Tanaka-sensei

At first after opening my eyes, confusion hit me. But soon afterwards I remembered what had happened yesterday and that I was now a resident of the land of iron.

Sitting up in my futon I let my eyes wander over the house I now inhabited. Made of dark brown wood, it was built to be sturdy and resist the harsh weather conditions of the land of iron, where snow fall and blizzards were rather common all things considered.

Draping one of my new kimonos that had been placed inside my home over my shoulders for more warmth, I slid the door to my room open and entered the entrance room of my new abode, which possessed an area made of pure stone in the middle of the room where the fireplace was located, while to the far back a place to wash both clothes and kitchen utensils was located.

Moving swiftly towards the fireplace, I began making a fire, which soon illuminated my house and lent its soothing warmth to me, which soon spread to the other rooms of my house.

Afterwards I moved to the bathroom, which was just one door away from the kitchen, I rinsed my face with a handful of cold water and emptied my bladder, which finally woke me up completely.

Taking one more look at myself in the bathroom mirror, I barely recognized myself anymore. Where before I had had puffy cheeks and short black hair, my cheeks now looked slim and my formerly short hair had grown down to my shoulders, a length I had never had before.

Letting my eyes wander over my reflection I couldn't help but sigh a little bit. I looked exhausted. But was that any surprise? After all that I had experienced in the last year? Not really, no.

Turning away from the mirror I left the bathroom and began setting up my small pot of water over the fire into which I poured some of the rice I had found laid besides a nearby wall. I guess my guard went shopping for me yesterday for more than just my new clothes. I really need to thank him for that when I see him again.

After I finished cooking the rice I poured a little salt over it and while waiting for it to cool down I cut apart some vegetables and threw them into the still boiling water. Soon that was also done cooking and I began eating my breakfast.

After cleaning my kitchen supplies and storing them back next to the fireplace, I went back into my sleeping room and looked through my new clothes to pick one for the day. It was a new experience to have that much to choose from, as all I'd ever possessed consisted of no more than two kimonos. One for working and one for relaxing. Picking a dark blue one with small leaves depicted on it, I threw it over my shoulders, fastened it with a small obi around my waste and after stepping into my straw sandals went out of the house.

Waiting outside already was my guard, dressed in a black kimono himself with a katana fastened to his left hip. "Good morning." I greeted the man, which he returned in kind.

"Would you be so kind as to show me to the academy? And were you by chance the one that bought these things for me?" I asked the man who waved me to follow him while he replied in the positive to my inquiry. Obviously, I thanked him for that.

As we were walking through the small town, I soon realized that there were no other children around, at least I could not see any.

"Are the children here not going to the academy?" I asked my guard who hummed for a second before responding to me.

"I thought Mifune-sama told you, but I guess I can do so just as well. This small town does not house any children, nor any other civilians. It is, in its main function, a bastion for the military of the land of iron. You can find many of those all along the borders of the land of iron. Simply said those bastions are the first line of defence for the civilians of the land of iron, who all live more towards the middle of our country." My guard explained to me, leaving me a little bit stunned at his explanation.

"Uhm, I see. I guess I'm simply a little confused since I am also a civilian but am still staying here. Not that I'm ungrateful but why is that so?" I replied to which the guard only nodded before answering my question.

"I do not know the answer to that question. You would have to ask Mifune-sama about that but since he decided to keep you here I would for now simply go along with his plan if I were you. Concerning your tutelage and everything, that you need not worry about. As far as I understood Mifune-sama you will be well taken care of." After saying that, the guard kept silent while I was simply put a little stunned to return anything. Hence, the both of us stayed silent.

Walking through the town, which I now know is a bastion, we passed other men, all dressed equally as my guard or even in full armour, each with various amounts of swords fastened to their obis.

Soon we reached a building that, just like most of the building in this bastion consisted of dark brown wood, but was much larger than the other buildings I had seen so far.

Fortunately, the air on the inside of the building was soothingly warm, which helped as my feet had grown increasingly cold throughout our track to the academy. I really should look into acquiring a real pair of shoes some time, or at least a pair of tabi socks. Barefoot in my straw sandals in the deep snow was not a pleasant experience at all in my opinion.

Walking through the corridors of the building my guard led me to a room, from which I could faintly here soft scratching noises, but before I could ask what those were made from, my guard simply slid the door open and guided me inside.

The room we had entered was filled with cushions which in turn were laid behind a kind of sandbox that obviously served some purpose I was not aware of.

"Good morning, Tanaka-sensei." My guard said, addressing an older man with grey hair and goatee, who turned around and smiled at as invitingly.

"Ahh, good morning Toshiro-san. How good to see you once again! How have you been?" The man I now knew was named Tanaka inquired from my equally now identified guard Toshiro, who replied that he was well before putting his hand behind my back and pushed me forwards slightly.

"And who is this little fellow?" Tanaka asked after looking at me with his wrinkled eyes nearly hidden behind his long eyebrows.

"This is Makoto. Mifune-sama has taken it upon him to look after the boy and requests that you instruct him for the time being." Toshiro answered, which I took as my opportunity to introduce myself properly to the man that seemingly was to be my teacher for the foreseeable future.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Makoto." I said while bowing as I was taught by my parents. That deviating thought however caused me to stiffen imperceptibly, though it seemed none of the two had seen my action, which caused me to breath out in relieve while I crushed down on my emotions once again. An issue I knew I would have to address sooner or later, but that was a topic for another time.

"Of course, I'm always happy to receive a new student. Makoto-san, was it? You may call me Tanaka-sensei. Even though Mifune-sama requested I teach you, I expect nothing but the best from my students. I do not mind if you learn slowly or faster than average. What I demand is simply discipline to your studies. If you can do that and try your very best than we will get along just fine." Tanaka-sensei said told me which I found to be a perfectly reasonable thing to demand, especially from someone like me who had only been placed here because of someone's goodwill. Hence, I was already prepared to do my very best, even if Tanaka-sensei hadn't asked that of me.

"I will do my best, Tanaka-sensei, I promise." I replied to which Tanaka-sensei smiled before he told my guard to come pick me up at six p.m. this evening. Nodding in understanding, Toshiro-san left us and after closing the door behind him my studies began.