Shall We Date Ninja Love

Chapter Thirteen Be Strong

Narrated by Aki
A Few days later.

Chiyo: You look so much better Shizuka!

Aki: Sorry to have worried you like that.

Why is Chiyo smiling like that?

Chiyo: I was moved by the depth of Tojiro's love!

Aki: His love? What are you talking about?

Chiyo: you mean you don't remember?

Aki: What?

Chiyo: You fell in the river and you were freezing cold…So Tojiro took off all his clothes and help you to keep you warm!

Aki: He What?!

Chiyo: Yeah! He then got medicine for you!

Kotaro: Chiyo.

Chiyo and I both jumped back. My face was blushing beat red. Seeing Kotaro only made it worst!

Chiyo: Ah! Tojiro!

Kotaro: Here's is a tip for you.

He hands her some money.

Kotaro: Stop running your mouth.

Is it that much a secret?

Kotaro pulled on me to leave. 

Aki: I'll talk to you later Chiyo. 

Chiyo: Okay.


Kotaro and I started walking back to the house. He opened the door for me and we both walked in.

Kotaro: Princess…

Aki: That was a little rude.

Kotaro: Sorry…

Aki: I'm not the one you should be saying sorry to.

Kotaro: We need to leave tonight.

Aki: okay…

Kotaro started to gather a few things. 

Kotaro: We will leave at night fall.

Aki: Okay…

Kotaro walked out of the house and was walking back and forth. I looked out the window as I watched him. Just then Hosuke flew down and Kotaro held out his arm for Hosuke. He sighed then looked up into the sky.

Kotaro:  Shizuka…

Aki: Shizuka?

I whispered to myself.

Kotaro: I'm sorry Shizuka…I just…I…

I then remember when I picked the name Shizuka he was shocked. Is Shizuka the name of his old girlfriend?

Kotaro: …

I don't understand and yet he looks so sad. Like he is still in love with her… 

Night fall came quickly. Kotaro came into the house and walked over to the window where I was still sitting.

Kotaro: It's time to leave…

Kotaro was in his ninja outfit. He realized I was wearing the Kimono my grandpa had given me.

Kotaro: …

Aki: Well I'm ready…

Kotaro: Are you sure you want to wear that Kimono?

Aki: Yes…

Kotaro: …

I followed Kotaro out of the house, and we snuck into the mountains. It didn't take us long to get over the mountain and arrived at a river.

Kotaro: I've prepared this boat. We need to leave now. Excuse me…

He holds me and helps me into the boat. After we leave here we'll never come back to this village again.

Aki: …

Kotaro: What's wrong?

Aki: I didn't get to say good bye…

Kotaro: …

I promised Chiyo that we would play cards again.

Kotaro: I know how you feel princess.

Kotaro puts his hand on my shoulder.

Kotaro: But… Ninjas live in a different world than normal people.

Aki: What do you mean?

Kotaro: It's better not to be closed to them. We can only cause them trouble.

We shouldn't get close to normal people…

Kotaro: Once you battle is over, you can go back to a normal life…

What does he mean that after the battle, we can't be together anymore?

Just then

Aki: ..?!

Kotaro pulls me close and hugs me!

WHOOSH!
An Arrow flies by my face.

Ninja: So we finally found you ninja!

It's the ninja in blue the Hachisuka!

Chief: Ah hah! Looks like we found you!

Kotaro: You're the leader of the Hachisuka, aren't you?

This creepy guy is the leader of the Hachisuka?

Chief: And you are the ninja that tried killing Nobakatsu? I didn't know ninja's could shoot so well.

Kotaro: …

Chief: Too bad you didn't kill him! Oh and the village you two were hiding in. Such a nice place, too bad they didn't know that the cool Tojiro was a ninja. It might have saved their lives.

Aki: YOU DIDN'T!

Chief: Oh I did, and there was this one girl that was calling out for Shizuka. Now what was her name?

Aki: No…

Kotaro stepped in front of me. 

Kotaro: Princess…calms your emotions.

Chief: Good thing you will see Chiyo soon Ninja princess. Now boys, cut them to pieces!

Ninja: Yes sir!

The ninjas came at us. Just then…

Kotaro: Cyclone!

Howl!

A powerful wind arose and blew the ninjas away!

Ninja: AHHH!

Ninja: AHHH!

Chief: You…! You can control the wind?! I had no idea you were so strong!

Does this mean that the wind in the village before was…
Howl!

Ninja: Sir! We can't get near them when the wind is so strong!

Kotaro: Princess, now!

We jumped into the boat and were quickly hidden in darkness. After some time Kotaro looked into my eyes.

Kotaro: We should get to Iga by morning.

He then looked to the mountain as he rowed the boat.

Aki: Do you think the village is alright?

Kotaro sighed.

Kotaro: Princess…I'm not going to lie to you…

I started to hick trying to hold back my tears.

Kotaro: There's no way to know unless we go back.

I sighed then looked to Kotaro.

Aki: I am the ninja princess… I have to be strong.

Kotaro: …

Aki: Do you think that the Hachisuka will come after us?

Kotaro: They might. We need to get to Iga before they catch us.

Splash.

In the dark, all I could hear was the sound of water.

Kotaro: Are you scared?

Aki: No… As long as you are here, I don't feel so scared.

Kotaro: You are a very strong person.

Aki: No, I'm not. I'm weak. I only feel strong when I'm around you.

Kotaro:…

Silence again.
Why did Kotaro say, "I'm sorry Shizuka…I still…" I wonder if he's thinking of her.