Ten Little Ninjas: Chapter 2

THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Touch & Go

Two hundred years may seem like a long time to a man, but to an element it is barely a good night’s rest.

Taki stood hovering inches over the eerily still Yellow River gazing at her reflection as the Element of Water. She stared for only a moment, but then realized that the reason the river was smooth as a mirror’s surface was because she was making it do so.

Startled as if afraid the Sensei of her old dojo was watching over her shoulder as she did something incorrectly, Taki slowly returned the Huang He to its natural course, “Man that was close,” she spoke quietly to herself.

“Not .., close enough Water-Sama,” a voice from the shore called to her softly.  It was Hebo, the god of The Yellow River and he was not pleased from the look of disappointment on his face when she looked his way, “What are you doing to my river?”

“Apologies Hebo-Sama, I did not do it intentionally.  I am deeply sorry for the intrusion,” she spoke bowing deeply.

“Intrusion may not have been the word I would have used, but it fit your interrupting my rest abruptly.  Who do you think you are?”

“I..”

“There is no reason for you to speak presently.  I am not as easy to silence as Xiangshuishen or Xiang, nor will I be interrupted while I have things to say.  Do you know the importance of The Huang He?  I suppose not according to your recent display of power.  Well, you caused it to settle in place and not move for anyone for many minutes of their lives.  Water vessels stopped, swimmers, all streams and water ways connected to the river were frozen and unmoving.”

“Apologies Hebo-Sama.”

“Your words may be true, but they have emptiness to them.  The Huang He is one of this world’s major rivers and is of great importance to China Herself.”

“I did not mean to..”

“-But you did water wielder.  Now leave to allow me to find out what you messed up and correct it before they question the power of my river.  It will also give me time to think of a better word than intrusion.”

Taki turns to leave without questioning her elder again.

“Wait!” Hebo says unexpectedly.

Taki stops short of flying away.

“Overstep!  Yes!  You overstepped your boundary. That is what you did.  Consciously or not, that part is moot.  People rely on this river to live…, to survive.  Lives were held in stasis as you pondered.”

Turning back to Hebo Taki asks, “How do I do it?”

“Do what?”

“Control my Element.”

“Well, it took me close to two-thousand years to fully understand mine and since that is the only thing I have to give you a comparison, I suppose that will have to be my answer.”

“Two-thousand years??  I don’t have even half of that left.”

“Then I gather you will not learn how to do it,” Hebo spoke solemnly, “Now, you may go.  I will not stop you this time.”

“Teach me,” Taki spoke adamantly.

“What did you say?”

“Teach me,” she repeated a little louder than before.

“But you already know the answers.”

“No.”

“But you - -”

“Stubborn child - I said NO.”

“Please Hebo-Sama!”

“NO!!”  Hebo’s eyes blast out a bright light that causes Taki to shield herself from the impact.  Accompanying his voice lightning crackles across the horizon and storm clouds instantly form in the crystal blue sky above them.  Rain begins falling heavily.

“I don’t have time to waste on teaching a part-time element of water, or any other element for that matter,” he speaks with agitation in his words. 

Taki is silent standing in the sudden copious amounts of precipitation.

An opaque sheet of rain falls between them and Hebo disappears from Taki’s view, his voice continuing on the breeze, “Try the Xiang Goddess.  She has always been partial to strays,” The rain stops and he is gone.

There is power in his statements, but she feels no bitterness or anger in his tone and understands that this could have been a lot worst.  Still, she is hurt that she got an elder mad enough to react to her in the first place.  She releases an elongated sigh and begins to fly off to see if The Xiang River and the goddesses there are willing to except a new student, or at the very least, a shadow in their wake.

2.2 The Mighty Oak

House of Nichi, the Age of Man

Morning’s light peeks through the window slit and springs arrival carries the scent of the bloom through the air in unison.  Stepping to the doorway’s edge one can see the lovely inner courtyard alive with all the colors only the season can bring.

