Blazepanzer here, and I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to read my new fic, so thank you. Feel free to fav, follow, and review if you like!
Not much else to say, so enjoy, oh and happy Easter!
Note: Blazepanzer does not own Girls und Panzer!
Hanoashi let out a small but quiet yawn as she sat in the chair, occasionally flinching at the flash of light through their room.
"Don't tell me that you are sissified of thunder?" Nova teased.
"I'm pretty sure you already know that," Hanoashi noted drowsily.
"Try not to fight you two," a stern voice warned from the corner.
"Yes father," Hanoashi promised, Nova echoing her.
"Wanna play checkers?" he asked.
"Thought father said not to fight?" Hanoashi teased.
"Cheek," Nova sputtered. Drake just let out a hearty laugh in the corner.
"But yeah, I'd like to play, sis," Nova smiled.
"Don't you dare take it easy on me again though," Hanoashi noted sternly as Nova brought out the checkers set and laid down the towel, before handing her the red pieces. They were fairly big for chess, but it was a lot less likely to get the pieces lost. They were promised more stimulating games once the two got older.
"Hey Nova?" Hanoashi asked as she sat down the last piece.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Why is our hair color different...not that I mind but mine's a red and you's is brown..." Hanoashi trailed off.
"No idea, but it looks good on you," Nova smiled.
"That'd be my fault," Drake confessed.
"Huh...why's that?" Hanoashi asked as she made her first move.
"You'll find out the specifics in school, but long story short, children take after their parents," Drake explained. "And since I have russet hair, you inherited that from me," he added.
"I guess that makes sense, but russet isn't exactly red," Hanoashi noted, scrutinizing the mover her brother made and making a move she thought was good.
"It might turn into a bright ginger before you grow up. My parents were both Irish, genetically speaking, and they had bright ginger hair...lots of freckles as well," Drake mused.
"Ginger hair..." Hanoashi mused, but gasped as her brother knocked out two of her peaces. "Dang it, I thought that'd be a good move," she hissed to herself.
"You'll get there," Drake encouraged.
"Yes, we can play a few rounds at least, and the more you play, the more you'll improve," Nova added to their father's encouragement.
Hanoashi nodded, focusing on the board. Let's see...I can take his piece...but then that'll leave me vulnerable to my piece being taken. But if I faint to the far right... she mused, beginning to realize a cleaver trap.
She didn't realize the interest her father had in that particular move, Notable because he was sitting behind her. Nova however picked up on this, and took his time planning, moving a piece on the far left.
Why didn't he take the bait? Hanoashi muttered, not too sure she liked this situation as now she had to forfeit her trap plan. Sure, it was a somewhat beginner's trap, but for a five year old who hasn't been playing the game for long, it was somewhat impressive to come up with on the fly.
As the game dragged on, she found herself getting more and more frustrated. As her brother took the win, she smiled, shook his hand, but frowned after a moment. "Nova...what am I doing wrong?" she asked softly.
"Not really anything sis, you just need experience is all," he encouraged. "That takes time, but you'll get better," he added encouragingly.
Maybe...she mused, but she didn't voice her doubt.
They began again, this time Nova letting her make the first move. Hanoashi tried to focus, attempting to set up a trap.
"Hm..." Nova mused, expertly de-trapping her trap with one of his own.
Wait a moment...could it be that... Hanoashi mused, instead of falling for his trap setting another of her own, one she did not intend to use.
Nova proceeded to counter her trap, to which she sit another. He glanced at her quizzically, adjusting his strategy.
Her next move allowed her to take two of his pieces for one of hers. My first double knockout! She thought excitedly.
However, as the game continued to go on, she became a bit frustrated as she realized that she was still loosing. Great...I'm still loosing," she muttered.
"You took far more pieces that you have before," Nova smiled at her.
"Thanks...I guess...still it was a good game," Hanoashi shook his hand, before sighing. "One more?"
"Sure," Nova smiled.
This time I'll beat him for sure! Hanoashi noted determinedly. I hope...
Sighing, she shook his hand once again as she lost, although this time she had him down to three pieces.
"That was the best game yet," Nova smiled.
"Thanks," Hanoashi smiled, before slumping. "Still, how many games have I lost?"
