To Become a Shinobi Ch. 16
By Eliad Sholomovich

Yun and Yang hauled Ibuki threw the busy streets of HK. Many people that looked at the three youths thought Ibuki was a drunk teenager and shook his head in disgust as they passed by them.

"Yang your the smart one ,what are we gonna do? Grandpa's gonna have a fit about this" Yun whispered to his brother. Yang looked at him and sighed "We have no other options Yun, we must tell grandpa the truth" Yang said

Yun rolled his eyes "Stop being such a goodie two shoes Yang. You know he'll never believe us. We need some kind of plan." Yun said angrily and glared at his brother.

Yang ignored him and continued walking. "D*mn Granpa's gonna kill us, and that bum of a brother of mine doesn't care. Well atleast I'll have company when I'm punished even if it is Yang" Yun thought and sighed.

They continued on their way, People kept staring and pointing at them. Yun and Yang ignored the gazing people and their remarks about the recklessness of young people. After about an hour and a half they reached the dojo. Ibuki was still unconscious. Yang looked at her in concern "I hope she'll be okay, I'll never forgive myself if not. We never should have disobeyed Grandpa, But we did and Now Ibuki's paying the price" Yang thought

They knocked on the door, Yun was tapping his foot nervously while Yang sighed and both awaited their grandfather's reaction after he'd open the door and see them and Ibuki.

Gen's voice could be heard from inside the dojo "Where the h*ll have you been? Do you know how..." He said before opening the door. He silenced himself the minute he saw them and Yun and Yang gulped. Gen crossed his hands and shook his head in disapproval.

Then he sighed "What am I going to do with you two? I thought I told you to keep out of trouble. Not only did you disobey me but you dragged poor Ibuki into your mischief as well." he said his voice slowly growing menacing.

Yun tried to mutter "But Grandpa..." he said before Gen barked "SILENCE! I do not want to hear any of your excuses. Go put her in the guestroom and go to sleep. We shall discuss your punishment in the morning." He said angrily.

Yun was about to say something but Yang stompted on his foot "Shut up Yun. You'll only make things worse." Yang whispered to his brother. Yun gave him a angry look and then both hauled Ibuki into the guestroom while Gen closed the door and entered his room.

They put her in the bed and Yang covered her with a blanket. "Sweet dreams Ibuki, Hope you'll feel better in the morning" Yang thought. Yun shook his head "I still can't believe she almost beat Guy, She's just too good to be true, I hope she'll feel better tomorrow. She deserves that much after that fight." Yun thought.

Both twins left the room. They both went upstairs and went straight to bed. They were exhausted from carrying Ibuki all the way to the dojo. She wasn't heavy but pushing threw crowds and passing the busy streets was a major headache.

** Begin Dream scene **

Ibuki awoke inside a room. It was dark and she was looking at it痴 ceiling "Where am I?" She thought before shouting "Yun! Yang ! Are you there"? Ibuki shouted but to her shock her voice echoed around her.

"What the h*ll?" Ibuki thought. She tried to move but her body didn't move no matter how hard she tried."Whats going on?" Ibuki thought before she felt her body move.She could hear two voices one was deep whilist the other was gentle.

Her body moved towards the door. "This room...Its mine. I remember this...No,No... please...I don't want to remember this day" Ibuki thought but couldn't move to escape. Her body refused to comply.

She saw two people talking threw her half open bedroom door. One was tall and muscular, he was a japanese man in his early 30's. He was wearing a ninja uniform without the mask. He also had a Katana strapped to his black uniform in a sheath, A uniform Ibuki knew well, It was the uniform of Shinobi masters.

She felt tears gather in her eyes "D..Da..Daddy" She thought. She could hear them talk. She didn't mean to spy on them but she was a young girl at the time. He curiousity was too great like all children in that young age.

Her father was leaning on the wall while her mother was sitting on a chair. Her mother's eyes were full of tears and she was sobbing loudly "Why? Why must you go? Can't they send someone else?" She asked and Ibuki could see the pain and sorrow in her eyes and hear the frustration in her voice.

