Wow, I'm glad people like my story so much! One review, and a story-favorite, author-favorite, story alert, AND author alert, all within two hours of posting my story!! I'm awesome. Cookies- no, CHEESECAKES- to you both!! Homemade. With Oreos. Lolz. Well, by your request, here's Chapter 1.
The first rays of the morning light brightened my bedroom, instantly awakening me. I lay in my bedroll peacefully for a few moments, giving myself a rare luxury, then jumped out of bed and began doing a few warm-up stretches. As usual, I stepped out of my house, grabbing my pack and a spare sword as I did so. Mio greeted me at the door, purring softly, just like he did every morning. I smiled. Everything was in order. A perfect day, if you ask me.
I began heading north, deep into the bamboo forests around my house. I sighed contentedly. If my day continued to go as planned, I could expect to arrive in the village by the time the sun was well up. I would go to the Guh-Ryong for a small bowl of noodles, then hang out with Abyo as he chased after girls, or once again prove to him that ninjitsu is always superior to his kung fu. Once the sun had reached its peak, I would retreat to this bamboo forest to hone my ninja skills, or, if the weather was bad, practice fighting with Mio back home. It was around this time that I would usually get into a fight with Tobe.
I snorted loudly at the thought of my rival. He knew as much about ninjitsu as Santa did, and his "ninjas" knew even less. But everyone knows that a good warrior always needs some sort of rival to keep him on his toes.
Even if he is an annoying pain in the neck. I rolled my eyes in patient resignation. Mio flicked his ears back at me in silent agreement.
We walked in our usual silence, relishing the quiet of the morning, the feeling of being the only things living in a new world.
The sky was tinged with pink when we reached our destination. The trail that I always so carefully disguised ended at a large clearing in the bamboo, where the earth began to rise into the mountains and great pools formed in the valleys. It was in here that my haven was hidden.
In the center of the clearing were many large springs. Steam rose from the clear water, warming the rocks that dotted the landscape. I breathed in deeply the delicious scent of steam and wildflowers. It was here that I would come to be alone, to escape from it all when things became too chaotic. To put it simply, I would come here to get away from- I shook a little bit and glanced around nervously- her. Pucca.
The very thought of her set my heart pumping in fear. Yes, fear.
Hey, there's no shame in having fear!
Even if it's a little girl that you're afraid of….
I shook my head resolutely. No, I wasn't afraid of her. It was… just a matter of pride, that's all.
Yeah.
That's it.
Mio gave me a piercing stare before turning and hopping onto one of the warm rocks, where he began to bathe himself in the sunlight. I followed him into the spring, removing my clothes as I did so, immersing my body in the warm water. I settled myself, and prepared to meditate.
Something about the atmosphere, or perhaps it was my own mind playing tricks on me, made this one morning different, however. There was a buzz in the air, as if something was around me, coaxing my mind to follow it to who-knows-where. My eyelids felt heavy. The springs felt warmer than usual, the steam softer and sweeter….
I shook myself.
No. I'm not going to fall asleep. I mean, I'm a ninja, right? I should have control over these things by now.
But whatever it was in the air was very persistent. I struggled with myself, then finally gave up, exhausted, and closed my eyes to sleep.
I was in a large, ornate tent, filled with all sorts of maps and swords and rugs. In front of me was an exquisitely carved table, upon which lay a map. I felt an odd purpose- what it was, I've no idea, but it was very urgent.
"Takeshi," said a voice next to me.
I felt words come to my mouth unbidden.
"Yes, Father?"
Wait, what? What the hell is going on here? See, this is why I hate dreams-
My- his- its- whatever. The voice that came from me but was not mine continued.
"I've looked at all the records, all the maps… I can find no solution. They have us trapped, Father. I- I don't know what to do."
I got a better look at the man next to me as he leaned over to look at the map on the table. He had a strong, worn face, and was wearing a great deal of armor…he definitely looked like a warlord of some kind.
"You're still young, Takeshi, you let your fear blind you. There are a number of options we have to choose from. None of them will be easy, but… well, it's war, what do you expect?" He chuckled grimly at his last words.
The person whose body I seemed to be inhabiting nodded his head as bravely as he could, and continued talking with his father.
By this point, I was getting a little more comfortable with this dream. Apparently the man was a ruler in the middle of a war, and he was imposing upon his son some of the more difficult aspects of leadership. What it means, I have no idea. And I don't care much, either. Though the swords on the wall over there look interesting… I made as if to step towards them, and-
I woke to Mio batting my eyes with his paws. He stared at me with a mixture of concern and impatience, and meowed once he saw that I was awake. I scratched his head while groggily looking around me. The air felt much warmer, and the light was all wrong, unless…..
Crap.
I looked around for the sun, and found it far too close to the western horizon- about two o'clock, I'd say.
Without a second thought, I ran out of the water and slipped back into my clothes as quickly as I could.
See, on my normal schedule I usually arrive at Guh-Ryong just as everyone is waking up. I eat an early lunch, then hang out with Abyo in the hills or forests around Sooga. Why?
I would think it'd be obvious.
Pucca, of course.
Pucca works as a waitress in the morning, then has delivery duties in the afternoon. If there are no deliveries, she and Ching get together for shopping and those other boring girl things. Most of those things include stumbling upon me purely by chance, and thus the usual chasing ensues.
With this schedule, however, I am able to enjoy a few Pucca-free days, impossible as it may be.
But-
If she hasn't seen me by now, then she'd get either get very worried or very angry. Either way, she ends up looking for me. And thus the usual chasing ensues.
So here are my options- find a good hiding place for the day and wait 'til it's safe to go home, or…
Well, that might work.
If Pucca's out looking for me, then she won't be in the village. So, if I'm in the village….then she won't find me!
Brilliance!
I nearly clicked my heels in joy right then. With a light heart and a clear head, I jauntily strolled back down the trail to Sooga Village.
Yay! Finally finished it. Sorry for the delay, I've been lazy. I'll get the next one up quicker, promise, but first I'd like five reviews!! And again, thanks to all the people who have reviewed, your support means a lot to me. So remember- just review, and all your wishes will come true!
...Right.