Move Like Smoke

Said day was, Ru recalls, many many years ago and had come with absolutely no forewarning. In fact, when it came he’d still been young, impetuous, quick to anger and action. Yet, he recalls it had been during the spring months. At such a time of year the clime tends to be warm, not to the point that it can be labelled hot however, and storms few and far between.

As was normal during his training he’d been woken at the crack of dawn. Technically, that wasn’t quite true for dawn had yet to break, yet that was how it was termed. Though by the time the young trainee was ready for what would be the day ahead it was a little past.

Still, years of early waking did not prevent Ru from stretching and yawning like a boy possessed, and yes he was a boy even back in those days. Close to adulthood but not quite close enough to be labelled an adult while stood at the base of the mountain. Its name considered so sacred that it should never be mentioned nor thought of, except for the purposes of learning. That is one of the only times it is permitted to be spoken. In fact, it is the only occurrence where it can be spoken that does not involve ceremony or celebration, for without the mountain the people of Winhei would not have a place to call home. No, not because the mountain is some ancient God or anything like that, but rather because without it the surrounding land would not be rich and capable of growing plentiful bounties of engorged crops in numbers sufficient enough not only to feed every man, woman and child in the village but to sell in other nearby towns as well.

“Today Ru, you will be embarking on a final challenge…”

Master Ento sees the eyes of his pupil widen in excitement. It is not surprising as this is the day the young Red Kangaroo has been waiting for since he was a little boy. Master Ento cannot say how old as he did not know him as a babe.  

Feeling it prudent and necessary Ento suppresses a smile. After all, he cannot let his pupil know he too has been waiting for this day for a good while. You see, from the day Ru requested to join the ninja, quite an unusual and rarely agreed upon request; Ento has hoped that this latest pupil of his would prove to be his greatest yet. And from what he has born witness to during these long years, for he is getting toward the latter stages of his long life as is the way of all living things, Ru might indeed be his most gifted student to date. You see, the young Kangaroo has a natural affinity toward the blade. Not in a mindless or violent sort of way, but rather something closer to artist whose brush is an extension of themselves.  

Truly, Master Ento believes he would go so far as to say, just not out loud for Ru to hear it as yet, that his pupil moves as though the sword is a part of him. In that way better than any artist he was ever watched with mild curiosity. Yet, seeing those wide eyes he feels it necessary to ignore the reaction offered and carry on, adding a stern look for good measure. After all, the boy must understand the seriousness of the final trial he will undertake. If he were to fail, Master Ento is confident he will not, then Ru will be cast out. More than anything the old turtle would rather not subject the young soul to such a devastating humiliation. It’s something he has been forced to do a handful of times throughout his centuries of life and is aware that it never ends well.

Too often failed ninja turn to criminality and madness, feeling they have been slighted by either the hand of their master or by the universe itself. Neither is a healthy breeding ground for a positive future or life; and Ento would like to avoid it most of all with Ru, perhaps more so than with any other student of his previously. Yet, such matters are beyond his control. Only Ru can prove his capability, which means that the young trainees’ fate lies squarely within his own grasp, upon his shoulders alone.

“This challenge will be your toughest. Make use of all you have learned. But if you endure, persevere, succeed, you will be rewarded.” The old master does not elaborate as to how or with what, if there is a what at all. No, he thinks it better Ru such things for himself. If he is capable enough too, that is.

Yet, the young Kangaroo stood as tall as his age will allow on his powerful rear legs does not answer immediately. Rather, he considers whether he should enquire as to what the reward might be that awaits him.

Quickly he disregards the idea for it is obvious; if he succeeds he will be ninja. In his mind it can be nothing else, for Master Ento has clearly stated this is to be his final test. This is the day he has been waiting years for. Though he finds his initial excitement has gone, having been replaced by…

He does not know. He searches for a name for what he feels but finds he comes up short, blank in fact. At any other time he would be concerned by such a thing, deeply so, but not today. Today he feels this is the correct feeling at the correct time. However, he is not so arrogant as to determine he has already prevailed for he knows his Master well and so is fully aware that this task, this test, will not be a simple one.

“I understand Master.” Are the only words that spill from out of the mouth of the young Kangaroo with short thick red fur, his long ears twitching as he bows his head in reverence to the ‘man’ who is like a father to him. Yet, he would not call him father for Ru already has one; he is very loving, as is his mother.

Unfortunately though, they have never understood his wish to become ninja. Borderline obsession they have always called it.

Looking back Ru believes they were right. While other children in Winhei ran about playing and changing what they loved most, and so what they wanted to be when they grew up, Ru did not. He kept on saying he wanted to be ninja; a protector who did not receive praise for he would strike from the shadows, silent and sure only to disappear shortly after never to be seen again.

Today that dream can be a reality he thinks while swimming in the warm oceans of his mind, daring to hope. That is until Master Ento declares, “Your trial shall begin immediately. You must start down here and work your way up to the peak, the shrine. There you will find your prize, your reward.”

Instinctively Ru licks his lips only for Master Ento to explain, “Yet, the ascent is no simple climb Ru. For you must fell targets scattered about. Prove you know the way of the ninja and you will emerge strong.” There is a pause, following it the old turtle exclaims, “Now go!”

There is no time afforded for questions or queries, which is why at the demand Ru leaps into action with his practice sword, fashioned from wood, to serve as his sole aid in whatever might be ahead of him.

Before long he is bounding through one of the towering pristine red Torii gates which stands proud and strong over the wide compacted yellow dirt path. Ru already has his root picked out. He will keep off the path as soon as he reaches the Steppes. The road past that point provides no cover with its open grasslands lacking tree and bush alike. In his mind, using what he has learned, taking such a route would be foolish. The sort of thing the uninitiated would do and for it they would face stiff opposition. Ninja are not samurai. The idea is not to face foes head on. No, the idea is to reach your goal engaging as few obstacles as possible.