Chapter 3: The Village

HEY!! So, thanks for the reviews!! I'm so glad it's liked :D Ok, meh heh, the story takes place in Hokkaido, Japan, the northern-most island. If you had been paying attention to the first chap, you would have known that! Lol, just kidding! No, my ninja-ko is NOT related to Kakashi, because that would be wierd. This is not a crossover with Naruto. Sorry if that disappoints some of you. And, yes, I finally updated. Seemed like I wasn't going to, huh? Also, thank you once again, Kaeley Mel for reviewing and making sure that my chapter had no spelling errors. Who needs spellcheck when I have you? Hahahahaha.

NOTE: Everytime you see italicised (spell?) text, it's people's thoughts. In this chapter's case, the ninja-ko's thoughts. Just so you guys aren't confused.

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Xiaolin Showdown or anything affiliated. I DO own all other characters in this fanfic that are not from Xiaolin Showdown or any other copyrighted material (games, other shows, manga, etc.). If they are from somewhere other than my own imagination, I will tell you.

Ok, then! Now please read, review, and above all, enjoy!

Your ever gracious hostess/author,

Violet Phoenix Rising

"Well then? Shall we go?" the ninja-ko asked, leaning against one of the torii pillars.

"YIPPEE!!! Chunin-dom, here I come!" Omi cried, sprinting toward the gate.

The ninja-ko chuckled to herself. This one's quite spirited. I hope that he turns serious in his studies, though.

"Hold it there, little buddy!" Clay warned, "There's still a protective spell around this place!"

The cowboy has a good memory, the ninja-ko observed.

"Yeah, what if you get hit by a lightning blast?" Kimiko added as the others reached the gate.

Clearly the maternal one, or getting to be, were the ninja-ko's thoughts of Kimiko.

Omi literally screeched to a halt. He stopped so suddenly that he fell backwards on his butt.

The ninja-ko laughed good-naturedly. "Oh, that? Don't worry about it. It doesn't do anything that dramatic."

Omi cocked his head to one side. "Really?"

"Then what does it do?" Rai asked sarcastically. "Does a volley of shuriken and kunai come at us?"

That one is Raimundo of course. The sarcasm, the attitude -- exactly like what Master Fung said. Hopefully he'll cool down in the fullness of time. He also has talent, as do the others.

"Well," the ninja-ko explained, "you see, those kind of spells where some kind of boobytrap is triggered are way too obvious. Attracts too many looky-loos you know. With our spell, you can send an army of 100,000 men through this gate and all the way to those mountains up north of here and they still wouldn't see the village. All they'd see would be ruins of old buildings. Plus, everything in our village is completely invisible and soundproof."

Raimundo grinned. "Awesome."

It was Kimiko's turn to ask a question. "Wait, what if a bunch of spells were launched beyond the gate? Wouldn't that expose the village?"

"Yeah," said Clay, "by the time the smoke cleared, they'd really see a bunch of ruins."

The ninja-ko laughed again. "I love it when newbies put me on the spot! That's another thing we've perfected over the centuries. This entire village is surrounded by a barrier made up of trillions -- and I mean trillions -- of microscopic and intangible sensors. Whenever projectiles or magic energy of any kind are launched at this barrier, the sensors use the kinetic or spiritual energy to create an illusion spell of such high caliber that it seems like whatever should've happened on impact happened. You can't even tell anything was unreal. Answer your question?"

Kimiko nodded.

"Mine too," Wuya cackled as she zoomed in point-blank to the ninja-ko. "Just imagine the chaos once Chase Young gets word of this!"

"Don't you have anything better to do besides flirting with him?" Dojo asked irritably. "Go bother someone else!"

The ninja-ko glared at Wuya with so much intensity that Wuya shrank back a little. The ninja-ko put her right hand between Wuya's face and her own, palm facing Wuya. She suddenly spread her fingers apart, her hand moving forward slightly, and Wuya was pushed backwards twenty feet into the air.

"If you think that I'm going to let that human virus get in my village, you stupider than I ever thought possible!!" the ninja-ko shouted fiercely. "You have no power here, witch! Leave and never come back!"

