a/n: Hello everyone. I'm really really sorry for the late update. I had a lot of school work and a few exams. I don't know whether I'll be able to update my story soon because I'll be busy for my National Exam on March.
Let's go to the story. La corda d'oro not belongs to me.
-000-
The walk towards the palace was filled with silence. The only sound came from the two gals who were chatting animatedly while two men were thinking about something, a guy who looked like he didn't care about his surroundings and the rest of them enjoying the weather and view. They planned to inform a certain prince about the truth that will give a heart attack to him… for sure. When they were almost half way to the palace, one of them stopped suddenly, causing the other to stop and looked at him with a confused look.
"What is it, Len? Why do you stop walking?" asked the oldest among them.
"Kanazawa-sensei, may I go to the weapon shop first?" he answered trying to be polite while Kanazawa only looked at him with one eyebrow rising.
Realizing the hidden message, Len said "I'd like to purchase a sword as my weapon because as you can see my weapon was lost and as a knight I know that weapon is important. As important as my violin, I must say."
Being his sensei for almost four year, Kanazawa knew when Len spoke longer than usual, he is either worry or angry, but in this case, he definitely want something and won't receive no as an answer. Kanazawa looked to his companion who gave a nod to him. Sighing, he finally said "Sure, we can buy a weapon for you first and then go to the palace."
"Thank you, sensei." Len thanked his sensei as he bowed to him.
"U-um…"
"Now, what is it Tsuchiura?" Kanazawa asked.
The redheaded girl looked unsure about something and it was definitely what she'll say. "C-could w-we g-go t-to ?" (a/n: translation: the music store I saw when we arrived) Kahoko said rather timidly but very fast in the end, causing Kanazawa to blink in confusion.
"Uuhh… sure" Kanazawa said although he didn't sure if what he heard was right.
-000-
- Weapon Store -
When they arrived at the store, they were greeted by a middle age man with a dark brown hair with amber eyes and a muscular body who said welcome loud enough to wake the entire palace. Actually, his eyes reminded them of Kahoko who was at the music store across this store with Fuyuumi and the other.
"So old man, what's new?" asked Kanazawa
"You know Hiroto, you must show some respect to me." The vendor said.
"Hello sir. I see you are as energetic as always." Said Ousaki.
"Hello to you too Shinobu. You know Hiroto, you must act like him." He said as he pointed towards Ousaki.
"Whatever, besides I come here not to get a lecture from you."
"So, what is it?"
As Kanazawa about to answer, Len came with a little hurry. "Excuse me sir, I would like to take a look at the sword that located over there." Len said as he pointed towards the aisle where no people there.
"Relax young man. No need to hurry. As you can see, there are no people there because the price is quite high. So, after knowing that the price is quite high, do you still want to take a look at that sword?" he asked Len.
"Yes. I'm really sure sir." Len answered without hesitation, but determination in his voice and eyes.
The man laugh out loud until Len gave him a are-you-crazy look but shoved it away and put his serious face. After the man finished his laugh, he took several keys from his drawer and said "Well, show me which sword you want."
When they were about to walk, the door opened and Kahoko and the others come inside. Upon entering and saw the vendor, Kahoko had a surprise expression on her face, as well as her brothers. "U-uncle…" Kahoko said softly but loud enough for the others to hear.
"UNCLE KAITO!" Kazuki yelled and waves his hands excitedly and grinning widely as he walked towards his uncle while Ryoutao and Kahoko following behind him.
"Kazu, you're as loud as ever, huh." Kaito said as the three sibling stood in front of him. Kazuki only pout hearing what his uncle said.
"Hello uncle, it's nice to see you again." Greeted Ryoutaro.
"Ah, Ryo. You're growing so fast. You're almost as tall as I am." Kaito said as he patted Ryo's shoulder.
Now it's Kahoko's turn, she was actually very nervous right now. She didn't know that her uncle opened a weapon shop in this kingdom. "H-hello u-uncle." She stuttered as she bowed to her uncle. Kaito smile from ear to ear when he saw her.
"Kahoko, my lovely niece. I miss you soooo muuucchh…" he said as he hugged Kahoko tightly.
"C-cant b-breath u-uncle." Kahoko manage to say something.
"Oh, I'm sorry my dear. I'm so happy to see my little angelic niece, finally growing up and become a beautiful lady." He said and chuckled to him self.
"U-um uncle, I think you must give Len-kun his sword. We're here for that." Kahoko said.
'Len-kun?' her uncle was frowning when he thought about what Kahoko just called the young man. When seeing this Kazuki thought 'Uh-oh, I think Len will have a problem' while Ryoutaro thought 'I pity you Len, but maybe it'll become interesting.'
"Follow me then." Kaito said with a fake smile.
"Azuma, Fuu-chan, would you like to wait at that café?" Kazuki asked them
"Why?"
"Maybe this is will take quite a long time."
"Very well. I won't ask why, Kazuki." Azuma said.
"Thanks" with that, Azuma and Fuyuumi went to the nearest café while Kazuki went to the deeper part of the shop.
-000-
The way to the aisle where the sword Len want was in the deepest part of the shop, so it's quite far. On the way, Kahoko talked to Len about her experience in the music store. She spoke excitedly and sometimes she asked Len a question about music and he answer it easily and with every detail but easy for Kahoko to understand. That made Kahoko's uncle frowning and thinking more. He thought Len as Kahoko's boyfriend and it made him not like Len as much as before.
Finally, they arrived and Len show him the sword he wants. Len's choice made Kaito's eyes wide in surprise. The sword is a twin sword. One of its sheath's colors is dark blue with a golden pattern like fire on top of the sheath and the color of other sheath is the same dark blue but with golden dragon encircle it from top to end while the swords looks like they were made from the best material. The others were surprised too. They didn't know Len like a twin sword but the most important matter is, could Len really use that sword? As far as they know, he only use his right hand when using a sword.
