I own it not. It owns me. Join me in the bliss of obsession.
Wow, finally! Apologies for the delay - went to Africa, then the cottage, then started school again... yeah, excuses are lousy and usually nobody cares, but what the hey... I'm back, and here's the new chapter!
None.
Previous chapter ::: Author's page ::: Post a review at FFnet ::: Main fan fic index ::: Next chapter

Diary of a Manslayer
A sequel to Kendo no Go


by Akai Kitsune ::: 17.Sep.2004

Chapter 08: The New Student

 

~*~

Kaoru was two weeks into her recovery after the birth of their second child when a stranger came to the Kamiya home, asking about lessons. He was an English boy, dressed in Western clothing and scrunching up a hat between his fingers. He looked more like a child caught stealing from his mother than a prospective customer. Baffled at his behaviour, she nonetheless took him inside the dojo, explaining the school policies, lesson rates, and the most important rules of kenjutsu. When asked who the master was, she had grimaced. they always asked.

"I am," she answered proudly, "But I've handed the duty of lessons to my assistant master for a few months. I hope you have no objections about this?"

The boy was surprised, but he merely shrugged it off, and they continued with the tour. After about half an hour, she finished and invited him to return in two days and watch a lesson to see if he fancied it. He agreed, smiled politely, and continued on his way.

And Kaoru nearly wept for joy.

"Another new student," she exclaimed to Kenshin later, "And he's English! Isn't it exciting?"

Kenshin agreed, although he seemed less likely to jump though the roof about it. It was exciting - even with his new job, he'd been feeling more and more uneasy as the baby had grown within Kaoru's belly. Kenji wasn't getting any smaller either, and his clothes didn't grow with him. He wasn't about to object to a new source of income.

"He has lovely manners, too," Kaoru continued. "I wish more boys his age were so polite."

Yahiko, who had once again come for a visit and dinner, stuck his tongue out at her.

Kenshin chuckled. "You're proving her right, Yahiko."

"Who's side are you on?!"

Kaoru cut in, then. "I wonder what his father is like? He said the dojo was recommended... have you met any nice Englishmen at work, Kenshin?"

Her husband blinked. "... Not that I recall..."

She shrugged. "Oh well. I do hope he stops by sometime. I'd love to find out how he heard of us!"

Kenshin smiled as she rattled on, listening politely and responding when prompted. Kaoru had always had an odd fascination for anything - and anyone - Western. This student would likely turn out to be just like all the others... unique in a certain way, but still just a boy learning how to wave about a stick. They all began that way.

He hoped she wouldn't be too disappointed.


The boy surprised them all, astonishingly enough. He showed the kind of dedication even Yahiko had lacked in the first few weeks of his lessons, and a respect for Kaoru that the dojo's finest apprentice still hadn't mastered. He didn't seem to have any trouble accepting Kaoru as his master, nor did he mind taking orders from Yahiko, who was barely older than him. Edward, or Edo as they called him - an ironic abbreviation that resulted when they'd tried to say his first name and has set the young man blushing as he corrected them - was every bit as polite as Kaoru had described, and quite a thoughtful addition to the class. As time passed, he became one of the family's favourites, and Kenshin noticed that the boy was often invited to dinner - on days that Yahiko was elsewhere, amusingly enough. Even Kenji appreciated his presence, which was rare. The child was rather stingy with his affection.

Sometimes people surprise us, Kenshin noted, watching Edo race across the dojo yard, Kenji shrieking with delight on his shoulders. He had as much reason as anyone to hate everything from the West; even Kaoru could blame her father's death on the changes they brought to Japan. But such petty hatred was beyond her, and, as Kenshin was slowly realizing, beyond him as well.

He still didn't like chocolate, but that was another matter entirely.

~*~

I blame Edward's existence on Fullmetal Alchemist, which has become one of my newest obsessions. huggles Ed
Previous chapter ::: Author's page ::: Post a review at FFnet ::: Main fan fic index ::: Next chapter