Seishi sat up abruptly with a cry of anguish. He remained panting for a moment, slowly regaining awareness of reality and where he was now. With a groan he buried his head in his hands.

- Soma...

After a few moments he raised his head and, passing a hand through his hair, he got out of his bed and went to sprinkle his face with the water prepared in a basin. He then glanced at his watch. Five o'clock... With a sigh he judged that it was useless to try to go back to sleep and left the hut. Bathed in the pink rays of the sun, he stretched with a yawn. The temperature at this time was still pleasant and soothing. He stuck his head through the opening of the next hut and frowned. Ryô was not there and in all likelihood had not been there all night. Mechanically, he ran his hand through his hair. He then noted how much they had grown since he had stopped cutting them when he arrived here... This had given birth to this regrettable habit, he noted. Anyway... The disappearance of his companion worried him much more. It was not safe. What could he have said or done that had vexed the young man so much? He went to the well a little away from the camp, greeting two women who were already there. Muffled screams intrigued him and he went looking for their origin. He finally found Ryō some distance away, hidden by a towering rock. The latter did not notice him so the doctor stayed to observe him. The young man was continuously doing various series of katas. The fluidity and speed of execution of the gestures impressed Seishi. He hadn't realized that Ryô practiced martial arts. How long had he been training? He didn't seem to be out of breath in the slightest, but a thin film of sweat made his brown skin glisten. Seishi then realized that Ryō was shirtless and... He narrowed his eyes. The sun revealed a long, clearer trail running down the young man's back. The latter at last ceased his exercises and stayed still  for a moment catching his breath. Looking at the small can of water he had just filled, Seishi decided to approach.

- Would you like to quench your thirst a little? he asked softly.

Ryō jumped and turned around, taken aback.

- That... What are you doing here?

- Forgive me, I didn't want to disturb you, I saw you by chance.

The young man seemed to be looking for something with his eyes. His gaze then stopped and with a mute curse, he crossed his arms, avoiding the doctor's gaze. The latter noticed that his companion's jacket was now behind him and therefore out of Ryō's reach. Closer now, he noticed that fine scars also streaked the young man's torso. So I was not mistaken, he thought. And it was unquestionably this that Ryô was trying to hide. Once again, Seishi wondered about the young man's past. Many clues, and this last one even more, made him fear a very dark story but he had never dared to address this point. If he wanted to help him, he would have to make their relationship evolve very gradually. He handed the water to the young man, who finally took it and took a sip.

- I didn't know you practiced, you're very talented... Do you often train here?

Ryô lowered his eyes and shrugged his shoulders without answering. Seishi hesitated for a moment and then stared at his companion.

- Listen, you have every right to refuse but... It's been a long time since I've had the opportunity to practice... Would you agree, at least for this time, to make a few moves with me?

Ryô raised his head, taken aback.

- Please. It would be very glad to.

- We don't have a keikogi[1]... he finally grumbled.

Seishi smiled.

- I guess we can find enough moves that don't need it.

Rubbing his arm nervously, his gaze fleeing again, Ryô seemed to hesitate.

- I... Well, it's been a long time... I don't know if...

- Come on, I told you, I haven't practiced in forever either and you're warmed up! You practice karate, right?

Ryō nodded.

- Then you will only have to attack. I'm an aikidoka, I'll try to adapt to you. What matters is to relax a little, we are not here to move up the ranks! He put the water can down. Will you let me try? If it doesn't suit you, you "fire" me!

He bowed to his young companion.

The latter stiffened for a moment, undecided, then returned his salute.

- The Honor is mine, Seishi-san.

Seishi straightened up, a wide smile on his lips. Then, after a few brief stretches of the joints, he got into position. He had only put on shorts when he got out of bed, it is true that fighting without the protection and holds that a dogi offered would be confusing but he did not even dare to imagine wearing the regular kimono and hakama in this heat and dirt. Ryô had also gotten into position and seemed to be wondering how to approach him. Seishi hoped that he would be able to regain enough reflexes to counter the karate moves he was unfamiliar with. But after all, wasn't aikido supposed to allow him to master any opponent or style? Ryô sighed.

- You're not even warmed up, I think I remember one or two aiki movements, I can try to start with that.

- It would be a good idea indeed, but please do as you feel, don't hold back for me... I'm not that decrepit yet, at least I hope. I'll scream if I'm overwhelmed!

Ryō blushed and stammered.

- I... Sorry Seishi-san, I didn't mean that.

- I know, Seishi smiled with a wink, but if you don't make up your mind, I'll end up taking root!

The young man seemed a little taken aback and then resumed his position. Seishi was surprised by the concentration and seriousness that took possession of his face. Without another word, Ryô took action.

Seishi slammed his hand on the ground and Ryō released him. He straightened up with an heavy breath. Ryô looked at him, ready to continue.

- Well, the lack of training is definitely showing. He sat back up with a beaming smile. But it's been a long time since I've let off steam like that!