"Don't let that get you down," Drake walked up, petting her on the head gently. "You're improving, and that is something to take joy in," he added.
At that point Yu came in. "It's ready," she noted.
"Lunch?" Nova asked eagerly.
"Not that, you'll need to wait a little longer for that," Yu smiled indulgently. "But I have a little project in mind and I need Hanoashi for it," she added.
"Cooking or..." Drake shook his head jokingly.
"You know I'd include Nova in it if it involved cooking," Yu shook her head. "Playing Checkers...good, it's quite the stimulating game for young minds."
"I hear that Chess is a more advanced version of the game," Nova quipped up.
"It is...but you and Hanoashi will be taught it in time, once she's a bit older," Yu promised. "Now come along Hanoashi," she added.
"Yes mother," Hanoashi nodded, waving a bit toward her father and brother, who waved back. Following her mother, who carried her downstairs, she glanced up at her. "So...what are you planning?" she asked.
"You're nearly six, so it's time for you to begin to do some chores," Yu noted flatly.
"Chores?" Hanoashi squeaked. I know that Nova does them...and sometimes grumbles under his breath about it when mom and dad are not around... she added silently.
"Is that whining I hear?" Yu asked, her voice growing a bit strained with the not so veiled threat of a time out coming on.
"No, just a bit stunned is all," Hanoashi hung her head.
"Oh, and I suspect you believe that I'll be doing this for you when you are my size?" Yu shook her head. "And let me tell you, what I'm having you do now is going to be quite scant compared to what you'll be doing when you're older," Yu informed her sternly.
"Yes mother," Hanoashi noted in submission.
"Good girl," Yu smiled, petting her on the head. "Deep down I know you were just surprised about it being now, but that's the point. You never know when you'll have extra work as an adult, so be prepared.
"I understand," Hanoashi noted, determined to make her mother proud.
"Alright, let me place this on your face," Yu noted, producing a face mask and covering her face with it.
"Why do I have to wear this?" Hanoashi asked, tugging on it experimentally.
"I've...made it a bit more dusty than normal. Granted, you won't need to wear one most of the time, but when you have heavy dust..." Yu shrugged.
"Oh...okay then," she shrugged, before gazing at the hardwood floor of the kitchen. Her heart sank a bit at the added dust.
"First, here's your dust pan and broom," Yu noted, handing her a dustpan, but holding onto the broom. "Let me show you how to sweep," she added, before doing a few gentle sweeps on the floor, before handing her the broom and taking the pan. "Your turn dear," she added.
Nodding, she gave the broom a few swipes, but they were uncoordinated and rough, causing dust to rise up in the air.
"Firm but gentle. Don't let the broom leave the floor harshly," Yu encouraged.
"Firm but gentle..." Hanoashi mused, moving the broom more slowly, keeping it more pressed on the floor. "Firm but gentle," she glanced up at her mother, smiling.
"You've got it," Yu smiled. "But knowing how to perform the sweeping action is just the first step, there's a little trick to sweeping up dirt." she added. "Guide the dirt into a pile," she added.
Experimenting a bit before it clicked, the five year old began to make a pile of dirt.
"Excellent, this is where the dust pan comes in," Yu noted, kneeling down. "Brush the pile into the pan, just like you brushed the dust into the pile," she explained.
Doing so, Hanoashi found herself enjoying it a bit. "So now what do we do?" she asked.
"Now we take it to the trashcan," Yu smiled, taking the pan, and dumping into the pan. Before she knew it, the five year old was holding the broom and pan in her hand.
"Now let's see how you do on your own," Yu nodded encouragingly, stepping back.
Replicating the steps, she managed to get a good pile into the dustpan, and almost made it to the bin when she lost her grip and dropped the pan. Upset, she gave a disheartened look at her mother, who laughed a bit.
Meanie... she pouted.
"It's alright hun, it can be tough to get down at first, but you'll get there," she encouraged her.
Nodding, Hanoashi picked it up again, and began sweeping the floor, smiling in satisfaction as she began to get it right. However, as she was about to finish, a thought occurred to her. Maybe I can make mom laugh again...she mused, before falling down. Giving her the same frustrated glance, her continence turned to fear as she saw she stern look her mother was giving her.
