GRADE SIX SCIENCE CLASS

MR. OMEGA

I like school. I really do and I get good grades. But I don't enjoy every subject. I find math and science to be especially boring. My mind tends to wander and I end up doodling or scribbling down ideas during those classes. Mr. Omega is a cool teacher and all the kids like him. But I just can't help myself from daydreaming, looking out the window, or writing in my notebook. I'm currently working on a story called 'The Katana Kid." It's about a kid in medieval Japan who fights all kinds of bad guys. His name is Akio which means "glorious hero" in Japanese.

Akio was an orphan who was left on the doorstep of an old widower known only as 'Sensei.' It just so happened that he was also a martial arts master. From an early age he worked with Akio teaching him jujitsu, swordsmanship, and karate. By the time he was ten years old, Akio became a martial arts master. Soon many Shoguns (military leaders) wanted to recruit the young prodigy into their clan of Samurais. But Akio refused as he was taught only to use his skills in self-defense. Enraged, a cruel Shogun by the name of Kendo ordered that the small fishing village where Akio lived be burned to the ground. Sensei didn't survive the attack. Akio vowed revenge.

Kitana made short work of the Shogun's samurais. He was always several moves ahead of them. Despite his great anger and sorrow, Kitana fought with honor and determination. When he finally reached The Shogun, Akio put his katana under Kendo's chin. "Very impressive young warrior. Sensei has taught you well. You may have won this round but one day we shall fight side by side. We'll be the most powerful force in Japan." "Never!" Akio growled. The katana began to shake as Akio's grip became unsteady.His code would not allow for him to take Kendo's life. The Shogun left on horseback alongside a few of his remaining servants.

SENSEI

Akio wandered for several days before visiting Sensei's grave. Choking back tears he spoke to his former teacher, "I was able to defeat the samurai clan but I spared the life of the evil Shogun. I showed mercy to my enemy as you had taught me. Yet I feel incomplete, as if justice has not been fully served. I will continue to be at war with my heart and my mind until I have taken down the Shogun once and for all. I know that you were a man of peace but I will not stop until I have avenged your death. One way or another." Akio raised his katana to the sky as the rain began to fall. The cool rain felt good on his aching bones. He looked up and shouted at the sky.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" "I'm glad you're so excited about deciduous trees Brandon but there's no need to shout. And don't worry, you won't have to avenge anything. The leaves that fall off will return in the Spring" Mr. Omega joked. "I appreciate your enthusiasm but it makes my job a lot easier when all of my students are seated." "Sorry Mr. Omega. What can I say? I love science!" I sat there in embarrassment as the rest of the class laughed and pointed at me. The story I was writing felt so real, as if I was Akio. I guess I should concentrate for the rest of this class. I'll resume my story during Mathematics after lunch. Today we're learning about integers.

For the next few weeks, Akio aimlessly walked from town to town trying to find purpose in his life. He had cut off all contact with the living world and spent his time alone meditating and practicing what Sensei had taught him. While he strolled through the forest in search of berries to eat, an arrow whizzed past his head. Akio was not alone. "Who's there? Show yourself!" he demanded. But nobody responded. He noticed that the bushes around him were rustling. As the assailant tried to escape, Akio did this awesome back flip move he always does and landed right in front of his "attacker." "Who are you?" a surprised Akio asked.

"My name is Princess Miki from Osaka." "Why did you shoot an arrow at me?" "I thought you were one of them." "Them? Them who?" "The ninjas that ambushed the palace. They attacked us during the night while we were all sleeping. They have taken over the city and have ordered us to obey their leader, a Shogun named Kendo." "Did you say Kendo?" "Yeah, why?" "It's a long story. Take me to your city." "But I am afraid." "A wise man once told me, 'Keizoku wa chikara nari. ' It means 'To continue is power' and that's what I promised him I would do."