Ch. 4: Sunkissed

"BEGIN!" Gaku's voice boomed in the walls of the dojo.

Genji stood straight with his right arm bent up at a 90 degree angle, pressed up against Hanzo's, bent the same. Every martial arts session began the same way, meditation followed by what Genji only could describe as, "a boring dance". The brothers rhythmically circled each other, maintaining their stance, never breaking contact.

"Feel each other's energy, anticipate what your opponent is thinking. Are they anxious? Arrogant? Confident? You must read your enemy. It is pertinent to know."

Hanzo looked down into his younger brother's eyes, he always had the advantage being 3 years older. He watched Genji grow over the years, from a clumsy toddler to a steadier boy. He had always loved learning martial arts and excelled quite well at it. As opposed to his brother who seemed to seldom take it seriously and viewed it as a game more than anything. He was only 8 though, Hanzo was sure he would mature in due time.

Genji gazed up at his brother, though his eyes were intense, they were filled with kindness towards him. Genji knew his brother had a soft spot for him, and played into it excellently. Exploitation became his style, whether it was getting a good kick in or guilting his brother to come to the arcade.

"Close your eyes, remember sight can deceive. Build upon your other senses, sharpen them like a master would his sword."

In perfect unison, not missing a single step, the brothers continued their dance. Though their eyes were shut, they were aware of every surrounding, the walls, the steps, the tables off to the side, the floor creaking beneath their feet. Most importantly, they were aware of each other. If one switched arms, the other perfectly mirrored. Forwards and backwards, round and round, neither slipped nor stumbled.

Genji went for a leg sweep, Hanzo jumped with ease dodging the attempt. The younger brother threw a punch, another punch and another. Hanzo dodged each one. Kick, dodge. Punch, dodge. The whole time Hanzo kept circling Genji, never allowing him to be backed into a corner. Growing more frustrated by the second, Genji kicked up at his brother, catching him off guard and sending him down. Just as quick as he went down, Hanzo swept his leg, sending Genji down to the floor with him. Quickly pinning him down, Hanzo put him in a loose chokehold. Genji squirmed, though it was a loose hold it was tight enough to keep him in place. This means there was only one thing to do.

"OW!" Hanzo pushed his brother away and sat up, holding his arm. "Who told you to bite!?" His arm throbbed.

"I did." Genji smirked.

A deep chuckle followed by a slow clap came from across the dojo, "Very good Genji. When it is a matter of life and death, one must improvise." Their father approached, from what seemed the shadows, to ruffle Genji's hair.

Hanzo looked down, squeezing his arm. Luckily blood was not drawn, though it sure felt like it.

"Boys, how about you clean up and have lunch? I would like to speak with Gaku privately."

"Yes, father." Both brothers said, they bowed and made their exit.

It was another bright, humid day with the sun beating down upon the Shimada castle. The birds sung, and insects hummed.

"What do you think dad and Sensei Gaku are talking about?" Genji broke the silence.

"I don't know" Hanzo shrugged.

"Is your arm okay?"

"Oh this? You didn't even break skin, and don't even think about trying that again. I'll throw you." Hanzo playfully pushed him aside.

"You're just mad your little brother beat you!"

Hanzo chuckled, "Yeah right, if dad hadn't interrupted you would have been toast."

"Maybe. But you know where YOU will be toast? At the arcade! Let's go! Or are you too scared to be beat by me again?"

"I'm sorry Genji, I can't. I have to go to our classes today."

"Whyyyy? Come on, I'm not going!" Genji whined.

"I have to. We have to. You're always skipping."

"Yeah, it's boring. Why do we need to know where countries are? Or how to find the circumference of a circle? How does any of that matter?"

Hanzo shrugged, "They teach it for a reason."

"Other kids don't have to go to class during the summer."

"Yeah well, we aren't normal kids. I'll see you later."

"Okay." Genji watched his brother walk away.

Genji found himself alone once again, with plenty of time to fill. Which was a regular occurrence for a notorious hookie. Naturally, this meant one thing: arcade time. He frequented the arcade some 15 blocks away from home, not a bad walk at all. It did mean he would spend a considerable amount of time there, to make it worth it of course. He made his way out a side gate, careful not to run into anyone who may know where he was supposed to be.

It was always strange stepping out of the castle grounds, it was like another world outside the walls. The city sounded louder, the landscape was far more modern than the historic build of his home. It was exciting. He loved watching people go about their days. He slipped through the streets on his normal path when he happened upon a seemingly distressed woman in a cowl. She was off to the side in an alleyway, weeping like a new widow. It was a peculiar sight, though he felt cautious about approaching. Genji looked around, not a soul paid the woman any mind.

"How could people be so cruel?" he thought. He knew he had to do something.

He stepped carefully towards the woman who was hunched over with her back pressed up against the wall. She was adorned in light, flowy earthy toned clothing. As he came closer her profile became clearer, though much older than him she was young. Through her weeping, she turned to look at the boy who approached her, revealing her large brown eyes. She was beautiful, probably the most physically appealing being Genji had seen in his short time upon earth. Strands of her dark brown curly hair peeked from her cowl and fell on her pale, yet sunkissed forehead. The boy couldn't help but go back to her eyes, something about them, they were so enticing. She seemed so kind and innocent. The woman buried her head into her long thin fingers, decorated with cheap looking rings, though that did not take away from her beauty at all.

She let out a desperate cry, "Oh child! They took everything from me!"

Genji paused, still fixated on her, "Uhm, what.. Happened?" In his mind he thought, "Who would do something bad to such a beautiful person?"

She lifted her face once more from her hands and looked him dead in the eyes, "These ruthless thieves broke into my home and took everything from me! I already had so little…" She stopped and turned her head away, letting out another cry. "Now I truly have nothing."

Genji took a step closer and reached his hand out to place it on her shoulder for comfort, "What did these men look like? I know a lot of people, we could get your stuff back! I bet you my father can!"

The woman now facing him, seemed delighted. In fact, now he was so close to her he noticed her face was as dry as the desert. Not a tear in sight. "You do?! What a kind boy you seem. Your father must be even more so to raise a young man like you!" She firmly grabbed his hand.

A wave of unease crept up from Genji's stomach but he had to help her. There wasn't a chance he would be a coward. "Y-yeah, uhm how about I go get someone?"

"Oh, yes? Where do you happen to live? I'm afraid if it's too far they will get away.." The woman trailed off.

"That's not a problem at all! I live super close! Actually, I bet you've seen it, I live in Shimada Castle!"

"My my! Shimada Castle?! I think you are right, you do know plenty of strong men to help! Let's head over quickly!"

He felt ecstatic, there was no reason to be scared. She knew where he lived, and knew that they could help her. She was just a lady in need of help. She stood up, still with a firm grasp on his hand and pulled him behind her as she set off. For a moment, Genji felt a rush of adrenaline. It was exciting. He imagined bursting through the doors at home and rallying the best ninjas in Japan to track the crook's down. His father would be so proud and this woman would think of him as her savior. But as they weaved their way through a couple of streets he noticed something,

"Hey– I don't think we are going the right way?"