The resident had been silent for over 17 hours. Not knowing what to say to his grandfather’s announcement, Cam had simply turned and left the elder men to debate, if they had wanted. Cam’s first inclination had been to say `No!’ but that would have offended the elder samurai. He had decided to ponder how to express his opinion without offending his hopeful teacher-to-be. Even after more than half a day, Cam had not sorted out the best way.

He had returned and checked on Skritches. He had cleaned out Copi’s cage. He had organized his books. He had coded a new program, one that had only served to amuse CyberCam, when shown, for it really did nothing more than back up a surveillance beacon’s program. CyberCam had quickly pointed out it was a redundant back up to an auxiliary. But it seemed to take precedence when looking for something to do at 2 am. He had reached for the phone every hour almost on the hour after the programming fiasco, only to look at the time and move on to something else. Blake needed Hunter right now. Hunter was probably sleeping. And Hunter’s advice would only be `Just go tell him!’ Like it was as simple as that.

There was a knock at his door. The pet crate emitted a “murrowl” as if to answer it for him.

“It’s ok, Skritches. I’ve got it.” He opened the door to find Hiro waiting on the other side. He was once again dressed in his robe and sandals, which suddenly reminded Cam that he had not slept all night. In one of Hiro’s hands he carried a tray, containing one teapot, two tea cups, two bowls of sweetened rice, two bowls of apricots, a dish of milk, and two pairs of chopsticks. In the other arm, he balanced two cushions, one dark red and the other emerald green. He had picked out the cushion Hunter always used, as well as Cam’s pillow of choice, from the living room.

“Cameron, I noticed you were not preparing breakfast this morning. Kanoi has gone to visit Sensei Omino. I thought I could bring you my traditional breakfast and we could talk.”

Cam stepped aside, allowing his grandfather to enter. He pulled the two cushions from the old man and placed them near a low table. Hiro set the tray down and began to distribute its contents. Hiro then picked up the dish of milk and strolled over to where Skritches sat in her confinement.

“Ohiyo gozaimasu, Skritch-chan,” he whispered. Cam’s mouth dropped as Hiro opened the crate and set the dish inside. She licked his hand and he stroked her whiskers. “Things are getting better, little one.”

He then withdrew his hand and closed the crate door. Cam remembered to close his mouth just as Hiro turned to return to the table. Cam sat on his green cushion as Hiro gracefully eased himself down on the crimson one. Hiro poured the tea. Each took a teacup and sipped thoughtfully. Both men sat in silence.

After what seemed to be half an hour, Hiro took a deep breath. “Cameron? Would you like to continue training this morning after breakfast?”

“If it the time suits you.”

“Yes, the morning is best for training. Especially for what I have planned.”

Cam fought his urges to question the old man. Picking up a set of chopsticks, he slid a few apricot slices onto the rice. At the same time, so did Hiro. Lifting the bowl, he chose to eat a bite of food each time the silence begged him to ask about his grandfather’s plans of relocating him. A few moments later, Cam realized he was powering through the food and was replenishing his apricots on his leftover rice.

“I see you are enjoying this food. This was your mother’s favorite breakfast when she lived at home with us. My wife would serve this often before she moved on to her next lifetime.”

Cam tried to picture his mom. Then he pictured her sitting at the table with his grandfather, a shadow rested where he assumed his grandmother would be. On a whim, he pictured his mom trying to avoid talking about his father, and powering down the apricots and rice in order to not bring up the uncomfortable subject. Suddenly, Cam did not feel so alone.

“Do you believe in reincarnation?” The question stunned Cam.

“I believe in science. I believe in possibilities in the unknown.” He was avoiding the question and he knew it. He and his father had had this sort of conversation a billion times. His father was traditional, seeing patterns in life. He wanted hard facts before he could believe `that you get a second chance.’

“Well, I believe Miko and my Reiko are eating apricots and sweetened rice right now. It eases my mind.”

“And if they’re not?”

“It doesn’t matter. I can not change things. You must not plague your mind with what you can not change. You must not trouble yourself with the negative.”

“Tell that to Hunter.”

“If you wish. Next time he visits.”

“What?”

