New Training Grounds
Back at the Shika Clan Compound, Morotsuka, Mizayaki, Japan…
There was some downtime after the end of the second King Of Iron Fist Tournament. About three months have passed since Hide (aka Crow) escorted Lee Chaolan out of Japan to live under temporary asylum in the United States. Hide relieved Omani who was working her butt off attending the children, even with Urenna to help her out. Omani could focus back on her main job as a schoolteacher. Four months after the tournament, Hide had left the compound for another small mission in Canada and decided to scout the area after he completed his task. He felt it necessary to find a secondary base for the Shika clan it if were to ever be compromised by enemy forces. In the mountains of British Columbia, he felt like this area would be very good for training and refuge. When Hide returned to the compound he expressed his idea to Omani.
Hide: "You know I have been thinking lately."
Omani (drinking out of her cup.): "Thinking? You think all the time Hide. What is it?"
Hide: "We need another place to train and even live in case something happens to this place here."
Omani: "Really? Are you worried this place will get discovered?"
Hide: "Yes. Especially as our clan grows, we could end up getting into something even we can't fully hide from. Also, traveling across the world does take its tolls on me. If I didn't have to, I would seek refuge in another hidden area, for healing, meditation, and plotting. Do you understand?"
Omani: "I do. I was hoping you would get out of the United Nations spy work, but still, I think it is a good idea to have a different place for refuge. Either way, you are working hard, and you need the time to recover."
Hide: "I can't leave my job, not until I know that Urenna can handle the missions on her own."
Omani: "I know she wants to be a spy in order to find the man who killed her family, but she is not obligated to remain a spy. She should live a normal life after she finds him."
Hide: "Maybe, it is up to her to make that choice. I plan to have her and Santi train at the new compound once it is fully completed. I already asked a private contractor from Vancouver to travel and build the facility. We should have money in our budget to pay for all expenses."
Omani: "Wow…so you were going to do this even if you never told me!"
Hide: "Sssshhhh! Not so loud. I will tell the children tomorrow alright. This will be important step for the clan. To help maintain our secrecy. It will all work out in due time."
Omani (Smirking.): "Hmph. Yes, leader. Whatever you say."
The next morning…
Hide called Urenna and Santi over to the temple area of the compound. After their morning jog, the two oldest disciples were to meet Hide there. They wondered what the problem was if Hide wanted to see them so soon. After their jog, the two waited at the temple until Hide finally appeared using a teleport jutsu. Urenna and Santi looked up at him as he spoke.
Hide: "I have an important announcement for both of you. Training for today will be canceled, in 6 hours you will travel with me to Canada. To our secondary home."
Both were in shock as they looked at each other, Urenna then spoke…
Urenna: "Master. Are we leaving here for good?"
Hide: "No. But I felt we needed another place for operations and refuge. Think of it as a secondary place for our clan. Now…gather your things. We will be in Canada by tomorrow morning." (Vanishes.)
Santi: "Well that's cool with me! But…isn't Canada colder than Japan?"
Urenna: "A lot of colder. I just hope he didn't pick an igloo or something."
Santi: "Aw man! I don't wanna be an icicle!"
Urenna: "It can't be that cold right now, it's just the beginning of September. Let's just go and find out if we like it or not."
Santi: "Ok. Race you back to the cave?"
Urenna: "But you couldn't keep up with me in jogging? You wanna run some more?"
Santi: "I'll catch you one day. Maybe now is that day!"
Urenna: "You're on!"
The race happened, but Urenna won again…
As predicted, Hide waited for Urenna and Santi to travel with him in his hovercraft. The two disciples said their goodbyes to Omani, Bryce, and the baby Hanta. Once they packed their bags, the hovercraft took off from the dirt heliport outside the cave. The flight was long, but Hide was able to make it to Canada as the sun would rise back up once more. The new secret compound was tucked in the mountains of British Columbia province.
Hide: "Urenna! Santi! Time to wake up!"
Urenna (Yawning.): "M...master. Are we…here?"
Hide: "Yes we are. Come."
Urenna woke up Santi who was a hard sleeper. When the boy opened his eyes, he was surprised to be in a different part of the world with the scenery being more majestic and greener than what he was used to in Japan. Santi marveled at the sight as he hopped out of the hovercraft.
Santi: "Are we staying here? The place is unreal!"
Urenna: "It's just temporary Santi. Master…is this the new hiding spot?"
Hide: "Hiding spot. Training ground. Meditation area. It will serve as an alternate base."
Urenna: "Well…you choose well. The mountains are incredible!"
Hide: "We will have a meal in the cabin up ahead, but after that we will begin the introduction of your meditation training."
Urenna: "Meditation training?"
Hide: "You will know soon. Let's go."
Urenna and Santi looked at each other in confusion, but proceeded on behind their master…
After having a midday meal, it was time for Hide to explain to his disciples about their time in the Astral Plane. They would remain in the cabin for the remainder of the day. In the small living room space, the ninjas all sat in a triangle position. It didn't matter how the disciples sat down, what was important is that the young ninjas would empty their minds of pointless thoughts and listen to the chants that Hide will make to open up this different realm.
