Nurturer

4 years pass, Shika Clan Compound, near Morotsuka, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan …

Time went by as Urenna continued her ninja tutelage under Crow and Omani. Along with her was a young Garifuna boy by the name of Santi. He was only 4 years old now and yet he was beginning to learn basic self-defense and ninjitsu terminology. Now a bit older himself, with a tall goatee, Crow was busier than ever with his missions for the UN, tackling spying and undercover cases across the world. Crow even learned of a new lead about Cain, the man responsible for the murder of Urenna's family. Even with this bit of news, Crow did not want to tell the young teenager about it at this time. The ninja kept many secrets over the past 4 years. And one of them came out in the open for Urenna.

It was Sunday morning. Omani usually would arrive at the compound to teach Urenna and Santi school subjects like math, history, and similar subjects. Crow had to leave on Saturday for another mission in Vietnam. The children were left alone at the compound. However, Omani never came. Urenna thought it was unusual that Omani did not come on time Sunday. If she could not make it on that day, Omani would tell the children in advance days beforehand. Urenna decided that she would go visit Omani alone. She fed Santi and told him that he would stay with Mr. & Mrs. Ishida, an elderly couple Urenna befriended after helping them find their stolen bikes. The boy was sad but Urenna had to reassure him that Omani will talk with him soon. After leaving the boy, Urenna went outside and jumped on top of a delivery truck traveling towards Misato, the city where Omani lives.

Knowing that she was close to the road where Omani stayed, Urenna carefully hopped off from the container part of the delivery truck. She landed softly on a tree branch and then hopped down to run on the ground. When she made it to Omani's house, Urenna could see the kunoichi's White Honda still parked on her driveway. It still did not mean that she was home, but Urenna did the courteous thing first by ringing the doorbell. Urennna waited and waited. She rang the doorbell again. Still nothing.

Urenna: "Something is not right. I better sneak my way in."

After recently learning how to break into locks using things like paper clips and hair pens, Urenna would use a spare paper clip stashed in her satchel. Urenna proceeded unlock the backdoor which led into the washroom area. From there, Urenna looked around the washroom and kitchen. Everything looked alright so far. Then Omani went into the living room, nothing odd was misplaced there. Finally, Urenna walked to the main bedroom and there she could see something underneath the covers of the bed. Urenna carefully took off the sheets and it was Omani who was asleep. Why was she still in bed Urenna thought? However, Omani's face was wet from crying and her right wrist had a bloody bandage surrounding it. Omani felt cold and she finally opened her eyelids, though the tears crusted them up, making it hurt.

Omani (Rubbing her eyes): "Urenna?"

Urenna: "There you are! You had me and Santi worry, so I came by to check up on you. Why are you still in bed? Are you sick?"

Omani (rising up, but still sad): "Urenna. Please forgive me for not coming. I…I felt too ashamed to go teach."

Urenna: "Too ashamed? Uhh…I do not understand. What is going on with you?"

Omani (Hangs her head down): "You are old enough to understand now, so I will tell you. I talked with Crow when I came by Friday night. You and Santi had already went to bed by that time, but he and I got into an argument. I did not want to wake you up from sleeping, so I politely asked him to take it outside. Your master still insisted that he did not want me to date him. Always saying that I keep teasing, which I do but I joked that he wasn't getting any younger so he should settle down at some point. Then he just walked away from me, claiming that he needed to meditate. I let him go. When I got back inside the compound, I noticed he left his radio on the couch. It was there once I picked it up that I discovered a woman's name. She left him a message that broke my heart. That's when I left the compound. I was so upset Urenna! I wanted to die that night!"

Urenna: "Omani. What does this mean? Is that why your wrist is bandaged?"

Omani (Wiping her face again of tears): "Hai. I almost took my life, but I stopped myself, because of you children."

Urenna: "Because of us? Me and Santi?"

Omani: "Hai. I want you both to carry on the Shika clan legacy, however, Urenna I beg you. Please, do not be like your Master! It is not good to be some man's plaything."

Urenna: "I'm sorry Omani."

Omani: "No. Do not be sorry. None of this is your fault. I simply say just do not be like your Master. I have always cared for Crow, but somehow I knew he had affections for other women out there. As for me…I even turned down marriage proposals because I cared for Crow the most. I simply wished he cared more about me."

