RENJI AIHARA
Suspension.. it's not bad, my academics don't matter much to me anyways. I'm only at that school to get stronger anyhow. Saika was sleep the fatigue from today surely was new to her. Usually when we fought it was quick decisive battles or assassinations of some crummy noble off his rocker. This was fine though and definitely needed for the both of us. I had reached the gate of the Aihara Estate. I was home. The many maids and Butlers swarm and create a pathway "Welcome Home Sir!" They spoke in harmony as I walked by each head and body bent almost 90 degrees.
"Im Home." They all broke back into their respective positions except for a small few one being my personal attendant Shina. " Welcome My Lord what can I do for you today?" She smiled, it seemed she liked being my personal attendant although I don't know why. "Could you bring me a change of casual clothes." She was young, younger than me even maybe 15 or 14 but she was second head maid. The hierarchy of the maids will always puzzle me. "It shall be done. Anything else my lord?" "No that'll be all thanks." She clapped twice and the rest of the maids scattered off in slight hurry. "So Shi how are you nowadays?" "Ren- mmmh My Lord I'm just fine everything is perfect here at the Aihara estate." "Mmmh." "How long do you plan to stay with us my lord?" "Well I'm temporarily suspended so about 2 weeks." She didn't look surprised but she did look interested.
After walking up the spiral staircase and down the hall we reached my room. I opened it and began to close it behind me "call me if you require anything my lord." "Mhm" with that the door closed behind me.
About a week went by. I didn't do much of anything but train in the training room Shina would be at my side almost every moment of every day when I wasn't in my room or bathing. It was in all honesty, Tiring. But I was used to that it's been that way for years she was first assigned to me after I began to be bullied by other kids back when I was around 9 so she was around 7 my mother said since I didn't have the courage to defend myself Shina would do it in my place. I remember her face being so dull when she was placed as my supervisor like she had just given up her dreams for this position. 3 years after she was placed with me right after she started to smile some the accident happened. The accident effected everyone in the Aihara estate shinas expression worsened farther than before like all life from her was sucked out with the passing of my mother. I don't blame her though.
I sit on the edge of my bed polishing Saika's blade. Then I heard rumbling downstairs a large surge of magical energy just entered the house and extremely fast. I didn't panic instead put saika in her sheath and rested my hand there ready to swing as I jumped out the window and started towards the front entrance. There I saw a hooded figure. Immediately though shina after spotting the figure stopped and kneeled with her head down. I landed a bit away from the hooded figure but now I knew who this was. They turned to the spot i just landed in. Saika reading my thoughts also knew who this was and gasped at their sudden appearance. After pulling the hood off it was none other than my very own sister.
Her expression took a minute to settle in. She was upset. The maids already kneeling shouted "Welcome Back My Lady" she silenced them. Slowly she looked towards me her expression unchanging. "Renji… we need to have a talk in the future I'm not sure when but in the future." What could she possibly wanna talk about? "Alright" immediately she must've discarded the thoughts of the conversation because she sprung on me and began rubbing her head in my chest "mmm I've missed you little brother." Her tone changed drastically she was happy now. "Why are you back when you left a little over a week ago I believe. She paused "we can talk about that later. But why did I get a message saying you were suspended." She pouted " I was doing what I thought was right and it so happen to break school rules." She must've took that as an acceptable answer because her questioning stopped there. " honestly I don't care that you're suspended long as you're not hurt anywhere. More over get dressed we're going shopping soon." Shopping? "Do you really have enough time to be going shopping? When do you have to front line again miss number 2 of the 6 Lunars?" She paused again her expression saddened. I'm sure she fought hard to get this free time I shouldn't question when she has to go put her life back on the line. It's not like I'm not proud of my sister and her accomplishments but my relationship with her went downhill after the accident. I just can't stop blaming myself for her what happened. "sorry I didn't mean it I'll go get ready now." Her expression didn't fix the way I'd hope. Saika stepped in "Master you're a dummy"
She jumped out in her human form "Raiko-Sama!!" Raiko wasn't startled instead embraced Saika in a long deep hug I left them be and went off to change clothes.
