8. The Ninja Star

8 The Ninja Star Arthur crept quietly up the steps of the pagoda. He held an origami star next to his ear. But this wasn't one of Oda Nobu's paper stars. This was his brother, Stanley Lambchop. "Okay, Arthur, this is it," Stanley said. His voice was muffled, folded up as he was. "When we get to the door, knock loudly. When the door opens, throw me in as hard as you can. Straight at Oda Nobu. And then run! If they come after you, you and Mom and Dad have to swim for the shore."

"Gee, Stanley, I don't think I like this plan." "We have to be as brave and daring as ninjas now," Stanley told his brother. "Oda Nobu is counting on us." Arthur took a deep breath. He raised the Stanley-star up, ready to throw, and knocked. In a moment, the door opened, and there stood… Four smiling girls! Stanley stared from under his ankle. "Um, wait a minute, Arthur," he began.

Too late. Arthur, now thinking like a ninja, threw Stanley as hard as he could. Oda Nobu's eyes widened as he watched the ninja star fly right for his head! Stanley flew straight and true, the way a ninja star should. He hit Oda Nobu on the forehead and then bounced to the floor. "Oda-san, it's me, Stanley!" he shouted. If Oda- Nobu hadn't been tied down, he would have shot off the chair with shock. Stanley tried with all his might to get to Oda Nobu's hand. On the second try, Oda Nobu reached him, and snapped his fingers—and Stanley unfurled. Stanley pulled the tape from Oda Nobu's mouth and then began to untie him. "Arigato, Stanley-san! Thank you!" Oda Nobu whispered, as he rubbed his wrists. "Those are the craziest fans ever!" "Those girls?" Stanley asked. "Those girls are the ones who kidnapped you?" Oda Nobu shuddered. "The craziest!" he repeated. "Are they dangerous?" Stanley asked.

Oda Nobu stuck his head around the corner to see into the other room. He broke into a big smile. "Perhaps you should ask your brother," he suggested. Stanley looked into the other room. There was Arthur, beaming with happiness. He was surrounded by the four girls, who were folding little origami animals and giving them to him. Oda Nobu and Stanley marched straight up to Arthur and the girls. Oda Nobu said something to the girls in Japanese. His words were harsh, and the girls looked frightened. Stanley couldn't understand what Oda Nobu was telling them, but then at the end he heard, "Flat Stanley!" At this, the girls turned to look at him, wide-eyed with their hands to their mouths.

Then all of a sudden they were all around him, laughing and taking pictures. "Hey!" Arthur said. "Mariko! Cho! Taki! Hana! What about me?" But the girls had forgotten all about Arthur. And, it seemed, Oda Nobu. But Oda Nobu had not forgotten about them. He spoke sternly again, and all four girls hung their heads as they listened. Mr. and Mrs. Lambchop appeared at the pagoda's front door. "We will now return to the inn," Oda Nobu told them. "I will telephone the parents of these very disrespectful girls."

At the inn, Arthur and Stanley watched as four taxis pulled away. In each was one very sorry girl and two very angry parents. Then Oda Nobu's limousine pulled up. Oda Nobu bowed to Mr. and Mrs. Lambchop. "Your sons have performed as the most honorable, the most fearless of ninjas this evening. I insist you accompany me to Tokyo where you will stay as my guests as long as you wish."