Another thing that Rebecca made sure Joseph got plenty of was television and films. She believed that storytelling helped people make sense of things that go on in the world, why some people do the things they do. Plus, they can help inspire people to do great things as well, and she wanted to make sure her son was ultra-inspired.
She also made sure he was up to date with music history, she would take her walkman, play a song for him, and give all sorts of details about it. Who the artist was, when it was made, the intrepretation of the lyrics, etc. After all, someone who knows music was intelligence in its own right.
And Joe took it all in awe. He watched in wonder and amazement as a rabbit was able to trick a duck into being shot, not only on one occasion, but three! He couldn't take his eyes off a lead singer as he moved around on the stage with so much energy in passion, love, and flamboyance and sang with the voice of a goddess at this concert that was meant to help people in Africa. And he couldn't contain his excitement as he watched the barefoot man courageously make his way back to his wife, one bad guy at a time.
There was so much going on in just this tiny screen, and Joseph wanted to be a part of all of it!
...
When Joseph first heard the word "sibling", he didn't know what it meant at first. His mother explained his family was full of them, his big sister Cornelia for example. He could see from what Cornelia did with him, that being a sibling was to take care for one another, to help them learn new things, and just to bring annoyance into their lives, his mother said that last one was important.
And when she took him to meet his new little brother, Lelouch, he realized now he was going to have Cornelia's job as an older sibling and he knew he couldn't do a bad job either.
So whenever his mother volunteered to look after Lelouch when Marianne needed to be away on business, he made sure to help change his diapers, make him laugh, and teach him things about the world. Such as pointing up and saying "up", "ceiling", and "sky", for it was important to know all the basis what of what was above you. Often he would carry him around the house like a ride at the carnival, wanting him to have fun.
He would do the same when Euphemia was born, as well as Nunnally. Always making sure he was present in their lives in any way possible, whether it be normal or wacky.
As they got older, Lelouch, Euphemia, and Nunnally(to a lesser extent) realized that their brother wasn't like other people and why he and his mother were often scorned by others when they weren't in the same room with most other people. They didn't care though, they loved their big brother, Nunnally said it just made him all the more special and fun in the family. For Lelouch, he felt like it was his responsibility to make sure his brother didn't get into trouble and that nobody bullied him, even if Joseph didn't care. Same could be said with Euphemia, though unlike Lelouch, she often got mixed up with his shenanigans with glee, like when they filled Cornelia's blowdryer with flour, making her take a shower all over again.
Like his mother, they helped Joseph piece sentences together to better authenticate his statements and questions. With that, Joseph told his siblings stories, usually stories from films or tv shows he watched, but he did so with theatrics and dramatization that made him entertaining to watch.
There was some things that Joseph had trouble understanding though, once he asked his mother:
"Why people hate me?"
This surprised Rebecca, he never seemed bother by it before. And honestly, he wasn't, it was out more curiosity. After all, he never did anything to provoke people to hate him, so why is it they do so?
Rebecca kneeled to his eye level as she smiled sadly at him.
"Because people like them have been raised to hate people like you." Rebecca told him sadly.
"Like me?" Joseph asked, still not understanding.
"People who are different from them, people who don't meet their standards of perfect."
"Not perfect?" Joseph asked.
"Honey, if there's any advice I would want you to remember till the end of time, it's that nobody's perfect, not even your dear old mother, and especially not those snobs you meet at parties." Rebecca told him in a lecturing tone.
"So, why call selves that?" Joseph asked.
"You can pass that buck to your father. He likes to cram the idea into the people's head that the strong prevail while the weak stay behind, and those people like to believe they're part of the strong." Rebecca explained.
"...Dad not like people." Joseph said sadly, more of a statement than a question.
"...No, I don't think he does." Rebecca told him in sadness as well, sad that she had to say that to her son, but it's better he knew the reality of the situation.
"...Are Lelouch and Nunna weak?" Joseph asked.
"Why would you ask that?" Rebecca asked, curious by the sudden question.
"Hear things. 'Not deserve to be here.' 'Stupid commoners.' What is commoner?" Joseph asked, always hearing that word but never knowing what it meant.
"Commoners is a term people use for people who aren't born from noble or royal blood. Your aunt Marianne was a commoner who rose through the ranks to become a Knight of the Round and eventually a wife to your father. So that technically makes your siblings, half-commoners." Rebecca explained.
Joseph looked down, conflicted. He was having trouble understanding it all. To him, that seemed like a pretty dumb reason to hate his siblings and Aunt Mary for. So Rebecca decided to simplify it for him
"Let me ask you something. Knowing all this now, do you hate yourself?" Rebecca asked.
Joseph thought about it for a moment.
