[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

TATSU

Sunlight broke across the horizon, and the first lights of the day crept over the Dragon Mountains. Shades of purple and red reflected off the fluffy white clouds. Colors mixed, and beautiful shades were displayed in the sky. The moon was still visible, stars continued to shine brightly just before they faded into the day.

Nozomi was holding me tightly. The Autumn wind was chilling. Gana's soft feathers gave me a sense of comfort and security. "Tatsu?" Nozomi soft voice filled my ears suddenly.

"What happened back there? I thought you died in that evil place. Your body was cold and stiff. How did you come back?"

I was silent, but only momentarily. I didn't want to remember being with Onijin in that prison. Just thinking about it sent a chill down my back.

"I....I did die. It's true. I was dead, and I went to Hell."

Nozomi was silent. I didn't blame her. What could you possibly say to something like that?

"I was tortured by a demon. His name I dare not speak aloud. Somehow though, I managed to break his bonds. Luckily, my will did not fail me when I needed it most.... After I escaped, a wandering spirit, who calls himself Yogensha, set me free from that prison. He gave me back my life....I may have a new life, but I also have a new body.....That is how I got my right arm and eye."

Nozomi gave me a tight squeeze around the waist. "Well you're back now. That's all that matters now. You've returned to me, and we left that evil place. We are free, free to soar together through the skies."

I nodded. I may not have spoke, but I knew she could feel my response.

"Tatsu? I...uh...I have always wondered about you. We really haven't had the time to talk about things we'd like to talk about. We always had to discuss the terrible things in this world. The dragons, death, people who have come to pass, like Shima and Akuma. Now I want to talk about you. Someone who is alive and well. Tell me more about you....Please?"

Now was the time that I grew quiet. I didn't want to dodge her curiosity. Unlike me, she never really had a life. We awoken one day randomly. She doesn't have any parents like I did. She never had anyone. But still, after all that negativity, she still manages to walk around with laughter and smiles....How could she always be so happy on the outside when she must be suffering greatly on the inside? I will always envy her for that. Her ability to persevere through anything. That is what inspired me the most. It was what I believed, was her greatest attribute.

"Me? You want to know about me? I'm not really sure what to say......"

Nozomi nudged my side. "Oh come on Tat! Where were you born? You can start with that." She gave me that smile that made me melt every time I saw it.

"Hahaha! Tat? What's up with the sudden nickname?" I couldn't help but smile. It was great being with her like this. "Well, I wasn't born in Etrirea. I was born on a tropical island south of this great continent. The island was suprisingly small. My family had lived on it for generations. The island was named after my clans surname.

"Oh! A clan? What kind of clan?" Nozomi's eyebrow raised.

"Oh nothing special really. All the men in my family were swordsman. When they reached adulthood, it was their duty to leave the island and make a name for themselves in the world somewhere...My grandfather was rich. He had built a grand mansion at the center of the island. He gave my parents enough money to make a life here in Etrirea. My father had heard about the great Elven clans that my mother came from. He wanted to see them first hand."

"Really? So how did your mother come to that island? She was an Elf right? So she must of been born here in Etrirea." Nozomi arches her head to look me in the eyes.

"It never crossed my mind to question mother's origins. We were all together, that is all that mattered to me. Only until I lost them, and Shima did I start to dwell, and live in the past. I used to live in the moment when I was a little boy. Life seemed so carefree then, playing on the island with mother."

"So, what is your family surname? You said the island had the same name as your family right? So what is it?" Nozomi winks.

"My last name?"

More memories swirl around in my head.

............

**EDIT: Hahaha! I couldn't help but post, even though I knew it was Shino-san's turn.**