[Monday, 19 Nov. *676; 20:14; Western Forest; 'Secret' Training Area]
Our shadows start to stretch across the training circle when I reach a thousand fairly early. Disappointed that I finished first, Mai stays a behind to finish up.
I head back to the city and walk up to the hill to the fifth district. With it being twilight on a week day, not many people are out. With there being fewer pairs of eyes to glare at me, I make it up the hill in one piece. 'I hope she's home.'
Although it isn't home to the most rich and powerful, the fifth district is certainly beautiful. The street lights are bright and glow charmingly on the shingle-styled homes, unlike the ninth's where they would flicker every few minutes. Everything is ornate in this neighborhood, from the light fixtures to the walkways to the handrails to the steps leading up to each sizable house. There are clean parks and cultured shops that define its difference from the districts below.
I try to inconspicuously move about so that no one becomes alarmed with my presence, but my attempt failed when an older man makes a beeline straight for me.
His face is contorted in way that makes hard for me to not break out into laughter. It's been quite sometime since I've seen a face like that.
"And what are you doing here?" He asks.
His graying-blonde hair shows in his handlebar mustache. Trying to hold down the edges of my mouth, I respond as politely as possible. "I was just going to visit Honoka Fujisaki."
"Don't you think it's a bit late for you to be wandering about
My need to smile fades. "Nope."
His nostrils flare to the point that a bit of his nose hairs poke out. "How dare you give me such attitude!"
'All I did was answer his question.' If it weren't for my goggles covering most of my expression, I'm sure he would have done more than just yelling at me.
After hearing a disturbance in their perfect neighborhood, people start to come out of their perfect homes to see what was happening. Most are adults dressed in luxurious-looking clothing, with small intricate detailing. Internally I sigh, 'Crap.. Here come the island's upper middle class.' Since I don't go to the other districts, I rarely have these types of encounters. 'I should have known better.' After the passed few days, I've been so distracted and have somewhat forgotten how horrible people can be. With the sudden appearance of Yua-san, the change of heart of the people from the restaurant, the kindness of Ishichi-san, its like I've been living in an illusive dream.
A haughty-looking, golden-haired woman dressed like she's going to an upscale event steps out of her trimmed door. She walks in front of him and motions him to stand back. With her chin raised, she interrogates, "Vessel, why did you come here?" Behind her, people of equally lavish clothing begin to congregate. Knowing that there is no use in trying to explain myself, I turn around to leave. The man and woman move in a synchronized stride to block me. The woman speaks for them, "Vessel, you are not welcome in this district. No matter what it is that you need or want to do, we will not allow it."
'I was already leaving.' I take a few deep breaths to control my building anger. 'If my feelings become too strong. He might come out...' I lift up my hands and say, "Okay-"
"Did he do anything wrong?" From behind the crowd, Honoka walks up. "I was the one that asked him to come see me earlier, however I had an urgent business in the CODE district." The crowd murmurs words of disappointment in Honoka.
"Fujisaki-san, I know that you are a very qualified retainer of this thing here, but you cannot just allow it to roam the city like this. Especially this late in the day. What if something happens?" The man lectures.
"I was kind enough to accept the light punishment he was given when my children were attacked by it at the training school. But I do not want to see him freely walking through MY neighborhood. If you cannot control him, I will be sure to tell my husband about this." The people nod their heads in agreement. I can take their words against me, but my hearing her speaking nonsense about Honoka makes my blood boil.
Honoka says nothing about their comments and takes my arm to lead me away from the crowd. "We will be leaving, so please excuse us."
The woman clicks her tongue. "Fujisaki-san, I will be bringing this up with my husband. This better not happen again."
~
Honoka brings him to the edge of the district. She gives him her usual nagging voice. "Taitsuke, what was it that you came here for?"
With his anger being far from gone, he stays silent, letting it brew in his mind.
Seeing this, it worries her. She adjusts her approach, to a softer one. "Taitsuke, tell me what it was that you needed?"
Seeing the concern on her face, he exhales to let go of some of his rage. Then, in an upset tone, he responds, "I was actually looking for Yua-san. I had a question on my training."
'Earlier, Taiyou...-nii said that Yua was going to be training of Taitsuke from now on, so why is she not with him?' Her eye squint slightly. "For Yua?"
"Yes."
Her brown eyes wander a bit before returning their attention to him. "I came back just a bit ago, but it seems she hasn't returned yet."
Disappointed, he responds, "Oh. Okay, I'll ask her tomorrow then."
