The uphill battle of what Musaki should do...begins. Also, I thought I would add an old friend on this.
Chapter 3: Crazy Bombshell
Musaki sits alone in his room, just looking at the letter that Zeke had written to him and how he wishes the best of him turning 18 and that he'll come to the Valley of Peace on his birthday and celebrate it with him and on the hopes that after that, Musaki could move out of the Jade Palace and live in Shanghai Secluded Valley to be close to his relatives. He had been thinking about going back to live there for good and just get to know more about his relatives and be around them, but the Valley of Peace had been like a home to him since he was three after his parents' death; where he has so many friends and an adopted family in the Jade Palace.
It would be hard for him one day to leave it all behind, but when an adopted kid turns 18, they move out and find a place of their own and Musaki's not sure if he's up for a little taste of independence yet.
"Saki?"
Musaki looks up and he sees Ichi coming in and he sits up and said, "Hey, Ich."
Ichi gives Musaki a high-five/fist bump greeting to each other and they hugged each other and as Ichi sat down, he said, "Heard that you're gonna turn 18 this year. Happy birthday, man."
"Thanks. My birthday isn't for another week though, but I appreciate the early shout-out." Musaki said, with a chuckle.
Ichi nods his head and he said, "That age is pretty much the point where you're growing out of childhood and into being an adult. Times change, people change...but it's a great point where you'll have to be your own person."
"Did you feel that way on your 18th birthday?" asked Musaki.
"I gotta tell ya...I was a little nervous that day because I didn't think I would reach it. You know, there are thoughts about my fire powers, but it's still controllable." Ichi replied.
"I see." Musaki nodded.
Ichi then looks up at Musaki for a while and he asked, "So...any plans for the big 1-8?"
"I just kinda want a simple party; nothing too special, nothing too perfect or extravagant...just with my close family and friends." Musaki answered.
"That's cool. Anyways, I invited myself to this party of yours. We'll have a lot of fun celebrating your birthday together...as best friends." Ichi said.
"Thanks, Ich. Um...I kinda wanna ask you something?" said Musaki.
Ichi was all ears for any question Musaki would ask and he just lets out a shaky, nervous sigh and asked, "What would you say if...if I decided to move out of the Valley of Peace one day?"
Ichi widened his eyes at that question and he turned to Musaki and replied, "Honestly? I would be kinda sad if you did."
That answer was enough for Musaki to hear and he feels completely torn about him deciding to move out or to stay in the Valley when he hits 18 and fears that he'll lose his friendship with Ichi if he moved out and Ichi asked, "Why do you ask?"
"No reason." Musaki answered, quickly.
Ichi blinks his eyes and he said, "You sure? I mean...you can tell me."
Musaki then looked at Ichi in the eye and he said, "All right. I got a letter from my brother Zeke and he said he's coming over to celebrate it with me because we're both twins, so we share the same birthday. He told me his birthday present would be if I can live in Shanghai Secluded Valley. I'm kinda happy that he would want that, but at the same time, I'm kinda scared that I'll leave everything I love about the Valley of Peace behind; my friends, my adopted family, my girlfriend, you...and people wouldn't take it the right way, assuming that I'd leave them and never come back and forget about them. I would never do that at all."
After hearing what Musaki explained, Ichi seemed a little shocked at first that Musaki's thinking about considering it, but at the same time...he's kinda torn between going or staying and he said, "I understand where you're coming from. I was also afraid that if I were to leave and live on my own, I'd lose my closest friends too."
"If I were to tell you this, you'd be mad at me...and we'd stop being friends." Musaki added.
"Saki...you and I go back a long time. You were always there for me when I feel alone and you never stopped doing that. You're my best friend and you'll always be my best friend." Ichi said.
That made him feel better, but that wasn't enough from how the rest of the masters will take the news about his decision and Musaki said, "Always, man."
"You have to make your own decisions when you reach that age, you know? You can't always rely on everyone else anymore to decide for you. Only you get to make the decisions yourself." Ichi replied.
Musaki nods his head at that and he's pretty happy that Ichi still understands where he's coming from with this and he knows that these two will always remain friends no matter what happens and he said, "Yeah, I guess so."
"So...about the party; should it be dressy or like...?" asked Ichi.
Musaki smiles at him and replied, "Just come as you are, Ich. You don't have to dress up or whatever."
"Thanks. My uncle still wants me to wear some suits and stuff and I am not about to go there." Ichi added.
Both of them started laughing with each other and they gave each other a high five as Ichi started to head off and he said, "I'll see ya later, man."
"See ya, buddy." Musaki replied.
After Ichi left, Musaki's left thinking about whether if he's still going or if he's staying and probably the biggest question would be; how would the masters react if he told them?
The reaction will come on the next chapter! Also, Ichi is owned by Wonder Panda Tan-Tan!
