Past: Flashback Continues:

As Makasu, Katsumi and Akane arrived at his home, Makasu's father was standing beside the door, waiting for his son to return home. Makasu and Akane laid the chopped woods besides the door, opposite of his father.

"Sorry, I'm late, Father," Makasu apologized, bowing to his father.

"Apologize accepted," his father answered, smiling, "Who's the girls?"

Makasu looked at Katsumi and Akane. He smiled and turned back at his father and answered, "They're my new friends. I met them in the forest, while collecting the woods, Father. Do you mind if they stay for dinner?"

"It's nice meeting you, sir," Katsumi and Akane greeted, bowing to Makasu's father.

His father gave a friendly laugh and nodded, "Yes, we will be happy to have them over for dinner," as he slide the door open.

"Thank you, sir," Akane said, smiling.

Makasu smiled and leaded the way into the dojo. Katsumi and Akane followed behind. Makasu's father continued to stand outside and waited for his son to return.

"Hey, Makasu, why is your father still standing out there?" Katsumi asked, as she took off her wooden sandals.

"He's waiting," Makasu answered, looking down at the floor.

"For who?" Akane asked, slipping out of her sandals.

"His son," Makasu said, softly.

"Aren't you the son he was waiting for, Makasu?" Katsumi asked, placing her hand on his shoulder.

"He's waiting for his other son to return," Makasu explained, sadly, "He doesn't care about me. I always return home."

"That's not true," Akane said, standing in front of Makasu, "I bet he loves you as the way he loves your brother."

"You don't understand," Makasu said, turning away as Katsumi's hand slipped off of his shoulder, "My brother haven't returned home for 3 years. My mother disappeared 3 years ago, and he set off to go find her," as he walked towards the kitchen.

"Why didn't your father go?" Katsumi asked, sadly.

""Because he had to stay here to protect me," he answered, still looking down at the floor.

Katsumi and Akane turned quiet and didn't want to ask anymore questions. Makasu look at them and smiled.

"Don't worry about it," Makasu said, "I got used to the questions. When my aunts and uncles come to visit, they always ask the same questions," as he started cutting a raw cat fish, "so, ask away, girls. I'm cool with it."

Makasu was 12-yrs-old, when his 17-year-old brother, Kisho Aiku, left home to go find his mother. His father stayed home to watch out for Makasu. Makasu's mother mysteriously disappeared at night while his father was out working late at the market.

The next day, Aiku packed up his things. He turned and looked down at his little brother.

"Makasu, please out of trouble and be strong," Aiku said, turning away.

Makasu stared at his big brother as he disappeared down the path. His eyes watered and he waved his hand.

"Be careful, big brother," Makasu whispered, falling to his knees, crying.

"Makasu, I'm sorry this had to happen to you," Akane said, softly.

Makasu looked down and started crying. He dropped the knife on the cutting board. He was about to fall over, but Katsumi slide on her knees and saved Makasu. His head rest on her soft kimono, unconscious. Akane stared at Makasu, sadly and held his soft hand in hers.