Even the Blessed
Chapter 4
Well... I've done it again.
Katatsu wiped the glistening sweat from his brow as he watched his sensei, Bosa,
ready himself for another strike. They had been sparring now for a good
ten hours in the short-grass field, a final bit of training and testing before
the Tournament. Ichi had gone almost its full cycle, from just above the east
horizon to half below the west. The heat the main sun had bathed the surface
with hung in the still air, tormenting the two dedicated Warriors. Ni was newly
risen, adding its own feeble warmth.
A sharp pain stabbed at the young Namek-jin's right ankle as he tried to
adjust his stance in anticipation of his teacher's attack, the uneven ground
keeping him from getting a good footing. It forced him to shift his weight to
his other leg and left him slightly unbalanced, vulnerable.
It also reminded him of how much his mind had been wandering lately.
Katatsu, you idiot! You have to focus! You have to push this healer from
your m.....
Bosa dove at Katatsu, effectively ending the self-directed rebuke. Bosa
struck quickly, with the edge of his hand aimed at Katatsu's throat. Katatsu
caught Bosa's arm, felt himself falling and used the momentum to roll onto his
back, pulling Bosa with him. He planted both feet squarely in Bosa's chest and
pushed, grinding his teeth as his injured ankle protested. He flipped Bosa up
and over. The sensei landed behind Katatsu, grunting at the impact.
Katatsu twisted sideways, completing his roll to once again spring to his
feet. He bit back a curse as the sharp, throbbing pain in his ankle grew. Tears
sprang to his eyes, blurring his vision slightly. He silently prayed Bosa would
concede the spar.
Bosa righted himself and pushed to his knees. He grinned at his student.
"Good save, Katatsu. I thought I would have you with that attack."
"Heh..." was all Katatsu could manage. He didn't trust that his voice wouldn't
tremble a bit because of the pain and exhaustion that swept over him. Sweat was
streaming down his face and stung his eyes., his breath came in short pants. He
noticed, a tad chagrined, that the older Namek-jin wasn't quite as winded.
"Mmm..." Bosa got up off the ground and approached his student. Rubbing his
dusty hands on his gi, he said, "I think that's enough for today, Katatsu. The
Tournament is tomorrow and I want you well rested."
Katatsu relaxed from the fighting stance he still held. He wanted to fall
down right then and there, to take a long nap. But he didn't think it would be
appropriate. "Thank you, sensei."
Bosa eyed Katatsu's ankle, he hadn't missed how Katatsu had been favoring it
in the last part of their spar. "Perhaps you should go see that new healer. That
ankle appears a bit beat up."
Katatsu struggled to erase even the smallest hint of pain from his expression
and posture. A slight edge crept into his voice as he replied, "I think it will
heal well enough on its own, Bosa-sensei. It really isn't that bad."
"Well," Bosa didn't seem sure of this, then he shrugged. "If you believe so,
I trust your judgment. Go home and get some sleep. You'll need to be up early
and at the arena."
"Yes, sensei." Katatsu bowed to Bosa. He took immediately to the air, not
wanting to reveal how hurt his ankle really was.
~ ~ ~
Katatsu closed his eyes as the wind flowed over him, the cooling effect of
sweat and moving air felt refreshing after the longs hours spent fighting. He
couldn't wait to get home so he could take a proper bath. Then, he would need to
do something about his ankle.
I suppose I'll end up spending half of my rest hours in healing
meditation. If only I could go to Esuka! But he would just send me right over to
Muri... and he's the cause of this mess.
Katatsu sighed, he was beginning to think Mushi was right. There were so many
traditions and customs that it seemed they had one for everything. Esuka had
been the village Healer before Muri showed up, but because Muri was a higher
level Healer, all injuries were cleared first through him now. Maybe if I
showed up at Esuka's and feigned forgetfulness.....
Katatsu's eyes snapped open and he growled. No, this is my problem. It's
my fault if I can't control my own thoughts.
Determined not to put the blame elsewhere, Katatsu grimly accepted he would
either have to go to Muri and hope he didn't disgrace himself or try to heal on
his own. He wasn't ready to test his or Muri's patience with a second encounter,
so he decided, for better or worse, he would choose the latter.
With the decision made, he brought his attention back to his surroundings.
The village was already in sight and he quickly closed the distance between it
and him. He bypassed the central path and landed softly on the edge of the
commons. A small jolt of pain flicked up his shin as he instinctively planted
both feet firmly on the ground. He tried not to be too obvious as he shifted the
bulk of his weight to his left leg.
