"I am tired of this," she whispered as she stood by the Fate Gorge. She doesn't want any more of these wars, any more of these battles, any more of these trickeries and cheating. She wanted to go back to Kyuden Isawa, to reflect and study magic, just like before. 'Enough of wars,' she thought. 'Enough of the matters of politics and diplomacy and warfare. This was not why I became an Elemental Mistress, this was not why I was given my talents. I need not to fight battles in the field...'

"Lady Kaiyoko?" a samurai had appeared behind her, and so she assumed he had been sent to call her.

"I will be back to camp in a moment."

"I will stay here till then, Lady Kaiyoko," he replied, standing there with hand to the sword at his side. She smiled at the young samurai, she couldn't help but think how young he was. He was lanky, his hair in a topknot, his mempo off, to reveal a face that still had the roundness of youth.

"You are to take your gempukku in the coming festival?"

"No, Lady Kaiyoko. I took my gempukku in last fall's festival, but they will not let me join the battle as of yet. They say I need to learn some more."

"We all need to learn so much," she replied, more to herself than to him. She looked down to where the battle was starting to slowly end, with the coming sunset.

"Lady Kaiyoko, it might be best that you go back to camp. It is very dangerous out here. Too many arrows flying everywhere."

"They do not have much instinct in their skill in archery," was her reassurance as she watched the troops of Matsu Uniri, led by his wife now that he was dead, rally before the Shiba. She stood here for a reason, and that was to see how they would handle being leaderless. After last night's assassination she had expected them to waver, and yet they go on, inflamed with renewed vigor as they kept on the assault. Lion samurai would fight even when there were no more battles to be fought, living only for the moment, to feel the blood pounding in their veins, to feel alive and in their element.

"Do you truly want to be like them, young samurai?"

The samurai looked down, saw what she was staring at with such detachment.

"This is the path I must take, Lady Kaiyoko. As a Shiba I must defend all of the Elemental Masters and our clan, because that is what we have sworn to do."

"Defend all the Masters and the clan-that is all we need to do."

Out of the blue she felt herself being pushed from where she was standing back to the cliff, and she hit the ground hard. By instinct she reacted, calling water her element to her rescue, to be directed to the samurai who had pushed her down. She felt that something was wrong, and thought, 'Could this be betrayal? Betrayal of the Shiba's ideology?'

Then she heard his shout, "Watch out, Lady Kaiyoko!"

Before she saw him feathered by more than a half dozen arrows on the back.

He fell down to his knees, shock in his features. He had reacted by instinct, a trained reflex drilled into him by hours of Shiba bushido school: "One must protect the Masters at all costs." And slowly he fell down, flat on his face, dead, all because of her foolish desire to observe and muse on the atrocities committed in war.

What were his thoughts, she wondered, as he pushed her down to receive the arrows meant to kill her. He was now just one of the thousands who would realize the proverb: "Death is lighter than a feather."

"Another life lost," she whispered, not even sitting up, from where she had fallen. She could feel tears sliding over her cheeks, but she knew better than to remain here, a target for any more archers. She slowly crawled back, to the camp, to tell someone there to fetch the young samurai's body to be burned with honors, for his heroic act of dying for her.

It was the only thing she could do, for now. Forever.

And all of the sudden she felt complete and utter desolation in being a Mistress of Water, honored, revered, but feared, and just wanted to be step down, to stay in Kyuden Isawa as a mentor and not as a Master. To not be put on a pedestal, to not have such an overwhelming burden she felt would suffocate her into acquiescence.

She will look through the novices, and find the one she needs to replace her.

------------
Fire and Ice
Chapter 1: On Returning
------------

A few years ago he had left this place for his gempukku.

Now everything looked the same, but felt smaller, diminished. Becoming the chief shugenja of the Emerald Champion since that time had changed his perspective....

He smiled, satisfied by the result of the Battle at Fate Gorge. His relative and superior in rank, the Mistress of Water Isawa Kaiyoko, didn't seem too enthusiastic about the result though, no matter if respect has been again raised for them.

