Joe opened his eyes. He stared up into
Alexis's face. He was lying with his head in her lap. "I must have
died and gone to heaven, because I'm definitely seeing an angel."
"Has your memory returned or are you just fond of corny lines like
that one?"
"Actually, both. Although you could have warned me that the shock of
that could've killed me," he said sitting up. He brushed himself off
and gave his new body a once over. His entire physical makeup had
changed including his clothes. He now wore black pants, shirt,
boots, jacket, and cloth belt. The belt was holding two sheathed
swords in place. One sword was wooden and the other was steel. A
shorter sword was sheathed at the small of his back, also held on by
the belt. Alexis handed him a mirror. His once dirty blond hair was
now blue and his eyes were emerald green. "Wow I really am back in
this body," he patted his stomach, "and the keg is now a six pack. I
think for now, though, I should stick to the other body." He closed
his eyes and his body morphed to its original form. "This looks less
suspicious."
"What no welcome kiss? Well Nami I'm beginning to think I shouldn't
have brought you back. Or is it because you have another
girlfriend?"
"Don't talk nonsense. Of course I don't. And as for that kiss," he
trailed off placing his hands on either side of her face; he lowered
his head and covered her mouth with his.
Alexis felt her knees give so she wrapped her arms around his neck.
She drank in the taste of his lips over hers. Joe broke the kiss
just as fast as he had started it.
"Feel better?"
"Y-yes."
"Come inside. This looks weird, the two of us standing out here."
"Ok," she said following him inside. She glanced around the room she
had entered. It was a living room cluttered with furniture, a
computer, and many books and magazines. She then followed Joe into
the kitchen where he poured her a cup of coffee.
"Black, right," he asked. She nodded in response. "So I take it that
since you're here everything is going according to plan."
"Yes, you were the last one we needed to find."
"Last again. So how long ago were you awoken?"
"Two years; same time as Tamashi. We opened a dojo. The Blades Of
Honor Dojo. And Hi came around about a year ago."
"Wow a dojo eh? I'll have to check it out. Hey, what about Meiyo?"
"Yesterday, and don't ask about your sensei. I haven't seen her at
all."
"Well, the fact that the five of us are back is proof enough for me
that she's here. She probably started this whole thing. Lets just
hope it's not a repeat of last time."
Alexis nodded in agreement. These are simpler times, she thought
sipping her coffee. "They couldn't have followed us. That would be
near impossible…"
"Never say that! The moment we start thinking that is the moment
that something will happen. We must use this new found freedom
wisely."
Alexis sighed, "Unfortunately you're right," she giggled, "Although,
that sounded like one of Meiyo's speeches. OK, anyways, I have
something else I need to tell ya'."
"What?"
"Tamashi and I are going to offer you a part-time teaching job at
the dojo. We can pay more than any job you can possibly have at this
time."
"Well…. I do wash dishes at my cousin's restaurant," he saw the
disappointment in her eyes, "but any trained monkey can wash and put
away dishes. Teaching the way of the sword, now that takes skill. I
bet I can convince my parents to let me change professions."
Her face brightened considerably, "You mean it?"
"Yes," The sound of the front door opening caught both of their
attention. Joe's mom dropped her bag on the ground. She was a
special ed. teacher for a neighboring school district. "Oh, hi mom.
Mom, this is my friend Alexis. Alexis, this is my mom. Uumm Mom,
Alexis was telling me about a job offer. Her friend owns a Karate
school and he needs another assistant. I would have to quit my
current job due to time constraints, but I'd be making more money
and it would be a lot more fun. I can keep washing until we get a
replacement."
"Can I get through the door first? We'll have to discuss this later,
with your father."
"Ok, well in the mean time can I go check out the dojo? I'll take
the Corsica and drive really carefully. Please."
"Is your homework done?"
"Yes."
"Fine. How late are you going to be?"
"9:00? I know that's late but I can grab dinner at Wendy's."
"Fine."
"Ya! Alexis will I need anything?"
"Just yourself."
Blades of Honor Dojo
6:00pm.
"Guess who's back," Nami shouted as he entered the dojo. He had
changed back into his fighting body so they would recognize him
easier. Tamashi and Meiyo were sparing in the middle of the dojo.
