Chapter Two

My Friend

I'm sitting in the office, waiting to see the principal. Its been a five minute wait, as he is currently yelling at some other students. While I'm waiting the red-head is brought in by another teacher. At least he was allowed to walk on his own two feet, I'm still a little sore from being carried by the shirt. He walks in and sits down next to me.

A minute later I'm called into the principals office. Now I'm nervous, as this guy will decide my fate. The office is about the size of my room at home, which isn't saying much. There is a big desk in the middle of the room. In a large chair behind the desk the principal was sitting. His bald head had a frown on it. "And just who might you be?" I'm asked. I figure honesty will make my demise a little less painful. "My name is Kurako sir. Kurako Saijo."

"Saijo? Related to the Force named Kano Saijo" The principal asked. Apparently my father's fame was well known. I nodded then I said, "He was my father."

The principal chuckled, "Like father like son I guess. Kano got in trouble a lot too. However you went beyond your father and got into a fist fight. On the first day too. You know the rules, fighting to the degree you did, where you broke a kids nose, is punishable by a two week suspension, with extra homework for each day."

"Sir, but…" I started to argue.

"Quite, I'm not interested in your excuses. You will be sent home. If you were planning on following in your father's footsteps you just ruined all your chance…" Then the door burst open.

"Sir he did not start the fight or anything like that. He was defending the girl who was attacked." It was the red-head. I made a mental note to myself: this guy has really good hearing.

"And you are?" The principal asked.

"I'm John Nakz, I saw everything on the sidelines. Kurako here stepped in on some kids who were beating up a first grade girl." John then turned to me, "I guessing she was your sister, according to the badge." I nodded to John.

The principal looked from John, to me, to John, then back to me again. "That does sound like your father, defending someone. In that case you only get five days detention Kurako. You John also have five days of detention, one for breaking into my office and four for using a technique in school."

I did a double take on that last sentence. John here was already able to use techniques already! I thought only hunters were able to do that! I was so lost in thought I barely heard the principal say to leave. I walked out, amazed that I was not going to be killed.

John and I had to do our detentions together. We did all sorts of things, mop the hallways after school, pick up garbage on the grounds, and a bunch of other stuff. There was always a teacher around to make sure we didn't cause any more trouble. However as time went by John and I talked just to pass the time quicker. Over the course of the week I learned a lot about him. He was a quiet sort of person, and very friendly. Like myself he had a wooden saber he practiced with. I learned even more that we both dreamed of becoming hunters.

On the last day of detentions he invited me over tomorrow. I was amazed, in just two weeks I had made a friend, the very first friend ever. Naturally I agreed to come. When we got out I ran for home, I couldn't wait to get changed and practice, with the knowledge I'd finally have a sparing partner. After a few hours of constant practicing in my room I flopped onto the bed, exhausted. I must be better then John, I thought. I don't know how long I had been laying there when I finally fell asleep.

There as no school the next day, as it was Redi (Saturday). Next day I woke up at about 3 geha 75 sant (about 9:00a.m.). I ran into the kitchen and got my self breakfast. My mother noticed the rush I was in. "What are doing today to give yourself such a fine appetite?" she asked.

"I made a friend in school, and I'm going to be going over today," I replied. My mother seemed to be in shock as I gulped down my eggs and ran back to my room. I threw of my pajamas and put on my dark green shirt with matching pants. I grabbed my saber and slung it over my back. "Hi Kri, bye Kri," I yelled to my sister in the living room as I dashed out the door. She was no worse for her experience, aside from a big bruise where she was kicked on the forehead. "Be sure to be back by 7 geha 50 sant! (6:00 p.m.)" my mom shouted after me.

I don't know where I got all the energy I did but I ran a good 10 blocks to John's house. I was actually panting by the time I got to the door. I knocked and the a woman opened the door. She wore a nurse's uniform and had blonde hair. "Who are you?" she asked.

"I'm Kurako (pant), is (pant) John home?" I asked. The lady looked at me for a moment, then she shouted into the house, "John! A Koracu is here.." "Its Kurako not Koracu," I intervened. "Sorry," she said, "A Kurako is here to see you." Deep in the house I here John's voice reply, "Send him to my room mother."

At least I found the right house. John's mother had said the door at the end of a hallway. I opened the door and saw John sitting on the floor in the middle of the room. He was wearing a black shirt and blood red pants. I looked around and saw several items floating nearby. I was a little amazed to say the least. The objects sank slowly to the floor as John stood up. "Welcome Kurako," he said. I took a quick look around, and then I saw on the wall something to completely and utterly surprised me. On the wall was a picture of my father and another Force that he had invited over once. I asked, "Is that your father in the picture?"

John turned around to see the picture. "My father, Sarhato Nakz. And that would be your father Kano Saijo would it not? My father and yours were friends. And both of us seem to be following in their footsteps."

I took a step back, John was good all right. I had never seen such a talent for knowledge before. Nor had I ever seen a levitation technique. "Don't be surprised, that is a trick my father invented. But I see you brought your saber, shall we practice?" John asked.

That brought me back. I whipped out my saber and said, "You better be ready for some serious pain John." John grabbed his saber and our sparring began.

During the battle John and I were both hit several times, we were almost equal in skill, almost. At the end of the battle John seemed to have taken most of the hits, but I must say I was pretty worn out myself.

After that we both had fun with other stuff. We both agreed to apply to the hunters guild when I was old enough. Someday we would begin the road to become hunters.

And twelve years later, that day came.