Chapter Two. The Secret Ninja Meeting

"Sensei, why is she here? Shouldn't she be somewhere else than here? We don't need her here. We're doing perfectly fine without her. She's not really needed. We're handling it just fine."

"I called her here so she can tell us what is happening in America. She has information that can be useful. And I got new shozokoes for all of you. Here's Shinatin's shozoko."

"Wow, it's beautiful. Is that gold trim and dragon head. Why the unique design? It's not like I'm that special. Yeah, I'm a dragon but I'm not more special than the other guys."

"I didn't finish giving out the rest of the shozokoes to the rest of the group. You will see what the others got. Patience young one."

Their shozokoes were similar in design but with the colors that match with their personalities. So Nuhehafshi got electric blue dragon and trim. Myahenifu got a silver dragon and trim. Yatsusofu got a maroon dragon and trims. Tehehi got a dark blue almost black dragon and trim. Sosotsupyami got a completely different style altogether. His shozoko was this dark green with silver trim and a gold dragon. He was the one with the different shozoko.

"Shina what is your report from the Americas. You sounded tense when we talked earlier. What has happened over there that is stressing you out? You acted nervous about something since you got here."

"Well I just got a job as a federal agent and the first mission was a dead naval officer killed by Fujibayashi Goemon." I heard from Chi under his breath say brother. I just continued with the story. "He used the forbidden poison. I believe he was rushed. He left a piece of his shozoko and a drop of blood. This kill of his was sloppy. It almost seems to not be him. I think I'm closing in on him. He's getting old. Leaving more of a trail for me. It almost seems that he wants to get caught. I can't figure out why though."

"All of you out except Shina and Sosotsupyami. I need to talk to you separate from the group. Follow me you two. The rest of you train and don't end until I tell you to. While you do it, try to solve this riddle, what is the best way to defeat your enemy? Don't stop training until you solve it. This way Shina and Sosotsupyami."

We followed him to a room we were never supposed to go into. As soon as we enter we notice pictures of a baby Sosotsupyami being held by a man we didn't recognize standing by Chi. We were shocked. That man looked a lot like Sosotsupyami. They look so much like each other that they could be father and son. Chi looked at the picture of the man and him. I remember the man slightly I trained Chi and him years ago before I left to fight in the ninja wars. "Chi, who is that man in all these photos?"

"You don't remember your student, Shina? He's my older brother. He used to go by Sukumapya. But he changed it after he was turned into a dark ninja. He was changed by a ninja master whose name I will never mention. His name now is Fujibayashi Goemon. If he's in America he knows you're there Shina. He's trying to get your attention. He wants your help. You left and he was turned. He wants your help. My brother would not do something sloppy. You taught him to be careful not to leave any sort of traceable evidence. He worships you like nothing you ever knew. He's trying to tell you to help."

"Sensei you didn't tell me why I'm here. Is Fujibayashi Goemon is my father? My father is a dark ninja. Sensei tell me! Are you my uncle. Did you ask me to join the ninja just in case my father decides to kill me?"

"It's not your father that worries me, Sosotsupyami. It's the man that turn your father into the dark ninja. I swore never to say his name. He made me have no family. His name Yamahenito Kotaro. He killed my parents and turn my brother against me. I was so close to my brother, so when he attacked me I refused to even fight him. He injured me to near death. You mustn't tell the others. I don't want them to lose respect for me. And Shina you're right I should call you sensei. I don't want them to think you are their sensei too. That's why I just gave you a shozoko like theirs and not a sensei gi like mine. I do think of you as my sensei."

We left out of the room. The rest of the ninjas were sitting. I sat down and started eating. Chi was right I haven't been eating like I used to eat all the time when I was a lot younger. I've really let myself go. I know the night had just started but if I was going to help Sukumapya I need to find him before NCIS does. If I can't he's going to die in prison and I don't want one of my best pupils to go there for the rest of his life. I need to get to him tonight. If not he will never see his son again.

I finished my food and started to leave. Chi grabbed me and whispered in my ear. "Be careful sensei. I'll be waiting for your safe return." I took off like a shadow. I was always silent and deadly. I could get in and out of places easily. I hope I can get to Sukumapya before my job does. His face has changed a lot. He used to be so youthful. His picture that came up at NCIS was rough and aged. He wasn't the young teenager I once trained. Well none of us are what we used to be. We all grew older as time goes by. I need to find him.

I got to America in record time. I called up Jack. "Hey, Jack can we still meet up for a drink? I need to talk to you about something. I feel stuck. I might have to sit out of this case. I am too involved with the suspect. I can't say any more on the phone just in case he's listening."

"Yeah, we can meet up, Shina. Just meet me at the Lucky bar downtown. I'll be there until midnight. I'll buy you any drink when you come. I'll be waiting for you."

I put my new shozoko in my side bag and went to meet Jack. I actually hoped that Sukumapya heard me. I want to see him. I know he's out there waiting for me. I wish he would show himself to me. I wished I never went away. I tried not to blame myself for him following the path he took. In a major part, it is my fault. I didn't send letters like I said I was going to. Maybe if I did send letters this wouldn't happen. If he goes to prison it really will be my fault. His son will never know how good a man he was. He was sloppy because he wants to see his son. I hopped on my bike and went to the bar. Jack was waiting for me at a table. "Hey, beautiful. What did you want to talk about?"

