A kind and gentle little hero,
The nature of Akimoto Hon
--------------------------------------------------------------
A collab written between Gerontis and Lesli.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Konohagakure,
The Cho Temple, at the center of the Cho Compound,
Summary :
*Do please note that this can be considered non-important to the current events and situations.*
A simple collab between the son of Aiko and Zakito, where he spends some time with Min Cho. The captain of the Cho Guard, the official watchers and guards of the Cho clan. Hope you enjoy this collab as it has been written to already introduce one of the growing characters that has yet to take a role up in the RP, but already is maturing into what most would probably see as a character in his full rights. Enjoy.
[spoili]
She walked with careful small steps as she looked down. The boy had a bit of his tongue out of his mouth as he seemed to focus. Walking over the beam, while spreading out his arms to balance himself, the white haired child had also a book top of his head. His favorite book, that he had managed to sneak out of his father study room.
''Master Hon, don't go too fast.'' The woman said, with a respectful tone. Min rested her left hand on her hip as she would watch how Akimoto Hon tried to cross the beam over the pond. The child wanted to nod, but seemed to remember that if he would lose his pose and balance that the book would fall into the water. And he wanted to try to understand the book better as it didn't had the usual images, but he had managed to read some things from it. Not really a lot, but some words, as in ''
dignity'' and ''
respect''. Two important words that he knew.
Slowly he took step by step, trying to reach the end of the beam. His heart skipped a bit as he almost slipped, but Akimoto managed to correct himself in time. Freezing, he could feel the book on his head wiggle a bit. His eyes went up, though he couldn't see the book. Under the watchful eyes of Min Cho, who was the captain of the Cho Guard, Akimoto was receiving lessons on how to become a good and decent shinobi. Much like his father and mother, as Akimoto sort of wanted.
''Very good, master Hon.'' Min said, briefly flashing a smile. She watched how the child smiled at his own success as he managed to get off the beam. He lowered his head, to grab the book. Excited as he was, Akimoto turned around to look at the beam. He had managed to do it all by himself, which made him feel quite happy.
''Did you see that? Now you, Minnie!'' Akimoto turned around as he pointed at Min. Surprised, Min seemed to hesitate.
''I'm not sure Master Hon.'' She then made a short bow. ''I wouldn't be as graceful and balanced as you would be, I am afraid.''
Akimoto's smile curled down as he looked a bit saddened. He had received special lessons from Min and he had called her in his own childish affection Minnie as she knew so much. She had told him stories of many great heroes and shinobi and even about some other interesting things. Like how it was important to be like a butterfly, but still sting like a bee. Thus becoming an insect, Akimoto thought.
''But... but...Minnie. You're so great. I bet you can do it.'' Akimoto lowered his head, looking at the book he was holding. The book he already held dear, even though he couldn't properly read it at his age. Slowly he looked up as he stretched his arms, holding the book towards Min Cho.
''I believe you can do it, Minnie. Just like you believe I could.''
A bit surprised, Min wanted to keep herself a bit at distant with the son of Aiko and Zakito. He was after all going to be the heir of the Hon clan and only received lessons from Min as she could watch over him, on the orders of Aiko. But due moments like these, she was growing sort of fond of the young child. He had a gentle and friendly nature that she wasn't used to these days. Slowly sinking on one knee, Min had a very serious expression placed over her face. Her hands slowly took the book as she glanced at it.
''Are you sure, Master Hon?'' Min asked, though she felt quite happy by his words. For some reason it was kind of nice to hear that child had faith in you.
Akimoto nodded firmly as he stared at her with his usual serious childish expression when he was sure of something.
''Yes! Yes! Very sure!'' Min smiled as she glanced at the book.
''But wasn't this not your favorite thing?'' Min asked, wondering what the book was about. She wasn't even sure if Akimoto could read already at his age. Frowning, Akimoto thought about the question.
''Sort of. But, but!'' Akimoto flashed a wide smile.
