[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

**Tenshoujin is so strong T_T What will Tatsu do. **

TATSU

"My family name?" My expression grew heavy. "I haven't thought about that for a very long time. Why is it so important to know?"

Nozomi quickly jumped to her own defense. "No no! I was just curious. If it's such a touchy topic for you to discuss, then I won't get into it."

"I apologize Nozomi. No one has ever asked me that before. I was unsure how to respond to such an innocent question."

In all my life the only people who showed interest in my past were those who hunted me. The Dragons only cared about my Elven roots. I was always being chased, or was in pursuit of the Silver Dragon and all evidence of it. All my memories were a painful experience. The burden was a heavy one to bear. But it was mine alone to carry. I didn't get people involved into my dilemma. They have their own problems. I didn't want the pressures of mine interfering with their lives. Shima was the exception though. I felt I could tell her anything. The same is true with Nozomi. It makes sense though. Shima is Nozomi now. Just in a different light.

"Why are you brooding Tatsu? Did I upset you that much?" Nozomi's eyes were sullen.

"Haha! I am sorry again Nozomi!" I retorted

"Then tell me! What is your last name?" she once again winked at me.

"It's Greywood." I turned my head to the side and uttered the word so lightly, in an effort to not be heard.

"Greywood? That's an odd name. But I like it though it suits you." Nozomi grabbed me around the middle and squeezed.

I felt myself start to blush. Why was I feeling uncomfortable? Is it because of all those memories I have? I haven't spoken out loud my father's family name since Shima was still alive. It felt extremely awkward telling it to Nozomi now.

"So Tatsu Greywood? It has a nice little ring to it."

"Tatsu isn't my full first name. It is just and abbreviated version of the real one. Greywood was my father's last name. My mother received it upon their marriage. At that time, my older sister was already alive. So she had mother's last name." I was telling Nozomi all this now because I desired it. She didn't have to know the details, but to not tell someone who cared so much about it didn't feel right. If I didn't tell her this, then I wasn't being completely honest with her, which is exactly what she was doing with me.

"Oh?" Nozomi started to bounce upon Gana's feathery back.

"What is your complete name then?"

I smiled. I knew she was going to ask. I really wanted to answer this time.
"It's Tatsumura......Tatsumura W. Greywood."

"My middle initial is my father's name... Wildfire. Seeing how my mother granted me an Elven name upon birth, I received both father's first and last name. Since my father had given my older sister an islanders name, my mother gave me a mainland one. I heard that she named me after her father, but I am not sure that is entirely accurate."

"Wow! such a story!" Nozomi stared at me in awe. "All this talk has made me soooo hungry! I hope we get to town soon."

The sun shining brightly amongst the clouds now. The stars and moon has completely faded into the blue sky. It was so warm. The sunlight's heat gave a pleasing sensation to me.

"I am sure we will arrive soon. Now where exactly is your friend?"

"Her town is south of Disan."

"Disan? Well we still have some distance ahead of us then. Gana has just passed the Dragon Mountains. Soon we will be completely out of Dragon Territory. I think we should just try and sleep for now. I don't know about you, but I sure am tired!" I gave a hearty laugh, to show Nozomi that everything was going to be just fine.

"Sounds good to me....Tatsumura!" She laughed to herself.


**NOTE: I was trying to give the feeling that Tatsu's father's name was something a Native American Indian would be called. While Tatsu's mother's Elven names sounded Japanese. I hope I did a good job of this.**