Chapter 2 - The Hidden Ghost Village
''Rin! Do you think I'm gonna be a good Hokage!'' The air was silent. My hair waved to the dancing beat of the wind. ''Yeah, I believe in you!'' a smile spreads across his face.
He had black eyes and short, spiky, raven coloured hair. He wore a long sleeved blue uniform and a blue jacket with an orange collar and trimmings. The jacket was fastened to the rest of the outfit by two buttons on the collar and had a crest on the back. He also wore a white belt, sandals, a silver plate head band, and a pair of goggles with orange lenses connected to ear protectors.
''Rin follow me,'' He ran across the terrain. I was going to follow him but my feet were glued to the ground. The whole field crumbled into nothingness, The boy paused and looked around, he wore a emotionless expression and he suddenly started to fade. When he was just an amber I felt lonely again. This always happens to me...
''Lady...?'' A soothing voice echoed in my ear like a kitten's purr. hu... My eyes slowly open, fluttering in agony as the sun's bright rays pierced my eyes. I suddenly jolt awake. Where am I? The soft sky above, sharp stones under me and the clouds caressed with reflected light. The lacy waves are a drumbeat that echoes my heart, the breeze blows the pain out of my joints and all the while the bird's arc above, masters of the salty updrafts. The ocean...?
The ocean shore lies jagged, the rocky outcrops a torn piece of paper where they meet the rushing waves. You can't get away! what the... Wait a second! I remember now! A hand wrapped around my shoulders and pulled me close, gently rubbing my arm. Despite the pain in my shoulders, it fluttered at the feeling of my body being pressed against something. Something sunk into the warmth of my side, it's touch made the air warmer somehow...
''Thank you...'' A tear erupted from her face. I wrap my arms around her waist, feeling her calm down instantly at my touch. I rub her tears away with my fingers and started rocking back and forth. It's safe now. The words echo in my ear. An avalanche of lavender-like hair tumbled down my skinny pale arm, it was almost like nothing as thin lines were lifted of my shoulder, she elevated herself from my embrace and patted her dress down as sand was stuck at the ends of her frayed hospital dress.
She grasped my leg. A shiver ran down me as something cold rubbed my ankle, my eyes wonder around for the cold sensation. I finally come across cylinder shackles placed evenly on my small ankles, which was stuck rubbing on them, the surprising thing about this was there was no rust covering the circles of metal as the tail-like chains were gone. I could of sworn there was chains on it before, Why is there no rust anywhere?
Her face turned dark as she hesitated looking at the shackles, pure water formed on her tanned eyelids making her smile crumble at her feet. I rise my head and looked at her nervously. ''What are you going to do now?''
gravity pushed her onto the floor, she compressed her legs like a squashed piece of paper and her head stared right out into the great blue ocean. The reflection of the sun shone down like holy rays. ''I don't know, I don't know anything of my past,'' The lone tear started to escape her luminescent emerald eyes. I moved my hand towards her face and wiped off any droplets of grief that tried to escape. '' It's alright! We'll start figuring things out but we need to go.'' I grab her hand, trying not to dig my nails into her delicate skin, and elevated myself from the ground.
We walk along the ocean shore, none of us spoke a word, both of us lost in our own torrid thought. The sand shifted unhelpfully underfoot, testing our agility and sense of balance. Once in a while the little girl lets out one of her flurry shrieks, most of them was because of the sharp stones poking out of the golden sand. ''I never got to ask but what's you name little one?'' ''I don't have one...'' she shot back like quick-draw but instead of a bang it was a very soft whisper. I place my hands onto her slumped shoulders, the impact jolted her awake from her sorry state.
''Then let's think of one,'' I held my hand up to my chin. my other one was placed onto my hip. ''Azumi!'' I bellowed, the birds started to shoot out from underneath the bushes carrying insects from their hard, sharp beaks. ''Azumi... what does that mean?'' ''Well it means 'safe residence', that means like a safe place or something like that. I can't really remember where I got that from though...'' She still looked confused but happy at the same time. ''Okay, What's my surname gonna be?'' I knelled down, our faces at the same length. ''isn't it obvious,'' My hand drifted through her lushes hair letting strands fall from my finger tips. ''Violet, Azumi Violet,''
her face lit up. ''What's your name?'' ''Rin Nohara.'' She let her hands drop from my waist. ''That's a pretty name!'' I nod and stand back up. ''we need to get moving,'' our hands collide again.
