The Wolf Pup That Lived (Complete First Book)

Katana Training

The next morning Alyra woke up bright and early, she made her way to the kitchen and said "hi" to Mama. Mama looked at Alyra and said "someone is getting an early start". Alyra told Mama she couldn't sleep anymore so it was useless to stay in bed and wait until everyone is awake. She told Mama she will be back, and that she is just going to get some fresh air in the flower garden.

When Alyra arrived back to the kitchen all the guys were sitting at the table. Alyra took her spot near Caleb and Sam.

Sam asked Alyra "are you ready to continue pumpkin butt?" Alyra goes "really! pumpkin butt, wow who came up with that one? Thought you had more brain cells then that, and come up with something more engenius. I guess not everyone can be a wise ass these days". Sam looked at Alyra in shock while everyone was laughing. Caleb turned and looked at Sam while saying "our little princess is back to normal" with a big smile on his face.

Alyra told Sam she was ready to get back to training with the Katanas. Sam said "after breakfast we will head to the studio", Alyra nodded yes.

Sam and Alyra walked into the studio and they collected their fake ninja Katanas. Sam said I will explain more about the Katana. Alyra sat down on the mat and listened.

"The way an edged weapon works is always determined by function and form. In function you look at the primary use of the weapon: Is it meant to thrust first or s***h? Is it heavy bladed and used to crash through things or is it razor thin, and meant to cut with precision?"

"In form you look at its shape and edge. Is it curved or is it straight? Is it a long weapon meant to be used to outfight or a short one that needs your opponent to be within grappling distance? Does it have one edge which requires deft handling when changing directions or two? Is it designed to be used with one hand or does it require both?"

Alyra stopped Sam and asked "what is deft handling?"

Sam said "good question, deft means showing cleverness and skill in handling things, also there movements are fast, graceful, and deliberate. Understand now Alyra?" Alyra said "yes".

" The combination of all this determines style, technique, power, speed and efficiency when faced by one or more opponents. The Katana, in keeping with most swords is just over a kilogram in weight which doesn’t sound like it’s very much, and yet it is sufficient to generate the force necessary to slice through most things".

"Throw a one kilogram weight with your entire body and suddenly not only do you have to take into account the way muscles work when they are unbalanced, but also how your mind works when your body is in this position".

"A Katana is a weapon with a history that dates back almost a thousand years and there is a deep tradition that inevitably has grown around its use. There are two things which are the same:

A. The use of the Katana, in its basics, differs very little from what the ancient Samurai would have practiced.

B. The weapon, without the body its useless".

"That’s what makes training with a Katana fun and also makes you work on your fitness. You simply can’t wave the katana around without using your muscles, and because your muscles power the weapon, how ‘good’ or ‘bad’ a strike is. How effective a technique depends entirely on how you use your body".

"A downward cut from top to bottom, for instance, is powered by the muscles of the shoulders and the speed at which your arms move, and the Earth’s gravity (of course) but it can also be augmented by your body weight if you bend your knees and drive it through so that it truly becomes unstoppable".

"The same logic applies to any strike in any direction. Its effectiveness is governed by:

1. The muscle groups that drive it

2. How much of your body weight you can get behind it

3. How quickly you can execute it

4. How much distance the Katana travels before it hits its intended target

5. Whether you are working with or against Earth’s gravity

6. What else you need to know"

Sam asked Alyra was she ready for a break? Alyra said "yes", Sam said meet me here in 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes Sam continued telling Alyra about the Katana.

"There are four more things you need to know to make your swordplay perfect".

"Grip of a Katana traditionally is a double-handed weapon. A lot of the sword’s power comes from the push-pull action between two hands on the sword’s hilt. The two-handed grip drives the primary motion of the weapon that is then followed through by the arms, shoulders and the rest of the body. The grip also allows you to strike in different directions without having to lose a lot of time or even appreciably change the positioning of your body".

"Footwork like everything else in martial arts the primary power cell of the armed war machine you become when you hold a Katana, is your own body. The positioning of your legs adds power or lends speed to the execution of the technique you are performing. There are two primary stances: walking stance and L-stance. Which I will demonstrate, and each can be shallow or deep depending on style. The more shallow ones provide the greatest amount of mobility. The deeper ones allow you to bring in more power to each cut by firmly grounding your body and bringing in your weight to bear behind each move like this".

"Are you good so far on the stances?" Alyra said "yes".

"Wrists - A Katana is powered, partially by your wrist movements. Swordsmen always have strong, supple wrists and a strong grip. This allows them to change the way they hold the sword on the fly, so they can launch unexpected attacks from angles that are hard to defend against. The Katana is a single edged weapon, the grips you use and your ability to change them quickly makes a huge difference on the attacks".

" Improvisation - The key thing to using a weapon like the Katana is to experiment. If it was a real weapon and you were locked in a life and death combat all that would really matter would be your ability to get rid of your opponent and stay alive. To those who say that style and form are really important it is worth keeping in mind".

Sam said to Alyra "are you still following me?" Alyra nodded yes, Sam said "good".

"Now lets do some practicing with your stance, wrist movements, footwork, and grips".

Sam and Alyra practice for 5 hours straight then decided to head for the kitchen for dinner.

Sam told Alyra the Katana was the last weapon to teach her. After that he will be outfitting her with her new weapons with adjustable holsters, and that she will be training with Alex next. Alyra nodded her head yes to Sam.

After dinner they made their way back to the studio and finished her Katana training. Sam told her in her down time when she has no training she is expected to keep training with her sniper rifle, and her M9's in the gun range and to not slack off. As well as her training with Caleb and Dave, if you need someone to help you just asked and one of the guys will team up with you. Very important Alyra to continue training even though you are learning new stuff. Alyra agreed to keep training on her down time.

Sam says "now this is a Model 6004 SLS Tactical Holster for your M9 handguns. This tactical light holster features the SLS (Self Locking System) rotating hood. With no snap, the SLS allows for a smoother single motion draw and greater protection against attempted weapon takeaways. The hood can only be released by being simultaneously pushed down and rotated forward and actually becomes more secure when upward force is applied. The model 6004 features a standard double leg strap and leg shroud with mounting holes for optional accessories. The rugged STX finish protects the gun against scrapes, scratches and dents. Don't lose your holster you only get one set".

Sam tells her "now you got your holster, Katanas, I got to make out the paperwork for your Barrett M82 (sniper rifle), and your Beretta M9 handguns. Once that is done we are all finished and you start with Alex tomorrow".

After Sam got the paperwork sorted out she was giving her M82, and her M9 handguns. Sam asked Alyra "ready for some supper?" Alyra said 'yes I am starving". Sam smiled and chuckled a little, and they begin to make there way to the kitchen.

Before they got to eat supper Max walked into the kitchen, and said "Alyra I want you to practice all you have learned with Dave, Caleb, and Sam for 8 months straight before you continue on with Alex". Alyra said "okay", and Mama put her supper plate in front of her.

Alyra practiced with Caleb, Dave, and Sam for 8 months straight everyday, until the guys couldn't handle her anymore.

Alyra went to her room and laid down on her bed for the night, but ChiChi said "happy birthday little pup you are 13 years old", Alyra told ChiChi "thank you, but I don't feel any older" with a smile on her face, and "have a goodnight ChiChi".