The end of winter was rapidly approaching, as the first days of spring were half a moon away, but this winter was no ordinary winter nor was the day. Tamori Toshiaki, a young large brawly samurai kou with long dark brunette hair and emerald green eyes with a hint of gold dressed in a tattered beaten training Kimono. He is a very dedicated samurai getting up before dawn everyday and began his training with a morning secession of jiujutsu, this morning though he was practicing particularly hard, for he had a very strange feeling yesterday, which surged his body with pain and made him feel weaker . Not knowing what this feeling was he decided to hide it from his sensei, until he had figured it out. As Toshiaki pounded way at the practice dummy as the sun rose above the mountaintops filling the sky with a crimson gold color and the snow on the ground and in the air with a reddish color as it blew around the grounds of Shiro Tamori making the mountain, seem as if were bleeding. In the middle of his training, he looked up seeing the spectacular site of the mountain bleeding and knew this was an omen, but what he didn't know nor did he know how the omen involved him, if it did. Toshiaki with his mind elsewhere, remained concentrate as much as he could on his jiujutsu, but his mind still wondered off to this gempukku where he will become a man and see his cousin Toshiki, who promised he would be there no matter what. Toshiki is Toshiaki's closes cousin, friend, and fellow pupil with only a year and a half difference between them, but also with two different views of the world.
"Is there something wrong, young one?" said Sensei Tamori Tatsuo in a concerned voice. "Your recent jiujutsu training has seemed to be off and more awkward, like you haven't been practicing. You must stay focus, no matter what is on your mind or around you."
"Yes, Sensei, I understand that I shouldn't be distracted at all, but in the middle of my training last night I had a strange feeling throughout my body that was surging pain throughout my body making me feel weak. Then this morning the mountains were bleeding. So, I was wondering what this could mean and if it could affect my gempukku."
"Well, young one I was afraid one of you young ones would notice the bleeding mountains for it means something very grievous has happened in the empire or will happen, but what I can't tell. Only time will tell us what has happened when the news has reached us. As for those feelings you had, all I can tell you is that it could possibly be a good gift coming to an end, what gift is only for you to find out as I am sure you aren't the only one who had those feelings last nite."
"What do you mean Sensei that I am not the only one who had these feelings and that I might have a gift that has come to an ending?"
"That isn't for me to find out or tell you, young one. That an answer that you must seek young one, may I recommend taking it slow and allow the mountain river to take you towards the answer."
"Hai." Toshiaki said nodding his head showing; he understood the sensei's lesson.
"Now young one, I want you to train very hard because of your gempukku coming up and I don't think you would want to dishonor your family, school, and clan, let alone your cousin Toshiki. So, after your jiujutsu practice your skills as well as those that aren't on the gempukku, for I didn't tell you this, but you must past my test before I give you your papers."
"Hai." Toshiaki said quickly with a puzzled look on his face as well as a determined look saying that he will pass anything the sensei throws at him.
Sensei Tamori Tatsuo turned his back and began to walk a way with a slight grin of satisfaction on his face, thinking to himself, "He has great potential, now only if he can find it within himself." Before dodging out of sight he turned to have one final look at Toshiaki, seeing him training as hard as he could and even more concentrated that he has ever been.
Toshikaki continued to train all of his skills, until the sensei came to Toshiaki three weeks later, telling him "It is time, and you MUST pass my test."
"Hai!" Toshiaki said with determination.
"So, young one I see that you have been training as harder since we last spoke, but before I can give you these papers, you must complete this one task I have set forth to you. Besides, not to forget what has happened to you here three weeks earlier, you must one task for each of these Kami's." Sensei Tamori Tatsuo says in a very tranquil voice has he hands Toshiaki a piece of parchment with where the Kami's are and what element each comprises of."
Toshiaki filled with confidence and excitement bowed to Sensei Tamori Tatsuo, taking the parchment out of his hand, so he can immediately start. Looking at the parchment and read it to himself quickly:
Dear Tamori Toshiaki,
The named Kami's in this letter are Kami's you must complete a task for and bring proof that you have completed the task back in 30 days. The first Kami is an earth Kami in the mountain these very Shiro stands on. You will find the second Kami a water Kami not far from the third, for the second is east of the third Kami and was used to bless your Daisho set. The third Kami a fire Kami can be found sleeping to the west of the second and waits for its time to be awaken. The last Kami is the Air Kami and can be found at the highest point where one of our greatest dojo can be found.
"You will start at dawn tomorrow, young one. The horse will be ready for you tonight ready for you at dawn. Now go and prepare for your journey and I will see you in thirty days." Sensei Tamori Tatsuo told Toshiaki in an emotionless optimistic voice.
