Chapter 4

There were five ninjas & Ayane. And there were only two of us. We probably would have a good chance at defeating them, but Ayane would be a problem. I just hoped that Brad would be able to fight off the ninjas. I don't believe he ever fought one before. They were really different from your average person. They were trained to pursue & kill.

Ayane whispered something to the ninjas. That was when they moved. They circled us, keeping their eyes on us. But I wasn't planning on making any moves. At least not yet. I had to think of a plan. But I wasn't sure about Brad. He was just standing there. I needed to find out what he was up to.

"What do you suggest we do?"

"Whichever one comes close, attack. Simple, right?"

He had no idea how fierce these ninjas were. That strategy wasn't going to work.

"But that's not wise. We should stick together. Look out for each other. We're outnumbered. We could get attacked from behind if we attack whoever comes close."

"True. So what do you suggest?"

"I . . . I don't know . . ."

"Fine, we'll follow my plan."

One of the ninjas finally decided to attack. He was after Brad, but Brad just fell onto the floor & laid there.

What is he doing?! Get up! You can't do that!

I was paying too close attention to Brad & forgot about the attacking ninja. He missed Brad, but then came after me instead. I had to think fast & move quickly. I reached into my sack, pulled out my wakizashi, & was able to stop his blade from connecting with my face. But he was stronger than I was. His blade was pushing mine closer to my nose & I was getting closer to the floor. And I could see the determination in his eyes. He really wanted to end my life & be honored by Hayate & the rest of the clan. And to think that I could have been their leader if I hadn't gone on a search for Hayate.

I was worried that one of the other ninjas would attack me while I was in this state. Brad wasn't helping at all. He was just laying there!

A little help would be nice!

A ninja came at me from behind. Brad finally pitched in & tripped the ninja holding me down onto the ground with his legs, giving me time to swing my wakizashi behind me. I was a little too late though. His katana got me in my shoulder, but I was also able to get him as well & pulled my wakizashi back. I hated to do it, but there was no other way. I didn't want to turn around & see him fall, but I heard it, which was just as horrible. And my shoulder was bleeding. It hurt badly & I could barely hold my wakizashi up. I had to switch to my left hand for now.

Brad was finally off the ground with a concerned look on his face.

Yes, it was all your fault for not acting sooner.

"Ugh!"

Ayane had jumped on top of me & pushed me into the ground once again. I could hear her swing her wakizashi at someone. It must have been Brad. I got concerned, because he didn't have a blade. And Ayane is just as dangerous with a wakizashi as she was with her own two hands. I picked myself up to see if Brad was doing okay against her. She was swinging in all directions even from behind & Brad was dodging them as best he could. He bent backwards & kicked Ayane in the chin. She was sort of stunned.

Ah, good!

But I couldn't watch & praise for long. They appeared out of nowhere it seemed & stood over me, each holding their katanas high. I caught the wind & kicked one of them in his head before they could drive their katanas into me. He fell down in front of his comrades. I could tell the rest of them were glaring at me now. Four against one, I've had worse. I held my wakizashi in front of me, ready to defend myself against whatever attack they were planning to pull off. It felt strange, because it was in my left hand. That was my disadvantage. Yes, we were trained to be able to hold a blade in both hands, but I haven't done it in a while. And old tricks tend to get rusty.

As soon as their comrade was up, they got into their position which was all the same. They looked like dolls on display, holding their katanas the same way & their left foot in front of them. I wasn't sure if I was ready for whatever they were planning to pull off or not. I just had to wait for them to attack. And they did. All at once. I had to jump back. Then one of them came at me as soon as they missed. I blocked his attack with my wakizashi, but then another came at me instantly. I had to jump back again. They took turns throwing their blade at me. As soon as one of them was done, the other attacked instantly. I had to keep blocking until I found an opening. But I was pretty sure that if I did find an opening that I wouldn't have time to execute it, because one of them would try to attack me. This was actually a strategy I've never seen before.

What are you teaching them, Hayate?

Two of them jumped in the air. I thought they were going to land behind me, but instead I saw them land in front of one of the trees in the park. As soon as I saw Brad near the tree as well, I knew they were after him & the ones that stayed were trying to prevent me from helping him.

Where's Ayane?

My question was answered. She was behind me. She wrapped her legs around my neck & threw me off to the side. I rolled until I hit a tree.

Like to get me from behind, does she?

I was getting angry. Out of all of them one was down from all my work. Brad wasn't getting anywhere either, because he didn't have a blade. Ayane & the two ninjas were slowly coming towards me. I could see Brad behind them, trying to fend off the other two ninjas. He managed to grab one of them, trip him, & land his leg on top of neck. The ninja didn't get up after that. And Brad had the chance to take the katana, but he didn't.

Why didn't he take the katana?!

"It ends here, Kasumi," Ayane was talking, "We're tired of chasing after you."

She whispered something to one of the ninjas & he turned around to go after Brad. I had to help him or else he could be done for! I quickly jumped up & caught the wind. That second while I was in the wind, I saw Ayane's wakizashi glow in purple light. She hacked at my petals then instantly I felt a pain in my chest. I didn't realize it until I opened my eyes that I was falling towards the ground. I tried to catch the wind again, but it didn't work. Instead, every time I tried, my head hurt badly.

What is wrong?!

I screamed as the ground came nearer & nearer. Then. He came. And I was swept off into the wind.