"You were gone for so long, Brother." Michiru gets herself some tea, and a issue to wipe off the mascara and the trail of tears.
"10 years, 2 months, and 12 days." My exact time of my... disappearance, gives a light surprise to the two.
"You kept count?" Michiru takes a light sip, probably enjoying the taste of the honey I suggested to her Darjeeling tea.
"How could I not? Last time we saw each other was... as memorable as can be." My eyes move down to the tiled floor, seeing the foot of the gold, mahogany inlaid table.
"Yes, I want to make sure that you know... I don't hold you responsible for that event. What he did to you... to us. It affected me too." Michiru comes to my side, bringing her tea with her, placing it next to my coffee cup, the steam between the two now starting to disappear, signaling that it was getting cold.
"Of course. But... it does do my heart well from the news I have heard of you. I know mom would be proud." I say, holding a barely visible smile, placing my hand to hers.
"Our name doesn't define us brother. We define the Kaioh name now... and now that you are home, I'm sure you will do the same thing in your own way." Michiru gave me a loving smile, one I remember on our mothers face. She looks exactly like her. As I think of her, my mind runs back to when I began my dedication to this crusade that I will bring.
Two weeks ago
The Himalayan mountains are cold, as cold as Tokyo can be in the right conditions. I have been feeling it settle into my bones. Perhaps the mountains are doing me a kindness, to prepare my body for what I intend to bring to Tokyo. War.
I kneel in front of the folded up picture of me and my mother when I was 5. When you are a child, most cases you don't remember much as your brain is still developing, growing to make you who you are. But when you deal with trauma, at some rare cases, the memories flood back to you. Perhaps it's to beat it into you that you let this happen, that you won't have it as good again.
Or... maybe it's to keep you going. To push yourself beyond what you think of your own limitations. Anything is possible. But with what had happened with... him, I think of the memories as a... punishment towards myself.
"Mother, I need to know. I must know... how? What do I do? What do I use... to bring fear to the criminals of this world. I know not what to use... has my time honing myself to become a martial artist, even so much as to study criminology and even further study into the sciences behind it, been for nothing?" I look up to the picture, the wind making the picture slowly move a bit.
"If I can't manage to find that spark, the... inspiration to bring my crusade for you, I'm not sure I'll ever go back to Tokyo. I've waited for 10 long years. 10 years... since everything stopped making sense." I stopped talking to the picture, hearing what sounded like... shrieking. Not human, though. But I must investigate nonetheless.
I go towards the sound, hearing the wood floors squeak and groan as I head over. I go to the living room to hear that of a beating of fast paced wings. I look up to see that if a... Bat. It was then at that moment, my eyes begin to widen. Was this it? Was this my mother's message to me? It must be her response. Your kindness knows no bounds mother. As you wish... I shall become... a bat.
Tokyo- Now
"So how long will you be staying?" Michiru brought over so Pirouette cookies, taking off the tin lid and opening the bag and putting the cookies in a bowl. I grab one, I myself never had a Pirouette before. But the fact that it was vanilla, kept me intrigued. I bite into it and now... now I'm a definitive fan of them. Dammit.
"As long as possible. I'm going to be getting a place soon. I still have quite a bit from the inheritance. Once I do, maybe I'll look for a job." This peaks Michiru's attention. Haruka, was quiet for most of this, letting us siblings hash things out.
"Well, you are in luck. I was wondering if maybe you'd take over the business side of Kaioh enterprises. Or perhaps something that fits more in your skill set." This peaks my attention now. Getting to the company could be a means to... acquire some tools to utilize.
"Well... if anything I could work on some inventive ideas that could help the city as well as any security stuff. I think that could be viable." Michiru smiled and took a bite out of the pirouette she was already halfway through.
"Applied sciences could work. The board most times put people there as sort of a... deadend. That doesn't sound as good as it is, but with you spearheading this... it could be something more." I nod to what she says, happy to take it on.
"You read my mind. I'll get started in a few days. I gotta get a place and get some rest. That flight took it out of me." I say, finishing the cookie and stood up, stretching a bit.
"Of course. It's... it's good to have you back, Sunny. It really is."
"As it is for me, Michi. And to you as well, Haruka. I do apologize that our first meeting was a bit awkward." Haruka stood up and shook my hand. Their grip was strong, stronger than expected. The more I do with the two, the more I learn. Why am I thinking like this? Michiru is my sister, Haruka is her lover. I must be supportive, not analytical.
"If anything, I should apologize,Sun. I almost threw you out."
"Well to be fair I did say I was Michiru's long lost brother she hadn't seen in 10 years. So I wasn't doing myself any favors." I say with a nervous smile, scratching the back of my head.
"Either way, you have my apologies and I'll make up for it in time."
"I understand that. I should be going. I'll call you both once I have my place set up. I love you Michi." I hug michiru.
"You too, Sunny." She hugs me tighter than the first. She always loved hugs. I'd be surprised if anyone could do it better, then again... it's not a competition. At least I don't think there is. I leave the building. Heading to my base of operations.
Imagine if you will; since you, the reader are having to do so, outside of Tokyo city. Near the deadline, heading uphill to the forests where the trident maple is all surrounding on a patch of dirt road. They say trident maple can live for 100 years, potentially more. Provided no one cuts them down for it to be used for furniture or even that of flooring. I'm sure it's used for other purposes, but I'm no encyclopedia. At least not currently, the mission is of greater importance.
As one would reach the end of this road, you'll see a manor. One big enough to house that or a high end orphanage. I say that with the best intentions. Perhaps that's where I can start. Me and my sister are practically in that category, provided our fortunes didn't help us get away from such a fate. A fate of perhaps a couple whose greed would overcome them. Forgive me, I'm trailing off.
I exit the taxi, tipping them as I head into the house. I hear the echo of my shoes as the house has no furniture. It's constructed with Trident maple as I indicated previously along with that of construction marble with carvings of Lions hunting that of other animals inlaid into the walls, showing a marbled portrait of sort. I head towards the kitchen to see an old elevator shaft built in the after colonial times. It's still functional and must need repairs. Something to do later.
But now, I must begin. I head downwards as I have bought some items. Ones to make that of a suit. One for my... night life. My crusade. I bring the weapons I had brought over from my training in the Himalayas and put them into the pockets of my belt. I put the cape and suit on and finally... the cowl. One to hide my face, along with the face plate to cover the revealing part of my face. And so it begins.
(Author note: Imagine Batman Future state: the next Batman suit.)