Unemployed Ninja

I winced as the tree branch I was crouching on creaked under my weight. Just a few more minutes and my master would pass by, and I could get to base, and pass the test. A slight breeze reached me through the leaves and branches, blowing my medium-length black hair in my face, obstructing my view of my master. I let go of the branch to pull my hair back, lost my footing and…
* * *
“What do you mean I don’t pass?! You wouldn’t have caught me if I hadn’t lost my balance!!” I protested, silver eyes slowly turned grey.
“Life is not ruled by ifs, Juliana. Life is ruled by what is. We cannot change the past, but we can make the future.”
“Please stop speaking in riddles!!”
“You should have already learned how to keep your balance… I taught that a long time ago, Aja”
“You know I’m not good at that!”
“Then maybe you aren’t fit to be a ninja!”
My heart stopped. Not a ninja? Just because I couldn’t keep my balance? It was ridiculous! A single tear ran down my cheek as I watched in horror as he took out a small wooden box in the shape of a rectangle.
“Place your Kunai knife in here.” He said after opening the box. “Ninjas do not cry… they have no feelings.”
I hesitated, and then did as I was told. After that, the old man closed the box sharply, and briskly walked out of the room. I then broke into a fit of sobs, sinking slowly to my knees and crying into my hands which were cupped over my face. I couldn’t believe it… I lost my chance to be a ninja… all because I fell out of a tree.

I passed. I was almost an unfailing ninja but I always felt there was room for improvement. They called me Ijin. Not really a strong name but it was good enough for me. I had everything where I wanted it. I knew several had failed their tests.

I cried for awhile before my former master came back into the room, and "shooed" me out. I ended up outside the building, wiping the tears from my eyes. I had worked my whole life for this and there were no re-takes. They didn't allow them. I walked down one of the many paths in the village that lead to somewhere other than where I was.

I wanted to grab snacks to celebrate with myself. It was nice being anti-social from time to time. I felt very on air with my results. As I was walking a passed by a sulking girl, one of the failures.

I recognized him immediately and tried to hide my face from him. It was too shameful. His name was Ijin... an overachiever. He always did well. He never failed anything. His passes were always way above the needed score too. Figures it'd be the overachiever I'd run into. Everyone considered me the worst in the class. I was unbalanced... that's all I ever failed on. I never understood why I was considered so horrible. Anyway, back to Ijin. He seemed very smug, and proud of himself as he usually did. I braced myself as I waited for him to say something to make me cry. I guess that was another flaw of mine. I had feelings.

"You should cut your hair." I said, tugging a strand as I was passing, but I stopped to save her from pain, "It could be throwing off your cruddy balance."

I stopped short. I didn't expect that at all. I turned around to see him eyeing my hair. "Maybe so... but it doesn't matter now." I stated sadly. "Why do you care anyway? You passed. You're a ninja now." I said in an annoyed tone, trying to keep myself from crying again. I have got to stop being so emotional!

I shrugged a little bit and jumped up to hang from a tree branch, "So? It doesn't make me any more interesting than yesterday."

I scoffed and began to walk away. For some reason, he seemed to annoy me. Maybe it was because he was always right. Not only did he think that, but it was true. I actually seriously thought about cutting my hair as I pulled a piece of twine from my pouch and tied the thick mane back.

"Hey wait!" I called, landing on the ground, "Don't be so stubborn, I was trying to give you a tip!"

I whirled around irately. "But how is it supposed to help me at all? I'll never be a ninja, Ijin. Ever. End of story. They don't do retakes, remember?" Yeah I was frustrated... though I tried not to show it... or take it out on him.. Heck, he could kill me if he wanted to! I was no longer a member of the village.

"I'm sure there is someone else. You could always move away." I stated casually. I felt bad for her in some way, I wasn't completely heartless.

"I plan to." I growled. Man this guy was beginning to get on my nerves! My eyes had probably turned grey again. They did that whenever I got angry for some reason... otherwise they would be silver.

"Well you're the rain on the parade! Keeping that kind of attitude, how will you get anywhere in ninjitsu?!" I was annoyed now, "How about I teach you not to fall on your face?"

I laughed at him. I really did! I believed I was a lost cause at that point. "All the masters failed that test. You really think you can pass it?"

"All the masters don't like to give second chances. Come to Iga with me and I'll train you there." I said, feeling like I should offer her this chance. I mean, no one had to know how she failed.

I stared at him for awhile before nodding my head slowly. "Sure... why not? It's not like I have anything better to do..." I replied with a sigh. Why he was offering, I did not know. But I did I know I was going to take advantage of that second chance. I just hoped I could keep my long hair. I loved how it felt when it flowed in the wind.

"Good, we'll go then." I walked shortly before stopping with an abruptness only a shinobi could show. I pulled out my katana and whipped it across her hair with one fluid motion.

My eyes widened as I watched my hair fall to the ground. It felt like he had just knocked my breath from my chest. "Wh-Wh-Th-that's not my...." I sputtered, then felt for my hair. It was short. About chin length. I closed my eyes, trying to regain my composure. I failed. "Well why don't you just cut it all off, then?!" I screamed angrily.

I bunched the rest in my fist and cut the rest, it was officially boy-short and I felt satisfied.

"There, now if we're in a situation you wouldn't be recognized as a woman! Mission accomplished!"

I hadn't really expected him to do that. "I-I.... I look like a.... man?" I repeated, tears filling my eyes. I fought to keep them there, and not let them roll down my cheeks. I was proud of the fact that I was female... I didn't want to look like a man.

"Come now...it can't be too bad! Besides, training will be so much easier this way. You do want to become a real kunoichi right?" I offered, trying to make her feel better, "And stop it! Ninjas do not cry!"

"I can't be a kunoichi if i look like a shinobi at the end of my training!" I exclaimed in a huff, storming off past him. Ugh! Men and their stupid ways! I walked a little ways before turning back. "Are you coming or not? I plan to be a crying ninja before the end of this year!"

"You're an idiot." I said in that straightforward tone of mine. I walked past her as I led the way. Iga was miles from here but my family expected me back. Great, now they were going to think that I brought a woman home!

"Don't worry, your boobs are big enough they can tell the difference."

"What is it your business looking at my boobs anyway?" I exclaimed, following him. I decided to let the 'idiot' comment slide. I was fuming at that point. My eyes would never be silver as long as I was with him.