Wow, this chapter was hard to write. In more ways than one. Sorry it took so long to get out, (I can't even believe it's been 2 years...) That being said, I've chosen to split Kazumi's background story into Part One and Part Two. This way I think I can better address some things that have been making it difficult to write, and make a more clear distinction as to when things make a clear turning point in Kazumi's childhood.
Please note that since this IS Kazumi's background story, it is FULL of OCs. But this is relevant to the overall story, so please do not skip it unless the advisory below makes you uncomfortable. (Please note that while things are only hinted at in this chapter, nothing truly major happens, however I will keep the below warning in place in this chapter and as well as in the next.)
READER ADVISORY!
THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SCENES THAT MAY BE SENSITIVE TO SOME READERS!
CONTENT WARNING: VIOLENCE, MANIPULATION, AND CHILD ABUSE!
xXx
"Fu-kun! Look here!" A childish voice rang out through the stocks of sunflowers, where a little girl with short black hair had a leaf pulled down at eye level, to show a smaller boy with even shorter black hair what was on it. Immediately, his face hit up upon seeing the couple of small red beetles skittering about.
"Ladybugs!" He announced excitedly while the little girl wore a wide grin, clearly proud of herself.
"See, I told you I'd find them." She said while carefully moving to encourage the beetles to crawl onto her hand. Once successful, she brought them even closer to the boy next to her so that he may try to do the same. At some point, they both found themselves sitting in the dirty, watching the two ladybugs crawling up their arms with laughter.
"Kazumi! Fuyuki!" A woman's voice called, catching the attention of the two children hiding in the field. With a quick look between each other, they were quick to their feet and running in the direction the voice came from, not even bothering to dust themselves off. Soon enough, they were bursting through the tall stalks of sunflowers, coming face to face with a woman standing at the foot of a set of steps.
"Mama!" Fuyuki called, giving another burst of energy so he could run cling onto his mother. There was a bright smile on her face as she tucked dark wavy hair out of the way while bending down to pick up the boy, tangling himself around her.
"Alright you two, come inside and wash up for lunch before your father gets here."
"Papa's coming home?" Kazumi asked as she chased after her mother and brother with an excited leap in her step.
"That's right. And he's probably bringing presents again."
"Heh? But Papa's presents are weird." Kazumi said with a giggle; her mother laughed with her at the statement. "But I still like them! Especially the time he brought the duck stuffie with four legs!"(*)
"Eh? You actually liked that?" Her mother asked, both shocked to hear the news and slightly concerned for her daughter's sense of taste.
"Yeah, yeah! Kazumi had the ducky, and Papa brought me the goop monster!" Fuyuki added as I lowered him to the floor while their mother turned on the tap for the children and encouraged the two of them to clean up.
"Goop monster..." Their mother repeated uncertainly, trying to figure out exactly which toy the youngest was referring to. After a few minutes they were finally herded to the kitchen where they were seated at the table and each given a plate with sandwiches and fruit.
While the two children ate, their mother puttered around the kitchen, at the same time they could all hear the front door opening as someone let themselves in. Shortly after an older man and woman entered the kitchen, each carrying a bag of groceries.
"Oh, kaa-san, otou-san, you're back already?" Kazumi and Fuyuki's mother asked from where she stood cleaning dishes.
"That's right. Any news on that husband of yours, Sayuri?" The elder woman asked in turn. Sayuri paused and sighed.
"He didn't say where he would be flying in from, but he should be here sometime after lunch." She answered reluctantly and the woman made a put off noise.
"Figures. That man cares more about his wallet than he does his family. I don't know why you bothered marrying him." The older woman grumbled as she made to sit in a chair between her two grandchildren who were playing with their food more than eating it.
"Please don't be too harsh kaa-san. It's a lot of work dealing with international trade. Besides, it's thanks to Goro that I can be here all the time to look after the two of you and the kids."
"PAH! There's still many years to come before you have to be looking after us my dear child." At this Sayuri simply sighed and offered her parents something for lunch, and by the time she was finished with the dishes, her own children were finished eating. Though it was probably more accurate to say they wore their lunch.
"Alright you two; sticky fingers up the stairs so we can get you cleaned up. Again." Sayuri chased the two laughing children with a grin of her own.
xXx
It was evening when the sound of a vehicle was heard pulling into the driveway. Kazumi and Fuyuki, who had been completely absorbed into the television, suddenly perked up and ran to the window with excitement. They eagerly watched a man get out from the driver's seat and smooth out the wrinkles in his shirt before he made way to the front door, and the two of them quickly ran to meet him there.
