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Stealth Strike: Castle Noe
by Grant Nisbet

At the edge of the surrounding forest rose a large hill. On that hill stood the Castle Noe. Blue with thatched roofs of jade. Quite a sight in the partly cloudy, full moon night. Simply a night many would find peaceful, but others very well knew it could mean death.
Peering from atop one of the towers, stood a figure in a sleeveless knee-length hoari. White with a symbol of a crane adorned at the back. It was the head kunoichi of the castle, Tsubame Machi. Under the light her eyes of orange were like a flame, as they watched for anything that looked suspicious. Aside from them; her light tan, prominent scar across the bridge of her nose to her cheeks, were all that could be seen. The rest hidden away in black.
A hidden door flipped open behind her. Another kunoichi appeared and knelt on one knee.
“Speak.” ordered Tsubame.
“Report: 10:00 watch is normal. West view is clear along with the North and South. However,” she puzzled near the end. Tsubame glanced to the East, with her arms crossed. Turning that way, she asked, “What of the East?” “A lamp light has been seen heading in from the East toward the main gate.” the other answered.
It was quiet between the two for a few. Giving it some thought, it came to Tsubame. Opening her eyes, she glanced to the other, “Where’s that monk been all this time?”

“God am I late,” grumbled, the monk, “can’t believe our meeting of the situation took that long!” Making his way through the forest with only a paper lantern to guide him on. Wearing a black koromo falling down above the ankles, tied by an obi along with black shoes on his feet. On his head and tied to his chin, is a bowl shaped hat of straw and in his other hand he walks with khakkhara staff.
A voice from above spoke to him, “Come on, Macavity. It’s not that bad.”
The monk rolled his eyes.
“Besides we got the whole squadron with us.” the girlish voice, giggled. Macavity under the guise of a monk named, Kuo Shi. Looked up into the trees and growled, “Not only am I late, but what are you doing here, Veerle!” “Don’t worry,” sighed Veerle, with only her eyes peering from the trees. “I got you and Jemima with me.”
Veerle and Jemima both were princess’ to the Emperor. Veerle’s the youngest being the fourth, and Jemima is the second oldest to her twin Lucy. While Macavity is a nephew, the rest shall not be mentioned for the three.
Macavity rubbed his eyes, shaking his head, “If your father finds out you're at it again…” “Nobody needs to know.” she mocked. Macavity continued on his way when at last, he came upon the main gate. On guard stood four soldiers; three low ranks and one mid rank. He could tell simply by their gear.
The mid rank officer with his arms folded behind him, spotted the monk and gestured to stop. So he did and the four drew near. Drawing near the low ranks held spears and kept a single edged sword to their sides, and the mid rank had a curved sword. Wearing lamellar armor-like sleeveless jackets, forearm guards and sandals. While the middle class wore a helmet, a cuirass of scale armor over his robe top, strapped armor over his trousers, and on his feet were ankle high boots.
“Turn back, nobody’s allowed near the castle at this hour.” ordered the mid rank. Bowing his head, Kuo Shi pardoned, “Pardon my late coming, but the lord is expecting me.”
“Kuo Shi?” he asked.
“Aye.”
“Ugh… Finally you showed up. The hell took so long!”
“A bit of trouble happened, and I had to go fix it.” replied Kuo Shi, shaking his head. The mid rank nodded agreeingly and turned back. The low ranks followed with Kuo Shi behind them, and making sure no one was looking, Macavity touch the side of his hat and waved his fingers back and forth. “Begin the strike.” Jemima read in whisper, and gestured for the attack.
Out of the shadows flew three darts coated with toxins. All three low ranks were struck in the neck from behind, and quickly began feeling the effects. Sights blurring, pain growing to numbness, and hearing going silent. “I apologize for this.” whispered Macavity. Dropping the Khakkhara and lantern he lunged forth, covering the officer’s mouth, and with the other struck hard into the side of his neck.
All four fell down. Quickly Macavity rushed to the gate doors left partially opened. Taking a little peak inside he saw two other guards on either side of the walk way. Nodding his head, he moved aside as two figures in black clothes flew past him and dealt with the two. Looking to the way he came, he now saw many other figures wearing dark colors; like deep blue, shady green, dark brown and deep purple.
All were fellow shinobi and kunoichi. Two groups of seven, took to the walls using grappling hooks to scale them. Macavity entered into the entrance as a few came to pick up and hide the four bodies. Seeing that the two guards were dealt with and many more to go. Macavity sighed with success of the strike so far, but knew they all had to be on their toes.
“Veerle, follow me.” said Macavity as he walked on, tossing his koromo aside. She swiftly followed after him, with fellow kunoichi behind her.

