Owen didn't agree with Finlay on a lot of things. In fact in the later years he wondered what he ever saw in the man that made him respect him in the past. But there was one philosophy of his that Owen did agree with: the more well rounded an Immortal was the better the chance he had in surviving and winning the Game. It was something he tried to pass on to every student he ever had. So Owen, especially in his younger days after Finlay made him leave Ireland, traveled the world trying to find anybody who would train him, mortal and immortal alike. To date he knew several ways to fight with a sword, incorporating what he could into his own personal style. Learning how to switch sword styles on the fly without getting himself killed. And he didn't stop there as he picked up whatever else he could. Somewhere along the line he discovered he had an almost natural aptitude toward tracking and tried learning from whoever had the time and patience.

Not to say he was good at everything he had learned. There were swords techniques he had a hard time mastering, if not picking up at all. And he admittedly was the last person to go to if you needed something particular done, like shoot something with a bow and arrow. A fact his old friend Susan seemed to be enjoying proving this particular day. She watched with an amused grin as his arrow just skimmed the bottom of the target. "Why did I let you talk me into this again?", he complained.

"Because I had Natalya with me to wear you down," Susan joked. She looked back to see her as well as Serenity and Keith trying not to laugh. "Besides I thought it would be a good way to show them show them how not to do it."

"Cute," he said as he took the guard off his arm. Susan said nothing as she took aim and nailed another one near the bull's-eye. Their audience clapped. "If you're done humiliating me can we go now?"

"Just making sure your head doesn't get too big," she told him. She glanced over to Natalya who shook her head slightly before returning her attention to the conversation she was having with the others. "So I hear Natalya found out about a particular bit of our history."

"Talk to your student," Owen told her.

"We're lucky she's seemed to have blown it off. You don't want an upset Natalya hounding you. I've seen it happen to a couple poor bastards." She looked thoughtful before smiling to herself, "Although I seem to recall that 'cold night' lasting a week."

"Just making her image of you doesn't get too tarnished," Owen said. "She thinks pretty highly of you, even after that came out." Looking at her he added, "If I never said it before I think pretty highly of you too."

"You're going to make this old woman blush," Susan said taking her arm guard off. "You two are like the younger siblings I never had. A complete and total pain in my neck." They both shared a laugh. When they got to the others Natalya led in the ribbing Owen was currently taking. The moment stopped briefly as the buzz hit them.

Finally they located the source, a Japanese man in his forties carrying a walking stick that was larger around than usual. "I didn't think it was possible that your archery skill could deteriorate even more," was all he said.

Owen started grinning immediately, "Naoto." He greeted his friend with a handshake that the other man quickly turned into a hug. "It's great to see you. What are you doing out here? You haven't left that temple in sixty years."

"All in good time Little Immortal." The others looked at Susan as Natalya mouthed those words. She held up a hand to stop it from going any further. "Are you going to introduce me to your companions? Or have your manners gone the way of your archery?"

"Of course," Owen said as he gestured toward them, "You remember Susan."

"It would be hard to forget that encounter," Susan said. "It is good to see you again."

"Likewise," Naoto said as he took her hand.

"That's her student Serenity and my student Keith." They exchanged pleasantries. "And this is Natalya."

"You better be saving the best for last," Natalya told him. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you Naoto. There are times Owen can't shut up about the time he spent with you."

"And it's pleasure to finally meet the rather infamous Natalya. I often wondered what sort of beauty could capture his heart in such a way," He took her hand and kissed it.

"Oh I like him," she grinned.

"Down girl," Owen told her. "So what are you doing this way? How long are you planning on staying? I've been meaning to come back." He trailed off, how could he have not come back once since that last time in the fifties?

"Don't fret Little Immortal," Naoto told him. "I've have been alive long enough to know that sometimes life has a way of making us stall our promises, even if it's not intentional. Ironically enough being alive for so long is why I've sought you out. I have a request of you although I am afraid to ask."

"You know you can ask me for anything," Owen assured him. Naoto looked unsure as he looked at the others. Picking up on his discomfort Owen said, "Maybe we can talk somewhere a little more secluded."

"No," he said after thinking it over, "I can talk to you in front of the others. It's better they know now than later after you start acting differently." Owen looked on with some concern, was somebody after him? Taking a deep breath Naoto looked him in the eyes and said, "I want you to kill me."

"Something really loud must have just passed by," Owen said after a moment, "because I don't think I heard you right." Naoto said it again. Owen walked away not wanting to hear this.

Natalya on the other hand, "If this is your idea of a joke it's not fucking funny."

"It is no joke," Naoto said.

Owen turned back around with anger in his eyes. "I wanted you to take my head once, you never took it." They looked at Owen stunned, Natalya and Susan even more so. Neither of them expected that out of him. "Why should I take yours?"

