The Remaining Ninja, Excluding one

Story by Doctor Otter on SoFurry

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#5 of Tail Underground


The Beautiful.

Hello good friend, pull up a chair and take a drink, perhaps something to eat? of course you would, I'm world famous for my wonderful cooking! so you're here for my life story then, well there's not much to tell, but as you can possibly tell, I'm a Shadow Fox, we're a rare breed with a natural ability to blend into shadow. Well I am still young, only 28 years young but I am masterful with the Tantos. Anyhow, I was born to a relatively poor, yet morally healthy and loving family. My Mother, Ming, ran a shop in Lo-Mai, within the Dragon's territory of Chang, My father I never knew what he did for a living but he would always seem to come through with money. My mother was the regular old white fox, as my father was the Shadow Fox, which is where I get my black fur. So anyways, yes, I lived a normal childhood, but what I truely loved to do was watch my mom cook and learned from her. During times when she was ill, I would be the one to take over. Now that I think of it, after that day my mother said I would never hear the end of how good my cooking was... but I digress... My mother also loved roses, and we had several rose bushes outside of the shop all the time, they were so beautiful.

I found the White Lotus Society when I was 13, as my father was a member, and a very good warrior at that. He finally came out and told me and gave me the choice of joining. Admiring my father at the time, it was a chance of a life time, and I accepted. He Trained me in the wonderful art of Hei, which is a martial art style focusing on technique rather than pure force. "Jubei, use you're enemies weaknesses against them, change their momentem, and make them regret it!" that's what he used to say. Training was hard yes, but I trained hard and long with him, while still learning to cook with my mother. My father said it was an excelent cover for a Ninja to become a chef, plus there's still sharp objects in the kitchen to use just incase. Anyhow, I was officially let into the White Lotus Society at the age of 14 and I'm currently a third coil member. I've still little more training to get up to fourth coil and I look forward to recieving my orichalcum tantos.

Now that you've heard my touching side, perhaps I should dive in on my not so clean side. I had just became a third coil member of the White Lotus, making my way home to tell my parents, when I suddenly found smoke coming from my shop. I hurriedly ran to my home and flung open the door to be met by plumes of smoke. As it had turned out, during the seven year war, the Wolves of Kang had invaded Chang, and we were right infront of the border. I searched frantically for my father and mother and pulled them out of the fire when I did. My father had told me what had happened and died in my arms, both of them... My mother and father had fought to the bitter end... I couldn't believe the Wolves were this desperate for a victory, killing innocence just to call a victory. From that day forward, I convinced Boss Lady that we should enter the war in the name of Yin, on Prince Xing's Side.

I was the one chosen for most assassinations. The greatest warriors and generals Han-Ma had ever seen, killed right before me by my own blade. I've only to infultrate one castle to gain my fourth coil rites because of that war. The Many I've killed in the name of my vengence and retribution, but the most memorable death was when I found the bastard who attacked my mother and father's shop, The Wolf leader named Guan. The Very Guan who allied with Tang to take over Han-Ma. As usual, he begged for his life, and I reminded him of how my parents must have begged for their lives before diving my blade into his heart. That was a great time of darkness for me...

When Ikage had chosen me as a member of the ninja team to be stationed here at the Tail Underground, I was more then happy to accept. It gave me a chance to forget my past, my hatred for those involved, a chance to start anew. I pray to the gods I never have to lift my tanto in order to kill ever again...

The Prodigy

I am Hiei and life for me was always hard growing up. As a young rabbit, I was raised as an orphan. I was constantly picked on for being scrawny and thin. I found my outlet through music when I was but four years old. I loved playing all the instruments I found at the orphanage, both foreign and domestic. I would loose myself in the compositions of great composers of the present and past every day when I would play their wonderful songs. My association with the White Lotus began when I got into a fight with a young wolf who would always pick on me when I was seven. I sure didn't begin the fight, but I made sure that I ended it. Practically the next day I finally was adopted by a young female black oriental dragon.

