| Fan Fiction |
by biniBningPunkista
The list went on endlessly. I wasn’t even listening to Kenshi, age 30, my right hand and second in command.
My mind drifted on to what happened earlier that year. It was spring and the Sakura trees were in full bloom. Otousan lay on his death bed, coughing heedlessly in front of me.
I felt helpless.
There was nothing I could do.
The doctors said it was time.
I couldn’t cry.
I had to be strong in front of my father and the clan.
“Shi… Shinku…” My father whispered hoarsely. Tears were edging my eyes, I tried to stop them from flowing out by blinking rapidly.
“Otousan, I’m right here beside you.” I called out to my father as I knelt beside him close enough for him to see me.
He reached out his hand towards me which I took and clasped on both of mine and then he started to speak in a low whispered voice that I could barely hear.
“You are the twelfth generation leader of this clan. Lead them as you think fit for them, protect them with your life… these people are your family. Their blood line is all in your hand. Mamoru means the protector; you are now the leader of this group of protectors. You shall look after your island, the territory in which you were born and bred from. You are now the leader. Shinku the…” My father said in his rasping voice, his breathing getting shallower by the second, but I dared not stop him from speaking.
“…the…” he breathed full of exertion, “…the heaven’s sword is yours. Take it. I give my full trust in you, protect the clan. ”
I never thought that that would be his final breath, his last words… his last request. My father passed away with the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Ever since that day I detested Sakura flowers.
Then the next day, I turned 16. I had officially become the clan’s leader… presumably. Until I undergo the rituals, all three of them.
First I had to conquer my fears.
As mad as it sound, my greatest fear were rats. I thought I could have died just getting touched by one. Any kind of rats was brought my knees to buckle and faint. To let me conquer my fears, they have encased me in glass and poured the disgusting creatures in that small space until I have endured being with them without fainting or choking, after three weeks of grueling nightmare with the god forbidden vermins, I had finally conquered those creatures. My fear seemed silly now that I look back on it.
Second; I had to visit all members of the house hold’s clans, them and their families. All 1,500 of them, I had to visit their places day and night just to finish the second ritual within the span of thirty one days.
Last ritual; I need to get my back painted.
Painted with the symbol of the black dragon… the Mamoru’s emblem must be tattooed on my back for eternity. That’s when Takumi, age 23 the artist of the clan comes in. His father was the former artist, but he retired and passed the responsibility to his only son Takumi, who was far more talented than the former artist.
Takumi was almost like the brother I never had…
Although, he was the-supposedly-brother I often bullied. I knew he was stronger than me in any aspect when we were younger, but he never thought twice for not beating me up. I always wondered why he never hit me back when he could always have.
“Eherm.. Eherm…” Kenshi coughed loudly to bring me back from my dream like state.
“Yes?” I asked lazily.
I was sitting cross legged on the tatami mat as Kenshi kneeled in front of me.
“Your things are all ready and set bouchou.” He bowed and presented all the things I needed to bring to school.
My eyes grazed the unfamiliar things in front of me. I do know how to write… but using a pen? Where were the brushes, ink, and onion skin? Whatever happened to calligraphy these days? And what does school got to do with a small notebook with lines?
I sighed exasperatedly. Obviously getting frustrated every minute I looked at the school supplies.
“Kenshi, I was not trained to go to a high school. I was tried to become a leader. THE CLAN’S Leader! How would it look like if your clan leader has to go to school and wear that…” my voice trailed off as I looked at the dreadful uniform I had to wear to school.
“…that awful thing.” I pointed at the sailor uniform that most high schools in Tokyo are designed.
“But it’s cute.” Junichi muttered lowly behind Kenshi’s back. He was the one who took the uniform.
I gave him a sharp look that made him cower down his head.
“Bouchou… it was in your father’s will. There’s nothing we can do about it… if you are not willing to go through high school, the clan would be as well as gone. Try to remember that. So please bouchou, just endure it. Think of it as… sword training.” Kenshi said trying to give me a visual.
“Sword training?” I repeated with my eyebrow raised.
“Umm…” He couldn’t think of anything to add for this visual.
Can I actually bring my Katana to school?
This thought made me reconsider going to school. My gaze went straight to the heaven’s sword that my late father passed on to me. It was considered as the clan’s heirloom. That would be considered “cool” as the teenagers these days would say, if I could actually bring the sword with me.
“Bouchou! Don’t even think about it. Swords and fire arms are not allowed in school.” Kenshi firmly said to me, and then he gathered all the supplies and placed it into the school bag. He motioned for Junichi to take the uniform from the hanger and give it to me.
