Shadows

Part 6

"Kunoichi, Versus Samurai,"

Later the Rojin and the Ninja's, sat in dining hall Saya had decided that she wasn't too hungry, Kira had a quick bite too eat before she joined Saya in the small barracks.

"Is this all that got away?" asked one of the others

"Yes," replied Takeshi "Kurenai although is away right know she'll be back in few days though,"

"Why'd you send her she's only a kid!" questioned a teenager

"She maybe a kid but she's very skilled," replied Tanaka firmly "She's a lot more mature than you think, Shinji,"

"She's 10 years old…" he exclaimed Takeshi glared at him Shinji looked down at his food as he began to eat his dinner in silence "Look am sorry but…"

"Fair enough she's a kid but that's no reason for thinking differently about her," said Kiroka she moved her hair out of her eyes she then lifted up the plate as she went to clean the wooden plate, Takeshi stood up as well taking the wooden plate away to clean it.

"Excuse me," said Kiroka "I need some air,"

"If it's alright with you Master I need some air too," said Takeshi, Tanaka nodded in reply Takeshi and Kiroka walked out of the dining room.


Saya sat on the stone windowsill staring up at the moon she had been sitting there for a few hours know, Kira had fallen asleep on the bed made of hay.


Mallory stumbled slightly, she removed her hand from her side her hand was covered in blood.

'Its getting worse…' she closed her eyes tightly as a surge of pain was sent through her side, she collapsed to her knees holding her side. She lay there on the cold damp ground her eye sight began to blur slightly as she pushed herself to her knees she looked up seeing the castle sitting up on top of mountain she went to stand up but her knees buckled and she fell to her knees she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand 'Shit…!' she gasped lightly the pain suddenly got worse before she lost consciousness.

It was late in the afternoon when she woke up she groaned lightly as she held her side as she sat up

"You should take it easy you've lost a lot of blood," spoke someone from behind her. She looked over her shoulder to see a young woman wearing a Kimono she knelt down beside Mallory "Are you okay?"

"Am fine," replied Mallory, as she brushed her hair out of her eyes "Thank you,"

"If you don't mind me asking…?" she began, Mallory looked up at her tilting her head to the side slightly "What are you doing out here all alone,"

"I was just passing through that's all," replied Mallory as she looked down at where the wound had been it had been neatly stitched up

"You must be hungry do you want anything to eat?" asked the woman "What's your name?"

"Kurenai," replied Mallory

"My name is Saki," said the woman as she smiled, Mallory looked up at the young woman named Suki "You may stay here till your well enough to leave," Mallory nodded slightly as she laid her head down on the pillow

"Thanks I could use a good rest," said Mallory tiredly "I'll leave in the morning if that's okay with you,"

"You won't of recovered by then," began Saki

"I'll be fine I must go my family will be worried about me," she replied Mallory tilting her head to the side slightly.

"Of course," Saki nodded "Are you sure you don't want anything too eat?"

"Am not too hungry but thanks anyway," replied Mallory

"Okay then I'll let you rest," said Saki she stood up and left the room sliding the door shut behind her Mallory slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep.

"Why did you bring that child into our home!" questioned a Drake

"She's only a child Shintatsu, she needed help and I couldn't just leave her too die out there," she replied simply "She's a nice kid I don't care what you think, she said she was leaving tomorrow morning anyway,"

"She's a NINJA!" he exclaimed "She'll only bring death too us!"

"She's a child!" stated Saki

"A killer!" he stated "A cold blooded assassin! What if she's working for them!" they turned around to hear the door open up too see Mallory leaning against the frame of the door holding her side.

"Am not with them!" stated Mallory.

"You see she's a killer!" he exclaimed as he pointed at the young girl standing by the door

"I don't kill the innocent!" stated Mallory a bit angrily "I won't stain my hands with the blood of the innocent," Mallory lowered head tilting her head to the side slightly "Yes I have killed but it was too protect my friends and family… tell me…" she looked up at him "…Wouldn't you do the same to protect Saki?" he looked at her sternly as he walked over to where Mallory stood he knelt down in front of her he looked into the hazel brown eyes of the young child he nodded "…Then tell me how is it trying to survive any different?" she questioned simply, he glared down at her he saw the stubborn look in the young girls eyes, he grinned slightly.

