Dark Waters

Chapter Six: Face Off

Chapter Six: Face Off

Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip. It was the only sound filling the house as Rain sat on the couch watching Mike finally stifle a yawn, heading up to his room. He sighed, it was wrong what he was about to do but he had no choice in the matter now. He had a challenge to get to and he wasn't about to miss his chance at it. He slid off the sofa listening for any sign of his family when the coast was clear he went to the door, opening it just as silently as he shut it.

***

Rapidfire, one of the blades his father bestowed to him for becoming an elite, glimmered in the light as he went through his usual katas, his breathing level. 

His eyes softly scanned over to the clock and he sighed staring at it, he had a guest soon, how could he forget? In the depth of his mind he hoped the idiot would stay away from the invitation, he could almost see his blood glittering on his sword as he looked down. He sighed, maybe he was wrong and he was nothing but a coward. But still, he knew idiots and idiots always did as he expected them to do. He was never wrong in that category.

***

Thirteen Dark Flame ninjas circled around Rain, his eyes moving from one to the other. He was out numbered sure but he knew he wasn't out matched.

Leopard smirked watching him from the shadows, he did well against the weak minions, but just by the way his sai quivered he could tell his left arm was in pain still from their last encounter. Silently he slid from the shadows, making the Mizu ninja jump in surprise as he lowly applauded him.

"You are as a dumb as you look," he smirked walking around the ever tensing creature like a vulture. "And here I thought you’d have at least the brains or at least some instinct for self-preservation to just lie low in the shadows and no one would care the least bit. But you have valiantly arrived to play the part of the hero, decline the offer and die a gallant death. What a story book ending."

"You know what your problem is?" Rain snapped and Leopard's eyes narrowed towards him, "You talk too damn much."

The sai clanked with the already drawn blade, his pressure only making the blue eyed ninja slide back a few inches. Then Dark Flame ninja's foot slid like a snake in the grass into knocking Rain off balance.

"And you’re too stupid for that tough guy act of yours," Leopard retorted back. He was about to add something when a cold hard voice sounded in the room. 

“Stay down, Leopard.” The cold voice ordered and Leopard immediately spun upon his heel away from Rainier Mizu and  fell down on one knee to the silhouette ahead of him making Rain tilt his head in curiosity.

"Master," Leopard began bowing deeper and out of the shadows, stepped out Natsu Kuraihi. 

"Leave us. Return to your apartment, I will speak to this brat alone." the Dark Flame Grandmaster ordered.

Leopard blinked in surprise. He didn’t expect to be dismissed so easily in front of the other ninja. “B-but Father, I...” he began as looked up at his Master in shock. 

“That’s is an order, Leopard.” Natsu  Kuraihi locked his eyes at the younger ninja causing Leopard to flinch visibly. “You are further suspended from any clan related duty as of tonight. You are to report to Mrs. Abernathy first thing in the morning until I call for you.”

“As you wish, Master.”  Leopard bowed his head in defeat again before leaving, giving Rainier what seemed like a warning glance telling him not to say anything stupid. 

If Rainier didn't know better he would think the other ninja cared.

***

"My name is Kuraihi Natsu," he said as eyes the Mizu ninja while circling him. "I would like to apologize for my son, he is a grand warrior but is always too quick to rush into a fight," he paused his eyes locking onto Rainier making him flinch ever so lightly, "Even when the fight is unnecessary."