Enju had got all sweaty while practicing ninjutsu with her teacher at their usual training grounds. He threw a lot of shurikens towards her direction, but Enju successfully blocked all of them with her two short swords. Seeing how she had improved, her teacher commented on her ninjutsu skills.
"You blocked all of my shurikens. Good job, your daily hard work had paid off."
His quiet voice came from behind the bushes.
"But let's see... how about this one then?"
After hearing him said that, Enju prepared to counter-attack him by using the special ninjutsu her teacher taught her.
"Hyakka-"
However, a cold blade was located near her neck in just a second. This swift movement was performed in inhuman speed, which made Enju shiver.
"Chōjirō-nii..sama..."
Yes, it seemed that she had failed to perform the special ninpou he taught her again.
"Too slow. You would have already been dead if I were your real opponent in the battlefield."
"...Sorry, I was too careless."
"You focused too much on performing your special attack. Otherwise, you might have successfully blocked my blade and performed a counter-attack back. Learn from your mistakes."
"I understood. Niisama, I am sorry for my clumsiness. I still have a lot to learn from you."
She lowered her head.
"Do not need to be upset. I am still impressed by your guarding skills. After all, you blocked all my previous shuriken attacks. You have improved a lot, Enju."
He patted her head very quickly and turned around to observe something- no, it was someone.
"I know you are here. Gekkamaru, show yourself."
He closed his eyes and waited for the said person to come out. Slow footsteps were coming to their way.
"...Chōjirō-dono."
"Gekkamaru?"
She knew it. She knew he was following her all along. It wasn't the first time he did this due to his overprotection after all. There, he would ask her countless times whether she was hurt when she was training, he would explain that he followed her due to him getting all worried... worried that Chōjirō's shurikens might have hit her during her training.
"...Gekkamaru, you know... I have always wanted to carry out a mission."
Enju wondered the number of times she had had this similar conversation with her childhood friend since she was small.
"It is necessary for me to train. If you attempt to block all the shurikens aiming towards me from niisama, I won't improve."
"Enju-sama, I..."
"Gekkamaru, you never change."
Their teacher left them after he commented on his disciple's usual behaviour.
"But I was just..."
Without hearing out his full sentence, Enju ran away quickly.
"Enju-sama! Don't leave! I just found you!"
...
Why does no one ever understands how much I want to serve the village with my hard work? Why do they all deny my wish of carrying out a mission? Is this an awful wish? Something that I shouldn't wish for...? Why does father...
"Oh, Enju-neesama! I found you!"
A small figure jogged near her. It was Kasumi.
"Good morning, Kasumi. What's up?"
"Kando-sama asked me to tell you to meet him! Also Gekka-niisama, En-niisama, and Kyara-neesama too."
"What does Kando-sama plan to do?"
A familiar voice suddenly spoke from nowhere. It was Gekkamaru.
"Oh! Gekka-niisama! Right timing!"
"Gekkamaru?!"
"We saw you Gekkamaru, you were stalking Enju. Seriously, you are taking your job way too over the top! Stop being a worrywart over your Enju-sama!"
Ennosuke's voice could be heard behind them. They all turned their heads towards his direction. Next to Ennosuke, it was Kyara. They were walking with idle footsteps.
"Exactly. Gekkamaru, don't get crazy over your job."
Kyara added.
"What are you saying...! Protecting Enju-sama has always been my mission!"
Gekkamaru retorted. Well, it was his usual quote of the day.
"Yea yea, stupid loyalty... if Kuroyuki was here, I'm sure he would say the same."
Ennosuke said with exhaustion.
Oh... Kuroyuki. I wonder how he has been.
Enju thought, but a bright voice had pulled her back to reality.
"H-hey everyone! Calm down! Please go to meet Kando-sama! It seems Chou-niisama has already arrived there to discuss some important things with him."
Kasumi said.
"Really? Chounii went too? It must be something big then."
Kyara said.
"It might be... anyway, let's go, everyone."
Enju said and headed towards her father's estate with Gekkamaru, Kyara, and Ennosuke.
This is father's estate, which is also my estate. But, I'm nervous to go inside to know what he might speak. He is always authoritative, and scary.
..It's funny, that I'm scared of going into my own estate.
They walked into the common room one by one and waited for Kando Ueno, the head of the Kōga clan in the village.
"I've kept you all waiting."
Kandō said, walking towards the common room with a certain person behind him. It was their teacher, Chōjirō. He followed Kandō quietly and took a quick glance at his disciples.
They all stood there nervously, waiting for Kandō to speak as it was unusual for him to see them all at once.
"I just received an order from Mitsunari Ishida. He asked me to send some shinobis to investigate a certain case in Kyō. After discussing with Chōjirō, I have decided five shinobis who will carry out this mission."
Enju gulped her saliva down to her throat strongly.
Wait, does that mean...
