Fan Fiction ❯ Chosen ❯ Yaiba Tara ( Chapter 10 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chosen...
Author: Byakko Rei


Chapter 10
Yaiba Tara

Midori drove Yuriko to Sensei Shinbo's dojo, where his daughter received them warmly. Once inside, the dojo seemed almost as though its soul had been lost as Yaiba Tara led her guests silently to her sitting room.

Tara offered them tea and smiled. "I didn't expect to see Father's special pupils back so soon!" she commented casually, then addressed Yuriko directly, "You seem uncomfortable, Yuriko-kun... your arm, is it injured? Did you come to see our family physician?"

'How can she tell... I have a jacket on,' Yuriko wondered. "Um... its just a scratch and it's already been taken care of," she assured her host aloud. Yuriko shifted restlessly. "Yaiba-san, do you have a darkroom here that Nin would use to develop film?" she posed with uncertainty.

Tara's hazel eyes glittered. "I suppose Nin *would* have access to our research facility... but you certainly don't," she responded authoritatively.

Yuriko's hope waned. She slowly drew Nin's tattered photo out of her jeans pocket and proffered it to the dark haired girl. She swallowed nervously and asked politely, "Do you think you could find the negative to this photo for me, Yaiba-san? It would mean a lot to me, if you could...."

Tara glanced up from the photo and looked at the blonde curiously. "If you tell me what you want done with it, I'll do the work myself... assuming, of course, that I can *find* the negative."

Yuriko blushed and took a deep breath before confiding, "I'd like to have a five by seven made... and a computer generated poster with this written on it." She handed Tara a sketch from one of the pockets inside of her jacket.

The corners of Tara's lips drew up drolly. "You don't want much, do you? And how long do I have to complete this little task, pray tell?" she inquired with a hint of sarcasm.

"Um, two days maybe? I want to deliver them before Nin is discharged from the hospital," Yuriko replied hopefully.

Tara's perfect eyebrows arched. "Anything else?" she asked quizzically.

"N.... " Yuriko began.

"Yes," Midori cut her off softly. "It would be an honor to have a picture of your father... I think all of us would like that," she finished as she gazed earnestly into the face of Yaiba Shinbo's daughter.

The open friendliness melted from Tara's features and her whole demeanor stilled. She recovered after a moment, then responded cordially, "Yes, of course... you loved him, too."

Yuriko's heart felt an emptiness once more as Yaiba-sama's name was mentioned. She drew what courage she had together to voice her deepest apprehension, "He's not coming back, is he, Tara-kun," she asked tentatively, her lower lip trembling rather conspicuously.

"No, Yuriko-kun," Tara answered gently, then heaved a sigh. What she would impart next needed to be said....

"The Child of Light's seed has passed through thousands of generations for one purpose only; to confront Mami Tatsujin as a... sacrificial savior in battle when he escapes from the dark realm.

I too, am a Child of Light, and will continue the line through my offspring. This dojo exists mainly for the order of priests who train to protect my lineage and keep our legend... our purpose alive.

Your part in this struggle is over. If you wish to continue your study of the special martial arts in the priesthood, I will be happy to be your Sensei," Tara informed them with a slight smile. "I'm sure my cousin wouldn't mind lending a hand in your 'betterment', either," she added mischievously.

Midori picked up on the intimation. "So Nin's your cousin!" She peered at Tara critically. "I guess I do see a small family resemblance...." she trailed off.

Tara chortled. "The only family resemblance between my dad and his sister, was their capacity to get into trouble! She was lighter in coloring, lankier, and had a lot more spunk than her darker brother who was shorter, wider, and more cerebral.

At the onset of puberty, my father was favored over his sister by 'the seed' when he received its gift of vision. My aunt stopped her training and went on to marry Nin's father... who is tall and black-haired. Kaori-chan has more of her father's coloring, but that's where their resemblance ends. My cousin's fine features and personality are totally her mother's," she paused to sip some tea.

"Kaori-chan and I were both trained to be Children of Light, until it became evident that I was the anointed one when I reached maturity at fourteen. My cousin was ten at the time, and far better than I could ever be at the arts. She decided to continue her special training and was kind of adopted into the priesthood as Dad's little 'Ku' prodigy. He was the one who nick-named her 'Nin'. When Nin finally did reach puberty around fifteen, the iffy relationship she had with her father became more tumultuous. Kaori-chan spent more and more time here at the dojo training, and my father took her under his wing only too happily."

Tara sighed softly. "Kaori-chan and I are very close... and if this picture means what I think it does, I will do my best to honor your requests, Yuriko-kun." She addressed Midori, "I have a picture of my dad in full Samurai regalia you both might appreciate!" she said affectionately. Tara stood to escort Yuriko and Midori out of the dojo. "Yuriko-kun, I'll call you when I have everything ready for you."

"Thank you, Yaiba-san!" Yuriko replied gratefully.

As the trio neared the exit, Yuriko laid restraining fingers upon Tara's forearm. "Tara-kun, I would like to continue training here to protect you. If something goes... wrong and you have to battle the Deceiver, I can't let you do it alone." She slid Midori an apologetic look.

Midori's warm smile encompassed both Yuriko and Tara as she responded assertively, "You can include me in that offer, too!"

Tara felt a little overwhelmed. "My thanks to you both. You will be a welcomed addition into the priesthood." She bowed low, then bid them a good evening at the dojo's side door.

Yuriko and Midori were lost in their own separate thoughts on the way home, and not much was spoken. Yuriko tiredly excused herself and went straight to bed, not wanting any supper.

Midori silently chastised herself for giving in to the impetuous blonde's whim. She checked her willful patient's wounds for seepage, then tended to Yuriko's elevated temperature with a heavy sigh of frustration. Taking care of her partner was... challenging!


To be continued....