Chapter 2 – The First Patrol

"2269?!"

Enju narrated, "We were in a huge chrome building, thinking it was the Yatagarasu… but it turns out we've gone and traveled forward into time… to the year 2269! And what's weird is that this girl, who resembles Kikuko-san… is an android version of her, with two working eyes. But why did she tell us this?"

Kikuko explained, "Yes, my dearies. You're in the future. And I summoned each of you here, to this timeline, as an aide."

Akari asked, "As an aide?"

Lily barked, "So… YOU kidnapped us, just to be here?"

Tengge whined, "NO FAIR! We wanna go home!"

Kikuko said, "No. You won't go home. Not only if you completed the task I have given you, that is. Besides, in your time, I was responsible for bringing you here, and moreover, I halted time in your era. Meaning that you seven will not miss out on your time left."

Enju asked, "Huh? You halted time, and kidnapped us?"

Kikuko said, "I actually… well… summoned you here. That's all. Besides, I have heard good things about you ladies. You are destined to save our city, albeit chosen by my boss."

Akari whispered, "Tenma…"

She stated, "I think I know what you're saying…"

Lily said, "Indeed."

Nanao asked, "So, how did we get here?"

Kikuko said, "That's classified. However, I'm programmed to assist my people in any way. But I refuse to leak out anything that I performed in. In short, mind your own business!"

Yamabuki sighed, "Same old Kikuko…"

Kikuko grinned, "As does my other models. Coming soon: Kikuko Hattori Model 05 Unit."

"Zero-five?!" Yamabuki asked.

Kikuko explained, "Well, you see… I have very little time left, and my operating systems are winding down. Once my time is up, I will cease function, forever…"

Nanao grinned, "Like that anime about a combat maid android that wants to protect her master."

Kikuko stated, "You and your primitive anime genres."

Nanao complained, "PRIMITIVE?! HOW DARE YOU SAY ANIME IS-! Oh…" She moaned, "Right… Anime no longer exists, 250 years later…"

Kikuko smiled, "No, it does. But there's a lot you don't know of."

Akari smiled, "I see. So, we're here to assist you, with much time you have left? We're honored…"

Enju nodded, "I agree. But we cannot assist you, without a mission. Please tell us why you brought us here."

Kikuko stated, "Very well. The reason why you're here is classified. However, I'm here to tell you about a danger that threatens our existence. You have heard of this evil ninja named… The Dark Ninja."

The girls gasped, as Yamabuki whispered, "The Dark Ninja… She's… She's here in this timeline?"

"This timeline?!" Kikuko asked, "Elaborate."

Akari moaned, "We can't explain… Too personal."

The others were upset, as Kikuko nodded, "I understand. You had this experience of this Dark Ninja, before… in your timeline. Do you have any clarification on her?"

Yamabuki stated, "I'm afraid it's sad to explain… Why do you ask?"

Kikuko said, "Well, we have no clue of who she is… And that's why I summoned you. Not only for information, but also to stop her from destroying our race. For months now, this Dark Ninja has assaulted and attacked every Yagami Inc. Android and citizen, using malice and pain. The men are badly hurt and sent to the hospital, while the androids are mildly destroyed, from being minor damage to beyond repair. Lots of people knew of her, explaining the actions, but her actions always leave bloodshed, punishing those who wield bad purifications. That is why I summon you. We also learn that she goes by stealth, without a cloaking device. And we confirmed that she's a ninja…"

Lily asked, "A ninja? But then, why didn't you summon your drones to attack?"

Kikuko explained, "They are not built for ninjutsu. However, I have learned about your abilities, and by luck alone, all seven of you are ninjas… and proud of it, with weird quirks."

Nanao nodded, "That's us. We're the Ninja Seeking Club, after all…"

Yamabuki added, "Doing ninjutsu in battle is simply our hobby."

