A Sword That Can't Kill
Ayame and Mai were just finishing up with training when Rikimaru had returned from scouting and hunting. Mai had been going through the intense training that Ayame had received from her master Shiunsai. At first, Mai was a little clumsy at all the acrobatic moves that Ayame tried to teach her. But after a week of searching for Jennai and his men, Mai started to develop the skills that a ninja needs. She wanted to make sure that she would be able to repay Jennai for all the horrible things he had done to her and her village.
Even after Rikimaru and Ayame started cooking the fish that he shot Mai wanted to continue her training. Ayame told her to rest and have something to eat. Mai just turned her back and walked away. "Fine. I'll train by myself." As Mai practiced jumping from tree to tree and jumping attacks, Rikimaru and Ayame enjoyed each others company.
"Careful," he warned. "It's really hot."
"Yeah, yeah. So, what do you think of my little apprentice?"
"She has a lot of determination and she picks up on techniques really fast. She's also really headstrong. She reminds me of someone I know."
"I am nothing like that!" Ayame yelled.
"How did you know I was talking about you?" Ayame scowled at Rikimaru. "It's true. She acts just like you. Come to think of it, she looks a lot like you, too." Ayame scoffed at this remark but then looked at Mai as she jumped from tree to tree. It was somewhat true. Her moves were exactly like Ayame's. Sometimes when Mai and Ayame went at it Rikimaru would have to split them because neither of them would back down from the challenge. And then their appearances were similar. Mai's face was shaped and angled just like Ayame's. Her black hair used to be straight and beautiful. But ever since she started the training, Mai always put it up in a messy ponytail. The one featured that stuck out the most was Mai's eyes, perfectly shaped brown eyes just like Ayame's. The only thing that was different about Mai was that her smile and heart always warmed the area around the two ninjas like she had done with the villagers. Ayame was taken aback by the resemblance. And just like Ayame, she would never reveal any signs of weakness.
"You must be joking if you think I resemble her in any way." Rikimaru smiled under his black mask. He was well aware that Ayame could never tell a lie. "Besides, we have more important things to worry about."
"You're right." Rikimaru put the fire out. "We should get back to the castle soon. Lord Gohda will…" He suddenly stopped when he felt a shock go through his body. Ayame felt it, too.
"Someone is coming. His ki is very powerful. There are about a dozen others with him, too." Rikimaru and Ayame drew their swords. Ayame looked at Mai only to see that she was still swinging her sword. "Mai, what are you doing? You should be alert!"
"She hasn't developed the ability to sense other ninjas," Rikimaru reminded her. Suddenly, samurais started popping up everywhere. Rikimaru, Ayame, and Mai did everything they could to fight off the ambush. Mai was actually doing well for her first battle. She had sent three men that came after her to the ground. Just as Rikimaru and Ayame had killed the first six men, a scream rang through the forest. The two ninjas turned around to face Mai. Jennai was holding her with one arm and had a sword in the other. Rikimaru and Ayame took a step towards her but stopped when Jennai brought the sword closer to Mai's neck.
"I wouldn't come any closer, unless you want to tarnish the beautiful snow with the girl's blood." The two backed off and sheathed their swords. "All I want is this girl and your heads. Lord Mei-Oh will be so pleased."
"Lord Mei-Oh?" Rikimaru whispered. But he had banished him to the other realm.
"You're lying! Lord Mei-Oh is dead! He isn't coming back!" Jennai laughed at Ayame's words.
"He may not be back yet, but with the shachihoko and Lord Mei-Oh's sword he will be able to rule this world once again! We will be able to rule with his power!"
"You fool!" Ayame yelled. "No one can control Lord Mei-Oh."
"With this sword, we can and we will." Suddenly, another laugh rang out. This time, it was Mai's.
"You stupid crook, do you even know how to use the shachihoko's power?"
"Of course I do, you presumptuous bitch." He slapped her and let her fall to the ground. He grabbed the shachihoko and started to unsheathe it. "I'll show you the real power of the shachihoko!" He drew it out and held it above his head. Mai blocked the blow with her sword. When the sword stopped against Mai's, everyone gasped. "What is this? The blade is on the wrong side!" Mai begun to laugh.
"It is a sakabatou sword, a reverse-blade sword. It is the chosen protector. That is what shachihoko means. It is a sword that can't kill humans. It protects the people. Haven't you noticed? All the men I took on aren't bleeding. I just knocked them out. The shachihoko is a sword of protection."
"You bitch, all I need to do is flip the blade. Die!" Jennai was about to swing when he suddenly gasped. Mai had used the dull side of her blade to swing at Jennai's throat. He fell to the ground and dropped the shachihoko. Mai picked her father's sword up and sheathed it.
"Well, are you ready to go to Gohda's castle know?" Mai asked. Rikimaru and Ayame stood in amazement. "Leave him be. If he wants to cause more trouble, we'll take care of him." Mai started walking down a path. "Are you coming?"
"Where did that come from?" Rikimaru asked as they followed Mai.
"She totally thrashed that guy, and with a reverse-blade." Ayame couldn't believe it.
"All this time the shachihoko was a blade of protection. Unfortunately, Mei-Oh will be looking for it. We'll have to keep our eyes open."
"Just what we need, a sword that can't kill and a demon on our ass."
"It could be worse. Lord Mei-Oh could have the two swords already. We'll have to get the Shichishito." But Ayame wasn't thinking about anything that Rikimaru was saying. She was glad that Mai was still alive. She was even happier that she took on all those men. 'She did very well for her first time,' Ayame thought. 'I'll have to go harder on her.'