Chapter 11 [Dubois Condo
Dave sat in his study reviewing the notes from his afternoon of research. While the Latin text made for slow going, he got through enough of the text to make it worthwhile. October 1192? He had reviewed the accountings for October and November 1192 to be sure—no easy task and one he'd need another month in the archives to finish even a cursory survey. However, from what he knew of the ballads and his adversary, he knew where she'd play her hand.
"That figures!" he groused, slamming his hand on the desk. Knowing that the questions were frustrating him, he knew that it would be a good time for a break. Putting his notes back in his bag, he recalled that he'd promised to speak with Miranda's sensei. Checking the clock, he did some quick math in his head. "It's 7:30 in the morning in Japan. I imagine they're up." Not knowing the number (or if they even had a phone there for that matter), he used his telepathy. Master Ninja-Sama.
["I hear you, Dubois-Sama. I trust you found what you needed?" Sensei inquired expectantly.
["I have. I wanted to stop by for the talk you requested. Sorry if you're teaching or anything," Dave apologized.
["I am but you could provide my students with a valuable lesson. Xena has been reminding them to pay attention for any vibration at all in anticipation of an attack. Teleport into the courtyard at your convenience, Dubois-Sama. You will provide a good example of what to expect," Sensei concluded before going silent.
Sneak attack on Aisle 4. Careful, Dave, he could be testing you too! He opened a portal and jumped into the mists.
Besides, he could pick the time and spot to pop in and really surprise things…..
Chapter 12 [Yamanuchi School—7:22 AM
Since their wake up call several hours earlier, the ninja students had drilled under Sensei's leadership. They performed both active sparring drills and individual endurance feats in addition to meditation rituals.
Standing off to the side, Xena and Jasmine watched the symphony of sorts with a mix of admiration and critical eyes, noting every move that their hosts made or did not make. Occasionally, at the master instructor's invitation, the two guests would emphasize a point either verbally or with a volunteer/victim from the "audience."
"Miranda's really into it," the warrior noted from their vantage point.
"She's probably the best in this group. I haven't seen enough of Yori to judge for sure," Jasmine declared.
"Uh HUH. That ain't the heart talkin' now, is it?" Xena sassed wryly.
Jasmine blushed. "Stop that! And if it is, Miri can handle herself around the others."
Xena's eyebrow twitched. Something seemed out of place. She glanced at Sensei.
He merely twitched his mouth into a slight smile.
He's up to something!
In the midst of the training, Ron huffed as he tried to keep up with the other students. As much as he had tried to practice at home, he had to admit it wasn't anywhere near as rigorous as this experience was. While he had definitely improved since his exchange trip two years earlier, he still was behind the other students. I could bring the monkey power into it but then it would be a crutch! I can do this.
Off to his right, Yori and Miranda moved in perfect harmony with the rest of the group, refining their movements. They sparred with the other ninja but really, they were both nearly to the level of instructor in their own respective rights.
I wish I could it like they can! Ron mused to himself.
["Focus, Stoppable-San! You are too easily distracted!" Sensei lectured.
The younger man bowed his head but forced himself to keep going.
For her part, Miranda had enjoyed the previous day's and that day's exercises, allowing them to clear her mind and channel her thoughts. Combining Sensei's mental discipline with the focus from her uncle and Adam, it was far easier for her to detect a threat. She'd made it through the 'gauntlet' obstacle course on the previous night—a hike through the nearby mountains where she had to deal with the students.
At the end, Yori gave her a stern duel which ended in a draw between them.
Now, she worked her aching muscles and felt a sense of fulfillment in achieving this balance. However, she knew there was a long way to go.
As Xena noticed the vibes, so did she. Her eyes snapped open even as she used her abilities to scan the nearby area. As she did so, she sensed the tell tale dark aura to her right. Uncle Dave?
["Do not say anything, Miranda. I want your classmates to figure this out for themselves," Sensei instructed. ["Excellent work on sensing his presence."
She returned to her motions, not betraying that anything was out of the ordinary.
Barely a second later, Yori froze and glanced over at the shadows to the group's right. "Sensei! We have an intruder!"
"Do we?" the grandmaster inquired. "What do your senses tell you?"
"Engage!" Yori exclaimed while approaching the shadows. She channeled her eagerness to confront whatever it was. Certainly with the other students behind her, she had enough back up to provide cover for herself. "Come out!" she challenged.
The shadows provided no answer, movement or breath.
She charged into the shadows…and found nothing there. "Where did it go?" She narrowed her eyes. "The tree!" She walked slowly over to the broad tree in the square's center and unfurled her fighting fans. "Enough games!" She climbed up into it to find it empty as well.
The other students joined in the search, sweeping the courtyard for nearly fifteen minutes.
Miranda, at Sensei's telepathic command, contented herself to watch the proceedings with Xena and Jasmine.
"It is a phantom!" one of the taller ninja complained.
"Is it? Do not trust your eyes. Use all of your senses, Kyoki-San," the teacher replied as cryptically as ever. "Remember, the cat can out stalk the hunter just as easily as the other way around."
Xena shook her head in the corner, having figured out what was going on.
"He's showing off now," Jasmine whispered.
"More likely, Sensei asked him to do this…and to let him blow off steam," Miranda replied low so the others couldn't hear.
