To Become a Shinobi Ch. 9
By Eliad Sholomovich

Ibuki sat next to Sarai. It was the last day of school. During the last three weeks, Ibuki and Sarai had been hanging out with Sakura and Karin. The four had become quite fond of each other as the days passed. Ibuki's wounds were slowly disappearing and with them the rumors. The first few days were torture for Ibuki but after a week it had died and with it, Ibuki’s relief. Passing the Report Cards around the class was Mrs. Chang. As she gave each student their respective report, she would speak with them about their performance and behaviour, ending it with a few words of advice.

"Today's the day. I wonder how China is…? Soon my quest shall begin. I wonder if I'll succeed..." Ibuki pondered before she heard her homeroom teacher calling her. She took her Report Card and sat down.

"Ibuki, you are a remarkable student," she said. "Your strongest points are Math and Physics. I really think you have a future in those subjects. Have a great summer and if anything happens don't be shy to ask for help" Ibuki listened and sighed silently at the last remark.

"Doesn't this woman get a hint? Thank god I won't be seeing her ‘til September." Ibuki thought as she exhaled and left calming herself.

"Ibuki, how many A's you get?" Sarai asked.

"I got A's in everything except…" she answered as she scanned her Report Card. "…Literature and History. How ‘bout you?" Sarai smiled nervously before responding.

"Pretty much the same, but lets put it this way. Summer school, here I come. I gotta fix my grades in Math and Biology if I want to get into the advanced class next year and be with you Sakura and Karin" Sarai sighed loudly after that.

"Oh I'm sure you'll do fine," Ibuki assured, patting her back for emphasis. "You're bright and smart. I know you can do it. We'll be together next year, I'm sure." Sarai smiled, Ibuki’s reassurance clearly working.

"Thanks for the confidence. I guess I'll just do my best. I'll miss you during the summer Ibuki-chan."

"Oh don't worry ‘bout that. I'll write to ya every three days I promise. I'll be back in no time." The bell rang soon after. "I hope" Ibuki thought as she walked with Sarai, and their recently made friends to the bus.

** Later That Day **

Ibuki was in her ninja uniform and bowing before Geki. "Sensei I'm ready to begin my quest." She said quietly. Geki nodded.

"You shall receive the clan's help on this Ibuki. Whenever you need money or shelter call me at this number." he passed her a small card. Ibuki bowed again.

"Thank you sensei, may I take my leave?" Geki nodded. Ibuki left and Geki remained looking at the door.

"Good luck child. May your father's spirit protect you" Geki thought. Ibuki left the building and returned home and began to pack. Quickly gathering some clothes and money, she placed them along with a few magazines into a duffel bag. She then put her ninja uniform and daggers into a special suitcase Geki gave her. This would hide the content from the X-ray scanners at the airport. She went downstairs and called for a taxi, which within half an hour arrived. Ibuki departed and bid her mother farewell promising she would call every two days. She followed the taxi driver and entered the cab. When the cab pulled out of the driveway, a black Mercedes followed it. A huge man was sitting in the car and smoking. He took out a cell-phone and punched in a few digits. After a few seconds, he spoke.

"Yo its me, I'm on her track now boss. I'll intercept as soon as I can. Yes sir I'll be careful." he finished and hung up. "I don't understand why the boss is worried. I'll beat the s*** outta the little girl or my name ain't Balrog" the man said and sat back as the driver continued the pursuit.

** A Day Later **

"This place is huge." The teenager thought as she walked down the streets of Hong Kong. "So many different people yet the same. I feel so small like a star in a great dark sky. I never imagined China would be so beautiful." Looking around her, she could see many people passing by. Clerks shouting and smiling at their customers as well as bicycles passing by. She also knew she was being followed. She had sensed it ever since she left her house in Tokyo. She noticed how the large, dark skinned figure that seemed to follow her everywhere. He sat two rows behind her on the plane, he checked into the same hotel as she did and now he was following her again, and wasn’t making a good job of it, she noted.

"Why’s that guy following me?" she questioned herself. "I hope he doesn't start any trouble. I ain't got time for fighting now I have to find Gen."

She saw an old woman trying to cross the road whilst holding many shopping bags. Sensing she needed assistance, Ibuki approached her. "May I offer assistance, ma’am?" she asked politely. The old woman smiled and thanked her. "Excuse me miss, but can I ask you a question?" Ibuki turned to the old woman, asking her in English.

"Of course young lady. Thank you for helping me. Most young people today show no respect to their elders. I'm glad to see not everyone is a lost cause." She said in heavily accented English and smiled.

"Thank you," Ibuki replied while blushing slightly. "Can you tell me how to get to Gen's dojo?" The old woman looked deep in thought before she nodded and pointed to her right.

"Walk down that street and at the end turn left. You can't miss it." She soon walked away, but not before Ibuki had thanked her and started walking in the direction the woman pointed. Balrog was watching from behind a wall.

"D*mn she's near that old assassin's house. Better report to the boss." he muttered to himself and took out his cell-phone. "Hello? Yeah it’s me again boss. The ninja girl's heading towards Gen's dojo. Yes I'm sure. OK boss, I'll stay put and wait for her to leave. Yes sir… I'm sorry sir" he said and hung up. "Look what ya did ya stupid brat. Ya got me into trouble. You just wait ‘til I put my hands on you." he muttered angrily and followed her from a safe distance and waited for her. Ibuki stood outside the dojo's door.

"Here goes nothing" she thought and knocked on the door.