Hello, prospective readers, this is a new idea that I've had in mind for a while, and it demanded to be written. I've always wondered about Shun, and this is the result. Hope you enjoy!

The Beginning of the End

Shady figures clad in black skitter through the courtyard, effortlessly avoiding the trivial idea of sound. They bypass human-built barricades with the dexterity of a spider, and their lithe forms dart from rooftop to rooftop fluidly.

The victim is powerless to stop the silent force, which quickly disposes of human obstacles. The silence is not disturbed and continues its sleep. The victim is within sight. There is only the glint of a raised blade and—

And you have the 21st century implication of being a ninja.

Confused yet?

Maybe it's better to start at the beginning, like a proper story should.

For me, it all really began with a book. It was a thick, jet-black volume that currently sat in an equally dark corner of my dojo. It had no title, and I wouldn't be anymore interested in it if it had one. This was simply because it was about the subject I dreaded most.

Ninjas.

My grandfather was kind enough—if you called forcing your only grandson to become a warrior kind—to introduce me into the ways of the 'dark ones,' as he calls us.

"History, Shun," he'd begun, "is very important to us. It finely details our traditions and…" I'd stopped paying attention after that point, knowing full well that'd he'd pulled most of his speech out of the book.

It was the introductory paragraph, and the only one I'd read to date.

The shinobi no mono were the ninja of feudal Japan, shinobi being the alternative reading of the character nin hence the more well known term of ninja. They were hired by the daimyo to carry out tasks which their noble samurai would not do either through code of behavior or because they were simply unable to, such as secretly gaining access to another daimyo's castle and assassinating the daimyo, committing acts of arson, or intelligence gathering. Because of their methods the ninja were both feared and despised but the techniques they employed became a necessary part of a daimyo's capacity to wage war. Ninja guilds became entrenched in Kyoto, which they practically ruled at night, and governors frequently had to check their power.

The daimyo was a Japanese feudal lord, which didn't exist in these times, and no war was waging between them. Arson and assassination were illegal. This prompts the question:

Why be a ninja if what you were meant to do couldn't be done anymore?

Honestly, I still hadn't answered the question, and it was about time I tried to figure it out.

This story is meant go through different characteristics a ninja should have and how Shun applies or does not apply them to his life. I've got a few ideas, but if there are any you'd like to see mentioned or then feel free to let me know. Review and await the next chapter 'cause it'll be good!

Cocoacharm15