Kunoichi Online- Blade Wars

by Honie Jar

  Hikari’s sacred place became Shinobu’s training cave. Toward the entrance, aside from the fireplace in the rear. Shinobu had undoubtedly shifted the cavern into a practice space for Hikari. He had trained no one since he gave up the Himitsu Agency soon after Mina’s death. He deemed it an honor to instruct someone again and was overjoyed that Hikari made it to training on time.

  The Erīto Preparatory Academy had a late night with their mission, but she was able to slither out before sunrise, as long as Jiro and Rika covered for her as they agreed. This morning would prove to be difficult as Hikari had an early session after breakfast. Seeing Shinobu every night before sunrise would be a complicated task, but Hikari knew this was her best shot at getting access to the Kanga Clan and becoming one of their chosen kunoichis.

  Later in the morning at Erīto Preparatory Academy, the instructor Hitachi would hold his weekly blade technique class, and Hikari's presence was required. As if nothing was awry, she must attend the class with her regular teacher. No one could perceive that she now was undergoing instruction from a gifted former Kage.

  Hikari looked up to Shinobu who had taken her under his wing and indeed spared her life the morning she incarnated into Hikari. Shinobu took the time to demonstrate a wealth of mechanics and techniques to defend herself and her clan against an ambush, much like the one that they encountered during the night.

  The wee hours of the early dawn had found to be worthwhile as her technique of controlling her Ninjatō had tremendously improved. A flurry of emotions came over Hikari and in the pit of her belly burned with excitement knowing that she would level up her rank later on in the day and upgrade her armor, assuming the clan had completed the mission and her Jonin, Shizue Jonin, believed Rika and Jiro for the white lie they would give him to explain her absence.

  Hikari took a deep breath because soon, she would be ready to be approached by the Kanga Clan for recruitment and then initiation. Increased rank, increased responsibility, increased armor coupled with training from a former Kage was a prescription for recruitment.

  Swords clanged against one another, the sound of metal on metal was hard against the ears but for seasoned warriors that was the roar of the battleground. Hikari grew accustomed to living the game versus merely playing it. While Shinobu trained her with a larger samurai katana compared to Hikari’s Ninjatō, so she could adapt to defending against different weapons.

  The pair were on the same level with one another in terms of skills and ability during training because of the Mentor Mode Shinobu entered, which allowed him to lower his level to the same one of Hikari since long as he activated this. However, had this been an actual battle again this wouldn’t be the case because of their level gap. Shinobu would eviscerate Hikari if they were battling each other.

  “Block each of my attacks!” Shinobu called out, his voice teetering close to a howl as they spared one another. Switching his weapon from the samurai katana to the kusarigama, using that to counter Hikari’s Ninjatō. The sound of steel and metal produced a terrible twang, sparks flew as they clashed. Hikari fell back, dead on her heels despite her not being harmed by a weapon. “Don’t let your guard down! You must stab and thrust right here. If I was a samurai, this is your chance to pierce my neck in between my armor!”

  Shinobu did not lose breath or seemed to be bothered by the fact that he was throwing out orders as he battled Hikari. The training also was yet a breeze for him as he came out to swing his kusarigama at Hikari with controlled strength. Enough for Hikari to feel her muscles strain from trying to dodge the spinning weight and the chain of the kusarigama. Hikari found it challenging to not allow Shinobu to lasso her Ninjatō, fending off the advances of the twirling chain. She gritted her teeth as she tried to judge reasonably. A frustrating feeling formed in Hikari as she wanted to at least prove her ability to wield the Ninjatō. A frown appeared on her face as her eyebrows knitted together, she desired more skill, but she had nothing to navigate past this challenge. More agility and accuracy to conquer the mastery of Shinobu wielding the kusarigama.

  Air passed by Hikari’s skull as the chain swung toward her. “Aaaahhh!” Hikari grunted as she dodged each assault with surprising speed. However, when Shinobu aimed for her throat, swiftly she was quick to dodge the advance.

  “Very good.”

