[h1][center][color=39b54a]Toko[/color] and Ken Ling[/center][/h1]

Toko couldn't help but laugh at Seichi's comical behaviour. It was part of his charm, part of who he was...part of who Toko loved. The three of them together like this made it all seem worth it, in a way. This was what Toko was fighting for, the ability to laugh and enjoy time with those closest to him. Alas, everything would have to come to an end, but they would meet again. [color=39b54a]"I promised dad I would train with him today."[/color] Ken was no slouch. If he stated a time when Toko had to be home for training, then Toko better be home at that specific time. Ken was a disciplined swordsman and he didn't joke around. Belonging to the elite of Konoha, a man known as the Chakra Knight, he had a title and reputation to uphold and while he could be considered a stiff, Ken had his softer and more lighthearted sides. Of course, he had no mercy on his son's training, and sometimes it felt like a punishment but Toko knew that in the end, it was all going to be worth it. You do not become a kenjutsu and taijutsu specialist by sitting around. Every single day he would train with his father and every single day he would struggle to get a breath out when they were done. Ken was a hard teacher to say the least, but he didn't try to [i]kill[/i] his students like a certain someone, granted that Toko was his only student. 

[color=39b54a]"I'll see you two around. Be well, okay?"[/color] Toko paid for their meals, his wallet essentially empty now. It was always worth it, if it lead to smiles, laughter and joy with his friends, it was always worth it. The boy waved to the other two and started back towards his home. [color=39b54a][i]"It goes so fast...I barely have time to enjoy their company..."[/i][/color] Speaking of their company, what was with Seichi all of a sudden? The way he spoke of Asuka made him seem almost...attracted to her. Well, that was no huge surprise, was it? A lot of males would be attracted to the beautiful Asuka. Seichi wouldn't be the first to point her beauty out. [i][color=39b54a]"I guess it just makes everything official...there's no chance..."[/color][/i] With a soft sigh, Toko's eyes traveled to the ground he walked on, each step bring him closer and closer to home. [color=39b54a][i]"I wonder what they would say if they figured out what...I am. I think it would complicate everything. What would dad say? It's not like it's considered normal..."[/i][/color] Softly kicking a small rock aside, Toko placed his hands in his pockets and took a deep breath. Was this going to be one of those things that never stopped? Was it going to be one of those things that just kept going and going until it eventually boiled over in a climactic disaster? How bad could it be, really? At the end of the day it was just a silly crush...right? One that had been in the air for the past few [i]years.[/i]

Placing his hand on the door, Toko gently pushed it open to step inside and saw how his dad was mediating in the yard, two bokken in front of him. His eyes were closed, his back straight and his breathing slow. Without a word, Toko slipped out of his slippers and walked onto the yard, dropping down to a seated position and closed his eyes. [i][color=39b54a]"I need to empty my mind."[/color][/i] It wasn't easy, especially not with Seichi and Asuka occupying his mind. Now that Toko had left, what were they doing? The three had been friends forever, but there was no tension between them, where there? Well, Toko liked Seichi yes but did Seichi like Asuka? Did she like him? Toko's fingers tightened as they rested on his knees, his teeth clenching before he heard his father's voice. 

[b]"You're distracted."[/b]

[color=39b54a]"N-no I'm just..."[/color]

[b]"Do not speak untrue, Toko. What is bothering you?"[/b]

The boy waited for a few moments before responding, his mind trying to find the right way to express these thoughts. [color=39b54a]"It's foolish...I apologise father, it shouldn't be bothering me..."[/color]

[b]You can say that about anything."[/b] Ken opened his eyes, a pair of serious orbs staring back at Toko, demanding authority. [b]"Any problem that hurts your focus is dangerous if left unchecked, foolish or not."[/b] Ascending to his feet, Ken grabbed his bokken and held it with the tip in front of his son. [b]"So let us see what hides within that heart of yours, shall we?"[/b] Despite his stiff and sometimes merciless attitude, Ken was incredibly caring of his son and always wanted to be there for him. According to Ken however, talking things out had its place but a battle would truly show what hid within the heart of someone. Having reached thirty two years of age, Ken still possessed quite a young frame. One could easily mistake him for a man in his twenties and while Toko and Ken looked similar, one would easily mistake them for brothers. 

