Like a Son

Tian-Han looks at Kazuki with a soft smile.

"Yes, Father's day. I know I'm not really your father, but I thought we could have some fun together. You worked out and been through some rough"

The young boy turns his eyes away from his master. He looks a bit dreary. The smile on Tian-Han's face slowly fades away. Kazuki swings his legs back and forth. He looks at their movements.

"- You don't talk much about my father.

- He was a great man.

- You already told me that…

- What do you want to know ?

- Who he was..

The old man takes a moment to think. He puts his hand on his goatee and looks up to the sky. 

"Your father…"

He slowly smiles. As he tries to find a way to describe Kazuki's father, memories flash before his eyes. And it's like time around them has slowed down to a point where it slowly stops. For the Master and the Student, everything around them is muffled and blurry. There is only Tian-Han, Kazuki and the memories of… Gisei. 

"Your father.. he was a great man. I told you that already. He was very kind towards others. At least, since I know him. When we met, we changed each other's lives. It was on a road, way further on the lands than where we currently are. I was on my way to another temple in order to keep working on my Art. And then, on the side of the road, I saw him. He looked exhausted. He called for help. I stopped my horse. I had a cart, so I helped him and took him on it. When he asked where I was heading to, I told him that I'm learning the Art. He wanted to learn it too but didn't know where to start. So, I teached him everything I knew. He learned fast, very fast. As fast as his Art was linked to the wind. Together, we grew. He became more than my best friend, he became my brother."

Tian-Han takes a little break, having a hard time finding the words as he remembers how they used to be. All the moments they spent together. Their joys. Their sorrows. After a deep breath, he continues.

"We got stronger. He was one of the fastest men I ever saw. It was difficult to keep up with him. And one day, your father made a decision that made another turn in our lives. He took a disciple. It was a young boy on the street. I asked him why he did so. He asked me why I did save him that day. I could have left him on the ground and kept going. It was his way to repay the debt he owned me. So, I took a student too. We helped people and teached them our way of the Art. Each of us made a clan. Of course, you don't know what a clan is. It's a gathering of people using Art under a chief to help each other and live in a community. It's much easier for us. But between clans, war is something unavoidable. We all want profit and to live like we want, but others are on the way. And sometimes, people are selfish. They prefer to fight instead of finding a common ground. It's how your father died. He tried to defend his clan. But he sadly failed. They were outnumbered and his disciples weren't strong enough. He was left alone, but yet he wasn't enough."

This time, the old man had difficulties holding tears. The memories of that night are still fresh in his head despites the years which have passed. The words of his old friend ring in his head.. "I wasn't enough..". To him, he was enough. Strong and fast enough to bring Kazuki to him and lure the threat away from them.

"He wasn't enough… He.. Despites his speed, he was too slow to save your mother.. but you.. he saved you… both of them gave their lives to save you, because they wanted you to grow old. So, I made myself a promise. The promise to take care of you like they would have done. So I made everything to make you happy."

He tries to smile and turns to the Kazuki.

"I think you are old enough to understand but also young enough to not really care about it as long as everything is alright. I told you what you should know for now. I took you there, to this celebration, because to me you are like a son."

The young boy considers the words of his master. And, the sorrow that took over the old man's head is chased away by the smile of the kid in front of him.

"As long as you keep your promise, I'll be fine ! I'm sure it's what my father would have wanted ! And I don't really care if you are my real father or not ! You take care of me and you are kind ! Even if sometimes you are rude.. but maybe that's how my father would have done !'

Tian-Han's smile grows on his face as Kazuki talks. However, there were still things that Kazuki needed to know.

"- What was his name ?

- It's something you can't know yet.

- Why ?

- It keeps secrets that you are too young to be told.

- And what about your clan ? What happened to it ? They didn't die.

- I disbanded my clan. I told them to travel the world to truly finish their training, that they needed to find themselves alone.

- But is it true ?

- It can. I never totally lie when I do so, unless it's necessary.

- Have you ever lied to me ?

- No. Never."

They finish eating their meal in silence but with a smile on their face. Once it's done, both of them roam through the place to take part in activities made for Father's day.