Haiku's Journal (Another story that runs along with Jesus Freaks)

[Shao Feng-Li]

I desided that I needed another project to work on. For those of you who don't know who this Haiku Shao is, read Jesus Freaks. This is just his daily journal. I'll write more background in the near future to go with it.

[color=black][font=Verdana]Haiku's Journal

It was another day, though I felt an odd chill in the air. Something was to happen, something of great significance. I could just feel it.
I don’t remember the event in great detail; which is indeed a blessing. When I was only ten years old, my parents were murdered in cold blood. My brother Kai had always been strong when it was hard, that I know as fact. But the death of our parents, he couldn’t handle it. He blamed God for the inevitable. They were going to die that day, and there’s nothing we could have done. Kai left, and I didn’t know what became of him.
I’m now twenty-five. My birthday was in January the same as my brother’s. Tonight I’m quite shaken because of what happened mere hours ago.
Since it’s October, most of our harvest is ready. Plenty of our corn, wheat, rice and lots of soy need to be taken in. This morning I got up, and went to the fields. As I collected the corn, at the southern end of the fields near the forest, I heard a strange rustling. I looked but saw nothing, and went back to work. It came again. This time my curiosity was aroused. I thought that it might some animal. Lord knows the last time I had any red meat. I set down my basket of corn, drew my blaster, and headed for the wood. Growing bold, I traveled several meters, and found my self in some sort of clearing. Nothing was there, save for a lone figure, his back to me. An icy wind suddenly picked up, whipping my hair and clothing about.
“Excuse me sir!â€

[Shao Feng-Li]

If anyone is reading my journal, forgive me. I've never been schooled, except for what I've read or nevertheless, what my Parents taught me as a child.

Well, it's morning now. There's a murderous Pariah sleeping soundly in my tiny living room, while I write in the safety of my bedroom. [Shame on me, my hair isn't even combed out. Understand, I cherish all God has given to me, even salvage.] When I was younger, Kai was my hero. I think it's a brother thing. I dunno.

Am I scared now, of him? Oho! You can safely bet on it. I wish I wasn't. God says it's a sin to not trust in Him. Mmmmhmmm. Everyone thinks I'm crazy, letting a murderer into my home, but he is my beloved brother, right?

I'll right more later. Right now I must make myself look at least halfway presentable- not to mention face my brother [after I arm myself... hmm I guess there's no such thing as a true pacifist.]* At any rate I hear something rather peculiar.



*Just a random thought of the mind of yours truly. Where I get such notions I don't know... "Must stop writing!"



Later



God preserve us! Oh, Kai! How he can live with himself, I'll never know!

Two hours ago I went into my living room. On the floor, with his face buried in his left arm, and my Bible clutched in his right hand, Kai, the toughest man, whom I had only seen cry once at the death of our parents, cried his soul out.

I stood- speechless at what I saw. I strained my eyes slightly to see that the Book was open around Genesis 9.

"Whoso sheddeth a man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man."

"That hurts," I thought to myself. Indeed, I know what that verse means.

He laid there for a while, spitting curses at himself and everything else, except God himself, along with to many words unsuitable for young or old ones to read. I began to believe that his "reign of terror" ended. [I know, it's corny.] He was a wreck, by appearance, not just by spirit or emotionally. The semi tight body suit amplified the frizzy appearance of his hair, and his- eyes, how they were yesterday: cold: almost evil.

I wanted to see him smile again, with his Violet eyes bright again. I remember how Mother loved how "childish, bright, joyful and innocent" his eyes were [but she said I had the perfect hair] . She used to say that violets were her favorite flower. Almost every day, Kai (he didn't care how old he got) and I searched for them for Mother. More often then not, some of the girls would be in the field s of flowers, and tease us for picking flowers, and usually I had a bug or frog from my pocket to show them...

I must stay on track.