Toko equipped his sword and stepped back, preparing for the battle to come. Sparring with his father was always fun, hard but fun. [color=39b54a]"I am prepared, father..."[/color] The boy's words were quiet like always, but is was easy to spot the melancholy in their tone. 

[b]"Very well then. Focus."[/b] In an instant, Ken appeared mere inches from his son with a powerful swing with his bokken. Toko quickly ducked out of the way to deliver a fast cut to Ken's stomach but it was easily blocked by the experienced swordsman. [b]"Sloppy, Toko. You are doubting yourself."[/b]

He could establish that from a single attack? Jumping back, Toko allowed for some distance before he charged forth and delivered a series of precise strikes, each connecting with Ken's bokken as they were blocked with little effort. [b]"Careless. You're desperate."[/b] Manouvering around his father, Toko continued to strike, his attacks having little effect. Once Ken retaliated, their bokken clashed and forced Toko closer to the large tree in their yard. [b]"Fragile. You are easily thrown to your knees, son."[/b] Clenching his teeth, Toko gracefully backflipped onto the tree trunk, launching himself forward to deliver a powerful slash towards his father with the acceleration of the jump. [b]"Predictable. Your sight is narrow."[/b] Catching Toko's bokken on the edge of his own, the man allowed it slide off his blade and spun around, grabbing Toko by the shoulder and placed his sword against his child's throat. [b]"You are much better than this, Toko. You keep me on my toes more often than I would like, but your distractions are destroying you."[/b]

[color=39b54a]"I'm sorry...dad..."[/color] The boy responded, looking down with his hand shaking slightly. Ken was right, if Toko was this distracted on the battlefield, he would die. His skills had essentially been cut in less than half. 

[b]"Do not apologise."[/b] Ken removed the bokken from Toko's throat and stepped back, twirling the blade in his hand before he rested to tip against the ground. [b]"Who is it?"[/b]

[color=39b54a]"Wh-what...?"[/color]

[b]"The person who has claimed your heart. The person who clouds your every strike, the person who will one day get you killed unless you sort this out."[/b] Toko's eyes widened at his father's words. [i]Get him killed?[/i] What was he talking about? [b]"Truly, love is a wonderful feeling, but a dangerous one. Unless you get this under control Toko, the love in your heart will only cloud it. Those distractions will be an open way to defeat, and in turn, death."[/b]

[color=39b54a]"I...I don't know...I..."[/color] Feeling his hands shake even more, Toko's fingers around the bokken tightened to stifle it. 

[b]"You've never admitted it to anyone, have?"[/b] No, Ken could not read minds, but he was incredibly intuitive. He could see through people like open books, and always acted upon it. This was highly frustrating most of the time. 

[color=39b54a]"No..."[/color] Toko responded, clenching his teeth as his heartbeat accelerated. 

[b]"Then step out of the clouds. Speak the name."[/b] The man looked at his son with eyes that could pierce through plate. 

[color=39b54a]"I...I can't..."[/color]

[b]"Are you afraid?"[/b]

[color=39b54a]"Yes..."[/color]

[b]"Of me, of yourself? Of the truth? Your fears are irrelevant, Toko. Your reality will not bend to them. Either surpass them or let them control you."[/b]

Falling down to his knees, Toko couldn't prevent the tears now streaming down his cheeks, his entire body tensing. [color=39b54a]"D-dad I don't...I don't know what to do..."[/color]

[b]"Speak his name, and let the weights on your soul be lifted. Do not dwell in darkness, Toko. Speak his name."[/b] Looking up with teary, shocked eyes. Toko gazed at his father with a trembling body, nearly out of breath at what the man had said. He said [i]his.[/i]