Part 3 (2/2)

'But '

'Are you hungry?' he asked, ignoring Jack's protests.

Jack's stomach growled at the mention of food.

'I'll take that as a yes.'

Leaving Jack to his tea, Soke disappeared into the doma doma. Hanzo was staring at Jack from the doorway. The boy seemed hypnotized by his blond hair and blue eyes.

'What do tengu tengu like to eat?' asked Hanzo. like to eat?' asked Hanzo.

Jack returned the boy's gaze. He'd given up arguing about tengu tengu. Instead he decided to play along.

'Little boys mostly.'

Hanzo's eyes widened in shock. Then his face brightened.

'Would you eat my friend Kobei for me? He beat me during training the other day and my arm still hurts.'

He showed Jack the bruise, a large purple patch on his bicep.

'What are you training for?' Jack asked.

'Hanzo!' interrupted Soke from the other room. 'I need your help in here.'

The boy hurried away.

A little odd for a farmboy to be involved in combat training, thought Jack as he poured himself another tea. The delicious smell of cooking wafted into the room.

After a hearty dinner of soup, rice and pickled vegetables, Jack's exhaustion finally got the better of him and he began to yawn.

'Hanzo,' said Soke. 'Please prepare a bed for our guest. He'll share your room.'

Sliding back a part.i.tion, Hanzo rolled out two futon futon mattresses, stuffed with straw, in the adjoining room. mattresses, stuffed with straw, in the adjoining room.

'Thank you for your kindness, Soke,' said Jack, bowing.

'It's been an honour,' replied the old man, returning the bow.

Jack picked up his pack and swords, and joined Hanzo in the other room.

'This one's yours,' said the boy, pointing to the futon futon nearest the door. nearest the door.

Nodding gratefully, Jack stowed his belongings in the corner where he could keep an eye on them and carefully laid his swords beside his mattress. It had become habit to have them close to hand. As he climbed into bed, Hanzo whispered, 'When will you start teaching me the sword?'

'Tomorrow,' Jack replied, mid-yawn.

'Promise?'

'Promise,' Jack mumbled wearily, surrendering himself to sleep.

7.

SWORDPLAY.

Yamato hung on for dear life, one hand clasping the balcony rail. Flames engulfed the devastated tower of Osaka Castle, cannonshot shrieked through the night and the sounds of battle raged far below.

Jack stood there, watching, unable to move. Yamato's eyes were wide with fear, pleading for him to come to his rescue. But however hard he tried, his feet were immovable as stone. He could hear Akiko screaming in the darkness.

A single green eye appeared out of the shadows.

'It's all your fault,' hissed Dragon Eye.

The ninja clung to Yamato's back. One by one, he peeled away the boy's fingers.

'No!' cried Jack as his friend plummeted to the ground.

Only now could Jack move. He ran to the edge and saw Yamato's lifeless body sprawled in the courtyard.

But Dragon Eye was nowhere to be seen. A hand seized Jack's shoulder ...

Before he'd even opened his eyes, Jack had grabbed his sword and half-drawn the blade.

'It's just me me!' Hanzo exclaimed, his hands raised high.

Jack lay back on his futon futon, his heart racing in his chest. As the nightmare receded with the light of day, he grieved for his lost friend.

'Are you all right?' asked Hanzo.

Nodding, Jack calmed himself. He'd had the dream several times before, forcing him to relive that terrible night again and again. In truth, Yamato had made the decision himself to let go, dying with honour. But Jack still wondered if he could have saved both both his friends. He s.h.i.+vered involuntarily at the thought of Dragon Eye surviving. But that was impossible. He'd fallen to his death too. his friends. He s.h.i.+vered involuntarily at the thought of Dragon Eye surviving. But that was impossible. He'd fallen to his death too.

'What were were you doing?' Jack demanded of Hanzo. you doing?' Jack demanded of Hanzo.

'Trying to steal your pillow without waking you.'

Jack gave Hanzo a befuddled look. The boy had a pillow of his own. 'Well, you did did wake me. Please don't do that again. I'd hate to mistake you for a ninja.' wake me. Please don't do that again. I'd hate to mistake you for a ninja.'

'Why?' said Hanzo, frowning.

'Because I might accidently cut you in half!'

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