As they rounded the corner, the doorknob turned and the man entered. He was tall and imposing; black hair slicked back, exposing the sharp angles throughout his face that emphasised the scowl on his lips as he regarded the children in front of him coldly. It took only a moment for a hint of recognition seeped into his features; he relaxed his glare into something that although would not be considered friendly, it was not immediately threatening.
"Kazumi, Fuyuki." He greeted with a twisted smile.
"Welcome home, Papa!" They greeted in unison, big cherubic smiles on their tiny faces.
"Welcome back, Goro." A warm voice spoke from behind the children, catching the man's attention. "There's dinner in the kitchen if you're hungry." He hummed for a moment as he took off his shoes and set them aside.
"Apologies for being late; there were a number of hold ups on both ends. But I'll take you up on the offer of dinner. Thank you Sayuri." He approached her slowly and used a gentle touch to push a bunch of hair behind her ear. "It's nice to finally see you again, my lovely wife." The sultry tone of his voice brought heat to Sayuri's face, and she quickly turned away to hide her embarrassment and lead him into the kitchen.
"J-just get in here if you want to eat." She stuttered, and Goro's eyes watched her leave while a smirk danced across his lips. He followed after her, walking to stand behind her as she filled his plate and allowing his hands to carefully glide down her arms.
"To be honest, I think I'd rather have your time than dinner." Goro whispered sensually into her ear. Sayuri's face burned as she spun around and gently slapped his hands away.
"At least wait until everyone else is asleep!" She chided, marching past him to put his plate down. Goro only laughed to himself as he sat down and tried to eat quickly, though it was a difficult task with two children practically begging for attention.
"Alright that's enough! Go finish watching your TV before it's bedtime. You can pester your father tomorrow." Noises of complaint from both Kazumi and Fuyuki were heard as Sayuri ushered them out of the kitchen. "Your dad just got in the door from a very long day. Let him rest and you can all play tomorrow, alright?"
The two of them both reluctantly agreed as they made their way back to sitting in front of the TV, but their disappointment was quickly forgotten at the sight of a favourite cartoon coming on the screen. They hurried forward with their childlike excitement, and sat eagerly with their eyes practically glued to the television and the bright colours it displayed.
"I'm sorry about that. They've been so excited all day to welcome you home; I should have known they would gang up on you as soon as you walked in." Sayuri let out a gentle laugh and then sighed to herself.
"Pay no mind. The fact that they so willingly listen shows that they are growing up well." Sayuri sat down heavily next to Goro, a sigh escaping with her breath as she did.
"I appreciate the encouragement; the two of them can be quite a handful sometimes." She laughed to herself as she reflected on recent memories. "Kazumi is very headstrong and always out looking for adventure, and although Fuyuki is usually quiet and reserved, he is equally curious. Though I suspect that Kazumi might have some influence there.
"Earlier today they both came back completely covered in dirt; apparently they had been looking for bugs, of all things." Sayuri rolled her eyes at the thought as she relayed the day's events to her husband. Goro payed quiet attention to the assessment of his children, and gave a satisfied nod at the end.
"It sounds like they have plenty of energy and curiosity; both exceptional things for their ages and necessary for their growth." Goro noted, taking an absent minded bite of his food. "You've raised them well, Sayuri." He continued to listen to Sayuri's updates on their children, the entire time his quietly stoic expression remained unchanging.
The following morning, Goro sat at the table, contemplative as Sayuri prepared breakfast. She occasionally spared him curious glances, watching his unchanging, stern expression, waiting for him to say something rather than interrupt. When she set a plate down in front of him and he still didn't move, she finally decided to ask.
"Something on your mind Goro?" He calmly averted his focus to his wife, and suddenly seemed to remember where he was.
"I suppose you could say that." He started as he reached for his utensils. "I was mostly wondering if you had ever thought about putting the children into some kind of class or sport, or if they had ever shown any interest." Sayuri hummed for a moment, taking a seat across from her husband with a troubled look.
"It's not that I never thought about it, but rather the ease of doing so living this far out from the city." She said, "As a matter of interest, Kazumi has taken a liking to watching shows that show various forms of dancing. Fuyuki is still into cartoons, so it's difficult to say what he actually likes right now." Goro let out a hum, acknowledging her assessments.
