FalseFreedom Chapter 6

                                               Welcome to Zenshu!

    Raven pulled the cloak around her shoulders as she walked faster toward the old crumbling temple. Red Fox would have frowned apon her escort but she needed some one who didn’t travel with her to pull her back if necessary. The Soul Stealer walked silently, strange against the darkness of the night, his white, ghost like figure gliding along with her, his white skin and hair glowed in the dark, almost inexistent moonlight. She didn’t say a word as they moved past the exact same spot where he had pinned her to the ground. She glanced up at him, he wasn’t looking at her soul would be as good as his if he truly wanted to steal it, and she knew that fact all to well. They moved slowly down the steps toward the inner temple, not trusting the crumbling rocks. He didn’t say a word as he caught her arm as she stumbled over a fallen statue. She nodded her thanks as she moved toward the interior of the old temple. “I better carry you from here on, the spirits here know what your about to do an they don’t like it, not one bit.” She nodded she had sensed the climate change immediately. The weather out side was comfortably warm, but as soon as they entered the temple it was freezing, their breaths forming clouds in the air around them. She allowed his arms, which were stronger than they looked, to wrap around her waist and lift her off her feet and cradle her against his white clothed chest. He walked swiftly to the giant alter near the center of the building. He set her down and she immediately went into the meditating posture. She focused calling out with her mind his sense. The winds began to ripple and strengthen, forcing the soul stealer to the stairs. “You better hurry it up! They ‘re putting up a storm!” She ignored the Soul Stealer, hell bent on keeping her mind focused on Iron Dragon’s sensei. Her body felt lighter than a feather and her breathing seemed to stop all together. She was floating up, into a black spance of nothingness. Her eyes rolled into he back of her head and her third eye opened. She was surrounded by stars, thousands apon thousands of them, all framed by a pitch-black sky. A sudden jolt rocketed through her body making her wince then another, stronger than the last, this time sending her plummeting back into the darkness below.
     Iron Dragon paced restlessly at the foot of the bed. Raven lay beneath the covers, a bandage wrapped around her forehead and her hair tucked behind her head. Red Fox was just as worried. Dark circles under his eyes told all that he hadn’t slept the past two days; food sat cold on a tray near the window, untouched by neither man. Lynx sat on the other side of the bed his face a mask of worry; his eyes were sunken and dull. The black haired child didn’t stir but she was breathing, as if in a long dreamless sleep. Lynx scrubbed a hand over his worn and tired face. The girl shifted and sat up her eyes dazed and confused ‘Iron Dragon-sama?’ Iron Dragon froze mid stride and turned to the girl looked dazedly at him. ‘What happened? You look exhausted.’ Iron Dragon sat down next to her and stroked her face, and chuckled “You scared us half to death! We thought you were dead when we found you in the temple! Did the Soul Stealer take you there? Did he do something to you?” ‘No, I went there to explore and I didn’t want to bother you so I went alone, I guess I hit my head on something and well, the rest I don’t know. But I was alone, the Soul Stealer was no where near me.’ She looked around and found a very pale Lynx and tiered looking Red Fox gazing at her. She held her arms out to him, and beckoned Lynx over to her. Red Fox practically flung himself into her arms while Lynx slowly, carefully climbed onto the bed in front of her. “We were so worried! We thought you were dead, but you were still breathing, ah honey you scared three years of my soul!” Red Fox wept in her arms as Lynx scooted closer. She released Red Fox and flung her arms around Lynx. The man gently hugged her; as if he held her to tightly she would break. She pulled back and ran a hand through his dark blond hair and gently kissed the tip of his sharp nose. ‘I’m so sorry I worried you all so much! I didn’t think it would happen like that.’ Iron Dragon relayed the message and Lynx gently kissed her on the forehead and rubbed his nose against hers and sighed “You worried me so much little one, please don’t do that again.” She nodded as Red Fox took residence in her lap and curled up against her as if a kitten would against its mother. She smiled and stroked his mahogany hair as Iron Dragon sat directly behind her and enclosed her safely in his strong arms. “You will never be out of our sights again, got that ninjlet? If your off somewhere in the day you drag one of us along, even where your going to the bush.” Lynx gasped and looked at Iron Dragon startled. “Ihron! Can’t give the girl a bit of privacy for that! She’s not a man if you haven’t noticed yet!” Red Fox giggled lightly from his place in her lap. Iron Dragon shook his head in a stern fashion and tightened his arms around her shoulders. “Until she can successfully protect herself she’s not going any where with out one of us present.” Black Wing sighed mentally and stroked Red Fox’s mahogany locks again. ‘I’m ready to leave for the clan as soon as you are ready.’ Iron Dragon nodded and relayed the message to the others who seemed delighted that she was ready to leave the hotel after such an ordeal. By mid-noon their horses were saddled and their bellies were full with a hot breakfast. “Were about a two day ride out from Zenshu so, if we push it we can make it there in a day, but that would mean we would have to ride a whole day through, night and morning, but I’m not sure we can do that safely.” Red fox bit his lip, trying to figure out the best possible plan. Iron Dragon had thought it be a good idea to let Red Fox plan the rest of the way so he could spend more time with Raven so he could teach her vital skills that were demanded in her ninja exams. Raven sat astride Iron Dragons black stallion, stroking the great beasts thick neck. Iron Dragon stood next to the beasts’ head, eyeing Red Fox with sharp unforgiving eyes. The younger ninja looked like he was about to faint “Well ride through the night and rest the next day, we need to get there soon.” He had a determined gleam in his eyes as he nudged his horse on, and down the path that led away from The Hot Springs Inn. Lynx fell in behind him, allowing Raven and Iron Dragon some time to speak without interruption. ‘You are putting Red Fox-chan under a bit of pressure. Why?’ Iron dragon didn’t respond quickly but remained a little hesitant to answer. That was strange; Iron dragon never hesitated to answer one of her questions. “Well, you see, he needs it. I make him think for himself and the welfare of others. You see Red Fox-chan is the son of a very powerful ruler, who is well on his way to his deathbed. Red Fox-chan is his only heir and he is in no state of mind to rule a province in china as I am. So I believe that the pressure now will prepare him for that which is coming soon.” She nodded storing the information deep in her mind. “While we walk I will teach you history and battle tactics. They pass the time quickly if you understand them correctly.” She nodded. The ride went quicker than expected; she flew through battle tactics and history of ninja and samari, philosophy and physics. They came so easily to her as he taught her about them. Suddenly it was nightfall. Looking around she was surprised. ‘Night came earlier than I thought!’ She smiled as Lynx slipped forward in his saddle with a groan. “God, I’m so stiff! Next time we decide to do an all night WARN me first!” He growled irritably. Again Raven smiled and looked down at Iron Dragon who was looking as exhausted as lynx was. ‘I will walk if you’d like Iron Dragon-sama, I can’t feel my tooshie!’ She wiggled her behind to emphasize her point. Red Fox, who had most likely caught the comment threw his head back and roared with laughter as Iron Dragon turned three shades of scarlet. “Wow, Iron Dragon-sempai, you’ve got a brassy one!” A cheery voice hollered form above. Raven dove from the saddle, black fire entwining up and down her arms like living, moving rose vine. Red Fox had a long bow in his lap strung and poised an second arrow clenched between his teeth; Lynx pulled a curved sword from it’s holster, the curved metal gleaming deadly in the moon light. Iron Dragon was still, his jaw clenched, his hands empty and limp at his sides, hovering over his weapons holster strapped to his thigh. “Yes, but look, she wields black fire, she is not to be taken lightly.” Another voice murmured, a famine voice, Raven could tell that much from the way it purred. Lynx stiffened and laughed “Well, wouldn’t ya know! It’s Kitten and her troupe`!” Suddenly three ninja, dressed like Iron Dragon appeared in front of them. Two were male, maybe a little over seventeen because they wore the burgundy sash like Red Fox who had explained the different colors represented the different ranks. The female stood and instantly Raven disliked her. She was tall, but not tall as Iron Dragon or Lynx and she wore her shirt open which reviled an over amount of her volumes bust to who ever wanted to see. ‘Who is that Iron Dragon-sama?’  