In truth, Lady Kaiyoko looked tired, drawn. Like she wanted out, if everything must be considered. She had argued with him at the camp as to the necessity of the battle raging around them. She had been sickened by the carnage they had passed through, on the way to Kyuden Isawa. Tsuke knew Lady Kaiyoko just might, after everything she saw in the battle, and after everything they had to do, to ensure their side's victory. But in him was only deep satisfaction, smugness in knowing they won't contest their importance anymore.

Kaiyoko watched some of the novices in the garden, as they enjoyed a few moments' respite from the long training they undergo to become shugenjas of the Isawa school. All of them wore simple kimonos, as they enjoyed the break into sunshine, even those exchange students from other clans. The school enjoined simplicity in all things, including personal belongings. No one was going to claim to be superior above the rest except for magical ability. And those with such ability are so rare these days....

She had stopped walking, and Tsuke paused before the open shoji door to watch as well. But he saw them differently, didn't see their enjoyment at the respite, didn't see the reasons why they preferred to laze in the sunshine when they had to study so hard to stay in school.

"They should be studying at this time," he murmured, about to step forward and bark an order to them. But Kaiyoko stopped him with a hand from moving. He looked at her, saw the fond smile touch her lips, as she watched the students relax.

"No, let them enjoy the light. They live an almost monastic life here in Kyuden Isawa, and they are allowed to go out so rarely."

"Kaiyoko-sama, any laxness in their schooling might lead to laxness in their future use of magic. If they want to become skilled in their elements they must take very necessary steps to become that, not just go haring around in the garden the whole day."

"Oh, stop grumbling, Tsuke-san. You can be so serious. You are still so young, and yet you are so driven by your ambitions, you have forgotten how it is to be in peace with the world." Kaiyoko smiled, to lessen the rebuff in her words. "This is their way of studying. They are attuning themselves to nature. And look, some of them are practicing magic."

Kaiyoko pointed with her fan, and Tsuke did see knots of students trying to master a simple spell, like summoning some of the element they were interested in. The unluckiest seemed to be a group of students trying to summon air, because all they got was an uncontrollable breeze. He approved that some were trying to summon fire, but Kaiyoko's gaze was taken with something else. He followed it to see a lad walking straight towards the pond in the middle of the garden, so immersed was he in the scroll that he had no idea where he was going. He was among the eldest in the group of students, and he should have known better.

Kaiyoko seemed amused by it, but he was annoyed. "What a simpleton!" he groaned. He really was about to issue a smart order when he felt Kaiyoko freeze beside him.

The young man, dressed in a simple cotton kimono of red, went on walking, without a pause, straight into the water. He was murmuring to himself, and then he kept on walking, above the water, the water making stepping stones for him to stand on, by creating small fountains that supported his weight as he walked on, oblivious to everything except the scroll in his hand.

"What-" He was surprised as well. Kaiyoko watched as the young man kept on walking, from the shallow part to the deeper end.

"Tomo! Hey, Tomo, look up!" someone shouted, and the young man did look up, breaking his concentration. He then became aware of where he was. With wide eyes he tried to run to the shallow end, but he fell straight into the water, to the laughter of his fellow students. He surfaced, shaking the fist with the scroll at the person who called him, laughing as well as he threaded water.

"I'll get you for this, I swear, Shidachi!" he shouted, before easily swimming out of the pond. A younger girl bearing a slight family resemblance, ran to him, to help him out.

"Are you all right, brother?"

"Yes, Uona-chan. Could you hold the scroll I was reading? I don't want the ink to run anymore than it had. I'd have to dry it...look at how the calligraphy had smudged! Hey, Shidachi, you'd better prepare yourself, because you'll be working for three hours, just to replace my scroll!"

"You wish, Tomo!" Yogo Shidachi, a Scorpion exchange student, seemed to find it very amusing to find his friend all wet.

"Why you-!" Tomo just shook his head, as Uona tried to speed up the drying process by getting a small breeze working.

"Those are the children of the Master of the Void, am I correct?" Kaiyoko asked, watching the two of them hopelessly trying to salvage the ruined scroll.

