Wild black-brown hair fluttered in the wind as his fists clenched and unclenched on his hips. He stood with his feet shoulder-width apart. His young brow furrowed as his chocolate gaze swept from the ancient man to the buildings and grounds around them. He glanced over his shoulder to see the receding backs of his parents.
A firm hand on his young shoulder drew his attention back to the man before him. “Come, boy,” he instructed. “Let’s . . .”
“Kaine,” he interrupted. “My name is Kaine.”
The ancient man chuckled and smiled, “Come, Kaine. Let’s get you settled into your new room. The evening meal is still a few hours away. I’ll have Kou show you around. He’s about your age.”
He offered a sharp nod. Then, his nose wrinkled as his gaze fell on a dark-haired girl sparring with a smaller boy. “A girl?”
“You don’t care for the fairer sex?” Ryohei chuckled softly. “That’s perfectly natural.” A boy slightly smaller than him hustled over. “Kou, this is Kaine. Would you show him around?”
The other boy pressed his right fist against his left palm and bowed, from the waist “Yes, Master.” He turned to Kaine, picked up the small sack on the floor beside him, and hooked a thumb over his shoulder, “this way.”
At that, the two started off across the plain toward the two-story building.
A soft sigh slipped from the ancient man as he watched the pair. He shook his head and turned his attention to the bamboo building behind him.
“How long have you lived here?” Kaine asked.
Kou shrugged and bobbled his head. “I just came a few months ago.”
Kaine scowled. “Did your parents not want you either?”
“Of course they wanted me,” Kou replied indignantly. “They want me to become a strong warrior. After I master Kenchido, I’m to join the imperial military academy.”
“Oh.” At that, he fell silent and followed Kou around the rest of the grounds.
The evening meal was a quiet and simple affair. White rice and steamed vegetables. Everyone helped clean up and wash the dishes.
More tired than he thought possible, Kaine collapsed onto his pallet. The black nothingness of exhaustion swallowed him up.
The World of Terra 