Oh, wow. The time has finally come! I'm actually posting the story of my main OC! *squeals* I hope you will take the time to read this not so little tale, and learn about that little ninja who follows me around this forum . So, without further ado, here is Breeze, A Ninja's Tale!
≈Introduction≈
Well, after shuffling around half a dozen ideas for how to start this thing, I still have no decent introduction for it. I guess since I'm simply writing this down so I can remember it, that doesn't really matter. Who else would care to read this anyway? Nobody knows that I did these things, they were never even sure of what happened. I suppose that's the downside to hiding your identity. Then again, anyone who knew me would have a hard time believing I did this. So I guess I'd better end this mess now, and get to the real story while my memory of it is still fresh. Oh great, now how do I sign off? This is why I don't like writing. I guess this will have to do.
I looked out from the door of my house, eyes wide like a little child's. Honestly, I felt like one, knowing very little of the invasion that my parents had gone out to fight against. A gentle wind blew, and though it was warm outside, it gave me a strange chill. I shivered but remained in the doorway. A friend of my parents, Mrs. Warner, walked by and saw me. She came over to my door. "What's going on?" I asked, stepping outside. "Where are Mom and Dad?" She smiled sadly. "Oh, Linda... I'm so sorry but... They aren't coming back." At first I didn't know what she meant, and was simply a little put off by the fact that she called me Linda. I much prefer being called Lin. Then the awful realization came to me. "Y-you-you mean they're- they're-" I couldn't say the word. "I'm so sorry, Linda, I'll miss them too." She hugged me. Had I been left to stand there alone, the shock would have kept me from tears. But somehow comfort pushes me over the edge, and I softly cried into her shoulder. After a few minutes, I pulled away, wiping my eyes with the sleeve of my shirt. "I don't want to waste any more of your time." "Oh, you aren't, Linda." She said. "I couldn't just leave you here. Do you want to come home with me?" "No- at least not yet." I answered. "I can fend for myself." "As you wish. Oh, I almost forgot. I think your mother would have wanted you to have this." She pulled a necklace from her pocket. I recognized it immediately: It was my mother's pendant that she always wore. I took it and held it in my hand. It was a big silver heart with wispy carvings and a purple gem in the center. I put it on as I thanked her. Seeing I had regained my composure, Mrs. Warner left. I watched her go, then looked towards where my parents had gone to fight. Whomever was responsible for this should have to pay, I thought. Suddenly I was angry. It's not like me to be bitter towards anyone, but of course I hadn't lost a loved one in this manner before. I then found myself walking that way. Not directly towards it, but a little to the right, where there was a large, vacant house. I sensed the evil behind this was there. I was at least feeling composed enough to knock. And he was polite enough to open the door. I got my first good look at him then. He was tall, with a dark goatee. His hair and facial features were hard to make out because of the black hood he was wearing. He had a cloak, too, covering most of his gray tunic. Finally, he spoke. "What do you want, miss?" (Good question. What did I want?) "What I want you cannot give. You have taken it from me forever." "Ah, I see. You're the kid of one or two of those pathetic fighters I just destroyed." "Have you no heart?" "Leave a man to his business, miss." "What about when his business interferes with mine?" This made him angry. "Get away! I ought to get rid of you too, like I did your family." "I'm not going!" I cried. "You're the one who needs to leave! You don't belong here! You didn't have any right to come here!" I was about to cry again. "Men!" he called into the house. A number of skulkin appeared. These had rebelled against their leader, I guessed. Skulkins work for no man. I had lost my head but not my passion. The moment one came up to me I kicked it over. But I was no match for a whole band of them. They promptly picked me up and carried me to the town square. I started running towards home, heedless of the mercy shown to me. I hadn't gone far when I met the last people I wanted to see: the town troublemakers. They weren't true gangsters, just a rather rough bunch of four boys. "Looks like someone upset the new guy." One of them said. "Leave me alone!" I cried. "I'm just going home!" Two others blocked my path. "Too scared to go back, huh?" "No! Just let me pass!" This only made them laugh and tease more. I managed to get by and ran the whole way to my house, shutting the door. When I did this I suddenly felt sadness and frustration overwhelm the bitterness in me. with blurred eyes I ran to my room, threw myself on my bed, and cried myself to sleep.
More? (I'm sorry, but I am SO tempted to make bird related puns. X[] wayyyy to much Batman. ) Anywho, great start out. I hope to see more in the future....
I woke up the next morning, not sure what I was feeling. Last night's emotions were all jumbled up together, and my mind a temporary wreck. Then I looked into my bedroom mirror. I saw a face with long, brown, slightly wavy hair, dark brown eyes reflecting the conflict within. My cheeks were reddened and tearstained, my mouth twitching as I took this all in. And then I had a new feeling altogether: Determination. Something had to be done about this. And it seemed I would have to do it.
But, I thought, if I'm going to be a warrior, I might as well look the part. I looked at my hair first. It wouldn't do to have it be so long, and I didn't care much for buns. So I brushed it out and cut it to just past shoulder length.