"Sorry for bringing up work on our first date but it's important that I talking about. I could send a man who is calling out to me to help him. Our murder suspect is one of my pupils, a long time ago. He wants me to be able to see his son since he had to leave him when he left. His son was only a baby. I trained this man in ninjitsu. I left to fight in the ninja war and he was swayed by a man no one wants to say his name because his spies are everywhere. He will kill me if he knew I was trying to find his ninja. I need to find him before NCIS does. So I got to find him tonight. Fire whiskey please and make it a large one."

My fire whiskey was here and gone in about five seconds. I am not acholic it's just impossible for me to get drunk. "Jack, I got to go to find him before he does something he's going to regret. He was my student. His brother is also my student even though I call him sensei. Goodnight Jack."

I went to the bathroom to change into my shozoko and left out the window. I climb the next building to get to the rooftop. I hopped from building to building. I forgot to send my back so I clicked a button on my arm and my bike sped off back to my house with a hologram of me riding it. I think I know where to find Sukumapya. Is an old restaurant that rogue ninjas go to eat. I hope he's there without his master. I rushed there as fast as I can without drawing too much attention to myself. I hopped in front of the restaurant and walked in. All heads turned towards me. "One order of pop stickers, please."

"Sure, do you want any fire whiskey with your meal?" I nodded. I scanned the room to see if I could find Sukumapya. There he was alone in the back booth. I walked over to him. I placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

I whispered in his ear, "Sukumapya, it's me, Shina. I'm here to save you from prison. I know you want to see your son again and your brother."

"Shina, how can I face them? I killed a man last night. I killed a naval officer. I deserve prison. I deserved to be killed. My son probably doesn't even want to see me. And how can I face my brother considering I nearly killed him? Sensei I want to go to prison. And I don't deserve to be called your pupil."

My pop stickers came out and a fire whiskey. "Get a fire whiskey for my friend." I pushed the plate between us. "Eat now. And it was my fault that you turn dark. Chi wants to see you more than you know. Your son wants to meet the old you. You don't realize how loved you truly are. The bond of brothers are the strongest bonds. You might not understand that but Chi does. Please come with me."

"No Shina! That's final! I'm sorry but I can't face my brother and son right now. Sensei, I didn't mean to yell at your face but I'm not ready to face my family. Shina, I want to see them, I do. It's just that I'm afraid they won't accept me back. I really didn't want to face you either but I'm glad you came. I needed you. I just wished you came sooner. I need help I want to get out of the dark ninja league. I want to live the rest of my days watching my son grows up. I want to return to Japan and start a tea shop but I can't until my master is dead."

"Why can't you leave unless your master is dead? Sukumapya, why can't you leave? Tell me, my former pupil. You're afraid of him. Let me guess everyone is afraid of him that is a dark ninja. I guess I need to leave. Don't be upset when I'm the one who puts you in cuffs. Enjoy your fire whiskey and the rest of the pop stickers. I hope when I arrest you, you will tell me where your master is so I can personally kill him. I want to see his lifeless body fall. Goodbye, my student."

I left and return to the night. The sun will be up soon and I need to shower and get ready for work. I never was the one that needed much sleep but I'm getting old and I'm going to need more sleep than I'm used to. I wished Sukumapya would tell me more than he does. He's afraid of something and he feels like prison is the only way to escape it. I want to make it right. It's my fault that he is this afraid. If I didn't leave halfway through his training he would have never been turned. It's always going to be my fault.

I got home just as the sky turned to dusk. I walked into my house and took a quick shower before I head to work. This is going to be hard. I looked at the pictures on my mantle. There were smiling pictures of my dead husband and son. There was a group picture of me and my ninja brothers. There were my two pupils who were happily smiling as I was holding them tight. I never look at these pictures. I wish these were not memories and they were still here.

I grab some of my special brew tea. I warmed it up by the steam I blew out my nose. I want my life to be whole again. I want everything to go back to normal. My husband and son were dead but my nightmares. My brothers hate me because I get special treatment from sensei. My best pupil has turned dark and doesn't want anything to do with his family because he thinks sins can't be forgiven. I guess nothing can stay the same. I wish it didn't have to change.

I hopped on my bike and put the thermos in my bag. I went to work with my head clouded with thoughts that shouldn't be in my head. I want Sukumapya to see his family before he's thrown into prison for the rest of his life. I wish I didn't have to do this. It's hard when it's one of your students. I want there to be another way.

I really don't want to do this. His son will never know what a great man his father is. I knew him before he traveled on this dark path. I knew the kind man who he once was. He loves his family. He loved his son much more than Leroy knows. His son wants his father. I wish I could give them both the man I once taught. I want to help but I don't know how. I can't simply let him rot in prison without him saying how much he loves his family. I can feel that he's torn between his family and the darkness.

