Konoichis are girl ninjas who, from personal experience in gameplay on
Tenchu, cannot fight!
Chapter 3- That Third Face
Cinni was staring out of her window at the starry night sky. The moon was full, with a face that winked back at her. To Cinni, he was just a face without a name. Just someone to talk to...Like Ari. This very moon had been there when a time in war had separated Cinni from her family. This very moon had seen all when Ayame had rescued Cinni from a harsh time in history. This very moon had smiled as Ayame took little Cinni to Lord Gohda to be taken in as one of his own. This very moon shone as Cinni was reunited with her younger brother Ressaiyu. The moon has seen all...Like God. Perhaps he was God. Cinni was grateful to have all she had. But her only wish was to find one little trace of her parents...Or to find that Ayame...was still alive.
Cinni's eyes searched each star, taking in all she saw. She knew she wasn't supposed to be awake. She just was too excited about all she heard early that night...Or morning. About her going on a real mission and all. What got Cinni was all of the killing. She only wanted to be stationed to putting foes to sleep. Then again, what was the point of that?
There was a faint knock at the door. An "Ari who wants to come in but knows she's not supposed to, so open the door now!" kind of knock. Cinni didn't want to get Ari caught, so she silently sprinted to the wooden door, pulled the latch, and slid it to her left. Ari's face lit up with a smile as the door slid open silently.
"Hey," Cinni greeted, stepping aside to let Ari pass.
"Hi," Ari strolled in.
"I take it that you can't sleep, either," Cinni shut the door, "Too excited, huh?"
Cinni's room was crowded and homey. As soon as you walk in, to the right is her bed, covered in velvet red covers, along with matching pillows with the lavender plant sprinkled on them for good luck, peace and tranquillity. Her polished wooden floor sparkled against the lanterns' flares. On the left wall, opposite the foot of her bed was a wooden drawer with a huge mirror on it. This held Cinni's combs, brushes, hair ties, papers, ink and pens, traditional make-up, jewelry, money and treasures. All along the walls were carved flower decorations, in a Japanese style of art and beauty. Since there were no closets, there was a huge treasure chest beneath Cinni's window stationed at the far back wall of the room. The treasure chest was old, but sturdy. This box was conducted of wood and leather, and had a huge lock on the front of it, to keep it sealed. There was the ancient Japanese Kanji writing on it, but it was too faded to make out what it read. This chest held all of Cinni's battle and stealth equipment.
Cinni's window had taut curtains the color of snowflakes. When not drawn, which they were now, the curtains blew with the breeze of that Autumn night. Cinni's window was open as fresh air blew Autumn leaves of orange, pink and brownish red spilled onto her floor.
Ari took a seat in the little wooden chair with a little velvet cushion on it that matched Cinni's bed. The chair was in front of the dresser drawer, so Cinni could sit and do her hair. Cinni took a seat on her bed, stretched and yawned.
"I can't believe we're actually gonna go on a mission! Can you?" Ari looked at Cinni meaningfully.
"Um...I've been thinking about this. I used to couldn't wait to be a real Azuma Ninja, like Toya. But now I...Now I don't know about this...All this." Cinni stared at her white socks on her feet that were slipped into blue sandals.
"All this?...All this what?" Ari raised her eyebrows.
"All this killing. I've never killed anyone before, Ari. On my first mis...It's just gonna be a shock, you know?" Cinni looked up at Ari.
"I know Cinni," Ari walked over and sat on the bed beside her, "It's gonna be a shock for us all. But that is what Azuma Ninjas do, right? And I'll be there for you always. We're protecting Japan. We're protecting Lord Gohda. Besides, Toya kills all the time," Ari smiled at Cinni.
"That's because Toya has no heart. But you're right. Together we'll be the masters of assassins! Better than Toya...Possibly better than Rikimaru and Ayame themselves. Thanks Ari. You're always there for me. Thanks." Cinni Cinni walked over to her drawer and picked up a black comb, "Now, come here so I can do your hair!"
Ari laughed, "NO! Not the pigtails!"
