This starts where The Aku Infection (episode XLIII) ends. One of my favorite episodes! The gentleness of his parents in the face of his self incrimination... I cried. And the fact that he's a child in that inner vision. And the love of his family and the support of his friends being his strength to fight evil... I can't!

"Cannot fight it. Not alone. Cannot do it alone."

.

Jack did not stop until he had descended the peaks entirely. It was dawn on the third day when he reached the valley floor. The stream that rushed down from the mountains had now leveled to a gentle flow. At a place where it meandered along a grassy shore beneath the trees, he finally rested. He was very hungry.

Jack removed his gi and folded it carefully on the grass. In only his fundoshi he waded into the icey stream. Once standing in the proper place, he submerged his hands. The early sun warmed his bare shoulders. Gentle breeze pushed the lose strands of his hair across his forehead. Sunlight glinted off the water all around him and he waited. When a fish eventually passed between his palms he grasped it tightly. He lifted it out of the stream and tossed it onto the shore.

"How'd you do that?" asked a young voice from just beyond where the fish flopped furiously.

Jacked looked and saw a boy. He was dirty and looked exhausted.

"It is something I learned as a child." he replied, stepping out of the stream.

"Teach me?"

Jack stroked his chin then spoke. "Later. First I will cook this fish. Can you build a fire?"

"Sure!" The boy said and promptly disappeared into the trees. Jack chuckled at the his enthusiasm and picked up his gi.

A short while later the boy returned with an armload of sticks. Jack chose three of them for a spit. Brow furrowed in concentration, the boy got to work on the fire. He rubbed two of the sticker together until a moment later he was adding small twigs and blowing on the burgeoning flames.

"Not bad." Jack said as he put his catch on the spit.

The boy sat down in the grass and watched the fire begin to lick at the big fish.

"Have you eaten?" Jack asked. Although from the first look at him Jack had already guessed the answer.

The boy eyed him hesitantly, then he shook his head.

"Then it is a good thing this fish is so fat." Jack said kindly.

A smile tugged at the boy's mouth.

"My name is Jack."

"I'm Iyo." The boy said.

"It is nice to meet you, Iyo." Jack said, checking to see if the fish was done. He pulled off a piece and popped it in his mouth.

"Perfect." He exclaimed as he chewed it cheerfully. Iyo hopped up and took piece. The two sat in a comfortable silence, eating until there was only bones left on the spit.

Jack reclined, propping himself on his elbow. Iyo took a stick and poked at the fire. The sun rose higher and the trees painted their shadows on the ground around them.

"So, where are you from?"

Iyo looked over at him and his eyes told Jack a familiar story.

"A village. In another valley." He said quietly.

Jack nodded. "I too am far from home."

They watched the flames die down as sadness settled over them. In the branches above birds continued to sing, indifferent to their grief.

Iyo set his stick down and drew his knees up to his chest. He wrapped his arms around his legs and rested his chin on his knees. Tears filled his eyes.

"Aku..." Jack offered gently. "...also took my home and my family from me."

Iyo looked at him, tears still unshed.

"You're alone too?"

Jack bowed his head. "Yes."

Then Jack remembered the monastery. He remembered a little boy fortified by love and friendship. He placed a hand to his heart.

"No." He said slowly. "No, they are always with me."

"How?" Iyo's voice was pleading. Tear tracks now streaked his cheeks.

"They are in my heart. My father and mother."

Iyo put his forehead to his arms, hiding his crying face. "Are my parents in my heart too?" He asked, voice muffled.

"Of course." Jack lifted his voice in encouragement. "They will always guide you and comfort you. Just close your eyes and look in your heart."

Glassy eyes peaked over his arms. "You promise?" Iyo asked.

Jack offered him a small smile. "Yes." He said. "I promise."

Iyo wiped his eyes and took a deep breath.

Jack looked into the sunny tree tops and sighed. "I will stay here until tomorrow." He declared as he stood up. "I said I would show you how to catch a fish and I will when evening approaches. We will eat well again tonight." He went and lay down in the grass under a nearby tree. "For now I am very tired and you must be too. We have both had long journeys." Jack pulled his straw hat down over his eyes. "Rest, my friend."

Iyo watched as Jack fell still save for his chest steadily rising and falling. Soon he began to snore softly.

Iyo sat listening for a for a while. The stream babbled on and the birds replied. Leaves rustled with the breeze and the remaining coals popped once or twice. He glaced over once more at Jack's sleeping form and then looked down at his own chest. His hand crept up and took a fistful of his dirty shirt. Pressing it to his heart, he closed his eyes.