Samurai Awakening Read online

  Grandpa stepped forward as David opened his eyes. Gesturing, he showed David where to place the honshitsu, and then where he could sit so as not to interfere with the two elder Matsumotos.

  “Remember, focus on the metal, but also watch what we do. Your intentions will be just as influential as our skills,” Grandpa said, reiterating previous discussions during their evening training sessions.

  Long hours passed as Masao and Grandpa moved together seamlessly, nearly reading each other’s minds as they coaxed the shining metal into a deadly tool. The twins stood off to the side, watching intently. Since they were limited by David’s endurance, the two master smiths worked exceedingly fast. Occasionally they called for Takumi to tend the fires and bring ingredients. He kept them burning so hot David could easily feel the heat from where he sat.

  David concentrated, his brow dripping, willing the metal to become a sword. Sure enough when the time came to separate the metal by strength, the task became far more difficult. Instead of lifting an arm, it was like balancing on one foot with both arms out in front. The task was not overly difficult in itself, but when held over such a long period it was taxing.

  The Matsumoto smiths divided the pieces and then worked them separately before folding them back together to give the sword both strength and flexibility. As they worked, Takumi was tasked with explaining things to David so he would understand, and be able match his intentions to the Matsumotos’ actions.

  David lost track of the time as heat and fumes and sound flooded through the small low building. His whole world became the blade slowly emerging at the behest of the Matsumotos. Finally, a loud hiss of steam brought him back to the workshop. The Matsumotos stood over a brine bucket as Grandpa removed the finished blade.

  David was somewhat surprised to see not the shining new blade of his imagination, but a long hunk of clay. Seeing his expression, Takumi quietly explained.

  “The clay allowed the blade to cool at different speeds, leaving the edge stiff and the back more flexible.”

  “Yes, we are lucky it did not break,” Masao said with a dry gasp.

  Wearily, Grandpa placed the blade on the anvil, and then knocked the clay off with a small hammer.

  “It is finished,” Grandpa sighed. “We will still need to polish and grip it of course, but the blade is complete. The first Seikaku in more than a hundred years. David, pick up your destiny.”

  As Masao and Grandpa backed away, expectation etched in every line of their faces, David moved towards the anvil. The sword was much longer than David’s practice sword and curved slightly on the backside. One end came to an abrupt point, while the other tapered to where a handle would be fixed. Fresh out of the brine and clay it was covered in a crusty black coating like asphalt.

  The sword called to David sitting there alone on the anvil. Where the coating cracked, David could just see the glint of metal, reminiscent of the crystalline layers of the metal from which the sword had come. Reaching out, David drew a finger along the blade, dragging off flecks of black.

  From where David’s finger touched, color erupted along the blade. A rippling textured wood replaced the steel that had been on the anvil a moment before. Jumping back in surprise, David looked to the Matsumotos for answers. He saw their attention remained fixed on the anvil, and his attention was drawn quickly back to the Seikaku.

  It had a fine grain and deep color, but otherwise looked exactly like the wooden practice sword he had been using for weeks, though the craftsmanship and quality of the wood easily surpassed what he had created.

  “What did I do?” David asked breathlessly.

  Drawn in by the hypnotic lines of grain in the sword, David’s hand reached forward again. This time picking up the wooden sword, he found it fit his hands perfectly, grooved to match every crease and bump of his hands. As David and the Matsumotos watched, the sword reverted to its unfinished form. This time clean, the bare metal flickered in the firelight. As David looked closer, he saw the faint outlines of wood grain embedded in the metal.

  “A Seikaku follows the elemental type of the Jitsugen Samurai’s Kami. Kou is a tiger, of the earth. I expected his sword to be either wood or stone,” Grandpa whispered, his voice full of reverence. The sword seemed to fill the dark smoky room as he gestured along the length of the blade, careful not to touch it. “The Seikaku has two forms… The first is this. The second is its elemental form.”

  “What good is a wooden sword though? And how do I make it reappear?” David asked, rubbing his hands along the length of the smooth steel. His hand slipped, sliding across the edge, yet it did not cut him.

