All around was darkness...a blanket of velvet ebony. Chill air, still as death, pressed in from every side. Silence lay heavy over this world of night, greedily consuming any sound. Moments slipped by without murmur...gliding unknown into hours... days... years...

"Damn..." Katatsu peeked out of one eye, quickly checked the position of the twin suns Ni and San, then sighed. He muttered a hurried apology to whatever spirits might have been listening. The way this day was going, it would be his luck that one was lingering about. Maybe even the soul of Ry'oung, his father's dragon. Wouldn't that be wonderful..., he grumbled to himself, then he could wing up to Heaven and tell father I cursed!

Katatsu stuck the tip of a thumbnail between his teeth and chewed vigorously. Discouragement quickly pushed out his momentary fear of eavesdropping spirits. It had been a few hours since Mushi had interrupted his meditation, but he hadn't been able to return to the vision. The only images that came to his mind were ones of darkness and silence. And he wasn't completely convinced they were from the same source.

His brows knotted with worry. He didn't like the idea of going to Elder Kagyu with such a disturbing, but short, vision. If only he had some inkling of what it meant...

The young Namek-jin shook his head. Obsessing over it wouldn't help. Like catching the ripples in a pond, he thought. He could try to reach in, but he'd succeed only in destroying the waves he sought to hold. Perhaps the Elder could better sense what it was he had seen. Surely if it was important, a premonition of some significant event, greater minds would have already noted it.

Katatsu fidgeted a bit and decided he couldn't put off his report to the Elder any longer. He rose from his seated position in one fluid movement, his left foot striking a few loose bits of stone. The debris rolled over the immediate edge and skittered noisily down the side of the rock. An Akaikiro, perched unseen on the ground, was startled by the sudden onslaught. It flapped up into the air angrily, flashing its golden eyes at the Namek-jin.

"Oops...sorry," Katatsu laughed. The bird screeched once, then with an offended flick of its crimson tail, flew off into the distance.

Katatsu shook his head, amused at the creature's almost pompous attitude. He let his gaze wander down to the ground, curious if there was a nest below. The world shifted suddenly, spinning violently as vertigo took over. He squeezed his eyes shut as a bead of sweat trickled down the back of his neck. Praying he wouldn't pass out, he shuddered and inched away from the edge. He almost cursed aloud again. Why did Mushi have to pull that stupid stunt?

He stopped after a few steps backward. Opening his eyes again and taking deep, steadying breaths, he felt a hot wave of shame. Such a coward, he chided himself. You're not a child anymore! Leave foolish fears where they belong! Just because.....

"Bah!" Katatsu left the thought unfinished. He would have to master his emotions if he was going to make it as a Warrior. He couldn't be afraid of stupid things like falling and high places, not when he could fly.

He curled his hands into fists. Scowling, he took one step back... then another. He stood still and silent, the long sleeves of his undershirt fluttering in a gust of wind, his antennae swaying. He locked his gaze on a distant point on the field below.

"Yah!" Katatsu broke into a run toward the boulder's edge. A few quick strides, and he launched himself into the air. He plummeted a few feet before pushing downward with his ki. His feet hit the ground gently, sending up twin puffs of dust.

He glanced over his shoulder at the rock he had just vacated. He smirked, then decided it was time to head home.

~ ~ ~

Weaving in and out of the shadows, Katatsu threaded his way among the trees of the forest. His hand brushed against the branches of a bush, sending a small swarm of Aoi beetles into flight. He paused a moment to watch as their metallic blue shells glinted in the sunlight. A bushy-tailed Chairo appeared a second later and scampered across his path. The little rodent scolded him in its chattering language.

"Ah... it's just not my day," sighed Katatsu. He bowed to the creature, an apology for scaring away its favorite prey. He wondered briefly if Ry'oung had heard his slip earlier and had sent the Akaikiro and Chairo to remind him to be aware of his surroundings. The Chairo, meanwhile, ended its diminutive tirade and set off to find another hunting ground.

Katatsu straightened from his bow, sighing again. I really should pay more attention... huh? A familiar ki stirred off to his right. Curious as to who would be out this far, he made his way over to a copse of trees that separated him from whoever it was.

He peered through the space between two trunks and scanned the clearing before him. A large lake stretched across the space, bordered on all sides by a bit of flat ground and the forest. Various sized logs dotted the landscape, one of which was currently being used as a bench by a Namek-jin wearing an orange vest.

"Mushi?" Katatsu blinked, then called out, more loudly, "Mushi!" He worked his way between the two trees and headed over to his friend.