Newly formed buds on the cherry blossom trees seem to tempt both sight & smell, while playing peek-a-boo with the branches they are among.  Twelve trees in total, three on each side surrounding four, split topped single pathways leading to a large center area at the core of this serene setting: to the north the Shui Shrine, to the east the Mu Shrine, to the west the Jin Shrine, to the south the Huo Shrine, and finally in the center, the Tu Shrine.

Also at the very core sits an ornate wooden pole that seems to overlook the entire area. Four banners fall from perched extensions exactly between the separated areas, their dual sides like that of a coin seem to twirl around the pole without moving.  On each banner a symbol elegantly hand written on both sides.  On one side the feminine symbol of Yin, on the other the masculine symbol of Yang, the balance in all things.

Turning back around, the dojo is spacious, well kept and quiet.  Two students are kneeling in front of the house placard to offer respects before facing one another in the test to come.  Incense burns with a purpose as each one of them chant prayers to help them keep focused.

After a short while they hear the voice of their Sensei, “It is time.”

Riichi Susuki and Tadao Tsubasa stand in unison and both offer their response to the command.

They are the best of the students for this trial and they are about to face their biggest test to date, the right to confront the Getsu Dojo’s challenger, Hide Yamamoto, for the Element of Wood.

The two finish their rituals, stand and head over to the weapon rack to retrieve their daito.  Both bokken are green in color with slightly different colored handles.  Riichi, who is senior to Tadao, picks his up first. It is lighter tan then Tadao’s bokken and is slightly longer as well. 

“I’m afraid that you will not be using bokken for this test,” their Sensei speaks calmly.

Surprised, the two look at each other and for the first time since they began training, they are afraid of what may happen in this trial.

“Which weapon are we to use Master,” Riichi asks.

“The katana Riichi,” Master Tetsuji announces mildly, “this test is one you cannot practice for.  You must be ready, because Master Asada’s student will be.  You cannot hold back.  You cannot be safe; you must fight with your skill and rely on that to be your shield.  I can train you no more.  You are both ready, but only one of you may challenge.”

“Master,” Tadao offers.

“Tadao,” Master Tetsuji replies.

“I submit.  Riichi is the better swordsman.”

“Don’t say that Tadao, you are more skilled than you know,” Riichi objects.

“Yes, I know that, but your skill is known by everyone else, because you already know it and it shows in your swordplay.  I have potential, you have achieved.”

“Is this what you truly want Tadao, or are you fearful that you may harm Riichi, or he you?”

“I’m not sure, perhaps a little of both.”

“Riichi?”  Tetsuji gestures to the other student who is staring fixedly at the dojo floor.

“Is a title of best truly yours if it is given?” Riichi asks.

“No, my student, it is not.”

“Then I submit to Tadao.”

Surprised Tadao responds, “No.  You cannot be serious.”

“I will not take the title if I am not worthy of it Tadao.”

There is an awkward silence for nearly a minute until Tadao speaks up again, “Master.  I will challenge Riichi.”

Riichi smiles at Tadao, who returns a smile in kind.  They gather their weapons, then turn to bow to their master standing quietly with his hands in his sleeves, “Master,” they speak in sync.

He nods.  They bow.

“They turn to each other, bow and unsheathe their hidden blades.  They then settle and ready their stances. An unsaid head bow is heard by the two as they lock eyes.

Master Tetsuji speaks with encouragement to both participants, “Begin!”

2.3 Tactics

“Idiot, why did you challenge me,” Riichi thought staring across from Hide Yamamoto of House Getsu.

They bow to one another.

“I am truly sorrow Riichi,” Hide spoke as he rose from the honor bow.

“For what?”

“…Your being here because of your last challenge.  It has to be tough as a runner up to stand before me.”

“How dare you,” Riichi voiced through clenched teeth, holding back from attacking before the test.

“How dare me?  How dare you be assigned as a champion?  I mean why even challenge if one of us is just going to be given the title.”

“I won the test.”

“I know,” Hide pauses, “on parchment, not in contest.”

Riichi’s glare says more than I am ready, it screams I want to harm, especially to the man talking directly across from him.

Hide smiles, “Got you.”

“Begin!”

Hide charges.  His first swing is intent on ending this quickly, but Riichi deflects the attack instinctively.