  Hikari saw the announcements coming across her vision:

  Training with the mentor has increased Agility to 13 (+1)

  Tactical Combat 12 (+1)

  Then, Shinobu allowed himself to work a combination of movements and twirls. After swinging the weighted chain and ball in a large circle over one's head, and then whipping it forward to entangle Hikari's Ninjatō, she brilliantly dodged the attack. Finally, Shinobu held the weighted ball now spinning the sickle end at Hikari. A new technique that Hikari was not familiar with, she avoided the advances of the spinning blade. This maneuver was to encourage the enemy to come closer for an attack, but Hikari resisted the urge. Instead of taking the bait and advancing toward Shinobu, she patiently waited for him to make a mistake. In doing so, even Shinobu found himself caught up by the quick movements of the sickle, even if for a moment. With the final clang, the kusarigama's chain wrapped around the Ninjatō with the sickle pointed right at Hikari. There was a pause and abruptly they both breathed out and Shinobu pulled the Ninjatō from Hikari’s hands, dropping her weapons on the floor. A signal that the training had come to a pause so that Hikari could learn from a logical aspect rather than continuously taking physical learning.

  “Your left side is ultimately your weakest.” Shinobu pointed out, a small smile stretched across his face as he pointed out the most glaring feature of his pupil’s mistakes. That being said, he knew that Hikari was trying her best to not let the blind spot hinder her. “But you’re progressing. You’ve made great strides since this is your initial training.”

  A hand reached out, patting Hikari’s head affectionately. The touch was rough because of the leather gloves that Shinobu wore, but it was a gesture for Hikari that she did a good job. The rough treatment Shinobu gave resulted from that Hikari still had some distance to cross before he would recognize her as someone more than just a mere child.

  The corners of Hikari's mouth drew upward, and she showed her teeth in the beginnings of her outgoing grin. Hikari enjoyed this. This was tough, but it is everything she wanted. Ayuka wanted.

  “I’ve taken this morning’s lesson to heart,” Hikari said with a sense of accomplishment, pride found within her. She picked up the blade that laid on the floor, an emblem of her defeat, but one that she relished. The grip on her Ninjatō’s handle tightened as she looked at the sword that glinted at her. A brief reminder of the world that she had left behind.

  The Ninjatō’s metal was dull from the practice and Hikari knew that she must have it repaired before she went out. Whether for training or a mission since there was nothing more treacherous than having a dull blade. However, this mental note was brief as she heard Shinobu speak to her in a calm demeanor. A look of pride on his face before he retracted his hand from the kusarigama.

  “I think it’s good you’re seeing Hitachi for the sword lessons today. You have his class this morning?”

  “Correct.”

  “Well, good. I trained with him for some time before he founded Erīto. He is accomplished. Pay attention to his technique with the Ninjatō. He has subtilties that no one else in Nara has, making his skill level with that weapon second to no one.” Shinobu paused and looked at Hikari’s face for a moment. Then his eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “I just witnessed an image of my wife, Mina transposed over you. Remember, the story I told you about yesterday. Unbeknownst to me, she was a kunoichi who was once part of the secret Kanga Clan. The very clan you must join.”

  A pensive feeling swelled within Hikari. “I do,” she answered.

  “I am overcome with emotion,” said Shinobu. “I am beyond grateful that I can support you on this path. My heart overflows to know that you are fo
llowing the path of her, a commendable effort that indeed I cannot help but praise. This is a sign. You are on the right path.”

  Tears blurred across Hikari’s vision as this moment moved her. “I am honored,” she muttered, concealing her emotions.

  “You must return to Erīto now.”

  Hikari clenched her Ninjatō tighter, putting it back into the strap on her back.

  “No, you cannot return with that,” barked Shinobu.

  “But I need a sword for the lesson this morning.”

  “You cannot take such a dull blade. You hardly used it last night. Hitachi will realize that you have a dull blade without a long battle to show for it. It will bring up more questions. Here, take mine.” Shinobu went to the fireplace and took the frozen Shizen Steel shinobigatana that hung above the fire down. He handed it to Hikari. “Here, this is yours from now on,” he declared.

