A Ninja Kitten Never Cries

Prolog

A Ninja Kitten Never Cries is the fictional story of an ill-fated 19th century romance set against the back drop of Japan’s reunification under Emperor Meiji. It is a tale of honor, tragedy and enduring love. The protagonist Obie Shinobe, once heir to a granted title of nobility, is formally disgraced. Sentenced to return to his humble origins within a suburban prefecture of Tokyo Obie must find a way to regain his honor and the love of the woman he was now denied.  

Obie’s rescue of a tiny black kitten he discovers in a back alleyway subtly changes his life and future. 

Chapter 1 

Shadow or “SHado” as he was known to his Japanese companion was found abandoned in a back alleyway in a suburban prefecture of Tokyo, Japan by Obie Shinobi during the early days of May in the year 1867. Although to many Obie’s “rescue” of SHado would appear to be purely a fortuitous stroke of luck…. within the cosmic realm few such encounters are ever mere coincidence. 

Obie had once been a Japanese nobleman highly esteemed and honored by all who knew him, however due to a false accusation by a jealous rival he was unjustly stripped of his honor and rank and now lived among those who had once been in his service. Although he was treated with kindness and respect by those around him he was no longer privy to the rights and privileges accorded to his former status. 

Obie could have happily shared his life with these good people however he suffered greatly, as is generally the case, for the loss of the love of his woman. It was because of their deep, mutual love for one another that a jealous rival had successfully convinced the ruling authorities and high nobility that Obie was both a traitor and a coward and therefore unworthy to live among his former peers. 

The charges were completely fabricated, as such accusations usually are, however Obie was not in any position to be able to defend his good name. Obie was very sad and down hearted. He did not seek revenge, but only to clear his good name and to regain the love of the woman he was now denied. 

Obie had been assisting his friends and neighbors with cleaning the dark, back alleyway that bordered the backside of his humble home. He had finished sweeping the dusty cobblestone pathway and had just begun picking up some of the larger pieces of windblown trash scattered about him. As he picked up what appeared to be an old towel or a torn piece of clothing Obie heard the faint whimpering sound of a tiny animal that had in its attempt to keep warm the evening before entangled itself within it. 

At first Obie did not know what manner of creature he had encountered. He gently placed the cloth on the ground and slowly untwisted it being careful to neither risk getting bitten by or  injuring the tiny life within. Gradually his work revealed the furry, black back of the tiny creature. Obie remained cautious. Despite its diminutive size a bite could be very dangerous as the local rodents often were infected with rabies. Obie listened closely to the high pitched squeaky sounding noise the creature produced. The animal made a sound unlike any vermin with which Obie was familiar. 

After wrapping a piece of cloth around his hand for protection he carefully uncovered the tiny creature’s head. To his surprise he saw the face of a very tiny, black kitten. The kitten was hardly more than a few days old. Its eyes were still tightly closed. 

Obie thought perhaps the kitten’s mother had somehow wrapped it in the cloth to hide and protect it and was unable to return. Obie had not seen any cats in his neighborhood for some time. Food was scarce and many people were starving. The mother cat may have wound up as someone’s meal. She may have left her kitten hidden and tried to lure predators away. 

Obie wasn’t certain whether he could save this kitten’s life. It was small and undernourished and by conventional wisdom much too young to be separated from its mother. But Obie was a kind and gentle man and he was determined to do his best. 

~ Note:

Shadow “SHado” is more than he appears to be. He is one of eight “Guardians” or “Muses” sent to inspire, protect and comfort worthy souls in their moment of greatest need.  Shadow’s mother is a large white cat named Hope granted immortality and a place of honor by God himself as reward for her faithful service during the creation of our earthly realm. Shadow and his three brothers and four sisters are mortal beings, however their souls are immortal. At each rebirth the “Guardians” have no memory of their previous lives or companions however they carry with them the knowledge and skills they have acquired over time.

A Ninja Kitten Never Cries  is the tale of how Shadow acquired his awesome Ninja skills.