Akari smiled, "If we agree to stop this Dark Ninja, we'll help out! However, we're leaving a bad taste in our mouths… since we know of who she is…"

Kikuko agreed, "I understand. You know of this Dark Ninja from your timeline, as if she was one of your own… But it could be a different ninja girl, altogether. I'm saying, since no one knows who she looks like."

Enju stated, "We do. However, we won't say her name… since it's horrible to say."

Kikuko stated, "One day, you will. For now, I'm leaving you girls in charge of this mission. Yagami City is in danger, and you seven are our only chance of stopping this devious ninja girl. Stop the Dark Ninja, save the city, and then, you can go home. But… I won't promise that you will survive. Dark Ninja is an evil ninja that destroys and kills, defying the Laws of Robotics. My superior, Tenma 2000, made it her duty to recruit you, otherwise… We may lose our race, forever…"

Lily asked, "And? How do we be of assistance? What is our duty to you, Kikuko 04?"

Kikuko said, "Forgive me… but you are to scour the cities, and search for the Dark Ninja. Stop her, at all costs. Your ninjutsu, since arriving, has upgraded and boosted."

Ricka barked, "Cheat codes!"

Yamabuki said, "Wow… So, we're assisting an old lady robot, and save the city, with enhanced powers?! Awesome salsa!"

The others were concerned, as Kikuko smirked, "Good. I'm glad you girls agreed to the mission. Do you agree on stopping the Dark Ninja?"

Enju said, "I guess I should. I agree to the mission." But then gasped, "Wait… I was-. Hold on! I was gonna say NO, but…"

Lily said, "We have no choice. Even if it means…"

Tengge sniffled, "One of our own…"

They were in a huddle, as they were discussing about what to do about the mission. Kikuko thought, as she was upset, "I believe I must've hit a snag in their memories. They know who she is… and if that's true, we may need the information, without resorting to violence… But still, I recruited these ninjas, and not the rest, as Tenma told me… From what I read, two more androids were used, but they are NOT ninjas. They're the ones that saved our city from Itoko Osakabe… but… Is it okay to trust these girls, after what they have experienced?"

They finished, as Enju said, "As a club, we agree to stop this Dark Ninja. But… we have to take over your operations, if we're to search for her."

Kikuko said, "Granted. But I will be behind the scenes, working on you girls, and discussing tips on how to stop her. You girls will handle things, yourself. Now, remember, stop the Dark Ninja, at all costs! Good luck."

She saluted, as the others bowed. Kikuko departed to her office, as Enju approached the computer. She responded, "Right. Ladies, let's begin the hunt for the Dark Ninja…"

She then thought, "But if what we think is true… I shudder to think what happens next… if we see her face again…"

Ricka whispered, "Myu-Myu…"

They remembered a young girl in pink hair, done in pigtails, wearing a pink ninja outfit. Her name was Myu Momochi, and she was a friend to the Ninja Seeking Club. However, in a sad twist of fate, something happened to her. But they chose to keep it under wraps, to avoid any heartbreak.

Ricka replied, "Worried if it might be her…"

Tengge smiled, "It'll be fine. I'm sure we can stop this."

Enju said, "Since this is the Dark Ninja, after all, think of it as practice, before learning how to stop our Dark Ninja. If that happens, we can succeed."

Lily replied, "But still… How can they have their own Dark Ninja in their timeline?"

Akari replied, "I think I remember something… Back when I was in Yagami Inn, I remembered that they installed my body into a schematic. But I believe that's long gone… being we stopped her from taking us as slaves…"

Ricka replied, "No food for us… Worst day ever."

Enju stated, "I chose to forget this horror show, from long ago, and focus on the right job. This Dark Ninja intrigues me… but if we're to study her moves, before we attack, we need to pinpoint her next known location."

Yamabuki replied, "I kinda wished I had her drawing. I didn't even bring my sketchbook with… God knows what…"

Nanao sobbed, "I didn't even brought out my tools!"

Lily said, "We did bring our outfits and small weapons. We have all we need."

Yamabuki replied, "Indeed. We don't even need weapons to stop her. Just judge her skills, and thwart her weakness. Plus, this is Myu we're talking about… if it is her, that is."

