The Splintered

Training Wheels

The next day, Botan handed me a wooden sword grabbing one of his own, guiding me through the basic sword strikes. While also hitting my legs or stomach again to test my stance, today was more about my feet than arms.

"Seigan no Kamae, a good stance to take before a fight."

Botan said tiptoeing around me, occasionally sliding my back or front foot into the proper place. Leaning not my back foot, I would think he would teach this before the basic strikes, but now it occurred to me that that entire ordeal was a test. No need to waste teachings on a person who is not willing to learn.

"Next, Jodan no Kamae."

Raising my arms above my head, I swallowed slowly feeling the sun beam down on my skin. I was getting used to the Yukata Kimono I was wearing, it made me hot but I didn't complain. At least not out loud. It consisted of a white kendo gi, black hakama pants, and haori jacket.

"Lastly, Wakigamae."

Inhaling I mimicked the act of sheathing my sword, moving my left hand to my side I twisted my right wrist to aim the sword to my left waist and pushed down diagonally.

"Very good."

"Thank you, sensei."

I replied as Botan lifted his eyes towards me, recognizing the Japanese tongue.

"That's arigato to you."

"Hai, sensei."

I concluded, in a way, I felt like Botan had a soft spot for me when he wasn't giving me constant bruises or yelling at me.

"Eyes forward!"

Botan screamed as I did what he told me. I limped over to the healer before I knocked she slid open the door for me. I almost smiled, emphasis on almost since the man who asked about my gender was sitting down with a towel over his genitals.

"Well look who it is."

Looking back at the healer she outstretched her hand as I walked in, she slid the door closed and I stripped down turning away from the man. The healer folded my clothes and placed them up onto a triangle shelf.

"You don't seem talkative."

The man said filling the silence as the healer poured the waters over my back, my body was getting tougher and didn't need as much water today. The scars stay though, even if the wound heals. The healer passed me a towel with gentle courtesy, as I bowed back.

"Arigato."

I said expressing my gratitude before pulling on the towel, the healer suddenly disappeared into steam freaking me out even more.

"Kiss ass."

The man said as I sat above five feet away from him and replied with irritation on my tongue.

"Look what the fuck do you want?"

"Whew, right to the point I see. Well, I figured since your Splintered..."

He trailed off making my eyebrow raise he leaned forward, rubbing his palms together.

"We could work together-"

"I'm going to stop your right there bud."

I said leaning forward myself.

"Whatever you hope to gain with me, you won't get it. Let me save you some disappointment now. Drop it."

"All I want is a partnership-"

"Drop it."

I enunciated grabbing my clothes and changing back into them, I slid open the door to hear.

"You'll regret that."

Before I left to return to my bedroom, or I was on my way to it but Dex stopped me along the way.

"Come. Eat dinner with the rest of the warriors."

"I don't know-"

"That's an order."

With that I sighed, adjusting the sandals on my feet, and walked with him past the entrance of the castle down to the small village living just below the castle. The bell rung, sending many warriors down the path of gravel with us as well, a mix of faces of Japanese American Russian you name it. It was the only time I saw the warriors without their masks on, Dex would take it off with me and the creepy guy had it off for whatever reason. Reaching a large shop in the middle of the city, Dex grabbed my collar as I tried to sit in the corner and sat me down next to him with the center of attention. Ten or more tables lined up and he wanted right in the middle of the commotion. Servants in kimonos served tea to anyone ready, once I was poured some in a porcelain white cup with cherry blossom patterns I said.

"Arigato."

"Ieie."

The female servant retorted smiling at me, as I made sure to stay focused on her eyes and nothing else.

"Your starting to pick up their language."

"Nah, just some basic words here and there. I want to be able to show gratitude."

I replied to Dex who gave me this random cheeky smile as I sipped down the tea, there was an aroma of honey but tasted more like raspberry. The only reason I didn't gulp it down was it way too hot.

"You walk around like a badass, but deep down your a softie aren't you?"

Dex said as I put down the cup on the table and replied.

"I'm not a softie-"

"That's what softie would say."

"I'm aware, but I am not."

I huffed as a Teishoku, or a set meal was placed in front of Dex, me, and the rest of the warriors. Everyone put prayer hands together and said in unison.

"Itadakimasu!"

Before picking up their chopsticks to dig in, I wasn't sure whether to dig into the sushi or soup first. But I chose the soup, slurping up the noodles and the flare of an aftertaste. Flavors danced around my teeth once I bit into the sushi and rice, quite honestly I had mostly been restricting my diet to just greens and water. I had to be honest and say the food was delightful.

"Chew your food, Mason."

I was scarfing it down honestly, so much that some stray juices fell down my chin. Slowing down a bit, I chewed then swallowed getting a bad feeling.

You'll regret that

Sent a bad shiver down my spine, but I let the tea distract me some more. It took me a minute to realize that all the warriors were staring at me for some reason, some good looks some bad. Either way, I didn't like it.

"Why are they staring at me?"

I asked Dex who pointed to my neck, he pulled out a mirror so I could see my reflection. The vein in my neck was glowing blue and getting brighter at that. The higher the luminosity got, the bigger my dread and senses got. I didn't just have a gut feeling anymore, I knew they were coming. The abominations were out for blood and making their way here right now.