HANZO HASASHI
A day in the Fire Garden involves work from twilight to twilight. Ninjas have many skills they must master. Many of our disciplines involve weapons training, but unarmed combat is a priority. What is a ninja if they cannot win a simple fight?
I watch the sparring with sharp eyes. My students' shouts echo off the walls. Screened windows allow sunlight to illuminate the spacious dojo.
As a Shirai Ryu Master, I have my students' lives on my conscience at all times. Unexpected methods are required to prevent complacency. When Jacqueline Briggs comes to the Garden for one of her visits, I put her to work.
My students use the Shirai Ryu's fighting styles, including ninjutsu. I work with each student, teaching them to accommodate their height, reach, and build, but they must learn what to expect when they encounter combatants outside our walls.
When I was young and perhaps a little arrogant, I would have laughed at the idea of a kick-boxer defeating a ninja. Kickboxing is respectable if someone is looking for self-defense, or to fight in competitions. Using it against the Shirai Ryu, however, seems like a laughable idea.
Briggs surprises me every time. She is light on her feet, with powerhouse punches that can put a grown man down. The young woman bounces around the wood floor, side-stepping a few chops from her current opponent. When she lands a punch, my student stumbles back and his mouth slacks open. "Keep moving." I command him. "Standing still means getting hit."
I shake my head. They are not new to this. They should know better.
"She's amazing, isn't she?" Takeda grins at his conquering fiance. His eyes watch her every move, lavishing the adoration that hasn't faded over the years. Hmph. We shall see after a few years of marriage. My mind grumbles, having grown cynical of whatever this is. Some would say I forgot what it's like to have that affection for someone.
Truthfully, that is something a man never forgets. The intensity lessens, but the connection never goes away.
Neither does the loss.
"Her skills are impressive," I admit.
He tears his eyes away from his betrothed. "I know what you're thinking, but she would be perfect." When I huff, he sighs. "Why not? She is going to be Shirai Ryu anyway."
I know where this is headed. Takeda made a strange request on the behest of Jacqueline. She wants to become my student.
"Marrying into the Shirai Ryu is not the same as becoming one through training and initiation. She must understand what she would be sacrificing. Have you explained this to her? Does she know she would have to leave the Special Forces?"
"Not yet... We just started talking about it. She said that she doesn't want to get in just by 'marrying some guy."
Some guy? What a statement to make. Takeda is an exceptional man. Any woman should feel lucky to have him.
I sound overprotective.
"A Shirai Ryu wife is allowed to have a life outside the clan. Jacqueline can continue to work with the Special Forces. It is better for her. Do you really believe she can give up her dream and be content?"
"It was her idea…"
"But is it her desire, or yours?"
He exhales with a sharp sigh. "Do you really think she's a woman who would do something just because I told her to?"
"No, and if she truly wants to be the first female Shirai Ryu, I should hope not." I turn back as Jacqueline lays my student out. She throws her fists over her head in victory and gives a cocky shout.
"She really wants this." His eyes link with hers. "You'll see."
"We'll continue this conversation tonight." I step away. We have an unpleasant night ahead of us.
This is not an issue with Jacqueline being a woman; we will have a female join the Shirai Ryu someday. It cannot be Briggs. Her heart and destiny lie with the Special Forces. She fought hard for her place, and I will not be complicit in her losing sight of her path.
This is not only a sentimental decision. If Ms. Briggs begins training, it will only be a matter of time before she realizes she's making a mistake. I cannot afford to waste the Shirai Ryu's time and resources on someone who will have a change of heart.
And I know she will.
We work for another hour. When evening training ends, I am last to walk out of the dojo. The sun is beginning its descent, leading to the best time of day. We named our home The Fire Garden because of the trees. During the day, they're unique enough. When the sunset hits the red and orange leaves, however, they become glowing embers. This phenomenon only lasts a few minutes. It robs me of my breath every time.
