A/N: Takes place after Guy Talk chapter 15, Reinventing Yourself.

Gashi = greetings
sensei = master
Nippon = Japan
gi = martial arts outfit
sake = alcoholic rice wine

Josef called his old master in Japan. Old was relative in this case. Tokita was turned at 50 and would always appear twice Josef's age but as a vampire he was actually 30 years younger. Tokita was known for his sharp tongue but he had a soft spot for Josef.

"Gashi."

"Gashi, Tokita. Do you know who this is?"

"Josef Kostan."

"You recognized my voice?"

"Let's say that I did. Instead of having caller ID. It is pleasant to hear from you. Why are you calling, grasshopper?"

"Grasshopper? Have you been watching Kung Fu reruns?"

"Of course not. I have the DVD box set."

"You must be aware that Kung Fu is Chinese not Japanese."

"I embrace the diversity of different disciplines. And I met David Carradine, you know."

"I know because you mention it every time we talk. You've also met three emperors of Japan but you don't drop their names in every conversation."

"Who would recognize them?"

"Who recognizes David Carradine?"

"Did you call to insult me and David? Is this how a student treats his master?"

"My apologies, sensei. I call with good news. I'm coming to Japan in two weeks."

"And the good news is?"

"Besides my presence? Well, I'm bringing guests."

"Freshies or floozies?"

"Neither."

"How is that good? You provide no nourishment or companionship."

"They're friends. The woman I live with who is one of us, a good friend who is also one of us, and his human girlfriend."

"You live with a woman? It must not be blackmail or you would have dealt with her. You love this woman?"

"Yes, I do."

"You are finally thinking with your heart instead of your genitals."

"In this case, both."

"It is a fortunate combination. You are to be congratulated."

"Thank you."

"Her, not so much. You're no prize."

"She is aware of that."

"And she is still with you? Then you are double-lucky."

"I know. My friend Mick is interested in learning jujutsu. Will you help?"

"He will be living in Nippon?"

"No, we'll be there for a week."

"Then it is foolish and impossible."

"I was hoping you would evaluate his potential, get him started and, if he is worthy, recommend someone in L.A. he can work with."

"Very well. But like American Idol, there will be an audition."


Two weeks later they arrived in Josef's jet. They went to visit Tokita who had invited them to tea. He was a small man with a face both ugly and interesting. He was charming to the women, polite to Mick and contemptuous of Josef who seemed to expect it.

"Have you been practicing?" Tokita demanded of Josef.

"Not to your standards but yes, I keep up with the basics."

"We shall see. If you overcome me in three minutes I will teach your friend."

"I thought Mick had to audition, not me!"

"You are his proxy. What are friends for?"

Josef stripped and put on the gi laid ready for him. They bowed and began. It was apparent that Josef was actually very good but he failed to overcome his master in three minutes. Mick looked disappointed. The match continued and it was another two minutes before Tokita put Josef on the mat.

Tokita stood over Josef and said scornfully, "You have grown soft living in Los Angeles. Do you sleep in the sun, to be so weak?"

"It took you five minutes to win," Josef protested.

Tokita ignored this. "You are a big disappointment. I need a new student." He whirled and pointed at Mick. "You will do. We begin after tea. Pick up your feeble friend."

Tokita offered his arms to Beth and Sandrina and escorted them from the dojo.

Mick grinned at Josef. "You need a hand, feeb?"

Josef, flat on his back, propelled himself upright without using his arms and with no visible effort.

Mick looked impressed. "You didn't let him win, did you?

Josef looked for a moment as if he would like to lie but he said regretfully, "No, he's that good and I am out of practice. Tokita likes you."

"He practically spit on me."

"You can't expect to be worthy of his spit right away. That could take years."

They followed Tokita to an interior garden room. Tea was a traditional ceremony served by geishas. Later an assortment of savories and confections was brought for Beth while the geishas offered their blood to the vampires. After that, sake made its appearance. Beth, the only one who could get drunk, was a little tipsy.

The week that followed was fun and busy and over too soon.

Mick trained with Tokita several hours a day and was ridiculed so mercilessly that Mick thought he must be making progress.

Josef had several meetings. Beth accompanied him but after she was introduced to various colleagues and rivals she was free to shop with Sandrina.

Sandrina was recovering from the loss of her patient but she still wanted to give up her psychiatric practice for awhile. She toured gardens and greenhouses and decided that horticulture and landscape design would be her next career.

All four of them went sightseeing. Josef and Mick slipped away to purchase pure silk kimonos for the girls. Josef was a dedicated shopper and knew the best places in almost any country on the planet.

On their last evening they went again to tea with Tokita, a farewell this time instead of a welcome.

"Thank you for teaching me this week," Mick told Tokita.

"You have made an admirable start. You are fast and strong and have worked hard," Tokita replied.

Mick was open-mouthed with surprise at such a compliment. "Wait for it," Josef whispered to Mick.

"I want to continue," Mick said. "Will you recommend me to someone in L.A.?"

"Josef can teach you," Tokita replied.

"I thought I was a disappointment," Josef said. "How can I teach someone?"

"It is a sad day to know that someone with your puny ability is my best student. You are good enough for your friend. He will not be worthy of a better teacher for decades. And in this way you may keep in better practice."

Josef nodded to Mick. "There you go. Sometimes you get only an insult. But occasionally you get approval with the insult."