Ryuujin's Past Part 1: A New Dawn

The sun had now risen and stood shining over Ryuujin. Ryuujin did not have a plan or a map, nor did he need one. His plan was simple, explore the world and more importantly, re-discover himself. After the death of Hoori and his parents, he was lost; he had no drive, no motivation. It was time for a change.

Ryuujin had now walked for a few hours with no landmarks around him, just trees. He wasn’t lost, because how can you be lost without direction anyways? How can you be lost when you have nowhere to go and are just wandering?

Well, I better find a place to stay tonight. Ryuujin said as he crept deeper into the forest. Panic would normally strike a child in the woods, but he was no child. Ryuujin was never a child per say. Born during strife and war, he was a warrior, born to kill. He found a tree which stood taller than the rest and quickly climbed up it. Using rope he fastened himself what seemed to be a net, no, more like a trap. This is good enough he thought as he got into the rope contraption and laid in it. The night was long and Ryuujin did not sleep.

After wandering for a few days with no nearby camps or small towns in site, Ryuujin grew tired and weary. I didn’t think the world was this big, he thought to himself. Suddenly, a light beam shined on his face. Puzzled, he looked across; there was an opening in the forest. He had reached its end.

Racing towards the opening he almost jumped out in excitement but stopped. He saw a women and a little boy bargaining with a gristly man. The women and the boy seemed to be in distress.

“Come on, just hand over all your Ryo and maybe I’ll let this little boy keep his head.” said the bandit.

“Try me!” shouted the boy as he kicked the man in the shin. “No, don’t!” screamed the women as the bandit gripped his shin.

“Somebody’s got to teach you some manners!” shouted the bandit angrily, he grabbed his spear strapped to his back and thrust it forward. The women screamed. Suddenly, she felt a gust as a shadow appeared in front of her and the boy, stopping the attack.

“No, if anyone here needs to learn manners. It’s you.”

“Thank you… I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t protected us.” the mother said. “What is your name?”

They look trustworthy enough, but still, I don’t want my name out there Ryuujin thought. “My name is Al” Ryuujin told the mother. “Listen, I have a long distance to cross, I better leave.”

“No, the least we can do is cook you a nice meal.” the mother said. Well, all I have been eating the past few days is Natto… “Alright, thank you.” Ryuujin replied.

“Also, my name is Atakai. And this is my son, Cho.” Atakai told Ryuujin. Cho, with a large smile on his face, looked at Ryuujin and shouted, “That was awesome! You have to teach me that Al!”

Ryuujin kneeled down at the dinner table. In front of him were a bowl of rice and a plate of pickled vegetables.

“So tell us about yourself Al, what are you doing out in the forest?” Atakai asked Ryuujin.

Stumbling, “Err… I was… looking for my… dog… Yeah, I was looking for my dog.” Ryuujin replied.

“Oooh! What was his name!” asked Cho. “He didn’t have a name.” Ryuujin quickly blurted out.

Atakai and Cho stared at Ryuujin awkwardly. “…Didn’t have a name huh…” Atakai said. Ryuujin looked down and began stuffing his face with the rice, he didn’t even bother to chew. Gahhh, stupid stupid stupid, what kind of dog doesn’t have a name!? Ryuujin thought.

The rest of the dinner went by quickly and soon they were off to sleep. Atakai and Cho slept in a small room and Ryuujin was handed a sleeping bag for the living room. Night had come, and soon, Atakai and Cho were fast asleep.