  “The sword will react to your intentions and need, just as the honshitsu appeared when you needed it,” Grandpa said. “In either form it is more than it appears, though once finished it will look fine indeed.”

  “You need not worry that your new blade is toothless. Go ahead,” said Masao, placing a steel bar between the anvil and a table. “Cut it.”

  David stepped into a fighting stance, holding the sword as he had practiced for weeks. He looked back at Masao uncertainly, sure he was about to jar his arm the same way so many had with the watermelon at the beach. After a nod from both Masao and Grandpa, David swung through the heavy metal bar. Although it seemed unchanged, seconds later, the iron fell clean in two.

  “Takumi. Go get the Book of Swords,” Masao said quietly to his son. Takumi ran off to find the book, while David continued to examine the sword in his hands. Throughout it all, Rie hung back, staying in the shadows.

  ‘You’ve been pretty quiet this whole time. What do you think?’ David asked Kou.

  ‘Now you have claws too. Maybe next time a mongrel dog shows up I will not have to save us.’

  ‘I thought it was Natsuki who saved us, not you.’

  ‘Glad you finally admitted that.’

  “Each Seikaku is as unique as the Kami and Samurai,” Masao said, pulling David’s attention away from his conversation with Kou. “Each has had its own characteristics, though they tend to follow patterns, which we have recorded over the centuries in the Book of Swords.”

  Running back in, Takumi carried a large modern volume under his arm. Grandpa gestured to a table and together they circled around to examine the tome. Finally letting go the part of his consciousness that had kept the Seikaku summoned, David let it fade back into him.

  Sitting, Masao took the book from Takumi. Opening it revealed a collection of ancient to merely old writings describing the Seikakus the Matsumotos had made. The entries included sketches, descriptions, and bits of stories referring to them. While Masao and Grandpa poured over the book, Takumi turned to David.

  “That was the most amazing smith work I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been watching those two all my life. They’ve been holding back, and their swords are the best in Japan,” Takumi said, awe unmistakable in his voice. “I’ve never seen them move so fast.”

  David glanced over to the book as the older pair flipped through. From the beginning, it showed vastly different pages, copies and preserved originals of barely legible writing and depictions of swords wildly different from the famous katana. Seeing David’s interest Takumi filled him in.

  “The first swords in Japan were double edged straight swords,” he said. “That would have been the kind that the Kojiki says Ninigi used, you know, the Grass Cutter. Over the centuries my family has included every new technique and advancement into the creation of the Seikakus.” Takumi spoke proudly of his heritage. Every Japanese sword was a testament to the progress of his ancestors.

  “According to this, you do indeed have a wood sword,” Grandpa said. “A Seikaku will cut most things without dulling, however, if you change it to the wood form and if you strike wood, instead of cutting it, you will be able to affect it. By affect I mean make it grow, die, explode, things like that. It will follow your will, within limits.” Grandpa looked up from the book to watch David’s reaction. A smile played across his face as David processed his words.


  “The elemental form, for example the wood form, will also damage spirits without damaging anything living. Be warned. If you hit a person with the elemental form of the Seikaku it may kill them, banishing their spirit, but leaving their body intact,” Masao said gravely, causing David to start, shocked by the deadly power he held within him. “Yes. Like most tools, the Seikaku is dangerous, however, unlike most tools, the sword responds to your intent. You must still be careful. This book talks of many accidents before the Matsumotos and the Jitsugen Samurai discovered the Seikaku’s powers.”

  “So you’re telling me the Seikaku in metal form will cut just about anything a normal sword will, and then some, and the elemental form will cut spirits and control wood?” asked David, trying to wrap his head around what a Seikaku really was.

  “Succinctly put,” Grandpa said. “It will allow you to take care of any more obake you come across, as well as… other things. That being said, you will need to practice with the Seikaku, but must avoid injury.”

  A sudden yawn from Takumi made David realize he had no idea what time it was. Looking at his watch, he was shocked to find it was four in the morning on the fifth of July, Sunday.

