10
I just sat across from Taka and Higen and her youngest child, Magojiro who just seemed to laugh and make faces at me. I smiled at him before noticing Taka look up at us two and cover the young child's face. I looked down for a moment and ate my rice in silence before looking up at Taka.
"How did you come to speak English, if I am permitted to ask." I said and Taka looked up at me and then looked down for a moment.
"I was taught a little as do a few others in the village do." she replied and I nodded and noticed how empty her eyes were and I tilted my head knowing that feeling.
"Are you in mourning, Taka?" I asked and she paused in her eating and looked up at me with mild hard eyes.
"Yes. My husband was killed by your American." she said and I winced and felt very awkward being here now and I swallowed some and looked down.
"I am sorry. I know this is not easy for you at all… but I am sorry." I responded and she just shook her head.
"I heard… he tried to kill the soldier and it was karma." she replied and I just stared at her for a moment before deciding to just eat in silence and listen to rain fall. Once the eating was done, I offered to help Taka with the dishes but she heavily refused and I decided to leave her alone. I was standing outside on the strange porch they had with a roof over it and I watched as Higen was playing with wooden swords with another boy. Playing in the rain was never allowed at any plantation I was on. They could catch a cold, but I said nothing for I didn't have to look after anymore kids. Ever. I then saw Nathan walking in the rain with Nobutada and I smiled happy he was back.
I watched Higen continue to pretend to spar, I guess with the other boy, and he managed to knock the sword out of his hand and press the sword to the boy's neck. I smiled curious and amused by the boys fighting. Nathan integrated with the two boys and began to pick up the sword and nodded at the boy.
"Nicely done." he praised and began to hand the wooden sword back to the boy, but he bowed his head and backed away. I blinked and curiosity of this and could see the confusion on Nathan's face as well. Nobutada was saying something to him that I could not understand.
"You try." he said and then backed away before shouting something, I was assuming was the go ahead for the two to start. Taka was just exiting the house and watching beside me. I was shocked she did not mind standing close to me. I watched Nathan and Higen begin to spar. Nathan of course had the upper advantage and was not afraid to show it. Higen kept trying to swipe at Nathan but he just dodged and swiped before grabbing the sword with his bare hand. I was taken back by the swiftness of it all before hearing a sharp command coming from the man of the house. I closed my eyes with a soft and quick groan before looking over to see Ujio coming over with three other samurai, his arms crossed and showing major disapproval. Oh lord have mercy.
My body tensed, and I felt my body begin to move forward as if I should go over and defend Nathan. But a swift grab to my wrist stopped me, and I looked up to see Taka just staring out there and I could only imagine the feelings she was feeling. I looked back toward the seen and remained in place.
Ujio's POV
I couldn't say I felt completely better from my spar with my friends, but I was content knowing I would be going back to my lodge knowing that Grace would be there. Thinking of our time the earlier night gave me a small sense of hope that maybe she would visit my room again. Or maybe I would visit her room this time.
The rain relaxed me as I walked with my friends listening to them babble about mindless gamble. I was passing Taka's home and a few others when I saw a sight that made my blood boil over again. The American swine was bothering Higen. It was bad enough, my lord let him stay here after he cut down Hirotaro, my close friend, and now the dog thought he was worthy enough to even pick up a sword let alone challenge my friend's son. No. I wouldn't allow this dishonor of my friend's memory.
"Stop!" I demanded in our native tongue causing everyone to look in our direction. I began to move over toward the two and Higen stepped away, but the swine just slowly turned and looked at me. I held my own wooden sword in my hand as I began to walk over toward the dog, my glare hard and firm. However, over his shoulder I could see Grace staring down at me watching me intently with her eyes and I knew she did not want me to continue with my plan to teach her dog a lesson. I inhaled some in thought of this. I did not want her to be upset with me, so I glanced at the American now and tried to remember that he too was a guest in the village. "Put down the sword." I motioned with my sword for him to drop the sword with my own. I would give him the change to submit and do as he was told. If he was smart, he would do it.
But the American just looked down at the sword and then back at me, his body just standing there. Now I tensed, already feeling challenged, and I liked being challenged by my enemies.
"PUT IT DOWN!" I commanded once more this time with more bass and tone. The dog just turned and began to face me holding up the sword. So, he needed to be broken? Okay, I could help him with that. I placed the sword amongst my shoulder leisurely as I began to confront him. I glanced up at Grace and with my eyes I told her he was asking for it. I knew she was nervous and afraid that I would just kill her American, but luckily I was good at restraint depending on the situation.
The American slowly raised his sword, but kept it downward as he watched me intently. I didn't even need long to study his weak posture. He knew nothing of the opponent he was facing. I pretended to strike above him, which he attempted to swipe me first but I dodged and quickly elbowed him in the stomach. He grunted hard and froze up a bit before stumbling down to his knees. He tried to raise his arm to point the sword at me, but I hit his arm hard and swiftly causing him to drop the sword swiftly. I glanced at Grace and I could see the look of despair in her eyes. Against my better judgement, I just kicked the sword away and turned from the dog. He belonged on the ground. I could hear more movement and panting behind me and turned to see the swine getting up and standing his ground. I frowned further and shook my head. I would have to show her what I could do to her American and I will show him of who she belongs to.
Grace's POV
I watched as Nathan challenged Ujio and Ujio just knocked him down with one harsh beating after the next. I winced unable to see my friend in such pain, but I would not move. This was a fight between men, and I knew well not to interrupt. Ujio was vicious in each of his assaults to make Nathan drop the sword, but Nathan was not easily broken. He continued to get up even if it was slower and slower, but he continued to defy Ujio. And I couldn't be more proud of him.
Finally, it was all over when Nathan tried at a feeble attempt to swing at Ujio who just gripped the sword and violently smacked Nathan on the side of face causing him to flip on his back and finally release the sword. Ujio just stared down at him with a scolding cold look before throwing Higen the sword and glancing up at me. I frowned and in unison we both turned away from each other. I returned inside to find a blanket for Nathan and he left down his own path. I felt sickened at my friend being hurt. God, and I have to go back there once I take care of Nathan.
Author's Notes
So here's an update, I wasn't going to type out the entire fight scene, because we have all seen it if you are reading this fanfic. If not it's on youtube XD Anyways, I wanted to show a little Taka and Grace as well as Ujio just sort of asserting his dominance of the two: one by kicking Nathan's butt and two by making sure Grace saw it all. I like how they both just walk away though, so that's oing to be fun knowing they have to see each other in a few minutes at Ujio's home. There will be more fights and more craziness comes up. Next up Aika tries to stir trouble and Grace has decided she isn't taking it anymore. Until then, laters!