Enju began typing, as she read some articles from the past two months, before they arrived. She then read, "It says here that the number of androids to humans assaulted by the Dark Ninja are 35 to 13… 12 were broken beyond repair, 9 were damaged heavily, 8 sustained minor damage, 4 were dented, and 2 survived, though never the same. 35 androids… all suffered by that woman…"

Akari whispered, "Myu…"

Yamabuki said, "We have no time to pout. We have to think of a plan of attack, and wait for the ninja to strike."

Nanao said, "Correct. For now, we should practice."

Enju stated, "Kashima-san's right. We know this Dark Ninja more than any, so… Let's start practicing our ninjutsu."

Akari held her hands up and prepared a fiery palm. She then said, "Fire Jutsu confirmed."

Enju then nodded, "Good! But wait until we have some place to practice! Miss Kikuko never told us to train… somewhere. Alright, listen up… Kashima-san, you're going to play lookout for the Dark Ninja."

"ME?!" Nanao argued, "Why do I have to do this?"

Yamabuki stated, "Nanao, it's alright. However, I have to do a little drawing, before we start fighting… This time, I'd make sure that my papers are durable."

Akari said, "Even if you use durable paper, she'll tear it into pieces, easily."

Yamabuki stated, "Aware of that. So, I took the liberty of hiding my papers, behind my back. Even if they are my puppets, they never break. They just fade away."

Enju agreed, "Then, we must take action. For Kikuko's sake…"

They held their hands out, as Lily concluded, "For the future."

Akari bowed her head and sniffled, "For Myu…"

They prepared to do battle with the Dark Ninja. Elsewhere, the Dark Ninja is still lurking in the shadows of the entire city.

XXXXX

Outside the city, the Dark Ninja was watching from atop the roof of a huge building. She then grinned, as she was holding her whip. She then looked to the sky, as she was whispering, "So… Yagami Inc.'s best of the best has come to get me… are they? Well, let them come. No one can best me. To whoever plans to defeat me, give up."

She waited, as the moon shone in the night sky, as the ninja's appearance reflected in a shining black hue. She leapt off, as she was bringing her brand of justice to the city.

XXXXX

At the building, the girls are relaxing in their office, as they began to work on locating the Dark Ninja.

Kikuko replied, as Enju was typing, "In order to locate her, you will give the supercomputer a complete detailed appearance, being if she's human or android. Once she is located, somewhere within this range, from 100 meters, go after her. However, she can be very crafty and violent, with certain weapons she has. So, be extremely careful."

Enju said, "From what we know, our Dark Ninja holds a whip, and can be very fierce and violent, when using brute force. She can also use her dark powers to subdue people. This one is a clear match of our Dark Ninja, but the face and hair are something we cannot identify."

Yamabuki said, as she had a spare sketchbook, "Miss Kikuko 04 gave me a spare sketchbook, since I may use it for the sketch of the Dark Ninja."

Enju nodded, "Perfect. Not only you have the Dark Ninja's image, you can use your jutsu to subdue her."

Yamabuki winked, as Lily and Tengge sparred with each other in the small white room. Nanao was watching, as she was worried, "I'm not sure if we can do this… I mean, if we win, we get to go home. But if we lose, who knows what happens?"

Nanao looked at her hand and said, "Still… an important job like this deserves my expert healing abilities… Though, I'm not sure if facing this Dark Ninja, while I am timid, would be thoughtful. Suppose she figures me out, after I somehow heal or drain them. Miss Kikuko, our Kikuko, says I am able to do BOTH healing and draining energy, since I am a ninja by blood."

Yamabuki asked, "You okay, Nanao?"

Enju said, "She's worried that we're going to louse up the job. But still, Kashima-san's an Ace in this mission. She not only assists us in fighting the Dark Ninja, but she is our Medical Staff."

"A one-woman medical staff. This is the same girl that heals Kazuki, after what you did to him!"