"Yes. They are the youngest two, Tomo and Uona. Kaede had already gone through her gempukku, as well as the eldest son, Tadaka. Tadaka now serves Ujimitsu as a Magistrate." Tsuke remembered the elder two, both having great promise, in different elements. Kaede was obviously Isawa Ujina's daughter, one who will become the Master of the Void. As for Tadaka, he was doing research on the Earth elements, much to the annoyance of the current Master of Earth, Isawa Rujo.

"The lad shows great promise."

Tsuke snorted. "He shows great promise as a clown."

Kaiyoko clucked softly in reproof. "It has only been a few years since you have left this same school, Tsuke-san. Don't be so harsh on our students. None of them have your driving ambition."

"Well, even if he does shows great promise, I would not want to teach him as to the importance of not being so irresponsible as to read a spell scroll while walking." He raised an eyebrow as he watched both Uona and Tomo try to summon a breeze to dry Tomo's clothes out. Everyone seemed unaware who were watching them.

"I think they must learn we have been watching them, do you not think so, Tsuke-san? It is demoralizing how they do not recognize us."

Tsuke huffed. "I was on my way to the forge in the basement, but if you so insist how can I refuse?"

Kaiyoko couldn't help but smile at the grudging tone. "Always so polite, Tsuke-san. I wonder how much the people in court appreciate your manners."

"They appreciate it very well. I keep my scrolls and sword in hand," was Tsuke's short reply.

Kaiyoko was aware of her relative's proud nature, and so let that comment pass. She stepped down into the garden with Tsuke's aid, and then the students finally recognized them. There was a hurry to be orderly and to pay their respects properly to the two elders.

Uona and Tomo stopped trying to summon breezes, being the last to form the line of students bowing to them. Tomo didn't look embarrassed at being caught dripping wet, though Uona was blushing for her brother. Kaiyoko smiled at the girl, knowing how it felt. Tsuke's gaze on them would be enough to burn anyone to a crisp, or, to a lesser extent, dry Tomo's clothes.

"Is this the way you've been taught to use your spells?" was his scathing remark. Tomo didn't even raise his eyes to meet Tsuke's. He didn't try to excuse his state, or to explain it wasn't his fault. No one even tried to defuse Tsuke's obvious annoyance. How could they, before a superior?

"It was an interesting trick you did, wasn't it, Tsuke-san?" Kaiyoko said, smiling at Tomo. Tomo, who felt the friendly overture, looked up and smiled in return, but the smile was wiped off his face when he saw that Tsuke was still glaring at him.

"The Isawa shugenja school wasn't made to teach you to do 'tricks', young man. I would have expected you to do better by studying in solitude, rather than performing these 'tricks' for everyone's amusement. I am not amused by your use of the valuable lessons taught by this school. You should be a model for the rest of them, at your age, and with the heritage you have."

Tomo didn't like the way the Emerald Champion's chief shugenja talked to him, making him feel so much inferior than he really was. He was the most promising Acolyte of water, and he'd proven he did have talent, when he walked over the pond, right? But of course he would not be impolite as to try to even say that in front of Isawa Tsuke, who would probably rise to take part in the Elemental Council. He didn't want to be expelled because of discourtesy. And so he gritted his teeth, and tried to think of the proper thing to say. "Yes, Tsuke-sama. Forgive me for being so irresponsible as to have one of my scrolls with me when I know water would make the ink run," he said, bowing before the two of them.

"You must have a new scroll made. You, Shidachi-" Tsuke turned to the young man who had called Tomo. "You will be creating this scroll."

"But-" Yogo Shidachi tried to explain himself, but the glare he received was enough to silence any protests he could have made.

Kaiyoko suddenly had the urge to nickname Tsuke the 'glaring bull', no matter if all his anger would be focused against her if she dared. His glare had mowed down any opposition to him, the force of his personality a tangible slap to the face to anyone who even tried to squeak against his wishes. She understood why no one would dare to speak against him in his presence, or against the Council of Five that he respected.

"There is nothing but the overwhelming truth that could burn one, and this did burn you. You must cower in shame for causing misfortune to one of your fellow students."