"U-um Len-kun, are you sure you want that swords?" Kahoko asked him.
"Yeah, young man. My niece is right. Are you sure you want that sword? That sword costs a lot."
"I'm very sure sir, and for the price, if that cost a lot, I'll still take that sword if you receive a check, that's it." Len said quickly and without thinking.
"Yeah, I do receive a check."
'Great, then what I must do is to convince him to not tell anyone about my heritage." Len thought.
"Well, I have an idea. I'll give that sword for free to you." Kaito said, surprising the others. "But in one condition." He added.
"What's the condition uncle?" Ryoutaro asked.
"This young man must defeat me in a duel." He said surprising the others again.
"B-but uncle, Len-kun doesn't have a sword. That's why we come here." Kahoko said.
"Well, he can use my sword. I have a lot of them on my backyard."
"But sir, why do you want to fight with me just for that sword?" Len asked.
"I didn't want that sword fall to the wrong person." Kaito replied 'and to see whether you are suitable for my niece or not' he added mentally. "Why, young man? Are you scared?" he said in mocking tone. A vein pops out from Len's head. "Is the high and mighty Len scared to fight that middle age man?" Ryou said in the same mocking tone as his uncle. Another vein pops out from Len's head.
"Ryo, why do you add fuel to the fire?" whispered Kazuki.
"To make this show more interesting." Ryo whispered back. Kazuki only gave an 'oh' as he sweat dropped.
"So?" Kaito asked.
"Ok old man, I'll fight with you." Len said as he lost his patience and politeness towards Kaito. Kaito only smirked as he notice the change from 'sir' to 'old man' while Kahoko was worried about Len and the other just think how interesting it become.
- Kaito's backyard-
When Len and Kaito were facing each other, the wind was blowing quite strong. Len choose a single handed sword same as Kaito. The swords are dull so, they didn't have to worry about injury and blood. The rule is simple. They'll lose if the swords detached from their grip or one of them give up. Ousaki was the one who became the judge.
"You know the rule and no killing intent, please." Ousaki said looking at Kaito. "Ready." The two fighters now in their fighting stance "FIGHT." Ousaki said as the clinking sound of two metals was heard.
The fight was tough. The two were fighting for almost fifteen minuets and neither of them gave a sign of losing or giving up. Kaito attacked Len with all his might and power but Len could block the attack with a good effort. Len almost overwhelmed because of Kaito's attack but he can give same condition to him. Len defend his self as he analyzes Kaito's fighting style while Kaito attack Len in every occasion. When Len saw a space to attack, he swung his sword to the lower part of Kaito's sword in order to make the sword detached from Kaito's grip but Kaito manage to change his sword's position and grip it with his two hands so he can restrain Len's attack. The two fighters distance their self and then run and about to a clink sound again but the two of them stop half way with their swords raised. The audiences were confused to why they stop so suddenly. Kahoko stood between Kaito and Len with an annoyed expression on her face.
"Kahoko dear, please go back to the others." Kaito said
"Kahoko-san, could you go back and let us continue this fight?" Len said.
"Enough. Len, you come here to buy a sword, not to fight." Kahoko said facing Len. "And you uncle…" Kahoko said facing her uncle "You're not suppose to fight your customer." Kahoko facing the two fighters with her hands on her hips "Now, stop fighting and go inside. Uncle if you didn't want to give the sword to Len, then Len you must choose another sword."
Len only sighing and put his sword to its place and went inside followed by the others. Kaito had a smile on his face and made up his mind.
- Inside the store -
"Hey Len." Kaito said as he put something Len's hands. Len's eyes went wide. "That's for you. You passed the test." Kaito said. "And I accept you as Kahoko's boyfriend" he whispered to Len. He chuckled when he saw Len blushing and flustered.
Len cleared his throat and said "Thank you sir, but for your information, I'm not Kahoko-san's boyfriend." Then Kaito and Len added mentally 'yet'
They bid their goodbye and went towards the palace with Azuma and Fuyuumi.
-000-
The journey to the palace was once again quite. Now Len have a sword on both of his side. Len was the one who broke the silence.
"Kanazawa-sensei, do you know Kaito-san?"
"Yes. He is my sensei after all." He said and everyone said or rather yelled 'what' in shock except for Ousaki while Len just give him a shocked expression.
"Gezz… you don't have to shout you know." Kanazawa said.
"Len, do you know the name Kaito Hino?" Ousaki asked.
"He is the commander at the palace when I trained with you, right?" Len said.
"Right. And he is the person who fought you at that store." Ousaki said causing Len's eyes went wide.
"Funny huh, you just fought the man you adore when you were little." Kanazawa said and smirked.
-000-
They finally arrived at the palace and went straight to the room where they met Aoi. After waiting for awhile, Aoi came with Keiichi. He immediately went to Kahoko and about to kiss her hand but when he felt four killing and dark aura toward him so he stopped him self from doing so because he didn't want to die young. He cleared his throat and said "Hello Len-san and Princess. I see you come back with more companions."
"Kaji, we come here to tell you the truth." Kanazawa said while Kaji only gave him a confused look. "Princess Fuyuumi is the one with short hair, not the long one." Kanazawa explained.
When he heard this, Kaji's reaction is…
-000-
a/n: How is Kaji's reaction for this news? Find out in the next chapter ^^
Thank you for reading and I hope you like the chapter. Sorry for my grammatical errors. I have no beta. After reading this story, don't forget to click the cute green words to give me your opinion. Thanks and see you ^^