The Christmas Present

Winter can be the happiest time in the year, especially early winter. But for the few who were loyal to the Old Empire, it marked the private execution of their emperor. This marked a warning to the Old Empire to don't attempt an uprising as the empress had more guards on patrol to find the former prince.

As snowflakes fell from the sky, Xing stepped out of the tavern where she worked. "Enjoy your holiday, Ning." said Mrs. Jones at the door with her husband as well.

"Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Jones." replied Xing, taking a courtesy bow. When she finished, she continued to walk back to her home. "Home, only thirty thousand more coins to go and since I made one hundred today, half should be saved." she said to herself, she sighed heavily realizing the amount. She wore a woolen waitress gown with a thick cloak with a cowl to keep her ten-year-old body warm.

"Hello miss." a stranger said, blocking her way. "What's a girl like you doing out and alone? Don't you know they're bad people out at night?" he said as he came closer, revealing a knife. The point of it was about to touch her stomach, warning her don't scream.

"What makes you think she's alone?" another voice behind the stranger said. The stranger turned around to see a thirteen-year-old boy who carried two ninja-type mech swords. His cowl hid the furry in his eyes but the heat was felt with one hand, he grabbed the stranger and threw him to the ground. As the stranger scrambled to get up, he felt cold metal on the bare back of his neck. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that one of the two blades was unsheathed. "You know, I've been looking for you," said Zhōng.

"Why? Who are you?" stuttered the stranger as his eyes widen even more.

Zhōng looked up at his sister and said, "Why do you need to know?" Xing closed her eyes but still heard the head drop to the ground from one blow of the other sword.

"Who was that?" asked Xing when they returned to their ally. She went to put away the money she earned.

"Why are you asking that?" asked Zhōng, he unsheathe the ninja sword and started to clean and sharpen it. Sometimes, he didn't like to tell his sister why he did what he had to do. Xing looked at him with a pouty face, he knew she was going to push him. He sighed and said, "He was staring at you for a week, he had it coming."

Xing couldn't understand her brother. Since the day he left the party of black marketers, he has done solo missions to earn money. In order to find him, he'll be in a tree near the tavern where she worked, unless he was being tracked down or on a mission already. But what became unusual was not that he worked alone, he always cleaned and sharpened his blades even though he didn't use them. "Why did you say, 'I've been looking for you.'?" she asked.

Zhōng overlooked the work he did on it before sheathing the sword away. "Apparently," he began as he started the fire, "he's a ghost like me, someone bet money on who will sneak and kill first, me or him. I started to notice three weeks ago before he switched to you. He did that for a week before disappearing as he waited to make his move. I don't think he realized his move on you was an opportunity for me." he finished as the fire roared to life.

Xing got to work making a stew for their supper. "So you would rather keep me out of danger but you don't mind dangling me over it." complained Xing as she threw a secret stash of meat and vegetables into a pot over the fire.

Zhōng just shrugged his shoulders. "And yet you are still going to cook that delicious stew," he pointed out. Although she had just started, the smell of the stew could make anyone hungry for more. Xing smirked, her brother was right. Although she worked harder than him, he was the one who suffered to protect her. She looked up to see her brother was looking towards the alley entrance. His face was cold as it felt the presence of someone, Xing looked at the entrance but saw no one. "I'm going to be gone all day, tomorrow." he said without breaking his stare. She broke hers to look at her brother. "I want you to stay here." he said looking at her as his cold face disappeared.

"You know I can take care of myself." pouted Xing as she stirred the stew. She hates when Zhōng leaves all day and tells her to stay put. Especially since tomorrow, it will have everyone celebrating and buying gifts.

"That's not the reason," said Zhōng, Xing looked up what she was doing. "I need you to keep this safe." he said as he tucked the Ninja Sword into the garbage by his makeshift bed. "I'll be at a tournament, I don't want to risk being discovered."

Xing looked down at the almost finished stew. Her brother's reason made sense but he never had a problem before. In previous tournaments, he always carried both his swords. Every mission he did, he had both of them as well. "What has happened to you? Are you going to be okay? Are you still the same brother that always smiled?" she thought. They ate the stew as the snowflakes continued to fall throughout the night.

