To Become a Shinobi Ch. 6
By Eliad Sholomovich

Crackerjack's thugs picked Ibuki and headed outside. "We're gonna have some fun tonight little ninja" the leader thought as they headed towards the exit. When they reached the alley they dropped Ibuki on the ground. Crackerjack appeared through the door holding a bag of ice on his nose.

"Wait a sec boys, come 'ere" he said. The thugs nodded and followed him. He led them into the bar. "Look, this girl must belong to a clan or something so no fooling around. Just kill her and dump her somewhere far from here. I don't want an angry ninja clan releasing its wrath on me." he finished and turned to leave. The thugs faces fell and they just stood there.

"Oh man, he's no fun," one said, only to receive a slap at the back of his head for his troubles.

"Shut the h*ll up. Don't ever talk about the boss like that again... Now let’s go" the leader said. Meanwhile Ibuki moaned and then coughed as the impact woke her up. Ibuki opened her eyes and held her head. Her vision was hazy and a horrible pain coursed through her body.

"What the h*ll happened?" she pondered. "All I remember is turning around and bang, I'm here. Maaaan my head hurts. I gotta get home before mom has a fit," The thugs stepped out of the bar and saw Ibuki trying to get up.

"Come on guys. Remember what the boss said, no evidence" The leader spoke and led them towards Ibuki. She couldn't hear the men approaching her due to the ringing in her ears and the throbbing pounding in her head. She tried to rise to her feet only to feel dizzy and sick. She failed and remained sprawled on the cold concrete floor. "And where do you think you’re going?" the leader said, unsheathing a butterfly knife and towered over her. Ibuki shook her head and raised her head to look at the source of the voice. All she saw was five blurs but the voices were recognisable.

"What are they doing here? I gotta try..." she thought as she tried to rise again, but she fell again and heard them laughing "It’s no use, I can't fight them off like this. I just hope Mom will be okay without me." Ibuki thought as she watched the leader raise his hand. As he went to slash across her throat, perhaps the first of many, a swishing sound sped through the night and a cry of pain followed.

She felt some drops of blood fall on her forehead. She narrowed her eyes to focus her eye sight and was shocked to see the leader was holding his hand and crying in pain. A ninja dagger had pierced through it and it now was bleeding profusely, leaving a large crimson river all over the man's arm. She saw looks of horror upon the faces of the thugs. They were looking towards her, but their eyes were focused on something else.

Something behind her.

Turning her head, Ibuki saw a man in a blue ninja suit. " Sensei…" was all she could make out before a weak smile appeared on her face. Then everything went black again as her weakness consumed her. Geki approached the thugs. He wore a mask, disguising all but his eyes, which were brown and now were narrowed and full of cold fury.

"Cowards! How dare they pick on a wounded child like that?! I'll teach them to mess with youths."

The leader panicked "D*mn it’s probably her master. Got to get outta here fast…" turning to his group he shouted, "What are you dimwits waiting for! Shoot the b*st*rd!" whilst he clutched his hand.

They nodded and reached for their guns, but before they could do that Geki rushed forward. The leader started running trying to escape, but in his fear he stumbled and fell. He turned to see what was happening to his friends.

Geki chopped one of them on the side of the neck with great force. The man collapsed to the ground, clearly unconscious. Before they could blink he kneed one of them in the groin. The man bent forward and Geki placed an elbow to the back of his head. The final two lunged forward. Geki leapt and landed behind them and struck their spines with a palm strike, with both of his hands covered with blue chi. A cracking sound was heard and they fell forward. They tried to move but found out their feet were paralysed. They started crying. Geki shook his head. He spotted the leader trying to run. He threw a dagger and it sunk deep into the leader's ankle, causing him to fall forward. He approached the leader that was now in a sitting position and holding his hand while he sat in a puddle of his own blood. Geki loomed over him and pinned him to the ground with his foot.

"If you ever come near Ibuki or any other girl again I promise you I will make all your worthless lives a living h*ll. Am I making myself clear?" Geki threatened procuring a dagger and rubbed its blade with his thumb in order to further his threat.

"C-Crystal clear s-sir" The leader stammered in fear. Geki kicked his abdomen and left him to bend, cough and groan in pain. He then approached Ibuki and picked her up.

He put two fingers to her throat. "The pulse is weak. I must get her to a hospital and fast" He started running through the alleys. "You'll be fine Ibuki, I promise. Just hold on" he thought as he raced towards the nearest hospital.

TWO DAYS LATER

Ibuki opened her eyes and scanned her surroundings. She was in a small white room with two beds. She rose to a sitting position. "Where the h*ll am I?" she questioned silently to herself. She looked at herself. She was in a hospital robe. She had tubes in her hand and her abdomen was bandaged under the robe. "A hospital! Oh Mom must be half dead worrying!" Ibuki grimaced as she pictured her mom's reaction. A nurse came into the room.

"Oh you’re awake how do you feel? " she asked in a polite tone. Ibuki shook her head.

"My body hurts a bit and I'm a but drowsy" Ibuki said. The nurse smiled

"You'll be fine. Your mom is here shall I let her in?"

Ibuki sighed. "I guess I've got no choice. Better get it over with now" gave a nod and awaited her mother’s entrance. She ran and hugged Ibuki tightly. Ibuki hugged her mom back.

"Are you OK Honey?" her mom spoke.

Ibuki coughed "I'm fine but you’re kinda choking me" Ibuki coughed again. Her mom loosened her hug and let go.

"I was worried sick Ibuki. What happened?" Her mom inquired. Ibuki smiled nervously.

"Gotta find an excuse and fast... I got it!" she thought and spoke "I was walking home when the thugs that jumped me before appeared. This time they threatened me with guns. They beat me up badly and then someone saved me" She said. It wasn't a lie but it wasn't exactly the truth either. Her mom sighed

"Ibuki promise me you won't walk in alleys alone again" her mom said with a serious tone in her voice.

"But-"

"No buts young lady," she interrupted. "Promise me?" her mom pleaded but with a hint of demand also. Ibuki gave a sigh.

"Alright mom, I promise I'll only walk in main streets late at night" she said in a defeated tone. Her mom kissed her forehead

"Thank you Honey. The doctor told me not to bother you too much so you rest. Sarai said she'll come and visit this afternoon" she finished and left. Ibuki gulped

"That went pretty well. I wonder what Sensei has to say?" she wondered.