Three Weeks Later:

I woke up. I blinked a few times and saw lights. Why was it so damn bright? I saw people, some of them dressed in white and some in blue. I sat up and looked around some more. I saw Ryo and Sai sitting next to me, wherever this was.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Take it easy, Kyu...you've been asleep for three weeks." Ryo said.

Three weeks? What the hell happened?

"The last thing I remember was a fight."

"Yeah, between you and your master," Sai added. "You were both unconscious, only you looked like you were worse for wear."

"He's not my master anymore, Sai," I told her. "He was working with the Black Moon."

Sai's eyes widened.

"He...he was?"

I nodded.

"That's how those guys were able to find us, no matter where we escaped to."

I looked down at my arm, which was wrapped from my shoulder to my wrist and put in a sling. That had to be where Kuryu stabbed me. Ryo put his hand on my other shoulder.

"You had a serious wound in your stomach and ribs. You would've died if some tourists hadn't found you and called 911."

I sighed. My master betrayed me and my family...what could I do now?

Four Years Later:

I was in my backyard, just finishing up with cutting the grass.

"Pop, can you teach me your Double Dragon Warhammer? Mommy told me so much about it!"

I kneeled down to meet Kisho's eyes.

"Kisho, my son, the first thing you need to learn about fighting is that you should never fight."

"Never fight?" Kisho asked. "Then why learn to fight? That'd be waste of time."

"No, it isn't. The martial arts take a lot of discipline and there is a code of honor."

"Then what's your code of honor, Pop?"

"The first code is to never fight because senseless violence is unnecessary."

"But, Pop--"

"No buts, Kisho. You know what I say about fighting."

"Violence begets more violence, I know."

I put my hand on his shoulder.

"However, fighting is okay only as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted," I said. "Do you understand, my son?"

Kisho nodded. I laughed.

"I almost thought you weren't my son for a second," I joked. "And one more thing. Never use your skills against inferior opponents."

Kisho smiled. "Inferior opponents?"

"Yes, Kish. That means the trouble-making knuckleheads at your school. Just because you can beat them does not mean you should."

"You got it, Pop!" Kisho said as he turned to walk back inside the house.

"Wait, Kisho!"

Kisho turned around.

"Come here for a second."

"Yeah, Pop?"

"However, the only time you may use your skills against said inferior opponents...is to protect someone you truly hold close to your heart."

"Got it!"

Kisho turned to run inside the house to play. For a seven year-old, that kid is a prodigy. Sai came outside with a shinai.

"Kyuji Sanouske Hito!"

I must be in trouble. I turned to see Sai's red angry face.

"Are you letting our son play with swords?! How many times do I have to tell you that he needs his head in the books?!"

I laughed as Sai ran down the steps. She tripped. I dove in time to catch her before she hit the ground. She smacked me over the head with the shinai.

"I can't be letting you harm the incoming package," I said as I put my hand on her belly. "Only three months left."

Sai got out of my arms and sat down on the deck.

"Still protecting me even without a sword."

"It comes naturally, love," I said.

"I know, but you know I'm a big girl."

I stuck my tongue out at her. She jumped on in my lap, throwing the shinai to the side and kissing me...