The Truth

Katsuro walked towards the large golden gates of the palace, he straigtned his sword and stopped. He looked to the side and saw his mother standing there, staring at him, a worried look on her face. He walked over to her "Mom" he said "Is something wrong?"

Sasavi stood there, watching here son go on yet another mission for Kaji. When would he stop? Wasn't he worried that they would lose him? She scolded herself, knowing that Katsuro was old enough to take care of himself, and that her constant mothering was unessissary. But she at least had to ask. "Please don't go Katsuro. I don't know why your father keeps sending you on these missions but please stay home this time."

Katsuro sighed "Not again..." he said rolling his eyes "Mom I told you, dad asked me to go, and I'm not a little kid anymore..plus Shinjiro and Raiden are going with me, so I wont be alone and defenseless. Why are you always so worried about me?"

"Well...." Sasavi debated with herself for a second, then decied to tell him the truth. "Alright, Katsuro, you deserve the truth. You see, you have a brother. An older brother. His name was Aztlan, and he was kidnapped right before you were born." Tears fell down her cheeks. "We don't know by who, he was only two when he was taken, and we never found him. We don't even know if he's still alive or not. Your father and I decided to keep this from you because of your determination for things like this, but I suppose you really do need to know. I'm like this because I don't want to lose you like I lost Aztlan. If he is alive right now, he would of had his birthday last week, and be 19." She cried openly, and then wiped her tears away with her over sized sleeves. "I'm so sorry."

Katsuro hugged his mother as comforting as a son could. "It's okay mom, no need to cry" he said "You said he was taken, Atzlan, my brother was taken...where was he taken from? Who were his guards?"

She wiped her face. "Guards? We didn't have guards for him, because your father and I were always around him. After all, who would want a baby? But this man, or woman, came in without a sound and took him. I tried everything to stop him, yes, but I didn't see the person's face and they dissapeared almost imidiatly. We sent out a search party, searched in vain for so long, but eventually gave up and moved on." She stood back for Katsuro. "I don't think you should search for him Katsuro, it's hopeless now."

"Nothing's hopeless..dads always told me to never give up. And I haven't even started yet" he said "Did you see what they were wearing? Any distinct style to the clothes?"

"Black.... All black clothing, a face mask, all skin was covered, even the eyes. Now that you mention it though, there was some kind of acult symbol on the sleeve, it was dark, a grey, patch with some kind of red bird on it.... I can't remember that well, it was 17 years ago."

"Black is a color common within the Dark Nation...as well as certain underground mercinary organizations...I'll look into it, black clothing red bird symbol" he said lost in thought "Shouldn't be too hard...Raiden can use his fathers extensive powers as Spirit King to help see if Atzlans soul is still on earth. Shijiro and Hitanami can do some undercover work...it shouldn't take more than a week or two if we all work hard enough"

She smiled at her son, hope and doubt in her heart. "Thank you, but don't stress. Have a good mission." With that she took her leave, walking back in the palace.