Chapter Text
Minoru’s life in the temple was hard but not unfair. He trained among his peers, worked his share of chores, and slept comfortably. The food was bland but filling, alms collected by older monks. Days bled into weeks. Weeks into months.
Wake up, wash, meditate, train, eat, work, eat, meditate, sleep, repeat.
He was an equal to his fellow Toh-Dai, Some were Celestial Beasts like him, some were Demons, and some were human. Under Master Arata’s shrewd eyes, and gentle guiding hands, they were all children and students. One such student had loudly declared during a meal that they were friends now. If Minoru had known that sharing his bean soup was friend worthy he probably wouldn’t have shared with the brute of a bear who called himself Takenosuke but Minoru just called him Gokiburi or Goki, for his persistence.
Goki was tall for their teens, making him clumsy and awkward, but his broad and muscular stature was useful at times. Summer had snaked its way into the temple, and the warm sun had been merciless, draining everyone of their energy and putting moods on edge. Minoru and Goki had done nearly everything they could think of to find relief from the sweltering heat, finally in their desperation they found themselves in a precarious situation.
Minoru wobbled from his perch on Goki’s shoulders, despite the ample space to stand, the unsteady nature of his living ladder was concerning. His fingers stretched up up up, for the overripe peach stubbornly stuck to the tree above him.
"Toh Dai Minoru, Toh Dai Takenosuke, it saddens me to know that your meals are insufficient." Arata hummed.
The shrieking noise that Minoru made was anything but dignified.
The nervous gas that escaped Goki was dangerous.
Arata's kind gaze, followed the teen boys as Minoru shouted at Goki while plugging his nose. Goki shoved Minoru playfully. The monkey hissed at the bear Fangs bared, the bear rose to the challenge flashing his fangs and shaking out his fur with a growl.
They circled each other, crouched low, hands out, eyes locked on their opponent . Warmth flooded his top set of ears, over the years with much training Minoru had learned what his ears could do. One set to hear the past, one for the present, and one for the future. The voice of an Arata he did not know yet hummed a subtle reprimand. "Minoru kun, broaden your focus, you assume because Takenosuke kun is large that he would favor his fists over a kick. No matter how nimble you are, you will get hit if you are not prepared."
Minoru watched, purple eyes taking in every detail ,and like the final drop in Shishi Odoshi, everything fell into place. Perfect Mimicry, a skill he had used instinctively from the beginning, was connected to his future hearing.
Goki struck out, his large body deceptively quick, Minoru met the blow, Goki paused in shock for just a moment, and Minoru struck. He lunged forward grabbing Goki's shoulder with one hand and twisting his body midair, pulling himself behind the bear. His arms fastened around his neck in a choke hold. The taps on his arms were like cold water washing over him. Suddenly Minoru was aware of what he had done, and was shocked that it had worked. He looked up to see Arata beaming with pride.
"Well done Minoru Kun, you have broken through another wall, have you not?" Arata praised.
"Yes master, I have attuned myself more closely to my powers." Minoru said, releasing Goki and bowing under his masters praise.
"Very good. We will discuss further steps to take in your training after dinner tonight. Inform instructor Wu Gou San, I will need him to assist in this effort." Arata hummed thoughtfully.
"Yes master." Minoru replied rising from his bow and turning to Goki. Arata turned and walked away in the direction of the zen garden, he dutifully kept at the back of the compound.
"Are you alright?"
"Of course, I couldn't embarrass you in front of the master. I let you win!" Goki Boasted.
"Is that so?" Minoru hummed. He had never done that, not before meeting Arata anyways. He wished that he had picked up more of his fathers speech patterns, but that slow assuredness had never been Minoru's to posses. His master would often say that the heavens had used steel wire when crafting his tongue, it was far to sharp and quick for his own good.
The two walked towards the courtyard where training for the younger monks was taking place. Goki walked straight ahead, but Minoru turned back and stood under the tree, the sound of a splat echoing in his ears. He out stretched his palm and waited. One breath. Two breaths. And on the third, the soft, tender skin, sun warmed and fragrant, of a large over ripe peach fell into his hand.
Sharp fangs broke through the thin barrier separating the sweet juice from his hungry tongue. Bathed in the aftermath of a breakthrough, and the soft victory of having the last peach of the season all to himself, Minoru lazily followed the large back of his friend.
Wu Gou, was a gruff man, harsh words, and harsher actions hid good intentions. Minoru liked him. He reminded him of a harsher, less wise version of his father.
"Wu Gou Sensei!" Goki called out, waving a large pawed hand with an easy going grin on his face. Minoru elbowed the stupid lug, throwing a now clean peach pit behind him, sometimes he believed that Goki was pulling the longest con ever, in convincing everyone that he was a Bear, and not just a giant dog.
Minoru folded one hand over his fist and bowed to his instructor, "Wu Gou Sensei, Master Arata has requested that we meet him after dinner tonight. He told us to inform you." Minoru heard the sound of a staff wooshing through the air, and then a meaty impact . Goki suddenly joined him in his bowed position, except his hands were clutching his stomach. Minoru snickered at the bug eyed expression Goki wore. The bear's eyes fixed the monkey with a look that promised revenge, Minoru wasn't afraid. Goki was mischievous but stupid, so his pranks rarely ever worked. Not without Minoru's help anyways.
"Thank you Toh Dai Minoru. I will be sure to attend this meeting." Gou said, leaning on his staff lazily. "Goki Chan, I can call you that can't I? Since were familiar enough that you can wave so care free? The evil lilt in Gou's voice sounded like hours of harsh conditioning training, and what kind of friend would Minoru be if he didn't sit under a tree and supervise from a distance. It was hard work, but for his friend… He'd find a way.