"Hanoashi Amelia Katoni...do you need a time out?" Yu growled, folding her arms.
"No...no mom, I'm sorry," she hurried up, quietly yet determinedly dusting up the dirt and bringing into the dustpan properly.
Before she knew it she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I know you were just trying to amuse me, but you need to learn when to not joke around like that," she reassured her.
"Will I ever learn?" Hanoashi whispered quietly.
"You will, Drake and I will be there to teach you. And no mater what we do love you, no matter how much you mess up," Yu smiled at her.
"Thanks mom," Hanoashi smiled.
"Now, I'm going to show you a technique for getting under the cabinets," Yu smiled, before showing her how to edge the broom. "Now you try it," she added.
Managing to get it, Hanoahsi furled her brows. "It's a bit hard," she mused.
"I made it harder so that you'll be prepared if you need to clean caked on dust. As long as you, or the lady of the house keeps on top of things though, it'll be easier," Yu admitted.
"So keeping up with chores makes them easier?" Hanoashi noted.
"That it does," Yu smiled. "But now it's time I begin to make lunch for the family. You may sit at the table if you like," she added.
"Of course," Hanoashi smiled, making herself at home. "Did...I do good today mom?" she added hesitantly.
"Aside from that little slip up, you did very good. I am well pleased with your progress so far," Yu smiled as she began to put water on the boil. "Ketchup and spaghetti or mac and cheese?" she asked.
Ketchup and spaghetti please," Hanoashi decided.
"Just like your father," Yu smiled.
He never likes mac and cheese. Mom never likes Spaghetti and ketchup, Hanoashi mused. "Mac and cheese is alright, but I prefer the slightly sour taste of the ketchup to the salty-sweet taste of the mac and cheese," she mused.
"Your sentence structure is coming along exceedingly well too," Yu complimented, albeit she was clearly musing over it. "Have you and Nova been competing?" she added.
"Not competing...but...hm...what's the word I'm looking for..." Hanoashi pondered, bringing her finger to her chin in thought.
"Building off each other," Yu noted. "I'm glad you're working together on this, and not tearing each other down," she added. "Speaking of which, you were playing Checkers...how'd it go?"
"I'm clearly improving, but Nova still wins every time," Hanoashi huffed.
"You'll get him in time," Yu smiled. "Don't forget that he began playing when he was five, and learned a lot from Drake, so he's been at it longer than you."
"So why doesn't father teach me?" Hanoashi asked.
"Do you not want your brother to teach you things?" Yu asked skeptically.
That tone always tells me to tread cautiously...Hanoashi shuddered inwardly. "Of course I want him to teach me things," she affirmed.
"And can you tell me why?" Yu prompted.
"Because I love learning from him, and he likes teaching me?" Hanoashi guessed.
"A little more certainty would be nice, but it'll do," Yu sighed as she went back to cooking.
Sighing internally in relief, Hanoashi went back to her thoughts. What else is mom going to teach us today...school always goes on in the evenings when brother is here, and I get private tutorship when he isn't...
"In case you're wondering, it's going to be a bit easy today," Yu smiled at her. "Mostly I just wanted to teach you to sweep is all," she added.
"Oh...okay then," Hanoashi smiled.
"We're not done by the way and let's just say that it's going to involve a pencil," Yu warned.
"A test?" Hanoashi asked, her light green eyes glowing. I love those! She thought silently.
"In a manner of speaking, yes. Just to see how well you're coming along in a certain subject, but please do take it seriously...although I highly doubt I need to remind you of all folk," Yu chuckled as she began to fire up the patties.
"Something smells good," Nova smiled as he sat down beside her.
"Hey bro, what's up?" Hanoashi asked.
"The roof?" Nova smirked.
"Cheek," Hanoashi laughed a bit, as did their parents. "But no seriously, what happened while I was gone?"
"Dad and I played a bit of Checkers is all," he shrugged. "What did you and mom get up do?"
"Sweeping," Hanoashi noted.
"You don't sound impressed," Yu challenged.
"It was fine, just upset at myself that I messed up twice is all," Hanoashi sighed.
"Well..." Drake droned sarcastically.
"Drake..." Yu warned.
"Don't let it get to you little one," Drake chuckled. "I can tell that you did a fine job in the end." He then glanced at Yu. "She did do it, right?" he asked in a teasing manner.
