Samurai Awakening Read online

  In the dim glow cast by a small fire in the corner, David and Natsuki stood apart. Grandpa, Masao, Yukiko, and Takumi surrounded them along the perimeter. More than anywhere else on the estate, the Matsumoto’s blend of modern technology and ancient traditions showed most clearly in that single space.

  Takumi watched from near the coals, merely an observer. As one of the heirs to the Matsumoto legacy, it was his responsibility to prepare himself to teach his own children so that future Jitsugen Samurai would also have mentors.

  “You two will have to overcome this animosity if you are going to work together. Look, you stand apart as if you might infect one another,” Grandpa said, beginning the evening’s training by commenting on David and Natsuki’s positions in the building.

  Looking to the other simultaneously, both David and Natsuki turned quickly away again, crossing their arms. From the corner, Takumi let out a loud laugh.

  “See? You two are more alike than you think,” Takumi said, suddenly frowning at his own words.

  “And you are not helping. Just sit there and pay attention. This is important, all the more so since your sister is not here,” Masao said, staring down Takumi. Finally looking away, Takumi bowed his head and remained quiet. After ensuring Masao was done with Takumi, Grandpa turned to David and Natsuki.

  “Now… Try again. You are better at holding the honshitsu, which means we can start forging soon. Unfortunately, you still do not seem able to transform and hold the metal so that Natsuki can take it. If she is going to fight alongside you, you are going to have to trust her,” he said firmly, trying to coax the two past their animosity.

  “How can I trust her? She’s been nothing but horrible to me since I got here. It’s not my fault I make her look bad at badminton,” David said, frustrated at having to work with Natsuki. He had never understood why she had treated him so meanly when he first arrived. He had yet to forgive her.

  “Oh you are so conceited. It’s all about you, isn’t it?” Natsuki said. Her reply had enough venom to make Grandpa raise his eyebrows.

  The elder Matsumotos stood waiting expectantly, but did not interfere in the exchange. After a few seconds, in which both David and Natsuki traded devastating stares, David turned away.

  “Fine. Here we go.” David closed his eyes, and his hands rose from his sides. The metal appeared in front of him, like a star appearing in the darkest night sky. David deftly caught it, smiling. His evening training with Grandpa had given him the ability to summon the metal at will, without having to rely on someone surprising him. It still took massive amounts of concentration to hold it, but at least he was improving.

  “Good,” Grandpa said. “Now keep your focus on the metal while Kou transforms. It is the opposite of the work we have been doing lately, getting you and Kou to work together more seamlessly. Instead of both of you trying to do the same things together, here you must separate your actions. David you will concentrate on the metal and nothing else, leave your body to Kou.”

  “Remember, act. Do not over think things or you will make a mistake,” Masao added.

  “Natsuki, you must be ready to take up the metal if it stays during the transformation. Move closer,” Grandpa said with his usual good humor, completely ignoring the social war going on between the two teenagers.

  With reluctant steps, Natsuki moved slightly closer to David. Taking slow deep breaths, David readied himself. Retreating into his own mind, he concentrated on the metal to the exclusion of all else. His eyes changed to orange as Kou took over his body. Kou gave a slight nod before David disappeared, his clothes in a heap around him. David fought the slew of new senses. He was slowly getting used to the alien input, but he had to fight to keep his attention on the metal. It hung in the air for a split second before it fell to the ground, and disappeared.

  “What was that? I actually did it this time and the princess is daydreaming!” David shouted. Kou’s eyes turned blue as Kou’s face attempted to match David’s outrage. Takumi stifled a laugh that prompted another glare from his father. Kou had David’s ears stuck on top of his head.

  David and Natsuki’s voices overlapped into a loud squabble as an adolescent tiger and teenage girl faced off yelling at each other. David used Kou’s body to jump awkwardly up onto an anvil, bringing him eye to eye with Natsuki. Tackling Kou and wrapping him in a blanket, Takumi had them outside before David could exert full control and transform. Once outside, David walked behind the forge to sulk until Takumi could bring his clothes.

