Chapter Five No Triumph
"This is not a triumph," Lord Gohda explained as all of his best ninjas sat before him.
Toya kneeled before Lord Gohda, as Ari, Ressai, Cinni, Chibi and even little Muffin sat behind Toya. Muffin wasn't really listening, for the little kitten was prancing about, attacking a cushioned ball. Ressaiyu couldn't help but to laugh.
Chibi was also an Azuma Ninja, and a skilled one at that. She was also the tiniest. Even smaller than Ressaiyu, although she was 17 years old, like Cinni. Chibi was very serious when it came to training. She worked hard, too! Her best techniques are stealth, because she's small and silent, and can slip in and out of shadows like a church mouse. Chibi also specializes in the two-swords deal, like Cinni, because her little arms are fast and crazy. As were Ayame's. Cinni's weak point is climbing, because her arms and legs are so short. That's why the best invention Chibi likes is the grapple hook! Chibi's not claustrophobic, so her small quick body can easily get from hole to hole.
Little Chibi was sitting patiently and intently as Gohda was giving his speech, her legs folded under her body. She had no idea what was going on, because she wasn't a snooper like Ari, Cinni and Ressai. No one filled Chibi in, either.
Chibi looked around her: In front of her sat Toya, with her long black hair flowing like a river down her back. Toya's right hand was resting gently on her huge full sword, which was fastened on her right hip as she sat with her legs tucked under her body. There was no doubt that that sword was ungodly heavy. Chibi wouldn't even have been able to lift it! Toya's left hand rested on her lap, which was clothed in black baggy bunched caprees. Toya also wore armor (which wasn't heavy) so she could move around, and a black tank top. She looks too cool, thought Chibi.
Chibi looked at Lord Gohda, who took a sip of tea as he tried to continue his speech. He was on a riser in front of all the ninjas, with Sekiya behind him sitting patiently in a fancy chair.
Cinni and Ari weren't fooling around, for they were before Lord Gohda. Ressaiyu grabbed Muffin and petted her to calm her down. Muffin wore a red bow around her neck as a symbol of imperialism and ownership, so no one would steal the little puff! Like anyone would even dare to steal Muf, because Ressai made his pet into a killing machine! Chibi thought it was some form of animal cruelty. But Muffin really came in handy when it came to delivering messages, because she was quick, and people would immediately fall in love with her. Muffin carried two short customized swords in her mouth, and the messages were fastened in her red bow's collar.
One time, someone tried steal Muffins swords as she was delivering and... Let's just say you don't want to mess with the Muffinator. If she senses something or someone wrong she'll hiss or growl to make sure she lets you know! But, besides the battlefield, Muffin is the CUTEST kitten you'd ever come across. It's a wonder how she walks on her hind legs and grips her swords in her hands...paws...when a battle is in progress.
Chibi focused on herself. Small...No family?...At least she thought. She never found out for sure, but...sigh. Sometimes she wondered if her parents were royal, like kings and queens. What if I had siblings? I wouldn't ever have to be alone again if I only found them...If they even existed. Who am I fooling?! They're all dead...and I'll avenge their deaths.
She couldn't ask Lord Gohda, but she was always so evil when it came to family. All Chibi had were dreams, and that one hope that she'll find them. Would they accept her? She had a lot inside of her. No one knew the truth in this dojo. There really was no truth...
Ressaiyu looked at , who was staring down, her mid-back length black hair covering her tear-filled, slanted, beautifully crafted brown eyes, "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Chibi had a harsh tone, and when she looked to Ressaiyu, she looked possessed.
"Oooookaaay," Ressai went back to petting Muffin.
"I'm having a very hard time saying this...But I fear that those we once thought long gone are now within our presence. And I'm not talking spirit-wise..." Lord Gohda was very impatient and misplaced.
"Ari look at him," Cinni whispered, wondering if this really was going to be a hectic mission.
"He looks a mess," Ari's eyes were wide, "He's so nervous about this..."
"Yeah, he's literally drowning in his sweat. He can't even finish his speech," Cinni was then shushed by Chibi.
Lord Gohda again sipped his tea, trying to calm himself, "Now let us not jump to conclusions. I don't know for sure what happened to Ri...Rikimaru and Ayame..."
Every Azuma Ninjas' eyes widened in great interest when they heard the sacred names. Toya lowered her head and fidgeted vigorously at the end of her sword with her right hand. Everything went dead silent in the dojo.
Gohda's gaze shifted from each Azuma Ninja's penetrating and horrified eyes as he sighed, "Sekiya? Will you take over?" Gohda then summoned a castle guard whom was stationed in the dojo to escort him some mizu (water).
Sekiya turned to Princess Kiku, Lord Gohda's daughter, and asked her to do the honors, because Sekiya was feeling too weak, also. Kiku felt as if she also couldn't do it, for Ayame who was missing, was like Kiku's older sister and guardian angel. And the thought of Ayame gone forever put Kiku into tears.
"Finishing off, my father felt, excuse me, Lord Gohda felt the presence of Onikage," Princess Kiku saw the dropping of everyone's mouth, except Toya's, because she already knew.
"NO!" Ressaiyu stood up in horror, "This can't be! Rikimaru did away with him!!!" his face was driven with rage.
"Hush, now!" Kiku almost drowned in tears as Rikimaru's name was mentioned again. Too long has she lived thinking her "older sister" Ayame would return. It was time for everyone to face the facts.
"IF YOU MUST KNOW, RIKIMARU COULD'VE DONE AWAY WITH ONIKAGE IN A SPLIT SECOND!" Ressaiyu argued.
