The day starts early with Hi organising the carts and the carriage for the Shiu clans visit. "You will be riding in the carriage, while i escort you there. Meanwhile you guys will install teleportation crystals along the major cities we stay in. All clear?" Hi tells them. "Yes, sir!" the workers say in unison. "We´ll be in your care then!" the shiu head tells him entering the carriage with his wife and daughter. "Let´s get going then!" Hi says signaling the workers to go. He pets a horse and starts marching with some escort soldiers. "I´ll be counting on you!" Hi tells them. "It´s an honor to be working with you!" their leader says. "Just do your job and we´ll get through fine!" Hi tells them. "Yes, sir!" he answers. The carriages travel along the mainstreet garnering attention from bystanders in amazement of the shiu clan and the escort Hi. Hi waves to them and they wave back. In quite some time they make it out of the capital city on the main road made from smooth stone and lanterns along the road. They cross a big bridge across the river flowing through the city. Some time later the smooth stone road dissapates into dirt roads that are bumpy. In half a day they make it to the nearest town near the mountains. The workers install the teleportation crystals and they leave as soon as they have arrived. The way is long traveling west along the country. They stay at a many towns and install teleportation crystals, enjoy local cuisine, slay monsters and help people along the way with miscalenous tasks. In a weeks worth of travel they arrive at the heir of fires castle. The road leads up the hills covered in a smooth road. The castle sits in between the mountains with nothing around but a temple and the wild. As they approach the gates they are greeted by the heir of fires guards. "Sir Hi, we have awaited your return. Please come in and join the family for dinner. As for the workers, they said they´ll provide them with food after you finish." the head guard says bowing. "Good work. Now then let´s not keep them waiting!" Hi answers. The guards open the gates for the carriages. The carriages flow in and set down taking the horses to the stalls and installing a teleportation crystal. The Shiu family leaves the carriage. "Quite the long ride!" Aria tells him. "That it was!" the shiu head says. "I heard dinners ready." the shiu heads wife says. "Let´s not hurry. We have plenty of time. I´ll take you to the dining hall." Hi says leading the way. "An impressive castle! It is comparable to ours." Aria says. "I´m sure it is. Inspired by our primeval element." Hi says. They arrive and enter the dining hall which is already laid with lots of warm food. "Smells nice!" Hi says before bowing to his parents. "I have returned!" Hi tells them. "Finally you are home son." his father says going up to him and hugging him. "You´ve grown strong as promised!" he tells him. "It´s been quite some time since i last saw you. You´ve grown into a fine leader." she tells him. Hi´s father puts his hand on his shoulder. "Get changed into some more fitting attire while i keep them entertained." he tells him. Hi nods. "I´ll be taking my leave for a short time. Please get along while i am missing!" Hi says leaving the dining hall to get changed. Hi leaves and enters his room taking off his armor and weapons placing them away. He takes out a formal kimono that is red and black, adorned with golden flames. Hi put his hair up. He leaves his room. A servant is offering him the red dragon blade their family heirloom worn by the head of the heirs of fire. "Please, take the blade. Your father said that it is yours now." he says. He takes it and places it in his belt. "Finally!" Hi says unsheathing it to look at it´s red sheen. The blade is red ,made from dragon materials with a golden flame running across the blade. He sheathes it once more and leaves for the dining hall. Meanwhile Hi´s and Aria´s Parents strike a conversation. "It´s an honor having you here. I hope my son will make for a good groom. Take this, for your troubles!" Hi´s father says handing the shiu head a teleportation badge. "We´re pleased to be here. Thank you!" he says accepting the gift. Hi´s mother is slightly disappointed. "I wish he had married one of the shogun´s daughters. But oh well another primeval element holder will suffice!" she says. "You still have a lot to gain as the one closest to Kinto country." Aria´s mother says. Hi enters "I apologise for my short leave. I had to change!" Hi says. The Shiu clan is impressed. Aria blushes and is surprised how cultivated and handsome Hi looks like that. "Not a bad choice. Daughter!" her mother says. "Hmph. You do look much nicer like that. More like royalty." she answers. "Dear, he looks so much like you in your youth." Hi´s mother says. "No, i´d say he looks even better than i did" he tells her. "You´re right your beard back then didn´t quite fit you." she tells him. "Oh, be quite i´ve grown into it haven´t i?" he asks her stroking his beard. "Yes, of course. It fits you now better than ever." she says. "She´s right you look better with a beard." Aria´s father says stroking his beard as well. Hi sits down a the front of the table next to Aria putting his blade on the floor. "Hi, how you´ve been doing?" he asks her casually. "Much better than you at least!" she answers. "That´s good to hear." Hi answers. "Let´s not waste more time. It´s time to raise a toast." Hi says raising his glass The servants pour them sake into their cups. "To a glorious future!" Hi says. "Cheers!" they say toasting. They celebrate until sundown and leave for the guestrooms. Aria with Hi to his room. "Oh don´t be so nervous. I won´t do anything to you!" Hi tells her. "I´m not so worried about that." she says. "This is awkward. You wanna see something cool?" Hi asks. "You´re the one that´s awkward, idiot." She tells him. "That´s what i expected as an answer from you." He says opening a sliding door reavealing the bamboo garden right outside with a path going around it. "You´re sleeping right next to the garden?" she asks him. "Yes, it´s more practical that way. I wake up every morning and train here." Hi says. "That right? That´s a nice pond you have there." she says pointing at it. The pond is filled with water and beautiful fish. A bright red one catches her eye. "Look that´s you." she says pointing at it. "If that´s me than that is you!" he answers pointing at a blue one. "Is that how it is. I look like a fish to you!?" she asks him. "That´s not what i meant with that. But yes you look like a fish." Hi says. "Say that again?!" She asks again. "Like that fish you are beautiful and elegant. But you´re even more beautiful than any fish in the moonlight!" Hi says grabbing her face. "What..." Aria asks confused. "You´ve never been with a man before? Don´t worry i know my boundaries. Just would be a shame if no one else admired your beauty." he tells her. She is embarassed and red in her face. "I thought you had the primeval water magic in you not fire." Hi tells her. Aria throws water in his face as an answer. "Guess not!" Hi says soaking wet. "I wanted to take a bath anyways. Now that i have a reason to." Hi says leaving Aria alone to take a bath. "He makes me mad!" She says. "But, he is a nice man" she says going to bed. To be continued...