"There is a dojo here though, isn't there?" He asked after a moment of silence.
"Eh? Oh, yes, but it's for kenjutsu." Came Sayuri's response, slightly taken back.
"Kenjutsu..." Goro tested the word. "That is swordsmanship, correct?" Sayuri nodded. "Well wouldn't you say swordsmanship is a bit like dancing? Combined with the knowledge of self-defence?" Sayuri gave him a sceptical look.
"Where is this coming from anyways?" She asked, and Goro gave her what seemed to be a sheepish look.
"Well, since I forgot to bring gifts this time around, I thought I'd try making up for it by giving them something that would be long lasting. And something that they were interested in or showed passion for only seemed appropriate."
"I see." Sayuri scrutinised her husband with a stare. "Well I don't see any harm in that, but Fuyuki is still too young for that school. You can ask Kazumi if she wants to go, but you'll have to find something else for Fuyuki instead." Goro nodded as he fell back into a contemplative posture, the remainder of his food going untouched.
"Kenjutsu?" Kazumi asked a bit later, her head tilted slightly in confusion. It sounded familiar, but she couldn't quite place where she might have heard of kenjutsu before.
"That's right. Your mother said you had taken an interest in dancing, and since there isn't any dance classes around, kenjutsu would be the next closest thing." Goro explained, and Kazumi's expression instantly brightened.
"Dancing?" She asked, confirming.
"Well, not quite. Kenjutsu isn't exactly dancing, but has many similarities. You learn how to move your feet a certain way while using a sword." The dejected, uninterested "oh" Goro got in response was less than satisfactory, so he tried another approach. "Why don't we go have a look before your say no? You never know if you like something if you don't try it out first, right?"
And that was how Goro found himself standing in front of a non-descript dojo. Kazumi, having reluctantly agreed to at least check out the place Goro had intended for her to learn, looked curiously at the plaque displaying the dojo's name, "Hinode Kenjutsu" and then up to Goro.
"This look dumb." She said harshly, though honestly Goro had to agree. But there wasn't much to be impressed about with a country town dojo. So it was with a heavy sigh that Goro pushed open the doors and the three of them walked inside.
As they entered through the main entrance, they could hear tell-tale signs of a class in session, or perhaps just beginning. Goro could tell right away that this group were of at least an intermediate class, given the mixed expressions of determination and excitement. At the very least they were not beginners. Curious at how things were run, Goro prompted the children to sit along the wall and watch quietly as the lesson continued.
Before long, they were watching with rapt attention as each student practiced their footwork and swinging techniques. Goro decided after some time of observation, the students were well trained and that despite the unassuming exterior, this school was indeed adequate. It had been a smart choice to come in person.
"Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice you have been watching for a while. Are you perhaps interested in joining our school?" The man who had been giving instructions approached after making rounds through the students.
"Pardon our intrusion, but yes, I'd like to enroll my daughter, Kazumi." Goro stated, his business persona taking over. The man regarded him without saying anything before turning to Kazumi, whose gaze was still transfixed on the small number of students practicing their techniques.
"Kazumi, is it? My name is Hinode Shizuya. What do you think, are you interested in learning about swordsmanship here?" Realizing that she was being spoken to, Kazumi quickly turned to the man.
"I can learn to do all that?" She asked, pointing to a boy performing gracefully. The man nodded, observing her reactions with a gentle smile. "Papa, I changed my mind, this isn't dumb! You were right, it's a lot like the dancing I see on TV!" Seeing the excited smile on Kazumi's face was all the man needed, though Goro simply wore a placated smile.
"I think you'll find that although it does look similar, kenjutsu has many strict rules to follow. Learning the foundations of the art; from study and practicing technique, learning the history of it, and progression in skill, it all takes time and dedication. Not to say that dance doesn't have its own strict rules, but the two are different once you pass the fundamentals." Kazumi's attention was once again focused on the students, eyes wide with wonder and curiosity.
"Can I watch closer?" She asked hesitantly. Hinode gave her a pleased smile.
"As long as you're careful and don't get in their way." Kazumi didn't hold back as she scurried to the floor to have a better look. Hinode meanwhile watched Goro's expression carefully as his gaze followed his daughter. "Well then, shall we sign her up?" His expression didn't change, even after taking his stare off of Kazumi.
