Ch. 3: I'll Be There

Hurried footsteps came racing down the hall. A boy was sprawled out, face down upon a cot on the floor, snoring almost as loud as the air conditioning unit.

Thud thud thud thud

The door flung open revealing an exasperated woman, panting like a dog.

"Ge.." heavy breathing "Genji… wake up"

Snores

The woman took a deep breath in, no longer leaning on the door frame for support from her trek across the castle, "GENJI! WAKE UP!" She stomped her foot.

The boy stopped snoring and sleepily opened one eye, looking up at the woman who was now in his room opening the curtains, one by one.

"Nooo it is so hot out" Genji groaned, burying his head into the cot.

"Stop it, child. You are 30 minutes late for your martial arts lesson! Now get up and get out of here!" She drew open the last curtain, letting the sun's full power radiate into the bedroom.

"Ughhh, just another few minutes Ms. Kiyomi"

She turned off the AC unit, "We'll see how long you last without this" she smirked as she exited Genji's bedroom.

In retaliation, Genji grabbed a thin sheet and yanked it over himself, just enough protection from the beating sun, or so he thought. In reality, only the darkest rooms and strongest AC could keep out the Hanamura summer heat. With each passing minute the room grew hotter, hotter and hotter; until he could bear it no more. Genji was a stubborn child, but knew he was no match for the elements. All in swift harmony, he tossed the sheet off, sprung up and off the cot, grabbed a shirt, pants and slippers and was out the door.

He rubbed his eyes while making his way down the elegant halls and stairways of the Shimada castle. Lined with artwork everyday people would pay to see, were but an everyday sight for the boy. Instead of picking the quickest way possible to the dojo, he had the route with the most AC coverage thoroughly mapped out.

Genji slid the dojo doors open, showing an instructor patiently waiting and a bored brother leaning against the wall.

"Ah, welcome Genji, we are glad you could join us today. Please boys, take a seat so we can begin meditation."

"Hi Gaku-Sensei."

The brothers sat adjacent to one another before the instructor, closing their eyes in unison. "Did you stay up too late at the arcade again?" The older brother whispered.

"No, it's just hot as heck and we can probably beat Gaku by now anyway."

Hanzo silently snickered.

"I heard that Genji, silence."

The next five minutes were dedicated to reaching the deepest part of their consciousness, and finding their centers. In reality the boys were thinking of a combination of video games and events to come.

Gaku released a deep breath and stood up, "Alright boys, we will begin today's lesson differently." The brothers looked up in interest. "Genji, stand and ready yourself. Hanzo, step aside."

The brothers locked eyes for a moment and assumed their positions. Though both of them had sparred against their sensei, Genji had never faced the challenge alone. They stood across from one another, Genji took a deep breath in and bowed to Gaku, then readied himself. Gaku did the same,

"Genji, you have learned much from your years under me. Though your older brother started before you, you have kept to pace." Genji smiled at the praise. Gaku continued, "But, you suffer from a potentially fatal weakness. Your ego could be the death of you. If you are so confident a boy such as yourself can beat a master of more than 30 years, show me what you got." Gaku's eyes fixed upon Genji, making the boy feel small. He gulped but stood his ground.

"Sensei, Genji was just kidding. He knows better–"

"Silence Hanzo, respect must be taught. Genji can't be kept in the nest forever."

Hanzo nervously clenched his jaw and helplessly watched.

"I'll give you the first shot Genji." Gaku motioned him forward.

Genji carefully stepped forward, arms held out in an offensive position. He analyzed his sensei, he stood defensively. All he has to do is break his stance, as he has done countless times with both Hanzo and Gaku. They circled each other, every time Genji took a step, Gaku mirrored. "Force your opponent to play all of his cards, that's what Gaku Sensei always says" Genji thought. "But how do I do that to the one who taught me?"

"I'm backed into the corner, so what is your next move Genji?"

"This is it. Pretend to punch and sweep his leg." Genji had his plan.

He threw a half punch, but before he could even attempt his leg sweep Gaku grabbed his arm and flung him onto the floor.

Thud!