  “Wow, I didn’t realize how late it was,” David said, suddenly exhausted.

  “Yes, it is time for some food and bed. None of us have eaten or rested since early yesterday morning. We will continue this evening.” Masao stood, swaying slightly with fatigue, it was the first time David had ever seen him so much as yawn.

  Sword Practice

  July,

  Though I tried not to let it show too much, I was excited by the Seikaku. Despite the freedom and thrill we felt as a tiger, it even made me want to spend more time as a human…

  After a nap that felt all too brief, David stood alone in the dojo, the light from the afternoon sun fading over the western trees.

  ‘Do we really need to antagonize her? Today was supposed to be her day off. We could just call her.’

  “Masao will be here soon so that he can explain the Seikaku to Natsuki. Why waste such a good opportunity to mess with her a bit?” David asked, closing his eyes.

  “As you wish,” muttered Kou as David transformed. Perhaps because of their difference in opinions, it took longer than usual to complete the transition. Kou gave a growling laugh as David imagined what her reaction might be when she showed. The young tiger dragged David’s clothes over to an out of the way corner.

  ‘Like you don’t want to show off a bit, I know you like the Seikaku,’ David thought.

  ‘You know, your clothes do not taste very good, you could have done this before we changed.’

  ‘Bet you wish you had opposable thumbs. It’s not my fault you forgot to remind me.’

  ‘I’m going to start making you carry around my fur in your mouth.’

  ‘It’s already all over my bed. A bit extra in my mouth won’t matter. You know, for being a spirit you sure can be messy.’

  ‘It would be horrible if my teeth were to slip and make a hole in an embarrassing spot…’

  ‘You wouldn’t…’

  After disposing the clothes, Kou trotted back into the center of the room to wait. Lying down with his legs splayed and forepaws tucked beneath him, Kou watched as the bugs flew above the garden outside. He refused to answer David, instead letting a wave of snide satisfaction roll through their minds at David’s embarrassment. Only a few minutes later his keen ears picked up Masao coming in from the main house. When he entered, Kou tilted his head. His animalistic pride kept him from getting up and bowing.

  “I see Natsuki is on her way… and that you are giving her a hard time again,” Masao said, deadpan.

  Kou’s eyes flickered blue as he grinned, a feat for David since he had to use a tiger’s mouth. Kou twitched, his ears pointing towards the entrance as he picked up Takumi’s voice. His host brother entered the dojo holding a phone away from his ear. It did not take Kou’s advanced hearing to pick up Natsuki’s yelling voice.

  “Yeah, Natsuki is not amused, but she’s on her way. Apparently this time you really did catch her in the bath,” Takumi said after cutting off the call. Kou let loose a growling laugh that was surprisingly shared by Masao.

  Walking in shortly after, Natsuki looked as if she had spent hours getting ready, despite her damp hair. After making quick eye contact with her, Kou turned and trotted back toward David’s clothes. They returned to the room as David, clothed in his practice gi.

  “What’s the big idea?” Natsuki yelled after seeing David re-emerge.

  David stopped, closed his eyes, and summoned the newly finished Seikaku. His arms moving with blinding speed, David caught the sword’s grip before it could move.

  Grandpa had finished polishing and gripping the sword just before. With David watching, and careful not to touch the sword, Grandpa had performed a complicated ritual in order to bind the grip and guard to the Seikaku. David was surprised that the wood form was unaffected, and the sword maintained the additions even after being summoned and released repeatedly. Although he had asked about it, Grandpa had refused to explain the process.

  “You are not a smith so it would mean little to you,” he had said with a tired look. Seeing David’s disappointment, he smiled a little. “I will take the time to explain more about the rituals, however, I am tired. It will have to wait.”

  ‘Why’s it so long,’ Natsuki asked, shaking David from thoughts of the ritual.

  “It is meant to be grown into,” Masao said simply.

  “Just how big is he going to get?” she asked with wide eyes.

  “Oh well, let’s just say most Japanese clothing stores will probably not carry his size,” Masao said.

