Hayato stepped off the ship that had arrived at Hai-Lan. A short trip that seemed to take forever..., he thought to himself. With his bag slung over his shoulder, carrying what little items he had, he proceeded to walk up to the gate leading into his home town, Airon-Musha. The guard paid him no mind, recognizing him from not too long ago. The monk glanced around the village, people attending to their business, children running about. The only things that seemed to have changed are the faces. He smiled abit, but it didn't last long as he recalled exactly why he was here in the first place. His cowardice not only lead to the death of the shifter Fenrir, but also the tiefling Skamos, which promptly lead to Hayato recieving a royal beat down (literally?) from Arius. And Hayato didn't blame him. Not one bit. He knew him coming home was just another way of saying, to him anyway, he ran. Again.

Hayato used what money he had to purchase a small home for himself. It wasn't too bad, but it wasn't too great either. The roof leaked when it rained, there was a hole in the floor, and he swore he saw a rat run by. He sighed, thankful he at least had a cot to sleep on. He dropped his bag, walking over to his bed and lying down, drifting into sleep as soon as his head hit the ground.

A couple months have passed. Hayato had finally managed to get his act together, finding steady pay working the fields and managing to patch the roof and floor of his home. Still had the rat though, but it paid him no mind. And despite his doubts of ever having the nerve to fight, he still found time to continue his training. He didn't know why, but he felt someone, somehow, would aks him to lend his strength once more.

Hayato eventually found himself in front of the temple where his ancestors resided. He swallowed hard, clenching his fists as he gazed upon the opening, as if staring down the mouth of a grand beast. He slowly walked inside, his eyes darting around. He stopped when the ghostly image of his father appeared before him, arms crossed over the brown robes he wore. The brown robes he died in. "Father...", Hayato said as he looked to the veteran warrior. HIs father smiled abit "Heh! What brings you out here, m'boy? It's been some time since we last spoke." Satoshi could see not all was well with his son. His smile soon faded, a worried look replacing it. "Well? Out with it!" Hayato cringed abit, then sighed. "Father... I've come seeking guidance." "Guidance, huh? Hmmmm... well, what's the problem?" Hayato glanced up at him, saying nothing for a moment, then started to tell his father of his past exploits.

Satoshi smacked his own forehead. "Something's never change, do they? Well, the problem's obvious, son." Hayato raised his brow out of confusion. "It is?" "You lack purpose!" Hayato scratched his head, wondering what he meant by that. Satoshi could tell by the blank look on his son's face he didn't get it. He sighed, rolled his eyes, then spoke. "Hayato... what I mean is... WHY do you fight?" "Why?", Hayato said as he looked to his father. "Well, that's easy! Because... I... " "And don't say revenge! Tempest is gone, so you got your stinkin' 'revenge', boy!" Hayato realized he was right. With Tempest gone now, he really had no purpose at the moment. The only reason he tagged along with the other Warriors of Legend was because he felt he belonged. Or so he had thought. " I guess I don't know..." "Yeah, that's what I thought. You see boy, everyone has a reason they fight! Revenge, as petty as it is, or for fame even!" "Well, what did YOU fight for?" Satoshi smirked, crossing his arms over his chest again. "I ain't tellin'.' "OH, COME ON!", Hayato said furiously. "What's with the secrecy, you old fart!?" "DON'T RAISE YOUR VOICE TO ME!" Hayato cringed as his voice echoed through the tomb. Satoshi then cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "Now... you see boy, you can't just expect someone to come out and tell you why they fight unless they want to tell you. " "So... I should be more worried about figuring out my own purpose?" Satoshi simply nodded. "I'll leave you to work on that." And with that, Satoshi slowly faded out of sight. Hayato stood there, gazing at the hall that stretched out before him, then turned to leave, having recieved more questions than answers.

Some more time passes. Hayato was still pondering the words his father had left him while he worked. He stopped what he was doing, wiping the sweat off his forehead. He suddenly turned his head as he heard a feminine scream, then took off running. He headed towards the source of the noise, stopping behind a tree. Peeking out from behind, he noticed a lone woman surrounded by what looke dlike large turtles. "Kappa..." Hayato grumbled abit as he watched the demons circle the girl, chanting something he couldn't understand. Probably just gibberish anyway. Hayato grimaced abit, then realized what he had to do. He stepped out, his arms over his chest. "Hold it right there, freaks!" The kappa and the woman glanced over to him, sizing hiim up and down. Hayato thrusted his fist into his other palm, grinning at them. "Why don't you fellas pick on someone who can at least fight back?" However, he had failed to notice a solo kappa coming up behind him, raking it's claws along his back. He cried out in pain, staggering forward slightly. The woman crossed her arms over her chest, her body clad in a blue kimono. " Some hero!", she scolded. "Shut up! I'm doing my best here, lady!", Hayato retorted, then rolled to the side as the same kappa moved to stomp his head. The monk rolled to his feet, then rushed forward, his fists thrusted forward repeatedly, landing a series of blows to his assailant. The other's looked in awe as their comrade fell to the ground unconcious. The others looked at one another, then all proceeded to rush Hayato. Hayato looked in shock as they all rushed towards him, then in awe as many of them went flying up after being struck by what looked his Ki Slash... only larger. Hayato turned hsi gaze to the woman, her stance showing she had just launched it off. She smirked to Hayato, only to recieve one in return, then hayato proceeded to take on the remaining few.

Hayato sat on a log with the woman, who he learned was named Mei Kobayashi, kneeling behind him while tending to his wounds. "Wow, you're grasp of ki is much better than mine..." he stated. She giggled softly. "Well, my father is a doctor, so he feels having a strong knowledge of ki is just as beneficial as building your muscles. Still... when you're not falling over your own feet, you're martial art skills are... adequate." Hayato snorted. "That's the best compliment I've recieved in a long time." Mei stood up, dusting her hands off with a smile. "There! Good as new! You know Hayato... we did pretty good back there." Hayato stood up, stretching. "Yeah, we did, didn't we? You know, we could help one another. You help me with my ki, I help with your hand to hand skills..." "Deal!", Mei said excitedly as she looked up to Hayato. The two proceeded to head back to town, Hayato feeling much better about himself, and even thinks he's found a kindred spirit...

Almost five years have passed since Hayato left for Hai-Lan. Having recieved an invitation to a big event taking place in a town he thought he'd never return to, he, along with Mei, now his wife, and their three-year-old son, Satoshi, began heading to the City of No Names by ship. Hayato held his son in one arm, the other leaning against the rail of the ship. He wore the same robes he had recieved from the gods, while Mei wore a sort of ceremonial robe for events such as this. Hayato smiled for no reason it seemed, his free arm sliding around his wife, who smiled up at him. I understand what you mean now, father. I have found my reasons for fighting. Like any fighter, I wish to improve myself in every way possible. But more importantly... Hayato turned his gaze to his son, who giggled as a flock of seagulls flew by. Hayato joined in the laughter, turning back to the ocean. I promise to do whatever I can to protect my family, my friends, and my home land. Even if I have to pay with my life! And with that, the monk, with family in tow, returned to the world outside Hai-Lan, where new adventures and perils awaited him.


... his wife is so dead.