Author's note: There is going to be an Inuyasha Live Action Stage in April, woah O_O.
Chapter 48
"For real?! Can I really be your apprentice?!"
Still not believe what he just have heard, Haru asks Kasenada again to confirm and earn a nod from him.
Haru grins, overjoyed that he finally have a mentor to train under and his goal of becoming a skilled healer is no longer a faraway dream. Though his smile soon fades when Konohana's image pops up inside his mind.
"Uhm... I don't think mama is going to like this idea though."
"Indeed, that would be quite difficult to convince her."
Kasenada sighs in concern, recalling that Konohana is famous for detesting the human race. And now they are talking about her child staying in a civilized place and having a human as his mentor. Not to mention that the subject, which Haru is going to be learning, is definitely not to be in her liking.
That's why they should be extra careful about this matter or the whole shrine is going to end up being demolished under Konohana's hands. And Kasenada seriously doubt that there will be anyone here who possesses enough power to stop her.
"Maybe we should reconsider about it?"
Seeing the uncertainty in the monk's eyes, Haru lowers his head.
"Don't worry, I'm sure we will find a way."
After a short moment of silence, Kasenada pats the little fox's head.
The only thing we can do now is to try our hardest to convince Konohana and hope for the best.
The next day.
"Absolutely not!"
Haru's suggestion is instantly rejected.
"Becoming a herbalist? With these barbarians?! Are you out of your goddamned mind?!"
"But these barbarians you're speaking of has saved my life!"
"I don't care whatever they've done to you before. No is still no!"
As the tension between the two is rising, Kasenada steps in to help persuading the nine-tailed fox.
"How about giving him a chance to prove himself? I'm sure you have already realized how serious Haru is by now, judging by his expression and tone of voice."
"Just give him a couple more weeks then he will probably get bored with these stupid things and move on!"
Konohana scoffs, still believing that this is only one of an excuses Haru makes in hope to get away from the tough training. Despite having an innocent face, the boy is actually quite clever and Konohana has fallen for his tricks multiple times in the past.
"If I may beg to differ, everything you have stated is not accurate as well as you seem to think. To Haru, becoming a healer is definitely not a child play matter but something very important that may affect for the rest of his life."
Kasenada seems to be in absolute confident. But what annoys Konohana even more is that the monk's acting like he understand Haru better than her when only spending no more than a month with him.
"Kasenada-sama is right! Please reconsider, Konohana-sama!"
Tugging Konohana's sleeve, Haru begs.
Somewhat is getting wavered by Haru's pitiful face and Kasenada's heart-stabbing words, Konohana bits her lower lip. Before she can figure out anything else to say, the human monk adds.
"Why not letting the boy make the decision for himself for once?"
After a long moment to consideration, Konohana murmurs. "Two weeks."
"Eh?"
"I will give you two weeks to learn whatever you can from this monk."
Pointing her index finger at them, she declares loud and clear.
"And if you cannot convince me to be exceeded in being a goddamn healer after that period of time. Haru, then you have to go back home practicing physical training immediately! You hear?!"
"Yay! Thank you so much, Mama!"
Finally receiving her permission, Haru's eyes shine brightly and hugs Konohana in appreciation.
"Tsk!" On the other hand, the nine-tailed fox clicks her tongue and doesn't seem to be as much happy as him.
Sighing in relief to see that the situation has gone well more than he has expected, Kasenada smiles to them.
"I'm glad for you, Haru. Study hard, okay?"
The first week.
"Welcome, Konohana-sama."
Kasenada greets her once seeing the nine-tailed fox stepping inside their guess room. Pouring some newly brewed, hot tea into a small cup. He gently passes it to her as she takes a seat at the round table, opposite site of him.
"Why not serving me something else better, you should be aware by now that I don't drink your lame tea. No wine or whatsoever?"
Konohana scoffs at the sight of the steaming teacup sitting before her. Getting irritated that whenever she comes by to visit, this herbal liquid would be the only thing he has in stock to offer.
"Perhaps you should try it out at least for once, Konohama-sama. It's actually not as lame as you may think. And please understand that any kind of alcohol, except for medical purposes, is not allowed in our shrine."
"Hmph! Boring place as always."
She shifts her eyes to the huge tree residing in a small garden just right behind her. Then to the several small houses from afar and finally the long hallway. A short moment after not seeing the small, energetic figure she's looking for. Konohana asks him.
"So, how's Haru doing these days?"
