Goodbye

Two months had finally passed since Ryuiji made the decision to return back to his people. And though he thought long and hard about his decision, it hadn't changed. He had spent his time building a new saddle and tailfin along with replacements parts, gathering necessary supplies, choosing a new lieutenant for the Benten corps, and spending time with the one most important to him.

Currently a majority of the Shogun's army and palace staff were waiting in the main courtyard to say their final goodbyes to the young man. They had thrown him a celebration for his departure and were going to miss him dearly. They all kept their eyes fixed on the doors that led into the courtyard and waited eagerly. Then the doors slid open to reveal the young man. They all smiled proudly at what they saw.

Ryuiji was fully clad in his samurai armor with his sword tied to his side and his helmet under his right arm. They had never seen Ryuiji walk as tall as he did now. He had his held high and looked straight ahead. Behind him, his loyal companion followed closely behind. The dragon carried himself with equal pride and poise as his partner.

Slowly Ryuiji made his way to the canter of the courtyard, where the Shogun, Daichi, Kyoshi, the prince and Princess, and Yoko were waiting for him. As he walked up to them, he looked to the Shogun with a smile and bowed respectfully.

*"My lord,"* he said formally for what he figured would probably be the last time.

*"Ryuiji,"* the Shogun replied with a nod. *"How does the armor feel?" he asked with a smile.

Ryuiji looked up and into his eyes. *"Amazing. Like you wouldn't believe,"* he said sincerely. The Shogun smiled and bowed his head slightly before stepping back and letting the others say their goodbyes.

Everyone's face had a smile. Well, almost everyone, Yoko-san was balling her eyes out. The kind woman hadn't stopped crying since head discovered his decision to leave. She was heartbroken. How could she not be? He was practically her son. She had raised him all these years. She had cleaned up after him, prepared his meals, and wiped his face when he came home dirty, put bandages on his injuries form weapons training, cut and styled his hair. She loved him like he was her own flesh and blood.

Ryuiji's heart clenched al little at seeing Yoko-san cry. He didn't regret his decision to leave but he did regret that it was hurting her. With a smile he walked up to her. She looked up at him through her tears and waited. Then slowly he reached his arms around her and pulled her into a hug.

"Okaa-san, aishiteiru." I love you, mother. He whispered to her. Yoko gasped at his words. Then in a wail of sadness she threw her arms around his neck and sobbed even harder. Ryuiji tried to gently pry her off but to no avail. It seemed she was intent on not letting him go as she clung to him desperately. Not what I was hoping for, Ryuiji thought to himself.

In desertion he threw a pleading helpless look to Daichi and Kyoshi. Daichi sighed at his wife's behavior and stepped forward to pry her away. It took both him, his son, and some gentle words to finally get her off of him. She smiled sadly at him one more time before allowing herself to be pulled back by her son who held her gently for comfort.

With that, Daichi stepped forward to say his goodbyes. He looked into Ryuiji's eyes with pride. "I remember when I had to look down to speak with you," he said with fond chuckle. Ryuiji chuckled back, reminiscing on how much he had changed since he first arrived. Then cleared his throat to continue. "I am proud to have watched you grow into the man you have become Ryuiji. I am prouder still to have played a small part in that growth," he said with a warm voice.

Ryuiji could never thank Daichi enough. Daichi had been like a father to him all these years. He'd had helped him changes co much from the person he used to be. One of the most life changing events Daichi had been there for had been when Ryuiji had taken his first human life. It had been a bandit that had been about to kill him and his body just reacted. He couldn't stomach what he'd done and was disgusted with himself. But Daichi had reassured him that he only did what had to be done. That there was no shame in taking a life in defense of one's own. Furthermore he pointed out that sometimes killing was unavoidable. He likened his lesson to the slaying of the Red Death and the Orochi and Ryuiji had overcome his shame and become stronger for it.

Slowly Daichi reached a hand out and put it to the back of his head before pulling him down slightly so their foreheads touched. "You are my son," he said resolutely. "And you have a samurai's spirit. Don't ever forget that." He finished holding Ryuiji's gaze.

Ryuiji heart was touched by his words. With watery eyes he firmly nodded. With that Daichi stepped back and to his wife's side. Finally Kyoshi stepped forward. This was going to be the hardest goodbye yet.

