Fan Fiction ❯ Bushido ❯ The Tengu ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4: The Tengu

Now 40 Ryo richer and Hiroshi's horse in good hands, Koichi continued on his way until he reached Yamashiro, all the while thinking about his recent battle.

Yamashiro, he thought, Now I'm in Oda's territory. I should be safer here than in any of Oshima's lands…however… Koichi looked up at the cloudy sky, Ishikawa Hiroshi…he was merely a foot soldier, yet I still had trouble beating him. The only reason I am alive is because I was just able to keep up with him, and the gods must have been in my favor that night…if I can only defeat a foot soldier out of luck, I must sharpen my skills a great deal… But who's wise and strong enough to teach me more? The ronin sighed as he noticed a low rumble somewhere down the river. Koichi smiled, knowing what it must be.

"A waterfall," he told himself, "I really should work on my endurance and concentration..." He headed towards the low roar, glad to have a chance to train. Back in Tango, the nearest waterfall was actually inside the village, but it was a few miles away, since the village was quite spread out. Masao had taken Koichi to it only on two training occasions, too busy to travel much. However, it wasn't much of a waterfall anyway, although Koichi recalled some of the older samurai mentioning stronger ones around Japan that were better for training. Koichi was fairly contented when he saw the size of the waterfall. It wasn't huge, but it was better than the one back home.

Soon the ronin was dressed only in his fundoshi, sitting cross-legged on the rocks at the bottom of the waterfall. The water pounded down upon his shoulders, gallon after gallon. Koichi merely relaxed under the roaring water, knowing that he would be able to endure some ten or more minutes before his body would start to hurt badly. Until then, he kept his mind on meditating, resisting the temptation to only think about the pounding water. When he was unable to withstand the water anymore, he stood up and jumped back onto the shore, wringing his hair out once his feet were planted firmly on the ground.

Koichi dressed himself and tied his swords back onto his obi. He settled down upon a large rock and began to meditate again to relax his sore body. As he meditated, his mind wandered to the subject of his old lessons. Yamana had many samurai under him, and therefore Koichi wasn't the only student his Sensei taught. In fact, nineteen other boys of similar ages had trained under the old warrior.

They had used shinai in lessons so they couldn't kill one another. Still, the bamboo swords could leave one sore for many days. Sensei always pushed the boys to their limits, never satisfied with their efforts. He was especially fond of criticizing Koichi, telling him he had never seen the son of an elite samurai swing a sword so ungracefully. Koichi shook his head at the memory, smiling slightly. Despite all the complaints he had received, he had completed his training at the top of the class. Masao would have been proud.

Still, even at the best out of twenty, I'm not strong enough. Koichi decided once again. He had been trained the way many of the soldiers in his clan were taught, but he needed more teaching apparently. He knew many sword techniques, and to fight without using emotion in his swings, but he knew something was missing. True, he hadn't quite studied other sword schools as much as he should have, but he still knew many techniques of other fighters. His own style was strong, but somewhat limited. He should learn some other techniques, study under another school perhaps. All he needed now was to find the right teacher.

"Well, until I find someone willing to teach me, I must be moving on," Koichi said to no one in particular as he rose up and headed back towards the path.

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He soon entered another town. Having not eaten since his fight with Hiroshi two days before, Koichi decided to find the nearest eating place, provided it wasn't anything like a tavern. He had long since learned to avoid drunks when possible.

He had also learned to keep a fair amount of money with him. Self-respecting samurai didn't bother with petty things like money, but, as Koichi quickly noticed, peasants and merchants thought otherwise. And those were the people running the inns and businesses that he needed to go to when visiting a town. So, the ronin knew that here money meant food, and so money he had.

Koichi found a suitable place and settled down to a lunch of rice, soba, miso soup, and tea. He picked up his food half-absentmindedly as he continued his thoughts. In the booth across from his, Koichi could overhear an interesting conversation between two peasants.

"So what happened exactly?" the first asked.

