Note:
Phases in "..." means English
Phases in -...- means Japanese
As we see the rushing waters of the river below at the bottom of the gorge, further down the river we see the soaking wet and unconscious earth ninja Dustin washed up on a rock bed shore along the river. The yellow ninja was laying face up and his lips were a bit blue and his face a bit pale and blood was still flowing from his arm wound.
At that time a middle aged elderly couple was walking by going along the riverside. The man wore a grey kimono top with baggy pants along with wooden sandals on his feet and having long black hair with grey streaks tied in a ponytail and a long grey beard. On his back was a basket made of bamboo with shoulder straps attached to it making it like a backpack. The woman was in the same manner as the man wearing a full royal blue kimono with wooden sandals and long hair tied in a loose braid.
Oh dear! Look at that!- the woman exclaimed when she saw the unconscious Dustin and her husband looked to where his wife pointed.
While somewhere else not so far from here...
"Kaze, Kaze! Come on, wake up!" someone was lightly tapping the storm ninja's face with their hand.
"Huh? Wha?" Kaze slowly started to open his eyes.
When his eyes were fully opened, he sees Hunter looking down at him with his face only a foot away from his own, with a relieved smile. The crimson ninja was soaking wet and water was dripping from his body and drops of water were sliding down his face and his hair plastered against his head. Kaze blinked then remembering what happened earlier he shot up and immediately wrapped his arms around Hunter's neck and hugged him tightly. Hunter jumped a bit from the sudden embrace but he gladly returned it with his arms wrapped around the other's waist. Then remember how his boyfriend got there as well, the white ninja pulled back and pushed him a bit.
"You idiot! Why did you jumped after me like that!" he glared at his koi.
Hunter of course couldn't believe his boyfriend was shouting at him for something like that and got annoyed himself.
"Why do you think! Besides being your boyfriend and I love you! Sorry for caring!" the thunder ninja shouted back and turned his head away.
Both of them stay silent for a minute before Kaze started to feel guilty for shouting at his boyfriend like that because he loved him and he sighed.
"What if at the bottom wasn't a river. You could have died you know." the storm ninja muttered quietly.
After hearing his boyfriend talk, the older thunder brother turned back and faced the other.
"Look, when I first started to train as a ninja and being your boyfriend, I accepted the dangers in life so don't lecture me. Remember that it's you and me from now on, either we both live or we both die."
Kaze leaned forward towards Hunter's body and buried his face in his chest.
"Sorry." the storm ninja apologized and arms were wrapped around him.
"Come on, let's go find the others." the crimson ninja stood up bringing the other with him and went off.
Somewhere else on higher ground...
"Guys let me go! I have to go back for Hunter!" Blake was shouting his head off as Tori and Shane was dragging him away.
The air and water ninja got a hold on the navy ninja's arms trying to hold him back and calm down while the prince and his two protector walked along watching.
"Blake! Listen to me! You got to calm down!" Tori tried to calm her boyfriend down.
Not know what the three were saying and by the looks of the situation, a fight was about to break out; Pochi the ninja guard decide to speak up.
If you are worried about your friends, you don't need to. At the bottom of the gorge happens to be a river, so even if your friends fell to the bottom they should be alright.-
Blake stopped his struggling and calmed down a bit and turned to the teen.
Are you sure about that?- the younger thunder ninja asked.
Yes I am, so your friends should be fine.-
We didn't introduce ourselves yet. I'm Kamori, prince of Byakuro and these two are my friends and guards, and Pochi and Shizu.- the prince introduced himself and his ninjas.
Yes we know you as the prince.- Tori stated.
Of course, I shouldn't be surprised. You are?-
Akai.- Shane answered.
Kon.- Blake added.
Aoi.- Tori finished.
Nice to meet you all, I didn't get a chance to thank your friend for helping me back there.-
I'm sure he knows you're grateful. Anyways who was that after you?- the water ninja asked.
His name is Hanzo, a ninja master that works for my uncle.-
Your uncle? But why would he send him after you?- Blake a bit confused.
It seems that my uncle Tageki want the position of lord of Byakuro himself so he planned an attack against my father and captured him and took over the castle.- Kamori said sadly.
Oh, that's just great.- Shane rolled his eyes.
Is something wrong?- Pochi questioned.
Well you see we have some business in Byakuro but now with this...- the blue ninja replied.
Suddenly Blake got an idea.
We want to make a proposal with you.-
Oh? What kind?- the prince suddenly got some interest.
If we help you in taking back the castle, will you allow us access to the vault of scrolls.- after hearing that his girlfriend and friend knew what he was doing.