"The boy is a quite clever and good-natured. Within the first week he has already learned the basic and caught up with the other students who have studied weeks before him. Even making a few good friends to share his knowledge with along the way."
"Hmm... Is that so."
Somehow Konohana doesn't look a bit amused or interested about her adopted son's positive development. Or perhaps she is but trying hard not so show it outside.
"Though I must say that I'm grateful for you to finally give Haru a chance. Even to the point supporting him in private everyday."
"What...are you-"
Right after hearing his statement, she almost chokes on her own breath. It's rare expression from Konohana, and Kasenada can't help but smiles. Recalling to the moments Konohana had brought Haru plenty of rare materials, which helped him greatly with his study, behind his back.
"Eventually having me convinced that you indeed possess a gentle soul."
Witnessing such an unexpected motherliness from the nine-tailed fox has moved the man greatly.
"W-Wha-?! G-Gentle?!"
For the first time being complimented like that by a man, Konohana flushes and her voice starts to crack. Getting lost in her own emotions, she slams her hands hard onto the table that almost knocking the teacup over.
"And how did you know about any of that?! Did you spy on me?!"
"No, it was quite obvious actually."
Aware that she doesn't want to be exposed, Kasenada decides to stay quiet and let everything flows naturally. Though the monk doubt that he will be able to keep the secret for long since Haru is going to find out about it sooner or later.
"But I do suggest that you should let the boy experience these things on his own instead of making everything too easy for him. Since he still need to get used to being treated equal like an other students in our shrine. Learning to be independent and to value hard-working."
"Kasenada-sama!"
Just then they hear Haru's call and the sound of hurry footsteps getting near. Only a couple of seconds later and they see the short black haired boy arrives to the guest room. Panting heavily and not hiding the excited expression on his face.
"Come quick, I need to show you something!"
"Now, now Haru. Don't be rude and greet Konohana-sama first. She's just here to visit you."
Kasenada reminds him and only then Haru notices that Konohana is sitting right in front of him.
"Oh mama, you are here too."
Therefore the boy simply waves his hand to her to say hello. Though he doesn't seem to be excited to see his mom as much as he used to be in the past.
"What did I tell you about calling me Mama?!"
Irritated by his (not sure if intentional) forgetfulness, Konohana holds up a fist to his face and scolds.
"Ha ha, sorry!"
Instead of covering his head and shrieking to avoid being hit like he usually does, Haru just laughs it off as if he's enjoying a joke. Then proceed apologizing to her half-heartedly.
"Anyway, I can't stay here and chat with you right now. I will see you later, okay?"
"What the heck?! It's already been three days since my last visit and this is how you treat me?!"
Having to spend her precious time coming all the way here to visit him and only to find that the boy doesn't want to stay with her, even for a second. Konohana loses her cool.
"Please hurry, Kasenada-sama! Take care, mama!"
Haru ignores his mom outburst and leaves the room to get back to his half-finished researching.
"H-Hey!"
And before Konohana can say something to stop him from going, Haru has already dashed over the long hall to the other side of the shrine and not bother looking back.
"Please excuse me."
Kasenada nods to her before leaving the room and follows to the boy up to his study room. Leaving Kononohana behind completely speechless, still dazed by what just happened.
That boy, seriously. Doesn't even care about who raises him anymore!
Resting her chin on her hand, the nine-tailed fox curses inside and huffs. Irritated that she has lost her position of being Haru's number one priority to some stupid, lifeless leaves.
It's feeling kind of... lonely. Now that the boy is no longer chirping around her like a baby bird. Still, there is no way in hell she's going to admit any of it to him.
Especially not in front of that annoying monk.
She has never seen Haru devoted to learning this much before. Not to her lessons, at least.
Perhaps letting him staying here was a good choice after all?
Staring at the deep blue sky from the small room and taking a sip into the cup of tea that Kasenada has prepared for her, Konohana sighs as the taste is not really suit her liking. Just as she has expected it to be.
Bitter... But not too bad I guess...
The second week.
Ever since then Haru is always staying in his room to study, trying hardest to meet Konohana's requirement as fast as possible. Results in him barely going outside to meet her when she visits the shrine.
Knowing that the boy's busy, Konohana only come by to make sure he's okay. Meaning she will be staying in the guest room longer to talk with Kasenada to learn more about the boy's situation. Although things don't go smoothly so often between the two.
It's all good at first since their conversation is only surrounds with Haru's well-being and his study progress. After there is nothing else about him to talk over, they start to discuss about many other things around the world. And that's when nightmare begins.
