Ninja (Major Editing)

Chapter 2

Despite his feeble state, Arata led Yuki back to the base to the best of his abilities. They entered a forest and were cautious for wild animals that might attack at the scent of blood. Yuki had stopped crying a few minutes before, but her eyes were still red. Each time she slowed down, Arata would wait for her to recover before moving on.

It was slow progress, but they eventually made it to the base. As usual, the base entrance was hidden so that no outsider would be able to enter. Arata navigated into the base and Yuki followed suit. A sentry stood there, and he immediately took Arata’s weight off of Yuki, supporting him to the Master.

The Master was a tough, but kind man that looked after his followers. He was sitting in the main entrance hall when Arata and Yuki arrived there in front of him. The first thing he noticed was Yuki. He knew she was helping her father take care of the injured ninjas when they were in town, but he never expected her there. The next thing he noticed was that Arata didn’t look so well. The sentry he had sent to guard the entrance was holding most of his weight up. The Master got up from his chair and walked over to them.

“Success, Master,” Arata said weakly once the Master was in range to hear.

“Doesn’t look like a success,” the Master said.

“There were complications, but the man is dead.”

“You take a rest. I want to talk to our guest here.”

“Yes, Master.”

Arata left with the sentry and the Master turned to Yuki. She was looking around the room and its wall décor. She did not notice the Master looking at her until he tapped her shoulder. Looking at him, she could tell that he knew something was wrong.

“Why are you here, Yuki? Where is Yuuta?” the Master queried.

“He died. Stabbed in the back when he wasn’t looking,” she said. Tears were threatening to roll down her cheeks again.

“It must be hard for you. What happened?”

“You told Arata to go and kill a man. His mission was successful, but the son survived and he returned to get revenge. He’s dead now too.”

“It seems that Arata trusts you enough to reveal himself to you. Very well then, you can stay here for as long as want. I’ll have someone show you to the guest room.”

Yuki nodded and left towards the direction where the sentry had taken Arata. The Master stood there and looked up at the scroll that his predecessor had left hanging on the wall before he died. It always brought him inspiration. He didn’t have a son, the Master thought. He shook his head to clear it and went to his room. He would think about it the next day.