The Ring Of Earth Part 20

'Did you have to work?'

'Not really, we trained most of the time,' admitted Jack. 'Our duty was to Masamoto and our lord, daimyo daimyo Takatomi. I suppose we earned our keep by fighting on his side when the time came.' Takatomi. I suppose we earned our keep by fighting on his side when the time came.'

s.h.i.+ro smiled appreciatively.

'What's Kyoto like? That's where you lived, wasn't it?'

'Busy. There are always festivals, crowds, markets. It's so much more hectic than your village.'

'Sounds exciting ...' said s.h.i.+ro, gazing into the peaceful valley below.

'It can be,' Jack replied, making a move back towards the village. 'I'd better go. Hanzo will be waiting for his sword lesson.'

s.h.i.+ro nodded noncommittally and Jack just prayed the boy wouldn't mention their encounter to Momochi. But as he headed down into the village, he felt s.h.i.+ro's eyes on him all the way.

38.

NINJA M MAGIC.

'No, like this,' said Miyuki, gently repositioning Jack's fingers into the hand sign for Rin Rin strength. strength.

As one of the clan, Jack now found himself being taught the ninja's hidden knowledge, the secret teachings of the densho densho scrolls. A week in, he was still familiarizing himself with the intricate finger-knitting patterns of scrolls. A week in, he was still familiarizing himself with the intricate finger-knitting patterns of kuji-in kuji-in. These nine secret hand signs, each with their own mantras, triggered extraordinary powers in the ninja.

Magical powers.

Jack had been sceptical. Soke had claimed kuji-in kuji-in could give a ninja great strength, forewarn of danger, read another person's thoughts, even control the elements of nature. Although Jack had witnessed his Zen master, Sensei Yamada, perform some astonis.h.i.+ng feats at the could give a ninja great strength, forewarn of danger, read another person's thoughts, even control the elements of nature. Although Jack had witnessed his Zen master, Sensei Yamada, perform some astonis.h.i.+ng feats at the Niten Ichi Ry Niten Ichi Ry school, he could not bring himself to believe in these mystical arts. They seemed school, he could not bring himself to believe in these mystical arts. They seemed too too far-fetched. far-fetched.

That was until Soke, invoking Rin Rin, had lifted a tree trunk above his head. Now he was a believer.

'Can you remember the mantra?' asked Miyuki, who sat beside him in the lee of the Buddhist temple.

Jack nodded. 'On bais.h.i.+raman taya sowaka.'

'Perfect,' she said, smiling her approval.

Having made the correct hand sign, Jack closed his eyes and repeated the mantra over and over. He visualized a flame within him growing brighter, spreading throughout his body, filling him with energy.

During their first lesson in the clan's hidden knowledge, Soke had explained, 'Kuji-in is a combination of hand posture, meditation and focus. Together they unlock the powers of the mind and tap into the energy of the Ring of Sky.' is a combination of hand posture, meditation and focus. Together they unlock the powers of the mind and tap into the energy of the Ring of Sky.'

Jack had yet to achieve this. But he thought it was possible. He'd experienced the power of ki ki, his own spiritual energy, during his meditation training as a samurai. So he knew what to strive for. Kuji-in Kuji-in, however, was on a far higher level and would need a lot more practice.

Out of nowhere he felt a hot rush and a burst of energy. It was very brief like a bolt of lightning.

'Are you all right?' asked Miyuki.

Jack opened his eyes.

'You shook like a tree in a storm.'

'I'm fine,' Jack replied, his body tingling all over.

'You just channelled into the Ring of Sky,' explained Soke, walking over to check on their progress. 'It can be a bit unnerving first time, but you'll learn to control it. Even a brief connection can be useful, though, giving you a vital burst of energy in times of crisis.'

Soke beckoned the other students together in front of the temple.

'Now I wish you to focus on Sha Sha, healing. This is the hand sign,' he instructed, clasping his hands together, his fingers interlaced, the index finger and thumb both extended. 'Of all the kuji-in, Sha kuji-in, Sha is the most worthy of your attention. The ability to heal is far more valuable than the ability to kill.' is the most worthy of your attention. The ability to heal is far more valuable than the ability to kill.'

He formed his students into a semi-circle overlooking the village.

'For the time being, concentrate on self-healing. Once you've mastered this, you can bestow your healing properties on others.'

One by one, the students settled into their postures and began their meditation.

'On haya bais.h.i.+raman taya sowaka ...'

