Fro Ninja; Hey guys. Fro Ninja is back from the lost woods of writers block. Or to be more specific, zero motivation to write. Slowly but surely the spark is coming back, and there will be more content coming in the months to come. Thanks for understanding guys. And with that, let's get this show on the road with more samurai action!

To say he was in a predicament would have been an absolute understatement, or at least according to how young Huey would see, it an an improvement to how things have been going lately. The process of actions that led up to this would probably be called coincidences at best, though Huey was never prone to flimsy things such as chance. Privy to the teachings, or the lectures given to him by his estranged grandfather, he believed that everything, despite the meaning behind them, was for a reason. He had a way of discerning the what could be seen as something that just happens, and something that had the appearance of figurative wall that he had to climb over that placed for a reason. In other words, a trial, in every sense of the word.

His breathing stilled for a few seconds to gain his bearings after feeling the weight of his blade place down on him, especially from the sensation of his still fresh injuries given to him by his own master, a condition that he has come to understand through the simple rememberance of the very lessons that Huey received from him. His arms felt sore as the muscles in his body tried their best coordinate his usual stance, focusing the sword at his center of his torso, and his eyes glued on his opponent. He would be able to predict every instance of his opponents actions from simply looking in their eyes. Where their next motion would be, how they are keeping him in their field of vision, and how fast they would be able to react to his movements. There was only one problem with how would be able to read his opponent in such a manner.

His eyes, see no world but his own.

Huey hadn't given much thought to the previous opponents that had a similar attribute, as he was almost in a trance that could be considered almost impossible to break, from either himself or the ones he cut down. This time was different, however. He was able to fight in such a way before possibly because of his sheer confidence, or rather overconfidence that he could rout his foes with ease,thus fueling his actions to the point where they could be considered almost miraculous. In other words, he had very little to think about at the time;rescuing the princess from a fate that fortunately did not take place and cutting down the ones that layed a hand on her. This time, he had to think about the princess and Cesar escaping, the well being of his master and Black Dynamite, his injuries overcumbering his fighting style, the possibility of there being more of the blind bandits somewhere in the forest, and the whereabouts of Zechal respectively. With such stakes, the best possible thing he could afford was a clear mind and an even lighter sword.

His breath caught its cycle again, and he charged forward swiftly towards the bandit. Before the enemy could even raise up his sword as his response to bring it down upon him, Huey had already flanked to his righthand side, sliding on his heels and rotating his body to end up behind him. He then jumped up with his sword in hand, having a horizontal slash ready in the chamber. In a brief yet vivid glimpse, Huey saw the bandit's right ear twitch violently. He held his breath and braced for impact as the bandit quickly shifted his weight downward and twisted around to unleash his sword down on the young warrior. His ears rang with high pitch sound waves as the two blades clashed, and felt the weight of Huey's sword against his own. His eyebrow raised in shock, as the weight was something he hardly expected to feel from one so young, as it equated to his own years of experience. He smiled at such a notion, and even smiled larger as he felt his blade leave the struggle as Huey slid back on the balls of his toes feeling the force of the deadlock himself.

Huey had a clear understanding on how his opponent was able to predict such actions from his previous clash, and his previous encounter with his kind. Despite being visually impaired, they still had full awareness of their surroundings via strong receivals of sound waves paired with excellent body coordination. The latter of course would normally imply that the one in question had fast reflexes, but Huey could tell it was something more than just that alone. Reflexes didn't amount to much in a fight as both combatants would already be fighting at the peak of their reactionary motions, and could be able to pick off any kind of attack heading their way. The way the bandit pulled it off was extraordinary to say the least.

The bandit lulled over him, waving his sword around along with his ears twitching once again, most likely to pick up movement. Witnessing this, Huey came to a sudden realization.

He then breathed in through his nose, and held the air inhaled in his mouth. He then arched his back slowly and held his sword close to his face, with the hilt nearly touching his cheek. Pulling his right foot and standing on the ball of his foot, he slowly crept into a jumping motion. The bandit picked up the small rustling of the grass in his left ear, and predicted what action the boy was going to perform next.

