“Fuck. That hurt. How'd you see me?” she asked. She looked ready to draw and slash the way, her right hand gripped her sword hilt.

  Casting a quick REVEAL STATS as I took a half step back with my right foot into a defensive stance. My cane ready to sweep up to move her sword up and away from me. Smiling, I let everyone know what I saw.

  “Urako Sarutobi, Level one Ninja. Two levels of STEALTH. One level each of FIND TRAPS, PARKOUR, swords, and martial arts. And BACKSTAB.”

  She still glared at me, but straightened up a bit. "I saw you earlier at the back of the crowd, then I didn’t see you. I wondered if you’d followed me, and if you had, you’d listened in.”

  “I did. Got a fuckin’ problem with that? Why the fuck you hit me?”

  “Why? As they say, to make a point. Your STEALTH works on MANA. I can DETECT MANA which includes people who use MANA. Ingrid stands out like a bright light. I’m more like a floodlight. You’re a bright spark moving around. I aimed for that spark to see how you’d react, and to remind you to never drop your guard. You should have dodged. We’ll work on that.”

  “Whadda, ya mean, work on it? You think I’m gonna join your stupid party?”

  “I hope so. We need someone like you. Someone who can take initiative and concentrate on what’s important. I like that. I want that. I think you’ve got it. Want in?”

  “Why would I want to work with you old white people? Y’all think you can tell me what to do and jest I’ll fuckin’ do it?”

  There was a growl coming from Bhaarrt behind me. “In combat? Yes. I do.” I replied. “When learning how to fight as a team. Yes. Otherwise, you get to choose. Just don’t choose stupid.” I looked back at Ingrid and Bhaarrt.

  “If you two have questions about Urako joining, ask her. Everyone has to agree on a new member. Urako, ask your own questions. I won’t force anyone to join or let anyone else force you. Got it?” At least I saw her nod. There was hope.

  “What do I get out of joinin’ you? Sides another set of parents I got to obey?” Urako asked.

  “What do you get out of it? Someone to heal you when you get hurt. Not if, when. Ingrid’s a level two Healer. I can help you learn to use your sword in real combat, not just dancing with it. And…” I paused, “Any dirty tricks I can think of to help you put the pointy end into the other guy.” I got a chuckle out of her on the last line.

  “Good.” I thought. I hoped she’d lose some of her attitude with time.

  “Also, I’m a level six Mage. And...I’ve spent a few years teaching people how to fight with swords.” Taking another step back, I came off guard. “We can spar later and find out who's better with a sword.” I’m not sure what the sound she made was, but it didn’t sound polite, so I held off on saying anything else.

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  As I turned away from them so they could talk. I heard Ingrid talking softly with Urako while I scanned the parking lot. Casting another DETECT MANA; I looked at the people in range. About half used MANA in some way. The rest probably haven’t chosen anything yet.

  A few police officers were holding people back. Keeping them from going inside. They weren’t letting people just walk in. We needed to get invited or taken in. That’s when I noticed a policeman in full SWAT gear who seemed to direct the others.

  A REVEAL STATS showed a standard Warrior build with extra in STRENGTH, DEXTERITY, and WISDOM. Weapon skills in guns, hand-to-hand, baton, and shield. Guns as primary weapons were going to be really popular, especially in this state.

  Silently, I pondered the problem. “If I treat this like a quest and can convince him to take us inside, we’ll finish one task in my self-imposed quest. What will do it? MIND CONTROL only works for so long, and it’ll be obvious. He’s probably ex-military and seen combat by how he’s standing and watching people. So, something combat related without killing people. He was too far away for me to identify his pistol.”

  While half listening to them talk, an idea hit. The good points were no one would get hurt. The bad ones were, it would fail, he wouldn't go for it, and it would drain my MANA even if it worked. The best part was it was protection, not attack. I hoped he was the protector type.

  “Will.” I heard Ingrid call.

  Turning around, I saw her beckoning to me. “Have you three decided?”

  Urako answered, “You didn’t tell me Daryll loved Manga.”

  “Umm? Didn’t know he did. That sounds like a good thing?”

  Seeing the way her eyes scrunched up, I guessed she was smiling. “Yah. I’m in. Up on the hill, it’s all gangsta this and cap that. My cousin told me she heard some say when they come down the hill with powers, they’re gonna make everyone pay.”

  “There’s lots of people who didn't have powers before that want to make others pay for something. I don’t expect that to change. I give it a day or two before it hits hard. They’ll have to sort themselves out first who’s the top whatever. It sounds like some of them are going to be people you or your cousin knows.”

  Ingrid interrupted me with. “We like her. We’re good if she is.”

  “Thank you.” I smiled as I looked down at Urako. At her height, and me being just short of six feet tall, I couldn’t help it. “Welcome to the party, group, or whatever we call ourselves. I’ll leave that up to the rest of you. If you see someone you think would make a good party member, tell us.” She nodded. “Does Urako mean something special? It’s not a name I recognize.”

  “It can mean shadow. Sarutobi was a ninja clan.”

  “Sounds like a good name for you. You keep to the shadows and Bhaarrt can be out front as target number one while the rest of us keep our healer alive and kill whatever he’s fighting. I hate to ask this, but can you kill someone? Can you risk yourself knowing they're trying to kill you?”

  “If I have to, I hope so. I. I won’t let you down.”

  “Even if it means killing them from behind when they don’t know you’re there?”

  “That might be easier. I think,” she said, her voice catching a bit on the last words.

  “You’ll never know until it happens,” Bhaarrt said. “I was Army in Afghanistan for a year. The first one wasn’t the hardest. The second one was. But when it was you or your buddy dying, or the other guy dying, you do what you gotta do. If it comes time, I’ll help. Come to me. Until then, Bhaarrt smash!” he shouted, and we all laughed, even Urako. His shout drew startled looks from people near and not so near us.

  Update to Chapter.

  Musical Interlude:

  I Want To Be Neenja song is now a Movie! (Ninja Song by Jennifer Murphy

  Listen to the song. It's funny. And remember to follow Mana Mage and tell your friends about it too.