the rooftop at his army base in Lagos. I do not know how he would have survived such a fall. It must have been at least 100 meters down. Anyway, you should relay to our superiors that the base here is officially compromised. Send troops to this area as soon as you can. Right now the local police are here to close the area off. I still have to speak with the chief of the police about the Nigerian Government's activities involving this war. As least they haven't backed down to the government's will just yet."

Kari: "That sounds wonderful Crow, except for the part that Cain could not be found. I do find that strange."

Crow: "Yes. Even if he did survive, Cain is now a wanted man here in Nigeria. The government here will quickly try to wash away their business with this guy. Eventually they will need to shakeup their military forces and then speak with the populace in order to make a peace treaty so their economy can get back on the right track again."

Kari: "Right, that will be for the best. Once you clear things with the police, I need you to make your report and come see me pronto, understood?"

Crow: "Understood."

Kari: "Alright. I won't leave the office until you come back."

Crow: "Very well. Crow out."

Many hours later…

Kari waited and waited for Crow's return. She first told Urenna the details on what happened. The girl never smiled. Urenna only nodded her head over the revelations of her country's civil war. She appeared neither happy nor sad as she continued doodling on some blank paper. Then Kari returned to her post and later she went by her couch nearby in order to nap comfortably. Finally, Kari's intercom buzzed within her ears. Crow just touched down back at the UN Headquarters in order to make his report. Kari yawned and got herself together before meeting Crow at the nearby conference room. The two would then speak in private.

Crow: "Agent Crow here as ordered. Here is my report."

CO Kari (Takes it from him): "It's good to have you back Crow. I know you are tired, I am too. However, there is still one glaring issue."

Crow: "The young girl."

CO Kari: "Precisely. Since you decided to go back out and play with the bad guys, I had no choice but to watch over the young lady myself. She is a quiet one, but I can tell that her demeanor is unwavering, and she is quite talented."

Crow: "Talented?"

CO Kari: "Urenna can make some stunning pictures. All she does is draw pictures. Especially on my niece's Magna Doodle."

Crow (Sighs): "That's nice and all but the girl has no home to return to. Her city is still in ruins, bodies are still being counted, and no one has claimed to get this girl back."

CO Kari: "Are you really asking me to take care of her?"

Crow: "No, but as I say there isn't anyone from her homeland who can take her back."

CO Kari: "Silly question agent, but how old are you again?"

Crow: "My age? Why do you care to know?"

CO Kari: "Before you started working here, you said your master died while protecting you on a dangerous mission in Iraq. Is this true?"

Crow: "Yes. I wish not to relieve that experience."

CO Kari: "That was 16 years ago. So that would make you about how old now?"

Crow: "38."

CO Kari: "Right. So agent, since you are not getting any younger, I think you should pass on your talents to the next generation of potential ninjas. Starting with Urenna for instance."

Crow: "An apprentice?" (Sigh) "I don't know. My master took me in as a stow away. He was the only family I knew, but this girl here…is a former princess. But…she did attack me when I found her, more than one time. Without hesitation. She was willing to die."

CO Kari: "You see? Even a ninja can spot a worthy candidate to teach his or her arts."

Crow: "This is a massive undertaking given my occupation CO."

CO Kari: "Indeed. But it will be all the more satisfying for the Shika clan legacy. You and I both know the way of the ninja is fading as we speak."

Crow: "Where is the girl now?"

CO Kari: "I will take you to her. Follow me."

By the time Kari escorted Crow into the room where Urenna was inside, they noticed that she was out of the place.

Kari: "What? Where did she go?"

Crow (Rubbing his head): "You have got to be joking?"

Kari: "We have to find her!"

The two searched their floor everywhere, but no sign of her. Eventually, Crow and Kari went to the lobby areas of the UN building. This time, they did spot the young Urenna sitting alone drinking a bottle of water. How did she know where to find a soda machine in this place? And who bought it?

Kari: "Urenna! There you are!"

Urenna (Looks at the two grownups): "Hm?"

Kari: "You should not have left the room without telling me! We were worried about you!"

Urenna: "Sorry. I was getting thirsty."

Kari: "You don't even have money to get this. Who bought it for you?"

Urenna: "Another worker here. I think they already knew about me and they gave me this bottle of water."

Kari: "Urenna I'm sorry. I fell asleep on duty and I should have been more alert and kept tabs on you. Let's just go somewhere more private, Crow has something to tell you."

Urenna darted her eyes at the strangely clothed ninja standing tall above Kari. His look was creepy, with his long black hair, tanned skin, and rugged unshaven face to match his black combat ninja suit. Maybe Crow was going to take her back home. Or was there something else going on Urenna did not know about?

Inside another conference room at the 3rdfloor…

Kari: "Listen to me very carefully Urenna. Crow and I have decided that it is not wise to send you off back to your country."

Urenna (Lowering her eyes): "But…my family."

Kari: "I know. Your family is gone. It's true, but now you have to grow up a lot faster than most girls. That why I decided that Crow will become your guardian."

Urenna: "Huh? Him?" (Points) "That scary guy?"

Kari: "He's not scary, trust me. He only looks like that because he has to be scarier than the bad guys out there."

Urenna: "He does?"

Kari: "It's all part of his job. Wouldn't you like to help take out the bad guys?"

Urenna (Looks at Crow again): "Well…he is strong. I'd like to be strong."

Kari: "Crow will be more than happy to teach you his skillset won't you Crow?"

Crow (Somewhat doubtful): "CO. Seriously, don't force this girl into being my student."

Kari: "I'm not, she will make the choice on her own."

Urenna: "I ah."

Then Urenna thought about how her parents were found dead at her home. Then her first time meeting Crow who saved her from getting killed by the 'bad men' after finding her big brother dead. Urenna was so sad and angry at her helplessness that she attacked the person who risked his own neck to keep her alive. From then on, the girl made up her mind not to become helpless anymore.

Urenna: "I can't go back home, but…I want to be strong. Strong against bad people! Crow please let me be your student!"

Crow could see now that the girl was determined to make something out of herself. He sees now that she is willing to survive the harsh realities of the world no matter the cost. With a smirk on his face, Crow decided that it was time to pass the teaching of the Shika-ryu style Ninjitsu to this girl. However, Crow gave her a fair warning.

Crow: "I will accept you into my way of the ninja, but young girl understand me, this will not mean I will treat you with kindness. If you start complaining or break any of the rules I will soon give you then I will not look after you at that point. You will be all alone again. Is that understood?"

Urenna (Not fearing him): "I understand."

Crow: "Good. It's settled. CO where is this girl sleeping?"

Kari: "I let her spend the night with me last night at my house so…"

Crow (Interrupts): "Tonight she stays with you, but tomorrow she will come with me to Japan."

Kari: "Japan?"

Crow: "Yes. Is there a problem with that?"

Kari: "Um no. I mean that's going to be an even bigger culture shock for Urenna, but do bring her back to the US from time to time Crow."

Crow: "I will."

Kari: "Come on Urenna, you will stay with me again tonight, but tomorrow you will be with Crow from here on out."

Then Urenna finally gave a warm smile as she grabbed Kari's hand. Crow walked out of the room first and quickly disappeared by the time Urenna and Kari got out of the conference room door. Urenna could not help but wonder how the ninja vanished so fast. The girl had no idea what kind of world she was stepping into now that she would be Crow's student.