Journey of the Heart
By Time Lady/Lady Timedramon
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Disclaimer: I do not own the characters contained within.
Note: This fic was originally done for LiveJournal's tt500 community
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"Konnichiwa," said the young man as he bowed to me. "I have been told to seek training from the one true master.""I have been told to seek training from the one true master."
I quickly appraised the latest young man to come seeking my training. He had come dressed in a gi, as many others have. Unlike the others, he carries only a single blade strapped to his back and a sack of food. Then I glanced into his dark eyes. Strength, honor, integrity… Yes, he would make a good student, but he was limited by his desire – or lack thereof. "Who sends you?" To my experienced eye, it was obvious that he was not here willingly.
"My ancestors," he returned with a sad sigh. "I am honoring their wishes. I must follow, as did my mother, as did her father, as did many in generations before us. Now I am the last."
This one was different than the previous students. The last young man who came, the masked one, burning to meet the true master at all costs, would do anything to obtain the training. I sat down on a boulder and gestured for the newcomer to sit as well. He knelt before me, bowing his head like a repentant child. "You are Bushido." I stated bluntly. His body tensed, as if he was unwilling to hear the name, then he nodded. "Born of a long and noble line. Yet you resist the calling of your ancestors."
"Becoming the Bushido is in my blood," he replied softly. "That does not mean it was my choice."
Shaking my head, I said, "Then the true master can not help you." He looked up at me, his eyes wide with surprise. "Your journey lies elsewhere. First you must find your heart."
"My heart? I do not understand."
"You are a warrior born. Every fiber of your being screams this. Yet deep within. . .," I tap the center of his chest with my staff. ". . . In here, you are not willing to accept your calling. Your mind understands the way of the Bushido. But you have truly not experienced what it means to BE a Bushido. This is the journey you must take before the true master will train you."
He bowed his head again. "Sensei," he addressed me, "is there a place for the Bushido in this modern world?"
"There are those with the heart of the Bushido, even though they are not of the blood," I said, mindful of my previous student. "Seek them out. . . they may help you along the path of your journey."
Slowly yet gracefully the young man rose to his feet. "Thank you, Sensei."
"When you have completed your journey of the heart, return here. I am certain you will be ready to train with the true master then."
"Domo arigato," he said with a low bow. I watched as he turned and walked down the path.
Many journey to see me. I know he will return. The next time, however, he will be ready to bear the name Bushido.
-End-