Her father spoke in a broken voice, His eyes were watery too. "You know I'd stay if I could, You and Ibuki mean everything to me." He said and a tear dropped down his cheek.

Her mom cried in anger "Then leave that blasted clan of yours and stay with us! we need you D*mnit!" She screamed in frustration and turned to leave. "Just go" She whispered sadly and tried to leave. Her father dashed forward and put a hand on her shoulder stopping her.

"Please Don't make this harder on me Honey, I've been begging the clan for months you know that, I...I don't want to go, But you know what will happen if I disobey the clan. They'll come for you and Ibuki. I rather die a thousand deaths to prevent them touching a single hair on your beautiful head" He said and hugged her tightly.

She sobbed onto his chest. "I know...but that doesn't make this any easier. What will...we do if...if you don't return? How...How will we survive?" She asked between sobs. Ibuki saw her father's eyes fill with guilt and pain.

He bit his lower lip and looked at her mother. "I've been saving money for a few years now, I had a feeling this day might come・He went over to a drawer and took out a small silver key. This is the key to my safe in the bank. It should be enough to cover your expenses until you find a job." He said and put it on the table.

She looked at him and lowered her gaze "You make it sound like you're already dead." She whispered. He hugged her tightly "Seeing you like this has already killed my heart. I must go. Know that my only thoughts are on you and Ibuki nothing else." He said and turned to leave.

Then Ibuki felt her body move. She pushed the door and ran forward and grabbed onto his leg. She heard her voice shout even though she didn't say a thing. "Daddy! Daddy Please don't go" Her younger self shouted and tugged onto the cloth.

"I'll be good I promise, just don't leave daddy please" She said in tears.Ibuki saw the look in his eyes. The pain and sorrow were too much for her to sustain in her present age.

"Father, you knew you wouldn't return didn稚 you. How could I have done something like that to you. you must of been crushed because of me." Ibuki thought and continued watching the painful scene unwillingly.

Her father bend down and sat on one knee. He hugged her."I would stay if I could sweetheart." He said in a gentle but tear choked voice. The young Ibuki cried onto his shoulder "P..Please do..don't go daddy" She sobbed.

Her father looked up to her mother and then back at Ibuki again. "Ibuki look at me" He said gently and used his finger to push her head upwards. "No matter what happens never forget I love you and that I'll always be proud of you princess. Do you understand?" He asked.

The young Ibuki nodded. He kissed her cheek "You take good care of your mom while I'm gone Ok?" He said and looked into her teary eyes. Ibuki could see his eyes were full of tears as well.

The young Ibuki nodded "I promise Daddy, I'll make you proud I swear." She said and hugged him tightly. Her father smiled. "Thats my girl, Don't worry I'll always be watching you wherever I am" He said and then rose to his feet.

He hugged her mom and kissed her passionately. Then he put on his mask. And waved "So long my two beautiful ladies" He said in a choked voice and dashed threw door. The young Ibuki ran to the open door and screamed "Daddy!".

But he was already gone, He vanished into the shadows. That was the last time Ibuki ever saw her father and that was almost 12 years ago.

** End dream scene **

Ibuki woke up suddenly, She was covered with cold sweat, Her eyes were red and swollen from tears. She looked around her and recognized the surroundings as part of the dojo.

She looked outside threw a window. The moon was high in the clear night sky, She felt every fiber of her body quake with sorrow as she sobbed onto her knees and cuddeled into a ball.

"Father... How could I have done that to you?, You knew you wouldn't come back and I only made things harder on you. I'll never be able to forgive myself. she thought and continued crying for a few minutes. Then she inhaled and wiped her tears I said I'd make you proud and I will fufill my promise Father. Mark my words I'll become the best Shinoni ever just like you" She vowed.

She got out of bed still in Uniform and snuck out of the dojo. She needed some time to herself to think. She left the dojo and started wandering the streets memorizing the way so she could return later.

Meanwhile in the shadows Vega spied on the youth. "She is alone, What is she up to I wonder? I mustn't let her out of my sight or the boss will be furious. Oh come on Vega your the best your not that imbicel Balrog. You don't fail." The cocky assasian thought and followed her from a safe distance.