We visit a few shrines, I mostly refuse to step foot on the premises then they come back to me saying that the god wasn't there at all. I find that weird but don't say anything. We manage to see more shrines than intended. It's about mid afternoon, we've eaten lunch in Tokyo, now Kazu's attempting to figure out who would be around. He suggests some temples then immediately shuts his own ideas down. "Why don't we just see one of our temples," I quietly say, smiling slightly at my own sarcasm.
"I know! We should go see a dragon temple!" Kazu says, "There has to be someone there." He looks at Genji with a grin.
Genji is nodding, "Wouldn't want the trip to be a waste, master."
"Precisely. So it's settled then, and I know exactly the temple to go to." Kazu takes Genji's hand. I facepalm, I can't believe him.
Hanzo glances over to me, "Ichiro-san are you alright?"
"Yes, yes, I'm fine Hanzo, just," I sigh, "frustrated. I wasn't too thrilled about the shrines, now we're going to the last place I'd ever be seen."
"Then don't go."
"I don't want you to miss out... I'll do it for you."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
Hanzo nods then extends his hand. I take it and smile slightly, maybe this won't be so bad. We follow Kazu and Genji to the temple. I see Kazu and Genji laughing about something, I roll my eyes. Hanzo asks what temple we're going to. I shrug, saying that I'm not sure yet.
We arrive at the Ryōan-ji temple, or the Dragon Peace Temple. I remember coming here when I was younger. Many dragons would gather here to relax or talk with one another. I remember bringing Kazu here a few times. He probably remembers all the good time he had here, making this one the one he wanted to come to.
The temple itself hasn't changed much. The paint is brighter and it looks like it's in a better condition than it was. The city around it has mostly left it alone, so it looks at traditional as possible. Kazu tells the boys some history of it, or what he remembers me telling him about it. I almost hope none of the others are here, I can only imagine what they would do to me.
As we get to the stairs leading up to the temple, I stop. I stand on the first step of the stairs, contemplating what could happen to me. Hanzo stops a few steps above me, quickly turning to me. He goes back to me and takes my hands, "Master..." he says, concerned for me. He must feel my fear because he doesn't call me Master unless he knows that I'm afraid. I look up into his brown eyes. I sigh then smile, trying to wash away my own fears. I tell Hanzo that I'm alright, I can tell he's a little skeptical. I regain my composure and we walk up into the temple.
The room is large with some kotatsu tables off to the sides. One of the tables has a teapot along with cups next to it. Was someone expecting us? The temple seems relatively empty, strange considering this is also a Buddhist temple. There should be at least a few monks tending to the grounds but there's not. I glance over to Kazu and Genji, they're making their way to a kotatsu table. I look at Hanzo who's moving towards some of the Buddhist statues, leaving me alone. Great.
Kazu and Genji sit down, continuing to talk. Genji asks questions about the others, Kazu answers them the best he can. Hanzo kneels down and meditates. I just stand in the middle of the room, thinking, hopping. I become lost in thought, I unconsciously sit down and close my eyes. In the past I've been able to sense other dragons around me. I hope that's not a skill that I've lost.
All around me is darkness. An almost harsh green light appears, Kazu. He's still sitting. Extending my senses I can feel others, humans. A light blue aura, Hanzo, and a light green aura, Genji. I send others, light orange, warm yellow, pastel pink. I assume those are the monks outside, probably tending to the zen garden in the back. I feel like there's someone I'm not seeing, someone important, someone close.
I hear a sword unsheathing behind me. A harsh purple light appears behind me. My eyes instantly open, as I jump to my feet. When I turn a sword is instantly at my throat. I sense Kazu and the boys get up.
"What are you doing here, Kai Ryu." The man says. He has bright purple hair. I recognize him.
"Visiting. Is there anything wrong with that." I reply without hesitation.
He laughs, bringing the sword away from my throat. "Of course not, but after all this time?" He sheathes the sword, "I truly wasn't expecting you here."
"The enemy strikes when you least expect it, right?" I grin.
"Of course, of course." He glances over to Kazu, then the boys. "Ah, Ruo-Jian, I had a feeling you weren't really dead. I'm honestly glad that you're still around, I wouldn't want your brother traveling on his own."
"I-I wouldn't dream of that," Kazu replies, he sounds unsure of what he said. Does he not remember who this is?
"If you don't mind me asking, sir," Genji says, "But, um, who are you?"
"I'm a friend of Kai's, Liang Qin," He smiles, moving some of his purple hair out of his face.
"It's nice to meet you, Liang-sama. I'm Genji Shimada and this is my brother Hanzo," Genji motions to Hanzo as he says his name.
"Your boys Kai?" Liang asks.
"In a way," I mess with my hair, "They're good kids."
"I can tell. Hanzo yours specifically?"
"Is it really that easy to tell?"
Liang laughs a little. He puts an arm around me, pulling me into a tight hug, "I'm glad you're alright, Kai." I smile, it's been forever since I've seen him.
"This is great and all but why is he calling you 'Kai', Ichiro-san?" Hanzo speaks up. Liang lets go of me, we both look at Hanzo.
"I'm calling him that because that's his name." Liang answers, then looks at me. "Ichiro, really? That's what you go by now?"
"I-I wanted to forget my past..." I tell him with less confidence.
"You wanted to forget us? All the time we've spent together, what we fought for?"
"It's not like that, Liang. It's all that happened in China. I could never forget about you."
Liang nods slightly, staying quiet now. I feel like he's angry at me. Great, just what I needed, the one person besides Kazu that I care about is angry with me. Why couldn't Hanzo keep his mouth shut.