The dragon's name was Ebony and she taught me all of the virtues I practice now. As it had turned out, Ebony was a high ranking member of the White Lotus society and she began my training right away at the age of eight. I was taught to act innocent to throw off suspicions to my true intentions. When I had finally reached the Second Coil, I was given the chance to choose my weapon. I chose the one that looked most vicious and most dangerous. My masters called me crazy for even dreaming of mastering such an insanely difficult weapon. I chose a combination of a Kusurigama, and a Spiked Chain.

It took very little time to master my new weapon, much to the surprise of my peers and masters. The weapon was relatively easy to learn, just like counting the measures of a great symphony. Timing the beats and knowing where exactly to put your fingers, it was like playing the piano. Learning my Shadow Clone technique was just as easy. All the other ninja had begun calling me "The Prodigy" from that point on. I would still always wonder about who my parents are and hopefully to find their graves to pay my respects.

Together sitting at the same Piano in which the two of them met, Alin and Hiei sat as Hiei gently ran his hands over the ivory keys as he gently played a sad song as he looked over to Alin, "and that's pretty much my story..." he said calmly as he continued playing the song without missing a beat. Alin looked to him and nodded gently and looked back to him, "I see... we both grew up alone... for the most part." Hiei gently nodded softly as he continued playing, "I've lived my life like that for as long as I can live... It is my only hope that both of my parents are watching me from above with pride." Alin smiled softly and took the young rabbit into his arms, causing Hiei to loose concentration as he stopped playing. "Well Hiei... you don't ever have to be alone again... that is if that is your desire." he said softly. Hiei looked down and blushed, not sure of what to say, "I... I don't know what to say... no one has ever been so nice to me before..." he said. Alin smiled and held him closer, "Then say you'll be mine..." he said softly into his ear, chuckling. Hiei blushed even more at that thought as Alin gently picked him up and began to carry him to his room. Hiei couldn't help but think of any way to repay Alin's kindness and his silence to their real reasons why the White Lotus was there, but was sure he would think of something...

If Looks Could Kill...

My name is Lady Kaede, and I've been known by many nicknames, Lady Jade, Silent Wind, and more recently, death incarnate. But my life wasn't always that way. I was once a beautiful Geisha in the palace of Ryo-Ma under the rule of the previous Emperor, and life was wonderous there. The emperor treated me with the utmost respect as though I were a member of his family myself. Everything in the palace was wonderful until that fateful day when Tang attempted to overthrow the current line of emperors and take the throne for himself. I had found out what had happened and tried to warn the prince of what was to happen if not for meeting with a dagger in my back and being tossed into a dark alleyway. That's when I met her... the woman who saved my life. Lady Uhn... leader of the White Lotus society. She brought me to her training camp and nursed me back to health. She offered me my chance at revenge, to destroy the man who ruined my life... and I accepted.

My training started right away, and I improved almost instantly. My killer instincts sharpened and my reflexes were faster. I became stronger in mind body and spirit. I had learned in the 9 years of my training what many had to learn in 20 years. I chose the Sais as my weapon of choice, as they were versitile for both combat and defensive purposes. I also met a man who was training along side me for longer then I had, Ikage. I found his name to be odd, but I didn't question it. When I recieved my passage into the fourth coil, I was ready to finally exact my revenge upon the man who had taken my life from me. Five years had already passed in the seven year war by the time I joined, along with my clan mate Jubei. We were sent on many stealth assassination missions against the Yang Coalition, as the White Lotus finally sided with Yin and the young prince.

After two years of joining in the Seven year War, we finally began to gain back ground we had lost since the beginning after retrieving Allies from the land of Arca. I was finally given the chance to exact my revenge, as Lady Uhn and I both took to the Yang Capital of Mai-Pei to take on Tang. Of course I found him first, and I wanted my revenge. The battle was fierce and long, but I ended up besting him, leaving him vulnerable and defenceless. I was about ready to deal the final blow, I held my sai, about to bury it into his heart, but I couldn't... I realized from that day, Vengence wasn't what I was after... it was merely justice. Lady Uhn had watched me through the entire battle and told me, "Kaede, you are now officially a White Lotus Member, not all deserve the punishment of death..." she had told me, and I now understood that. I now serve the White Lotus as a savior to Tail Raisers seeking passage to Han-Ma via the Tail Underground, along side the only man in my life, Ikage, whom I finally learned his real name is Hunter Vale. I'd give my life for him, and the cause we represent.