We finally reached a terrain of soil and dirt. Azumi was walking unusually slowly, almost robotically, as if her brain was struggling to tell each foot to take the next step. The woodland floor is a million hues of brown, more than Azumi's eyes can detect, yet they are there. The differences are magnified by the moisture, variation on variation. Mingled in are some stones, adding their greys to the mosaic beneath our feet. The trees are khaki over the bark, kissed with mass; on their shaded sides grows lichen as if thrown there like powdered paint, so softly green as to be close to white. I let her eyes rest on the tree, their bark scarred by forest animals seeking insects. Each of them is soft brown, their injuries mahogany and deep even where the light reaches them.
I sat watching the line where heaven touched the earth. My tired eyes witnessed the resounding glowing collision. sparks lit the sky and blood poured, as the glory of paradise descended further behind the seam of the world. I felt small as I glanced over my shoulder and saw my shadow slowly shrinking towards my body. I looked back to the line, only a few bright streaks remained to signal heaven's passing. The sun had set.
The heat from the campfire seemed to be sucked into the frigid air before ever reaching my cold hands. I added more wood and poked it with a long stick. It seemed to die a little as if unsure of itself, unready to devour the new offering. It licked at the new log like a nervous kitten and sent feeble sparks to die in the air. But after a time it found it's confidence and grew until the heat warmed me, orange flames celebrated with their wild flickering dance. I stared at the sleeping Azumi. I detected the soft smile spreading across her face.
My head lifts, the starry night sky glistened. A movement in the shadows has me frozen; it's no more than a rustle but in this failing light in my heart is on hair-trigger. More noises come. I take a step back and raise my hands to create a fighting stance. I crouch low, my lungs rapidly inflating and deflating with sweet rain-scented air. Minutes pass and what was the sun set was complete darkness.
Without warning two young bunnies dart from the bushes, One of them had a white under-tail bobbing furiously as it kicks at the muddy earth. The other bunny was as black as night, his raven eyes stared into the sliver bunnies eyes. His fluffy tail bobs up and down as he runs, seeking safety from the other bunnies tantrum.
Two more bunnies peeked from the bushes. The yellow bunny looked more mature than the others as it looked much older and the other one was a beautiful tan colour with dark brown splotches across its back. The fight halted as the black bunny just stopped, the silver tuft of fur had a scratch across it's eye; blood oozed from the desolate circles, The black bunny just left and the others. One by one. Eventually it was just the silver one, emotionless, staring at the bush for eternity.
The bunny was fidgety and nervous. I wrapped my hands around it's stomach and held him against my chest. In a split second it squirmed in my grasp and was furiously scratching my bare arm with it's silver legs. I screamed and squeezed him even tighter. He eventually calmed down and let it's body droop in my arms, I grasp my dress and started to ripping strands off, I wrapped them around the bunnies eye and placed him onto the ground. I watched it hop away at high speed and realise the 'thank you' in its eyes. Silhouettes hovered over the horizon like a family.
I feel this darkness come over me. Like a blanket, but not a blanket of warmth but a blanket of coldness making me shiver. But somehow it's making my eyes feel heavier and heavier. I finally close my eyes and finally sending me into a dreamless night...
I heard noises vibrate in my ear. As I rouse from my heavy slumber the first orange hued rays of sunrise kissed the still dust laden rubble with the same loving care as the undertaker with recently departed. These soft rays that should have brought warmth to a new day only acted to solidify the reality of this world.
''Your awake Rin-chan!'' I saw a blur of purple in the corner of my eye, my eyes squinted at the rays of vibrant purple that illuminated the dark forest. ''What happened to your dress? It has ribbed ends everywhere,'' I can just make out the slight concern that engulfed her face. ''It's nothing, let's just carry on moving.''