  Hikari saw the announcements coming across her vision:

  Hikari received a new blade. Name unknown.

  “What? I’ve never seen such a magnificent blade,” exclaimed Hikari. “What is it made of?”

  “It was constructed centuries ago by an ice mage during the Shizen Dynasty who ruled during that time. They only excavated the finest frozen steel from the volcano that has since become dormant. Back then they had craftsmen that were far more skilled than the ones we have currently. They will never make again a shinobigatana such as this. It is my honor that I give it to you. Here, take it.”

  Hikari could not believe what she held in her hands but knew that she was on her way to fulfilling her destiny.

  “Now go, you must not be late.” Hikari nodded, replacing her old Ninjatō for the shinobigatana that Shinobu had given her and dashed out of the cave, headed for Erīto Preparatory Academy.

  Hikari made it within the gates of Nara, where there were villagers busy all over. The dawn was new, and merchants lined the streets. People who passed by bought food, drinks, and sweets from the vendors. Some sold handicrafts of finely crafted scarves, bags, and pouches.

  Realizing that she would miss breakfast, Hikari approached one vendor that had appetizing food. The stand had out on display where an array of steamed buns. Hikari looked at them and decided on the mackerel eye steam bun. “One order of those, please,” she said to the vendor at the stand.

  “Right away. That will be four silver.”

  Hikari handed the vendor one of her gold coins and the man supplied her change. “Oh! And can I have it flambéed, please?”

  “Flambéed? That will be two silver more, and you will take it around the corner and enter the third door on the right.”

  Hikari was uncertain if she heard the vendor correctly but took two more silver from her palm and handed it to the vendor. “What did you say?” asked Hikari.

  “Oh, right? Never mind. Your order will be right up.”

  A few minutes passed, and the vendor handed Hikari her steamed bun. “Here you go. Good day.”

  “Good day,” answered Hikari with a nod.

  There was a gnawing feeling inside Hikari’s stomach, and she could not let it go. Chewing on her flambéed mackerel eye steam bun, she succumbed to the overwhelming curiosity that flowed through her and headed down the corner the vendor was referring to. She had heard him perfectly, but she didn’t understand why he was telling her this.

  Could he have mistaken her for someone else? Was the code word flambéed? Hikari did not know the answer to either question but wanted to know what was in the third door on the right as she made her way down the alleyway.

  Interestingly, the third door on the right had an odd emblem carved into it. Hikari did not recognize the emblem but noticed its weird shape of a hexagram. An odd sigil, but nothing like this sparked a memory for Hikari, so she entered still eating her bun.

  Upon entering, the room was pitch black. Not one window or crack allowed in light. Strange. “Uh, hello?” Hikari said, hoping no one could hear her and she could make a hasty retreat as if this escapade never happened.

  “You’re late!” a woman’s voice with a harsh tone shouted as if to reprimand her. “Finish that bun and get into this robe now!” barked the female voice as she handed Hikari a black robe.

  Hikari woofed down the remaining part of the bun even though she was enjoying the crispness of the flambéed mackerel eyes. She then put on the robe that the woman handed her. From what Hikari could make out, this room was a foyer of only several feet by several feet and she concluded it was where whoever operated this place kept their robes.

  “Come on, follow me. You’re late,” barked the women. The woman opened a door on the opposite side from where Hikari entered. Hikari momentarily worried that they would miss her absence back at Erīto, but she could not pass up being whisked into a secret ceremony. Apparently, the vendor and now this woman mistook her for someone else and she was eager to find out what was behind that door.

  “Well, come on.”

  Hikari followed the woman into the room, her eyes now adjusted to the darkness, so she could see what was in front of her. The woman was heavyset, wearing a black robe with the hood hanging down in the back. She had her hair braided on either side of her head. The woman, being of large stature, had thick, round shoulders cloaked by the black robe, made her look even bigger. She appeared to be middle age, at least twice the age of Hikari.

