She remembered being led down various alleyways. Harumi had never traversed far beyond Ro's neighborhood and the college. It was safer that way. If more people saw her, then more people could recognize her. But this was the pitch-black of midnight, and it was her chance to find the Ninja.

     It didn't make sense that the Ninja—Ninjago's most feared vigilantes—would be lurking in the dregs of the city, yet it also didn't make sense that Kai Mayason or Zane Roberts would be completely off the world's radar. Granted, if anyone did more than a little research on 'Ru Wiggins' they'd come to a dead end (as Ro had faked her identification and his sources had their limits), but still. Harumi knew it was time to trust her instincts. She knew for sure this time she had at least three steak knives hidden on her.

     She followed the figure down street after street, pausing to jump out of sight whenever they looked her way. Her throat burned, and her heart was beating like a hummingbird's wings, but she kept her wits about her. One knife was fastened to her left ankle, one knife was tucked in her hoodie, and one knife was hidden on the underside of her beanie. She would not be caught unarmed.

     Who was Kai Mayason?

     Who was Zane Roberts?

     What was Darnagom truly?

     Harumi ran to find her answers—

     And was hoisted up by a pair of very strong arms.

     "AHHH—"

     Gloved hands clamped over her mouth, stifling her screams. She writhed in her captor's grip, but they were virtually unmovable. Her hands grasped for her hidden knives, but by the time her fingers found the hilt of the one in her hoodie, she was the on the roof of one of the houses. The hands detached from her mouth; the arms let her go with enough momentum to send her stumbling.

     When Harumi righted herself, steak knife in hand, three robed figures glared back at her.

     One red, one white, one black.

     And for all of her courage, Harumi faltered.

     The Ninja.

     Their gis were tightly wound to their forms, thick enough to allow both movement and protection. Thin plates of armor were visible on their shoulders and across their torsos. Weapon holsters had been strapped to their back, allowing each of them to carry at least two swords. Harumi could guess from the many pockets on their gis that they were carrying many more weapons. Their masks were also tightly woven around their faces, with visors of tinted glass over their eyes to protect the smallest portion of them from being recognizable.

     They started pacing around her, their moves catlike and carefully practiced. Harumi could feel their studious gazes pinning her in place.

     "You, Ru Wiggins," said the black one, "have become a threat."

      Their voice had a slight accent to it, but it was unrecognizable after the voice changer hidden in their mask got to it.

      "Then kill me," Harumi dared, refusing to drop her knife. She doubted it could pierce their armor, however, she was willing to try should it become necessary. When she saw the red one flinch, she seized the open opportunity. "Kill me just like all those representatives. Kill me like you killed every prisoner in the jail bombing."

     "We are not criminals," the white one stated plainly. "Our missions are authorized by the law."

     "So who makes the law determines moral right and wrong?"

     "Not exactl—"

     "She's stalling you, Ice," the black one growled. "Fire, what do you think we should do with her?"

     "Ru Wiggins," the red one—Fire—put a hand on their chin. "Nineteen years old. Currently living with Morro Wiggins, who has illegally occupied downtown Ninjago since he was eight years old. Claims she's Morro's sister, even though they look nothing alike. Happens to look awfully like the lost Princess Harumi. Also popped into existence right after Princess Harumi disappeared. A sophomore at Downtown Ninjago University. Major: Undecided. I think she's trying to cover her own tracks, and can be persuaded" (they brandished a knife) "to drop ours."

     Harumi's blood turned cold.

     "We're not here to turn you in, Harumi," Ice said quietly. "Our employer has said nothing of finding and returning you to your parents. However, your internet searches prove you are coming close to compromising our identities."

     "What, because I looked up Lloyd Garmadon?" Harumi scoffed.

      "No, because you were looking into someone at all," the black one interceded, "You of all people should know what it's like to be researched."

      Look, Harumi, look at these photos of you we found online.

     Harumi shoved the memory away. Acting was the only thing that was going to save her now. "Okay, then cut me off from the internet or something."

     "We have to eliminate her," Ice said, removing an obsidian bow from their back. They fitted an arrow into it, drawing the bow with the silence of a mouse. Each step around her could be lethal. Harumi had forgotten, in the heat of the moment, that she was with three trained assassins. "It's the only logical way to cut the problem out of our system."

     "We don't have to kill anyone unless they find out our identities," Fire countered, "even then, the Assistant never made it clear whether they need to be eliminated or not. How do we even know that Ru will tell people our identities?"

     "Because knowledge is power," Ice scorched.

     "It seems we have a split vote," the black one said, drawing both ninjas' attention away from Harumi.

     Fire and Ice took a step back in unison, bowing their heads towards the black ninja. The black ninja seemed to have leadership over the other two. Harumi watched them with narrowed eyes, her grip tightening on the steak knife. She could still feel eyes on her. When she glanced to see which one was still watching her, Fire turned their head away quickly.

     "Since Fire so desperately cares about your well-being, I will cede to letting you live, Runita. However," the black ninja snatched the knife from Ru before she could blink, snapping it in half with their hands, "you will halt your search for our identities. We will continue to track you, and if you do not stop looking, then we will be forced to kill you."

     Harumi raised an eyebrow.

     "You will also cut off all contact with Kai and Nya Mayason."

     Fire let out a half-strangled noise, but Ice stomped on their foot.

     The black ninja crossed their arms. "I will make sure both of the Mayasons are punished thoroughly for giving you any clues at all."

     Do the Mayasons know your identities? Harumi wanted to ask, but she, as always, kept her mouth shut. Questions would likely get her an arrow in the skull.

     "Is this clear?"

     "Yes," Harumi bowed her head.

     "Any more questions?"

     "Just one," Harumi said, looking straight at Fire when she said her next words, "and it's not a question. It's a demand. Whatever happens to me, you'll keep Ro—Morro out of this."

     "Morro is not our concern," Fire's voice returned to its steady nature.

     "Then I accept your mercy."

     "Very well," the ninjas said, and they disappeared into the night, leaving Harumi alone with only two choices in front of her.

     She could ignore their warnings and continue to search for their identities. If she got away with it, then the gang would have the Ninja, and she and Ro wouldn't have to worry about her run from the law. If she didn't get away with it, she'd probably be subjected to a painful death. 

     Or, she could heed the Ninja's warnings. She could give up the search and allow both herself and Ro to die.

     Harumi was a stubborn little girl, so the choice seemed obvious.

     Either way, she'd just lost her income for paying the interest on her school loans, so her tuition loaners were going to have her head.

     It really couldn't get much worse from here.