Sprayfire

Chapter VI - Recollection

"So, how is everyone, Sir Mitchel?", I asked him.

"Well, Russ brought Fiona to the infirmary when we came home. I'm not sure about Jaydee though - I think he was up all night working on some tech gizmo things. I was busy with files last night.", he replied.

"Well, speaking of being busy, look who I found, wandering in the woods.", I told him.

He looked around and gasped. Roni and Mitchel stared into each others' eyes for a brief period. Moments later, Mitchel set the helicopter on auto-pilot and got out of his seat. He continued staring into Private Roni's eyes - and vice versa. It's as if they're playing a staring game with each other. I looked over to Mitchel and I could see his eyes slowly squinting.

"Uhhh... guys? Are you two okay?", I asked both of them, as I waved my hand in front of their eyes, while I alternately looked at their faces. "Guys, come on - what's gotten into - "

In a flash, Roni and Mitchel took a step back and revealed a hidden dagger in their pants. Suspiciously, both of their daggers were of the exact same length - 3 1/2 inches. However, what seems to be more startling is the fact that their daggers both have a ribbon attached to the handle - and that the pattern and color of their ribbons are the same. They both got in their battle stances, and drew their daggers.

"Wait a minute - Mitchel, what are you doing?!", I interfered, as I walked right in front of the two.

"Craze, move aside. This girl you just brought along is 'not on our side', and she is not who you think she is.", he replied.

"Mitchel, it's Private Roni - the PFC from last month's hostage rescue operation. She was just left behind, and now she has to fend for herself. Why do you think - "

"Shut up and listen to me.", he said, as he pushed me to the wall of the helicopter. "She is not just a Private - she is not just a warrior.", he added.

"With all due respect, man... I have no idea what you're trying to say right now...", I replied.

Mitchel let go of his grip on me, and took a deep breath.

"Anata no ken o katadzukemasu.", he said.

And with those unfamiliar words, Roni stood straight, bowed, and kept her dagger.

"Craze. Roni is not just a former EASE Cadet.", he said. "She used to be my student, back in my days in the dojo - back at Teraxia."

"Say what now...", I asked.

Mitchel got back on the pilot's seat and turned the auto-pilot off. He then proceeded with going back to driving the helicopter. Roni and I sat in the back, constantly looking around and outside. And then he spoke;

"Roni used to be one of my most skilled students back in the dojo.", said Mitchel. "Everyone was impressed with her skills in ninjutsu - and I was one of those people.", he added.

"Wait - 'was' - that's what you said, right?", I asked.

"Let me finish.", he replied. "For almost a year, I have been her Sensei, and I have been putting a lot of effort into helping her in her training. Eventually, she blossomed and became the warrior I pictured she would be - and at the same time, the warrior she pictured she would be.", he added.

"Okay so uh... What happened?", I asked, as I rummaged through my leafpack.

"When the news of modern technology broke out, new cults and groups have been formed. They turned back on their past lives, forgetting the old fashioned ways - back when there wasn't as much technological progress in the world.", he said.