Ch. 6: This Morning
He didn't know where he was, but it was dark. Not even the moon to light the sky, his eyes desperately attempted to focus onto anything. There was nowhere to go but forward. One careful step after another into what seemed like nothingness. Reaching his arms out horizontally he realized there were walls to each side of him. They were cold. It seems as if he was in a tunnel perhaps?
He felt a sense of urgency, but why? He couldn't even remember how he got to where he was. After walking forward more he found himself in an empty plaza.
How strange. Is this the east market? Why am I here at night by myself? Hanzo is going to be furious. Did I come here with someone?
He didn't want to call out in the middle of the night, it would surely just attract unwanted attention. He walked across the plaza, noticing each shop was empty. The atmosphere had an eeriness about it. The wind carried whispers to his ears, he couldn't tell from where, but something was beckoning for him.
He looked to his left and saw a dimly lit path, it took him away from the empty plaza. It felt right to follow. As he made his way the whispers became louder, it sounded as if someone was in distress. He began jogging down the path, though it seemed to just just get longer.
A muffled voice cried for help. He broke into a sprint, finally reaching the end and made a sharp right turn. There, just 5 feet away was his brother. His eyes were wild with fear, but his voice was muffled, he was pounding on something separating them. Genji ran forward to hit what seemed like a glass wall.
"Hanzo!? Hanzo?!" Genji began mirroring his brother, pounding for dear life on the barrier, "How do I get to you? Where are you? I want to help! Hanzo!" As hard as he could Genji punched, kicked and threw himself up against this clear wall. All attempts were made in vain. He felt like a hamster in a cage.
"Hanzo, don't worry I will get you out, just wait!" He desperately looked for a way in, only to see Hanzo stop. His brother took a few steps back looking Genji in the eyes, he slowly shook his head back and forth.
"What? No?! What do you mean?" Just as Genji blinked, his brother was gone.
He punched the air in frustration, though now it was no longer night time. He was back in his room. It was morning time. Genji was sitting up in his cot and had broken out in a cold sweat. Rubbing his eyes, he questioned what torture his own brain had just put him through. As he got a grip back on reality, he got up and went to his bathroom. He splashed water on his face and stared at his reflection in the mirror.
Father always says there's meaning to dreams. What a strange thing to dream about.
Genji looked at his phone, it was early. Only 07:04. He was far too jarred to go back to sleep.
He sighed, might as well get ready and head to the dojo early. Maybe I can beat Asa Sensei there.
Genji threw on layered clothing, being autumn time it was quite chilly in the mornings. Though sword practice would surely have him ripping his sweater off. As he left his room he couldn't help but peer at Hanzo's door, down the hall from his own. He moved on to his first stop of the morning: the kitchen. Making his way through the castle, he saw the early sun pouring through the windows, giving life to the ancient castle.
Still boring old art plastered all over this place.
Before Genji made it to the kitchen, he passed a set of towering metal doors, painted on them in red and blue were a set of dragons, lovingly entwined. He passes the shrine every day, and typically avoids it like the plague. Nothing worse to him than sitting quietly and inhaling incense, alone with your thoughts. Yet this morning, the shrine called to him. This morning was different, and perhaps he would answer.
I guess breakfast can wait. As he approached he chuffed to himself, This is something Hanzo or Father would do.
Genji pushed the doors open, to his surprise lamps were lit and he was not alone.
"Hanzo?" His voice echoed down to the end of the room.
Knelt down with incense already lit, was his brother deep in thought, until Genji interrupted.
"What are you doing here?"
"I come here every morning." Hanzo sighed, annoyed at the interruption.
"Really? I didn't know that."
"Of course not, you seldom bless us with your presence this early."
Genji walked up to his brother, sitting beside him, "I know. I had a weird dream."
Hanzo raised an eyebrow, opening one eye to peek over at his brother, "Yeah?"
"Yeah. I don't know if I want to talk about it."
Hanzo softly nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"I guess this just seemed like a good place to be afterwards. I know father has always said our dreams mean something. It's strange, it's almost like the shrine called to me this morning." Genji closed his eyes, mirroring his brother.
Hanzo thought before speaking, "He does think that.. I'm not sure though. They definitely don't always make sense at least."
Genji chuckled, "Yeah I guess if he's right, the spirits are telling me my destiny is video games 99 percent of the time."