  “You missed the metal a lot before you could finally catch it regularly,” Takumi said while tossing David his clothes

  “She gets me for every mistake. It’s nice to get a shot in occasionally,” David said, as he struggled with his pants. It took him a second to realize his foot was still a paw.

  “You don’t know her like I do. None of this is easy. Try and cut her some slack… She hasn’t had the easiest life,” Takumi said hesitantly.

  ‘Does he really like Natsuki?’ David thought.

  ‘Why else would he be afraid of her spending time with us?’ David shuddered, unwilling to continue the conversation.

  “Fine, I’ll go back and we can try it again,” David said.

  “She’s gone. I doubt she will show tomorrow morning either.”

  “So much for apologizing,” Kou growled.

  “Let her cool off. She’ll be back. Anyway, Grandpa and Dad are waiting for you with some exercises.” Takumi smiled. David suspected he was happy that at least he did not have to do the exercises. David got up and followed Takumi back around to the front of the workshop.

  Secrets and Success

  June,

  Natsuki was the greatest point of contention between us, really the only point. Kitten that I was I could not bring myself to dislike her. There was something good about her in there somewhere, even if she refused to show it. And with the constant itch, that feeling something was coming, I knew we would need all the allies we could get…

  Just as he was losing his connection to Jessica, David saw less and less of Rie as the days went by. She refused to leave her room when Natsuki was on the Estate. At school, Chul Moo constantly accompanied her, to the point that most people had decided they were dating. Chul Moo’s angry scowls, always ready for him, were so disturbing that David avoided them both.

  The situation was most apparent when they worked in the school gardens. Their science teacher, Mrs. Minaku, seemed to take perverse pleasure in placing David in the most uncomfortable groups. Whenever they were working in the gardens, he was put with Rie, Chul Moo, Mizuki, and Tsubasa. While he did not mind Tsubasa, Chul Moo spent the entire time staring at David as if trying to decide whether to eat him or simply kill him. David got the impression that he restrained himself only because Rie was there and that he would be too foul a meal.

  Tsubasa spent the whole time talking about ways to make their job easier, to the point he did little real work. As class representative, Mizuki just straight refused to get her hands dirty. That left most of the actual work to him. Luckily, his father’s experiments had taught him quite a bit about gardening.

  After one particularly long day of weeding, David sought out Takumi in his room. He knocked lightly on the sliding door that separated Takumi’s room from the rest of the house.

  “Hey David, what’s up?” Takumi asked, his voice barely muffled by the thick sliding doors. Entering, David gazed around the room, trying to take in all the details in one glance. Grandpa had assigned the observational practice after noticing David tended to concentrate on details instead of the whole picture. Despite his attempt, he only registered Takumi’s desk in the corner and an empty sword stand in the tokonoma, the alcove in most Japanese rooms set aside for an artistic scroll or shrine.

  ‘You missed the spider web in the corner, the closet, and some kind of marking in the post,’ Kou thought smugly within David’s head.

  “I was wondering about Rie. I’ve tried to talk to her a few times, but she’s al
ways locked away in her room, and at school Chul Moo is always around,” David said, brushing aside Kou’s thoughts. Takumi took the opportunity to unfold his legs and turn to David.

  “Really? She’s the same as always. Rie’s not training with us anymore because she is practicing with Grandpa. I think she has also been in the workshop a lot lately. As for school, if I had to guess, I’d say she’s trying to break Chul Moo out of his isolation. He’s always been a drag on our class’s reputation. I bet the student council asked her to do something about him. I saw her head out to the mountains last weekend too. It’s a great way to let off steam.”

  Surprised, David left to talk things out with Kou. Running through the Matsumoto forest at night in their animal form was quickly becoming their favorite activity. The elders were fine with Kou being active at night, but only as long as they knew when he left and came back. It gave David and Kou a unique chance to learn more about each other.