She lets go of his hand and he walks down the slope without saying goodbye. Honoka feels uneasiness in her chest seeing a hint of enmity growing on his back. 'Not good. I hope Yua can help him before it's too late.. If only I could do something..'
~
I walk down the slope feeling agitated. 'I should have just waited. I can't believe I even thought it'd be okay to just waltz through that place.' I didn't even think about the consequences. That lady might even get Honoka in trouble.
The sky has gone dark and last strip of orange sinks under the ocean. Usually, looking at this familiar scene would put me at ease, but today, I feel worked up and antsy. 'I need to train more.' The soreness from this morning has been slowly creeping through my body so I pull out a green bottle and bitter pastry. 'I can't act like a pouting kid forever. I need to get to work already.'
Though it takes longer, I descend down the slope to cross through the ninth district. I pass my dark apartment and make my way into the eastern forest. With help from the positive aura of the forest, I begin to feel more at ease. "Until they will change their minds about me, I will work hard."
As I head deeper in, I notice a bit of charred foliage. 'It's probably from the fire two weeks ago.' On the ground, a few roasted chestnuts shells challenge my balance. I stop in my tracks, remembering an important matter. 'I hope Youta is doing okay.' Although it was a small exchange, he and Ayame-san were one of the few people who looked at me through clear eyes. 'Next time, I'll be sure to ask Honoka-san. I'm sure if I ask Ishichi-san, it will be awkward.'
I push through the thorny brambles and reach my usual spot. Seeing the poor bruised tree that I pummeled weeks ago makes my head ache. 'Sorry, tree.' Out of curiosity, I place my palms on the tree and circulate my Chi through it. The bark-less area that I dented starts to regenerate. 'Ah. It's working.'
After a short while, the generated area becomes seamless with the rest of the tree. "Heh. I wonder if this would work with the those..." I walk back through the brambles toward the remains of the charred foliage and start to do the same as I did with the tree. It takes much longer, but sure enough they return to their usual lush state. Feeling an exhilaration from my new found talent, I lose track of time while practicing. The soreness starts to hit me. "Shoot what time is it?!"
The night sky is in full bloom. Not knowing how much longer I have until the pain becomes unbearable, I return home. 'Once I fall asleep, there will be only 3 more days left.'
~~~
[Monday, 19 Nov. *676; 2:51 pm; CODE District, Medical Center]
After rushing to the center as fast as she could, a bit of sweat drips down from Ayame's chin. "Father!" Her iris-colored eyes are filled with a mixture concern and relief. She runs to the raven-haired man in the hallway in front of the room's she's visited every single day for the passed two weeks. "Father! Youta, how is he? Is it true?!"
The raven-haired man stiffly nods to his daughter. "Ms. Fujisaki-san has confirmed that Youta has regained consciousness. They've ran tests on him since this morning and it seems that everything from his fluctuating Chi to his ongoing illness have seemed to have been cured overnight. It's as if we have been given a miracle."
Ayame cries tears of joy. For the passed few weeks she could barely eat or sleep knowing that Youta has been suffering alone. If it weren't for her father coming back from the borders of Shikakokka to watch over him personally, Ayame wouldn't have left his side.
"His health has improved significantly, but we can't forget that he is still in recovery. I have some business to take care of, but I'll be back as soon as I can. Until then, watch over him." With long strides, he walks down the hallway until he is out of sight.
Before entering, Ayame fixes her long black hair and clothing that have ruffled from sprinting all the way to the C.O.D.E district. She wipes her tears and replaces them with a exuberant smile. 'No crying. You're the big sister. No crying.' She slides open the door to see her miniature self walking zealously toward the window. As he's been caught performing an awful crime, he freezes in a sneaking pose.
Her exuberant smile is replaced with tears. "Youta!" She blubbers. He's quickly pulled into her arms for a hug. Her usually shy and quiet voice cries loudly throughout the halls that even those on the lower floors are able to hear.
Youta hugs her back. His head is only able to reach the middle of her neck. "I'm sorry for worrying you, 'Nee-chan."
She has no desire to let him go. "You better be. I told you to just leave me and run. Why don't you ever listen?"
The boy simpers at her breathy voice. "I will listen to you from now on, but you know I couldn't have left you there. I promised mama that I'd always protect you."
Ayame tears fall on the top of his head. "I made the same promise to her when you were born. Therefore, mine overrules yours. I'm the older sister. Older sisters must always protect their younger brothers. I don't ever want you to do something like that again." After letting out all of their tears, the two settle down. "But, even so, thank you for protecting me, Youta."
