Eternal NewMoon
06-12-2015, 01:15 AM
1231
Hatred. Fear. It's all that's left in the eyes of the man before me. The crimson blood leaving his body from the wound inflicted by the bloody dagger within my grasp. His heart no longer beating. The body so still and his face was so familiar. so clear. "Brother? No brother what have I done?!" My voice quiet and strained.
I reached out a hand but darkness surrounded me, swallowing me whole, My world crumbled beneath my feet. Unable to see, unable to feel, then a glow appeared above, pulling me from the darkness, pushing me towards the light. My eyes opened wide, I see moonlight and stars, the clear and calm night returned as I painfully sat up, my entire body stiff with a dull pain stabbing every joint. "It was only a dream" my voice barely above a whisper. Yes just a dream, the phrase I would always tell myself, to fool my own heart, but all a sad attempt to shield myself from the truth. Yet another life I had taken, another family destroyed, and a question I so longed to hear an answer for. 'Why them and what did they do wrong?'
As my heart began to bare the burden from more blood upon my hands, I pushed my pain aside and rose to my feet. The jet black cloth barely keeping me warm during these cold fall nights. "I think we should head back now." The quiet nights used to be happy times, now they just fill me with loneliness and fear.
"I wonder if we could get a break from all this... what do you think Yue?" I turned my gaze to the empty grass patch as fear and panic began creeping into my heart.
"Yue? Where are you?!"
Searching my surroundings I felt so alone and scared like a young child, till a glow shone from above. My eyes peered up as I could breath a sense of relief. "Yue you worried me so much." The small creature hopped down, the moonlight rays illuminated his small black body, almost dog like. the golden rings upon it's ears, tail, legs and forehead glowed in the night. A proud soul, a trusted ally and my most treasured friend.
I always believed Yue was very strange, he as well as many other creatures all different shaped and appearances, they harness many strange and almost wonderful abilities. I was only young when I met Yue. My brother, Sol and I had gone into the forest for supplies. We got separated and I felt alone and scared. I hid myself in a small cave, my body shivered and my world became consumed in darkness. Then Yue appeared with his glowing rings. He sat with me and kept me safe and warm until my brother found me.
Yue was my first friend, though he was strange, he stayed with me and whenever I felt scared and alone he would make his rings glow and it would calm me.
"Hey Yue." Those moonlit eyes peered up at me almost knowing what I was going to say. "I'll race you home."
With a single movement our legs sprang into action, ducking through the shadows. Leaping over rooftops. Our hearts and minds raced. A race with Yue was always exciting. Now with home directly in sight I placed all of my energy into my legs giving myself that extra push and with a final leap at the end of the rooftop, I dropped to the ground. Air finally reached my lungs as Yue was already sitting at the gate waiting for me, my body ached all over as I just shook my head
"Alright Yue you won. . . Again" Yue's eyes almost shimmered with triumph, before his ears stood to attention, a low growl emerged from his jaws. The hairs on my body raised as Yue jumped to the side. My legs split instantly as I dropped low onto my right hand. A gust of wind flew past my head, I turned to see shuriken had pierced a nearby tree. Yue hopped over my side as I pushed my legs into the air, placing all my weight onto my arms as I flipped, dodging a few more shuriken piercing the ground beside me and getting back to my feet.
"You are just too slow, as per usual." The deep and annoying voice called out from the shadows as my gaze turned to the rooftop
"Darn you Eiji get down here!" My voice also slightly deep.
The figure dressed in black cloth similar to mine jumped down from above and stepped into the light by the gateway, his dark eyes looking at me so confident and his crooked smile so mockingly.
"You two are late, Master has been awaiting your report. Now don't tell me you failed your assignment?" He laughed as my icy glare pierced through his defenses.
"It is done and is of no concern to you, now leave us be!" Yue and I walked through the gate and into the large courtyard. Many other tall and large men along with other strange creatures much like Yue stood training. Though their attention soon turned to us.
We continued on towards the main building; bright lanterns lit the way upon the holding beams as the large double sliding doors were in sight. Lowering to my knees I felt my body shiver from fear as Yue placed a paw on my leg and raised his nose to mine, his rings dimly glowed as I scratched his ear slightly.
"Thanks Yue, don't worry I'm alright." My hands moved to the door and slid it open slightly. "Master I have returned." The cold silence was unpleasant. But hearing the voice inside seemed worse.
"You may enter."
I slid the door open and slid inside with Yue beside me. After shutting the door my legs made quick work of getting to the small mat in front of the low table, covered with scrolls, letters and books. The large man that sat opposite was most intimidating; his broad shoulders, his large muscled arms visible, ones that could crush a man like a twig. Beside him sat a large creature, with beautiful white fur, a large sickle type growth on the side of it's head and piercing red eyes gazing at me made it almost impossible to sit comfortably.
"Fear not. Absol will not harm you." His voice at last seemed to soften and relax. "Now Minori, your report."
I removed the scroll from my sash along with a white rag stained with blood, as I placed it on the table.
I looked up "The mission was completed with no complications."
His face looked relieved, his words so gentle. "I'm glad, I knew I could trust you with this." My heart clenched tightly as I took a deep breath and looked up.
"Master I have to ask you. Why this man? He was but a lowly store owner, what did he do?" As the words left my mouth his expression disappeared and his icy stare looked directly at me as his large hand slammed down on the table, causing my body to jump and shake.
"You dare to question your work? You receive an order and you complete it with no questions asked, that is all, do I make myself clear?" His voice so firm.
The laughs of the others could be heard as I willed my body to be still "I'm sorry Master please forgive my rudeness." My heart pounded and he sighed loudly.
"You will clean up tomorrow as punishment. For now you and your Umbreon may return to your quarters and get some rest." I rose to my feet as I bowed and left the room with Yue behind me.
On the way through to the back of the building I entered the large empty hall as the Masters words rang continuously in my mind. Yue looked up at me as we reached the center of the room and I slumped to my knees.
"I'm so sorry Yue, I messed up." I held Yue in my arms as I gazed up at the large wall scroll with a mysterious creature painted on it. Its body was pure black with a red collar and white hair. Somehow I always felt drawn to it whenever I felt lost or weak.
My name is Minori and I currently live at the dark clan's headquarters, It is a clan of ninjas. Myself and Yue are currently searching for my older brother who also belonged to the clan when I was younger.
But a year ago he began acting strange and went missing. I'm sure he is in trouble and needs my help, if I can find information from the clan maybe I can find him. But the clan is made up of males only, if a girl were to be caught she would be executed for bringing shame to the clan, so I currently live my life as a boy. Only one person truly knows of my identity.
"I hear you got into trouble with the master. . . Again." The gentle voice broke the silence and I turned my head quickly. A tall man with a gentle smile stood in the doorway, with shoulder length hair and glasses.
"Ichiro!" My brothers closest friend and Eiji's older brother. He helps me to protect my identity and watches over me until I find my brother.
During the walk back to the courtyard Ichiro stayed silent as he listened intently while Yue walked beside me. "I didn't mean to make the master mad honest. I just feel burdened by the live's I have destroyed. I just want to know why." My heart sank as Ichiro chuckled gently and my face burned red.
"The master doesn't mean to be so cruel, I guess it's his way of protecting you."
My head shook as I stood my ground. "I don't understand, why does he keep the details a secret?"