  David’s adjustment to the training schedule finally gave him a reprieve from the constant pain and soreness that had been his companion for weeks. Their time spent as Kou revived David, as if his physical body was resting while he was a tiger. Kou too, was full of energy every time he emerged. The longer they stayed in one form, the more rested they felt once changed back. Dodging around trees in the thick forest David pulled himself away from the immersive tiger sensations in order to talk to Kou.

  ‘Even though you chose Natsuki, Rie helped me so much when I first got here,’ he thought.

  Simply thinking about his first few days in Japan allowed Kou to understand his point. The memories rushed through them, full with his emotions, even as Kou clawed by the Estate’s trees.

  The times Rie helped him, such as with his shoes and his first meal, played for Kou with perfect clarity. He showed Kou how Rie was the one who had taught him how to hold his soup and rice, so as not to appear completely uncivilized. Their first day at school, she introduced him to students, including all her friends. Without her, he never would have been asked to join the badminton team. The memories and more flooded through his mind as Kou took to the tree branches.

  ‘It just seems like maybe I’ve lost something. Rie is never around anymore, and without her or Jessica… Anyway, training just isn’t as fun without her there. I mean anyone could tell you I hate…’

  Kou came to a jarring stop on a large tree branch. Cocking his head, he lifted an eyebrow. It was a gesture he had picked up from David, and he used it emphasize the question in his own mind.

  ‘OK, well we don’t like each other. Anyway will you help me figure this out?’

  Satisfied with David’s retraction, Kou continued bounding from tree to tree, his tail stretching out behind him.

  ‘That’s not really something that was included in, how did Takumi put it? My ancient wisdom. We better get going before we wake Natsuki up.’

  Kou ran along the next branch, and then digging in with his claws, ran down the trunk. Turning towards the main house, David let Kou run on. He was left with too many unanswered questions to focus on dodging bushes and trees.

  Over the next few weeks, David continued his morning practices, strengthening his body and expanding his knowledge of the Matsumotos’ kendo. Natsuki returned after a brief period of pouting. Kou promised they would keep their night runs short and late enough that Natsuki would be able to sleep. While she was asleep, she was able to resist the pull, though she was still plagued by strange dreams that would wake her if David stayed as a tiger for too long. It was an imperfect compromise, but in return, Natsuki promised she would try not to provoke David anymore.

  David was forced, albeit reluctantly, to admit that he really did no longer hate Natsuki. After her agreement not to provoke him, she became almost civilized. It was so surprising that it took David a few days to learn how to speak to her without confrontation.

  David and Kou spent their mornings training in the dojo, the hot summer days at school, evenings training their mind, and nights running through the forest. Life was far from perfect. He still had much to learn about Japan’s social niceties, and Koji was still a constant source of both fear and annoyance.

  To make matters worse, while the Matsumoto elders were fine with Kou running through the Matsumoto forests during the evening, they locked the house down at night, meaning they had to get permission first, before they could leave. Kou and David had decided that they would like at least some time to themselves, a few hours where the Matsumoto would not be able to keep an eye on them.

  It took David a week to learn how to sneak out of the main house. Grandpa, Masao, and Yukiko were all on alert late in­to the night, making his first few attempts a disaster. David passed the first few botched escapes off as a combination of sleepwalking, Kou taking control, and nighttime hunger. David was unable to escape the Matsumotos’ watchful eyes until he found a loose floorboard under the tatami mats in his room. Pulling up the tatami, he was able to crawl out under the house.

  His freedom secured, David and Kou delighted in exploring the extent of the Matsumoto Estate late into the morning. The longer they stayed in tiger form, the more David enjoyed it. After what seemed like ages to Kou, David gave in and let Kou hunt. Though it was disgusting at first, immersed in the tiger he could not help but feel the excitement as they crept among the trees and undergrowth. It was quite by accident that they found if Kou ate, David would be full and vice versa.