As if one cue with his grin, Huey sprang into action and lept forward to the bandit, closing the gap that was formed between them in the last clash. The bandit moved in on the young samurai as his body drew closer to him and brought his sword up, ready to the give a horizontal slice that drive near his ribs, hitting several vital areas in the process. While still in midair, Huey brought his sword over his head while the bandits sword nearly touched his skin to the point he felt the very cold steel touch him.

In that moment where time almost stood still, Huey twisted his body in a half circle motion, putting an unbelivable strain on his muscles in his upper region, only made worse by his still sore body. He gritted his teeth as he felt the very tissue of his muscles tear apart greatly as he commanded his body to take this almost impossible motion in such a state. Turning his body managed his evasion of the bandits blade, if somewhat slightly as he felt the edge of his blade draw through his side from his abdomen. At the same time, he brought down the holding frame of his sword over his head and brought it down on the bandits back region, cutting clean through his rugged robes, making a neat mark that ran with red.

The bandit screeched in sudden pain as he felt the sensation in droves at how quick yet agile it was to his body. As his blade left his mark, Huey felt his lack of salve push through yet again,as it messed his up his landing, causing him to fall on his back on one of the stumps by the fireplace causing a rush of electricity that his whole body felt, though his brain felt it more. His hands refused to let go of his sword as a million sparks in his body reiterated for him do so.

The blind bandit arched his back forward, seething through his teeth at the pain his body was alerting him too. Soon his grin returned as he felt the warm sensation of his blood run down his back and the way it was delivered upon him. He then stood back up straight, turning around facing Huey as he struggled to stand himself up from his own blunder.

"Impressive, young one!" He said in a gleeful tone. Huey slid off the stump on his back with his laid face down in the dirt,and his eyes glued with darkness once more. The bandit pivoted closer to his position with his sword drawn down to his feet, indicating a lower stance. Huey quickly deduced from the angle, his swing would allow more speed to his attacks. Given his reflexes, it wasn't a far off speculation. Gritting his teeth through the pain, Huey hastly stood up and stood in his stance once more. The bandit of course, picked up on this action and moved into attack, leading on with a burst of slices that aimed downward toward Huey's head, though he was quick enough to block them with his steel, producing the ringing sound of the blades clashing. The noise alone sent shockwaves through the bandits overcompensated ears, fueling his conveyance on where the next strike would go during his flurry which had seemed never ending to the young samurai. He blocked when the attack seemed too close, and dodged when it seemed to far for him to predict its' trajectory at such a close range.

His sword then went for a scooping strike right near Huey's ankles in the middle of his string. Huey noticed it only at the break of a millisecond, and managed to hop a few feet away from the path of the bandits' blade, suffering only a minor scuff from its edge. He then remembered the last strike was a similar delivery of speed, though its reach had been modified slightly to make up for the bandits' lack of range when it came to his surroundings. At least that how it seemed in Huey's mind. An opponent of this matter was foreign to him, despite the training that would prepare him to face all manner of a person that he would cross swords with.

Guess I'll think outside the box.

If anything, thinking was his closest element to fighting, according to his master even more so it was his de facto during a battle. A warrior uses his mind first, and his instincts second, he always used to say, but things were never that simple in just concept alone. Execution was everything in the real world. Huey deflected what seemed to be the remains of the bandits string of attacks as the flurry came to a sudden halt right by Huey's torso area. He anticipated a quick thrust of the blade, and quickly vaulted backwards a few feet away from him before even giving him a chance to act. Upon landing, the bandit had already made himself very close to his position and was ready to attack once more with an overhead strike, with his ears twitching rapidly to predict his next movement, but Huey was already one step ahead of him.