"First off, I am trying to stop hurting him with my lightning, and second, that time, when I found out about Kashima-san's ninja heritage, after mistaking her as an enemy or a layperson. I had no idea she was a ninja, too."

"Were you flustered and confused, when you think I was a ninja?"

Enju glared at her in a blank stare, "DO NOT remind me of that, you stupid hentai."

"OH, ME THE HENTAI?!"

"YOU HEARD ME! But now's not the time to fight! Against this Dark Ninja, there's seven of us, and only one of her. Fighting her, out of mugging, isn't the way. Our best bet is to divide and conquer."

"I like it!"

Nanao stated, "Uh, can I state my objections to this?"

Enju responded, "No, but… We need everyone for this mission. But still, we need the Dark Ninja's location, before we attack. We'll start with a basic search of the area. Suou-san, you accompany Kashima-san, for the test run."

Yamabuki said, "Right."

Nanao cried, as she was shocked, "WAIT A MINUTE! Right now?!"

Enju remarked, "If we keep talking like this, the Dark Ninja may already strike. So, you two search the area, while we prepare for the attack. Akari and Machiyuki-san are already out patrolling, so you'll join them."

Yamabuki smirked, "You can count on me, Enju!"

Nanao nervously tittered, "Uh… I don't… uh…"

Yamabuki dashed off, as Nanao ran with her, "WAIT! Don't leave me here!"

Enju narrated, "I'm surrounded by cowards… Suou-san is a joker, but Kashima-san is what I'm worried about. She's the only new ninja around here, lately."

Outside the city of Yagami, Akari and Ricka were on patrol. They were searching the Dark Ninja, up on the rooftop. Akari said, "It's not me or anything… but my vision has become improved."

Her eyes glimmered in a shiny reddish brown, as Ricka sobbed, "So lucky."

She thought, "Myu-Myu…"

Akari asked, "What's wrong?"

Ricka said, "We should've gotten-… uh… forget it. No one important."

"Eh?"

"NO ONE! DON'T NEED HER, er, HIM!"

"Her?" She then figured out, "Oh… … …We didn't need Myu… But it was hurtful…"

She stated, "BUT, Ricka, there's NO WAY that this Dark Ninja is her, as well! It's not Myu! Our Myu is gone!"

"Should have Kazuki, then…"

"Doubt it. Kikuko said that she halted time, and he cannot assist us. Looks like we're on our own. Not even Cy, Zina, or Mom can help us, either…"

"Hate the future, and only been ten minutes, on-patrol!"

"Stop whining, Ricka! Kazuki has done a lot for us. So, we won't need him for this. Besides, he's the legendary ninja, and we're all ninjas. And as members of the Ninja Seeking Club, we'll fight to protect those we cared for, no matter what timeline we're in!"

She was confused, "UH… That came out wrong…"

Ricka sighed, "You're right…"

Akari smirked, "Of course I'm right. Besides, you'd have me side my left legging."

Ricka asked, "Pardon?"

Akari said, "No master, Ricka. Never meld hero carbon mesh."

Ricka paused, as she approached Akari. Akari moaned, "I, uh… Ricka, happy water small just lemme blog hurt-!"

WHANG!
Ricka whanged Akari's head, as her eyes went dizzy. She moaned, "Ungh… Thanks, I needed that. My head feels rather…" and then she collapses on the ground. Ricka looked around and responded, "No sighting of Dark Ninja… Akari… Please…"

She kneeled down and held her to the ground. As she was busy with Akari, the Dark Ninja was far away, viewing the city. She spotted the two ninjas, and then smirked, "So, that's it… I knew it. Yagami City's got beautiful and unique citizens, but all they got is shoddy merchandise."

She walked off, as she sighed, "Oh, well. Better head home, and plan my attack."

"A-HA!" Yamabuki called, as she was with Nanao, "Dark Ninja, I presume!"

They prepared their weapons, as the Dark Ninja gasped, "YOU TWO?!"

