The scent from the Cherry Blossom tree had almost seemed a distraction after the summer storm.
Takeda Yoshi knelt and stared at the water forming on the end of a blossom some five feet from the ground. He had been in Seiza for quite some time now but it no longer mattered, he was born to endure. He had endured the training of his grandfather in "The Way.". He endured the the years he had spent in the Gaijin schools that his father had demanded he attend in order to learn the secrets of their industries.
His Grandfather,Takeda Shingen, had shown him the beginnings of "The Way." So many others had taken partial forms of The Way and given them their own names in arrogance but the true Way was the beginning of all and could not be altered.The Sword,Bow,Staff and others were taught and perfected but most important were the Body,Mind and Spirit, those who were not fully committed to them would never understand.
Yoshis' senses were focused on the water droplet that was beginning to grow as he waited for the moment. He would strike the straw target set before him at the very moment the droplet fell. If it touched the ground before he struck Yoshi knew the archer in the doorway some thirty feet to his rear left would let loose an arrow piercing his back and then his heart. This is of course as it should be, often enough he had been that archer. Should Yoshi become too anxious and strike the target before the drop began to fall then he would instead be dead by his own hand. No matter, he would continue on in another turn of the wheel in another life.
This life however had a purpose and meaning. He had been given direction, a true goal to set his sights on and a way to gain Honor for his family and clan.
The GrassCutter.
He would train his Body and Mind to levels that were thought to be unattainable.Already his Senses were attuned to the water drop but his Mind could be contemplating other things. His body would react before his mind could even command it to. When the time came he would strike true whether it be Sword, arm or hand. It made no difference as they were all simply extensions of his Ki.
One Draw, One Strike......One Kill.
With no where else to go after the destruction of Toyko, you decide that its best to suck it up and ask your grandfather for help. Moving to the extreme north of the island of Hokkaido was not easy. Your years of living in New York and Tokyo have made you accostumed to the easy life. Grandfather's farm is cold. And you just found out, much to your dismay, that he has no electricity. Wonderful...
Oh it gets better. Grandfather expects you to kill your own dinner.
After a year on the farm, your soft belly melts into hard muscle. Working all day by hot sun and reading all night by candle transforms the meek accountant into a rough outdoorsman. Grandfather tells you about the old ways. About the 12 Hidden Cities: about Bushido: and about the way of Kodo. Soon he will take you further north to meet his friends. He thinks you are ready to meet the Secret Shogun.
Grandfather inspects your clothes and gives you three cucumbers. He tells you to not stare at Mr Waterman. "Employ an economy of verbage," he tells you. "It is of the utmost importance that you do not offend Mr Waterman." When you see this diminutive creature, you understand. Mr Waterman is a four foot tall, warty, briny covered man. He is to take you into the mountains to begin your new life. You give him the three cucumbers each time you need to rest. It seems to please your guide. He walks you to the foot of the castle, and he leaves. "Time to get back to the sea," is all he says. You are greeted at the gate by Kiko. She is different. Her eyes are blue and catlike. You learn she goes by the name of 'Tiger's Beautiful Daughter. She is the only one who is nice to you. Tashi is your taskmaster. He is cruel and petty. After months of menial chores, he tells you that you will finally meet the Shogun. You are not to react to his appearance. When the door opens up, you see the hideous, boil covered flesh that is pulled over the Shogun's face like rotton leather. You vomit. It was not the correct thing to do. You are locked in a closet for four months. You are let out to do chores and to be punished. For some reason, the Shogun likes that you studied in America. You think that that is the only reason you are still alive. One day Kiko gives you a book and a candle. You open to a page she dogeared and begin to read. Watermen are mythical creatures that live in the sea. They are said to be able to summon lightning, and communicate with sea life. They are short, strong, ugly creatures. They are intelligent and crave cucumbers. Could this be what escorted you to the castle? One night while reading you are startled by a red faced demon. He says he is your oni and soon you must drink from the cup. You are permitted to see a contest of skill. Wolfbrother has come all the way from Shangra La to fight a Kodo champion. Tiger's Beautiful Daughter is chosen to represent the Dojo. The contest lasts an hour. At the end Wolfbrother asks Tiger's Beautiful Daughter to accompany him back to Shangra La. The Shogun is pleased. Your only friend leaves without saying goodbye. After 8 months, you are brought up to the upper rooms. There you partake of the Tea Ceremony with the Secret Shogun. Afterward, you are directed to a back room. In this room is shelf. The shelf contains a set of Samurai Swords, tea cups, a photograph of Johnny Carson*, A Winchester Rifle, a folded leopard print cloth, and a smelly black cup.
