See The World Through the Dragon's Eyes

Chapter 1: Start Over, From the Beginning

Under the boughs of a massive oak tree sat Hanzo Shimada, bow leaning against the gnarled trunk. He had arrived in Numbani three days ago and so soon had found something of importance. The black-clad person in the bar had Hanzo's interest.

That stranger reminded him of someone he knew a long time ago in his time. After these years, is it possible it could be him? Hanzo chuckled worriedly. No, it could not be Genji. Ten years ago, Hanzo murdered his brother at the command of the clan elders. It became one of Hanzo's greatest burdens, causing great grief and misery. Hanzo shed tears as Genji's last breath escape his ravaged body. When Hanzo returned to the scene, Genji's body was missing and only a splattered patch of blood remained. Why did the clan demand Genji's life? His brother became a liability for refusing to join the Shimada clan's criminal activities. Why did Hanzo do it? Hanzo's loyalty had been with his birthright, to the position handed to him from his father. Despite Genji laying lifeless, Hanzo was not able to shake off the idea his brother might still be alive.

The city's hustle and bustle interrupted Hanzo's thoughts. The acrid, polluted smell of the big city numbed his senses, and he wished he were back in Hanamura. Hanamura is a small village in the wide snow-covered mountains of Japan. The Shimada palace overlooked the little village from a large hill. The village was unimpressive, but the palace held great magnificence. Its sprawling cherry blossom trees and of koi ponds were just the beginning.

Despite Hanamura's elegance, Hanzo enjoyed not waking up to a stern, business-orientated father. When Father was home, he drilled Hanzo constantly about training, studies, and the family business. But, Hanzo missed his brother, although their father spoiled him. It was not Genji's destiny to become a leader, so he had the freedom to fool around more.

Hanzo heard a rustle in the branches above him, but he brushed it off as being a bird or squirrel. Hanzo finally rose, reaching back for his bow, only for his fingers meet nothing. He stood straight up and looked behind him, panic fluttering in his chest when he did not find it. Hanzo looked around for anyone who could have taken it.

A soft giggle came from the tree branches. Hanzo spun around, snarling in anger, staring into the tree. A dark outline moved among the big main branches of the tree, and they giggled again.

"What did you do with my bow? Face me with honor!" he demanded, fingers twitching reflexively.

The person disappeared and hopped out to land and crouch at the base of the tree. He sucked in a breath when he recognized the black cloak and black-and-red bandanna. It was the person from the bar. Three days passed since that night when they drank together. Three days since he pried them about who they were, trying to discover if they were his dead brother or not. He had not seen them since, but only now, he comes across them again.

"Now, now," the stranger purred. "You were eager to be friendly with me. Why?"

Hanzo observed dark eyes glaring at him. He noticed two curved blades sheathed on their hips. He was cautious because his brother used a sword, not these. Hanzo was not prepared never less if it was his younger brother.

Relieved to see his bow slung across their back, Hanzo stared them in the eyes and put out a threatening aura. "Who are you? Are you aware of who I am?"

When they tugged off their bandanna, Hanzo made out a wicked smile that made his heart skip a beat. "You do not scare me, Shimada. Or do you prefer an exiled leader?"

A new spark of anger became triggered. How did they have knowledge of him? He had not been home in ten years. Hanzo left in the middle of the night, not making a big scene of leaving. No one had knowledge of what he had done.

The stranger tilted their head, reading his thoughts. "It was hard to not hear the new leader of the Shimada clan left without a word."

Hanzo forced himself to relax and step back. "I do not wish to fight. I left that behind with the clan. Who are you?" he repeated his question, collecting conflicting emotions.