"Huh?" Mushi looked up when he heard Katatsu approaching, his eyes widening in surprise. His teeth were embedded in the fat, white root he held.

Katatsu quirked an eye ridge. "Mushi, what are you doing? It won't be time to eat for another hour."

"Muff mi masmf fhunfrm..," Mushi mumbled around the tuber.

Katatsu grimaced. "That's disgusting, Mushi! Do you think you could say that again? Without you're mouth full?"

Mushi ripped out a chunk of the root and proceeded to chew it quickly. After he had swallowed, he repeated, "I said I was hungry. Why should I wait till I get home to eat when there's a whole feast right here?" He waved a hand to the surrounding forest. "Besides," he continued after another bite, "Who's gonna know or care? I'm responsible now for my own meals."

Katatsu made an annoyed sound but realized he couldn't argue with that. Well, maybe he could argue a little. "You should still follow custom, Mushi. If you can't observe the small ones, when they seem inconvenient, what happens when the more important ones seem troublesome?"

Mushi seemed to consider that for a moment. Katatsu thought, Maybe, this time, I've managed to get through to him. Mushi did have a habit of forgetting to do things that seemed almost second nature to everyone else his age.

But his hope was short-lived when Mushi said softly, "If you can't let go of the small ones, when the time seems appropriate, how do you know when to let the important ones go?"

Katatsu didn't know how to answer that one. He crossed his arms, that bit of logic seemed a bit convoluted to him. But trying to argue Mushi out of it wasn't likely to succeed. Instead, he queried, "So why are you all the way out here?"

Mushi gestured dismissively to a piece of cloth hanging on a nearby branch. "I went swimming this morning and forgot my nectu. Old Kagyu sent me back to get it."

Katatsu opened his mouth, then snapped it shut. If Elder Kagyu had already spoken to Mushi about leaving his nectu laying around, he didn't suppose he could add anything to the lecture.

Finally, Mushi swallowed the last of the root and stood. He stretched his arms over his head. "Mmm... I guess it's time to go back, eh?"

"Yes," growled Katatsu. "Some of us wait to eat at the proper times and places."

Mushi looked at the younger Namek-jin askance but didn't reply. He merely hooked his thumbs over his belt and started towards the forest.

"Mushi!"

"What?" Mushi glanced back at Katatsu, eye ridges raised in a questioning manner.

Katatsu resisted the urge to slap a hand to his forehead. He plucked the twice-forgotten nectu off its branch and tossed it to Mushi. He pointed to Mushi's still bare throat. "It borders on indecent, walking around like that, you know."

Mushi shrugged as he fastened the garment on. "Then don't look," he teased.

"WHAT!? I wasn't looking!!" Katatsu could feel his whole face heat as a vivid purple blush spread across his cheeks. He closed his eyes, however belated, and huffed, "Sometimes I wonder about you..."

"Sometimes I wonder about you," Mushi countered, his tone light. "Everybody has a throat... not like I'm showing anything nobody else has seen. Even Old Kagyu has given permission for the field workers to take their nectus off if they want."

"When they're working!" Katatsu pointed out. He glared at Mushi, catching the amused grin on the other's face. He let out an exasperated sigh. His companion had switched from any sort of real debating to deliberately teasing him. He shook his head and smiled.

~ ~ ~

Not far outside the village, a brawny Namek-jin stood waiting, hands behind his back. He wore the gi of a Warrior, accented by a red belt and vest. Mushi and Katatsu's conversation trailed off as they approached him. He waved to the duo and strode towards them.

Katatsu bowed slightly, a little unnerved. "Bosa-sensei... I did not expect to see you today. Did I miss a lesson?"

Bosa shook his head. "No, Katatsu. But I did want to let you know, the training area for tomorrow has been changed from the west desert regions to the east. There's a fierce sandstorm in the west currently that won't dissipate in time for the morning exercises. I doubt Elder Kagyu would like to be greeted by sand-scored novices next cycle."

Katatsu nodded. He was a bit disappointed, though. The west regions were by far the better training grounds and the novices, the beginner class of Warriors, had eagerly anticipated this trip. He looked up when Bosa thumped him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, Katatsu," Bosa said, smiling. "You'll get your chance. I'm not going to let my best novice enter his first Inter-Village Tournament without training there."

Katatsu grinned. "Of course, sensei! And I will do my best!"

"Hah, I know you will," Bosa grinned as well. "I expect you to place well. Those novices from the other villages won't know what hit them." He gave Katatsu's shoulder one last thump. "Well, I better get back to the apprentices. They get a little cocky when I leave them alone. Until tomorrow, Katatsu."