Inside the castle, many places still had candles burning. Including the room of the lord. Inside only candle stands were lit, giving a rather gloom look in the room. Apart from the shadows, with light lingering on a set of armor by the windows and a shelf full of books to the other side, not much was there. Sitting on a fold-out futon and leaning on a armrest, Lord Sabaki Noriko, couldn't sleep.
Dressed in a night robe, with his whole body wrapped in bandages and on his head he wore and eboshi, with an upside down crescent moon symbol at the front. His eyelids were dry and wrinkly with a dark tan. Though in the light his hazel eyes were bright.
“Lord Noriko.”
“Ms. Machi,” spoke Sabaki, in a soft tone.
“Sleep can’t find you this night?”
“Peaceful and clear the night is… And yet my mind is not this night.”
Putting a mark in his book, he closed it and turned to Tsubame. As he leaned back on to the armrest, he was quiet for the time. Seeing she was kneeled on one knee before him against the wall. She wore a black kosode top, with tied four-arm guards and gloves. Her top, haori, and pants were all tied at the center by a band, with a ribbon tied butterfly style with tails, and white belt tied over in the front. Below that were baggy black pants tied at the knees, followed down with black bandages and black shoes with a white v-shape in the center.
His gaze looked up to her eyes and felt nothing but the cold emotions in them. However her headgear, brought a smile to his dark lips. “Why must you wear something like that?” he asked, with a slight chuckle. She replied, with a roll of her eyes, “It’s to show that I’m different, and the head kunoichi.”
Attached to her mask and hood, was a triangular adornment that curved down to the bridge of her nose, and the two other points curved down a little, with a white veil dropping to her neck, and meeting her ears. Sabaki shook his head, “A bit flashy for a shinobi, eh?” “Heh, it’s the last thing they see before their heads fly.” Tsubame smirked, under her mask.
“Ahaha! Well said.”
“I do my best.”
“Lord!” came a voice out of the shadows as another kunoichi appeared. Kneeling on one leg, she gave a report, “Enemy have flown over the south wall, and a surprise attack hit us from the east!” Tsubame rose and flew out the window landing on a lower roof seeing the commotion going on. Sabaki on the other hand simply laughed, “I see now why I couldn’t sleep!” “Milord?” shouted the other kunoichi.
Sabaki gave the order, “Sound the alarm! They want a fight will give them one!” Bowing her head the other kunoichi flew out the window. Landing beside Tsubame, she saw the grounds were filling with soldiers and shinobi clashing. Tsubame turned to the other and ordered, “Tomoyo, come with me.” Tomoyo did as she was told, and flew off with Tsubame.
Upon their flight to the center they found themselves in a surprise attack. From the air, shinobi on kites dropped flame bombs, and on the roof they met swords, kusarigamas, and much more. But it would take more than that to beat Tsubame and her second in command.

Rushing through the paths, Macavity and his group made their way for the castle. When suddenly a high rank saw them coming, and called forth a squad after them. The high rank officer was the “one-eye tiger” general Torahime. Dressed fully in armor her single left, ice cold, silver eye watched them. “Second and Third Captain,” she ordered, “it’s time to let loose!” They nodded, “Yes, sir!” and gave the orders for their squads to fire their arrows.
Macavity quickly told everyone to disperse. Everyone leapt onto the walls to climb out of the way, but many were brought down by the arrows. Split up and fleeing to avoid the arrows Macavity and Veerle had to find another route. While the second captain, Isabella, and third captain, Takashi headed off with their squadron.

Torihime chuckled darkly, “Run shadow’s run, dare to come and I’ll be there.”