Chapter 4…. Indeed, Chapter four is here. I love you all, every one of you. You should know by now that I don't own 5|-|17. I only borrowed an Onimusha Character's name.

1/20/04- Sorry I haven't updated in forever, because I was trying to get settled in from the holidays and my mother was hospitalized quite recently, so this is being done, only because I have run out of things to clean in this god-forsaken house.

4/9/04- Mom is still sick, and I've still got lots to do. Only because I love people who love Shinobi so much, am I doing this. In my tired confusion, I am going crazy with the Point-of-Views. Watch out.

            This new chick's name is pronounced Hidre: (Hee- DRAY). Got it? Also, if you're smart, you'll figure out what her problem is by the end. ^_^

Blah = thinking

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Become The Ninja

Chapter 4:  Regret

By: Dragon Lady9

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            Hibekae walked down to the burial grounds with her youngest son. He was just barely three years old. An unusual three-year-old, because he was so quiet and patient. If June were late getting home for dinner, he wouldn't cry. He would sit at the table with his brother and wait. Ah, I am lucky to have such a kid.

            'You may even lead the Oboro one day, just like your Daddy!' He gave her his sweetest smile, and then directed his attention to a crying cicada. Hibekae kept walking, until they reached the grave that meant more to her than all the others.

They sat down about a foot away from the tiny marker. She pulled her son closer to her. 'Looky here, Hotsu-Chan,' she said, putting her arm around him. 'This is where your big brother rests. His name is Samanosuke.'

            She stroked his hair while he stared at the stone intently. 'Sama-nosuke?' he repeated.

            'Yes, that's right. Samanosuke. He was about your age when he died. Hotsuma, dear, you have to promise me something.'

            'What?'

            'You have to kill the man who took your brother away. He is called Sogaro, and I've been trying to kill him since before you were born. You'll be able to, I know you will.' She'd wondered if he'd understood. 'Just don't worry about it for now, Hotsu.'

            What kind of fool am I? Planting things like that in his head at this age!

            She was somehow relieved. It was off her chest, now maybe she'd have some peace of mind.

            She picked up her son and left this holy site. She knew she had carved those words into his soul. Besides, Sogaro would show up at least once in his life and give him reason to kill.

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            She did not know she would die the next morning. Mother didn't think Sougarou would 'recycle' her soul to make his sword, and I would never see her again. She IS right though. I will kill Sougarou. Ageha has already left. I wanted to stop her from leaving. But it was like I had no body of my own. I couldn't speak to beg her to stay, nor could I move to make her. I'm leaving tomorrow, too. The leader of a dojo in China has requested my presence. Master Tao says that he may only need me for a month.

I hope he is right.

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            Master Tao looked to be somewhere in his late forties, but probably younger than that. Although he was undoubtedly Chinese, he was blonde because his Mother was British. He was a lively, cheerful man. Even Hotsuma's mood was lightened when he was around. He treated his pupils with respect and fairness. If only they had more in the Oboro like him.

            The there was Hidre. Dear Hidre, the aggressively nice, ebony-haired girl of fifteen or so who had been adopted by Tao. She reminded him so much of Kagari. Maybe…he could start a new life here and forget his past troubles.

No. That would be impossible. He couldn't afford to leave his Aunt and Uncle, and the clan needed his guidance. Joe was getting too old to manage an entire ninja clan on his own. Moritsune had lead the Oboro so well he couldn't fall behind.

            Hidre was assistant master of this training hall. 'If I stay any longer,' he thought 'this session will stop and Hidre will come out and talk to me.' Another awkward moment would ensue. It was like Hidre could see through all his defenses to the frightened little boy he really was. That irked him to no end.

            So Hotsuma continued down the hall towards the outside walls.

            First he heard the screams of the fifth training hall.

            Then he heard the roar of a dragon. It's cry was loud, resounding, and shook the very ground. 'I hope it's larynx is the only thing big about it.'

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An enormous chunk of the roof was missing, and below it most of the floor had been inexplicably damaged by claw marks.

A dragon with eight heads and white eyes seemed to be the culprit. Did this dragon belong to a demon lord? No, it wasn't marked.

Hotsuma jumped through the hole in the ceiling, launched off a spire and brought Akujiki's slender frame to one of it's many necks. Only when he landed did he realize what he had done. Where the head had been severed, two more grew back in it's place.

'It's a Hydra, you fool!' he mentally scolded himself. Master Tao came to his side while he reveled in his stupidity.

'Ah, I see you haven't dealt with these before. An unwise move, my friend.' Hotsuma flushed.

'I am aware.'