''I believe you won't let it fall into the water. Else, else I will try to ... euhm.'' He looked around. Though he wished he could do so, he wasn't that wise, strong and fast as Min was. He couldn't probably catch her if she would fall into the water.
''I will not tell mommie if you fall into the water.'' Akimoto then whispered.
Smiling again, Min nodded as she briefly patted Akimoto's head. Rising up, she then would walk the beam. But instead of forwards, she would do it backwards.
''How am I doing it, master Hon?'' Min asked, trying to sound a bit childish. If any of her guards or anybody else would see her like this, then she wasn't sure about how she would respond, but nobody would dare to enter the Cho temple in the center of the Cho compound without a real good reason.
Akimoto clapped with his hands as his eyes widened.
''That is it! Very... cool! Cool! Cool!'' Akimoto repeated as he became excited. He held his breath several times as Min feinted that she would slip, but she then reached the end of the beam.
''See! See! I knew it!'' Akimoto said as Min made a short bow towards him.
''Thank you, master Hon. How about you try it now?'' She asked.
That was a certain frown on Akimoto's face. He wasn't sure if he could walk backwards over the beam. That was probably only what mother, father and Min could do. But what if Kei could do it? Clenching his small hands into fists, he closed his eyes. Turning around, he managed to climb on the beam as he would then walk backwards, step by step. Min slowly placed the book down as she noticed how he slowly, took step by step. She made it look like it was sort of a game, but a true skilled fighter would know how to move around. Starting with small basics things like this was just to give him a start of how he should move around, cautious and wary. Over time she would try to make it more challenging as she had done today with requesting he would bring something dear of him. Without making a sound, Min stepped on the water, silently moving towards Akimoto's back. He almost stumbled a few times, but managed to kept his balance. A lesson he had learned before.
Unaware of Min being so close to him, Akimoto wasn't sure how far he was from the end. All he could see was what was in front of him, so how should he try to determine what was behind him? Perhaps it was a cool trick that Min would teach him later? Then he could walk backwards and impress father and mother! It brought a smile on his face as he then stumbled. He started to fall backwards.
''Well done, master Hon.'' Min said with a friendly tone as he fell right into her arms from the beam. Carefully placing the child back on his feet, she smiled.
''Though please don't forget our previous game? The one with the bucket?''
Akimoto smiled as she had said 'well done'. That was a good thing. Like eating his vegetables without complaining. Growing proud again as he threw a glance at the long beam, Akimoto looked back at Min. Then he would take a step back, slowly bowing for her as in the traditional Cho manner. By also placing his right fist against his open left hand palm.
''Thanks Minnie.''
Surprised by the gesture of respect, Min felt a light blush appearing on her cheeks.
''Please, Master Hon.'' She returned the bow and they both remained silent, bowed, for several moments. Then she heard some chuckling and looked at Akimoto. He smiled at her and then slowly raised his right hand.
''Minnie, can we go out? Like, going somewhere ex-... exciting! Yes, exciting!'' He asked her. Though Min smiled, she wavered. She had been ordered to watch Akimoto while Kei would be with Teng. But she wasn't sure if she would be allowed to take Akimoto anywhere what he would consider exciting.
''I'm not sure, Master Hon, I-'' Min started, but Akimoto became excited again.
''Please Minnie? It could be a secret. Ours!'' He chuckled as he pointed at her and then at himself.
''We could go and be sneaky! Like a butterfly...and a wasp!''
''''A bee, Master Hon.'' Min corrected him, actually a bit amused. Giving in, Min decided it wouldn't be that much trouble. She wasn't even after all sure where Teng had taken Kei to. So why should she keep Akimoto at the inner courtyard of the Cho Temple?
''Fine then, Master Hon. But remember? A secret.''
------------------------------------------------
He looked around, with wide eyes open and filled with curiosity. They were on the perimeter of the festival and that was far enough for Min. She rested her left hand on the handle of her weapon, her hood raised as her eyes never left from the young child that was so curious. They had visited some stands, where Akimoto had amused some vendor owners by asking them the usual questions. Did they make those things themselves? Could you eat it? But it was those childish curiosity that made people often like the child.
