The Blood Sword (Book One of The Blood Sword Series)

Chapter Thirty-Five: Hunter

Hunter glanced back to see how Ty was doing. The path was not an easy one, but he seemed content just to follow her. His ear buds were still in as he listened to the Japanese language program he bought back in the states. He was picking it up faster than she had expected. Japanese was not one of the easiest languages to learn. She looked back to the path remembering the last time she had come this way.

Hunter had followed her father up the footpath wanting nothing more than, to take his hand and beg him to go back. She did not though. Her father had told her a samurai never took fear with them into battle. She wanted to be a samurai like her father and marched on behind him without a word of complaint.

She smiled remembering the day she finished training. Her father stood before the whole court dressed in his armor and proclaimed her his daughter, and heir to the Takeda clan. He challenged any who opposed him.

One man had and attacked her father. Hunter watched as her father beat the man into a bloody pulp. 'Any other challengers?' he father roared daring any to come forth. There were more, but they were students who had been in line to join the Takeda clan. They were Hunter's to fight and she did. She beat three of them bloody, killing one. No other challengers came forth. She did not cry over the death. Hunter learned from the start, samurai's that died in battle were given the highest honor.

The court accepted her as Takeda and that night he father threw a feast that had blown her mind. She smiled still seeing the pride in her father's eyes as he presented her the banner of her clan. The same banner she wore under her coat.

Hunter saw a flash of black from the corner of her eye. She did not bother to look however. She knew they would be gone before she moved her head.

'Love.' Ty whispered.

'It's ok Ty. It's just the watchmen.' She smiled back to him 'Ninjas' he rolled his eyes making her chuckle. They walked on and a half an hour later they rounded a bend and the walls of the school came into view. Hunter smiled at the sight. Ty let out an impressed whistle. As they approached the gates, they opened.

An aged man in dark brown leather armor walked through the massive wooden gates with a shinobi escort. His white hair was pulled up and styled in the traditional samurai top knot. His long beard was braded with red silk and hung down to his chest. Hunter knew the thick built man was in his seventies, however he moved like a man half his age. He smiled and his light brown eyes lit up seeing Hunter. The two bow to each other.

'It has been too long' he said in Japanese with a smile 'Welcome back Takeda.'

'Thank you Master Isao.' Hunter said then motioned to Ty. 'This is Lance Tyler or Ty for short. You requested his presents with mine and we came.' The Master nodded

'Good.' He frowned to her concerned 'You know why I asked you to bring him.' She nodded.

'Yes Master I do. I have prepared him.' She told him. The Master nodded.

'Good. We are waiting for one more member of the court to arrive and then we will begin.' He motioned them to follow. 'I should warn you.' The master said his voice full of sadness. 'The reason I called court was some of the clan's masters wish to lift the ban on the making of blood swords. It is why I called you. The Takeda clan alone know the secret and may release it.' Hunter shook her head.

'They do not know what they are asking.' She said 'They do not know what it takes to forge red steel.' Isao froze and looked to her eyes flashing in anger.

'Tell me you didn't' he snapped outraged 'after your father warned you!' he slapped her hard on the face. Ty roared his rage and grabbed the master lifting him off the ground. The two ninja guards attacked but Ty dropped the Master and dodged a strike to his face. He slammed one of his massive fist into the first shinobi's face before grabbing him and throwing him into the second one. Hunter grabbed him stopping him from attacking Isao again.