Unemployed Ninja

"Hey, it's the thought that counts." I heard something, like a whizzing sound randomly. Coming from the left and headed...

"AJA, GET DOWN!" I jumped on her, tackling her to the ground just as a throwing knife went right over my head, grazing my ear a slight.

"Y-y-y-you're bleeding!" I gasped as a few droplets of blood fell on my cheek.

"It's nothing." My chest felt like it was going to be ripped open, only because my heart was racing so badly. I looked around, ignoring the blood dripping from my ear.

I looked around too, though I couldn't see anything due to the man laying on top of me. "Where did the knife come from?" I asked softly. He was so close to me that I barely had to speak for him to be able to hear me. "Which direction?"

"The right...and up." I said, "It all depends on where you hear the sound coming...take that into consideration." I put my hand against my ear and felt the cold, wet blood hitting my fingers. I held my hand on it for a while when we started to walk until I made it to a river and was able to wash up a bit.

"Did I mess up your kimono? I'm sorry. We can get it washed at the village."

My eyes widened. "Ah... no. It's fine. Just a little dirty is all." I smirked. "I knew there was something off about this kimono... it was clean. Now that it's dirty it's not so bad..." I stared at his ear. I hadn't wiped the blood off my cheek yet either. "Do you want me to look at that for you?" I asked shakily. I still couldn't believe what had happened.

"I'm sure it's just a deep scratch, don't worry too much." I smiled at her, "I'm just glad I got you down fast enough, it was headed right for your head." I felt that tug again, it was like my heart wanted to go somewhere but I wasn't following.

"Yes, thank you for saving me." My eyes glimmered a little before I looked away. His smile made me feel... uncomfortable. Not that it was creepy or anything. It was almost as if it pierced me deeply. I absentmindedly touched my left shoulder... feeling the scar from years passed. When I realized what I had done, I quickly pulled my hand away, and let it hang at my side.

"You're not hurt are you? Did it hit at all?" I asked, my voice quivered slightly, "You don't appear to be bleeding..."

"N-no I'm fine." I replied with a slight smile. "It's just an old battle scar that acts up from time to time."

"Oh okay. C-Can you take a look at my ear?" I was actually opening up to her. I supposed since she let me look at her nose then she could look at my ear.

I smiled kindly. "Sure." I walked over and looked at it. It was a pretty deep gash. I pulled a tunic out of my pack that I normally used to sleep in. I ripped a piece off around the collar, making it a bit lower. "It looks like it'll be fine... it just needs a bandage." I said with my usual smile. I then set to work on wrapping his ear. It wouldn't take too long.

"Thanks. We should get back on the road again." I smiled again. It felt pretty good to smile. I kissed her and stroked her hair gently, "I love you."

I blushed and giggled before I remembered he was just pretending. Ouch. "I love you too." I replied with a sweet smile, taking his hand.

I got up and helped her to her feet. It was time to take the rest of the road.

"The most common ninja symbol is a cat. If you see one that is where we are staying, okay?" I smiled, looking at her happily. I was a pretty good actor.

"Okay." I replied with a sweet smile. "Cat, got it!" I didn't know why, but my heart was racing... and not from nearly being killed either. Or so I thought. Maybe it was from the incident... or maybe not. But it almost seemed like he meant it when he said he loved me. I shook my head, and chuckled to myself. I'm such an idiot.

"The village isn't too far from here, so we'll be there soon." I explained, stepping over some roots and rocks.

"Okay!" I replied, maybe a little too quickly. Ah, well... Ijin... what is the name of the village we're staying in tonight?"

"Moro. It's not a well known village." I climbed over a large log and reached my hand out to help her over it as well.

I took his hand gratefully, and was halfway over the log when I slipped. I hate wooden sandals. So hard to walk in!

"We'll get you better sandals in Moro, you don't need to be wearing those." I commented, "Why did you wear them anyway? You could have worn flats!"

I glared at him. "Because of certain women in you family who insisted that I wear these horrid things!" I replied, after catching myself by grabbing his arm for support. They hurt my feet too. I got over the log and sighed with relief.

"Here..." I hoisted her up on my back so she could have a ride and get off her feet for a bit. Those were not traveling shoes.

"Oh.... um.... okay..." I blushed again. Was this the real Ijin, or was it just his character? I couldn't really tell. He seemed to be really nice at times, but when he got too nice he'd be all mean again. I caught a whiff of his hair while he carried me like that. Ohh..... It smells so goood- DANGIT! I NEED TO STOP THINKING THESE THINGS! "Thank you... Ijin-Sama."

"One more thing, I will continue to call you Aja but please call me Hiroshi until this is over. I am more well known than you are and it's dangerous." I explained.