After the incident in class, the children were quiet and listened to what their instructor had said, at least they pretended to. The whole class was a buzz with the information that they had received from Natsu: one thousand demons with one blow! To add to the excitement, Okita's son was here. Surely he must be exactly like his father. After the morning lessons, the trainees were dismissed for their midday meal. Tetsumi had wanted to eat lunch with Natsu, which he did, but he did not plan for twenty other kids to join them.
"What is Lord Okita like?"
"He's just a normal guy."
"Does he still kill demons?"
"Not that I know of."
"Did he really train you?"
"A little bit…"
"Did he teach you any secret moves?"
"No…"
"Don't be so modest Tetsumi. Tell them about that sword technique you talking about earlier."
"What sword technique? Tell us!"
Just as it seemed that Tetsumi head was about to explode, the ringing of a bell could be heard outside. It was time for the afternoon training session. Throughout the lessons, Tetsumi's classmates all paid extra attention to his every move, hoping to learn something that Okita had taught his son. Dinner was a repeat of earlier, with Tetsumi receiving questions faster than he could answer them. When it came time to leave for their rooms, Tetsumi managed to get Natsu to walk him to his room.
"I didn't appreciate what you were doing today."
"What are you complaining about this time?"
"Don't think I didn't notice what you were doing."
(Sarcastically) "I have no idea what you are talking about."
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. (Mockingly) I heard it was one thousand demons. Tell them about that sword technique you talking about earlier. You know perfectly well that my father didn't teach me any 'secret sword techniques?"
"I know that! Don't tell me that you didn't enjoy all the attention you were getting?"
"Actually, no I did not. You have no idea what it's like to have a famous father. You think that it's all fun and games, but no it's not. You try living with all this pressure and expectations! You try living up to someone that, until recently, you knew absolutely nothing about!"
"Alright, I'm sorry. You don't have to get mad at me. I was just having some fun with you. You're right; I don't know what it's like to have a famous father. I don't know what it's like to have expectations put on you. I don't know what's like to have a family that loved you enough to want make something of yourself. I'm sorry if you didn't appreciate what I was doing. But don't feel too bad, you're not the first!"
With that last comment, Natsu closed the door to her room, leaving Tetsumi out in the hall, wondering if it was something he said that made that outburst come out. As he made his way back to his room, Mistress Fumika came up behind him.
"You shouldn't be too hard on the girl."
"I did nothing to make her angry. In fact, I should be angry at her!"
"If you knew what Natsu has been through, you would understand what I mean."
"Like what?"
"I should not be telling you this, but I think you should know. Natsu came here out of her own accord. She told us that she wanted to become a demon slayer. When we asked her why, she responded by telling us that she wanted an outlet for her anger. Natsu did not have the luxury of being born into a family of means, like you Tetsumi. Her father was a samurai, who, before Natsu was born, was summoned by his lord to fight in one of the innumerable civil wars that plague our land. The horrors of war were too much for him, for when he returned to his wife and newborn daughter, he was a changed man. Before he left, Natsu'a father was a kind man, loved his wife, and could not wait for the day that she would have a child. When he returned, he wished to be alone, paid no attention to his wife, and secretly longed for a son. He took to drinking constantly, squandering the family's meager earnings. When his wife confronted him about his problem, he beat her and Natsu, who was only three at the time. Natsu tried to run away, but her father threatened to kill her and her mother if she did. Luck for her, one of our slayers, his name was Wataru, was summoned to the area to take care of a demon infestation. Natsu somehow managed to escape, asking the demon slayer for help. Wataru took pity on the girl and brought her here. The girl was only six years old. She has been here at the monastery, waiting until the day when she was old enough to begin her training."
"I never knew that Natsu's life was so horrible. I see that what I said must have made upset her. I should go apologize."
"Perhaps you should, but that can wait until tomorrow. For now, go to sleep."
