Aiden watched him leave, wondering where that left them. He was still trying to get a decent grasp on the most basic elements of their situation, and this confusion was not helping. He turned back to the table, realizing he hadn't placed his utensils as the others had done. The chopsticks had not been easy to use, leaving a lot of the hard to grab stuff in his bowl. He put them as close as he could to what the others had done, then realized Masanori was staring at him. "What is it?" He asked, almost fascinated by the unyielding quality of the young man's dark, almond shaped eyes.

"You spoke well," he replied, appraising the young Irish man.

Aiden laughed. "I don't know about that."

Masanori almost smiled. "If only you could fight half as well."

Aiden's laugh turned into a wry smile. "I could use some improvement, it's true." He quietly assessed his physical condition, deciding he would really rather go back to bed and let all this heal up nice and undisturbed. "How do you suggest I go about that?" He asked instead.

Masanori stood, repressing a wince. "Come with me."

"Okay," Aiden followed him out of the room, wishing the short length of the robe didn't catch so much attention. It seemed anyone they ran across stared either at that or at his red hair and gray eyes. He had difficulty remembering a day that had been more continuously awkward for him. Nope. This twenty four hour time period took the cake.

The shorter, stouter young man stopped once to ask a question that Aiden could not understand, and continued on, until they came to an appropriately sized open space. It was currently unoccupied, the racks holding the practice weapons full and waiting to be used. Masanori strode imperfectly to one of the weather protected racks and chose a staff. Aiden followed him over, not really sure he wanted to do this. Masanori gestured to a pair of wooden swords, expecting him to select them.

Aiden took them up, noting that they felt very different from the ones he had held earlier. Not bad, but somehow empty, and almost sluggish. Maybe that was just a side affect of his condition. It was possible they felt cumbersome because he was weak. He turned to look across the arena, as it clearly was.

Waiting for him, Masanori stood in the packed dirt. Aiden didn't know if how he held the staff was technically proper form, if they were to consult an expert, but he had no doubt he knew how to use it to painful effect. He groaned internally, hoping the stronger boy would go easy on him. Then again, Masanori seemed a little unforgiving. What would his easy be?

"I was not formally trained," Masanori said as Aiden took his stand in front of him. "But I have learned on my own, and it has gotten me by well. It will be better than what you know."

"Something usually is better than nothing," Aiden agreed, grimacing. His body protested every time he moved, maybe this was a bad idea.

Masanori caught the twinge in his face. "Do you wish to postpone this?"

Aiden considered it for a moment, but he knew they could encounter the enemy at any time. There was no guarantee they would stick to the city. He probably couldn't afford to wait, as much as he would like to. Like it or not, he was involved in this now, and though he did not want all the pain that had already come and the great deal that was likely to come later, he should start trying to rise above it. "No," he answered, wishing he'd said it immediately. "Let's go."

Masanori nodded. "Do not let me hit you."

That was all the warning Aiden had. Masanori came in quickly, swinging the staff to connect with his middle. Aiden brought the swords down to deflect, but Masanori moved with the block, swinging around to crack it against his back. Aiden staggered forward, grunting.

"Try again," Masanori said, retreating several paces.

That had hurt. Aiden recovered, and brought the swords up again, praying he would prove a fast learner. Masanori came in, holding the staff across his chest. When he was close he spun in around and jabbed the end at Aiden's face. Startled, Aiden stepped backwards instinctively, raising one of the swords. But Masanori had already shifted which end he was utilizing and brought the other around in a short sweep to neatly trip the tall Irishman. Aiden fell heavily, jarring his head, and bringing groans from his injuries.

He knew he shouldn't have expected different, but it was beginning to get frustrating. He wanted to just rest in the dust, but his will was smoldering. Maybe he should stop being defensive. He stood, his arms felt weak, his body sluggish and tired. But Masanori was standing across from him, waiting to see what he would do.

"Try again," Aiden said.

Masanori began twirling the staff, stepping forward with daunting intent. Aiden remembered the other young man was hurting too, and marveled at his ability to put his own pain aside, even in a casual case like this. Aiden stepped back as Masanori stepped closer, in truth, intimidated. The more powerfully built young man could put some serious hurt in a swing with the staff.

Aiden forced himself to take a breath and try to focus. Masanori was powerful, and while he was certainly fast, he probably wasn't particularly agile. Aiden did a lot of dancing back home, his footwork should be easy to adapt to combat. Where would Masanori swing? Head, torso, legs? The swords could be moved individually, one could go up when the other went down, and they were not edged, so he didn't need to be afraid of hurting his sparring partner. The staff spun, going around and around. Aiden watched it, waiting, focusing. It broke from its pattern and came at him. Aiden brought his left up, swinging it to the side. Following the momentum of the staff, he saw it shift, and brought his right down to stop it. At the same time, he swiped with the left, making Masanori bring the staff up hastily to protect himself.