"He's tryin' to drive the point home to the others," Xena concurred just as low. Her eyes darted across the courtyard to one of the wall towers. She shook her head in amusement.
Just then, two shafts flew from the east tower, hitting the center of the cobbles and exploding in a cloud of thick herbal mist. For several minutes, the cloak hung heavily over the area, scattering the group.
"You allowed your frustration and anger to rule your senses," Sensei chided the others. "What have I told you about distractions?" He limped into their midst with the aid of his walking stick. "In a real battle, such breakdowns result in failure. I hope this gives you all something to think about."
Yori frowned, recalling the previous two months in Arizona. "Where is he?" She turned to face Miranda and Jasmine. "It is your uncle, is it not?"
"Yeah," Miranda concurred, trying not to laugh. "Turn around."
Yori did so to find Dave leaning up against the tree. "Dubois-Sama, what is the meaning of this?"
"Ask your teacher," the medievalist indicated. "For the record, Yori, you were only a second or so behind me both times with the alcove and the tree."
Sensei bowed to the other teacher. "Domo, Dubois-Sama, for the demonstration. I wanted you to illustrate what you've already taught Miranda to do. Discipline and instincts. An enemy can move to counter what we do."
"And can attack from anywhere as I just did," Dave added.
"Anywhere? You had to climb up here," one of the other ninja protested.
Dave shook his head. "While you've been training here over the past hour, I've crissed-crossed the globe. Sensei and I were communicating while I was in Tucson. Since then, I've been in Paris, Istanbul, Kansas and Colorado before popping up here." He walked over to the student who had protested. "You presume because you're in the mountains that you're safe." He frowned. "Xena, how long was I waiting for them to get it?"
"The whole last routine," Xena indicated.
Dave took a breath and then took a duffel bag out from the alcove. "Ronald, that's yours." He handed the bag to the American teen. "As your sensei will tell you, trouble can hit you from anywhere. I've been blindsided way too many times to count because I presumed I was safe!" He shook his head. "You're never truly safe in this world. If we watch out for each other, we can be safer but that's a relative term."
"Well spoken, Dubois-Sama," Sensei complimented before turning back to the students. "Continue your exercises. Miranda, take the lead if you would."
"Hai," she agreed before taking his place at the front.
"Follow me, Dubois-Sama," Sensei urged while limping into the nearest building and into a small room with a western style desk. "Please take a seat. Can I offer you some tea?"
"Green tea would be great," Dave requested.
"We only have oolong here. I trust that will be satisfactory?" the host pointed out.
"Domo. Of course. I appreciate the drink," the guest expressed. "Might I pour yours?"
"You are a guest here. I will pour," the old man declined. "The gesture is, however, much appreciated." After pouring their cups, he reclined back in his chair. "You are a conundrum. Light and darkness in one. The balance matters."
"Both must exist in harmony for the whole to sustain itself," Dave concurred. "I almost died learning that lesson."
"Indeed, my friend. As you showed this morning, one must be in tune with their environment at all times," Sensei replied. "As Miranda told you, I have studied you at length and have had you watched by the school's graduates for many years. That is why I influenced matters you might say."
"Influenced matters?" Dave asked, wondering if this man was taking on a Faerie Empress attitude with him.
"In regards to Miri-Chan, Dubois-Sama, when Arighatto brought her here to be trained, I recognized your family's darkness. In her, we could bring it under control. Yori and she practically grew together during their summer visits and training. Still, I knew your darker self would never rest as long as she remained hidden from both of you," Sensei recounted. "As such, I did all I could to keep her safe." He looked earnestly at his guest. "You are about to encounter another darkness equal to those of your past. Do not take it lightly."
"I am preparing myself. Where I go next, the Countess Isobel will have dark allies and Dahak's cult to draw on. I won't be going alone back there. Once we get there, I believe we'll have allies but I won't take that for granted," Dave agreed. "Nor should the Child or the Destroyer be taken lightly either."
"Ah but don't assume they'll be able to handle that darkness. Just two summers ago, your enemies turned you against yourself." Sensei smiled. "Hai, I knew about that. In fact, I had sent the jet to fetch Miri-Chan before anything more happened to her. Fortunately, your other allies had the situation well in hand."
"I appreciate that," Dave expressed.
"I know you do. We all have a role to play however. You and the one known as Lana Lang must deal with the witch's threat. Miri-Chan and the others have their road." He stood. "Time grows short. I must return to lead the students. You have other preparations. I will hope for your safe return."
"And what of Ronald? He has his issues too," Dave pointed out.
Sensei nodded. "Stoppable-San has his own problems. Much as with you, his inner self fights with the outer one. I fear he will lose control on this mission. But that is part of his test. Much as you have learned to deal with your inner self, so must he." He bowed to Dave. "Domo for your assistance today, Dubois-Sama." He left the area.
Dave shouldered the bow and his quiver. He walked out to the courtyard where the students continued their training. Keep your head straight, Miri-Ma. Seeing her in the middle of the group, he smiled.
"She'll be fine," Xena assured him.
"I hope so but I've got to let her do her thing," he noted. "You watch yourself and the others. Herc said to keep your eyes open."
"I'll bet he did. You watch his back too. Kick Isobel's ass once and for all," she retorted.
"That's the idea," he agreed before disappearing into the mists.
Xena watched the mists dissipate on the breeze before returning her eyes to the drills.