There I was now some time later walking side by side with my sister and Saika. The amount of stares we got were expected I was walking with the number two most strongest person in the general publics eyes, some looked envious while some looked just… shocked or scared even. I'm not sure what kind of impression my sister left to the world. How does the world view my sister? Do they think she's arrogant? Sassy, uncaring? By some of the looks of respect and admiration thrown towards us every now and then I would assume they view her as someone more caring. I've known my sister very long the eyes watching her won't change her attitude in the slightest what I mean is one would normally dress professionally or in moderation but, Raiko truly didn't care, she wore blue jeans and a white T shirt with sun glasses as the accessory.
"Mmmmh I'm so excited where should we head first?" She was a grown child. "Calm down you're acting like you've never been out shopping before." "But Brother…. It's been so long since we went out together let's enjoy the day." "Master you truly need to be kinder to Raiko-Sama." Saika butted in. "Aww shut it I didn't ask for your opinion Saika" "don't make me hurt you master" "you're right I apologize" we all broke out into laughter. Somewhere deep down though I knew this wouldn't last forever no matter what I will find who came after mom and dad and I will make them pay.
"Master…? What's wrong you got all silent." "It's nothing just was thinking Is all." "Hopefully good things I don't want you throwing your life away Renji, and neither would mother or father. I swore to them I'd protect you so I'll keep you alive even if that means losing my own life in the process." "Don't worry it was nothing bad." I lied but it was necessary I'm sure my sister already knew I wasn't telling the truth anyways. "Well we can't exactly get food the maids do all that type of shopping so I'm sure we don't need any of that so what store did you have in mind?" She stopped and looked into the sky for a minute "you're probably right. Regular shopping isn't gonna help us much how about weapon and armor shopping?" "Raiko-Sama how cruel Master doesn't need a new weapon im perfectly fine!" They laughed "sorry sorry ok no weapon shopping how about…hmmm… I got it how about we go watch the knights sword training?" I didn't want to keep denying all her ideas so I just went along with this one.
The Kishi family had knights almost everywhere to maintain the peace. Finally we had arrived at where they were training at. We approached the gates to a big building you could hear the sounds of swords clashing from outside the doors towering above us. We were stopped by two guards in goldish armor at the door. "We're sorry but we can't have just anyone walking in and out of these building especially kids." He looked at Saika specifically. I couldn't help but snicker at Saika being called a kid. "Hey I'm not a-" she was cut off "if you have a problem report it through the official channels." They were respectful about denying our access at least. Raiko had took her glasses off and stared into the eyes of one of the men before she began to speak "My name is Raiko Aihara and this is my little brother Renji Aihara surely you know us." She had a smile on her face the knights began to examine Raiko and myself after a while they both apologized "we're sorry we didn't recognize you sooner it's just Lady Raiko you were wearing sunglasses and looked so casual and Sir Renji you weren't looking in this direction." I mean he's not wrong so I stepped in to make this process speed up "It's fine we don't plan to do anything but spectate the knight practice routine." "Understood you may enter we apologize again enjoy your visit."
Since nobody showed us the way we walked down the hall that seemed like it was leading in the right direction following the sound the swords made clanking into one another. Eventually we made it to an area where hundreds of knights were training some doing sword fights with wooden swords while some training with actual swords. Some were running sprints and stretching. It didn't take long for one knight close to us to notice our presence as soon as he did though he yelled out "NEW RECRUITS" immediately all knights ceased what they were doing and began to circle me Raiko and Saika. Saika turned back into sword form and placed herself at my hip. "At attention knights!"
All the knights began to form two lines. A man walked between the two lines leading towards us while everyone else waited completely silent for the man's next words. "Are you two the new recruits?" I turned to look at my sister but judging by the big smile on her face I knew she was loving this situation "YES SIR!" She screamed "what about you runt you a new recruit as well? Look a little weak to be a male recruit. You sure you got what it takes to be here?" I played along with my sister ruse although it annoyed me to be called a runt and agreed to be the so called new recruits "YES SIR I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES!" "All right then runt I'll take your word for it. Both of you change into gear and fall in line."