Ichiro scratched the back of his head then adjusted his glasses "Minori. What if you were to be told the reason for your mission and you didn't like it. If you chose to refuse and abandon the mission, then you could be seen as a traitor and killed. Master doesn't wish that for any of his clan members."
After hearing that I couldn't stay mad at the master and I began to understand.
Beside a small hut Ichiro looked down at me with sad eyes "I think you should leave this clan and give up on your search. The burdens this job provides maybe too much for you."
My eyes shot up "No! I must find my brother." Tears prickled at the back of my eyes as Ichiro sighed and turned away.
"All right, but please refrain from angering Master anymore, it's too risky."
I smiled and nodded as he left and Yue opened the door. "lets get some rest Yue."
Dawn finally arrived and light peeked through the window of the small hut causing me to stir before a loud band caused the hut to shake slightly and woke me fully.
"Minori get up, the sun is rising!"
I sat up as the light burned my tired eyes. "Go away Eiji. I don't care for your nonsense this early in the morning."
Yue stood up and stretched as I followed his idea and stood stretching my arms high.
"If you don't hurry and get out here i'll come in there and drag you out!" his words sounded more grumpy than usual.
I quickly rushed and grabbed my clothes, quickly tying my hair up as best as I could so as not to show my full length of hair. I put on my Kimono, Hakama and Haori over my uniform, looking like the perfect boy. The door flew open and my hands reached for my sword as I turned and glared at him.
"Can I not have a single bit of peace? When on earth are you going to stop pestering me and picking fights!" My words were bitter.
Eiji just crossed his arms and tilted his head "When you stop being so slow, breakfast is supposed to be ready soon, Ichiro is doing your job for you."
"I best help him, now if there isn't anything else i'll be going." As I began to walk off Eiji gripped his arm.
"Minori what were you and Ichiro talking about yesterday? You were walking together and seemed stressed."
I stop and look over my shoulder to him "What me and Ichiro talk about has nothing to do with you so please stay out of it"
As I turned away Yue quickly jumped onto my shoulder as his eyes glowed. I turned seeing a small creature with a grayish/blue body, red tail, ears and collar with a gem in its forehead and large sharp blade like claws beside Eiji. It swiped its arm across as ice shards shot towards us.
Yue's eyes glowed and a barrier stopped the attack and protected us. "Don't cause trouble for my brother, you who disappears when all his work is done. Don't use my brother to make life less lonely!"
I immediately turned away as Yue growled "Don't interfere when you wouldn't understand, you and your Weavile, stay away from me and Yue." I walked away and headed towards the kitchen.
Ichiro stood beginning to dish up the meals as I walked over. "Let me do that Ichiro, it's supposed to be my job after all." Ichiro smiled and nodded before leaving the room.
I placed everyone's meals on the small place settings, steamed rice with grilled mackerel on seaweed with miso soup. The bell rang for breakfast as everyone along with their creatures came flooding in.
Some creatures were ghostly looking called Haunter, Gengar and Misdreavus. There were a few larger creatures with wings and blade like hands called Scyther and Scisor, those ones were pretty fast. A few Houndooms and Mightyena's. So many and all part of the darkness. There were so many in this world, brother once told me that they had been around for centuries.
My meals were always eaten with Yue, away from everyone else, no one really wanted to eat their meals with me or train. Yue really is my only friend. However I always feel like there is a presence watching over this clan. I was told that the mysterious creature has only been seen by the founder of this clan and has never been seen since. "Darkrai..." I sat staring at the sky allowing my mind to drift off. "Is he watching over my brother too?"
My daydreaming was cut short as a hand waved in front of my eyes and Ichiro stared at my face
"you shouldn't drift off like that" I blinked and blushed bright red as my mind switched back to reality.
"Sorry i didn't mean to startle you Minori." His smile was so radiant.
"No it's okay it's my fault for daydreaming." I smiled and Yue's ears perk up.
"You should be careful, if you daydream and speak out of character, someone may hear and find out that you aren't a boy."
His words reached my ears as I smiled again, but before I could reassure him Eiji stepped out of the shadows, his eyes wide with shock. I stood up quickly as did Yue and Yue's rings glowed seeing Weavile and tried to intimidate it. My face went pale and my heart flew into my throat causing it to go dry. Ichiro looked at him as Eiji stepped closer.
"Minori... is a girl?!"
My mouth opened but Ichiro spoke ahead
"Yes, Minori is indeed a girl."
Eiji's shock turned to irritation as he drew his sword. "So that's why you are so sneaky and isolated, you intend to shame us?!"
As he flew forward Ichiro grabbed my sword and quickly deflected the attack.
"Yue use psychic and break the fight!" Yue's eyes glowed and a light appeared round his body. He hopped onto Eiji's shoulder and then Ichiro's. The two became stiff and were pulled apart.
"Eiji you don't understand, it is not my intention to bring shame to this clan, I only wish to find my brother Kosuke" Eiji looked directly at me and saw the tears in my eyes. He dropped the sword and Ichiro looked round.
"We should talk privately."
Over by the pond on the other side of the courtyard I sat beside Ichiro as Eiji sat opposite. Yue and weavile sat on alert.
"So you're trying to find Kosuke the traitor who went missing?"
"He is no traitor. the day he disappeared he was acting very strange, almost like he was scared of something. I think someone may have betrayed him, I have to find my brother so I can help him, he's the only family I have left. That's why you must keep my identity a secret. Please!"
My tears ran dry as Eiji's face turned red and he looked away. "Fine I get it. I won't tell anyone, but once you find him you have to leave. I won't have my head removed for treason."
I looked at him and smiled "Thank you Eiji." The bell rang and Ichiro stood up.
"Something has happened, we have to go."
We all got up and quickly ran towards the main hall as I caught a glimpse of Absol on top of the roof staring down watching my every move, almost as if to tell me something.
I ran after Ichiro and Eiji with Yue and Weavile following behind. Everyone stood in a circle as Master stood up tall.
"Everyone, we have received news regarding the location of the traitor Kosuke. Intel suggests that he is within the main capital, I will need a team to go with me to capture him and bring him back here."
A few members raised their hands as my hand immediately went up. "Alright, Koji, Ren, Ichiro, Eiji, Minori and myself with go to the capital while the rest of you keep watch on the place until we return."
The six of us remained in the hall as a scroll with a building drawn on laid before us.
"We have reason to believe that he is currently residing at the capitals shrine, Koji and Houndoom will cover the west side, Ren and Haunter will take the east, while Ichiro, Absol and I will cover the back and front. Eiji. Minori, you weavile and umbreon will cover the roof, since you're both the fastest, if he manages to escape using the roof you will have the best chance of catching him and taking him down. I trust you won't let me down."
My fear began to overwhelm me as Eiji bowed his head. I raised mine and spoke knowing full well what the reaction would be.
"Master why are we doing this? What has he done wrong?" My words poured out as the others sighed with disappointment.
Eiji looked up and whispered. "Are you crazy?! Don't ask that!"
I looked back at him angrily, this time not backing down "No! This time it's different, I need to know. Isn't he one of us? Why are we doing this? What on earth has he done wrong?"
The Master looked down at me, at first I was scared, but then I felt confused, the Master did not look at me with eyes of hatred anymore, but those of pure sadness, as did the others.