"I was working in the fields, as usual," the second began, "When I heard this rustling in the bushes nearby."

"Right. And then?"

"I go over to check it out, when suddenly something from behind me gives me the biggest wedgie I've ever had!" Koichi had to spit his tea back into his cup as he suppressed a laugh. "I turn around, and no one's there! Next thing I know, something else snatches my hat away and takes off with it! I swear when I went to look, I saw a pair of legs covered in feathers!"

"You're saying you saw a tengu?" the first asked, sounding amused.

"Yes, I am!" the second snapped, "You may not believe me, but I know a tengu stole my hat and gave me a wedgie!"

As the first peasant burst into hysterics, Koichi smiled, but considered it for a moment. Tengu were bird and man-like creatures that liked causing mischief. Yet they were also known to help humans when they needed it, and were excellent swordsmen. Koichi stopped in mid-sip of his tea.

Hold that thought…His mind flashed. Master swordsmen? It sounded a bit crazy, but it was a possibility. Finishing his meal, Koichi left some shu on the table and headed over to the peasants, trying to look casual.

"Excuse me," he said politely, "I couldn't help but overhear." The two lower classmen stared at him, surprised. Since when did samurai concern themselves with commoners, except when it involved money or food?

"Aa, what is it?" the first finally stuttered, forgetting to be formal in his stupor.

"You said you encountered this tengu in the fields you work in," Koichi said, "If I may ask, but where are these fields you speak of?"

"Right at the south end of the city, at the edge of the Yotaka woods." The second said, blinking in confusion. Before either of the two farmers could ask the young ronin why he wanted to know, Koichi gave them an, "arigatou gozaimasu" and a bow of his head before leaving.

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"The farmer said the woods where the tengu appeared were around here," Koichi muttered to himself. "I doubt it's still around, but it must have left some sort of evidence it was once here. Perhaps a footprint?" He peeped through the bushes and soon found an imprint of a large talon in the dirt.

"There may be something to the farmer's story after all…" Pushing aside branches and shrubs, the ronin checked for any more traces of the legendary creature. At first, nothing. Then a slight depression in the soil happened to catch the ronin's eye. Koichi squinted his eyes to see better, when he heard movement in the bushes next to him. Immediately he snapped to attention and leapt back, hand on his katana.

"Who's there?" he asked, keeping a wary eye on his surroundings. The bushes shook some, and soon the sound of heavy feet scurrying away could be heard. Sighing in slight frustration, Koichi jumped over the bushes and proceeded to chase the retreating noise. He wasn't positive, but it seemed that the agile creature in front of him had feathers protruding out of its back.

"Chotte!" Koichi yelled. "Chotte matte! I want to talk to you!" The figure disappeared completely from sight when the samurai felt the ground shift. Leaping to the right, Koichi felt the wind as the net from the trap sprung up.

"Nani-?" He heard a twig snap behind him, and swung around, his katana out. The blade sliced through the apple that had been thrown at him.

<My, you're a quick one,> a voice commented from inside his head.

"Where are you?" Koichi asked, a bit miffed, "I know you're here, tengu! I wish to speak with you! Come out and show yourself! Enough with the games!"

<Oh, but I so love playing games!> the voice replied. <Very well… if you can find out where I am within two minutes, I will listen to what you wish to say.>

"Thank you," Koichi said.

<Not so fast! As I said, you must find me first!> the voice reminded with a hint of amusement. Koichi sighed.

"Hai, hai…"

<Well, where am I?> the voice inquired. Crap. The birdlike goblin had the advantage of communicating by telepathy. It would be hard to locate him. <Well, where? The clock is ticking, samurai.> The voice sang.

Furrowing his forehead in thought, Koichi fell silent as he tried to think of a clue that would lead him to the right direction. When he discovered the answer, he smirked.

"I think you should stop your antics and fly down from that branch, crow." Koichi said. A crow did indeed fly down from a cherry blossom branch and transformed. This tengu was one of the more birdlike ones, as he had wings, talons, and a beak.