"It wasn't intentional..."

"The intent can not change the results." Tsuke pointed to Tomo. "You, go to your room and change. No need for you to get sick in front of us."

He merely bowed, and ran inside. Kaiyoko smiled at them. "I am the Mistress of Water, Isawa Kaiyoko. And he is Isawa Tsuke, chief shugenja to the Emerald Champion Doji Satsume. We will be here for a few days, and I will be interested to see you progress towards your examinations."

All of the students were suddenly on guard, because Tsuke was too forbidding to imagine having him watching over their shoulders as they cast spells. The mere thought frightened Uona, who so far was the dunce of her class. Kaiyoko smiled reassuringly to her particularly.

"I will gladly see what progress each of you have made in the elements," was all Tsuke said, bored. He knew most of them wouldn't show much promise, anyway but then, some things might surprise him. Like that lad Tomo, who walked over water. He wondered if anyone of the Acolytes of fire could manage to walk over fire...

~~~~~~

"Lady Kaiyoko, it's always a pleasure to see you." Isawa Sze smiled as the Mistress of Water visited him in his rooms.

"As it is to see you, Sze-san."

"I must congratulate you as to the success of your tactics in the Battle of Fate Gorge, Lady Kaiyoko."

Kaiyoko's eyes grew sad, and Sze, who had been smiling, realized that the old issues of pacifism and war raged inside the Mistress anew. He set aside the scroll he was inspecting and linked his hands together.

"War is a terrible thing."

"War is a necessary terror." Sze nodded, slowly. "Yes, it is terrible, the waste and carnage war brings, but this is always going to haunt us. From the beginning it is impossible for people to think as one, and so every now and then they clash, to sometimes disastrous results. One such time is the Battle of Fate Gorge. He made a mistake of challenging what has been established long ago: that shugenjas are necessary in armies, no matter if we tend to get killed so easily. Without magic he never had the aid of the elements in battle, and his fate was thus sealed."

"But Matsu Uniri is like samurai of the other clans, who do not see the necessity of shugenjas with them. We are weak, in their opinion, and they would much rather leave us at home, in safety, while they go on with their battles. And isn't it so much better, so much more peaceful if we did stay behind the scenes, where we could help the people, rather than the armies?"

"Tell him we are useless when he is wounded, and there is no one to cure him. They do not see our usefulness because they only need us when they have endangered their lives, and nothing brings that so close to their hearts except in battle. Yes, many die, and yes, it would be better if we could stay back in safety, but that is not our duty. Our duty calls for us to aid those in need, and to teach the learning of Shinsei, and we do so. Even in war, Lady Kaiyoko." She looked down at her bowl of tea, and Sze added, slowly, "most especially in war."

"I know, Sze-san, but still, I cannot help but feel the need to be free from the obligations pertaining to war."

"It comes with the honor of becoming a master, Lady Kaiyoko. The only way you can be free-" Kaiyoko put down her bowl, not even drinking from it, while comprehension dawned to Sze. "I see."

"The other Masters think that my reasons are valid, and I should not be forced to go on if my spirit is not willing."

"That is true. Well, well," Sze looked far away. "As your colleague, I am dismayed that you have come to this conclusion, and I feel like I must do everything in my power to persuade you to remain. But as your uncle..." He smiled, "-as your uncle I feel that maybe it'll be better if you pursue your old research, and stay in the Isawa shugenja school."

"Thank you, Sze-san."

"It must have been hard for you, to finally decide to step down."

"It was, but it was made easier by finding the perfect candidate for the position."

"So soon? You found one of the acolytes to be capable of carrying on the duties of Master of Water?"

"Yes, Sze-san. It was all by chance. I came back here with Tsuke-san-"

"Tsuke-san! He has not been here for an age. Still a remarkable duelist, I hear."

"Yes, he is."

"Where is he, by the way? He had not passed by yet."

"He is in the forge, as always. Well, as we were on our way to our quarters I saw this young man intently reading a scroll in the garden-"

"You don't mean Isawa Tomo, do you?"

"So, the news have traveled fast..."

"My students were laughing before classes. I found out from them. It isn't a rare occurrence at any rate. He loses himself to the magic, and then he would give free reign to his innate connection with water." He chuckled. "Once or twice I had have to reprimand him for performing 'Catching the Wind's favor', and ending up pouring water over the target."

Kaiyoko smiled at the thought. "Well, as you can see, he would be most capable of becoming a Master of Water."

Sze shook his head, sadly. "No, my dear Kaiyoko, he will never be a Master of Water."

"And why is that, Sze-san? What stops him from being one? You yourself said he has an innate connection with water."

"Yes, but he also has an inability and fear for one element."

"Oh. That is bad then." Kaiyoko sighed, knowing that anyone who couldn't show even a basic mastery of all elements won't be allowed to go through his gempukku. "He must be a really bright student, if he is still allowed to go on with his training, despite this handicap."

"Yes, well, we've tried to develop his ability in that element, but then his fear hinders it. If only he wouldn't be so afraid of it, maybe he'd be able to fulfill even the basic mastery levels required of anyone to undergo their gempukku."

But she wouldn't give up so easily. "There has to be a way to get rid of his fear. What element does he fear? Void?"

"No. He fears fire."

Kaiyoko stared at her tea bowl for a few moments then she picked it up and stared at the green liquid reflecting her face in a deep greenish gray. "I have plans then on how to rid him of this fear."

