This is my second fic. Tenchi Muyo is the property of AIC and Pioneer. I hope you like it. Any resemblence to other fics is purely coincidental. This fic is also not historically acurate, it is just a story. Well here goes.
Chapter 1 Wartime Memories
My name is Joseph Billings, call me "Joe", Captain, U.S. Army Air Corps Retired.
"What are you thinking about granpa." the young boy asked while going through the second katra of his warm ups. "You're awful quiet."
"Just some memories from a long time ago. Bring you're right arm up five inches and shift your stance to the right by ten degrees." the old man replied with a wistful smile as the young boy complied with the instructions.
"How's that granpa?" the boy asked.
"That's perfect Johnny." the old man replied. "Johnny, how would you like to go to Japan?"
"To the place you keep thinking about granpa?" Johnny replied eagerly "You bet I would."
"School will be out in about 3 weeks and that should be time enough to get the passports and other stuff ready for the trip." The old man replied with a smile remembering his sensai from long ago. "I believe he has a grandson a little older than you are, as well as some other guests."
"Granpa?" Johnny asked quietly, "could you not tell them about my condition? I don't want them to treat me like I'm made outta glass or something."
"Allright Johnny I won't. You can tell them when you feel like it, ok? Are you ready to spar now grandson?" he asked with a smile.
"You bet granpa and this time I'll beat you." came the reply with a laugh.
"Well today might be the day Johnny, you never know though because, old age and treachery..." the old man began.
"Will always overcome youth and skill." Johnny finshed for him with a smile.
That night he sat down and wrote a letter to ask permission to come and visit, remebering the events of those years like it was yesterday.
Japan 1942
"Level off at 1000 feet." I told my co-pilot.
"Roger, 1000 feet". came the reply.
"Pilot to crew. You know the drill. This is it boys, we've practiced for the past six months and now it's time. Keep you're voice calm and don't yell into the mic. We're 5 minutes from target. Once we drop our bombs we scatter and follow whatever course for 20 minutes then we head to China. Any questions?"
"Sir, left waist here, you know we don't have guns due to the weight restrictions. What if we run into enemy fighters?"
"Just relax and hope we don't John, and if we do we'll try for cloud cover to lose 'em." I replied.
"2 minutes to target. Bombadier you have the plane." the co-pilot spoke out. "Stations everyone and keep an eye out for fighters." I said
"Sir this is top turret, looks like the lead planes woke them up. Flak is gettting thick."
"Copy that Jack." I replied.
"Jesus I hate it when that happens. It always gets the tail first." came the retort from Frank Mathews at the tail gun.
"Calm down Frank, we caught em flat footed and they still have to adjust for the varying altitudes." I replied to him.
"I'll remember that Joe, when I got an extra couple of pounds in metal in my butt." quipped Frank.
The flak was starting to get kinda thick, when a burst caught us.
"Damage check!" I called out.
"Minor damage to the tail fuslage."
"See, see I told you. Tail always gets it first." Frank replied nervously.
"1 minute to target." co-pilot spoke.
"Looks like they got the range, everyone get ready." said Jack from the top turret.
"Stand by, stand by, stand by... BOMBS AWAY, BOMBS AWAY, BOMBS AWAY...!!!!" called out Rich from the bombadier station.
"Frank check damage and call it out." I said.
"Looks like direct hits on the power station. Secondary explosions now. WOW!!, looks like we hit some gas lines or something. We got a line of explosions leading west for about 1000 feet." called out Frank.
"Any buildings to west go up?" I asked.
"Yeah, looks like 2 small ones and 1 big one." Frank replied.
"Damn, there is supposed to be a school to the west. I hope it didn't get it." I replied.
"Hey come on Joe those japs deserve it after Pearl." Frank said from the back.
This was followed by a few "yeah damn right's."
"Knock it off!" I yelled out. "No kids should have to go through that."
"FIGHTERS, FIGHTERS, 2 o'clock low." cried out Smitty from right waist. "Jesus Christ were screwed now. Lets climb for the clouds." I cried out. As I started the climb all of us heard that awful ping and pphhhtt of bullets ripping thrugh the air frame. "Jack, can you get a shot at em?" I asked.
"No sir, to low." he replied. More bullets ripped through the plane.
