Competition day2

The rest of the day was much calmer not having to worry about anyone hurting Lilli . Thankful to Miyamoto Aisling gives him a sweet from her basket she brought for the monks. He takes it and smiles with delight at the delicious treat.

Lilli mounts her horse bareback and clicks fir him to start. She looks more like a fairy on the large horse than a warrior. She hits every target but one. They put it at an awkward angle that she had not anticipated. Turning the horse to try the shit again . Lilli pulls herself up to stand on the horses back. Taking aim she sends the arrow through the target and into the tree trunk behind. Turning her head to look at her uncle Inola and Onacona she smiles brightly as she sits back onto the horses back. Going into the stable the boy she beat before cos there. Her heart begins to race and she places her horse between them.

"I'm not here to hurt you, I came to tell you that you were amazing just now. I have never seen anyone ride like you do. You are a true warrior. You can ride well and fight well. If this was a true samurai trial you would have impressed all who watched you. You would be an elite samurai. I look forward to watching you fight and if we meet again in the arena I promise to fight fair. " he bows and leaves. Lilli gives her horse a brush down and goes to watch Shiro and the boys . Alex is riding now and as always he surpassed Lilli by hitting bullseye in three of the targets. Holding her breath as he reaches the last target . Alex is taller than Lilli so he was able to take the shot easily. Everyone claps and cheers as he finishes the course. Shiro is the next , Lilli hopes he will let some of his true skill show through for his parents to see. In practice when they are not around he makes no mistakes. His form and skill is prefect.

Lilli connects to him to give him encouragement.

"You can do this, show your true skill this time. You have been riding and training enough that they will be proud and not suspicious of you . Show them and me what you can really do." Lilli waves at him as he nods to her. Shiro takes a deep breath and begins the course. His form is perfect and concise. Raising his bow he splits Alex's arrow as his hit the bullseye. Akio and Miko smile in surprise , their faces full of pride.

"When did he learn that and how did he get so good." Akio asks Yona.

"He has trained hard and is a natural at it. " Yona tells him. Inola nudges Onacona's side.

"We would not have made his bow , if we did not believe in his skills. The boy showed potential when he visited." Inola told Akio.

"So you are the ones that made the bows for my brother and son. They are beautiful and the craftsmanship is amazing." Akio tells them.

"Yes we made them as our ancestors would have. We try to keep the old ways,so that we can teach the children their roots. They seem to enjoy learning in the old ways. " Onacona explains.

"The children are outstanding in their skills, if this was during ancient times they would be accepted for elite training . For children to be so young and yet so skilled already is unusual." Miyamoto tells Onacona.

"Some of that is because of the combined traditions of our family. Once they show an interest in hunting and fighting we start training. Their mothers are just as skilled., though I am sure they are out of practice." John smirks at Aisling and Remi.

"I can still do well Uncle maybe after the competition Remi and I can take a turn . That way we can see just how rusty we are. " Aisling quips haughtily at her uncle.

"I look forward to it, we can make it a surprise for the children." John grins as he nudges Astila knowing he baited the trap perfectly.

"Hey I need to practice for my competition back home. Can I give it a try also?" Crystal pipes in.

Hiroto was excited to finally meet Crystal. To be able to see her in action will be a treat in itself.

"I have wanted to see you in action ever since I was with your father when you got into trouble. I was shocked when I heard you broke a boys nose." Hiroto tells Crystal. She turns quickly give her father a glare.

"Hey we were in an elevator when the call came in. It was hard for him not to hear. The boy deserved the hit ." Yona defends himself to his daughter. He knows Hiroto wants to get to know Crystal, he just isn't sure she is ready for a real relationship. Her only relationship has been Brayden since she was a child. He knows that Brayden is in love with Crystal but how she feels about him he is not sure. Not wanting to deal with that issue until after Crystal graduates college Yona brushes the thoughts away.

When the last rider finished they posted the rankings.

Alex was first then William in second. Lilli and Shiro came in at fourth and fifth. Lilli was slightly disappointed because she had not been able to beat her cousins. Yona waves them over to eat their meal while they change the field for the next event.

"You all did us proud today." Yona tells them as Aisling and Remi hand them their plates.

Miyamoto stands and hands the children a medallion.

"These are the samurai crests of my ancestors, you all have done well. You have impressive skill . Some that could match a fierce warrior of a samurai. When my friend told me that you were doing a competition that had the same trials as a samurai would. I had these taken out of the safe to present to you if you passed the weaponry test. " Miyamoto bows to them as he hands each a medallion. Lilli looks at hers and bows her head and hands it back.

"I did not pass the test without error. I am not worthy of your gift." Lilli's voice cracks as she tries to hold her tears in.Miyamoto hugs her and gives it back to her

"You showed great courage and determination. When you could not get the last target you did not give up you found a way to complete the task. That is as important as completing without errors. One day you will become a warrior to be respected and feared. This you have earned. My adopted father would have been proud to have such young warriors to train. I have come to ask if you would be willing to allow my instructors to teach the children. I was the vice admiral of the navy before retiring. Now I train private security personnel. I train them in the ways of the sword." Miyamoto looks at the children and parents. Yona now knows why John insisted on contacting Miyamoto.

Yona bows to miyamoto,

"We would be honored to have you teach our son. I can only speak for Alex ." Yona looks at the others they all agree that their children training with Miyamoto will be a honor. They hear the announcement that the hand to hand combat is about to begin.

The four head to the arena for hand to hand. Kiki cheers Alex on while Lilli is the only girl left for the competition. Feeling self conscious of that fact Lilli gets nervous.

"It's going to be fine. You will be great maybe you will draw one of us so that it will be just like at home." Alex reassured Lilli . Standing in front of the head monk they pull the stones out of the bag. Alex gets a black stone and will fight against whoever draws its mate. The boy who fought Lilli during her test drew a black stone. They will fight first. They each get a pole to fight with.

Alex beats him easily the match is over in no time. When Alex takes his hand to help him from the ground the boy tells him.

"You are a good fighter, I hope for a rematch someday." Bowing to each other they move to the sideline. Alex moves to the next round. William goes next and he drew a green jade. Shiro drew a jade as well. They are well matched and the fight takes a while before they end it in a draw . The monk explained that they had only slotted for ten rounds each match. There are only two opponents left it's Lilli and another boy. He is much larger than even the boy she fought for her test. She looks at her cousins nervously and then up at the parents. Not wanting to disappoint them but not sure she can beat such a large opponent.