‘Let me die,’ he groaned, pulling his wet hair out of his eyes.

‘Not when I can save you,’ panted Jack.

‘Why? I’ve never shown you kindness.’

‘We’re supposed to be brothers. At least that’s what your father commanded, isn’t it?’ said Jack, giving a sardonic smile. ‘Besides, you taught me how to use the bokken.’

‘So what?’

‘You made me realize that I wasn’t a helpless gaijin,’ said Jack, letting the offensive word hang in the air between them.

Yamato gave Jack a bewildered look. ‘When have you ever been helpless?’

‘When my father was killed, I couldn’t save him. I was defenceless against such skill,’ admitted Jack. ‘Dragon Eye laughed in my face when I tried to attack him. You showed me the Way of the Warrior. You gave me a reason to live and for that I’m grateful.’

‘I don’t understand you, gai-… Jack,’ began Yamato, sitting up and holding his head in his hands. ‘I ignored and despised you, yet when that ninja went to kill me, you attacked without hesitation. With honour and courage. I couldn’t have done that. You acted like a brother. A samurai.’

‘You would have done the same.’

‘No… I wouldn’t,’ said Yamato, swallowing hard as if his words had become stones in his throat. ‘The night I saw Kazuki beating you up, I was too afraid to do anything. I knew he was a better fighter than me. He knew it too. I didn’t have the guts to take him on…’

Yamato turned away, but Jack could see him wiping the back of his hand across his eyes, shuddering with each tearful breath.

‘The Seto twins… again I was too scared to help you. I didn’t want to be known as a gaijin lover. And after that night, I was too ashamed to be your friend. You didn’t deserve me. That is the real reason. I’m so sorry…’

Jack leant forward, a confused expression on his face. ‘I don’t understand. What are you apologizing for?’

‘You showed me my true self, Jack, and I didn’t like what I saw. My father was right. I’m not worthy to be a samurai, let alone a Masamoto. You’re more his son than I can ever be. You didn’t steal my father. I lost him by myself.’

‘Don’t be an idiot, Yamato. You haven’t lost him. He’s not dead, like mine,’ said Jack pointedly. ‘Masamoto may be angry, but he can have no reason to be ashamed of you. Not with the way you fought today. And if it is a matter of pride between you and me, forget it. Kazuki’s not worth getting upset over. He’s a righteous pompous pig with the face of a lion-dog’s arse!’

Jack grinned at Yamato and Yamato smiled weakly in return.