  Hikari followed behind her large back, which temporarily eclipsed what it held on the other side of the door. “Put your hood on!” barked the woman, turning her head slightly in Hikari’s direction. As Hikari walked through the doorway, she pulled the hood over her head just as the heavyset woman in front of her did.

  When she entered the room next to the foyer and the heavyset woman moved out of the way, now standing beside Hikari, her eyes were met with three fires on an altar. Three people stood on the opposite side of the altar, the one in the middle with a mask of a goat over his face. The two figures who stood beside him were not masked, but their hoods drawn over their faces that they could not be recognizable.

  On either side of the altar stood two lines of hooded figures, with their hood drawn as well. At least fifty people filled this room. Without any sign, the entire room erupted into a low hum. Hikari, not certain what to do as she did not want to be found out, hummed as well. She used the lower part of her abdomen to produce the low bellowing vibration that she felt through her larynx. The room seemed to dissipate their hum, yet Hikari missed the signal, and she continued humming by herself.

  “Oh, sorry,” she whispered. Hikari could not see any, but she felt the awkward glances piercing through her body. She hoped her cover wasn’t blown, whoever they thought she was. The attention seemed to leave Hikari and everyone turned their hoods toward the ceremony happening in the middle of the room where the three small flames burned on the altar.

  The figure with the goat mask spoke, “Greetings dark ones. I gather us today to complete the harvest we started the last new moon. Our creature has been growing and maturing since the last new moon and it is finally ready for harvesting.”

  As the figure with the goat mask spoke, another figure walked from the side of the room toward the alter carrying a cauldron in both of its hands. The liquid spilled and splashed a little as the hooded figure struggled to carry it and lift it on to the altar.

  “Careful, Ralph,” said the masked figure. “Next time ask someone to help you. Ok?”

  “Yes, Mitsubikage,” answered the figure after he settled the cauldron on the altar in front of the center fire. The hooded figure bowed to the masked Kage and retreated to the line of hooded figures off to the side.

  “Yes!” Mitsubikage said as he admired the black, cast iron cauldron resting his hands on the lid. As he did so, the lid jumped up. “Yes! The pet for Amun-Ra is almost ready. As we prepare for his return, we wanted to make sure he had a constant servant and companion. This creation of the beast will help us with the summoning of Amun-Ra as we prepare for that.”

  Hikari realizing wha
t she was witnessing gave an audible gasp. “What?” she muttered in shock.

  “Ssshhh!” the heavyset woman who stood next to her hushed. Hikari regained her composure and watched the ceremony in the middle of the room.

  “Next, we will need to sacrifice a virgin!” Mitsubikage shouted from behind the altar. “Amun-Ra’s pet and companion needs to use the life force from someone pure in virtue. Bring me the virgin!” Alarm bells went off inside of Hikari’s body. Was she the virgin? Was this whole stumbling on the secret food order lead her to her own sacrifice? Frightened from the notion of being dragged in front of the audience and be killed, Hikari took a fighting stance, separating her legs beneath her robe, her hands tightened in front of her face ready to deal out open hand strikes.

  Surprised no one was trying to apprehend her let alone even looking in her direction, she was startled to see the commotion occurring in front of the altar. In the middle of the room, in front of the altar, they shackled a girl around the age of Hikari with chains around her wrists and ankles being dragged reluctantly toward the altar. Her hair appeared to be not brushed for weeks, the knots and oil from her hair created dreadlocks, the matting making her look like a renunciate who traveled and roamed the land. They pulled her from a collar and chain fastened around her neck like a dog.

  “Come here pretty,” sneered Mitsubikage. The hooded figure who pulled the virginal girl harder to appease Mitsubikage. The girl fought, screaming with fear and terror in her voice. Hikari, witnessing this act of horror, became overcome with emotion. Tears welled up in her eyes while she watched the inhuman treatment of the poor girl. Hikari realized that there was nothing she could do to stop this.