They trade impressive swordplay techniques for nearly five minutes all around the courtyard.

To those watching Hide is winning, but possibly due to Riichi’s lack of focus.  As his master suggested, he is letting his skill act as his shield, although his mind seems to be somewhere else.

[FLASH]  “Begin,” Master Tetsuji speaks.

Riichi and Tadao are staring at each other, but neither of them is moving, frozen with their hands holding the swords as if posing for a picture to be drawn.  They are the perfect still life anxiously awaiting the artisan to arrive.

A ray of light soars through the air and lands on Riichi’s blade, then reflects to many other areas of the dojo.

Tadao charges.  Riichi swings.

[FLASH]

Hide’s swing cuts a thin line beneath Riichi’s right eye and it snaps him back to the present.  Riichi recoils and skids his blade down Hide’s sword until it stops at the shoulder of his opponent, then in the same fluid move he slides away leaving a gash where it once sat.

Hide winces in pain as his kimono soaks up the life escaping from his body.  He pushes away from another counter by Riichi and laughs, “perhaps I was wrong about you,” he grips his shoulder, “you don’t seem like you’d be one to be assigned a title,” he pauses, “you would kill for it!”

Riichi’s eyes widen, “Shut your mouth!”

“Or what, you kill me too?

“I said shut your mouth!!”

“You need to own what you do Riichi!  Like when you killed your friend to get to me! 

“Liar!  It was..”

“SUBMIT!  Accept you shame so we can end this!  I will make this a better world to live in, not worry about what I did to affect the world you will make.

Riichi lowers his head.

[FLASH]

Riichi’s swing goes without contest as Tadao opens up to receive the full blunt of the attack.  His katana falls and impales the tatami flooring and drops of his red liquid fall just before Tadao’s body hits quickly behind Riichi.

“Tadao!” Riichi screams shockingly and he drops his blade to attend his friend.

Master Tetsuji lowers his head, but says nothing - he knows that the wound is fatal.

In his labored breath, Tadao offers his apology for not being as strong as he should have been.

“Don’t say that, we’ve… we’ve been through worse.”

“Not like this my friend.  I’m afraid I will not get the chance to see you challenge Hide.”

“Not true, you’ll be able to…”

“SO cold,” Tadao says broken, lying in the pool gathering area of the school he attended,” promise me something Riichi.”

Tears well up in Riichi’s eyes, “Yes… Yes, anything.”

“Make this world a better ne to live in.  Not like how… it was…for us,” Tadao’s body goes limp and he exhales his last breath.

Tears fall effortlessly down Riichi’s face.

[FLASH]

“Idiot.”

“What will it be Riichi?  Submit or fight?

Riichi looks up slowly, finally focused on what his task is.  What he is actually fighting for.  He wasn’t trying to become the Element of Wood for him, his friends, or his dojo - he was doing this for the world, “Neither.  I will not submit,” He takes a step toward Hide, “I will not yield,” he takes another step, “I will not kneel,” another, “but most of all, I will not be beaten down or questioned by your words ever again!  If you want to test my mettle, you got it!  You want an answer, well here it is!!”

Riichi charges!

“I will win,” Riichi shouts leaping into the air preparing to strike, “Defend yourself!!”

Hide readies his stance, but it is over in less than sixty seconds.

Lying on the ground Hide tries desperately to keep the blood pouring out of his center mass from flowing out completely.  No words or banter escaping his lips, only blood - he is dying and he knows it.

“Eighteen attacks, only eleven answered,” Riichi thinks back to himself, “I’m not proud of how I got here, but I am proud of all those that helped me do it.”

He looks at the sunset and the sword Cedar appears on his side.  A glow surrounds him like a blanket of energy, and then when the force dissipates Riichi is transformed into The Element of Wood.  He smiles and thinks, “I am most proud of you Tadao and you can bet that I will forever keep my promise.”

2.4 Helping without Helping

(Two Weeks Earlier)

Tadao and Riichi collapse onto their collective bed rolls exhausted from the extended training.  For six days straight it has been get up, stretch, chores, training, lunch, training, dinner and then, more training.