Their blades moved with dance like grace, as each potential blow was
block with the other's sword. Tamashi had obtained a metal sword for
this match. This should be fun, Nami thought. He charged into the
battle with his metal sword, Sono Katana No Hikira, The Sword of
Light. "Kami Katana No Seitosa Style Double Villain Cutter!"
"What the hell," exclaimed Tamshi moving away from the blade as it
sliced through the air that he had just been in.
"Surprise. Did ja' miss me?"
"Nami, you reckless son of a bitch. You could have waited till we
were done."
"I could have, but then that isn't my style now is it."
"God, I have no idea why we brought you back."
"It'd be boring without me." He sheathed his sword and shook
Tamashi's hand and then turned around and bowed to Meiyo. "So, this
is your Dojo. Looks nice. Sensei must be proud."
"None of us have actually seen her yet. Hi has gotten calls from
her. We think that she will finally contact us in person once she
hears that all of us are back."
"That makes sense. So lets tell her."
"Not that easy; she contacts us, not the other way around."
"Oh." Nami sat on the floor of the dojo. "So, what are we going to
do now?"
"Nothing. For now we wait," Tamashi said. Alexis sat on the floor
next to Nami. She leaned her head against his shoulder. "And the
cute couple is back together. Joy! I hope this won't be a
distraction to your training, Tsuki." Nami gave Tamashi the middle
finger. "As mature as ever I see." Nami smiled.
"So, what's this I hear about a job offer?"
"Well, I'll take you on as an instructor. We'll give you twice what
minimum wage is and some minor benefits."
"Do I have to take orders from you?"
"Yes."
"That's gonna be a pain, but I guess it's worth it."
The next day
Blades of honor dojo
Nami stood near one of the walls holding his sword. He went through
different maneuvers. It's been a while. He felt the air behind him
change and he brought his sword up in an overhead block. Tsuki's
sword crashed into his. The swords separated and Tsuki moved into a
waist level slash that Nami countered by moving the broad side of
his sword in the path of hers.
"I see someone has been practicing," he said.
Tsuki grinned in reply and sheathed her sword. "And I see someone
hasn't lost their edge."
"It has been a while," Nami replied looking at her, "Perhaps too
long."
"What's with that look? Regrets?"
"No, it's just that you don't know what you have till it's gone. For
a while there it looked like you were gone for good."
"You think to much."
"That's a bad thing?"
She giggled and grabbed his hand. "Come on, Let's go get some
lunch." He followed her to the door. "Where are you parked?"
"I'm over there," he replied pointing at an 89 Pontiac 6000 se.
"I'll drive," she said trying to snatch his keys.
"Over my dead body."
"That can be arranged, Nami."
"Funny, now where do you want to go?"
"Subway?"
"Went there yesterday. How about Denny's?"
"Alright."
Denny's
"So, what have you been doing with yourself, Tsuki?"
"Not much. Home school, teaching, gymnastics, drawing, you know, the
usual. You?"
"Me? Well, Taking crap from my parents, Teachers, and peers,
writing, gaming, sleeping."
"Well like they say, "The more things change…"
"True. But I can't wait to actually start teaching. It's gonna be a
blast."
"Well, you do know that you can take on one apprentice free of
charge right? It was Tamashi's Idea."
"Hmmm, really? I know just the girl?"
"Girl?"
"Yep an ex of mine."
"Are you sure that's a smart idea?"
"Well…what could go wrong?"
"She's an ex of yours and you want to teach her how to use a sword."
"When you put it that way… I can't wait to tell her."
"You're hopeless"
"Thank you."
The next day
Union-Endicott High School 7:45 am
The doors to the Gym Lobby opened and Joe walked in. He was still in
his new form and had a black backpack slung over his shoulder. He
walked to one of the walls and sat down against it. "Man, am I
tiered." A kid his age arrived shortly after him. He was average in
height and weight and wore glasses. "Oh, hey Justin what's up?"
"Huh," Justin said scratching his head, "Uhh who are you?"
"Hmmm I am the answer to all that is wrong, I am the walker of the
night, I AM BATMAN! Or Joe which ever you prefer."
"Uhhh…"
"Oh yeah, forgot, sorry. I did kinda like a huge make over last
weekend. My girlfriend arrived in town and it was her idea."
"Wait, when did you get a girlfriend."