I looked at my clothes next. The rumpled purple shirt and jeans would have to go for now. I looked in my mother's closet for fabric for a gi. I found some purple, but it was only enough for the bottom part. Then I pulled out some that was purple with wispy, curly silver markings. I had never seen it before, and I liked it. Measuring myself, I began. I never cared for sewing and I was no seamstress. I managed to avoid any significant mistakes, but it took me most of the day.
When it was done I put it on. I tied on a mask I had made from a scrap of the purple, a silver belt I had made, and put on a matching headband. I pulled my mother's pendant out from under my gi and placed it over my chest. This done, I looked in the mirror once more.
"I like it," I said to myself. "A little loose, but it works."
I jokingly tried to strike a fashion pose, when a little blast of ice shot from my hand, frosting a small spot on the mirror. I was surprised; Since when could I do that? I tried again but it was a few minutes until I was able to do it again. Once more I simply made a little frost. "Guess this won't do me any good," I told myself.
Now I was ready- almost. It hit me that I had no weapon. Fortunately my city had a nice blacksmith shop. I stepped out into the summer evening and headed towards the center of town. I found the shop and went inside. A large man, sweaty and dirty from his work, looked up. "Ah, I didn't know we had a ninja in these parts."
"I'm new to the job." I said.
"Well, we could definitely use one around. Why just yesterday-"
"I know." I almost snapped, not wanting a reminder. But I hated to appear rude, and apologized. "Er, pardon me."
He looked at me strangely for a moment, then said, "Pardon accepted. What do you seek?"
"I'm not sure, can I look at what you have?"
"Certainly." He led me to a display. A couple of daggers caught my eye, mostly because of the purple handles. I admit (and you've probably guessed) that I'm a bit obsessed with that color. "I like these." I said, touching one.
"Ah, yes, I can guess why. Funny, someone bought one of these yesterday. She looked a little like you."
My eyes widened and my heart skipped a beat. "... Did she have dark brown hair and green eyes?"
"Yes, in fact. But she was much older than you. Old enough to be your mother, I'd say."
"...That's because she was my mother."
"Oh..."
This realization settled it. "I'll take two of these." I said suddenly.
"Oh, yes, of course."
I slipped the daggers into my belt. We talked a little longer, then I headed out.
The sun had nearly set and night was rapidly falling. I walked along the main road, watching as the streetlights lit up the street. I suddenly found myself going into stealth mode, hiding in the shadows and following the road. I was coming close to home when I heard snickering. I sighed. They were back. But then I smiled. This time I was ready for them.
"Come on, kid, we know you're there."
I calmly tied my mask back on and stepped into the light.
"Come on now, don't give us that." The leader stepped forward and pulled it off.
"Hey!" I cried.
They all laughed. "So, you're the kid we ran off yesterday, huh?"
"In a way, yes."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well," I smirked, "Try running me off now."
They took the challenge and poised for battle. Admittedly, I had no idea what I was doing. But I had to do something. So before they could move in, I struck out. The leader was nearest and I punched him in the jaw, (but not very hard) then kicked him in the chest, knocking him over (still not too hard). The next one was more sturdily built, so I dodged his blows, kicked his shin, and shoved my shoulder up against him to push him down. I whirled around to face the other two- and found them all several feet back from me, flat on the ground. They got up slowly, perhaps making sure I wouldn't strike again, but I was already headed back home. I heard them mention something about being "blolookedy", but I didn't stop to listen.
I woke up the next morning, not sure what I was feeling. Last night's emotions were all jumbled up together, and my mind a temporary wreck. Then I looked into my bedroom mirror. I saw a face with long, brown, slightly wavy hair, dark brown eyes reflecting the conflict within. My cheeks were reddened and tearstained, my mouth twitching as I took this all in. And then I had a new feeling altogether: Determination. Something had to be done about this. And it seemed I would have to do it.
But, I thought, if I'm going to be a warrior, I might as well look the part. I looked at my hair first. It wouldn't do to have it be so long, and I didn't care much for buns. So I brushed it out and cut it to just past shoulder length.
I looked at my clothes next. The rumpled purple shirt and jeans would have to go for now. I looked in my mother's closet for fabric for a gi. I found some purple, but it was only enough for the bottom part. Then I pulled out some that was purple with wispy, curly silver markings. I had never seen it before, and I liked it. Measuring myself, I began. I never cared for sewing and I was no seamstress. I managed to avoid any significant mistakes, but it took me most of the day.
When it was done I put it on. I tied on a mask I had made from a scrap of the purple, a silver belt I had made, and put on a matching headband. I pulled my mother's pendant out from under my gi and placed it over my chest. This done, I looked in the mirror once more.
"I like it," I said to myself. "A little loose, but it works."
I jokingly tried to strike a fashion pose, when a little blast of ice shot from my hand, frosting a small spot on the mirror. I was surprised; Since when could I do that? I tried again but it was a few minutes until I was able to do it again. Once more I simply made a little frost. "Guess this won't do me any good," I told myself.
Now I was ready- almost. It hit me that I had no weapon. Fortunately my city had a nice blacksmith shop. I stepped out into the summer evening and headed towards the center of town. I found the shop and went inside. A large man, sweaty and dirty from his work, looked up. "Ah, I didn't know we had a ninja in these parts."