The scroll vault? What do you want in there?-
Its something that we came for and need, so what do you think?-
After a moment of thinking, the prince made his decision.
All right, I accept.- and shook hands with the thunder ninja.
All right then we got ourselves a deal. First we need to find our friends.-
Then follow us, I think I know where they might be headed.- Pochi stated and started to walk and the others followed.
Back down to where Hunter and Kaze were at the moment...
We see the two ninjas holding hands walking through a thin forest since they left the area of the river and they had no idea where they were going. As they walked suddenly the sky above them started to rumbling and then it started to rain a downpour. Quickly the white ninja pulled out the umbrella he still had with him and opened it above their heads blocking out the rain.
"See I told you this will come in handy." Kaze look up at Hunter grinning.
Hunter just sighed and smiled and pulled his koi closer to his side and took hold of the umbrella himself and continued walking, while pulling the other along. After awhile more the rain finally stopped and the storm ninja put the umbrella away. At that time the woman from before who found Dustin came by and eyed the two.
Um excuse me but are you two by any chance looking for a friend of yours?- the woman asked politely.
The two of them looked at the woman surprised then at each other and then the woman again.
Yes we are but how do you know?- Hunter replied.
Because me and my husband found a young man earlier who was wearing the same kind of clothes you two are wearing.-
What does he looks like?- Kaze immediately asked.
Well his hair was brown and curly and his clothes had yellow trimmings.-
The two looked at one another, "Dustin!" they both stated together.
That's him, could you take us to him?-
Of course, follow me.- and the woman started walking and the two followed.
Somewhere else by the river...
We see Cam like his boyfriend and friends washed up on a rock bed river shore facing down and his head on the side. The samurai suddenly started to wake up from the fall and river ride from earlier and lifted his head and shook it a bit. Once his head cleared he pushed himself up into a kneeling position and looked around his surroundings. Not seeing Dustin or Kaze, he started to panic a bit.
"Dustin! Kaze!" the green ninja shouted out.
Back with Hunter and Kaze...
The two of them had been following the woman they met stating that she had seen their friend Dustin and have been walking for a half an hour. Eventually they came up to a cottage residence with bamboo fence, flowers growing outside in the front and there was a pond along with a water wheel. The three of them walked through the gate and headed towards the front door and as they walked up the steps, the front door suddenly opened. A ninja sword came out and was pointed towards the two ninjas. Out walked from the door was the guy Kaoru who was the prince's main protector. Immediately Hunter got in front of him boyfriend protective and kind of glared at the other ninja.
Who are you?" Kaoru asked in a demanding tone.
Kaoru stand down, these two are the friends of the young fellow we found.- the woman pulled down the guard ninja's sword.
The guard eyed the two for a moment before putting away his sword and stepped aside for them to go in.
Sorry about that I just being cautious, I'm Kaoru by the way.- the guard introduced himself to the other two ninjas.
That's okay. I'm Siro.- Kaze answered.
Kurenai.- Hunter added.
Then the man from before came out into the room that they were standing in.
We have guests.- the man was surprised.
Yes, these two are friends of the young man we found.-
Can we see him?- the white ninja immediately asked.
Of course, follow me.- and the man headed into a hall and the two followed.
The man walked and led them to what seem to be a guest room and he stopped in front of a room and slid open the screen door. The two looked in and sees the earth ninja Dustin laying on the floor on a mat with a pillow under his head and a blanket over him, tucked up to his neck. Immediately the two ninjas walked into the room and knelt down beside their friend.
"Dustin, Dustin! Its us." Hunter shook the yellow ninja a bit to wake him but he just lay there.
Getting worried, Kaze turned back to the man.
What's wrong with him? He's not responding to us.-
Seems that your friend was poisoned, so I gave him some antidote for it so there's nothing to worry about. He won't wake up until tomorrow.- the man answered.
Poison?- the storm ninja looked confused and suddenly remembered something.
'The shuriken! It must have been dipped in poison.- the ninja thought back and growled a bit.
Thank you for saving him, we don't know how to repay you.- Kaze stood up.
No need, I'm just glad it wasn't too late, I am a healer and it's my job. But there is something you could help me with.-
What is it?-
I still need to dress up your friend's arm wound but I have no idea on how to remove his clothes, so I wonder if you two be kind of enough...-
Um sure. Could you step outside for awhile.- Hunter nodded in understanding.
The man stepped outside and closed the door.
"So now what should we do?" the crimson ninja asked.
"Duh? Take off his uniform."
"What about Cam?"
"He'll understand and don't get jealous."