"Call out stations." I said.
"Left waist, Bombadier, Top turret, Co-pilot."
"Frank? Smitty?" I asked.
"They're gone sir." John replied.
Damn, gotta get to the clouds I thought.
"Fire on number 2. Pulling fire extinghuisher t-handle." After a moment. "Fires out, but we're streamin fuel."
"Well that's just great. There goes China." cried out Jack. More bullets rip through the plane.
"Christ!! We're on fire, right wing. Looks like this is it." called out Jimmy from the co-pilots seat.
"Sorry fella's time to go. Try to bail out close together and hope for the best. See ya on the ground guys." I told them. As they left the aircraft, it rolled hard to the right. Damn, I ain't gonna make it outta here I thought to myself. Trying as hard as I could I finally got it out of the bank it was in, unfortunatly it was to little to late. To low to bail out, time to ride it down, if it don't explode first. I thought to myself. Looking out I saw I was over the country side. No cities or towns nearby. Mountains. About that time the wing exploded. The aircraft pitched to the right again and just kept on rollin. As the airplane rolled for the third time it hit the trees belly first and just came apart.
The next thing I knew I woke up in a bed. One of those funny beds that are on the floor. I tried to move but my right arm and left leg seemed stuck. Craning my neck I can see my arm and leg are in a splint. My mouth was really dry and I wanted a drink of water.
"Please lay back. You are badly hurt and need to rest." a voice spoke to me in english. Looking over I saw a man in a long robe and wearing glasses. He looked to be about thirty to thirty five years old.
"Where am I?" I managed to croak.
The man got me some water, and said "You are at my home. You have been here for two weeks, and yes you are still in Japan. My name is Katsihito Masaki."
It seemed I was in out of it for about another week before I could stay fully awake for more than a few minutes at a time. During that time I had managed to tell my savior who I was, mostly name, rank, serial number and birthdate. I asked him about the rest of my crew. He told me they had been captured. I felt pretty bad about that. They were good guys and I hoped they would be ok. I asked him about the other two crewmen in the aircaft. He told me he had pulled them out and buried them near the crash site, then he gave me their dogtags. As we talked I found myself wondering more about my host. He didn't seem like an enemy. He was quiet and reserved and well spoken. I asked where he had learned to speak english? His reply was that in his younger days he had traveled quite alot and spoke a number of languages, english being just one.
England Spring 1427
The young man walked through the country side admiring the natural beauty of the majestic forest he was passing through. I've been in this country for five months and this is first time the sun has stayed out this long. he thought to himself. Of course winter had just let loose its grip and spring was in the air. He thought about the young couple he had stayed with during the winter here. Kind and considerate helping him learn their language and in turn he helped them with their meager farm. A sudden noise drew his attention. A man emerged from the brush along the path he was walking on. He studied the man and what he saw was not good. He was average height but the look on his face was one of contempt. He had a short sword in his right hand and a dirk in the other.
"Going to London?" the man asked.
"As a matter of fact I am." the young man replied.
"Well, its gonna cost you. You see this is my path and the land around here belongs to my friends. We'll just relieve you of you gold and as long as you don't give us no trouble you can pass." The brigand spoke. As he finished four more men stepped out from the woods to surround the stranger.
"Well I would be happy to to that except I have no gold." the stranger spoke. This set the ruffian to think for a minute, as he looked the stranger over he noticed the weapon at his side. "Then that sword at your side well do then." The brigand said.
"I am afraid that is not an option." the stranger replied.
"Then I guess we have to do this the hard way." as the brigand said this the other men with him drew there weapons.
"You can still walk away with your lives. You don't have to do this." the stranger spoke with a tinge of regret in his voice. As soon as he said this the first man charged him from behind. Not drawing his weapon the man jumped straight into the air and spun around to deliver a flying kick to the mans head, dropping him like a stone. He landed lightly on his feet and resumed a casual stance waiting for the next man.