The two male ninja’s looked at her but she didn’t meet either of their gazes. “They are friends of mine from home, the boy’s I mean, not the she-devil.” He spat at the woman. She clenched her fists and glared at him. “Oh come off it! All I did was ask you to bed me.” If Iron Dragon could have, he would have been spitting fire as he roared back. “You idiotic bitch! You threw your self at my feet and begged me! And in front of who would have been my betrothed! It took me three long years and five wars to stop the bloody rumor that I bedded only whores!” The woman backed down immediately, her eyes down cast with shame. He turned back to Raven, obviously trying to calm himself. Dropping her shadow fire, she took one of his clenched hands in her smaller one. He breathed out heavily and smiled at her. “Thank you Black Wing.” She nodded and stepped away. The two boys dropped ranks and split one going to Lynx and the other Iron Dragon. “It’s good to have you home Lynx, the Lord is waiting your report.” Lynx nodded and shifted in his saddle, looking nervous. The second boy threw an arm over Iron Dragons shoulder and grinned like an idiot. “Good ta have ya back Ihron, and I see you have a new apprentice, a little young isn’t she?” Raven drew herself up her mouth a firm line. ’I’m a good twelve moons old!’ She huffed angerly. The young man chuckled “Sorry! You look a lot younger than you are!” Iron Dragon nudged his friend in the ribs, a good-natured movement that allowed her to relax a little. If Iron Dragon was friendly to this new comer than she could trust his decision. “This little ninjlet saved my life, she has many surprises tucked up those sleeves of hers so don’t think so little of her.” The other ninja inclined his head toward her as Red Fox walked up to join them. “Black Wing, will you unbridle my stallion for me, he’s gotten all his reins knotted up.” Raven nodded “Oh course, I think Iron Dragon-sama and his friend need some time to catch up.”  She trotted away with out another glance at the men and boy.
     “When are you going to tell her about your Sight?” Iron Dragon frowned beneath his mask. “I can’t tell her, she’ll get spooked.” Red Fox crossed his arms over his chest. “The girl was attacked by a Soul Stealer and didn’t scream her head off, she fought, hard. And then only two days after we found her knocked out on the floor of a temple she wakes up and tells us she’s ready to hit the road! Come off it! Will you get it through your thick skull already! She can handle it!” Blue Rat shook his head with confusion. “You really haven’t gotten over her have ya mate?” Ihron looked away from the two men and closed his eyes, conjuring back the face that had always haunted him. He had a lover, once, when he was just another ninja among many. She had been, at the time, the most beautiful creature to love him. He loved her back but when the time came he told her of his Sight, she blanched out of their engagement and committed suicide by flinging herself off a cliff. He couldn’t bring himself to utter the woman’s name. “No, I still see her when I’m asleep, I can’t get her out of my head. I can’t help but still hold myself responsible for her death.” Red Fox sighed. “Hey, the girl couldn’t handle something like that, she thought you would get older and ugly and she would remain young and beautiful, but instead you would stay young and she would wither and die. Zari was a bitch and you know it!” Ihron cringed at the name. “Yes, I know that now.” He sighed and watched his ninjlet fuss over the tangled bridle. “She must be something special, I can’t put my finger on it, but I can tell, she will be a grand warrior someday.” Blue Rat murmured as the girl finally undid the bridle with a smile of triumph. Red Fox grinned as his stallion followed her obediently toward the tree line. She stroked his forehead and kissed his nose before tying him to the tree. Ihron nodded as he watched her calm his fidgeting stallion. The big warhorse calmed instantly under her touches.