The next morning, Xing woke up to find out she was alone. She looked around hoping to see her brother but he was gone. However, there was a note left from him saying, "Stay put."

"Does he seriously don't trust me?" she thought. Her thoughts of her brother from last night flooded her head again, she was thinking of a way to bring him back to that. She looked at the spot where her brother buried the Ninja Sword. She then got up and dug at the spot to see if it was still there. "There's no way it will be taken." she thought. Putting the trash back on it to make it look natural, she then ran out to the streets to begin looking for the present.

Since it was a holiday, the streets were busy. Everyone appears to be out doing almost the same thing as Xing was doing. She continued to walk through the busy streets in awe, it's been years since the streets were this busy and lively for the holiday. Xing looked around as she clung tightly to a pouch of money she took with her. She made her way to the complete wall, however, what she found surprised her. Gifts were laid out throughout the entire wall as people were dropping them off for one reason. "Gifts to our emperor!" a woman cried out.

"Excuse me," said Xing politely to the women, "what do you mean, 'gifts to the emperor'?"

"Oh child, when I said, 'gifts to the emperor,' I mean the Former Prince Zhōng. It's been over a year since we heard from him. He must be depressed and thinks no one cares about him. So we are doing this to show our love and the fact that we care." explain the women.

Xing took another look at the presents laid out for her brother as more continued to come. "If only you knew what he became." she thought. However, she liked the idea so much that she will get her brother a present as well.

Meanwhile, below where Xing stood in the sewers, there was a crowd cheering and booing as the contestants walked into the arena to begin the fight. "Your lucky streak ends here." said the opponent.

"I guess we'll see about that." smiled Zhōng, he saw him fight once and knew where to dance circles around him.

"Fighters ready!" shouted the announcer. Zhōng and his opponent got into their ready positions, it was a fight until one either deactivated or got knocked out and no generating shields were allowed. "Three! Two! One! Fight!" scream the announcer as they activate their swords. Zhōng fired rockets toward his foe. Fear they might hit him, he put up his arms to block only to find the rockets collided with each other just centimeters from him. The real attack came from behind him and before he knew it he went down as Zhōng tackled and stabbed him in the stomach. "The winner! The Dual Bladed Ninja!" exclaimed the announcer as the crowd cheered.

Xing looked from shop to shop, searching for the perfect gift to give to her brother. "It's got to be in here." she said to herself as she entered a shop called, 'Royals of the Old'. inside the shop were relics that were taken from her old home. She saw paintings of her family, diaries written by them and before, dishes she once ate from, and dresses she once wore or could have worn if she was still the princess of the empire. But what caught her eye was an emblem, it used to belong to her brother, his personal insignia was a tired dragon blasting a victorious fire as he stood over his foe. "That's it." she said as she believed she found the perfect present.

"Excuse me," said Xing politely to the manager as he sat behind his desk right by the entrance and exit. "How did you find all of this?"

"Well young lady, I and a couple of lads, whom I paid very well, we're able to get these things before the purge really began. It's amazing if you know the right people, they can get you anywhere." gloated the manager. "Find anything you like?"

"That emblem," said Xing as she pointed to it, "how much is it?"

The manager chuckled at Xing's question. "I'm sorry, that's not for sale."

"Why?"

"It's extremely valuable."

"I can pay for it. I can even get more." she said, she knew she shouldn't waste their savings, but she must get him that emblem.

"I'm sorry it's not for sale."

"Please, I would like to have it." begged Xing.

"Look girl, I had to jump through hoops to retrieve it. I'm not going to sell it to you only for you to put it by that wall for it to collect rust and ruin its value. Now if there isn't anything else, then get out of my store." said the manager harshly.

Xing walked out of the store and headed back towards the alley. "What a selfish pig, why wouldn't he give in? I offer more money than required, that usually works." she thought. She entered the alley and put the money away before sitting on her bed with a frustrated look on her face. She looked around before looking at the spot where the Ninja Sword should be. Decided to check to see if it was still there, only to discover that it was gone. "Where is it?" she thought as she dug around the area. "Brother will never forgive me if I lose it." She looked out towards the alley entrance that they used. However, she felt a presence behind her.

