Stone Heart
By Jayde Malao
My name is Amaya Mochi. I'm your average fourteen-year-old girl, living in an average every-day town. Okay, that's a lie, but I really am fourteen, just, I'm a ninja, the second best in my village, Kirigakure. The only one who could ever beat me was my brother, but he doesn't live here anymore. We both have our own organizations, but we're now sworn enemies.
I first started the organization known as 'Kin' for Jinjuriki who want to help others when I was ten, along with three of my best friends (Akane, Akemi, and Aki). However, after an incident with my brother's organization, my best, and only, friends died. I came up with a system for showing ranks. The leader has a gold headband (gold is the organization's primary color), second in command has a rose in her hair above the left ear, an official member has a Hawaiian flower above her left ear, and the newest member starts with no flower or headband.
I walk up to Kin's newest member's door and knocked.
"Be there in a minute." Comes the muffled reply from Kimiko Aya.
"Hurry, Kimiko-chan. The morning meeting starts in five minutes." I told the door. I hear a loud yawn, and the door opens to reveal a very tired Kimiko Aya. She yawns in my face as if to make a point that she knows and doesn't need to be reminded. I sigh, she is impossible, and she doesn't understand the severity of the situation. "Just get ready; Minori-chan has some stuff she would like to say to us." Minori is my second-in-command; she's also in charge of messages from 'Mari', my brother's organization.
We finally got to the meeting, Amaterasu; one of our official members was bright-eyed and ready to tackle the world. Kimiko looked exhausted, and Minori looked serious about the news, then she looked at me for permission to start. I nodded, giving my consent. When Minori looks serious, that means something is either wrong, or she's just tired.
Minori coughed slightly to get everyone's attention, "I have recently received a notice from 'Mari', saying they want to discuss some issues they have with us, and they would like some answers. They have asked Amaya-san to meet in the middle of the forest with a representative from 'Mari'. Now, this may be a trap, therefore I would not recommend going to this meeting." Minori looked at me intently.
I looked out the window then slowly replied, "I will go."
"One other thing is left on this notice," Minori told me, "It says to come alone."
"I don't plan on doing that. As you said before, Minori, this could very well be a trap. I will take one of you with me you will wait on the side in the undergrowth until I give the signal. If I do not give the signal, and I get captured, you will come back immediately and get help. If you are caught also, and do not return in three hours, the two who are left will get other ninja and help rescue both of us. I have cleared this tactic with the Mizukage, and it is allowed."
Kimiko responded with, "You are WAY too responsible for a fourteen year old. Ya know that, Amaya-sama?" I glared at her in response to that.
"Also," I continued, "there is the Akatsuki to worry about. Considering how the three of us who are ninjas are Jinjuriki, we must be on our guard. Kimiko, you and Amaterasu will stay in the village. Minori will come with me, because her best skill is concealing herself."