It was another bright, sunny, boring day within Matris. Currently I was playing 'hide from my tutor', my apparent favorite game. I sat under the shade of one of the big oak tree's in the garden next to the pond. In the clear blue water I could see my reflection as if I was looking in a mirror. My dark brown, shoulder length hair was fluttering in the breeze over my light green eyes. Like most eight year old girls I wore a knee length frilly dress, mine was a lavender with white lace and wasn't as puffy as others. Of every place I could choose to hide in, the garden was my favorite place. It was silent, warm, peaceful and above all I could be myself instead of the perfect child everyone wants me to be.
"Lady Kerai!" I turned my head to the voice.
It was my tutor, Jun. There was no way possible for me to be indoors and studying today. Today Tsuna was supposed to return home for a few days from the Survey Corps. Ever since she joined, I haven't seen her much. I know what she does is demanding and leaves little room for relaxing but I still can't help but complain that she's never around anymore. I was way beyond stubborn, I guess I'm kind of spoiled. I've never had to do anything to get what I want besides saying it. So, not having what I want happen in the blink of an eye like normal is not something I'm enjoying. I looked back at the pond and watched the fish swim around.
"Got'cha." A warm voice spoke as a pair of hands suddenly clamped down on my shoulders.
"Epp!" I cry out and start trying to run away.
The person behind me laughed. "Aw, come on Kei. I'd thought you wanted to see me not run away from me."
I stopped trying to run and turned my head to see who it was. It was Tsuna, her long black hair pulled into a ponytail and her blue eyes reflecting the light of the afternoon sun. I smiled at her and gave her the biggest hug I could. Tsuna wrapped her arms around me and picked me up. Just seeing her here and smiling was enough to make the wait worth wild.
"Tsuna!~" I cried happily.
"Long time no see Kei, how are you?" She asks in her soft, sweet voice.
"I'm good, even better now that you're home. What about you."
She laughed a bell like laugh. "I'm good, glad to be home."
Tsuna sat me down on my feet and hugged her as tight as I could. I guess you could say I was clingy but it was only to Tsuna. I was her 'little girl' after all, and as far as I could care she was my second mother. In my eyes, Tsuna was the perfect person to ever live. She is smart, caring, loving, liberal minded, strong, independent and a good person all around. I don't think she could ever do wrong, even if she tried to not that she would.
"Lady Tsuna, have you by chance seen Lady Kerai." Jun finally found us, guess I laughed too loud.
"Kerai? Have you skipped your lessons again?" Tsuna looked down at me.
I let go of her and held my hands behind my back. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't sit in that room. The lesson is boring and I wanted be outside and playing and waiting for you to come home."
"Well, you've had your fun now it's-"
"That won't be necessary, Jun. I'll give Kerai her lessons for the day. Why don't you take the day off." Tsuna smiled kindly at Jun.
He thought for a moment before speaking. "As you wish, milady." He bowed and walked away.
I watched him walk away before looking at Tsuna to thank her. "Thank you onee-sama."
"Your are such a troublemaker, Kerai." She rolled her eyes and smiled at me.
"But I'm your troublemaker." I said back to her and laughed.
She laughed with me and picked me up. "True. How about we work on your lessons after we finish our project." She offered.
"Of course!~" I chirp.
"But, you have to promise me that when I'm not here you still go to all your lessons no matter if they're 'boring' or not."
I nodded my head in agreement and she smiled at me. I rested my head on her shoulder and she walked back to the house. The garden slowly shrunk and was replaced with the glass windows and doors of the house. Inside was filled with the sound of people moving about busily completing daily tasks. Tsuna had a skip in her walk, it almost felt like she was rocking me to sleep. The house helpers greeted us as we passed them to her workshop. The workshop was in the back of the house and it was filled with almost everything a builder/engineer could ever need. There were several benches set up, a few were covered by projects long forgotten. One on the right wall, would never be forgotten. The reason it wouldn't be is because I held Tsuna's and my project. She was teaching me to build the 3D Maneuver Gear that the Scouting Regiment uses on their missions. Tsuna sat me down on the tall stool next to the table and we began working. She carefully instructed where each part was to go and how they affect the other parts. I smiled fondly at the devices and put them into their places while Tsuna handled the more dangerous parts, such as sharp objects or the more delicate parts.
"Alright once we get these screws back in, then you'll have officially built your own 3D maneuver gear to use." Tsuna placed the screws into their holes and handed me the screw driver.
"Awesome!~" I happily took the tool and twisted until I couldn't anymore.
