Secrecy has never been my thing. But, this was different. This child makes me think of me, but not as how he is now. How he could be, if I do not stay silent.
If the others knew, they would separate Raimundo from the child. His child. This babe deserved to know the one who brought him to life.
And if Chase Young were to discover the boy's existence, he would kill Wuya. I am no friend of hers, but I would not wish a mother's death to anyone.
I know I only keep this secret for the child's safety. I can hardly control my anger towards Raimundo for betraying us in such a way. Sometimes, I have such a strong need to reveal his secret, his son, and his secret wife, that I must literally bite my tongue.
The pain of being orphaned, never knowing if your parents wanted you, or not. Having to guess what they were like. The only reason I find strength to fight is because of Master Fung. The need to protect him. If I lose him, I've lost the only father I have ever had.
An unnatural spawn of a Shoku, and a Heylin Witch. It's wrong, but the child is so innocent. I cannot risk being responsible for any harm that could come to him.
Sitting here, in the dark of the babe's hidden nursery, watching over him for my leader, the traitor, I often feel sick. If the others found out, and they knew that I knew, and never let them know, they'd never forgive me. Master Fung would be so mad at me. Even if everyone I loved remained safe, I'd still lose them.
A door opened and closed, and soft footsteps approached the door to the nursery.
"Hey, Omi," Raimundo smiled at me. I was holding the child, "I hope Juan wasn't any trouble."
"He behaved very well the entire time." I smiled back, the effort of concealing my anger making me twitchy. Raimundo took his son from me, and placed his nose against Juan's.
"Olá, menino." He spoke in his first language. Juan woke, and stared at his father. The only thing that revealed his mother's identity was his eyes. Just like Wuya's. It made me sick to look into those eyes.
That is why I prefer to spend time with Juan when he is asleep. Than, those evil eyes do not seem to taunt his innocence. It feels wrong to hate nothing of someone but their eyes, and I know Juan cannot help whom is his mother.
"Did you behave for Uncle Omi? He says you did. Você é uma criança tão bom, e eu te amo." I did not know what he was saying, but he said it in his fatherly voice. When I was younger, and upset, he would speak to me in the same voice.
At the time, I thought it was comforting, now, I only enjoyed hearing his voice when he spoke to Juan. Every other time, all I could hear was the heaviness of his lies.
"I am going back to the temple now." I say, walking away from Raimundo and his son.
"Thank you, Omi," His voice is a tone I had yet to hear, "For everything. I means so much that you'd lie to them for us." It was honest, light, an almost like how he used to sound, almost a decade ago.
"I do not keep the truth from them for you, or Wuya. I do it for the child." I left, and once outside, I stopped. I breathed in the night air for a few moments, before I began to long hike back to the temple.
I was tired, most likely from staying up all night to be sure Juan slept well. Gazing up at the stars, I prayed Juan wouldn't end up like me, and that I hadn't started out like Juan.