CHAPTER

6

The Michaels' home that night was alive with celebration. Hard Master and Tommy had been invited over for a fine dinner, and Tommy was more than thrilled to have a place beside Terri. Although she was a year older than him, he had taken quite a fancy to her, and teased her often, his way of showing affection. Ann had done a very good job in preparing the meal, and now they all sat at the round table after the dinner was over, talking, laughing, and having a good time. Ian and Tommy had been very excited and boisterous, chattering constantly about the day's events. At one such moment, Mark quietly interrupted them, nodding towards the dishes on the table, which Terri had already begun to clear.

"Son, would you please help your sister with the dishes? Then you may go upstairs."

Ian stood, Tommy jumping up with him and taking a stack of plates.

"I will help too."

He meaningfully tagged along with Terri to the kitchen. Ian smiled, taking some cups.

"Yes sir."

Hard Master sat back in his chair, smiling as he sighed.

"Your son has much potential, Mark...he could go to great heights."

Mark remained quiet, gazing at the napkin he was fidgeting with. Ann somehow took the cue and stood, taking up a few dishes.

"I'll make some coffee."

She looked at Hard Master, pausing at the kitchen doorway.

"I also have some tea I can make; would you care for some?"

The old man smiled, nodding.

"Yes, thank you."

Tommy and Ian had come back to take more dishes, but Mark stopped them.

"Ian, you and Tommy go on upstairs; Terri can do the rest."

The blond raised an eyebrow, looking at the stack of dishes in the sink to his sister.

"Are you sure, dad?"

Mark smiled slightly.

"Yes. Thank you."

The two boys turned and ran up the stairs, Mark calling after them,

"And don't get too rough! We don't want the house falling down."

Hard Master laughed, shaking his head.

"You should see them at the dojo. Sometimes I think they would hurt each other badly, but they never do. It is only play."

Ann had come back to the table now, carrying very carefully three mugs. One she gave to her husband, the other she set at her place, and the third she gave to Hard Master.

"It's green tea...I hope you don't mind?"

He laughed, stirring it with a spoon.

"Not at all. Not from Japan, I am sure, but green tea nonetheless."

There was silence for a few minutes, the only noise being muted laughter from upstairs, and the quiet clanking of the dishes as Terri went about her work. Mark finally spoke, leaning his elbows on the table while holding the mug.

"So...you think that Ian, could go passed black belt?"

Hard Master continued to look at his mug, but then made eye contact, a message in his deep gray, one good eye. His voice was steady, and Mark knew that this was going somewhere far beyond the dojo in Manhattan.

"Yes. I have thought the matter over, and both my nephew and your son...I—I cannot explain it. They have something in them, some burning fire, that could take them to amazing heights. If I could only stay here in Manhattan, it could be done, but many dilemmas lie in the way..."

Mark took the hint, raising an eyebrow as he sat back, taking a sip of his coffee.

"If?"

The old man sighed, pulling a letter from his pocket.

"If, indeed. As you know, my nephew and I came here to America as a result of our family training ground in Japan, the Arashikage, burning to the earth. Hardly a thing was left standing, so we came here in hopes of making a living until it were to be rebuilt. It has been five years and six months since that dreadful night, and...I just received a letter from my brother, Soft Master, as he is called."

He extended his hand across the table to Mark, handing him the note. Mark took it, looking at it with a baffled expression, as he did not read Japanese. Hard Master took it back, smiling only briefly.

"You do not read my language, I know. I have not told Ian nor Tommy a thing about it, but I have been summoned back to Japan. The Arashikage has been rebuilt, and after five years of lying abandoned, students are pouring in in numbers that our masters cannot handle."

Mark looked from Ann, who had a cautious look in her eyes, to Hard Master, who was trying to make a point.

"When do you leave?"

Hard Master sighed heavily, folding the paper and placing it back in his pocket.

"As soon as the end of next month, I am afraid."

Mark leaned back, crossing his arms.

"Will no one take your place?"

"There is one, Sumato, who has been offered the position here. He is good, but he cannot teach Ian nor Tommy any more than I have."

"What is your point? Surely he can learn other things here..."

"He cannot. What I offer is something that runs far back into my family, the Arashikages. We were once a mighty clan, and now we are only but a few. We are trying to pass the martial arts skills of our history to young students who will keep it faithfully and teach others. My nephew is the only male left with the name Arashikage...after I am gone, there will be no one to carry on the name save him. His mother and father are dead, and have no more sons. He alone is left."

Mark rested his hands on the table, glancing at his wife.

"But, what does this have to do with Ian?"

Hard Master leaned forward eagerly, his one good eye shining with hope.

"You do not understand. Each student who comes to the Arashikage must be qualified to learn our art. They must be as free as air, strong as steel, bold as water, and as deadly as fire. They must have a smoldering ember in them that promises to spark into a flame, and that into a consuming inferno...your son has this. When I first began to train him, I saw it. His friendship with my nephew has also sparked this in Tommy, and they work together as one. Although they do not yet know it, it is there, now smoldering, now flickering. Soon it will grow and I ask only that you let it grow, but this cannot be done unless he has the right training!"

Mark had taken the point. He looked up at Hard Master, knowing all.

"The training that only you can offer..."

The old man sat back, nodding once.

"Yes."

Mark was silent for a few minutes, half listening to the laughter upstairs. He heard his son, his only son, his voice clear and excited. Ian had become a black belt, and that meant so much to him...but...could he really go to loftier heights? Leaning forward, Mark spoke again, his voice quiet.

"My son, is only eleven years of age. If what you are suggesting were to indeed come about, he would not be going to Japan by himself."

Ann had been totally oblivious to what was going on, and had sat in confusion for the whole conversation, but now she understood, and a shocked look passed over her face.

"What!? Let Ian go to Japan!? Mark!"

Mark turned to his wife, laying a hand on her arm.

"Dear, please..."

She quieted herself, swallowing as her husband turned back to their guest. Hard Master nodded.

"I understand this. It is another thing that would prohibit his training. Mark, it is your choice and yours alone. I will not try to change what you decide. I am simply laying before you what I feel should happen, and what your son and my nephew could become. Please consider, sir, I beg you..."

Mark nodded.

"I will. I will consider."

"Please remember that I must know shortly...more so if your answer is in the negative. I do not wish to hesitate in telling my nephew that he will part with your son."

"I will let you know by next week, no later, I promise."

Hard Master smiled briefly.

"I know that your word is good..."

The rest of the evening was spent in good conversation among the adults, the subject of Japan lying forgotten for the time. Terri had gone up to see what her brother and Tommy were doing, and upon finding them rough housing, took up her sketch pad and pencil, seating herself on the lower bunk bed and ignoring them as she drew. Tommy cast many glances at her, but was forced to watch his opponent, lest he end up with a black eye. The two had a wonderful time, one that was never to be forgotten.