Juzo walked beside Keiji as they made their way to the temple.
To Keiji, the old monk could have transformed into a demon and threatened
to devour him, and he would not have cared.
"Keiji," the old monk began with a wink, "I believe you will like the
temple."
Keiji merely shrugged.
What did it matter?
"Your father was very fond of this temple, and I believe you will be just
as fond of it as he was." Juzo persisted.
"My father was fond of your temple?"Keiji asked, curious as he turned to
face the old man.
"Why yes, in fact, we should soon be there, and you'll see why." Juzo
answered as he continued on.
"Then you must have known my father very well." Keiji asked as they
continued as a mist began to penetrate the trees of the forest and a faint
and distant rumble began to make the ground beneath them shake gently.
"What do you mean, 'why he died'? He should be here with us!" Keiji
demanded, shocked at the old monk's view of his father.
"He died to keep you and your mother safe. Realize this, Keiji, a samurai,
like your father, will commit seppuku to avoid being slain by a enemy.
Understand, when your father was murdered by Kazuo, he choose to stay as a
father, not as a samurai. Had he committed seppuku, then you and your
mother would not be with me right now, you may have been, but chances are,
you wouldn't. What he did was both very honorable and understandable, as
his son, you should be proud of him and not grieve for him. It would not
do his memory justice." Juzo answered.
Keiji let Juzo's words sink into him and after a few long moments of
silence, and tougher silent struggle to accept them, he finally yielded to
Juzo.
"Are you hearing me, Maya?" Juzo asked of his mother.
"Of course, but my heart cannot believe what you say. I always believed
Masake to be immortal, and that somehow, some way, he would survive and
return to me." she replied.
Ever since the bandits, she had remained silent and her face was pale, even
in the weak light of morning.
Juzo sighed and said softly so only Keiji could hear, "I can understand
her, too, I am afraid to say. They had something very deep and passionate
that few could every hope to have."
"What do you mean?" Keiji asked quietly.
"Don't tell me they never told you how your mother and father meet! You
have been neglected for far too many years, my boy." Juzo exclaimed, his
old eyes widening with disbelief and then a sly grin overtook him.
"Believe me as I say this, Keiji. At one point in history, your father and
your mother actually fought one another;" Juzo began, "There was war back
then, as it always seems to be ever since the shogun's loss of power, and
anyway, your mother's and father's clans were at war with one another.
Eventually during one of the battles, their katanas crossed. Of course
both were wearing armor and all they saw where opposite banners. Now, your
father and mother fought for a very long time in a battle all in itself, as
they rolled, kicked, slashed, and punched across the battlefield, I should
know, I was there.But, finally, your father knocked the helmet of your
mother's head and he would have slain her then if he hadn't glanced into
her eyes, and you may note this, that few men have managed to create the
look of enlightenment that crossed your father's face. Your mother of
course picked this time to make a hasty retreat and not to long later, the
battle ended. Well, their clans fought a few more battles and eventually
the war came to a end, and with it, your father's marriage to your mother."
"What stories are you filling my son's head with, Juzo?" his mother called
back snapping out of her silence.
"Oh, nothing Maya!" Juzo replied with a wink in Keiji's direction, "Well it
would seem we are here! Maya, Keiji; may I welcome you to the Temple of
the Thousand Falls."
The rumble that had been a gentle shake beneath their feet now roared and
the earth shuck violently as a apparent single massive waterfall emerged
from the forest and before it all they could see was a vague outline of a
temple amongst as sea of mist.
What also struck them was the beauty and sense of peace this place seemed
to bring to them.
Juzo smiled to himself as they began the trek up the stairs and into the
mists.
"Is this real?" Keiji asked as he began the climb.
"Of course it is. I have lived here for many years, serving as this
temple's guardian and one of the few who actually know of it. It has been
the haven of those who wish not to be found by dark minds and a place to
find peace in a world of chaos. Seeing the temple grounds will have to
wait, however, untill after your father has been properly honored." Juzo
replied.
