• “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
    “Of course I am.”
    “Just because you feel you need a purpose?”
    “We all need a purpose.”


    Sugen carried his luggage through the door without a moment’s hesitation. Shock had overcome Lei’s face as he followed his older brother.

    “Joining the war isn’t going to give you a purpose! Are you going to leave us behind? Have you even told Shoko?” Sugen turned and gave a stern gaze to his brother’s questions.

    “No, I have not. I don’t see how Shoko would have anything to do with me leaving.” The dry heat had taken its toll on the brothers. Their heads drenched in sweat from the tense conversation. A woman handed cups of water to the brothers. Defined by a brilliant ruby sleeveless gown, the woman spoke. “Let him do as he pleases, Lei. You both are not young men anymore. Don’t you think it’s time you both gone some sort of journey?”

    After gulping the cup of water handed to him, Lei exclaimed “A journey? Going off into a war is a journey to you? Mother, I don’t take you for one with a sense of humor. I can’t believe you are even supporting this. Everything we’ve done here and we’re just going to let him walk away from it?” Sugen startled by his brother’s response, put his drink down upon the white table which was perfectly positioned in the corner of the room. “I am not walking away with anything. I am not leaving anyone behind. Why are you so fixated on what we’ve done? What is important is what we can be doing right now! I did not teach you to be so single-minded. It isn’t always about this family, about our friends, or about this small community. I have already made my choice, whether you support me or not, is up to you Lei.”

    Another woman soaked in sweat entered the room. A look of sorrow had covered her face as she noticed Sugen’s luggage. The brief silence after her appearance was suddenly broken. “Is it true? Are you leaving this place, Sugen? Don’t you know how dangerous it is out there? Why would you want to get involved in a war that has nothing to do with us?”

    Sugen letting out a sigh, “It has everything to do with Akir! Our town is safely protected by the parts of the Tres Mountains that surround us. This victor of this war will have control of the mountain’s borders! I can’t just let the Cain run amok. He is a dictator and his control will only hurt the civilians of Akir!” Covering her face with her palms, the brothers’ mother expressed her thoughts. “Sugen, you have always felt the need to be doing something for the world. I will not stop you, but it is not your responsibility to look over Kyoto’s problems.” Once again silence controlled the room.

    “Shoko, I am sorry but I believe this is what I have to do. It will be alright, I’ll be back before you know it.” Grasping his luggage, Sugen stood up and walked past Shoko towards a door leading to the outside world. The boy was ready to walk away from it all, the bright and colorful interior of the room, the companionship of his friends and family, and the village that raised him. Letting out her final words, Shoko turned,

    “Are you sure this is, what you want to do?”

    “Of course I am.”

    “Just because you feel you need a purpose?”

    “We all need a purpose.”