Chapter 7: The Village of the Ninjas
Josh slowly opened his eyes and sat up. Where am I? Josh looked around and noticed a man with shoulder length black hair sitting beside his bed.
"So you're awake now." He said with a smile. "How do you feel?"
"I feel like I was ran over by a train, but I'll be all right." Josh said as he stretched out his shoulders.
"It's no surprise; after all you did pick a fight with one of the guardians of this island."
"Guardians?" Josh said with a puzzled look.
"Yes, this island has two guardians. The one you picked a fight with is Admantoise. The second guardian is the water god Leviathan."
"Why does this island have guardians?" Josh said as he rose to his feet.
"I see you are eager to learn more about us, but what I want to know is why a kid like you came all this way." The man said as he stroked his goatee.
Josh nodded his head eagerly and told the man about his desire to become stronger and to become a ninja.
The man rose to his feet and circled Josh, he examined him closely and finally said "To become a ninja is a hard path, are you sure you are willing to endure the training?"
Josh bowed low to the ground and exclaimed "I am!"
The man began to laugh "Why do you bow to me? I am just a student as well." He pulled Josh up to his feet and smiled.
"Ok…" Josh said hesitantly "What is your name?"
The man smiled and said "I am Seth Kisaragi."
Josh grinned "Nice to meet yah. So when do I begin my training?"
"First we go and see the master." Seth said calmly "Follow me."
Josh nodded his head and followed the ninja outside. He looked around and noticed that the village was much larger then he thought it would be. There were houses all over the place and in the distance Josh could see a massive structure that somewhat resembled a training ground.
"What is that way over there?" Josh said curiously.
"That… It's nothing much, but that is where we train." Seth said calmly as he continued to walk up the street.
"So who is the master?" Josh asked as he sped after Seth.
"The master is…" Seth said hesitantly "my father…"
Josh grinned and looked cheerful "That must be great having a father so powerful…" His head suddenly fell towards his chest. I wish I had a father…
Seth turned his head and eyed Josh closely. "What's the matter?"
Josh's gaze lifted and he looked at Seth. "It's… nothing." He said with a fake grin plastered upon his face.
Seth let out a laugh and said "We're almost there so try to cheer up."
Josh nodded his head and trudged off up a hill. When he reached the top he looked out in awe. Before his eyes stood a massive Pagoda, its architecture was flawless, and it glowed like a gem in the sun. That is so cool; I can't wait till I go in there! When they reached the tower Seth held out his arm and blocked Josh's path.
"You must stay here; outsiders are not aloud in the tower." Seth said calmly as he dashed into the building.
Josh stood outside for several hours before Seth returned. With him came a man who was well built despite his age. His long black hair was streaked with grey. The man fondled his beard as he walked towards anxious Josh. That must be the Master!
"Hmmm," he said as he circled behind Josh. "So you came here all the way from Nibelheim?"
Josh nodded his head and continued to watch the master.
The Master continued circle Josh and said "I can see from these bruises that you have endure quite a hardship getting here." He outstretched his arm and rested it on Josh's shoulder. "I see that you posses a strong will… You will become a powerful Ninja."
Josh's body shuddered with joy. All right! All this traveling is about to pay off.
The Master smiled once again and said "You will begin your training at dawn; Seth will show you to your new house."
Josh gasped "I…get a house?"The man chuckled and walked back into the tower.
"Of course you get a house; you'll be living right next door to me. I do have to warn you it's not much" Seth chuckled. "When the master said you get your own house, he meant you are staying in the old tool shed in my back yard."
"What!" Josh said with a shock. "I'm going to sleep in a tool shed?"
Seth drew close to Josh and whispered in his ear "Don't worry; it's only for one night. Its part of the initiation, only those with a strong will and determination are allowed to become ninjas."
Josh sighed and followed Seth to his new home. Josh looked towards the shed and grinned. "That is no shed!" Before his eyes stood a massive mansion and in front of that was what appeared to be a normal house.
Seth laughed and said "Oh did I forget to mention I live in a mansion, and our tool shed is actually the size of a normal house."
"Hey, I thought you told me it was a test!" Josh said with a chuckle.
"I had you going there didn't I?" Seth said as he patted Josh on the shoulder. "You'll stay there for night, but tomorrow you will live in the mansion with my family."
Josh grinned as he walked towards the tool shed. This is too cool; I'm going to live in a mansion! He turned around and looked at Seth "Thank you." Josh said with a bow. Seth simply nodded his head and walked away towards the mansion.
Thanks for reading. Do you like the story so far? Post a review and let me know what you think.
Josh Strife is a character I created when I first entered the world of Final Fantasy. Seth Kisaragi, Kien, and Genji Fukiyama are all my Original Characters.
All Final Fantasy 7 characters are trade marks of SquareSoft (SquareEnix) This Fanfic covers an area that is not really covered during the game, the war between Wutai and the Shinra Company.
