CHAPTER 8- GEMPACHI

"You look like you need some help, young one."

Hotaru's face paled. Someone had found her there, struggling to master her forms. 'Oh no! So much for the seclusion of the sakura grove!'

A young man approached from the distant dirt road, giving Sora a cheerful pat as he passed her by. He was tall and handsome, wearing a light green gi and a white hakama. A long, handsome katana was sheathed and tied to his waist. He had long, black hair tied in a bushy ponytail. His eyes were greenish blue, telling Hotaru that of intelligence, but kindness as well.

Still, she backed up shyly, clutching the branch with shaky hands. "Um.I.uh."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." He told her. His voice was calm and gentle, like Tokaji's. "My name's Gempachi."

She bowed slightly. "I'm Hotaru."

"Well Hotaru, that's quite a sword you have there." He was referring to her stick of course.

Hotaru laughed, a little embarrassed now. "Well, it was the best I could do, I guess."

"What are you doing out here all by yourself anyway?" he asked.

"Well, I live in the city." She told him. "But my family let me out here for a while since the weather's been so nice."

"Yes, the weather is strangely warm for this time of year." He mused, glancing up at the sky. Then, he turned his attention back to the little girl. "Well, I've got no place to go today. How about I help you out?"

"Really? That'd be great!" Hotaru was thrilled. She was going to take lessons from a real swordsman!

"We'll help too!"

"Yeah! Count me in too!"

Out from the bushes scurried four children!

Hotaru gasped. Where were they all coming from?

Gempachi chuckled. "I knew you guys would come."

Hotaru was introduced to the two girls, Machi and Tsukino and the two boys, Raizu and Keisuke. They gathered around to watch as Hotaru and Gempachi faced each other.

"Raizu-kun," Gempachi called. "Let Hotaru borrow your shinai."

"Hai, okay!" The short little boy scampered over and presented the girl with a bamboo sword.

Hotaru beamed. "Wow! This is a shinai?"

Gempachi laughed. "Wow, you must really be a rookie, eh? That's not a problem though. When we're done today, you'll have the basics down. Then it'll be up to you to polish them on your own."

And so, the training began. The children screamed and laughed with delight as the young man and his "student" clashed and fought.

THOK! His shinai, which he borrowed from Keisuke, lanced towards her. Gasping in alarm, Hotaru jumped. The end of the bamboo sword plowed into the ground.

'He's strong!' Hotaru thought. 'But after years of slaving and Okami-san's chores, so am I!' She landed, leaned forward, and rocketed forward, aiming to strike him under the arm. She knew that the ribs would be vulnerable.

But no, he ducked away, spun around on one foot and swung. "HAH!"

THAK! Hotaru was hit behind the head! "OW!" Now she was fired up!

She whipped around again, but he was gone. "Huh? Where did he go?"

The children shouted to her. "To the right! The right!"

"WHAT??" She zipped around, blindly striking with the blade. But Gempachi blocked it.

"Too slow." He said, before twisting the shinai out of her hand.

"OW!" Hotaru reached for it and resumed her stance. "Geez, you're not gonna be easy on me!"

"He wasn't to us either!" Tsukino declared.

"Yeah, and he's MY brother!" Keisuke added.

For the rest of the day, well into the night, they trained. Hotaru galloped Sora home as fast as she could, only to get a scolding from Okami-san for being out so late.

But that wasn't the end of the training session. For days after that, since the weather still warmed, Hotaru returned to train. And Gempachi was always there. He and the other kids were always there. Hotaru felt her strength and skills growing by the hour. She felt as though she was truly becoming a swordsman (alter the man part of swordsman, though).

On one of those afternoons, Hotaru flopped down in the grass for a break. "Ah! This is the life!"

Gempachi nodded. "I agree! I wish all days could be like this!"

Little Machi gazed up at the clouds. "Hotaru-san? How come you want to be a sword fighter?"

Hotaru winced. She was having so much fun that she had forgotten her true intentions. "Well, I want to help my family." She answered. "Times are tough in the city and people have gotten hurt. I want to help protect more than anything,"

Gempachi smiled. "You're a brave one, that's for sure."

The children noisily agreed.

Hotaru sighed. She didn't want this peace to end. She wanted to remain here beneath the sakura trees with her new friends. But in the back of her mind, she knew her duty. Once again, it was time for her to leave.

Gempachi walked her over to Sora. "Well, I guess this is goodbye." He told her. "I leave tonight."

Hotaru nodded. "Okay. Thanks for helping me out, Gempachi-san. I won't ever forget you!"

He gave her a quick hug, a move that made her blush bright red.

"Good luck." He said. "Protect your loved ones."

"I will!" she declared, turning Sora around and riding for home. "That's a promise!"