I grudgingly took the outrageous clothing from Junichi, turned around then I stripped off my clothes and changed into the uniform. The skirt was mid-thigh and the blouse was a bit tight than what I thought it would be. Who the hell designed such provocative clothing???
Everyone in the room started chuckling. I turned to face them quickly and gave everyone the evil look but Kenshi was still fighting his laughter, I could tell from the way his mouth twisted.
“If I would be wearing such a thing at least give me another undergarment to wear underneath. This is just too much offensive clothing for a high school student to wear. No wonder a lot of girls these days are being harassed and raped on the streets. Stupid clothes designers, they don’t have the… ” I was cut short by Junichi.
“Bouchou, can you at least do the peace sign in front of us? Just like in the dramas. I could even put your hair in pigtails if you like.” Junichi said loudly which made everyone in the room burst out their repressed laughter. Every single person in the room was laughing. Even the maid in waiting was laughing.
I stood and walked over to Junichi, took my slippers off and smacked him directly on the head. This just made everyone laugh out even more. I was too annoyed to even reprimand them all. Grabbing the ugly school bag from the floor, I walked out through the open door leaving them in their hysterical laughs. I needed not to be late for my first day of school, not a good impression for my sensei to be.
Okada, my driver already took out my favorite car out of the garage, the black Classic Mercedes. I took the back seat in a sour mood, while Kenshi took the front seat. I never rode in the front, it was the policy. The boss always seats at the back.
The car purred to life and drove out of the mansion’s driveway. Kenshi looked at the rearview mirror then called out to me.
“Bouchou, I think I’ll never get used to seeing you like this.” He said, trying to stifle his laughter.
“Shut it.” I told him fiercely.
But his facial expression never changed, it was a face that was very amused. I tried to ignore him during the whole trip, so I opted to look outside and tried to memorize the streets. When we were 50 meters away from school, the car suddenly stopped.
“What happened?” I asked, very annoyed. We never experience a car break down, so I was surprised when we suddenly stopped way before our destination.
“Bouchou, you would have to walk from here.” Kenshi said seriously this time.
“What?!? This is too far from the school! You are going to let ME walk?” I bewildered at Kenshi, not understanding the reason behind all this.
“We cannot risk you being found out bouchou… I’m terribly sorry, but this is the end of the road for this car.”
Walking was never one of my favorite things. This sudden stop made me more irritated. Everything about going to school was very very irritating, I cannot see the whole point of me going to school. Isn’t being home schooled enough already? What more does my father wants me to endure?
I know pain; how many times have I been scarred from fighting, how long did I endure the trainings?
I know happiness; the day I was announced as the clan’s leader I felt elated.
I know sorrow; when Otosan and Okasan died… my parents leaving me alone gave me a void inside.
What else is there in high school that I can’t learn at home?!?
“Doesn’t everyone have their own cars too? Why can’t I bring my own car at school with me?” I complained, not moving an inch from my sit.
“Bouchou, please remember that this is for your own safety. In order to keep a low profile you have to act equally with everyone. No special treatments. Not everyone is rich and too high classed in this school, if you become a very significant person in this school… your back ground would be checked and everything would be out in the open. No more bouchou for the clan.”
Upon hearing this, I sighed loudly out of frustration. My head involuntary shook out of disgust for the whole situation.
I didn’t really want to do this in the first place… why did I even have to deal with this? And here I thought I could be bouchou in my own way.
I immediately opened the door and stepped out before I changed my mind, then I heard another door open up. When I turned around Okada and Kenshi were already out of the car. They both had their heads bowed low.
“Take care bouchou. We’ll be right here after your class.” Both men shouted after me, as I walked away from them. Not happy in the slightest bit.
I was already alone on the street early that morning when I heard footsteps behind me. These steps I knew very well…
“Shinji, where do you think you’re going?” I asked without looking back, my pace not even changing.
“Following you bouchou.” He answered.
“Did I ask you to follow me?”
“No.”
“Did Kenshi order you to follow me?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’m ordering you to fall back, go home. I can take care of myself.” I told him with authority.
He quickened his footsteps and overtook me instantly which made me stop mid step. Kenshi stood in front of me in his full height and looked down on me.
“Bouchou, I can’t. You might as well kill me now but I can’t. I will risk my life just to protect you, which is my duty. You’re duty as of now is to go to school and protect the clan at the same time. Without your katana you are 1% weaker than you are supposed to be. Let me be that one percent to make you invincible if something unexpected occurs.” Shinji said solemnly with his head bowed low.