"You think you can trick me boy? Try again." Genji rolled as Gaku already landed a blow where he was just a moment before. He jumped back on his feet and distanced himself, now standing defensively. But Genji didn't even have time to think, Gaku threw a punch, another punch and another. The one benefit for Genji being 8 years old was being a tough target to hit. He kept dodging punches, desperately attempting to find a way out. Before he knew it, he was cornered.

"You can't dodge forever Genji, face your opponent. What now?" Just as Gaku threw another punch, Genji saw an opportunity to jump under and through his legs to get behind him. He successfully ducked and dodged the punch and launched himself through Gaku's legs.

"This is it, I'm behind him, it's over!" Genji felt the thrill of besting his martial arts sensei. He gave a valiant leg swing that connected with the back of Gaku's knees. All in slow motion, he saw Gaku on his way down to the ground. The adrenaline was rushing through his body, it felt good, no it felt incredible. He felt like the main character in one of his video games striking down the final boss!

In the same slow motion he saw Gaku's knees buckle, the master caught himself, swiftly kicking his leg out and around headed straight for his–

Thud!

The next time Genji opened his eyes, Hanzo was knelt over him saying something. Though he couldn't make out the words coming from his mouth, his brother looked concerned. His ears rang and he couldn't focus his vision.

"Gen– a– ou– ay?" That's all Genji could make out from Hanzo's words.

"What?"

"Sit him– gainst– all– zo" His vision started to focus, he saw Gaku point to the wall next to him. His brother grabbed onto him and dragged him over, sitting him up. Realizing that he had working appendages, Genji grabbed his head. It felt warm.

"I didn't win did I?"

"No." Hanzo poorly held back a smirk.

As all of his senses returned, he felt the worst headache of his life coming on. "Agh, my head" Genji buried his face into his palms.

"I'll have Kiyomi take Genji back to his room. He needs rest. Hanzo, let's finish today's lesson."

Kiyomi scurried into the dojo with a look of concern on her face, "Oh Genji! Are you alright?" She helped him onto his feet.

"Yeah. I'll be alright. Maybe just… a nap." He leaned into Kiyomi, to which she quickly took him into her arms, holding him like a hurt puppy.

"That sounds like a good idea, we will get you set up in your room. Come on."

They made the hike back to his bedroom, with an ice pack on his head and some pain killers, he wasted no time falling asleep.

Clink

Clink

Genji awoke to the sounds of something hitting one of his windows. He stayed in bed.

CLINK!

A harder hit. He grumbled to himself and climbed up from his cot to check out the disturbance. Moving aside a curtain he saw Hanzo far below lit by a courtyard light with another rock in hand, ready to throw. He opened the window,

"What time is it?" Genji yawned.

Hanzo replied by shooting another rock towards his brother's direction.

"HEY!" Genji ducked, dodging the rock, "HANZO!"

Hanzo grinned from ear to ear, "Meet me outside at our spot!"

Genji hurried outside to the brother's designated 'super secret' hang out spot, a large sturdy maple tree. It had stood through several eras before becoming the children's hideout spot. The maple tree was the only living being to hear the secrets shared between the Shimada brothers.

Hanzo was tucked behind the trunk as Genji came sprinting down the courtyard.

"What were you thinking? You could have asked for forgiveness. It just couldn't have come from me."

Genji took a moment before catching his breath, now crouched behind the tree next to his brother, "I can't back down, no Shimada backs down."

"That's dumb. You're 8 years old. He's a literal martial arts master."

"Haha yea… I don't know I didn't want to do the same boring dance or whatever we always start the lesson with."

"Does your head still hurt?"

"A little bit. Whatever Kiyomi gave me feels great."

Hanzo paused, gazing at his little brother in the moonlight.

"What?" Genji questioned.

"I swear he was going to kill you. After he landed that kick to your head he flipped around and was going to do something else. I had to run in."

"Whatever. Dad would have killed him back."

Hanzo blew air out of his nose in amusement.

"But thanks."

Hanzo crouched down to Genji's level, "I'm your big brother you idiot, I'll be there for you. I'll always be there for you." He reached his arm out and ruffled Genji's hair.

With a huge grin on his face he lazily attempted to dodge his brother's hand, "Thank you, Hanzo."

Hanzo stood up and waved his brother to follow,"Now, let's go sneak treats out of the kitchen."

"Oh heck yea!" Genji happily followed.