Pika318: I'm back with chapter 7! Finally was able to gain control of the computer. Hope you guys and girls enjoy reading my story.

Chapter 7: Leaving

"Kyomi, what are you here for? Don't you have to bring Hao home? Mokoto, you too? "

"He's waiting outside, Otou – san. I wish to talk to you about the students." Kyomi replied.

"What about?" Senki asked.

"Don't tell me you have not noticed? The other children are bullying your grandson."

Senki paused for a while before asking, "Why? Hao is a nice boy."

"Hao – kun is a nice boy, sensei. It's the other children who are mean. Do you know Ashiru? The talkative one? He spread rumours and now everybody thinks that Hao - kun doesn't have a proper family." Mokoto said angrily.

"I don't understand, Mokoto."

"What she means, Otou – san, is that the boy she mentioned told everyone who would listen that I am a prostitute and Hao does not have a proper father." Kyomi elaborated firmly.

Senki's face went red. Mokoto couldn't tell whether it was from anger or embarrassment. "He said that! But he's only twelve, isn't he? And what does he have against my grandson?"

"He did say that, sensei. And Ashiru, in my opinion, is no ordinary twelve year old. I also have a theory. Do you remember the time you punished him for bullying Hao – kun. I think he might have bore a grudge and wanted revenge." Mokoto answered in quick succession.

"Fine, I understand everything now. But if what you said is true. Then the other teachers and I would not be able to do anything much about it." Senki said.

"WHY?" Mokoto shouted angrily. "Can't you see how bad it is?"

"I do, Mokoto. But you must understand that we do not have any proof to show the children that what Ashiru said was wrong. Hao's father had abandoned him and Kyomi. There's no way we can produce proof that way."

"Why should we care about the proof, sensei? Why don't you just expel him or something? Isn't causing trouble bad enough?" Mokoto asked, almost desperate.

"That's not possible, Mokoto. If we were to expel him, his parents would demand the reason. We can't just tell them it's because their son did something as childish as spreading rumours. Even then, spreading rumours does not even warrant expulsion. The only thing we can do now is to wait for the rumours to die down. The children would tire of it soon."

"Then how about Hao? We can't let him suffer the bullying until the rumours die down, can we? We don't even know how long it would take?" Kyomi asked worrriedly.

"We will watch out for him until then, Kyomi. I'm sure that nothing too serious will happen. Children are not that vicious."

Mokoto almost wanted to laugh at the last sentence, but it would be rude of her to do so.

It was easier said than done. Under Senki's request, the other teachers started to watch out for the four year old. However, not matter how vigilant the teachers were, the children were always able to get to Hao. They always waited until the teachers were not in the vicinity before taking action, which was not that difficult, considering the size of the Asakura compound. This means that Hao still got bullied almost everyday. The worst thing was some of the children didn't bully him because of the rumour now. They had already forgotten about it. They were doing it for fun.

"Hey, there's the twerp."

"Are there any teachers around?"

"Nope, what shall we do to him now?"

"There's a pond nearby. Should we…?"

"Hao, your hair's all wet. What happened?" Kyomi asked her son, even though she already had a rough idea.

"I got pushed into the lake. And I cut my hand on one of the rocks. But Mokoto nee – san helped me and Oji – san made my hand better already."

"That's good. Now let's get you home. You're going to catch a cold like this." Kyomi said before picking Hao up and carrying him home. He could walk on his own, she knew that. She just felt he needed the warmth and security.

"Kaa – san, what have I done wrong?"

"You did nothing wrong, Hao."

"Then why do the others keep doing this?"

"I don't know either."

"Kaa – san, if this continues, I don't want to come here anymore."

Kyomi almost froze but kept on walking, trying to keep calm so she would not affect her child. "Why do you say that. Don't you want to see your Oji – san and Oba – san, as well as Mokoto?"

"I want to see them, Kaa –san. I like them a lot. But I don't want to keep getting hurt. Doesn't it make Kaa – san sad. You look sad every time you take care of me."

Kyomi was shocked. She never knew that her feelings showed on her face, especially when she tried her best to hide them. Now what was she supposed to say?

In the end, she said nothing and silently carried Hao home.

That night, afterKyomi put Hao to bed, she started thinking. It would not be good for Hao's development if the bullying continues. He might be emotionally scarred for all she knew. Was it really necessary for her to bring Hao to her family's shaman school? She would be able to teach Hao what he needed to learn. All she had to do was to juggle between her job at the local temple and educating her son. It shouldn't be so bad.

It was late when she finally decided what she should do. She should just stop Hao's schooling at the main compound and teach him herself. Her father always said she was talented.

"Are you sure this is what you have decided?" Senki asked after Kyomi told him about her decision.

"I am very sure, Otou – san. Wouldn't you agree that things are looking bad now ever since your grandson came to you with an injury?"

"I do agree. But it's going to be hard on you, juggling duties like this."

"No matter how hard it is, I'm willing to sacrifice anything for my son."

"I always knew you were stubborn. So I will not object to your decision. But please remember to approach us if you need any help. You should go to the temple now. I'll just tell Komi that she would have to go to your house if she wants to see her precious grandson." Senki said.

"I'll remember to ask, Otou – san. And tell Okaa – san that I'm sorry for causing so much trouble for her."

"You don't have to feel sorry, Kyomi. We are your parents after all."

Pika318: This is the end of chapter 7. Thanks to all of the people who decided that they like this fanfiction and I appreciate the continuous support. Review if you feel that you like this.