We moved to join the line after putting on knee and shoulder pads for supposed protection. We were now with the rest of the Kishi knights my sister was right behind me she whispered into my ear "nice job playing it off just go along with this for a bit." If she was enjoying herself by pretending to be a knight then that's fine by me but I don't understand why I had to play along with this. "For those of you who don't know I'm Commander Gerald Kishi I'm in charge of the Kishi Knights in the Miwa area. Like always todays training will be as rigorous as always." The knights began to groan I'm guessing because the training they undergo here is rigorous as he suggested. "Quiet down. It'll still be rigorous but we'll go a bit easier to show the new recruits how things are done around here but stay active a lady of the Kishi family is making her rounds be on your best behavior." I thought for a moment, who in the Kishi family would possibly have enough time for a simple knights training but then again it could be anyone officially associated with the Kishi.
"For starters we'll be doing endurance training meaning 50 laps around the Miwa city walls. GET MOVING I DONT WANNA SEE NO SLOUCHING EITHER!" With that everyone was off for the city gate and began running around the outside of the circular Miwa wall. Soon though after about twenty laps or so most of the knights began run decreasingly slower. At the very least nobody stopped running. "You two new recruits might just be something special to still be keeping up with my pace and not out of breath is rather impressive I'd say. This was simple though me and Raiko had to run almost three times this when we were training with mother and father although I would stop around 70. I've kept too this training though so it's rather simple for me since I'm older. Raiko also looked unfazed since I always gave up though I could never tell how far my sister had gotten as a kid but it's likely she could've easily beaten one hundred and fifty laps. "MEN ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO LET THE NEW RECRUITS SHOW YOU UP!!" "SIR NO SIR" they were in unison "WELL THEN PICK UP THE DAMN PACE!" It lit a fire under them knights who wouldn't even have made it to lap 30 were no sprinting like their life depended on it.
After we finished the fifty laps only four of us were left standing and in condition to continue without a break. "Those of you who need a break you're allowed to rest while you watch these four have a simple sword sparring match. Besides Raiko it was another female and another man the girl though was shy and hid behind the man's figure. "Senny you can't hide behind me here you wanted to be a knight right?" She shook her head and slowly came from behind the man the first thing that stuck out was her abnormally long ears.
they bowed to me and Raiko "My name is Riley and this is my childhood friend Senny it's a pleasure to meet you." "She's an elf" my sister said the girl shrunk back but considering their kindness we returned the sentiment. "Nice to meet you my name Raiko and this is my little brother Renji." They both looked at us I had thought they figured us out but they didn't say anything. "For this spar I want the females to go first." They were both given wooden swords and stepped into the small ring. "This'll be in a hit-point style meaning 3 points and you win, each hit is a point understood. BEGIN!" I wondered how this Senny girl fought she surely had the stamina but did she have the strength and swordplay to match?
To start my sister stood idly, her body upright she had a small devilish smile on her face. Senny was sweating heavily her body became visibly more sluggish. The knights had begun to wonder why they haven't moved yet. Senny made the first move although sluggish she moved her body forward but after closing half the distance between them she immediately backed into her original position. Her breathing was labored she had already lost she wasted too much time Raikos pressure was immense and so precise it didn't spread it was pure, focused, killing intent most wouldn't be able to hand that the fact the she stood with her sword in hand was plenty impressive as it is.
Shortly after though her vision must have blurred because Raiko walked slowly to the girl and gently tapped her three times with the wooden sword. "THATS THE MATCH!" Riley rushed towards Senny "Senny are you ok? What happened!" He turned his head towards Raiko "YOU DIDNT CHEAT DID-" she cut him off "Shut up kid she's fine she passed out from fatigue." He must've just took that for an answer "I apologize for my words" "it's fine kid give her some ice and rest n she'll be fine promise."
