I'm REALLY sorry for taking this long to post this chapter! I had serious writers block for a while, and then sort of forgot about it. Even so, I have NO excuse for leaving you guys at such a terrible stopping point, and I don't intend to keep you waiting for one sentence longer!


Garu jumped; he could have sworn he heard someone-

Ah, but you did.

There it was again. The voice of the ghost ninja - Botan, apparently - but somehow, it didn't sound like he was really there. The sound was certainly real to Garu, but it felt like it was only in his head.

You're right, Garu. I am inside your mind; therefore, I can hear your thoughts, he explained.

Nervously, Garu swallowed. So you can talk into my mind? he thought.

Botan chuckled, and the sound seemed to echo through Garu's thoughts. For a Firewasp ninja, he said, you're awfully slow.

Garu shrugged. The supernatural just isn't one of my strong points.

Obviously.

There was a long pause, and in the silence, Garu began to doubt Botan was even there, even though he knew he was. After a while, however, he decided that this would be a perfect opportunity to get some answers.

So, Garu thought, finally, your name is Botan, right?

Yes. Ironically, it means "long life".

Oh. Well then, I was wondering, if-

I could shed a little light on that dream I gave you, Botan finished.

Yes, exactly.

Very well then, I suppose you do have the right to know why you're trying to regain your family's honor.

What? Garu thought in surprise. But how does-

Save your questions, Garu. I can assure you, they will all be answered by the end of the story. It was a little more than six years ago…


Your father and I were fighting in a war. The cause is long forgotten by now; I think they were trying to take our land.

But anyway, remember those black and white ninjas from your dream? Those were the two sides. I was on the black team, your father was practically the leader of the black ninjas, and the white ninjas were our enemies. I know what you're thinking: you saw me in a white ninja suit, so I must have been a double agent. Let me assure you, though, that was not the case. Your father and I were best friends, ever since we met training under the same sensei. I would have never betrayed him; that is, not if I had a choice.

I remember what happened like it was yesterday. One night while I was asleep, I felt myself being carried. I opened my eyes to find two white ninjas holding me by my arms and legs, who had apparently bound and gagged me while I was asleep. After we had crossed the battlefield, they brought me to another tent, one of the white ninja's. They threw me roughly through the door and I landed face first in the tent.

I looked up to find a single white ninja standing over me. One of the ones that had been carrying me walked around to join him, while the other pressed a blade to the back of my neck. The first white ninja, who was slightly taller than the other, ordered him to take my gag off, and he did.

The middle ninja spoke, his voice cold and apathetic. "Do you know why you're here?"

"Not unless you brought me here to kill me," I said, trying to sound threatening.

"No," he said, keeping his voice level. "We weren't going to be that merciful. You're going to work for us now."

I simply stared at him in anger. "What in your twisted mind makes you think that I-" I was cut off as the blade was pressed harder against my neck.

"Nothing specifically," he went on. "I merely hoped I wouldn't have to kill another of you this way."

"What do you mean?" I demanded.

"For the last few nights, every night, our ninjas have snuck into your campgrounds at night and brought back members of your team, which we have given the same offer. So far they have all refused, and were killed."

"That's impossible! We would have noticed if our numbers were dwindling overnight."

"Which is why," he continued, "they have each been replaced with one of our own.

"If you would rather die too, however, that is understandable. We don't really need any more help. Very soon, in fact, your former partners will be exterminated from the inside. I just thought it fair that I give you a choice."

My mouth dropped open upon hearing this; I knew the white ninjas could be treacherous, but I had never heard of such a dishonorable, yet ingenious plot.

He seemed to be pausing to let me consider my options. As if there was any consideration needed.

"So," he finally said, "what is your choice."

I opened my mouth to tell him I would rather die on the spot, when an idea struck me. I knew I had to warn the others about this invasion, and if there was one person I could trust, it was Mato. He would always believe me, no matter how crazy the story was.

"Before I make my decision," I began, "I need to know: have you already killed… Mato?"

"Who?" The tall ninja asked. He looked at the ninja beside him in confusion, who shrugged. "Oh, you mean your little troop leader," he said. "Unfortunately, he is still alive. My ninjas planned on taking him tonight, but apparently, he was still awake. What does this have to do with anything?" he demanded.

Perfect, I thought, the said: "He is my best friend. I just wanted to make sure nothing happened to him." The ninja behind me scoffed.

I waited a while, making it look like I was pondering my decision, when I finally said, "Alright. I'll fight with you."

The white ninjas were apparently not expecting that answer; a confused look momentarily crossed their stone faces, and the one holding the sword loosened his grip in surprise. It lasted less than a second, however, before their expressions returned to their normal emptiness.

The taller ninja was the first to recover from his confusion. "Excellent choice," he said. "You are smart to realize that life itself holds far more value then the illusion you call honor. You are truly one of us."

I bit my tongue to keep from blurting something out at this. How dare they call themselves ninjas?

"Kono, you may release him."

The ninja behind me, Kono, groaned as if he was disappointed that he didn't get to kill me but still did as he was told and cut the ropes that bound me.

"Kono will show you to your tent," he said. "We'll see you in the morning."