"You're a pretty stubborn kid you know that?" he said, Mallory just grinned slightly "But I guess your right,"

"Look I'll be gone by tomorrow morning I only need a bit of time too rest," Mallory slowly slumped to the wooden floor still leaning against the frame she slowly pushed herself to her feet as she stumbled slightly making her way to the bed on the floor.

Early the next Morning Mallory was ready too go. She picked up the two Kodachi swords.

"Here just encase you get hungry," said Suki handing over a small pouch, Mallory looked up at her

"Thank you, I had better go," said Mallory bowing her head slightly as she began to walk through the bamboo forest

She had walked for almost 2 hours as she looked up at the mountain side she sighed as she quickly made her way up the mountain side after about an three and a half of climbing she had made it to the courtyard walls she looked over the wall being careful not to be seen by any of the guards or soldiers. She crouched down as she quickly hid herself in the shadows out of site. She narrowed her eyes when she saw Shinjitsu standing over by the castle doors she watched the others train before she quickly made her way closer to where Shinjitsu stood so she could hear what he was saying just then someone walked up beside him they began too talk him.

'Is that the Emperor?' she wondered to herself, they had talked for a few minutes before the Emperor and Shinjitsu disappeared back into the castle. She jumped down from the wall she quickly slipped by the guards she then quietly made her down the long hallway. Shinjitsu stopped suddenly, Mallory quickly jumped up onto a beam above her.

"Is there something wrong Shinjitsu?" asked the Emperor

"I thought I heard something," replied Shinjitsu looking around

"It's not like you too be so jumpy Shinjitsu," said the Emperor "Maybe you should get some rest," suggested the Emperor tilting his head to the side as he grinned slightly.

"Am fine," stated Shinjitsu as he began to walk down the hallway, she quietly jumped down and quickly caught up to them and quickly jumped up onto a beam just as Shinjitsu turned around "There's that Ki again!" he growled lowly

"Your senses are getting the better of you old friend," chuckled the Emperor, Mallory hid herself in the shadows

"A shadow?" muttered Shinjitsu

'How can he sense me!' she wondered as she pressed herself against the wall as she held her breath.

"What is it that's got you so jumpy?" asked the Emperor

"A shadow?" Shinjitsu simply replied "We should do a full sweep of the castle's surrounding's Sir,"

The Emperor turned to two guards, "Search the Castle for any intruders!" he ordered "If you find anyone bring them to me at once!"

"Yes sir," the two guards replied before they took off down the hallway

"Does that make you feel any better?" he questioned, Shinjitsu narrowed his eyes up at the beam where Mallory was hiding in the shadows.

"I'll feel better when they find the Shadow," Mallory looked down at him as she watched them walk off. Mallory jumped down from the beam hiding herself behind a statue she looked behind her to find a door. She slowly opened it slightly as she walked into the room closing the door behind her she nearly jumped when she heard someone gasp she quickly turned around.

"Wh-who are you!" questioned a young boy, Mallory stood there like a deer in the headlights.

"Ah crap!" she muttered as she quickly pinned the boy to the wooden floor she quickly covered his beak "Don't you dare scream!" she snapped as he gave a muffled scream as his eyes widened "Listen I won't kill you if you don't scream or tell them I was here!" he nodded in reply closing his eyes "Who are you!"

"GUARDS!" cried the boy suddenly two guards stormed in holding Naginata's.

"You brat!" she growled lowly as she shoved him to the ground before she jumped out the window the alarm was soon sounded

Shinjitsu walked over to the window to see people scattering, he narrowed his eyes when he saw the cloaked figure run by he grinned slightly.

"What's going on Shinjitsu!" questioned the Emperor as he stood up

"It's the Shadow!" replied Shinjitsu

Mallory gasped just as an arrow landed in front of her she jumped the arrows and quickly skidded as six guards suddenly appeared in front of her, then more suddenly appeared she looked around quickly for a opening she quickly drew the two Kodachi's swords she then quickly stepped to the side just as a guard with a Naginata went to run the blade through her. She quickly attacked the Drake stabbing him the back of the neck she pulled the Kodachi's from his neck and spun around throwing a few shurikens at three other Guards killing them in a instant she quickly made a run for it just then she stopped when she saw Shinjitsu standing in front of her she narrowed her eyes.

