Reunion.

I was bleeding out on the alley, and I thought that was it. I was about to meet my maker, and I was expecting the flashes of your life that comes before the total, final darkness of cessation. All the regrets of my past missteps came flushing in and in that moment, I realized how my father must have felt when he visited me for the last time, and I felt ashamed of my behavior towards him.

"Hey, man. You got fucked up pretty bad," a voice broke my line of thought. I strained my sight, trying so hard to see who it was but I was so empty of the strength to even open my eyes, and so, I slowly gave in to the darkness.

When I woke up, I found myself laid back on my bed, with an IV stuck into my right arm. I tried to move, but the sharp pain I felt made me stop instantly.

"Hello, Dan. I am Dr. James, your family physician. You were shot on your left side, the hip bone, just under your ribs. You were lucky the bullet didn't sever an artery and it also didn't damage any organ," his voice made me more aware of the room, and I soon found out I was surrounded by three people. The doctor, D.P.O Usman, and my kid brother.

"Well, I am one lucky motherfucker, hun?" I responded half-conscious as started to slowly fall asleep.

Almost immediately after I fell asleep, I started to dream. In this dream, I was back in the Kurai Seiiki (dark sanctuary) training with Choji just like we used to.

"Watch your anger, Hawk. An overly aggressive move is devoid of wisdom," he whispered after countering my moves so easily and throwing me to the ground.

"I don't need no wisdom to kick your ass, old man," I shouted as I got back on my feet and charged at him even more aggressively. He once again countered my moves and before I knew it, I was back on the ground.

"Aggressiveness is a trait seen in a lot of little men. But what really makes a man little? Is it the size of his body or the size of his mind? 

"Aggression is the trait of lower animals seeking to complement their dull minds. That is why it is possible for a wise man to devise a way to capture a ferocious Tiger and tame an elephant when both animals possess the ability to easily kill him. Which do you seek to be, young Hawk? A mindlessly, aggressive Tiger, or the wise man who knows when to be as gentle as a dove and when to be as aggressive as the Tiger?" he then extended his hand to me, and pulled me to my feet.

It seemed like I woke up immediately but when I took a look at the giant wall clock that was in my room, it was already five in the evening. 

"I must have been out for at least four hours or more," I whispered.

My mouth and throat were so dry, I was practically dying for a sip of water. I tried to talk but my voice was low and cracking. I finally tried to move but every time I did, I felt such pains that made me stop immediately. 

It wasn't the first time I would get shot but it never gets old. It was also one of the few times my survival made me believe in miracles for a moment. Not a lot of people get shot like that, with the same type of bullet, and in that spot and survive it. The shooter wanted me dead, and I was lucky to be alive. 

I realized some things that day. I realized that Choji was right, I had to be smarter, I also realized that someone or some people didn't want me home, and they were very serious people. Although I didn't plan to stick around for a long time anyway, I wasn't about to be bullied out of my own City. And finally, I realized that my Dad's last visit to me in America was for a reason other than what I had earlier thought. 

As I laid there thinking about all these things, I heard a sudden movement and unconsciously, I suddenly moved to see who it was. The sudden movement made my wounds hurt so much that I let out a cry. I heard footsteps run towards me.

"Are you okay," the person asked.

"What the hell, Micheal! What are you creeping around for? You nearly gave me a heart attack," I screamed.

"Sorry, man. I was just checking on you."

"Well, thank you. Also thanks for helping me in that alley... When I was bleeding out?" I realized it was him the moment he spoke the first time. I immediately discerned the voice.

"You were out when I found you, how could you.." 

"I heard your voice, kid. You said something about me being fucked up, did you?"

"Yes, I did. You must have a really good auditory perception, we haven't even talked that much."

"Yeah, and you've got an annoying voice, no offense," I smiled.

"Man, I just saved your life," he chuckled.

"Truth hurts, kid," I replied.

"Well, it's nice that you're not dead. You're about the only family I have left, so..." He suddenly looked sad.

"What about your mom?" I asked him.

"She died. Overdosed on heroin last year. I was on the streets when Dad found me... Man, I was happy. My father was this rich guy, I had everything I ever wanted and finally, I had a family. But then he died and I'm back to square one."

"Well, I am sorry, kid. I am here now."

"Until you decide to go back to Japan?" he whispered.

"Worry not about the future for it isn't here. Instead, live the best of your life today because the future isn't promised to anyone anyway. When we get to that bridge, kid, we'll cross it. I am right here right now."

"Man, will you stop the wise saying bullshit."

"You're one rude kid, you know that"? I laughed.

"Following in your footsteps, oh, dear brother," he replied. We both started to laugh and I only had to stop when my wounds hurt.

"How is Khalid by the way," I suddenly asked.

"Doctor said he's going to be okay. He was lucky too."

"He is one tough old man," I smiled.

"Yeah, he is scary too," he smiled back.

The doorbell rang and he went out to answer it. He was only gone for some seconds and when he returned, Aisha was with him.

"Errm... I'm going to leave now. We have a lot to discuss later and I have to show you some things. Just press the button beside the bed if you need anything or when you're ready to talk." He walked to the door and turned back winking mischievously as he left the room.

"I see you guys are getting along nicely," Aisha said.

"He's a good kid," I replied.

"How are you doing?" She asked as she moved closer and sat beside the bed. I had not laid my eyes on her since I left the country. Abass was telling no lie when he said she was more beautiful she was when I left. 

"Well, I'll live," I replied, smiling brightly at her.

"You've only been back for a couple of days and you're back to getting into trouble. Typical Danny."

"You look good, Aisha," murmured.

"Trying to change the subject, huh? You know I kept waiting for you to call? I kept thinking I would wake up one day, and the phone would ring and it would be you on the other side of the call," she looked sad, I was sure she kept tears from streaming down her eyes with all other strength. 

"I don't know what to say, Aisha," I murmured. 

"Well, I only came to see how you were doing. Abass told me you were attacked... I didn't attend the funeral because you didn't invite me by the way."

I stared into her eyes and just froze, not knowing what to say. What could I have said? I truly abandoned her, thinking she would have moved on from what we had. We were kids, after all. I guess the fear of finding out she had moved on kept me from contacting her all those years because I really never did move on. Seeing her again made me realize that even more.

She stood up from where she sat, and bent over me, to kiss my forehead. I closed my eyes, wishing the moment would last forever.

"I have to leave now, Danny. I am happy you're alive," she turned and walked out of the room.