Riichi peaking into his pillow muffles, “I cannot feel my arms.”

“I cannot feel my body,” a worn out Tadao returns.

There is a bit of silence before Riichi realizes that he has to gather firewood before dawn for the morning meal, “Uh, I forgot,” he exhales heavily turning onto his back, “I have to gather firewood for Umi-Sama, and my arms feel like noodles that have cooked for too long.”

“I owe you from last time, so I can do it for you.  You work so hard when we train.”

“You work just as hard.”

“Yeah I do, but I’m just trying to pay you back for the many times you have helped me.”

“I appreciate that, however there is no need to do it. I’m sure I’ll recover before then.”

“There you go again.”

“What?”

“Not letting me return the favor.”

“I don’t do it to get paid back.  I do it to help you when you struggle.”

“It’s just…, I don’t want to stay in your debt.”

“Debt?  Why would you think that?”

“If you owe someone, no matter how big or small, you should make good on it.  I want to go into this contest with a clear conscious.  Please permit me to do this to repay the kindness you once showed me.”

Riichi shakes his head after a few seconds of considering Tadao’s proposal, “Why do you torment me so?”

“It is my honoring a senior student and is not meant to gain favor or torment.”

“Senior by two and a half weeks.”

“Still senior,” Tadao smiles.

Still not convinced it is the best option possible Riichi’s facial expression stays unwavering, “I know you mean well, but I… I will tend to my own chores thank you,” Riichi turns away from Tadao, “You’ll just have to figure out another way to repay me.  Good night Tadao.”

A slightly, less happy Tadao blows out the lamp light, “of course.  Good night senior.”

“Be strong Tadao,” Riichi thinks to himself as silence overcomes the two and they succumb to a welcomed, overdue slumber.

Several hours later Riichi sits up ready to gather wood and lights the lamp.  He is extra respectful as to not disturb anyone else sleeping in the room by turning the metal guard toward the other resting students.

Readying to move through the darkness he sees something roll onto the floor.  Much stiffer than before he reaches for the object; it is a piece of parchment.  He quietly sighs, “What is this?”

Unfolding the written paper his suspicion is confirmed, it is from Tadao and it reads:

Riichi-Sama,

Please forgive my rudeness, but debts are meant to be paid.  I have tried many, many times to repay your kindness, however you never seem to have a need for me to do so.  This brings me to handwriting a letter asking you to forgive me for helping you anyway, rather than asking you to permit me to do so.

I have already gone to gathering wood for Umi-Sama so you won’t have to.  If asked I will announce that I did it without your consent to ensure your involvement in the sudden switch in chores.  I have to rinse rice upon my return, so I will not see you until it is time to eat morning meal.  I know you probably won’t listen to me, but please sleep a little more while I honor you with this task.

- Tadao

Riichi smiles a half-awake smirk, then blows the lamp out, “Okay you hard-headed ox, we’re even,” he thinks before falling back asleep.

2.5 Kindling Camouflage

The Morning air was thick like a sheer curtain between rooms as Tadao followed the path through the woods.  The cooler temperature caused his breath to trail behind him and the dew on the ground tempted his feet with its moist touch. 

The lamp he carried was the only light that surrounded him.  Its luminance hinted just far enough to ensure his path was lit, but it added an eeriness as the trees seemed to close in and block his passage.  Fireflies try their best to make Tadao’s visit more enjoyable with silent melodies of bio-luminescent tunes dancing before the backdrop curtain of darkness.   Rumbling thunder rolls in the distance hints at rain to come, so he quickens his pace, but in the shadows something is watching him.

“Finally,” Tadao whispers while unrolling his bamboo mat near a large pile of cut wood and branches, “this is a good stack, it should last us a few weeks,” he thinks to himself.

Steadily moving and neatly stacking the timber onto the mat, he pauses when he hears a whimpering fairly close to him, “Hello,” he adds looking around, “Is anyone there?”

The nothing answers with only chirps of crickets and the blinking flickers of light from the lamp and insects, so he returns to his task at hand.

The whimper repeats.

“Hell…O..,” Tadao questions heading in the direction of the noise.  It takes a moment, but then he sees something lying on the ground; he hesitates for an instant then moves the lamp to get a better look.