  ‘Good to know we will not starve if we get stuck in one form or another for too long.’

  ‘Still, do you always have to play with your food?’

  ‘I’m a kitten, get over it.’

  ‘If I have to deal with rat tails the least you could do is help me with Rie.’

  ‘Why not just go talk to her. Takumi said she’s been in the workshop a lot lately, didn’t he?’

  David had to wait until later in the week to visit Rie. He finally found her bent over a box in a corner of the workshop. Since she did not seem to notice him, David decided to try some of the techniques for being stealthy she had taught him in the forest.

  As his finger reached out to tap her shoulder, Rie spun. David suddenly had a long metal poker at his neck.

  “What,” she said, her lips tight in annoyance. David frowned. He had hoped she’d appreciate the joke.

  “Well I thought I’d come see what you’re working on. We don’t get to talk much anymore.”

  Rie frowned, and then just as suddenly as it had appeared, the frown was gone and Rie’s face seemed to radiate like the sun appearing over the dusty desert mountains.

  “You know, you’re right. Can you keep a secret?” she asked.

  By the end of the next Friday’s lessons David just wanted the night to come so he could finally meet with Rie and find out what she was working on. As David stood in the gym, mind on the Matsumoto workshop, he completely missed the conversations and stares directed at him.

  The last month of training had left him nearly as thin and toned as Takumi. He had also grown. David was taller than any of his classmates. He had the legs of a runner and arms of a swordsman. The changes had been so gradual that he had not noticed, but he was as fit as any of the boys in his class. He would have passed for one if not for the blond hair, cut in a popular Japanese style, and his blue eyes. His hair was the envy of most of the boys while the girls secretly hated him for having such a light skin tone without having to use whitener.

  Aside from the physical changes, David’s Japanese ability and helpful attitude toward his classmates was quickly changing his social life. Chul Soon, who was fast becoming a close friend, was so outgoing that he continuously brought new people to meet David.

  David’s relaxed attitude, borne from the Matsumotos’ training, his success in class, and more recently in sports gave David a confident air that drew people to him. His unassuming speech, and obvious struggle to adapt to Japanese customs, kept them there. When he made mistakes, most people overlooked them because of his vast improvement, and his willingn
ess to learn. Only Koji and Natsuki’s friends still gave him a hard time.

  ‘You know, I’ve noticed Koji hasn’t been laughing at me lately,’ David thought. ‘Every time he spotted me he’d been sure to point me out and laugh, and his friends would follow along. Now he just glares like he wants another go… and his friends almost seem like they’re trying to distract him.’

  ‘You need to be careful,’ Kou replied internally as David maintained a conversation with a group of boys, a hard-earned skill from his evening training with Grandpa. ‘He is a dangerous one. A predator who hunts for fun, not survival. All the same, he is only a boy. We cannot reveal what we know, no matter the provocation.’

  ‘Says the god tiger who tries to get me to go running after every small animal he sees.’

  ‘Looks like Natsuki and her friends are fighting. She is definitely standing apart from them.’

  ‘What are you talking about? They’re right there together. Hey, don’t change the subject.’

  ‘Sure they are in their regular group but look how Mizuki and Kaeda are whispering together, with Natsuki off to the side just a little. It is as if she is the injured animal that is left to creatures like us. In Japan, it is never good to be outside the group.’

  ‘So what? They finally figured out she’s no fun to be around?’

  ‘Oh you know that is not true. You two have been almost cordial lately.’

  ‘Hmm I doubt that. Anyway,’

  ‘Tsukasa is coming.’

  ‘We better get rid of these guys.’

  “Yeah you’re right that game is great, oh looks like Tsukasa-sensei is here, talk to you later,” David said aloud, disengaging himself from the other boys. Tsukasa called the team to attention, waiting while they gathered around him.