Author's notes:I have decided to revive this story. I was just going to let it die, but then I recieved some requests to continue it. I also noticed one person seemed to be fairly interested in what happens next. That brings joy to my heart, knowing someone is anticipating my next chapter. I revamped some of the chapters, so be sure to take a look at those before reading this one.
Kasumi and Akemi hurriedly prepared themselves for battle after being discovered. As they drew out their weapons, the elderly man immediately called his ninja minions up to the top floor of the fortress. Looking at Kasumi's face, the elderly man quickly recognized the young red haired Ninja. "Ah, so your still alive after all this time. I thought my underlings would have taken care of you by now," chuckled the elderly man.
"Well, they failed," snapped Kasumi, clinching her teeth. "I'm impressed that you managed to survive the attack I had brilliantly orchestrated on your clan. To be truthful, I didn't think you'd survive at all. "So, you're the one responsible for my clans death!" shrieked Kasumi.
"Yes child I am," stated the elderly man rubbing the stone gently with his hand. "This stone here doesn't belong in the hands of those who do not know how to utilize its great power. Your clan simply did not know how to use the stones abilities; therefore, it should be in the hands of one that truly understands its magic."
"Such power doesn't belong in the hands of evil, such as yours. I can already tell you plan to do something horribly wrong with that stones power!" responded Kasumi. A wide wicked grin slowly grew upon the elderly mans wrinkled face. "Indeed. I plan to restore my youth and rule this world as an immortal. The entire world will be bowing at my feet and there's not a thing you can do to stop me, little girl."
"I wont let you get away with this!" Kasumi shouted, hoisting her sword up in sheer anger. Now everything was clear. The old man was behind the whole ordeal. He was the one behind the clan's murder.
Many lives were taken just for an ancient rock. It seemed so selfish. Kasumi took a step back, preparing to charge at the elderly man with all her might. Before her feet left the ground, Akemi swiftly kicked her in the abdomen. This action caused Kasumi to curl over in pain and drop her sword, placing her arms tightly around the stomach area.
This was a shocking turn of events. "Akemi…what are…you doing?" she said struggling to speak. "Ha foolish child," the elderly man snickered. "Akemi has been deceiving you the whole time. She is really one of my ninjas."
Kasumi raised her head up in disbelief. What the old man had said could not be true. "No! It can't be! "Akemi why, why associate yourself with this monster?" The green-eyed Ninja looked back at Kasumi with a blank stare.
"This man is Isamu; he is my father," stated Akemi, "Well, he's not my actual father, but he raised me and took care of me just like one. My parents had abandoned me when I was a baby. Isamu found me and adopted me as his child. He raised me, trained me into the warrior I am today. I am very grateful for what he has done for me.
I would do anything he asked me to do. I was sent to your village to see if they were any surviving members of your clan left. If there were any left still alive, my job was to simply kill them. When I got to your village, all your clan members were presumed dead. After I finished my investigation, I could hear the sounds of someone screaming, that someone was you.
From what I have heard, you are one of the top ninja's in the clan and you would be one of the most difficult to kill. I decided to take on an identity, an identity as an infuriated ninja out for revenge. I knew by helping you I would easily be able to earn your trust. The moment you would let your guard down would be the moment I would strike and end your life with one painful stab to the heart."
Tears slowly began to trickle down Kasumi's cheeks from her eyes after hearing Akemi admit everything. Knowing the female ninja had been assisting the enemy the whole time crushed her from the inside. She did not want to believe a word of what Akemi had said, but it was true, it was all true. "I can't believe this. After everything we been through you go and do this to me," said Kasumi, wiping the tears from her moistened eyes.
"But wait a minute, something doesn't quite add up. If you were sent to kill me in the first place…why haven't you killed me already?" You had many opportunities and you never attempted to kill me once. Akemi paused and went silent, not saying anything. It was a good question, a question she did not want to answer.
But an impatient Kasumi demanded an explanation. "Answer me!" she screamed. "Enough! Akemi doesn't need to answer your silly questions," bellowed Isamu. "Since I am in a good mood today, I shall spare your life for now and let you witness the beginning of a new era…..my era! Once I have regained my youth, you will be executed immediately." After finishing up his last sentence, Isamu struck Kasumi in the head with the side of his boot and knocked her out.
"Kenji!" he called. "Escort our guest here downstairs and lock her up with the others!" A tall, brawny, hairless man appeared from the shadows, doing as his master commanded. He picked Kasumi up from around the waist and threw her over the top of his shoulder. He carried the young female down to the lower level of the fortress and locked her up in a cage.