"You can stil.." without waiting for him to finish two men attacked from the right. Dropping into a crouch he tripped the first of them with a leg sweep. Rising quickly he dodged the slash from the other and as the blade swept by him he struck the man with a two handed chest strike. The thief stopped and looked at the man, as he did his eyes glazed over and he collapsed. By this time the one he tripped was back up and mad as hell. He tried to slash at him repeatedly but the young man just dodged all the attacks with no effort. Finally tired of the game the young man moved so fast all watching were stunned. He stopped his assailant with a series of strikes to his head and chest, the final blow was a kick to the chest that sent the man sailing twenty feet through the air to land unconscious. Before the thief had landed, he moved to the man on his left and swept his feet from under him and struck him once in the chest and once in the face rendering him unconscious. He leapt from the fallen thief to the leader. The man was trying to back away but the this stranger was too fast. He managed to bring his weapons up but was suddenly struck on his arms and wrist. His hands went numb and the weapons fell fom his fingers. Looking up he noticed the stranger standing there staring at him.
He never even drew his sword. the brigand thought to himself.
The stranger finally spoke "you should chose a new line of work. If I had been so inclined I could have killed you."
"Who are you?" the thief asked with awe in his voice.
"Just a traveler." came the reply as the man walked away.
Japan Fall 1942
One day when he came to visit, there was a beautiful woman with him. "Joseph, I would like you to meet my wife, Itsuki." he said.
"Hello Itsuki" I said.
She looked to her husband and he spoke to her "Ohayo Gasiamas."
She looked back to me and said "Ohayo gasiamas Joseph-san."
"Please just call me Joe." I replied.
She looked to him and he spoke to her and she nodded and turned to me again "Joe" with a smile that lit up her face. I smiled back. It felt really strange to be accepted in this time of war, but I got the feeling that they understood it was governments not people who made war. After I had been there for about six weeks I asked a question that had been on both our minds "So what are you going to do with me when I recover?"
''That depends on you." he replied.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well you are welcome to stay here or you can take your chances in the country, but where would you go?" he asked my with a slight look of amusement on his face. I thought about what he said and I realized he was right. Where could I go? Deep in the heart of Japan no friends except Katsihito and his wife. China was too far to try to reach. My options seemed limited for now.
Looking at him I said "Well if I won't be any trouble, I'll take you up on you're offer, but I also expect to earn my keep."
"Of course, and I have just the thing in mind." he replied with a grin that made me think of Chesire cat from Alice in wonderland. Another two weeks and I was able to move around with the help of either Katsihito or his wife. I got to admit that this area of Japan was beautiful. It was nice to sit and relax and just watch the day. Finally the day came about two months later when I could get around with just a cane, and that was the day Katsihito put me to work. Mostly cleaning the shrine. After about a month he asked me if I would like to train with him as his student. His reason was he needed to keep up his practice but with the war there were no students to train. I accepted his offer and we started training in the art of sword fighting techniques. Now I had a little fencing in colledge and I thought I might show him some things, but after the first couple of butt whoopings I realized I was outclassed. Let me tell you those bokkens as they are called hurt like hell. They look kinda like a calvery sword but with out the hilt and crossguard. My first winter in Japan was interesting, since I came from Arizona. I knew what cold was but snow was really neat, for the first two weeks. After Katsihito had me shovel the shrine steps and the temple itself, it became rather mundane.
After one of our practices, I went walking around and found a path I hadn't noticed before. Following the path, I came to a cave. Since it was kind of windy and cold, I went inside a little ways and came to an iron gate with a lock. I had just checked it out a little bit when a voice asked "Can I help you?"
I must have leaped four feet into the air while doing a 180 degree spin to land in a defensive crouch. "JESUS!!! you scared the snot out of me Katsihito". I exclaimed with my heart hammring in my chest. That man had to be the quietest person in the world.
"Well I am glad to see that you training is starting to pay off, but you need to be aware of your surroundings at all times." he laughed. "Are you alright?"
"Yes I'm fine." I replied. What is this place?"
This is the reason the shrine was built. This is the resting place of the demon of the Masaki shrine." he spoke with a remorseful look on his face. Then he related the story of the fight between the demon Ryoko and the samurai Yosho. When he finished he looked rather sad and I asked if I had done something wrong.
His reply was strange "No. You have done nothing other than being curious. I was just remembering something from long ago."