"Nope." Joseph said simply.
"Do you hate your siblings?"
"Nope."
"Do you hate me?"
"Never ever!" Joseph said, this time with determination. Rebecca chuckled at that.
"And you know why that is?" Rebecca asked, placing the palm of her hand on the left part of his chest. "It's because you have a good heart, and that is where true strength lies. If you believe something is right, you follow it. if you think it's wrong, stand against it. Okay?" She finished.
Joseph looked at his mother in awe, than he looked down at his chest and clutch her hand that still laid at his heart.
"Also-toda-lutely!" Joseph said proud and determined.
Thus, learning about this, he would protect Lelouch and Nunnally when people picked on them as well, and it would be at the age of 12, he would learn how to properly do so.
...
Pendragon - 2008
"Honestly, I don't know know why father bothers to have you two around, being the children of a commoner whore!" Cassius insulted to an angry 8-year old Lelouch and scared 6-year old Nunnally, hiding behind Lelouch with tears starting to form in her eyes.
"Don't you dare insult our mother!" Lelouch yelled back, not happy that him and sister were being harassed again for their heritage. It made it even worse when it came from one of their own siblings.
"I'll do whatever I want! You can't always rely on your mommy to save you, you little sh-OW!" Cassius didn't get to finish his statement as he felt a sharp pain coming from his rear end.
"What in the?" Cassius questioned when he saw what the source of the pain was.
It was Joseph, biting Cassius' butt while growling like a dog.
"Of all the, GET OFF!" Cassius yelled as he moved around in circles while trying to pry Joseph off of him. Who in return held his teeth tightly onto his bottom.
Lelouch and Nunnally were surprised by this at first, but then Nunnally started to giggle.
"Joe makes a funny dog, Lelouch." Nunnally giggled, forgetting about how scared she was a moment ago. This in return, made Lelouch laugh, happy to see his sister wasn't afraid anymore.
"Yeah, he really does." Lelouch said as he and Nunnally started laughing at Cassius' predicament.
"Let go of me!" Cassius yelled as he finally pulled Joseph off of him and pushed him head first into the wall.
"Joseph!", "Big brother!" Lelouch and Nunnally cried in concern as they rushed over to Joseph, who was bleeding from the top of his head, but also had a piece of Cassius' pants in his mouth.
"Stupid idiot! You know how much I paid for these pants!" Cassius exclaimed angrily.
"Cassius, he's bleeding!" Lelouch also exclaimed angrily seeing how their brother got hurt trying to defend them.
"You big meany!" Nunnally said with a cute angry pout.
Cassius glared at them.
"Well maybe he should-"
"Should what?" A cold voice asked behind him, freezing Cassius in his place with fear.
He turned around and saw a pair of hawk eyes staring at him.
"Hi mom." Joseph said casually as he pulled the fabric out of his mouth.
"Hi Auntie Becky!" Nunnally said with glee.
"Lady Rebecca." Lelouch said with a small smile and curtsy, grinning wickedly on the inside.
"Lelouch dear, I told you, call me Aunt Becky." Rebecca told him sweetly.
"Of course, I just like to say it out of respect." Lelouch said well-mannered.
"Oh, you are such a gentleman." Rebecca said kindly.
"L-L-Lady R-Rebecca..." Cassius stuttered fearfully.
"Hello Cassius. Tell me, what should have my son done to prevent himself from laying against the wall with a head injury?" Rebecca asked, switching back to her cold, emotionless voice.
Cassius started to sweat bullets, knowing if he said the wrong thing, he would be dead.
"Well I...Wh-wha-what I meant was that, uh...he should...learn to use his hands instead of his mouth." Cassius stuttered nervously.
Lelouch and Nunnally looked at him in confusion.
"Huh?" Was all Lelouch could ask.
"I mean, if he simply used her hands to keep me away from the Vi Siblings instead of just biting...he would had a better chance of defending himself from...the wall?" Cassius nervously and awkwardly explained.
"...Wow...that was a horribly put together excuse." Lelouch deadpanned in his head.
Rebecca just continued to coldly stare at him, then she started to slowly approach him.
"Cassius, you are..." Rebecca said in an emotionless, cold voice. She raised her hand, as if about to strike him. Cassius in return raised his hands over his face in fear. "...Absolutely right!" She finished with a happy tone as she put her hand on his shoulder.
Now everybody, except Joseph, was dumbfounded.
"He is?" Lelouch and Nunnally asked in surprise at the same time.
"I am?" Cassius asked, not expecting this reaction from Lady Rebecca.
"Yes! After all, my Joe is 12 years old now and needs to learn properly defend himself against such things as walls, animals, robots, nobles, etc." Rebecca rambled on happily.
