TheDarkestShinobi: I feel so bad for making all of you guys wait for so long for this. And it's not even that good… T.T Anyway, Review please!!! I want to know you're favorite part, or you're least favorite part. And how are my OCs?
Chapter Start
Ryu stood on top of a tall pillar above Kita Santi, his arms across his chest as the wind blew by him. He felt almost as if the wind was enveloping him in a gentle embrace, a ghost of a once familiar embrace. He looked ahead to see the sun and below to see the people going on their way. Specifically his eyes caught a yellow ribbon. It was Kasumi. He followed her with his eyes until she turned to him as if she could sense him. She had a warm smile on her face as she was led by her mother. Ryu looked back to the sun to see that he had time before jumping off the pillar.
He landed as a cat would, on his feet and silently. He walked along the shadows with one goal in mind, Kasumi. Almost as if he could find some sort of inner peace by seeing the little girl. Her house was small and humble, but it felt like more of a home than his large abode in his village.
Ryu stood silently in the dark corner as the door slid open and she came running into the room. She had a box held to her chest and Ryu could tell it was an art box, it was used for drawing. She had pulled out a sheet of paper and laid it on the floor kneeling over to finish it. Ryu silently moved behind her to see what she was working on.
It was a perfect portrait of the two of them in that moment. She had drawn Kasumi and Ryu standing back to back, her tanto and his dragon sword drawn. It was perfect, and it brought back a memory. It looked like the picture came alive before his eyes. Ryu was sure that she had never seen them.
"I like this one" Ryu froze, did she see him? She stood and ran to a dresser against the wall. She pulled out a book from the highest shelf and put the picture in the beginning of the book.
"Dinner!" The girl ran out giggling and Ryu walked to the dresser pulling out the book. He felt like he needed to see those pictures. The second picture was one of Kita Santi but that's not what shocked him, it was the fact that it had him standing on the same point he was just on. The next one was of Kasumi, she was sitting on a tree branch near the Mugen Tenshin, and the next was one of Sereo and Kasumi. The next one was a picture of an unconscious and wounded Kasumi in his arms. This had happened a couple of times to them, but it unnerved him that the girl knew.
How did she know?
A paper fell out of the book but Ryu caught it. It was a picture of Kasumi in the Chokaku, she was sitting in Sieza only her head was on the ground in a begging plea. He studied this before putting it back where it was. He decided to check one more picture before he left and it was unfinished. It was of him, he was holding his sword offensively and hatred was clear in his eyes.
"That's my favorite, but I can't seem to finish it." Ryu turned quickly to see that Kasumi was peeking her head into her room, as if she was the intruder. She didn't ask why Ryu was there and he wasn't about to tell her. In fact, she had acted as if she knew he was there, or at least expected him to be.
"How did you draw these so accurately" Kasumi closed the door and the two took a step towards each other. She crossed her hands behind her back stepping closer to the ninja in front of her.
"My sensei was not allowed to train me, especially in the ninja arts, since no one is to know them, but he did." She responded not really answering the question. She sat in Seiza and Ryu sat down too placing the book in between them,
"Too much physical training would be apparent on my body and most ninpo would be impossible to train in secrecy"
"So what is your skill?"
"I don't really know" she confessed "I got inspired to draw one day after my sensei died and it was this one."
She opened the book to the middle and showed Ryu a picture of his village. His father was walking towards the frame.
"That's my father," Kasumi nodded looking solemn, looking too old for her age. It reminded Ryu of himself when he was younger. She was living a life similar to a ninja, but at the same time completely different. She put the picture down in its previous place before speaking.
"Hayabusa Ken, he's dead, when I found out I stopped drawing knowing it to me more than a mere coincidence, but now I just can't stop. I can feel a force compelling me to. I have to continue."
"How old are you?"
"11"
She closed the book. Ryu looked at her in silence just thinking. His thoughts were interrupted when she cleared her throat.
"It is nearly sunset, I know that there is somewhere you must be." Ryu nodded and got up. It wasn't wise to underestimate someone because of their age, even at the age of eleven. Ryu had killed at a young age, so she could definitely be skilled in her art at this age, whatever her art managed to be. He had turned to leave when he had felt her move, but he stopped when she spoke.
"Take this," She stood and took the yellow ribbon out of her hair. She held it out towards him. It had a red dragon design.
"It's for good fortune, the reuniting of loved ones." Ryu shook his head
"All of my loved ones are dead."
"It brought you to me," She walked towards him and put it in his hand, using her other hand to close his fingers around it.
"It will bring you to them."