Cinni giggled, "You know, you're hiding your hair with that style. Let's get some new styles going to see what we're gonna wear on our missions."
Ari strolled back to her last position, sitting on the chair. She then untied both pink ribbons in her hair so that her long black hair fell to the middle of her back. It was shiny, but wavy, for she had been wearing it in pigtails. Cinni combed Ari's hair, took a flower and messaged it through the front of Ari's hair, holding back her bangs. Now Ari looked like a little Japanese doll. A sudden heart-drop came upon Cinni, and the comb fell to the floor.
"Are you alright?!" Ari turned quickly to find what the matter was.
"Yeah..." Cinni picked up the comb, "This is all so surreal." Konoichis are girl ninjas who, from personal experience in gameplay on Tenchu, cannot fight!
"Mmhm," Ari stared into the mirror, "We're definitely no Konoichis! Well, we are women...but, we are Azuma women." Ari giggled, "We're not used."
Cinni smiled, "...I have to let this out."
"Hm?" Ari stared at Cinni through the mirror.
"Ayame saved me and Ressaiyu, right? Well, other than that, I never even really met my parents. I only have one memory...When...I looked up and saw three faces staring down at me. They were kind faces, I know that, but I don't remember the faces. Something tells me that two were my parents, but...who was the third face?"
"I see. That must really bother you." Ari stared at her hands as she fidgeted with a hair clip.
"Yes. Yes, it does. It bothers me a lot." Cinni began to comb Ari's hair simultaneously in the same area. This is how Ari knew Cinni still had something on her mind.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Ari asked Cinni, "You're combing the same piece of hair!"
"Oh, sorry," Cinni stopped combing and stared in the mirror at her reflection, "I just was wondering that maybe...Maybe I can set out and find that third face, you know?"
"Uh...Cinni?" Ari turned to face Cinni with a confused look on her face.
"Yeah?" Cinni saw Ari's raised brows.
"What about your 'knightly nightness'?!" Ari stumbled her words into a one-sentence type craziness.
"My WHAT?!" Cinni laughed.
"I mean your, uh," Ari closed her eyes and started snapping her fingers, trying to remember.
"Being an Azuma Ninja?" Cinni stared at her feet.
"Yeah, that's it! Heehee!" Ari's laughing expression quicklt turned to a worried frown.
"I...uh...I was thinking that maybe I can forget about the whole ninja thing and set out to find that third face," Cinni looked at Ari through the mirror.
"Oh, I," Ari looked sort of angry, "I... How could you throw all of this away?!" Ari looked as if she was about to cry.
"Ari!" Cinni was hurt.
"No!" Ari whispered in a harsh tone, "You liar! Whatever happened to our promise when we were younger?!"
"Our promise, Ari?" Cinni's expression was motionless.
"Don't tell me you don't even remember that!" Ari stood, shoving the chair under the desk, which produced a loud screech.
"Ari!" Cinni stepped forward, grabbing hold of the chair.
"Don't speak! Our promise to become Azuma Ninjas...together! We've gone through all of this training, and you're just gonna throw it all away...You...hypocrite!"
"I'm hurting here! You don't know how hard it is for me!!! You're supposed to support me... I thought you were my best friend!"
"So what...You think I'm not hurting, too? We're all hurting here... And you're not the first to admit it! Understand! You're not the only one! Japan does not revolve around you!!!" Ari looked evil now, "Besides... Azuma Ninjas don't use the word 'friend'."
"But I..." Cinni was cut off, still shocked by Ari's harsh use of words.
Ari began to whisper surreptitiously, but loud enough for Cinni to hear, "I hope the spirits take the life of the lying, deceitful demon at which stands before me..." Ari's gaze lowered to the floor as Cinni gasped and tears flowed down her cheeks.
Cinni swallowed, "How could you sa...ay that?!" She turned and walked to her window, and when she turned to face Ari, Ari was gone.
Cinni silently grabbed her gear and weapons. Then, as if she was a dove, flowed quietly out the open window, tears still streaming down her face, "I will find you."