"Of course." Goro stood and followed Hinode.
Once everything was taken care of and Goro and Kazumi were on their way, Hinode stood at the entrance of his dojo watching them with a cautious eye.
"Sensei?" One of his assistants came out, calling to Hinode curiously.
"Shu, keep an eye on them whenever they come by." The assistant responded with a sound indicating confusion. "There is something off about that man, but I can't put my finger on it. So if you see them around, pay careful attention to them."
xXx
Kazumi regarded herself curiously through the mirror; holding up her arms and spinning around to inspect the white and navy gi and hakama she had been given for a uniform. It was comfortable, that was for sure, but she couldn't decide if it was too big or if it fit just right. It looked big on her in her eyes, but then, it's not like she had even worn one before today.
"Kazumi?" Sayuri called from down the stairs. "If you don't hurry, you're going to be late for your first day!"
"Coming!" Kazumi called back, running out of her room. Her mother waited at the bottom of the stairs with Fuyuki, both of them dressed and ready to go. "Where is Papa?" Kazumi asked as she darted for her shoes.
"He got an email last night about a problem at work that he couldn't ignore, so he went out so he wouldn't wake anyone up." Sayuri answered with a sigh and a distressed look that went unnoticed by her children. "He did promise to pick you up at least, so make sure you tell him to make it up to you for missing your first class by taking you out for a treat."
"Hai!" Kazumi answered enthusiastically.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, I am Yamashita Sayuri, Kazumi's mother." Sayuri introduced herself to Hinode upon arrival, bowing respectfully before the man. Hinode for his part was taken by surprise when the woman approached with a cheery smile on her face and the slight tilt of her head as she held Kazumi by the shoulders. Hinode regarded Kazumi with recognition and quickly turned back to Sayuri, meeting her with a gentle expression of his own.
"The pleasure is mine, Yamashita-san. Kazumi, welcome, please go and make yourself comfortable." Hinode encouraged Kazumi to join the small group of other children who were also there for their very first lessons. Both of them watched as Kazumi somehow seamlessly inserted herself into the conversation, and any of the children who appeared nervous suddenly had a look of relief about them. Sayuri smiled proudly as she excused herself and took Fuyuki to sit along the far wall with the other parents to watch.
"Good evening." She greeted pleasantly to the woman beside her. She was dressed rather finely, giving off an aura of wealth, and completely focused on taking in the state of the building and its teachers.
"Humph, we'll see if this evening is good or not. We came a long way just to attend this dojo. It better be worth it." Sayuri could only stare at the woman in disbelief and give a nervous laugh in response.
"Alright everyone, please gather and pay attention." Hinode called, signalling the beginning of the class. "Since today is everyone's first day, we're going to start with fun exercises to make everyone comfortable. We'll then talk about what you will learn and how to do it safely, because this is a school where you learn how to use a weapon that can hurt people. Our first lessons will always be about safety; you must know about dangers and risks before you go into them, and learn how to avoid them. Then as you grow and learn, you will begin to develop yours skills, and before you even know it, you all will be masters of the art. But do either of you know the most important thing that is required for this class?" Hinode asked, a knowing smile sliding onto his lips when the children looked amongst each other, until Kazumi eagerly raised her hand. "Yes, Yamashita?"
"GUTS!" She shouted confidently, resulting in a number of adults trying to quietly contain their chuckling to themselves, Sayuri included. Hinode however just grinned.
"Close enough." He said with the hint of a laugh. "Guts! Or as I like to call it, determination! To succeed, you must be determined to never give up. To get stronger, to do better, to do the things you want to do, you must be determined to see things through and try your absolute best. Does everyone understand?" A chorus of excited yeses burst from the children, each of them now more eager than ever to get started. "Excellent. Shu here is my assistant, and thus your sempai. He is a very reliable person and you all can learn a lot from him. Shu, would you please lead the stretching exercises?"
"Of course sensei." Shu answered, quickly taking Hinode's place to address the students while Hinode moved to the parents.
"You certainly have a way with words, even for children Hinode-sensei." Sayuri was the first to speak.
"It's merely a skill that comes with teaching, there's no need to praise me for it." He waved her off. "Now, are there any questions or concerns I can address for you parents before I begin teaching?"