As the bandit's sword came down to strike on Huey's head, Huey took a deep breath, slamming his blade down toward the ground until it stuck in the dirt and used the weight of the sword to hold himself up for a few seconds in the air, and within the process dodge the trajectory of the blade traveling. He then used the momentum from the dodge to swing himself outward from his opponents range of attack with his hand held tight on the swords grip, though just barely as he felt steel brush past his skin, feeling the very external material rip off. His body swung high towards his opponents upper range surrounding his head and let loose with a swift kick that scored on the back of the bandit's head, pushing every ounce of strength he had within the strike. The bandit felt both the surprise and the bluntness of the unexpected counterattack , as it was one that even he counldn't detect, given his opponent was in a position that prevented from being able to. Not being able to detect an opponent whose feet aren't even on the ground, young Huey figured through his break neck fighting.

Within seconds, the bandit went down onto the ground, and Huey himself fell out of his midair flight, feeling the hard impact, as well as it adding to his injuries. Several of his muscles, including the injuries he received during the fight still writhed him as he tried to quickly pick himself up, squirming all around to balance his lifting off the dirt. He carefully but swiftly leaned up, noticing his opponent hunched over slightly with his hand on the back of his neck attempting to soothe his own injury, and he also spotted the familiar sight of his sword dug into the ground.

I can end this. He sought after that very thought, gritting his teeth to summon his strength yet again. Grab the sword and finish him, his hands kept telling him. But the easiest path isn't always the correct one as he was slowly knew that he would be dectected the minute his feet would start their motion once more.

He counted his seconds, breathing with every beat to time it correctly. Settle the feet in the dirt, with his hands grabbing a handful for a starting grip..He knew he had one shot at this. The latest second he counted, he saw the bandit's bodie animate, his ears twitching to detect any semblence of any movement.The minute you see the opening.

Huey dashed forward on the ball of his foot, extending his right arm forward to grab the hilt of his sword. Sensations of anxiety sparked in his stomach as the air around him suddenly changed, and his eyes found a new sight. The bandit on his feet, with barely any signs of fatigue or even his own injury slowing him down. How did that happen? His timing, the start of his beats from his breath. Everything should have been as he predicted. Time froze around Huey as the very breath he took got stuck on that one off beat as the bandit's sword rose up to strike him down before he could close the remaining distance between him and his sword. His eyes flashed at the blade's steel stretching over his entire view,as did a million pictures of events gone by. Things he didn't recognize, things he had forgotten. The end has been there to greet him.

"DIEEEEEEE!" The bandit yelled at the top of his lungs with a force that could rival the wind itself with how it sent chills down young Huey's very core.

Not like this! Not like THIS! His left arm flew free across his head. Out of his hand flew it, the small pebble that darted toward its target. Even without aiming, Huey knew. It went, it went, and it did. That small rock landed an impact on the bandit's wrist, knocking oose his grip on the sword even as it came down. He screamed out in pain as he grabbed the inflicted hand. The window of chance was open for Huey to take in stride. His right hand scored across the hilt of his sword grabbing it fully from the ground, and brought it forward in one single motion. The silver gleam pierced through his enemies through the leftmost region of his chest, although his aim was slightly off from his heart, he still hit several arteries to warrant a fatal injury. Huey pushed the blade forward more, hearing the cacophonous sound of blood and sinew clashing with steel, and with his hand being the conductor. The bandit's mouth gaped open in surprise, but could just as well know the face of his opponent even without being able to witness it.

"Go ahead...and join your brothers..." Huey said with hoarse throat before finally removing the blade with single pull feeling the single jerk of the bandit's body as it left. Soon the body flopped on the ground, spread across from every part of it. Huey relaxed as he felt time around him moving normally once more to his speed, and the breath flowing freely back into his body. His body ached all over, his arms felt heavy like they were carrying rocks in his veins. His legs were ready to give out on each other, and he wanted nothing more to comply. But he knew he couldn't. His training wouldn't let him. His blade was warm with fresh blood warped around it. He was the careful type, so he had done body check, quickly bringing the tip of his sword to the bandit's neck, ending his uncertainty as the blood gushed out from his throat.

"Now...I have to find the others." He lashed his sword in the air to quickly remove the fresh blood, splattering all over the trees before inserting it back in his sheathe. Composed with his pangs to be his only driving force, he pressed on deeper into the forest.