Anyways. Kai. He slowly came out of this state. slowly he lifted his head, and looked at me. Eyes didn't have the evil in them, but were still cold, and his face was almost pale. I could only look back to him. I wanted to tell him everything. That everything will be all right. That he can be forgiven. But, I figured he wasn't in the mood, nor did I think he'd care to even hear my voice.

After a few awkward minutes, he closed the Book in his hands and slid across the floor into my knees. He turned towards the wall, bringing the blanket up around himself. He definatly wasn't in the mood. But I thought I had to say something, so I quietly walked over to him and touched his shoulder.

"I'll be around," I said quielty.

He only turned more away, with the most movement from his shoulder; more of a warning get back. I left him to himself. Whether or not he cares for anything, I don't know. Right now, he's sleeping again. He must need it bad. I'll finish writing later. My wrist is unusualy sore today, anyway and I need to pray and get to the fields.
*still not done* -Ruroken


-Haiku Shao

October 29, 2593 AD.

[Razgriz]

it's good, I like it, keep writing. It's a good start.

[Shao Feng-Li]

so you REALLY likem it, or you just dont want me to feel bad? i dont like bieing tol dwaht i wanna hear.

[Icarus]

Honestly, not bad. There are a few times where you skip a word in the narrative. I do it as well, which is why I've taken to rereading the last sentence or so before I go on to the next.

There was one other thing, namely, the line in the first post >> He cussed sharply and charged at me (sorry if I diidn't preserve your punctuation). "Cussed" really stands out. Generally, unless it is in dialogue or thought, avoid slang like the plague. While this is a journal, and thus the latter, the rest conveys an intellect that is at the very least normal, possibly above. He IQ seems to plunge sharply at that line.

[Shao Feng-Li]

uh thanks.... well i can t make it sound like *I* wrote it. its wierd. to write someones journal, you gotta kinda be the charcter. of course, this character has never been in school or anything like that, so he wouldnt have the greatest vocabulary.

[true_noir_chloe]

I finally read this. I agree, it's pretty good. I only found a few, very few, minor grammatical issues, other than that, it's very well done. I would guess you excel at everything you put your hand to. ^_^

[Shao Feng-Li]

Ahh, finally. Well it's evening now. Kai has been awake for several hours now. I have no idea what he's up to. He still has all his gear on his belt. As I write I can feel his gaze on my back: I shudder slightly, and I know that he knows that, so I'll just, try to ignore him- for now. So far he hasn't said a word, thank heaven. What can I say to him? My best guess is that he wishes he could just die. Poor Kai. Well, it's my turn to try to get some rest. It's not fair, Kai's slept like a log nearly all day, as far as I know.



-Haiku Shao

October 29, 2593 AD.

okay heres the ending of oct 29 entery. its okay id there are a few mistakes, after all, im not telling the story. and usually its because of the lap top

[Shao Feng-Li]

"I've been thinking, Shao," were the first words he said, as I was working in the fields. My heart jumped intomy throat. "Shao?"

He sounded very impatient, and I turned to face him. "What is it?" I replied, tyring to sound composed. Those around me were very alert- or nervous. Some were outright furious at my brother.

"With permission, I want to come back to the villages," he said flatly.

I was about to speak when someone said:

"You've got some nerve! Asking to come back to us! We all know that-!"

Almost instantly, Kai sprang for the man, his blade at the ready, cutting of his protest. I fallowed, not about to let Kai fallow through. I jumped in front of him, planting my foot in his chest. He fell on his back, and I brought my knife to his throat, with my foot still planted, and my left resting on his right wrist, preventing him from usinghis weapon.

"Get off or I'll kill you all!" He screamed in a rage.

"Not so!" I retorted, pressing the myown blade into his skin. "I'll give you but one chance! Don't make me take your life away here!" He had the murderous look in his eyes again. "My friend has a point. You've got some nerve! Why should I allow a murderer to live?" My own words surprised me. Kai laid his head back in defeat.

"Then kill me now."

"Crap. What now?" I thought, bringing my free hand to my forehead.

"I can't kill you, Kai," I sighed. "Even Jesus forgave people with even greater sins."