"Its you isn't it," he snarled drawing the Katana

"Your blood is mine!" she stated, he grinned slightly as she removed the hood of the cloak to reveal her face

"Am surprised you survived I was told you were killed but I didn't believe it that night we fought you showed no signs of fear of death," he snickered lightly as he stepped forward Mallory quickly stepped back watching his every movement "Tell me why do I anger you so much?" he questioned

"I'll tell you as you breathe your last breath!" replied Mallory, he snorted before he swung the sword at her she quickly jumped out of the way. She jumped up onto the wall behind her as she landed she threw a shuriken at him it caught him in the arm he pulled it out and threw it aside he growled as he went to attack her once again she jumped up into the air as she somersaulted, she landed on her feet turning around she lunged forward stabbing one of the swords into his back, he growled lowly suddenly he felt something cold touch his throat

"Not bad for a Kunoichi," he growled lowly

"Not bad for a Samurai!" she retorted as she grinned slightly feeling the katana at her throat she quickly pulled the sword from his back and jumped back. He withdrew his sword suddenly a sharp pain was sent threw her body, her vision went in and out of focus before she fell to the ground semi-conscious she groaned lightly as she was lifted up off the ground roughly. She loosely held the two Kodachi swords in her hands with the little strength she had, she stabbed the swords into Shinjitsu's stomach he cried out as he pulled the two Kodachi's out and threw them to the ground he then punched her in the stomach knocking the wind out of her she lowered her head slightly.

"Get this brat out of here before I kill her!" he growled lowly the guards began to drag Mallory away he looked down at the two Kodachi's swords lying on the ground a coat of blood covered them. He narrowed his eyes as he picked them up, he then fell to his knees holding his stomach "That bitch!" he gasped feeling a sharp pain through his body.

"What is wrong sir?" asked one the Officers

"The blades are covered in poison!" he snorted angrily

"I'll get the healers," said the Officer


Saya's eyes widened slightly as she let out a gasp

"Is something wrong Saya?" asked Kira looking up at the older duck Saya just stood there in shock "Saya?" she asked worriedly Kiroka walked over to Saya she put a hand on Saya's shoulder

"Its… it's… Mallory… she's gone!" she said barely above a whisper "Her Ki I can't sense it anymore…'

"Are you sure?" asked Kiroka "Are you sure she's just not out of range?"

"No I could sense her up till know!" stated Saya "I have to go help her!" she quickly ran out of the small barracks, Kiroka looked down at Kira who suddenly fell to her knees.

"Kira!" she gasped as the young girl collapsed she held the young girl in her arms tightly

"Mallory…" whispered Kira

"She'll be fine just get some rest Kira," said Kiroka as she lifted the young girl up into her arms and lay the child down on the hay bed as she pulled the covers over her, Kiroka watched as Kira soon fell asleep afterawhile of worrying.

Saya ran as fast as she could only to bumped into Takeshi she fell down to the ground hard

"What's wrong?" he asked confused

"Its Mallory I can't sense her anymore?" replied Saya worriedly as she got up to her feet

"Hang on?" he closed his eyes to see if he could sense Mallory's Ki he opened up his eyes, he hung his head "That poor kid," he whispered "We can't do anything for her know,"

"WHAT!" cried Saya "I can't just leave her!"

"She's dead Saya!" he stated simply "There's nothing you can do for her know,"

"NO I MADE A PROMISE I WOULD PROTECT HER!" she cried "I WON'T BREAK THAT PROMISE!" she pushed him aside and ran off through the Bamboo forest as fast as she could he sighed as he watched her leave, he quickly chased off after her, he finally caught up to her and jumped her they fell to the ground hard, "LEAVE ME ALONE!"

"SHE IS DEAD FORGET IT!" he snapped as he glared down at her he waited till she calmed down a bit before she knelt on the ground she dug her fingers into the ground as she balled up her hands tightly as tears began to roll down her cheeks

"I promised her…" she whispered quietly she looked up at him slightly without warning she struck him across the back of the neck knocking him unconscious, "Am sorry Takeshi but I can't just leave her there I know she would do the same for me," she quickly ran off through the forest leaving him behind


Mallory lay on the cold damp ground of the cell she groaned lightly as she got to her knees she moved her hair out of her eyes as she looked over to the bars of the cells to see the boy from earlier she growled at him.