Wind brushes by, kicking up the deep sand and making a bell ring in the distance. I do not hear the footsteps crunch over the bluster, but I see Takeda's face when he and Jacqueline join me. His smile falls into a deep frown.
I would not be surprised to see Takahashi Kenshi. He has a way of going where the wind compels him. Instead, two scouts approach. Takeda's reaction makes sense now. I ordered this pair to follow his father and report back if there is danger.
I rush the scouts to my house for privacy and protection from the wind. "Is he alright?" They hesitate, looking at each other. "You lost him again."
Takahashi goes out of his way to evade my scouts anytime they get close.
"He's too powerful. We can't hide our presence." Before I can demand why they came back instead of searching for him, he explains, "There's a chance we know where he is going. There is word that the Red Dragon is resurrecting its members. They have built a new base."
My hands clench. "Kenshi is going there… alone?"
"It appears that way. If our informants are correct, and this base is as big as they say? He needs backup."
The last time Kenshi destroyed a Red Dragon base, he had help. He took Takeda and teamed up with another another man named Taven, He was smart—As smart as one can be fighting dozens of men with only two allies.
Kenshi killed Daegon, and the three men razed the base to the ground. Kenshi finally had a chance at peace. He almost grasped that serenity.
The Special Forces tasked me with telling him the news. General Sonya Blade died in his absence. He didn't need more guilt, rage, and grief, but it awaited him.
Due to a Treaty with the Revenants, Kenshi cannot seek revenge against those he blames for his friend's death. He takes out his fury by cutting Red Dragon necks instead. In the past five years, he has become brazen—and a little reckless—during his disappearances.
General Blade's death knocked the wind out of him. I know he is hurting. This is still going too far.
I always give him space. I always let him mourn in his own way. Knowing he is headed towards another, bigger base by himself?
It is time to intervene.
Takeda and I spend the rest of the evening packing for our mission. We will have to set up camp at least twice, plus we need to take our weapons and other gear. At about eleven, we go inside where Jacqueline has prepared tea. Takeda and I try to strategize a way to head Kenshi off, though there's a very small chance of arriving before he does.
I look down at my cup. Tea flows all day every day; I try to like it, but it isn't growing on me. If it weren't for tradition, I would stick to water. I think back to the only time I ever enjoyed a cup of tea; I don't know where Kuai Liang gets his.
Jacqueline clears her throat, catching my attention. She sits opposite me, along Takeda's right, with a cup of tea against her lips. Her eyes dart to Takeda. "Are you sure you don't want me to tag along?" she puts the cup on the wood tea table. "I mean, you could use the help…"
"Thank you, but this is Shirai Ryu mission. I cannot ask you to get involved." I respond.
Jacqueline taps her clean nails on the table. "With all due respect, Hanzo, I am already involved. You told me that my enemies are the Shirai Ryu's enemies, right? Well, it goes both ways."
"I said once you two are married. Has that happened yet?" I give her a silencing stare. "And even then, you will not be going on missions with us."
She bristles. "You think I'm going to be a little Shirai Ryu house wife, sitting around waiting for my husband to do all of the work? As far as I'm concerned, my family is in danger. I won't sit here and wait while you risk your lives."
"Family?" I do not mean to sound harsh. That word is so foreign that it catches me off guard.
"That's right. Kenshi, Takeda, and you are a part of me now. You may not feel that way, but I do."
I don't feel that way, and now I am trying to grasp how she could. Takeda grabs his future bride's hand and clears his throat. I shake my head. "I am sorry, Jacqueline, but this is not your concern. You will contact Cassandra Cage in the morning. She can find a way to get you home."
"You can't stop me—"
"Don't try me, Ms. Briggs." I stand. "I must retire to my room. Takeda, you will walk Jacqueline to her quarters and come straight back." I have made it clear that they may not share a bed on Shirai Ryu grounds until they exchange their vows. I have no delusions of chastity, but they shouldn't disrespect our sacred home.
