Miyabi looked up to his master with a slightly hopeful gaze. Today was the day that he could finally prove himself to his teacher, mentor and above all father. His dad pulled out a thick knife that looked like a dagger but on closer inspection it revealed its self to be a kunai. "Do you think you're ready?" he asked in a low voice.

Miyabi nodded in all seriousness. Even though he was only 16 years old he was perfectly aware of the consequences he may face if he failed to meet the expectations of his father and himself. "I am," he replied.

"Then ready yourself," his father instructed.

Miyabi pulled out his own kunai and sunk into a low battle position. "I am ready for your challenge," he said.

His father noted that he was not showing any visible signs of fear even though he was being asked to spar against someone much older and experienced then he. He nodded with approval and sunk into his own position. "Begin," he said.

Miyabi flew at him with a speed that easily outmatched those much older then him, but not his father. He side stepped easily and brought up his own kunai in a defensive maneuver to block the one his son aimed at him. "You are very strong," he complimented as they jumped apart.

Miyabi came in for another attack, "Your words are very kind, father," he said as he twisted his kunai in his father's and brought his fist around to try and land some kind of blow.

"They are not kindness," his father barked as he pushed away Miyabi with a swipe of his hand. "They are truth. There is a difference my son."

Miyabi bowed, "Yes, father."

"Begin again!" he said stiffly.

Miyabi tried all manner of tricks to try to get within striking distance of his father. Each time he was deflected at best. Sometimes his father would land a smarting blow on an area that Miyabi may have left exposed in a reminder that his defense wasn't enough. But each time Miyabi came in with renewed vigor his father's expression slowly changed from an expressionless mask to a gaze of respect and pride.

After about an hour his father nodded shortly and said, "Enough my son. You have certainly proven yourself to me."

Miyabi was disappointed that he had still not landed a blow onto his father. "Father?" he asked.

"Yes?"

"One more time?" Miyabi said with a heartfelt gaze.

His father studied him for a minute before nodding, "All right. Once more," he said, the smallest grin playing on his lips.

Miyabi took a deep breath and looked at his dad. Everything that he had previously tried didn't work because his dad had taught him everything he knew. There was no way to possibly defeat his dad with his own tricks. He nodded and sunk into a battle position with one tiny trick that may or may not have worked.

With a small cry he ran at his father with his kunai raised in a high arc, leaving himself open for any manner of attack. His father took the invitation and slapped the kunai out of Miyabi's hand with his own. At first he was slightly disappointed with the obvious mistake, but he knew his son was tired. Miyabi eyed his dad in the split second that he took to disarm him. Whenever his dad swung out with his kunai for a fraction of a second his torso was left unguarded.

Miyabi pivoted in the loose dirt and brought his body under his father's arm and punched at his chest, landing the desired blow. Whatever good it may have done him in a real combat was not thought of at that moment, but instead he reveled in the knowledge that he had thought of a strategy all of his own, even if it was a foolish one.

His father had an expression of shock on his face for a split second before he smiled and nodded. "You truly are my son," he said with pride in his voice.

Miyabi backed away, trying hard to not let the joy he felt from the high praise show on his face. "Thank you, father," he said in a soft voice.

His dad nodded happily and handed his son's kunai back to him. "Wonderful job my son. I commend you on your clear thought in battle."

Miyabi nodded.

"However the decision of allowing yourself to be disarmed was foolish at best," hi father said.

"I know," Miyabi replied.

"I think I know of a way for you to execute that move without being disarmed," his dad said. "Would you like to practice?"

Miyabi nodded, "Yes, father."

"Very well, battle stances," his father instructed.

The two men sunk into battle stances while his dad demonstrated the pro's and con's of the strategy until it became to dark to see.