"No, I'm quite satisfied with what I see, thank you." Sayuri responded instantly. "I leave my daughter's lessons in your capable hands, Sensei." She side-eyed the wealthy woman beside her without ever losing her pleasant smile. The other parents were quick to follow her lead, stating that they had no pressing questions, allowing Hinode to carry on with the class.
Just as the lesson was coming to an end, the front door opened quietly, revealing Goro. Sayuri quietly waved him over from where she had been observing the class. Goro complied without a word and listened to Hinode's final remarks.
"How did it go?" He whispered to his wife, realizing that the man was merely reviewing the discipline of the art. Sayuri grinned as she thought about how to answer.
"Good. Kazumi looked like she was enjoying herself and soaking up everything like a sponge." Goro nodded, satisfied. "You'll have to make it up to her for missing the class you know." Goro gave Sayuri a disbelieving expression, brows knitted together and mouth turned to a scowl.
"Huh? Is it really that big of a deal? It's just a class, not a tournament." Sayuri returned the scowl.
"Of course it's a big deal. It's her very first class in something she's never done before. You should show your support by being there." Goro simply stared, not comprehending how exactly it was so important, but Sayuri refused to give in and continued to stare intently, expectantly, at her husband.
"Bah, fine. We'll ask her what she wants after." Sayuri's frown morphed into a smile, satisfied that her husband had given in so easily. And sure enough, once Kazumi had gathered her belongings and ran over to her parents, Goro crouched to meet her at eye level. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your first day, something very important at work came up that couldn't wait for me to go back. So to make it up to you, I'll get you whatever you like. Just name it." Kazumi hummed to herself, placing a finger on her chin as she made an adorable imitation of The Thinker. Goro watched with a raised brow, wondering what his daughter would come up with.
"Ice cream!" She declared suddenly.
"Ice cream?" Goro asked, confirming what he heard. Kazumi nodded enthusiastically.
"Kaa-san, Papa, Fu-kun, and me can all eat ice cream together, that's why!" Kazumi explained, grinning from ear to ear. Well, Goro could manage that at least.
xXx
Every other day following, Kazumi found herself attending lessons at Hinode Dojo. However, she quickly learned that she wasn't the most… graceful of students. Upon the first lesson in which she got to hold a shinai for the first time, she managed to wack the person standing behind her in the head. During swinging drills, her grip was constantly too loose, resulting in the shinai flying across the room. And then there was her footwork. Simply put, it was terrible.
Kazumi sat before Hinode after lessons one day, sullen as she prepared to be reprimanded for not being able to keep up with even the simplest of lessons. Hinode on the other hand appeared stoic as his mind muddled through how to address the topic.
"You know, Yamashita-chan." Hinode finally broke the silence, and the man almost regretted his choice of words when he noticed Kazumi visibly flinch. "I don't believe in giving up on students. Everyone learns differently, and there's clearly something that's not connecting with you in my current way of teaching. If anything, the fault lies with me." Kazumi instantly was looking up to her sensei now, eyes wide with astonishment. "The thing is, I'm really not sure where I can be of help to you. Do you think you can tell me what it is you're struggling with?"
Kazumi's gaze returned to the floor, brows knitted together, clearly frustrated as she tried to think about her struggles. She couldn't think of anything. She understood all the theory, she understood the demonstrations and practical applications, and yet she just couldn't do any of it.
"I don't know." She wanted to cry.
"I see…" Hinode hummed to himself again, thinking deeply. "Well the most important thing is that you don't give up. Your grip strength with increase with time as you practice, and your footwork should as well, but I think you would do well with some extra practice… Say, you were interested in dancing, isn't that right?" Kazumi nodded, though because she was still fixated on the floor, she completely missed Hinode's excited grin. "Then I might just have an idea, though I would like to discuss it with your parents if I could."
The following day, Kazumi lead both of her parents through the doors of the dojo just as an adult class finished and was putting away equipment. Hinode noticed them immediately and instructed Shu to finish up for him.
"Mister and Missus Yamashita, please follow me." He led them into an office on the far side of the dojo and instructed them to take a seat in the chairs available. "I'll get straight to the point; Kazumi is struggling with the fundamentals in the art of kenjutsu. And I'll be the first to assure you it isn't from the lack of trying, in fact Kazumi works very hard during every class, however her learning curve seems to be a bit steeper than others.
