Chapter 10: Shifts

A/N:

I'm very sorry if most of you didn't like the last chapter, but a review or PM telling me it didn't work for you would have been a lot better for me than the stony silence I got (out of a grand total of three reviews for chapter 9, two were strictly on the honey-coated ninja and did not comment on the story at all). If it was just ok, a one-liner comment would have been great too, just to let me know you're still interested. I don't care about the review count so if you want to criticize or comment without anyone but me seeing it, just PM me. Getting close to zero reaction to some important revelations, continuing mysteries and a cliff-hanger was very disappointing. It's a bit difficult to assume anybody even cares at this point and if that's the case, why should I continue to bother writing this?

I wonder… did the cliffhanger fail simply because you assumed I wouldn't kill off Esuma? That's a bit of a risky assumption… in fact, I will warn you right now that one of the three main characters (that would be Esuma, Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow) will in fact die a good while before the end of the story. Who, when, how? Not telling. Could be Esuma, could be now…

Okay, done ranting, here's for another try. Please enjoy, but if you don't, please let me know. Again, if for whatever reason, you don't want to make a public comment… that's what the PMs are for. I won't be offended by negative comments; I may reply because I like dialogue and a good debate, but I don't flame and I don't bite (especially not long distance). :P

1

Snake Eyes' cry was indistinguishable from Storm Shadow's.

"Esuma!"

Both ninja were at the girl's side in an instant. Storm Shadow gently cradled her and checked for a pulse by putting his fingers on her neck. He breathed a sigh of relief upon finding it, immediately imitated by Snake Eyes.

Snake Eyes took out a bottle of scented salt from one of his pockets and positioned it under Esuma's nose. The strong smell had the desired effect: Esuma wrinkled her nose, groaned, and opened her eyes.

"Are you all right?" Storm Shadow asked. His voice was so soft as to be barely more than a whisper.

Esuma took a moment to reply, trying to feel her body and assess whether or not she was in fact all right.

"I… I think so. Is the monster…" her eyes widened and filled with tears as she realized she'd been about to ask whether the monster was dead, whether she had successfully killed someone. She unconsciously hugged herself and whimpered.

"It's gone," Snake Eyes answered. "Esuma, that thing was not born, it was made. I don't think it really qualified as alive."

Esuma, who had started shaking, calmed down significantly at the few words, much to Storm Shadow's relief.

"You saved us," Storm Shadow said. "Thank you. Now don't you ever dare do that again!"

Snake Eyes scowled at him, but Esuma chuckled. "I'm sorry I worried you," she said, "but you know I had to do something or all three of us would have been killed. It just tired me out, I'll be fine."

"You should have run," Snake Eyes said. "This wasn't your battle. You would have been safe, then, no matter what happened to us."

Storm Shadow's eyes widened and he looked at Snake Eyes in surprise.

"No, she wouldn't have," he said. "Snake Eyes, have you not been paying attention? The insects targeted her right from the start. If she had run, they would have followed her."

Esuma's eyes widened again and she looked at Tommy in disbelief. Snake Eyes, for his part, palmed himself as he replayed the battle in his mind and confirmed that his sword brother was not only right, but that the insects' target should have been obvious.

"But… why?" Esuma asked.

Storm Shadow shook his head sadly. "I don't know."

Esuma frowned and grasped her locket, causing both men to cry out in surprise and to start begging her not to use more magic. She easily tuned them out, her mind already reaching out well beyond the schoolyard, to her house. She felt Oliaf's presence and reached out for the fish's mind.

Oliaf, she called. We were just...no. I was just attacked. Do you know why?

You sound exhausted, came the fish's answer. Come home, we should talk. You can bring the boys.

The contact was abruptly severed. Esuma released the locket, her hand shaking from exhaustion.

"My fish just ordered me back home for a talk," she said. "She says you can come too. She sounded like she's going to ground me," she added with a chuckle. "Oh, and don't worry: Dad isn't home right now."

"It's just as well to go to your place," Storm Shadow said. "Technically, we should have fled like everyone else, it wouldn't do to still be here when people start coming back or the authorities arrive."

2

A short while later, the three stood by the small pond in Esuma's backyard, along with Falpis, Sop and the freshly awakened Racno. Oliaf was swimming near the surface, completing the group of seven.