She sighed and smiled, "Well, no matter. I can just destroy you both, before I get the job done."

Nanao hissed, "Back away, you ninja traitor!" and she held her bow and arrow at her.

"Well, well, well… A Robin Hood Robot…" Dark Ninja scoffed sarcastically, "Try and aim at me, William Tell."

Nanao growled, and then fired. But it hit her, dead-on, only she caught the arrow. Dark Ninja smiled, "Pathetic…"

She threw the arrow down, as Nanao was shocked, "But how?! Yamabuki… This isn't some sort of evil ninja…"

Yamabuki growled, "Damn! I forgot about her clairvoyance. The pink hair never fails me to recognize! You're Myu Momochi, only in Dark Ninja form!"

Dark Ninja smirked, "No… Maybe… but what do you care? NO ONE knows who I am, especially you two losers! This is a brand of justice that I possess! Evil must be perished, and whoever gets in my way… is destroyed!"

Nanao cried, "You monster! WHO ARE YOU?"

Yamabuki held her brush up and called, "Nanao, stay behind me! Now then, you evil spawn, I'm going to thrash you! But first… What are you supposed to be? We know that it's our own who was like this persona."

The Dark Ninja fluffed her long pink hair and said, "Pick me a pink panther. Anyone in Yagami City can have luxurious pink hair…"

"You… You say you're a panther! But where's your heart? You wouldn't dare attack-!"

SNAP!
Yamabuki was struck with a whip, as part of her skin was grazed. She moaned, "AGH!" She stumbled down, as Nanao cried, "Yamabuki!" She yelled, "You made a huge mistake, Dark Ninja!"

She fired two arrows at Dark Ninja, but she avoided both shots. Nanao kept firing, as she yelled, "You back off, you fiend! You malicious coward! You bully!"

Dark Ninja brushed herself off and smiled, "Is that your best? I'm disappointed in you, you doll…"

Nanao asked, "Doll?"

"You don't know?" The evil ninja grinned, "I know something that you don't even know… In fact…"

She threw a smoke bomb down and said, "Once I defeat you, completely, then you'd be erased from existence. Either way, I'll be rid of more of you goody-goody ninjas! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

The Dark Ninja vanished, as Nanao contacted Enju, "Kashima to Saion-Ji! Kashima to Saion-Ji! Ninja down! Ninja down! Send an SOS, or Tengge and Lily! Or even NMT – Ninja Medical Treatment! Wait, that's me! Over."

Enju called, "No need for the over part. And calm down! Get Suou-san back here. Also, did you find the Dark Ninja?"

"What do you think?"

"I see…"

"Even worse… Yamabuki suffered major hits, and she-, uh…" Nanao looked down, and shrieked, "AAGH! She's not moving! She suddenly stopped!"

Yamabuki was lying on the ground, with a blank emotionless look on her face, and was immovable. Enju growled, "Damn it! I bet that Dark Ninja did this to her! How did it happen?"

Nanao replied, "I'll heal her, then we'll meet back in HQ. Dark Ninja has escaped, but she was a worthy challenge. I'll report back to you, once I finish."

Enju nodded, "Do that. Akari and Machiyuki-san are already back in HQ, after Akari suddenly got a headache. Withdraw, until then."

Nanao smiled, "Right. Kashima out."

She signed off, as she carried up a prone Yamabuki onto her shoulders. Her large breasts smooshed onto her back, as Nanao was jealous, "Hmmngh… Stupid Dark Ninja… I had to play clean up for a defeat… Though, I wouldn't count it as a defeat… Just a practice run. Now I know for sure that this evil ninja isn't-."

She stopped, as she dropped Yamabuki. She then picked her up, and carried her in her arms. She turned right, into an alley, as she went to heal her, in stealth.

Enju narrated, as everyone was present, "Despite our lookout ended badly, we were able to learn more about this Dark Ninja… Pink hair, busty body, dressed as a dom, armed with a whip, and has improved offense and defense. It was no doubt. This was Myu Momochi, only from another timeline. Suou-san took massive damage, but Kashima-san came through."