Aiden moved deftly to the left, and bent low, trying to use his sword to trip Masanori. The Japanese man prevented the move, and as Aiden was trying to rise to standing, his body less responsive than he needed it to be, brought the staff down on his back again. When that didn't bring Aiden down, Masanori hit him again, harder, and Aiden was knocked into the dirt.

"Much better," Masanori approved, breathing harder. His limp was a little more pronounced when he moved away this time. "Let's do that again. This time I will not be so easy on you."

Aiden let his breath out slowly to keep himself from uttering the telling moan. He could tell this had not been good on the repairs attempted on his body. He had swung too far, and he thought he may have loosened one of the medi-pedes, tearing more skin. His back was throbbing. But their enemy would not be gentle. He forced himself to his hands and knees, and then to his feet. He turned around less steadily, and held the swords slightly to his sides. "Alright," he answered, gritting his teeth.

"Stop," Akio ordered, coming into the arena. They rested their weapons.

"He is improving," Masanori pointed out. "We should continue."

Akio shook his head, but it was clear he was not doing it to be argumentative. "It is true, your methods are teaching him how to fight. To a degree. But as you can see," he gestured to them both, and the fresh bleeding seeping from yesterday's wounds. "Exercising in this way is proving harmful to you both. Perhaps you will allow me to try?"

Masanori nodded, looking at him questioningly.

Aiden didn't want them to start fighting again. "Sounds good to me," he agreed, standing next to Akio.

Akio, standing several inches taller than Masanori, gave him his attention. "Masanori, I still intend to help. Right now, I can do that through instruction." He sighed. "I know Aiden was correct in what he said, but I am not ready to accept it. Can you work with that?"

Masanori stood in contemplation for a long moment. "No one can be held responsible for your safety when you refuse to take necessary steps." His eyes hardened. "If others are killed or injured as a direct result of your refusal to accept your responsibilities, then I will hold you accountable."

Akio nodded seriously. "Understood." He turned to Aiden, having to look up. "I was watching you move. It won't take much to teach your body to respond properly. Your reflexes are a little slow, but you will learn. Also, you seem to have difficulty using both swords. You try, but you have to think too much to do it. Learning to incorporate your swords into your natural rhythm will be your main focus. Secondary will be learning proper form and building your strength. I will show you exercises for those, which you will need to follow diligently. Learning your swords will take something else, and I will help you with that."

He returned to Masanori. "While effective, your methods could be improved with learning some forms as well. Now, I know you read this, but your weapon, the naginata, doubles as a sansetsukon, or three sectioned staff."

Masanori interrupted him patiently. "I can use them both without trouble. I am used to using anything. It does not matter."

Akio shook his head. "That is actually something I think you could benefit from changing. While versatility is desirable, you see your naginata simply as another tool. I believe you would perform better if you attached yourself to the weapon of your armor. Focus on it solely, let it become part of you. If you bend your energies on familiarizing yourself with and mastering the weapon given to you, you will become better. Learning proper form will propel your effectiveness even more."

The other young man mulled it over and nodded. "I will allow you to teach me."

"Thank you," Akio bowed. "Now, I will have to put you through accelerated courses, as we do not have the time to do otherwise. Do either of you need to rest and be rebandaged?" He looked especially at Aiden. "It is fine if you do."

Aiden's mind leapt at the thought, but he also felt that if he were to stop, he would want to get to it afterward even less. And, he knew he was singled out in this invitation. It was true, he wasn't trained like Akio, or strong like Masanori, but he did not like it. Besides, he sensed time was a luxury to be had at potentially great cost. "No, we should use all the time available."

Akio smiled. "I called you soft. I think I was wrong."

Aiden smiled sheepishly. "No, you were right. I'm just stubborn. It's an Irish trait."

"Well, then," Akio said, choosing a set of double swords as well. "Let's get to it."

The next two hours were intense and focused. Akio started with Masanori, showing him the techniques best suited to him, and then gave his attention to Aiden as Masanori was content to practice what he had been shown. With Aiden, he demonstrated basic strengthening exercises, and a strict regimen for using them. It made Aiden tired just to think about it. Then, incorporating forms and techniques, Akio showed Aiden how to use the swords.