Hide performs the ancient chants…
Urenna and Santi closed their eyes and stayed silent…
It did not take long before, Urenna and Santi felt cold just for a brief moment. The sensation was so sudden that they opened their eyes, but once they did, they realized that they were no longer in the cabin. The world they were in was dark and gloomly. They were deep in the forest, but Hide was no where no around. Where did he go?
Urenna: "Master? Master! Santi do you see him?"
Santi: "No. I dunno where he is! Where are you master?"
Then Hide's voice spoke…
Hide: "My disciples! This is the Astral Plane. I am not with you here, because I am remaining back in the physical world. I ask the yokai here to test your abilities. You must work together and defeat them. Unlock your potential and you will return to the real world stronger than you were before. Follow the yellow smoke that is coming around you. And be careful."
Urenna: "Wha? Wait Master! Master!"
Santi: "Urenna he said yokai is in this place! They actually live here?"
Urenna: "According to the stories from Master and Omani, most of them do live here. He said follow the yellow smoke. Alright. Just stay close Santi. Follow me."
Santi was feeling really nervous while venturing this dark forest with Urenna. They continued following the yellow smoke, until they came across an open field. Once they stepped into the field, a loud shriek was heard above their heads. Urenna looked up at they could see a chimera like demon flying above their heads. It landed right in front them, ready to punish the ninjas for entering its territory. Urenna wondered if this was a yokai known as Yosuzume.
Urenna: "I've read this about this one I think. Santi stay sharp and don't get cut by its claws!"
The Yosuzume made a screeching sound which was very loud and powerful. The ninjas stood their ground, but the yokai dashed right in front of them. Urenna and Santi jumped and rolled out of the way, but now they were apart. The yokai turned its body and immediately keyed its glowing eyes to Santi.
Urenna: "Oh no!"
Santi had to be brave. He pulled out his ninjatou blade from the hip and was ready to defend himself. Yosuzume tried to use one of its wings to swipe at Santi, but the young boy performed a jutsu move and the yokai hit a fake image instead. Santi was in the air as he threw a shuriken right at the left eye of Yosuzume. This hurt the yokai as it began to fidget around several times before it got the object off of the eye. Urenna ran back to Santi and was quickly thinking of a strategy to kill the yokai. Then the idea came.
Urenna: "Santi listen up! Work with me to perform a multi image jutsu! This will buy me the cover I need to stab its weak point."
Santi: "Ok but how long?"
Urenna: "Until I can get close and kill it. Are you ready?"
Santi: "Yes!"
Yosuzume stopped its moving and look around. The bird was beginning to see multiple images of Urenna and Santi running and disappearing around the bird yokai in a circular motion. Yosuzume tried several to hit the ninjas, but it got air every time. In frustration, Yosuzume led out another loud screech the force temporarily stops Santi from running around as he stumbled by tripping on his feet. When Santi tried to get back on his feet, Yosuzume almost ate him with its beak! But then!
Yosuzume's head jolts back in immense pain…
Urenna made it to save Santi as she landed on the head of Yosuzume and used her ninjatou blade to stab its vital spot! The back of the neck! Urenna kept the pressure of her blade, and with her feet, she started running up over the yokai's skull and gave one final slash of her blade before the blood residue could shower her. Urenna jumped away from Yosuzume once the yokai collapsed onto the ground. It was dead immediately after the fatal blow.
Urenna: "Santi! Can you stand?"
Santi: "Uh huh. That thing almost got me!"
Urenna: "Well you did a good job on the jutsu. It bought me enough time to get closer and take that bird out."
Santi: "Look! The yellow smoke is back!"
Urenna: "Yeah. I wonder where it will take us this time."
Santi: "I wanna go back home already!"
Urenna: "So do I, but master put us in this realm for a reason. We will get out of it somehow. Just keep close." (Begins walking to the yellow smoke.)
Santi: "Hey! Wait up!"
After following the smoke for another 10 minutes, the ninjas could see a fallen temple just below the hill…
Urenna: "What? A ruined temple?"
Santi: "I'm not liking this Urenna. Maybe we should turn around."
Urenna: "No…we are ready to face this next challenge. So don't worry Santi! I'm here with you. Come on."
Santi: "Dddddoooo…."
Urenna and Santi carefully descended down the stone staircase leading towards the ruined temple. Once they got there, they could feel a cold air blowing from inside the structure. Suddenly, a phantom like being appeared before them. He looked like a ninja of old. From centuries past. Urenna was familiar with former humans becoming yokai, but who could this person be or once was?
Santi: "Urenna…who is he?"
Urenna: "I don't know, but don't take your eyes off of him!"
Phantom Ninja: "A young woman and a boy? You do not belong in this place. Who is your clan? Where is your leader?"
Urenna: "If we tell you, you will tell us how to leave this world and not harm us?"
Phantom Ninja: "Perhaps. Now just who are you?"
Urenna: "We are of the Shika Clan, an affiliate of the once great Koga school."
Phantom Ninja: "Koga? Did you say Koga?!"
Urenna: "Huh?"