"Uh..." Was all Cassius could say, wondering if he was suddenly in an alternate dimension. Lelouch was doing his own thinking.
"She's being way too nice right now to someone who just caused her son to be injured." Lelouch calculated.
"Which is why, I've decided to have Joseph join me on a six month trip around the world." Rebecca declared.
"Huh!" Lelouch gasped.
"Road trip!" Joseph cheered.
"You and big brother Joe are going to be away for that long?" Nunnally asked.
"Yep, we're going to go to different countries, learn of their cultures and their traditions to help broaden his mind. The first country we'll be going to will be Japan actually." Rebecca said happily.
"Jackie Chan!" Joseph exclaimed, making karate chops in the air. Which made Nunnally giggle.
"He's actually based in the Chinese Federation, dear. (Turns her attention back to Cassius)So thank you Cassius, for inspiring me to make this decision. It was really helpful." Rebecca ended with a sweet tone.
"It was, uh..no problem, Lady Rebecca. Glad I could help. So...I'm not in trouble?" Cassius asked with relief in his voice.
"Oh dear...of course you are." Rebecca said in a dark but sweet tone as she suddenly tightly grabbed the collar of his shirt.
"Wha.." Cassius said in a very confused and scared tone.
"You may have given me inspiration to help my son along, but you still bullied Lady Marianne's children. Someone who I consider to be a good friend and children who I consider to be my own flesh and blood, and I for one, cannot accept that." Rebecca said as her sweet voice turn more and more deadly and her grip tighten more on Cassius' shirt.
"B-but-but I.." Cassius stuttered in fear as he felt something wet coursing through his pants.
"Kids, hang out here for a bit. I need to teach Cassius here, the proper way to treat his siblings." Rebecca concluded as she threw Cassius on the ground and dragged him by the collar of his shirt.
"Wait! Please! I promise! I won't do it again! Please!" Cassius begged as tried to escape Rebecca's iron grip.
"What's going on?" Cornelia asked as she entered the hallway with Lady Marianne and a 7-year old Euphemia.
"Oh no, Joseph!" Euphemia said in concern as she made her way over to the injured Joseph, who was also being looked over by Lelouch and Nunnally.
"Cornelia! Please tell Lady Rebecca and Lady Marianne I meant no harm to her children, I was just fooling around! Please, TELL HER!" Cassius screamed as tears fell down his face.
"Oh lord...please don't kill him Lady Rebecca, I really don't want to explain to his Majesty why one of his sons was tortured to death." Cornelia told Rebecca in a tired manner.
"Oh don't worry, he'll still be able to walk after this...probably." Rebecca said with a cheerful tone.
"Have fun Cassius." Lady Marianne said in a happy tone.
"NO! PLEASE GOD, SATAN, ANYBODY, HEEEEEELLLLLLPPPPPP!" Cassius screamed at the top of his lung before dragged outside the doors.
And for a moment, there was dead silence.
"Bye Cassius." Joseph said in casual happiness as he waved goodbye.
"Lelouch, Auntie Becky can be really scary sometimes." Nunnally said in a bit of frightened tone.
"Indeed." Was all Lelouch could say as he himself was bit scared, forgetting just how intimidating Lady Rebecca could get when she wants to be.
"Well, that's just what happens when you want to defend someone you love. Don't forget that you two." Lady Marianne said sweetly as she picked up Nunnally and poked her nose, making her giggle.
"Yes, mommy." Nunnally said gleefully.
"Of course, mother." Lelouch said with a smile.
"Are you okay, Joseph?" Euphemia asked with concern.
"A-Ok!" Joseph responded proudly as he lifted up Euphemia and tickled her, making her laugh.
"What on Earth happened?" Cornelia asked, bewildered.
"Cassius was bullying us and insulting our mother, I was about to retort when Joseph came in." Lelouch explained.
"And bit him on the butt like one of those dogs from the cartoons." Nunnally said cutely.
"Oh for goodness sake, Joseph. What were you thinking?" Cornelia asked in annoyance as she looked at his head wound after putting Euphemia down.
"Yeah, you didn't have to put yourself in harm's way like that." Lelouch lectured.
"Though the fact you bit him in his rear is quite hilarious." Marianne said in amusement.
"Please don't encourage him, Lady Marianne." Cornelia deadpanned.
"Gotta protect siblings." Joseph said in determination.
"Well, while I do admire the fact you were willing to do as much, there are better ways of doing so than such barbaric methods." Cornelia lectured as she wiped the blood off his head with a napkin from her breast pocket.
"Thus, road trip!" Joseph cheered.
"Road trip?" Cornelia asked, confused.
"Yeah, Auntie Becky is taking big brother Joe on a six month trip around the world." Nunnally told her.
