A New Journey

Taking Action

Chiwa's POV
After hearing about why the two ran away from the clan, Lea and I help turn the living room into the guest room. Kitsune and Vegeta were preparing dinner and I had the two ninjas await for an 'ok' in my room. "So what was that all about?" Lea asks concerned, whilst fluffing some pillows on the couch. I stop what I was doing for a second and speak loud enough for the other two in the kitchen to hear. "Okay, look. There's something I haven't really been able to tell you about and I feel like you should all know, given the current situation, about my past... I know everyone in this room has some sort of past they might've had to deal with back then, well...here's mine...I used to be a ninja, well, am- I mean I have ninja blood running through my veins." I explain to the three. I hear a giggle or two from Kit. "You? A ninja? But you're so sweet and innocent. Ninjas are usually badass and crave the taste for blood." she comments. "Yeah and you haven't shown any interest in our training. What makes you think we would believe you?" Vegeta smirks. I look at them dumbfounded. "Are you kidding me? Lea back me up on this." I turn to him. He just glances down and continues to fluff each pillow again. I gasp. "Oh, okay. One, I've wanted to live a different lifestyle. You don't understand how dangerous it was. Two, when I took karate classes with Kit, how do you think I've managed to learn so fast? Because I have a background. And three, isn't the ninjas in my room enough proof?? I mean, come on!!" I respond. They all look at me. "She does have a point." Lea responds. "Okay okay. Sorry for finding it funny, but what's the story with the other two?" Kit asks. I return back to fixing the covers. "They ran away because Rikimaru 'accidentally' killed our princess. It's not his fault though. It's stupid Onikage." I explain with disgust. We've always had great deals of pain because of him. I don't know what he is though. He never looks to be human. For God's sake, the guy has white skin with some form of markings on him. There's no way he could be a normal human being. I look to Vegeta and Lea. Then again, not all of us are normal anyways. "Anyway, can the two stay here, please? Until we find the area Onikage will be at." I ask, mainly Kit though since this was her apartment to begin with. "Yeah, that's fine." she answers as her and Vegeta are cutting away at some potatoes. Great. Now we just need to make sure where we were gonna locate the demon. Lea and I finish preparing the room just as Ayame walks in. "Hey, thanks for letting us stay here." she praises. "You're welcome." Kit says ahead of me. I look to her with a glance and show a smirk. "I just...still feel bad with Kiku not being here and the promise..." she sulks. "I know. We all made that promise to protect her, yet none of us could....I'm so sorry I wasn't there." I respond, as I move to pat her on the shoulder. "Don't worry. My friends and I will help you find Onikage and make sure he pays his price. Then we can go back to Azuma village and explain everything. I'm sure Lord Gohda is not angry at either of you because you two, other than me, are his most loyal servants. I'm sure he'll be pleased to find that-" I try to comfort her, but she cuts me off. "Gohda Castle is burnt down..." she mumbles under her breath, but I could still here her. "WHAT!?!?! Oh great...even more bad news." I end up throwing my arms in the air, then bring them down to my face. Lea looks to me with confusion. "What's the matter?" he questions. Tears were forming in my eyes. I couldn't help it. I felt helpless. What if it was ultimately my fault for not being there to begin with? "Woman's bff! Why you no speak?!" I hear Vegeta uproar and Kit chuckling at how cute he sounded. I look up to face them all. "The castle has been burned to the ground." I say with tears rushing down my cheeks. "Is this my doing?...was it because I was not there to help protect the clan?...have I failed...as an Azuma ninja?....have I shamed my honor...?" I stutter. I slowly sit down on the newly made bedcovers on the couch. I bring my hands over my head, for I dare not to see the expression on Ayame's face. Kitsune rushes to my poorly slouched carcass on the sofa. She sits beside me and massages my back. "I may not know a lot about what seems to be happening, but it's gonna be alright. You're gonna get through this." she comforts. "Yeah. She's right, you know. We'll help you restore you and your clan's honor. It'll be fine." Lea says, whilst making a move to sit on the other side of me. "Vegeta. You wouldn't still happen to have a kind of tracking device still on you, do you?" I listen to Kit ask him. "Humph. It's in a box with all the other gadgets and gizmos you make me hide away in our closet. You said I wouldn't need those. That I should start living like a regular insolent other." he huffs. "Good. Go get them. We might be able to find them useful just this once." she explains. Vegeta grunts and storms off to their room to find whatever he's looking for. "Look. Vegeta has a tracking gadget we could use and it could be useful to gathering information on this Oni- Onee- Ugh! whatever his name is. It might help you guys." she suggests, getting agitated at the fact of being unable to pronounce his name. I lift my head up from out of my hands and look up at her. "You really think that could work?" I ask, getting hopeful. "It's worth a shot, Dear. You never know." Lea comments, giving an 'okay'. I look up to face Ayame. "What do you think?" I ask her. She nods her head. "Whatever it takes."