A smile appeared on Ryô's lips as he slowly caught his breath. The young man engaged again. Seishi having quickly regained enough control, he had let his partner give free rein to his own technique. And he had to admit that it was admirable... and stimulating. Without being an expert in karate, it didn't take him long to notice Ryō's mastery, but also a very personal style. His karate was probably not totally academic and was not rigid or constrained to common holds. He was very fast, fluid and above all incredibly adaptable. He seemed to react instinctively much more than in relation to the canons he was taught. Seishi countered a new assault and, continuing his movement, made the young man fall once again. He thought then that both of them would certainly deserve a good shower after the number of times they had bitten the dust. But God it was nice to spend time like this again, to rediscover the pleasure of playing with your body and to go beyond your limits. Fighting with Ryō was like jousting with a feline, a panther. He himself was more powerful, more thoughtful... The tiger against the panther. He had to oppose maturity, experience and technique to flexibility, combativeness and spontaneity... But above all, he had to give the maximum of his current abilities. They must have been training for an hour now and he was starting to feel the effects of the heat. Despite this, _he breathed in deeply_ he just felt good. He was now much looser and, becoming familiar with Ryō's style, he now controlled the game. He also felt that his young companion had let go of his reluctance to invest himself and enjoy this moment of relaxation with serenity. So what followed caught him completely unaware.

Ryō attacked in the same way as before, so he used the latter's momentum again to annihilate the effect of the blow and knock the young man to the ground. But this time, Ryô did not try to resist and similarly dragged him into his movement before brutally catching him off guard. Unbalanced, Seishi was forced to kneel. He was pleasantly surprised by this unexpected response but did not admit defeat. Taking advantage of Ryō's attempt to reassert his hold, he tipped him over with him. Both rolled to the ground, Ryō angrily trying to free himself. But Seishi had been able to find a safe grip and finally immobilized Ryô under him, one arm pressed behind his back. The young man made a last attempt to free himself without success but did not surrender. Suddenly, he let out a desperate cry and pushed Seishi away, abruptly trying to escape.

- Let go of me!

Seishi barely had time to retract his grip before his companion inflicted irreparable damage to his arm. The latter got back on his feet as best he could, stifling a moan. He looked at the doctor on the ground for a moment, looking lost.

- I'm sorry, Seishi stammered, I didn't want to...

Ryō closed his eyes and bowed, fists clenched, to whisper a faint gomen before running away, only grabbing his jacket as he passed.

Seishi remained half-seated on the ground for a few moments, dazed. What's gotten into the young man? He did seem to enjoy their fight so... What had he done again to cause such panic in his companion? Sighting, he got back on his feet, confused. He was sure that he had not made any movement that would normally cause pain or physical trauma. Perhaps he had unintentionally touched another sensitive point of the young man? He dusted some of the brown earth with which he was now stained and tried to throw his messy hair back before returning to the camp. There were many things about the young man that he would pay dearly to know and understand.

~

Ryō dropped against a tree and, raising his knees, curled up on himself, trying to catch his breath and calm the frantic beating of his heart. He cursed himself and threw to his attention all the insults he knew... which took him a little while. But what had gotten into him? For a long time he had had difficulty with close contact and physical proximity. This discomfort had already handicapped him during his martial practices... But never before had he reacted like that. He rubbed his shoulder gently. He had been totally irrational. If Seishi-san hadn't had the reflex to free him, he would have broken and dislocated his arm. He relived the doctor's incomprehension. He must have hurt him, vexed him... Once again, he thought. But Seishi-san had never shown any grievance against him. He raised his head slightly, resting his chin on his knees. Seishi-san had tackled him, it was common in this type of martial art, he had tried to resist knowing that such a hold executed by a master like Seishi-san seemed unquestionably to be, left him no chance... And then suddenly, he had lost his mind. However, he had really enjoyed this moment of relaxation with the doctor. He had been furious at first, of course, at being discovered in this way, whereas the day before, he had already been abrupt and rude to the doctor. But the latter did not seem to hold it against him and had made no allusion to it. Nor had he alluded or seemed embarrassed by the marks covering his body... One of the reasons why he felt at ease, almost confortable with the young doctor. The attention, availability and listening that were underlying, but never departed from an infinite discretion... And he had ruined everything.

But when he had suddenly felt Seishi-san against him, so close, his slightly clammy skin against his own so rarely exposed, his labored breath in his neck... He had panicked, he had felt trapped, oppressed... And other impressions that he was not yet able to define. He had been seized by an uncontrollable panic. He stood up, looking at the village a little further away. With a curse, he struck the trunk angrily with his fist... and could not suppress a grimace. That's why he now avoided tying himself to anyone. Before that he would not have paid the slightest interest to what the doctor might think... And it was stupid but the fact was that he didn't want to hurt or disappoint Seishi-san. All this could not go on any longer, he had to do something... First apologizing, he grimaced again, apologizing for his misconduct in the last few days and after that... He swore and set off for the village.