"Fine. Kosuke was sent to meet with an informant, they were also 'one of us.' He was to receive Intel on the identity of a traitor who planned to betray us. In the middle of the day Kosuke killed the informant and fled the village, it saddens me to know Kosuke was the one who betrayed us." The Master looked away with such pain, with everything said I truly couldn't find any words to say.
Had my brother really done such a terrible thing?
The day seemed to go on forever once we hit the road. Everyone had finally stopped looking so sad aside from me. Eiji and Weavile came over to Yue and I with a disappointed look.
"Honestly it was better you didn't know... Kosuke, I understand he was your only brother but, he was close to the Master too. They were like father and son. I just can't understand why he would do something like that." As I listened to his words Yue looked up at me and nodded.
"I don't think he did anything bad... My brother saw the clan as his home, he treated everyone like family and he would never betray family."
Eiji looked on and sighed. "Minori. Maybe your brother isn't as perfect as you think he is, you have to take into account that perhaps he did do it"
"My brother would never betray family, I know he wouldn't!" I looked up. My eyes so sure of myself as Eiji scratched his head.
"I can't say I believe you, but if he didn't betray us? Then tell me. . . Why did he kill our informant?"
My gaze traveled to the Master "I don't know, but whatever the reason may be, I have to find Kosuke before the others and I'll ask him myself."
The sun had set as we arrived at the capital. The streets were still pretty busy as we made our way through the crowds.
Master told everyone to split up to search for clues and information. Eiji and I decided to look around the market while Weavile and Yue scanned the area upon the roofs of the buildings.
"You know, Kosuke was probably one of the best in the clan, he was real fast and really smart, it makes me sad to think he actually let his guard down."
I smiled which caused him to go red "If my brother is as good as you say he is, then I hope he manages to escape." I saw a figure push past as I bumped into him by mistake as Eiji caught my shoulder.
"Seriously Minori, you really are slow." I looked at the man as his hat was worn to hide his face and a cloak to hide his clothes.
"My apologies, it was my fault." As I smiled I turned away and continued walking with Eiji as I enjoyed having his company for once. Finally, someone knowing who I really was.
Yue walked along the roof as a small figure caught his attention. He quickly followed it down into a dark side street as a creature stood in the shadows. Yue approached, as the eyes in the darkness looked right back at him. His ears stood to attention as the ring on his forehead began glowing as did a small red light glowed in the darkness. Yue quickly turned and ran back to the busy street leaving the creature behind and hopped onto a rooftop. He made for the Shrine.
The sun had completely set as the darkness covered everywhere. We all met up near the shrine as Koji, Ren and the Master looked down at us with a strange cold stare.
"Where is Ichiro?" Eiji's voice was almost shaken. They looked at him and relaxed a little.
"He's already in position, so lets go." Koji and Ren with their creatures went into position as Eiji and myself climbed up onto the rooftop. Weavile stood beside Eiji while I looked round.
"Yue? where are you?" As I looked down I saw Absol staring right at me. His red eyes seeing right through me. I felt as though it was truly trying to tell me something. My body began to shiver and my heart felt like it would stop. The wind howled in the night as my head began to ache.
"Something isn't right..." Eiji looked at me, then to Absol, then back at me.
"What are you talking about?" Suddenly my mind exploded as I stared into the eyes of the white creature.
My memories flooded back. The day my brother was betrayed I saw a white creature with red eyes, it was Absol I saw. He was staring at me the same way as now, almost warning me that a disaster would happen and every time something bad happened for the clan Absol would warn whoever was important.
My mind snapped back as realization hit me, Yue appeared from the darkness with his rings glowing brightly and for the first time in a long while tried to warn me 'Umbreon! Umbreon!' I turned to Eiji who looked at me puzzled.
"Eiji my brother didn't betray the clan. What if my brother really did get the information and the traitor silenced the informant?" Eiji tried to put the pieces together.
"If that's the case then Kosuke knows who it is and went into hiding to keep the information safe"
My heart sank as Yue growled with his ears up.
"Eiji, the real traitor is here, this isn't a capture mission, it's an assassination, they are going to silence my brother!"
Eiji and Weavile ran to the edge "We have to inform the Master and quick, maybe he can do something."
Yue hopped onto my shoulder as I pulled out a small ball with a piece of string attached.
"Go I have to warn my brother"
Eiji jumped off the roof as I quickly tied my face guard over my mouth and nose and threw the ball through the window. Immediately it ignited and the shrine began to fill with smoke.
I climbed down through the window. Yue used his rings to create a light source and lead the way. "Kosuke? are you here?! Kosuke it's me Minori, you're in danger!"
Yue looked up at me.
"Yue use Psychic to find Sol. If she is here then Kosuke won't be far behind."
Yue's eyes glowed as a pinkish light surrounded his body. "Kosuke where are you..."
My eyes watered slightly from the smoke as I heard a voice from behind
"Minori?"
I turned and in the smoke I saw a tall man standing with his sword and messy looking hair, the voice sounded familiar.
"Kosuke?" I smiled happily as I moved towards the figure. Yue quickly turned and hopped onto my shoulder growling as he opened his jaw and a purple orb emerged from his mouth and shot straight at the figure causing him to fall to the floor.
"Yue what did you do?!" The smoke began to clear thanks to Yue's psychic ability and the man that lay on the floor disappeared into an orb and in his place lay a creature I had never seen before. As it stood up on its two legs it towered over me. I backed off seeing his sharp and cold eyes.
The creature had sharp red claws, a grey body and a red and grey fur mass hanging from it's head with it tied slightly at the bottom, it almost resembled a human shaped fox.
"What are you?" As I backed away more Yue growled and stood to my defense.
"It's called Zoroark. A creature that has the ability to use an illusion to help it hide it's identity by using the identity of another living creature." I looked to my side as in the doorway, Ichiro stood looking at me.
"Ichiro My brother didn't betray the clan. The real traitor is here to kill him, we have to find him and warn him!"
"I know he didn't do anything wrong. He actually tried to protect the informant and the clan, you see The master is expecting a very important person to visit the headquarters next spring and the traitor has been using the clan for information. That way the assassination of this guest would go smoothly."
I gripped my sword as I looked disbelieving at him. "No.. Ichiro. how would you know all this?"
Ichiro's kind smile no longer felt warm, instead it turned cold and menacing, as he removed his glasses he looked at me with a crooked grin.
"Isn't that obvious?" I backed away more as my heart began to tear. "No... it can't be you, you're Kosuke's best friend. You couldn't have betrayed him!"
Ichiro chuckled as my body became weak from the truth. "Well now you know the truth, it's such a shame. I was actually quite fond of you. . . But now I guess I have to silence both of you."
My body refused to move. "No, it can't be."
"Zoroark finish them with a focus blast." The Zoroark raised it's arm as from its claws formed a large glowing blue orb. As I flinched Yue leapt into the air before me using his protect quickly as the orb hit.
The side of the building blew open as the others ran round to see the commotion. A small creature jumped from the shadows as it's eyes glowed and the two falling bodies slowly lowered to the ground.
My eyes opened as above me stood a small dog like creature with pink fur and a tail split in two at the end. Its ears flickered as its bright eyes made me smile and sit up.
"Sol!" Yue rose to his feet and looked at the pink creature.
I heard a sword get drawn as I looked over to see the Master and others standing and staring.
"So... You are a girl then Minori"
My long hair fell down and I got to my feet. "Master you have to listen to me, Kosuke didn't..."