"Yes, Master Hasashi," Takeda responds. He looks to Jacqueline, who gnaws her lips. She is trying to avoid an outburst.
"We leave at dawn."
The back and forth begins as soon as they hear my door slide, not realizing I left it slightly ajar. I have to keep my ears on them. There is usually not much to monitor. Takeda is almost too wholesome when he attempts to flatter women. That is how I know Jacqueline is his match: she enjoys his chivalry.
Tonight is a little different. There is no flirting.
"I cannot believe that stubborn jackass!" I pause dressing, my clothes folded and put aside. I'm shoving my legs in a pair of gray pants when Jacqueline spews her vitriol. Confronting her in half-dress would be inappropriate.
"He's trying to protect you, Jac..."
"I don't need my father-in-law telling me that I can't do something. I already have a dad at home."
Father-in-law?
"He may not be a Commander, or a General, but could you still follow his orders like he deserves the same respect? He is a stubborn jackass, but he is my stubborn jackass. In a couple years, he will be yours too."
"Fine. But if one of you doesn't come back.."
"We will."
They stay a few minutes longer. When I hear them start their walk towards Jacqueline's quarters, I wonder if I trust them enough to stay apart all night.
Not at all.
The tea table is cleaned, kitchen spotless. No doubt Briggs did this. Soldiers are known for their cleanliness, while Takeda still leaves his clothing on the floor. He never adjusted to my strict cleaning regimen. His future bride might change that.
I heat water and prepare my teapot, our earlier conversation in my head. Jacqueline often refers to me as Takeda's "dad," and has even insisted she "ships" Kenshi and I (I can only infer what that means,) but I always assumed she meant that in jest.
As the water rises to a boil, I wonder if Takeda thinks of me as family
Or Kenshi?
I never wondered on our little situation. Kenshi and Takeda are related by blood, Jacqueline will be added by marriage. Someday they may have children. The Takahashi's will be a family, knit together by their bond.
Can I ever be a part of that? My family is gone, robbed from me a long time ago. Any moving on, any sign of disloyalty, could desecrate their memory.
The water is at a rolling boil, a little more than I meant to heat it. I take the pot into the tea room.
CRACK! Thunder rocks my house, followed by a flash of light, and another reverberating rumble. My door slides so fast I'm surprised it doesn't fly away. A figure stands veiled by shadows. For a second—one brief, painful second—I think I see eyes crackling with red electricity… The pot clatters to the floor, my feet narrowly avoids the scalding water as I close the distance.
"I think it's going to rain." Takeda takes one last look at the sky. "It just came on all of a sudden…" He turns and stops immediately, almost running into me. My hand grips his sleeve.
He puts his palms up, my hand slowly releasing. "Master Hasashi?"
I am a mess; my chest heaving with panic, and I imagine my face must look crazed. "You should get some sleep. Tomorrow will be long and tiresome." I grunt and walk towards the table.
I feel his eyes on my back. He takes a deep breath. "Do you need help sleeping? I think I can stop your nightmares without seeing them this time."
I shut my eyes and shake my head. Thunder storms bring on a certain dream—the worst one I get. Takeda tried to help me once. He heard me shouting in my sleep, and attempted to calm me. He went too far into my head. I woke to lots of questions, which I can never answer.
I cannot explain why I dream about Raiden watching me as I slaughter almost everyone we know and care about.
It this enough for you? Will he do?
The worst part is that I am damned no matter what. I cannot tell anyone without putting them in danger. At the same point, if I keep the God's secret, I might be letting someone die.
All evidence suggests that he never went through with his plan. Some days, however, I still get this feeling that I already have another death on my conscience. Or that I will soon enough.
"I'll turn in, then. See you in the morning. I hope you get some rest."
I nod. "Sleep well, Takeda."
The guest room door shuts. It will be a long, sleepless night, I know, as the wind howls and the thunder rolls. And, as much as I try, I can't help the feeling that if I turn around at just the right moment, I'll see Raiden standing behind me, ready to tie loose ends.