From afar the mountain is a peak of snowy pines and the mountain path ahead was loose rock. the track snaked around the side of the mountain with a sheer drop to the right. The little girl stopped at the beginning of the track, she gulped, every bone in her body must of sensed the danger and how unstable the mountain ridge was. Rubble kept falling off the peak of the large rock like a fountain of dirt and debris. The rock was warmed by the caring sun that shone rays like a kind parent.
We walked, cautiously, across the winding path. The air started to collapse as our heartbeat was moving even faster, I could hear Azumi scrunching her dress. There was absolute silence between us. It felt like hours since we set foot on this nerve racking path but in reality we were only on it for twenty minutes as we were nearly at the end. At the end the golden rock merged into the fresh soil, it looked like a painting, beautiful colours were in harmony.
Azumi eagerly ran ahead. I lifted my hand to grab her but it was too late, her foot stamped on the edge of the steep hill. The ground crumbled from beneath her skinny foot, her body twirled and jerked as she fell. The wind in her face must of made it impossible to breathe, she must be suffocating from the pressure of the wind. I spring from the edge and lunged as I drag my feet from the side of the deadly hill, burns from the friction of the mountains finally spread across my feet like a deadly virus.
I decided to ignore it, Azumi was more important right now. I extended my arm from the mountain and tried to grasp her dress but I was too far away, I scan the area. I saw a pile of leaves next to a large oak tree. I lunge deeper gaining more momentum and more energy to spring, when I was finally faster then her I left the hard rock and jumped into the lavender hair girl. Forcefully, I push us two into the leaves creating a loud sound. BANG!
Rubble instantly fell like a landslide, the birds fidgeted from within their nests, animals scurried from beneath the bushes. A couple of trees collapsed onto each other. I lift my head up from the delicate leaves, Azumi did the same, we both had bits of broken off sticks in our hair with cracked rocks too. ''Never do that again please...'' she shook her head and glanced away from me. Her eyes shot open.
On the crest of the hill were several silhouettes, wolfish. Two stand almost statue-like while the others tumble about, pulling one another over. When the foremost wolf howls they all stop, drawn to join in like they have been invited to a family feast. Together they fill the still air with their "singing." Their eyes were filled with hunger and rage as drool started to pour out of their mouths. The alpha wolf looked at us with a keen eye. we both instantly stood up and started to run.
It didn't take long for the wolves to catch up with us. our rasping breath steamed in the daylight and our throats was parched from thirst. I heard the quickening thud of wild wolves as they began to approach us. I could hear my heart thumping in my head and my legs began to quiver like jelly. Azumi tripped over a tangled mossy root and the earthly ground rushed up to her face as she thudded to the ground. She's going to die… She's going to die. Those words choked my mind as I struggled to unfold the roots. The pack of wolves slowly made their way up to our limp shaking bodies. Azumi let out an icy scream but only emptiness left her dried lips. The leader of the pack began to approach us, bearing its sharp teeth and thirst for blood.
I was finally able to unfold the roots. Azumi gave me a panicked look as she got up and just bolted it down the path, I followed, eventually with some miracle the wolves lost interest and went back from where they came from. I stop and place my hand onto a thick tree trunk gasping for air, my lungs felt like they have shrivelled up like raisins. Without paying attention, my hands drift around the trunk like they had a mind of their own.
A sting of pain shot up my hand as I felt a liquid run down my pale skin. Sharply, I pull back my hand to find a red substance pouring out of a cut. I Look around the trunk to spot a disk sticking out of the hard oak tree but it had sharp bits all over it, wait... is that a shuriken? I twirled my head around instantly, my eyes turn to saucers.
Shurkiens were left piercing the defencless trees, kunai scattered all over the ground. this must be an effect of a battle or something and judging by the marks this must of been recent...''Wow, what is this?'' Azumi looked like she saw a ghost as her eyes wondered around. ''This is a ninja battle,'' Her eyes grew ten times the size it's suppose to be. ''REALLY!'' Her voice echoed throughout the forest hitting every corner of the precious wood.