Slowly, Xing turned around to see an activated mech looking at her confused. She looked into the cockpit to see if there was someone in there only to find it empty. "Would you stop looking all scared, you making me worried." the mech spoke, making Xing jump in surprise.

"How? What kind of mech are you?" marveled Xing. She didn't know as much as her brother about the mech system. The mech was black equip with an armory that had parts that Xing had seen in others merge together all on one mech. There was something about it that showed it had feelings and wouldn't surprise her as well since it just spoke.

"Well I wouldn't have to do this, considering he told you to watch me and stay put." said the mech. Xing suddenly put it together, the mech was the Ninja Sword. She dug deeper into the spot where the sword once laid to find its sheath still there. "To answer how is simple, I'm one of seven that can speak, judge, and decide who's worthy to wield me." said the Ninja Sword.

"Does my brother know?" asked Xing, not sure whether to trust it or consider a malfunctioning mech that claims to be the sword.

The mech leaned back on a wall more to pounder. "He might know, he might not, we'll say that," said the Ninja Sword. Xing decided that was good enough to be claimed as it is the sword and started a fire to make a meal for her. "So where did you go?" it asked.

"I went to find my brother a present," said Xing as she prepared some spices.

"Why?"

"He seemed off recently, like something terrible has happened and he likes to hide it." noted Xing.

"Well it's been over a year." commented the Ninja Sword, Xing didn't like the excuse and continued to work on her meal. "He had his ups and downs, all have shaped him to what he is today." it said as he remembers feeling the change of its wielder.

"You've been with him everywhere he went," said Xing as she threw some meat and vegetables into a pot with spices. "What made him snap into this?"

"I don't think I should share his personal experience if he hadn't shared." said the Ninja Sword.

"He tells me to remember the past, but don't let it affect you. In a way, I feel like it has." said Xing.

"And that's why you tried to get that emblem?" said the Ninja Sword, the information shocked Xing. She looked up from what she was doing to see the mech looking right back at her. "Like I said, I judge who's worthy, I always keep my eyes looking."

"Why do you see everyone if Zhōng is your wielder? Is he becoming unworthy?" said Xing as she became worried at the thought.

"No, no, no," said the Ninja Sword reassuring Xing. "but let's say something terrible happened to him, he breaks the first three vows." it began before seeing Xing look confused. "To fight with the strong to protect the weak - he'll never abandon those who can't fight nor hide amongst them. When called upon, he'll answer by joining the caller's forces or stay neutral and out of the conflict - it prevents him from joining the opposing force thus keeping I and/or other blades from turning on each other in a call. And the final is, to be honorable and loyal to your forces and friends and never fail them - to keep your vows as long as they don't affect these three." it explained as Xing began to understand. "So if he breaks these or something happens to him, if he doesn't name an heir to me, then I must choose who'll wield me. That's why I keep my eyes open, even on his heir that he'll name."

Xing looked down at her meal as she took in the information. Then an idea popped into her head. "Help me get that emblem." she said.

"Why?"

"You've seen that man."

"His actions to get it are wrong, yes. But it is his shop, his rules." said the Ninja Sword. Xing pouted, she didn't like that the mech won't help her. "Ah," groaned the Ninja Sword as something snapped behind the shoulder board. "That felt good, tell your brother to take me out sometime. That really helped loosen up some of these joints."

"If only you care about Zhōng's life as much as your joints." thought Xing as she finished her meal.

"Have you considered that Zhōng might be content the way he is?" said the Ninja Sword, looking at her. "Have you considered all he wants is for you to be safe? He hates leaving you here while he works but seeing you here brings him relief. His past may be a mystery to you, but if you weren't there, he would be lost."

"You speak as if you know better." said Xing as she began to dig into her meal. The mech looked at her curiously, trying to understand where she was going with this. "Ever since I can remember, he's been there for me. There was never a time he didn't, even when we were expelled from our home, he was there taking everything to protect me not because it was his duty but because he cared. Why else would he protect me?"