~~~~~~

"Imagine having him looking over your shoulder, older brother!" Uona shuddered as Tomo made her an origami crane to play with. They should be asleep, they both knew that, but then, they were the only ones left studying here, from their father's brood, and so tended to be close. With their older siblings Kaede and Tadaka nearly Masters of their own elements, the pressure was on them. Tomo knew what he wanted to master, but Uona was an entirely different matter.

They were sitting on the steps by the garden, the very same one he had had that accident in the pond. The shoji was open, so they could quickly slip inside when they heard anyone walking by. "Well, at least he would be fair. Shi-kun's still up making my new scroll for the spell Castle of Water."

"It's his fault anyway! And he had rotten timing! You were embarrassed before two of our Elders, and we were lucky they weren't neechan and niisan, or else they'll tease you to death."

"Oh well, I shouldn't have been so engrossed with that spell anyway." He finished the crane and handed it to his sister. He knew why Uona was in a bad mood, and understood it stemmed from her fear of the chief shugenja and his presence. "Don't worry about Tsuke-sama, Uona. I'm sure he'll understand you're just so young, and shouldn't be pressured to try to show anything special. You're not doing so badly, anyway. Only one of your spells backfired today, right?"

"Well, yes..."

"Then you're improving..."

"I think you did a wonderful thing today, by the way...the walking over water bit. Imagine if I could do that too!"

"Now, now, Uona, don't try anything you might regret later. I'm sure neechan would enjoy hearing that both her younger siblings ended up in the pond within the same week."

"Oh, well, I don't have any skill for water spells anyway." She sighed. "I wish I could find out what element I'm supposed to master!"

"In time you'll find out, Uona. I did tell you I almost tried to master fire, in which I absolutely sucked, right?"

"Yeah, but then, you're so much better than I am when it comes to spells."

"Maybe you just haven't found your gift yet. We'll search for it, like it was a treasure of some sort, little sister."

"That would be fun, Tomo!"

They both heard footsteps in the garden, and they slipped back into the corridor, not wanting to be reprimanded for being out. Tomo and Uona glanced to see who was out so late. The footsteps didn't sound like that the watchman made, they were more purposeful, striking smartly against the gravel.

They saw Isawa Tsuke step out from the shadows of the trees, obviously having come out of the library. Uona almost made a squeal of surprise but he covered her mouth in time. Tsuke stopped to contemplate the pond for a moment, as if considering something, and then he snapped his fingers, summoning fire from thin air.

