The Soul of a Warrior
By: Tellemicus Sundance
Chapter 5--Patience and Perseverance
"Faster!" Master Maki barked.
Nozomi grunted in his exertion. The six-year-old was sprinting as fast as he could uphill with his father at his heels. Master Maki was a hard driven warrior and he wanted his son to be as well.
Ulrich watched the duo as they sprinted pass him. He felt lucky that he hadn't had to train with Master Maki; that would've been hell for him those first few weeks. But now as he was walked back from the field, he couldn't help but question if he could fare better under Maki's tutorage.
Beside him, Taki was restraining herself from staring at him. He could feel her curiosity and hated it. He hated being the center of attention for extended periods of time. Taki knew this because he had told her shortly after arriving so, for his sake, she tried to look elsewhere.
It just didn't seem logical to her that Ulrich could be able to find that awareness. She had seen him and Tadashi move with speeds and skills that only the Masters were able to achieve. Taki had been training since she was four and still she hadn't been able to find that awareness. Then, after less than two months, a boy who had just arrived discovered and mastered it in one afternoon.
It just wasn't possible.
As they approached the village, the familiar sounds of daily life enveloped them. There came arguing from neighboring housewives, the clucking of chickens as they picked through the garden terraces, several young children were running about playing, and the clangs of the blacksmith hammering on a slab of metal that resembled a sword blade.
Stopping near the blacksmith's hut, Ulrich watched. He always loved watching Takei hammer away at the would-be katana. It was a perfect example to him of how perseverance and patience always paid off. And yet, Ulrich knew that Takei seemed to be taking much longer at constructing this individual sword compared to the others he'd made.
The blacksmith was capable of producing a battle-ready katana in less than four months, which was an incredible feat in itself. He prided himself in knowing that as of yet, none of his katanas had ever been broken or bent. Ulrich had heard from Taki that he had been making this sword for nearly two years!
Takei noticed his audience as he withdrew from pounding to wipe some stray beads of sweat away. Giving a small, knowing smile to Ulrich, he returned to his work. Taking shallow breaths, he blew upon the metal for a moment before resuming.
Taki slipped her hand gently into his and pulled him away. Though she'd have loved to tell him why Takei was taking so much time with this katana in particular, Riyo had asked her to take Ulrich before the council again.
(A/N) Yeah, yeah! It's short. But all stories have short chapters. This one is merely a transition.
I'm glad that you liked my previous chapter, Nikana. I really didn't know what I was trying to say when I was describing Ulrich's 'awareness,' but it would seem as though it turned out pretty good.
Until next time!