"Oh yes, she mentioned that to me the other day. Suppose to help him with his thinking and self defense. Should be fun and educational for you, dear Joe." Marianne added as she patted him on the head.
"Yep-per-rooni." Joseph agreed with a dopey smile, making them giggle, except Cornelia, who just sighed.
A few seconds later, Rebecca came back in with a smile.
"There's my brave little man, sticking up for his siblings without thinking about himself, so proud of you." Rebecca said as she squeezed Joseph's cheeks together and gave him a kiss on said cheeks, making Joseph laugh with joy.
"Lady Rebecca, shouldn't you say something about a certain action he took?" Cornelia asked, trying to lead the conversation.
Rebecca looked at her confused for a moment, then got the idea.
"Oh, of course. Joseph, dear, if you're going to bite someone, make sure to do it somewhere that isn't the person's buttocks. You never know what kind of diseases are down there." Rebecca advised him in a motherly tone.
"Okie dokie, mom." Joseph said casually.
Cornelia just facepalmed in aggravation.
"Of course that would be her advice." Cornelia thought as she mentally hit herself against a wall.
"Moving on. Joseph told me about this six month trip you two were taking, when do you plan on departing?" Cornelia asked.
"Tonight." Rebecca told them casually.
"HUH!?" The group said in shock.
"Cool!" Joseph cheered.
"But that's so sudden!" Lelouch exclaimed.
"You said nothing about that." Marianne said surprised.
"We haven't even said goodbye yet!" Euphemia whined.
"Have you even planned the entire course of the trip?" Cornelia asked in frustration.
"Of course. I just kept it to myself until now. I didn't want it to become a big thing where I would be required to take guards with me. This trip is for me and my son, no one else." Rebecca told them.
"(Sighs) I suppose that makes sense. But I don't understand why you don't just educate him right here in Pendragon? We have plenty of scholars who can teach him about the world and its politics. As well as plenty of knights who can help him with self-defense and combat." Cornelia said in perplexity.
"Oh please, you really think he'll learn anything through some boring professors with words on a chalkboard. Experience is the best teacher of all I say, I think you of all people would appreciate that, Cornelia. Considering your military status." Rebecca explained.
Cornelia stared for a moment before sighing in defeat.
"Very well. I'll make sure your affairs here are kept in order." Cornelia curtsied to Rebecca.
"Thank you Cornelia. You're such a dear." Rebecca said sweetly.
"Bye Corn." Joseph said kindly as he pulled his older sister into a hug.
Cornelia couldn't help but smile as she returned the hug and ruffled his hair.
"Do be careful out there." Cornelia advised.
"Have fun, I hope you learn a lot." Lelouch said warmly.
"Bring us back presents, please." Nunnally and Euphemia said at the same time excited.
"Will do!" Joseph exclaimed as he pulled his three younger siblings into a big hug and gave them each a kiss on the cheek.
Nunnally and Euphemia giggled while Lelouch groaned in disgust.
Suddenly they heard a faint screaming coming from outside.
"What on Earth is that?" Cornelia asked.
The screaming grew a bit louder and when they went over to the window, they saw the screaming was coming from Cassius. Who was currently being dragged across the court yard by a horse with his feet tied together by a 10-foot rope attached to said horse. Guards were currently trying to stop the horse and help Cassius.
To which, they were having no avail.
The group looked on surprise and amazement.
"Oh lord, I'm going to have quite a day explaining this to his Majesty." Cornelia muttered to herself.
Marianne on the other hand, was just laughing her ass off at the sight.
"Your brutality knows no bounds, Aunt Becky." Lelouch smirked in amusement at her.
"Thank you." Rebecca said happily.
...
Japan
Kururugi Shrine
Tohdoh considered himself an even-tempered man who rarely let his emotions get the better of him as he made sure to teach himself during his own time as a student. This summer took a different effect on him though.
He was surprised when he received a word that a Britannian wanted her son to be taught how to fight, and not just any Britannian, but a member of the royal family as well. He was intrigued to say the least, wondering why a consort of Britannia would want her son to learn techniques in Japanese fighting.
When they met privately two weeks ago, it was an interesting conversation to say the least.
(Flashback)
Tohdoh and Rebecca sat across from each other in his dojo, Rebecca sipped on a cup of Jasmine tea.
"If people were to learn about this, it would be considered treacherous from both our parties." Tohdoh told her suspiciously.
"I've never been one to really care what other people think. But if it makes you feel better, we'll use different names when we come up here. We'll be like those tourists who come up here who want to feel more cultured. I'm sure your boss, Genbu, will buy that." Rebecca joked.
