Sparks Flying

Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang.

In the darkness of the night the sound of a hammer hitting metal resounds throughout the small shed. With every hit of the hammer one could feel the intensity, will, and discipline as the hammer doesn't break its own rhythm, but seldom does one get away with their nightly ventures especially one so young.

.

.

.

Bringing the hammer down upon the burning metal, I couldn't help but smile as tremors of impact run along my arm, the sounds of metal grating my ears and the heat from the forge kissing my skin. These feelings brought a smile to my face as I keep the pace of the hammer only for this happiness to come to an end.

BANG BANG BANG

"Arrrrggggghhhhhh!" Nearly jumping out of my skin as three knocks bang on the door

before opening.

"You about killed me ojichan!" Holding my chest before putting the hot piece of metal

on the anvil to stay, I turn to look at my ojichan with hair as white as snow, skin toughened through harsh winters and battles that cost lesser men their lives, and pink eyes as gentle as a campfire.

"You know you are making quite the ruckus, mmmgghhhh." Taking a load off on a stool, ojichan pats his lap.

Hurriedly setting my tools down, I jump in his lap, "WOAH! Easy there kiddo, these bones aren't quite as young as they are supposed to be." Burying a cough in his throat, I couldn't help the frown on my face.

"How much time do you have left?" Quietly whispering as the crackling of the fire doesn't help in breaking the solemn air, "Haahh, well the poison this time is different something that we haven't seen yet, but with help we should get by this hurdle here soon."

Shining a bright smile at me with pearly white teeth alleviated some of my worry if only a little, "This is the third time you've been poisoned, without you the name of Noguchi will be mine to bear alone." Leaning into his warming embrace as painful memories of mom, dad, and uncle Yori all dying these past three years.

"Don't give up hope yet Tetsuya this old man still has plenty of strength, now shouldn't you be resting... not only do you continue your training tomorrow, but your out here running yourself ragged. Come on you need your rest for tomorrow."

Gently tapping my leg to get up, I do so with no problem as ojichan grunts before standing up. Holding out my hand he takes my hand before we walk out in the winter cold, his hand ruffling my white hair as I glance at his face, 'Please don't leave me.' squeezing his hand tighter in the freezing cold we walk inside the house from the patio taking our shoes off at the door.

The warm fires of the house burning strongly as the smell of incense wafts through the air, "You know little Su with the way your training is going it won't be long before you start your chakra training though that depends if you ar-"

"Yes, I would like to." Holding tight the ever firm hand, I rub my eyes to stop the burning before solemnly saying, "Did you ever find out who is behind this?"

Shaking his head no, I let out a sigh only for him to keep talking, "Although this is no doubt the work of one of the high nobles of the land of iron, this is to wipe us out or make us cling to their coat tails after all even though we are not in war trouble always exist when money and power are involved."

"Are the higher clans really that bad? I though samurai were honorable, dad was."

"Yes he was, but samurai and the system to pick samurai all have the human element.

Remember this Su, the human nature is something that almost always picks the easiest solution unless a person has practiced discipline or their own nature doesn't allow it; there is little that people won't do when given enough incentive." Nodding along we stop at a door before he picks me up as my eyes start drooping.

"Now enough about this depressing talk, you need your rest little man after all you only have six hours of sleep before training begins." Gently setting me down upon my bed, I give a quick hmm before sleep overtakes me barely hearing the last of his words.

"I promise I won't kick the bucket before your training ends. That is on my honor as a samurai."