“I will need to have a conversation with the Sensei in question.” said John.
“A conversation? You may not like where that conversation leads.” said Sensei Himara.
“Father, you can’t!” exclaimed Lea from his side. He raised his hand to silence her.
“We must or we will be as responsible.” said Himara.
Lea remained silent.
“Please forgive my daughter. She is still young and impetuous.”
Lea’s cheeks reddened as she kept her face down.
“No apologies are necessary, Sensei,” said John as he stole a glance at Lea. He didn’t want to cause her any more shame.
“Are you prepared to follow this course of action to its end?” said the Sensei.
“I am,” said John.
The Sensei nodded and drank some tea.
“The man you are looking for goes by the name of Shinichi.”
John held his breath as the bottom fell out from his world. Masami let out a breath.
“Are you certain?” asked John.
The Sensei nodded and drank some more tea.
Shinichi was the name used by Satoshi Fujita Nakamura, John’s deceased teacher.
Chapter Forty Two
Mikaela pulled out her laptop. She had learned long ago never to leave it at any site. They had parked in Dumbo, near the Brooklyn Bridge in order to be able to access the other boroughs easily. She loaded the program that tracked John’s laptop and expected to find that the signal had vanished. Surprised, she found that the signal was still active.
“Let’s go!” she said to Helen.
“Where to?” said Helen as she turned on the Rover.
“Williamsburg to be precise.” She gave Helen the closest address to the signal.
“That’s in the middle of nowhere according to the GPS.” said Helen.
“That’s where we’re going. Let’s find out what’s in the middle of nowhere while we still have a signal.” said Mikaela.
“You realize it could be a diversion, gets us all the way in Brooklyn and he isn’t even there.” said Helen.
Mikaela agreed but the signal had not moved from its location in a few hours.
“It’s the best lead we have. We may as well follow it.” said Mikaela.
She really hoped the signal led to John Kane. She had a few questions to ask him.
Chapter Forty Three
“We have found them, Sir,” the Blade spoke into the phone quietly, almost a whisper.
“Please explain to me why we are discussing this while they are still alive?” Kage said calmly.
“There is a – complication.”
“Elaborate.”
“The targets entered a building which appears to be a school of some sort.”
“And this is a complication how?” said Kage.
Kage’s patience was beginning to erode.
“No Sir, that isn’t the complication. As we secured the vehicle, we realized it was emitting a signal. At first we thought it was the vehicle itself but it is a computer within the vehicle.”
It was standard procedure for the Blades to sweep for tracking devices when encountering unknown vehicles or locations. Kage had begun the procedure and it had saved him needless losses of men as well as kept his locations secret.
Kage pondered this for a moment. It was certainly an unforeseen factor. Who was tracking his target? It would be imprudent to discount this person.
“Secure the vehicle, eliminate everyone in the school. When the person tracking the signal arrives, bring him to me – alive.”
“Yes Sir.”
“Do you have enough men to accomplish this?”
“Yes Sir, four Hands.” answered the Blade.
A hand consisted of five Blades.
“Good leave a Hand to secure the vehicle, the rest go to the school, no one leaves.” said Kage.
“Yes Sir,” the Blade hung up and began giving instructions to the other group leaders. Silently they made their way to the dojo of Sensei Fujita Himara.
Chapter Forty Four
Kei woke up sore. Her training had been short of outright torture but only just. She had to admit she was getting better. The broth and tea did work miracles. Maybe she could stay at this dojo and finish her training. Before she came and made her leave, again.
Each time she found a dojo with a decent Sensei, it wasn’t long before she showed up and made her leave. Maybe this time, if she saw that she was really training hard, maybe she could stay. The family journal looked like it could be helpful in getting through her training. She read a few more pages before she had to get out of bed. The description of training in those pages made what she was going through sound like a vacation. She heard the class in the dojo.
“They must have gotten a late start.” She thought to herself. It wasn’t unusual. Sometimes the Sensei would demonstrate a technique he wanted them to work on. She looked at the clock on her dresser. Eight am was late even if the Sensei had been giving one of the demos.
She got dressed quickly and started toward the dojo. As she walked by the large window in the corridor that joined the sleeping quarters with the main area, she saw them. A group of men approached the school. When they arrived at the entrance, they each drew short swords with black blades. Fear coursed through her like an electric jolt. She started running.
The Blades made their way up the stairs to the dojo. Single file, they stepped quietly until they were almost up the dojo proper. The lead blade entered the reception area followed by two more Blades.
“May I help –” she never had a chance to finish her sentence; the lead Blade pulled the dagger from her neck and wiped the blood off.
“There is a class in session. Remove any witnesses,” he said pointing to a group of five.
“You search the living quarters,” he said pointing to another group. We will find the targets.”
Each group headed off in a different direction.
“How can that be? My Sensei is deceased.” said John.
He could barely form the words.
“Did you see him die?” asked the Sensei.
“No, but my source was trusted and reliable.” John said, thinking back to Trevor; wondering how trusted he really was.