"That's enough!" Koji stood ahead and looked angrily at me
"Master took you in, treated you like family and you plan to betray us too?"
Ren too drew his sword and looked on with cold eyes "Ichiro told us who you really are, but to think you were spying for Kosuke!"
"No you have it wrong! Kosuke didn't betray anyone, he is innocent!"
Koji and Ren ran forward with their swords raised and went to attack. I shielded my eyes as a figure emerged from the shadows with a drawn sword and countered them both. The metal of the swords clashed, while the figure used his strength and knocked both Koji and Ren to the floor.
Eiji's face turned pale "The guy from earlier..."
As the Master burst into Laughter. I looked at the man and my eyes opened wide.
"Brother?"
Koji and Ren looked up in shock "Kosuke?"
The man removed his hat to reveal slightly messy black hair and silvery grey eyes. He removed his cloak to reveal the ninja clans uniform. The pink creature jumped forward and Koji gulped.
"It's Espeon, it really is Kosuke."
They stood up and backed away as the Master stopped laughing. Kosuke turned to me and looked down.
"Minori are you alright? are you hurt?" His gentle voice almost brought me to tears.
"No i'm alright" The master walked forward and smiled.
"Kosuke it's good to see you well..." As the master stepped closer Kosuke turned and slammed the handle of his sword into the Masters stomach as I jumped with shock. Eiji and the others backed off as the Master laughed while he coughed.
Kosuke's face turned cold. "You old fool, you were supposed to keep her safe, why did you let her come along with you?! I've been scared to death ever since I saw her in the market, and why is she dressed like a boy?!"
The Master laughed and stood up. "I couldn't stop her, she's been worried about you. It was hard to be tough on her when she kept acting like you, I was questioned a lot because she followed in your footsteps. Always needing a reason, feeling burdened by the work. It was hard to keep her identity a secret."
Kosuke sighed as I looked at them confused.
"Wait you know who I was? I'm so confused, whats going on I thought you hated my brother."
The Master smiled. "Of course when Kosuke left he asked me for one favor, to take care of his only younger sister." As he turned from me he smiled. "Now I believe you have a report overdue."
Kosuke smiled and nodded handing him a small box. "I received the package with a minor complication. It seems I was followed and the informant died."
Eiji stepped forward "Wait, I thought Kosuke went to get information from the informant, not a box, and didn't you say Kosuke killed the informant and escaped? I thought we were here to capture the traitor!"
Kosuke looked at the master and sighed. "Is that what you told them? I know you wanted a good cover story but not a sob story." I looked at the Master as he smiled.
"We are indeed here to capture a traitor, but Kosuke would never betray family." he smiled.
Koji and Ren stepped forward. "If he isn't the traitor then who is?"
Yue and Sol turned their noses up as I looked up to the roof.
"Ichiro is." My voice felt strained as everyone looked up to see Ichiro smiling atop of the roof with Zoroark beside him.
Eiji looked at me and shook his head. "No way, he's my brother, I know him. He would never betray us."
I looked at Eiji's desperate expression and I frowned. "I'm so sorry Eiji." I dropped my gaze as Eiji looked up.
"Ichiro told me himself. His Zoroark can make itself look like any living creature, he must have used it to fool everyone when he killed the Informant." I frowned feeling the sadness enter my body.
Ichiro stood smiling as Eiji called out "but why would he do that?!"
Ichiro's grin grew bigger "I was offered a deal I couldn't refuse, I had to put the blame onto another so as not to be caught. But now I have to remove a few complications."
Kosuke placed a hand on my shoulder as he pushed me away and smiled.
"You don't have to fight anymore, I don't wish for you to get hurt."
I feared his words as though he wouldn't return again and reached forward grabbing his arm, Yue also stood in his way with Sol.
"I won't let you fight alone anymore." I smiled as he returned my smile. Ichiro swiped his hands across and Zoroark began using a focus blast and shot it towards us. I jumped to my side as did Kosuke.
"Yue detect and dodge it!" As I called my words Kosuke called to Sol
"Synchronize with Yue and dodge the attack!" The blue orb crashed down as Yue and Sol leaped over the orb and ran forward in line with me and Kosuke.
"Yue, use Psychic!"
"Sol, use psychic too!"
The two's eyes glowed as a pink light surrounded their body, as it did us giving us an extra boost up to the rooftop. As our feet made contact with the top we turned to see Ichiro still smiling. Kosuke raised his hand.
"Sol use swift on Zoroark!" I looked at Yue and nodded.
"Yue follow Sol's lead and use your shadow ball" Sol jumped forward as it opened its jaws and light stars flew out, Yue too opened his jaw and a purple orb formed and shot out at the Zoroark. Ichiro smirked
"Zoroark use counter then attack with night slash" Zoroark's eyes glowed as the swift attack stopped and then shot back at the shadow ball causing the impact to explode and blocked our view of Ichiro. From the shadows of the smoke Zoroark dashed towards the two and swiped his claws at Yue and Sol with a direct hit, sent them flying back injured.
"Yue, Sol, don't give up!" My voice screamed as loud as it could go.
"Zoroark finish them with one last focus blast"
Zoroark began creating a large light blue orb, as I ran forward and stood in the way, covering Yue and Sol, as Kosuke tried helping them.
"I won't let you hurt them anymore!
Ichiro looked sadly at me and then turned away confusing me slightly from his reaction.
"Goodbye Minori."
The orb began flying straight at us as I felt a weight on both my shoulders. Yue and Sol both leapt into the air. Their eyes sparkled as a protective barrier stopped the orb's attack.
Yue's rings began glowing the brightest i had ever seen before as his eyes glowed brightly, Sol's eyes also glowed as its red gem began to shine. Yue opened his jaw as a bright and powerful beam emerged from within as the same hyper beam released from Sol's red gem, it shot right at the Zoroark and hit the roof beneath it as it caused the roof to explode and smoke reached the sky.
The battle was finally over.
Kosuke stood beside me as we searched, but Ichiro and Zoroark was nowhere to be seen.
Back at the headquarters, The master revealed my true identity and Kosuke's innocence. Everything seemed to go back to normal, except the stares I receive from the other members. I sat with Yue by the pond as the sun shined brightly in the sky. Kosuke and Sol walked over and sat beside us as he sighed.
"Master tells me you are going to be staying here too..." His words didn't seem happy at all as I smiled
"I will stay by my brothers side, besides I have to make sure you don't disappear again."
Kosuke looked at me and pinched my nose as he laughed before looking at me sadly.
"Are you sure you are alright? Won't the darkness of the truth burden you more?" I looked to the sky and smiled.
"As long as I have you, Sol and Yue I can finally see the light. . . Even if this truly wasn't what I expected." My words felt so empty knowing the truth about Ichiro. Kosuke patted my head gently as Ichiro did many times before. My tears finally broke free.
"We will find him and stop whatever he is doing. Maybe even help him to see the light." I nodded sadly. Kosuke got up and looked back to the main building.
"Come on, we should head for lunch." As Kosuke and Sol left I stood up and wiped my eyes walking from the shade.
"Lets go Yue." As I turned my eyes flew wide open. Yue was standing up, looking at the tree, within the shadows floated a mysterious creature of black, red and white.
"Darkrai?"
He silently disappeared into the shadows as Yue hopped onto my shoulder and I smiled as Yue's rings glowed. "I know Yue. . . Thank you Darkrai, for watching over us. . . we won't let you down."
