Author's notes

This chapter is an extra and it's going to be short, it will only revolve around the history of Kendo and martial arts, which is practiced by Takashi and Mitsukuni. So if you want to skip, do so.

Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club; the rights go to Bisco Hatori-sama. I do, however, own the plot of this story. This work is purely fictional and does not happen in the real plot of OHSHC, except maybe for a few flashback scenes.

Chapter 24 – Kendōka

"Good morning Haruhi," Kyouya greeted and took a seat next to Takashi, he helped himself with the breakfast that was being laden on the table. His usual breakfast starter, brewed black coffee, was already prepared by the maids.

"Good morning," Kaoru muttered and took a seat across from Haruhi. He sent awkward glances from his brother to Haruhi. The latter was oblivious to these glances while the former was being exceptionally quiet. Tamaki took a seat next to Kaoru, so that left the other seat beside Kaoru's other side for Hikaru. The Host king was not his usual self today, although no surprise there.

The breakfast carried on in a rather awkward silence, well, awkward for Tamaki and Hikaru perhaps, since the others (Haruhi included) seemed to be enjoying the morning atmosphere. Kyouya, of course, enjoyed this silence to the fullest; there was no constant bickering coming from Tamaki nor was there any trivial arguments coming from the twins. If this silence carried on until the rest of the summer break, he would absolutely be extremely happy (in the shadow king way of course), to the point that he would even decreased Haruhi's debt to the host club by a large sum, since it was all thanks to her for current blissful predicament.

This is going to be one of the most peaceful holidays I have ever had, Kyouya smirked lightly behind his cup of coffee.

After breakfast was done, all of them dispersed; Hikaru and Kaoru stayed inside their room to work on another clothing design for their mother who was currently in Milan organizing a fashion show. Tamaki went to the library on the second floor (he decided that he was going to lock himself up there for a very long time). Kyouya stayed at the backyard patio with his Pineapple laptop (even though it's the holidays, he's still doing major business deals with other companies as well as working on the business end of the Host Club), while Haruhi, Takashi and Mitsukuni went up to their room to get some more needed rest.

The three of them were lounging around at the small sitting area; the French doors were opened and a light breeze blew inside their bedroom. As usual, Mitsukuni was enjoying his array of assorted cakes. Takashi and Haruhi were reading books of their choices. Haruhi's choice of reading material was called 'Pride and Prejudice' written by the famous author, Jane Austen, while Takashi's reading material was about the history of Kendo.

"Haruhi," Takashi said suddenly and placed his book down onto the round glass table in front of him. The brunette looked up from her book and stared at her significant other questioningly, "Do you wish to know about the history of Kendo?" he asked simply.

Haruhi continued to look at Takashi, "I suppose I should, what harm will it do if I gained further insight of your world," she answered with a small smile and then placed her book down next to Takashi's book. She crossed her legs comfortably on the sofa and leaned back, relaxing all the muscles in her body, signaling for Takashi to continue. Mitsukuni stopped eating his cakes and went to sit next to Haruhi, leaning at her side comfortably. Whenever Takashi started to talk about the history of Kendo, he would always be eager to hear about it even though he had heard of it all throughout his life, namely from his father and from his Uncle, Takashi's father.

Takashi leaned back in his seat comfortably. "Since the earliest samurai government in Japan," he began, "during the Kamakura period, sword fencing, together with horse riding and archery, were the main martial pursuits of the military clans. In this period, kendo developed under the strong influence of Zen Buddhism. The samurai could equate the disregard for his own life in the heat of battle, which was considered necessary for victory in individual combat, to the Buddhist concept of the illusory nature of the distinction between life and death.

"Kendo is composed of two kanji: "Ken", meaning sword, and "Do", meaning 'the way or path of'. Together the term is literally the "way of the sword". It is martial arts tradition spawned by the traditional schools of swordsmanship (ryu) of ancient Japan, and was practiced large by the bushi, or samurai class of the era. As practice with real blades is inherently dangerous, the schools developed a dummy sword called a jukdo or shinai, and a set of protective equipment called bogu which protects the head (men), wrists (kote), chest (do), and groin (tare). Before the Showa period, 1926 to 1989, Kendo was customarily referred to as kenjutsu or gekken.