''Minnie! Look! Look!'' Akimoto turned around. The woman could look a bit menacing as one couldn't see her face with the hood up, as if she was ready to draw her sword and start a massacre, but he wasn't afraid of Min. She had explained that she was a watcher. Which was a very impressive thing as watchers did such cool things. And Min was simply the best watcher!
Looking at what he pointed at, Min lowered herself as she would grab a few coins.
''Here master Hon. Go and then yourself some sweets.'' Min would grab his left hand gently as she would then place the cold coins in the palm of his hand. Akimoto smiled as he looked at the coins. He then turned around, but wavered. Turning back to Min, he lowered his head a bit.
''Minnie...''
Wondering why he suddenly looked like that, Min was suspecting he would try to trick her into giving more. Probably using the excuse that he would like to have something nice on their way back to the Cho Compound. But then she looked surprised.
''Can I... Can I have a bit more? Kei loves candy as well and.. I think that it is mean if we would just buy for ourselves.''
A truly gently and kind person he was already. Smiling, Min would pull out some more coins as she nodded slowly.
''Of course master Hon. I am sure that master Cho would appreciate your kind and generous gesture.'' Min then rose up as she saw how the child made his way towards the vendor, only to slowly come to a halt. Wondering what was attracting his attention, Min narrowed her eyes as her smile vanished. More out of instinct than thinking about it, she already lifted a bit of her blade out of the scabbard. Akimoto was staring at a beggar that was searching through a bin, probably for food.
Taking short steps towards Akimoto, she knew that he was quite curious and hoped however that he would stay cautious as he wasn't one of the most reckless of personalities. But much to her dismay, Akimoto then took steps towards the beggar. Moving into action, Min cursed herself. If that man would harm Akimoto by snatching away the money or worse. She didn't want to let anything happen to him or anything that would make him regret approaching people.
But there was a group of people passing by, cutting her off from Akimoto.
''Master Hon!'' Min tried to call, hoping that Akimoto would stop his approach at least. However, as she managed to get through, she came to a halt, her jaw slightly open.
Akimoto was close by and stared at the beggar. Slowly, he looked at the few coins at his hand and back at the beggar. Then he seemed to grab a few and hold them up towards the man. Which caused the latter to look sideways at Akimoto. Min could see that the man was surprised as she was. She had expected that the young child would try to ask the man questions, but he seemed to want to share some of the coin he had gotten. Slowly the beggar turned towards Akimoto and the same time Min narrowed her eyes, slightly further lifting her sword up from the scabbard.
The man smiled at Akimoto and without exchanging words the man accepted the few coins. He counted them and looked back at Akimoto, who had his back turned to Min, but had a very serious look on his face. Nodding, the child took a step back, as if it was part of a ritual. The beggar smiled as he nodded back. Without exchanging any further words, Akimoto turned around as he walked back towards Min. His head lowered.
Suddenly he started to sob.
Min wasn't sure what she should say. She was impressed, though she was well known by now with the fact that Akimoto was probably one of the most innocent and gentle of people she knew. Slowly bending through her legs, she looked worried.
''Master Hon, are you alright?'' The boy shook his head. He raised up his hand and a few tears were rolling down his cheeks.
''I don't want any candy.. I... Please buy some for Kei.... I...'' His shoulders trembles slightly as he lowered his head again. He tried to say something, but Min placed a hand on top of his head. Slowly she ruffled through his hair as she had to hold back the tears. For some reason, she felt a sort of pride. He was after all a sort of a student for her. Or perhaps she hoped she could see and treat him as a student.
''Master Hon, you're truly a honorable person. The most honorable and generous of persons I have ever met.''
The soft and kind words didn't made Akimoto stop with sobbing. Slowly, Min lifted him up in her arms as he would bury his head away.
''Come, I will still buy you some candy. It's alright'' She whispered as her eyes went back to the beggar. The man had vanished and Min turned around.
[/spoili]