Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Kazuyuki - Kazuki's Origin ❯ A Time of Change ( Chapter 6 )

A Time of Change

 

The sun was just coming up over the horizon and life was beginning to wake. This didn't apply for Kazuyuki. He was still in dreamland and was determined to stay there, that is until Chise came over. He woke up suddenly by a rough shake from Chise.

“What do you want?” He mumbled still in a sleepy-haze.

“Morning to you too.” She replied dryly. “Did you forget that we begin our training today?”

Kazuyuki slowly lifted his head and looked up at her.

“No.” sounding more awake this time. “But you didn't have to shove me awake.”

“I only did that after the first few failed attempts.” She replied.

“Oh…sorry…” He said.

He then got up and quickly got dressed in a forest green outfit. The top was long where when one side covered over the other in a slanted fold it fit perfectly, was then tucked securely into his pants and was tied shut. The pants fit loosely but not to the point to become a hindrance. The legs spread out wide but could be tied around the ankles. This was the normal training outfit that the people of Morinaka wore. The green outfit helped them blend into the country's natural surroundings perfectly.

Kazuyuki and Chise decided to go to the training field through the backyard and started heading that way. It was early so they weren't expecting anyone to be up; so it was a surprise when they saw that someone -was- awake. It was Haru's Shikigami, Akihito. He was sipping a hot cup of tea while sitting on the edge of the wood floor that lined the outside hall. He looked up at them and gave a nodded grating as they walked up.

“Kane is at the training grounds waiting for you.” Was all he said.

“Morning, Akihito. We're headed there now.” Kazuyuki replied.

As they passed him Chise turned to look back at him. “Not very talkative is he?” Akihito was back to concentrating on his tea.

Kazuyuki smiled

“Yeah, Akihito has been like that for as long as I've known him. He usually talks more when Haru is around.”

They made their way through the small dirt path that connected the backyard to the training ground. They kept going until the trees thinned out exposing a large clearing. The clearing was large; about the size of our football fields. Standing at the center of the clearing was Kane.

“Good, you two came on time.” He said.

“Yeah I guess…” Kazuyuki started and then what Kane had said came through. “Wait, what? You never gave us a time to be here!” Kazuyuki said in surprise.

“I guess I forgot.” Kane stated simply with a small smile on his face.

`“Forgot?” Yeah right.' Kazuyuki thought. “What would have happened if we showed up late?” He asked out loud.

“That would depend on how late you came and the manner in which you came.” Kane replied. “But seeing how you did show up on time we don't need to worry about that.”

Kazuyuki couldn't help but notice that Kane was acting a lot like his father. During his own training his father was the one to teach him but always make him nervous. Kazuyuki wondered briefly if Kane was doing it on purpose.

And speaking of Kane, he then turned towards Kazuyuki. “Kazu, how much hand-to-hand combat training have you had?”

“Um…about two seasons with father. We had to stop because of the drought we had that season because the whole village needed help.”

Kane nodded his head. He remembered the drought himself; it had caused a lot of havoc in the village. “Alright. What about magic training?” He asked but felt he already knew the answer.

“None.” Kazuyuki replied embarrassed. This confirmed Kane's assumption.

This time Chise turned to look at him.

“What? You don't know any magic? Then how did you summon me?”

Kazuyuki's only reply was to shrug his shoulders and say “spur of the moment?”

Kane walked over to them “I figured as much. It means that the magic is there only Kazu hasn't learned how to control it. For us to really get into the training he has to learn how to do this. But I want to see his fighting skills first.”

“Ok…” Kazuyuki said. “Who is my opponent?” He looked over at Chise.

“Me.” Kane Replied. Kazuyuki's head snapped over at him in surprise. “You? But…I thought Chise and I were suppose to train together…”

“Oh you will.” Kane said. “But until you can control your magic that is not possible.”

Kazuyuki sighed moving to the center of the field getting more nervous as he went. Shikigami were a lot stronger than humans and Kazuyuki knew better than to believe Kane would pull his punches. He turned and faced Kane who was standing across from him not that far away. “Attack me any way you can. The goal for this is to see if you can land a hit.” Kane said.

`Yeah, that makes things easier' Kazuyuki thought sarcastically. There was a pause and then Kazuyuki made his attack.

He knew he was in trouble from the start when Kane dodged all of his attacks as if they were nothing. It didn't help either that Kane's face was set in a look of boredom. All this did was anger Kazuyuki and his movies became sloppy with the loss of concentration. Seconds later Kane had knocked Kazuyuki flat on his back. Kazuyuki got back up and attacked again. This time was worse then the first time and Kazuyuki found himself on his back again. This fall was a bit more painful than last time knocking the wind out of him.

Kane walked over to him. “Get up, Kazu.” Kazuyuki made no reply; he was still trying to catch his breath. “Get up.” Kane repeated.

It took a few more minutes before he managed to get back on his feet. “You need to learn how to focus Kazu. Let's continue.”

Kazuyuki reluctantly took his place across from Kane. He was about to attack again when Chise's voice came through his thoughts.

`Relax, Kazu. If you're calm you'll do better.'

`Chise?'

`Don't forget, you're not alone'

It was only then that Kazuyuki registered the use of his nickname. He took a deep breath and then stood his ground more firmly. After what Chise said, he couldn't help the small smile that came to his face. He began to feel a little more courage. He then came at Kane for his third attack. He still couldn't land a hit but this time he made an effort not to let it bother him. This time Kazuyuki wasn't thrown on his back but was beginning to block some of Kane's attack instead of just being offensive. It took some time but one of Kazuyuki's punches came so close to hitting Kane's face that Kane had to put a little more effort into dodging it.