Ryu clutched it in his hand, not believing her but respecting her enough to keep it and turned vanishing before her eyes. Kasumi simply looked down and picked up the book. She put the book down on top of her dresser before sitting down and looking up and to the side.
"One other thing; it's not a skill; it's a curse Ryu Hayabusa."
--
Ryu appeared in front of the entrance of the Chokaku as Yuki opened the doors for the group. No one seemed surprised by his sudden appearance as they continued to walk in silence to their destination. The Koga had walked in at the same time using the other entrance and within seconds all were seated and waiting for the Shogun and his news. Hayate and Haruka were both given a scroll by a young girl, who bowed to them before leaving.
The Shogun walked into the area with an aura of confidence and the Nirou followed. The Shogun stood in front of where he had been sitting before and looked over the ninja.
"Hayate of the Mugen Tenshin and Haruka of the Tsube I congratulate you in the training of your people." Hayate smirked as the Shogun spoke, Haruka did not show any reaction.
"I am greatly impressed with the demonstration of your arts. As Marshal of the land and therefore the ninja living on my land, I am proud. You have done well to represent the strength of your village."
Ayane knew that he was leading up to something akin to what Ryu had said, war. She noticed that everyone remained attentive to his words, unlike before when they were trying to gather information about their opponents.
"I wish that you now assist me in my quest to maintain peace. It is a very special task. If this cannot be done then I will have to lift the ban of total war between villages and I am sure chaos will ensue."
Not one of the ninja moved, the six against the wall shifted nervously and the Shogun cleared his throat. The Chokaku seemed much darker and more ominous since the last time that they were here because of the set sun. The ninja were not affected however, for ninja thrived in the dark and lived in the shadows. The Shogun voice cut through the silence.
"Record the names of your four best warriors on the scroll I have given you. Two days henceforth those warriors will do battle with you by their side. One side must win, and those remaining must climb back up the mountain to get here, and claim victory for their village."
"Fight! Die for the honor of your village!"
--
"Sereo I can see you."
"That's good, you should be on guard."
Kasumi jumped off of the tree branch flipping before she landed on both feet; she then spread them apart as Sereo walked towards her. He pulled out a scroll and handed it to the ninja in front of him. She took it and he looked around quickly, he knew that the darkness hid many things from sight and he did not wish to be surprised. The sun had set an hour ago and the creatures of the night were stirring, including the ninja.
"Tomorrow we will know for sure but I think that he will call for war, and because of recent events I will be asked to go."
"And you think I should shadow the group."
Sereo smirked and nodded. Kasumi knew that it wouldn't be easy to shadow them, Ayane was an assassin trained to detect extra presences, Hayate was the leader of the clan, and Ryu, well, he was the Super Ninja. Sereo obviously would know she was there. She then crossed her arms.
"Who else is going?"
"Hideki Yuki, daughter of Hideki Yukei, who died in the last war, she is a medical expert and is going to provide a defensive advantage."
"Makes sense, has she a child of her own?"
"No," it was silent for moment with the exception of the forest creatures.
"The Shogun,"
The aura changed as Kasumi uttered his name, it became colder as the night wind blew by, it seemed like the whole forest silenced, just listening to the Kunochi speak, speak of the dead. Kasumi stepped closer to Sereo who didn't move.
"All of the information is in the scroll, where he will be, what the security is, and how to take him out."
"You did a little research."
"Never hurts to be prepared."
Kasumi wondered for a brief second about why she had to kill the Shogun, but the thought was fleeting. She was used to, as all Kunochi, doing missions without being given a reason, the less you knew, the less you could give away.
Sereo blinked and Kasumi was gone, he knew why, for not two seconds afterwards a ninja landed on the ground in front of him.
"Can't take a walk?" Sereo joked as the other stood from their crouched position. The other shook his head.
"Sorry, Sereo sama but Hayate Sama said no one is to leave the village" Sereo nodded as he ushered an apology. At the same time they both jumped up into the trees and started running towards the village. Sereo could only hope that Kasumi would be able to accomplish her mission.
--
Haru stood up slowly as the door opened. He turned to the intruder to see that it was just his sensei. He bowed in respect and turned towards the wall as his sensei closed the door and lit a few candles. In the newfound light one could see the deadly weapons hanging on the wall, weapons that were illegal in all of Kita Santi.
"Haru"
"Hai sensei"
His sensei stayed silent for a few seconds but Haru did not turn to him. They were a secret to everyone. Every Shogun had his secret guardian, as they liked to call themselves. When they felt that they would soon no longer be fit to serve they would choose and train an apprentice to take their place, which was about the same time that a new Shogun would rule. The guardian prevented assassinations, the few that there were, and most importantly stayed in the shadows. A shogun was not to know that they had a guardian until the guardian died in front of them protecting them.