Youta's violet-blue eyes smile underneath all the tears. "Thank you for protecting me, 'Nee-chan."
~
As soon as General Miyamoto takes his first step out of the medical center, he hears the happy cry of his daughter. The sound strikes him deep in the heart. Although his demeanor is that of a tough military man, his biggest soft spot will always be his children. Being overseas most of the time has taken a lot of time away from him being a father to them, making it hard for him to interact with them. For a man who must be alert and careful 24/7, connecting with people has become an unbeatable challenge. As much as he wants to have a relationship with Ayame and Youta, he simply does not know how to or have the time.
In order to return to Awajima, General Miyamoto went through great lengths. For him to return, it meant extra work for him to do, on top of the work he does on a regular basis overseas. Everyday, he must read through mountains of reports from the front-lines, create the simulations of the reports, think up solutions, revise the simulations with the solutions, write orders, have meetings with the Council and the officers via the conference room, and frequently inspect the Chibushi Training Facilities. Even though he assured them that he had trustworthy replacements, it seems like the Council never intended for his return to be peaceful. Their disregard toward his personal situation angered him greatly, but there was nothing he could do about it. He knew when he was promoted that until he died, retired, or had both of the heads of the Fire and Ice nations on their knees, he would have zero time for his personal life. His position is too high for him to just come home. Inside, he understood that his request was the true selfish one.
He reaches the tower and walks up the never ending flight of stairs until he reaches two large double doors. After knocking twice, Taira Sr. opens up the doors to let him in. "General Miyamoto, I heard that your boy has finally come too. What are you doing here?"
Miyamoto pulls out stack of reports he received from Shikakokka during his time back. "I've come to deliver these personally." He plops them onto the desk and Taiyou looks up from other paperwork that he must go through. "These are reports concerning the borders as well as a few other things. I have been greatly stumped in figuring out a reasonable solution. If you are able, I would like to ask for your perspective."
Taiyou reads the subjects of the first few reports silently. 'Green Buck poisoned; Unknown to the public', 'Green Horn is taking action; Personal faction takes in outside powers', 'Border activity is decreasing in North; Ice is melting.'
"Why are you giving me these?" Taiyou questions skeptically.
Miyamoto, casts a heavy gaze. "I just told you. These are some big decisions that we do not have solutions to. As you are a trusted adviser of the Shikakokka King, I thought it would be appropriate to ask you how you would like to handle some of the affairs in your country. Also, I simply thought that with your strategic mind as the ex-future General of Shikakokka, you would be able to think of why all of these events occurred in just a few hours of each other."
Taiyou gives nothing away, "General, I thank you for entrusting such information with me, but as you know, I am no longer someone of such great importance. With my Kings poor health, my country's affairs are now handed over to the prince and his advisers. My purpose now is merely oversee the ins and outs of this place as a diplomatic representative. I'm in no position to give military advice to a Koisan General."
'As if I'd believe such a legendary man would belittle himself like this. Who is he trying to lie to?' Miyamoto assesses Taiyou for some underlying body movement, but comes up empty-handed. "I see, that's too bad then." He goes to take the papers from him when he notices, how the reports being returned are not the ones he gave. Taiyou casually places his thumb over a word as he hands the stack of papers to him. 'Welcome.'
"Miyamoto-san, really, I thank you for trusting me so much. If ever in the future you have any concerns regarding something of which I can truly give you advice on, please don't hesitate to come visit again."
Though he does not show it, the General is caught by surprise in how Taiyou decides to address him. "Yes. Well, I'll be on my way then."
Miyamoto is half-way out the door when Taira nonchalantly adds, "Miyamoto-san, are we still on for beer later tonight?" The usual straight-laced Miyamoto can't help, but to stop. He turns back to the rust-haired man with his stone face showing a hint of confusion. "Don't tell me you forgot about? How unlike you. That must really mean that you need a break. I'll meet you at the gates of the 6th District at 21:00."
Taira silently shuts the door with a cryptic smile plastered on his face. The raven-haired man heaves heavily. Since he stepped in, only a minute has passed. Although he is clumsy in everyday small talk, all of his job is to read in between the lines. In terms of field psychology, the General is most definitely at genius level, but that small exchange with the Ambassador was truly a mind-game. With yet another thing to weigh in his mind, the General takes his first step down the never-ending staircase. 'Great.. what in the world is going to happen now?'