Esuma took a big breath and closed her hand around her locket. She immediately heard Oliaf's voice, and she could tell from the way they startled that Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes did as well.

Good, we got contact established. I can take over from there, you let go of the pendant. You've abused yourself quite enough for one day, the fish said.

Esuma did as told, hiding a sigh of relief: her strength had already been getting depleted again.

"I had to use magic because the school was attacked by a monster who could summon giant insects," she explained.

The school was? Racno asked. Are you sure the target was the whole school?

"Esuma was the target," Storm Shadow replied. "I think it may have sensed her magic, or been sent by someone who did."

Racno sighed and shook his tiny head. It was sent, he said, and the one who sent it knew about you since yesterday, Esuma, before we activated the locket. I was hoping to be wrong, and never thought he'd move so fast. I'm sorry.

Stop being criptic, Racno, Falpis snipped. If you don't have any doubts anymore, just come right out and tell them who was behind this attack.

"The Soft Master," Snake Eyes guessed before Racno could follow the ferret's suggestion.

Storm Shadow's eyes went wide. He would never forgive himself if his uncle had decided to kill Esuma because of her connection to himself.

Bingo, Sop chirped in softly. But it has nothing to do with you, Tomisaburo Arashikage: she's been his target for far longer than you have.

"That's why he attacked me last night," Esuma said in a shocked whisper. "It wasn't just because I was helping Tommy… I thought it was strange that he just knocked him out and then came after me!"

That was what first made me suspect his identity, Racno said. The mystical trace he left was confirmation, and this attack on you today, by a magical monster, is proof: sending monsters after his victims is a favorite strategy of his.

"But why would my uncle be after her?" Storm Shadow asked, moving closer to Esuma as if being physically closer to her right now would better allow him to protect her from future attacks.

"And for longer?" Snake Eyes asked. "He's been after Tommy since before Esuma was…" he trailed off, his eyes widening.

He's been after Esuma since before either of you were born, Sop said, confirming Snake Eyes unformulated guess.

"Since before she was sent into the future and turned back into a baby…" Storm Shadow said. "I was assuming that had happened centuries ago, but it was actually within the Soft Master's lifetime?"

Oliaf snorted. That was centuries ago, she said. Thinking in terms of human lifespan is senseless when dealing with this sorcerer.

Esuma's eyes widened. "He's the sorcerer who turned my friend into that monster?" she asked. "The one who sent him to kill us?"

Yes, Racno said, his thoughts somehow feeling as gentle as a whisper.

"But…" Esuma continued, "if it's me he's after, why did he set Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow against each other? He made Snake Eyes believe Tommy killed his own uncle! Made him swear to kill him before he could ever speak again!"

The four animals paused for a second, this particular question taking them by surprise: they had expected Esuma to wonder why she was targeted, although they now realized they should have known her first concern would be for others.

So Tommy couldn't protect you, Racno explained. The Sorcerer found out long ago that Tomisaburo Arashikage was fated to protect you, and as long as he didn't know where you were, his best move was to at least deprive you of a protector. Back then, he feared attempting to kill him himself, so he tried to get others to do it.

Esuma said nothing, trying to digest the information. The Soft Master was the Sorcerer who had turned her best friend into the monster that had killed her fiancé and her parents, and he was still after her now, who knew how long after her parents' death...

"How far into the future did my parents send me?" she asked.

Nine hundred years, Falpis answered in a surly tone that clearly conveyed how he felt about the Sorcerer's stubbornness.

"Did he time travel too, or is he immortal?" Esuma asked.

Immortal, Sop answered, her voice gentle as a caress. He can appropriate living bodies, expelling the owner's soul to the spirit World. I'm sorry, she added, addressing Storm Shadow, but your real uncle died a long time ago, most likely in infancy. The man you know as the Soft Master is the Sorcerer.

Both Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes shook their heads.

"Not in infancy," Storm Shadow said. "That Sorcerer of yours obviously does not possess the strength of character required to train as a ninja. He must have killed my mother's brother and stole his body once he was an adult."

Snake Eyes nodded and, more intent than ever to not keep the habits the Soft Master had imposed on him, spoke his agreement. "He's right, the Sorcerer would not have toughed it out through the training."

I think it's enough talk for today, Racno said, flying to Esuma, drawing the others' eyes to her as she leaned on Storm Shadow: she was asleep on her feet. Using the magic drained her, I'm surprised she stayed awake this long.

