Superior Ninja Showing the Truth
Shadow is seen sitting on his bed looking out at the night sky thinking about a certain ninja girl still out there in the world doing her own solo mission.
"(Kasumi, I hope you're okay.)" Shadow thought worried.
"I see you are having trouble sleeping." Helena said walking into his room, wearing a beautiful light blue night dress.
"What are you doing here?" Shadow asked.
"I came to check up on you, and I can see you thinking about Kasumi, yes?" Helena guessed.
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"…You caught me." Shadow surrendered.
"You two have become really close to each other, that shows how much things are when you two first met." Helena stated.
"She found me in a strange lab where I was an experiment to be living cure, she stood by my side for comfort and…" Shadow paused his sentence.
"And?" Helena wanted to know what else Shadow wants to say.
"And I think I'm starting to feel something towards her, my heart race a little and she is all I could think about whenever we're not together. It's weird, I never felt something like this before." Shadow explained.
"Oh, innocent little Shadow, you are just too precious." Helena giggled.
"The hell is that supposed to mean?" Shadow asked, a little annoy of this teasing.
"Silly, you are in love with her." Helena revealed.
"In… love?" Shadow confused.
"I think you already know what that means. The signs you mentioned, those what are you're feeling for Kasumi and I believe deep down she feels the exact same way too." Helena explained as she sits next to him closely.
"Perhaps you may have fallen for someone in the past before you went against Donovan and sealed away, not that you can remember at the moment, but you may also experience the love being with that Professor and his granddaughter, Maria. That you all shared a special bond together during your time together." Helena believed placing her hand on top of his.
"Professor Robotnick, Maria, I don't member them yet my heart aches whenever I say their names and I saw few flashes of memories in my head… That time when Maria died in front of me." Shadow said clenching his fist.
"Have you looked at the data from the hard drive I gave you?" Helena asked.
"Yeah, the message was sad and seeing the Professor in a state like that, I can't help but feel responsible for what happened to him." Shadow answered looking sad.
"Do not speak of yourself like that. It was MIST fault for using Robotnick's heart for Maria to their advantage, they were the ones who killed Maria and wanted to use you as a weapon." Helena pointed out.
"And I fear that is exactly what I have become… a weapon." Shadow looked away, not wanting to stare at the woman in the eyes.
Helena wouldn't have any of that, she didn't want to see Shadow feeling all depress about what happened in the past and grab his face with her hands forcing him to look at her in the eyes.
"No, no, no, you will not be sleeping with such sadness like that. Shadow, looking back at the past is important, but what's very important is that you move forward with your life and focus on the things that is here in the present." Helena said and leaned her head on his shoulder and hugging his arm onto her breasts, making him blush a little hard.
"There's an old saying I learned from my father and a wise old martial artist. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it's called the present." Helena said the words she remembered years ago as a child.
"And remember that you're not alone in this world, no one is born to be alone." Helena smiled.
Just seeing her smile like that made Shadow feel at ease like when he is with Kasumi, he smiles back and cuddle his head on hers.
"Thank you, Helena, that actually helped made feel better." Shadow said.
"You're welcome. Now, I believe you should get some rest. We'll be arriving in Japan soon and you have a meeting with Ryu Hayabusa." Helena reminded him.
"Right, don't want to look sleepy and pathetic in front of the Superior Ninja of the world." Shadow said.
"Then I bid you, good night." Helena said as she leans forward to kiss Shadow on the cheek.
But Shadow turned his head to say goodnight to Helena causing their lips to make contact to each other, their eyes widen of the sudden action that is happening to them and Helena quickly retreated her lips away from his.
"Well, huh, goodnight!" Helena quickly walked out of the room and slammed the door shut.
Shadow is left shock from the experience as if everything has crashed right on top of him and his body just fell over on the bed going into the sudden sleep state.
Meanwhile, Helena is seen standing outside of the door with her face turning slightly red and her fingers on her lips where she just kissed Shadow with.
"Oh my, it would appear I have stolen his first kiss before Kasumi. I hope she can forgive me." Helena giggled before walking up to her room.
(The Next Day)
Shadow has jumped off from the DOACTE boat landing right into the Japanese port, looking around seeing as expected of a port with fishermen and fish along with some boats.
"So, this is Japan. The place feels like all traditional from here." Shadow commented, then got a call from his IPhone and answer.
"Okay Shadow, from this day on you'll be on your own. Be sure to use the credit card I gave you wisely and don't spent it all." Helena informed.
"Thanks, but you really didn't have to go through the trouble of getting me a credit card." Shadow stated.
