"It's not like the captain to miss practice, right, Fukushou?" one of the boys asked another.
His name was not 'Fukushou', but was his position on the kendo team. Unfortunately, Tatewaki Kuno, their team captain, had a habit of calling him that, almost as if it really was a rank. That meant that he almost never heard himself being referred as anything else during club hours and events. Hell, even he almost tended to think that was his name at times.
"I would think so," 'Fukushou' commented, and frowned slightly. "The only question is where he would be instead of here."
"But how would we figure that out?"
"That is the question, Chuken."
Although the other boy's name was no more 'Chuken' then the first boy's was 'Fukushou', he merely nodded.
Even though the group had questions, they didn't really look around themselves. They knew that if their captain was going to do anything, it was under his own will. He tended to act on his own, and to even infer that Tatewaki Kuno was not in control of any and all situations was to call upon his anger.
So they merely went to walk outside, certain that they were going to get along without any problems. After all, it wasn't the first time that the team captain had made a decision on his own. In fact, he tended to do them all on his own. It usually fell to them to make sure the actual work of their team was done.
However, they didn't get to go very far at all.
"Ah, so you boys are still here," commented an older voice.
Each of the teenagers turned to look at where the words had come from, but it was Fukushou who spoke for them. "Why the heck did you pop up like that?"
"Just like you always are. Keep on leaving messes for me to clean up, but never tend to notice me...."
"That is... Oh, right, you're the janitor."
"Exactly, boyo, and I have a mess that you have to help me with."
"Why should we do that?"
"Other than having some respect for your school?" the janitor asked. "Only that your boss is laid out, and I need you take him to the nurse's office."
"How could that be, unless...."
"Yeah, he got beat up. Seems like he picked a fight again."
In most cases, Fukushou would have doubted that someone could have taken on Kuno, but he knew at least one person who could manage something like that. Well, perhaps there was a new person who could take on the captain. "Let's go help and make sure that we won't have an embarrassment."
"At least anymore than his already given you boys."
Many tended to think that silence was prevalent in a forest, but that was not the case. Squirrels skittered about and birds chirped. The branches of trees and bushes waved in the breezes. In different spots, water dripped into puddles and pools.
So the inclusion of the snapping twigs under a shoe didn't really disturb the quiet.
Yet, it seemed that all of the nature gave a wide berth to the human figure striding through the wooded area. Shadows spilled across the buff figure, with his yellow shirt looking almost bronze. None of the brush, nor the uneven ground slowed him in the least.
As he came to a rise, he came to stop, not because he was unable to continue. Instead, he seemed to be gazing out over the scenery, thought he didn't seem to be enjoying it. A scowl twisted his mouth just a bit, and a low growl came up from the back of his throat.
As he reached up and took hold of a branch, his anger made his hand tense, and his thumb pushed on a part of it until the wood snapped right off.
Consciousness came slowly, but calmly to Tatewaki Kuno. He had little reason to struggle to reality, as he was always of the belief that his presence was insisted on for reality. True harm could not come to him, since he was meant to be leading the masses that were his charges.
That didn't mean that he wasn't uncertain of what he saw as he opened his eyes. But familiarity with where he was cleared out any confusion, as he'd visited this room before. One simply could not mistake the surroundings, given what he'd had to deal with when proving the glory that was Akane Tendo.
Thinking of that demure beauty brought a bit of sadness to him, as she was lost to him now. She, who he knew was clearly one who was worthy of being wedded to his dignified self, had taken the path of honor and responsibility, and so had married another. Due to the rules of such things, he could not dismiss that marriage, no matter how it might make him feel better to do so. Still, he could make certain that she could be properly taken care of.
Fortunately, it seemed that he was still able to bring out her passion, as she had jumped to react to his presence. Though it was nice to see that her new husband was also responsive, but it was her fire that he was glad to see. It was that wealth of emotion that drew him in part, and he wished that it could have been his.
Alas, he would not have it for himself. Such a passionate and powerful maiden would only be worthy of being the bride of such an august personage. How could he find a lady that could be a proper partner for someone like himself. If only he could simply go out and choose a vibrant soul to have as his.
Sighing slightly, he allowed himself to wonder where he could find himself a fierce tigress to have, while:
(Posted Mon, 06 Dec 2010 05:31)
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