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

Chapter Forty-Six: Hunter

Hunter sat down on the Takeda seat in the great hall. Every clan sent a member to be present when she announced the names of the babies, and told them which of the two, was the heir to the Takeda seat. Her family stood at her back. They had been allowed to attend just this once because this was a baby naming. Ty was at her side holding the twins. Isao called the meeting to order then gave Hunter the floor. She did not stand for this and no one expected her to.

'The heir to the Takeda council seat, unless proven unworthy, is my first born. Katara Takeda. My second born Hiro Takeda will take the seat if his sister is unable or unfit.'

'Are there any protest?' Isao asked unable to stop smiling. The Kase representative came forward, and Hunter was not at all surprised. He looked as miserable as his older brother did.

'The house of Kase protest.' He bellowed. 'The children are twins, why not have the boy take the seat?'

'Are you kidding me?' Hunter said annoyed. 'You are seriously pulling that archaic sexist bull shit here?' she stood scowling outraged. 'Samurai have never discriminated against a clan head because of gender. Who the hell do you think you are pulling this shit at my children's naming?'

'I agree!' The Nakahara clan leader snapped outraged and standing. 'The Nakahara Clan has always been run by females for centuries passing up male first born to take the seat. We are one of the top most powerful clans in the council. Who are you to say a woman should not take the seat?'

'The Takeda Clan is known for its smiths!' The Kase yelled 'The law is clear. Women must not forge imperial samurai weapons,'

'That law had been abolished.' Isao said 'The same year the school was founded to accommodate a talented female Takeda smith who was thought to have the skill to advance to an imperial smith. Must I remind you that the current Takeda is an imperial grandmaster smith? One who has forged not only a blood sword and survived, but also created two new types of steel? Steel that she has been hard at work smelting these last months into bars for the school's use.'

'Bah!' The Kase roared and pointed a finger at Hunter. 'This whore is an unworthy cunt and should have never taken the Takeda seat.' Hunter drew her sword.

'Mom, dad. Get everyone out of here.' She snarled not looking to them.

'Hunter.' Argon said worried.

'I will be fine dad. This is a challenge. You cannot be here for it.' She warned them. Some shinobi came forward and escorted the group out. Ty stayed refusing to let her stand alone. He had given the children to their grandmother. Hunter step off the seat and the Kase pulled his sword.

'You will pay for crippling my brother bitch.' The Kase snared. Hunter did not reply. She was finding her center and watching for the attack. She was still sore from bringing the twins into the world a week ago, but she knew she could do this. He attacked and she dodged blocking his attack. The Kase was far below her skill level and she defended herself with ease. She allowed him just enough time to withdraw his challenge and back off, but he did not. Hunter brought Justice down hard and he tried to block it but the blood sword sliced through his blade like it was not even there, then cut through his chest. He stared at her in wide-eyed shock before falling to his knees, then to the floor the life draining from his eyes.

Hunter used his clothes to clean her blade before looking to the group of silent samurai. 'Anyone else have a problem with my kid?' she asked in a dangerous tone. There was no response and she returned to her seat. Four samurai trainees came forward. All were silent as they took the body and broken sword away. Isao ended the meeting and Hunter and Ty went home. Hunter smiled as she accepted Hiro and kissed the boys forehead.

'Hello my little one.' She greeted pleased to see him smiling at her. 'I bet I know what you want my tiny little black hole. You want to be fed don't you?' She sat on the couch and breast-fed him.

'Don't forget the new Takeda.' Harry said amused 'She can out scream her brother if she goes too long between feedings.' Hunter nodded chuckling.

'I've got her.' Ty said presenting a bottle. He took the little girl and gave her the bottle. Hunter looked to Joe who had been quiet since he got there.

'Spill it.' She told him and he flinched.

'What?' he asked confused.

'You have been moping since you got here.' She said. 'The only time I have seen any life in you is when you hold the kids.' He sighed shaking his head.

'I have been waiting for the right time to talk about it.' He said with a frown. 'But I do not think there is a right time for bad news.' He looked to her. 'I did not know it at the time, but when Tray left the base, he took Jeric and William with him. Jeric's men were waiting and freed them both.' Hunter nodded with a frown.

'So why are you sad?' she said confused 'This news should tickle you pink.' Joe looked to her stunned. Hunter shook her head. 'Think about it Joe. Jeric sitting rotting in a cell where you and I cannot lay a finger on him, or out free where I can cut him up and make him suffer when I run into him.' Joe nodded thinking about it.

'Well, you have a point there, but I am worried he will come after you again.' She nodded her agreement.

'I am safe here for now.' She said with a frown. 'The shinobi will keep me safe until my plane home leaves the ground. When I land,' she shrugged 'I don't think he will be dumb enough to bother me.' Joe cocked his head. 'You know me Joe. You know Ty. What do you think will happen if Jeric and his goons attack us while we have the kids?' Joe's eyes widened then he grinned.

'I think you will both go crazy samurai on their stupid asses.' He chuckled relaxing. Hunter nodded with a smile.

'Now you're getting it. Jeric knows better than to mess with my family. He will not bother me for a while. In fact as upset as he was to hear I was pregnant in the first place, I do not even know if he is still interested in me.

'Time will tell.' Joe said with a frown.Q=Q