''We should look through this stuff and take some stuff with us just in case,'' we start to look around, in the corner of my eye I saw two fanny packs dangling from the sharp branches of the driftwood tree. I jump from the rock beneath it and swung from branch to branch until I reached my destination, fortunately there were no holes in them, I lock one tight around my waist pulling the belt to the very end and twisted it to the side of my hip. I twist around and throw the other fanny back towards Azumi. She did the exact same.
I go back to collecting items. I pick up all the weapons and place them in my fanny pack, sharing them with Azumi of course. We both notice the cloaks that were hanging onto the rocks for dear life. we both grasp them and wrapped it around our small body, using a kunai, we both cut the bottom bits that were dangling under our feet. Bushes started to rustle.
From the shadows came a wolf pup, it had a pelt like a Siberian Husky. it's body hunkered low to the ground. Azumi watched, her own limbs frozen in place. Despite its proximity there was no sound, it circled left rather than coming directly to us. It started to get excited. The pup was nothing like its kin. Instead of being aggressive it was as docile as a dog. Whatever gene it needed to be an alpha wasn't there. When Azumi approached the pup rolled onto it's back, tail wagging. Azumi reached out an hand for it to sniff and it sprang up, pushing it's weight onto her. Azumi smiled.
''Okami!'' Azumi called struggling to get out of the pup's brutal hug. Okami...? ''Rin-chan can we keep him!'' I sigh and gave her a quick nod, I knew this would happen...
We finally found our way again. The path was now a mixture of concrete and gravel, not bad for bare feet except... IT'S BOILING HOT! The sun scorched the path causing hot waves to erupt from the ground, sweat flowed down our face like a never ending waterfall. These cloaks don't help, THEIR BLACK FOR CRISI SAKE.
A hand tapped on my shoulder. Quickly, I turned around. Azumi pointed something out that was beyond the hill, I saw a silhouette of a village on the horizon. A smile formed across Azumi's face as she and Okami bolted towards it. I could barely keep up with them as their small legs strode across the boiling path.
When we finally got to the village mist started to engulf our surroundings like the silence that had taken over. A gust of dry winds through the maze of ancient houses where windows have long shattered in the weakness of their structures and rotting boards, some broken, others hanging trying to cover the empty eyes of every abandoned home. Doors hang on the few threads of their hinges and groan with pain at every sway. Weeds socialise across the cracking asphalt of every path, gathering and laughing at us, the lone pedestrians, as they try to weave around the catching fingers with every step.
''well, this place has seen better days,'' Azumi mumbled. she has a point but it doesn't seem... abandoned ''HELP ME!'' A scream cracked through the mist, it pierced into my mind echoing in my brain. Me and Azumi swivelled to the direction of the sound, Okami sniffed the air. We all ran, feet kissing the land. The village was a maze of narrow winding paths, as complex as the heart. The streets were the veins, paved with dark red stones, and the people were blood.
Once we made it we saw two ninjas wearing animal masks. We also saw a women with her child, holding onto each other for dear life. ''You defy us! You get killed!'' they point their kunai's at the little boy causing a scene in the middle of the massive pavement, the crowd just watched, their faces all dark. Little bits of water dripped down the boys face as one of the ninja hovered their Kunai over the boys head ready to slam into the forehead. ''someone please save us!''
I swiftly appeared next to the ninja, I grasp his arm and intensely stare ''Sorry but I can't let you do that...'' Anger flared into his eyes like a blazing fire. I was clam, content I wasn't going to show any fear. ''And who are you?'' the annoyance in his face was uncanny, the crowd stepped back astonished. ''You don't need to know that, but what you do need to know is how to go away.''
''You watch your mouth BRAT!'' The other ninja was female, a very aggressive ninja. She pulled out another kunai and spun it around. ''You should watch your attitude!'' She burst out of anger like she was constipated. She swiped at me, I dodge obviously, letting her glide straight into an opening for me. I ram my fist straight into her chest making her spit out blood. She collapsed onto the floor. The man ran straight into the fray , I jump behind him midair. I slam my foot right into his back nearly braking it, after that everything was silent. I felt arms wrap around me. ''Thank you!'' gasps were heard amongst the crowd.
