To Become a Shinobi Epilogue
By Eliad Sholomovich

Ibuki was lying on a straw matress, She was sleeping silently. Then for some reason her eyes shot open and she averted her gaze to her left.

Her vision was blurry and all she could see was a fuzzy figure holding something and sitting next to her.

A splashing sound is what caught Ibuki's attention. "What the? Where am I?" Ibuki thought as she couldn't recognize her surroundings. She tried to rise to a sitting position and find out.

But this action proved to be unwise. Waves of hot and piercing pain shot throught her abdomen and chest.

She clenched her teeth and pounded her fist on the wooden rail of the bed. A hand pushed her to the matress.

She shook her head and groaned in pain, it was throbbing, Her eyes burned and she inhaled through pursed lips. She felt a warm liquid flowing down her chest and found it hard to breath.

"Don't move...You've been injured badly...You must rest..." A voice spoke above her. She recognized it as Ryu's voice. But it was warm and compassionate, unlike the cold and monotonous way it was before.

Ibuki then felt something cold touch her injured abdomen. She shook and shivered as waves of stinging pain passed through her frame.

Ibuki eyes rolled and the pain. Ryu then put a moist towel on her forehead.

"You must sleep... You're body has been through a tough ordiel...I cannot help you is you resist" Ryu said his tone slightly worried.

Ibuki tried to fight him away."Must...Get Home...Mom...Sensai..." Ibuki muttered weakly.

Ryu saw she wouldn't stop. "You're gonna hate me for this later...But you leave me no choice..." Ryu said quietly under his breath.

Ryu then closed his eyes and jabbed his fingers into some pressure points in her neck. Ibuki's struggles then slowly became weaker. Her eyes closed and she still tried to move. Then she stopped and her breathing became reptitive.

Ryu then placed his hands on her abdomen and inhaled deeply. He clenched his teeth and his arms trembled slightly, Beeds of sweat adorned his forehead. A soft blue light glowed under his hands.

The glow started swirling around Ibuki's abdomen. Her clothes were torn and blood stained them.

A deep gash was slashed across her chest. Slowly Ryu's breathing became heavier. The gash slowly dried up and Ryu closed his eyes.The Chi intesified and the Heal wounded partially.

Ryu then let go and collapsed on his back. He grabbed his own abdomen. It was stained with Crimson, The wounds from the fight, although not fatal were painful. Ryu then shook in weakness but quickly closed his eyes.

He inhaled deeply and opened his eyes. He stopped shaking but groaned in pain as he rose to his feet. He then limped out of the Dojo. He sat in his Lotus stance on the moist grass.

He Then closed his eyes and meditated to ease his pain and calm his soul.

** Three hours later **

Ibuki opened her eyes and looked around her. She shook her head and rolled to her side. Her abdomen was sore and pain shot through her.

She clenched her teeth and pushed herself to her feet by using her arms as leverage. She stood straight, Her feet shook but she quickly composed herself.

"I must go...The sooner I get home and see Mom The better, then I'll catch up with Geki Sensai..." Ibuki said and walked out slowly.

She walked out of the Dojo and started walking. Then a voice spoke behind her.

"Hold on Ibuki....Give this to your Sensai..." Ryu said and handed her a partchment tied by a White piece of cloth.

Ibuki raised a brow and took it. "How does he know...And what's his deal with Geki?" Ibuki thought.

She sighed and nodded and then waved.All this Before walking into the moonlit forest on her way home.

** The following Afternoon **

Ibuki had reached the outskirts of Tokyo and smiled "Home sweet home...Finally I'll get home and rest...I don't know what'll happen with the clan...But I'll deal with it later" Ibuki thought.

She started walking through the sunny streets. She ignored the odd looks people were giving her.

She was too tired to care, she reached the hotel in which she rented a room. She then went up to the room she rented for the night.

She closed the door behind her and then went to her luggage. She opened her suitcase and took out a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt. She walked up to the Bathroom and entered it.

She undressed and then entered the shower, She let the warm water flow on her form. She winced in pain as her wounds were engulfed by the heat. She soaped her form and shampooed her hair. Then she turned the water off and exited.

She dried herself with a towel and got dressed. "God Bless Showers...I feel so clean...So fresh..." Ibuki thought.

Then she found a comb and started brushing her hair. She washed her face in cold water and then exited the hotel room.

She payed the bill and checked out of the hotel.

Then she took her luggage and started walking towards her house. A grin suddenly reached Ibuki's lips "Oooooh Mom's gonna be so surprised..." Ibuki thought and walked faster.

** Two hours later **

Ibuki was standing outside her house's door. She knocked on it lightly on the door after placing her luggage near the door.

She then tapped her foot and awaited her mom to open the door. The door opened a minute later. "Can I help you?" a large light complexed man asked her.

Ibuki raised a brow "I could ask you the same question..." Ibuki thought.

Then she heard her mother's voice from inside "Who is it Jason?" Her mom's voice asked from inside. Ibuki tried to enter but the man blocked her path.

"Just Some girl Kumiko..." The man named Jason said.

Ibuki couldn't stand it anymore and she pushed this man who was blocking her path aside. "Out of my way!" Ibuki said and shoved him aside before stepping into the house.

Jason crashed into the rail arm first. Then he recomposed himself and held his arm.He gazed dagger's at Ibuki and walked towards the living room.

"Mom I'm home!" Ibuki shouted. Ibuki's mom dashed downstairs.

"Ibuki...Its you? Oh Honey! I've missed you so much!" Her mom said with happiness apparent in her voice and face.