Japan Spring 1552
It's been over one hundred years since I've been back, my Funaho seems to be doing fine and Ryoko is still alive but quiet. I think she can sense her surroundings. I still feel bad about the fight, but if I didn't do what needed to be done someone would have had to kill her. I hope Tsunami is right to imprison her like this. I know Ryoko is aware and not sleeping and I feel for her, but Tsunami says it must be this way and I must trust her judgment. That poor child has been used for so long as an instrument of evil, and never had the chance at a normal life. I will make it up to her when Tsunami says it is time to release her. So far I had traveled the known world. I have learned six languages so far, and the travels were enlightening. I have had my share of troubles with bandits and others who seek entrance into Ryoko's cave, thinking of a hidden treasure there, so I have started the rumor of a demon who sleeps there. Using Funaho's power, creating the effects are rather easy. Most of the common people are easily disuaded from here but the shoguns are more of a problem. Several times I have had to kill them to keep the secret. It is such a waste of life. Greed and power make even the most humble of men do things they would never dream of. All it takes is a bad situation with no appearant way out and they turn to the basest of insticts, survival by killing and stealing what others have worked hard for, just so they can live in the comfort they think they deserve. They may have been good people at one time but no more. I have also realised something else, I will have to leave here at least every eighty years or so and remain away long enough to reestablish a new identity for the next priest of the Masaki shrine. Funaho will have to keep watch for me while I am away.
Japan Winter 1943
During our training Katsihito was very patient and didn't beat me to bad, and after every session we would talk of our respective lives. I didn't realize it at the time, but every lesson we had was designed to teach me something more than just the sword. He also taught me about Japans history and culture. He also taught me the language, the social structure, and how to look behind the topic of discussion to what was not said but implied. As he taught me the language, he suggested I use it all the time so his wife wouldn't feel left out. After about a year, we were having a political discussion after our latest lesson, when he looked at me and asked "Joe, how do you think the war will turn out?"
"I honestly don't know?" I replied. We had lost the Phillipines and the war wasn't going to well in the Pacific. As to the European theater I had no news. "I think America will not loose, but we won't win either. We have the industry to overcome Japan, but with what you told me about your emperor and the loyalty he commands, we will have to fight every last man in Japan to win." "That is my feeling also." he replied. We were silent for a while after that. Each of us thinking our own thoughts on this subject.
"The only way for one or the other to win is to remove the will to fight. I do not think Japan has the capability to do that, but I think America does, and that has me worried." he said after a while.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
He replied that one of the only ways to remove the will to fight was to show how far one was willing to go to win. "If you were to destroy cities one by one, do you think the enemy will sue for peace, especially if you could not be stopped?" he asked.
"I would suppose so." I replied. We sat there in silence for a while longer. Katsihito got to his feet and said that the lession for today was over. "Remeber to finish cleaning the steps and then we will have dinner." He spoke distantly like something was weighing heavily on his mind.
America Spring 1909
I have been in this country for twenty years now. It is really an interesting place. The fire that devastated Chicago is still in recent memory. I find it hard to believe that a cow was responsible for the destuction of an entire city. In retrospect the earth quake that devastated San Francisco several months ago was probably equal to the fire. I've seen devastation equal to that on Jurai when Ryoko attacked. Weather it is an act of nature or the actions of an individual the results are still the same, loss of life and property damage in excess of millions of dollars. The money is not as much as a loss as is the life and the memories that will scar the survivors for generations. I have also visited the cities of New York, Boston and Phillidelphia. These americans are really amazing. The spirit and tenacity they show when they advanced into the untamed lands across this country are equal to the early explorers of Jurai when they started exploring space. When I first arrived in this country in 1889, I started exploring the mid west. I had used Denver as a starting point. I went to the Wyoming and Nevada territories. The Souix and Apache indians were a very fierce and proud people. They are misunderstood by the common people and hated by the greedy ones. They are soon to be deprived of their way of life and will soon be wiped out by the white man for nothing other than profit. All men want a life of their own but to take it at the cost of others is wrong. But this is not my fight so I will take my leave of them and wish them well.
Japan Summer 1944
We had just finished another training session and I finished cleaning the steps then I got cleaned up for dinner. Let me tell you, Itsuki could cook like there was no tommorrow, and her food was great, but I could sure go for a buger and a coke. I realized I was starting to miss America more and more. I also think Katsihito and Itsuki realized it as well. July 19, 1944. I was feeling really depressed and it showed. Katsihito as beating me at even the most simple tasks in training. After a half an hour he called a stop to it and asked me what was wrong. I told him I just wasn't feeling well.