Hunter just smirked and crossed his arms. Kaze started to reach under the blanket and felt for Dustin's uniform straps. Once he found them he started to undo them, once the entire uniform was undone the white ninja started to pull of the gloves and boots. Then he started to pull the uniform down towards the feet and finally took the entire uniform off with the blanket still covering Dustin. Setting the ninja uniform aside, Kaze reached under again and this time pulling of the earth ninja's t-shirt and boxers leaving the other naked under the covers.
"I better wash off these blood stains off his clothes." and Kaze and his koi stood up and walked back to the door and slid it open.
He's all yours.- and the man walked into the room with herbs and bandages.
Later...
We see Hunter in the forest near the healer's cottage chopping up firewood with an axe. The two ninjas decide repay the man's help by doing some of their chores for them and Hunter chose to chop wood while Kaze volunteered for washing any dirty clothes and cook for the night. By a nearby stream we see Kaze crouched by the running water with a large wood tub beside him filled with Dustin's clothes and uniform as well as some others. He was washing the clothes by dunking them in the water and scrubs the stains out with his hands.
First he washed Dustin's uniform then his under clothes then started on the couple's clothing. As he washed a kimono belonging to the woman, the robe slipped from his hands and was carried away down stream. Immediately the white ninja got up and ran after it down the stream but couldn't catch up. So he quickly jumped into the air and using his powers landed on the water surface and ran down the stream in a dash.
He manages to catch up with the run away clothes and manages to snatch up the robe before it got any further down stream. Then a sudden voice called out his name.
"Kaze!" recognizing the voice belonging to Cam who finally found him, the white ninja lost his concentration and fell into the water.
The storm ninja then came back out of the water sputtering and turned his head and spotted his friend.
Back at the healer's cottage...
We see Cam and Kaze walking back with the storm ninja carrying the wooden tub of clothes under his arm.
"Hunter! Look who I found!" Kaze shouted.
The crimson ninja came out of the front door and spotted the samurai with his boyfriend.
"Cam! You're here, are you okay?"
"I'm fine but where's Dustin."
Hunter smiled seeing the samurai worrying over his own boyfriend and motioned him inside.
"He's in here come on."
Once the three entered the house, Cam spotted the other three people in there and he looked at his friends for help.
Everyone this is our other friend, Midori.- Kaze introduced and the others nodded in greeting.
Midori, these are the people who found Kiiro and help him.- the white ninja explained with their alias names.
They introduced Kaoru and the healer and his wife to him, Kaoru of course just stared at the newcomer.
Impossible.- the guard muttered.
Excuse me.- Cam looked at him.
You look just like our Prince Kamori but how could that be.-
Well there lots of other stranger things that happens in this world that we can't explain.- stated Kaze.
I'm sorry to sound rude but may I see my friend?- Cam asked.
Of course.- the healer answered.
Hunter and Kaze led Cam to where Dustin was resting at and slid opened the door to the yellow ninja's room. Once the green ninja saw his boyfriend lying there, he immediately walked into the room sliding onto his knees next to his koi and held his hand.
"Dustin, Dustin, can you hear me?" the samurai muttered quietly.
The thunder and storm ninja just looked at the couple and slide the door close and let them have some time to themselves.
A while later Cam came back out from Dustin's room.
What happened?- was the first thing he asked.
It seems that your friend was poisoned but don't worry, I have already given him an antidote.- the healer answered.
Cam released a breath of relief and was confused again, -Poisoned?-
It was that shuriken that hit his arm.- Kaze explained and the samurai narrowed his eyes vowing to get back at the person who hurt his boyfriend.
Who was this person who attacked you?- Kaoru asked and the guys gave him a description of the ninja that attacked them.
Hanzo.- the guard narrowed his eyes after hearing the description.
Hanzo? You know him?- Hunter asked.
The ninja immediately started to explain the current situation with the prince, Byakuro and the take over of the castle and how he ended up here for healing his arm.
This is just great.- the white ninja sighed.
Is something wrong?-
We have some business to attend to at Byakuro, the scrolls in the scroll vault.- the green ninja answered.
After giving some thought Kaoru got an idea.
What about this, if you and your friends help the prince regain the castle, I'm sure he will grant you access to the vault but you will have to talk to Gozen.-
Gozen?- Hunter asked.
Yes, she is the royal family's advisor and it was her father that created the scrolls.-
Cam, Hunter and Kaze immediately huddled together to talk it over and after few minutes of talking they decided.
It's a deal.- Kaze spoke for all of them.