"Humph! You know that I'd have stood her in the corner until she agreed to do it had she not," Yu pretended to be offended.
"Atta girl," Drake turned and smiled at Hanoashi.
She smiled in return, a bit embarrassed, but glad that he was pleased with her as well.
"Don't worry, I dropped the pan once during my first time," Nova reassured her.
"I did it twice," Hanoashi whispered.
"No, you dropped it once, made an expression that I thought was funny, and than had the bright idea to try and replicate it," Yu huffed.
"Off...did you get a time out?" Drake asked quietly.
"No, just some stern words," Hanoashi sighed.
"She knew she messed up and sincerely apologized, so no timeout was needed. Though the threat of one was implicitly noted," Yu mused, turning the burners off before preparing the proportions.
"Geez...tough crowd," Nova shook his head.
"You can say that again," Hanoashi whispered under her breath.
"Life is tough, you can't coast through life on jokes," Yu noted, sitting the first plate in front of Hanoashi, then Nova, then Drake before herself. "Now then..." she prompted.
"Thanks for the food!" the chorused, before closing their eyes and silently giving thanks, before digging in. "It's good," Hanoashi smiled after she took a bite, though making sure not to talk with her mouth full.
Yu smiled at her while she focused on eating. Meals among the Katoni family were usually quiet, with the talking being done during and after the meal prep. As such, the meal was over in a short time, usually between seven to fifteen minutes depending on what was being served.
That differed throughout the week, but common dishes were cereal, fruits, vegetables, meats, hamburgers, sandwich, pastas, and fish. Of course it was a mix of these and not just one thing, obviously.
As they finished up, Hanoashi gazed at her mom. "May I go upstairs with father?" she asked.
"Well...you remember when I told you that I wanted to teach you to sweep the floor?" Yu recalled.
"You're finally letting me wash the dishes?!" Hanoashi gasped in happiness. That always looks so fun! She gushed.
"Well...yes, but just the plastic trays and cups you and your brother eat out of," Yu affirmed. "I'll be washing the glassware while Nova heads upstairs and begins his test."
"Yes mother," she and Nova chorused together. Joining her at the sink, she was given a child safe stool to stand on.
"Now we'll be using a more mild dish soap, but most adults prefer the tougher kind. You and Nova will switch to it once you're older, but while you are in practice..." Yu explained.
"Sounds good to me," Hanoashi smiled.
"You seem excited," Yu mused.
"I've always wanted to do the dishes, it looks fun," Hanoashi smiled again.
"That's a good attitude, and some people find it fun. Perhaps when you're a bit older we can find you a part time job as a dish washer for a restaurant if you like," Yu offered.
"You can earn a living off of washing dishes!?" Hanoashi gasped excitedly.
"Well...not exactly a good living, no. But you can get a decent part time job for extra money, good for buying the extra things you'll want to buy when you become a teen," Yu explained.
"Still...that sounds so cool..." Hanoashi breathed. "But...I'd like to me a mother like yourself when I grow up, caring yet stern and apt to teach..."
"That brings me great joy to hear little one," Yu whispered, her eyes filled with happiness. "But that will take time. For now, we stick to the basics, alright?"
"Yes mother," Hanoashi smiled.
"Now, first you run a bit of water on the dish, then squirt just a bit of soap on it. Then wash it with a rag, like this," Yu demonstration.
"Like this?" Hanoashi asked, replicating the process.
"You got it," Yu smiled.
"This is fun," Hanoashi noted.
"Right, hand it to me and I'll rinse it for you and you can start on the cup. Also remember to get both sides of the dishes," Yu reminded her.
"Right...quick question though...how quickly do dishes pile up?" Hanoashi inquired as she began work on the cup, the one she had drank out of.
"Very...very quickly," Yu muttered in a tone Hanoashi knew not to argue with.
"So...about that dish washer job?" Hanoashi asked after a bit. "What is it like?"
"Well...very hectic from what I've heard," Yu shrugged. "Shelia was the one do tried it, never complained about it to anyone but myself in private and that was well after we graduated."
"Oh..." Hanoashi glanced down as she handed her mother the cup and began working on her brother's plate. "So...like this but much more?" she asked.