"And you think an enemy would care about that?" he snarled at me. "You should never let your guard down always be alert to your surroundings. You never know what may come for you at the time you least expect it. Very well", he sighed "we will continue tommorrow. Finish sweeping the shrine and we will go eat."
"I am sorry Katsihito. I just feel out of sorts today and I can't figure out what is wrong." I replied. I felt really strange like I was forgetting something. I finished sweeping the shrine and started to go when Katsihito stopped me. "Joe, why don't you come in and have some tea. It may ease your spirit a little." I went inside the shrine office and sat at the low table. He poured the tea and we drank in silence.
After a while he looked up and said "You miss your homeland don't you?"
"I guess it kinda shows doesn't it." I replied.
"It is only natural, you have been here for over two years and you must be tired of being confined to this shrine." he said.
"Yeah I guess that must be what it is. Maybe I should try for China." I replied.
"No, I would advise against that." Katsihito said. "I think we can find something around here to relieve your cabin fever." this said with a smile. "Come, let's go and see what Itsuki has for us to eat." As we walked down the steps I wondered what he had in mind to help me out of my mood. We walked into his house and I was suprised to find some banners and colored streamers. Itsuki came from the kitchen with a cake and some candles on it. This suprised me as wheat to make flour was rare in this time of war. As she brought it to the table I noticed on the cake in english was written "Happy Birthday Joe." I couldn't believe it. I looked to Katsihito and Istuki who both had smiles on there faces. I must have looked pretty stupid gawking at them like that, but I was still recovering from the shock of it all.
"Well say something Joe." Katsihito said. I opened my mouth but still had trouble speaking.
"How... How did you know today was my birthday?" I stammered. Even I had forgot.
"When you first came here it was one of the things you mentioned besides name and rank." Itsuki replied.
"But why?" I replied still in shock over this.
"You looked depressed for about the past week and we thought you could use a surprise to try to cheer you up." Katsihito replied with a smile.
The birthday party was just the thing I needed to cheer me up, and at twenty four years old it was the best birthday I ever had. I felt alot better and since my spirits were a lot higher, Katsihito decided to up the training to the next level, needless to say I slept very soundly the next night.
Japan Fall 1944
The next few months went by alot better than the previous years. I was really happy here and then it happened. There was the hint of winter in the air with the days nice a cool and the nights with just a touch of frost. I had been walking through the woods about three miles from the shrine just reflecting on my life and the strange turn of events that landed me here. I had sat down in a beautiful clearing overlooking the mountains and started to meditate like Katsihito had taught me. I had been there about an hour when I heard slight rustle in the brush. Raising my head slowly I looked around I saw a figure staring at me from the edge of the forest. This was not good, being an american in Japan at this time, I was lucky I hadn't been found out yet. Looks like my luck just ran out. The figure didn't move but just continued to watch me. The only saving grace so far was the cowl of my hood was up to keep the sun out of my face. Not moving from my position I called out to the figure.
"Konechiwa." (Good Afternoon) I said.
The figure slowly came towards me and I realized that it was a woman. Pulling my hood lower, I watched as she stopped about ten feet away. She was very pretty and me being a man... well lets just say it's been a while. She stared at me for a while trying to look under the hood.
"Konechiwa." She finally spoke. "What are you doing out here?"
My japanese was very good and I'm glad Katsihito had me speaking it all this time. "I am training with the local priest and I have finished my chores so I came here to meditate."
"It's a very pretty place." she said. "I will let you continue in peace then."
That's all right. I would like it if you stayed and talked for a while." I said.
"With the war I do not meet very many people and my sensai is not as pretty as you.'' I said with a smile.
She blushed a little and smiled at that. "For a priest, you are very forward."
"I am not a priest, just training with one." I replied.
"You are not a priest? Then why are you not fighting in the war?" she asked.
"I was at one time but I was injured and am unable to fight." I replied. true enough I thought to my self.
"Why do you hide your face?" she asked me.
"I don't think you would like what you see." I replied. "May I ask your name?"
