Once I got over going to the bathroom, I found myself several sides of being a guy that I actually liked. Practicing the martial arts were much easier when I actually had the option of taking off my top. I was even excited for the possibility of all the muscles. However, I found myself to be surprisingly lacking. I couldn't even work up the strength I had when I was a girl. I got nowhere near my previous limit. I found myself waking up earlier each morning to try to work myself back up. Nothing seemed to be working. Like I had hit some unknown plateau and was sinking fast.

I wiped the sweat from my brow. I had only been walking around for about an hour and I was already exhausted. I trekked up the mountains and through the forest. It was nice to greet the morning roaming through the countryside. The sun stained the morning sky my favorite red. The clouds were died the lightest pink.

It was another beautiful day. It was maybe the second most beautiful I could remember. Days like this were meant to be enjoyed. I found a nice spot on the cliff side and meditated. I focused on the sounds of the birds' songs. I felt the light cool breeze from the north that caressed my face. The soft earth beneath my feet, so warm and strong. I harmonized with the hum of nature. I felt every trickle of the nearby stream. The wind rustled the leaves the same way it carried the ends of my hair across my face. The tickling sensation reminded me that I forgot to tie it back again. Wait, I was getting distracted. Nature was harmonious and balanced just like I was striving to be. Alright, let's see...there was...the sound of a twig snapping. An ever so slight intake of breath. The sound of something sharp and metal cutting through the air.

I quickly rolled out of the way. Someone was attacking me. Why did it have to be now? I hadn't had any indication that someone was planning to start another war. Was I just out of practice? Please oh please let me strength hold out.

I focused again. I couldn't just rely on my strength. I needed to cunning. I needed to know who exactly I was up against. A few feet away from where I was sitting was a kunai knife. I froze. This couldn't be happening.

Suddenly, a sharp jarring pain ran all down my back. I should have stopped it, but I just didn't react. I screamed and fell on the ground. Now was not the time to be sentimental. I needed to move. Even though my body screamed in protest, I twisted around on the ground and threw dirt into my assailants eyes.

I took off. I found the least steep side of the cliff and slid down into the jungle. I quickly climbed one of the huge trees and jumped from limb to limb. At least now we were on equal grounds. I ducked out of the way of a ninja star. So he had already caught up.

"You know, it's not very honorable to attack someone's back, Japan."

There was no response. "Oh, don't you give me the silent treatment. I know it's you. Who do you think taught and gave you those weapons?" I said continuing to run. Damn, my back was burning. And I had really liked this jacket, too.

I heard Japan sigh, "I could say the same to you, China. It's not very honorable to let yourself be attacked from the back. Or running away for that matter."

I smiled a bit. "Who says I'm running away? I'm just looking for a better battleground."

There was silence for a moment. Japan didn't attempt to attack me, but I ran faster just in case. "So who set you up to this? I swear, if this is another one of Korea's games..."

"Do you really think Korea could make me do something like this?" Japan said irritated.

The tension in the silence is tangible. "You had to have known this was coming. Everyone's been on edge since the westerners came back. They have advanced pretty far in that short time, haven't they? My boss has been urging me not to fall behind. To show that I am not a country to be messed with. That I am strong and powerful and someone to be respected. That is why he told me to attack you, China.

I delayed as long as possible. I tried to make excuses of why it was wrong. We are practically family. You raised me and taught me almost everything I know. I could never attack you. You were a woman."

And now I could see. Why Japan had left so suddenly. "Only you're not," Japan continued. "Once one excuse fell, my boss became more demanding. He told me the time was now while you were weak and vulnerable. I would never get an opportunity like this again."

In a sick way, I admired Japan's boss's strategy. I just didn't like it implemented against me. The trees started to thin out. It wasn't much further. That was a good thing. I didn't know how much longer I could hold out.

The place I chose was basically a giant rock. Like a hard cool desert. Barren. Nowhere to hide. I stopped running and turned around to face my opponent. Japan stopped as well. This was our face off. I had to fight my little brother. Man to man. I owed him that much. I felt nauseous, but that could just be from blood loss.

Japan pulled out his katana with a sad look on his face. He hadn't cleaned it yet. The blood from my back was drying on his blade. I took my stance.

"Aren't you going to draw your swords?" Japan called out to me.

"Sorry, I left them in my other meditation clothes. When I become one with nature, I like to hack up trees only on Wednesdays. Besides, I don't need them. I think we both know how this s going to end."

I really don't like to make a habit of thinking so negatively. Japan had grown to be strong. I was barely able to defeat him the last time we had a practice fight. I was no match against him now. Was it wrong for me to be proud of him?

"Let's finish this quickly." Japan ran at me with his sword. He swung it down and I caught it in my hands. I winced. I hadn't caught it properly. The blood from my palms trickled down. I swung my body around to kick him in the face.

He stumbled but maintained control of his weapon. I smiled. He really had gotten quite good. I followed through with the rest of the swing to punch him in the stomach. He caught my arm in his grip. He swung his sword at me again. I used my other arm to deflect it, but not enough. It sliced through my thigh rendering that leg useless. I wouldn't be able to support my weight. I used Japan's grip on me to flip and use my good leg to push off from him.

I balanced on my good leg. I didn't have many options left. Block or dodge, and I was running out of dodge.

Japan swung at me one last time. I caught it. In my arm. It hit against bone and stopped. I twisted my arm making the hold stronger but excruciatingly more painful. The katana fell out of Japan's grip. I swung my arm, and the katana flew several yards away. Without the blade, nothing stopped the blood from flowing out. I was getting dizzy, and my vision started to blur. I teetered on my leg.

"I'm surprised you've held out for this long," two Japan's said very gravely. Two arms swung out and hit me across the head. They knocked me to the rock ground. I hit the back of my head hard. It didn't take long for the blurs to be replaced by black. So this was it. This was the end of the great Chinese empire. The final dynasty. It was finally my turn. Balance has a funny way of working. I was born a girl, yet I was strong. I would die a man, yet I was weak.

The world had changed so much in my lifetime. No one really needed me anymore. My family had all grown up; they'd be alright. It would take them a while to forgive Japan, and it would take Japan even longer to forgive himself. I didn't worry. They were all still so young. I heard tales that your life is supposed to flash before your eyes, so why was my last thought a pair of purple eyes?