As I gazed at the man in front of me my thoughts where working, there was nothing else I can do if this man is that determined to be my body guard. He has already made up his mind. Killing him wouldn’t do justice to his principles.
“Souka. In school, please do try to be discreet.” I nodded at him and walked ahead.
“Hai!” He shouted behind me.
I could hear his footsteps once again as I resumed walking through the pavement. When I got through the intersection, I heard something else. It was coming closer and faster than I thought it would.
“Shinji, don’t move. Don’t do anything… just stand still.” I ordered as I turned around swiftly and waited for what’s about to come.
Thud, thud, thud, thud…
The sound came faster.
Three… two… one.
“Shiiiiiinkuuuuuuuu….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” A girl shouted behind Shinji’s back. Unfortunately she was wearing the same uniform that I had. What’s the common thing about it? Both our skirts were very short.
Mao, Inoue Mao was running towards me in top speed. Then she jumped on me like I was a wild cat needed to be tamed.
“I missed you!!! Where have you been all these months?” Mao asked excitedly.
This bright eyed girl was just too much in the morning. I wonder where she went that she didn’t even hear of my father’s funeral. She was the one and only friend in my age I ever had in my sixteen years of life. I was partly upset when she wasn’t at the funeral.
Inoue Mao, accidentally became my friend when she got picked on by a bunch of big kids from our street. We were both eight years old, I never engage in fights when I was younger. I was thought to fight for self defense. I tried to look the other way but I heard her cry. Mao’s cry was piercing, something that I couldn’t actually turn my back on. Right then I helped her, and then she got stuck with me. No matter how much I try to turn her away she just wouldn’t let go. I thought her how to fight and care for herself so she would leave me alone, but she still wouldn’t budge. We became close friends ever since.
“You didn’t know?” I asked masking the disappointment in my face.
“Know what?” She asked innocently, but then Shinji caught her attention.
“Sumimasen miss… Excuse me from interrupting Inoue-san. Shinku sama’s otousan passed away this spring, she has been busy this few months. The title has been transferred to her, she’s now our bouchou.” Shinji said in a low tone.
Mao’s eyes turned round. She’s probably surprised that I am now bouchou of the clan. She had always known about my history that I have always been a yakuza’s daughter, an heir nonetheless. What I didn’t expect was that her eyes started to water and tears were now bursting from her face.
What’s wrong?
“Your father died!!! And I wasn’t even there! I didn’t know. I was supposed to be your friend Shinku… and I wasn’t there.” Mao instantly hugged me then started wailing through my ears.
I wasn’t expecting that. This girl isn’t the slightest bit afraid of me, wasn’t even intimidated or intrigued that I was finally the leader of a yakuza clan.
“You wouldn’t have been able to enter my house that day anyway. And I had my rituals during the past months. I had a lot of arrangements to do to…” I was suddenly blabbering, which seldom happens.
“Hontou ni gomenasai… Shinku, I’m really sorry for not being there. I went overseas with my dad and wasn’t able to contact you. I know you hated the internet, while I hated writing letters.” Mao sighed as she slowly released me from her hug.
“So how are you now?” She asked looking at me with pity.
This look was pretty tiring. I don’t need one especially coming from a friend. I am now bouchou… what is more to be asked for?
“Please, don’t ever look at me like that. I am alright Mao. I don’t want anyone’s pity.” I told her then walked on towards the direction of the school.
I saw a glimpse of Mao transform her face into the bright smiling one I have always been used to.
Much better.
We walked silently together along the street while Shinji trailed behind us. Then all of a sudden, Shinji broke the silence by reminding me something.
“Bouchou… I would like to remind you that the school forbids its students to have any connection with the Yakuza. So you must always be in a low profile. Do not let them find out about your being a clan leader.” He said carefully so no one else could hear.
“I knew that already, you don’t have to remind me again.” I replied.
As soon as I said that students from every direction walked past me, Mao and Shinji like vultures. All of them going to the same direction the three of us were heading to. I was astonished to see these students eager to learn in such a huge space… called the high school grounds.
------------------To be continued------------------
Notes from the Author:
I tried to imagine how my first day of high school was… wide eyed and excited. Nothing like how Shinkumi was feeling. So this makes me curious, how was your first day of high school? ^_^v
Btw… more characters would be introduced the next chapter and thanks to Lil Daisy for the wonderful Banner she made especially for this fan fic. *Hugs to you* Lil Daisy!!!!
To those who would be reading this, I would love to hear your thoughts about the fan-fic.