*Uneri*
I departed the hotel once more and drove to the palace after checking the brakes and other components. Driving back home did little to lessen my paranoia. In fact, it worsened it.
***
[Thirteen years Ago]
A black haired boy with red eyes smiled at me. "Ready to fight, little bro?"
I smiled back and nodded. "Yeah!"
I was always ready to spar with my older brother, Eiichiro. He was the sparring partner. We would spend hours in the palace courtyard, our swords clashing in a dance of steel and skill.
Big bro was always patient with me, correcting my stance, my grip, my footwork. He was a strict teacher, but a fair one. He never let me win, but he always made sure I learned something from each defeat.
"Remember, little bro," he said as we clashed swords, "a sword is not just a weapon. It's an extension of your body, your mind, your spirit. You must learn to wield it as naturally as you breathe."
