Return of the Ninjas

Chapter 14- The Duel and a Confession

A/N: Sorry for the lack of Authors News in the last chapter. This chapter is pretty long, and honestly? It's one of my favorites. I think Jake really opens up in this one (no spoilers!) and we see this other side of him. Anyway, for anyone wondering about my Keeper of the Lost cities fanfic, I'm trying to update it but it's been hard. School's crazy, and sophomore year with 3 APs is no joke. Nonetheless, I'll try. Now onwards!

The Dark Master looked confused for a split second and then let out a guffaw.

            "You- you think you can beat me?" he let go of Emma for a moment and clenched his stomach, gasping. "I am not your brother. But if that's what you want, we shall. It will not make a difference, except for your death."

            The two began circling as one of the other men held the knife to Emma's throat. "Don't underestimate me," warned Jake, "I may not be some century old spirit, but I am the most powerful ninja of my time."

            "Are you sure about that?" provoked the Dark Master, "I think that title goes to that young lady, who I have trapped, over there.

            "You know you would have lost the battles if you didn't love her so much."

            Jake's guard faltered. His dagger fell to his side and he shook slightly, "I- I- That's not true!"

            "You know she's more powerful than you," he taunted, "The only reason you were well matched was because you had more training than her."

            "No," murmured Jake, "Shut up."

            "She doesn't even really love you. She just pities you."

            "No!" Jake screamed. He darted towards the Dark Master, but he was blinded with rage. The man simply sidestepped, sending Jake stumbling.

             He laughed, "You can't even hit me. Weakling. Coward."

            Jake took a deep breath. He remembered his training. Never attack with rage. His vision cleared and he looked up to the Dark Master.

            "I am not a weakling."

            He charged towards the Dark Master, his aim flawless. With a cry, he slashed at the man's arms and pinned him to the ground. The enemies rolled towards a large tree, when Jake let go. With a perfect backflip, he just missed the tree. The Dark Master, however, received the full impact. "Ow!" he grunted, before immediately passing out.

            "I won," declared Jake, "Give me my girlfriend."

            The goons backed away, the fear evident in their eyes. Picking up their leader like a sandbag, they darted into the woods and disappeared into the foliage. After a moment, Jake turned Emma with worry in his eyes.

            "Are you okay?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. She squeezed his hand, which he took a yes. Breaking the embrace, he held her at arms length and stared for a moment. Slowly, he dug his hands into his pockets and pulled out a small first aid kit.

            "I'm fine!" she assured, but Jake shook his head.

            "You're bleeding," he whispered, opening the kit and taking out the bandage. He carefully placed it on her neck and wiped the blood with a swab.

              "How did the Dark Master get to you so easily?" asked Emma. "He was able to provoke you in an instant."

            Jake pretended not to hear her.

            "I know you can hear me..."

            With a sigh, Jake signaled her to sit down next to him, "Okay. So you know how we had to learn about each other before the battles last year?"

            Emma nodded, blushing as she remembered their first encounter.

            "When I first learned about you, I was shocked. The way they described you... you seemed so powerful. So unbeatable. Even when the Warriors had wiped your memory, you sprang back and immediately passed the tests for the most powerful ninja of our time.

            "As much as I had trained, there was a possibility it wouldn't be enough. You were strong. Smart. Beautiful. How could I compete with that?

            "And then I met you in person, and I knew I stood no chance. I started wondering, why did we even have to fight? Couldn't we just make peace and all get along? And that was when I knew I was in love with you."

            Emma wiped a tear from her cheek.

            "I tried so hard, Emma. So hard to impress everyone, to make sure I would beat you. But deep down, I knew it was hopeless. You were going to win no matter what. You had the resolve. I didn't.

            "And boy was I right. The way you fought, you pushed me to my limits. It was something I had never seen before. And when you kissed me," he smiled, "It was the most amazing thing that had ever happened to me. And sure enough, it was a ruse.

            "After that moment, I didn't even care if you won. All I wanted was you, something I knew I could never have. I channeled all my anger and frustration of this hopeless situation into my fighting.

            "And then it happened. We tied. At that moment, I didn't know what was going to happen, but all I knew was that I had a chance with you and that nothing else mattered.

            "The funny thing is- I wasn't even sure if you loved me. I was hoping, hoping that maybe things would work out. And when you kissed me back, I was stunned and dazed and everything in between. Why were you, an amazing girl with virtually no flaws, interested in me, just another ninja? And when the Dark Master played on those insecurities, it scared me that they were true.

"Because when it comes to you, Emma, I am a coward. I show you my true self, behind all the cockiness and strengths. You see my flaws, and I don't want them to come between us."

Emma was full on crying now. She wrapped her arms around Jake and sobbed into his chest.

"Tears of sadness or happiness?" he asked, running his fingers through her hair.

Emma looked up into his shining, hopeful eyes and smiled, "Tears of happiness."