"I'm new to the job." I said.
"Well, we could definitely use one around. Why just yesterday-"
"I know." I almost snapped, not wanting a reminder. But I hated to appear rude, and apologized. "Er, pardon me."
He looked at me strangely for a moment, then said, "Pardon accepted. What do you seek?"
"I'm not sure, can I look at what you have?"
"Certainly." He led me to a display. A couple of daggers caught my eye, mostly because of the purple handles. I admit (and you've probably guessed) that I'm a bit obsessed with that color. "I like these." I said, touching one.
"Ah, yes, I can guess why. Funny, someone bought one of these yesterday. She looked a little like you."
My eyes widened and my heart skipped a beat. "... Did she have dark brown hair and green eyes?"
"Yes, in fact. But she was much older than you. Old enough to be your mother, I'd say."
"...That's because she was my mother."
"Oh..."
This realization settled it. "I'll take two of these." I said suddenly.
"Oh, yes, of course."
I slipped the daggers into my belt. We talked a little longer, then I headed out.
The sun had nearly set and night was rapidly falling. I walked along the main road, watching as the streetlights lit up the street. I suddenly found myself going into stealth mode, hiding in the shadows and following the road. I was coming close to home when I heard snickering. I sighed. They were back. But then I smiled. This time I was ready for them.
"Come on, kid, we know you're there."
I calmly tied my mask back on and stepped into the light.
"Come on now, don't give us that." The leader stepped forward and pulled it off.
"Hey!" I cried.
They all laughed. "So, you're the kid we ran off yesterday, huh?"
"In a way, yes."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well," I smirked, "Try running me off now."
They took the challenge and poised for battle. Admittedly, I had no idea what I was doing. But I had to do something. So before they could move in, I struck out. The leader was nearest and I punched him in the jaw, (but not very hard) then kicked him in the chest, knocking him over (still not too hard). The next one was more sturdily built, so I dodged his blows, kicked his shin, and shoved my shoulder up against him to push him down. I whirled around to face the other two- and found them all several feet back from me, flat on the ground. They got up slowly, perhaps making sure I wouldn't strike again, but I was already headed back home. I heard them mention something about being "blown away", but I didn't stop to listen.
Early the next morning, Mrs. Warner came to my house to tell me they were having a memorial service for the fallen villagers. I told her I'd be there, so long as they didn't expect me to speak or anything. She smiled slightly and said they had no intention of that, and left.
I got ready and walked to the town square. Spotting the Warner family, I sat down next to them. Bella, the youngest at six, got up and hugged me. "Hi Lin. How are you?"
"I'm OK, thanks." I replied.
Bella looked at me strangely for a moment, cocking her head to one side. "Did you cut and curl your hair just for the funeral?"
"Curl?..." I pulled one of my locks to where I could see it. Sure enough, it was curly. I guess my long hair had weighed down any potential curls, and cutting it removed that problem. It seemed I was changing in more ways than I had planned. I really was becoming a new girl.
The funeral was great, but it made me want to cry again. It ended up cut a bit short by the unexpected arrival of rain. Again declining the offer of staying with the Warners, I walked home.
Strolling through the shower, chilled and lonely, a single tear escaped my eye, trailing down my already soaked face.
One tear in the driving rain...
I looked back at the town square as people silently and quickly walked away, trying to get out of the storm. I called, but nobody answered, they were too far.
One voice in a sea of pain...
I sighed and continued on my way. I longed to have someone to turn to, not just now, but for always.
Would you come close and hold my heart?
Suddenly the rain stopped. A breeze, gentle and warm, came from behind, feeling like a warm hug.
This is what it means to be held...
I was near home when I saw them again. Yeah, that's right, the troublemakers. Haven't I had enough of these guys? But this time their leader walked up to me quietly, with no signs of teasing or snark. "Hey, girl, we've been looking for you."
"Really?" I replied. "What do you want to pick on me for now?"
"Actually, about that... I'd like to apologize on behalf of my whole gang for bullying you. Last night you proved you weren't one to be messed with, and we don't intend to have that happen again."
"I forgive you, but... What's the catch, man?" I crossed my arms.
"No catch, but we thought maybe now that we've cleared this up, you'd like to join our group. You've earned our respect, and we wouldn't mind a fighter like you."
"Well..." I had to think about this. Sure, they were a bit rough, but they never did anything truly illegal. And maybe they could help with my own quest- but then, I didn't want to draw them into that. And besides, I was now a ninja, not a gangster. I made my reply. "Thanks, but I think I'm good. I have some things I want to take care of."
"Well, alright, but if you change your mind, you're always welcome. By the way, what do you go by?"
I was about to tell them my real name, but I decided not to, just to be safe. But... What did I want them to call me?
The wind picked up again, blowing in my face and through my now-curly hair. Somehow, the wind keeps popping up in all this. And then I had my answer. "Call me Breeze."
"OK, Breeze, well we must be off. Good bye and good luck." And with that they strolled away.
. So, without further ado, here is Breeze, A Ninja's Tale! 
