To Become a Shinobi Ch. 12
By Eliad Sholomovich

Balrog smiled despite the horrible pain he was in as he saw the horror on Gen face.

"I warned that old moron not to mess with me. I bet the boss'll give me a promotion on this one. No more of this old a**hole interfering in our business. Man life is good." He pulled the trigger and with a loud bang, the bullet erupted from the barrel and flew toward its target.

Which was nowhere to be found.

"What the f***? How? It’s impossible!" Balrog thought. He shook his head and saw Gen lying on the floor, alive and conscious. He looked around, but the street was now dark and misty. He couldn't see a thing. He aimed the gun at Gen again. "Well if at first you don't succeed…" Balrog thought. All of a sudden Balrog’s hand was hit, causing his weapon to fall from his hand. He swung his fist at his attacker, but hit only the air belonging to this dark atmosphere. "What the h*ll?!" Balrog cried out loud. He was getting dizzy and his head was pounding. "Who's there? Show yourself and fight" He then saw a figure speeding towards him, before it jumped and spin into the air, placing a kick to the side of Balrog’s head. Balrog staggered not from the force of the blow but from exhaustion. Balrog regained his composure but his vision was hazy but not enough for him not to see the silhouette of a figure standing in front of him.

"You’re history pal" he thought and rushed with a punch. The blur was getting closer as Balrog rushed forward. He swung his fist but the blur suddenly got shorter. "What the h*ll?! How?!" Balrog thought before shaking his head. His squinted his eyes to get a clearer vision and saw a masked figure with its legs in a split, the mask only revealing a pair of brown eyes. The figure jumped to its feet, nailing Balrog with a rising kick. Balrog staggered, but when he managed to stop himself from falling, he looked upwards in time to see the figure descending towards him. He gathered his strength and tried to uppercut. The figure was hit but it landed on its feet after somersaulting. Balrog dashed forward again with a blood-covered fist. The figure ran towards him also "He's mine!" Balrog thought as the distance between them lessened. Just as Balrog brought his fist across to collide with the figure’s face, it stopped at the last moment and ducked under it. Taking advantage of Balrog’s vulnerability, it punched him in his face with a right fist, and struck his chest with a left palm strike. Quickly grabbing Balrog's clothing, the figure leapt upwards and forced its knee into Balrog's groin. Balrog bent forward groaning in pain and received another blow to the back of the head. He fell and was now sprawled on the ground. "How could I have lost? And who is that?" Balrog thought before he was consumed by unconsciousness. The figure rushed to Gen and helped him to his feet. Gen smiled but was too tired and weak to thank his saviour. The figure started to lead him towards his dojo.

Meanwhile outside the dojo, Yun and Yang knocked on the door. They waited for a few moments but received no answer. They tried and found out the door was open. Yun and Yang entered the dojo with their hands full of groceries and were sweating and panting.

"Man there’s enough food here to feed the entire Chinese army!" Yun thought as Yang put his bags down gently while he just put them down tiredly and not so gently.

"That was a close call Yun. Another two minutes and we'd have been too late," Yang said between breaths. "Ibuki! Are you here?" Yang shouted but received no answer. He looked around and saw Ibuki's bag was still there. It was open and clothes were folded inside. "I wonder where she went. I hope she didn't con us and steal our stuff." Yang thought. "Yun check our rooms and I'll try the shower" Yang said and Yun simply nodded and grimaced as he rose to his feet.

"Man my feet are killing me" Yun thought as he climbed up the stairs. He peeked into their rooms and then into Gen's room. "She ain't here, Where could she be?" Yun thought and climbed down the stairs. Meanwhile Yang opened the bathroom door.

"Nope ain't here either" Yang thought and ran back to the main room.

"She ain't there and nothing is missing" Yun said. Yang nodded

"She ain't here either yet everything is intact. Where did she..." Yang’s thoughts were cut of as the door was pushed open violently and a masked figure entered the house. The Kempo twins immediately entered their stances.

"Yang get him!" Yun shouted and ran down. Yang rushed forward and kicked out towards the figure's chest.

"Wha…" it tried to say as its eyes went wide but Yang was successful with his attack and went to add a punch. The figure ducked and swept Yang's feet. It pulled of its mask to reveal Ibuki, and by the look on her face she was angry.

"You guys ever hear of asking first and shooting later?" she said angrily and her eyes narrowed. Yang blushed and bowed his head.

"I-I'm sorry, you’re right Ibuki but you sure h*ll looked like an assassin" Yang explained and rose to his feet. Ibuki sighed and smiled.

"I guess I should’ve thought of that. Come and help me quickly" she said and rushed through the door.

"Smooth move Yang" his brother whispered into his ear before he chuckled and followed her. Before they reached the door Ibuki hauled in Gen.

"GRANPA?!" The twins shouted simultaneously. They helped Gen immediately, Yun bringing him a chair whilst Yang brought water and towels. Gen looked at his grandsons.

"Where have you two been?" he asked in a slight menacing tone. Yun gulped.

"We brought the groceries. We're sorry Grandpa" Yun muttered. Gen sighed.

"What am I going to do with you two?" Gen said.

"I can't let them take the blame it’s my fault" she thought. "It is my fault Grandmaster Gen," she justified. "I arrived here seeking you and they remained here to host me. If I had not they would have done their errand on time. Please don't blame them" she said and bowed in respect.

"That uniform and fighting style… I've seen them before but where? AH I remember could she be a student of Geki's?" he thought before he gave a nod.

"This time I'll let this go but next time do things on time" he said.

"Yes Grandpa" they said in unison. Gen turned to Ibuki.

"Thank you for saving my life young lady" he said and bowed. Yun and Yang were wide-eyed. Ibuki bowed back

"It is my fault that man has been following me. I apologise for putting you in danger Gen" she said. Gen smiled.

"Why can't Yun and Yang be more like her?" he thought. "Now then why did you seek me?" he asked while wiping the blood from his nose. "I searched for you for a reason. I need to know the whereabouts of a man named Ryu" she answered.