Meanwhile Jason saw the moment and spoke "Well I'll leave you two ladies to catch up...Later Kumiko" Jason said to Ibuki's mom and left while still holding his arm.

Ibuki then inhaled deeply and her Mom hugged her tightly. Ibuki clenched her teeth and hugged her mom back, despite the pain invading her body.

She kissed her mom's cheek. "I've missed you too Mom" Ibuki said and then they broke the warm embrace.

Ibuki went outside and took her luggage and then placed it near the entrance before closing the door.

Ibuki's mom walked up to her and passed her hair through her hair effectionatly. "My...You've grown to become so pretty my lil Ibuki...Soon all the boys will be falling at your feet" Kumiko said to her daughter and winked.

Ibuki smiled "Awww Mom, not this again...Don't worry I'll find someone when I'm ready..." Ibuki said while rolling her eyes.

Her mom chuckled "Ok, you look tired why don't you go rest" Kumiko said.

Ibuki smiled "I am a lil tired...Thanks mom..." Ibuki said and then dashed up to her room.

Ibuki opened the door to her room. She leapt into her bed. She cuddled in her warm and comfortable bed amd sighed in pleasure.

"Finally a good bed to sleep on..." Ibuki thought and closed her eyes. The she let sleep consume her tired body.

** 5 hours later **

Kumiko entered her daughter's room quietly. Ibuki was sleeping peacefully She placed a cup of tea near Ibuki's bed on a nightstand.

Then She sat on her daughter's bed and passed her hand through her child's black hair. Ibuki moaned and opened on eye.

"Wake up Ibuki...You're Ninja school called, they want to see you as soon as possible" Her mom said gently.

Ibuki sighed "Oh maaaan. I was hoping to rest before Geki Sensai hears I've failed..." Ibuki thought and nodded.

She rose from her bed and went to her closet. She took out a clean uniform and changed into it.

"Mom could you drive me near the place...I'm so tired..." Ibuki said. Her mom smiled and nodded.

Ibuki was about to leave her room when she remembered something. She walked up to her bag and took out the letter Ryu gave her. Then she walked out of her room.

A few minutes later Ibuki and her mom were in the car. Ibuki looked out of the window. Then she remember the man she saw near the door. "Ok, Ok. Be calm and be casual I don't wanna fight with mom..." Ibuki thought.

"Emm...Mom Who was that Jason character?" Ibuki asked in a casual tone. Kumiko looked at Ibuki throught the car mirror.

"Just a friend from work...He's been really nice..." Kumiko said and Ibuki nodded.

Then they reached the neighbourhood of the Shinobi HQ and Kumiko stopped the car. Ibuki kissed her mom's cheek and exited the car.

Ibuki sighed and then approached the entrance of the Shinobi HQ. She knocked on a wooden door and said a phrase in Japanese and then the door was opened wide by a black clad Ninja.

Ibuki wasted no time and headed straight for Geki's personal quarters.

She entered slowly and then bowed "Geki-Sensai?" She asked quietly.

"Come in my student...It's been so long...Tell me how did you fare in your quest?" Geki asked in an effectionate tone.

Ibuki sighed and tears welled in her eyes "I...I...Failed...I...Couldn't beat Ryu... He was just...Just too good...I'm not...worthy of the clan" Ibuki said and a tear dropped on her left cheek.

Geki looked at her in concern but remained silent. "How do I tell her this...She won't be pleased..." Geki thought.

Ibuki then inhaled and handed him the piece of parchment. "By the way this is from Ryu...He wanted you to read it." Ibuki said and then sat down.

Geki took the piece of parchment and looked at the peice of fabric closing it. He then look at it contents and raised a brow. He then crumpled the letter and threw it away after lighting it with his Chi.

"Rise to your feet!" Geki commanded and Ibuki complied immeadiatly.

Geki circled around her "I've been following your progress Ibuki...You've faired well For one in your age...You have even impressed Ryu with your skill...I told him of your intentions to fight him Three months ago...And he said he would await you if you reached him..." Geki said.

Ibuki coughed "What?! He knew...I...I don't believe..." Ibuki thought before Geki continued and she forced herself to listen.

"I must admit you have outdid my expectations with your preformance...You are indeed my best student to date..." Geki said and bowed his head to respect her.

Ibuki was shocked and flushed crismon in embarrasment due to the compliments "But...But...I...I..." Ibuki fumbeled with her reply.

"I'll be honest with you Ibuki...I didn't expect you to even find Ryu...I know of his vagabound nature...But not only did you find him...you also Gave him a good challenge...You have proven yourself beyond all expected" Geki said.

Ibuki blushed "I...I...Thank you..." She then finished and bowed. She smiled "And I thought I failed...Does this mean?" Ibuki wondered.

Geki then motion her to approach. He then turned around and grabbed something which was wrapped in a brown cloth. "This is yours..." Geki said.

Ibuki took the object and revealed it under the cloth. It was a beautifully crafted Katana with a Chinese dragon on its blade. Ibuki was speechless.

Th...Than...Thank you" Ibuki said and tears flowed from her eyes, Tears of Joy.

"This was your father's sword, He told me to give it to you once you've proven yourself." Geki said.

Ibuki smiled widely " Even Dad was proud of me...This day is truly worth all the trouble..." Ibuki thought.

Then she understood what he meant and looked at him "You mean I...?" She asked excitedly and looked at him in wide eyes.

"Yes Ibuki...Today you have proven you are worthy To become a Shinobi .