Funeral Showdown

//Since Hana is very close to Master Shin the leaders at the Monastery have asked him to tell her of her father’s passing.

//Hana enters the dojo ready for another day of training. Master Shin is sitting on the mat meditating on how to relay the news to Hana.

Master Shin: Hana, come, sit next to me. Let’s meditate for a moment.

//Hana a little puzzled over the start of the day’s lesson, but nonetheless sits next to Master Shin.

Master Shin: Hana, tell me about your father, what was he like?

Hana: Huh? Dad? Why the sudden interest?

Master Shin: Please, indulge an old man’s wish to learn more about your family.

Hana sighs: Very well. I wasn’t particularly close to my father… (she pauses) but in all fairness I really never gave him or any of them a chance. I pushed them all away and turned a blind eye to their attempts to include me in any family matters. But Dad never stopped trying, I know he loved me the same as Aiya, no matter how badly I treated him he always greeted me with a smile. I guess that just irritated me all the more, the more he smiled the harder I tried to hate him, well actually them all.

Master Shin: Does that hatred and anger still exist today?

Hana: I suppose not as much… thanks to you and your teaching I have come to see the fault in my previous way of thinking. Love should not be met with hatred, it should be embraced and returned in kind… although the brat still irritates me a little…

Master Shin chuckles: You have learned much since the day I first met you. In fact, I believe I may have taught you all that I can…

Hana confused: What is this all about, why the questions… wait is there something wrong with you?

Master Shin: No, it is not me, but It is time for you to journey back to your home… to say your final farewell…

Hana hangs her head: Is it the brat, did one of her missions finally get the best of her.

Master Shin: No, Aiya has tested fate many times, but like you she shows much resilience, but…

Hana: It’s Dad isn’t it? That’s why you asked about him?

Master Shin: Yes, I am sorry my child, fate was not so kind to him.

Tears start to stream down Hans’s face: Thank you Master Shin. Because of you I can now go back home with peace in my heart.

//Hana gets up, bows to Master Shin, and starts to walk out the dojo. She suddenly stops, pauses for a brief moment, and then turns and runs toward Master Shin. Hana gives Master Shin a big hug.

Hana: I will never forget you! You will always have a special place in my heart!

//Hana wipes the tears from her face and races out of the dojo. She is about to enter a new chapter in her life.

//It is several days later, the day of their father’s funeral. It’s not surprising that there is a very large gathering of friends and family, he was very much loved and respected. Diachi is being laid to rest with full Military honors, right next to Ena. Since his passing there has been much speculation over his death, many people firmly suspect foul play. They know he had a very strong moral character and loved his family too much to take his own life.

//Aiya is in her Military dress uniform sitting up front, but Hana waits back in the shadows of the trees. It has been a while since she has returned to the city, and she doesn’t want to cause a scene at her father’s funeral. However, Aiya can sense that Hana is nearby and is a little agitated that she doesn’t come up to pay her last respects to Dad.

//Aiya is nonetheless very pleased that so many people have come to honor her father, many kind words we said about him that day.

//Eventually everyone leaves the burial site, except for Aiya, she knows Hana is still there also and is waiting for her to emerge from the shadows.

//Aiya is leaning over the grave site when she suddenly says…

Aiya: What took you so long, were you waiting for me to leave also.

Hana: One could only hope (under her breath she mutters) brat.

Aiya: Still the same old Hana, you haven’t changed one bit! (mutters under her breath) bitter bitch!

Hana: Listen, this is exactly what I was trying to avoid. I have changed and…

//Aiya suddenly pops up and stands in Hana’s face.

Hana: Whoa there lil sis, uh, personal space.

Aiya: And when’s the last time you come to honor Mom?

//Hana looks over at her grave and sighs.

Hana: Look, I’ll just pay me respects to them both quickly and get out of your hair.

//Hana tries to step around Aiya but she doesn’t let her pass.

//Aiya aggressively pushes Hana back.

Aiya: They don’t need any of your pathetic sympathy, why don’t you just leave!

Hana: Whoa, why the hostility, were all family here!

//Aiya pokes at Hana’s chest.

Aiya: Did I not make myself clear enough. You don’t want to try my patience.

Hana: Patience, is that what you call it!

Aiya: Mom doesn’t want her killer here anyways!

Hana: Wait what? Where did that come from!

//Aiya’s aggression is starting to get the better of her. She clinches her fist and starts to growl.

Hana: Ah, what’s with the growling? And I thought I had issues?

//Aiya suddenly catches Hana off guard with a kick to the chest. Hana stumbles back but remains on her feet.

Hana: Okay pipsqueak, is that how it’s going to be. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

//Aiya then throws a roundhouse kick ay Hana, which just grazes her slightly.

Hana to herself: Damn, she’s actually pretty good.

//Hana then retaliates with a back kick that Aiya easily blocks away.

Hana: Well, Dad taught you well.

Aiya: Like you would know!

//The girls then engage in a series of punches and counter punches which both block. This last for several minutes. They then pull back from each other to catch their breath.

Aiya: What’s the matter big sis are you tired. I can do this all night long if we need to!

Hana snickers: So much attitude for such a tiny little girl!

//Aiya’s aggression has turned to “mission” mode as she loudly roars.

Hana: What the heck was that? Who are you?

//Aiya starts toward Hana, who tries to back away, but Aiya is to quick and right before she reaches her Aiya twists in midair and scissor kicks Hana in the face sending her to the ground. Aiya then lands on Hana’s chest and pins her to the ground. Aiya with a blank look on her face quickly raises her fist ready to give the dazed Hana a final blow to the face. She starts her downward swing when out of nowhere a vision comes into Aiya’s mind. Aiya has a flashback to their childhood, and she is pulling on Hana’s arm asking her to come out and play. Hana turns her face and closes her eyes in anticipation of the hit, but Aiya slams her fist into the ground next to Hana’s face.

//Hana opens her eyes to see the listless Aiya just sitting there just muttering “come play with me” over and over, and quickly crawls out for underneath her.

Hana: Are you out of your mind? What is wrong with you?

Hana: And when did you become so insanely strong and quick? And the growling? What’s that all about? Somebody has really changed here!

Hana: Hello, anyone there, are you listening? You could have killed me!

Aiya still listless but loudly exclaims: That’s what I do!! I kill, kill, kill!!! (in a softer tone) That’s what I’ve been trained to do, to turn it all off (“mission” mode).

Hana: What in the world are you talking about!

//If Master Shin has taught Hana anything, it is forgiveness. How to forgive herself as well as others. Master Shin would preach to her over and over that hatred will corrupt the soul and mind until you no longer exist. Hana can actually sense that Aiya is in great pain as her eyes turn from total rage to a state of mental anguish and confusion.

//Hana stands up and takes a deep breath and goes over and gives Aiya a helping hand up. Aiya then suddenly grabs a hold of Hana and squeezes her tightly.

Aiya: I’m so so Sorry! Please forgive me. I get into these trance-like states where everything goes blank and my inner base instincts take control.

Hana: Uh Aiya, I can’t breathe, can you let up some.

Aiya: Oh yeah, sorry about that.

//Hana softly lifts up Aiya’s chin, wipes away her tears and strokes her hair.

Hana: I’m here now Sis, We’re going to make it through this together, you and I. I promise!

//Aiya put her head on Hana’s shoulder.

Aiya: Thank you!

Hana: Dang, I guess I’ll have to learn to not piss you off anymore.

//They both laugh.