"Jesus," he repeated quietly. "A name I haven't heard in a long time."

"I know."

Nervous glances were exchanged among the others, as I looked to them for help.

"Who's that?" came from somebody in the small crowd. Everyone at once looked to towards the villlage, to see a man walking down the path.

Now what?

"Kelly?" Kai said, sitting up and dumping me off. "We presumed you dead, Kelly!" Hegot to his feet, and went up to the stranger. I fallowed, demanding information.

This Kelly, looked from Kai and then to me. He said:

"He couldn't do it, hmm? Kill you?"

"Wh- what are you ta- who are you?" the question caught me completely off guard [or maybe it was his bright green hair or the odd blemish on his face.]

"Shao was the only one who ever beat me in a fight," he told me, "but he could never make up his mind. He never knew what he wanted."

"You're an assassin, then."

"Was an assassin yes."

"What? Now there's two of them!" my friend Micah shouted angrily.

"I left the Jigoku Do three weeks ago. I made sure to make you all think I died."

"Hell way," I muttered. I looked at Kai. He just stared at the ground, flexing his fingers in perplextion.

"I've found a better life away from Jigoku Do. I no longer kill for the pleasure of it," he continued.

An uneasy mutter went through the people.

"How do you expect us to believe you?" Micah shouted.

"I don't," the other replied. "I only came here because of Shao." He reached into a pocket and pulled out an electircal device. "I can keep track of anyone from Jigoku Do. I've been watching Shao, and noticed he's been here for a while. Why the younger Shao isn't dead, well it's my guess."

"He tried to kill me," I said, "but somehow, I overpowered him."

The other looked me in the eye.

"He knows something I don't," I thought.

"You? you overcame the most feared assassin-"

Out of nowhere Kai lashed out of him, takeing the newcomer by the throat.

"Tychius! You've said enough!" he growled. I shudder to remember what I did

then. As I saw Kai reach for his belt, I pulled out my blaster and fired. The blast was enough to throw Kai several feet, and into the ground unconscious. Jamming the gun under my belt, I ran to him. I learned that I had shot him in the shoulder. It didn't really do anything because of the body suit thing he wares.

"Tychius" looked more concerned towards me. Why? I don't know.

"What am I gonna do with him?" I sighed. "Every time he gets P.O.ed he wants to kill someone!"

"I know," Tychius muttered, stroking his neck where Kai's finger nails dug into the skin. "Of course. Before each mission, he goes into some sort of meditation. Almost a trance. Thus, he feels no remorse for those he kills. If something strange to him happens, it completely throws him off. Of course, he's never lost a fight since he prefected the technique till now"

"So I see. You did the same?"

The other nodded. "Leave your brother with me, Shao. Perhaps I can- help him."

Seeing no other reasonable option, I left Kai in the hands of this Tychius Kelly. He told us to continue about our day and that he'd see us again when he will see us. That was five hours ago. Since then, nothing more has happened. God bless and good night.



-Haiku Shao

October 30, 2593 AD.

[Shao Feng-Li]

Today was uneventful. I have no idea where that Tychius Kelly is. I can't help but think, should a murderer be allowed to live? If some guy murders another, but twenty years pass and he then has a family and is- hmm- a pastor of a Christian church, should he be punished? But Kai, he has only been AWOL a few days and he is still blood thirsty. I guess all I can do is pray, protect those around me, and be there for my brother. Now, before I over think this predicrament, I'm going to bed. God bless.



-Haiku Shao

October 31, 2593 AD.

[Shao Feng-Li]

I would've written yesturday, but there was nothing to report. Today, about noontime, Tychius came back as I was working.

"Where is he?" I said without ceremony.

"Alone," he said dryly,"Whether he listened to me or not, well time will tell."

"And you told him?"

"Haiku, I said so much I don't remember," he breathed, scratching his head.

He learned my name... "Then what?"

"He asked for my Bible, then told me to leave him alone. And then he just left in that direction."