At one point, he would have trusted Trevor with his life, but that was many years ago. Times and people change.
“It is possible I have been led to believe my Sensei was deceased. I do not know the reason yet, but I will find out.” said John.
“That will have to wait. We have more pressing matters. Intruders have entered the school, no doubt seeking you.” said the Sensei.
“How many?” said John.
“I can sense fifteen in groups of five.” said Himara.
John was surprised, he had never been able to sense more than two or three and his Sensei, five at most.
“Where are they.” said John.
John was on his feet, Masami beside him.
“They are splitting up, dojo, living areas and here.” said Himara.
Masami knew what they were.
“Groups of five, Sensei?” she asked.
He paused a moment then nodded.
“You know these men?” said Himara.
“Yes, these are men of the Kage, Shadow Blades.” said Masami.
Kei ran down the hall and almost ran into the group of Blades headed towards the living quarters, as she turned a corner.
“Whoa,” she said as she skidded to a stop several feet away.
She drew her short sword. Lea had taught her to never go without a weapon. For indoor, close quarters fighting she preferred her short sword, longer than a knife and in her hands, just as versatile.
The five Blades drew their swords. The size of the corridor forced them to stand shoulder to shoulder.
“I will handle her. Step back.” said the lead.
Dressed in what appeared to be black military gear, the leader stepped forward to meet Kei.
“So what are yo
u guys like, ninja?” asked Kei. She couldn’t resist; all they needed were the masks and the outfit would be complete. She began to slowly step back.
“Not quite, what we are would give ninjas nightmares,” said the lead Blade.
“I see, so I’m guessing this is not going to be an instructional sparring session?” said Kei.
“You talk too much little girl,” he said then lunged.
Kei had been using the banter to distance herself from the group, effectively drawing the leader back towards her. The ploy had worked, somewhat. The group of four was further away, not as far as she would have liked, but it would have to do.
As he lunged, she twisted to the right, allowing the lunge to continue past her. It was amateurish at best and it pissed her off that he thought that little of her skills to attack this way. She clamped down on her anger and slit his throat. The Kevlar material around his neck was no match for her sword, which sliced through it with ease.
“Please tell me he wasn’t the best of your group. I mean, really?” she said.
She pushed his body with her foot into the center of the corridor, never taking her eyes off the remaining four Blades. They started approaching. She set herself in a fighting stance designed to maximize the limited space then turned and ran.
Lea made it to the dojo in time to see Erica die. Erica had shaken off her fight with John and was on the dojo floor near the entrance working on some techniques when the first Blade entered. She never had a chance. The blade entered silently and ran his sword through her from behind. Lea entering the dojo from the opposite end could see the surprise and pain etched on Erica’s face as she collapsed to the floor.
“Everyone out now!” shouted Lea.
Everyone quickly began filing out. Terrance wanted to remain but Lea pushed him on.
“Go with them and keep them safe. I will deal with these cowards.” said Lea.
“You sure?” said Terrence.
His voice had choked up, his words tight with emotion. Erica had been a fellow student, and more importantly a good friend.
“I am absolutely certain.” she said as she walked over to a weapons rack and drew two swords.
Four more Blades had entered the dojo as Terrance ushered out the remaining students and locked the door behind him. The Blade leader bent down and calmly wiped his sword on Erica’s body. Then he turned and faced Lea.
“You only delay the inevitable. We will find them and kill them all.” he slowly stood as he said this.
“I’m going to kill you last. I want you to understand how inevitable your death will be. I will however show you the same courtesy you showed my friend. I will make it swift,” said Lea.
“We will wait here.” said Himara.
Everyone remained seated. John and Masami looked at each other. His voice entertained no argument. He sipped his tea. As he placed his cup down, the Blades entered the room silently.
“Please.” the Sensei beckoned to the lead Blade, “if you would indulge an old man who is about to die, why are you here?”
The Blade looked around at the others who nodded.
“We are here for them.” he said as he pointed to John and Masami.
”The Kage leaves no witnesses.”
The implication was clear. The Sensei put his cup down slowly.
“I understand now, very well. Are you certain I cannot dissuade you from this course of action?”
All the Blades drew their swords.
“I will take that as a no.” said Himara.
The Sensei stood and signaled to John and Masami to not interfere. He stood to face the Blades. They had fanned out to prevent any escape with the lead flanked by two Blades on each side. Himara, who was dressed in a loose fitting gi with hakama, looked unassuming as the Blades began to advance. Even though John knew Himara was highly skilled, he was also quite old. Masami as if reading his thoughts pulled him back to the wall to prevent him from interfering.
The lead Blade turned to John and spoke.
“You would let an old man –” he pointed his swords at Himara as he said this, “die in your place. Where is your honor?”
It was a calculated ploy to goad John into a rash action. On some level it worked, John could feel his ears warming up, but he didn’t let any emotion show on his face.
“Death is not always the alternative,” said Himara. “A pointless death is just a waste of life.”
