Samurai Son by M. H. Bonham Read Free Book Online Page B

where he had met the Tengu the day earlier.   At first, he saw nothing except the wind in the pines and the sunlight as it danced in dappled patterns on the ground.   Looking around, he saw the meadow where they had practiced was empty.   He stepped into the meadow and looked down at the ground, hoping his training yesterday had been more than just a dream.
    It had felt like a dream, Akira admitted.   He looked down at the tall grasses, now dry and brown from the summer’s heat.   They were trampled where Akira and the Tengu had trained.   Akira could see the Tengu’s footsteps in the dirt.   Looking around and seeing nothing, Akira sat down and pondered his predicament.   He had told no one of his training, just as the Tengu requested.   He wondered if perhaps the wind spirit was fickle, as were most kami.   He opened the flask that he had brought with him and drank some water.
    Suddenly the wind picked up and blew around him in small dust devils.   Akira grinned as one of the dust devils became larger and began to form into the shape of the Tengu.   This time, the Tengu held a bo, a six-foot-long staff.
    “How did you do with your training yesterday?” the Tengu asked.
    “Very well.   What else can you teach me?” Akira said, not bothering to hide the eagerness in his voice.
    “We’ll train with the bo today.”   The Tengu eyed Akira’s eager face.   “Then we will go over the sword techniques using the bokken.   Your sensei should be pleased with your improvement.”
    With that, the Tengu tossed him a bo, and another bo appeared magically in his hands.   “How far have you gotten along the bo?”
    Akira frowned.   He wasn’t sure how much Rokuro had taught him.   “I know basic strikes.   I also know how to block.”
    “All right, let’s see how you do.”   With that, the Tengu leaped at him, swinging the bo.
    Akira stepped back, surprised at the attack.   His hands, however, seemed to know where to go, and he raised the bo to block.   Another strike and another, and still Akira was able to block the Tengu’s staff as it came crashing down.   On the third strike, Akira blocked and countered, swinging the bo like one might swing an ax.   The Tengu blocked and countered.   Akira moved quickly to one side and swung his own bo.   The bo smacked against the Tengu’s shin with a resounding crack.
    Akira nearly dropped the bo in horror.   “Forgive me, Sensei!”   He was ready to drop to the ground and prostrate himself in front of the wind kami.
    The Tengu laughed, making Akira feel angry.   “Silly boy!”   The Tengu ruffled his feathers.   “Your enemies will not accept your apology so kindly.   Never, ever apologize for striking your better.”
    “I thought I hurt you.”   Akira felt his face flush, and he wondered if this were some elaborate game.
    “A mortal cannot harm a wind kami.”   The Tengu turned to preen its feathers.
    “Why not?”
    “Because we are immortal,” the Tengu said.
    “I wish I were a Tengu,” Akira said.
    The Tengu cocked its head.   “Do you, now?”
    Akira nodded.   “Then I wouldn’t have to worry about dying.   Rokuro wouldn’t beat me so hard when I failed in my lessons because I wouldn’t fail.”   He paused.   “Rokuro doesn’t actually beat me, but I get terrible bruises when he slips inside my guard.   He doesn’t lay off either; I have to fight back or get very sore.”
    The Tengu was quiet for a moment.   “Perhaps he is preparing you for battle.   After all, you will receive more than bruises if you allow anyone to slip inside your guard.”
    Akira pondered this.   He could see the point the Tengu had, but he was not convinced there wasn’t another way, certainly one that didn’t hurt so much.   “I don’t see any use in it.   I just think Rokuro wishes to make things difficult.   If I were Tengu, I would show him how powerful I was and I wouldn’t have to worry about learning such