"Chōjirō, Ennosuke, Kyara, Gekkamaru, and Enju."
After hearing her own name, Enju widened her eyes with astonishment.
"Me?"
"...Mm. Originally I didn't quite think you were capable to attend to a mission, but Chōjirō kept telling me you have improved..."
Enju's eyes shifted to her teacher with slight shock, her lips pursed as she felt nervous.
Niisama helped me...?
But he was just standing there quietly, having his eyes shut while lowering his head a little. Of course, she knew he was listening to their conversation, but it was almost as if he didn't care about all of this matter.
But she knew this was her teacher. She knew that he was kind and gentle inside.
So she smiled slightly as she averted her eyes from him.
"He told me you would be capable to accomplish this investigation because you have enough skills now."
"Thank you, niisama..."
Enju thanked her teacher out of reflex. It was her dream to carry out a mission after all.
"It was not something you need to thank me for. You are the one who have improved and practised hard in ninjutsu."
He stated, lacking any emotions.
"Alright then. Now I will officially announce the following shinobis to carry out this mission in Kyō."
Kando said with an aggressive voice.
"Chōjirō Momochi!"
"Ha!"
"Ennosuke Yamakura!"
"Ha!"
"Kyara Mikumo!"
"Ha!"
"Gekkamaru!"
"Ha!"
"And my daughter... Enju Ueno!"
"Ha!"
...
"Isn't that great, Enju? You can finally attend to a mission!"
Kyara cheered.
"Neesama! Congrats!!!"
Kasumi said as she smiled brightly at her, it seemed that she was waiting for them outside the estate.
Enju smiled joyfully as her friends congratulated her.
"...That's great, Enju-sama."
Gekkamaru congratulated her with a soft voice.
"...Gekkamaru, do you still reject the idea of me carrying out a mission?"
"No... I respect your opinion. But please let me protect you at all times, I would be assured if only you would let me do this for you."
He said, revealing a small smile.
"Okay."
Enju smiled back at him.
"Oh, I think I need to prepare for the mission soon, so I will be heading towards my estate. What would you like to do now, Enju-sama?"
"I guess I will prepare soon too. But before that, I want to see niisama first, I think I should thank him."
She answered him softly.
"...I see. I will go pack my stuff then, do not hesitate to tell me if you have any difficulties of packing your stuff."
"Thanks Gekkamaru, I'll ask you if I'm confused what to bring."
Enju then headed off to Chōjirō's estate.
...
Enju stood before his door. She pursed her lips while thinking what to say to her teacher because she got nervous again.
Niisama must be preparing for the mission now.
After taking a small breath, she raised her voice a little to tell him her arrival.
"Niisama, it's me, Enju. May I come in?"
The shōji opened in just a few seconds, it seemed that he was about to leave.
"Enju? Come in."
He looked at her with an emotionless expression.
Enju always got nervous whenever he made that callous face. She had always thought her cousin was—— ...
...cool. Well of course, that was because he rarely smiled. Maybe it was that strong unrelenting aura that made her heart rate became faster.
After taking a small breath, she stepped in and closed the door behind them.
"What brings you here?"
He asked.
"I would like to thank you, for recommending me to father as one of the shinobis to attend to this mission. You have no idea how happy I was when I heard my name in the shinobi list."
"As I said earlier, it wasn't something you need to thank me for. I just think that your skills are already enough for you to carry out an investigation mission."
"No, you... always know what I really want, it had always been my dream, and I know you know that too... Niisama... I really can't thank you enough!"
He gave her a small pat on the head, still revealing that emotionless expression. Even so, Enju couldn't help but feel warmth. It was strange, indeed.
"I just stated facts."
His voice had rarely filled with any sorts of expressions either. But still, Enju's cheeks blushed after she heard him said that.
"Also, niisama is my teacher. I just feel so elated to be able to help my teacher carry out a mission!"
Yes, this would be my first time to carry out a mission with my respected teacher.
Seeing Enju was this happy, his facial expressions seemed to be smoothened a little.
"...I see. Then, I'll be looking forward to your success in this mission. I'm sure Kando-sama would be proud of you too."
Yes... Father has never really "looked at" me once. I always feel like he hates me. Maybe if I carry out this mission successfully, he would then finally be proud of me. I just hope this mission could go well.
"Yes... I hope so..."
"But as I told you this morning during training, you still don't have enough resolution and determination. Your movements are too gentle. Remember, you must be careful in this entire mission."
He said as he squeezed his own hand into a fist softly, but after realising he did that again, he loosened it quickly.
"I will remember what you said and be more careful, niisama."
"That's good. Oh, also, we need to wear a kimono for travelling purposes when we are heading towards Kyō to avoid suspicion from others, you might want to go ahead and prepare soon."
"Of course. Thank you for your advice niisama. I will go prepare now!"
Enju smiled at him brightly with anticipation before she left his estate.
I hope... you would be proud of me too, niisama.