"And before you jump to any conclusions, I am not dropping her as a student. That is not something I do. I called you here because I wanted to discuss a proposal for an idea that may help her improve." Hinode spoke calmly and clearly, though quick with his words once he realized that Goro was less than pleased about what he was hearing. Which was something Hinode tucked away at the back of his mind to think about later.
"Please go on, if there's something we can do I'd like to hear it." Sayuri interjected before Goro could, encouraging Hinode to give them his proposal.
"I'd like to recommend Kazumi take up dancing lessons." He said simply, earning questioning glances from both parents. "The truth is, footwork is where Kazumi is currently struggling the most. Her other shortcomings can easily be fixed with time, but addressing footwork could improve her skill development at least twice as fast."
"Then why don't you have her take an extra class? Is teaching her footwork not your job as her teacher?" Goro asked, clearly agitated.
"Unfortunately I do not have the time in my schedule to included extra lessons or private classes. I'm fully booked for the time being." Hinode explained while trying to be as placating as possible. "But please rest assured, I don't bring this up as a baseless proposal. During our initial meeting, Kazumi expressed her interest in dancing through comparing the similarities between the two sports; and I cannot deny that there are in fact similarities. If dance is something Kazumi is truly interested in, I believe she will do well in it, and the skills she develops there will transfer and help her grow in kenjutsu."
The reactions Hinode got from Sayuri and Goro were like night and day. Sayuri's expression lit up completely, clearly stating that she though the idea was brilliant. Goro however was cold and calculating. Hinode watched as Goro subtly glanced at Kazumi, who had been quietly sitting in Sayuri's lap, clearly thinking through something. Normally Hinode wouldn't put much thought behind the action; extracurriculars were expensive, it was normal for parents to weigh the option of price. But somehow Hinode didn't think this had anything to do with money, and it unsettled him.
"Can I Papa?" Kazumi asked after a long silence pierced the room. She was looking up to her father with the biggest puppy-dog eyes Hinode had ever seen, and he couldn't help but smile at the action.
"Why don't we give it a try Goro? Kazumi is obviously interested." Sayuri added.
"Please? I promise I'll practice lots and lots and lots!" Kazumi begged. "For both! I want to study both kenjutsu and dancing!" She added quickly, making it clear that she was dedicated to both art forms. Hinode didn't miss the look of realization that crossed Goro's face before it just as quickly vanished.
"Your proposal is sound enough; I will accept it. However Kazumi," Goro addressed, expression stern. "Keep in mind that this is not a reward. You're taking this on to help further your skills. If you slack off on either dance or kenjutsu, both will end. Immediately. Is that understood?" Kazumi nodded, with a downcast expression.
"Hai." Came her quiet response.
xXx
Finding a dance instructor was far easier than any of them expected. After further discussing with Hinode, it was determined that contemporary dance would be best suited for the goal they had created. And as it so happened when the stars seem to align, a contemporary school had opened up slots for new students the following day.
Sayuri, never one to miss an opportunity when one appeared, practically jumped from her seat on the couch and dragged Kazumi to the studio. She barely remembered to inform Goro on their way out the door. And upon their arrival, they were so eager to take Kazumi on as a student, Sayuri couldn't help but think that maybe the stars were aligning in her daughter's favour.
And so with her enrollment into the dance school, while also continuing her study of kenjutsu, on top of practicing at home on off days, Kazumi found her evenings after school completely full. Sayuri continued to watch on, admiring her daughter's determination, the very first foundation that Hinode-sensei had instilled in her very first class. Which reminded Sayuri, she would have to thank Hinode for his forward thinking and refusal to leave Kazumi to struggle.
She walked through the front door of the playschool that Goro had enrolled Fuyuki into, thoughts full of how she could possibly show her gratitude, when she heard the unmistakable sound of her son calling out to her.
"KAA-SAN!" Fuyuki came barreling through the hallway, childish jubilation pouring out of him as he practically shoved a piece of paper into her hands. "Look at the picture I got to make today!" Fuyuki's excitement was contagious, making Sayuri smile widely as she looked at the paper she was handed. A painted hand print, no doubt Fuyuki's, but drawn over top of four of the fingers were the unmistakable of their family.
"What a wonderful picture Fuyuki! I'll be sure to treasure it forever! In fact, we can put in on the fridge at home until kaa-san can find a nice frame for it, how does that sound?" Sayuri suggested, to which Fuyuki easily agreed.
"I want to show it to nee-san and Papa when we get home first though!" He stated, while Sayuri ushered him to get his belongings.