Due to having too many differences in point of views, endless intense argument starts to raise. Some may last for days because of the complex topics, or some only last for no more than five minutes thanks to Konohana's short temper and abrupt leaving.
While everyone else in the shrine is frightened for their lives for every second whenever seeing Konohana coming and leaving in anger, Kasenada seems to be the only one enjoying it the most.
"Kasenada-sama, that nine-tailed fox clearly doesn't like you at all. Are you sure that maintaining contact with her is a good idea?"
Curious why their mentor still meeting with frightening demon after going through so many fights and having his own life threatened plenty of time, one of his apprentices asks.
"Of course it is. Since these arguments finally prove that she has opened up her feeling and willing to talk to me like a friend."
Though what they receive is a positive answer and a carefree smile from him, as always.
Has drinking too much tea drove him mad?!
The monks and Konohana, who happened to pass by the room just in time to listen to a bit of their conversation, stare at him in disbelief.
Notices Konohana's tails shadow is visible behind the door, Kasenada calls out for her and causes the woman to flinch in surprise.
"Good morning, Konohana-sama. Please come on in."
Can no longer hide, Konohana reveals herself and slides the door wide open to step inside. And the moment seeing her, everyone immediately leaves the room in a hurry to do their own stuff.
"Are we going to continue what is left off yesterday?"
Pouring a cup of tea for her, he asks.
"No, I'm tired of it already."
Taking a seat opposite to him and resting her arm onto the round table, she responds softly then stares into the distance. For some reasons the human monk's words from earlier keeps ringing by her ears and Konohana's mind starts to wander.
He's not serious about establishing companionship with me, a Kyuubi no Kitsune, was he?
It's not until Haru makes an appearance a couples of seconds later that she finally snaps out of her thoughts.
"Ma-Konohana-sama! Kasenada-sama! Good morning!"
"What are you doing out here? Aren't you suppose to be studying right now?"
And the only thing she would do when first seeing him is nagging.
"I decided to come cause I missed you!"
Hugging Konohana's arm and cuddling, he responds in a cute voice. His tail wiggles happily when she reaches out her hand to pat his head.
"Uh huh? What do you want this time?"
Instantly figures out his intention, she sighs. While Kasenada watches the two little reunion and giggles to himself.
Only waiting for her to say that, the short black haired boy speaks up.
"You see, I really want to gain more info about those rare herbs at the top of Odomatsumi mountain. But currently I'm lacking of the materials."
"So?"
"And I cannot go there because that place is too much for me. But with your incredible power, I'm sure you will be able to obtain them with ease, right?"
Haru finishes his sentence with a big grin.
I knew this was going to happen... Letting out a deep sigh, Kasenada decides to raises his voice on the matter.
"Haru, did you get your hand on one of my personal researches, again?"
"I couldn't help it... They were very interesting to read."
The boy murmurs in response and avoids his mentor's questioning gaze. He then glances at Konohana for help but she frowns back in response.
"Konohana-sama, I think-"
As Kasenada is about to suggest not to follow the bad idea, Konohana cuts him off.
"It's fine. However, this is going to be the last time I'm helping you, got that?"
She flicks the boy's noses to remind him and gets up from her seat. Before the monk can say anything else, Konohana has already leaped into the deep blue sky above. Much to his distress.
"What are you worry so much for? Mama had already said that this would be the last time she agreed to help us, hadn't she?"
Haru wonders why his mentor looking so troubled. Since this would be a good opportunity for them to improve their knowledge on those one-of-a-kind herbal materials.
"Yes, but sadly that is not the only thing I'm concerned about."
Kasenada shakes his head in response. Despite wanting stop her from rampaging the whole place, he doubts that his doing will be able to do any help to the situation. Or even worse, causing the tension to raise even more between the three races.
After all, Kasenada is only a normal human being. His power is limited in many aspects and there are many things out there in this world that are completely out of his control.
Eventually it only takes Konohana no more than half a day to get to the mountain and return with several basket full of herbs on her shoulder. Whenever being asked for what she has done in order to gain these rare materials, Konohana just brushes it off by saying that everything's been settled perfectly between her and Odomatsumi.
However later on that day, Kasenada learns that the Odomatsumi's guardianhas strengthen the security of the sacred mountain, as much as no longer allowing anyone else to step their feet into his area, due to a serious case of trespassing and huge amount stolen precious goods.