"Hai!" Toshiaki yelped as he bowed to his master and dashed off to make his preparations for the up coming adventure, which is to start at dawn. Toshiaki's first stop was the library to answer the riddles, map out his route to all of the Kami's location and make a list of all the things he guess he might need along the way.
At dawn the following day Toshiaki jump on his horse and traveled down the mountain and through the woods to a clearing halfway up the mountain to summon the Kami of the mountain the Shiro sits on. Toshiaki ties the horse to a near by tree and walks to the center of the clearing where he begins to mutter some mysterious words. Concentrating will all his will and mutter those mysterious words, his feet began to sink slightly into the ground as the ground cracks and gives under his feet. Toshiaki could feel the power of the earth flowing through him and around him, as the earth begins to swirl around making the grass, trees and his kimono flap crazy side to side as if they where in a thunderstorm as the earth around Toshiaki grew thick blocking out the sun. Then seconds later the earth gathered around Toshiaki stops twirling around him and halts in mid-air before making a loud crashing as the pieces of earth colloid forming the spirit of the mountain in front of Toshiaki.
"What do you want of me?" The mighty mountain Kami bellowed.
"I am here for the spirit of the mountain Shiro Tamori sits on, sent by my Sensei Tamori Tatsuo, to complete a task for you and bring proof back that I have complete your task and the other kami's all within 30 days." Toshiaki answered quickly with courage in his voice, showing that he is ready for the task about to be given to him.
"Well, if that be the case, your task will be to punch through this block of earth in one punch, it will repair itself after every failed punch and after you have accomplished this I will test you in a jiujutsu match." The mountain Kami said in a low voice that rumbled the ground as a huge block of earth emerged from the ground, standing over ten feet high and wide. "You might want to set up camp for you will be here for awhile" the mountain kami bellowed in laughter.
"Hai!" Toshiaki said as he hurried off to get feed, water and camp up at the forest line of the clearing before lining up with the block of earth to complete get on with his task. Toshiaki lined up with the block of earth as if he was ready for combat with it and began to punch away at the block. Toshiaki punched to block so many times that his hand began to bleed, but Toshiaki ignored the pain he was feeling and continued to punch determined to break this block as soon as he can. Two days later Toshiaki concentrated as hard as he can to become one with the earth around him and to focus all his strength into each punch he throw at the block of earth. On his eighth punch the block of earth not only cracked all the way through, but exploded with such force the mountain kami looked surprise and told Toshiaki "I am surprise that you have completed this task in such a short period of time, actually. I was expecting you to take at least four to five days, but now that you have completed the first part, you must complete the second, which will to defeat me in a jiujutsu match. This should be very quick for you if you have completed my first task." The mountain kami roared as he gather into his form and wrestled Toshiaki to near the end of the clearing, but at the very moment Toshiaki saw his opportunity and punched the kami, doing what he did to the kami what he did to the block, but the kami came back into form congratulating Toshiaki on his win.
"Hai and I congratulate you to, for I saw what you were training me for and took my opportunity to use it. Now I am sorry to cut this short, but I must be off to do my other tasks and need to collect my proof from you that I have completed your task." Toshiaki said in a tired out voice
"Oh, well thanks for the entertainment during that match, but young one you already have my award within you and your master will understand once he sees your new improved skills." The mountain Kami said giggling to himself.
Toshiaki a little confused at first, but took the Kami for his word and thanked him before packing and heading out to the next location of his next task with the second Kami. Refering to his notes me made before he left Shiro Tamori and the parchment he got from his sensei, he headed as fast as he can on horseback eastward Kanawa Taki, which near the third Kami at Nemui Kaminari Yama, the sleeping volcano.
Several days later, Toshiaki rode up to the shore of Kanawa Taki and prepared to do his task by setting up camp and tying up the horse to the nearest tree near the water. Toshiaki looked around and decided he will summon the water Kami first thing in the morning and that he will rest for now. In the morning, Toshiaki walked up to the shore muttering mysterious word as his feet were slowly being emerged in the water up to the ankle. Feeling the energy of the tranquil water flowing around and through him, he continued to concentrate making the ground around his feet completely dry as the water around them is pushed up into a column of water around Toshiaki and waves around the lake. Then seconds later the water around Toshiaki falls down back into the lake, only to be drawn back into a giant wave standing twenty feet in the air awaiting why it was summoned. Toshiaki knowing that water Kami can't talk began to inform the water Kami why he was here.
