Hi I hope this chapter is okay, writing for Katsumoto again was a little challenging after so long, so I hope he's not too ooc for you. Anyway read and review!
Chapter 13
Katsumoto rode with his retainers to the forefront of the field ready to call the men back. He didn't want them to pursue the retreating army too far for fear of a trap. He had just reached a clearing when he noticed a group of men circling someone with a raised spear. The person effortlessly held off at least twenty of his warriors as though they were small children. He signaled for his men to dismount as he slid from his horse for a better view of the formidable man. Ujio came toward him as if to speak, but Katsumoto was too entranced by the scene before him to notice. The fierce warrior was not but a child, and a tiny child at that. He could not be more than 14 years old but he fought with the strength of 10 men. His movements were fluid and graceful like a predator's as he danced around forcing the men back.
As Katsumoto drew closer, he could see the boy more clearly. It was then that he noticed the boy's eyes. He stood paralyzed, eyes wide with shock. Katsumoto had seen those eyes before; they were the eyes of the tiger from his vision. There was no mistake they were the blazing eyes of the white tiger. So this was his vision coming to pass, the misty forest and the spear with the tiger pennant flashed back and forth before the small boy. How could this be? Katsumoto didn't understand what a foreign child could have to do with him. He watched, as if in a trance, as the boy snarled and slashed at his oppressors trying to understand what Buddha could mean by this. Katsumoto noticed the boys movements start to slow as he left more openings for the samurai around him. The child was stabbed twice and continued to fight for a time before falling to the ground. Hirotoro advanced on the boy and told the others to leave the child to him. Katsumoto felt a sudden urge to call a stop to it, but he forced it back and waited to see what would happen. Hirotoro tried to cut the child but to the surprise of all present, the foreigner parried the blow with the spear. Hirotoro kicked him to the ground and raised his sword to strike again, but before he could move, the boy had shoved the spear through his neck. Katsumoto started forward again this time to intervene. The child had bested one of his most skilled samurai in two strikes. Buddha must have sent this boy to them for a reason and he intended to find out why. Katsumoto called for the samurai to stop as he weaved through them to the boy's side. He looked down at the unconscious boy's face, slack and peaceful in sleep. They would take him to the village. If nothing else Katsumoto thought, they could learn about this new enemy.
A little short I know, but I'll be posting another chapter too so I don't short change you guys. Next is a little of both characters perspectives. See ya!