Clues

Chapter one: The winning Ninja

Jimmy was heading towards the school library, hoping to avoid the cleaning lady at all costs. She had taken it upon herself to make students back their due books, and Jimmy's borrowed book was past overdue. With any luck, he'd find the room void of people, place the book there and sneak back without anyone ever noticing. The others were playing soccer outside, and Kita was training Eizan for the upcoming tournament, so the odds were surely on his side.

Up until the library he was doing just fine, but then he heard crying coming from inside. 'Crying?' Jimmy thought, pressing his ear to the door, attempting to figure out who it was. He couldn't, but figured the person was trying her best to stay quiet at the very least, so likely wouldn't even notice him coming in.

He tested his luck, slowly opening the door, wincing at every creak the door made. But he succeeded and snuck into the library without interupting the person. That was until he noticed who it actually was. ''Okuni?'' he asked, forgetting his mission for the moment. The sniffling girl looked up, then quickly attempted to wipe away her tears.

''Oh, hey.'' she greeted hoarsely. ''Hey, are you okay? I thought the library was your favourite place?'' Jimmy asked concerned. Barely holding back tears, she nodded. ''It is.'' she barely managed to speak. Jimmy shook his head, knowing Okuni, it was hard to get her to talk about her feelings. He took a seat next to her. ''I might not be as good as a friend as Eizan is to you, but if you want to talk-'' he started to offer, but much to his confusion, she started crying again.

Jimmy thought it over for a bit, after all, he didn't know for Okuni that long. But he sure knew someone who did.''Do you want me to fetch Eizan instead?'' Jimmy asked, feeling bad for his friend. Sure, he and Okuni hadn't gotten that along well at first, but he'd like to think they had grown closer over the past months. ''Eizan is never going to talk to me again!'' she cried, before bumping her head against the table. ''He's snow pnissed.'' was all Jimmy could make out from her next sentence. He assumed she meant so pissed.

It dawned upon him that Eizan had been very angry at Okuni, signing him up without his knowledge for a ninja match. And she had only meant to live up his spirits, but it had backfired as most plans at Shuriken School had. ''He's not pissed, he really cares for you, Okuni. His mind just isn't in the best spot, now.'' Jimmy told her, petting her arm gently.

''But- Eizan hates me now.'' she wailed. Jimmy shook his head. ''He could never hate anyone, but especially not you. You're his best friend, I would even dare say you are his world. Heck, I was surprised I could become friends with both of you when I arrived here. I've never seen a pair work so greatly and tightly together as you two.'' Jimmy told her.

Okuni nodded, but more tears were falling nontheless. ''I ruined all of that.'' she cried out. Jimmy felt for her. They were both great people, but Okuni did struggle more than them in the friendmaking department. And Eizan had looked quite angry when she confessed to entering him into the competition. Sighing, he pulled her closer, hugging her as she cried.

He whispered little nothing, as she was crying it out. When she had calmed down, he tried speaking to her again. ''Eizan really doesn't hate you, Okuni. Neither of us could ever hate you. You made a mistake by not telling him and that's all. I bet if we go to Eizan now, he'd forgive you in a heartbeat.'' he told her. ''Do you really think so?'' Okuni asked, sniffling, unusually compliant with the hug.

Jimmy wanted to reply, but then their friend Eizan entered the library, clearly tired from the training he had been put through. ''Oh hey guys.'' he greeted tiredly, letting out a yawn as he walked towards them. ''I sure could use a group hug too.'' he told his friends, before he looked at his friends. ''Are you crying?'' he asked Okuni, instantly very much awake as the concern for his friend grew. Without thinking about it, he dropped his backpack on the floor and sat down next to her on the other side.

''See, told ya he would care.'' Jimmy reassured her with a smile and a wink. ''Told her what? Is everything ok?'' Eizan asked, now laying his hand on Okuni's shoulder, and Jimmy slowly stopped hugging her. ''Just peachy, Okuni here just thinks you hate her because of the stupid entry thing. Why don't you two have a good talk?'' Jimmy told him, making place so Eizan could sit next to her. He excited the library as gently as he had arrived, and whistling he left as his friends were talking the situation over. It was only at the end of the hallway that Jimmy realised he still was in possession of the book.

''Darn it, that was the only reason I went in there.'' he scolded out loud, as he took the book out of his bag. It was only then that the cleaning lady turned around the corner and spotted him with it. ''So it was you!'' she scolded, causing Jimmy to drop the book. ''Wait, there is a good reason.'' he said with a sweatdrop, but she wasn't having it. Soon she was chasing him throughout the entire school, and Jimmy was more than aware what she could do with that broom. She was a master in Jodo after all.

After Eizan and Okuni had talked the situation over, Okuni felt assured their friendship wouldn't break over something so silly. ''I could never hate you, or Jimmy.'' Eizan said for good measure, before extending his arms for a hug. ''Oh, ehr, high five instead?'' Okuni offered cheekily, still not fond of close contact. ''Sure.'' Eizan said shrugging, giving her a high five. ''Though you didn't seem to mind the hug from Jimmy.'' he teased. ''Oh, shut up.'' she told him, before they changed to subject onto how to get Eizan less tired for the competition.