     Not far away Silver Fox watched in utter confusion. This little girl, Black Wing, who had nothing to do with Zenshu, had captured Ihron’s heart. And now she was stroking his stallions’ cheek, instantly calming the great beast. “So, you’re his new apprentice?” The stallion flattened its ears against its head. Black Wing shot her a look over her shoulder. “Yes, if you want to say that. It’s not official yet.” She turned back to the stallion and began stroking his nose, trying to calm him. The stallion pranced; it’s eyes rolling back with fear. The stallion reared up, pawing the air with sharp hooves and throwing its head from side to side as if possessed. Raven, not caring about the woman, leapt onto the animals back. The woman made no move toward the stallion or girl; all she did was smile with sadistic glee. The stallion roared, trying to throw her from his back while drawing the attention of her guardians and their friends. Raven huddled down and close to the horses back, so she wouldn’t be thrown. Reaching out she tried but failed to capture the flying leather reins. Finally she caught the flying leather strips and yanked them back. Hard. The stallions head jerked back, its jaw working, trying to dislodge the bit in its mouth. She pulled back again, hanging on with her legs, squeezing them against the stallions heaving sides. A ninja squad came forward, many of the men gazing in wonder at the raven-haired girl astride the rearing stallion. Iron Dragon stood afar, not daring to risk his ninjlets’ life or his own. The girl forced the stallion to all fours and continued to work the bit in the beast’s mouth. Red Fox was next to the woman and grabbed her by her collar, a dangerous look in his eye. The troop came forward as the girl slowly dismounted and batted away Iron Dragons flustered hands. “Are you alright? Did that witch do something to you?” She continued to bat his hands away and pointed hotly at the ninja troop as they stopped in the clearing. Instantly Iron Dragons hands fell to his sides and his eyes narrowed. “Iron Dragon-san. You have returned with quite a female. She has been invited to the home of his lord, Tonight. We are here to escort her and you and your students to home.”  The voice was high and oddly enough, it belonged to a male. He was thinner than a willow weed, his face almost that of a rats, a sharp nose, beady eyes and his two front teeth pocked out from his upper lip. He had a thin mustache that looked like he had fattened it and wore a thick winter kimono that depicted snow capped mountains on a navy blue background. The ninja around him obviously disliked the man; they kept shooting glares at him when he wasn’t looking. Iron Dragon frowned beneath his mask. “I will send Black Wing with you, but I remain here, with my other student. I trust you can make her descent for the Lord, Lou–shu?” Lou–Shu, the man in the kimono, looked as if a dead corps had kissed him. “You are not allowed to negotiate!” He raged. A large burly ninja to his left, wielding a double edge axe noticed the black fire forming in the girls hand and chuckled, a deep, baritone sound that rumbled through the ranks. “We will take Black Wing, Lou–Shu. We do not want the Lord to wait long for the girl. You can accompany Iron Dragon-san when he arrives, that way you have a valid reason for only showing up with her.” Lou–Shu though this over quickly then nodded. “Very well, Iron Dragon-san you will give the girl your mount. Then you will arrive with me.” Iron Dragon nodded stiffly.
