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Shira walked through the bamboo forest in silence. Her feet hurt a little from her Zori and her kimono had several tares in it and stains from mud and blood. Her stomach growled from no food except for a few berries. It was nearing dawn and she had to find shelter for the day soon so that she could sleep. She did not know what to do, except to get as far away from the ninja as possible, like her mother told her to do. She wondered if her family was alright and were searching for her. It was strange for Shira to walk on the flat ground. All her life she had lived on the mountain, her legs were used to slanted ground.


When she exited the bamboo forest, her eyes met a strange sight (for her at lest)… one that she only saw in books. A little ways away there stood a bunch buildings staked up high into the sky.


She didn’t know it, but it was the city of Kyoto.


She had only read in books that people lived in dense jungle of buildings, rode around in cars and try to kill themselves with medicines and foods that were bad for there health. She didn’t understand them at all. She stepped on to the hard pavement of the street. Most of the pavement was black while the gray was in two strips. She reasoned that the gray strips was for people, since the cars she saw were only staying on the black and the people already out were only staying on the gray… most of the time.


Suddenly, a red Honda (Not that she knew what it was), pulled up in front of her with a load screech. Shira just happened to be standing at the entrance of a park at the very ledge of the city. She stood there, white-faced, covered from head to toe in mud, blood and whatever else, not knowing how to react.


Takashi Ichicawa didn’t know why the girl was just standing there, like a deer in headlights. He was late for his morning jog. He honked his horn again. The girl still didn’t move. He sighed and got out of his car. When he got closer, he saw that the girl was covered in dried blood. A grim thought rose in his mind.


“Hey, are you okay little girl?” said Takashi


Shira snapped out of her fright and looked at Takashi. She noticed that he was much dark then the members of her family and friends. Day-dweller.... she thought. She was afraid of the man, but didn’t move or speak. She studied the man.


There was nothing unusual about Takashi. He was 15 years old, had short cut hair, dark eye and a kind but hard face. He was wearing sweats and a long sleeved shirt.



“Hey it’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you. Who did these to you? Come on, you can ride in my car so we can clean you up.” Said Takashi kindly he held out a hand. Shira stared at it. Should I? Shira thought


She stared at it for a few more moments, and then took it. Takashi led her to the back seat of the red Honda. He buckled her up then got into the drivers seat. He started the car and drove off in the direction of his apartment. Shira remained silent. Takashi decided to talk to the girl to get some answers. "So little girl, what is your name?"

"Shiraga," said Shira. She stared out the window, looking at all the unfamiliar things flash by. Takashi frowned. "'Shiraga'? Doesn't that mean 'White-haired'? Come on, what is your real name?" said Takashi doubtfully. The dried blood and the muck in her hair was hiding the fact that Shira's hair was indeed white.

"That is my real name. What's yours?" asked Shira, still looking out the window.

"Ichicawa Takashi, at your serivce. Where is your home Shiraga?"

"A long ways away in the mountains. I don't know if it's safe to go there yet."

Takashi shook his head. Was she telling the truth? The only people that he was sure that lived in the mountains were monks and priests, but not even they live in the mountains long. He wondered What kind of life style Shira and her family lived.

"Umm, Shiraga? Why did your family live in the mountains?"

"Because my family were samurai." said Shira

A car suddenly pulled up in front of Takashi’s car without some kind of signal. Takashi was forced to slam on the brakes. This actually saved there lives, but they didn’t realize it and probably never will. The sun dawned brightly on the city but suddenly vanished in smoke and sound. The ground exploded in front of the red Honda. It was so powerful that it made flip back and roll several times. It thankfully came to a stop with Shira and Takashi, uninjured but dazed.

Shira’s door was suddenly ripped off the poor Honda and was forcibly taken out of the car. Her eyes focused and then realized she was surrounded by the ninja from the mountains.

Takashi shakily got out of his car and fell to the ground. He looked up and saw through the smoke that what looked like ninja had Shira. Before he could do anything the smoke disappeared and with it, so did the ninja with Shira.

(End Chapter 2)