Changed For The Better
Before being cursed, Happosai thought he could continue as he always had. He thought it would be easy to overwhelm the curse and be the pervert he was meant to be. What a rude awakening he had. When he woke the next morning a male servant and Amazon guard were in his cell. Here was his chance to prove that he was the master of his body.
"Well, something to nibble on and breakfast after" said a leering Happosai while ogling the Amazon.
Well, that was what he thought he said and did. What actually happened was he glanced at the two in his cell and thanked them for breakfast. Happosai was flabbergasted. He knew he could overwhelm any coercion. He started to examine his mind and discovered that he was actually the passenger in his body . All he sensed came to him as usual but his responses were filtered through the curse. He thought over all the evil and perverted things he did over his long life. His unspoken thought afterwards showed him the Amazons had truly found a fitting punishment.
"I can't believe I've done that!" Happosi thought to himself. "How could I have been so rude and cruel to so many people for so long. I must make amends."
After he was escorted from the village he started walking toward Jusenkyo. He would first return the stolen relics to the Amazons. He realized that posed a problem since he would be dead before he could explain. Puzzling over this problem, he retrieved the items. Looking around, he saw that he was nearing Jusenkyo. He would not enter the valley because he knew he was being watched. He could see if the old guide was still there and ask him to return the relics.
Happosi approached the hut. He heard two male voices inside discussing the valley. He was reluctant to interrupt them but needed to leave the area as quickly as possible. Knocking on the door he waited patiently. The door opened to the smiling face of the old guide. The next thing Happosi heard was the slam of the door, the sound of a bar sliding in place and loud voices inside.
"What is the problem, grandfather?"
"We are doomed, grandson. We are trapped here with a demon outside."
"A demon. A demon that knocks on the door? Grandfather, what is really outside?"
"Evil, evil personified. A wicked perverted man."
"If it is a man then I will ask him what he wants."
"NO! Don't open the door, grandson!"
The sound of the bar being removed was heard and then the door opened. A young man stepped through the door and closed it behind him. He was wearing one of those quilted outfits including a hat with a red star.
"May I help you, grandfather?" he asked politely.
Happosi realized that the response of the old man was only the first of many he would see over the years as he tried to repair the damages he had made in the past. Hopefully, more people would be willing to give him a chance as this young man is doing.
"Yes, please. I am Happosi. I have done many evil things in the past and have only a short time to live. I need to make amends before I die, not for any reward, but because it is the right thing to do." said Happosi in a low voice.
"I would like to apologize to the old guide for any affronts I had given. I know he may not forgive me but I must offer. I also have a request. Would you return these relics to the Amazons? I can not because they will kill me if I return." Happosi explained.
"One moment, please." said the young man.
He opened the door and spoke quietly. A low but frightened reply responded. The young man sighed and closed the door.
"My grandfather accepts your apology but does not wish to come outside. I am the new guide and since I must visit the Amazons I will return the items for you." said the young man.
"Thank you. I doubt I will ever return so I wish you well." Happosi said bowing.
--
Twenty years it took Happosi to rehabilitate his name and reputation. Everywhere he went, he had trouble convincing people he had wronged that he wished to right the wrongs. He had to withstand demeaning language, humiliating tasks and even beatings to atone. Finally, he was once again, the honored teacher he had been. Welcomed at any dojo. He traveled from school to school. Training student and master alike. He taught what many thought were advanced techniques but were actually the most basic moves of his school. He knew he only had another twenty years if he was lucky and he needed to find an heir. No, two heirs, one for the aerial school and one for the ground school. He would not have time to teach one heir all he knew. So while he taught, he looked for two candidates.
Finally, after ten years, he found them. Saotome Genma and Tendo Soun. Their fathers had approved Happosi training the two twelve year old boys. All understood it would be rigorous training and there would be no shame if either were unable to complete it. Each father taught at his own dojo so Happosi could do some training there but a good portion was needed outside. Training trips were made but scheduled so the boys could attend school. Happosi insisted that the boys could not appear uneducated or crude. That would not reflect well on the Anything Goes school.
Rigorous. Intensive. The two teenagers thought they knew what they were in for. They were mistaken.
Hidden Happosai struggled mightily but was unable to influence how they were trained. He knew how to train them. Cruelly, enjoying their pain. Making them into copies of him, perverted. He was balked by the curse. Humane training. They were injured during the training, of course. Bruises and broken bones happened but it was not purposeful. They were also trained in respect and courtesy although they didn't realize it.
Two years after they graduated from high school he made them masters. They were helping their fathers train students at the dojos and would take them over in time. Happosi told them they could teach only the basics to anyone. They would only teach their heirs the full school. He was pleased when they told him they would join the schools by marriage, if possible. He hadn't taught them everything he told them. There were some sealed techniques they wouldn't be ready for until they were older. Some techniques would only be taught, if at all, after he had thought some more on them.
