Italics- Tsukiyomi talking

Bold- Kurando talking to Tsukiyomi (or just his thoughts)


Son's choice

Kurando had lived his whole life in the quiet, friendly village of Inugami. There everyone knew each other, helped those in any trouble and treated neighbours as family.

The Capital was like nothing he'd ever seen before. The buildings were so big, the streets so wide and busy he had to swerve out of people's way or risk getting shoved over. People stared at his unusual eyes and sneered.

'I don't like this place,' he blurted out as they reached Kawashima's house in Yokohama Street.

'It's a little overwhelming at first, but you'll get used to it.' Kawashima chuckled. 'My business keeps me in the Capital for now, but we can soon stay at my more tranquil home in Mukyo-An.'

'You have two houses?' Kurando asked, amazed. 'Why? There's only one of you.'

'Actually, I have a daughter, but she's twenty five now and works for the Japanese military. I suppose I should give up the house in Mukyo-An, but I'm rather attached to it, and I need this one while I'm in the world of politics.'

Kurando still found it strange that one man needed two houses, but he decided to drop the subject.

'For now you will train in the dojo here. I want to see the skills and techniques you know before I begin your new routine. You brought your own sword, I presume?'

Kurando stayed silent. He had brought his bokken and a new shinai, but has left the sword his father gave him behind.

'Oh? Then I'll contact your mother to send it. I can't teach you the sword arts without one, can I?'

'I don't want to use that sword.' Kurando said firmly.

'And what do you plan to use instead? Your father gave you a good sword Kurando, and I am not a man who will pay for stuff you don't need. You will earn your keep through hard work. The quicker you learn that, the easier you will adjust. You're used to training hard, aren't you?'

Kurando didn't reply, only glared at the floor.

'Well, until the sword arrives, we'll test your kendo skills. Let me see if Keiji spoke the truth about you.'


At the end of the day Kurando ached all over. His neglection of his training was costing him, but he refused to back down to the old (in his opinion) man. He had to reluctantly admit the man was skilled, better than his father had been. But he refused to be impressed. If he proved this man had nothing to teach him, he could return home sooner.

'Keiji was right; your kendo techniques are very polished. But if you don't keep up with your practicing, they won't stay that way.'

Kurando grumbled under his breath as he rubbed his sore arms. Kawashima sighed.

'I need to go out for a bit, Kurando. Feel free to rest, you've done well today.'

Kurando didn't answer as the older man left. It was the first time Kurando had ever been in a house alone.


The next two weeks fell into a routine. Kurando would so his warm ups, Kawashima would spar with him all morning, and then he would leave to do his other job, leaving Kurando to himself.

'Feel free to wander into the city,' Kawashima had told him, but Kurando hadn't the courage at first. Now he took a deep breath before stepping out of the house. He remembered to lock it, something they never had to do in the village, before gazing around.

Kawashima's house was close to the park area, which Kurando quickly headed towards, ducking between people on the busy street. He breathed a sigh of relief when he settled on a bench, admiring the flowers and watching young children playing nearby.

One of them, a little girl around ten years old, paused and starting moving towards him.

'Hello,' she said shyly, 'Would you like to play too?'

For a moment Kurando could only stare, Miyoko clear in his mind.

He smiled and shook his head. The girl turned away, disappointed.

I don't have time to play anymore. I made a promise I would get stronger.

Then perhaps it's time you stopped fighting the wrong people, little one.


When Kawashima returned that night, he was greeted with a red-faced Kurando and a semi-edible meal.

'It was harder than I thought.' Kurando mumbled, looking away.

Naniwa smiled, giving the boy a warm pat.

'Thank you Kurando. It looks wonderful.'


The day Kurando's sword arrived he couldn't bring himself to touch it. Kawashima set it in the main room and Kurando was still watching it hours later. In one hand he held the letter from his father to Kawashima. He hadn't read it since the day he'd left the village.

You can overcome this, little one. The pain is great, but you will learn to fight through it.

Kurando took a half-step towards the sword before there was a brisk knock on the front door. He paused, unsure what to do. No one had ever visited the house before, and Kawashima was out.

