Chapter 67

Present day

With an emotionless face Sen emerged from the forest, gripping one of his bandaged hands. Botan hissed something to his 'puppets' and some turned their attention away from Tomo, instead starting to mill towards Sen. Sen showed no change in his face.

"That is still far too slow," he commented to himself as he pulled a thin strip of bandage out from under his sleeve.

He gripped one end tightly in his right hand and moved too quickly for Tomo to properly make out his movements. From his standing position, suddenly he was behind the strange creatures in a flash, still gripping the bandage almost taut, it vibrating slightly. For a moment all was still before the creatures fell apart at the waist, their top halves falling to the ground in a uniform fashion.

"Cool," muttered Tomo to herself. She almost wished that she possessed a move like that. But in a matter of seconds decided that she would much prefer to have her normal hands and have to make use of another move. Or she could just ask to borrow some of that strange bandage material.

"Tomo, is that man with you?" asked Sen pointing at Takino. Takino looked from the new arrival and back to Tomo.

"Yeah, that's right," replied Tomo quickly.

"Get him and fall back," replied Sen. "I assume you are heading for the town close by?"

"Yeah that's right too!" replied Tomo.

"Go. Now. Get there as soon as you can. Don't worry about finding me, I will come to you. Now go while I distract your friend over there."

"But he isn't my frie-"

"Please, just go!"

"I…don't…think…I can go…on much longer," groaned Fuka as she marched along the pathway. The still groggy Sakaki was supported on one arm, the tall girl weighing her down, while on the other arm Fuka offered support to Kaorin who was still limping. The girl had used some of her healing capabilities on herself, but had been surprised. The small wound was a lot more painful then it should have been, and she could still not fully place her weight down on it.

"Don't worry, I'll walk," said Kaorin through gritted teeth. "It'll hurt a bit, but I'll walk. We need to get out of here."

"Are you su…"

"But I do reserve the right to ask for a break and a chance to sit down," said Kaorin.

"Sure thing, you've got it," said Fuka as she shifted slightly to take the weight of Sakaki. The tall girl moaned about something.

"Well her legs are moving," said Kaorin, "So hopefully the concussion will wear off soon and she won't be so disorientated."

"I hope so," said Fuka. "Because I don't know how far away this town is, and if it's too far I might end up collapsing like an idiot."

As Kaorin placed her foot down (having been leaning against the trunk of a tree) both turned to face the woodland behind them as they heard a loud crashing sound. Slowly their heads starting to turn, their eyes meeting.

"It kind of sounds like an animal," said Kaorin as they heard more crashing.

"A really big, loud animal," said Fuka quietly. "Coming this way."

Kaorin backed up against the tree, allowing the trunk to support her weight as she tried to get a knife. Bending over caused her leg muscles to tighten slightly, pain shooting across the thin wound. Fuka too was busy trying to get a weapon while also holding Sakaki. Kaorin tried to clear her mind as she found herself wishing she wasn't injured so she could have Sakaki close to her like that. Now isn't the time!

"It's almost here," hissed Fuka as she turned to face the oncoming creature.

She let out a strange startled yelp as suddenly Tomo leapt out from the bushes, narrowly avoiding a collision with Sakaki and Fuka. Behind her a more then slightly out of breath Takino followed, his face with a tinge of red.

"Hey cool!" said Tomo excitedly. "I don't have to worry about finding you!"

"Tomo?" said Fuka dropping her weapon which bounced off the dirt floor slightly, narrowly missing the girl's own foot. She had just about managed to keep hold of Sakaki. But the knife was very close. "Eeeep."

"That's me," said Tomo. "Hey Kaorin did you get hurt again?" asked Tomo pointing.

"Yeah," muttered Kaorin in reply. She bowed her head down slightly.

"We should probably get going for the town now," suggested Fuka, leaning down to pick up the weapon. She winced as she noticed how close it had been to her toes. She gripped it and leant back up straight. She looked across at Tomo who seemed slightly puzzled.

"What is it Tomo?" asked the girl. "Tomo? Hey Tomo you look a bit confused."

