Thanks for the Memories

The night had long waned and the sky had begun to lighten as the sun was setting in lands far away. The warmth of the previous day was long spent, dew coalescing on the blades of grass outside the temple grounds. Within them, a small courtyard used for sparing and various practices that required a space with little obstruction, there stood with much toil poor Kazuki as he continued to await Master Tsugo’s judgment. His body trembled from the cold of the air, the fear in his heart, and the strain of standing so long without yield for his tired body.



His current state was beyond exhaustion, his energy having been spent in the affairs earlier that same night. He no longer was certain how long he had been standing, but he knew that it was quite dark when he had started. Now the dim haze of morning’s light was beginning to rise. Up until this point his own fear was more than enough to keep him from collapsing into sleep, but it must have been hours and the need for sleep was beginning to catch him. Still he forced himself to stand, still holding his arms up with his hands together, still he bowed his head. The only thing that now kept his eyes open and his body still was the chill air on his naked body paired with what little will he had left.



Now overcome with the want of rest and paired with growing boredom, Kazuki lifted his gaze and lazily glanced over the courtyard. He stood in the center, far from anything to lean on as the bare ground spread around him. The light of morning cast a blue tone on the dull hue of the dirt, the stone elevation on which the walkway around the training ground. Far to his left there stood a row of thick posts with extensions, where several flat boards hung as targets. These dummies were designed to twist and spin when struck, giving the attacker an added element to their training by forcing them to dodge the extensions as they swung due to impact. To his right was a similar set up, but more associated with sword and martial weapon training rather than unarmed combat.



In past lessons he had spent much time in this place and he knew it well. Looking at it now, he wondered if it were going to be the last time he would see these grounds. What he had done was not the most terrible of things, certainly, but this place was getting steadily more strict on even the slightest errs. He remembered many occasions when Master Yuuta, his own instructor and a dear man to him, would complain over a drink about discussions with the other masters. Kazuki tried his best to remain unbiased in these rants, opting only to listen rather than comment, but it seemed recently after the old man stormed from the premises that the other Masters were bearing down even more so than before. A curfew was placed recently, which was the most daunting of all. The students would rise at a set time, go to their lessons, and then would all take to sleep.



He much preferred the days when he was younger. They would be taken in by a master, rather than merely learn from them, and any kind of schedule was out of the question. Some days you would awaken early at your master’s bidding, and others your master might let you rest as a reward for your efforts. It may not seem like such an inhibition to outsiders, as they would simply call it organization, but to Kazuki and Master Yuuta it was restriction and binding. These concepts made their training streamline and more efficient perhaps, but something far more important was lost in the process. The other masters, to top things off, were becoming more ruthless in punishments as days went by. He couldn’t help but feel as if he were standing on the brink of something terrible. As if this place that was once such a haven, an oasis for the mind and body, were going to be torn apart with this hostility.



”A good warrior is not bound by anything. Remember that.”



Master Yuuta’s words coursed through Kazuki’s mind as he felt his head lull forward, stumbling as he caught himself before falling down. He shook his head to clear his rapidly swelling desire to fall asleep where he stood and returned to his stance, hands together and head bowed. He sighed deeply and a soft sound reached his ears. He turned his head to the right, from where it came, his eyes heavy and drooped. Two young ladies, both of whom he recognized, stood with curious looks on their faces, one nudging the other and giggling. When he turned to look at them, blinking in surprise, they whispered to each before hurrying on down the pathway and out of sight.



Kazuki found himself blushing, his eyebrow twitching slightly in irritation. Tsugo could have a least let him pick up his clothes.





***





Footsteps followed after a swiftly moving figure down the dark hall, so quietly that they could scarcely be said to have fallen. Once Isha got herself dressed she stole away from her room quietly and pursued after Tsugo and Kazuki. She could only guess in the direction he dragged the young man, but she was clever to fetch a nice clue. She could hear Tsugo’s voice in the training yard and she slipped behind an indention in the wall as he stormed back into the hallway.



He looked around for a moment and then made off down the pass, turning out of sight. She sighed with relief that he did not pass by where she hid and ventured a look around the corner into the courtyard. Her heart dropped at the sight before her as the poor man stood there in the nude, his dread obvious in his stance. He wasn’t looking in her direction so she crept past the entrance to follow after Tsugo. She wanted to know what he had planned for Kazuki. After all, it was her fault that he was in such a mess in the first place. The image of him standing alone in the courtyard, nude none the less, truly struck a nerve within her and she felt great remorse for his poor circumstance.



Tsugo had taken off towards the chamber of Master Inami and Isha found him knocking on her door before opening it to admit him. The woman groaned and her sleepy voice carried roughly within earshot of Isha, “mmm, what’s wrong Tsugo? Can’t it wait until morning?”



Tsugo’s voice growled through the silence, “No. We have a situation. I am sure you are familiar with Takeda Kazuki, yes?”



The haggard voice replied with a stroke of irritation, “Oh yes, I’ve dealt with him several times these last few weeks. He hasn’t taken Yuuta’s leave well and has been increasingly out of control during his lessons.”



There was a silence before Tsugo spoke, “Then you will not be surprised when I inform you that I just caught him in bed with one of my own students against her will.”



The other voice rose in a gasp, as well did Isha’s. Against her will? It was because of her that he was brave enough to be in that position in the first place. How could he think?... She pondered on the situation and sighed heavily. Tsugo favored her, she knew, in a very eerie since. When he intruded the situation did appear to be as he thought at first, but she knew that it was because he couldn’t believe that she would do such a thing.



