Someone Different

Chapter 6

After Hayate and Himeno came back (she was still fuming and he sported some new bruises) they set up the target. "Okay, let's see your shot," Sasame ordered as Hayate made no move to start the test. Katana obediently drew back the string, the arrow already knocked. She aimed and fired. It hit the inner ring, the one right before the bull's eye. Goh clucked, earning a scathing look from Katana. Hayate's face stayed blank, showing them nothing about his opinion.

"Now, let's see your accuracy with distraction," Sasame gestured to the younger Knights. They took the cue and began running around Katana, careful not to disturb the bow. Katana gave a secret smile and lifted the bow. The smile turned into a grin as she knocked the arrow and fired. It hit dead center in the bull's eye. She grinned triumphantly at Goh.

"I wonder," said Kei, tapping his chin thoughtfully, "Do you work better under pressure than not?" he asked Katana. She shrugged, "I don't know. It's just that I used to practice in the school arena I used to go to. Some people bring their sisters and brothers along with them. I've always been a favorite, since I gave out cookies," she ruffled Mannen's Hair, a gesture that the Knight of Ice did not like. But he was distracted by the mention of cookies. Katana laughed as the three surrounding her asked for cookies, their pleading antics comically funny. "I'll bake some as soon as I get into the kitchen," she responded.

Watching them, Goh turned to Hayate, "She's good with the kids and I could always use a helper (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)." Hayate nodded and replied, "She's already joining us but I need to know her strengths and weaknesses. Just a cautious thing." He turned to the three young Knights around Katana, calling out to them. Katana looked up and shooed the little ones away from her, with promises for many cookies. "We are going to test you on your performance under pressure. We'll give you a scenario. For example, Himeno has a bet with me that you would beat Goh in archery. If you know Himeno, if you lose, you will get a beating so you want to win," he paused there for a moment, thinking, "Takako also wants you to win because she had a similar be with Sasame. Two angry females after you would not be pleasant. So, Goh, you first," Hayate concluded, stepping aside for the Knight of Fire. He was widely considered as the best archer in the group. He smiled, or rather, grinned at Katana before knocking the arrow and firing. It landed dead center.

Katana took one look at Himeno and Takako and her worries increased. She carefully aimed her arrow and blocked out all sound, focusing completely on the target. She stood in her stance for so long that Hayate was afraid that she had frozen in fear or shock. She fired suddenly and a loud cracking sound was heard before a thump. Katana grinned and Goh groaned. A grinning Katana wasn't a good sign. When she moved, the group could see that Goh's arrow had being splint in two and Katana's arrow was perfectly in the middle. Himeno and Takako grinned, spreading out their hands.

Katana's grin faded as she asked, "You actually bet on me?" Himeno replied gleefully as Hayate sullenly counted out his money, "Yep! And I'm glad I did!" Hayate watched Katana as she battled her anger, annoyance and any other ill feeling towards them. This was yet another test; this one was to see if Katana could control her emotions. He was pleased when the storm in her eyes blew over.

"Now, for the next test," Hayate said, "Endurance." He beckoned to Katana, "What is you favorite thing in the world to do?" he asked her. She looked puzzled but answered almost immediately, "Books and reading," she looked starry eyed. Hayate then lead the group to the Awayuki library. Her eyes widened. She was about to dash into the aisles when Hayate stopped her. "You are to stay here for as long as you can, though the maximum is a day, without opening a book."

"I'm going to be staying to watch you," Goh added. Katana looked at him curiously, "Why it is always you?" she asked, "Not Sasame or Kei or Himeno or even Takako?" Goh looked sheepish, "Well Sasame is bound to start daydreaming, leaving you unattended; Kei loves books and will go searching for one; Himeno will probably go looking for food after a while; and Takako wants to be with Sasame so she'll go looking for him when she thinks that you are occupied." Katana raised her eyebrows and noticed that, during Goh's monologue, the others had gone. She looked resigned and flopped into a chair. Goh sat near her.

"So, tell me about yourself," Goh asked after a moment of silence. "Well, I used to live in the outskirts of town with my mother and father. I have no siblings. My mother was a nurse and she used to work in the army. My father was a general and he also worked in the same army that my mother worked in," Katana smiled sadly, "That was how they met. They were allowed to marry and then had me. That was how I learned medicine and strategy. I would spend half the day with Mom and the other half with Dad. I hope they are happy now." She ended with a sigh.

Goh patted her on the shoulder as a way of comfort. After a few more moments, when Katana sat on her hands to keep them from twitching and when Goh was bored out of his mind, the Knight of Fire started to play with fire. The instant he did, Katana darted to the farthest place away from him. She was visibly shaking. "Can you put that out?" she asked, staring at the little bit of flame on the palm of Goh's hand. He closed his fist around it, successfully extinguishing the flame. "What, you scared of fire?" she asked teasingly. She glared at him before retaking her seat. "No, not at all," was her tart reply. She let her head fall on her crook of her arm, intent on taking a nap.

Goh ginned. A mystery always calls to him and this mystery had a certain spice to it.

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Hya, everyone! I won't be able to update this story during the weekend or on Tuesday! Just to let you know...

And thank you to all who have reviewed! I feel apreciated!