"There are no words that could describe how angry I am about tonight's situation."
Goemon stood in front of the two trainees, Hanzo, Kuma, and Momo sat to the side with Kotaro near the exit, a stiff atmosphere in the room as the ninja gave them both a look of daggers.
After Hojo's mansion had been set ablaze, the four ninjas rode home on their horses in complete silence, anger boiling inside Goemon for those hours before having Hanzo call in Rennoshin to treat the trainees' wounds. Yakeru was lucky enough to only walk away with a dislocated shoulder and a broken wrist after falling three stories, but Fuyuko was having difficulty breathing. Renn explained that while she may have been wearing a mask, she was still inhaling a toxic amount of smoke which led to inflamed lungs.
As controlled as could, Goemon tells the two to meet in Hanzo's office as soon as they are treated. It was Kotaro who had to explain what had happened that night to the others before deciding that as the trainee's mentor, Goemon was the one who had to scold them.
Momo knew by how quiet his friend was that he was beyond pissed and thought that maybe he shouldn't be the one to tell them what they did was completely out of line, but then went against his own judgment. It would be good for them to witness how agitated and seething the man can get with the people he secretly cares about.
"What had happened was that the two of you decided that it would be a good idea to do the job of an elite ninja and steal valuable information that is used in the drugs and weapons trade from a heavily guarded area without the supervision of an advisor." Goemon pauses and sees Yakeru clench his jaw. "The stunt that was pulled tonight could have killed you both. No application. No questions. And certainly no warning! Not one single thought of just asking to be part of this mission has been attempted before you two decide to fuck the entire thing!"
"I just wanted to-"
"SHUT UP!"
Yakeru is silenced by Goemon's roaring voice, seeing Fuyuko flinching as it is raised and trying to become smaller to get away from him.
"I don't fucking care what you were trying to do! Your superiority complex will be the death of you if you don't get off your high horse and listen to God damn thing I say!"
The room fell silent. It was so quiet that they could all hear their hearts beating loudly in their ears.
"You two will be suspended from training until further notice. No weapons or ability training will be allowed in the meantime." Yakeru's head snaps up and he gives Goemon a look of disbelief. "Get out."
Goemon puts a hand on the bridge of his nose, a headache beginning to arise.
"But-"
"GET OUT!"
Yakeru meets Goemon's gold eyes and finds them glowing brightly with emotion. It didn't matter what the emotion was, if it was passionate enough, his eyes would glow also. This glow showed how truly angry he was at them.
Standing, Yakeru held one of Fuyuko's hands as she walked close to him. He took a quick glance up at the albino, hoping for him to give him a look of sympathy, but he didn't. It was a look he wasn't familiar with: a mix between fury and disappointment. It made his stomach drop.
~PYRODYNASTY~
Yakeru slept in his room alone.
Fuyuko was with Kotaro as he worked to treat her inflamed lungs, no sleep as she was constantly coughing and having a hard time breathing. Steam baths and green tea was going to be a routine for the next week for them before she would even be able to go back to breathing normally. As for Yakeru, Rennoshin had him wear a cast for his wrist and told him to lay off of it for the next several weeks. No ability use and certainly no weapon use.
Yakeru was definitely exhausted, but he didn't sleep well. When waking up that afternoon, he did not feel like he was well-rested. So he just laid in bed for the rest of the day, dozing on and off and letting his mind wander.
Thoughts of his mother's words kept echoing in his head about Goemon. Growing up, he never questioned who his father was since they were well off without a man in the house. But it wasn't until his ability really started to show that he noticed how much his mother questioned raising him the way she was. For a child like him, it was confusing. Having no control over this ability that is building inside you, no explanation to what and how this is going to affect him and others around him. It was dangerous for him to live the commoner life that he was. The witch was right.
Yakeru replayed the events of the night before. He had never seen Goemon in such a way. He really didn't think such a man could be so bold and have so much authority, for someone who is retired and just training them under the order of Hattori, Yakeru didn't think Goemon cared about them and their safety.
But his eyes.
He couldn't stop remembering his glowing eyes. So bright and fiery with passion. Yakeru has been told that even his eyes would glow just like what he saw when he gets passionate about something or someone. Not only did the witch and his mother tell him, but countless times did Kotaro and Fuyuko comment on how beautiful they were.
At this point, there is no denying that he is Goemon's legitimate son.
But the question still remains: Who is Goemon Ishikawa?
~PYRODYNASTY~
Yakeru stares at the back of the tall horse and glances down at the saddle he held on his forearm. He wore a cast on his left hand, making it a little difficult for him to tack up his horse to go on his trip. He stood in confusion for a minute too long, even his horse looking back at him in annoyance.
"Master Yakeru," Yakeru looks back and finds a female stablehand walking in with a bucket of fruit for the horses, a suspicious and confused mix flashes on her face.
"Oh, hey," He gives her a little bow and glances down at the saddle in his hand.
"You aren't going on another mission without Master Ishikawa's permission, are you?" The girl gives him a suspicious smile, walking up to his black horse and giving him a small apple.
Yakeru shook his head. "I'm going on a small trip to Ijuri. There is someone I need to talk to." He defends. "And some books to take back."
"Do you need some help there?"
The stablehand doesn't wait for his answer as she sets down the bucket of apples and walks into the stall. Taking hold of the saddle, she skillfully threw it over the horses and set it gently on the horse's back. Yakeru could only watch in awe as this girl skillfully tacks up the tall horse even though she was half a foot shorter than him.
"Do you need help with the bridle?" She asks, giving the ninja a smile when she catches him watching in wonder.
"That would be great." He strokes the horse as the girl grabs a bridle, cueing the horse to lower his head and slide the bit in his mouth. "So how did you hear about what happened last night?"
The girl gives him a small smile, a hint of sympathy gleamed in her eyes.
"Bad news travels fast. And Master Ishikawa becoming as raged as he was last night was a rare occasion. People will talk." She explains.
"Goemon-san I think just used this as an opportunity to get his anger out on us."
"Master Ishikawa isn't the type to get mad without reason." Yakeru watches the girl talk with some tenderness towards the playboy ninja. "You should give your father more credit. I think he truly cares about you."
Yakeru blushes, turning away from her and frowning at the thought of another person telling him to play nice to someone he barely knows.
"Your horse is ready. Do you need a help up?" She asks, tightening the girth to make sure the saddle doesn't slide off as he mounts the horse.
Yakeru nods, trying to find a place for his left hand. The girl held his knee, counting to three and then lifting him up into the saddle. It was a bit awkward for Yakeru to try to mount the horse without a useful hand, but once he got on, he shifted around comfortably and held the rein in his right hand instead of his left.
"What would you like me to tell Master Ishikawa if he asks for your presence?" She asks, walking the horse out into the alleyway and giving him another apple.
"Just tell him I went to the library. He'll understand."
They give each other a nod before he kicks his horse up to a trot, not in a hurry to be at his final destination. But there was only one person he knew who would be willing to tell him what he needs to know.
