◃◃ New Memory #14 ▹▹

Xiao Dejun

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Xiaojun, Jeno, and I were currently on the rooftop, stargazing together.

Xiaojun and Jeno finished another training session together, and they decided to relax with me on the roof.

Jeno has successfully mastered all of Xiaojun's teachings of the Shadow Ninja Clan. However, not only are they still training just to perfect his teachings, Xiaojun has also decided to teach Jeno all that he's learned about the code of the samurai.

He's already taught him The Seven Virtues of the Samurai, and now he's teaching him how to utilize those lessons in battle. It was hard for Jeno at first, but he got used to the training very quickly.

He's mentioned to me that it's much stricter and harder than his ninja training, but he enjoys the challenge. He says it's a small price to pay to live up to Xiaojun's expectations, and that he's happy to pay that price.

"Xiaojun-hyung. You knew my parents right?"

Jeno suddenly inquired.

"Yes. They asked me to find you and protect you, before I left our clan. They also wanted me to teach you everything I knew, since I held a very high rank amongst the other shinobi"

Xiaojun explained.

"Were they worried about me?"

"Very worried. They were heartbroken that you left, but they were also happy. They were happy that you took it upon yourself to leave, in order to live the better life that you wanted"

"I see... What about your parents hyung?"

"I was a part of the search squad that was assigned to find you. However, we were given orders to annihilate you once we found you, for betraying the clan. I was the only one who was against that order. It wouldn't be fair for us to murder an innocent child who just wanted a happier life. My parents felt the same way, so they encouraged me to go after you alone, and keep you safe. They also knew my heart, and supported my desire to have a better life too. So they encouraged me to also follow my heart and leave, like you did. However, this meant that I could never return to them again. If I did, I would've been killed to for betraying direct orders. So, I left, even though I would miss them like hell..."

"And that day when we were all attacked at the HDJ, hyung finally found you, with the help of Hendery-hyung and YangYang. That day, he finally completed his mission to find you, and joined our team to keep his promise to protect you"

I added.

"But..., I left the clan when I was six years old. All that time, until that day, you we're looking for me...?"

Jeno seemed a bit flustered by this news.

"Yes... I refused to give up, and I refused to stop until I found you. Of course, once we settled here, I sent a message to both my parents and your parents, informing them about my successful mission. However, I didn't specify our location, to ensure our safety"

"Smart move"

I complimented.

"I...really appreciate everything you've done for me up to now Xiaojun-hyung. It, really means a lot to me..."

Jeno smiled, avoiding his gaze.

"Don't be afraid to look at me Jeno. I may be your teacher, but I'm still your hyung, and your friend"

Jeno hesitated but finally looked him in the eyes, only to see the bright smile on Xiaojun's face.

Seeing them interact like this, especially knowing that they're clan brothers, really warms my heart.

However, our peace was disturbed.

An arrow suddenly flew right between me and Jeno, impaling itself into the door that led us back inside.

Alarmed, I called my Oathkeeper Sword to me and it immediately came to hand, and Jeno quickly brought out his Buster Sword.

Though this is a tense moment, I'm still very happy to see that it's still his go-to weapon. It really means a lot to me, since we made it together years ago.

"Stand down. I'll see what's going on"

We lowered our weapons while Xiaojun uses his Lunar Vision to find the culprit who shot that arrow.

It's a good thing that the moon was out...

Xiaojun's eyes began glowing light blue, and stayed that way for a few seconds. He then blinked and his eyes were back to normal, but he seemed surprised and disturbed.

"There's no way..."

"What's wrong hyung??"

"Jeno, you two stay here for a second. I'll be right back"

He ran off and jumped off of the roof, traveling to the rooftop ahead of us that was only a few feet shorter than ours.

He picked up something and looked around for the culprit, but he came back to us when he did find them.

He immediately ran over to the door where the arrow was, and retrieved it.

The item he retrieved on the other roof turned out to be a bow, and he brought it and the arrow to us.

"This bow and arrow are from our clan..."

"They found us..."

Jeno's face was now written with anxiousness.

"It seems so. But this isn't just any bow and arrow"

"It's not?"

I questioned.

"This..., is my father's bow and my mother's arrow... And I'm certain that the one that shot the arrow was one of them..."

Jeno and I were both very equally surprised, but he was more confused than I was.

"That's not all. This scroll was attached to the arrow"

Xiaojun handed Jeno the shadow scroll that was attached to the arrow.

"What does it say? I can read it..."

"It makes sense. Our clan may speak like we do, but they write in their own language, Aujean. Only members of the clan can read it. They made sure that only Xiaojun and I would be the only ones able read it. But, I've been away from the clan for so long, and now I don't understand it either..."

Jeno explained sadly.

"I can read it"

Xiaojun came over, and began reading the message to us.

"To Lee Jeno and Xiao Dejun. By order of our leader, Wanijima Norinaga, for betraying the Shadow Ninja Clan, the appropriate punishment is to be laid to rest by our respected commander, Takamori Osamu"

"Takamori-hyung used to train us..."

Jeno mumbled, both of them completely ignoring that part about them being executed.

"At least, that would be the appropriate punishment in the years past. Our respected leader, Wanijima Norinaga, has been overthrown as well as executed, for the crime of the attempted murder of our respected commander, Takamori Osamu. Takamori has taken his place as our new commander. Upon him being dubbed our new commander, our clan no longer fights for evil purposes, but for the good of smaller villages near us"

"Are they serious...?"

Jeno mumbled once more.

"...We've kept a close eye on you both, ever since Xiao Dejun sent his report. We've seen the good you've done for others, as well as what you both have done to help save our worlds. You both even became strong heroes, loved by many. We are most pleased about the ties the two of you have with the respected Huang Renjun. We are also very honored to have both Lee Jeno and Xiao Dejun as former members of our clan. Though we have our duties here, we would all love to see you both in person. You have both grown so much after your departure, and we'd love to see that growth for ourselves. Feel free to visit whenever you want, and you may bring any guest that you wish. We look forward to seeing you both, as well as aiding you and your causes in the future. Warm regards, The Shadow Ninja Clan..."

The message ended there.

"Hyung...... We can see our parents again~~!!"

Jeno cheered, hugging Xiaojun.

Xiaojun was overjoyed as well and hugged him back. But then, they both suddenly hugged me.

"Thank you so much Renjun-hyung~~!!"

"Without you, none of this would ever be possible~~~!!"

They were both so excited and happy, neither one of them wanted to let me go.

Maybe it's been luck on my side this whole time, or maybe even destiny. But, I'm glad that I could bring both of them this far either way~.

"No need to thank me~"

-

⚔️

'...'

'......'

'.........'

'I said it once, and I'll say it again'

'You truly are an amazing kid Renjun'

'Your leadership and heroism brought us all this far'

'You made all of this possible'

'You even made the events of this night possible'

'...'

'I'm very grateful'

'I'm even more grateful that we're on the same team together'

'...'

'......'

'Now...'

'We can finally be reunited with our birth families'

'We will be separated no longer'

'And it's all thanks to you~'

'I had doubts that I'd never see my parents again'

'But, you've taught me'

'To never give up on my dreams, or my family'

'And now, because of you'

'I finally have both of my families by my side now~'