~ END ~
Hatred. Fear. It's all that's left in the eyes of the man before me. The crimson blood leaving his body from the wound inflicted by the bloody dagger within my grasp. His heart no longer beating. The body so still and his face was so familiar. so clear. "Brother? No brother what have I done?!" My voice quiet and strained.
I reached out a hand but darkness surrounded me, swallowing me whole, My world crumbled beneath my feet. Unable to see, unable to feel, then a glow appeared above, pulling me from the darkness, pushing me towards the light. My eyes opened wide, I see moonlight and stars, the clear and calm night returned as I painfully sat up, my entire body stiff with a dull pain stabbing every joint. "It was only a dream" my voice barely above a whisper. Yes just a dream, the phrase I would always tell myself, to fool my own heart, but all a sad attempt to shield myself from the truth. Yet another life I had taken, another family destroyed, and a question I so longed to hear an answer for. 'Why them and what did they do wrong?'
As my heart began to bare the burden from more blood upon my hands, I pushed my pain aside and rose to my feet. The jet black cloth barely keeping me warm during these cold fall nights. "I think we should head back now." The quiet nights used to be happy times, now they just fill me with loneliness and fear.
"I wonder if we could get a break from all this... what do you think Yue?" I turned my gaze to the empty grass patch as fear and panic began creeping into my heart.
"Yue? Where are you?!"
Searching my surroundings I felt so alone and scared like a young child, till a glow shone from above. My eyes peered up as I could breath a sense of relief. "Yue you worried me so much." The small creature hopped down, the moonlight rays illuminated his small black body, almost dog like. the golden rings upon it's ears, tail, legs and forehead glowed in the night. A proud soul, a trusted ally and my most treasured friend.
I always believed Yue was very strange, he as well as many other creatures all different shaped and appearances, they harness many strange and almost wonderful abilities. I was only young when I met Yue. My brother, Sol and I had gone into the forest for supplies. We got separated and I felt alone and scared. I hid myself in a small cave, my body shivered and my world became consumed in darkness. Then Yue appeared with his glowing rings. He sat with me and kept me safe and warm until my brother found me.
Yue was my first friend, though he was strange, he stayed with me and whenever I felt scared and alone he would make his rings glow and it would calm me.
"Hey Yue." Those moonlit eyes peered up at me almost knowing what I was going to say. "I'll race you home."
With a single movement our legs sprang into action, ducking through the shadows. Leaping over rooftops. Our hearts and minds raced. A race with Yue was always exciting. Now with home directly in sight I placed all of my energy into my legs giving myself that extra push and with a final leap at the end of the rooftop, I dropped to the ground. Air finally reached my lungs as Yue was already sitting at the gate waiting for me, my body ached all over as I just shook my head
"Alright Yue you won. . . Again" Yue's eyes almost shimmered with triumph, before his ears stood to attention, a low growl emerged from his jaws. The hairs on my body raised as Yue jumped to the side. My legs split instantly as I dropped low onto my right hand. A gust of wind flew past my head, I turned to see shuriken had pierced a nearby tree. Yue hopped over my side as I pushed my legs into the air, placing all my weight onto my arms as I flipped, dodging a few more shuriken piercing the ground beside me and getting back to my feet.
"You are just too slow, as per usual." The deep and annoying voice called out from the shadows as my gaze turned to the rooftop
"Darn you Eiji get down here!" My voice also slightly deep.
The figure dressed in black cloth similar to mine jumped down from above and stepped into the light by the gateway, his dark eyes looking at me so confident and his crooked smile so mockingly.
"You two are late, Master has been awaiting your report. Now don't tell me you failed your assignment?" He laughed as my icy glare pierced through his defenses.
"It is done and is of no concern to you, now leave us be!" Yue and I walked through the gate and into the large courtyard. Many other tall and large men along with other strange creatures much like Yue stood training. Though their attention soon turned to us.
We continued on towards the main building; bright lanterns lit the way upon the holding beams as the large double sliding doors were in sight. Lowering to my knees I felt my body shiver from fear as Yue placed a paw on my leg and raised his nose to mine, his rings dimly glowed as I scratched his ear slightly.
"Thanks Yue, don't worry I'm alright." My hands moved to the door and slid it open slightly. "Master I have returned." The cold silence was unpleasant. But hearing the voice inside seemed worse.
"You may enter."
I slid the door open and slid inside with Yue beside me. After shutting the door my legs made quick work of getting to the small mat in front of the low table, covered with scrolls, letters and books. The large man that sat opposite was most intimidating; his broad shoulders, his large muscled arms visible, ones that could crush a man like a twig. Beside him sat a large creature, with beautiful white fur, a large sickle type growth on the side of it's head and piercing red eyes gazing at me made it almost impossible to sit comfortably.
"Fear not. Absol will not harm you." His voice at last seemed to soften and relax. "Now Minori, your report."
I removed the scroll from my sash along with a white rag stained with blood, as I placed it on the table.
I looked up "The mission was completed with no complications."
His face looked relieved, his words so gentle. "I'm glad, I knew I could trust you with this." My heart clenched tightly as I took a deep breath and looked up.
"Master I have to ask you. Why this man? He was but a lowly store owner, what did he do?" As the words left my mouth his expression disappeared and his icy stare looked directly at me as his large hand slammed down on the table, causing my body to jump and shake.
"You dare to question your work? You receive an order and you complete it with no questions asked, that is all, do I make myself clear?" His voice so firm.
The laughs of the others could be heard as I willed my body to be still "I'm sorry Master please forgive my rudeness." My heart pounded and he sighed loudly.
"You will clean up tomorrow as punishment. For now you and your Umbreon may return to your quarters and get some rest." I rose to my feet as I bowed and left the room with Yue behind me.
On the way through to the back of the building I entered the large empty hall as the Masters words rang continuously in my mind. Yue looked up at me as we reached the center of the room and I slumped to my knees.
"I'm so sorry Yue, I messed up." I held Yue in my arms as I gazed up at the large wall scroll with a mysterious creature painted on it. Its body was pure black with a red collar and white hair. Somehow I always felt drawn to it whenever I felt lost or weak.
My name is Minori and I currently live at the dark clan's headquarters, It is a clan of ninjas. Myself and Yue are currently searching for my older brother who also belonged to the clan when I was younger.
But a year ago he began acting strange and went missing. I'm sure he is in trouble and needs my help, if I can find information from the clan maybe I can find him. But the clan is made up of males only, if a girl were to be caught she would be executed for bringing shame to the clan, so I currently live my life as a boy. Only one person truly knows of my identity.
"I hear you got into trouble with the master. . . Again." The gentle voice broke the silence and I turned my head quickly. A tall man with a gentle smile stood in the doorway, with shoulder length hair and glasses.
"Ichiro!" My brothers closest friend and Eiji's older brother. He helps me to protect my identity and watches over me until I find my brother.
During the walk back to the courtyard Ichiro stayed silent as he listened intently while Yue walked beside me. "I didn't mean to make the master mad honest. I just feel burdened by the live's I have destroyed. I just want to know why." My heart sank as Ichiro chuckled gently and my face burned red.
"The master doesn't mean to be so cruel, I guess it's his way of protecting you."
My head shook as I stood my ground. "I don't understand, why does he keep the details a secret?"