Hope those two stay out of trouble.

The darkness of the forests seemed to stretch out forever as the two ran at top speed, rushing in and out of several shrubs, banking several turns at every tree that they thought to have passed. Caesar came to a stop at tree that seemed to be split down the middle with the princess bumping slightly behind him before stopping her running track.

"What's wrong?" She said in a concerned tone. His hands traced the lines of the path that split down through the very bark of the tree. His face stuck with disbelief at his inspection.

"This tree...the wood on it is elm."

"Elm?" She uttered as if she were letting the word digest for the first time.

"It's one of the most durable woods in the world. Even the most skilled blacksmith with the finest steel can only hope to make so much of a chip into it. But this."He stroked his chin."This is a clean cut." And then, as if on cue, the corner of his eye showed him several more trees. All with the same condition as the one standing in front of them. His stomach started to churn at the very sight of it all, with Jazmine herself being rather put off by it. While the mention of thewood itself was a new thing to her, the task of cutting through impossible material is nothing new in her country. Part of the many tasks of the Esmarian military academy is being able craft a blade that can split a tiny piece of blackwood. Easy enough through concept, but even harder in execution, as blackwood was more unbreakable than solid steel, so much so that a sizable amount of impact would downright shatter any warriors blade.

"So if what you say it true, and that this is anything to go by." She turned in a full circle on her heel, acknowledging all of the collective evidence of their worries."This was either done by a masterfully crafted blade, or masterfully skilled warrior."

"Which do you think it is? The former or the latter?"

Jazmine looked Caesar, stunned at the very gall of his question.

"You would ask a princess her opinion of warriors? A field that is far removed from the school of politics."

"With all due respect your highness?" He turned around to face her."I would appreciate it if you not think of me as naive as Huey-dono , or as abrasive as Dynamite-dono. I've been around long enough to know and recognize the signs of those who have seen battle, or have at least have some kind of familiarity with it. Your robes, they are white. But your hands...they have been stained red longer than you might think."

Jazmine felt uneasy at the comment, but was firm in her expression.

"I have only seen warriors from a distance and I admit I have had some training, but I know nothing of the art of killing Caesar."

Caesar sighed exaspartingly before he spoke again."So you continue with the lies I see. I'm starting to think that Dynamite-dono was on to something here." He shrugged reluctantly. "But no matter, I regret even letting the conversation derail like this."

"I understand your criticism, don't think they are unfounded. I hail from a militarized country, it's only natural you would think such things. But there's a world of difference from the study of battle to the experience of battle." Jazmine felt a tingling in the back of her neck, feeling the latter of the two for herself today, though because of Huey, not to anyone elses knowledge.

"I suppose you're right."

"But I bet Zechal would know something about it."

"I agree, although." Caesar scanned the area around them."We haven't seen him in some time. Do you think he was attacked?"

"It's possible." Jazmine painfully dwelled on the possibility, but quickly perked up when she said."But I'm positve he will make it out alright and come to our aid!"

"I see you have the utmost faith in him."

"Of course. He's always protected me ever since I could remember. He has never failed in his duty. He is also a very strong fighter back in our country, so he will not be taken down so easily!" She said cheerfully.

"Is that right?" Caesar nodded amicably."Well, you're certain, I suppose I should offer my faith that both him and Huey-dono both make it out all right."

Jazmine wondered on Caesar's choice of words. Huey and Zechal were certainly young and talented warriors, but they were leagues apart in terms of skill compared to Afro and Black Dynamite. Did he state that with the exclusion with these thoughts in mind?

"Anyway, we should keep moving. Whoever did this to the tree must still be in the vicinity, and in numbers. We must be extremly cautious to not wander into an ambush." Jazmine nodded assuredly,though took the time to notice the lack of weapon on Caesar's person.

"I take it that you are not really equipped for battle?"

"Hmm?" Caesar looked down, confirming her observation."Oh, I am no warrior my lady. I simply observe and report for Wuncler-sama. I am not required to fight."