The chanting of the Sha Sha mantra echoed out across the valley as the sun slowly set over the mountains. Jack could smell a mix of jasmine and sandalwood incense drifting upon the breeze, and soon fell into a deep trance. The peace and serenity of his surroundings seeped into him, easing his mind, body and soul. mantra echoed out across the valley as the sun slowly set over the mountains. Jack could smell a mix of jasmine and sandalwood incense drifting upon the breeze, and soon fell into a deep trance. The peace and serenity of his surroundings seeped into him, easing his mind, body and soul.

By the time the sun dropped behind the mountains, Jack felt reborn.

39.

MOVING T TARGET.

'Welcome to my hideout,' said Tenzen proudly.

Jack gazed around in awe at the grotto, its high ceiling glimmering with quartz and crystals. He'd been surprised enough when Tenzen had led him to a waterfall in the mountains for his shuriken shuriken training. But then he'd been astounded as Tenzen had stepped through this cascade and into the hidden cavern behind. The bright suns.h.i.+ne filtering through the waterfall made the grotto appear light and airy, though the cavern receded into darkness. training. But then he'd been astounded as Tenzen had stepped through this cascade and into the hidden cavern behind. The bright suns.h.i.+ne filtering through the waterfall made the grotto appear light and airy, though the cavern receded into darkness.

'How far back does it go?' Jack asked.

'These mountains are riddled with caves, tunnels and pa.s.sageways,' replied Tenzen. 'I've yet to fully explore them.'

'Who else knows about this place?'

'It's my secret. But I know know I can trust you not to tell anyone.' I can trust you not to tell anyone.'

'So why bring me here?' asked Jack.

'Target practice,' he replied, handing Jack three shuriken shuriken.

'What's wrong with the posts back in the village?'

'They don't move, and samurai do,' replied Tenzen, walking over to a small log resting upon a ledge. 'We need a more realistic test for your shuriken shuriken skills. You can hit stationary objects almost every time, but can you hit a moving target?' skills. You can hit stationary objects almost every time, but can you hit a moving target?'

Tenzen pushed the log off the ledge. As it swung across the grotto and back again, Jack saw it was attached by a rope tied to a stalact.i.te in the ceiling.

Taking careful aim, Jack threw his first shuriken shuriken. It didn't even come close, clattering into the rock wall behind. As the log continued its arc, Jack took a second shot. Again the throwing star missed, this time disappearing into the grotto's black hole. He cursed in frustration. With all the training Tenzen had given him, Jack thought he'd mastered this skill.

'Antic.i.p.ate the target's movement,' advised Tenzen, giving the log another push.

Following the sweeping trajectory of the log, Jack flicked his third and final throwing star. It flew through the air, just ahead of the target and ... shot past.

Jack watched as his shuriken shuriken rebounded off the cave wall and vanished into the waterfall. A second later he was knocked off his feet. Jack sat up, dazed and confused. Then he saw the offending log spinning above his head. rebounded off the cave wall and vanished into the waterfall. A second later he was knocked off his feet. Jack sat up, dazed and confused. Then he saw the offending log spinning above his head.

'Always keep one eye on your target,' said Tenzen, laughing. 'Especially when you miss.'

Tenzen produced three more shuriken shuriken from his pouch. 'Let me demonstrate the technique.' from his pouch. 'Let me demonstrate the technique.'

As the target arced across the grotto, Tenzen launched his throwing stars one after the other. The first two struck the wood, the third sliced through the rope, sending the log cras.h.i.+ng to the ground.

'That's incredible!' exclaimed Jack, his admiration for the ninja increasing.

'Just takes a little practice,' Tenzen replied, retrieving his shuriken shuriken.

'But you're so good at everything everything. Concealment, speed-running, ninja swimming, shuriken-jutsu shuriken-jutsu ...' ...'

'I've no choice,' replied Tenzen, sighing as if some great weight rested upon his shoulders. He looked at Jack, seemingly unsure whether to confide in him or not. Then, pulling the last of his throwing stars out of the wood, he sat down upon a rock and faced Jack.

'As Shonin's son, I'm destined to lead the clan one day,' he began. 'That means I have have to be the best.' to be the best.'

'You've nothing to worry about,' said Jack. 'Your ninjutsu ninjutsu is faultless.' is faultless.'

'Being a leader's not just about fighting and throwing shuriken shuriken. I'll have to coordinate missions, organize the farming, negotiate with samurai for our services, manage the politics of the village, maintain defences, avoid war with daimyo daimyo Akechi and plan for the future. My father is Akechi and plan for the future. My father is brilliant brilliant at all these things. You saw how he handled Momochi at the dinner, admitting his mistake yet still appearing in total control. That takes true skill diplomacy that I don't naturally have. The entire village admires Shonin. I still have to at all these things. You saw how he handled Momochi at the dinner, admitting his mistake yet still appearing in total control. That takes true skill diplomacy that I don't naturally have. The entire village admires Shonin. I still have to earn earn that respect.' that respect.'

