Here's another of my projects- Honor and Responsibility.
I hope that it turns out well since I'm pretty much flying blind here so R&R and let me know what you think!
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Saturday.
August the tenth, 4:00 a.m.
Kenichi was having a difficult time sleeping even after the stressful events of the day, and lay on his back waiting for his master, Akisame-san, to sneak into his room and wake him for his early morning training before breakfast. He sighed and stared up at the ceiling, once again trying to count the tiles overhead in an effort to relax a bit while his mind went over minute details here and there.
It had been over a month in a half since he had started training at a local, yet oddly enough not very well known dojo, Ryozanpaku- in an effort to learn how to defend himself from bullies and in that time he had been in multiple fights and won. Though the latest...had definitely been the most difficult for him because the thug that he'd been facing off against had pulled a knife.
And though he had walked away without anything more than bruised knuckles, he felt strangely about having to be helped by Miu...again. I mean, wasn't it supposed to be the other way around in situations like that? Wasn't he- the guy- supposed to protect and help her? Maybe I really aren't cut out for this martial arts stuff. He thought with a sad sigh as he turned over onto his side to face barren walls.
Since the incident with the knife, the masters had imposed upon him- stating that they would train him to take care of opponents with weapons if he started staying over at the dojo on the weekends.
Now Kenichi may be somewhat dimwitted, but he wasn't stupid. Not by a long shot. He knew that part of the reason they had done this was to help speed up his training while cramming more hours into the day for him to practice what they taught him. Of course he knew the reason why they were going to such lengths when they could simply show him a few things then leave him to his own vices and see if he figured things out for himself.
And he was grateful for their efforts especially since he knew the extra training would and could possibly save his life sometime in the not so distant future.
Sighing he was about to turn over again when his cell phone chimed softly next to him, causing him to jump slightly before growling low in his throat and reaching over to snatch it up to see what was going on. Figuring that it was his little sister Honoka texting him again and flicked the cell open when he noted the name on the text message as he bolted upright in his bed with a wide eyed look on his face and stared in shock at the words typed across the screen.
Kenichi-
Long time no hear. Coming back to Japan for the next year or so to visit while mom finishes up some stuff with her latest marriage.
Mind if I stay with you?
Blinking as a silly little grin split his face, he quickly typed back a reply.
Saya!
Yeah it has been a while. And sure you can stay with me anytime. Just let me talk to mom and dad, I'm sure that they'll love to see you again. Honoka would too. You should see how much she's grown! When will you be here?
He sent the message and waited for a second for a reply. And when it came he nearly died on the spot.
Kenichi-
On the plane now. Should be there in just a few hours. Maybe around noon-
Well, Kenichi thought as he tried to calm the nervous fluttering in his stomach. That didn't give him much time to prepare, but if he let his master's know what was going on then left the dojo early enough then maybe he could get to his parents and warn them before she got there.
Not that they actually needed warning or anything. His family was the type of family that simply took in whoever happened to walk through the front door and treated them as their own. It didn't matter if it was a man, woman, or child- the moment they walked through the front door the Shirihama family treated them as if they had been there a hundred years.
That sort of blind trust had never caused any problems for them before. But now that his parents and sister knew about the gang after him- they had sort of altered their behavior patterns and become a little more wary. So warning his parents was more of a formality to prevent any incidents that might harm Saya if she were to try and enter the house without an invite. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Saya!
Alright. Do you want to meet up somewhere? Like the airport or something? Kenichi typed out the message after a heartbeat or so of careful thought. With Ragnorock running wild he wasn't entirely sure he wanted Saya walking the streets alone. But he was loathe to take what freedom she had finally gained from her after how her controlling mother had been treating her for the past few years.
But that didn't stop him from worrying that something may happen.
Kenichi-
Nah, that would just be a pain. Especially since I'm already suffering from jet lag...
Saya!
Alright. See you tomorrow afternoon. Kenichi typed, sent and then sat back and waited while holding his breath.
Kenichi-
Will do. See ya cuz!