The guardians practiced the art of the ninja. Ironically they practiced the forbidden arts and had forbidden weapons in order to make sure that they stayed forbidden. The guardians had no family, no friends, no "reason" to live, only the Shogun. In this way they would be completely loyal to him. They also had accepted the fact that they were the dead. Once someone had accepted the fact that they are the dead, they became unstoppable. Haru spoke breaking the silence.
"Sensei?"
"You are an excellent student and like me and my successor you will live to serve the Shogun"
"Hai," Haru walked towards the wall and gently ghosted his fingers along the weaponry. He briefly wondered why his sensei was repeating things he had told him day after day. Haru's only reason for existence was the Shogun.
"I have taught you everything that I know"
Haru was not his sensei's first pick in an apprentice, but had nevertheless proven himself to be a worthy choice. The master guardian worried that he might not have picked someone who would be able to protect the Shogun and be able to teach the next generation. He hoped he had not failed his Shogun by picking a bad successor. His entire doubt in Haru came from his senses. He had sensed something that he could not place, but he felt was not good and if he had not been so old he would have trained another, but as it was he was no longer fit to serve and he needed to pass his title on to Haru, for the Shogun's sake.
He could only hope. He knew that if Haru was not as perfect as he needed to be, the blood of this Shogun could be on his hands. The master turned to his student who was not looking at him, and made a mental note about his disrespect.
"I believe that the Shogun will soon have a use for you" The master knew that this statement meant I am giving you my title. Haru smirked as he stopped his hand grabbing an item.
"Then I have none for you."
Before the master could react the younger had thrown a Kunai into his throat. He was unable to scream as he died, the last thing he seen was the face of his student. No, of a traitor, he was worse than a shinobi.
--
Ryu had separated himself from the group when they had return into the village. Hayate had called for a large gathering and every man, woman and child was there, except for two.
Ryu walked through the forest surrounding the Mugen Tenshin letting the forest speak to him. He ran forward when he seen the man that had killed Kasumi.
"Hello Hayabusa san," Ryu narrowed his eyes and lowered himself into a fighting stance, Sereo had to focus on not showing any signs of fear. He simply turned and smirked trying to portray confidence.
"Now Hayabusa san, the Shogun must've called for war, and we all know that my name will be called as well as yours, so fighting now would not be the best course of action." Sereo smirked getting into character
"But you should've known that, yet you let your emotions run your life, heh, what would your sensei say. Well Super Ninja I suggest we get back to the village."
He was right, Ryu told himself, his sensei would be disappointed in him.
"I wonder though, about why you chose to stay allied to us, if you felt that way about her, hm, well no matter."
Sereo took a step back and disappeared in a burst of flames leaving Ryu by himself in the middle of the forest. A cold and unforgiving wind enveloped him as he jumped up disappearing himself. The single green leaf he left behind was carried by the wind until it landed next to a pink petal.
Sereo appeared in the back of the crowd hidden in the shadows, none of the people minded his sudden intrusion but he could see a couple of heads moving slightly to acknowledge his presence.
"There has been an order given to the villages by the Shogun that we must abide by. We need to prove that we are the stronger of the two villages. We will be going to war and leaving with haste. Those whose name I call will accompany me in this."
Hayate pulled out a scroll and opened it dramatically.
"The first will be Hideki Yuki,"
Sereo could see her nod out of the corner of his eyes. She was wearing a yukata. Everyone aside from him, Hayate and very few others was formally dressed. Hayate then read out the next name. One that everyone knew would be involved.
"The second is Hayabusa Ryu,"
Ryu had not come but he was sure that he knew that he had been chosen and would be leaving with the group.
"In light of recent events, my third choice is Tademo Sereo,"
Everyone knew why he had been chosen. He had killed Kasumi, at least in theory; he knew she was hidden here somewhere, perhaps even somewhere in the crowd. Sereo felt himself nod with a smirk as a few eyes looked towards him to gauge him and his reaction to being chosen.
"And finally Ayane."
Ayane hated the way he said her name. Ayane did not think that he looked down upon her, or at least she hoped not, that he was just putting on an act for the rest of the villagers to see, but he had been very convincing. She looked of the crowd and seen Yuki and Sereo, she knew that Ryu would not be there and wondered where he was. It was easy to turn her half brother out since most of his words had held no meaning.
--
Kasumi crouched in perfect view, yet perfectly hidden as her brother spoke to the villagers. She had hated how he said Ayane's name and now realized that he was no longer the same man that once was her loved and respected brother. No, his power had corrupted him like it had their uncle and Ayane's father, Raidou. It was getting easier to slip on the mask that Sereo had helped her build and she let it slip into place now.