     “They are good men Black Wing, do not allow Lou–Shu to bother you. He is merely a worm trying to please the Lord and earn his way into his will.” She nodded as he picked her up and hugged her fiercely. “I must go Iron Dragon- sensei. I hope to see you soon.”  He nodded and placed her in the saddle and handed her the reins. “Be careful. There is no telling what a thief would do to get his hands on a girl with your talent. Try to keep it hidden.” She nodded and reined the stallion into the ninja ranks and followed them down the dirt rode. She didn’t want to even think about what was to come in Zenshu. Holding her back erect she followed the troop of ninja down the dirt rode that lead away from Iron Dragon, Lou-Shu, Lynx and Red Fox. “I still can’t believe the Lord puts up with that rat!” Startled by the outburst Raven flinched. The burly ninja who had spoken before glanced at her, “Calm yourself Silver Hawk-chan, you startled the girl.” Raven frowned and reined Iron Dragons mount to a stop. The troop stopped and all turned in there saddles to look at her questioningly. She felt disgraced; she shouldn’t be here, going to visit a ninja lord. She felt like a fool. She wheeled the stallion around and reined him into a walk. “Go ahead and wait for us a mile from the gate.” She didn’t need to turn to know the burly ninja was talking to the other ninja. “Leave me be ninja!” She snapped at him in her mind “I am going back to the teahouse from which I came. I should have just allowed the samari to take me to his bed and none of this would have happened.”  She reined the stallion onto another path to avoid running into Iron Dragon. She felt like an idiot. How or why would she waste her time on something that just didn’t want her! She felt tears beguiling to fall silently from her eyes. “Why are you crying young one?” An old willowy voice asked. She reined the stallion to a stop. An old man was standing in front of her, a knowing smile on his mouth. She looked at him and down at the stallion. Normally the animal would be prancing with fright of another human other than Iron Dragon or herself. But the animal was calm, not flinching as the man walked forward and moved around to look up at her. “You worry for the ninja, yet you are unsure of which path to follow?” She nodded rubbing her fist against her eye. He nodded and smiled up at her. “What does your heart tell you?” She sat back in the saddle, a little startled by the question. The man continued to smile, “Look deep within yourself, hear what your heart beets for, and ignore that silly teahouse. That place was not for you. You think you had freedom, but it was false. False freedom, from a horrible home where danger came in to prey on you.” Suddenly she realized what he was saying, the samari, the men that gave her those looks filled with longing, everything was falling into place. Her mother was a whore, a whore enslaved to her mother at the teahouse; she was impregnated by a customer and she was sent away after giving birth to a child to take her place, her virgins womb still in tack, that was going to be sold to the highest bidder when the time came. Hot tears fell from her eyes as realization hit. Ping–Ping had protected her from her evil grandmother, all those years of slipping her sweets, bringing her dinner when her grandmother forgot, breaking into her yelling fits to send her to serve a customer, he was protecting her from being sold like my mother. She snapped out of her thoughts and looked at the old man. He looked up at her with a pair of old eyes filled with understanding. “When ever you need a guiding hand, young one, just come to this rock, knock on it three times and I will come.” She nodded; wheeling the warhorse around she spurred him into a gallop in the opposite direction.
      The ninja who had spoken to Lou-shu sat on his horse waiting, just to see if she would return. It would be a shame if the clan lost her, she would be a ray of sunshine in their time of gloom. Hoove beats further up the trail had turned to see, in utter shock, the young girl astride Ihrons’ warhorse. “Oh, so you decided against your past home? You will not have the same freedom as you did there in Zenshu.” She smiled, a soft curve of her mouth, sending an all-new light into her face. “NO, that place, I had no freedom; I can see that now. It was but false freedom. I want to go home. Go home to Zenshu.”  He smiled beneath his mask and nodded. “You are smart for your years. I suspect the Lord will see it to and ask you a very important question on that day.” She cocked her head to the side in confusion but didn’t question him. They rode in silence that seemed almost forlorn, but neither of them seemed in the mood to speak. A weight had settled on her chest at the thought of speaking to a lord, especially if it was the Lord of her future home. She didn’t even know how to address him! “The lord, isn’t as proud as others outside the village, he is, let me say, a little less confined, so to speak. He is very open and thinks every one his friend unless they give reason to make him think otherwise. He is a very kind hearted person. I think you will like him.” She took in a gulp of air as they reached a huge wall, a large wooden door stood in front of them, an armored ninja stood at attention to its left. “State your business.” He called as they walked their horse forward.” I am delivering the new ninja from the east. Iron Dragons apprentice.” The ninja waved his staff and the huge door slowly creaked open, to admit them into the village and to her new life.