"Yes, and people constantly yelling at you to pick up the pace," Yu sighed.
"I...don't like being yelled at...it scares me," Hanoashi whispered.
"No one likes it, but sometimes it happens," Yu smiled at her. "And we've only had to yell at you...what...three times in the past two years?" she added.
"Yeah...thanks fro saving me from that outlet," Hanoashi shuddered.
"It was Nova who saved you," Yu reminded her.
"He's the best brother I could ask for," Hanoashi smiled.
"Out of curiosity...would you like another sibling?" Yu asked.
"You're with child again!?" Hanoashi gasped happily.
"Not yet, no. But I'm trying as we speak," Yu smiled.
"So I get to be like Nova?" Hanoashi's eyes gleamed in anticipation.
"More like me than Nova at that point," Yu cautioned. "Yes, you'll be able to teach them things like he does you, but it won't be the same given that you'll be at least six years older them them, perhaps even seven by the time they are born." Yu smiled.
"So...how are babies born exactly?" Hanoashi asked after a bit.
"You know more about it then most folks, and believe you me, you'll be happy you didn't know the full story at this age when you finally learn about it as a teenager," Yu cautioned.
"Fine...I'll wait," she promised in resignation. "Carrying them for nine months must be hard," she added.
"It's not a cakewalk, but many women myself included take joy in the process...dispute it's difficulties," Yu noted.
"Seems like it'll take forever before I can have one of my own," Hanoashi sighed.
"By the time you're ready, it'll feel like this all happened in the blink of an eye. Believe you me, I often times catch myself missing the days of my childhood, and so will you when the time comes," Yu noted, her voice filled with nostalgia.
"Really?" Hanoashi asked, reaching for another dish, before realizing she was done. "That was fast," she noted in surprise.
"Well, you did four dishes," Yu shrugged. "Once you and Nova begin doing all of them it'll seem like it'll go faster. But in the meantime, I'll finish up and then escort you upstairs."
"So, what exactly are we doing?" Hanoashi asked.
"You'll see," Yu smiled.
Great...I have to wait to see, Hanoashi muttered.
"Patience is a virtue young one," Yu reminded her.
"How did..." Hanoashi gasped.
"I could see the eager yet frustrated glint in your eyes," Yu chuckled.
"Oh...sorry," she glanced down in shame.
"It's quite alright, I remember being an eager young lass such as yourself, and the frustration of having to wait on things I got excited about," Yu sympathized. "It's only when you let those frustrations become an attitude or become too impatient for your own good that it becomes a problem," she added.
"How do you push past the impatient feelings though?" Hanoashi asked.
"Keeping yourself busy, reminiscing, and pushing down the feeling of resentment on having to wait is a good way to go about it." Yu noted, before walking over and smiling at her. "You ready?" she added.
"Totally!" Hanoashi exclaimed.
"Almighty then, let's get upstairs," Yu smiled.
Going up and down the stairs was a bit of a chore, since that's where all the bedrooms were and where she and Nova spent most of their lives when they weren't outside. In order to prevent falls, they had a child gate installed so as to avoid Hanoashi and Nova from falling down the stairs. Overbearing perhaps, but the Katoni were not about taking chances.
Arriving in the upper living room so to speak, Hanoashi found herself sitting down at the desk, a paper in front of her in a grid pattern. A multiplication table test! She thought excitedly, her expression betraying her excitement.
"You have fifteen minutes to fill in what you know. Neatness will go toward your final score. And remember, there is no shame in not filling in something that you don't know, so do what you know firsthand...well...first and then use whatever methods to finish the rest." Yu noted as she sat down a timer. "You may begin," she added as she pressed the start button.
Going through the ones and twos first, she tore through the easy ones, before moving though the fives. Hm...Five...ten...fifteen...twenty...twenty-five... she thought in excitement, blood flowing through her veins.
Before she knew it the timer was up. She had gotten through a fiar bit of rows, names the one's through fives, tens, fifteens, and twenties, as well as a significant chunk in many of the other rows.
"Not bad little one, you've done well, and it's neat," Yu praised. "You may go and play with Nova now...or read a book if you like," she added, realizing that Nova was actually reading at the moment.