“You are no threat to us old man. Kill him.” the lead Blade said. Two Blades approached the Sensei. John could sense the subtle change come over Himara. The time for talk was over. It was now time to act, to kill. John almost felt sorry for the Blades, until he remembered that they were here to kill him and Masami. John turned to Masami.
“These Blades are not like the other group.” he said.
“The Shadow Blades have several groups. The rank and file is sent to attack secondary targets, causing the enemy to spread themselves thin. The elite groups are sent after the real targets.” said Masami.
This group was meant to face the highest possible threat. John could see it in their stances and approach. The second two Blades slowly started to approach Himara with the lead holding back. John had never seen anyone move so fast, outside of blurring. Himara evaded the first cut which would have slit his throat by a fraction of an inch. Immediately ducking and stepping to the side avoided two more attacks. Pivoting on his back foot put him out of reach of the fourth attack which would have sliced open his thigh.
“He can’t dodge them forever, why doesn’t he attack?” said John to Masami. She placed a hand on his arm to calm him and to subtly remind him not to intervene.
His skill is so great that it’s possible he could dodge them for quite some time, thought John. That wouldn’t resolve this situation though.
“He is not dodging, he is observing. Watch him closely,” said Masami.
John focused on Himara and noticed every time he dodged an attack, he would scan his entire opponent, something that seemed odd to John.
“Why is he doing that,” asked John, without taking his eyes off Himara.
“Because of his skill, it is the first step in defeating an opponent, know your enemy,” said Masami.
John really had to make the time to read the journal given to him by Fujita Sensei. He had a feeling it would explain these skills. John was transfixed. It was akin to watching someone jump into a blender and exit unscathed.
The first Blade fell, blood oozing from his mouth and nose. He fell suddenly clutching his throat, in a few moments he was still.
“What was that? What happened?” said John. Masami was silent for a moment until John turned to her. He could see the fear in her eyes.
“What’s wrong? What is it?” asked John.
After what seemed an eternity, Masami exhaled.
“He knows more than two of the skills.” she whispered. “No one outside the clan heads is supposed to acquire that knowledge. It is forbidden.”
John knew the implications. Was this the person he was looking for? Was he lying about his Sensei being alive? If he needed to, could he defeat him?
Those questions would have to wait. John saw Himara appear to brush his hand across the chest of one of the blades as he sidestepped a vertical cut. It almost seemed as if Himara were steadying himself to present a fall. A moment later, the Blade fell to the ground, gasping for breath.
“He stopped his lungs.” said Masami.
The other two Blades though wary, were undeterred and attacked in unison.
Himara managed to dodge one Blade stepping slightly to the right. Touching the Blades hand as he stepped, he caused him to drop his sword as his hand immediately cramped forcing his fingers into a claw. The second Blade was much faster than he anticipated and managed to cut Himara across the abdomen, eliciting a grunt from the old man. Himara drew close to the Blade catching his wrist with one hand and driving a finger into his temple with the other. The blade was dead before he hit the ground.
“Impressive.” said the lead Blade as he surveyed the three dead Blades.
“It seems you forgot one.” he said as he walked over to the Blade clutching his hand in agony as his fingers were being forced apart by his very body.
“Let me ease your pain.” the lead Blade said as he bent down to survey the hand that was now so contorted, the bones had begun snapping.
“Rest easy brother.” he said as he slit the Blade’s throat.
The lead blade turned to the Sensei as he spoke.
“You hid yourself well. Had the Kage known of your existence, we would have been here earlier.” said the lead Blade.
Himara Sensei looked over at John. In that second, no words were necessary. John knew the sensei was done.
“This one is yours.” said Himara as he collapsed. Masami rushed to the Sensei as John stepped to intercept the lead Blade.
“It is a futile gesture, your death is as inevitable as the old mans.” The Blade turned to face John.
“I’m not dead yet.” said John.
“We will see.”
The Blade took a defensive position. John could hear the Sensei whisper something to Masami as she bent close.
“Masami,” John called over his shoulder, “what did he say?”
“Poison, the swords are covered in poison!” said Masami.
The lead Blade smiled as he looked at John.
“Now at the end, you finally understand.” the Blade said as he stepped forward.
Kei hoped they would follow her. She was leading them away from the living quarters and towards the dojo. She made a right down the corridor that led to the dojo looking back to make sure they were behind her. The glass doors at the end of the corridor offered her an unobstructed view of the dojo floor. She saw Lea and more men in the dojo. She looked at Lea saw death on her face. Kei turned to face the Blades chasing her.
“Guess it will have to be here then.” she said to herself.
If she was going to die, she couldn’t think of a better way to do it. She could only hope for a death that would make her Sensei proud.
She held her blade in an inverse grip designed to fool her opponent into thinking no attack was possible. The first Blade came at her with a horizontal slash designed to disembowel. She stepped in at the end of his arc and stabbed through his heart. She had no illusions about her skill; she was good but not that good.
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