Katatsu's mind was promptly distracted from his injury as he noted all the
newcomers to his home. The commons was a mass of alternating colors: sashes and
vests, long and short, in blues, violets, yellows and reds, with the ever
present white of robes and necktus, and the varying shades of green skin and
pink shield patches. The rest of the Warriors and spectators from all over
Nameksei had arrived a few cycles ago. The sight of so many Namek-jin going to
and fro, or standing around in groups, awed him, even though he had seen it
several times already. The village buzzed with noise as everyone went about
making final preparations or discussing how they thought the Tournament would
go.
His gaze wandered over to a large hut not far away and felt an even bigger
thrill of awe; he couldn't help it, knowing who was inside. A couple of fierce
looking Warriors stood to each side of the entrance. An elder Namek-jin, dressed
in a richly colored vest and robe, stepped out of the doorway and bowed to the
occupant. He received a curt nod from each of the Warriors, then hobbled on his
way.
Katatsu's attention was reluctantly drawn from the hut and its goings-on as
he thought someone had called out his name. He searched the crowd and found a
familiar, grinning face. He motioned to his friend to acknowledge that he had
heard and headed to him, careful not to limp as he went. "Mushi! What are you
doing out in this crowd?"
Mushi shrugged, his eyes darting around, as if he half-expected someone to
step on him. "Waiting for you. I heard Bosa took you out for some one on one
sparring. How'd it go?"
"Not bad," Katatsu said, deliberately being vague. He really didn't want to
go into details. Besides, Mushi had braved the mass of visitors to meet him and
he knew how the older Namek-jin hated large groups of strangers. "I'm pretty
tired. Why don't we go to Elder Kagyu's hut and get something to drink?"
"Sure." Mushi gave him a grateful look and they started off , Katatsu lagging
a little behind.
They hadn't gone far when a solid, husky young Namek-jin leaning against a
hut called out as they passed, "Well, look here! It's the great Katatsu!"
Katatsu stopped and turned to the speaker. The Namek-jin appeared to be a
season or two older than him and wore a purple short-vest. While he wasn't as
tall as Mushi, he still managed to tower over Katatsu and had a decent amount of
muscle. He stared down his nose at the shorter Namek-jin, an amused glint in his
eyes.
"I am Katatsu," Katatsu said politely, ignoring the obvious sarcasm in the
stranger's greeting. "May I have your name?"
"Ha! My name is Karu, from Touhoku village. I'm in the novice class," the
taller Namek-jin replied. He raked his gaze over Katatsu's short frame and
smirked. "I've heard of you. But I thought you would be bigger. A shrimp like
you isn't much of a challenge."
Mushi quirked an eye ridge and gave Katatsu a look that mirrored his own
thoughts. This brute is a novice?
Katatsu glanced around, wandering just from whom Karu had heard stories. His
gaze fell on Shiga, who was standing behind Karu. His fellow student seemed to
be trying very hard to disappear into the hut's shadow. Katatsu frowned at him,
then turned back to Karu.
"Never underestimate an opponent due to his size, Karu," stated Katatsu.
"Of course, great Katatsu. I shall take your excellent advice," Karu sneered.
"Did your father teach you that? Or did he leave the task up to someone else?"
Katatsu's eyes narrowed and he fisted both hands, the nails digging into his
palms. A little tendril of anger rose inside him. He barely registered the
gentle wait of Mushi's hand on his shoulder, saying in a calm voice, "I've had
many wise teachers, including my father."
"He must not have taught you much," Karu snickered, "Certainly didn't have
the time. If he did, he would have taught you the skill of making dragon balls.
Too bad he didn't include it in the memories he left you, rather than waiting to
teach you himself. This planet could have used them the last few years. As it
is, he failed us and left you nothing valuable, little 'mek."
Katatsu jerked forward, baring his fangs and his body ready to teach this
newcomer the meaning of discretion. Only Mushi's hand, which at first had been a
comforting, light clasp and was now a steely grasp, held him back.
"That's enough!" Mushi stated. Both of the younger Namek-jin swung their
gazes to him in surprise, Karu possibly because he thought Mushi would stay out
of a disagreement unless it came to blows and Katatsu because he had never heard
his friend use such a clearly authoritative tone. "I think you forget you are a
visitor here and in the presence of an elder brother. Unless you want to be
reported to your guardian, I suggest you go."
Karu studied this elder brother a moment, apparently trying to decide just
how far he could go. Then, making his choice, he performed a mocking little bow,
"You must be Mushi. I can't believe what I've heard about you, either. Tell me,
does it shame you much?"
Mushi's grip remained stiff on Katatsu's shoulder, but the older Namek-jin
replied lightly, "I'm not sure what you mean. But it doesn't really matter, does
it?"
