Chasing the Secret Read Online Free

cushions at the center of the polished wooden floor. They were grouped in a semicircle around a long open casket that rested on a beautifully lacquered green and gold altar.
    One of the servants looked up as we entered the hall. I saw that it was Ko and beside him kneeled another kitchen boy, Sato. Along with Tatsuya, they had been good friends to Hana and me during our time at the dojo. I was glad that we didn’t have to mourn alone.
    Over the past three days, I had been focusing on the happy memories: sparring with Goku in the courtyard, learning from him in the scroll room, meditating with him…
    Goku had been a second father to us—our teacher,our protector—but I had been avoiding visiting his body. I couldn’t bear to relive that terrible moment when the sharp point of the spear had plunged into his chest.
    As we approached the casket I caught a glimpse of gleaming wood, a fold of white cotton cloth, and a lotus flower carefully positioned by a pale hand. Beside me, Hana took in a wavering breath.
    I looked down into the casket and saw that Master Goku’s eyes were closed. His head rested on a small flat pillow and his hands had been placed lightly one on top of the other across the front of a simple white cotton kimono. I felt a quick rush of relief that someone, perhaps Ko or Sato, had honored tradition and placed a gleaming silver knife across his chest, to keep away the evil spirits.
    â€œHe looks as if he’s going to sit up and speak to us,” I said softly.
    But then I noticed the way his skin was stretched tight over his cheekbones. There was a greenish tinge to his eyelids. His fingers were waxy. Without warning, my vision blurred with tears. Master Goku was dead. Only three days ago, he had been living and breathing. Now he was gone forever. I felt a tide of grief rise up through me.
    Tears streamed down Hana’s cheeks as she began to pray. I closed my eyes and tried to clear my mind.But my thoughts wouldn’t settle.
    Instead I kept thinking about my father and older brothers. Pain twisted through me at the thought that Hana and I had not managed to say good-bye, that their spirits would wander tormented and restless.
    I thought of the way Master Goku had taught us to meditate. His deep, calm voice seemed to echo through my head, Open your mind…find the balance …
    I took a breath and opened my mind. Memories faded and I could feel Goku’s presence somewhere deep within my soul. All at once I realized that he would always be with me. The training he had given me and the lessons he taught were now a part of me—just as everything Father taught me was rooted in me, growing and gathering strength, giving me the skills to one day face Uncle.
    I brought myself out of meditation as Mr. Choji came into the main hall. He had changed into formal funeral robes, his white hem swishing around his sandaled feet as he crossed the hall.
    â€œThis was not how we planned, but a few hours early will not disturb our Master,” Mr. Choji said. “I have notified the village and the temple.”
    He paused to bow to the casket, quickly secured the lid in place, and then lifted the lantern down from its stand, ready to lead the procession to the temple. It was a dojo tradition to have a lantern lightthe way for the Master’s passing, and clearly Mr. Choji was going to continue the tradition despite the daylight. Usually the sacred duty of carrying the lantern was reserved for the closest family, but Master Goku had no family, and so his closest friend and fellow teacher would lead the way instead.
    His broad face solemn, Mr. Choji gestured to us all to rise and lift the casket. The litter was fitted underneath and I felt the smooth wood in my left hand. To my surprise, the casket itself was light, almost weightless, as if most of Goku had already gone. I turned my mind away and tried to focus on the task ahead.
    We spaced ourselves evenly, four on each side of the