"I am here for the spirit of Kanawa Taki, sent by my Sensei Tamori Tatsuo, to complete a task for you and bring proof back that I have complete your task and the other kami's all within 30 days." Toshiaki answered quickly with courage in his voice, showing that he is ready for the task about to be shown to him. As Toshiaki's voice ended the water kami began to answer with a huge image shown upon the wave. The image started off with Toshiaki jumping into the water, jumping to Toshiaki picking up a vial of something, then walking up onto the shore with the vial. The next image split into two images, with one Toshiaki drinking the liquid from the vial and the other Toshiaki pouring the liquid onto his head. As this image ended, the water came crashing down making a loud thundering noise and turbulent waves. Toshiaki knowing what he must do, jumped into the lake swimming to the bottom looking for the vial he saw from the image. Toshiaki did this repeatedly throughout the next four days, until on the fifth day he found the vial and swam back to the shore to think about what he is going to do with it. Toshiaki built a fire to warm and dry himself and eat some of the fish he had catch while he was out searching the water. He thought to himself what should he do with the vial, drink it or pour it on him, thinking it over and over coming up with both reasons for either one. Then Toshiaki opened the vial taking it to his lips and drank the whole contents in one gulp, feeling his body becoming warm with sensation and his skin feeling more resilient than before, he assumed this was the reward from the Kami for finishing his task and moved on keeping the vial to show his sensei. With his job here, he packed up camp and began to head westward for the other two Kami, but with the third now far away, he decided he would get to the location before resting before taking on the next task.
As Toshiaki came to the foot of Nemui Kaminari Yama, the sleeping volcano, he looked around to see where he could set up camp as well as call the Kami without having to go all the way to the top of the volcano. Halfway up the volcano in the distance Toshiaki saw a plateau with a cave entrance and decided to hike up the volcano to at least this point to see if the cave leads into the heart of the volcano and if it doesn't he thought to himself that he is at least halfway up the volcano. Getting off his horse and leading it as he hiked up the mountain to the plateau he spot, where he was going to set up camp before he found out if the cave lead to the heart of the volcano because when he arrived on the plateau he was tired from traveling and it was pitch dark. After a long night of rest and taking care of the horse Toshiaki light a torch and explored the cave, which to his surprise was a maze of tunnels leading to dead-ends and loops taking you to the same spot repeatedly. After several hours of exploring, marking the way he went when he made progress, which lead to a small cliff hanging over the lava below. Toshiaki thought this would be the prefect place to summon the fire Kami of the Volcano, so Toshiaki stepped up to the edge of the cliff muttering mysterious words. Concentrating with all his will continuing to mutter those mysterious words, the lava began to rise into tall thin pillars of fire. As Toshiaki continued to mutter the words, the pillars of fire began to merge towards him encircling him with fire from all sides swirling around. Then seconds later the pillars of fire all shot together and responded in a ferocious voice "What do you want with me?"
"I am here for the spirit of the fire in Nemui Kaminari Yama, sent by my Sensei Tamori Tatsuo, to complete a task for you and bring proof back that I have complete your task and the other kami's all within 30 days." Toshiaki answered quickly with courage in his voice, showing that he is ready for the task about to be given to him.
"Oh, you are one of those. Well, you are to leave this mountain and haul up ten tree logs to be burnt, but before they are to be burnt, you must carve the answer to the questions I present to you here." The Nemui Kaminari Yama Kami angrily bellowed followed by ten random questions, as the last question was asked and the echoing of his voice echoed throughout the cavern the flaming form of the Kami splashed down into the lava making a huge splash, throwing huge amount of lava into the air. Toshiaki knowing this was the end of the conversation left in a hurry, for he knew this was going to take time.
So, after a few days of cutting down trees and hauling them up the mountain, Toshiaki thought that it would be a lot better if the wood he started to crave into was dry, so he waiting a day after he finished hauling the tenth log. The next day he began with the first log he hauled up, craving the answer and putting it to one side to be tossed into the fierily pit all at once when all of the logs are done. After five days of hard labor, Toshiaki was ready to throw logs into the fierily pit one by one. Toshiaki pick up the first log and throw it with all his might, the log bounded off the back wall and fell down into the pit. The log his the pit with a huge splash causing lava to be splattered into the air. Smoke rose into the cavern causing the heat to rise. Toshiaki threw the second one and the same thing occurred with the lava being splattered and the heat rising. Toshiaki quickly realized he is going to have to put all the logs in at once, so he will be able to escape. So, Toshiaki pushed all logs in at once by rolling them, but he turned around he couldn't see where to escape to with the smoke growing heavier and the heat rising. He then heard a angry bellow from behind him laughing "You have done what I have asked of you and have gotten all of the answers correct, now you must remain in this cavern for eight minutes and the smoke will lead you out, where you must get out before you collapse because you couldn't breath, now go."