“He stopped by last night, late. Kanoi told him you were upset and in your room. I told him I would have you call him when I see you this morning. And now, I have accomplished two goals for today.” He slid the last of his apricots into his mouth. Gracefully, he arose and walked over to the crate, retrieving the now empty dish. He returned to the table and gathered the empty dishware onto the tray. He picked up the tray and walked to the door. Before exiting, he turned his head long enough to say, “Meet me by the waterfall in an hour.”

Cam changed quickly and rushed to the phone. As it began ringing, Cam looked at his watch. 10 o’clock. Her remembered that Hunter would be teaching a class right now. Hopefully the phone would skip to the machine instead of disturbing Blake. He was guessing that Hunter would keep Blake at the academy until he was cognizant enough to be left to caring for himself at the apartment.

“Hunter Bradley. Blake’s fine. Leave a message.” Cam chuckled at Hunter’s tone. Hunter must have been amused and distraught by all of the attention Blake was receiving. He always readily accepted that he was the dark and brooding one while Blake was the socialized one. Poor Hunter was now having to talk to people and share information. It must be killing him.

“Hey, it’s Cam. My grandfather wants me to leave the country with him. Better return my call soon. I’m going to get my visa in order this afternoon. Worse case scenario, I’ll send you a forwarding address when I get to my new residence.” That should get to Hunter. Cam couldn’t wait to see his face this time.

Cam arrived at the waterfall 10 minutes early. He was dressed in his practice robes and carried his practice sword. He had hoped to make a good impression and inspire his grandfather into thinking this was how things were done at the Wind Academy. As he approached, he saw his grandfather, sitting on a flat stone with legs folded and eyes closed.

“Cameron, sit, put down your sword. We will now explore meditation.”

“Grandfather,” Cam sat down as he spoke, resting the sword in front of him, “I have been practicing meditation since I was five. Are you sure this is something that we need to cover again.”

“If you are asking, then you have only proven the answer is yes.”

Cam inhaled, and exhaled, letting all of his muscles go. If the old man wanted to meditate for training, he would meditate. He cleared his mind and began to get in touch with his surroundings, the sound of the waterfall, the feel of the stone beneath him, the chill of the shady breeze, the distant sound of practicing ninja. Shane’s class. Jumping off low limbs and aiming for targets on the ground set at near impossible locations. Impossible for the minds of those who didn’t believe it was possible. Until they saw Shane hit each one in turn. Cam smirked at the image. Until his grandfather shocked him back to the waterfall.

“So, now, Cameron.”

“Yes, grandfather.”

“Clear your mind. Repeat after me. Nam myoho renge kyo.”

“I am one with the mystic law of the Lotus Sutra? Why?”

“It’s a meditation. It brings peace, happiness, prosperity, and oneness.”

“I prefer to follow the path of the Zen and ponder nothing.”

“Suit yourself.”

Cam shook his head and inhaled again. His grandfather began whispering silently his chant. Cam cleared his mind. He thought about his place at the academy. He did a lot. But he decided to ponder the possibilities. What did he do here? What did he do that others couldn’t do? He would have said monitor for evil minions of Lothor, but it had been quiet of late. He had had correspondence with Hayley, who teched for the new Power Rangers in Reefside. He had begun networking with the Thunder Academy. There was nothing to say he couldn’t network with other academies from Japan. What truly held him here? His father. Yes, he would miss his father. Tori, Dustin, and Shane had become like family. He would miss them. But they would make it without him. Blake was already gone most of the time. He was used to missing him. Hunter… he had been trying not to miss Hunter. For some reason, he had agreed to every meeting Hunter had suggested so far. No, though Hunter didn’t live right in town anymore, he saw him enough not to miss him. He’d miss Hunter if he went to Japan. But is missing enough to stay? Did they need him? Did they need him here? Would most of them not notice if he was gone, if he kept up the tech support, long distance?

Hiro exhaled. “Yes, this is enough for the day.” At that, the old man stood up and turned toward Cam. “We should have lunch now. I am to meet an associate in town. You may join me, if you wish, but I am assuming you have other plans.”

Cam stood and bowed. “Grandfather, you are right. I will be heading into town.”

“I thought as much. I will meet you this afternoon for more training?”

“Absolutely. I would be honored.” Cam couldn’t help but smile. His grandfather was really surprising him today. Was it all a ploy to lure Cam to Japan? To make him feel like things could be pleasant in Japan? What had his father and grandfather said after he had left? The questions were amassing.

“Until 2pm, shall we say?”

“2pm, Grandfather.”