And that's pretty much how it all began. You saw everything else in your dream. As soon as we left our tents that day, I set out to find Mato, and told him everything about the white ninjas plan. But something was wrong. Under normal circumstances, I swear he would have believed me, but he seemed different, upset for some reason. Even if he believed I was the enemy, it wasn't natural for him to lunge at me like that. It didn't make sense…

But I was too enraged to think about showing him mercy. The fact was, no matter what he tried to use to justify it, he had killed me. His best friend. And when he found out it was me, he just ran from his mistake like a coward. There was only one thing I desired, and still do today: Revenge.


I'm done now, Garu. If you have any questions, now would be the time to ask them.

It's true, Botan had explained everything from Garu's dream, but there were still pieces missing.

First of all, why me? Garu thought. Why can't you exact your revenge on my father? Not that I want you too, but…

Because, he began, I want to make him suffer for what he did. When the time is right, I will call him here, where he will witness the death of his eldest son. And, like so many things in this world go, he will want to join you, and who would I be to deny him?

A friend, Garu thought angrily, but then he remembered that Botan could hear his thoughts. Garu imagined he would be glaring right now.

Anyway, I have another question, he said quickly, trying to recover. What does all of this have to do with Tobe? Are you his father or something?

No, Botan answered. I never married, mostly because I was always running from love. I was simply in the right place at the right time. I found you just in time to see what happened to Tobe. When he passed out, I entered his mind and attempted to eliminate you, and I would have, had your girlfriend not come in and rescued you.

Pucca is not my girlfriend! Garu thought defensively. And I still have more questions about Tobe: how come he was still trying to get his vengeance after you were gone?

While I was in his mind, I simply wired the concept of destroying you into his brain. His mind was easy to manipulate; however, I can't say the same about you. Your mind is much stronger.

Um, thank you? Garu had no idea what to make of that statement. But anyway, I still don't get one thing, why were his eyes glowing red?

Honestly, I did that just to freak you out.

Garu rolled his eyes. Well, it certainly worked.

Is that all? Botan asked.

I have one more question, thought Garu. How are you going to get Mato here?

I'm sure you wouldn't understand, said Botan, but I'll explain it to you anyway. You see, we all have a sort of psychic connection, which is more prominent with ghosts. If I simply concentrate on Mato's mental signature, I can send messages to him via thought.

Garu's mind was blank.

I thought you wouldn't understand, Botan said somewhat smugly. But still, that's the best way I know how to put it. And when I feel the time is right, I'll send Mato a message in his sleep, telling him to come here to Sooga Village, where… well, you know.

Garu yawned.

Am I boring you, Garu?

No, he thought quickly, I'm just tired.

I don't see how you could possibly get to sleep after all that I have told you, but alright. I guess we'll talk more in the morning. Goodnight.

Goodnight, thought Garu, yawning again. He closed his eyes and relaxed, immediately letting darkness overcome his mind.


After a few hours, Garu's eyes opened. He somehow sensed that Botan was asleep. Perfect. He must have thought Garu was sleeping, when in fact he had been meditating, waiting for his chance to act.

Garu wasn't quite sure how he was going to do this. What had Botan said? Focus on Mato's "mental signature"? Garu had no idea what he meant, but he was willing to try.

Judging simply by the name, Garu tried to assume what that meant. Every signature is different, he thought quietly, although subconsciously realizing what a strange thing it was to "think quietly", so a mental signature must be different for each person. Maybe I just need to try to find out what my father's would look like.

This was easier thought than done, but Garu was determined. Let's see, he thought, my father is very tough and determined, so I imagine it would be somewhat rough. But also, he is suave, so… maybe his "signature" is in cursive? And everyone says we are a lot alike… I don't know, maybe it looks somewhat like mine.

Garu decided he had the information he needed, but he had no idea what to apply it to. Okay, he thought, concentrate on his mental signature. He tried his best, imagining the word "Mato"; the handwriting was somewhat wobbly, but in cursive, and the "a" looked like an "e" with a line on the side, just like he did his. Garu held that image in his mind, not knowing what to make of it, when suddenly, he saw it: a map seemed to appear in his mind's eye. He couldn't make out where it was, but there, right in the middle, was a glowing blue dot, which seemed to dangle below the signature he had imagined.

He'd done it.

Garu concentrated on it, and thought: Father, it's Garu. I need you to come to Sooga. I'll explain when you get here; please come as soon as possible.

That should do it, thought Garu, breaking his concentration, and the map disappeared, leaving him staring intently at his ceiling.

Garu suddenly became aware that Botan had woken up.

What are you doing, Garu? Botan asked, confused.

Nothing, Garu replied, I just, er, had another nightmare, and I wanted to try and forget it before I go back to sleep.

Oh. Well, what was it about?

Trying to forget it…

Oh, right. Well, goodnight.

Goodnight. And this time, Garu meant it.


Well, there you have it! The much anticipated and hopefully not forgotten chapter six! If you read my apology in the reviews, you would have heard me say that, if I didn't post this today, I would read fluffy BBRae fics every day until I updated, so I guess it's good for all of us that I updated today! Anyway, it's snowing now, and we're probably not going to have school tomorrow, and if we don't I will literally be writing ALL DAY until I finish... wait for it... CHAPTER SEVEN! So I'll see you soon, really this time. As a wise coconut once said, GOOD NIGHT!