Author's Note: Sorry for the wait. Here's another. I'll have another up soon. Meanwhile, why not try reading some of my other stuff?
Stand Your Ground
Shadows within shadows shifted and out of the darkness came a darker black. He neatly twisted himself, a graceful shift from his crouch to a half-lean against the building's roof, neatly sheathing himself amidst the shadowed darkness where the moonlight did not cast its touch.
Whispers of the wind brought the scent of fading summer and encroaching winter winds, the mix of a beautiful nostalgia.
:Natuskashi…: he thought in the hidden depths of his heart.
Stand your ground. Her words whispered to him, the wind bringing with it a caress that held him, blowing up a swirling world of leaves and shadows that flew up above his head, the long black straps that were attached to his arms and legs wrapping around him loosely.
The moon painted pale beams that split onto the rooftops as he let himself loose into the night, bounding soundlessly, fleeting leaps from one wooden banister to the next tiled roof. A quick flip of fingers on the side wooden bar holding up the side of a inn sent him upwards and he tapped his left foot quickly but firmly on the tiling, making the pieces quiver but not move enough to make sound as he ducked downwards and dashed forward, entering the heart darkness before him.
Don't ever look back. His eyes were hooded, the black cloth hood pulled down over his eyebrows, casting a crooked shadow over his eyes. He stopped momentarily, pausing to scan the surrounding buildings and alleys, only the neighborhood tomcat and an old sleepy drunk wandering the streets in the dead of night. The wind blew up and her arms came around and held him, the brush of her cheek against hers and the gentle brush of fingers that disappeared as soon as they seemed to appear. He let no emotion cross his face. Emotions were unfitting for a tool.
What if I ever fail a mission as a kunochi? That's okay, little one. Because if ever I don't make it, someone else will stand my ground. Neh, Susumu?
I won't ever forget the way you made me feel. I won't ever regret the me that you made.
I will always stand my ground.
For you.
My sister.