I wasn't sure what to think of Hatsu holding my hand, but I didn't want to let go. We spent the day helping with the students. I wasn't much help with the teaching things, but I could bring water to the thirsty fighters. Thanks the fates that I wasn't as clumsy as my mother. I might seem like Mama at first, but deep down, I'm really just like my father. Only Shishou seemed to understand that. At about two Hatsu came up to me. "Time for your lesson." he said. "What? I don't understand. I didn't ask for a lesson." "Don't you remember? I said I would help you." "Oh yeah," I said feeling like an idiot. "I forgot." "Do you still want to practice?" "Yes, please!" "Then come on!" Hatsu grabbed my hand and started to drag me out into the practice field. He picked up a board with his free hand along the way. When we reached an open spot in the field, He knelt on the ground and held up the board. "Now, try to break it." I sighed deeply. "Okay, I'll try, but don't expect much. Yah!" I brought down my hand on the board with all my strengh, but at the last moment, Hatsu moved to the left. I grunted in frustation. I had see five year olds breaking boards all day. "You have to predict where I'm going to move, Chiro. Try again." This time, I directed my blow a little to the left, but Hatsu moved to the right. "Don't let me know which way you think I'm going to move. If you do, I'll just move the other way." Anger was boiling inside of me. Okay, I thought, read his mind, adjust to his thoughts, with out letting him know. Was that possible? I tried again and again, but Hatsu was too quick for me. "Don't be timid." he would say, "Be comfident in what you do. Be strong. Like an Ox." Like an ox, I thought. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Like an Ox. I opened my eyes half way and made my blow.
Hatsu
I waited as she took her breath. Then she lashed out with a speed I didn't know she had. I dodged to the right, but her hand followed. I closed my eyes as her hand struck home spliting the wood straight in two. I felt the blow corse through my body knocking me backwards. I opened my eyes and saw Chiro standing there with her eyes dancing. Red. They where red. She handed me another board. As I took it, she said, "Again." I took my position as she took hers.
Half an hour, and one huge pile of broken boards later, Shishou came over to where we where practicing. Beads of sweat where running down my face, while Chiro still seemed like we had just started. Shishou looked at the pile of wood, then at me, and then at Chiro. "Did you break all these boards Chiro?" Chiro nodded. Then Shishou looked at me. "How did you do it?" He asked me. "Do what?" "Get her to break the board, what else?" "Well," I looked at Chiro for help. How was I supposed to know what I did? "He said..." Chiro started. Her eyes where fading back to blue. "What did he say, Chiro?" She waited a moment before replying. "He said... to be like an ox." Shishou thought for a moment, then smiled. "Of course. Why didn't I think of that." I sat there look at the two of them wondering what was going on, but I didn't have time to ask any questions because Shishou picked up another board and said, "Like a tiger." Chiro's eyes snapped back to red as she lashed out. Here we go again, I thought, but at least this time, I don't have to dodge her. I think it was near impossible to do so when she gets into it.
Note to self, never get into a fight with Chiro.