Okay first off, I don't own any of these characters. They all belong to Capcom so don't think I made any of these characters up. Now on to the story.

Chapter four: Reminiscence

The temple was a rather relaxing place. It was a rather small one with two smaller sections to the left and right hat I assumed was for prayer sessions. We only stopped for about 25 minutes for Ibuki to go give respects to the elder monks who prayed there. She told me that she does this every time she walks by a temple or any sanctuary or holy beliefs and being that this is a religious mountain side region with many temples sanctuaries near to one another, she must do this all the time.. Showing your respects to all the monks on a regular basis everyday seems almost too much. Almost life consuming. But then again, being a true ninja is her life.

Ibuki: "Okay I'm almost done. There's the highest elder there so I'll go give my respects and then we can leave. Sorry for making you wait."

"It's okay. I can see this is important to you. Go on. I'll wait here."

She gave me that light smile as she went off. I still can't help but feel comfortable every time she smiles at me….

All of a sudden I heard a noise. A turned around and saw nothing. A rustle in the bush behind caught my attention. I assumed it to be an animal of sort. I bent down to see what's behind the bush and found nothing. I then hear a light footstep in the background again. I turned looking left and right ending up with nothing once more. I slowly stood up to take a small look around and then THUD. I look at a tree to the right of me with a Kunai (A small Dagger type weapon with a sharp point and a small handle on it making it excellent for throwing.) on the side of it. I was a bit nervous and paranoid of my surroundings and got a bit scared. I wanted to run but then I thought I'd be killed in the pursuit so I stood still slowly looking around. I turned to the temple to see if Ibuki has come back yet but she was no where in sight. I got very tense and very scared. I did not know what to do. I then heard footsteps in the grass. I didn't know where it was coming from so I looked around once more. Then something touched my shoulder.

"AHH!!!"

Ibuki: "Hey calm down it's me!! It's me. What are you doing out here. I thought you were gonna wait for me right next to the temple?"

"Sorry. I thought I heard something out here."

Ibuki: "Really like what?"

"I don't know like footsteps. But then this Kunai ended up on the tree next to me."

Then I open my eyes wide. Then all of a sudden a flashback occurred.

"…higher. A little bit higher. Yes, there. You see Hiryu, the tree tops are the best for picking off enemies in the mountainsides since the trees are so tall. Up here no one can see us."

Then I quickly turned around and looked up for the highest tree there.

Ibuki: "What's going on?! You're freaking me out."

"The trees…."

Ibuki: "What about them? I don't underst… … …"

She then realized what I was talking about. She then joined in looking up for tall trees.

"THERE!"

But it was a bit too late. I only got a glance of his feet taking off and disappearing.

Ibuki: "Come on. Let's go."

I was in shock knowing that someone was trying to kill me. Yet I was a bit relieved knowing that someone knew I was out here. Maybe I'm here for a reason….

We walked down to the rest of the way to her dojo. I was happy that we finally got there. I saw many ninjas in the proper uniform, the shinobi shozoko.

Ibuki: "Well were here. Come meet my master! I'm sure he can help you, he's very wise."

"Sure. Just one second let me rest for a bit."

Ibuki: "Okay then well I'll be over there so when you're ready, go there okay?!"

And there she went again all joyful and childishly happy. She looked very "free" in a way.

I watched the ninjitsu students sparring. It made me think and feel very nostalgic for some reason. I slowly opened my eyes and looked carefully.

"Ha… Have I seen this before?"

Another flashback occurred.

(FLASHBACK)

"…with them. Don't be fooled. They maybe less advanced in gear and technology but their senses and skills are still what we have been down on from. So don't let your guard down and be careless and…. Takaru!!"

Takaru: "Oh uh… HAI!" ("Hai" means "Yes" in Japanese")

Unknown: "Pay attention!! For a C class Strider you are LAZY!"

Takaru: "It… It won't happen again Sempai!" ("Sempai" in Japanese is in reference to some who is your superior. Such as in work places, Sempai can be commonly used as your "Boss" or the person who is in charge of your section of command or department or work.)

Unknown: "For god sakes! You're seeing your ancestors of Ninjitsu in front of your eyes! I'm going to turn off the video hologram now. Tomorrow prepare to debark."

C class Striders: "OUSE!!!" ("Sir." Or "Yes Sir.")

(FLASHBACK ENDS)

"Oh man…. My head hurts."

I thought about the flashback for a moment. I noticed the sword I have were the same they were holding. I looked carefully at the sword. I stood up and held it by the end handle with a tight grip. I swing it rather modestly as if I wasn't trying to prove anything. I then decided to take a complete full swing. Without noticing, I cut down a large branch of a tree next to me. Using the tree now as my target, I swung another time and almost felt the sword moving me. I felt the force of the swing throughout my whole body. I swung once more with vigorous power using the end of the sword for the maximum swinging potential with great speed and felt my hand feel rather light. As I reached the full swing… it was almost as my eyes were deceiving me. Reaching and destroying the tree in front of me was only the beginning as I looked. The next three trees down and a large boulder crashed down.

"That's four… in a row."

I panted from the swing. I took a slow deep breath.

And there. I still didn't… no… couldn't believe what I saw. As if it were something out of a dream or fantasy. I knew something was odd. Something….

"The sword, it… … stretched?"

I looked at the blade of my sword and looked my reflection off of it. I stared very hard.

"Who am I?"

I just couldn't sense it. I had a feeling that the sword right in front of my eyes was an important part of whom I am or who I was but I didn't know what. However, to me, it was special or rather… incredible.I tracked back my thoughts for a slight moment and came up with only one thought that might be a key to all of this. Something that sounded… familiar.

"St… Strider…"

To be continued.

More to come. Be nice. Can't make bread when ya ain't got da doe! Kno' wat I'm sayin'? Break yo self fOO! Word. uu