Unemployed Ninja

I smiled. "It's a good thing too... I would be eating everything in sight, and we don't carry much food on trips!" I replied with a smile. I became more discrete with every passing day. Ijin taught me a lot. He was a good sensei.

"Yeah." I felt guilty in some way, maybe for making her cry - for a lot of things I did. I couldn't hide that just by kissing her or pretending it didn't happen. That night we made a small camp to rest for little while.

It was cold, so whether he liked it or not, Ijin got a snuggle-bunny for a wife. "It's cold!" I exclaimed, shivering to no end.

"I'm sorry...going a different route involves not going to Moro." I held her very close to me and wrapped my robe around her shoulders. I felt very sick in my stomach all of a sudden.

"Shh...stay as quiet as possible..." I whispered, debating on whether or not I should pour water over the fire.

I nodded slowly, keeping my face hidden in his robes. I wanted to nod off to sleep, but I was more worried about what Ijin was so.... worried about.

I wasn't sure what I was hearing but I knew it wasn't good.

"We should go now. Help me put out the fire." I got her up off the ground and went to pick up our things.

I turned away from facing the fire to roll up the futon when I felt a sudden, sharp pain in my right shoulder! I gasped in pain, and stumbled backward. It hurt just as bad as it did so many years ago. "D-Dai..."

That couldn't be good, the way I heard the thud and then my name...a sick chill went through me. I turned around and saw her laying there in the dirt.

"Emi! Emi, oh no..." I felt something sticking from her shoulder and then felt blood, it nearly made me ill, "You're bleeding!"

"There's someone here...." I gasped quietly, trying to keep the tears back. It wasn't a time for crying.

I grunted slightly as I jumped to my feet, pulling out my blade. I watched for his movements - my keen eye could point him out anywhere. I heard rustling from...the right. He was in the trees.

I struggled to my feet, gasping for breath. "D-Dai... let's get out of here! This perso-" Another sharp pain went through my body... this time it was my back. Directly underneath my right shoulder blade. I nearly gasped in pain, but I couldn't even draw a breath before another pain erupted right beside my spine. I crumpled to the ground, body freezing, unable to comprehend the sudden pain that was caused it.

"Emi! Run!" I tried to pull her up but knew it would be in vain, she was injured and in different places. Where was he? I looked around angrily.

"SHOW YOUR FACE COWARD!" I barked, feeling enraged. This was a nightmare, it couldn't be happening!

Suddenly, a shadow appeared out of the darkness, holding what seemed to be a katana. Unfortunately, neither Ijin or I were incredibly armed for this sort of thing. He strolled through the trees, laughing a bit. What was this guy's problem?

His laugh was sadistic enough. I faced him wondering what on earth he wanted. But then I could see that he wasn't just anyone - he was an assassin from another village that despised us! I could tell by the gear and the markings.

"You told me to come out. Now I will show you that I am not a coward!"

He was strong, but his movements were not expert next to mine.

He made a move even I knew better than to make. He acted first. He jumped toward Ijin, swinging his katana back and forth, probably hoping to hit something. This man is more of an embarrassment to ninjas than I am! I thought in wonder.

"Fool!" I blocked each move expertly, slashing him away quickly. He stepped back, unamused with my tactics. The battle last ages and the assassin still seemed stronger. I felt weak and I wanted more than anything to be at Aja's side.

After a while, it seemed the assassin was getting the upper hand. Ijin looked really tired too. I gasped. Whoa! That cut came awfully close to actually hitting Ijin! Oh no! He's becoming tired! I desperately thought of a way to help out. I was in no condition to be able to help anyway. I was just a nuisance. But that was when I realized... I grabbed the object protruding from my shoulder to find it was a kunai knife! I can work these! Without a second thought and only a gasp of pain, I threw the knife toward the assassin, hoping it wouldn't miss it's mark.

It hit dead on, I was surprised to see that and stepped back, almost losing my balance from weakness. I felt exhausted but I had to get back to Aja. He was down, I turned and went to her side.

"Emi, I'm here now." I breathed, kissing her gently. I knew I would have to get her somewhere safe, but how could I move her?

"How bad is it?" I gasped, looking at my shoulder. Everything was beginning to go white. I was forcing myself to keep from whiting out!

"No, it's not bad! We'll get this fixed." I hurried and got the fire going again while I looked over her wounds. The open one wasn't looking good. The bleeding was horrible. I couldn't get the kunai back now - it would be contaminated. I pulled my pouch off my belt and slipped one out. I was choking on my own tears as I looked at her.

"A-Emi..." I was shaking, why was I shaking so badly?

I forced a weak smile, and steadied his hand, holding it over the wound. I knew exactly what he was planning on doing. "It's okay... just do it." I replied, trying to help him be strong.

I carefully brought it down and into the wound, feeling like I'd just stabbed a bigger hole. I knew I hadn't but it hurt to have to do this and at the same time...it was going to save her.

I left all the belongings and put out the fire, I had to get her to Moro! I hoped I wasn't too far away from it.

I felt like a pincushion being carried around like a bomb with a lit fuse! After a few minutes, the world became as white as rice. I tried to stay conscious, but the unconscious overtook me.

I was more able to work on her wounds when I got to Moro, a friend of mine that had sheltered us long before was helping me as best as she could.

I stopped the bleeding in all the places and prayed that she would live.

I woke up. I didn't know what time it was, what day it was, WHERE I was... and it took me a few moments to remember who I was, and who I was pretending to be. "D-Dai?" I called out, slowly opening my eyes.