Phantom Ninja: "I can't stand the Koga! They are the reason I am here! No Koga should ever step foot in my home! I'll make sure you Koga are dead!"
With a rise of killing intent, this phantom ninja used a lightning type jutsu that almost caught the ninjas by surprise. Urenna used a teleport jutsu with Santi to keep him from getting zapped by this attack. They reappeared further away from the temple.
Urenna: "Damn that was close!"
Santi: "Aaaahhh! Urenna look out!"
Urenna: "Wha?"
The yokai ninja slashed at Urenna with his sword. Urenna dodged but the tip just cut the top of her shoulder guard from the left side. She cartwheel 4 times to gather herself. Santi had to be brave, so he tried to use shuriken against the yokai, but the Yokai was too skilled and he evaded them all.
Urenna: "Get away from him! Shhhaaaa!"
Urenna teleported at hit the back of the phantom ninja with a flying kick. The impact was strong as the yokai hit the walls of the temple courtyard.
Urenna: "Santi don't show it fear! Remember what our teachers said! Focus all of our senses to the enemy before us!"
Santi: "Right I remember…" (Deeply breathing.)
Urenna: "He cannot stop us if we attack at the same time. Now let us pray with the Kuji-in chant."
Together they chant…
Together: "RIN-PYO-TO-SHA-KAI-JIN-RETSU-ZAI-ZEN!"
With their ki elevated, both Urenna and Santi's physical prowess began to change. It was like a boost of energy within the cores of their chakra. It showed in their veins, muscles, and even the skin as it started to glow from the power up. The Phantom Ninja was in a fit of rage as he got up. His hands were literally melting the stone around him. Then he noticed a change in the young ninjas. Their ki was amplified to a high level that he was familiar with.
Phantom Ninja: "No! It can't be! It's just like last time!"
Urenna: "No escape!"
Urenna summoned another jutsu by entrapping themselves in a void that acted like a barrier. There was no way the phantom ninja could try to run. He then got desperate and tried to summon another lightning bolt shock. However, this did not work again.
Santi: "Chhhaaaa!"
Phantom Ninja: "Uggghhh!"
Santi attacked directly at the yokai, using his blade to stab the phantom ninja in the abdomen. Urenna teleported on high and cut the arms of the phantom yokai as he started backpedaling. He quickly tried to regenerated his lost limbs. Which Urenna suspected he was trying to do. So she teleported from behind and grabbed the yokai using a bear hug. She held onto to the yokai as tightly as possible.
Urenna: "Cut his neck off Santi! Its' the only way he will die!"
Santi (Gritting his teeth and tighten his blade grip): "Chhhhiiiiiiyyyyyyaaaa!"
SLASH!
The young ninja leaped in the air as he cut off the head of the Phantom Ninja. His head came right off as the blood began to spew out of the neck area. Urenna wisely backed off but she still got drenched in the yucky blood. Santi dared not to look, so he asked Urenna was the yokai dead for good.
Santi: "I…I did it? Is he dead Urenna?"
Urenna (Wiping the blood off her hair and face.): "Ugh! It stinks! Ewwww!"
Santi (turns around): "Hhhhaaaa! He is dead! I killed him!"
Urenna: "Yes you did do it Santi. I am proud of you."
Santi (Putting his blade back on his sheath.): "I wanna get out of here now! I don't like this place!"
Suddenly a shining light appeared at the front of the ruined temple. Then the image of the cabin from were they last started appeared within this bright portal. They could go back to the physical world now!
Urenna: "Look Santi! We can leave! Wwwwoooo!"
Santi: "Alright!"
Urenna: "Let's go!"
Santi and Urenna both race to the portal. As they entered inside, both of their eyes opened back into the present physical world. They looked around and found themselves as well as Hide standing with his arms folded, as if he never left their presence.
Hide: "So…how was the Astral Plane?"
Urenna: "It was as I thought it would be Master. It was very dangerous."
Santi: "I thought I was gonna die in there."
Hide: "I see. Yes Santi, I was like you when I first entered that world. But with each trip, I grew stronger and more focused to live. The will to live can be stronger than anything. It was good that you did not hesitate to cut off the head of that corrupted Iga ninja that the both of you faced. When it comes to your enemies, you must have the resolve to not hesitate in your decisions. To be killed or not to kill. Use your actions and thoughts wisely. For the remainder of the day, you may relax or continue meditation. In the next few weeks, we will train and make improvements on the cabin's defenses. I will be outside to collect water. That is all."
Hide walks back outside…
Urenna (Sigh): "Meditate more? I don't think I will do that."
Santi: "Yeah. Is there a TV here?"
Urenna: "Maybe. I'll go in the closet look."
Urenna found an old TV inside the closet…
Urenna: "You're in luck."
Santi: "Alright! Plug it up."
Urenna: "I don't think we will have any channels though Santi. Even if it works, we may not get anything."
Santi: "Aw man."
Urenna: "At least the TV does work so cheer up. Maybe there are some movies back in the closet. I dunno."
Going back to the closet, Urenna did not find any movies by cassette or CD. Urenna had to tell Santi. He was further disappointed. So, in the end they could not watch television. Urenna then figured they could play some Go to help pass the time.