Wolf and Keeper

Chapter 18: Victims of Circumstance

Michizane, Kai Province, 1545

There was the sharp thwap of a wooden sword meeting his back as Maru collapsed to his knees with a shout of frustration more than pain. He saw Masakage circling him like a wolf, a frown on his sharp face as Maru got back to his feet. He picked his own sword up off the ground with a long exhale through pursed lips as he turned back to him with a glare. "Wipe that look off your face," Masakage snapped. "If you actually paid attention, I never would have hit you!"

Even if he had a point, it didn't make Maru any less irritated. One of the first things he began doing after Atsumori took him in was begin learning swordsmanship under Masakage. The famed "Demon of Michizane" was someone even he had heard of. Tales from the days of the infamous Brother's Rebellion were known even amongst the peasants, and he could vaguely recall his father speaking about it from time to time. Masakage's role in that rebellion won him fame and glory, striking down three of the best swordsmen in the province to defend his lord was a feat in and of itself. Maru may not have liked him, but he respected Masakage. He, too, had once been a peasant, and Maru knew from experience that overcoming that brand to become someone of such renown was not something easily achieved. So, he toiled away and dealt with the bumps and bruises.

They ran through the forms again and again.

Too slow. Thwack.

Too wide. Thwack.

Overcompensated. Thwap.

Not enough force. Thwack.

Too much force. Thwap.

Maru swore that his entire body was going to wind up as one giant bruise by the time Masakage had finished with him. He watched as Masakage observed him with something close to disappointment as he sighed, "You have potential, but you lack the patience you need to use it."

"Masa," Maru heard a familiar voice and turned to see who it was at the same time Masakage did. Only one human being in the world could get away with using a nickname on the famed Demon of Michizane, and that person was Hijourei. Hijourei was in some way attached to the Naotani Family, though how, Maru wasn't sure. He walked with a limp and used a cane. Some days were better than others, he figured, but every time, Masakage always made sure to drop whatever he was doing to help him. "He's a kid," the man laughed as he waved Masakage away when he tried to help him to the stone bench, "and I'm not an invalid!"

"Child or not," Masakage cast a hard glance over his shoulder at Maru, "if he wants to be of use to the Jitou, he needs to be better."

Better, the word made his hand clench by his side. He always needed to be better. He couldn't think of a single time that Masakage had complimented him or said that he made good progress. No, the most the older man always said was that he had potential, always accented with a "but".

You have potential, but you need to be better.

Your forms have improved, but you need to be better,

Your strength has improved, but it needs to be better.

Always a "but" and always a "better". He glanced at his wooden blade lying on the ground beside him and frowned. "What does it matter so long as I can kill it?" He asked as he retrieved it from the ground, knocking it against his leg to tap off the dirt.