Chapter 13. The Man From Okinawa
We are in Okinawa and I have a feeling of why we are here. We go into the mountains where a lonely house sits. Oh shit the bald guy and Hattori Hanzo are outside practicing with swords. BB has a conversation with them, baldy seems upset, but Hanzo sighs and then BB waves me over.
"Hattori Hanzo has agreed to teach you the Samarai sword…You will learn best from him…"
We practice with wooden swords, I have skill but I am lower than an amateur when compared to Hattori Hanzo. His sword is everywhere at the same time. The first time he beats me in fifteen moves, the second time, its eleven moves, then eight, the numbers go lower and lower and before long is disarming me in one move. From the corner of my eye I see BB, Satel, and Baldy having a three way sparring match. Sometimes BB wins, sometimes it's baldly and others Satel stands victorious. Of the three of them BB wins most of the matches, then they start paring up two on one.
When I finish my lessons with Hanzo I am tired and weary both in mind and body. Things have become so complicated, especially where BB is concerned. I miss my mother, but she is dead and…and…Oh shit! She is dead and yes I tried to avenge her but instead maybe I should take a page from BB and live for her instead of trying to avenge her. I see my mother again and she nods in approval.
"Can I talk to you?"
BB sighs, "Sure go ahead…"
I take a deep breath, "I am sorry…you are not your mother and…well that is all I can manage to say…I can't forgive your mother for killing my mother, but I can't hold her daughter responsible for what she did…and I understand the reason she did what she did…"
BB sighs and looks at me, "I know what I want…" She says, "Be my sister…" She says and walks away.
We spend a year with Hanzo and Baldly and in that time I learn to master the samarai sword. When I started this mission…no quest it was to avenge my mother…and I found a friend in BB and Satel…I watched Beatrix Kiddo die at the hand of another…I still have hate, but not for Beatrix, it is directed at Ozin for his betrayal of me…I want him dead…for taking away my chance…I want him dead for using me…Never again will let others use me! I will be stronger than my mother…and when I die it will be on my terms, but first Ozin Toki must die!