"What do you want!" she questioned narrowing her eyes, the boy grinned at her "Stupid blonde," she muttered as she walked over to the corner sitting on a stack of hay in the shadows "GET LOST!" she yelled

"So you're a Ninja?" he said "How do you do that?" he questioned trying to see her in the shadows.

"Do what?" she questioned folding her arms

"Hide in the shadows its cool!" exclaimed the boy

"Leave ME ALONE!" she yelled as she punched the wall making a hole in the wall the boy jumped slightly as he backed away before he scurried away Mallory withdrew her hand from the wall. She looked at her hand to find it was bleeding, she winced lightly as she tried to move her hand. She managed to slightly move it she took the bandage from her arm and wrapped it around her hand she sat down on the hay stack and closed her eyes before she went to get some rest. A few hours had past, she was awoken by sound of footsteps she sat up she narrowed her eyes slightly seeing it was Shinjitsu standing at the cell door he grinned slightly

"Why are you hiding in the shadows?" he snorted

"I am not hiding!" stated Mallory simply, he snorted as he leaned against the steal bars of the cell

"What's the matter afraid of the light?" he asked in a taunting tone she growled lowly as she turned her head away

"I am not afraid," she stated as she stepped out of the shadows "Why don't you just kill me!"

"You little bitch you poisoned me!" he growled lowly as he slammed his hand into the bars she grinned slightly

"Yeah that's the thing I neglected to tell the victims I kill even if they survive they'll die anyway," she explained simply "You shouldn't have long to live, I would spend what's left of your life wisely,"

"You bitch where's the antidote!" he questioned, she simply grinned as she folded her arms. He narrowed his eyes at her knowing she was taunting him "WELL!"

"There's no cure for the poison," she simply replied "You'll die a slow and painful death!" she said in a cold dark tone "Know you'll know how they felt!" she laughed lightly "I will take my revenge for them,"

"Just who are they?" he questioned, Mallory suddenly disappeared into the shadows not answering his question "Do you mean those lousy villagers?" he questioned

"Didn't I tell you it would tell you as you breathe your last breath?" she said simply, he growled lowly at her.


Meanwhile back at the Rojin village Takeshi had reported about what had happened, Tanaka lowered his head slightly

"…Saya believes that she's still alive," said Takeshi bowing his head

"I see are you sure she's really dead Takeshi she's not one to go down without a fight?" he questioned as he looked up at Takeshi "Let Saya go if she really thinks she's still alive," he folded his arms

"But Master its suicide…!" exclaimed Takeshi "That place is crawling with guards!"

"Saya knows what she's doing why don't you go after her and help her she could use the help," suggested Tanaka as he stood up Takeshi watched him walk by, "Saya trained Kurenai to be the best. Kurenai is still alive," Takeshi frowned slightly confused as he stood up. He walked over to the window and stared up at the sky he closed his eyes as he sighed as he turned around opened his eyes hearing someone crying he jumped out the window to find who it was it was Kira he stood a couple of feet away from her, she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand as she looked up at him, he knew that Kira thought of Mallory as an older sister, he turned away from the pleading look that Kira was given him he then ran off.

'Maybe I should help Saya,' he thought as he lifted up Kira taking her to the barracks to rest. Kiroka looked up at him as he walked he laid the young girl down, "Kiroka take care of the Master, Kira and the Kids I've got to go and help Saya she might need my help," he said as he pulled the covers over Kira who had fallen asleep not too long ago.


To Be Continued…

Poisons? Okay obviously a lot of people are going to know what Poison is… Kunoichi's weapons were usually dipped in poison so that even if the victim got away they would die anyway. Kunoichi's used Poison a lot more cause they were able to get a lot closer to their enemies than the male Ninja would be able to and get information to out of them by "persuading" them into it, the Kunoichi would poison the victim leaving not that much evidence behind after killing them after getting the information from them. Male Ninja will have used some poison also to on the Shurikens, and other such weapons.

Naginata: Is a long spear type weapon it's a long staff with a blade attached to the top of it.