Yamabuki groaned, stretching her shoulders, "Sheesh… That ninja girl is something I'm learning to hate."

Lily stated, "Well, now that we have it under control, our next step is to locate her next move. Since we're going to use the divide and conquer routine, we'll split into three groups."

Tengge smiled, "Sounds fair. So, you want to side with me? We'll be the anchor, since we're the strongest of the group."

Enju replied, "Understood. Kashima-san, Suou-san, you team up again. Nice hustle and teamwork, but it's not enough. You know how to stop her, so let's have her weakened."

Nanao said, as she was uneasy, "It's not going to be easy. She avoided my arrows, like she was dodging bullets! She even caught one…"

Yamabuki sighed, "No one like her is that daring."

Enju barked, "We can't risk that! Tengge-san and Lily, you will make sure that Dark Ninja is stopped! Suou-san, Kashima-san, you act as our defense wall! Akari, Machiyuki, and I will take care of the rest. We're going to take this Dark Ninja down, for good! Miss Kikuko's not here, though that's a shame… uh, I mean the android version of her… Don't correct me! We all know! Anyways, once we locate the Dark Ninja's next move, we go into battle. Attacking as a huge group is too much, but then again, what if she were able to demolish all seven of us?"

Akari said, "I'm with you, Enju. We'll save this city, yet. Now that we know all her moves, we can-, can-, uh…"

She shivered, as she remarked, "Uh… can-, can-, can-…"

She repeated the words, as Enju gasped, "Akari?"

Nanao called out, "ON IT!"

Akari spoke in a loop, as Nanao went to the back room. Enju sighed, "Poor Akari… Was it that bad?"

Ricka nodded, "Hm. Gibberish. Nonsensical slang."

"How so?"

"Like she was sentence mixing."

"I see…"

Lily said, "Then it's agreed. We all take action. For now, let's rest up for tomorrow. Tonight's patrol ended in shambles, but it was proven successful."

Enju narrated, as she nodded in agreement, "Lily's right. It did bring out this Dark Ninja… And when I meet her, face-to-face, we're going to end this evil ninja, before it even starts. Once that's over, we'll all go after Myu, and save her, too. I mean, this is practice, after all. And since it's not a dream…"

Enju smiled and stated, "Well, we'll prepare, tomorrow. Everyone get rested up and get ready to get into battle!"

The others agreed, "Yes, ma'am!"

Enju narrated again, "A battle we cannot afford to lose. That's all we can do… Without Kazuki, it's difficult… but I was an Obnubi Ninja. So, I'm going to risk that chance!"

Next Chapter Preview

(Two girls appear in the background of Mizaki School)

(Ricka): Hello. Welcome to the Next Chapter Preview, with me, Ricka.

(Enju): And me, Enju. Machiyuki-san, still… What did Akari say?

(Ricka): Well, not so much. Too much to say, but confusing…

(Enju): You can tell me. Or don't, I don't care. Besides, whatever is in her twisted mind… OH! That reminds me… How did you kneel down, after you knocked her out?

(Ricka): Classified. Can't say… To be honest, not sure…

(Enju): This is mind-boggling. We have no clue what, why, and how we got here…

(Ricka): …but shows signs. Could we be?

(Enju): Doesn't matter! Anyways, onto the next chapter, we are all going after the Dark Ninja.

(Ricka): Myu…

(Enju): And if all goes well, we could be going home, sooner than you think~! The final battle is underway! We're going to stop you, Dark Ninja! Next time, chapter 3 of our story…

(Ricka pauses)

(Ricka): Excuse me… I need to cry…

(Ricka steps back a bit)

(Enju): Oh, well. Machiyuki-san will get over it. Just who is this Dark Ninja? And if it is Myu, or some sort of Future Myu, what comes next? Anyways, you'll have to find out in Chapter 3…

(Ricka): The Dark One Attacks!

(Enju): Stay tuned!