By the sword

Chapter 2: Slipping into reality

-Mainland-

"Kneel!"

The black haired teen quickly but awkwardly got down onto his knees before his uncles desk, bowing his head so that his smokey grey eyes stared back at him through the highly polished floors of the Head Nakuma's personal study; Shin Nakuma. He had to resist the urge to fidget in the highly uncomfortable position. When he had seen the other family members or servants kneel, it had seemed so natural, so fluid and gracefully even, like they had been doing it their whole life. But when he fell into that position, that was all he did, fall. It was like his body was unused to the show of respect. He could already feel his right leg begin to cramp and rolled in his lips tightly in his effort to keep still. He bet his uncle knew how awkward it was for him to stay this way...His eyes narrowed...

Sadistic bastard. But he guessed he deserved it this time; he had started a fight with one of the younger Samurai.

Even though it was announced that he was heir, those that liked Shin's eldest son and had wanted him to suceed his father did not treat him respectfully when they were alone, and taunted him. But there were some still loyal to Takashi's father that were happy he was there. With his arrival it seemed like the house had been spilt in two.

That morning the young Samurai had taunted him slyly and he had acted out in front of guests. As the family got to know him, he was also re-discovering himself. He was hot-tempered and quick to anger. His own aggressive nature had frightened him at first but now he welcomed it, it made him feel safe, assured in his own strength. He didn't like being weak and being looked down at by others.

He watched through his dark silky tresses as his uncles feet circled him in his tabi, his steps as light as a ghost over the wood, before moving to sit on the red large cushion in front of the wall that held the families traditional swords and crest. It was a beautiful design; red and gold embroidery of a Fox and a Phoenix, it's eyes sparkling with an expensive looking red jewel in front of a beautiful sunset. The swords' blood red hilts began at the tip of its outstretched wings and crossed at the fox's belly as if shielding the creatures from harm. He remembered how his hands had itched to grab onto them when he had first woken, bandaged up in the strange household two weeks ago. But seeing the longing in his eye, Shin had frowned and he had been reprimanded before he could even do anything. He remembered the cold look his uncle had given him that night, his frosty blue irises boring into his soul and spreading a deep chill throughout his small body. Somehow, he knew that that look wasn't directed directly at him, but at a ghost that seemed to always be standing behind his shoulder, unseen by everyone except the aged warrior. Nevertheless from that moment on, he had vowed never to even look at those swords again in his uncles presence.

Shin sighed as he sat down and crossed his legs behind the wooden table, bringing the teen out from his thoughts, but also making him painfully aware of the numbness growing in his legs.

"Takashi."

The boy stiffened at the sound of his name, still finding it awkward to be addressed by it opposed to...

Sighing inwardly at his blank mind, he tuned into his uncles voice. "You must stop this foolish behaviour, it is unbecoming of a young boy of your standing. You may think of it as just but people talk and our reputation is on the line. The reputation of this family is everything." His voice was not raised but the rich, intimidating tone was enough to have an even bigger effect on the boy, forcing his unease to overcome his guilt. 

The man continued, "I tire of this breach to our conduct, and I won't repeat myself again, next time your punishment will be more...Severe," a shadow crossed the room, a bird from outside? A heron landing at the garden river awaiting to catch its prey, "do not disgrace the memory of your father" his uncle added as if in after thought, his voice had become more absent, irritated, as if the thought of his father brought about memories that would never be shared in his company. Strangely enough, he was yet to tell him how his father had died, and he was afraid to ask. The silence stretched and the pain in Takashi's leg was becoming almost unbearable. He shifted.