Hanzo was the first born, first of the new Shimada bunch. He seems promising...
"We do this every time they have children, brother"
"Oh Kazu, how naive you are. If only the Shimada's didn't lose their way."
"Then we would trust them and we wouldn't have this problem."
Kazu sighs and crosses his arms. He hates how optimistic I can be.
"Let's just keep an open mind to the new Shimada's." I finally suggest.
"Fine, but if something goes wrong, promise me that you won't do anything extremely stupid."
"Brother, I'm hurt, you really think that I would do something stupid?" I grin and he starts to laugh a little.
Looks like we might be paying the Shimada's a visit when Hanzo is a little older. Though I'm sure Kazu would be more inclined to go if and when they have a second child. I put an arm around my younger brother.
"Things finally look like they're going to get better."
He simply laughs, "So far things are getting better for you, Ichiro."
"Well that may be true, but we might finally be able to change the Shimada's fate."
Kazu rolls his eyes and goes to make himself some tea. Although we're powerful dragons, we've been living in a two bedroom apartment for a while. We used to have a house but Kazu didn't manage our money well so we moved to an apartment.
I sit down in our small living room and turn on the tv. I truly hope I'm right about Hanzo. I don't want to let a 'corrupt' Shimada be able to use my power because that didn't work out so well last time. I unconsciously put a hand over my heart. I can't live through something like that again because I know Kazu would get hurt.
Kazu soon brings me a cup of tea. I thank him and he sits down next to me. "I do hope you're not wrong about this, Ichiro," Kazu starts. He takes a sip of tea then looks at me.
"I know, and I hopefully won't be." I smile slightly then drink some of my tea. He's worried, I know because I am too. We will just have to wait and see. I have high hopes for Hanzo, I just hope he doesn't let me down.
Years go by, Hanzo reached the age of four. He now has a baby brother named Genji. Kazu seems to be more optimistic now that there's someone he can look after. I told him to get his mind in a good place so that we can visit them.
"You really believe they're ready?"
"I believe that Hanzo is ready."
"And Genji?"
"He's a baby. We can't stop that and I've already made up my mind. I want to see them in person."
"You mean you want to see Hanzo in person."
I sigh, "Don't act like you don't want to see Genji."
He looks away from me and nods slightly.
"That's what I thought. Now, let's go."
We leave our apartment. We walk through the streets of Hanamura. I can tell that Kazu is getting increasingly excited. I am too, this is the first time in a century or so that we've set foot at Shimada castle. We both hope that this goes very well.
We quickly approach the entrance to the castle. There are some guards waiting in the front. Kazu grabs my arm and nods to the roof tops. He wants to sneak into the castle. I sigh and follow him. We walk into a small alley way that opens up. There's a set of stairs to our right.
"We have to make a grand entrance," Kazu starts with a smile on his face.
I chuckle, "What do you have in mind?"
"Why don't we fly in, in our dragon form."
"Hm, that would truly scare the guards around the castle..."
"Then let's do it, it'll be entertaining."
We both laugh and I nod. We walk up the stairs to our right and are now above the street. Across from where we're standing is an area which would be good for snipers or someone to stand in. Kazu is first to change. He takes a leap of faith and instantly changes the second he gets off the ground. He glances back to me and I can tell that he's grinning. He flies through the opening then circles around the main area, waiting for me. I soon follow suit, I jump off and transform into my dragon self. I follow Kazu as we fly through the area. We get to the main castle area. There are two window openings one on each side. I go through the left and Kazu the right.
We see some Shimada's standing in the main room. It's just as we remember it. The Shimada's look up to us. I can see Hanzo's father with him. They both look up to me. Hanzo's father notices Kazu. He takes a step away from his son. Hanzo's amazed, I can see the joy in his eyes. I fly down to him and transform back into my human form.
"Hello Hanzo," I smile.
He searches for the right words, "Y-you're a dragon! That's so cool!" He looks me up and down, pure amazement is on his face. I have to admit, I've missed this.
"And you're the first Shimada in a long time that's seen a dragon in person."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Hanzo reaches up to me and grabs my arm. I smile and soon pick him up. He laughs and I look at his family. His father bows and some others join him. Kazu transforms back and looks at me, smiling. I look back to Hanzo. He leans on my shoulder and I laugh a little. Hanzo's father goes to Hanzo and I.
"Great dragon spirit, we are blessed to have you here. It has been centuries," he starts, "Why now, if I may ask."
I sigh, "Why not."
Hanzo's father makes a face then crosses his arms. Kazu goes to his father and puts a hand on his shoulder. The father looks at Kazu.
"We will be making frequent visits," I say. "When I do come, I want to be alone with Hanzo."
His father nods.
"And I will be here once Genji is older," Kazu says. The father looks at Kazu and nods slightly. I just have to smile.
Kazu and I soon take our leave. Hanzo waves and watches as we go. "That was almost heart warming," Kazu says, happy with his decision to go.
"It was, wasn't it Kazu." My smile fades a little, "Though it was ruined once his father came to speak with us..."
Kazu nods, "Let's just hope they don't become corrupt like their family."
"It would truly be a waste of our time if they turned out to be corrupted."