Young Samurai_ The Way of the Sword - Chris Bradford [60]
‘You forget, Saburo, I went through all that pain and training for nothing!’ yelled Yamato, jumping down and grabbing a handful of snow before shoving it in Saburo’s face.
‘Leave him alone, Yamato,’ chided Akiko, worried that Yamato’s anger at himself was turning nasty.
‘That’s easy for you to say. You and Jack are in the Circle. I’m not!’
‘Don’t forget… Yori,’ spluttered Saburo under the continuing barrage of blows and snow.
‘That’s a point. Where is Yori?’ asked Kiku quickly, trying to divert Yamato from the escalating fight.
Yamato stopped his assault. ‘The ungrateful little genius is over there.’ He indicated the gnarled pine tree at the far end of the garden, its trunk propped up by the wooden crutch.
Yori was squatting under one of its snow-shrouded branches, listlessly pulling at the tail of an origami crane, making its wings flap. Despite their best efforts to console him, Yori hadn’t uttered a single word since the shock announcement in the Butokuden the day before.
‘Don’t be such a sore loser,’ said Akiko to Yamato. ‘Yori hadn’t entered and didn’t want to.’
‘So why should he get to go? The sensei had said only five students would be entered in the Circle. There are plenty of other students who would give their sword arms for that extra place. And I’m one of them,’ said Yamato, releasing Saburo and dusting the snow from his kimono in angry swipes.
‘But he did pass a trial, Yamato. And I’m sorry, but you didn’t.’
‘I know,’ admitted Yamato, slumping back down on the veranda. ‘But Yori wasn’t even tested in the physical trials. How do they know he’s ready?’
‘Are any of us?’ said Jack.
‘Well, you aren’t. You were only just accepted,’ Yamato was quick to point out.
‘Yes. That’s why I have to take extra tuition from Sensei Kano,’ added Jack by way of an excuse.
‘You’ll need it.’
‘You’re right. I will. And I’ll need your help too, if you’re up for it.’
‘What do you mean?’ demanded Yamato, turning to face Jack.
‘Sensei Kano said I needed a training partner. I was hoping it would be you.’
Yamato deliberated before answering and Jack thought he would refuse as a matter of pride.
‘Come on. It would be like our old sparring days in Toba,’ urged Jack.
Recognizing the gesture for what it was, his friend managed to muster up a half-hearted smile. ‘Thanks, Jack. Of course I will. You know I’d never miss an opportunity to beat you up!’
Later that evening, Jack heard Yori sobbing in his room. Deciding that his friend needed company, he knocked on his door.
‘Come in,’ sniffled Yori.
Jack slid back the shoji and stepped inside. There was barely enough space for him to stand, let alone sit down, not just because the bedroom was so small, but due to the fact that Yori’s room was littered with origami cranes. Despite this, Yori was still making more, and there was a feverish anxiety to his labours.
Jack cleared a space and sat down beside his friend. Yori barely acknowledged him, so Jack decided to help him in his task. After folding his fifth crane, though, he could no longer contain his curiosity.
‘Yori, why are you folding so many paper cranes? You’ve solved the koan.’
‘Senbazuru Orikata,’ replied Yori sullenly.
‘What’s that?’ Jack asked, his brow wrinkling in puzzlement.
‘According to legend,’ Yori continued, tetchy at being distracted from his task, ‘anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted their wish by a crane.’
‘Really? So what’s your wish going to be?’
‘Can’t you guess…?’
Jack thought he could, but, since Yori was in no mood to talk, he let the matter rest. As all conversation died, Jack stood to stretch his legs and stepped over to the little window. He stared out over the courtyard and gazed at the snowflakes floating through the night. If he had the patience to fold one thousand cranes, Jack knew what he would wish for. It would be the same wish he had asked of the Daruma Doll.
His thoughts wandered to Jess. What would his little sister be doing now? He hoped she was getting up to have breakfast with Mrs Winters. He didn’t want to think of the alternative.
Not