The Water Phoenix

Chapter 15: Kicking Him

That night, I slept badly. All the bruises in my body made me want to cry. But I had to be strong. I told myself. I had to show that next time, Natsuhito could bring me along. I didn't want to be a weight anymore.

I tossed and turned in Natsuhito's futon. I wished it was warm with his body.
Even though sometimes he worried me.

At some point, I stood up. My eyes half closed. I got up from my bed and opened my tent. I grabbed the hems of the entrance and watched the silent camp. With the moon keeping guard over us.

The night slowly reminded me of Futoshi. My hand reached towards the moon, where I thought for an instant, I saw Futoshi.

I smiled sadly. I closed my tent and sat back down. I pulled my cover closer. My eyelids closed. Knowing Futoshi was watching me from above. A silent tear rolled down my cheeks. A sweet prayer towards my little boy.
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When the dawn painted the sky pink, I was already up. Walking silently through the ghost camp. I had my training outfit on.

I sat down in the middle of the ring. Waiting for General Tang.

My legs crossed. My hands outstretched on my legs. I was trying to mediate. It relaxed me. I felt in contact with the frizzy air. The ground trembled underneath me.

I exhaled loudly. I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. My eyes flew open. I turned around. General Tang was smiling. "You did the first thing a Samurai should be able to do." Samurai were soldiers, but they had much more honour and skill. I blushed and got up. "Getting in contact with our surroundings." General Tang said. I smiled cheerfully.

I got up and bowed down to my teacher. He smiled. "Okay, let's get some more bruises on your body." He said. I stiffened.

And so we started training. He asked me how I would block a punch. I threw my arms in front of my face. General Tang smiled. "Wrong." He showed me how to block. By holding my arm vertically with the punch facing me straight in front of me. He showed me how to side kick. I had to turn my foot and my hip.

After hours of only learning this, he clicked his neck.

"Let's fight Lady Keiko." He said. I nodded.

And he become a tiger. General Tang punched and kicked like hell. I tried to block but couldn't. After seeing white and hot rage in not having one even one battle, I kicked. Hitting him square in the side. Making him double over and gasp.

My eyes widened. I had hit General Tang! He looked up. A smile plastered on his face. "Nice kick, Lady Keiko."