''Is everyone alright?'' Everyone nods robotically. ''You had to do that didn't you?'' Azumi puts forth, I just smile and look away from her. The little boy squeezed me tighter, I needed a desperate gasp for air. ''Takeo, stop squeezing her, you'll kill the poor thing,'' Takeo ran back to the women in disappointment. ''I'm so sorry for him,'' I elevate my hands and started to do a waving-motion, Vigorously.
''No it's alright really!'' A hand grabbed my shoulder, laughter spread throughout the crowd. I wore a puzzled expression. ''Stop being so modest!'' You could hear Azumi's sweet, joyful laughter from a mile away, it would echo through the streets and into each and every house, and would cheer everyone up.
Takeo sprinted away from his mothers arms and instantly drags me out of the crowds circle. Azumi notices and follows. We soon end up outside a broken down bar, the door swings open. A old man steps outside, he had ragged clothes and had white tied up hair. his face was grouchy. ''Who's this?'' His voice was croaky, he choked on every word her said. ''This girl saved us from two ninjas!''
I heighted my hand to the back of my head, blushing out of embarrassment. ''Don't say lies son, no-one has ever had the guts to-'' ''It's true Hisao, please believe us,'' her voice was soft as a kitten, and as radiant as sunset.
Silence filled the area for a moment then evaporates into fin air as Azumi bellows answers Omani starts barking down the path ''Wait up!'' She halts and takes deep breaths. ''For a kid you sure run fast,'' There was a slight annoyance in her sigh that really got to the kid because- ''well you should get faster you old hag!'' ''Takeo!'' The womens voice was firm. Azumi and takeo's eyes stared intensely into each other, there was no blinking. There was no movement.
''So anyway why were those ninjas attacking you?'' Her face looked back at me her eyes slowly drifted to the ground. ''I'll tell you inside,'' The bar curves into the room, dark in the barely lit room. Through the windows, the diamonds of lead planes, trickles the swallow light of the street lamps. I leaned on the bar, my brown hair lying over one shoulder of my cloak. The women walked behind the counter and started to rub the bear cups with a cloth, the rusty sides indicated that they weren't new.
''It all started 3 years ago, it was just a normal day. I was walking along the path when suddenly I heard a scream, So I ran towards the piercing noise to find a mountain of corpses. Blood was all over the ground. A large group of ninja was just sitting on all of them. They said that they run this village now and if anyone defied them they would die,''
I notice the slight tear form on her eye lids. Something must of happened... ''why didn't you just leave?'' A stick banged on the floor like thunder. ''Because of the mist, the mist has been here for centuries. Once you enter you can't get out. That's why this place is called the hidden ghost village,'' the old man stuttered. ''You can't see the mist on the outside but when your inside you definitely see it, isn't that right?'' The old man sat there, dominated from the profound sadness, fatigue engraved on his worn face. Those ninja weren't wearing a head band so they can't be from the top villages. Though they would have...
''Do you know if there's a leader or something?'' Her hands started to tap on the counter like she was on autopilot, the rhythm was like a heartbeat dancing to the silent tension that was forced upon this slightly broken down bar. The tension was abundant, not giving up on it's one chance of freedom to condemn the sadness that was leaking into her.
The women stuttered like the sadness was seeping into her throat hiking her very existence away. ''Myuo...'' The women had all emotion like wet concrete, her facial muscles just as loose. There was no anger, no sadness, no joy or resentment. She never even appeared bored as she kept on cleaning the rusty cups, that was at least something.
''Myuo?'' Azumi glances upward, her mouth pursed but slightly open and loose. Her eyes were fixed on the women as the lady twitched with dullness. Hisao stepped forward. ''Myuo is the person that started this whole shenanigans,'' he twisted around looking towards the wall, he weaved some patterns and pressed his raisin-like hands against the brick surface. Symbols entwined vigorously across the wall like the wind dancing in and out of the croaky door, a stone door appeared. ''You'll be safe in here, thanks for your service!'' He bows his head and walks beside the women. Tears burst forth like water in a dam, spilllinng down her face. I turn around, she's hiding something...