Author Note: This is the beginning of Tetsumi's training to become a demon hunter. Any major decision he makes now will come back on him.
Tetsumi left his family, his friends, his whole life behind, and left with the two slayers. Along the way, Tetsumi would stop and look behind him, perhaps trying not to lose the image of his home. Several days past, each harder than the last. The trip itself was uneventful for the two older men, but it was torture for the young boy. Each day that passed, each obstacle cleared, each mile crossed, each step taken, was one more memory lost. Seto tried to keep his most precious memories safe, but the rest did not make it. The pain of leaving everything behind that was precious to him caused the boy to forget.
There was one thing that he was allowed to take. His father had informed him that each slayer was allowed to carry a secondary weapon. Most chose something that was easily concealable, but Okita had wielded a spear. He still had the spear and decided to give it to his son.
"This was mine when I was still a young man. I entrust it to you, my son. May it serve you as it served me."
Even when he was miles away, Lord Okita still watched over his children.
(The three are at the edge of a forest. They are on a hill, looking down at a large complex.)
"What is that huge building down there?"
"That is our headquarters. The place where our orders come from. And now, it will be where you will train, if the Council believes that you are ready."
"The Council… I have been hearing a lot about them from you two. What is it anyway?"
"You will see soon enough."
As the three passed through the massive iron gates, a whole new world opened up. The outside of the walls that guarded the interior were drab, deprived of any color and not particularly pleasing to the eye. Inside, the whole interior was alive with activity. Men, women, and even children were going to and fro. Birds were singing in their nests, having made their homes in the many trees inside the walls. Several types of ferns were also planted, making the whole structure look more like a greenhouse rather than a monastery. The various buildings were separated into four sections, each section serving some purpose. Pathways separated each section from one another. Each pathway lead toward the exact center of the complex, where a large fountain could be seen. The water was as clear as a spring morning and as cool as the sea breezes that the young boy had grown up with. In the fountain, there was a statue of a young woman. She was holding a small dish in her hands, slightly dipped toward the outside.
"She's lovely."
"Who?"
"The woman, in the fountain."
"That is the goddess of victory. We have adopted her as our patron, in hopes that she may aid us in our work. Come, it's this way."
(The two slayers and the boy enter a large building. Though the sun is out, there are many lit lamps. There are no windows and the only way in or out is the door through which the three came in. At one end of the large room are seven figures. There faces can not be seen, except for the one in the middle. It is an old man with white hair.)
"My lord, I have returned with the boy, as instructed."
"Well done, Ukon. What have you to say about him? Is he ready?"
"He has the physical ability, but his mind is not ready. I believe that this will change once he begins his training."
"Very well. Young man, what is your name?"
"My name is Tetsumi. I am the eldest son of Lord Okita and Lady Beniha."
"And what makes you believe that you are ready to become a slayer?"
"As Master Ukon already has mentioned, I have received training from my father and I know what will be expected of me. My father has told me of his days when he was a slayer. I believe that it will be a worthwhile experience."
"Is that all?"
"Also, I want to help others and this seems as good a way as any."
"What exactly did your father tell you?"
"He told me of the many demons he encountered and the people that he helped. He said that he could not take payment for his service as others do, but he did not care. He said that the feeling that he got from making a difference in someone's life was enough. I want to feel that way, as well."
"I see… well your father was a good man and a fearsome warrior. Let us hope that his judgement and Master Ukon's are not wrong. Mistress Fumika will show you to where you will be staying. We will give you some time to settle in and get to know the grounds. You will come back tomorrow and speak with us. Understood?"
"Yes, my lords."
Following the older woman, Tetsumi looked back at the men who had questioned him. They were now talking to Ukon and Araki. Fumika shuffled along at a fairly quick pace, leaving the boy behind her. He wanted to see the complex more closely, but he was afraid that the woman would leave him behind. They were soon in a long hallway with rooms on each side.
"This is where all the trainees are staying. You will have that room, the fourth one on your left. You will know when it is time to eat by the ringing of the bells. You still have a few hours before dinner."
"I am kind of hungry right now. Would it be possible to get something to eat right now?"
"Usually, meals are served only at the designated times. Seeing that this your first day, I will see if the cooks will make an exception. I will come back with their answers."
"Thank you, Grandmother."
Fumika left, leaving Tetsumi in his room to think. The room was simple enough. There was a small table, a mat for him to sleep on, and a small dresser. On top of the dresser was an oil lamp.
"So this where I'll be staying, huh. Not quite like home, but I shouldn't be complaining."
(The door to Tetsumi's room is opened. Standing there is a girl, around Tetsumi's age.)
"I should think not."
"Who's there?"
"So you're the new trainee. Not what I was expecting…"
"What does that mean? How do you know me?"
"When they said that Okita's son was coming, I wasn't expecting some kid."
"You should talk! You're younger than me!"
"That may be, but I don't have that much to live up too."
"Just because you know my father's past doesn't mean that you know me."
"Whatever. So what did the Council tell you?"
"Why do you care?"
"Fine, be like that. Free tip, try to loosen up a bit. You're going to be very lonely, kid."
"Wait, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything. It's just that this is the first time that I've been away from home. All this is kind of weird to me."
"You're not the only one. Don't expect any sympathy from anyone here."
"What do you mean?"
"The people here just want us to do as we're told; no questions asked. They don't care what we think."
"That is what we are here for, is it not?"
"Don't tell me that you're already falling in line? You just got here!"
"My father told me what to expect."
"Do you do believe everything that your father says?"
"…."
(Mistress Fumika reappears at the doorway.)
"Okay you two, settle down. Tetsumi, I talked to the kitchen and they will be willing to make you something. Didn't Ukon feed you?"
"Not today, he said that I could eat when we arrived."
"Why doesn't that surprise me. Well come on, don't want to keep the cooks waiting. As for you, Natsu, stop teasing everybody. You're already in trouble for yesterday's incident. If Tetsumi here decides to tell the council, then you'll really get it."
"Yes Mistress Fumika. I'm sorry."
"Alright then. Come along Tetsumi."
"Yes mistress."
(Tetsumi turns back at Natsu, who has her head down.)
"Don't worry, I won't tell. My name's Tetsumi."
"What?"
"My name is Tetsumi. You're Natsu, right? I'll see you later."