"Because he doesn't want you to get hurt as he does, it gives him more reasons to protect you. And that's why your present won't mean anything to him long as you are not hurt or be taken away." said the Ninja Sword.

"That's where you are mistaken, a present will bring him back to me. For as long as he is the way he is, I will never recognize him." said Xing. "The emblem will bring him back."

The mech shook his head in disagreement, "Your father's stubbornness is definitely in you children." it said to himself as he loosened up another joint.

Zhōng crashed onto the bench, huffing and puffing after another victory. "Almost there, one more game and I get paid my reward." he thought to himself. He was bruised and had minor cuts on his face and torso from previous battles, but still managed to fight and win. He discovered this tournament three weeks prior, all he needed was a sponsor.

"Well done, you are glorious Dual Bladed Ninja." said the manager as he came in. It was the same manager who helped Xing out hours before.

"They are tough opponents." noted Zhōng as he took a rag and cleaned himself up.

"Then tougher opponents should mean larger pay." commented the manager, as he notices the battle marks.

"The amount you are offering is sufficient. I don't need anymore Mr. Wong." said Zhōng.

"No I insist, every opponent you face, you seem to defeat them. What I'm offering is going way out of my way to make you even richer." offer Mr. Wong.

"I do appreciate the offer, but my answer is still no." said Zhōng.

"I don't think you understand," chuckled Mr. Wong, "win it all and you'll receive double for what I offered. Lose and you get nothing."

"Double or nothing," said Zhōng, looking not impressed. "That's not what we agree to."

"It is now," said Mr. Wong as he walked out of the room.

Zhōng sank deeper into the bench from what he heard. "Now I have to win two games," he thought.

"Considering you are breaking everyone's wallet, that would make sense he's offering you double." a familiar voice said. Zhōng looked up to see Tony leaning in the doorway. Tony tried to get a hold of him since the incident but couldn't. Every time he went to visit, he got a stare down from Zhōng, warning him don't come any closer. Zhōng said nothing, he drew his sword to check for scratches and dents. "Did you not know that Mr. Wong is untrustworthy? There's a reason why we don't do business with him." stated Tony, but Zhōng said nothing as he pulled out a wet stone and began sharpening his sword. "Where's the other one?" he asked, noticing he carried one instead of two.

"Safe," said Zhōng as continued his work.

"It's with her," said Tony. Zhōng stopped what he was doing and shot a dark glare. His eyes were a dark blue fire and a sense of kill if Tony was not careful. "I'm not going to do that to you again.

"Why should I believe that?" said Zhōng as he put the wet stone down, his stare became even more terrifying.

Tony rolled his eyes and entered the room completely. "Come on, we're friends, we…" he didn't finish as Zhōng pinned him to a wall with his sword still drawn out.

"Should we still be considered friends after what you did to her?" sneered Zhōng.

Tony carefully took one look before he quickly grabbed Zhōng's sword side shoulder from underneath. In an instant, Zhōng dropped his sword and he nearly collapsed onto Tony. "Couldn't you be lighter?" grunted Tony as he helped Zhōng onto a bench nearby.

"Now you calling me fat? I should let her know and you two can have a nice chat about my diet." said Zhōng as both of them laughed. They looked at each other afterward, there was no tension, only calmness.

"Friends again?" asked Tony.

"Allies," confirmed Zhōng, he still didn't trust him completely.

"I can handle that." said Tony as they sat in silence for a while. "You are running out of moves with that Longus." he said, breaking the silence.

"I'm still hiding a lot more." claim Zhōng.

"Are you going to show them?"

"Not yet but soon." stated Zhōng as he got up and walked out to face his next opponent.

Xing looked up to the window of the second story of the shop. She wore a pair of her brother's pants and his spare shoes because she didn't want her dress to get ripped. "I've seen Zhōng do it, how hard can it be?" she thought. She went to the wall of the shop and started to climb to find it was difficult. However, she made it to the window, opened it, and entered. She knew the place was empty because the Ninja Sword told her that before she came. "So far it's right." thought Xing.