Ichiro scratched the back of his head then adjusted his glasses "Minori. What if you were to be told the reason for your mission and you didn't like it. If you chose to refuse and abandon the mission, then you could be seen as a traitor and killed. Master doesn't wish that for any of his clan members."
After hearing that I couldn't stay mad at the master and I began to understand.
Beside a small hut Ichiro looked down at me with sad eyes "I think you should leave this clan and give up on your search. The burdens this job provides maybe too much for you."
My eyes shot up "No! I must find my brother." Tears prickled at the back of my eyes as Ichiro sighed and turned away.
"All right, but please refrain from angering Master anymore, it's too risky."
I smiled and nodded as he left and Yue opened the door. "lets get some rest Yue."
Dawn finally arrived and light peeked through the window of the small hut causing me to stir before a loud band caused the hut to shake slightly and woke me fully.
"Minori get up, the sun is rising!"
I sat up as the light burned my tired eyes. "Go away Eiji. I don't care for your nonsense this early in the morning."
Yue stood up and stretched as I followed his idea and stood stretching my arms high.
"If you don't hurry and get out here i'll come in there and drag you out!" his words sounded more grumpy than usual.
I quickly rushed and grabbed my clothes, quickly tying my hair up as best as I could so as not to show my full length of hair. I put on my Kimono, Hakama and Haori over my uniform, looking like the perfect boy. The door flew open and my hands reached for my sword as I turned and glared at him.
"Can I not have a single bit of peace? When on earth are you going to stop pestering me and picking fights!" My words were bitter.
Eiji just crossed his arms and tilted his head "When you stop being so slow, breakfast is supposed to be ready soon, Ichiro is doing your job for you."
"I best help him, now if there isn't anything else i'll be going." As I began to walk off Eiji gripped his arm.
"Minori what were you and Ichiro talking about yesterday? You were walking together and seemed stressed."
I stop and look over my shoulder to him "What me and Ichiro talk about has nothing to do with you so please stay out of it"
As I turned away Yue quickly jumped onto my shoulder as his eyes glowed. I turned seeing a small creature with a grayish/blue body, red tail, ears and collar with a gem in its forehead and large sharp blade like claws beside Eiji. It swiped its arm across as ice shards shot towards us.
Yue's eyes glowed and a barrier stopped the attack and protected us. "Don't cause trouble for my brother, you who disappears when all his work is done. Don't use my brother to make life less lonely!"
I immediately turned away as Yue growled "Don't interfere when you wouldn't understand, you and your Weavile, stay away from me and Yue." I walked away and headed towards the kitchen.
Ichiro stood beginning to dish up the meals as I walked over. "Let me do that Ichiro, it's supposed to be my job after all." Ichiro smiled and nodded before leaving the room.
I placed everyone's meals on the small place settings, steamed rice with grilled mackerel on seaweed with miso soup. The bell rang for breakfast as everyone along with their creatures came flooding in.
Some creatures were ghostly looking called Haunter, Gengar and Misdreavus. There were a few larger creatures with wings and blade like hands called Scyther and Scisor, those ones were pretty fast. A few Houndooms and Mightyena's. So many and all part of the darkness. There were so many in this world, brother once told me that they had been around for centuries.
My meals were always eaten with Yue, away from everyone else, no one really wanted to eat their meals with me or train. Yue really is my only friend. However I always feel like there is a presence watching over this clan. I was told that the mysterious creature has only been seen by the founder of this clan and has never been seen since. "Darkrai..." I sat staring at the sky allowing my mind to drift off. "Is he watching over my brother too?"
My daydreaming was cut short as a hand waved in front of my eyes and Ichiro stared at my face
"you shouldn't drift off like that" I blinked and blushed bright red as my mind switched back to reality.
"Sorry i didn't mean to startle you Minori." His smile was so radiant.
"No it's okay it's my fault for daydreaming." I smiled and Yue's ears perk up.
"You should be careful, if you daydream and speak out of character, someone may hear and find out that you aren't a boy."
His words reached my ears as I smiled again, but before I could reassure him Eiji stepped out of the shadows, his eyes wide with shock. I stood up quickly as did Yue and Yue's rings glowed seeing Weavile and tried to intimidate it. My face went pale and my heart flew into my throat causing it to go dry. Ichiro looked at him as Eiji stepped closer.
"Minori... is a girl?!"
My mouth opened but Ichiro spoke ahead
"Yes, Minori is indeed a girl."
Eiji's shock turned to irritation as he drew his sword. "So that's why you are so sneaky and isolated, you intend to shame us?!"
As he flew forward Ichiro grabbed my sword and quickly deflected the attack.
"Yue use psychic and break the fight!" Yue's eyes glowed and a light appeared round his body. He hopped onto Eiji's shoulder and then Ichiro's. The two became stiff and were pulled apart.
"Eiji you don't understand, it is not my intention to bring shame to this clan, I only wish to find my brother Kosuke" Eiji looked directly at me and saw the tears in my eyes. He dropped the sword and Ichiro looked round.
"We should talk privately."
Over by the pond on the other side of the courtyard I sat beside Ichiro as Eiji sat opposite. Yue and weavile sat on alert.
"So you're trying to find Kosuke the traitor who went missing?"
"He is no traitor. the day he disappeared he was acting very strange, almost like he was scared of something. I think someone may have betrayed him, I have to find my brother so I can help him, he's the only family I have left. That's why you must keep my identity a secret. Please!"
My tears ran dry as Eiji's face turned red and he looked away. "Fine I get it. I won't tell anyone, but once you find him you have to leave. I won't have my head removed for treason."
I looked at him and smiled "Thank you Eiji." The bell rang and Ichiro stood up.
"Something has happened, we have to go."
We all got up and quickly ran towards the main hall as I caught a glimpse of Absol on top of the roof staring down watching my every move, almost as if to tell me something.
I ran after Ichiro and Eiji with Yue and Weavile following behind. Everyone stood in a circle as Master stood up tall.
"Everyone, we have received news regarding the location of the traitor Kosuke. Intel suggests that he is within the main capital, I will need a team to go with me to capture him and bring him back here."
A few members raised their hands as my hand immediately went up. "Alright, Koji, Ren, Ichiro, Eiji, Minori and myself with go to the capital while the rest of you keep watch on the place until we return."
The six of us remained in the hall as a scroll with a building drawn on laid before us.
"We have reason to believe that he is currently residing at the capitals shrine, Koji and Houndoom will cover the west side, Ren and Haunter will take the east, while Ichiro, Absol and I will cover the back and front. Eiji. Minori, you weavile and umbreon will cover the roof, since you're both the fastest, if he manages to escape using the roof you will have the best chance of catching him and taking him down. I trust you won't let me down."
My fear began to overwhelm me as Eiji bowed his head. I raised mine and spoke knowing full well what the reaction would be.
"Master why are we doing this? What has he done wrong?" My words poured out as the others sighed with disappointment.
Eiji looked up and whispered. "Are you crazy?! Don't ask that!"
I looked back at him angrily, this time not backing down "No! This time it's different, I need to know. Isn't he one of us? Why are we doing this? What on earth has he done wrong?"
The Master looked down at me, at first I was scared, but then I felt confused, the Master did not look at me with eyes of hatred anymore, but those of pure sadness, as did the others.
"Fine. Kosuke was sent to meet with an informant, they were also 'one of us.' He was to receive Intel on the identity of a traitor who planned to betray us. In the middle of the day Kosuke killed the informant and fled the village, it saddens me to know Kosuke was the one who betrayed us." The Master looked away with such pain, with everything said I truly couldn't find any words to say.
