"Welcome back, Luke" Yukimura sensei said with a serene smile.

"Thank you, Yukimura sensei" Luke bowed low and felt the Master's graceful hand ruffle his red hair.

"I hope my sons did not offend you the last time you came to the temple. It was rather embarrassing, was it not?" Yukimura had a sorrowful look on his face.

"No, I didn't take any offense. May I ask something? Why did they react when I called Choi by his given name?" Luke asked.

"According to Japanese customs, if someone calls you by your given name it shows a high degree of closeness between you and the other person. It could be of close friends or even lovers" Yukimura replied.

Luke flushed, "Kunimitsu and I aren't lovers but I'd like to think we are close friends. I still don't understand why they reacted as such".

"My wife, Kaho, trusted a person named Li. At that time I had a daughter as well by the name of Hana. Kaho wanted Li to marry Hana. I agreed at my wife's request and let my daughter marry Li. Unfortunately Li wasn't the person we thought he was. He sold my daughter to a brothel. By the time we got her back, she was already gone in spirit. She died a month later" A tear ran down Yukimura's face.

"So Akira and Ibu think I'll betray Kunimitsu just like Li betrayed all of you?" Luke asked.

"Luke, they were only ten and twelve. Mere children. They did not understand what was going on around them. They grew closer as a protection but so far only Hikaru has managed to break their bubble and become friends with them. They use their offensive words to defend themselves" Yukimura replied.

"I guess understand where they're coming from. They're both insecure because of their pasts" Luke said.

"I knew you would understand. Don't mind their comments" Yukimura began walking and Luke followed beside him.

They walked along in silence as the birds chirped around them.

"Tell me, Luke, how did you meet Choi?" Yukimura asked.

"I met him when I was twelve. I was a kid that could barely reach your shoulder" Luke replied.

Yukimura chuckled, "Hard to believe since you are the same height as I am".

"Arran had escaped Deok Seong's temple and had come to live with us. He was in love with my sister Ciel. Well, she's not technically my sister but she's my brother's best friend. I really liked how Arran could fight against Deok Seong's warriors so I wanted to learn. He taught me a lot but then he left. I was really sad when he left"

"Why did he leave?" Yukimura asked.

"He said being around Ciel was too heartbreaking. Ciel has her own boyfriend, well fiancé now so she tried her best not to hurt Arran but his heart was broken anyway" Luke replied.

"How did you feel about all that?"

"At first I thought it was stupid. How could you love a person who would never love you back? All it caused him was pain. Then after he left, I actually cried for the longest time" Luke replied.

"You cried for yourself or for him?"

"For him of course. I cried because of the pain he was feeling" Luke replied.

"You did?" Luke whirled around and spotted Arran who had spoken.

"Well I shall leave the two of you" Yukimura walked away with a serene smile.

"Hi, Kunimitsu" Luke said.

"Is it true?" Arran asked.

"What?"

"That you cried for me"

Luke bit his lip and nodded. Arran could feel his heart swell with happiness. No one had ever cried for him before. Luke had cared enough, just enough to shed tears for him. Arran reached out and wrapped his arms around the red head. Luke turned beet red in embarrassment.

"Thank you" Arran said softly.

"For w-w-what?" Luke stuttered out.

"For caring" Arran replied pulling Luke flush against his body and letting himself fall against the soft grass. Luke squeezed his eyes shut as they impacted the ground and Arran held him tightly to prevent any injuries.

"Give me some warning next time. And also, I'm your best friend. I am supposed to care for you" Luke hit Arran's chest with his fist.

They lied together for a few minutes in silence and Luke traced the dragon on Arran's shoulder. Arran breathed in the sweet strawberry that was Luke's hair. It was quiet and peaceful. No one but the both of them, listening to the birds chirping and the wind blowing.

"What do we have here?" Luke stilled as Ibu's flat tone washed over him.

Arran sat up and pulled up Luke with him. He wrapped his arms around Luke securely. Luke glanced up at Ibu who was glaring at him.

"Why don't you just leave him alone? He can't hurt a fly" Arran said.

"You stay out of this, Choi. Hey, outsider" Luke looked up at Ibu. "You, me, spar now".

"Sure" Luke said.

"But Luke, you haven't practiced in a long time" Arran protested.

"Weren't you the one who said martial arts were in my blood? Well now is the time to prove it" Luke said.

They reached the sparring area and Luke pulled off his hoodie and long sleeved tee shirt. Ibu took off his robe and upper shirt leaving him in loose pants. Luke fell into a familiar ready stance and Ibu laughed.

"That's the most basic of stances" he scoffed and then took his stance which was a more complicated one.

Chitose-san rang the gong and Ibu took the first move. He kicked at Luke's chest but Luke sprang out of the way. He kept avoiding the attacks until Ibu tripped him and he fell against the grass.

"Ganbatte, Niisan!" Akira cheered.

"What is going on?" Yukimura asked appearing behind Akira.

"Um Father, Ibu's just having a friendly spar with the outsider" Akira replied with a nervous laugh.

"Let us see the outcome then" Yukimura turned to the two opponents.

Ibu sprang forward and Luke kicked his foot, making Ibu fall. Quick as lightening, Luke hit a series of places on Ibu's side and Ibu collapsed onto the floor.

"Luke-kun wins" Chitose-san said.

"Yes! I knew you could do it!" Arran said.

"Impossible! You just used the basic moves. I've trained harder than you and know more moves than you!" Ibu yelled.

"Ibu, sometimes we forget the basics. Basics are the beginning and sometimes they become the most important weapon in battle" Yukimura said.

"Whatever. Let's go Akira" Ibu stalked off. Akira hurried after him with Ibu's robes.

"Well done, Luke. It seems Choi has taught you well" Yukimura said.

"Thank you" Luke bowed and felt Yukimura ruffle his hair.

"Here" Arran handed Luke a wet towel.

Luke wiped the sweat off his body and then put on his clothes. Yukimura chuckled lightly when he saw Arran staring at Luke.

"Maybe something might just happen between those two" He whispered to Chitose who rolled his eyes.

"You are too meddling for your own good" Chitose said.

"But you love for that, don't you Chitose?" Yukimura took a step back and his fingers brushed Chitose's calloused hand.

An uncharacteristic blush came on Chitose's neck and ears. He coughed uncomfortably as Yukimura leaned up and kissed his cheek.

"I shall see you at the tea ceremony then" Yukimura sighed and then walked away from the sparring area.

Chitose nodded even thought Yukimura had already left.

Ganbatte, niisan – do your best, big brother