"Practitioners of kendo are called kendōka, meaning "one who practices kendo", or occasionally kenshi, meaning "swordsman".

"Concepts such as mushin, or "empty mind", are borrowed from Zen Buddhism and are considered essential for the attainment of high-level kendo. Fudōshin, or "unmoving mind", is a conceptual attribute of the deity Fudo Myo-O, one of the five "Kings of Light" of Shingon Buddhism. Fudōshin, implies that the kendōka cannot be led astray by delusions of anger, doubt, fear or surprise arising from the opponent's actions. Thus today it is possible to embark on a similar quest of spiritual enlightenment as followed by the samurai of old.

"The concept of Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the applications of the principles of the Katana. The purpose of Kendo is to mold the mind and body; to cultivate a vigorous spirit, and through correct and rigid training, to strive for improvement in the art of Kendo; to hold in esteem in human courtesy and honor; to associate with others with sincerity and to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself. Thus one will be able to love ones country and society, to contribute to the development of culture and to promote peace and prosperity among all people."

Takashi stopped to drink some water; he had not talked this much for a while now.

"The essence of Kendo," he continued after placing his glass of water down, "is attaining mental, spiritual and physical calm with balance, thus the popular Kendo phrase, "ki- ken- tai no icchi". In effect, the spirit (ki), the sword (ken), and the body (tai) must move and act as one. Mitsukuni," he called suddenly and Mitsukuni nodded in response.

"Now Haru-chan," Mitsukuni started, "You must pay attention to what I'm about to explain next," he said. "It is very important in Kendo."

Haruhi did not utter a word but only nodded in response. So far, what Takashi just told her piqued her interest. She grew more interested about Kendo and wanted to learn more about it. She encouraged Mitsukuni to continue on with his explanation.

"To execute a successful strike: You must see the target, feel the chance available to you, and work the resolve to make the cut. Often there's a "go for broke" spirit in a strike which manifests itself in the kiai or scream that arises from the gut of the kendōka. This is for the 'ki' part of the Kendo phrase."

Seeing the look on Haruhi's face made Mitsukuni burst into a small giggle, "Don't worry Haru-chan, you'll understand it once we practice at the dojo at the Academy."

Relieved washed over Haruhi, well at least, I know what my first training for self-defense will be about, she thought quietly then signaled for Mitsukuni to continue again.

"Anyway, the motion of the sword in its rise and its descent on the target must be precisely coordinated with the will and the body's movement forward upon the target. That is what meant by the 'ken' part of the Kendo phrase.

"And the last but not least part, tai. The body must follow the will of the kendōka and the movement of the shinai as it lands on its target. The legs must lunge forward to get within striking distance, and the back must be straight. All of this is accompanied by a confident resolve to achieve the objective. So far, do you understand Haru-chan?" Mitsukuni asked. He was afraid that Haruhi would get more and more confused about it.

"Ah yes, I do understand," Haruhi replied reassuringly. "I will be able to see a demonstration by the time school reopens, right?" she asked as she tilted her head to the side absent mindedly.

"Of course Haru-chan!" Mitsukuni said excitedly. "Right Takashi?" Takashi grunted and nodded in reply. "He he. Yay! I get to beat Takashi again~" he said cheerily and grinned at his two best friends. Takashi smirked, "We'll see."

Haruhi laughed softly at the competitive atmosphere between Takashi and Mitsukuni, "Do I get to referee?" she asked teasingly. Mitsukuni nodded eagerly and Takashi only smiled. "Let's make this interesting," she said and placed her index finger to her lips, a gesture she always made when she was in thought, "Whoever wins gets to eat something that I will make personally," she proposed.

Mitsukuni's eyes sparkled instantly, he always loved what Haruhi made, especially the home-cook meals. It was different from the usual meals he had at home, which were always prepared by professional chefs. Takashi was on the same thought as Mitsukuni; he too wanted to have more of Haruhi's home-cooked meals.

Silently, they made an oath to win during the 'demonstration' and in terms of winning, what they really meant was they were going to do whatever it takes to win.

Author's notes

[Edited: 15th December 2013]

[Edited: 23rd July 2014]

[Final edit: 14th May 2015]