Characters:  Peter Caine, Kwai Chang Caine, the Ancient, Master Kahn

Violence:  None

Timeline: Master Kahn is not present at Sing Ling's ascension.  Peter Caine discovers why.

Rating:  G

Violence: None

Disclaimer: All characters are borrowed except those created by me.   All other characters (from KF:TLC and we know who they are) are property of Warner Brothers.  I promise to give them back when I am done with them (of course I do not know how long that will be.)  I give permission to archive.

Peter Caine stood off to one side watching the proceedings as each approached the newly ascended Emperor.  He watched as his father and all the other priests approached to receive a blessing from his Highness.  Peter fingered the beads that his father placed around his neck.  He questioned what his father meant by being free.  He had not understood that the shame his great-grandfather had placed on the line had been a burden for his father, binding him to certain ways of thinking that caused distention wherever his father had traveled.  Peter had not understood that his father had been literally following in his great-grandfather's path, walking in his footsteps, greeting and helping the descendants of those whom his grandfather had dishonored.  He had not understood that his father had been asking for their forgiveness so that one day he may be able to appear here and receive absolution from the very line that his grandfather had dishonored.  This was the beginning, the place where it all started.  They had come full circle and stood in the presence of victory.

As the ascension ceremony continued, Peter Caine glanced at all the faces.  It was then that he realized that there was one missing.  Where was Master Kahn?  Him of all people should have been present at this very special occasion.  Without him, the young prince now the Emperor of China, would not have survived that very first attack on his life.  Peter's thoughts drifted back to just two days ago when he met what appeared to be one of the worst ill mannered kids he had ever seen.

The first time that Peter had met the prince, Master Kahn had been there.  Peter had looked disapprovingly at the fact that an upstart kid was ordering Master Kahn not to fight back when in truth Master Kahn could have defeated the kid if he truly wanted to.  Peter had not understood that it had been an act, put on in front of others.  Behind the scenes Master Kahn had been very tough on the young prince, challenging him to do his utmost best, until the student could nearly defeat the teacher with just as much power and grace.  Without David Chow's knowledge, Master Kahn was also grooming the young prince, but this young prince would be able to be strong and make decisions that were far more important than just having to do with mere politics.

When Peter had expressed his disapproval, being honest with the kid had somehow won him points.  He was quickly brought into the young prince's confidence and learned that it had all been an act.  It was his way for him to gain privacy for himself so he could have time to simply be himself instead being expected to do what everyone expected of him.  Peter had not really blamed the kid after that.  In fact, he had felt sorry for him, not being able to mingle with children his own age, not being able to be just like any other kid.

Thinking of those short hours in this highness's company, Peter could not help but be aware of the young prince's style of fighting.  It had Kahn's grace and power.  It was fluid and the young prince's kicks were powerful.  But after seeing Master Kahn with the young prince in the private exercise area, Peter realized he had not seen Master Kahn since that time.  Where had the quiet Weapon's Master from Peter's youth had gone?  Why was he not present?

After the ceremony was completed, Peter approached his father.   Though a large banquet was planned and being prepared, Peter was not interested in food at the moment.

"Pop, have you seen Master Kahn?"

"No, my son."

"I don't understand.  I thought he would be here."

"Perhaps the Ancient knows the reason for his absence."

Peter searched out Lo Si.  He was sitting among some children, family members of some of the province Masters, telling them tales of being Shaolin.  Their faces were masks of wonder.  He didn't wish to interrupt the ancient storyteller, but Lo Si had already seen that Peter needed him.

"Sorry to interrupt your story telling, but have you seen Master Kahn?"

"Is he not here?" Lo Si asked.

"No."

"Perhaps he is in the exercise room."

"Thanks, I'll try there."

Peter left the festivities and entered through a small door off to one side of the larger room.  Instantly, when the door was shut, quiet descended.  Once again, Peter marveled at how on the outside, this place did not look like anything special, while inside ornate rooms remain hidden from the world.  Peter approached the exercise room.  Many candles littered the floor.  It looked similar to his father's kwoon when Caine would be in deep meditation and there were no classes.  This did not surprise Peter in the least except for one thing.  A figure was bent over a small ceremonial table.  Draped over the table was a cloth.  To one side of a small Buddha was a knife.  On the other side was a letter.  As Peter approached, he saw that the letter was addressed to him.  Recognizing what Kahn was about to do, Peter tried his best to do what his father would do in this same situation.

"Master Kahn?"

"Go away, Peter.  Leave me to my fate."

"And what fate is that."

"I have done you a great dishonor.  Now I must pay for that crime."

"Master Kahn, I don't understand.  What dishonor do you think you've done to me?"

"I nearly killed the son of Kwai Chang Caine."

Peter became stunned by those words.  Slowly he approached Master Kahn, then sat down next to him on the floor.

"You didn't kill me."

"You do not understand," Master Kahn stated.

"Then enlighten me, please."

"The Ancient knew you and your father would come to regain back your honor.  Despite our past relationship, I was told to treat you as an enemy.  I would not be allowed to let you live.  If you had not succeeded in defeating me, I would have killed you.  Then I would have been required to take your father's life as well."

As Kahn raised his head, Peter saw tears coursing down his cheeks.  He had never seen Master Kahn shed tears, even when they were at the temple together.  Master Kahn had always appeared to be so calm, almost like Spock from Star Trek.

"Master Kahn, there is no need for you to do this," Peter stated, using the words his father had used when the Ancient had also had designs on committing suicide.  "You did what you had to do.  You didn't know my father would approach the council.  Besides, you knew what was going to happen.  We've been through it before at the temple."

"No, Peter.  At the temple, I was your teacher.  I was not there to be your executioner."

"And you're not my executioner now.  Please, don't do this.  You have not dishonored me.  In fact, you've done one of the greatest things anyone can do.  You've taught a child to be a prince, an emperor really.  You should have seen Sing Ling.  He would not allow anyone to fight his battles for him.  You would have been proud of him.  And you've taught me.  Without your training from the temple, I would have not been able to defeat you when it really mattered.  Please, Master Kahn, don't do this."

Master Kahn turned to face Peter.  Looking into the young man's eyes, and seeing the anguish there, Master Kahn realized that what he was about to do would be a grave mistake.  This young man had lost so much in his life.  To commit this act, no matter how noble it would seem, would cause great harm in the eyes of this young man's soul.  Kahn realized at that moment, he would not be the one to cause any more pain for this young man to bear.

"Perhaps you are right.  There has been enough killing.  Do you think they've started the banquet?  Suddenly, I find I'm quite hungry."

Peter gave his old teacher a wide grin.  "Let's go find out."

The End