"Remember," he said, swinging the wooden swords easily in a series of graceful arcs. "You need to feel them, not see them. When you move your arm," he extended his reach, holding the sword before him. "It does not end at your hand, it ends at the very tip of your sword. When you need mobility," he moved it in closer, holding it sideways in his hand so that it was even across his chest. "Where the hilt and your hand meet is your extra joint. Your most flexible joint." He swirled it fluidly around himself. "Handling two is very different from handling one, but it is not counter-intuitive. You said you dance, correct?"

"Yes," Aiden replied, controlling his breathing. He had been working hard next to Akio, trying to understand and employ what he was being taught. "But my partners are always living, it's hard for me to see the connection. I do best when I can feel their rhythm, and sense the ebb and flow of their energy."

"Of course," Akio replied, closing his eyes and moving about the arena as if he was dancing with the wooden swords. "Something that most have forgotten as technology progressed and the arts were lost, is that our weapons are alive. They are part of us, if we allow them to be, with their own minds and desires. With their own rhythms. Your life depends on your sword, your sword depends on you. It is the ultimate connection. Weapons of the past were often believed to be cursed, or to possess tremendous powers or good fortune. It's really as if they possess their own souls. You have to listen to yours. You have to hear their song, and feel their spirit. I doubt you will find them incompatible, since your armor chose you."

"This is all still so new to me," Aiden said, feeling frustrated.

"It will come," Akio assured him. He stopped and gestured for Aiden to move with his swords. "Try it. Give them a dance."

Aiden felt ridiculous, but he realized this was not a time for pride. Instead, he put his efforts into doing as Akio instructed. Dance? Make the swords part of himself? He closed his eyes, trying to feel the wooden appendage. As his eyelids closed, he realized how exhausted he felt. His arms were like loose strings hanging off his shoulders, and his legs felt like twigs. His whole body hurt, making concentration difficult. He heaved his eyelids open, and tried to do as he'd been shown.

He couldn't feel them. They felt only like the heavy sticks they were, without the life he was supposed to find. He tried to dance with them, but his stumbling feet made it appear more of a drunken man's idea of a waltz. "I can't do it," he stopped, and let the swords fall back to his sides. "There's nothing here."

Akio examined him, seeing he had done about all he could for the time being. "Perhaps that is enough for now."

"Do you always treat guests in this manner when we are gone?" A new voice said behind Akio. The man joined them, and by his features and age, it was easy to see he was Akio's older brother. His hair was dark, creating a striking frame for his fine, almost royal features. Certainly Sage Date's genetic influence was strong in his line.

"Seiji-chan!" Akio exclaimed, twisting around. "Are Mother and Father with you? How did the evacuations fare?"

His brother smiled tiredly. "I will explain. First though, I think introductions should be made. Hiro told me that you received an armor, and that you were out here with two other bearers, one of which does not know our language."

Akio laughed, obviously relieved to see his brother alive. A tension seemed to leave his shoulders. Aiden and Masanori had not realized how much he had been worried for his family. He gestured to the other Japanese boy first. "This is Masanori Kyuun, and Aiden O'Near." All bowed in greeting, and when Aiden proffered a greeting hand, Seiji shook it.

"You are a long way from Ireland," he commented.

"That's a long story," Aiden replied. "My plane landed at the wrong port, to abbreviate it."

"Redirected by destiny, apparently," Seiji nodded, but he had too much on his mind to to continue. "Akio, Father is still in lockdown in TatsuTokyo, and we have lost communication with Mother."

Akio blanched. "What do you mean?"

"She went too far into the city." Seiji shook his head. "She wouldn't wait for the support teams, or me, and now we can't find her. As it is, I fear the teams are pushing dangerously far. If they run into any of the Youja," He took a deep breath. "With communications out, I came back to order supplies for our rescue operators, and I hoped to find some sign of the Ronin Warriors."

"We are here," Akio said, and hastily began to put the wooden practice weapons away. "And we'll leave immediately."

Seiji placed a hand on his shoulder staying him. "As much as I wish you would, Akio, look at your fellows. They cannot fight right now, and you yourself would only be tempting an empty death to go at this moment."

"But Mother-"

"I know," Seiji sighed from a deep pain. "I know. But you cannot afford to be reckless. Mother is resourceful. If she is alive, then she will likely be able to remain so for some time yet. Her weakness will be any survivors she manages to rescue. Again, you must be sensible. If you are indeed the only ones who can stand between the Dynasty and our world, then you should not carelessly throw yourselves into a battle when you are already so wounded." His voice gentled. "Could you really ask it of them, as they are?"

Akio looked at them. But it's my mother, he thought desperately.

"I prefer to speak for myself, and make my own decisions," Masanori stepped forward, ignoring the blood trickling down his side from his aggravated wounds.