The Shogun tells you its time to drink from the cup. He pours some sake into it. The sake sours instantly. It tastes even worse than it smells. You black out.
* The photograph is autographed. It reads; " Keep Rambling, Johnny, Love Johnny
After three days you awake. You feel different. You begin training in the way of Bushido. After a month, you again meet with the Shogun. He tells you that you will be locked in a room until you change. If you have not changed after drinking from the cup, then you are of no use to him. And if you are of no use, you will die. It takes nine our of meditation before you change. You become evil. You become a devil. You become Oni.
You shatter the walls of the room with your mind. You find yourself under attack by three men with swords. The Shogun yells at you. In a southern drawl he says, " OK Rambler, start rambling."
You are stabbed in the back. You feebly try to parry the next blow. You realize you are in danger. You dance around their blades while counter attacking. It takes you a few seconds to realize you are faster and stronger now. Something whispers in your ear, telling you when to move before their swords can hit you. You realize that you are slowly bleeding to death from the sword strike. You break on of their jaws with a strike from your mind. The other two are dispatched. The Shogun says you are not ready yet. You need more training. He tosses you something and leaves. It is a Twinkie. You are confused.
You are refused medical treatment. You are about to panic. The oni you saw in the dark tells you to give him a bit of your soul. You know that you will die if you do not, so you give in. You are healed. All it cost was a fraction of your spirit.
The Shogun tells you that you have been selected to represent the Dojo in a Challenge. Mother of Nine Spiders has come from Shamba La. You must defeat her to win honor for the Kodo Cult. If you win, the Shogun wishes you to go to Island Zero.
.... After your last training session, you were told you would have to show your skills to the agents from Shamballa. You do battle with Mother of Nine Spiders. The battle is brief. You show vast promise. The Shogun is happy with your progress. Gone is the flabby child who was educated in America. He invites you to his room for tea. A real oni battles you. He is insulted that you chose his name. Again, the battle is brief. You earned the right to keep the name. However, the Nameless One says that one day he will fight you again for his name and your life. The agents come and you go to the city. The put you on a plane to Kathmandu. While flying, you watch the news events about the King of All Tears. You see Mr Clean battle the alien with an army of superbeings. It is awe inspiring. Taken to a house on Freak Street, you simply wait. After a few days the Agents from Shamballa take you into the mountains. The show you the secret entrance to the Hidden City. You are led the the spire of Gold, and inside you see more Agents. They tell you drink some tea. The Oni rebels and tosses the tea into your host's face. They are insulted and you attack. Why the Oni did this is unknown. Perhaps he sensed something. The four agents reveal themselves to be horrid creatures. They try to destroy your mind. You must summon strength from the Land of Shadows in order to stay alive. A piece of your personality is lost. You defeat these aliens and leave the house. You realise you were tricked. You are not in Shamballa, nor Nepal, nor even Asia. You are in a small Massachusetts town called Innsmouth. How did they trick you? These horrid creatures have vast mental powers. As you try to find safety, a voice calls you from the fireplace. Its the Nameless One. He saves you, telling you that only HE has the right to kill you. He brings you to a small house in Utah. A skinny, sallow man in his underwear wakes as you emerge from his closet. He grabs your hand. You notice needle marks on his arm. He tells you that he is a friend. He tells you you are safe.
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