Yukio and Shura's First Meeting
Yukio has been studying exorcism with his father for nearly a month with lessons concentrating on pharmacology. However, when Fujimoto mentions the importance of mastering one of the offensive specialties, the fact that he is actively training another student naturally surfaces.
"You have another apprentice?" Yukio asks Fujimoto, practically beaming.
"Yes," Fujimoto answers, scratching the side of his face and looking slightly uncomfortable. "But Yukio, you really shouldn't get your hopes up."
Confused, Yukio inquires, "What do you mean by that, father?"
"Her personality is very different from yours, son."
"That doesn't matter!" Yukio exclaims enthusiastically. "If she is your student, then she must be bright, capable, and strong. I can't wait to meet her! So what is her name? You did say it was a girl, right?"
Fuijimoto nods and then replies simply with the name, "Kirigakure Shura."
Although Yukio notices his father's trepidation with his questions, Yukio continues his interrogation. "How old is she?" And if she's not like me, what is she like?"
"She's eighteen," Fujimoto responds easily to the first question. Biting his lip thoughtfully, Fujimoto finally says, "As to her personality, she's really hard to explain. You'll have to meet her." With that, Fujimoto takes one of his keys and opens the portal connecting their monastery to the exorcism cram school wing of the True Cross Academy.
Yukio follows his father to the classroom they've been using for his private lessons. Upon entering the room, Yukio sees a teenager with a wild mane of two-toned hair wearing nothing but a bikini top, a skirt, and a scarf. Lounging languidly in a chair, the young woman sports a bored expression. At first, Yukio is taken aback by her appearance, but he scolds himself at his quick judgment, 'She's father's student. There's nothing to be scared of.'
Approaching the older girl with a smile on his face, Yukio introduces himself. "Hi, I'm Okumura Yukio, seven years old. Pleased to meet you." He bows his head and continues with his rehearsed greeting. "I started training with father about a month ago, and I'm thrilled to have a peer in my exorcism studies. I'm sure there's so much I can learn from you."
Shura stares at Yukio incredulously, as if he has sprouted a second head. Suddenly, Yukio feels nervous, and he takes a step back.
The girl gets up from the chair and stalks towards him, an unreadable expression on her face. She stares at him for a moment before addressing Fujimoto. "What the hell is this, Shirou?" she asks, making a rather rude gesture with her thumb towards Yukio.
"My son," Fujimoto answers without skipping a beat. "I told you I'd be bringing him by today. You'll help him train offensively."
"How the hell did someone like you raise a wimpy kid like this?" she asks, clarifying her first question.
Yukio deflates. This reception is hardly the big-sisterly welcome he was hoping for, and he finally understands his father's warning about not getting his hopes up. "I'm not a wimpy kid," Yukio defends. "I'm trying my hardest with my studies."
Shura raises an eyebrow at him, and says, "Are you for real, kid?"
Yukio doesn't understand and says as much. "I'm not sure what you mean."
"I mean your mannerisms, all formal and shit. There's no way Shirou could have raised a well-mannered kid like you."
"Is there anything wrong with being well mannered?" Yukio asks, getting the sneaking suspicion that Shura is insulting him.
However, Shura ignores Yukio and turns her attention back to Fujimoto. "What in the world are you thinking trying to turn a kid like him into an exorcist? He looks like all he'll be able to do is cower in the face of danger. Get him the hell out of here."
Before his father can defend him, Yukio intervenes on his own behalf. "What gives you the right to judge me? I don't want to hear criticism from you, when you can't even dress yourself properly."
Shura turns towards him, a dangerous light in her eyes. "Hey, kid, you should keep out of this. I'm trying to save you from getting into something you're clearly not suited for."
Although Yukio is tired of validating his personality to Shura, he can't help but try once more. "I will become a fine exorcist!" Yukio declares loudly. "Father has faith in me." He looks to Fujimoto for support and receives a smile and gentle nod.
She raises an eyebrow at him. "Becoming an exorcist isn't something to be entered into lightly. Do you understand what it means to risk your life daily? Do you know how it feels to constantly have demons target you? A kid like you can't handle it. I can tell. There's nothing to be ashamed of. You're just too docile. Give up and go back to your normal life."
Shura's harsh, unflattering assessment of Yukio cuts him to the core, and he feels tears of frustration gathering in response to her words. Everything he wants to gain by becoming an exorcist flashes through his mind – confidence, control, and strength. He needs these attributes so he can protect his brother. With his emotions running on overdrive, Yukio discards his normally passive persona, and words explode from his mouth. "I can't have a normal life! I see demons all the time. They already target me. The only thing I can do is learn to fight!" Yukio clamps his trembling lips together to prevent himself from making any embarrassing sobbing noises; however, he can't keep his tears from spilling out of his eyes. Shura favors Yukio with a different look, but he can't tell of the impact of his words are positive or negative.
"You're crying," Shura observes.
Yukio nods in response, hot tears streaming down his face.
"You're scared of the future, right, kid?"
Not trusting his voice to deliver a confident answer, Yukio nods again.
"Are you scared of me, kid?" she asks, her lip quirking up.
Yukio nods his head vigorously.
"Kid, if you find me scary, you're going to be useless in battle," Shura says frankly with no fanfare.
"You don't know that," Yukio manages to grind out between the sobs, hating that he's helpless to stop his own tears.
"I'm rarely wrong about things," Shura continues. "I get a feeling, and you, kid, are not suited for exorcism."
Yukio's brows furrow at Shura's words, as he tries to understand her personality through them. Thankfully, this concentration acts as a distraction causing his tears to dissipate. "It seems like I'm not going to change your mind with words," Yukio says slowly, realizing the truth to his words. "You're just going to have to wait and see."
Shura raises an eyebrow. "Ahh, getting a backbone, are you, kid?"
'Kid, kid, kid,' Yukio fumes on the inside, the way Shura addresses him grating on his nerves. "Would you please stop calling me 'kid'? I find it rude."
Shura's mouth twists into an amused smile. "Should a kid who's scared of everything be making such a request?"
"Yes," Yukio responds, knowing that his quivering voice doesn't provide a very convincing argument for himself.
"Alright then," Shura says, a wicked light gleaming in her eyes. "I'll call you something else." She pauses, tapping an index finger against her lower lip until inspiration flashes in her eyes. "How does scaredy-cat four eyes sound to you?"
'I hate that even more,' Yukio thinks, horrified by the prospect. Saying nothing, Yukio concentrates on keeping his countenance expressionless. He refuses to give Shura any more leverage against him. Despite all of his efforts, he watches as Shura's grin widens. Instantly, Yukio knows that something in his face betrays him. Shura's triumphant smile tells him that she is aware her new nickname for him has its desired, negative effect.
At this point, Yukio reasons that no further damage can be done by expressing unhappiness with her new pet name for him, so he politely requests, "I'd really prefer that you'd address me with my name."
Shura responds with only laughter.
Author's Notes: So I have been having trouble with words lately. This may be due to an increasing desire to cosplay Mawaru Penguindrum and my own inability to concentrate on more than one thing at time... I also agonize about things, like how to introduce characters with respect to their family and given names. I picked one and kept it consistent. As always, thoughts and con-crit are welcome.