"Thank you mother," Hanoashi smiled, a bit disappointed that the test ended so soon but she hid it well. Not that Yu needed to see her disappointment. It'd be much later when she realized that her love...or rather...obsession with taking test, was weird in comparison to other kids.
As she walked over to the bookshelf, she noticed him approaching. "Wanna talk a bit?" he asked.
"Sure," Hanoashi smiled, following him over to one of their mini-chairs. Well...to them it was about the right size, but there's no way an adult could sit in one.
"You seemed to have done well," Nova smiled, glancing at the table.
"Maybe, but I still have a ton of work to do," Hanoashi admitted. "No doubt you did much better," she added, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"I've just been at it longer, and I'm still memorizing some of them, but I think I've got most of them down," He sighed.
"You'll get there," she encouraged.
"You know, I love how we're always encouraging each other," Nova smiled, clearly happy about her, though he let out a quiet sigh. "Not all siblings do that," he added.
"They don't?" Hanoashi gasped, surprised. I don't she how siblings can do anything but encourage each other.
"A lot of them tend to fight," Nova sighed, shaking his head. "I'm glad we don't," he added.
"Same," Hanoashi smiled gently. "I mean, you're always teaching and encouraging me, so why would I want to fight with you."
"You encourage me as well sis," Nova smiled in return.
"It's the least I can do...but seriously, thank you," Hanoashi noted.
"So how was the dishes?" Nova asked.
"Fun! I don't see why you're always complaining about it," Hanoashi smiled, her tone becoming a tad teasing at the end.
"Really?" Nova shook his head.
"Young Hanoashi seems to have interest in doing a dishwasher job part time once she becomes a teen," Yu interjected from where she was sitting beside Drake.
"Really? As a job?" Nova shook his head. "If it's what you want sis, then you have my support, but me...I think I'd rather work on fences or something a bit more outdoor like," she added.
"That sounds like fun too...but I really like washing the dishes," Hanoashi affirmed.
"That'll be a useful skill," Drake mused, his dark green eyes glinting in the possibilities. "Just wait until she washes the van," he added in amusement.
"Really...I can wash the van!?" Hanoashi gasped.
"Only when you're older. Everyone would freak out if you did it as your age," Yu cautioned, sending a warning glare at Drake.
"Come on luv, they'll want to do it at some time," he protested teasingly.
"Yes, they will. But it's something that's going to take time," Yu warned. "Even Nova isn't ready for that chore yet," she added.
"But he will be in a year or so," Drake chuckled.
"Only if it's by hand. Maus only knows we don't need him sticking his hand into a power washer stream, or worse sticking it in his mouth and turning it on," Yu shuddered.
"They're not that reckless," Drake muttered back teasingly.
"I don't know...I still remember that time Nova saved me from nearly sticking a fork in the outlet," Hanoashi mused. "Granted, that's a point against me and not for him, but I think mom is right, at least with me. And if Nova doesn't like washing the dishes..."
"The car might be different...but...well see..." Nova shrugged. "Still, I think mom is right, we need to wait until we're ready. Mom doesn't even let me wash more than one or two of the glass dishes yet," he added.
"Pity, I has looking forward to seeing how they reacted to it. I bet Hanoashi in particularly would like it, what with her enjoying washing the dishes. Especially since she gets to wear a bathing suit while doing it." Drake sighed wistfully.
"She is not wearing a two-peice," Yu shook her head, bringing her hand to her forehead as though she had a headache.
"I like one pieces better," Hanoashi noted flatly, giving her father a bit of a glare.
"Now hold on, I never said anything about a two piece," Drake raised his hands up in mock defense.
"No, but you want her to wear one when she becomes a teen, so she can snag a guy, don't you," Yu muttered. "I remember because you always tried to get me to wear one when we went to the beach," she added pointedly.
"Well...that's not why I'd want her to wear one, but I don't deny that I always wanted to see you in one," Drake muttered.
"Weirdo," Yu half muttered, half laughed.
Hanoashi shared a glance with Nova, who shared her confused expression. She knew that her mother found some humor in it, but sensed exasperation in it as well.
However, a rather large thunder clap sent her into a squeak, glaring at the others as they began laughing. However, she turned into a quiet laugh as she found her squeak a tad on the funny side as well, dispute the fight it brought her.