I fallowed his glance to the north-west. The only thing that way was the lake used for watering our tiny fields.

"Good heavens," I sighed. "Is that all then?"

Tychius nodded grimly. "Yeah."

A quick parting was passed. That was about two hours ago. Now I have work that needs to be done one my jacket. Fortunalty, Mom taught me how to repair my cothing when I was a kid.



-Haiku Shao

November 2, 2593

[Shao Feng-Li]

Prodical

I was in the fields yet again. It was the most pitiful sight I've ever seen in my life. He looked as though he'd been crying for a night, as he nearly ran, stumbling. The Bible was clutched to his chest. He fell at my feet to his knees, tears streaming.

"Please! Forgive me Haiku! Brother! I was so blind for all these years," he cried. "I don't want to kill any of you!"

For a long moment, all I cound do was look down at the pitifull sight, was once the pridefull murderer.

"Say something! Anything to me!" he screamed, clutching to the hem of my newly repaired jacket. "Just say something, take my life if you wish! I deserve only that!"

"Please, Kai get up!" I said, not really knowing what else to say.

"I'm not even worthy to look at you, Haiku!" he cried, releasing my jacket.

"Kai, I deserve death just as much as you or anyone." Hundreds of years ago, he would have been executed.

"No! Not as much as me! Not as much as ME!" he looked up to me with a child like innocence in his eyes- and fear.

"Listen to me, brother!" I said firmly, kneeling down, holding him by the shoulders. "Stop this foolishness! Jesus forgave all of us! If your one of his own, don't be afraid to loose your life!"

He froze, his eyes wide, as if he'd just relized something. "Afraid? Am I afraid? I can't!"

"Yes, you're afraid. I can see it in your face."

"No, I've never been afraid-!"

"Kai, relax. You'll hurt yourself."

"What?"

"I forgive, you brother." *Queue touching music, heheh* [But really, I shouldn't make jokes of such things.]

"You, do? How- why?"

"Because Jesus forgave me." I leaned forward, and embaced him for a long moment. He wept again onmy shoulder. "I'm glad to have you back, bro."

He gave a short laugh, and sat back on his knees.

"'Bro', I remeber that," he said, with a sad smile.

Out of nowhere came a cheer. I had not noticed the crowd we'd attracted. everyone swarmed around us. The manly hugs and femenine kisses were almost everwhelming. My face was, as Kai pointed out, was very red.

"Kai! This will be a day of history for all God's people!" I shouted. The others gave their approval.

"Yeah, don't worry," Micah said to Kai, "We all forgive ya."

"I'll do what ever it takes to earn your trust."

"Haha! Don't worry about it, Kai."

"Yeah, if God forgave the world, we can forgive on man!" said another.

As everyone had their fun, I looked around, to see Tychius standing back aways, smiling.

Well, now i must get back to everybody. Despite how wonderfull it all is, there are still "details" that must be given attention.



-Haiku Shao

November 3, 2593

[Shao Feng-Li]

I can't help but laugh when I think about it. Kai won't be given anything, not even a roof over his head, till he proves his worth. Out where our fields are, some of the surrounding area has never been made fit for growing anything. If you can't figure this out already- hmm, never mind. Well, I'm the one to watch and make sure he behaves himself. He's already done quite a bit. Right now he's taking a break for lunch. The people are delighted he's come back to The Way. All he can talk about is how happy he is now. Of course he won't show it forever, but I know he always will be on the inside.

Well, I'll be getting back to my lunch now. We both have work that needs to be done.



Well he did it. A twenty by twenty patch of dirt completely turned over without a sigle big rock left in it. Kai's probly still down at the beach taking a bath. His hands were blistered and his face was a little burnt. But he did't want to stop. I think he's going to be just fine with the rest of us. There really isn't a problem with the tracking system. EVery assassin in the Jigoku Do keeps track of each other. Kai has the know-how to reprogram the thing to make it appear assif he's on the other side of the world. Heheh. No one ever finds him, they'll just presume him dead, as with Mr. Kelly.

