Move Like Smoke

From what Ru can see there are no dummies where he is now, near the top of the mountain; there are only real fighters, eight of them.

If they are aware of his presence they have not shown it, but unlike him they are all dressed in full armour. Just as well he is not meant to best them for real because with his wooden sword he would be worse than useless, for steel will forever best wood. Regardless of how expertly crafted these training blades are, might always have and will be.

However, there is no doubting, in Ru’s mind, that a large part as to why the he has remained undiscovered is the now swiftly fading light of day. To be honest the pupil is not sure how many days he has been up here, save to say it is at least a couple. Yet, he is where he needs to be and is not so foolish as to have failed to spy what must be his prize, a sword.

The weapon, in its scabbard, looks exquisite. He wishes he could see the blade though. Well aware it’ll be nothing but plain shiny steel he thinks it would still be good to get a glimpse of it. Chiefly because to see the blade would be confirmation that once secured he would have ascend from pupil to full member, and yet what else could be the outcome than that? After all, his Master said this was the final test. He wouldn’t lie. Not about something like this. Nor would he put out a sword not real or meant for him to claim.

The decorations on the scabbard and the hilt, both of which are plain to see, should be proof enough to Ru. In both cases they are red and black. The hilt of the weapon wrapped in alternating bands of the two colours, while the scabbard itself is emblazoned with roaring dragons. Some of the ancient mythic beasts are coiled, others are not; but all have small background section dotted with hills, mountains and clouds.

Licking his lips, Ru can almost taste victory. Still, he does not act because to act without consideration is to fail. Another, ruthlessly shortened version, of one of his mentors’ oft delivered statements. Where he gets them all the young Red Kangaroo does not know. Most likely they were learned from whomever it was that mentored Master Ento. Yet, to think of a time when the old turtle was a student seems impossible to Ru somehow. He cannot it explain except to say…

Focus!

Agreeing with the demand, the trainee does exactly that. Alas, he quickly finds it worrying the way in which the eight combatants move for it leaves him no opening to slip past.

Again, it seems his Master wants him to fight.

While continuing to stare, but seldom blink, while gazing upon those between him and his prize, Ru begins to formulate a plan. It’s a risky one, perhaps even foolish; though he thinks Master Ento would approve of it.

Checking for a second, third and then fourth time that he has the timings down perfectly, and pretty confident that he indeed does, Ru begins to move.

First he steps from the small stack of rocks which had to have fallen during a particularly bad storm. Not recently, in terms of week or months, but in terms of years for moss has only begun to crawl its way across the surface.

Then following that he creeps to a tight grouping of shrubs. They are unhealthy looking with browning leaves, but dense enough due to their number alone that they will afford him sufficient cover to break up the Red Kangaroo’s outline and fur colour.

Smiling, Ru continues to observe but also never remain in any one place for too long. Yet, he does not immediately close on his opponents. No. He feels in doing that he might open himself up to a surprise attack. After all, they may only be feigning ignorance of his presence, and so if he was to close too swiftly he could see his dreams dashed by impatience. There is no way he will succumb to such things which is why his approach, when it comes, is slow; winding back and forth around a wide section of the area. That is, until the trainee can wind no longer and is as close as he believes he can risk without being spotted.

Luckily, the movement patterns of those he is to face have not deviated. Clear proof these ninja are meant to be mimicking ordinary folk, bandits perhaps, rather than ninja trained, stealthy and precise.

Ru thinks that is good, for combating eight ninja acting as ninja would be a tall order he feels.

One day he might be capable but his confidence is not so overblown for him to believe that such a day is this one.

Final preparations are made, the pulling of his ‘sword.’ And after that he waits patiently, silently, until one of the eight get ninja gets close enough that he has the chance to…

In a flash Ru darts out from behind cover; unseen and unheard he delivers a flurry of slashes that eliminate the first of his adversaries. The mass of armour sinks to one knee as proof of his removal from this test.

Not wanting to reveal his presence as yet, Ru makes a rapid series of hops. They allow him to close the gap to the next foe, who turns to face the Red Kangaroo just as the trainee delivers a ‘blow’ to their leg and neck. They too drop to one knee as confirmation of their elimination.

Alas, it is at this time that the trainee’s presence becomes known and is done with a roar, something most unlike a ninja to perform. However, there is no doubt it has the desired effect as the aggressors begin to converge.

One is closer than the others and runs recklessly at the trainee, who having bounded several steps drops into a slide. It is during said slide that Ru delivers what would be a fatal blow in this were a real encounter. Instead, the ninja in full armour kneels like those before.