She looked slightly embaressed and answered "My apologies, my name is Keiko Matsari."
"I am very pleased to meet you." I said. Then I realized I'd just back myself in a corner, as I couldn't very well tell her my name. I started thinking of all the japanese names I could think of when she asked me the dreaded question.
"What is your name?" she asked.
"My name is Hiro Masaki." I replied, hoping Katsihito wouldn't mind me using his family name.
"Are you any relation to the priest of the Masaki shrine?" she asked.
"I am a ...uh distant cousin really." I stammered out. You know the trouble with lying is the more you do it the more you have to keep track of. She save me further embaressment by taking her leave.
"I am very pleased to meet you Hiro Masaki. Maybe we will meet again?" she told me as she readied herself to leave.
"I would like that." I replied
"Well I will leave you to your meditations. Good bye Hiro Masaki." she said.
"Good bye Keiko Matsari. It has been a pleasure to talk to you." I replied.
I sat there for about another hour trying to meditate, but I couldn't get Keiko out of my mind. It really was a pleasure to talk to someone other than Katsihito or Itsuki for a change. I finally got up and made my way back to the shrine. It was starting to get cooler as the sun began to set. When I got back to the shrine, Katsihito was waiting on me.
"Did you have a nice walk?" he asked.
"Actually, yes I did. I met a young lady and talked to her for about 10 minutes. Her name was Keiko Matsari. Have you heard of her?" I asked.
"Ahh, so you finally met her have you? Yes I know her. She lives a few miles away. She is very lovely isn't she?" he replied. "She didn't see your face did she?" he asked.
"No. I had my hood up to keep the sun out of my face fortunately." I replied.
I then told him about our conversation and the name I used and asked if it was alright.
"Better to ask forgivness than get permission, right." he replied. "Still I guess it couldn't be helped, but I will instruct you in the proper use of words with a woman." with that he tossed me a bokken and proceeded to instruct me.
After about thirty minutes of instruction he called a halt to the practice.
"All right "Hiro" my cousin, finish the katra and then we will eat." he said with a smile.
"Sure." I replied rubbing my head.
About a week later I was sweeping the steps when Katsihito walked up and handed me my cloak.
"Put the hood up "Hiro", we have company." He said.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"It is Keiko Matsari and her mother." he replied.
"Why is her mom here?" I asked "and what do I do now?"
"The mother usually accompanies the daughter to a marriage meeting, and you will wait at the shrine." he replied.
"Ma, marr, marriage meeting?" I stammmered.
"Yes. Maybe she was quite impressed with your use of words at your rendevous." he said laughingly. "Or maybe she really needs a husband and will settle for you."
"Hey!!! That's not funny." I replied with a snort. "I'll be hiding at the shrine." I mumbled.
"While your up there, sweep the walkways. It will show that you are a hard working husband." he laughed.
"Don't you mean wife?" I quipped.
As I got to the shrine I started sweeping the walkways. I kept glancing down the steps to see if anyone was coming. After about an hour I settled down, finished sweeping the walks and went into the shrine for tea, it had been an hour and I figured they wouldn't be coming so I relaxed. Big mistake, I had just made the tea when the door opened.
"Hello Joe". Keiko spoke softly.
I froze. No use denying it now, the hood was down and there was no way to hide my light brown hair.
"What are you going to do now?" I asked in a subdued voice. Then it hit me... "How did you know my name?"
"My sensai told me." she said.
"Who is your sensai?" I asked.
"Itsuki Masaki." she replied.
"When did she tell you?" I asked rather suprised.
"About four months ago." she replied with a smile.
The look of shock must have been something she had never seen before
on a gaijin, she started to smile and then she told me to close my mouth.
"Then you knew who I was before you met me?" I asked increduously.
"Yes and I was looking forward to meeting you anyway." she replied.
"Why?" I asked.
"After Katsihito and Itsuki told me about you I was curious. I wanted to see if you were the gaijin monster the government told us about or the kind man that the Masaki's were caring for." she simply said.
"And now that you met me what do you think?" I asked.
"You were kind in the forest and here as well so I don't think you are a monster. As to what kind of man you are I will wait and see." she replied.
"Well that is all I ask for is a chance." I said with a smile.
"Shall we go down to the house now, since that is why I came, to get you for dinner." she spoke with a smile as well.