Hanzo couldn't help but smile and a laugh slipped out, "Stay with me, Genji. You could use a second for reflection."
"I suppose I'll try. No promises though. I hate those stupid incense." He closed his eyes.
"Just like we did back in martial arts those years ago, find your center. Focus on your breathing."
Genji took a deep breath, attempting to focus.
"Even though dreams may not mean anything, it clearly jarred you enough to wake early. Ask yourself why?"
Instead of thinking back on the terror that woke him earlier, he found himself thinking of his brother. Genji realized how his Hanzo's voice had dropped from what seemed like overnight recently. He couldn't quite pin it, but Hanzo had changed quite a bit over the years. If he had to put a date on it, it had to have been shortly after the Hashimoto clan kidnapped him 5 years ago. Quite a bit changed after that. Their mother's sister Asa came shortly after to begin teaching them the art of swordsmanship. Hanzo was even learning archery. Overall, life just seemed more heavy, especially Hanzo. He always had big brother bossy vibes, but now? Now he just seemed stressed and a bit more on edge than he was before. He tried his best to make his brother laugh, it was always a win in Genji's book if accomplished.
Moments such as so felt warm and nice to Genji, a similar feeling he has when seeing Kiyomi. He enjoyed just sitting beside his brother without a task at hand, or any sort of expectations.
A low rumble erupted from Genji's stomach, breaking the silence.
Hanzo looked over at his brother who was poorly attempting to keep a 'concentrated' look on his face, "Go eat, I'll see you at the dojo in a bit."
Munching on his second breakfast sandwich from the kitchen, Genji jogged over to the dojo, attempting to evade the gentle yet chilly breeze from snipping at any exposed skin. He helped himself into the dojo where Asa was already setting up.
"My oh my! Good morning little Genji! What miracle has happened in the heavens for you to be up and ready this early?"
"Good morning Asa Sensei! Do you need help with anything?"
"Hmm… you know what? I don't need help with anything. But, I happened to receive some things I ordered a couple of months back." Asa rummaged through a duffel bag.
Genji raised his eyebrows in interest.
"I just couldn't help myself. Seeing you and Hanzo practice all of these years in normal clothing. So I had THESE made specially for both of you!" She proudly whipped out a black and green kamishimo. "Isn't it beautiful? Handmade from a shop in eastown! I made yours a little bigger so you can grow into it. Same with your brother's, I'm sure he has a growth spurt or two left in him."
"Wow." Genji approached to observe the article of clothing closer.
Asa stuck her arms out, "It's all yours, I felt it very fitting for two young masters. They have a lot of meaning to them, only the samurai wore them during the Edo period centuries ago."
He grabbed the kamishimo, it had quite a weight to it, "This is incredible. The Shimada clan emblem is even engraved on it."
"Of course, gotta rep the fam ya know?" She ruffled his hair.
"Thank you so much Asa Sensei!" Genji hastily bowed, "I'm going to try it on right now!"
Genji returned gleaming in his new outfit, with shoulder pads bigger than his head, "How do I look!?" He flexed his arm and posed like a bodybuilder.
Hanzo stepped into the dojo and stopped in his tracks upon seeing his brother. He stood speechless.
Asa giggled, "Well, you certainly have quite a bit of room to fill out. What do you think Hanzo? How does he look?"
"Is that father's?"
"NO! It's mine! You have one too! Asa Sensei had them handmade for us! Aren't they sick!?" Genji skipped around with a pretend sword slashing the air.
"Here you go" She handed Hanzo his, it was the same pattern but black and orange.
Hanzo took a few moments to feel it, staring at the family's emblem.
"Do you know what this is Hanzo?" Asa asked.
"Of course, it's what the samurai used to wear. A kamishimo, right?"
"That's right, I feel like you boys have earned it. It's been quite the grind!" Asa playfully knocked her elbow on him.
"Thank you, Asa Sensei." Hanzo bowed, and put it aside.
"Alright, let's take it off Genji. Maybe in a few years you'll be able to properly wear it. Let's get to practice!"
"Awww. Did you get one for Kiriko too?"
Asa chuckled, "She has quite a few more years before she could get one."
"When are you going to bring her with you again? I miss her!" Genji wiggled out of the kamishimo.
"I'm not sure, I miss her too though."