Wuya flew away, fearing what the ninja-ko was capable of in her anger. "I won't forget this! I'll get you back someda-aaaay!!!"

The ninja-ko breathed out harshly, as if struggling not to swear at Wuya as she faded into the distance. She looked at the monks and Dojo, who all had terrified expressions on their faces. Her face softened at the sight.

"Just so you all know, I'm not cruel like that normally. I'm actually one of the nicer ninjas here," she said kindly. The monks and Dojo sighed in relief. "But don't think that I'm not stern, because I am."

The ninja-ko placed her hand on the torii gate. "Come on, let's go! You're late enough as it is!"

Omi went forward uncertainly. He looked at the ninja-ko, who moved her head to gesture him on. A strange energy came about Omi, one he had never felt before. His whole body felt tingly as he passed to the other side of the gate. (Ok, all perverts leave. NOW!!!!!!!!) From the POV of his friends, Omi's head was tipped back like he was taking in all that was on the other side. The others, ninja-ko included, followed him.

The so-called village was nothing short of magnificent. There were hundreds of ancient conifers and pine trees as far as the eye could see, with armories, sword shops, forges, and hospitals in the lofty, enormous branches all connected by suspension bridges. On the ground below were food stands and other normal shops and stands that were not associated with battle. Crystal-shaped wood and glass elevators on ropes connected the tops of the trees to the forest floor. Far to the North, and straight ahead of the torii gate, was an intricately designed Japanese-style castle (like there would be any other kind of castle in Japan anyway! Ha ha ha...) perched on a large cliff and overlooking everything below. All around them, the monks could smell food cooking, and hear the chanting of many different religious groups and bells ringing.

"Welcome to Hitatsuban, the village of 'Fire-dragon barbarians', " the ninja-ko said, "Breathe it in, guys. You're going to be living here for at least a year and a half."

"That long?" Raimundo asked, whining a little.

"Yes, that long," the ninja-ko replied in an annoyed tone. "What? Did you think you were going to camp? Anyway, right now, we're going to that castle up there, where the Hikage lives. After we get you introduced and show you your quarters, you may take the rest of the time to explore. Here are your maps."

The monks took the four individual maps and looked at them.

"WOW!!" Kimiko exclaimed. "There's one center for every religion you can think of! Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhist, a non-denominational Christian church, an Islamic synagogue -- this is amazing!"

"We recieve martial arts prodigies from everywhere around the world," the ninja-ko explained. "It's only natural that we accomadate for all of them. Now, keep in mind that you have a curfew. You are to be back at your sleeping quarters at no later than 9:00. When, not if, you are caught after curfew, you will be punished severely. Let's get moving."

MEANWHILE

Chase Young was meditating in the room at the top of the stairs (the big ones), thinking about how the ninja-ko had given Jack such a trouncing, though that wasn't a very hard thing to do. The picture that came flooding back every time though, was the ninja-ko's eyes. The intensity, the drive, the determination -- most of all, the beauty of their color.

Wuya flew into his chamber and said in a coy tone, "Oh, Cha-aaase. Guess wha-aat?" Chase grunted uninterestedly. "I have ne-eews for you. You know the village where the ninjas live? It's surrounded by a barrier that's sensitive to magic and projectiles."

"And?" Chase Young said, clearly interested, "Did you find out how to penetrate it?"

Wuya stuttered. "Uh, well... no, but I'll get the information for you!"

Chase Young stood up suddenly. "WORTHLESS!!! Worthless excuse for a minion!!" He shouted in anger. Wuya shrank back in fear.

"Why are you so angry? Are you interested in those ninjas?" Wuya gasped in horror. "Or is it that girl?!!"

"Shut up hag, and mind your own business!" Chase shouted from another room. "Now get out and leave me to my own devices!"

Hey, once again, sooooo sorry for the extremely long delay. I'm gonna work on the fourth one now!!!
I'm not going to introduce the Hikage yet because his character is not yet significant in this story.
Please read and review!

VPR