Unemployed Ninja

"I agree, now we just need to find out what." I stated, concentrating on figuring that part out.

Months had passed since our worthless trip to Honnoji. I'd been on missions here and there but nothing serious. My father was slightly forgotten as time went on but I still wondered who was behind his assassination.

I put that aside. Things were changing and more serious issues had come.

"I have to go to Azuchi." I said one morning after breakfast, I was about to get into a deep discussion.

"Oh, that's great! I'll go and pack my things then!" I announced, preparing to go to our room to pack.

"Ah!" I grabbed her wrist, "You aren't going with me." I looked right at her with my serious expression, "Did you not catch it? I'm going to Azuchi, not we." I corrected.

"But... don't you need someone to go with you? I'd be a perfect cover! My belly is big enough that it's obvious I'm your wife! It would be harder to find out that you are a Shinobi! Ijin, please!"

I frowned deeply, "I'm worried that traveling will tax you and the baby though. It's just such a steep jut downward from Iga to Azuchi and you'd get tired and be hungry along the way and we can't eat too much while traveling, you know that." I wasn't trying to be judgmental on her, it was just common sense, "Your mission is to stay here and rest."

I nodded solemnly, tears streaming down my face. "Alright... but if you come back hurt, I will be very mad at you, Ijin! You come back here to Iga safely, understand? Come back to me!" Ever since we had gotten married, I had gone on every mission with Ijin. We had not been separated. I didn't want to start that now. But it seems as though I have no choice...

"And you stay here where I want you with our child, okay? If I come back and find you've been doing unnecessary things I'll...I'll yell at you like I do when you do stupid things!" I kissed her lovingly and patted her stomach, "Be good and I'll bring back treats!"

"Don't worry. I'll be just as lazy as I am when you're around, Ijin. Oh, and do bring some of those little star candy things they sell there! They are so yummy!" I smiled lovingly at him, but I couldn't hide the sadness in my heart. I had a bad feeling something terrible would happen. Oh no! What if he gets hurt again as he did in Honnoji?!

"Sweet cravings..." I chuckled, "Of course, my love. When do I ever disappoint you?" I joked and then said my goodbyes before disappearing out the door. It was hard to leave her when she was pregnant, I wanted her with me but...it was hard worrying all the day.

I smiled happily the entire time he was leaving, but once he was truly gone, my happy smile dropped to a sad frown. I guess he also needs some alone time... I thought to myself, going off to collect spices for supper.

"Aja, when we get to -" I turned, she wasn't there. It gave me shivers, I was so used to her being right by my side at every mission that I just would begin to talk to her randomly, even when she wasn't there. I wanted to turn around and sweep her off her feet but then I was reminded of the baby. I couldn't have her along for a dangerous mission.

I went out into the busy streets of Iga. It wasn't too busy I suppose, but to me, Iga would always seem busy. I made my way to the shop where they sound many different herbs and spices. We needed to stock up on some more, and I wanted to buy some different spices while I was there for my to try out at home. I didn't like experimenting with food while Ijin was going to eat it. I liked him to think of me as a master cook.

--*--

"Aja-Sama!" I called, "You shouldn't be out here on your own, you know how Ijin get's that really red face when he's upset? He'd look at me like that if he knew I didn't go with you!" I shuddered, "He looks blood thirsty when he's mad..."

I laughed. "And I would calm him down, telling him that it is not good too be yelling around the baby." I gave her a grateful smile. "Anyway, thanks for coming."

"You're welcome! What are you doing out anyway? If you're going to follow Ijin then you need to go south, not north." I giggled, I knew she wouldn't disobey him, and even if she did he was too much of a softy to get too angry with her...

"Oh, I was just heading out to get some spices for supper! I wanted to try some new ones too! I hear that rosemary and thyme are very good with potatoes... probably rice as well!" I replied excitedly. Cooking was my passion... next to being with Ijin.

"Oh, I can taste it already! Okay, let's go to that store and we'll get what we need." I walked with her to the store and we entered. It was very quiet on there today which made me feel slightly uneasy.

I noticed it as well, but shrugged off the feeling. I figured it was just from knowing Ijin wasn't home. "What spices do you know of that Ijin likes? We need to try and put them in the dish he likes for when he gets home!" I said softly, trying not to disturb the silence.

I pointed out some of the things I knew he liked but before I could even get yen out to pay for anything something shocking happened. I was suddenly overcome with an intense sort of fatigue. The world was spinning around but I could hear everything that was happening...

I gasped when I saw Kagome wobbling out of the corner of my eye. What happened to her? I went to grab her to help, but I was held back by someone. I was about to scream when a rather large hand was roughly pressed tightly over my mouth. All that came from my mouth was barely audible mumbles. KAGOME!!

I felt myself being lifted up and hoisted over someone's shoulder. It was hard to make heads or tails of the situation. I tried to talk to Aja but I could barely move my mouth.

When I woke up we were in some sort of a room. I felt weak but my strength was slowly coming back.

I was relieved to see Kagome finally stir. All I could do was mumble at her. I had been gagged and my hands tied behind my back because I was too loud. I had tried to scream the entire way until they finally had enough of it!

"Ah! Aja-sama!" I went to her side and pulled the gag out of her mouth, "Are you alright? Where are we?" I felt tears begin to well in my eyes, I'd never been so scared before, but for my sister-in-law's sake I wanted to be braver than this.

"I don't know!" I gasped, catching my breath. "They blindfolded me the entire way! Are you okay? Will you untie my hands so I can look at your head?" I asked. She had taken quite a hit to the head. As far as I knew, she hadn't awoken the entire trip.