"Last weekend," Joe grinned, "Is Lizzy here yet? I gotta talk to
her."
"No. So let me get this straight; you had plastic surgery, you got
yourself a girlfriend, and you want to talk to Lizzy? Anything else
happen?"
"Well I got a new job. I'm teaching at a dojo!"
"You are teaching at a dojo?"
"Yep. Scary ain't it?"
U-E High 2nd floor Cafeteria
12:30pm
"Lizzy, you got a min.?" Joe asked catching up to her. She turned
around an looked at him for a second. "It's me, Joe, remember?"
"Oh yeah."
"Ok, remember that job I got? Well I gotta take on one apprentice
and I think you'd be good."
"umm okay…."
"Cool I'll call u later and tell you when I can take you up."
Joe's Car
4:00pm
"Ok first I guess I should tell you about some of the things in the
style. There are four schools of the Devine Sword Style. We are the
Justice School. You will be expected to call me Sensei when we are
training. Everyone of a higher rank will be called Sempi. We believe
that the master and student must have a friendly relationship so
when we are not training just call me Joe, Joe-kun, Nami, or Nami-kun."
"Nami?"
"That's my Apprentice name. You will get one too if you actually
train hard enough."
She shot him a look at that last comment. The car pulled into the
Blades of Honor Dojo and the two went inside. When they got in the
saw Hi franticly running around carrying a picnic blanket, outside
toys, like footballs and Frisbees, and other items. Tsuki was
emerging from the kitchen with a picnic basket hanging from her arm
and Tamshi was carrying chairs.
"What's going on," Nami asked.
Meiyo replied, "It's our annual cherry blossom festival. Now get
outside before you miss it."
Elizabeth and Nami exited through the back door into a cherry tree
grove. I never knew that there were this many trees in the
Tri-Cities. I missed these festivals. The grass was covered in a
blanket of light pink. The wind blew the blossoms around in random
patterns as Tsuki attempted to spread the blanket. The students all
sat down and Nami introduced them all to Lizzy. They then proceeded
to munch on the sandwiches, cookies, and other things that Tsuki had
baked for the festival.
After a while the six of them sat back to really take in the view.
"You know," Tamashi said, "I remember the first time we were all at
a Cherry Blossom Festival together, with the exception of Elizabeth
of course. Remember? Sensei was there too."
Nami leaned back, "yeah."
"I wish she were here," Hi added, "I can almost see her."
"Me too," Tamashi said. He looked out into the trees and he saw the
shape of a woman moving amongst the trees. She was a tall woman w/
long black hair and she was wearing a white Kimono and two swords.
Tamashi rubbed his eyes, "Am I the only one who sees that?"
Hi jumped up and took off like a shot at the woman. "Apparently
not," Tamashi remarked. Less then a second before Hi tackle hugged
her, she threw her swords into the air. She fell backwards with the
force of Hi's hug. The swords landed neatly next to her. Tamashi and
the others walked over.
Hi had his arms wrapped around the woman and was crying. He finally
let go of her when the others arrived. Tamashi helped her up. "Is it
really you Sensei?"
"Yes Tamashi-kun," the woman replied.
"It's good to see you have returned," Tamashi said bowing.
"Yes, Sensei," said Nami, with one hand around Tsuki's waist, "We've
missed you all to much."
"It's good to be back."
Meiyo placed a hand on her left cheek, "You've been gone very long,
Sei-chan, I missed you," he leaned over and kissed her lightly on
the mouth.
She placed a hand over his and smiled, "yes I've missed you too."
During all this Lizzy had been hanging around the outside of the
group trying to figure out what's going on. "Who's this," Seiketsu
asked looking at Lizzy.
"This is my first apprentice, Elizabeth Melville," Nami said.
"This is a welcome thing. Welcome Elizabeth-san," Seiketsu said
bowing.
Lizzy hesitated and bowed, "yes, it's umm nice to meet you."
PS BS (Post Script Bull S***):
Finally this thing is done. There was a cameo appearance by New Hope
in there and Yuki is my new apprentice. Any guesses what her name
will be when she reaches class 1??
Hehe (checks the ms explorer window and see's that it's HS's
month…..) I'm scared
Ok I'm done till chp 3, Summer's Snow see ya
|