"I'm sure the Britannian Empire has plenty of resources to train your son, why go out of your to bring him to a small shrine with just one teacher?" Tohdoh asked with scrutiny.
"I figured a change of scenery would do us both some good." Rebecca said in a casual manner.
"Is that so?" Tohdoh asked dubiously.
Rebecca just smirked in return.
"To be completely honest, I don't trust those people to properly educate my son. If I were to hand my son off to said 'teachers', they would just coddle him and try to convince him that nobody can touch him because he's, A) A Britannian, and B) A Prince. No, if I want to make sure my son thrives in this world, he has to know just what kind of world it is. And knowing your reputation, I know how far you'll go to help him understand. He's a good person, and I want him to stay good." Rebecca explained.
Tohdoh didn't lose his serious demeanor, he did arch an eyebrow up though.
"And how far are you expecting, exactly?" Tohdoh asked.
"Far enough that it won't be considered 'sucking up'. I trust in your abilities as a proper Sensei as I trust my boy to be an A+ student." Rebecca said that last part with pride.
"You seem rather confident in your son." Tohdoh commented, trying to figure out this women.
"What mother wouldn't be?" Rebecca said sweetly.
Tohdoh stared at her for a moment, this woman was different from the usual Britannians he met. He could see she was genuine with her feelings and she probably wasn't going to leave here with a "No".
"If I do this, he is under my supervision. I will push him hard to make sure he becomes strong, capable, human being. It will be rough, be the results are rough it." Tohdoh told her with his serious demeanor.
"I completely understand, and I'm sure my son will be more than up for it. Besides, if I saw he came out with any scratches that weren't necessary, I would simply kill you." Rebecca said casually with a demented smile.
Though Tohdoh didn't show it, he felt a tinge of fear at the last proclamation.
(Flashback End)
Thus, with that conversation, he was waiting for her highness and her son to arrive at the shrine, with one very peeved 8-year old Suzaku Kururugi.
"Tohdoh-sensei, I don't understand why we have to shelter a couple of spoiled Britannian nobles up here for a whole month, even worse is one of them has to train with me!" Suzaku complained.
Tohdoh liked the boy, but like his father, he thought he a bit of an ego on him.
"Suzaku, my teachings are for everyone, who am I to reject someone simply because they are Britannian?" Tohdoh told him.
"Even so, once they get here, they'll probably try to tell you how to be a proper instructor and complain when they the get the slightest booboo. It's a waste of time." Suzaku said.
"We shall see." Was all Tohdoh said in return.
A moment later, Lady Rebecca came up the stairs with her son, Prince Joseph. She was wearing a sun hat with a simple dress that reached down to her knees, along with a black overcoat. And her son wore a simple white t-shirt with black shorts. They were dancing to a 70s funk song on her walkman, which made Suzaku scoff in aggravation.
"Typical Britannians..." Suzaku thought to himself angrily.
Lady Rebecca saw them and turned off her music.
"Lady Rebecca, it's nice have you and your son here." Tohdoh said politely, bowing forward in respect.
Suzaku refused at first, but after a glare from Tohdoh, he resigned and bowed too.
"I appreciate you letting us be here, Kyoshiro-San." Rebecca equally bowed to him, Joseph saw what she was doing and did to the same.
"And you are the one who will be training under me, Joseph Duford?" Tohdoh asked, intrigued by the kid's behavior.
"Yep-per-rooni, Sensei!" Joseph exclaimed, remembering that was the word to use for Japanese fighting teachers, though he was curious why they were going under his mother's original last name.
"Yep-per-rooni?" Tohdoh couldn't help but ask himself as he never heard such vocabulary. However, he just nodded and took their attention to Suzaku. "This will be your training partner, Suzaku Kururugi."
"Nice to meet, Training buddy!" Joseph exclaimed as he suddenly grabbed Suzaku's hand and shook with fast motion, moving Suzaku up and down like a rag doll.
"Cut it out, would you!" Suzaku said angrily after he was finally able to get out of Joseph's grip. "And who said anything about being buddies, you stupid Brit!"
"Suzaku, show proper respect!" Tohdoh chided him.
Suzaku grunted but bowed his head.
"I apologize for my rude behavior." Suzaku said through gritted teeth.
"Well, aren't you just a ray of sunshine." Rebecca said in a sweet tone.
Suzaku looked up at her, and saw something in her eyes that would haunts his memories for the rest of his life. It was death, death was in those eyes and they were calling for him. To say he was terrified was an understatement.
"I'm sure we'll get along just fine, won't we?" She asked him with the same sweet tone, but the look in her eyes not changing.
"Um...y-yes ma'am..." Suzaku said fearfully.
Tohdoh just sighed.