The young men held each other gaze and remained silent, neither knowing what words to say. The Ryuiji raised his right arm and present his closed fist to Kyoshi, in their familiar gesture. "Goodbye my friend," he said with a sad smile.

Kyoshi eyes his hand for a moment before looking up at Kyoshi and snorting. "We are not friends," he said blankly. Ryuiji raised an eyebrow in confusion. Was he mad that he was leaving? He thought he'd been okay with it. Suddenly his eyes widened as Kyoshi stepped forward and hugged him. "We are brothers," he whispered to him. Ryuiji stood still for a moment before returning the hug. Then they pulled back.

Holding his gaze, Kyoshi started reaching for his Wakizashi. Pulling it out, he presented it to Ryuiji to take. Ryuiji raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "A final gift," Kyoshi explained.

The sword had been a gift from Ryuiji himself. During his observation of the Aois, Ryuiji discovered that after eating the rocks of in their canyon and melting in their stomach, they pooped out a unique type of black ore. Ryuiji collected the ore and was able to refine it into the Wakizashi. The black metal, dubbed Aoi steel, was incredibly light but harder than steel. Ryuiji had used some of it to make his collapsible staff. He still laughed when he remembered telling Kyoshi what it was made of. Kyoshi had chased him around threatening to cut his head off with his 'dragon shit sword'. He had presented the staff to the Shogun and recommended they begin making all weapons and armor out of it, but the Shogun politely rejected the offer, stating that the old way of doing things was already good enough. Ryuiji didn't argue with his judgment but had shown the smiths how to refine the ore, in case the Shogun or his son ever changed their minds in the future. Apparently his own armor had been made with the stuff, making it very light but also very strong.

"I can't take that Kyoshi. It's yours," he said politely.

Kyoshi chuckled and continued to hold it out toward him. "It was never mine. I was just holding for you," he said smiling. With a smile of his own, Ryuiji slowly extended his hand out to accept the sword. Then he tucked it into his belt next to his Katana. Looking up he saw Kyoshi holding out his closed fist toward him. He raised his own fist and they bumped them together.

At their sides, Amakage and Toothless were saying their goodbyes as well. They also saw each other as brothers and would miss each other dearly. They grunted at each other before bowing in respect to one another. Then they threw back their heads and shot their fires into the sky. They collided with a purple flash and they roared together.

Their riders chuckled beside them. With one last look to the princess and prince, he got a smile and a nod from each of them. He smiled back ad bowed. Then he placed his helmet on and mounted Toothless.

"Take care of my brother Amakage," he told the dragon, who snorted and nodded in response.

"And you take care of my brother Toothless. You know how he is," he said playfully. Toothless smiled at him and nodded. With a final look to everyone, Ryuiji gave Toothless the signal to fly. The dragon obliged and couched low before unfurling his wings and leaping into the air. Flapping to gain altitude, they hovered above the courtyard for one final look.

"YAHHHHHH BAAABY!" Kyoshi shouted from below. Amakage roared at his side.

Ryuiji smiled and chuckle underneath his helmet. Then he raised a fist to the sky and took a breath. "YEAHHHH BABY!" he shouted back. With that he directed Toothless away from the castle, looking back over his shoulder for a final glimpse and seeing everyone waving and shouting their goodbyes. As they were flying a loud roared suddenly got their attention.

Glancing to their right. They saw Raijin and his subjects perched on a cliff. Raijin roared again and bowed his head toward them. He was saying goodbye as well. Toothless roared back while Ryuiji shouted and waved before they continued on their way. They flew toward the ocean. Toothless knowing the route back home by instinct and memory.

As they reached the shores of Japan and began flying over the vast water and back towards home Ryuiji looked back over his shoulder. He didn't know if he would ever return to Japan. But he would never forget the adventures he'd had there.

So while he faced forward and towards his destination he felt a small spark of excitement within him. He was going home. He would see his father and his people. He wondered if anybody would recognize him now. He wondered if they'd believe all the things he'd accomplished in the almost six years he'd been gone.

They'd better be ready. Because while he may have left as 'the worst Viking in history', he was returning a Samurai.

And he'd never let anybody convince him that he was weak ever again.

Get ready Berk. He's coming home.