"Of course, I'm sure they'll be super happy that you thought of them while you were so busy playing." Fuyuki proudly agreed, full of smiles as Sayuri thanked the staff on their way out the door. Next they would pick up Kazumi from the studio.
When mother and son arrived, the class was in the middle of a group performance, dancing to an upbeat and fun song. Sayuri and Fuyuki arrived just in time to witness Kazumi's turn. And seeing her daughter dancing in tandem with the others in her group, with the biggest smile on her face, Sayuri couldn't have been happier. Truly, Hinode-sensei deserved the biggest thank you she could muster.
Kazumi for her part, was so caught up in the fun she was having that she hadn't even noticed her mother and brother walking into the studio. She was just as excited as her mother, perhaps even more so, that she was actually grasping and performing the steps in dance so well compared to her endeavours in kenjutsu. She just hoped that sooner rather than later, somehow, the skills would transfer between the two and she could do well in both things she had grown to like.
Once the class was over, Kazumi easily heard a loud call for "NEE-SAN" over the noise of the other students. It was loud enough to gather the attention of everyone in the room, but mostly everyone turned away, realizing it either wasn't for them, or it wasn't something for them to bother with. Realizing that it was in fact her ototou calling, she instantly got a burst of energy and ran towards him.
"FU-KUN!" She called, running to embrace her little brother in a hug. The sight made the adults present gush at the adorable sight. "Did you have fun today?" Kazumi asked, releasing Fuyuki from her hold, to which he responded with an enthusiastic nod.
"Kaa-san, can I show her now?" Fuyuki asked. Kazumi watched with a curious tilt of her head as their mother opened up Fuyuki's backpack and carefully pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to her. "I got to make this today during art time. It's you and me, and kaa-san, and Papa!" He explained, pointing to each as he addressed the paint-finger people. Kazumi squealed in delight, once again embracing her brother in a tight squeeze.
"Fu-kun is the best little brother!" Kazumi declared. "Kaa-san, can this one go on the fridge?" She asked.
"We were already planning on it." Sayuri confirmed, her children's energy and enthusiasm once more filling her with unrestricted joy. She took the picture back from Kazumi before she could accidently crumple it in her excitement as she moved to show Fuyuki what she had learned today and in turn attempted to teach him. It went as well as one could expect, but as long as they were having fun it was all that mattered.
Once most of the room had cleared out, Sayuri reminded the two that they would have to get home soon for dinner, prompting Kazumi to gather her belongings and say goodnight to the instructors. Their excitement on the way home carried on into the car however, making it a not so quiet drive. Even as they pulled into the driveway of their house, and encroached onto the doorway, they remained energetic. Until they opened the door to loud shouting.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE INFORMATION WAS STOLEN?!" Goro's enraged voice could be heard clearly from the kitchen, bringing the three of them to complete silence. "I DON'T CARE WHO IS AT FAULT. FIND OUT WHO TOOK THE INFORMATION AND DEAL WITH IT."
"Fuyuki, Kazumi," Sayuri quietly addressed her children. "Why don't you go right up to your rooms? It seems like Papa is on an important phone call. You can tell him about your days later, okay?" The two nodded and followed their mother's instruction without a sound. Sayuri for her part peaked into the kitchen to find Goro furiously pacing across the room. "Goro?" She called, bringing him to attention.
"Sayuri? When did you get back?" He asked, strangely alert.
"Just now… Is everything okay?" She could see the hesitation behind the anger in his face, but he quickly let out a huff of frustration, anger seemingly sizzling away as he sat down into a chair.
"Unfortunately no. It seems a major problem has come up at work and I'm going to have to return early." He explained.
"Oh. I see." Was all Sayuri could managed, her emotions torn. "When will you be leaving?"
"Tonight." Goro answered came immediately. "In fact my assistant has already arranged for the next flight out. I'll have to leave here within the hour."
"I understand. Do you need help packing?" Sayuri asked.
"No, I packed light to begin with. It won't take me long to get things together." Goro rose out of the chair and briskly walked past to make work on his task. Sayuri would recall later that the kids never even got to say goodbye to their father, let alone tell him about their days as promised.
xXx
(*) - If you Google "ducksheep stuffie" the first image is exactly what I'm referring to in this sentence. It was too hilarious to not include. xD
Thank you for reading and being so patient with my lack of updating!
Rahxe