(1853)

Spring finally arrived.

One morning, Toshizo woke up to something heavy lying across him. He grunted a bit before looking over the sheets to see Rai laying on him. He grunted again, "You're not getting any smaller you know." He lifted his right arm as he sat up, causing the canine to roll off him to his right.

Rai's body made a slight thud on the tatami matting. She yawned and stretched.

Toshizo rubbed his eyes and ran a hand through his black hair. He looked over at the grey canine that was still stretching to get the morning kinks out of her muscles.

Rai had really grown; she'd easily doubled her weight. Toshizo estimated her weight to be a little more than 20 kg, maybe almost 25. She still had long legs, but was growing into her big ears and paws nicely.

In the sparring hall, Souji Okita, an 11 year old boy who had progressed rapidly through Kondo's program, was selected to help train Rai. Today was the day they would see what she was capable of doing, whether it be fighting, running errands, or just a pet around the dojo.

Rai just sat there, across from Souji, staring at him blankly. She tilted her head to the side slightly, seeming to be confused as to why she was in front of someone with a wooden sword. She glanced to Toshizo, who was empty handed, before looking back at the boy that stood in front of her.

Souji stood at the ready with his bokken.

"I don't know Kondo; do you think it wise to teach her how to fight?" Gen asked Kondo in a slightly concerned tone. The two men stood on the sidelines watching intently.

"I don't know." Kondo replied as they looked on. "But I have complete faith that Toshi knows when she becomes too dangerous; she will have to be dealt with." A serious air fell about the training hall.

"Fight!" One of the older students yelled.

Souji was more than ready and raced towards Rai, swinging his bokken.

Rai just got up and danced around him, easily dodging his seemingly feeble swings.

Kondo and Gen both had sweat marks on the back of their heads. "Ok, maybe she doesn't have a fighting spirit." Kondo muttered. Toshizo watched on in silence, studying her movements.

"Come back here ya mutt!" Souji was getting fed up with Rai just dancing around and chased after her with the bokken raised over his head.

After about fifteen minutes of this, the match was called. Souji was panting heavily and leaning on his knees.

"Well, that was a total waste." The older student stated. "She didn't even bare a fang." Toshizo walked up and continued to examine Rai. She wasn't in the least bit tired from being chased by the boy.

"Maybe she doesn't have it in her to fight." Kondo stated as he approached the others.

"Maybe she just needs the right motivation." Gen mentioned, following Kondo.

Souji got a devilish look in his eye. He saw Toshizo standing with his back to him. Souji lunged forward and let out a yell with his bokken overhead. He swung the sword down.

Toshizo just had enough time to look up and over his shoulder at the wooden blade coming towards his head.

In a flash, Souji was thrown to his left, hands still firmly on his bokken. When Souji opened his eyes, Rai was standing between him and Toshizo.

Rai's grey hackles were raised from nose to tip of tail, her mouth clamped over the body of the bokken, teeth bared and slowly closing down on the poor blade. But what really surprised them was how vicious her growl sounded, it was deep and guttural. Almost like the earth was breaking up beneath them trying to drag them down into the pits of hell.

Suddenly, the bokken gave way and snapped under the pressure of Rai's jaws, splintering into pieces. Everyone's eyes widened and Souji sat up with what was left of the bokken handle in his right hand. Rai spat out the shard of wood in her mouth. Her glare didn't cease from Souji but her growl died down.

"Alright! That's enough!" Kondo stepped in front of Rai and Souji. He had to stop this before it went too far. He looked over at Souji, "You alright?"

Souji stood up and brushed it off like nothing happened. "Yeah, yeah." He brushed himself off.

Kondo looked down at Rai, who returned to her normal looking self, and not the vicious beast that was there before. "It's alright; nobody is going to hurt anyone here." Kondo reached down and patted Rai's head.

Toshizo retired to his room, where he spent most of the day at his desk. However, he had the screen doors wide open, letting in the fresh spring air. He glanced to the porch where Rai had been laying for the past hour, only to find the spot empty. With a confused look, he got up and walked to the doorway and found Rai beneath a blooming sakura blossom tree in the yard. She was laying there, head on her paws, taking a nap. Toshizo chuckled to himself and crossed his arms, tucking his hands into his sleeves.