"What about your mother?" I asked nervously.
"She knows about you as well. She is also curious about the "monster" of the woods." she laughed.
"Is there anyone in Japan who doesn't know I am here? Well lets not keep them waiting. One monster coming up." I laughed.
Dinner seemed like a more formal affair than normal but I just chalked it up to having guests. Through out dinner Keiko's mother asked me all kinds of questions about america. Were there cowboys on horses and did the gangsters really shoot and kill people in the cities. I told her all that was in the movies she had been watching and that most americans were alot like me just trying to make a better life for oneself. She asked about my life before they war. I told her I worked on a farm for a while when I was a boy. Then I worked for a while in a department store while going to colledge. I had to explain that one as they really didn't have department stores near here. She asked about my parents. I told her that they were no longer living. They had died in a car accident when I was little and my aunt had raised me. She said that she had done a good job because I was so polite. I thanked her for the compliment. I noticed she kept sneaking glances at her daughter and I looked to Katsihito and Itsuki they merely smiled at me. I got that funny feeling in the pit of my stomache that I was being left out of the loop again, but figured I would find out soon enough.
After dinner was over we thanked Itsuki for a wonderful meal and went to the living room and had some warm sake and talked a bit more before bidding our guests good night. As they were ready to leave Katsihito asked me if I would walk them home and I was feeling to good to say no. I got my cloak and put the hood up and then went to the little wood shed and got a lantern. It was just getting dark as we left so we lit the lantern and proceeded to walk at a leisurely pace. we talked about life in general and what we might do after the war. we had been walking for about an hour when it happened.
We had just rounded a bend in the path when three men came out of the brush.
"Well, well what have we here?" the first spoke up.
"Looks like some lost travelers needing an escort." said the second.
"Nooo, I think its just three lonely ladies looking for company for the night." the last spoke up. At that they all laughed.
"Guess again." I spoke up in an icy voice and moved in front of the women.
"Well looks like we made a mistake. Still there are two of them and one of you. Why don't you share one with us?" the first guy asked.
Thats one of the things I didn't like about Japan was the role a woman played in their society, and they way some men treat them. Still I was getting irate and decided to let them know about it.
"I am sure such fine gentle men as your selves could find your own companionship elsewhere." I suggested.
"Why should we look when we have already found these two?" sneered the second man. With that he pulled out a long knife.
The third man also pulled out a knife and said "If you leave now you won't get hurt."
The first man said nothing but he pulled out a battered samurai sword.
Having known about the history of Japan and the customs I let a few words out that would put them in a slightly disadvantagous mood. "Was that your daddy's toy or did you rob some grave to get it." I underestimated the impact these words would have because I had never seen someone so mad that they foamed at the mouth. He started his attack immediately with a clumsy overhand slash. I sidestepped and kicked him in the ass to add insult to injury. As he stumbled and tried turn around the other two came at me. As they did a little stray thought went through my mind. These guys remind me of the Three Stooges. The second guy stabbed forward at me from the left and the third one stabbed from the right. I stepped back and watched their eyes go wide as they almost stabbed each other.
I almost laughed out loud at the sight until the first one came at me again. He lunged forward and I stepped to the side. As he passed I gave him a sharp jab to the ribs. He ooofed out a breath. The second one came from behind and started waving the blade in front of my face. I raised my hands and as he watched them come up I kicked out and caught him in the crotch he went down like a ton of bricks to his knees and I gave him a solid right to the jaw and his eyes glassed over and fell face first into the road. By now the first and third guy had got back into the fray and I was more leary of the guy with the sword than the one with the knife. My mistake. The one with the sword was clumsy but the knife man was more skilled than his partner in the dirt. As the sword swung in from the front the man with the knife waited and as I dodged he stabbed. I moved right into the blade for him. The knife went in my lower back and I felt it hit the ribs and then my left side erupted in fire. I staggered away from him and went on the defensive. I knew I had to get this over with quick. I could feel the blood running down my side. I waited for the sword to come in and as he did, I faked left, moved right, the sword flashed to my left and I drew back and let fly with a roundhouse punch that dropped him in his tracks. I quickly turned my attention to the last man and he was moving in warily. I circled around him and waited. Its a good thing Katsihito taught me the meditation techniques. My side was killing me and my vision was starting to blur, but I managed to calm myself a little. In short order the last man got impatient and charged I waited then jumped high and kicked out with my right foot catching him in the chest as he staggered back I kicked again and managed to get him in the neck. As he stood there I let loose some good old american know how with the ever popular uppercut and he dropped like a rock.