Chapter 3- That Third Face
Cinni was staring out of her window at the starry night sky. The moon was full, with a face that winked back at her. To Cinni, he was just a face without a name. Just someone to talk to...Like Ari. This very moon had been there when a time in war had separated Cinni from her family. This very moon had seen all when Ayame had rescued Cinni from a harsh time in history. This very moon had smiled as Ayame took little Cinni to Lord Gohda to be taken in as one of his own. This very moon shone as Cinni was reunited with her younger brother Ressaiyu. The moon has seen all...Like God. Perhaps he was God. Cinni was grateful to have all she had. But her only wish was to find one little trace of her parents...Or to find that Ayame...was still alive.
Cinni's eyes searched each star, taking in all she saw. She knew she wasn't supposed to be awake. She just was too excited about all she heard early that night...Or morning. About her going on a real mission and all. What got Cinni was all of the killing. She only wanted to be stationed to putting foes to sleep. Then again, what was the point of that?
There was a faint knock at the door. An "Ari who wants to come in but knows she's not supposed to, so open the door now!" kind of knock. Cinni didn't want to get Ari caught, so she silently sprinted to the wooden door, pulled the latch, and slid it to her left. Ari's face lit up with a smile as the door slid open silently.
"Hey," Cinni greeted, stepping aside to let Ari pass.
"Hi," Ari strolled in.
"I take it that you can't sleep, either," Cinni shut the door, "Too excited, huh?"
Cinni's room was crowded and homey. As soon as you walk in, to the right is her bed, covered in velvet red covers, along with matching pillows with the lavender plant sprinkled on them for good luck, peace and tranquillity. Her polished wooden floor sparkled against the lanterns' flares. On the left wall, opposite the foot of her bed was a wooden drawer with a huge mirror on it. This held Cinni's combs, brushes, hair ties, papers, ink and pens, traditional make-up, jewelry, money and treasures. All along the walls were carved flower decorations, in a Japanese style of art and beauty. Since there were no closets, there was a huge treasure chest beneath Cinni's window stationed at the far back wall of the room. The treasure chest was old, but sturdy. This box was conducted of wood and leather, and had a huge lock on the front of it, to keep it sealed. There was the ancient Japanese Kanji writing on it, but it was too faded to make out what it read. This chest held all of Cinni's battle and stealth equipment.
Cinni's window had taut curtains the color of snowflakes. When not drawn, which they were now, the curtains blew with the breeze of that Autumn night. Cinni's window was open as fresh air blew Autumn leaves of orange, pink and brownish red spilled onto her floor.
Ari took a seat in the little wooden chair with a little velvet cushion on it that matched Cinni's bed. The chair was in front of the dresser drawer, so Cinni could sit and do her hair. Cinni took a seat on her bed, stretched and yawned.
"I can't believe we're actually gonna go on a mission! Can you?" Ari looked at Cinni meaningfully.
"Um...I've been thinking about this. I used to couldn't wait to be a real Azuma Ninja, like Toya. But now I...Now I don't know about this...All this." Cinni stared at her white socks on her feet that were slipped into blue sandals.
"All this?...All this what?" Ari raised her eyebrows.
"All this killing. I've never killed anyone before, Ari. On my first mis...It's just gonna be a shock, you know?" Cinni looked up at Ari.
"I know Cinni," Ari walked over and sat on the bed beside her, "It's gonna be a shock for us all. But that is what Azuma Ninjas do, right? And I'll be there for you always. We're protecting Japan. We're protecting Lord Gohda. Besides, Toya kills all the time," Ari smiled at Cinni.
"That's because Toya has no heart. But you're right. Together we'll be the masters of assassins! Better than Toya...Possibly better than Rikimaru and Ayame themselves. Thanks Ari. You're always there for me. Thanks." Cinni Cinni walked over to her drawer and picked up a black comb, "Now, come here so I can do your hair!"
Ari laughed, "NO! Not the pigtails!"
