Young Samurai _ The Way Of The Dragon - Chris Bradford [42]
Yori stopped walking. Jack turned round to see his friend shaking his head, a despairing look on his face.
‘I was describing you.’
‘Me?’
‘Yes,’ sighed Yori in exasperation. ‘Jealousy is seeing the other person’s blessings instead of your own. You chose to hear it as praise for Takuan. But I was pointing out why you’ve no reason to feel threatened by him.’
‘I’m not… I’m just worried for Akiko’s sake…’ began Jack, but he trailed off under his friend’s questioning gaze.
‘Takuan is a nice person. He’s just being friendly. He wants to be your friend too. Why don’t you let him? Then he’ll no longer be a threat; he’ll be your ally.’
‘You’re right, as always,’ said Jack, squeezing the water from the sleeves of his kimono. ‘I don’t know why I’ve been acting so irritably recently. Perhaps it’s the pressure of the Two Heavens. It’s so hard to learn. Even Masamoto-sama’s admitted only a few students ever master the technique. What if I’m not one of them?’
‘You will be,’ assured Yori. ‘You conquered the Circle of Three. Remember what the High Priest said. “If your spirit is strong, you can accomplish anything.” It’s just going to take time. Besides, a fruit that falls without shaking is too ripe for eating.’
‘Have you swallowed Sensei Yamada’s prayer book or something?’ exclaimed Jack, laughing.
‘It means good things only come through hard work.’
‘But Kazuki and Akiko seem to be progressing so much faster than me.’
‘There you go again, comparing yourself to others. Don’t worry about what anyone else is doing. Concentrate on your own progress.’
Yori paused a moment, his fingers lightly tapping his chin as he contemplated what to say next.
‘It’s like today on the pond. You were so focused on beating Kazuki that you forgot the purpose of the race. It’s the same with the Two Heavens. If you waste your energy thinking about others, you’ll end up on the rocks again. Focus on rowing your own boat and you will reach the shore.’
Yori gave a sagely nod of the head, clearly satisfied with his advice, and set off down the road again. Jack stared after his little friend. Yori may not possess the build of a warrior, but he certainly had the brains of a priest. Jack was glad of his friendship. He lifted the sodden folds of his kimono and hurried after him.
As they passed by a building with an arched roof of green tiles and dragon finials, Jack recognized they were in the outer courtyard of the Ryōanji, the Temple of the Peaceful Dragon. He’d been here several times before.
The previous year Jack had spotted Akiko mysteriously leaving the Niten Ichi Ryū at night. Being both curious and concerned by her unusual behaviour, Jack had followed her and arrived at this very temple. He’d discovered she was visiting a strange monk who had knife-like hands more suited for fighting than praying. To begin with, Akiko had given no credible explanation for her nocturnal wanderings or why she kept them so secret. At one point, Jack had even thought she was training to be a ninja. But Akiko had eventually confided in him that the monk was simply offering her spiritual comfort for the loss of her baby brother, Kiyoshi, some years ago. Jack knew Akiko still called upon the monk as he’d seen her leave the school grounds at night on a number of occasions since their return to school.
‘GRAB HIM!’ shouted a gruff voice.
Two men jumped from a side alley and seized Jack by the arms, disarming him of his staff. A third man shoved a bag over his head. Before Jack knew what was happening, they had dragged him off his feet and were carrying him away. As Jack struggled wildly to escape, he could hear Yori shouting.
‘Stop! Or I’ll –’
‘Or what, little one?’ snorted the gruff voice. ‘Bite our ankles?’
The two men holding Jack began to laugh.
‘I’m warning you,’ said Yori, his voice trembling. ‘I train at the Niten Ichi Ryū.’
‘Don’t make me laugh. They don’t teach pet samurai.’
Jack heard a scuffle. One of the men swore loudly. There was a snap of wood as a staff broke, followed by the dull sound of a fist striking flesh.