Ninja Love: Saizo Kirigakure

Chapter 34

A week later found my training with Kotaro in full swing. He had taken me out to the shooting range with his group every single day after I had asked him. At first, Hanzo and Saizo were a little wary of me overworking my injury, but they eventually relented after Ren told them about my unnatural healing rate. I did have the beginnings of a nice scar, but other than that, there were no other complications.

I began each morning with some stretches right after breakfast, hoping to loosen up my range of motion. It hurt me almost unbearably the first time I tried, and Saizo had to rush in to keep me from collapsing, but I gradually got more and more used to using my dormant muscles until they barely bothered me at all, and I could hold an arquebus up for as long as anyone else.

Kotaro was a strict but gentle and patient teacher, demanding me on the training field early in the morning but not getting upset with me if and when I didn't catch on as quickly as the other ninja in his squad. He showed me how to rest an arquebus against my shoulder so that it wouldn't put too much pressure on my wound, and how to steady my breathing so I could aim well. Since Kotaro didn't have the time to train me separately, I also got some basic lessons in explosives along with the rest of the group.

As soon as my strength built up and I was able to shoot almost as well as the elite ninja under his command, Kotaro got Hanzo's permission for me to start integrating regular training back into my schedule. In fact, today was to be my first day practicing something other than shooting.

Bang!

I let out a foggy breath in the cool morning air and lowered my gun, pleased to see another bullseye marked on the wooden target.

I raised it again, content with the fluid process I had manifested over the past week, but was cut short of another shot when a voice called out to me from behind.

"Nice work, princess! Nothing but bullseyes so far." I set the gun down on the stand in front of me, taking all the necessary safety precautions that Kotaro had taught me, before turning to face a smiling Hanzo and impressed-looking Sasuke.

I smiled back at the two of them, brushing some stray hairs out of my face and pulling the rolled sleeves of my kimono back down. "Kotaro is a good teacher."

"No, the princess just has a natural affinity with the arquebus." Kotaro appeared behind the others, and I chuckled at his humility.

As if! There is no way I would be where I am without his help.

As if to speak my thoughts, Goemon, who was passing by with a small group of ninja, yelled out, "You don't give yourself enough credit, Kotaro!"

I rolled my eyes as he snickered and kept walking while Sasuke shot him a glare.

"He's right though. Not so long ago, I was just a shrine maiden in a small village. It's only thanks to all of you that I've even survived this far." I looked at the three of them, hoping they understood how much I meant my words.

"But now you are the Kusonoki legacy. You will determine the fate of the ninjas, and for that, we serve you." Hanzo looked me straight in the eyes.

I laughed a little and looked up to the cloudy sky. "This is an amazing place you've all built. It is a haven from Nobunaga in this terrible time of war, but it still manages to be full of hope and happiness and life in the face of such adversity. Everyone who has come here is trying to protect either their home or the homes of others from the war being waged. That's the true legacy of the ninja, not me."

"That may be so, Misaki, but we have all come to this place because of you. You are the one we all fight for, the one we will die for, if the time comes. The alliances we've formed with the other ninja villages are under your name, signed with the blood of those who gave their lives fighting for what they believe is right. It is the fate of the ninja to die for others, and our deaths will mean nothing without someone to died for." I looked back down at the all-too familiar voice. Saizo stared right at me, seemingly into me as he spoke.