Both brother's took their wooden practice swords and assumed position.
The hours flew by and it was time for lunch, the boys said goodbye to their aunt and headed back into the castle.
"Hanzo, when do you think we will be able to use real swords?"
"I don't know, but they're nothing to play around with. They are weapons Genji, weapons are meant to take lives."
"Yeah, yeah I know. Haven't you held one before?"
Hanzo paused, "Yes."
"That's so cool."
"Genji, wielding a sword is a heavy responsibility. One that you don't want right now. Trust me."
"Okay." The boys walked further, "Father says that they can be used to protect too. Like in some of his stories."
Hanzo sighed, he really hasn't realized the business this family is in has he? "We wouldn't need to protect if people didn't use weapons to hurt others in the first place."
"Hm. Sooo.. speaking of weapons and fighting. I was thinking maybe we could hit the arcade today?" Genji put on his best smile.
"No, I'm sorry Genji. I have archery practice after lunch, then I have to attend a meeting with father later."
"Come on, you're busy every day." He crossed his arms in defiance.
"Yeah. I am."
"It's been over a week since we've gone, and when we went you wanted to leave almost right away. If you won't come with me, I'll go by myself."
Hanzo snapped his neck locking eyes with his brother, "You know better than that Genji. That is absolutely forbidden. How many times do we have to have this conversation? You're 13 now, grow up."
"So I need to grow up, but I'm not old enough to go to the arcade by myself? Come on, we both graduated from martial arts."
"Can you for once stop being such an entitled little brat?! The world doesn't revolve around you or your stupid video games. Don't you see there are more important things to deal with? No means NO get it through your thick little fucking skull. It's my head on a platter if you sneak out, so put it to rest."
Speechless, Genji stopped in his tracks. His brother never had sworn at him before. No one had in fact. He watched Hanzo storm off, leaving him in the dust.
Hanzo marched past the kitchen as Kiyomi stepped out of it, "Perfect timing! They made your favorite dis– Hanzo?"
"I'm not hungry today." He stomped off.
"Oh. Alright." She naturally looked around for the little duckling that was usually found following Hanzo.
"There you are, Genji! Are you hungry?" She went to crouch to get on his level, but stopped herself, "My god you have gotten so big, I swear just the other day I held you." There was a bittersweetness in her voice.
"I guess." He moped.
Kiyomi lead Genji to grab a bowl of beef stew freshly made by kitchen staff, and joined him on a table to eat lunch.
As the pair sat together, she watched the boy with a lack of interest in his meal stare into his bowl slowly stirring, "You know, I don't have too much going on this afternoon. I think if you attend your classes today we could hit up the arcade together, how does that sound?"
Genji pepped up, "Really? Thank you Kiyomi!"
"Only if you go to your after lunch classes though."
"Of course! Wouldn't miss them for the world!" He grinned in between shoveling heaps of stew into his mouth.
"Too bad your brother isn't hungry, he's missing out on his favorite dish, and boy is it good today!"
"Yeah.."
"Did you two have a spat?"
"I guess."
Kiyomi reached her hand out across the table and held Genji's, "I know it's not fun fighting with anyone, especially someone you love. I don't know what was said between you two but I know Hanzo has a lot on his plate. He's had quite a bit put on his shoulders lately."
Genji looked off to the side.
She gently squeezed his hand, "I'm sure you boys will make up, you both are kind and caring souls." She paused, "And even such souls can say mean things. After all, we are only mortal."
Genji sighed, "I know Kiyomi. He just has changed so much. I miss spending time with him, now when he does it feels like a task put upon him. It used to be him and I, now it's just.. me. I don't understand what happened."
"Your brother has an immense responsibility to the family. Unfortunately the order we are born means something, and for Hanzo it means he has to grow up quicker than you."
"Yeah, and grown ups are boring."
"Hey!" She let go of his hand and playfully slapped it, "That's not nice!"
Genji smiled, "Well I'm right, but you and Asa Sensei are the exception."
Kiyomi let out a boisterous laugh, tucking her chestnut brown hair behind her ears, "Well, I'm sure Asa would be happy to hear that."
The two finished their lunch and Kiyomi walked Genji to his class, "Alright Genji, you be good. I'll meet you at the front gate later."
"4 o'clock sharp! See ya!" Genji grinned while waving farewell.