The upstairs was clearly Mr. Wong's home, there was a kitchen, a table, a bed, and comforts. Xing looked around hungrily to have all of it, it's been over a year since they had any level of luxury. She snapped herself back to reality as she remembered that she came to steal the emblem, she went downstairs, opened a door at the bottom, and entered the shop. There it was, the silver and gold emblem that belonged to her brother. "There you are," she exclaimed as she approached it. Suddenly, she heard a sudden click, she turned around to see the door locks were beginning to turn. Quickly, she grabbed the emblem and looked for a place to hide. There was a wedding dress made for her with the skirt being the perfect place to hide. When she was finally under, Mr. Wong entered his shop in high spirits.

"It's a great day to be me, it's a great day to be me. I was rich yesterday, but I'm richer today. It's a great day to be me." jingled Mr. Wong as he sat down on top of his desk two big full bags of coins. He closed the door behind him and locked it before sitting down on his chair. "With this much money, I could be a lord or a rich man that funds the military. But I like the sound of a lord, 'Lord Wong'." he exclaimed as he smiled at his idea. "I could hire pretty girls to feed and care for me, my men will be loyal to me and all I did was have a fighter that went all the way and lose at the last round." he gloated. Suddenly, he felt a chill due to the temperature dropping. He looked around to see if there was anyone there, noticing the door to his house open, he went up the stairs. "THIEF!!!" screamed Mr. Wong.

Xing scampered out of her hiding place, grabbed one of the bags and threw it to the window. It smashed and ripped the bag open as the coins scattered while Xing jumped out of the window. "Stop right ther-!'' screamed Mr. Wong before he was shot down. Xing turned to see where it came from to see a manless black mech in an alley. It deactivated back to the sword as Xing rushed to grab it and ran away.

"I did it," cheered Xing on her way back to her alley.

"That was way too close." spoke the sword on her hip.

"Doesn't matter, I got it." said Xing as she continued to stroll through the streets. "My brother is going to be so surprised, so relieved, so…" she stopped her sentence as she came by the wall. There were so many presents all dedicated to her brother. She looked through them, there were comforts, food, clothes, and gifts.

"Do you honestly think he will love your present?" spoke the Ninja Sword. Xing pounder its question, she remembers what it suggested to her earlier. "All these people cared about him, they all wanted him to feel he wasn't alone. But what they all lack is love, they did this because they have to care. In five years, these people will want him dead."

Xing looked down at the emblem, the brother she used to know was perhaps gone. This new one she'll have to get used to, but maybe she could see his old self a few times more. "Then he'll be so thankful." she said as she clutched the emblem tighter.

Later that night, Zhōng limped his way back into the alley. He looked to see Xing was asleep and shivering a little. As he went to kneel down but he fell backwards onto his bed with a loud crash. Xing woke up to see her brother groan. "Brother, are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm okay," said Zhōng, "I'm okay." Xing quickly lit a fire, and as the glow came bigger, she saw cuts and bruises on her brother's body.

"Brother, are you sure you are okay?" gasped Xing.

"Yes I'm sure," assured Zhōng," I wish these came with bags of coins."

Xing remembered the bags of money left on the desk at Mr. Wong's shop. "I wish I grabbed the other one on my way out." she thought. "What were you going to do with them?" she asked.

"Well I was going to buy an actual house for us." stated Zhōng. Xing was surprised by her brother's decision and was kicking herself even more for not taking the other one. "I'm sorry, I gave my all to get them." apologized Zhōng.

Xing hugged her brother tightly. "As long as you are okay, I don't care where we stay." she said.

"Thank you," said Zhōng. They broke the hug and crawled into their respectable beds. "Also, I added to your note." he said as he closed his eyes.

Xing looked at her brother in surprise. "How did he know? What did he add?" she thought as she watched her brother fall asleep while smiling.

As the night continued and snow fell, pinned to the wall was the emblem. Attached to it was a note that read, "Thank you for these gifts, I am honored you still care. However, I don't need them, all I need is your support. I'll speak my intentions on my birthday. Signed, Prince Zhōng, Heir to the Ninja Empire."