Anchor

Written by: RinoaDestiny

#22 – Hanging Out with Dad

"I'm home!" Kyo declared, removing his shoes at the Kusanagi estate's entranceway. Excited as he was, he still shoved his shoes in the wooden shoe rack and stepped into the main hallway. Bundled with his formal name stamp was his copy of the signed contract, countersigned by his new sponsor. With this issue done, waiting for the official invite was next and that was easy. Financially, he was secure now, too.

He couldn't wait for Tuesday night.

"Welcome home." Instead of his mom's gentle tone, Saisyu's laid-back voice greeted him. "How'd it go? It's all done?"

"Yeah." He reached into the tightness of his jeans' pocket and brought out the folded agreement, palming his name stamp. "Stamped and finalized." Handing the document over to his dad, Kyo rolled his shoulders back, stretching the tight muscles in between.

Saisyu whistled. "Three representatives?"

At the bottom of the contract were three different names stamped in red. "They're not as established as my previous sponsor, so they're taking extra precautions." Not only did three people verify his eligibility – they also cross-confirmed with each other to deliver their end of the agreement. It gave Kyo peace of mind knowing this.

"So you're all set, then." His dad handed the contract back to him, papers crisp during the transfer. "Are you forming your own team this year?"

"No. I'm joining Kagura-san's."

"That makes two. Who's the third?"

"Yagami."

"Interesting." Saisyu stroked his beard, as if considering the news. "Completely mutual this time, I take it?"

"Yeah. We don't have to fight each other this way."

His dad nodded sagely. "Your mother bought some snacks this morning. We can enjoy them with beer, unless you have other plans this afternoon."

Kyo folded the contract and slid it into his back pocket. "Sure." His name stamp went back into his jeans' front pocket, a solid block of carved dark wood. "What'd Mom get?"

"Edamame and roasted peas. We also have dried cuttlefish."

"Sounds good."

They went to the common room, where the snacks and beer were already laid out and ready on a low table. Sitting down across from Saisyu, Kyo reached for a soybean pod, split it and retrieved the beans. While he did this, his dad's attention fell onto the roasted peas. In between, they drank beer. Kyo gulped down a mouthful and grabbed some cuttlefish strands. He didn't often hang out with his old man, but when he did, he enjoyed it. Saisyu had the same casualness he carried – probably got it from him – and they spent moments like these idling.

It was a welcome break.

His dad downed the last of his beer and placed the empty can on the table. "How'd he like your play?"

Kyo chewed the cuttlefish, trying to not choke on it in laughter. Swallowed, the slightly spicy taste lingering. "I butchered it. Think he got tired of me overacting."

"Did he act?"

"A bit." He went for another soybean pod. "Kinda cheated, though. Used his own voice. Would've loved to hear his falsetto."

"Was it any good?"

"It's Yagami." Explanation enough, Kyo believed. "Was better than mine."

"Huh." Saisyu also reached for a soybean pod, extracting the contents and dipping them in salt. Ate the beans. Opened up another can of beer, took a drink, and looked at him. "While I'm happy for you, son – remain cautious."

"Orochi?"

"His influence on Iori Yagami." Another swallow of beer. "Just because you've settled your differences doesn't mean Orochi's okay with it. He just might oppose you more."

"Through Yagami." So far, Kyo had only witnessed Iori coughing up blood. The other man hadn't harmed him, unless it was through sparring and that was mutually allowed. "We're hoping teaming up with Kagura-san might…alleviate things."

"Can he override Orochi?"

"He's done it before."

"Has he done it repeatedly? Or does he usually give in?"

Kyo frowned, an unpleasant memory arising. Went for his beer and wet his throat with it. Put the can back on the table but didn't remove his hand from it. "He…I think it's difficult for him. You know the year I teamed up with him and Shingo?"

"He lost control that year?"

"Put both me and Shingo in the hospital. Went into Riot."

His dad's expression changed; Saisyu sighed. "How can you guarantee he won't do the same this year?"

"I can't. But Kagura-san seems to have a calming influence on him and –"

"And you two are together in a way I would've never imagined." The look Saisyu gave him was full of concern. "Will it be enough?"

"It'd have to be." Kyo uncurled his fingers from the beer can. "And if it isn't, we'll make it work."

"You might die if it –"

"I won't." A heartbreaking thought, if he did. "Yagami would never…"

"He's really that changed?"

"It's who he really is." Under all the bluster and rudeness, Iori was a quiet man with a myriad of interests beyond the brutality of fighting. He was fortunate enough to see that firsthand now – to be given that privilege. "It won't happen like that, Dad. He hates Orochi, too."

"Hating Orochi and resisting him are two different things."

"Think he knows that."

Saisyu shifted from a cross-legged position to stretching his legs under the table. "I'm worried, that's all. You're both so young, but our enemy is ancient. He won't appreciate you taking someone blood-sworn to him. He'll make Yagami pay for that."

It wasn't a comforting thought. "He does that and I'll –"

"Just be careful, son."

"I will."

His dad nodded. Picked up his can of beer and took a swig. Set it down and grinned, changing the mood. "Has Yagami read your poetry?"

"Uh…"

"Maybe you should introduce it to him. Get a few tips."

Kyo groaned. "Bad idea, Dad."

"Why not? You're reading plays now. Maybe he can –"

"No."