Called by the Siren

Chapter 41: Short cut!

“We are here!” Ena said happily.

“Here?”Bee said confused. She expected to be at the Ghost training camp, instead, she was looking at a tired-looking shack in the middle of the forest, near a mountain.

Ena chuckled and said, “What did you expect?”

“The Ghost is legendary! I expected a high tech training camp, not a shack in the middle of nowhere!” Bee said.

“We are ninjas, we like to go undetected! Besides, the old training ways are the best!” Ena said as they got out of the car. Bee stretched her broken arm, it ached but it was getting better. Ena opened the shack and Bee saw that the shack had two rooms and a kitchen. 

“Here you are! Home for the next six weeks! Your bedroom is on the right, water is collected from the well at the back and the toilet is outside. I presumed that you are not unaccustomed to a lack of luxuries?” Ena said.

“You guessed right! Most Ships are not known for their luxury!” Bee said.

“Good! I will give you 10 mins and then we will get started!” Ena said with a smile.

Bee had unpacked and was out the front of the shack. Ena was there ready and in his hands, he held a pair of shoes. However, they were not a pair of shoes that Bee had seen before.

“These are the only shoes that you will be wearing from now on! They are called geta and will help your balance. Once you get used to them they will also help you move as silent as a cat!” Ena said.

Bee looked at the shoes, they were wooden sandals that had a cotton cloth in them. The getas looked very unforgiving and Bee foresaw some nasty blisters.

“Thank you!” Bee said as she put them on. It was an honour to be trained by any Ghost, never mind a master like Ena!

“Now, you understand that we have six weeks to the next Ghost test?” Ena asked.

“Yes, Master Ena!” Bee said.

“And you are fully aware that you could die, many do!” Ena pointed out.

“Yes, Master Ena!” Bee said. 

“ Good! The art of training as a Ninja is called ninjutsu. ninjutsu can be divided into four general areas; Ninja weapons, physical and mental training, poisons and special devices, and ninjutsu techniques for espionage and assassination. Over the next six weeks, you will have a crash course in these areas. It will be the most exhausting and difficult six weeks of your life. Understand?” Ena explained.

“Yes, Master Ena!” Bee said. She knew all about hard training regimes, her Grandfather was merciless when she was training for her Siren test.

“Good! Now, you see that path there?” Ena said.

“Yes, Master!” Bee said.

“It goes to the top of the mountain where there is a pool. You need to fill the bucket and bring it back here before dark.” Ena ordered.

“Yes, Master!” Bee said as she grabbed the bucket and ran off. Ena watched her and chuckled, the trek up the mountain was very steep and treacherous. Not only that, but the path down had a few traps that would keep Bee on her toes.

Bee thought it was going to be a simple task, she was fit after all. However, the path narrowed and became steeper. It then turned into a sheer rock face.

“You have got to be kidding me!” Bee moaned as she put the bucket handle in her mouth and tried her best to climb with one arm. Bee slipped and slid but she managed to get to the top. Bee filled the bucket up and noticed the hole in the bucket.

“Of course!” Bee muttered as she looked round to find something to block the hole with. Bee ripped her top and wrapped a stone in it. She jammed it in the hole and was satisfied that it did not leak. Bee looked at the sun and saw it was low in the sky as she managed to get down the sheer cliff face.

Bee saw that there was a second path she hadn’t noticed before. It went straight down the mountain, however, it was steeper.“Still it will save a lot of time!” Bee thought as she made her way down the path. She was halfway down the path when she heard a snapping sound. Before she knew it, 5 arrows flew towards her. Bee dodged them before she tripped over a tripwire. 

“What the hell?” Bee said as she righted herself. Luckily, there was still some water in the bucket.

Bee continued doe the mountain carefully and she thought she was going to make it to the bottom. However, it was dark and she did not see the pressure pad under the leaves. Bee heard a click and a massive log pendulum started swinging. Bee managed to get past that, but she was too busy concentrating on the log to notice the bear pit. Bee fell in with a loud thud.Bee groaned as she heard Ena chuckling and saw his face appear over the pit.

“I must say, I was impressed by how far you got! However, there are some important lessons to learn here. What do you think they are?” Ena asked.

“To concentrate on what I am doing!” Bee answered.

“Hmmm, that goes without saying! No, the lesson here is less haste more speed. You chose the shortest route, but in fact, it is the longest! There is no such thing as shortcuts in life my dear!” Ena said.

“Yes, Master!” Bee said standing up.

“Very good! Now, back up the mountain, you go!” Ena said.

“What?” Bee said, confused.

“Well, I still need the water for my tea!” Ena said simply as he turned and walked away.

“You are not going to help me out of this pit?” Bee shouted.

“Why would you need my help, Siren? You have got yourself down there, so you can get yourself out!” Ena called back.

“Thanks a bunch!” Bee muttered as she heard a wolf howl in the distance. She had a feeling it was going to be a long six weeks.

=======================

Soya Hills, Japan.

“Do not f**k with me Akihiko, where is she?” Theo roared as he banged his fists on the table in front of him.

“Trust me when I say f*****g you is the furthest thing from my mind! Besides, it is hardly my fault she came here is it?” Akihiko pointed out.

“Not helping darling!” Zoe said, make Akihiko grump.

“Where did Bee go from here?” Frank asked, his eyes narrowing.

Akihiko shrugged and said “How would I know? I am not the Siren’s keeper!”

Frank sighed in frustration and closed his eyes.” Where are you Bee?” he thought.

“Is there anything you can tell us? Is she alright?” Theo asked.

“No. No, she is not!” Zoe said bluntly, remembering how Bee reacted to the Snuff video. It was like Zoe could see the tempest form in Bee’s eyes, as Bee’s heart was fully consumed with revenge. It has been truly terrifying!

“What do you mean? Is she hurt?” Frank said urgently.

“Physically she is fine, but mentally..” Zoe said.

“Her mind is on one thing, revenge!” Akihiko said, suddenly frowning. He had walked down that road before and it never ended well

“What, she wants revenge on the twins?” Theo asked.

“I wish! No, she wants revenge on the people who have hurt the sea gangs! To be honest, I would not bet against her!” Akihiko warned.

“Neither would I!” Frank muttered, concerned that it was already too late!