<Very good, human,> the tengu "said" with a hint of amusement, <it is not often I can find a man that can outwit me,> Koichi's memory recalled that tengu were often arrogant humans reborn, and knew he'd must be as polite as possible. <Now, if I may ask, how did you know I was the crow?>

"Tengu can transform," the ronin said simply.

<Hai, but there are other animals here, why did you pick the crow?>

"What better way than to hide in the open?" Was all Koichi said. Getting the unsaid comment, the tengu smiled.

<Well, you really are a clever one,> he commented. <You found me, so I will keep my promise. What do you wish to ask of me?>

"I am correct in believing that tengu can teloport, am I not?" Koichi asked.

<Hai, that is one reason why we wear no shoes. We hardly need to walk.> Koichi nodded and went onto his knees.

"Then, I humbly ask of you," the samurai placed his hands on the ground and bowed as low as possible, "take me to Sojobo, your honorable leader. I have a favor to ask of him." The tengu was surprised, to say the least.

<You wish to see Sojobo?! Anou…he's not very busy this time of the year…and he doesn't see many clever humans nowadays…very well. I can bring you to his domain, and request he have an audience with you. I can do no more-it is out of my power.> Koichi, who had now stood up, bowed his head deeply in acknowledgement.

"Sou ka. Doomo arigatou gozaimasu." The tengu nodded.

<Yosh. Let's go, human,> he said. And, faster than the blink of an eye, they were gone.

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<He has accepted your presence, human,> the tengu said after he returned from speaking with Sojobo. <I suggest you not keep him waiting.>

"Hai. Arigatou for your help." Koichi walked past the tengu and into what was almost like a noble's court, by the looks of it. Most of the tengu in the room were of the more humanlike kind, or, yamabushi, although there were two more birdlike kinds, karasu, acting as guards by the shoji.

Once he entered the room and the paper doors slide shut behind him, Koichi got to his knees again and bowed to the head of the tengu, his head touching the tatami mats. He only moved from this position once the crow-goblin bowed his head in admission.

<I have been told you outwitted one of my men,> Sojobo began, <and afterwards you requested an audience with me. What is it that you want, human?>

"All I humbly ask is for you to train me to be a better swordsman, so I may become stronger." Koichi said politely, bowing his head.

<What is your name?> Sojobo asked.

"Nakano Koichi, Sojobo-sama," replied the ronin.

<And why do you want to become stronger?> the tengu leader asked.

"So that I can keep on living." Koichi responded without hesitation. He felt the old tengu's eyes examine his face a moment before the humanoid crow-goblin grunted.

<Mmm. Let's see then…> he turned his gaze towards one of the karasu guards.

<Fetch me Yuuchou,> he ordered. <And tell him to meet us in the meadow outside the castle.> The guard nodded and disappeared. Sojobo nodded to the other retainer tengu and they too disappeared, along with their leader and Koichi.

The ronin blinked as rays of sunlight hit his eyes. Shading his face with his arm, he gave his eyes a chance to adjust as the tengu settled themselves in a half circle around the end of the field. A moment later, the guard returned with another more birdlike tengu. This one was obviously a warrior, judging by his attire. He was donned in a blue fundoshi, a brownish sleeveless hapi, and his daisho were held in place by an obi belt.

<You had me summoned, Sojobo-sama?> the newest tengu asked as he knelt down on one knee and bowed his head.

<Hai. This human is Nakano Koichi,> Sojobo waved his hand over towards the ronin. <He wishes to be trained by me.>

<You mean to test him first, ne?> the tengu asked.

<Hai.> The elder crow goblin turned his head back to Koichi. <Nakano Koichi, this is Yuuchou, currently my finest pupil. If you can defeat him in battle, I will train you. If you lose, you must leave the area at once, and not bother us again, am I clear?>

Koichi nodded, although he decided to query about one thing. "Tengu are master swordsmen. If Yuuchou is as skilled as you say he is, how can I defeat him?" Sojobo's eyes shimmered with amusement.