"Until tomorrow, Bosa-sensei," Katatsu returned and bowed again.

"Oh, and Katatsu," added Bosa, looking pointedly at Mushi, "Don't forget that training on your own is very beneficial, especially now."

Katatsu didn't respond to that, merely watched as Bosa took to the air and flew off toward some training grounds beyond the village. When the older Warrior was gone, Katatsu stole a glance at Mushi.

Mushi just gave him a light push between the shoulder blades. "You're sounding more blood-thirsty every day, Katatsu."

"Ha!" Katatsu resumed walking toward the village, knowing Mushi would follow. "It's every novice's dream to get to fight in the Inter-Village Tournament. Not every member of every class gets too. And an invitation to represent the novice class practically guarantees the Warrior will be in the Tournament the rest of his fighting days!"

"Mmhmm," was Mushi's reply.

"Of course," Katatsu continued, his eyes shining with anticipation, "the best fights are in the upper classes. High flying, specialized ki attacks, complex strategies! Those could go one for hours! Grrr... if it weren't for that age rule....."

Mushi laughed at that. "If I hadn't seen some of your spars, I'd think you were boasting. Well, maybe you are a little."

Katatsu growled at Mushi. He took his training seriously and his friend knew it. Mushi pulled his face into an expression of regret, but ruined it by grinning. Katatsu chuckled. If anything, he'll be the first one at the sidelines to watch me.

Mushi laughed again and patted Katatsu on his other shoulder. The two entered the village commons, not quite ready to part company, and so strolled at a leisurely pace.

Suddenly, Katatsu stopped. His face went blank and pale, his body frozen in mid-stride. Mushi walked a few paces, then stopped when he noticed Katatsu was no longer beside him. With a concerned look, the older Namek-jin gazed back at his companion.

"Katatsu?"

Katatsu didn't answer. He just stood there, motionless, staring into the distance.

Mushi came back to his side and waved a hand in front of Katatsu's face. "Hey, Katatsu! What's wrong?"

When he didn't answer, Mushi tried to see what had gotten his friend's attention. The only unusual thing was a stranger talking to the Elder, across the commons. Mushi turned back to Katatsu and gently shook his shoulder.

Katatsu wasn't unaware really of Mushi or his attempts to get his attention. It was just that the oddest thing had happened. When he had seen the stranger in the commons, he... Well, he wasn't sure how to describe it. It was like all thought and feeling had fled. It was like... total nothingness, but it wasn't frightening.

He couldn't explain it and, as his mind started working again, he was desperate to try. Thoughts started tumbling on top of each other. What... what was that? That stranger..... Humph, what about him? Looks like anyone, except he's too tall and has almost no eye ridges to speak of. I wonder... could he be the cause of those visions? Nah, I don't sense evil about him. Who is he? Can't be a Warrior... must be Healer then. Purple sash, robe, navy long vest... not much for original colors. But what happened.....

He finally gave up on the possibility of figuring out the enigmatic occurrence, as Mushi's questions and actions were becoming more frantic, enough to gain the attention of Elder Kagyu.

Katatsu had the sudden urge to flee, and might have if his normal respectable self hadn't asserted itself. Too much conscious effort to follow the rules and customs of his people had finally gotten the better of him. For once, couldn't I have abandoned proper manners?

He managed a small bow as Elder Kagyu addressed them. "Mushi, Katatsu, what is this commotion about?" He looked sternly from one to the other.

"It's Katatsu. He just stopped walking and wouldn't answer me when I talked to him," said Mushi, worry for his young friend edging his voice.

Elder Kagyu gazed, concerned, into Katatsu's eyes. "Do you feel ill, Katatsu? You do appear a bit pale."

Katatsu shook his head vigorously and lowered his eyes, embarrassed because he didn't know how to explain it to the Elder. Worse, the stranger had come up behind the older Namek-jin, and Katatsu couldn't stand to look at him. Oh, what is wrong with my mind today!?

Elder Kagyu placed a hand on Katatsu's bent head. "Perhaps you meditated too long in the sun. Why don't you return home and drink some water? I'll have our meal ready as soon as I get there."

Katatsu nodded without looking up, though the idea of food or water seemed suddenly repugnant. He nearly gagged, but managed not to show an outward sign of his upset. Then, he practically ran towards the house he shared with the Elder.

Elder Kagyu turned to Mushi. "Now...do you know what that was about, Mushi?"

Mushi shook his head. "I don't have a clue."

+ + + + +

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