"When someone speaks so greatly of another but doesn't of themselves, there is this thing that makes me believe that they are lying and trying to manipulate me. When Tsuki barged into our estate, wearing your mother's sword on her hip, I was curious. She told me about your travel, the things you did. But hearing and believing are two entirely different things. I doubted your strength and wanted to see for myself. That's the reason why I planned your dagger to be given to our rivals. But I came to 'regret' that decision once I saw how you stood up to Ryoto. I still had you face the problem with the dagger, I was curious, so where my other children." Master Henka began explaining.
"A simple test? I can live with that. I had already guessed, even before I met the Takeda that was in possession of the dagger. But I hope that it ends with this. I cannot risk my life when I have the safety of a home now. I don't need to be aware of danger, I don't need to act like I could die from a random event that I didn't plan on. I could've died on my journey, and I could've died yesterday. The difference between those two was way I would've died of. What do you think is worse? Dying while fighting for one's own life, or dying while fighting for a dagger?"
"So, what you are saying is that you want to focus on your recovery and then your training?" He asked.
"Yes."
"Great, Niam. Just great. You have successfully passed my test and have gained the elder's complete trust."
His voice grim, the dim morning light increasing the the room's dark atmosphere. Our conversation showed me one thing, my relationship with Master Henka would never change from that of a teacher's. For reasons still unknown to me, I was being tolerated, not completely accepted and recognized as a Henka. I didn't care as long as I was able to stay and train in the Henka estate.
***
A few hours after breakfast, we had some unannounced guests. The Takeda had come seeking compensation for the "damages" I caused. They were 6 in number. In the front of the group, a man the same age as Master Henka. Behind him Hideki, Suzaku's father, Suzaku himself and a few other strong-looking Takeda.
Even though it was unannounced, we knew that they were coming. Someone's Salan ability inside the family had the power to obtain this information from a big distance.
Master Henka and myself confronted them.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, head of the Takeda?" Master Henka began his polite approach that was coated by disgust.
I expected the same tone to be directed back at us, but the head of the Takeda clan's temper was unexpectedly short.
"You know why I am here, Oda! Your dark grandson has stolen from us."
'Master Henka's name is Oda as it seems...'
"Is it really stealing when it was ours to begin with? Niam's dagger landed in the hands of my son-in-law by accident, and he, the cotton-head he is, sold it to you. Niam's action's were justified, he even won the wager your grandson agreed to compete in. And from what Niam told me, he beat you at your own game - shooting at a target. Come on, Takeda... Is that all you could do against a Henka that only knows the sword and the basics of a gun? Matter of fact which one is Suzaku the loser?" He said and saw Suzaku's expression change. "That one right there? Hm... Do better next time."
"Damn you, Oda! You speak like someone whose trickery has gone unnoticed. Your grandson cheated. We noticed that his Mana was on each target - we believe that this is how he was able to beat Suzaku. I don't know what kind of Salan ability he has, but he was able to perform weird tricks. Pulling a bag into his hand, jumping tens of meters into the air, and leaping to our estate's roof with nothing to hold onto mid-air. If he can do that, cheating was obviously easy for him."
"I do not like to repeat myself, Takeda. Is it really stealing if it was yours to begin with? Now, I would like for you to leave." Master Henka stated once again.
The white-haired and skinny head of the Takeda family was fuming. He looked like he would reach for his bow at any second, so I prepared myself just in case. With Independent-Control, I created gravitation points on and below their bows. I would activate my ability if they ever tried reaching for them.
The Takeda's head signalled to turn around, and so the horses did.
"This not over, Oda!"
"It will never end. Our families share the same path on the string of fate." Master Henka yelled at the Takeda's back.
'Interesting... Master Henka seems to believe in fate.'
***
"I guessed, but I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. How'd you manage to escape the Takeda's residence? The sky must've rained with arrows, am I right?" Kagami said.
My other cousins were present, except for Ryoto and Osamu, as they were severe loners for some reason. I even heard that Osamu's strength couldn't be compared to Ryoto's. 'What is Osamu's secret...?'
"The sky rained with arrows only after I jumped away using my Salan ability, having my priced dagger already in my possession, of course." I finished telling the events of yesterday.
"I'm glad you didn't involve Tsuki in any of this. She had nothing to do with it. She will just forget about you eventually, give it some time, the Takeda will surely brainwash her." Kurona stated.
Kurona was interesting. I don't really know how long Tsuki was in contact with my family, especially Kurona, but he seemed to have developed strong feelings for her - a little crush. 'What is the reason for that? Forbidden love? The feeling of respect and and admiration for a girl? Or is something else completely? Does he have a kink that gets him going when he thinks about being taken care of by someone like Tsuki?'
"Kurona, the last person on earth to get brainwashed is her. Trust me, she knows something is up. She will eve know when you are about to confess your feelings towards her."
"Shut up, man. I said it wasn't like that." Kurona said, ashamed.
"You see? I told you if he spoke of her like that, there would be no way they would be in a relationship, isn't that right, Niam?" Ichika added.
Just to mess with them, I said, "Tsuki is my life, and only death can stray us off our path".
I enjoyed the little argument that ensued after that. I used my social face when talking to people. They easiest way to gain sympathy from people that aren't hostile towards me.
"So, when do you think you will be able to train again?" Kagami asked.
"A couple of days at least. My muscles have yet to completely heal and my lung still needs to adjust to its lower volume. When my heart-rate and breathing increased, I could hear my lung making a raspy voice. But I can still making some progress with my Salan ability." I responded.
"Speaking of which, when will you tell us what your Salan ability is?" Hoshi asked.
"Once I see yours manifest. If I tell you now, your desire to beat me might influence the result. That reminds me... do you know why some Bearers manifest a certain Salan ability?" I asked.
"No... Should we?"
"Then let me tell you what I was told by an old village-chief named Nikola...."