"Suzaku, go show Joseph where him and his mother will be staying while I talk to Lady Rebecca for a moment. And then I want you to take a lap around the shrine for your rude behavior earlier." Tohdoh ordered him.
"Cool! Love running!" Joseph exclaimed.
"Wait, I didn't say-" Tohdoh tried to say
"Come on, Training Buddy! Bye mom, bye Sensei!" Joseph yelled as he ran off, tugging a less than complying Suzaku.
"Hey, wait!" Suzaku tried to say, trying to get himself out of Joseph's tight grip. To no avail.
Rebecca smiled sweetly at them while Tohdoh just stared at this boy who drag around his pupil.
"He has a lot of energy." Tohdoh commented.
"And he'll have plenty more when you're done with him." Rebecca smiled cheeky.
Tohdoh just sighed.
...
Joseph went ahead and changed into his training outfit and met with his Sensei and his new training buddy at the dojo, he was very excited to say the least.
"Oh man, this is going to be so cool! I wonder if I'll get to learn how they do it in Naruto!" Joseph thought to himself in excitement.
He asked his mother once if cartoons were real, and she said anything was possible. After all, the world had giant robots now and his survival after his birth was nothing short of impossible that still became reality.
He saw Suzaku was sitting on his knees in a V-shape with his hands on his knees, so he made sure to do so as well.
"Do Japanese people sit like this all the time? Doesn't seem too relaxing for them." Joseph thought in wonderment.
"Welcome to your first lesson of training today, what you're about to go through will probably be the most intense exercise of your life, but it will also prove whether or not you have the right to be called a warrior, if you have the right to be stand along those who would have been Samurais of their time." Tohdoh told them both in strict manner.
Suddenly, Joseph raised his hand.
"Um...yes?" Tohdoh asked, usually not expecting a question this early on.
"What a samurai?" Joseph asked curiously.
Suzaku just shook his head and sighed.
"Of course you Britannians wouldn't know about Japanese culture. The Samurai was a prestigious rank in Japanese armies, they protected thousands with all their might and were well-respected among the people. Probably even more so than your so-called 'Knights of the Round'." Suzaku said in a snarky way.
Instead of being annoyed, Joseph just got more excited.
"Like superhero!" Joseph exclaimed, sticking his hands in the air.
This confused Suzaku to say the least.
"What? No, I mean-" Suzaku tried to explain only to be interrupted by Joseph.
"I be Samurai?!" Joseph asked enthusiastically.
Suzaku in return was getting ticked off at his optimism while Tohdoh was intrigued by it.
"With the proper training, we'll see." Tohdoh told him in a neutral manner.
"Cool...Are jutsus real?" Joseph suddenly asked again after raising his hand again.
"Jutsu?" Tohdoh asked, now really confused.
"Yeah. Fire jutsu, Water Jutsu, shadow clone jutsu. Make copies like Naruto!" Joseph said excitedly.
Tohdoh stared at him unamused while Suzaku was wondering what this kid's brain was made out of.
"That's a cartoon, lunkhead. It's fiction..." Suzaku deadpanned at him.
"Awww. Darn...dragon balls?" Joseph asked curiously, raising his hand again.
"How about we save questions after the training session." Tohdoh said in a neutral tone.
"Okie-Dokie." Joseph said with his dopey smile.
"Alright, let's test your combat skills. Both of you take places on opposite ends of the dojo." Tohdoh instructed.
Joseph and Suzaku did so. Suzaku got into a fighting stance while Joseph simply scratched his cheek.
"This is going to be too easy." Suzaku thought with a smirk.
"Now...Begin!" Tohdoh instructed.
Suzaku charged after Joseph.
Joseph did nothing.
Suzaku landed the first punch to Joseph's face.
Joseph once again did nothing.
Suzaku punched him in the chest.
Joseph once again did nothing, didn't even flinch from the impact.
Suzaku laid down more punches and kicks, Joseph just took it all without a hint of pain in his eyes.
"STOP!" Tohdoh instructed.
Suzaku stopped and bowed to Tohdoh, not before showing a snarky smirk at Joseph. Joseph, who now has a few bruises on his face, followed Suzaku's lead and bowed too, with his dopey grin. Tohdoh approached them.
"Joseph, why didn't you fight back?" Tohdoh asked with an analyzing eye.
"Suzaku isn't the type to hold back, I've felt his punches before and they are not to be trifled with. Yet, this boy is still standing like nothing has occurred. Just what thought process does he have to keep his posture like this?" He thought to himself.
Joseph responded to his question with a shrug.
"Not necessary. Just kid. Bullying not nice." Joseph responded simply.
"Coward." Suzaku said judgmentally.
