Young Samurai _ The Way Of The Dragon - Chris Bradford [59]
‘Akiko!’ called Jack, running over to her.
She bowed as he approached. ‘That was a hard lesson, wasn’t it? The Autumn Leaf strike is almost impossible.’
‘Yes,’ agreed Jack. ‘But Taro’s offered to give me extra Two Heavens practice this evening. Would you like to join us?’
‘Thank you, Jack,’ replied Akiko. ‘That’s very kind of you, but Takuan’s offered to help me with my haiku for the competition. Maybe another time.’
‘I understand,’ he replied, trying to hide his disappointment.
‘Great. I’ll see you later at lunch,’ she said, smiling breezily. ‘I’d better go, Sachiko and Mizuki are waiting for me.’
Returning to the garden, Jack sat down on the veranda, his head in his hands. He could hear Yori’s voice in his head, telling him that Takuan helped lots of people, including Jack himself. So there was no reason for him to be upset. Why, then, did he feel as if he’d suddenly sunk to the bottom of the ocean?
‘You look sad, gaijin,’ said Kazuki, leaning nonchalantly against one of the veranda pillars. ‘Jealous Akiko’s got a prior engagement?’
‘No!’ replied Jack. ‘Takuan’s just helping her with her haiku.’
Kazuki grinned, realizing he’d got under Jack’s skin. ‘I can understand what Akiko sees in Takuan. He’s handsome, intelligent, not really a fighter but a fine horseman nonetheless. And, of course, he’s Japanese. Are you certain it’s just his haiku she’s interested in?’
‘What do you mean by that?’ Jack scrambled to his feet, his hand on his sword.
‘Willing to defend her honour. How noble!’ Kazuki snorted. ‘If you’re so up for a fight, how about a little extra Two Heavens practice?’
Kazuki withdrew both his katana and wakizashi from their black-and-gold saya. These were the daishō Kazuki’s father had given him for successfully entering the Circle of Three. Their blades gleamed devilishly in the light.
Jack was wearing his steel daishō too, a privilege allowed all Two Heavens trainees. In class, though, these swords were only used for solo kata practice. Sparring was always done with wooden swords for safety. Jack wasn’t confident enough with both blades yet to rise to Kazuki’s challenge.
‘Or maybe you lack the guts?’ baited Kazuki, seeing Jack hesitate. ‘You see, that’s the difference between you and Yamato. He has honour and courage. He isn’t afraid to take a risk. That’s what makes him samurai and you not!’
Jack’s hand tightened round the hilt of his sword, but he refused to respond.
‘Your sort are spineless. I don’t blame Akiko for wanting to be with a real samurai.’
In spite of himself, Jack was goaded by Kazuki’s taunts.
‘Take that back!’ he exclaimed, unsheathing his swords.
‘But it’s the truth. It’s obvious she prefers Takuan to you.’
Jack could hold back no longer. He attacked, aiming for Kazuki’s head.
Kazuki was ready for him. He blocked Jack’s sword with his wakizashi and at the same time drove forward with the tip of his katana. It was the most basic of the Two Heavens techniques – a simple ‘parry and strike’ – but it worked.
Jack barely avoided the blade and would have been choking on the katana, if Kazuki hadn’t aimed a fraction too wide. He retreated before Kazuki retaliated.
‘Is that the best you can do?’ spat Kazuki.
Riled, his emotions getting the better of him, Jack went on the offensive again. Their katana clashed in mid-air. Before Jack could react, Kazuki drove forward, striking with his blade twice upon the back of Jack’s weapon. The katana was knocked from Jack’s grip and clattered to the wooden decking. Kazuki held the tip of his sword to Jack’s neck.
‘Would you believe it?’ gloated Kazuki. ‘The Autumn Leaf strike works!’
Jack still had his wakizashi, but there was nothing he could do to save himself. A single thrust from Kazuki would end his life. His rival was about to claim his so-called prize for defeating Yamato.
Kazuki forced Jack back off