When the last man had dropped, Keiko and her mother were by my side and asking if I was alright. I told them I was ok, but as I said this my vision blurred and I fell back and dropped on my butt. My head started spinning and I saw Keiko moving toward me. I don't remember much after that. I do remember stumbling to the shrine with the support of Keiko and her mother. When I woke up I thought is was late morning. I looked around and tried to figure why Katsihito had let me oversleep. I tried to get up and thats when the pain and the events of what happened came back in a rush. I moved a little slower and then I noticed Itsuki by the door. She had heard me move and had come to see how I was.
"Morning Itsuki." I said.
"Its afternoon Joe." she replied with a smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Oh, you know me, if your husband doesn't beat me at least once a day, I'm not happy. So I feel like I trained a little longer than usual." I joked to her.
"Well I'm glad to see you still have your sense of humor." she replied
"How are Keiko and her mother?" I asked.
"They were really worried about you. Keiko's mother went home yesterday, and Keiko is still here and is making you lunch right now." she said.
At that moment Keiko came in with some miso soup on a tray with some juice and rice cakes.
"How are you doing today?" Keiko asked.
"Like I was telling Itsuki, it feels like I went one to many times with Katsihito during training." I replied. "But I am feeling better just a little sore. Are you and your mother allright?" I asked.
"We are both fine, thanks to you." she replied. "My mother and I wish to thank you for what you did the other night."
I was a little confused so I asked "How long have I been asleep?
"Almost two days." Itsuki replied. "You lost a lot of bood, but fortunatly the knife did not hit any thing vital."
"Oh ok." was all I could think to say. "HEY! I'm sorry. I forgot to say your most welcome and it was my priviledge to defend you and your mother the other night."
"Well let me thank you by serving you your lunch. It is the least I could do for you." Keiko said with a smile.
As she sat the tray down I reached for it with my right hand and tried to balance it with my left when a sharp pain in my left side reminded me not to do that. Keiko noticed my distress and kept the tray from spilling over.
"Here let me help." she said. "You are going to have a hard time using that arm for a few days." with that said she sat down on the edge of the bed.
I felt a blush creep my neck. I felt a little nervous when she sat so close. Remember it has been almost 3 years since I had really been with a girl, besides Itsuki I mean, and she didn't really count.
"Uhh... Thank you." I managed at last.
"Really, its no problem. My mother and I owe you far more than this." She replied.
I managed to finish lunch with out embarresing myself to much. After lunch was finished, I was talking to Keiko when I just nodded off. I woke up about four hours later. Itsuki brought me some dinner. I asked where Keiko had gone to, and with a smile she replied that she had to go home and help her mother. I must have looked disappointed because Itsuki said that she and her mother would come by tomorrow to see how I was doing.
While I was eating Katsihito came in to see how I was doing.
I finished eating and told Katsihito I was sorry for being more of a burden to him and his wife. Itsuki took this a her cue to leave. She took the tray away and left us to talk.
"You are to hard on yourself Joe. There is no need to consider what happened to you as a burden to us."
"I suppose so but I still ended up here in a sick bed." I replied.
"Why do you think you are in this sick bed?" he asked.
"I wasn't aware of my surroundings?" I questioned with a smile.
"Right. I see I will have to move your training to the next level." he said with a smile. "But in all fairness there were three of them and they were armed. You did well for one who is still a novice."
"Thanks, I think. Still I'll have to thank the movies I watched for the boxing lessons." I said.
"So, you like hand to hand combat?" Katsihito smiled.
"No, I prefer no combat at all. But if you have to fight it helps to know a few tricks." I replied with a grin.
"Well then tommorrow if you are feeling better come up to the shrine and we will see some of these tricks you speak of." Katsihito said with a smile in his eyes. With that said he left me to rest. After he left I managed to make it to the bathroom and take care of business. I got back to bed and laid down and promptly fell asleep.