Chapter 27: TWINS


    <hr>


    Nomads near the Crucible have reported fleeting glimpses of dark-clad figures scaling its hull. Jingozi ambassadors dismiss it as mere gossip. Perhaps they hope to hide that Ninja infiltration is far more advanced than anyone suspects. Still, the question remains: Why risk so much just to spy?


    ***


    Kaito spotted his sister''s silhouette against the night sky, her form barely visible in the shadow of the sanctuary''s tower. The sight never failed to bring a smile to his face. The stone nook she perched on had become her thinking spot, a place she retreated to before missions or when she needed space.


    He climbed the worn stone steps, his footfalls silent from years of training. Tonight, her Zii signature pulsed bright and eager through her Ninja uniform, a welcome change from her usual pre-mission anxiety. As her twin, he''d grown attuned to her energy and could read her moods as clearly as his own.


    Kaito crept closer, hugging the tower wall. Maybe this time, he''d finally catch her…


    "I can feel you skulking back there, brother." Hikari didn''t turn around.


    "Being twins is so unfair sometimes." Kaito dropped his stealthy approach and plopped down beside her. "I can never surprise you anymore."


    "You used to when we were little." Hikari''s legs dangled over the edge, swinging slightly. "Before we learned to sense Zii."


    "Then why did you let me sneak up behind you during training before Ember blasted me?"


    "I don''t know," she shrugged. "I guess I had a hunch she needed an opportunity to save me."


    "Well, sister, you didn''t do me any favors." He stretched his back.


    "Sorry about that," she said, wincing in sympathy. "How''s it healing?"


    "I''m learning to sleep on my stomach."


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    They both snickered.


    Hikari rested her head on Kaito''s shoulder before asking, "So, brother, what do you think about Ember?"


    "She''s a formidable ally and asset for our faction."


    "Stop trying to sound like Takumi. What do you really think? She nudged him playfully. "I''ve seen the way you look at her. She is gorgeous."


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about."


    "And I''ve seen the way she looks at you."


    "Really?" Kaito suddenly perked up and straightened.


    "Nope. I''m lying."


    "I hate you."


    "But I like her," Hikari added, laughing. "I like her a lot. But you and older women never—


    "You seem excited tonight." Kaito tried to divert the conversation.


    "Who wouldn''t be? Our first actual missions. I just wish we could''ve done it together."


    "The entire guild mobilizes. We''re needed everywhere all at once. I''ve never seen such an operation."


    "Do you think we''ll catch the attention of the Jingozi?" she asked.


    "If you mean catch us up here, most certainly." He gestured to the sanctuary shingles below. "We''d be executed for sure. I never understood your fascination with this place. It chills my core."


    "Becoming a Jingozi apprentice is all I think about, Kaito."


    "I know, but I''m worried about how much you push yourself. Be careful."


    "Just because you were born moments before me," she winked. "Doesn''t mean you get to boss me around like Sora."


    "I''m serious, Hikari."


    Kaito watched his sister''s face harden as she stared at the distant mountains.


    "Father needs to see what he threw away," Hikari''s voice cracked. "Maybe if he''d stayed, Mother wouldn''t have..."


    "Don''t." Kaito squeezed her shoulder. " Don''t even call him that. That man doesn''t deserve your thoughts. He''s too busy playing politics with the Shogunate to care about anything but power."


    "But—"


    "No buts. You know what I found out?" Kaito''s jaw clenched. "He''s been funding those brothels in the market district. The same ones filled with abandoned children."


    "I hoped the rumors weren''t true." Hikari''s shoulders slumped.


    "With any luck, one of our missions will expose everything he''s done. Make him pay for all those lives he''s ruined."


    "You''re right." Hikari wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you for being the best brother. For never leaving like everybody else."


    "Always." Kaito stood, brushing off his Ninja gi. "But right now, Sora and Taikumi are waiting. Ready?"


    A grin spread across Hikari''s face.


    "Race you?"


    They launched off the ledge, their bodies flowing like water across the rooftops. Kaito couldn''t help but laugh as they bounded between buildings, their footsteps barely touching the tiles. The cool night air whipped past them as they leaped in perfect sync, their movements mirroring each other.


    In their wake, a dark figure in flowing black robes floated motionless above the sanctuary roof, watching the twins disappear into the night.


    ***


    As tales of the Ninja reach the Shogun''s ears, the Jingozi respond with nothing but deflections. Those shadow warriors vanish into darkness once more, staying silent about their actions. I can say one thing with surety: Their motives remain hidden, while the Jingozi''s composure masks profound unease.