"Suzaku." Tohdoh said in a calm manner but with a look that said, "Stay out of this."
Suzaku saw this and bowed apologetically.
"Gomen'nasai, Sensei" Suzaku said.
"Gomen'nasai?" Joseph asked, never hearing that word before.
"It means sorry. Back to the main point, if that was the case, why didn't you dodge?" Tohdoh asked.
Joseph, once again, just shrugged.
"Never thought about, always take head on." Joseph said simply.
Tohdoh stared at him, he was perplexed by this boy to say the least. He kneeled down to Joseph's eye level.
"I respect your integrity for not wanting to harm a child. However, if this were a battlefield, you would already be dead. Your enemy will come at you from places you will not see coming and it is up to you to make sure all your senses are intact and whether or not you live to see the next day." Tohdoh told Joseph in a calm manner, Joseph looked at him in wonderment, taking all his words in. "Let's say Suzaku was a child soldier who was pointing a gun at you, are you really going to let him kill you just because he's a kid?" Tohdoh asked, intrigued by what Joseph's answer would be.
"Take gun, knock kid out, then save from soldiering!" Joseph said quickly with determination and a toothy grin.
Suzaku just rolled his eyes. Tohdoh just smirked.
"You really are the optimist it seems. Whether or not you carry that in battle will determine how long you live. However, if you're going to knock out the child, you will need to learn how to do so, won't you?" Tohdoh asked him in an instructional type of way.
"Right!" Joseph said excitedly with determination.
"Then go back to your places and show me what you can do!" Tohdoh instructed.
Joseph and Suzaku did so.
Suzaku got into a fighting stance, Joseph got into a stance that a boxer would you use.
"Moron." Suzaku thought to himself in amusement.
"Begin!" Tohdoh shouted.
Suzaku charged after Joseph.
Joseph, once again did nothing. Just stood his ground like before.
However, instead of taking a punch to the face. He did something Tohdoh and Suzaku were not expecting.
Which was a kick to Suzaku's nether region.
Suzaku landed on the ground, clutching down under in pain.
Tohdoh looked on for a moment without saying anything, then he made his way over to the two of them. Suzaku was still on the ground, trying to regain his composure, with no luck.
"...Joseph...why did you just kick Suzaku in his...lower region?" Tohdoh asked neutrally.
"Mom says, 'Man's weakness is balls.'" Joseph said simply with his dopey smile.
"Cheap shot, you stupid Britannian!" Suzaku said through gritted teeth.
"Suzaku, save your strength, regain yourself." Tohdoh instructed before turning his attention back to Joseph. "Your mother has the right mindset, there are no rules when fighting for your life. However, a true warrior doesn't defeat his enemy with a low blow like that, no matter the case, always make sure you have your honor intact when fighting your opponent." Tohdoh instructed.
Joseph couldn't help but be in awe but this man's words. So inspiring, so cool, like Obi-Wan Kenobi!
"Because of that, you must be punished. You are to do 100 push ups, 100 sit ups, and 10 laps around the shrine before the end of the day." Tohdoh instructed.
Joseph stared at him in confusion. "That's a punishment?" He thought to himself. Then his demeanor changed to glee.
"Cool, run first!" Joseph said enthusiastically as he ran out of the dojo in excitement.
Leaving behind a very baffled and confused Tohdoh and Suzaku.
"What the Hell is wrong with this guy!?" Suzaku thought to himself.
Tohdoh just sighed.
"It's going to be a very long month." Tohdoh thought to himself tiredly.
...
A Few Days Later
Tohdoh, Joseph, and Suzaku were standing out in an open grassy field, Joseph took a deep breath of it all, enjoying the environment.
"Nice day." Joseph said simply.
"Indeed. The weather this time of year is very peaceful." Tohdoh said simply with a small smile. "Today, we will be focusing on your spiritual nature. It's not enough for you to just be physically capable in battle. You need to have a calm mind, one that is clear and keen enough to help you think through a problem and see your way through it." Tohdoh explained.
"Like Jedis!" Joseph exclaimed.
Suzaku sighed in exasperation.
"Not Jedis, buddhists you lunkhead!" Suzaku said in annoyance.
"Which made Jedis!" Joseph equated.
Suzaku groaned in annoyance.
"The point being is that we're going to practice meditating. It's a technique used in Buddhism that lets our mind and body become one with each other and reach a level of enlightenment that few have rarely seen." Tohdoh said philosophically.
"Like dreaming, but awake!" Joseph said excitedly.
"(Sighs) Not exactly, just sit down in a kneeling position." Tohdoh said tiredly.
Joseph and Suzaku did so.