Eight minutes later Toshiaki was on the ground because of the lack of breath, but once he saw the smoke turn white to lead him out, he got up and spirited as fast as he could jumping around the corners by jumping from wall to wall and emerging from the cave all scratched up and out of breath. Immediately leaving, he took a deep breath and decided he should just leave this place at once for he doesn't have much time to finish the last Kami, knowing that the last task was to test his lore abilities and that he will be able to prove this to he sensei. Therefore, Toshiaki packed up camp, lead his horse to the bottom of the mountain, and headed off westward towards Tetsu Kama to highest point where one of the greatest dojo is.
Several days later Toshiaki rode up upon Tetsu Kama and immediately went to the highest point he could reach, so he could set up camp to preparing for the task ahead. Being only mid-day Toshiaki has decided he will summon up the air Kami around this highest point, so he could get started on his task to make it back to his sensei on time before the thirty days has ended. Toshiaki stood still for a few moments to figure out where the wind was coming from the strongest and turned into the wind only to wait a little more to see if the wind was tricking him, but fortunate enough the wind remained the same. Toshiaki began to mutter mysterious words as the wind slowly died down and all that could be heard was the muttering of the mysterious words. Concentrating all his will and continuing to muttering those mysterious words the wind began to pick up swirling around Toshiaki growing stronger and stronger making loud howling noise as the wind grew stronger. Holding his ground two tall pillars of wind began to emerge from the ground going as high that can be seen only to emerge into one huge pillars around Toshiaki. Then seconds later the wind dissipated into a gently breeze bring a virtuous voice into Toshiaki's ear.
"What do you want of me?" The virtuous voice of the Tetsu Kama whispered into Toshiaki's ear.
"I am here for the spirit of the air around Tetsu Kama sent by my Sensei Tamori Tatsuo, to complete a task for you and bring proof back that I have complete your task and the other kami's all within 30 days." Toshiaki answered quickly with courage in his voice, showing that he is ready for the task about to be given to him.
"Well, if that is the case, your task will be to command these illusions of yourself behind you in white to attack and kill those of you in front of you in black. As you can see there is eight of you on the white side, but ten on the black side making you want to use your skills in command and battle to conquer this feet. You will know when you have finished the task when both of the illusions have disappeared." The virtuous voice told Toshiaki in his ear with a slight hint of mischievous.
"Hai!" Toshiaki said with confidence as he turned towards the illusions wearing black and began to shout, signal and command the illusions around him repeatedly. Watching and learning from each lost Toshiaki drew tired and had to rest for the night. It would be another two nights before Toshiaki was able to command his fellow illusions using an efficient strategy to take down the opposing illusions, only losing two illusions in the process because the Tetsu Kama air spirit was playing trick on him causing distractions and other chaos. As soon as the illusions died down Toshiaki pack up camp and headed to Shiro Tamori as fast as he can realizing that he can't rest until he gets there because there isn't enough time and that he is already cutting it close to the thirty days his sensei had set for him.
With minutes to spare Tamori Toshiaki rode into Shiro Tamori on his horse exhausted from the long trip without rest only so he could make it back on time. As Toshiaki rode into Shiro Tamori he sensei Sensei Tamori Tatsuo was standing there training another student with his back to Toshiaki said "Aye, you have returned in one piece a changed man, maybe more enlighten, but most all you have past my test. I can sense it in you, the mountain stands solid and embraces the river. You know what you must do now and I will miss you for you are one of the best students I have had, right up there by your cousin Toshiki. You can rest now and pack what else you will need for your gempukku and visit back home, while I write and gather up the necessary paper work. Before you go though, one more lesson or riddle and you will appreciate this one in time. The river, which way does it flow, where does it originate from and end at, what is the truth of its direction, and what must we do to find the truth path of bring the turbulent waters to a calm." As Toshiaki bowed and headed off to the student barracks Sensei Tamori Tatsuo called to him "Toshiaki, hold on right there." Toshiaki stopped where he was standing as Sensei Tatsuo caught up to Toshiaki. "I would just like you to know Toshiaki that many have never past that test, but for you and Toshiki. And because you have past, you need not more training from me here, but you are one step closer to following your dream of becoming a Spirit Binder or Yamabushi, whatever you have yet to decide." Sensei Tatsuo told Toshiaki with a smile.