Aiden felt terrible for Akio. He could easily picture how he would feel if it was his mother out there, surrounded by an alien army bent on destroying the world. "I can try to help," he offered.

Akio's lips were pressed together in anxiety, but he forced himself to really look at the two of them. Seiji was right, he realized. It would do little good to go now. He might be okay, having sustained the least damage, but would he really be willing to face that fog again, alone? The thought was uncomfortable. No, he didn't really want that. All together? They shouldn't try. Maybe tomorrow, but not today, not now. He chided himself for wanting to beg it of them, when they could hardly keep their feet. "I could go by myself."

"Your armor might protect you well enough," Seiji said thoughtfully. "But she could be almost anywhere. Your armor would probably draw more attention to you, and once they were alerted, they might swarm you." He hesitated. "I'd rather not feel this way about two members of my family, but we must do what we must do."

"You will not survive," Masanori stated bluntly. "If you come across the man of mist again."

"And there could be worse out there," Aiden added. "I doubt one bad man is all this Dynasty has to offer."

"I could simply keep a low profile." Akio countered. "They don't kneed to know I'm there."

"When you are alone, that may work," Masanori again interjected. "But how about when you have your mother, and any others she has kept safe?" He did not add, assuming she's alive, but the question hung in the air.

"Especially when you don't want to fight them at your full strength," Aiden hesitated to say.

Seiji frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"It is my affair," Akio said darkly. "It should not enter into the equation." He took a breath, mentally leaning first one way, then another. He saw the sense in waiting, at least one night, but he could hardly bear to imagine leaving his mother out there, alone, for that night. Just as bad was the image of finding her, only to be assaulted by the man of mist, and him alone, being unable to save her.

His family had always been one focused on duty and responsibility. If he were to perish, the Ronin Warriors would be weaker for it. Masanori was a decent fighter, but neither he nor Aiden would likely survive long without support, to say nothing of any others out there alone. If it was, indeed, the world against his mother, then his duty should be clear. He let his breath out in a defeated sigh. "I will give it one night." He left the arena, clearly wanting to be left alone.

"My apologies," Seiji ran a hand through his dirty hair. "I wish meeting you could have been done under better circumstances."

"It is as it is," Masanori replied. "I am grateful for your family's generosity."

"I am too," Aiden spoke up. "And I feel terrible about your mother. I'll do what I can to help."

Seiji bowed. "Any assistance is most welcomed." His expression changed. "I cannot help but ask, what armors were bestowed on you?"

"I am Hardrock."

"Wildfire chose me."

Seiji nodded. "And I assume my brother did not inherit Halo?"

"No," Masanori answered.

Seiji smiled slightly. "I suppose that explains it. Akio has always been obsessed with being just like our great-grandfather. I've always feared he was too much that way."

"He will be fine," Aiden said encouragingly. "It will just take him time."

Seiji nodded his gratitude. "We shall see. You two should take some time to take care of yourselves. I'm sorry to leave you, but I have many matters to attend."

"Of course," Masanori said kindly. "I thank you for your interest, and be assured I will do all I am able to rid the Earth of the Dynasty."

"I will too," Aiden said sincerely. "You take care of what you need to, and we'll work the rest out."

Seiji nodded and left. Masanori put his practice staff away, and Aiden decided to as well.

"You should see the doctors," Masanori told him. "And sleep. It would be good if you are able to leave with us in the morning."

"What about you?" Aiden asked him. It would have been easy to take offense to the things Masanori said, but he was beginning to understand that he did not say such things to belittle others or make them angry, he simply stated what he saw and thought. "Shouldn't you do the same?"

"Yes," Masanori answered, walking back towards the main part of the compound. "I will, but not yet." He looked over at the Irishman. "You should not try to do more than you can, Aiden. Your limits are still expanding. It is not a strike against you to be learning."

"Thank you, Masanori," Aiden said. "But I hope soon no one will have to make allowances on my account."

He separated, submitting himself to the medical staff, and then tried to find his room, aching and exhausted. He was still unfamiliar with the design and layout of the giant house, making several wrong turns before finding the one that had been given to him. As soon as he found his room, he fell onto the bed, asleep before he hit the pillow.

Masanori went for a walk, which took him past the small water garden Akio and Aiden had visited earlier. There, he saw Akio brooding by the waterside. He considered stopping, but walked on instead, digesting everything he had learned, thinking about all that had happened to them, and what he should think about the people around him.

AN: It drove my sister nuts that I named Akio's brother Seiji. I was just trying to honor their ancestor by using his Japanese name. I like it. Hopefully, you guys do too. :) Boy, these guys get a lot more down time than anyone else, don't they? I'll have to stop taking it easy on them.