It may have taken a year to complete but there in front of me was my very own homemade maneuver gear. I could be exactly like you now Tsuna. I smile to my elder sister with great pride in our work and her.
"How about I start teaching you how to use it?" She offered.
My smile grew bigger. "Yes, yes, yes. Please teach me!~"
Tsuna laughed and started going over how to shoot and retract the grappling hooks. She also showed me how to release a blade and replace it with a new one. I just couldn't age up quick enough, I wanted to join the Scouting Regiment right now so I could fight alongside my sister's side. Alas I'm still only eight and can't enter in the trainee squad until I was 12 or older, but I plan that on my twelfth birthday that I'd head straight for the sign-ups and train my hardest. I've voiced my decision many times, the only ones to support it are Tsuna and grandfather.
===============================Present Time================================
The sound of the blaring wake up call sounded and I forced myself up. It was just barely four in the morning and already we have to get up. You can't complain Kerai, this is what you wanted to do. I sighed and swung my legs off of my bunk and stretched out my arms. It's already been two years with the Trainee Squad but I still can't get used to being up so early.
"Ugh, why can't we start later than this?" I grumble and fall back onto my bunk.
"I agree, but the earlier we start the quicker we can graduate." A female voice answered my question.
I sat back up and looked to the sound of the voice in the bottom bunk. It was Petra Ral. Petra has light ginger hair and amber-coloured eyes, 158 cm( 5'1'') tall and weighs about 55 kg( 121 lbs). She was about the only girl I can stand in the Trainee Squad and one of my very few friends. Petra was most known for her kindness and teamwork. Unlike the others she actually tries to help everyone. She looked up and smiled at me with her kind smile.
"Good Morning, Kerai."
I smiled back. "Morning Petra."
I got off of my bunk and quickly got dressed, even though it's no one but girls in here I still can't take my time dressing. I made sure to tuck in my white button down into my white pants before putting on the brown sash and belt. I leaned against the bedpost and slipped on my knee high boots. Finally I grabbed my light brown cropped jacket and slip it on. I turn to Petra who was just barely getting her shirt on.
"Jesus Kerai, can't you dress slower?" She asks in a teasing tone.
I laugh once. "If I could I would, I'll save a spot for you at the breakfast table."
"Alright."
I smile at her and head for the bathroom to brush my teeth and put up my hair. Though my hair was shoulder length I couldn't help but put it into a ponytail to keep it out of the way. Of course my bangs still fell out, there wasn't much I could do about it. Once completely ready for the day, I leave the girls lodging and head for the mess hall. Inside, a majority of the guys were already there and about half of the girls. I grabbed my tray of food and searched for my group. A few minutes of searching and I spotted a familiar hand waving at me. It was Gunther Schultz, he was already sitting with Olou Bozado and Eld Jinn. I walked over to them and took the open seat next to Eld.
"Morning guys." I say as I sit.
"Good morning Kerai." Gunther says.
Gunther Schultz, Gunther is a man of average height with slightly darker skin. He sports short crop of brown hair that is kept to a point on the back of his head's upper area.
"Morning Kerai, have you seen the fair Petra?" Olou asks.
Olou Bozado, Oluo has a much older appearance than everyone else, having more pronounced wrinkles despite his age. He has dirty-blond hair that is short around the sides and back, with small hazel eyes.
I roll my eyes at him. "No, I share a bunk bed with her but I never ever see her." I reply sarcastically. "She'll be here in a few minutes."
"I don't get why I got such a rude answer." He grumbled.
"You got the answer you got cause I don't handle stupid questions well." I smirk at him.
"In all honestly, it was an unintelligent question Olou." Eld agreed with me.
Eld Jinn, Eld has brown eyes and long blond hair which has a middle parting and a bun folded at the back to keep his hair tied. He has small brown eyes and a serious face. Despite his somewhat scary appearance, he was very nice once you got to know him. I don't know how and I don't know why but the five of us have become really close friends over the past two years. Shortly after our exchange Petra joins us and we start chatting away about random stuff.
"You didn't get much sleep, did you Kerai?" Eld asks me while the others talk.
I sigh and look at him. "Not really, I just kept remembering stuff from awhile back." I admitted.
"Try taking it easier today, you don't want to overdo yourself." Eld advises.
"I'd love to take it easy but commander Shadis would kill me if I eased up. I just have to deal with it."
"And if you ever want to talk about it, I'll listen." Eld added and smiled.
I couldn't help but smile back. "I'll keep that in mind."