But eliminations mean nothing as yet, especially since Ru is now faced with two adversaries.

The Red Kangaroo blocks blow after blow after blow, each more difficult than the last, and then, seeing an opportunity, parries. One of the pair ends up disarmed. A clear staged fumble, but something akin to what a bandit might suffer. And much like a bandit the ninja goes stumbling off in search of his weapon. That suits Ru as it means he is left to face just one obstacle, for the moment.

Against this other opponent more blocks follow. Then when an opening presents itself, Ru swipes his leg. It has the desired effect and takes the legs out from under his enemy. Without pause the trainee delivers a downward thrust. Unlike the others, this ninja stays on their back. It is as much a declaration of being bested as the others who took the knee, it’s just it prevents him from becoming a potential obstacle that might help or hinder the trainee as the fumbler returns to the fray.

In the seconds prior to his return, Ru took note of the three others. Those who have stayed back and appear inclined to continue to do so. Not out of fear, simulated. Rather, because they have formed a loose wall meant to keep the trainee from his prize.

He will not allow such a thing to persist but first has to deal with…

The young Kangaroo is forced to leap back to evade a strike aimed to bring him low. He breathes a quick sigh of relief at having not failed and then with stamping feet pushes toward his enemy.

Soon, Ru concludes this ninja is portraying a combatant with brawn but no brains and so he continues to stamp and kick at the dirt beneath his feet.

If it were six months earlier or later in the year he would be struggling with snowfall, but it is not and so his aim to create a cloud of dust swiftly becomes a reality. And this said cloud shrouds his movements allowing him to circle behind his adversary and fell them in a manner that would best be described as moving like smoke. The combatant takes a knee.

Without pause Ru spins about to face his final three targets. He smiles hoping they deem him arrogant, over sure of his capabilities. On cue they rush him to suggest they indeed do think him overconfident.

He does not meet them in battle, blade to blade. Rather, he dives into a roll that takes him past a swipe unleashed by one of the trio who broke from the ‘wall.’ They clearly were playing the part of someone overeager; hell-bent on being he who would deal a killing blow. And then through the legs of a second foe; who too had moved from his position in hopes of claiming glory it seems.

So by the end of the dive roll Ru is back on his feet, having shot passed two aggressors, leaving him with only one to face. A quick block of a flurry, too close to how a ninja would perform he thinks, follows. Still, he survives it and manages to deliver a kick to a knee which buckles giving him his chance. He takes it and leaps, with a flick of his strong tail lashing across the breastplate of one of the pair who broke formation, to where the sword is awaiting him.

A spin follows the manoeuvre for good measure. Mainly as a just in case for if the combatants were closer than he would like. They were not, and at the end of this little twist the trainee has grip in one hand and scabbard in the other. The blade partially revealed but not fully extracted.

Without a word the three ninja drop to one knee and bow their heads. Right after all that can be heard is loud applause, singular.

Instinctively Ru turns but is not surprised when he sees Master Ento appear out of the shadows, clapping.

“Well done my boy. Well done. I knew you’d pass this test. Claim what is rightfully yours; that which you have sought all your short young life. How does it feel?”

“It feels good Master.” Is the reply from Ru who is understating just how overjoyed he truly feels at this moment.

Fully aware of the suppression of the young Red Kangaroo’s glee, the old turtle bursts into a round of chuckles before advocating, “You can be more direct than that. Ceremony is needed no longer. This is a joyous occasion so let it be as it should.”

Following a bow of his head Ru reveals a wide grin sat upon his face. Then like a child he turns his attention toward the weapon in his hands.

Held too close to his eyes he goes about examining the decoration and then the blade itself.

Feeling his fur stand on end, he beams a smile which is held for so long his cheeks begin to ache.

“Just as I thought.” Master Ento chuckles.

A second after the old turtle appears at Ru’s side. He delivers a slap on the now former pupils shoulder while proclaiming, “Now you are ninja. But first we must celebrate this achievement. After all, if we do not celebrate then we are not living.”

Smiling wide, perhaps wider than Ru even, Master Ento bays the young Red Kangaroo follow him.

Behind them are the eight ninja in full dress. They stay silent no more. Rather, they chatter amongst themselves.

Part of Ru wishes to turn and connect with those who he can now count himself amongst, but he does not for he is more interested in other things.

Anyway, time to chat to his ilk will come later, perhaps during whatever this celebration will be. If not then after that, before whatever will come next.