The Worthy One by october rose 08

A Deadly Dance

Kagome glanced over the intent gazes of the students in her dojo. She was teaching them the importance of balance and concentration. Which at the time was only working for a select few after a handful of her students quickly lost there balance and fell over.

"That's enough for today." Kagome pretended not to see the relieved expressions on the students faces. She watched as they grabbed bags and ran excitedly to parents as they walked into the tiny dojo, she listened to the excited chatter of the students as they relayed what they had learned from her that day. It had been a long day. Kagome suppressed a yawn as she answered a few of the questions that some of the parents posed to her. Only after the last child had gathered their bag and walked hand in hand with their parent out of the dojo did she give in to the yawn.

"You spoil those children."

Kagome looked up and smiled at her wizened old grandfather. "Why do you say that?"

"You need to push them harder." Her grandfather stated.

Kagome tried to suppress her sigh. Her Grandfather was a harsh task master and always demanded perfection . The one thing that he always found lacking in all of her students. " They will never learn the importance of the art that you teach them if you insist on using a gentle hand. "

"Grandfather..."Kagome sighed.

The old man shuffled over to the glass cases that lined an entire wall of the dojo. Inside the gleaming cases were shelf after shelf of polished trophies, plaques and colorful ribbons. Every square inch was covered with some sort of award or recognition. Every piece in the gleaming cases belonged to the young woman who watched her grandfather shuffle to them. The old man glanced at the beautiful young woman

that stood across the room.

"Those spoiled and pampered blobs of flesh are not worthy to be taught by you. You should have students that understand and appreciate the art that you have been gifted with. They are not fit to stand on the mat and draw a sword to you. They are not worthy."

Kagome tried to suppress her laughter. "They are not blobs of flesh grandfather. Some of those so called blobs of flesh as you call them are the sons and daughters of some very important people. Those blobs of flesh are the bread and butter that keeps this place going."

Kagome watched as her grandfather huffed and turned to walk out of the dojo. Kagome glanced to the wall of glass cases. Silently she stared at the curling ribbons. She replayed the conversation in her head. She was happy to teach those that wanted to learn. At one time she herself had known nothing, but what had come easily to her always seemed to fail in others. Many students have walked through the tiny doors of the Higurashi dojo on the hill of the Shrine. And not one had matched the spark that only Kagome seemed to possess.

She walked to the cases and slowly opened the door to remove one of the numerous swords. Slowly she removed the sword from the scabbard and walked to the center of the room. She stretched her arms out and began the deadly ballet. The young woman moved as if she were a force of nature and time stood still to watch the deadly play. No one could compare to the grace that the young woman possessed and all who witnessed would agree. Round and round she spun, arching her back and blocking imaginary thrusts from an imaginary opponent. Kagomes long wavy black hair came loose of its ties and swirled around her like a black cloud. Each parry, each block was well rehearsed. Perfection followed every movement. The blade came to a halt as Kagome plunged the sword into the mat. The deadly dance had come to an end. The young woman slumped against the hilt of the sword. Her breath coming in stilted pants. She cracked open her eyes to see her own face peering back at her in the shiny surface of the metal sword. The words of her Grandfather played over and over in her head. One day I will meet someone who is worthy.....