He gritted his teeth, his eyes looked at me with unconcealed anger. He then closed his eyes before inhaling and exhaling deeply. When he opened his eyes again, they were calm. Gone was the glaring rage he exuded just mere seconds ago. "It appears we have met a stalemate."

I didn't react whatsoever. He took a step back slowly with his hands raised in surrender. I tightened my hold on my single-edged dagger as I positioned my freed arm in a defensive manner. I watched his every move, I was prepared for whatever dirty tricks he might have.

"My lady, I a.s.sure you, I will not cross your boundaries anymore," he bowed gently as a form of sincerity. "I will not press charges as long as you forget the liberties I took earlier."

However, I was still not convinced. My sixth sense told me that his words are on a for-now validity. This retreat of his is temporary, his white flag will change to the color of an attack in our next meeting.

"I look forward to our future encounters," I replied, indicating that I was not fooled by his words. I dispensed with my watchful stance, sheathed my dagger and replaced it in my obi. I then turned to face the opposite direction before calmly walking to where Ryuko-san and the rest were waiting for me.

Once inside the palanquin, I decided that it was time for me to familiarize myself with the fighting styles in this era. It would be extremely helpful to know what to expect from an opponent. This and the surprise of my unique (in this time and date anyway) techniques will surely put me in a great advantage when the time comes.

~~~

I informed Ryuko-san of my intent to visit the practice hall. She was either hiding her surprise well or expected this of me because she only nodded in response. After a while, Yoko came into my room bringing a thick black broadcloth jacket, stiff black pleated trousers, and a black silk cap that was to be bound with a white band. I had the powder on my face and the tint on my lips removed, I never liked to engage in strenuous activities with any form of makeup. There was nothing I could do about my blackened teeth so it stayed that way.

Inside the practice hall, the sounds of wooden practice weapons echoed incessantly. The palace housed three thousand women of different rankings, but inside this hall everyone was equal because the point of them bettering themselves was all for one person: the shogun.

Several women practiced in pairs using bamboo swords and polearms, they stopped when I went inside. Despite living here for two months now, this was my first visit in the area. I was greeted by bows of different levels, I smiled at their courteous behavior in return. In the far corner of the hall, Mami was clad in the same uniform as everyone was. Her face was sweaty and red from her exertions. I watched her cut, thrust, block, parry, counter, entangle, check, strike, and jab using an actual naginata. Its metallic blade flashed and glistened with her every move. She was good, I had to admit. Her strikes were sure and powerful.

I chose to practice on the opposite corner so as not to attract her unwanted attention. One of the female samurais Ryuko-san was well acquainted with helped me familiarize myself with the use of the spear. Where I come from, my mixed martial arts teacher taught me a bit of wushu, the ta.s.seled spear became one of my favorite weapons. Although the moves the samurai taught me were quite different from what I was taught, my knowledge in wushu helped me progress easier.

However, as our practice continued, the female samurai and I encountered a problem. She wanted to break me of the 'shameful' habit of favoring my left hand.

"But I am left-handed," I said as she chided me before s.h.i.+fting the spear to my right hand.

"A left-handed fencer?" she scoffed. "It's outrageous!"

I looked at Ryuko-san for help, I didn't want to relearn using the spear using my right hand. I felt that it would be like learning to write again, I didn't want to start over with the skills of a preschooler.

"My lady, Hikaru-san," she said. "please be on your fighting stances. Lady Hinata, use your preferred hand. I want to see something."

We did as we were told.

"Now please attack each other," she continued before giving the female samurai a little reminder. "Hikaru-san, please be gentle with Lady Hinata."

Hikaru-san poised to attack while I drew my spear in the same manner. She lunged at me, I copied her strike before deciding to block it instead. I saw Hikaru-san furrow her brows as if she was thrown in utter confusion.

"How do I fas.h.i.+on my attack?" she turned to my head maid to ask. "Everything is backwards. I feel like I'm looking at a mirror."

"Of course!" Ryuko-san chuckled merrily. "Between the both of you, who do you think has the advantage?"

Hikaru-san smiled wryly. "The edge clearly goes to the left-hander," she admitted.

"As you saw just now, it is an effective way of confusing your opponent. Favoring the left hand over the other is unheard of in battle. Lady Hinata, use your preference for your left hand to your advantage."

I nodded my head several times as excitement flowed in my veins. I must make full use and derive benefit from this belief that the right hand is a 'good-doer' while the left one is evil!

With the guidance of Ryuko-san, Hikaru-san and I continued our lessons. Of course, I was still no match for the female samurai. She studied the art from childhood and prided herself on her fearlessness and her skill at striking, thrusting, slas.h.i.+ng, parrying, and blocking. By the end of our first session, I was reminded of my earliest memories of learning martial arts. My body ached all over and because it was completely unavoidable, I was black and blue in some areas.