"I have absolutely no idea where the town is from here," said Tomo bluntly with a blank smile. "I'm lost!"

Fuka glanced over at Kaorin. She too didn't know, and hoped that Kaorin might, as Fuka doubted that they'd get much of an answer from Sakaki at the moment. Kaorin had been busy studying a branch intently, embarrassed at being injured again.

"Hey…hey Kaorin do you know where we are?"

"I-I don't really know," said Kaorin. "I don't know." She lowered her head again. The girl found herself wondering if there was actually anything she could do. She felt that since the start of the failed exams over a year ago she had been little more then dead weight. All she did was get injured and have to be helped out by others. She shook her head slightly in disappointment but the others didn't notice.

"So now what?" asked Fuka.

"Erm girls, I don't know if you've forgotten I'm here, but I have been around these parts for many years," said Takino speaking from behind Tomo. "The town is a bit like my second home you could say. I know my way around this area, and I liked to think I can lead us back to the town. For example I recognize that great tree over there" said Takino pointing.

"Isn't it cool that he didn't get left behind!" said Tomo.

"…Get left behind?" asked Takino nervously. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing."

The pointed wooden palisades extended high up into the air, getting taller and taller as the small group walked along the well maintained pathway, getting closer and closer to the town. Takino began to speak about the palisades.

"Though people are more then welcome to visit the town there is also a great importance placed upon defence and ensuring the people within are kept safe. Some of the towns guardsman think that this is the most secure town on this continent."

"Well I guess it could be," said the limping Kaorin. She suspected that a moderate quantity of that black powder that had been used on their village could easily tear down the wooden walls. But then again this town looked much larger then their village- and it appeared that as well as ninja there was also a strong normal military presence in the town.

Two armoured guards waved towards them, one lowering his spear, the other unarmed. Kaorin allowed herself to glance upwards and she spotted a guard with a crossbow relax, the weapon vanishing from view.

"Mr Takino! Welcome back sir!" said the unarmed guard.

"Hello there Jin," replied Takino. "I take it the family is still all fine huh? Has the baby arrived yet?"

"Oh not yet Mr Takino," said Jin with a smile. "But should be soon. The families fine, though the wife can be a bit of a whiner every now and then." He started to laugh but stop upon noticing the four girls present.

"Oh don't worry Jin, I know all too well about how some of the fairer sex can be a bit eccentric." He nodded his head towards the ninja, Jin smiling.

"That's right Mr Takino. Well come in, come in don't stay out there all day. And to the rest of you, welcome to our town! We hope you all have a pleasant time here- just try not to get in too much trouble please!"

"Well welcome to my home away from home," said Takino as they passed through the gate. Kaorin couldn't stay fixed on any one position, she kept turning to look this way and that, having never seen such a large settlement before.

"Thanks," said Fuka in reply to Takino.

"So where's this large tavern?" asked Tomo.

"Don't worry I'll take you there now," replied Takino. "Lord knows I could do with a drink myself. And luckily I'm a friend with the owner as well. Nice lady. You probably won't have to worry about paying for a room."

"Wow, thank you," said Kaorin politely.

"Do we get free drinks as well?" asked Tomo.

"I doubt the hospitality will extend that far," replied Takino.

It didn't take long for the small group to reach the tavern, a two storey wooden building close to the centre of town. Tomo had an excited look pass over her face as she spotted the hand painted sign hung from the roof, just above the door.

"You ok Sakaki?" asked Kaorin. The tall girl had come to shortly after Takino and Tomo had first arrived. She'd been groggy at first, but eventually walked by herself…but was still slightly shaky. "We're here; we'll be able to sit down soon."

"Oh good," said Sakaki faintly. "I could use a chair right about now."

Fuka led the way, pushing open the oak door and stepping into the tavern. Kaorin stood back and allowed Sakaki to enter first in a refined manner before following the girl. Tomo was set to enter when Takino tapped on her shoulder.

"Yeah?" she asked turning around.

"Tomo when we were interrupted I didn't get to tell you anything. In a moment I'd like to talk to you in private. I think it's important- if you don't already know."

"Oh…ok then," replied Tomo. "Sure."