Great, we should leave when your friend is awake and well.-
Anyways I still don't know how to thank you for helping Kiiro.- Cam stated.
No need, your other two friends did more than enough.- the man chuckled.
Although I have been finding someone to challenge me to a game of Go.-
At that moment Kaze grabbed hold of his best friends shoulders and pushed him forward grinning.
Midori, here plays it.-
You do? Young man.- the man asked.
Yes but not that well.- the samurai answered a bit embarrassed.
No matter, lets see how good you play.- and the man started to pull out a wood board and black and white playing pieces.
And we'll start on dinner.- the storm ninja announced and pulled his boyfriend up and dragged him to the kitchen to help.
Cam and the healer played games all night while Kaze cooked dinner for that night with the help of Hunter and both of them also took care of the dishes as well.
The next morning...
In Dustin's room we see the earth ninja had started to wake up from his almost two days of resting and sleep. As the earth child slowly opened his eyes, he looked around his surrounding and wondered where he was. He then turned his head to the side and smiled at what he saw. Next to him on the floor was Cam, who was sound asleep on a mat with a blanket over him. Suddenly he felt something out of place and he looked down and saw his bare chest. Getting a sinking feeling he lifted up the covers on him and realized that he was totally naked underneath.
"Ahh!" Dustin shouted and it woke Cam up.
"Wha? Dustin?" the samurai sat up rubbing his eyes a bit.
After clearing the sleepiness from his eyes, Cam realized that his boyfriend was awake and grinned.
"Dustin you're awake!" exclaiming happily and lurch forward and pull his boyfriend into his arms in a tight embrace.
Dustin felt comfortable and relaxed in the other's arms but then remember the situation he was in and quickly pulled away and pulled his covers tight against himself.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm naked!" Dustin blushed and looked down at the ground.
"Oh don't worry. Kaze had to remove your clothes so the healer could patch up your arm wound and wash the bloodstain out of it. Don't worry he didn't look." the samurai smiled and remembered having his friend explained to him last night on why his boyfriend was naked and pointed at the wrapped up wound on his arm.
"Oh." Dustin looked at his hurt arm sighed in relief.
"Want me to get them for you, they should be dry now."
"Yeah, would you." the yellow ninja answered shyly.
Cam gave Dustin a quick kiss on the lips, which the other accepted gladly and stood up and stretch a bit before leaving the room to get his boyfriend's clothes. Out in the main room everyone else was awake and Cam walked in.
He's awake.- the samurai announced to his friends.
He is? That's great.- Hunter who was happy for Cam.
And he need his clothes, are they dry yet?-
They should be, I'll go check.- and Kaze walked outside and a few minutes later he came back in with Dustin's ninja uniform, t-shirt and boxers.
Here you go, they're dry.- and the white ninja handed the clothes over to his friend.
Cam took them from the other and headed back in towards the guestroom. Once he's there he sees Dustin sitting up with the blanket down to his waist showing his bare chest, rocking his body a bit waiting.
"Here you go." handing the clothes over and Dustin took them.
"Thanks."
"I'll wait outside while you change." and the samurai walked back out the door and slid it close.
Five minutes later...
The door to the room slid open and out walked Dustin fully clothed in his ninja uniform and the samurai turned around. Smiling Cam kissed Dustin again who eagerly kissed back and pulled each other close to on another and after a minute of lip lock they pulled apart. Both of them were breathless and the earth ninja grinned at him and reach out and grabbed hold of the other's hand and held it and both walked out to the main room.
Once they got there, Kaze came out of the kitchen with some breakfast and everyone sat down at the table to eat. As they started to eat and talk, Dustin was introduced to everyone that he didn't know in the room at the moment.
This is Kaoru.- Hunter introduced.
Nice to meet you all.- the earth ninja greeted.
Nice to meet you too.- the ninja guard replied.
So how long was I out?- Dustin asked suddenly.
Almost for two days.- Cam answered.
Really? Wow, what happened then?- and the group started to explain to the earth child the current situation and what they're going to do about it.
Well I'm in.- the yellow ninja agreed happily.
Then we should leave soon after breakfast.- the ninja guard suggested and everyone nodded in agreement.
Soon after breakfast was over the guys packed up their things and were ready to go. The group now including Kaoru left the cottage and waved good-bye to the elderly couple and head on their way to Byakuro and hoping to meet up with the others along the way.
Well another chapter done, how do you like it so far? I want to thank you to all the reviewers reviewing this fic. The Ninja History series will end at Ch. 30 and this entire fic will be finished around Ch. 40. Anyways I'm hoping for more of you guys out there reviewing this story, read and review please!