Lies In The Family (Tribe Nine)

Training

"Have you trained anyone before?" Oka asked.

"No," Ojiro answered. "You're the first. Look when we walk in, you have to follow what I tell you. Don't ask any questions, just do it"

"Why?-"

"Because you have to"

She frowned.

"Look this is your home now. And here, you have to follow strict rules. Just trust me, and do what I say. Tenshin is already suspicious"

"But you won't hurt me...right?"

"...Just, follow what I say"

Oka was concerned, but nodded as they entered the training ground. Even if she was young, she was smart enough to know that Ojiro didn't have the answer to that. So, she obeyed. She was given a uniform, and she watched Ojiro demonstrating. She was shocked how fast his pitches and swings were.

"Alright, now you go" Ojiro told her.

She agreed, and held the Bat waiting. He got in position, and pitched as she saw the Ball go at her in lightning speed. She covered her head with her hands and the Catcher caught it.

"STRIKE ONE!" the catcher announced.

"Oka!" Ojiro exclaimed. "Don't do that when a Ball is coming at you! That's how you get hurt, and it makes you look like a coward. The other team will not care what your skill is, they won't show mercy"

Oka frowned but nodded holding the Bat again.

"He's right," she thought. "I'm not at home anymore. I have to be brave, and just hit the Ball"

He got in position again, and pitched at the same speed and she swung missing.

"STRIKE TWO!" The catcher yelled.

Oka closed her Eyes, and gripped the Bat tightly holding it in position. She opened her Eyes again furrowing her Eyebrows in time to see him Pitch again, and she swung connecting the ball with it. She kept it in position, and squinted swinging it into the air as the Ball passed him. Oka dropped the Bat running to first base, and saw Ojiro coming at her quickly. She ducked seeing him swing, and got to first base.

~~~~~

After a few hours, Oka was tired. Ojiro looked at the Window seeing Tenshin, and he looked at Oka.

"Want a break?" Ojiro asked.

"Yes please" she answered.

She followed Ojiro to her room, and she sat on her Bed.

"I'll come get you in a few hours" Ojiro told her.

He was about to leave when she grabbed his hand, and he looked at her.

"...Please don't go" she begged. "It's scary here when I'm alone"

"I know, but I can't. Tenshin will be mad"

"Just a few minutes? Please?"

He sighed and nodded sitting up against the wall. She held her Rabbit close to her.

"...Ojiro?"

"What?"

"...Why did you hide me in your room?"

"...Because I thought I could make you not have to do this. You're just a kid and way too young for playing XB"

"Were you a kid when you started?"

"Yes. Been playing since around your age. It's all I ever did"

"...Did you ever want to do anything else?"

Tenshin was in Ojiro's room searching, and found his Journal. Furious, he went to his 4 year old son and Ojiro froze seeing his father with his Book.

"Ojiro, why did I find this in your room?!"

"...It's-just a book to put my feelings in-"

"Oh really? So why does it mention you want to become a veterinarian, and that you want to marry Kazuki???"

Ojiro looked around putting his Hands behind his Back.

"ANSWER ME BOY!"

"...It's just a thought I have once in a while"

"Well get it out of your Head immediately! You know you're born to play XB, and marry someone to help keep our empire strong! Not your best friend!"

"Okay father-"

"I told you a million times to call me SIR!"

"Yes sir, I will forget about it"

"You better. And for the last time Ojiro, stop cowering whenever I try to talk to you. A prince does not do that!"

"Yes sir"

"Ojiro?"

Ojiro shook his head and looked at Oka.

"No" he answered. "I was born to do this. Nothing else came to mind. I gotta go"

"Okay...be careful"

"Always am"

He got up leaving, and closed the Door locking it. He walked to the Throne room and bowed when he saw Tenshin.

"Ojiro, the Adachi Tribe has appeared on our Doorstep. Teach these insects not to mess with us"

"Yes sir"

Ojiro went down to the surface, and saw the Adachi Tribe smirking at him. He sighed and held his Bat. He really did not want to waste his time on these people, but he had no choice. His reputation was on the line.