Had my brother really done such a terrible thing?
The day seemed to go on forever once we hit the road. Everyone had finally stopped looking so sad aside from me. Eiji and Weavile came over to Yue and I with a disappointed look.
"Honestly it was better you didn't know... Kosuke, I understand he was your only brother but, he was close to the Master too. They were like father and son. I just can't understand why he would do something like that." As I listened to his words Yue looked up at me and nodded.
"I don't think he did anything bad... My brother saw the clan as his home, he treated everyone like family and he would never betray family."
Eiji looked on and sighed. "Minori. Maybe your brother isn't as perfect as you think he is, you have to take into account that perhaps he did do it"
"My brother would never betray family, I know he wouldn't!" I looked up. My eyes so sure of myself as Eiji scratched his head.
"I can't say I believe you, but if he didn't betray us? Then tell me. . . Why did he kill our informant?"
My gaze traveled to the Master "I don't know, but whatever the reason may be, I have to find Kosuke before the others and I'll ask him myself."
The sun had set as we arrived at the capital. The streets were still pretty busy as we made our way through the crowds.
Master told everyone to split up to search for clues and information. Eiji and I decided to look around the market while Weavile and Yue scanned the area upon the roofs of the buildings.
"You know, Kosuke was probably one of the best in the clan, he was real fast and really smart, it makes me sad to think he actually let his guard down."
I smiled which caused him to go red "If my brother is as good as you say he is, then I hope he manages to escape." I saw a figure push past as I bumped into him by mistake as Eiji caught my shoulder.
"Seriously Minori, you really are slow." I looked at the man as his hat was worn to hide his face and a cloak to hide his clothes.
"My apologies, it was my fault." As I smiled I turned away and continued walking with Eiji as I enjoyed having his company for once. Finally, someone knowing who I really was.
Yue walked along the roof as a small figure caught his attention. He quickly followed it down into a dark side street as a creature stood in the shadows. Yue approached, as the eyes in the darkness looked right back at him. His ears stood to attention as the ring on his forehead began glowing as did a small red light glowed in the darkness. Yue quickly turned and ran back to the busy street leaving the creature behind and hopped onto a rooftop. He made for the Shrine.
The sun had completely set as the darkness covered everywhere. We all met up near the shrine as Koji, Ren and the Master looked down at us with a strange cold stare.
"Where is Ichiro?" Eiji's voice was almost shaken. They looked at him and relaxed a little.
"He's already in position, so lets go." Koji and Ren with their creatures went into position as Eiji and myself climbed up onto the rooftop. Weavile stood beside Eiji while I looked round.
"Yue? where are you?" As I looked down I saw Absol staring right at me. His red eyes seeing right through me. I felt as though it was truly trying to tell me something. My body began to shiver and my heart felt like it would stop. The wind howled in the night as my head began to ache.
"Something isn't right..." Eiji looked at me, then to Absol, then back at me.
"What are you talking about?" Suddenly my mind exploded as I stared into the eyes of the white creature.
My memories flooded back. The day my brother was betrayed I saw a white creature with red eyes, it was Absol I saw. He was staring at me the same way as now, almost warning me that a disaster would happen and every time something bad happened for the clan Absol would warn whoever was important.
My mind snapped back as realization hit me, Yue appeared from the darkness with his rings glowing brightly and for the first time in a long while tried to warn me 'Umbreon! Umbreon!' I turned to Eiji who looked at me puzzled.
"Eiji my brother didn't betray the clan. What if my brother really did get the information and the traitor silenced the informant?" Eiji tried to put the pieces together.
"If that's the case then Kosuke knows who it is and went into hiding to keep the information safe"
My heart sank as Yue growled with his ears up.
"Eiji, the real traitor is here, this isn't a capture mission, it's an assassination, they are going to silence my brother!"
Eiji and Weavile ran to the edge "We have to inform the Master and quick, maybe he can do something."
Yue hopped onto my shoulder as I pulled out a small ball with a piece of string attached.
"Go I have to warn my brother"
Eiji jumped off the roof as I quickly tied my face guard over my mouth and nose and threw the ball through the window. Immediately it ignited and the shrine began to fill with smoke.
I climbed down through the window. Yue used his rings to create a light source and lead the way. "Kosuke? are you here?! Kosuke it's me Minori, you're in danger!"
Yue looked up at me.
"Yue use Psychic to find Sol. If she is here then Kosuke won't be far behind."
Yue's eyes glowed as a pinkish light surrounded his body. "Kosuke where are you..."
My eyes watered slightly from the smoke as I heard a voice from behind
"Minori?"
I turned and in the smoke I saw a tall man standing with his sword and messy looking hair, the voice sounded familiar.
"Kosuke?" I smiled happily as I moved towards the figure. Yue quickly turned and hopped onto my shoulder growling as he opened his jaw and a purple orb emerged from his mouth and shot straight at the figure causing him to fall to the floor.
"Yue what did you do?!" The smoke began to clear thanks to Yue's psychic ability and the man that lay on the floor disappeared into an orb and in his place lay a creature I had never seen before. As it stood up on its two legs it towered over me. I backed off seeing his sharp and cold eyes.
The creature had sharp red claws, a grey body and a red and grey fur mass hanging from it's head with it tied slightly at the bottom, it almost resembled a human shaped fox.
"What are you?" As I backed away more Yue growled and stood to my defense.
"It's called Zoroark. A creature that has the ability to use an illusion to help it hide it's identity by using the identity of another living creature." I looked to my side as in the doorway, Ichiro stood looking at me.
"Ichiro My brother didn't betray the clan. The real traitor is here to kill him, we have to find him and warn him!"
"I know he didn't do anything wrong. He actually tried to protect the informant and the clan, you see The master is expecting a very important person to visit the headquarters next spring and the traitor has been using the clan for information. That way the assassination of this guest would go smoothly."
I gripped my sword as I looked disbelieving at him. "No.. Ichiro. how would you know all this?"
Ichiro's kind smile no longer felt warm, instead it turned cold and menacing, as he removed his glasses he looked at me with a crooked grin.
"Isn't that obvious?" I backed away more as my heart began to tear. "No... it can't be you, you're Kosuke's best friend. You couldn't have betrayed him!"
Ichiro chuckled as my body became weak from the truth. "Well now you know the truth, it's such a shame. I was actually quite fond of you. . . But now I guess I have to silence both of you."
My body refused to move. "No, it can't be."
"Zoroark finish them with a focus blast." The Zoroark raised it's arm as from its claws formed a large glowing blue orb. As I flinched Yue leapt into the air before me using his protect quickly as the orb hit.
The side of the building blew open as the others ran round to see the commotion. A small creature jumped from the shadows as it's eyes glowed and the two falling bodies slowly lowered to the ground.
My eyes opened as above me stood a small dog like creature with pink fur and a tail split in two at the end. Its ears flickered as its bright eyes made me smile and sit up.
"Sol!" Yue rose to his feet and looked at the pink creature.
I heard a sword get drawn as I looked over to see the Master and others standing and staring.
"So... You are a girl then Minori"
My long hair fell down and I got to my feet. "Master you have to listen to me, Kosuke didn't..."
"That's enough!" Koji stood ahead and looked angrily at me
"Master took you in, treated you like family and you plan to betray us too?"