<Trust me, if you use your head, you can win.> Was his only answer before he snapped his fingers. A karasu tengu came over and handed both Yuuchou and Koichi a staff.

<You will only use those staff as weapons,> Sojobo explained, <And, of course, if necessary, any martial arts skills. But your swords, put them away.> Both human and tengu warrior looked slightly nervous once removed of their main weapons, but eased up when they were put by Sojobo. At least they were still in sight.

<Gentlemen, whenever you are ready.> Sojobo acknowledged. Koichi and Yuuchou bowed to each other before backing up, going into an offensive/defensive stance. Both warriors kept their eyes locked on their opponents, neither willing to move. Minutes passed. At last, Koichi, who decided that the tengu probably wouldn't make the first move, attacked. The tengu merely dodged to the side and narrowed his eyes at the ronin, as if in deep thought.

Koichi swung his staff to the upper left, hoping to hit the key spot in the back of the neck. Yuuchou blocked with his own wooden pole before any damage could be done. Koichi tried a fake swing to the legs, then swung his staff upwards again. This too was blocked.

The ronin noticed that the tengu only blocked for he first few minutes. Then, suddenly, he started to reply with offensive moves. It didn't take much for Koichi to also notice that he own moves were being used against him, just not in the same sequence.

I get it, Koichi thought to himself. He studies my moves, then copies them. He's fighting the way I would. They want to see if I can defeat one who fights on my level. One who fights with my same techniques. Well, all I have to do is put myself in the Tengu's place…what would I do to surprise my enemy?

To do that, the ronin had to think of something he would never normally do in a fight. The tengu swung his staff down towards Koichi's shoulders. Instead of blocking it this time, however, Koichi rammed his wooden pole into the creature's stomach, then turned it upward, flipping his adversary's staff out of his claws. Yuuchou stumbled backwards and reflexively bent over in pain, the wind knocked out of him. Koichi took this opportunity to slam his staff into the tengu's ankles, throwing him off balance.

As the crow goblin hit the ground, Koichi placed one foot on his chest and pointed the staff down under his neck, effectively pinning Yuuchou down.

"I win," the ronin said simply.

<That's enough, you may retire, warriors,> Sojobo ordered. Koichi withdrew and Yuuchou slowly got up as the tengu leader approached them. He nodded in approval to Koichi.

<Very good human. It is not easy to fight against "yourself".> Koichi smiled.

"'Master the mind as well as the sword,' my master always told me." Sojobo, "Mmmed" and turned to Yuuchou.

<You did well, Yuuchou. I am proud. Seeing as you have no serious injuries, I suggest you head back to your quarters and rest up for the night.> Yuuchou bowed in obedience before disappearing. Once he was gone, Sojobo turned back to Koichi.

<Now, Nakano Koichi, since you have proven yourself, I will keep my promise and train you. However, since the sun is already retiring behind the mountains, your training will begin tomorrow. My servants will take you to your quarters and you will be washed up before you retire for the night.> He bowed to the ronin, who did the same back.

"Hai. Oyasuminasai, Sojobo-sama," Koichi said. Sojobo grinned.

<Call me 'Sensei', kudasai.> he replied.

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Sorry this chapter took so long, but I had a lot of school stuff recently. XP I also had to research up on Tengu a lot so I could make it fairly accurate.

fundoshi - kind of underwear Japanese men of the time wore.

Sensei - "Teacher/Master" (of a martial art in this case)

Aa - informal form of "hai"

Hapi - Japanese coat/vest

Oyasuminasai - "Good night"

Kudasai - "Please"

What's with all the bowing?! - In Japan, it's custom to bow when speaking to someone important, asking for something, greeting someone, saying goodnight, almost everything. The depth you bow depends on one's rank and to whom they are bowing to. The deeper the bow, the more implied humbleness/respect.

Bonus points to those of you who recognize Sojobo. ^^