Kazuyuki was about to go for a follow-up hit when Kane held up his hand. “That's enough!” Kazuyuki stumbled slightly from the momentum. “That's good for now Kazu.” With that Kazuyuki fell back on the forest floor. “You are doing better Kazu. We will continue this tomorrow.” Kazuyuki nodded his head still trying to catch his breath. Once he was ready the three of them left the training grounds to head back to the house.

Kane looked over at Kazuyuki. “You look like something is bothering you, Kazu.” Chise looked over at him too but she already knew his thoughts thanks to their bond.

“I'm just trying to figure out why we stopped. I didn't fulfill the requirements.” Kazuyuki said.

“Nor did I expect you to.” Kane replied getting a look of surprise from Kazuyuki. “I would have been beyond surprised if you had managed to land a hit bare handed.” Kazuyuki still stared at him.

Kane smiled lightly. “The point of this exercise was for you to learn control. Control over your strength and control over your emotions. Once you accomplished that the exercise was over.”

Kazuyuki and Chise parted with Kane once they reached the house. Kazuyuki was intent on taking a bath. Once he had washed up and was relaxing in the bath he allowed Chise to appear.

“You surprised me today.” He said.

She gave him a raised eyebrow. “I did?”

“Yeah. You used my nickname for the first time. I wasn't expecting that.”

Chise gave him a worried glance. “I'm sorry; I wasn't thinking when I said it.”

Kazuyuki held up his hands to calm her. “Its fine, I was just surprised that all. You can use it all you want.”

Chise relaxed. “Really?”

Kazuyuki nodded his head. “Yeah, everyone else uses it so I don't mind.” Chise looked very relieved and Kazuyuki couldn't help but chuckle lightly.

“What's so funny?” She asked.

“This is the first time you acted like this.” Chise choose not to reply to that. “Ok Chise, I'm getting out so turn around please.”

She rolled her eyes at him but complied. “You make it sound as if I'd try to peek.” It was Kazuyuki's this time who choose not to speak. (A/N: hey I made a rhyme! ^^)

As they left the bathroom they were stopped by Kazuyuki's mother.

“Kazu could you do me a favor?” She asked.

“Sure what did you have in mind?” He said. She held out a few scrolls to him.

“Could you take these to the village headman?” Kazuyuki nodded his head and took the scrolls.

Chise walked up next to him. “Do you want me to stay here?” He looked at her.

“What are you talking about Chise? You can come with me. That's only if you want to though.”

Chise smiled at him. “Ok” Kazuyuki knew what she was worried about. This would be the first time the other villagers would see her with him and she was worried about their reaction. He could honestly say he was too.

Kazuyuki and Chise left the house and headed for the center part of town.

“So…” Chise started. “What's this village headman like?”

Kazuyuki looked thoughtful. “Well…I've only met him once but he seemed like a nice guy.” Their conversation pretty much died there because people began to stare at them as they walked by. Some people even began to whisper among themselves. Kazuyuki figured it was something along the lines of `Look. That Shikigami-less freak finally managed to get one and a female one no less.' Kazuyuki and Chise did their best to ignore them.

A few minutes later they were standing in front of the headman's door. Kazuyuki brought up his hand and knocked. They waited as they heard someone headed to the door. The door opened and a kind looking old man smiled at them.

“Well if it isn't Kazuyuki! And am I right in believing that you are his Shikigami partner?” He asked Chise.

“Yes I am.” Chise replied. The old man bowed as low as his back would allow him.

“It is an honor to have you in our village Shikigami. Please forgive any rudeness the other villagers may have shown you.”

Chise shook her head. “We expected this kind of reaction. Considering the situation it is understandable.” The old man bowed again,

“Elder,” Kazuyuki spoke up. “My mother asked me to give these to you.” He passed the scrolls to the old man.

“Oh, wonderful. With these we can now precede.”

“Proceed?” Kazuyuki asked.

“Yes” the elder's face grew serious. “War seems to be brewing among the countries. These scrolls will be sent to our neighboring country Hikari Kuni so we can come to an alliance in case anything might happen.”

“War….There has been peace for so long…” Kazuyuki said.

“That is true.” The elder replied. “How much longer this peace will last I cannot say.”

Kazuyuki looked down. “I wonder what's causing the conflict…”

“Until the conflict boils over or the conflict is resolved the answer to that will remain unclear.” Kazuyuki nodded in agreement. The old man stood up and the other two followed. “Now you get home and thank your parents for me.”

“I will.” Kazuyuki replied.

The elder saw them to the door and then they headed back down the road they had come on. As they went they couldn't help but notice that the atmosphere among the people had changed. They felt more an air of curiosity and acceptance, unlike before. Kazuyuki and Chise were both surprised at how quickly this change came about. Either way they were happy to know that there was little to no hostility against them.

Kazuyuki went to the next thing on his mind. War. As far as Kazuyuki knew, there hadn't been war among the countries in three hundred years. Morinaka was especially vulnerable. Unlike the other countries, Morinaka had never had an internal war so their defenses were not that strong. That's why the alliance with their neighboring country was so important. If an alliance wasn't agreed on Morinaka would be easy pickings for the other countries. Kazuyuki didn't like the situation at all.