Chapter 1

Today was the day. I’d finally turned fourteen yesterday and was scheduled to take my Shodan test in class today. I’d been studying the To-Shin Do Style of Martial Arts since I was four years old. Why start so early you ask? Simple. Just after I turned four, my mother and I were taking a walk with my two-year-old sister, McKenna, when some kids started teasing her. No way was anyone gonna mess with my sister!

Ever seen a drunk four-year-old? That’s what I looked like. I’m not sure who got the worst of the fight, but I know I got the worst from Mom. After dinner that night Mom and Dad had a long talk and decided that since I had that much energy, and such a strong protective streak, I’d better learn how to fight, or I was gonna get pounded like a tough steak in a bad restaurant.

We looked around and spoke with a lot of teachers. Then I saw a plain-looking building with a sign that said Quest Center on the front. People of all ages were going in looking fresh and coming out looking like something the cat wouldn’t drag in. I finally talked Dad into going to have a look. WOW was I shocked! The inside looked like a throwback to ancient Japan. Wood plank walls and floors, open ceilings and silk screen doors made the place look amazing. Sitting at the head of a huge padded, open floor was an old bald guy with a beard wearing black pajama pants and a short, black robe. He was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed. I thought he was asleep, when suddenly, he eyes opened looking straight at me! ‘Bout scared the bejeezus out of me! Without looking away he tells my father he’ll accept me as a student. He gets up, walks into a room to the left and throws me a bag saying, “Classes are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from five to seven and Saturday from ten to five. Wash this uniform and bring it with you to class. You can change in the room I just came out of.”

I was so shocked all I could do was nod. We hadn’t even had a chance to ask any questions. Once my shock wore off, I gave him a serious look and said,” I’m sorry, my name is David Smith. What should I call you?”

He stared so long I thought I had something in my teeth then he said, “You may call me Ansho Nakamura outside of class. During class I’m Sensei Nakamura. If you survive the first week we will assign you a senpai, a senior student who’ll teach you. Your failure is his failure, so listen and learn well.”

He looked at my father and there was no doubt that I had been dismissed. As I stepped back and looked around the room Ansho Nakamura was speaking quietly with my father. I have no clue what was said but that was the last time either of my parents stepped into the building.

Since today was Tuesday we went home and told mom about our day. I think she was even more interested in my new teacher than I was.

The next day I showed up fifteen minutes early and went inside alone. I was changing into my uniform when I suddenly realized that I had no clue how to keep the top closed, or what to do with this VERY long white belt. Thank God there was someone else there changing that was nice enough to show me what to do. The next two hours were, to this day, both the best and worst of my young life. I worked harder than I ever had before but felt such a sense of accomplishment that I couldn’t wait to come back. I think the only one of us that realized I would take such an interest or that I would be so adept at it was Sensei Nakamura.

Now, ten years later I’d risen fifteen belts and soaked up everything I could learn like a sponge! I’d already learned most of the common weapons that were taught. Sword, Nunchaku, Bo, Jo and Tonfa as well as starting to learn some of the not so traditional weapons such as war fan and Escrima sticks. Once I passed my black belt test I could then take more advanced courses like First-response medical treatment, security and protection and even intelligence gathering methods.