Chapter 7: Meeting with the master

Setting the world back in its proper path

The wood and paper door slid open slowly, causing Fuyukaze to wake and look quietly at the door. His eyes widened when he saw who entered, the revered master of the Katsukane academy. Katsukana Homashi was a man seen in the distance by young students, watching with silent judgment as students sparred and practiced their kata or form exercises.

Fuyukaze struggled quickly to sit up, flinching obviously in pain as he forced himself up onto a knee to bow to his master. He tried to shout as he had been trained to do “Homas...” with just two syllables his voice failed him, and he felt the weight of his body shift and he stumbled his face falling into the cushioned floor.

Homashi sighed as he looked down at the wounded boy, turning back to the students “Attend to your classmate.” He said softly and circled around the gasping boy, carefully moving a screen to the side before kneeling down.

The two young samurai, both boys in their mid teens moved to help up Fuyukaze. Their names were Arakai Honma and Homeji Goemon and had been classmates of the boy since he first was admitted into the academy many years ago. They gathered their classmates shoulders and pulled him up carefully until he was sitting across from his master, both youths sitting upon either side of the wounded samurai watching carefully in case he slipped.

When his student was 'seated' the old man continued “Taeshimo Fuyukaze, student of the twelveth year of Hyumachi. You have left the academy without permission, you have engaged in a duel without authorization from your sensei or you lord. In short you have acted like a complete fool.” He shook his head “If you had died you would have died the death of a dog, in disgrace of your clan and family.”

Fuyukaze gulped dryly, he just looked at his master silently. He wanted to say something to defend himself but his head pounded cruelly, he felt every beat of his heart echo like a hammer blow within his head. He just knelt as best he could, trying to keep his gaze upon his master, but as the small amount of light caused his skull to ache more. He closed his eyes to cease the pain. Every word crashed inside his ears like another fall of that hammer of agony, the youth swaying slightly as he felt sweat clinging to his skin through the thin cotton night-robe he wore.

The master continued “For abandoning your school in the name of petty pride you would be expelled if you had failed in your cause.” He let those words hang in the air. “However, you did not fail, and despite your foolish behavior your uncle has taken note of your actions and has decided your first battle should be gempukku.” Those words caused the Fuyukaze to snap to attention, looking shocked at his master's words. A gempukku was the rite of passage from childhood to adult for any samurai, and typically it was chosen by the child's sensei when they thought they were ready. “You are to return to the Hamamite at once for your first assignment.” He looked annoyed at the boy “but due to your present condition I will send word that you will be unable to attend to your lord as speedily as you should. Your classmates will attend to you, and escort you to your daimyo when you are able.” He rose up with those words turning to walk towards the door purposefully.

Fuyukaze was allowed to fall forward again in a low bow as the master strode out of the room each of his classmates holding at the back of his kimono to keep him from collapsing again.