Free Young Samurai: The Way of Fire (short story) by Chris Bradford Page B

nose.
    ‘That’s
karma
for stamping on your hand,’ Akiko whispered, exchanging a knowing look with Jack.
    They watched as Saburo sank slowly beneath the surface and emerged several moments later covered in slime, but brandishing the stone.
    ‘See you at breakfast!’ he cried, dragging himself out of the pit and running off to the
shukubo
, their temple lodgings in Koya-san.
    The midday sun glinted off the fast-flowing waters of Koya-san’s Tama River as the two young samurai adopted sword-fighting stances and sized one another up.
    ‘I’m going to feed you to the fish,
gaijin
,’ said Kazuki, pointing the tip of his
bokken
at Jack.
    Jack raised his own wooden sword and prepared to defend himself. Kazuki had never liked him, for the simple reason he was a foreigner, a
gaijin
. Kazuki believed, like Sensei Kyuzo, that the Japanese were the superior race and that it was wrong to be teaching the secrets of the samurai to an outsider.
    ‘I hope you can swim,’ Jack retorted, trying to find a firm footing in the shallows of the river bed.
    They couldn’t have chosen a worse place to fight. Situated on a wide bend of the Tama River, the ground was carpeted with rocks. The stones closer to the middle of the river were rounded and slippery, while the ones by the bank were jagged and dangerous.
    Jack had fought Kazuki before, but not in such challenging circumstances. One false move could mean a broken ankle or, even worse, a humiliating defeat for one of them. And Jack was determined it wasn’t going to be him.
    A blur of bright blue flashed across the river’s surface as a kingfisher snatched a silvery fish from its waters. In that moment Kazuki struck, his blade arcing towards Jack’s neck.
    Jack was almost caught out, but instinctively blocked the attack. Deflecting it to one side, he retaliated with a lethal slice to the head. Kazuki ducked beneath the blade and thrust the tip of his own
bokken
at Jack’s chest. Jack stumbled deeper into the river, barely keeping his balance on the submerged rocks.
    Pressing forward, Kazuki cut across Jack’s feet. Jack jumped the blade, simultaneously striking at Kazuki’s wrist. Kazuki yowled in pain as the blow connected, forcing him to drop his
bokken
.
    Jack didn’t have time to enjoy his victory. He was too focused on landing. The river bed beneath his feet was a treacherous maze of rocks and potholes.
    At the last second, spying two larger boulders, Jack thrust his feet sideways and managed to land, legs spread wide, above the fast-flowing waters. He let out a surprised laugh, amazed by his luck.
    But Kazuki, incensed with pain, shoulder-barged Jack in the midriff. Jack lost his balance, toppling backwards with an unceremonious splash into the river. Retrieving his
bokken
, Kazuki leapt on to the two boulders and stood over Jack. He planted the tip of his sword on Jack’s throat.
    ‘I win,
gaijin
,’ he gloated, forcing Jack’s head beneath the surface.
    Jack struggled for breath, spluttering as the icy river water rushed up his nose.

Hojojutsu
     
    ‘
YAME!
’ shouted Sensei Hosokawa from the river bank.
    Kazuki reluctantly let Jack surface and made his way over to the rest of the students, many applauding his triumph in the sparring match.
    Tugging thoughtfully at his tuft of a beard, Sensei Hosokawa, their teacher in
kenjutsu
, waited for Jack to emerge from the river and join them. Jack trudged over, his head hung in shame.
    ‘Both of you demonstrated excellent samurai sword skills,’ commented Sensei Hosokawa. ‘Quick thinking saved your life, Kazuki-kun, and gave you victory.’
    Kazuki savoured the praise, smirking at Jack who now stood dripping wet beside him.
    ‘Though you were stupid to sacrifice your sword hand,’ the sensei added grimly.
    Kazuki’s smile faded from his face.
    ‘Jack-kun, your agility was exceptional – or else you were very fortunate!’ continued the swordmaster. ‘But you still lost. Remember the battle isn’t over until