Genma and Soun had become good friends and friendly rivals. They were respected and well liked by everyone. Both were hard workers and took pride in the training they provided. Happosi saw that they still tended to discuss their problems with him and use his decision as theirs. He realized he needed to leave so they would stand on their own two feet. They were saddened when Happosi told them he was leaving for a while.
"Must you leave, Master?" asked Genma.
"Yes, I must. It is time to visit other schools and see what new techniques have developed." said Happosi.
"We could come with you." Soun said hopefully.
"Now, what kind of teacher abandons their students. I thought I taught you better than that. You are Masters with students." chided Happosi.
"Will you return?" asked Genma.
"Of course, how else would we incorporate new moves into our school. I'll probably return every year or two. So, don't worry, you haven't seen the last of me." laughed Happosi.
--
Over the next few years, he would return and review their skills and teach new moves. Genma and Soun had taken over the dojos upon their fathers retirement. Both schools continued to be successful. Normally two dojos in the same ward would have proven to be too competitive and forced one out of teaching. If they taught the same way. Genma taught an aerial school and Soun taught the ground school. It became common for a student to start at one dojo and finish at the other. They weren't masters of the Anything Goes school but they were head and shoulders beyond any other school.
Happosi was pleasantly surprised on his next visit. Genma introduced his wife Nodoka. He was pleased Nodoka came of a warrior background and enjoyed watching her perform some katas of her sword school. Genma confided to him that he had needed someone to train against with a sword. Nodoka chimed in and told Happosi what happened.
"This baka of a husband came over to my family school. He asked my father for someone worthy to train with. My father pointed at me and he laughed. He asked my father if there was someone that was more capable looking." said Nodoka.
"Genma! Surely you were not brought up to be so rude. How can you demean someone's skill without observing them. How could you demean another sensei by slighting his choice!" said Happosi in a shocked voice.
"Master, please. The reason I laughed was her appearance that day. She looked like something a cat dragged home. Her father had grinned and pointed at her again so I sparred with her." explained a sheepish Genma.
"What happened?" said a slightly smiling Happosi.
"I had my ahhh, comeuppance."said Genma.
"He looked like he had gone through a wood chipper." laughed Nodoka.
"We began sparring on a regular basis and began getting closer until he decided to propose. Of course, father needed to approve. After some discussion, he agreed and we were wed a little over a year ago." said Nodoka.
"Discussion, she says. What kind of discussion is it when you're being chased around the property by an enraged sword wielding father?" asked Genma.
"He was just making sure you were serious. Besides, he barely nicked you." laughed Nodoka.
Happosi said he would go visit Soun for awhile. Nodoka asked him to return for dinner and she would set up the guest room for him. Happosi waited until she was gone then asked Genma what was wrong.
"Wrong? Nothings wrong." Genma said.
"Genma, Genma, Genma. Remember I taught you. I know you as well as I would my own children, if I had any. Even if I didn't know you, I'm an old man and have seen a lot of relationships over the years. Something is bothering you two. Now, if it's something I might help with?" offered Happosi.
Genma looked undecided, but with a look around to ensure privacy, explained the problem.
"I'm not sure this is something you can help us with, Master. Soun and Mariko have been married longer than us and have one child already and another on the way. Nodoka had become pregnant but had a miscarriage. We tried again but she miscarried again. She is feeling that she is failing as a wife and the stress is starting to wear us down." explained Genma.
Happosi looked lost in thought. He acted like he wanted to speak but would go back to his thoughts.
"There may be something I can do but it'll be dangerous to me and may not prove to be what I hope for. Let me think on this some more and I'll let you know." Happosi said slowly.
He visited Soun and Mariko. They proudly showed their first child, Kasumi, to him. He made a big fuss over the little girl and made her laugh and giggle. Mariko said she a month to go and they would have another girl, She hoped the third, if they had one, would be a boy to carry on the Tendo name. Soun asked Happosi if he would stay but Happosi declined by explaining Nodoka's offer. He said he would be around for a few weeks so they will be tired of him soon enough.
At the end of the two weeks, Happosi told Genma and Soun that he would be gone awhile and there was a possibility he may never return. When they became distraught and demanded to go with him he had to firmly say no. He explained that he is getting older after all and his time may come during this trip. He said goodbye and endured hugs and tears from all then departed.
--
The Guide looked up and saw someone approaching. Entering the house, he put on the tea kettle and looked over what was available for dinner. A knock at the door let him know the traveler had made his appearance. With a smile, he welcomed his guest and bid him enter.
"Welcome, honored guest. Please join me for an evening meal." said the Guide.
"I would be happy to, honored host." said Happosi.
"It has been many years since I saw you last. What brings you to Jusenkyo?" asked the Guide.
"Hope for two miracles. A miracle if I survive. A miracle if assistance is granted." said Happosi.
"How am I to help with these miracles?" asked the Guide.
"Pass word to the Amazon village that I seek permission to speak with the Elder Council." said Happosi.