'You must never strike the heads, however, hit all other vital parts.' Hotsuma could feel Tao focusing his Ki into his hands. When the older man shot forward, it was spilt second before  the Hydra had an massive hole in it's chest. Then it was Hotsuma's turn. Tate would work wonderfully on this. He struck the limbs, back and tail, and finally, when Akujiki was a brilliant red, sheathed it. The  wounds opened, blood spewed forth, and nothing more happened.

It didn't let out a pitiful cry of pain and fall into bloody pieces like everything else did. Hotsuma's little show just seemed to have pissed it off. In the corner of his eye, he noticed Hidre. She was standing, unmoving, her eyes transfixed on the dragon with deep concentration. He turned back around, just in time to see the Hydra fade into mist and disappear.

'Is it…dead?' Hotsuma asked.

'I wish,' Tao replied 'But it took less than usual this time.'

'It's been here before?' Hotsuma was intrigued.

'Many times. It can't be killed, or at least we think so.' Tao grinned. 'If you plan to sleep in tomorrow, don't. Renovations begin at 5:00 sharp.'

Hotsuma smiled. But not like he actually SLEPT, unless he was dead tired or had good reason.

The young leader of the Oboro had spent many a night in his life on random roof tops. You can ask various members of the Oboro Clan and many of them would say they had caught a glimpse of a lean, raven-haired boy on their roof. None of them would think this strange, however. After all, it was a ninja village.

A semi-daily routine for him, he sat on the roof of the hall where is quarters were, starting at the moon, utterly silent and unmoving. In the hall across from where he was lodged was where Hidre slept. She had spotted him from her window. Hidre would never miss an opportunity to talk with him.

Hotsuma-san was so handsome, and he had taught her quite a few things since he'd shown up. But he acted so coldly towards others. When she was around, he was remotely warm to her. She could tell he was good inside, but something had wounded his spirit. He just needed time to heal.

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            Hotsuma was still on the roof. Good. She need to talk to someone. He was very still, but the moon illuminated his pale complexion and the wind played with his hair. Hotsuma noticed her staring up at him. 'Hidre, come up here,' he called.

            The girl almost fainted, he thought. It was really a surprise to him. Did she…like him? Like a crush? Why him? His thoughts were interrupted by Hidre slapping her hand on his shoulder.

            'Not sleeping well?'

            'I don't sleep much at all.'

            She was silent for a moment. 'Hotsuma, I was wondering…'

            'Yes, Hidre-Chan?'

            'What was the Oboro Clan like?'

            'It used to be a good clan to live in. A happy place, but abruptly'- at this he paused to sheath Akujiki- 'my happiness ended.' He looked shocked at his own words. 'I apologize, Hidre. I didn't need to tell you that.'

            She looked relived. 'Finally, somebody who can understand me.' Her eyes began to tear up, but she wiped them away discretely.

            'Can I tell you something, Hotsuma? Only Master Tao and I know this.'

            'Of course.'

'I used to live in Japan…in a village where my family members were the tailors. I remember the last day we were together. My mom gave me a needle, but my older brother broke it. So at Kuyoh we gave it a proper resting place*… but the bonfire attracted a dragon, everyone was killed…'

            'Except you.'

            'No, I was saved by Master Tao.'

            Hotsuma looked as though he'd just figured something out. Hidre looked at him quizzically in response, he only took her hand.

'Hidre…I…um…go back to your room.'

'Wha-Why?'

'Go to your room, get some sleep, I'll tell you in the morning!'

'Okay…but that was pretty random of you.'

'Just go, please.'

            She finally climbed down and started to her room.

 Even now, Kagari, you haunt me…

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            He flung open the screen to his quarters, once inside he slammed it back so hard he was sure he'd broken it. Making quite a lot of noise for a ninja, he opened one of his bags. He pulled out the book of demons he had received for his tenth birthday.

            Something was amiss. Why was Hidre staring down that Hydra today? She knew more than she was letting on.

            The dragon section was quite long, but he found what he was looking for. Now he had it all figured out.He closed the book with a heavy thud, but… something strange happened, he jumped at the sound…was he actually SLEEPY? The young ninja plopped back onto the floor.

            'Only sixteen, and I'm alredy losing my touch…'

            'Indeed you are.'

            Hotsuma shot straight up into sitting postion. The voice was shockingly clear, almost in his head. Only one person he knew of could do that. He threw open the screen to his balcony, only to see the man he lived to kill.

Sogaro.

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Kuyoh- a Japanese festival, where ordinary things that have broken are put to rest. Some of the items cremated during kuyo are broken dishes, mirrors, combs, dolls, garden tools, etc. Needles, are stuck in tofu for a soft place to rest before cremation.

Chapter Title: Regret- Hotsuma regrets not being able to achieve the greatness of his brother, and has yet to learn we must all follow our own path in life.