'Father, I have something I need to discuss with you. Open the door.' A female voice demanded.

She must have the wrong house, he thought, moving to the front door and sliding it open. The woman blinked at him in shock before frowning.

'Who are you?'

Kurando gaped at her, trying to stutter out a reply. He'd never seen a woman dressed in a military uniform before. Her penetrating gaze was making him feel like a criminal.

'K-Kurando Inugami. Master Kawashima is training me.'

Her frown deepened at his name, looking him up and down.

'You're awfully young.'

Kurando felt a wave of annoyance and stood up straight.

'I'm twelve years old, Mamn, and an excellent swordsman. I plan to work hard with your father.'

'Yes, I have no doubt, but don't expect praise off him, little one. He's not an easy man to impress.'

An awkward paused ensured before Kurando remembered his manners and stepped aside.

'Master Kawashima is out right now, but would you like some tea while you wait?'

The woman looked amused as she stepped in.

'Sure kid, why not.'


The second batch of tea had gone cold by the time Kawashima returned. Kurando had long ago given up on small talk and they'd sat in awkward silence. It was the first time Kurando had been glad of Kawashima's presence.

'Kurando, I'm…Yoshiko? This is unexpected.'

Yoshiko stood up, her posture stiff.

'Father, I thought it was time I visit. We haven't really…talked since my promotion.'

'Ah yes, Lieutenant Colonel now, well done. I just can't understand why you're under that man's command.'

'He wants to change Japan for the better, Father, and his methods appeal to me more than yours.'

'Yes, you never were one to talk it through. Just be careful, Yoshiko, if things become heated between him and me, I'll have to be distant to you, for the public's sake.'

'Just the public's sake?' Yoshiko asked, a pained smile on her face. She glanced down at Kurando, who was half-heartedly gathering up the tea cups on a tray. 'You've wasted no time finding a more suitable replacement.'

'Suitable?' Kawashima chuckled, 'He's even more stubborn than you! I'm training him as a favour to a friend, nothing more. No one could replace you; you're my one and only daughter.'

Kurando winced, feeling a painful prick to his heart. He looked down as he stood, quickly carrying the tray out of the room.

Father…is that how you felt about me? Even if we weren't close, like those two?

Kurando stayed hidden for the rest of Yoshiko's visit.


'I thought you had to stay in the Capital.' Kurando questioned as they exited the city house.

'…Certain events mean I need to distance myself for a while. Besides, your training will be easier here.'

'You mean because your daughter serves under Ishimura now?'

Kawashima didn't answer, and Kurando knew from the suddenly claustrophobic air never to bring it up again.


'What do you think?' Kawashima asked, holding in a chuckle at the look on Kurando's face.

'It's huge! I used to think our house in the village was big, but this…you even have a pond!'

'Yes, I find it soothing.'

Kurando gave him a searching look Naniwa couldn't quite read.

'Do you like ponds?' he asked.

Kurando didn't answer, just turned away to stare at the water.

He still doesn't trust me, Naniwa sighed. This has to stop; he has to grieve properly before his emotions explode in an unfortunate way.

'Kurando.' He said sternly, making the boy turn. Naniwa held out the boy's sword, the one he'd never seen him touch. 'Let's have a short lesson before unpacking.'

Kurando stared at the sword, eyes filling with dread. Naniwa stayed firm, not letting his obvious distress detour him.

'Take it.'

A shaking hand reached out and grasped the sword hilt. There was a pause before the other hand settle on the scabbard, making it safe for Naniwa to let go.

The sword dipped a little before Kurando adjusted to its full weight. His eyes never left the sword, yet they saw something else, memories. With each passing moment the boy's eyes filled with tears until there was no choice but to let them fall. And once they started nothing could hold back his agony as he screamed out. Naniwa watched, offering a comforting pat on the shoulder as the young harmonixer finally let go of his anger and pain.


In case it wasn't obvious, Kurando was trying to figure out if Kawashima knew about the inside of his soul having a pond (thinking Saki might have told him), and whether this was a strange bribe/gesture of trust.