I walked into headquarters with a heavy head and a heavy heart. I wish I could talk to someone to help me to decide what I need to do. But I can't trust anyone at NCIS. They would tell me it's my job but its also my job to show my student the right path to take. I want the best for him. I can't simply stand by as he throws the only chance he will see his son. I need help. My head is swimming.

"Hey, Shina got a sec. I need to talk to you. We were wondering. Ok, more I was wondering. Who you truly are? It seems you are shrouded in mystery. You can't just be a Marine. I don't believe who you say you are."

"Can't you leave me alone Tom. I'm thinking and I don't want to be asked irrelevant questions. It doesn't matter who I am. All you need to know is I'm on your side. And if you ask any more irrelevant questions I will hurt you. I hate unimportant questions. I want to do nothing than go home and sleep. I've been up all night. I want to help a friend but don't know how. His son and brother want him back home with them but he thinks he won't be forgiven. But they had already forgiven him."

"Oh." Tom walked away without even saying anything back. I just rather be left alone. I want to go home and mull things over. It's paining me. I want to go home and talk to my ancestors. I need their guidance. It's one thing to send a man to jail that you never met before, than a man you've known for almost four hundred years. I'm upset this has come to this.

Jim walked up behind me. I could feel his hands about to touch my shoulder. I turn around and grabbed his hand. "Jim I don't need this today. I rather go home and think things through. I need time to think. I think I need to not work in this case. It hits too close to home. I need to go to Japan to see my family and to talk to them. I need to do this."

"I know, Shina. That's why I came to see you. I know you know the suspect. You have been acting weird since yesterday. I know your loyalty is with those you once fought beside once. I know the suspect is an old friend. Go be with your allies. Leave now before I change my mind."

I ran as fast out of there. I jumped on my bike and sped off. I went straight home. My droid walked up to me and looked me over. "You are going to kill yourself, your highness. I know you are still denying that you are a princess. I know you hate that you're a princess and a god. You need to stop running away from the truth. You know you're too stubborn to even see that you could be great. You're twenty and still acting like a child. I know you want nothing to deal with your dead parents. I get that but you have to take the throne like it or not."

"I don't need you talking to me either, Chizbit. I need to be by myself in my basement. I need to meditate. I'm facing worse troubles that taking an imaginary throne of a far-off planet I've never been to. Earth is my home and there isn't a kingdom or country who has a king or a queen ruling anymore. How many times I have to tell you there is no throne unless you can prove that planet exists. Until then I am not a princess. I am a proud warrior, not a royalty. I rather not be called your highness, your majesty or your gloriousness. Leave me alone Chizbit."

I left him standing there speechless. I didn't really want to deal with him saying I am an imaginary princess for fictitious people for some mythical planet. Chizbit has told me that same lie for centuries. I just can't believe it. Maybe I refuse to believe. I need to focus on the task at hand. I want to help my students to bring my formal pupils together.

I need to go now to Japan now while my brothers are out patrolling the town. I need to speak with Chi by myself. I need to tell him that I tried everything to get Sukumapya to come home I don't want to give up on him but he won't let me help him. I miss him as a pupil. I just want him back.

I left as soon as Chizbit was turned away. I went straight there. I was physical distraught. I should have been there for them and didn't have to go fight that war. I wish I could go back in time and fix this.

When I landed the monastery and it was quiet. Which means my brothers will be out for a while. "Chi, we need to talk. It's about your brother."

"Shina, come in. Do you want some tea? And let's eat while we talk. I want to eat some of your cooking once more. You always surprised me and Sukumapya with your different flavors than from the traditional flavors of Japan. You were an amazing cook." I walked with Chi.

We came to the kitchen and there was a large fish on the counter. I walk over to it and started to fila it. I start the stove and get a pan of oil and let the fish start simmer. I start working on a spicy honey ginger glaze. The fish was almost done so I start applying the glaze to the fish. I started to create rice noodles. I let them simmer in the oil that just had the fish in it. I want all the flavor from the fish to absorb into the rice noodles.

Once the rice noodles finished cooking I plated the fish and the noodles on to a plate and added some more of the glaze to top it off. I and Chi grabbed our plates and sat down at the table. There was the teapot I gave Sukumapya for his sixteenth birthday. Sukumapya always loves tea. So every time I went somewhere different I always got him tea leaves and a tea set. He was always so excited about the tea set and leaves. For Chi, I always got him, new books from the different places I've been to. He always loved the literacy of the different cultures.

I miss Sukumapya. I always thought he had died while I was off fighting in that dreaded war. I always hated war. War changes people, usually for the worse. It hurts to lose someone you thought the world of. I thought the world of both Sukumapya and Chi. It's hard when you lose someone who is still he here physical but not the same.

"So Shina, You talked to my brother. Let me guess he won't come home. Did he say why? That's one thing about my brother that I will never understand. He was so happy when his wife gave birth to Sosotsupyami. He was so excited to be a father. To throw that away isn't like him and you know it. Is he really not coming back?"

"Sorry Chi, he said he rather rot in prison than face you or Sosotsupyami. It looks like he may never come back. I did try. He's afraid of his dark master. When I even slightly mention his master he started to get really nervous. We both want him out but it seems like the only way to help him is to kill his master."