* * * * * * * *
Toshiaki rested for many nights and spent many days in mediation at Shiro Tamori's shrine preparing and praying for a safe journey to his gempukku. One sunny spring day Toshiaki stood up in the middle of meditation and headed to his bunk in the barracks to begin to pack the rest of his stuff ready for his journey. In the middle of his packing, he looked up and saw that the Sensei was entering the barracks with rolls of parchment causing Toshiaki stop what he was doing immediately to receive the company and travel papers from Sensei Tatsuo along with any final lesson or advice. The sensei however did not say anything at all, just smiled and handed the rolls of parchment to Toshiaki with a smile and slight bow of sincerity before leaving Toshiaki presence. Toshiaki took a deep breath and looked out the window with his mind on many things to do with his gempukku, but his mind began to wonder as he looked outside the window to see the sun framing the mountain in a deep crimson red as the sun began to set to his cousin Toshiki. Will he be at my gempukku he began to wonder as he hasn't heard from him in a long time, but then thought that he might just be busy with some important earnings the daimyo has asked of him, but he did promise he would be there. Toshiaki was beginning to hope that the daimyo would allow Toshiki to be there if that is that case. Snapping out of this memorizing state of looking out of the window Toshiaki began to pack the rolls of parchments, which included other papers not just his travel papers on an outside pouch to be reached incase they were asked for during his travels. With all his things packed, Toshiaki went around and to let those he knew that he was leaving in the morning. Toshiaki began his travel to his gempukku, which was over a week away, but when he got there, he realized that his cousin wasn't going to be coming, but he didn't know why. He decided that he would do all of this task to honor his cousin Toshiki, even though he isn't there to see it, but he is sure he would hear of him doing it. Only after his gempukku did he know why Toshiki wasn't there, but was actually in fact killed protecting the Toturi Dynasty and his funeral will be coming up here really soon in about a week and two days, after the Emperor's sons funeral. He thought to himself that he will have to post-pone his pilgrimage for a later date after both funerals have been completed and the proper morning. As he was about to leave, Toshiaki checked his papers and realized he had actually had papers to go attend the Imperial Funeral, but also found another note. This other note told him he has to wait where he is in town to met up with a samurai named Yotsu Sui-Fon for a special procession of Toshiki, which must be past on as soon as possible.
The very next day Yotsu Sui-Fon found Toshiaki hanging out at the inn he was suppose to be at drinking tea. Toshiaki had no idea what this was about, but as this samurai approached him the first words out of his mouth were "Hai! You do look very much like your cousin and if you are anything like him it is a great honor to met you."
"Hai! My cousin was a great samurai, who also know how to keep good company among many. Now may I ask what all of this is about may I ask?"
"You may very well ask what this is all about, for I am sure he has told you nothing about what lies in this book of his. It is actually very important for all of us, but upon the request of Toshiki we are giving it to you to accomplish his dream. I know you won't understand at all, until you have had time to read it and go over it. You will soon become a master at it, but until you must keep trying. It will bring you closer to others, the Kami, and it will also bring you enemies, so read it with care and take it to heart like your cousin Toshiki did." Yotsu Sui-Fon told Toshiaki sliding the book over three times after the gift was refused the first two time.
"I must go now, but we will be watching you, you probably had the same feeling Hoshi Kei and I had no to long ago before the winter was over and the earth was bleeding." Yotsu Sui-Fon said with a mysterious tone voice.
Toshiaki read the title on the book "Tao of the River" and began to read the book.
* * * * * * * *
Tao of the River
How does the river flow?
What is its origin?
What is its end?
What is the truth of its direction?
To those who merely pass over the river, it is of little consequence, but to those who stop to honor and contemplate it, true wisdom can be found.
All things can be found in the river, from the river flows all that is.
All of the code of bushido is contained in the Tao and can be explained within the context of the river.
To those that follow the tao of the river, all things are considered as fish in the river. The movement of fish, the type of fish, these might be different, but all are still fish.
The turbulence of the river makes the water of the river unsettled, we must all seek to calm the river, lest the path become clouded
The river is everywhere, it is everything and everything can be described within its context.
Our sins are as obstacles to the purity of the river's flow, they must be removed, lest the river stagnate at the point of the obstacle.
But how does one remove obstacles? Does the river flow around the boulder? Or does the boulder flow through the river? Wee each on our journey come across these obsticals must either flow around them or rise up over them on the river's journey towards its end.
Or does the river end? To end it must also have a beginning, and who can chart the origin, having already passed by in ignorance? only to the enlightened is the origin revealed, and therefore its end.

We must guard against tributaries of brackish silt, lest the impurities of that murky river corrupt the pristine water that is the river.
* * * * * * * *
Toshiaki, totally confused what his cousin was getting at, read on and finished the whole book and decided he would attempt to follow his cousin's dream of the Tao.