Karu grinned. "I don't suppose one failure could be too troubling, but two? I
don't know how you live with it. Especially since I hear your name compared to
that other one, what was it? Neru-something? The idiot one. Another freak from
this cradle-basket of freaks. It's not surprising your father didn't bother to
show up for the Tournament, even to watch your friend, the little 'mek."
Katatsu switched his attention between Karu and Mushi. All the anger he was
feeling was quelled by a sickening, cold sensation as he stared at Mushi. His
friend's face held an expression he wasn't used to seeing there. His lips were
thin lines and a deep furrow cut between his brows, his eyes practically bore
into Karu's.
Katatsu was half afraid this time he would be the one holding Mushi back. It
wouldn't have taken well if an elder brother physically harmed a child, even
though Mushi was no Warrior and the wretch was deliberately provoking. It was
also chilling, considering he could not remember a time when he'd seen Mushi
truly angry.
When Mushi didn't move, Katatsu decided it was probably best if they left. "I
think you were right, Mushi," Katatsu said stepping away, tugging on his
friend's arm. "This whole conversation doesn't matter."
Karu just laughed. He made one last bow to the duo and sauntered off.
Apparently, whatever twisted need for amusement he'd had was satisfied. Shiga
just shook his head and mumbled something about keeping his mouth shut in the
future.
Mushi shrugged off Katatsu's hand, though not in an unkind way, and continued
toward Elder Kagyu's hut. Katatsu shot one last glance after Karu and gasped as
a horrid realization seized his mind.
The whole sordid scene had taken place just outside Muri's hut.
The window next to where Karu had stood had its shade drawn, but Katatsu
could easily sense the ki inside. He didn't know if Muri had witnessed any of
the exchange and, really, he didn't want to know. He didn't think he could cope
with such humiliation.
Katatsu turned from the hut and jogged as fast as he could to catch up with
Mushi. The older Namek-jin didn't acknowledge him or even seem to have noticed
he hadn't been there the whole time. Katatsu tried to keep in step, once again
aware of the throbbing in his ankle. The silence that hung about them contrasted
with the noise of the crowds, making him feel as if they were walking in a
spotlight.
When they at last arrived at the hut, Katatsu restated his invitation. "Come
in, Mushi. We'll sneak into the sweet-water. I don't think Elder Kagyu would
mind."
"No thanks," Mushi replied, he smiled weakly at Katatsu's attempt at humor.
Sweet-water was reserved strictly for festivals and celebrations. They both knew
Katatsu wouldn't "sneak" any of it, even given the chance. The smile faded and
Mushi averted his gaze. "I don't feel like visiting tonight. I'll see you
tomorrow. Oh, and take care of that ankle."
Before Katatsu could reply, Mushi slipped between the huts and disappeared.
Katatsu stood there a moment, knowing the next destination for his friend
would be some copse of Ajiisa deep inside the forest. It was Mushi's habit to
wander off into the wilderness when he needed to think. Katatsu wished he could
have said something to ease the unusual melancholy in his friend's eyes.
Spirit of Ryu'ong, watch over him... Keep him safe from predators of the
body and soul...
~ ~ ~
Mushi wandered through the forests, his feet dragging and bumping into roots
and stones. More than once he found himself stumbling against a trunk or raking
the back of his hands on branches. Tiny dewdrops appeared on leaves as he
passed, though the sky between the treetops appeared cloudless. He had to blink
several times to clear his vision and even then, thought the path seemed
strangely dark and blurry.
Heh... Ichi must have set completely by now. Can't see much of anything with
all these shadows...
He pushed his way onward, through the Ajiisa, until he came to a familiar
clearing. Stepping out into the light, he managed to banish the last of the mist
from his eyes. He skirted the fallen logs that lay scattered in the grass,
moving between and around them, until he arrived at the lake shore. He picked up
a stone and threw it into the water, watching the ripples.
You know, they'd probably think I'm twisted or something, coming here like
I do. Well... maybe Elder Kagyu suspects, but only Katatsu and Rikou really know.
And Katatsu doesn't understand...
Mushi sat down on the edge of the grass and pushed his fingers into the mud
of the shore. He drew his fingers together, scooping up the silky substance,
then let it slide over his skin as it sought a path back to the ground it was
taken from.
I shouldn't mention Rikou, should I? How many times have we seen him pace
this strip of earth? How many times have I been afraid I would find him like
they found you? Heh... how many times have I thought out these talks with you,
even though you're not here?
Mushi shook his head in disgust. He opened his hand and the rest of the mud
gathered into one great, dirty lump and plopped noisily onto the ground.
I can't sense the ki of the creatures that live in this soil like Katatsu
or coax plants out of it like my father... you couldn't do that either... but you
could do something I can't... you at least couldn't be ashamed of it.....
I miss you, Neru-chan.
+ + + + +
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