Inami spoke again after a silence, “Where is he now?”



Tsugo replied, “I left him in the training yard. I am fairly certain he’ll be there when it is decided what should be done with him.”



“What do you plan to do, Tsugo? This is the first time anything like this has ever happened. I mean…I just can’t believe it. I know Kazuki is a bit of a deviant but I never expected anything like this.”



“Don’t worry; it’ll be taken care of. We need to make an example out of him, so that the chance of something else this terrible happening is less. Not to mention, the other students need to know what kind of evil they are capable of.”



Isha’s breathe fluttered, “Kazu….” She whispered so faintly in her distress. Fear set in as she began to realize that she needed to act now. They needed to know what really happened, but she was rooted to her spot with dread. Her body refused to move as she crouched by the door, save for the shiver in her shoulders and hands.



Inami finally replied after a long pause, “Most of the time I would say that it wouldn’t be necessary but I have to agree.”



Tsugo shuffled his feet, a very faint sound, before he spoke, “Get some rest, I will go inform the Grand Master as well as Oni. I will discuss his punishment with them and we’ll take care of it in the morning. For now I think the boy will be fine waiting.”



The Master turned his head and was a moment from stepping from the room when his eyes feel on a figure standing in the doorway. Isha stood silently at first, her eyes downcast and her lip wriggling as she struggled to speak, “M….master Tsugo, I-“



“Isha?! What are you doing here?”



She cringed, his naturally harsh tone grinding against her weakened moral. She sighed, “I just…I can’t let you do this to Kazuki. I’m sorry I spied but I was concerned for him. He had my full consent tonight. In fact it was my idea to begin with.” Her voice trailed off as tears welled in her eyes. She knew by the look on her Master’s face that he was stunned.



He looked down at her with an expression of shock and there was a long silence. Master Inami sat in her bed and stared at the two with her eyebrows raised. Finally, it was Inami that spoke, “Sweetheart, you don’t have to defend him. If he did do this without your consent you need to tell us. If not then I’m afraid you are now in just as much trouble as him.”



Isha’s head drooped, “I know…but I couldn’t let his honor become so tarnished. It is not fair, though I admit I was tempted, to remain silent. I take responsibility for my half.”



Inami nodded, “Very well.”



Tsugo remained silent up until this point and he spoke with a thick voice, “Isha, go back to your room. I will deal with you personally, tomorrow.”



A chill shiver crackled up Isha’s spine as he spoke. It was not just the tone of his voice that ripped through her with venomous words, but the look in his eyes the seemed to bludgeon her with his cold stare. She brought her hands up and bowed, glad to look away from his scornful gaze, before leaving.



***



Isha tried to sleep. She tried to push the thought of the poor young man, likely still standing by his self out in the training yard, but she was unsuccessful. She got up and decided to see how he was fairing. Morning was beginning to fall upon the monastery and a bluish light was rising. She stopped at the courtyard where she knew Kazuki was standing and peeked around the corner again. Sure enough he was still standing there, only now wore an irritated look on his face. She breathed a small chuckle, unable to help her amusement at these expressions he wore. She entered the yard, “...Kazuki?”



He looked up, surprised as he could be when so exhausted. He blinked his heavy eyelids, “Wh….what are you doing here?”



She smiled and took a few steps towards him, “I told Master Tsugo that what happened was not all your fault. But, I’m not sure if he’s going to let up on you. At least you’re not the only one getting the stick for it though, huh?”



He furrowed his brow, “Honestly I think I would have preferred they think the worst of me. Apparently I’m already a black sheep. They really think highly of you.” He dropped his gaze, his head lulling slightly, “You should have just let them think what they want.”



She shook her head, “Kazuki, they thought that you raped me.”



He brought his head up in surprise, “What?!” He said nothing until Isha nodded and he let out a frustrated sigh, “Perfect. I know they all hate me but, damn, could they really think I’d do something like that?”



Isha looked away, not wanting to have caused him anguish but she felt he still needed to know. Her voice rose quietly after a long pause, “Apparently. But they know differently now.”



Kazuki shook his head, “I doubt it. They probably think you’re lying. But, look,” He unclasped his hands and gestured as he spoke, “I still don’t want you to have to go through whatever it is they’re planning. I’ve been in trouble before and it wasn’t pretty, and most of the time it was insignificant. This time it’s serious and I know I’ve got it coming, but I…” His cheeks flushed for a moment and he smiled faintly, “I don’t regret a thing, Isha.”



She giggled, “Aww, don’t get all sentimental on me. But, I admit I had a wonderful night. It’s a pity it had to end like this though...”



He shook his head, “I’ve learned to accept that when rules are broken there will be punishment. I still went looking for you, even with that knowledge.”



After a moment Isha smiled again. She glanced over her shoulder and then back to Kazuki, noticing that the light was gaining in brightness as the sun began to rise, “I should get back to my room, before Master Tsugo arrives.”



“Yes, you should.” He brought his hands back up to resume his bow, awaiting the Master for his punishment, “Before we get into any more trouble. Get some rest, Isha.”



She nodded, “Thank you.” Her smile tilted, knowing he’d be denied any sleep for the entire day more than likely. She walked forward until she was next to him, leaned forward, and gave Kazuki a small kiss on the cheek. He smiled in response as she flitted off back to her room.