"I believe you should at least have some money to keep yourself afloat for the time. Now, you should hurry and meet up with Ryu." Helena said.
"How am I supposed to find the guy if he didn't leave any details like the time and place?" Shadow asked as he walks out of the port.
"Well, he did say he'll be at Tokyo. So, try going there first and don't worry about finding him because he will be the one to find you." Helena informed.
"Okay, guess I can just stroll around until then. Tell Kasumi I'm fine in case she calls you." Shadow said.
"I will and don't worry, I won't tell her about our little make-out session last night." Helena giggled making Shadow blush.
"Goodbye, Helena." Shadow said before hanging up.
"They say that Japan has a lot of awesome things to see like these anime shows and Manga, guess it wouldn't hurt." Shadow shrugged and used his superspeed to make his way to the city Tokyo.
During his time there, he discovered some interesting and awesome things like the Dragon Ball series, One Piece, Naruto, and some video games too like Street Fighter and Persona 5 Royal. Shadow decided to buy a few of those things and eating lunch a Japanese branch of McDonnell, he also saw some good sights too like a statue of a dog that resembles a famous dog years ago waiting for his master to return even though the dog knew he would never come back, then he found an interesting stuffy toy that is a black hedgehog. For some reason, he found the stuffy hedgehog very interesting, almost like this toy reminds him of himself, and though he should get one for Kasumi.
Now Shadow is seen standing on top of a high building looking down at the busy street of Tokyo doing a little people watching.
"I got to admit, Tokyo is definitely a good place to be. I wonder how the ninjas are developing in this modern age with all these changes over the centuries?" Shadow asked himself curiously.
"We adapt to the changes quite well, we go for "hide in plain sight" to blend in with the surroundings while keeping our identities as ninjas secret from those outside of our clan." A man explained.
"Really? That's pretty interesting to hear!" Shadow threw a sharp stick that was for the dried up, grilled squid he ate a little while ago.
The man caught it between his fingers and Shadow appear right in front of the man in an instant, throwing a fast punch to the stomach which seem to have made contact, but the man vanished, and a kunai is right at his left eye as Shadow doesn't move an inch.
"You have good instinct and power too. I notice you held back that punch when you attacked me after you threw that stick." The man said as Shadow's right elbow is seen close to his side.
"I was surprise that you were right behind me and I didn't notices, you must be skilled to train those ninja skills, I also didn't want to make the wrong impression to a potential alley, Ryu Hayabusa." Shadow smirked.
"Hayata was right that you are more than you let on." Ryu said as they step back from each other a little.
Ryu Hayabusa appears to be a young man in his mid-20s, standing at 179 cm (5' 10"), and muscular build too. His face is mostly covered saved for his light green eyes. He wears a full bodysuit with a minor padding and straps which hold his kunai in place. He also wears tabi-style boots, black armor, a balaclava, a forehead protector, and a mask which covers his lower face. He also has a sword secured on his back.
"It's an honor to meet you." Shadow bowed.
"That honor is all mine, I was about to have second guess when I saw you wasting time with that shopping spree." Ryu said making Shadow sweatdrop.
"Anyway, you have something that I've been troubling me for quite some time." Shadow mentioned.
"Yes, regarding about Kasumi." Ryu said.
"I can sense people's energy and whenever I felt Kasumi's, it didn't seem right to me and I didn't want to bring it up to Kasumi because I fear it would some fear in her. That's why I wanted to know for sure about her and the connection of the cloning process she went through, I hope to clear things up with her without making any negative impact." Shadow explained his reason.
"(His eyes, he shows great determination and concern for another. More than worrying about his own being, not to mention he also has the power of a powerful demon from long ago. You are indeed a worthy ally, Shadow.)" Ryu smirked under his mask.
"Very, I will show you the truth you have been seeking. Follow me." Ryu turned around.
"Don't worry, I won't try to attack you along the way, but I am very curious of how strong you are in a fight. Maybe we can spare a little after this." Shadow suggested.
"We'll see." Ryu chuckled.
Shadow and Ryu blitz from all the rooftops through the city in Tokyo and made their way deep into the forest close to the mountain, they soon made their way into a village that is very isolated from the rest of the world and looks like an old fashion Japanese village from his point of view. There is also the ease feeling about this village that makes him feel calm from all the troubles that is happening to the outside world, he couldn't describe the feeling exactly, but it was a good kind of feeling.
"So, do you guys have any modern tech here or what?" Shadow asked.