Urenna (Ticked): "I should beat up Crow for disrespecting you like this Sensei!"

Omani (Shaking her head.): "Urenna. Do not bite the hand who feeds you. He is the reason why you are living here in Japan. He is your father figure now. You should love him even when he is wrong. Understand?" (Looks at her.)

Urenna: "Fine. But only because you said it."

Omani (Smiles): "I'm glad to hear it. Um…did you bring my boy here by any chance?"

Urenna: "Eh, no. I took him to Mrs. Ishida's house before I came here."

Omani: "I see. It would cheer me up even more if I could see his face for today. I will live to watch you two grow into fine ninja, no matter what Crow says or does."

Urenna: "Let's go then."

Omani: "Hai. Allow me to change."

Later at the Ishida Residence, Morotsuka, Japan…

Urenna rode in Omani's car back to Morotsuka to see Santi at the Ishida family home. Urenna went to the front door and rang the bell. In due time, Mr. Ishida opened the door to see the kunoichis standing outside.

Mr. Ishida: "Hey there! Omani? I was expecting to see you today! Are you alright?"

Omani: "I'm fine Mr. Ishida. I came to pick up Santi. I know he must be mad at me for not coming to the compound today."

Mr. Ishida: "Ah yes. He was not happy to be left here, but my wife managed to calm him down with some toys. My wife should be outside with him at the garden, come."

The girls followed Mr. Ishida into his garden where his wife was tending to the Bonsai trees and there was Santi hitting a ball attached to a pole that the Ishida family sometime uses to help dry their laundry. Santi stopped playing as soon as he saw Urenna and Omani standing side by side with Mr. Ishida. The boy ran happily right into the legs of Omani, much to the dismay of Urenna.

Urenna (Thinks): "Really you little runt!"

Omani (Laughs picking the boy up): "Oh! Santi!"

Santi: "Omani!"

The boy hugged on to his Master tightly around her neck. His small body even squeezing her chest which made Urenna even more ticked off, but she held it in. Omani spoke to the boy with much glee.

Omani: "Are you ready to go back home?"

Santi: "Hai!"

Omani: "Good. Mr & Mrs. Ishida thank you both for looking after him for us."

Mrs. Ishida: "Omani, what happened to your wrist?"

Omani (Lying): "A little accident that I had yesterday. I took care of it on my own! It will be alright!"

Mrs. Ishida: "Oh okay. Would you all like to stay for lunch?"

Omani: "Um…Urenna you hungry?"

Urenna: "I kinda am after coming to get you."

Omani: "Ok. We can stay a little longer to eat."

Mrs. Ishida: "As soon as I'm done with the trees I can cook you all soup. Just make yourself at home here."

After lunch…

Omani once again thanks the Ishida for the hospitality and watching little Santi. She took the children back to the compound. Since it was still summer vacation, Omani decided not to go back to Misato for the evening. She needed to make up for the lost time that could have been used for teaching the children earlier in the day. Omani quickly made rice balls as Urenna assisted her in the kitchen. Then, while eating, Omani went over each student's reading lessons. As Urenna was taking a test back in her room, Omani continued storytelling with Santi.

Omani (Reading the storybook): "The boy samurai picked up his arrow and aimed his bow straight for the Oni's heart before he could eat his mother."

Santi: "What happened next?"

Omani: "Look." (Turns the page.) "The boy shot the arrow and with the blessings of the gods, the arrow pierced the heart of the Oni as it cried in pain! The Oni let's go of his mother and back pedals off the cliff! See!"

Santi: "Oooo."

Omani: "The samurai helped his mother on her feet and they both left the Forest of Sorrows as the boy promised his mother to never disobey her again for trespassing there."

Santi: "That guy is strong."

Omani: "Hai. He is, just like you."

Santi: "Omani, eh, can I call you mommy?"

Omani: "Me? Mommy?"

Santi (Laughing): "Mommy!"

Omani (Tearing up): "Hai!"

The elder kunoichi hugged Santi tightly as she cried. The boy didn't understand why Omani cried all of a sudden, but the woman was happy nonetheless. If she could not bear a child, especially with Crow, then having Santi and Urenna was close enough for her.