"Like I told you back then I failed Himiko too," Naoto explained calmly placing a hand on his shoulder. "As for now, Owen I am over eight hundred years old and I am tired of living. I am tired of the Game. I spent the last six decades staying out of the Game trying to find that spark of life I lost along the way. I haven't found it yet, if I haven't by now I never will."

Owen opened his mouth to say something but stopped. He walked away leaving them there. "Calm him down before he does something stupid," Susan told Natalya. Susan could tell she was about to go off on Naoto. Keith and Ser still had to drag her after Owen. Alone with him she tried to keep calm herself, "Why are you asking this of him?"

"Because Owen is the only person I would ask to do this." Reaching into his coat he pulled out a piece of paper. "I am staying near this temple. Have him meet me here, no matter what decision he makes." Despite her better judgment she took the paper. "I do wish we met again under better circumstances." There was a soft clack as the end of his stick hit the ground as he walked away.

When she caught up with the others Owen's motorcycle was already gone and Natalya raised her arms in frustration. "I don't get it," Keith started to say. "So do you reach a certain age and just want to die? What's the point of staying alive and trying to win the Game if that's what going to happen?"

"That's not what happens," Natalya snapped. "This is just stupid. Susan's over twelve hundred years old and she never wanted to die."

"It happens I'm afraid," she said, feeling all of her years at the moment. "It doesn't happen often fortunately but you'll occasionally run across an Immortal who's just tired and wants it to end. I've even seen newborns who tried to take their own heads after they awaken because they can't handle what they've become."

"I guess you can't direct him to a suicide hotline or something," Serenity said.

"He's from a different time Ser," Susan explained. "Me and him both are. Sometimes it hard for us to remember that times have changed as much as they have." She looked at the paper in her hand, "I think I know where Owen went. I have a promise to keep." Natalya went with her, both of them wanted to be there for him.

Owen didn't talk to either of them, he barely listened. He did realize Natalya and Susan got into a loud discussion about what to do about this. But his mind was elsewhere. He was back there on that little island off the coast of main island of Japan trying to pick up this special strike Naoto developed.

~1764~

The sun beat down on Owen and Naoto as they spared outside of his humble house. To the side a young girl of eighteen with a scar that ran down the right side of her face and just under her chin watched them. Owen tried to readjust his grip on the wooden "sword" in his hand. He'd been here about seven months now and he still couldn't find a decent grip on this damn thing. A series of strikes knocked Owen back a bit and he quickly retaliated pushing Naoto back in time. He tried to surprise him by switching to a fencing style he picked up in France. But he quickly tripped over his own feet and fell on his face. Naoto placed the wooden sword by his neck, he lost this one. Himiko was trying to hide that she was laughing at him and failing, "Owen apparently doesn't know his right foot from his left."

"Now now Himiko, let's not make fun of our guest," Naoto told her, but he looked amused as well. "You must admit Little Immortal has improved in the time he has been here."

"I'd be improving faster if we weren't using these glorified sticks," Owen grunted as he got back to his feet.

"Perhaps," Naoto said. They took their position again. Owen struck first but Naoto was standing his ground. Then in a move too fast for him to react to the older immortal knocked his sword away and a split second later cracked him on top of the head. Owen stumbled back a couple of steps dazed before falling on his ass. "And perhaps Little Immortal if we were using the real thing I'd be absorbing your Quickening right about now." Owen said nothing as the stars slowly faded from his vision. But he did feel something wet as a trickle of blood ran down his forehead.

This time Himiko wasn't laughing, "Brother you hurt him." She quickly went to him and knelt beside him as she began wiping away the blood. Owen looked at her, she blushed a bit before smiling at him. Then he saw behind her to see Naoto looking confused but still amused.

"I'm alright Himiko," he told her as he lightly pushed her away. She glanced at Naoto understanding why he was doing so. "It's going to take a lot more than this to kill me."

"Himiko," Naoto said placing his sword on a stump, "I think our guest might be a little tired. Why don't you fix us some tea while he rests up a bit."

"Of course brother," she said and went into the house.

"Owen I want to talk to you about something while we are alone." Owen figured this was coming, they couldn't hide it forever. "I notice how you two are around each other, especially lately."

"I know it's inappropriate," Owen started to say, "with you raising her like a sister and all."

"I give you my blessing," he said with a small smile. Owen nearly fell again. "I remember seeing much sadness in you when you first arrived Little Immortal. A sadness I only saw in Himiko. You both lift that sadness from each other. Why wouldn't I want the both of you to be happy?"

"I… I'm an outsider," he stammered.

"And I am a strange little monk who raised an orphan girl most people consider damaged. I've been around long enough to know our only difference is the skin covering us. Outside of some minor philosophy issues that is."

"I can't give her children."

"I doubt she can have children" Naoto said sadly. "The attack I saved her from as a young girl was very specific. Even I doubted she would last through the night."