'You'll make a brilliant leader,' rea.s.sured Jack.

'But what if I can't rise to the challenge?' said Tenzen, driving the blade of a shuriken shuriken into the log. 'What if I make a wrong decision under pressure?' into the log. 'What if I make a wrong decision under pressure?'

'I'm sure you won't,' said Jack. 'My father used to say, In a storm, a s.h.i.+p that turns from a wave will flounder, but a s.h.i.+p that attacks the wave will rise and conquer In a storm, a s.h.i.+p that turns from a wave will flounder, but a s.h.i.+p that attacks the wave will rise and conquer. I've no doubt you'll rise to the challenge when the time comes.'

'I hope so, because I sense a storm is coming.'

40.

BANDITS.

Hanzo sneaked through the forest, his eyes scanning for the slightest movement. He was oblivious to Jack, who crouched high in a tree, his black s.h.i.+n.o.bi shozoku s.h.i.+n.o.bi shozoku rendering him invisible in the twilight. rendering him invisible in the twilight.

After a further week's intensive training in kuji-in kuji-in, Soke had decided his students required a more physical activity. He'd instructed them to practise their Ring of Earth concealment skills and avoid detection by the best tracker, Hanzo.

Jack thought he'd evaded his friend, when Hanzo stopped and looked round.

'Soke's called us back!' Hanzo called out.

Jack formed the hand sign Jin Jin, silently mouthing its mantra. This kuji-in kuji-in enabled him to read the thoughts of others. He understood the result would be little more than suggestion, a feeling; but it could help him judge whether someone was lying or not. enabled him to read the thoughts of others. He understood the result would be little more than suggestion, a feeling; but it could help him judge whether someone was lying or not.

Hanzo was definitely definitely lying. The boy knew Jack was close. Jack had seen him also use lying. The boy knew Jack was close. Jack had seen him also use Jin Jin to sense his presence within the forest. Now Hanzo was trying to draw him out. to sense his presence within the forest. Now Hanzo was trying to draw him out.

Jack slowed his breathing, not moving a muscle and becoming one with the tree.

'I'll eat your dinner, tengu tengu!' said Hanzo, giving the area another sweep.

'Over here,' called a hushed voice that Jack recognized as Miyuki's. 'I've found his trail. I told you he's as subtle as an elephant.'

Clearly, Miyuki had been caught and was now part of the tracking team.

Jack grinned to himself. She'd fallen for his ploy he'd left broken stems along a small forest track. Hanzo darted from the clearing in Miyuki's direction. Jack waited before dropping noiselessly to the forest floor. He thought about cutting across the ridge and backtracking to the temple, when he suddenly sensed danger.

Before Hanzo's appearance, he'd been practising the hand sign Kai Kai. This enhanced a ninja's intuition, forewarning them of threats. However, Jack got the feeling he wasn't the one in danger. Someone else was, possibly Hanzo. Following his instincts, Jack ran through the forest. The sensation became stronger. Eventually reaching the furthest boundary of the village's domain, he heard voices.

'Hand it over,' growled a man, 'and we'll let you live.'

Coming to a rocky outcrop, Jack looked down to see three men on a forest path surrounding a fourth younger man. Judging by their appearance shabby kimono, unkempt beards, wooden clubs and knives in their hands the three men weren't samurai. Or ninja. They were bandits.

Their victim was better dressed, in a plain travelling kimono and wooden sandals. A merchant or craftsman, Jack guessed. The young man held out a pouch with a trembling hand and threw it to the middle bandit, a brawny, hard-faced man with a flattened nose.

'Is that all?' the bandit demanded, feeling the weight of the coins in his hand.

The victim mutely nodded his head.

The bandit snorted his disgust. 'Kill him.'

'But you said you wouldn't,' cried the man.

'I lied.'

The two other bandits, grinning maliciously, converged on their victim. One wielded a wooden club; the other had a rusty knife.

Jack knew the next few seconds would decide the poor man's fate. He couldn't stand by and allow him to be murdered. Quickly pulling a shuriken shuriken from a pouch on his waist, he flicked it at the bandit with the club. Blood spurting from his wrist, the man dropped his weapon and screamed. Unseen, Jack leapt from the rock, landing between the second bandit and his victim. from a pouch on his waist, he flicked it at the bandit with the club. Blood spurting from his wrist, the man dropped his weapon and screamed. Unseen, Jack leapt from the rock, landing between the second bandit and his victim.

Blocking the knife attack, Jack grabbed hold of the bandit's arm, twisted it and threw him to the ground. There was a sharp crack as the man's arm broke, leaving him writhing in agony.