Tommy smiled down tenderly and picked her up in his arms to carry her to bed. He still had a lot of questions, but he already had a lot to think about from what he'd heard today; it would perhaps be best to concentrate on this much for now.

3

Esuma Yr's diary, Saturday morning

Dear diary,

Good morning!

This used to be so easy to say, maybe because I always assumed I was going to have a good morning too? I find that assumption hard to make this morning.

I woke up fully dressed and I don't remember falling asleep… I think I dozed off while we were all talking. I'm really embarrassed… I feel like a little baby, just falling asleep like that… I feel a lot better now, though.

The thing is, it's Saturday, which means no school. I don't even know where Tommy lives, and Dad's not home today, so there's not even the small chance Snake Eyes would drop by to see him. I think I'll call Marie and Lily, I don't really want to be alone.

I could talk to Racno, Sop, Oliaf and Falpis, couldn't I? The thing is, I'm a bit scared to: I don't know what else they're going to tell me, and I think I'd end up asking them about the dream I had tonight and I know they're going to tell me it's my memories coming back, from before, and I'm not ready to talk to them about it yet.

It almost feels wrong to want to see Tommy now, after spending the whole night remembering my fiancé. He died so long ago, but each detail that comes back to me about him feels like another stab through my heart. But I still WANT to remember. I think.

It's so confusing… how I feel for him is completely different than how I feel for Tommy. But I love him, and I loved my fiancé, so I don't understand why it's so different. I need someone to talk to, I need to tell Marie and Lily everything

I still can't see his face in my memories, but I now know his name: Beldovy Orade. Why is it that after 900 years, the name still stirs up more feelings than that of Tommy Arashikage? Is it just because the mystery of the past makes it seem more romantic?Is it nostalgia for a time when my parents were alive? Why would any of that overcome how I feel for Tommy?

I don't want my past to cost me my present. I want to remember Beldovy, but he died… I wish he hadn't, but he has, and I found someone else, and I feel like I'm a horrible person… Tommy doesn't deserve my being confused and questioning what we have. He can't know, I'm sure I'll be fine again once I get my head back together.

4

Esuma closed her diary and mindlessly fingered her locket. She instantly felt a jolt of energy and let go of the pendant right away. She sighed heavily and flopped on her desk, her head on her folded arms.

"Marie and Lily," she muttered. "Girl talk. Right."

She picked herself up and called her best friends on a three-way call, setting a meeting by the outdoor basketball court at school. Both Lily and Marie promised to be there right away, so Esuma called out to her mother that she was going out to see her friends, threw on a jacket, slipped into some shoes and left, purposely leaving all four of her pets behind.

Her friends lived closer to the school than she did, and were already there when she arrived. They threw themselves at her in a group hug the second they spotted her.

"Esuma, we couldn't find you anywhere when everyone ran away from those insects!" Marie said. "We were worried sick!"

"Where were you?" Lily added.

"I…" Esuma started, and then stopped to take a big breath. "Okay, this is going to be a bit of a long story…"

She told them everything then, from her parents sending her to this time to the reasons for the attacks, to her growing confusion regarding her feelings. They didn't interrupt her once, letting her tell it all at her own pace, listening intently and saving their questions for when she'd be done telling the story.

It took them a few seconds of staring at her wide-eyed before they could actually ask anything. Lily was the first to break the silence.

"So… that Sorcerer guy was after Mr. Nakamura so he couldn't look after you, and now he's just gunning straight for you?"

Esuma nodded.

"Oh, Esuma!"

Now that the basic facts were confirmed, both her friends tackled her into a bear hug, expressing sympathies over one another. Even though she had been seeking advice, not sympathy, the display of concern and affection made Esuma feel a lot better about it all.

After a few minutes of that, Lily and Marie calmed down enough to let go and take turns talking again.

"And er…" Marie trailed off briefly. "I can't believe your pets talk…" she muttered before continuing her train of thoughts. "So, your pets say that this Sorcerer's been after you from before your birth parents sent you into the future?"

"They don't talk," Esuma corrected. "They're telepaths."

"Right," Lily said, "telepaths. Much more commonplace."

Esuma was taken aback for about one second by the sarcastic remark, and then burst out laughing, quickly followed by Marie and Lily herself. It really hadn't been that funny, but when you need a laugh, you seize the first chance you get. After a few minutes recomposing themselves, Marie picked up again.