"We do, as I said as ninjas adapt to the changes of time. But we don't let ourselves get distracted as we continue to train ourselves to surpass the human limitations." Ryu answered simply.
"(Talk about dedicated to training.)" Shadow thought commented.
Ryu and Shadow keep walking until they arrive at a house with an old man waiting patiently outside seeing the two.
"Master Ryu, I've been expecting you." The old man greeted and saw Shadow.
"And you must be Shadow. I can feel a strong spirit from within you, such a fine warrior indeed." The old man complimented.
"Thank you." Shadow thanked.
"Shadow, this here is the legendary weapon-smith who made amazing weapons like my Dragon Sword, Muramasa." Ryu introduced.
"Weapon-smith, huh? You look like you can still forge a few more if you wanted to." Shadow commented.
"Perhaps a few dozen more, the Dragon Sword was my finest work and I take great pride on the weapons on make wield by Master Ryu." Muramasa said proudly.
"Muramasa, is she here?" Ryu asked.
"Oh yes, she has been waiting for you in the living room." Muramasa said and lead them inside the house.
"Shadow, what you're about to see is something you may have suspected for quite some time and I advise you be calm about it." Ryu warned.
"I will try." Shadow nodded.
Ryu look to Muramasa telling him that Shadow is ready, the old man nods and slide open the door as they went inside the living room.
"Kasumi, Master Ryu is here with a guest." Muramasa informed.
"Kasum?" Shadow surprised to hear that name and became shock to see Kasumi right in the living room wearing a pink kimono.
"Greetings Ryu, it has been quite sometime since we last saw each other." Kasumi greeted friendly.
"Indeed, and here is the man who wishes to see you in person." Ryu gestured to Shadow who is still shock.
"Hello, you wanted to see for something?" Kasumi asked.
Shadow thought this is some sort of prank, but he remembers how serious Kasumi can be and knew she would never pull something like this as he saw the honesty in her eyes as this is her first time meeting her even though it feels different to Shadow.
"Kasumi, do you remember… finding a secret lab in an abandoned building inside a forest?" Shadow asked.
"A secret lab? No, I haven't been outside of this village for quite some time, I hide here to escape the hunt from my former clan." Kasumi answered.
"Because you broke the law just to save your older brother, Hayata." Shadow said.
"Yes, from the way you sound it's almost like you've already know so much about me." Kasumi surprised a little.
"Perhaps it's because… you were with someone who looks exactly like me and have my memories too." Kasumi guessed strongly as Shadow looks down.
"…Yes, the Kasumi I've been with for the six weeks since I was found is a clone." Shadow admitted and clutched his fists hard.
"And you came to see me to confirm your theory." Kasumi said.
"To be honest, I had hope to be wrong about that and the Kasumi who was with me is a real person just when I started to realize my feelings for her." Shadow confessed.
"You're in love with her, aren't you?" Kasumi asked, feeling sad for Shadow.
"Yeah, Helena helped me figured that out before I came to Tokyo. I wanted to so badly to prove my instincts to be wrong and everything was going to be fine, but meeting you right now shows that isn't the case." Shadow explained.
"I'm sorry you have to come all this way for the truth." Kasumi apologized.
"No, don't apologize. It's not your fault, but I still wish there was something I could do for the other Kasumi, perhaps to help her start a new life." Shadow sighed.
"Is she going around trying to find Alpha-152?" Kasumi asked curiously.
"Yes, she believed that it's her mission alone to destroy the clone and take down MIST like me after what they did." Shadow answered.
"If you don't mind me asking, what did MIST do to you?" Kasumi asked.
Shadow can tell this Kasumi, being the real person, is a really good person like the one he knows and can trust her. So, he decided to tell her the tale of his life from the memories of the hard drive and the little fragments he can remember with Ryu and Muramasa listening to this too, from the story of Professor Robotnick to how he was sealed away.
"To think, Donovan would go so far just to gain more power." Kasumi angered.
"Such a tragic life for the youth." Muramasa said, feeling sorry for Shadow.
"At least we know where he got the cloning fighters idea." Ryu said.
"Shadow, I will help you." Kasumi decided.
"For real?" Shadow surprised.
"Yes, MIST must be stop so that no lives would suffer by that man's hands. And I believe this may work out for the clone me as well." Kasumi smiled.
KO a new chapter is done and hope you all enjoy it!
Shadow has met the real Kasumi and finding out the one he was with is clone, but he still attends his feelings for her despite knowing the truth. Now gaining a new ally, Shadow will have to prepare himself for what may comes next as a certain event is coming very soon.
KO comment, favorite, and follow through of how this story will go!