He gasps at a young girl in tattered clothes caught up in the heavier brush, and she appears to be injured.

“Oh - - hey there young miss, are you okay?”

There is no movement.

“Young miss, are you okay?”

She still doesn’t answer.  So Tadao reaches over to lift her out of the thicket.

She pushes him away frantically and recoils more into the bush.

He stops, and then raises his hands off of her, “apologies.  I am only trying to help you to your feet,” he voices in defense, “I am not going to hurt you.”

The dirty faced girl cuts a cautious look at him.  She is hesitant as if to be asking herself should she trust him, and after a few moments of getting her bearings she tries to get to her feet.  Unfortunately the dewy foliage causes her to fall again when she loses her footing.

Instinct takes flight as Tadao reaches to catch her and she lands awkwardly in his arms.  Their eyes lock for what feels like forever, and then she pushes away from him, now standing with the assistance of a nearby tree.

“I promise you, I will not harm you,” Tadao says quietly.

She nods slowly.

“Are you injured?”

She says nothing.

“What should I do?” he thinks.  So without sudden movement he points to himself and says his name; however a sudden crackle of lightning skews his words.  The flash also startles the girl and she runs behind the tree in fright.

“Don’t be afraid young miss, it is only the lightning,” Tadao openly adds.

Reluctantly she does not come from behind the large oak, just as Tadao feels a drop of rain fall upon his face, and he recalls his reason for being there, “Okay… you can take your time if you want to.  I understand,” he whispers lightly to her. 

She hides from him once they make eye contact and he exhales, “If you need me, I’ll be right over there,” he says pointing to where he was working. Then without further adieu, he quickly protects the wood by rolling up the bamboo mat around it and lifts it onto his back.  When he looks back to where the girl was, she is gone, “Where did she go?”

In the near distance he hears the rain making its way to his location and it isn’t too long afterward that it arrives where he is.  In the midst of the falling rain he struggles to look once more for the young miss before leaving, “I hope she finds shelter soon, this may not let up for a while.  Who was she,” he ponders moving quickly back to the dojo.

She watches him leave out of sight before coming out of her covered hide-a-way.  The heavy rainfall cleans off the strategically placed dirt on her face with relative ease.  Her long black hair is untwisted and set free just before she begins removing the tattered clothing.  The downpour creates the perfect partition against prying eyes, but she is only concerned with the natural shower cleansing her body at the moment.

Once she felt enough to satisfy a decent clean, she walks nearly one-hundred and fifty yards from the wood pile in the nude until she reaches a perfectly concealed wooden structure hidden in the forest.  Inside the dry encampment, a fire pit, clothes, food, a set of armor, weapons and her horse, but more importantly it is dry.

“Hey Mochi,” she voices feeding an apple to the pure white horse.

Hanging the tattered clothing on a woven line in the corner to dry, she grabs a hair brush from a make-shift pouch and quickly runs it through her hair for debris and the like. 

“Hayami, do not fail me,” she recalls a voice repeat in her mind, “Your mission is crucial and must be done without error.”

“Yes Master,” she spouts determined, “I will not fail and both houses will fall.”

Returning to the present, Hara Hayami finishes with her hair, then start in on drying herself off the rest of the way near the fire pit.  Her nearly perfect body and complexion state that she is well trained and blessed by the grace of Yin.  Her long silky hair gleams in the firelight, her lips are soft like the petal of a rose, and her eyes can melt the soul if she tries.  Reminiscent of her name, she is rare, unusual and beautiful, but for whom begins another journey of discovery.

Her cold feet are covered quickly with the tabi hanging next to her bed roll.  She slips on a warm shitagi and hakama, and then smiles a bit while gathering the things for her morning meal.  Nearby thunder hints at a long day and steady rain on the rooftop insists that it will be inside as well. Subsequently placing the pot over the fire, Hayami reaches into a saddlebag and pulls out a bound book.  A page in it is marked by a four inch long piece of bamboo sharpened on one end; she turns to it, sticks the bamboo next to her on the ground and begins reading where she left off.

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