Madam Tenko led the group to a very step hill. It bore a staircase on the side, and they began climbing. Much like when the group was heded up the hill of Madam Tenko's shrine, the Tengu Company grew exhausted almost halfway up the stair set, and they stopped to rest for a moment. Then they resumed climbing the staircase, and at the top of the hill they saw a building that looked like a cross between an observatory and a stadium. A square wall surrounded the odd structure. There was a large dome in the far right corner, and in the middle was an open platform that looked suitable for a fighting tournament. The other corners of the structure were decorated with masks, feathers, weapons, and scrolls.

"What a place!" Sketch said.

"This is definitely his shrine," said Jamal. "There is no mistaking it now."

Madam Tenko sighed. "It's been so long since I've been here."

"He was one of your teachers?" asked Jamal.

"No," said Madam Tenko. "Actually, I came here often to talk to him. He's very wise."

"I'll say!" said Jamal. "He had given me great knowledge of the world when I was just created!"

Madam Tenko smiled.

"So where is he?" asked Donna.

A low voice echoed. "Jamal?"

The group looked for the source, and they noticed a tall creature walking from the dome. The creature had the appearance of a blackbird. He bore two long white ponytails, long tail feathers, and two gigantic black wings. He wore a red robe with yellow pants and gray boots. On his head was a strange hat that looked much like a drinking cup, and in his hand was a gigantic sword that seemed as large as Sketch.

Sketch looked at the creature with great interest. "Are you Sensei Kazano?" asked Sketch.

"I am."

"Wow! You're a lot more than I expected you to be!"

"You flatter me," said Kazano. He turned to Jamal. "You have brought Tengus you considered worthy?"

"Yes sir," said Jamal. "There are three."

"Only three?" asked Kazano. "Could you not find any others?"

"They have great potential," said Jamal. "It did not take them very long to learn the skills of the Ko Tengu. I felt that they would benefit from your training…much like I would, of course."

"Of course." Kazano nodded.

Iris and Donna stared at Kazano in wonder. "You don't even open your mouth when you speak?!"

Kazano smiled. "We communicate telepathically." He looked at Sketch Tucker closely. Sketch grew uncomfortable as Kazano circled around him in wonder. "You interest me, young man. What is your name?"

"Um…Sketch Tucker, sir," he answered somewhat nervously.

"Sketch Tucker?" Kazano stood in front of Sketch. "I have never seen anything like you before."

"Anything?"

"I apologize if that was insulting," Kazano continued, "but I have never seen a blue dog before."

Sketch grew upset. "Everybody says that! Why can't they just accept the fact that I'm blue!" He turned to Madam Tenko. "At least you haven't said anything about it!"

"I was afraid to say anything about it when I knew you were a soldier of Kazano," she admitted.

"It just seems odd," Kazano said. "For all the 834 years of my life, I have never seen a dog of your color!"

Sketch sighed. "My father has this color fur--834 years?!"

"That's right," said Kazano.

Sketch scratched his head. "Well, I guess that would explain how you fought in those ancient Japanese wars." He turned to Madam Tenko again.

Madam Tenko placed her finger to her lips. "I know he's older than I am."

Sketch gave Madam Tenko an odd look before turning his attention back to Kazano.

"As you were saying about your father?" asked Kazano.

"Well, I was about to say that my father has this color fur also."

"And your grandfather?"

"I don't know. I never met him."

Kazano thought about Sketch's color and why it was so.

"Sir, can we change the subject?" asked Sketch. "What will we be doing to train?"

"Certainly," Kazano answered. "You will be taught how to train your abilities to peak performance. You will learn how to effectively use your abilities in times when they are needed. And you will learn how to make yourselves stronger and braver in combat."

"Whoa, that's crazy!" said Sketch. "This reminds me of some of those old kung-fu movies!"

Kazano scratched his head. "Indeed." He gestured for the others to enter the shrine. "Come inside. There is much to be done."

As the others went inside, Madam Tenko stood in front of Kazano. "Hello, Kazano."

"Hello, Tenko," he replied.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Yes, it has. How has your life been?"

Madam Tenko sighed. "As well as could be expected. And you?"

"I've been fine."

Madam Tenko placed her hand on Kazano's chest. "You haven't grown lonely over these long years, Kazano?"

Kazano removed Madam Tenko's hand and placed it by her side. "The years do not seem at all long. The days pass quickly and I grow older as quickly. And no, I do not grow lonely. I believe I have told you about my love of solitude."

"But I'm sure you must be bored here in this shrine all by yourself!"

"You find yourself growing bored?" asked Kazano.

Madam Tenko nodded. "Not to mention lonely."

"You must not be using your time wisely," said Kazano. "Idle hands are the devil's workshop."

Madam Tenko's ears drooped. "I see not much has changed about you over all these years."

Kazano turned away. "Nor have you changed, Tenko."

Tenko was silent after that response.

Kazano looked over his shoulder. "I must go to train my students. I suggest you return to your shrine. It was nice meeting you once again, Tenko."

Tenko smiled slightly. "Thank you, Kazano. Farewell."

With that, she left to return to her shrine. As Kazano readied the others for training, he was in deep thought about many things.

Tenko does not understand, thought Kazano. She has fallen in love with me, but I know that I would not be suitable for her. She does not know, however. Someday she will find out that her love for me will be in vain. He helped Sketch prepare for training. The young Tucker puzzles me, he thought. The sight of a blue dog is not at all common. His fur is indeed true to its color. But what does it mean? Is he hiding something?