Hmm, very odd, this Jigoku Do- not to mention creepy. I wan tot know more, as always, but I'm a bit vervous to ask him about it. Perhaps Tychius would be more open about it. He seems, perhaps, calmer about such things?



-Haiku Shao

Novemer 4, 2593

[Shao Feng-Li]

Heavens what time is it? Must be midnight. The fith of November then. Again I had that dream. The third time this week. Why would I kill someone even in my dreams? Perhpas I'll write it down from now on, if the nightmare continues. Or maybe it's Kai's fault, but I doubt it; maybe I'll kick him merely because he's so comfortable.



I learned today that the Jigoku Do, is basicly a group of assassins, only they work directly for the government. I also leanrd that the government is basicly run now by the ACLU. Actually, the American Civil Liberties Union has been taking over the government since the early nineteen hundreds. One step at a time: Legalizing the murder of babies because the mothers cowards, I believe was a big issue, people couldn't sell the magazines that they wanted in a store, or something to that effect. It even gave rights of free speech to Sodmites but shut up Christ fallowers. It's done a good job, hmm? Liberal scum. And liberal I beleive is actually supposed to be a good thing. Maybe socialist or communist would be more siutable. At any rate, they all disgust me. WAshington would turn and cry in his grave if he knew how far it's fallen. Heck, he'd dig himself up and try to fix it. My country is on the edge of a knife. I don't want to be around if it falls of to the wrong side in the end.



One more thing: I think people like those of the ACLU are only afraid of Christians. If people started beleiveing that all they were doing is wrong, the governmnet would lose control of the people. Of course I may be wrong, due to my limited knowledge of such things.



-Haiku Shao

Noveber 4, 2593

[Shao Feng-Li]

We really don't have it that bad, do we? The only thing we don't have is plumbing or electricity. We all get plenty of exorcise because of the work that must be done, and most of us have rather large families. I've been thinking on these things for a long time.

I was talking with Tychius and he siad that he could have anything he wanted, and he did. "I was never staisfied," he said to me. (Tychius was given a room here in the villiage, so he's still here.) Well, I got to thinking that maybe it's the fact that we can't have the things like power dispite the fact they we want them. I would've asked Kai about this, but of course he's still working. but not for long. The rain is coming. That's how it's been for the short while. He sleeps, eats, works, and reads. Poor Tychius though. He could only get his hands on a Roman Catholic bible. He had to "fix" it so it wouldbe suitable for reading. I had to laugh at that. He complained to me that his name was spelled wrong. "Tychicus" is the way the Bible (either Bible) spells it, but the pronounceation is the same. Again I laugh.



-Haiku Shao

November 6, 2593



I had taken a bath, still half dressed in my clothing after a long day of work, and was trying to get back home before the rain came. Seeming out of nowhere, Kai fell in step with me, looking uncormfortable.

"What's wrong?" I asked, rubbing a homespun towel through my damp hair.

"Uh, yeah. I was wondering, do you have a small strong box?"

"Strong box?" I said, puzzled. I thought for a moment. "Yeah, but I can't open it."

"Need the password?"

"I think so, I haven't seen it in a whi- it has your name on it!"

"It's mine," Kai said wryly, scratching his head.

"I remmeber now, I took it afteryou left," I said, I little troubled.

"O- OK," He said uneasily, as if he were lying. I let it go. I probably should have pressed the matter.

Suddenly, lighting flash, then the thunder roared, then the cloud burst.

"Race!" I shouted. "Last one home makes dinner!"

With a smile Kai nodded. "Ready go!"

We both ran like the wind. I lost. We stumbled into my home, wet and cold. I tossed my jacket and towel ever in a corner against the didgy white wall.

"I'll get that box."

In my room, I sifted through the few books and other salvage, and found the strongbox. I was surprised by it's weight. I've tried a million times, yet I couldn't never figure out the code, and I was afraid to brake it, lest I should damage the inside. I walked back into the main room, to see Kai step away from a pile of salvage.