  ‘I already have to get my clothes in the men’s section,’ David thought as Natsuki’s anger melted away. All her focus was on the Seikaku.

  “Natsuki-chan’s knowledge of swords is far more intimate than the average junior high school girl, I believe,” Yukiko said entering with a customary bow and smile. “I am sure she can appreciate the artistry and skill put into the blade.”

  “Yep, thought you’d like to try it out, now that it’s finished. Not to mention Masao-sensei needs to explain some things about it,” David said.

  Masao explained the dangers and powers of the Seikaku to Natsuki. In addition to what he had told David and Takumi earlier, Masao added a few words applicable to the Jitsugen Samurai’s Partner.

  “When using the Seikaku, you will not be able to change its forms. The sword will respond only to David’s intentions. Thus, you must work closely together so that if you strike, David’s intention will make the sword also cut, otherwise it will be little more than a club.” Masao gestured to David. Taking his cue, David demonstrated the change between the two forms for Natsuki. While Natsuki took in the elemental form, Masao once again emphasized the dangers.

  “Now that Natsuki knows to be careful, we should try having her hold it. You successfully transferred the honshitsu. The Seikaku should actually be easier as it has a more basic and familiar structure for you to focus on,” Masao said.

  David and Natsuki readied themselves. Takumi backed away, moving to sit on the top of a sword rack to get a clear view. After Natsuki nodded her readiness, David tossed the Seikaku to her, hilt first.

  ‘He’s right, it’s even easier to keep summoned than the shards were. It’s like a perfect copy of the sword is in my mind whenever I want it.’

  ‘It is perfect because I have an indelible memory. Anything I see once I can recall for you, though the definition is better with my eyes than with yours.’

  Catching it expertly, Natsuki swung it through a complicated series of moves designed to get the feel of its weight and balance.

  “Be careful, it is a bit longer than you are used to. Ok, good, you have it… David, change into Kou. It will be easier for you to concentrate on just the sword that way. You can let Kou take care of your body. Natsuki, go through the Tiger kata, and be careful!” Masao eyed Natsuki warily as
he backed away.

  As Natsuki began the complicated series of poses comprising the Tiger kata, David changed into Kou. Once again, Kou gathered up David’s clothes and began dragging them. Takumi quickly jumped down and moved them into the corner for him. Kou gave him a fearsome grin. Walking back, Kou laid down, making it easier for David to concentrate. Kou’s deep orange eyes followed Natsuki’s movements as his tail moved languidly over the floor, it’s white furred tip occasionally roaming above them.

  Halfway through the kata Natsuki’s face furrowed in sudden surprise and pain as the Seikaku flew out of her grip mid-swing. Kou was instantly on all four paws, claws out, fur and hackles raised and growling. Before it could hit anyone or anything, David recalled the sword. The Seikaku disappeared. Takumi dashed over from the corner as both Masao and Kou moved towards Natsuki.

  “It burned me!” Natsuki, looked down at her hands, surprise in every feature of her face.

  “Try again, I need to be sure,” Masao said staring gravely at her, refusing to reveal even a hint of his thoughts.

  “Of what?” David and Kou’s voices blended as they came out of Kou’s throat. Masao stood silently unwilling to answer either the spoken question or Natsuki’s look. Takumi peered anxiously between Masao and Natsuki.

  ‘This is pushing the whole master student thing a little far. What if it hurts Natsuki again?’ David thought.

  ‘Was that concern? For Natsuki? You know Masao will not explain anything until he is good and ready.’

  Outwardly, Kou merely rolled his shoulders, and then gathered David’s clothes in his jaws and left the dojo again. David came back with only his trousers on.

  Walking up to Natsuki, David summoned the Seikaku, flipping it to hand it to Natsuki hilt first. She reached out gingerly, took the sword, and then sighed as it acted normally. David transformed again, Kou backing off a pace where he sat and began licking the fur around his paws. Natsuki merely held the sword. After about the same amount of time passed, she shouted and dropped the sword again.