"Now breathe in and out, repeat that action. Let your mind clear of any thoughts and listen to the sounds around you. The wind that rustle the leaves, the birds that chirp as they fly by, take it all in as you let your energy flow through you." Tohdoh told them in a calm manner.
Joseph listened to Tohdoh's words and made sure to do so. He could feel the earth shifting around him, the tingling in his chest, and the surge of electricity in his head.
He suddenly was transported into another world, he saw things beyond his wonders.
Waves of energy passed around him, planets aligned, and a red, fiery phoenix flew straight towards him.
He opened his eyes with gasp, startling Suzaku and Tohdoh.
"Joseph, what is it?" Tohdoh asked.
"Geez, it was just meditating. Can't you do that right?" Suzaku asked in annoyance.
"Enough, Suzaku!" Tohdoh ordered. "Joseph, what did you see?" Tohdoh asked gently but curiously.
"...Don't know. Bad dream." Joseph said simply. He wasn't scared, just confused. Then Joseph heard his stomach growl. "Hungry." Joseph said with a smile.
Tohdoh was trying to decipher all of this, but he decided not to push.
"It is almost lunch time. How about we take a break. " Tohdoh suggested.
"You read my mind." A voice from afar said, which belonged to Rebecca who was carrying a tray of sushi and rice balls for them. "I took the liberty in learning some Japanese cooking. I sure hope you like it." Rebecca said kindly.
"Thanks mom." Joseph said with a hug.
"You're quite welcome.(Turns to Suzaku)"And how are you Kururugi? Behaving yourself?" Rebecca asked kindly.
"Uh, y-yes Ma'am" Suzaku said nervously as he hid behind Tohdoh.
"Good, then come grab some food." Rebecca said in authoritative way.
Suzaku quickly did what she said, taking a tray of sushi and rice balls.
Tohdoh couldn't help but chuckle.
"Perhaps I should take notes from you on how to properly discipline." Tohdoh suggested.
"Oh trust me dear, it takes years to master. Give it another 20 and I'm sure you'll get there." Rebecca said cheerfully.
"Almost there!" Joseph said excitedly
Tohdoh wouldn't admit it, but the two were starting to grow on him.
...
The following weeks proved to be a blast for Joseph, it took cuts and bruises but he learned how to properly dodge and fight like a proper warrior. From calming his mind to slowing down his heart, it all proved to be influential for the ball of energy. Tohdoh was impressed to say the least, and while Suzaku was annoyed that a Britannian succeeded so much so quickly, he eventually stopped insulting him with every other sentence.
Though his antics sometimes drove Tohdoh and Suzaku up the walls, he took every lesson in strive.
He and his mother also got acquainted with the culture there as well, from their food to their traditions. Rebecca and Joseph especially enjoyed wearing kimonos. For Joseph, it was because he thought he looked like a Jedi, for Rebecca, she just thought it was nice fashion.
The last day of their stay, Tohdoh and Rebecca shared tea while Joseph was giving a Suzaku's cousin named Kaguya, whom Joseph got to meet and know during his stay, a piggyback ride. Though he kept mispronouncing her name as "Kagu-ya" not "Ka-gu-ya". Suzaku reprimanded him for it but Kaguya was more forgiving, though she would pout about it at times.
"Joseph, please be careful!" Suzaku lectured as he ran after the two across the grassy plains. Kaguya just giggled.
"Faster, faster!" She exclaimed.
"O-K!" Joseph cheered.
"NO!" Suzaku said annoyed.
Rebecca couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, she turned back to Tohdoh.
"They're getting along quite well now." Rebecca commented.
"Yes. Though Suzaku always like to be the adult of the group." Tohdoh added on.
"He's like my surrogate son, Lelouch. Born literally into a grownup." Rebecca chuckled.
Tohdoh just nodded.
"...Your son has a lot of heart, and he uses his brain in a very unfashioned way. History has shown that can be a very grand or very dangerous path. Either way, I've done all I can to teach him. What he does next is his choice." He said wisely after a moment of silence.
Rebecca just smiled warmly.
"I have faith in him...thank you." Rebecca said kindly. "And to think, I didn't have to rip your testicles off to make sure he got proper care." She said casually as she took another sip of her tea.
Though he showed no emotion outwardly, inwardly he was thinking fearfully:
"What Britannian Emperor Charles saw in this woman, I'll never know..."
To Be Continued...
SO SORRY I TOOK SO LONG TO WRITE THIS! I got caught up with other projects and only been writing in spades, but I hope you enjoy this new chapter though. Anyway, there will be one last flashback chapter before I get back to the main storyline and if you guys have read chapter 6: Making New Friends! Part 1, I think you know there's going to be some tragedy ahead. Hope to get back soon, enjoy the chapter and tell me what you think.