Tomo watched as he created a bridge of fire over the pond, by making the flames he summoned create a latticework of steps and handrails. Uona's eyes were wide as Tsuke stepped onto the bridge to contemplate the night sky from the middle of the pond. Obviously he'd done this before, because he knew precisely where to position the bridge to present a better view of the night sky than any other part of the garden. He seemed to be interested in the stars, and while he was so rapt in it Tomo tapped Uona's shoulder, to tell her to go back to the girls' quarters. They tried to be silent as they slipped back into their different dormitories, unaware that Tsuke knew they had been there.

Kaiyoko clapped from the library's steps. "Showing off so late?"

"Your boy was out with his sister, I had to hint that they'd better go back in before I report them."

A note of amusement crept in her voice. "My boy?"

"He's the novice you've been looking for, to replace you, am I right?"

"Always observant, Tsuke-san. You're right. I plan to step down, and he seems a likely candidate. You must admit that water seemed to naturally follow his commands, without he even having to think about it. Can I join you there?"

"Yes. The view is nice." Kaiyoko stepped onto the bridge, careful with where she stepped on. She stood beside Tsuke, looking at the stars.

"They're lovely tonight."

"I know."

"Was Tomo happy with Yogo Shidachi's punishment?"

"No. Uona was, though. Your boy isn't exactly the kind to be happy about someone else's misfortune, no matter if he deserved it."

"Yes, I know. He's very carefree."

"Which is bad. He might not be ready to take the responsibility he needs to be ready for when he becomes an elemental master."

"He will be."

"You sound so sure."

"A person who's carefree may be responsible enough, if he knows when to be carefree and when to be serious. He's very serious when it comes to his studies. I asked his teachers."

"Mastering water?"

"Actually, he started trying to learn fire."

Tsuke glanced at Kaiyoko, noticed the smile of amusement, and a smile tugged at the side of his thin lips. "The greatest mistake he made, perhaps?"

"I have no idea. There was a few disparaging remarks about burned scrolls..."

"No, never mind, I don't want to know."

"Well, within the year he had finally settled in with water, and you saw how water responds to him. It was natural for him, an unconscious following to his wishes...if any of the Acolytes of Fire could do that with fire I fear you'll never become part of the council."

Tsuke snorted. "It won't be happening anytime soon, as far as I could see."

"Did you get the chance to see them?"

"Yes. Not doing too badly, but they need some more training...I will find it interesting to lend a hand in some of the lecture series."

"You are just here to rest, Tsuke-san. And you must."

"I brought several of my researches with me, and I have no intention of resting...I feel fit."

"Anyone using the Elements needs to rest to recover his energy."

"You're starting to sound like a teacher," Tsuke observed, looking at her in a detached manner. "I see where you plan to devote your energies when the time comes."

"Yes, well, one must think of the future."

"So will you be watching over him during his examinations?"

"I'll be watching over everyone in my examinations..." She glanced at him. "Wouldn't you be watching over the Acolytes of your element?"

"Yes, and they must do well with their examinations, since the Master of Fire assigned me to watch them in particular." The grim look in his face made Kaiyoko pity the Acolytes of Fire. "But enough. These examinations are for everyone, to test their mastery of all the elements, and therefore I will get to see your boy while I observe the Acolytes of Water."

"True, Tsuke-san. I hope you will not be harsh on him."

He raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Harsh on him, Kaiyoko-sama? Why would I be harsh on an Acolyte of Water?"

Kaiyoko looked up at the stars, avoiding Tsuke's gaze. "I just have the feeling you could develop a dislike of his inherent gentleness when it comes to his dealings with his companions."

"I just think that it is unwise how he let everyone else step over him when he must learn to stand on his own."

"Sometimes one must know how to bend like a reed when it comes to a battle between wills, just like in a duel, Tsuke-san. You are a duelist, you know that."

"But then, it doesn't have to get to that point if you know how to handle your enemy by making him think he couldn't defeat you. It's all a matter of psychological warfare." He smiled, of sorts. "If your enemy fears you, then he would hesitate before trying to challenge you on any issue."

"Unless he has something that makes him feel secure he could win against you," Kaiyoko pointed out.