Her brother was weak.
Her eyes evaluated him the way they would an enemy, he had lost some of his once unbeatable skill. He had no longer appeared strong and powerful, but as one who had given in to power and had let it get the best of him. He was not as fit to run the clan as his father was. Kasumi's eyes softened as she seen Ayane and her mother, not together, but closer than they normally would've been.
She didn't notice when a figure appeared on the roof behind her.
Hayabusa froze in his tracks as he seen Kasumi crouched in front of him. He knew it was her. Her orange hair refused to stay hidden and the sweet scent of pine overloaded his senses. He took a step towards her and shook. His hand trembled as he reached out to her. She was so close.
Kasumi suddenly became aware of the fact that Ryu was behind her on the roof; she cursed her carelessness but did not move. What should she do? Hayate still spoke in the background ,neither of the ninja were paying attention to him.
To Ryu, Kasumi was crouched overlooking the village as if she was watching over it. She was dressed in a black outfit he had never seen her in. He thought that this was too good to be true, in realization he froze, his hand stopping, mere inches away from her. His mind producing a cruel scenario, what if this was fake?
Was his mind playing tricks on him?
"Kasumi?"
His voice came out much weaker than intended, it almost sounded like a plea. She did not respond, she did not move her head or make any sound of affirmation. She was desperately hoping he would just forget about her, or think that he was just imagining things but she knew better. Ryu would never be one to do something like that. She blinked.
The figure did not move and Ryu retracted his hand as if he had been burned. A look of disgust passed over his features. He took two steps backwards and disappeared leaving Kasumi alone on the rooftop. Kasumi turned her head to look at the now vacant space behind her and frowned slightly wondering why he had left. Did he really believe that he was imagining things? He was, after all, looking at someone who was supposed to be dead.
Kasumi stood shortly after, having heard enough of her brother's ramblings. She knew who was going and when they would be leaving. She also knew her next course of actions could get her in a lot of trouble but she was going to stay in the village, she was going to stay and spy on the Super Ninja.
She turned quickly spinning into nothingness, her presence completely undetected. Her mother then looked over the crowd in boredom.
--
Kasumi knew Ryu well enough to know he would be at the Dojo so she appeared there in a place she knew he wouldn't see her in. She watched him place his sword down and then throw his mask in frustration. Kasumi had to fight not to giggle. Ryu was throwing a temper tantrum. He sat down in seiza and his body continuously trembled. Kasumi frowned in worry. What could make Ryu lose his cool?
"She's dead sensei."
Ryu's whisper echoed in the vacant dojo and Kasumi gasped softly. Normally Ryu would have heard but he simply looked straight ahead.
"I have failed in keeping affection of her away. I did not realize my mistake until she died."
Kasumi knew that he was talking to her and her cheeks flushed and her heart sped up. She did not know how much she had meant to him, but to her, he was always just a friend, and a protector, and… well he was a lot of things to her.
"You were right about women, she has made me weak, I cannot train without losing control, sleep eludes me and now I am having delusions."
Kasumi stepped further into the shadows as Ryu stood.
"I've failed you sensei, I am sorry, but please help me to be stronger and forget her."
Kasumi bit her lip; she didn't want Ryu to forget her, even though all ninja were supposed to forget the dead. Ryu then stood and looked at his sword, he grabbed it and disappeared. Kasumi walked forward and grabbed his mask, she too, then disappeared into nothingness.
Kasumi was surprised at how well she knew Ryu, and that he would be here. He ripped his sword from the sheath, all of his ninja grace was gone; he looked like a beast. He ripped a tree from its roots before reducing it to splinters in seconds. Kasumi gasped in shock at the destruction he caused and just watched him. She watched until he collapsed from fatigue.
Kasumi had caught the ninja before he hit the ground and his eyes opened slightly.
"Kasumi?" She smiled softly at him and shook her head slowly
"Let me go Ryu."
It was the last thing he remembered before the darkness overcame him.
--
When Ryu awoke he was in his futon, his sword and mask were on his night table and his usual gear was still on. He sat up and leaned against the wall.
Let me go Ryu…
Ryu knew that he had to let her go; he had to forget her and anything that she meant to him. She was changing him too much, she made him feel. She destroyed what years of training had built. He stood quickly discarding his clothing before finding a new set and dressing. It was blue and similar to Hayate's usual attire.
Ryu was soon to be found under a waterfall meditating. His head was soon filled with thoughts of the Kunochi of Destiny and then, through sheer will power, they were released into the air.