Eld and I rejoined the group conversation for few minutes while we finished eating then headed out for roll call. As per usual after roll call we started with a run around the training area, as of late commander Shadis set up some obstacles to challenge us. In all honesty though, the obstacles do little to slow me down. I'm still one of the firsts to finish with running giving me some time in between the exercises. With only two years left before we graduate, everyone is starting to narrow down where they want to go. Unlike everyone else, when I got here I knew exactly where I wanted to go.
===============================Flash Back=================================
"Alright brats fall in!"
Everyone became quiet when the commander yelled, he was definitely someone I wouldn't want to mess with. Commander Keith Shadis, Keith is a tall and intimidating man. He is bald, with a slightly tan complexion and prominent wrinkles on his forehead. His most notable features are dark circles around his eyes which make him appear more imposing and frightening. Some people say that during his years as a Survey Corps commander, Keith had a head of short brown hair, a gentler face, and a slightly lighter skin complexion. He makes sure everyone is at attention and starts going down the lines, having everyone state their name, home and reason for being here. I almost regret doing this, he looks really scary...maybe I can turn back...no! You can't run from this, have courage and prove them all wrong. I clenched my fists in determination and looked straight ahead.
"Next!" Commander Shadis yelled and stepped in front of me. "Who are you?" He questioned loudly.
I placed my right fist over my heart and held my other hand behind my back like Tsuna showed me. "Sir, my name it Kerai Yana, sir." I say with a certain in command tone.
"Yana, where are you from?!" He shouts.
"From Matris in wall Sina, sir!" I say in the same tone making sure I stay looking forward.
The commander looked directly in my eyes. "Why would someone from Matris be here?!"
"Because I wish to join the Scouting Regiment and help humanity, sir!"
Commander Shadis looked at me for a second more then moved on to the person next to me. I waited until he was pretty far down the line before I relaxed, my arms were shaking but I was proud of myself. I carefully glanced around at the other recruits and noticed a lot of them were looking at me, did I say something wrong? Soon they all stopped looking and I felt a bit relieved.
==============================Present Time=================================
"Come on Kerai, we got to go spar." Petra clamped a hand down on my shoulder.
I had completely spaced out, apparently everyone else finished running and we were now onto sparing which would take the rest of the day. I nodded at Petra and we headed over to the open area. Commander Shadis paired everyone off, I ended up being partners with Eld. I didn't mind one bit, Eld was a perfect sparring buddy for me. He had a height advantage, but he also took care to stay even with me. Honestly the only reason I haven't been kicked out yet is because Eld makes it appear that I'm stronger than I am. Eld and I went over the spar slowly so we could talk when Shadis wasn't near by.
"Try keeping your arms up, Kerai." Eld says
I nod my head and hold my arms up a bit more. "Like this?"
"Yeah." He smiles and goes to punch my head.
I quickly block it and go for a kick to the shins. "Thanks."
"No problem." He blocks the kick.
Over to the right of us was Gunther and Olou who were sparring and across the yard was Petra and some other person. Only two more years then we'll actually be in the military...will I still be with these guys?...I won't know until we have to choose which branch. I think only a few of us know where we want to go and the ones who do want to join the Military Police or Garrison unit...though only the top ten can get into the military police... I seemed to have gotten really deep in my thoughts because before I knew it Eld was talking again this time in a warning.
"Kerai, stay on guard." He says as he swings at my head.
I quickly refocus and fall onto my back under the punch, from there I shift my weight to my upper back and leg sweep him. Eld falls to the ground and I pin him there. I hadn't intended to pin him, I was just caught off guard. He looked at me just as shocked as I felt and then broke out into a smile.
"Never knew you had it in you to take anyone down." He laughs.
I hold my hand out to him. "Neither did I."
Eld takes my hand and I help him back up to his feet. We just stand for a minute to get refocused. I took the time to look around the training area and the people here. I spotted commander Shadis walking around with two other people with him. One was tall with blonde hair and big eyebrows. The other was way shorter with raven black hair and a piercing stare. He suddenly turned towards my general area and I quickly dropped my gaze. After a bit I lifted my gaze again and the three of them were gone. I sighed in relief, but I didn't know why.
"You alright Kerai?" Eld asks.
I turn to face him. "Did you see the two with commander Shadis?" I ask.
"No, why?"
"N-no reason. Let's get back to training."
Eld doesn't say anything more and we go back to sparring. I couldn't help but think back to the two men with Shadis. They're obviously leaders, but of which branch? And that man with the black hair, who is he and why is he so familiar? I run through all my memories but I couldn't quite place where I've seen him. Maybe it isn't that you've seen him before, but he looks like someone I've meet. I shake my head