"But you travel with samurai."She seemed puzzled."Wouldn't behoove you to have at least some form of self defense for your respitiore?"

"It is because I travel with samurai, I have no need for such things." He said while patting himself, smiling innocently."Besides, I find weapons completly unneccessary."

"I see." Jazmine sounded dejected, but shook her head, deciding to leave well enough alone, especially when the situation doesn't exactly call for a full length interrogation as Caesar pointed out earlier. All she could do was accept it as it was."Well then, shall we go then."

Caesar nodded, and the two ran back onto the traveling path that lead to the north of the forest, but taking at a moderate pace. It would have been bad for the soul to run into an enemy attack at break neck pace, especially from being exhausted from said running. The forest was thick and lush, and presented many opportunities for sneak attacks as they well knew.

Zechal sighed with his strained arms lifting about ten pounds worth of firewood. He might have overdone in it with his search, but felt justified in providing the best possible warmth of a fire for the princess. He seemed smug, almost proud in such a menial task. Most likely because it would mean that he had gotten a leg up on Huey in some shape or form, no matter how small the task it seemed.

Heaving through his steps, he found a small stump just a few feet away. He placed the logs on the stump, perfectly balanced both by weight and size, and took a second to take a breather. He pulled his sword out of his sheath, checking the gleam of the steel and for any knicks or chips. It had been some time since he had been to a forger to reshape his sword, though he probably wasn't to upset about such a fact, whatwith the kind of action this country would have for him. He wouldn't dare use the word boredom to describe any lack thereof, not in the presence of the princess anyway.

Never would he ever think of anything associated with the idea concerning his charge. He thought of every opportunity to serve her and guard her well being as both an honor and privilege that only so few are granted. To be allowed to protect the life of the one who will one day inherit an entire kingdom, and all the power that reins from its army. It would made him in way that using proud would only barely scratch the surface of his feelings. A slight chuckle came from him, thinking back on the first day he met her many years ago. Fresh out of his military training, his first assignment would be to guard a member or the royal family.

Her small hands reached out to mine as we spotted each other across from the throne room. I could barely hear the encouraging words that were exchanged from my king and my father. Her eyes dug into my very heart, seeing the flow of the air itself, visible to my naked eye, and my body absolutely frozen from the abundance of presence from one with only five years on the earth. I was entranced.

The young knight came to his senses before he delved any deeper into his thoughts. The weight of the logs brought him down from his clouds like a heavy anchor. He proceeded through the forest, on his way back to the camp. He paused for a brief second to observe his surroundings and try to recall in which direction the camp was. Stuck at the fork that lead to the west and to the east. Imagining something of a coin toss in his head, he decided to head to the easternmost direction, trusting fate, and most importantly his luck judging by the assured nod.

"Never have I seen such lush greenery for such a homely place." Zechal said to himself as his eyes darted around. He was geniunely impressed by his surroundings, and would have loved nothing more to bask in it a while longer. His feelings toward such an ambience most likely was of influence by the princess, a fact that he himself was aware of. He wondered if such an admiration would be seen as too sacchirine for the expected tastes for a man of his militant stature. To be seen as both a battle hardned warrior, but to also be a man of sensitivity to others feelings. Zechal couldn't recall the last time such a conversation was glossed over with his father, the very leader of the warriors he claimed to be apart of. As two soldiers...not likely, but as a father and son...

His thought was interrupted when he heard a large sound emanating from the bushes, causing him to come to a complete stop in his tracks. He completely dropped his carriage, freeing his hand, and placing his right on the sheathe of his sword with his body already in his stance. His steadied his breathing to get a feel for the air around him and sense for any disturbances. His admiration for the atmostphere of such lushful places also served him as a meaningful guide for inspecting disturbances within the flora and fauna for any signs of intruders. He scanned the grasses for footprints that caused recedence within the roots. His nose inhaled and exhaled the smells around him for any scents that could come from sources that left such remnants of presence.

