(This is the Third Chapter in the 7 chapter story arc set in the Land of Snow! Just who are these ninja from the Hidden Snow Village? And why are they allied with pirates? Can memories from one girl's past provide the answers? I love feedback and constructive criticism, so please leave a review so I can improve my writing and storytelling skills. Enjoy!)
As she listens to Taiki's ranting Yukiko remembers when she first met her master and his partner Funimo.
*Blank Years Ago*
A young, pale girl with shoulder-length, snow-white hair, wearing a ragged and torn grey dress is running down the back alleys of a small town, frantic for her life. There is only a light sprinkling of snow today, but the temperature is still freezing cold. Desperate to escape her two pursuers she runs as fast as her legs can take her. But she is just an ordinary orphan girl and they are fully trained ninja. Soon they split up and one speeds ahead and drops down in front of her to block the path. He threateningly holds out his rusty, old katana while smiling an evil grin with his mouth full of broken and crooked teeth. She turns to run back the other way but sees the other ninja casually walking towards her. His frayed dark grey robes ruffle in the wind as he advances.
"Where do you think you are going, Yukiko?" he asks smugly, "The boss is not happy with you. Normally he doesn't care too much that some pathetic little orphan steals food from him but this time it is a lot worse. That is no ordinary gem you stole there. We are not going to whip you like we normally do. This time we are going to have some fun with that scrawny little body of yours. Then we will put you out of your misery."
"Ha ha, yeah this is going to be fun," says his partner as he stores his katana away, "I haven't had a woman in a while. And I bet since she is young she will be nice and tight."
"We promise to kill you quickly afterwards, Yukiko," the other man promises as he advances closer and ties his messy black hair up with a string, "But only if you hand over the jewel first. Otherwise we will make it slow and painful."
The frightened girl drops the valuable item in her hand and then backs up into the wall and shrivels up into the fetal position.
"Well, at least she is smart," laughs the second ninja as he picks up the jewel and stores it in his pocket.
"That is a good girl, Yukiko," croons his partner, as he reaches towards her, "Now open up those pretty little legs of yours so when can see what you look like underneath."
Scared for her life she complies with the request, her body shivering partly from fear and partly from the cold weather. She closes her eyes as he reaches forward and starts to lift up her dress.
The next thing she hears is the screams of the two men along with the splattering of blood on her cheek. She slowly opens her eyes to find a new man standing before her holding the jewel and examining it. He is tall and has short white hair and his clothes fit him so well that he could be mistaken for a business man. Her shell-shocked eyes take in the gore that litters the ground, blood and guts everywhere and her two pursuers lying on the ground with large holes in their chests. She brings her hand up to her cheek and dips it in the liquid. Then she moves it so she can see the crimson red color of the blood. The new person before her stows the jewel away and starts to walk away without even acknowledging her existence.
"Wait, take me with you," she calls, reaching out towards him.
He stops and without turning around coldly replies, "What do I want with a dirty orphan brat?"
"You saved my life," she pleads with all the desperate emotion she can muster, "That means I owe you my life. I know how to sew, I can cook a bit, and I can clean if you have the tools. I'll do anything that you want me to do, just take me with you."
In an instant he has her up on her feet and pinned against the wall with his forearm over her chest. Keeping his eyes locked on hers he reaches down with his free hand and slowly starts to pull up her dress. She begins to whimper and tears form under her eyes. Still tugging her dress up he asks, "What is wrong? You said you would do anything I wanted."
"I'm….I'm sorry," she says moving her arm to wipe away the tears, "I've never done it before. I will try not to cry." He sighs and then releases her clothes and takes the pressure off of her chest so she can stand on her own. "What is wrong?" she inquires.
"You were seriously going to let me do that, how pathetic," he comments with disdain, "Did you really think I would want to do that with a child? I'm not that sick. Well, at least I know you keep your word. I guess I can find some use for you. Maybe Funimo will want to play with you, he is a little pervert. Come on, girl, we are leaving."
He walks off down the alley leaving her standing there. "I said let's go," he shouts back over his shoulder when he pauses at the end of the alleyway, "Don't make me change my mind." She immediately chases after him, her face brimming with the light of hope for a better life.
"What took you so long, boss?" asks Funimo when he hears the creak of the door as it opens.
"I picked up a little something on the way back," replies a voice dryly.
"That isn't like you, Taiki," comments Funimo skeptically. Taiki walks into the room and tosses the jewel to his subordinate ordering, "Put that in a safe place until the client comes to pick it up."
"No problem," replies Funimo as he puts the jewel into a black box, "So, what did you pick up?"
Taiki gestures behind, but there is nothing but an empty doorway. "If you are going to be with me you can't be acting like a scared little baby," he declares impatiently "Now, step up and introduce yourself."
"Yes, I am sorry," says a small voice, "I am Yukiko, nice to meet you."
"Boss, what the hell is that?" questions Funimo alarmed that his leader would bring the girl back to their secret base, "Are you going soft on me?"
"I apparently saved her life and now she promised to do whatever I say. So I thought why not take her, she could be useful," responds Taiki, shrugging and leaning up against the wall, "She may not look like it, but she is actually pretty fast for a little kid."
"Yeah, but she is a girl," complains Funimo, "What the heck are we going to do with a girl?"
"Anything we feel like," replies Taiki stifling a yawn, "I thought you would be interested since you like them young."
"Hey! Are you still giving me crap about that? It was only one time!" claims Funimo, his face becoming red with anger and embarrassment, "And she wasn't this young."
"Try seven different times, you liar," laughs Taiki, "Anyways, just take her in back and put her to work. But before you do that, or if you decide to have fun with her, make sure she takes a bath. I don't want her scaring clients away because she looks and smells like she just came out of the trash. And find something new for her to wear too."
"Why do I have to be the babysitter?" complains Funimo as he opens door in the back of the room, "Well, come on, squirt."
"Okay," she says meekly, following him into the next room. Taiki plops himself down in a comfortable chair and puts his feet up the wooden desk to relax as the others leave the room.
"Just take off those rags you are wearing and throw them in that can," Funimo orders pointing to a rusty, silver bucket, "Then follow me upstairs to the bath." As he climbs the stairs she reaches down to pull her dress over her head.
*The Present*
"Hey, Yukiko, stop day-dreaming," shouts Funimo, "Taiki said it is time to plan for the next strike."
She slowly comes out of her reverie and stares at Funimo. Then she realizes when and where she is and replies, "Coming."
(That is the end of the chapter, what did you think? Yukiko's life was saved by Taiki, and for that reason she is forever in his debt. What will happen next on this mission? As usual, if you want more information on my characters you can see their bios on my profile page. Be warned, there may be some spoilers. Also I'm in the process of getting pictures drawn for the characters, but I have no idea how long that will take. If you're interested in drawing and have a DA account then send me a Message. Enjoy the next chapter, and please review.)