"I'll outlive her."

"You were going to anyway." Naoto watched him pace trying to think of another reason. "Owen do you love her?"

Owen didn't answer right away. The last time he could say he was actually in love with somebody was Deborah. He didn't feel that way about Himiko. But he had to be honest with himself, what he felt for felt like what he had with Deborah, it was just different. And as with Deborah he couldn't see his life without her. Without a doubt in his mind he told him, "Yes."

"Then why deny yourself and her years of happiness." He walked over to and put a hand on his shoulder, "I would be honored to call you my brother Owen."

"I would be honored as well."

"Come," he said as he guided him into the house, "let us see what Himiko thinks about all of this. Although I'm pretty sure what her answer is going to be she has surprised me in the past. If she agrees I'll perform the ceremony myself."

~now~

Owen pulled up to the temple and couldn't get himself to move. After a moment Natalya pulled up saying she was there for moral support. Walking into the temple Owen looked at the forest nearby knowing why he picked this place. Silently they walked through the temple and found Naoto dressed in traditional ceremonial clothing on the other side near the forest. To his surprise he saw Harris there with him. He looked over and waved as he went back to his conversation with Naoto. They both laughed as Naoto said, "He was still mad for a week after you left. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time Scott I thank you for that."

"I'm just happy to find somebody else who shares my sense of humor." Twisting around he looked Owen over, "And why are you bringing all the sunshine to this dreary day."

"I believe he's here to see me Scott," Naoto stood up and stared into Owen still angry eyes. "Have you made a decision Little Immortal?"

"I have to tell you one thing," Owen said trying to keep calm. He couldn't. "Who in the fuck do you think you are?!" Harris started to get up to defend him but Naoto motioned for him to stop. "How dare you put me in this position! I really want to tell you I hate you for putting this on me." His eyes started to water and his voice began to crack, "But I'll honor your request."

"Thank you Owen," Naoto said. "I know this was a hard decision for you." Owen picked up his walking stick as Naoto turned to Harris, "Thank you for seeing me today Scott. You definitely have a way of brightening ones day, even if it is for the last time." He looked at Owen and they both headed for the forest.

Harris looked confused but he quickly put the pieces together. "No," he said and got in front of Owen and reached into his jacket. "Not him, I won't let you do this."

"Scott," Naoto said, "let us pass. It is my final wish, please honor it."

"Why him?", he asked. "Why not me? Why not somebody else?"

"Scott you are my friend, and I will cherish that friendship dearly in this life and into the next. You are the only one who could do my special speed strike and turn it into something else. But Owen is my brother. There is no one else I would ask to do this." Harris stared at them but he stepped aside. Naoto led Owen deep into the forest and into a small clearing. Looking at the canopy above them Naoto said, "I know you think you life is one loss right after another. Your Father, Deborah, Himiko. And I apologize for adding another one to that. If it would make you feel better I could challenge you."

"You'd just leave yourself open," he said hoarsely.

"True," he agreed. "Say a prayer for Himiko on her birthday."

"I haven't missed a year yet," Owen told him.

Neither saying another word Naoto went down to his knees and held his head high. Owen gripped one end of the walking stick and pulled revealing the katana hidden inside. Standing by his side Owen slowly raised the blade up. Naoto closed his eyes, "Owen… arigato."

The blade lowered slightly as a wave of sadness almost over took him. Bringing it back up he held back the tears, "Goodbye…Senpai." He swung the sword. The forest light up as the sound of thunder and a lone man screaming filled the air. After it was over Owen cried to himself for a few minutes before getting to his feet and heading back to the temple. The moment he came out from the tree Natalya ran to him and put her arms around him. He looked over at Harris who looked dejected. Feeling the scar on his neck he let go of Natalya and walked over to him. "Are we going to have a problem now?"

"I want to say yes," he said, "but I'll honor his final wish." Twisting around on the stone bench so he was facing the other way he got up and walked away. "Besides, you might have a chance against Big Evil now. Or maybe you won't. Can't tell until it happens"

"That's it," Owen got in his way. "Who in the hell is Big Evil? I asked Susan like you said, all she gave was a name, Dijkhuizen, and not much else. Now who in the hell is this guy?"

Harris started to smile, "The stuff Immortal nightmares are made of my friend. A man who won't think twice about taking a immortal's head while they're indisposed. A man who will awaken a new immortal just so he can take their Quickening right after. The very man your Uncle set after you." Putting his hands behind his head he walked round Owen and continued on his way without a care in the world. "I was kind of worried before, but now it looks like the entertainment won't be ending that quickly after all. That's good for me, not so good for you. Depends on how it goes really. Now if you will excuse me I have to find some soft comfort, I did just lose a friend after all."

Owen watched him leave, even more confused than ever. Again with this supposed "Uncle" of his? He wasn't sure what type of game Harris was playing but he was getting tired of it.