He quickly turned around as he felt the wind shift in that direction, nothing. He felt another shift westward, turning to find nothing yet again. He was patient in enemy detection, and felt no distress about not immediately finding his target. It was all about the battle itself that was the fun part after all. Seconds later, he heard a twig snap just a few feet behind him. Snapping his neck around with the rest of his body following, he spotted a blind bandit heading towards him screaming wildly. He most likely knew his cover would have been blown sooner rather than later, and went for the desperate kill. Zechal smiled precociously at such a notion, but welcomed the challenge anyway as he focused to draw his sword.

As the bandit came within his striking zone, a flash of a familiar white gleaming steel burst through his body, stopping only right in front of the slightly surprised Zechal. The blade was filled with carvings of symbols etched in a language he had never seen before in any of the historic scrolls that sat in the great halls of the Esmarian Chronicle Temple, which had detailed events from man's first breath, or so the elders claim. Blood leaked from the broadside down to the tip until it dripped in tiny droplets into the dirt. The image of the bandit's corpse cradled in the eyes of Zechal as he could barely move from his spot as he mentally tried to process the events. His breathing flowed naturally as best as it could in the moment, remembering his training to always stay calm in the most non-copacetic situations.

Suddenly the blade was yanked out of the bandits stomach, allowing the the body to fall to the ground by Zechal's feet. Instead of his eyes lingering on it, his eyes shot straight ahead, to the origin point of the his would be target's killer.

The first thing that popped out from the shadows was an unfamiliar figure. What stood, was a man that was practically built with more volume than a trebuche, easily towering over Zechal. The sheer height was such a factor, his neck had stretched far back to even make eye contact with him. He had asian features, clothed in blue rags for a open shirt with his iron clad abs front and center for the world to see, and green pants held up together by a yellow sash. The weapon Zechal saw was hoisted by him in his right hand. It looked like some kind of staff with a steel blade attached at the farther end, though with a curved exterior along with a thinner edge. The only weapons he had seen so far since he had been in this land had counted the katana the samurai wield, but his impressions of them couldn't help but be of admiration.

The large man looked down at Zechal in his combat stance. He couldn't help but notice his constant fidegeting around while staring up at him. The man gave a large grin of astonishment. The boy standing in front of him was an eager one. With his free hand, he pointed down at the blind bandit's body.

"Know him?" He said. The man spoke in a gruff, almost primitive like tone that Zechal had to take a second to process his words.

"No. He was trying to kill me." Zechal replied back in an honest voice.

"He try kill you...why?"

Zechal took a minute before responding, trying to fish out an objective enough answer in his head.

"He was trying to rob me." He quickly picked up the dropped wooden logs by his feet."For my firewood. I was on my way back to my camp to rejoin my companions, and then he stopped me, said he wanted it for himself."

"He try rob you...for wood?"

"...Yes..." He said nonchalantly. That is the dumbest excuse for a robbery ever Zechal. Kicking himself in his head for the response, the large man crept down to properly talk to the young knight.

"Try and rob for wood...In forest?"

It was a stupid excuse and he knew it, though his eyes still focused straight ahead. His body steeled for the possible, or as it was coming to be, the inevitable. The big and gruesome sized him up, seeing everything that was to offer should something else turn out for him.

"You were about to fight him, yes?" Zechal nodded. "Are you warrior?"

"I am." Zechal took a deep breath. He always took a deep breath before doing something stupid."What's it to you?"

A grin flashed on the mans face. Zechal saw white, clear white gleam. His body jerked back on pure instinct, not even saving time to see the man's expression.

"I fight strong warriors." He balanced his mighty weapon on his shoulder. Zechal felt the earth move from the force alone. "Are you strong? Little man?"

Fear grasped his throat as his breathing slowed, heart pounding like heavy footsteps so loud everything drowned out. His hand grasped his sheath, feeling its crafts along the material, making him feel at ease with the items of his homeland. His mind became silent. His mouth opened.

"I am." The image of Huey appeared in his mind."I'm the strongest there is."

CHAPTER 10 END