Next was my turn against Riley but before the Match even started I seen two familiar faces and knew we'd been caught. The commander spoke. "ATTENTION KNIGHTS, LADYS KAYOMI AND KASUMI KISHI HAVE COME TO SPECTATE OUR GROUPS PRACTICE SHOW THEM YOUR BEST" "SIR YES SIR" "with that a few words from the ladies themselves." "Welp master I think you're definitely caught" Saika was probably right "Hello all I am Kayomi and as you know this is my sister Kasumi, we've come for a brief preview of our upcoming guardian knights I say not to show us that you're the best but to show us that you're willing to become the best. I have faith you will all become—" she definitely seen Raiko and Me "Beco… become…. the knights… of the future…" "RAIKO AIHARA WHY ARE YOU HERE!! I waved at her "YOU TOO RENJI!" We were already caught
Saika took this opportunity to materialize and we all went up to the balcony where the two sisters were "EXPLAIN NOW" her voice was low but Kayomi was furious. Raiko took the mic from her and faced the knights "Hello knights of the Kishi my name is… Raiko Aihara and this is Renji Aihara of the Aihara family it was a pleasure to train with you all. Immediately they all took a kneeling position. They all spoke in unison "WE WELCOME THE SECOND LUNAR LADY RAIKO." "Aww cmon guys I told you right now I'm just Raiko Aihara." The commander spoke this time by himself "I speak on behalf of all the people here today, we apologize for not recognizing you sooner my lady." Kasumi spoke this time "Master is that really you?" She was shocked "how long will you be able to stay for? Are you here to train me?!" Are you back due to injury!? Is it an emergency!" She began rambling over Raiko's appearance I guess she really had an influence. "Kasumi stop that I'm back due to my brother's suspension among other personal family matters." "Oh.." Kasumi stepped back pouting. Realizing I was being ignored I stepped in "Well hello to you too Kasumi, Kayomi" "Good evening Renji" "Hi Ren-Chan where's Saika?" "Im up here dumb knight."
Raiko spoke this time "Well we're leaving sorry for intruding and all that. "Leaving so soon?" "Yes I don't have much time to spend with my family I'm quite busy. I was only allowed this bit of time under conditions I'd be back by sundown which isn't far from now so we'll be leaving." Kasumi must've wanted to say something but she never worked up the courage to. With that we were back on our shopping trip. "Well that was fun right Renji?" "Not for me only you and Master got to do anything fun they were using wooden swords." Saika looked bored. "It's fine Saika we can eat something yummy anything you choose. "REALLY MASTER, then I want to try more tarts." "Saika you sure do love you're sweets huh." " Of course I do I love anything master likes!" "Wait, but Renji doesn't like sweets…."
"Oops sorry master I let it slip unintentionally." She kept the secret long enough I wasn't mad I was too old to complain that my sister knew I liked sweet stuff." "Oooh is this a new side to the cold hearted Aihara." "Yea yea whatever you still keep your teddy bears from years ago." "Hey! You went in my room didn't you! You better not had moved anything!" We all broke into laughter. Then I heard someone call me from behind.
"Is that… Renji Aihara?" I turned, whoever this was had no malicious intent. After locking eyes with this purple haired female I knew who I had just met. Fumikos Twin sister Fumina Sakkaku. "Renji.. It is you?" She spoke low. Shortly after a man I recognized as well walked out the store behind her "Why are you just standing here Fumina the car is waiting." She wasn't startled but looked immediately ashamed. "Father… this is Renji of the Aihara family." This man was her father and also my fathers old classmate Genso Sakkaku. A scummy man who does whatever he feels is necessary to win. It wouldn't be wrong to say he cheated so many others out their possible positions. Also currently ranked 4 out of the 6 Lunars.
"I know who they are Fumina, for crying out loud I work with the woman!"
She looked confused until she noticed Raiko. Immediately she took a deep bow.
"My sincere apologies my lady I didn't recognize you."
Raiko started to laugh.
"Stop that you've known me well before my position keep it casual would ya Fumina."
Fumina didn't respond
"I could never forget the children of that man anyhow. Hello boy I'm sure you know me as I know you Renji."
The smile on his face was wrong in so many ways yet unexplainable it wasn't a good feeling. He extended his right hand in hopes of a handshake I assume. Something about his hand though it… was just….weird. He was an illusionist a very skilled one. I was losing focus my breathing was becoming labored. Raiko stepped in front of me and took his hand firmly into hers.
"And hello to you Genso I must ask that you NOT use any illusion magic on my brother or I'll be forced to take matters into my own hands."
" I am very sorry Lady Raiko. His face was distorted and his smile wavered. "My apologies I just wished to test the boy. To see if he has the same devilish strength as his elder sister."
He jerked his hand back but Raiko didn't let him go she stared into his eyes until he eventually looked away. She released his hand slowly.
"Come on Fumina we mustn't keep your mother waiting any longer." She bowed towards us "I apologize for not recognizing you sooner my lady. And Goodbye Renji." she then turned and got in the car and proceeded to drive off.