"HOW DARE YOU ADDRESS THE PRINCESS IN SUCH A MANNER!!!! RIKIMARU AND AYAME ARE DEAD!!!" Toya's sword was now at Ressaiyu's throat. Her skill in pulling out her sword so fast amazed and frightened all, and it drove Ressai to shut up and sit down in horror.
Cinni wasn't going to have her little brother mistreated, no matter how annoying he was. With quick reaction time she pulled out a shuriken and threw it so it purposely just missed Toya's throat, "You put that sword back on your hip or I'll stop playing nice." Cinni wasn't in the mood for threats, and was proud that she made Toya put her sword away.
Toya's deep vice carried off as her demon eyes turned to Princess Kiku, "Let me tell the story, Your Highness. No interruptions. I want to get this over with."
Princess Kiku backed up abruptly. She then took a seat next to her father, startled. Toya picked up the information, "Onikage, many years ago, tried to awaken Mei-Oh by obtaining powerful stones from many places scattered in Japan. Ayame and Rikimaru 'killed' Tenrai...Atleast that's what they thought. But Lord Gohda still feels his presence. Onikage tried to awaken Mei-Oh again. This time Ayame and Rikimaru didn't make it in time. Mei-Oh, a destructive chaotic mess, started wars all over Japan. Which is why we're here now, right? No family? Right..."
"Toya!?" Chibi looked hurt and angry, "Why do you say it like that?!"
"What, Azuma Ninjas only express feelings of anger?" Ressai whispered, "HMPH."
"So sensitive, this batch of ninjas," Toya began again, "There shouldn't be any strong emotions being an Azuma Ninja...Just a strong blow. You'll lose your sensitivity after your first kill, trust me.
"I'm sure you all know about the wars in which almost all of Japan was destroyed. Rikimaru and Ayame were hopeless...In a fit of despair. All they could do was try to save families.
"Tatsumaru, once an Azuma Ninja until he traited on us, somehow destroyed Mei-Oh, but we believe he destroyed himself in the process. This news weakened Ayame's heart. Her 'secretive' love was gone for good.
"There was still a living Onikage, so Ayame went to kill the evil whom killed her love. Rikimaru went after Ayame, for he knew there was no way Ayame could win with a hole in her heart.
"Ayame was lured in by Tatsumaru's dead body, and she became Onikage's live target. As Onikage stabbed Ayame in the back, Rikimaru grabbed Onikage from the back in a fit of hurt, anger and hopelessness, for Onikage had just killed his love. Onikage struggled to pull the sword from Ayame's back and thrust it through his own gut so the sword would also go through Rikimaru.
"Rumor has it that Ayame was able to escape, guts spilling and all. And Rikimaru supposedly followed after her after waking from his unconscious state. But when Rikimaru awoke with the sword still through him, Onikage was gone. A sign he was still alive.
"But Rikimaru and Ayame never returned to Lord Gohda, and Onikage was never heard of again. The wars ended.
"Like I said, Rikimaru and Ayame are dead and it's all a rumor! If not the wars would have still been going on, am I right? And Ayame and Rikimaru would've returned.
"A lesson to you that real Azuma Ninjas don't believe in friends: or LOVE!" Toya pronounced the word "love" with disgust, "These two traits get you no where as an Azuma Ninja, except for where Ayame and Rikimaru are now...Six feet under. Possibly sixty feet under."
Ari looked to Cinni, saying in a mocking voice, "Don't you just love happy endings?"
Cinni tried to smile, "Yeah, beautiful."
Chibi leaned over saying, "Someone had a broken heart in their lifetime before."
Toya didn't hear this, luckily, as she took a seat in her original spot. Lord Gohda's waterfall of sweat had drained, and he seemed rather cold.
"I would like all of you to go on a stealth mission to places to find out my if my feelings are true, or if I'm getting too old and senile." Lord Gohda smiled, and his worries seemed to slip away.
Each Azuma Ninja gave each other a pound except for Toya. (yeah homey!)
"We'll start by sending each of you to villages known for the histories of these tragedies!" Lord Gohda clapped as a sign of 'chop chop', "Further discussion tonight."
"What about training?" Ressai asked.
"Take a day off...It's your last day off after you start these missions." Lord Gohda looked down.
"All right!" Ressaiyu jumped about half his height into the air.
"I'll be escorted to my castle, along with Sekiya, Princess Kiku and my guards. Enjoy yourselves." Lord Gohda stretched, "Wait...you all will be coming too!"
"We have a full day at Gohda's castle!!!!" Ressaiyu and everyone else were so excited.
The Ninjas, Lord Gohda, Princess Kiku and Sekiya boarded the carriage. Two guards steered the carriage with Lord Gohda's two adoring white stallions pulling it.
Through the villages and woods our ninjas go to reach Lord Gohda's castle. What will happen on their first day off? What tragedies?...What fun? Are Tenrai and Onikage still alive? What about Rikimaru and Ayame?
Author's Note:
Hahahaha! This is so enjoyable!!!! Sharing my workz with u guys and listening to Utada Hikaru! Yeah man! It's a shame though, such a beautiful story unfolding and yet my reviews are so limited! Help me out guyz!!! cries with handkerchief There's a lot more to come so stay tuned!!! Please no flames. Thanks to all my reviewers already. Much luv!!! And there IS going to be action at some point in the story...don't worry so! Thanks to u all! Drop off your love! Oh, and I had to kill them! I'm so sorry...hugs and kisses!