--
Sereo had pulled on his black fingerless gloves when a girl covered in black appeared behind him. He turned to her and she smiled slightly, it was a polite smile but not one that was truly meant. He smiled in the same manner before strapping a sword onto his back and speaking.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Hayate sama wishes to meet with you."
Hayate looked up as the ninja responsible for his sister's death walked in. Hayate stayed silent as Sereo sat down.
"In light of recent events-"
"The circumstances of Kasumi's death," Sereo interrupted. He knew from past experience that Hayate would drag out explanations to make it seem like he knew what he was talking about, that he was a noble man, but Sereo knew otherwise, he could smell the perfume of the lady he had spent the evening with. He also nodded towards Ayane who smiled in response.
"In light of those events I think that it would be best if you took over and helped the Hajin Mon and assisted the village from the shadows."
"What!" Ayane stepped forward and Hayate glared at her.
"Why were you hiding and listening in?"
"She was standing there the entire time, she wasn't even hiding, I nodded to her before." Sereo interjected and Ayane smirked, both of them wondering just how far Hayate had sunk. Hayate waved his hand dismissing the comment.
"Anyway, I feel that you are fit to-"
"Why not me?"
"He is more skilled."
"In what? He knows nothing of Hajin Mon technique."
"It is true Hayate sama."
"I feel that-"
"And I'm asking-" Ayane interrupted once again, clearly upset by the subject. She was tired of being put down because of the circumstances of her birth and now, after she had earned respect, the only one who believed in her before, didn't.
"Ayane!" Hayate's yell had silenced his half sister and his look towards her was of disgust. It was a look she had only received from villagers before, and even though she didn't care when it came from them, it hurt when it came from her brother, the only person she had ever truly let in.
"He has carried out your mission, which was to kill the shinobi, which you could not"
Sereo shifted slightly and Ayane crossed her arms.
"And therefore is more fit to lead."
"Hayate sama, I respectfully decline, Ayane san is right, I know nothing of their technique, I would not be fit to lead the Hajin Mon."
"Very well." Hayate said dropping the matter completely.
Ayane wanted to kill her brother right now and she wanted to maim Sereo, but he had addressed her with more respect than before and she found that she couldn't hold anything against him.
--
Ayame had closed a book and laid it on the shelf before standing to walk outside. When she opened her door she had seen Ryu walking by and she called out to him. He turned to her and she told him to come in for some tea, he declined but after a stern look was on his way into the house.
Ryu had accepted the tea with thanks and had sipped at it as she sat down as well. It was normal for Ryu to stop by and have a cup of tea and talk to Ayame. Usually they talked about the Mugen Tenshin and it's doings but as of now they drank in silence. It was a comfortable silence that Ayame broke when she cleared her threat and looked straight ahead.
"I don't have to tell you to fight with honor in this battle."
Ryu put down his cup and looked at her in shock, though none of it showed, it looked as if he just shifted his attention towards her. Ayame didn't look like a loving mother anymore but a strong and powerful woman, one that looked like she had belonged next to Shiden as he led the village. The yukata that made her look loving now made her look powerful.
"Of course not, Ayame sama."
Ryu let the suffix slip but it was necessary, for right now she was not speaking to him as a friend, or the mother of a friend, but as the leader of the clan. Ryu knew that she would lead better than her son.
"This is not an ordinary mission, it holds much more priority and failure is not an option."
"Hai." Ryu nodded and Ayame took a deep breath.
"Do not protect Hayate."
Ryu stayed silent. He would do his best to protect his team but ultimately if they had to die he would let them. Ayame set her cup down silently. She looked at Ryu and he knew she was giving him an indirect order. Hayate's own mother was saying that Hayate was not worth sacrificing his life for, basically that Ryu was not to protect him. Ayame continued,
"If we lose the war it will matter not that we have a leader. We will be dishonored and weak. If we win without a leader, I shall take my rightful place as head of the Mugen Tenshin until I can find another."
Ayame lifted her cup again and Ryu said nothing.
"You do not belong to our clan, or our family, yet you have been invited in. But remember this, you are not bound by our laws, if you leave they will not seek you to kill you. And if you let Hayate die, it will not dishonor you as a ninja, perhaps it could as a friend."
"You did not need to tell me this, I am aware."
Ayame nodded and Ryu picked up his tea and took the last sip.
"But I do need to tell you to be careful." Ryu looked to her and a smile graced her lips. Her regal aura left, and Ryu felt basked in the love of a mother.
"Be safe and come back to me."
Chapter End
TDS: so tell me what you think, Favorite part, least favorite part?
I loved the whole idea of mini Kasumi did you? Oh and I was iffy on the whole Ryu sees Kasumi thing so please tell me how that was, good or bad!!!!