"What I meant to ask was," she said, trying and failing to look offended at the interruption "why? He turned your friend into a monster and got him to try and kill you, and he would have if not for your parents… Esuma? What's wrong?"

Esuma had just gasped and had her hands clasped over her mouth. Her eyes were wide and she was shaking, looking completely horrified.

"He… he…" she stuttered, moving her hands away from her mouth to hug herself. "I was his target? It's because of me? Beldovy, my parents…"

She fell to her knees. Marie was right, of course. How had she not seen it before? Her parents had not just saved her from an enemy trying to kill them all, they had given their lives to prevent that enemy from taking hers. Why? What did the Sorcerer want? Did that mean…

Her head snapped up as the answer to the problem dawned on her. "He just wants me," she said. "He'll leave Tommy alone if…"

"Esuma, if you don't kill that train of thoughts right now, I swear I'm going to start slapping you until you do. That's crazy and you know it!" Lily said.

"Whatever he wants, it can't be good for anybody," Marie agreed. "If you just give it to him, what next? He's not just going to go away and be nice for the rest of eternity."

Esuma held herself tighter and spoke through gritted teeth. "He got Beldovy and my parents killed, and he made my best friend do it! Who knows what he's going to do next now? I have to do something! This is all my fault, I have to stop it. I have to stop him!"

"Then we'll help you."

Esuma jumped back to her feet and turned around, her heart hammering madly: Tommy was the one who had talked, and he was standing with Snake Eyes right behind her. Both ninjas looked deadly serious. Marie and Lily stepped back a little.

"T…Tommy," Esuma stammered. Tears flooded her eyes at the thought she may have broken the heart of the man she loved. "Did… did you hear…?"

Storm Shadow cupped his hands around Esuma's jaw line and locked eyes with her. He brushed her tears away with his thumbs and smiled softly.

"Esuma, I'm sorry. We need to keep an eye on you; overhearing some of your conversations is unavoidable."

Esuma shook her head, causing her thick white hair to catch the breeze and flutter away from her delicate features, making her look almost intolerably beautiful. Storm Shadow used every last bit of his self control not to kiss her.

"It's okay," she said. "It's just… you heard what I said about Beldovy, didn't you?"

He nodded. "Esuma… I'm glad I did. You're only just remembering him, it's perfectly natural to grieve. There is nothing I want more than for you to be safe and happy, and if you need me to be just a friend while your heart heals its wounds from your previous life, a friend is what I will be. I love you, Esuma, the last thing I want is to be a source of sorrow and worry for you. I will wait for your feelings to be clear to you again, no matter how long it takes."

Snake Eyes stood back, glad that his mask at least hid his shameful feelings. His first reaction, when Esuma had mentioned her old fiancé, had been to balk at the thought of yet another rival for her affection. The feeling had been fleeting as can be, suppressed almost immediately, and had given way to nearly unbearable guilt as his mind slowly caught up with his heart. All the jealousy he'd been feeling lately, all the trouble he'd been having accepting Esuma and Tommy's relationship, now made sense. When you paired it with the fact he hadn't spared Scarlett a thought in days, it was painfully obvious that like Storm Shadow, he had fallen for General Hawk's adopted daughter. He hated himself for it; he had sworn loyalty to Tommy, how could he be in love with his girlfriend? Nevertheless, now that he was aware of it, he could no more deny the fact than deny his own humanity. He could, however, make sure it didn't become a problem and part of that was hiding it very carefully.

Esuma took a moment to process what Tommy had said, and when she did, her tears redoubled, although she wasn't sure whether they were tears of joy or pain. She got on her tippy-toes and kissed him deeply, wrapping her arms around his neck to hold him at the same time.

"The one thing I know for a fact right now is that I love you," she said when they broke apart.

Tommy smiled briefly before becoming serious again. "For us to stop the Soft Master, we will need to become stronger. For you, this means training to use your magic: we need to discover the exact nature of your powers and we need to increase your stamina and your control over them."

Esuma nodded, a determined look in her eyes.

"And for you," Snake Eyes added, addressing Storm Shadow, "it means finally learning the rest of your clan's techniques. I'll do my best to help you."

"I couldn't ask for a better teacher," Storm Shadow said. "Esuma, I'd like you to rest for today; we will start your training tomorrow."