Ren too drew his sword and looked on with cold eyes "Ichiro told us who you really are, but to think you were spying for Kosuke!"
"No you have it wrong! Kosuke didn't betray anyone, he is innocent!"
Koji and Ren ran forward with their swords raised and went to attack. I shielded my eyes as a figure emerged from the shadows with a drawn sword and countered them both. The metal of the swords clashed, while the figure used his strength and knocked both Koji and Ren to the floor.
Eiji's face turned pale "The guy from earlier..."
As the Master burst into Laughter. I looked at the man and my eyes opened wide.
"Brother?"
Koji and Ren looked up in shock "Kosuke?"
The man removed his hat to reveal slightly messy black hair and silvery grey eyes. He removed his cloak to reveal the ninja clans uniform. The pink creature jumped forward and Koji gulped.
"It's Espeon, it really is Kosuke."
They stood up and backed away as the Master stopped laughing. Kosuke turned to me and looked down.
"Minori are you alright? are you hurt?" His gentle voice almost brought me to tears.
"No i'm alright" The master walked forward and smiled.
"Kosuke it's good to see you well..." As the master stepped closer Kosuke turned and slammed the handle of his sword into the Masters stomach as I jumped with shock. Eiji and the others backed off as the Master laughed while he coughed.
Kosuke's face turned cold. "You old fool, you were supposed to keep her safe, why did you let her come along with you?! I've been scared to death ever since I saw her in the market, and why is she dressed like a boy?!"
The Master laughed and stood up. "I couldn't stop her, she's been worried about you. It was hard to be tough on her when she kept acting like you, I was questioned a lot because she followed in your footsteps. Always needing a reason, feeling burdened by the work. It was hard to keep her identity a secret."
Kosuke sighed as I looked at them confused.
"Wait you know who I was? I'm so confused, whats going on I thought you hated my brother."
The Master smiled. "Of course when Kosuke left he asked me for one favor, to take care of his only younger sister." As he turned from me he smiled. "Now I believe you have a report overdue."
Kosuke smiled and nodded handing him a small box. "I received the package with a minor complication. It seems I was followed and the informant died."
Eiji stepped forward "Wait, I thought Kosuke went to get information from the informant, not a box, and didn't you say Kosuke killed the informant and escaped? I thought we were here to capture the traitor!"
Kosuke looked at the master and sighed. "Is that what you told them? I know you wanted a good cover story but not a sob story." I looked at the Master as he smiled.
"We are indeed here to capture a traitor, but Kosuke would never betray family." he smiled.
Koji and Ren stepped forward. "If he isn't the traitor then who is?"
Yue and Sol turned their noses up as I looked up to the roof.
"Ichiro is." My voice felt strained as everyone looked up to see Ichiro smiling atop of the roof with Zoroark beside him.
Eiji looked at me and shook his head. "No way, he's my brother, I know him. He would never betray us."
I looked at Eiji's desperate expression and I frowned. "I'm so sorry Eiji." I dropped my gaze as Eiji looked up.
"Ichiro told me himself. His Zoroark can make itself look like any living creature, he must have used it to fool everyone when he killed the Informant." I frowned feeling the sadness enter my body.
Ichiro stood smiling as Eiji called out "but why would he do that?!"
Ichiro's grin grew bigger "I was offered a deal I couldn't refuse, I had to put the blame onto another so as not to be caught. But now I have to remove a few complications."
Kosuke placed a hand on my shoulder as he pushed me away and smiled.
"You don't have to fight anymore, I don't wish for you to get hurt."
I feared his words as though he wouldn't return again and reached forward grabbing his arm, Yue also stood in his way with Sol.
"I won't let you fight alone anymore." I smiled as he returned my smile. Ichiro swiped his hands across and Zoroark began using a focus blast and shot it towards us. I jumped to my side as did Kosuke.
"Yue detect and dodge it!" As I called my words Kosuke called to Sol
"Synchronize with Yue and dodge the attack!" The blue orb crashed down as Yue and Sol leaped over the orb and ran forward in line with me and Kosuke.
"Yue, use Psychic!"
"Sol, use psychic too!"
The two's eyes glowed as a pink light surrounded their body, as it did us giving us an extra boost up to the rooftop. As our feet made contact with the top we turned to see Ichiro still smiling. Kosuke raised his hand.
"Sol use swift on Zoroark!" I looked at Yue and nodded.
"Yue follow Sol's lead and use your shadow ball" Sol jumped forward as it opened its jaws and light stars flew out, Yue too opened his jaw and a purple orb formed and shot out at the Zoroark. Ichiro smirked
"Zoroark use counter then attack with night slash" Zoroark's eyes glowed as the swift attack stopped and then shot back at the shadow ball causing the impact to explode and blocked our view of Ichiro. From the shadows of the smoke Zoroark dashed towards the two and swiped his claws at Yue and Sol with a direct hit, sent them flying back injured.
"Yue, Sol, don't give up!" My voice screamed as loud as it could go.
"Zoroark finish them with one last focus blast"
Zoroark began creating a large light blue orb, as I ran forward and stood in the way, covering Yue and Sol, as Kosuke tried helping them.
"I won't let you hurt them anymore!
Ichiro looked sadly at me and then turned away confusing me slightly from his reaction.
"Goodbye Minori."
The orb began flying straight at us as I felt a weight on both my shoulders. Yue and Sol both leapt into the air. Their eyes sparkled as a protective barrier stopped the orb's attack.
Yue's rings began glowing the brightest i had ever seen before as his eyes glowed brightly, Sol's eyes also glowed as its red gem began to shine. Yue opened his jaw as a bright and powerful beam emerged from within as the same hyper beam released from Sol's red gem, it shot right at the Zoroark and hit the roof beneath it as it caused the roof to explode and smoke reached the sky.
The battle was finally over.
Kosuke stood beside me as we searched, but Ichiro and Zoroark was nowhere to be seen.
Back at the headquarters, The master revealed my true identity and Kosuke's innocence. Everything seemed to go back to normal, except the stares I receive from the other members. I sat with Yue by the pond as the sun shined brightly in the sky. Kosuke and Sol walked over and sat beside us as he sighed.
"Master tells me you are going to be staying here too..." His words didn't seem happy at all as I smiled
"I will stay by my brothers side, besides I have to make sure you don't disappear again."
Kosuke looked at me and pinched my nose as he laughed before looking at me sadly.
"Are you sure you are alright? Won't the darkness of the truth burden you more?" I looked to the sky and smiled.
"As long as I have you, Sol and Yue I can finally see the light. . . Even if this truly wasn't what I expected." My words felt so empty knowing the truth about Ichiro. Kosuke patted my head gently as Ichiro did many times before. My tears finally broke free.
"We will find him and stop whatever he is doing. Maybe even help him to see the light." I nodded sadly. Kosuke got up and looked back to the main building.
"Come on, we should head for lunch." As Kosuke and Sol left I stood up and wiped my eyes walking from the shade.
"Lets go Yue." As I turned my eyes flew wide open. Yue was standing up, looking at the tree, within the shadows floated a mysterious creature of black, red and white.
"Darkrai?"
He silently disappeared into the shadows as Yue hopped onto my shoulder and I smiled as Yue's rings glowed. "I know Yue. . . Thank you Darkrai, for watching over us. . . we won't let you down."
~ END ~