Cinni giggled, "You know, you're hiding your hair with that style. Let's get some new styles going to see what we're gonna wear on our missions."
Ari strolled back to her last position, sitting on the chair. She then untied both pink ribbons in her hair so that her long black hair fell to the middle of her back. It was shiny, but wavy, for she had been wearing it in pigtails. Cinni combed Ari's hair, took a flower and messaged it through the front of Ari's hair, holding back her bangs. Now Ari looked like a little Japanese doll. A sudden heart-drop came upon Cinni, and the comb fell to the floor.
"Are you alright?!" Ari turned quickly to find what the matter was.
"Yeah..." Cinni picked up the comb, "This is all so surreal." Konoichis are girl ninjas who, from personal experience in gameplay on Tenchu, cannot fight!
"Mmhm," Ari stared into the mirror, "We're definitely no Konoichis! Well, we are women...but, we are Azuma women." Ari giggled, "We're not used."
Cinni smiled, "...I have to let this out."
"Hm?" Ari stared at Cinni through the mirror.
"Ayame saved me and Ressaiyu, right? Well, other than that, I never even really met my parents. I only have one memory...When...I looked up and saw three faces staring down at me. They were kind faces, I know that, but I don't remember the faces. Something tells me that two were my parents, but...who was the third face?"
"I see. That must really bother you." Ari stared at her hands as she fidgeted with a hair clip.
"Yes. Yes, it does. It bothers me a lot." Cinni began to comb Ari's hair simultaneously in the same area. This is how Ari knew Cinni still had something on her mind.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Ari asked Cinni, "You're combing the same piece of hair!"
"Oh, sorry," Cinni stopped combing and stared in the mirror at her reflection, "I just was wondering that maybe...Maybe I can set out and find that third face, you know?"
"Uh...Cinni?" Ari turned to face Cinni with a confused look on her face.
"Yeah?" Cinni saw Ari's raised brows.
"What about your 'knightly nightness'?!" Ari stumbled her words into a one-sentence type craziness.
"My WHAT?!" Cinni laughed.
"I mean your, uh," Ari closed her eyes and started snapping her fingers, trying to remember.
"Being an Azuma Ninja?" Cinni stared at her feet.
"Yeah, that's it! Heehee!" Ari's laughing expression quicklt turned to a worried frown.
"I...uh...I was thinking that maybe I can forget about the whole ninja thing and set out to find that third face," Cinni looked at Ari through the mirror.
"Oh, I," Ari looked sort of angry, "I... How could you throw all of this away?!" Ari looked as if she was about to cry.
"Ari!" Cinni was hurt.
"No!" Ari whispered in a harsh tone, "You liar! Whatever happened to our promise when we were younger?!"
"Our promise, Ari?" Cinni's expression was motionless.
"Don't tell me you don't even remember that!" Ari stood, shoving the chair under the desk, which produced a loud screech.
"Ari!" Cinni stepped forward, grabbing hold of the chair.
"Don't speak! Our promise to become Azuma Ninjas...together! We've gone through all of this training, and you're just gonna throw it all away...You...hypocrite!"
"I'm hurting here! You don't know how hard it is for me!!! You're supposed to support me... I thought you were my best friend!"
"So what...You think I'm not hurting, too? We're all hurting here... And you're not the first to admit it! Understand! You're not the only one! Japan does not revolve around you!!!" Ari looked evil now, "Besides... Azuma Ninjas don't use the word 'friend'."
"But I..." Cinni was cut off, still shocked by Ari's harsh use of words.
Ari began to whisper surreptitiously, but loud enough for Cinni to hear, "I hope the spirits take the life of the lying, deceitful demon at which stands before me..." Ari's gaze lowered to the floor as Cinni gasped and tears flowed down her cheeks.
Cinni swallowed, "How could you sa...ay that?!" She turned and walked to her window, and when she turned to face Ari, Ari was gone.
Cinni silently grabbed her gear and weapons. Then, as if she was a dove, flowed quietly out the open window, tears still streaming down her face, "I will find you."