Ninjas And Yokai, The Prophecy

Prologue

"MAMA! PAPA!" A scream echoes among the village square as people begin to panic and shout for help. I kept screaming from my spot far enough away from the flames of the fire, but close enough to see the largest fire I have ever seen engulf my house in a raging inferno. Tears streams down my face and land on the ground below me. The taste of the saltiness reassures me that this was in fact no dream even if my six year old mind tried to tell me it was.

"Bring more water! Quickly!" Voices could be heard over the crumbling of the burning timber as the fire was slowly put out. Villagers pour bucket after bucket of river water over any blaze until nothing was left but an eerie silence.

I could do nothing but silently watch, crying softly, as the place of my birth with my many happy memories become nothing more but a pile of ashes. I lost everything but the clothes on my back and the newly required heartache left by my parents. They were gone. My mama, the kind loving woman, and my papa, strong and determined, both gone from my life in a single night.

When no more tears would fall, I suddenly felt a hand pat me softly on the shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Anna." The familiar voice of my best friend, Kate, once more causes even more tears to trail down my face. No matter what Kate has always been there for me ever since she and I met when we were born. We did everything together and were known as the two village trouble makers. We were different in every way, but similar in just as much. I doubt I could live without her there by my side, especially tonight.

"I can't stop crying Kate." I say in a shaky voice as I cover my face with my hands. I hear Kate sit on the ground beside me and pull me into a hug. "Shhh. Let it all out Anna. Even the strong cry when something terrible happens to them." She pats my hair as tear after tear continue to silently fall to the ground.

As the night continued with no stopping of my tears, Kate took my handand pulls me up. I had no strength to resist and numbly followed her to herhouse where she assists me to bed in the spare room. When she was gone, I situp and stare at the full moon visible from the window. A dark form passesacross the moon, there one second and gone the next. At the time, I didn't knowwhat it meant nor did I care. My heart was broken in pieces and I fear that theonly thing that can mend it would be for the ones who caused it to break to be broughtto justice.