"And what can he have against you if you know how to handle your matters? That is, unless you have certain secret dealings you'd want to conceal. I try to keep myself free of the intrigues of court. They bore me. Almost all of them are lies, what you could almost call to be blatant fabrications. All you need to know is the truth, and nothing else."

"That is true, Tsuke-san, but it is so hard to sort the truth from the lies."

"That is why you need fire to burn the rubbish around these truths you would seek."

"If only it was so easy..." She glanced up at the sky again. "The stars are so beautiful, so remote..."

"As remote as you wish to be, Kaiyoko-sama."

"Why must we fight? Can't we just follow the teachings of Shinsei, as we have for years? Can't we keep ourselves free from the politics of lies and favors?"

"We cannot, Kaiyoko-sama. That is how the rest of Rokugan deals with life, and though we may keep on teaching the ways of Shinsei, some won't listen, and never learn what must be done."

"I am so tired..."

"Then you must rest, Kaiyoko-sama. There is so much time, we don't need to think about the examinations any time soon. There are so much time. I'll just stay here for a while more."

"Oyasumi, Tsuke-san."

"Oyasumi, Kaiyoko-sama."

~~~~~~

Tomo was examining the scroll Yogo Shidachi made for him. They were seated in the study area, with other students studying hard on low tables arranged far apart, so as to keep distractions at a minimum. "Doumo, Shi-kun. It is a lovely piece of work."

Shidachi yawned, stretching a bit. "I had the feeling Tsuke-sama's going to ask you to hand it over, to see if I fulfilled my dues. He's such a perfectionist."

Tomo grinned. "You noticed too?" He put the scroll aside. "So, are you prepared for Suma-san's test?"

"I hope so. Suma-san can be unpredictable when it comes to practicals. You never know what he's going to make you do. I'm so tired! Uh, Tomo-chan, have I done enough to warrant your forgiveness?"

"Well, I-"

"Ohayou, Kaiyoko-sama!" they heard someone say, and they turned to see the Mistress of Water nodding at the person who greeted her. A stream of "Ohayou"s suddenly came from everyone else, who stood up to greet her, and both Tomo and Shidachi joined in.

"Ohayou, students. Please, continue your studies." She scanned the students positioning themselves to sit down on the tatami, and her eyes locked to Tomo's. Tomo lowered his eyes, picking up his brush, to take some notes. Shidachi was surreptitiously watching Lady Kaiyoko's progress through the room, a thing Scorpions are well-known for being capable of. He tapped at Tomo's arm, and Tomo looked at his friend.

"She's heading this way-" he whispered, an aside. Tomo's eyes widened, and then he saw the hem of a silk kimono across the tatami he was seated on.

"Tomo-san."

Tomo stood up, red as he bowed. "Ohayou, Kaiyoko-sama."

"Have you recovered from your accident?"

Tomo was now sure he was beet-red. 'Great,' he thought, 'to fall down into a pond while the Mistress of Water was walking. What a way to get her to remember me.' "Uh, yes, thank you for the attention, Kaiyoko-sama. I was just reading my new scroll..."

"Was it your work, Shidachi-san?" She asked Tomo's friend, and the Scorpion stood up, bowing low as he admitted he finished it last night, just in time for their teacher Isawa Suma's practical examinations.

"Oh, you will be having your practicals then. I wish you both luck. I will ask Suma-san's opinion of your progress, Tomo-san. Go on studying." Lady Kaiyoko nodded as both of them bowed to her, and she left the study area. Shidachi nudged Tomo's arm, grinning.

"Hey, she's got an eye in turning you into her apprentice, I think."

"Oh, it's probably nothing. She's related to me of sorts, it's only natural for her to be concerned."

"But then, she's related to around half of the school's population. Admit it, Tomo-chan, she's interested in you for something. I guess you'll be a good assistant for her. Hmph, I wish I had a relative like that."

"Hey, don't forget, even if I'm related to the teachers, it doesn't mean I get an easy time. All Isawas have to study, and I guess we have to study harder to prove ourselves. About studying, the practicals will be in the next hour, so try memorizing that, Shi-kun."

"Oh, all right!"