"You keep everything, don't you?" He said, with a mocking grin.

"You never know," I shrugged. "Here you go."

He tapped the keypad, and suddenly, the lock mecenism fell to the floor.

"I think I can trust you to mind your own buisiness," He said almost coldly, before I could speak.

"Yeah, I guess," I said skepticly.

"In time, in time," he said quietly. "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to be alone."

"You just stay here Kai, I need to write."

Yes, that was just a little while ago. Now, I must get to sleep. To-marrow's Sunday.



-Haiku Shao

November 7, 2593

[Shao Feng-Li]

The elder of us all gave a wonderful sermon. His first name, I can't pronounce, so it's Mr. Desand. He has a son named Gorge DeSand. Gorge is married and has a daughter. They're one of the few families who aren't humanoids.

Of course we had to crowd inside one building as the rain still fell. Infact, it's still raining. And there's nothing to do. Maybe I'll go see what I kind do with the salvage. I found a hover bord that was almost intact a few weeks ago. Since then, I've gone far to find proper parts. Thankfully the storge unit on the bord wasn't damaged. The manuel was in there, along with twenty dollars. A lot of good that does me.

Tychius left after the service. Lord knows where he'll end up, or be accepted. Hmm, Paul was accepted, evryone I know, knows that. Mr. Kelly is a good man.

These past several days have been quite eventful, wouldn't you say? If anyone's reading this, I hope I'm not wasting your time. I'm wondering if anyone wouldthink I'm making this all up. I pray not. Our story must be told. In the Bible, ther are many stories of heros, surviving in the wilderness. I'm in better conditions then most of them, like Paul! I'd be pathetic- dispite the fact that the enemy has very high tech weaponery and superior training- I better stop complaining. The only one who has the right to complain is Jesus.

I might add, that I was glad service finally ended a few hours ago. Listening to someonw read from Levitcus with an almost- Franch accent isn't- fun. Kai didn't care.



-Haiku Shao

November 8, 2593

[Icarus]

Swing.

[Destroyer2000]

Good, good. Are you getting all this copyrighted? You should, and don't let ANYONE take it. You could make some money off this. It's interesting, and it might be the perfect way to get the Gospel out.

[Shao Feng-Li]

I haven't written in about a week. Rather odd in my case, but not much has happened. Kai's been acting real strange: when I talk to him, be acts like he's hiding a dirty secret. Well, things pass in time.

But something else has been bothering me greatly. "Shao" is a Chinese sur-name, but "Haiku" is a Japanese poem. I know that Mother always called me that because of her love for poetry, but it's an odd name for a person. Maybe it's just that I had a real name, but have only forgotten it? I'm not going to get any sleep with this thought.



I told Kai my thoughts. "Your, real name?" he said, strangely. "Haiku's always been your name," he continued, controlling his voice better.

I explained that it didn't flow right with our Sur- name, and certainly wouldn't flow if we lived in China.

"Mom didn't care, brother," he told me, but he looked a little tensed. That only increased my anxiety. "She loved poetry, despite the few poems she had."

I said my thanks for the information, but I could feel his gaze as I walked away. Not like it's a big deal, just weird.

Maybe now I'll go study the out of date dictionary one of the kids found.


-Haiku Shao

November 11, 2593

[Shao Feng-Li]

I watched closely as Kai casually walked off into the woods, with that strong box under his arm. My curiosity aroused, I quietly fallowed. He'd only gone several meters past the tree line, and found a seat against an old pine. Immediately I hid. I peeked out, but his back was against me.

"Good," I thought. I quickly, and quietly, got closer, using the trees as cover. About half a meter, I stopped, made sure he was still unaware, and gathered my thoughts. I looked again. Much to my despair, he seemed to have disappeared.

"I'd like you to respect my privacy, little brother."

As a freezing chill ran down my spine, I spun around. "Oh! Ah- oh, yes, yes of course, Kai," I stammered. I found that my back was against the tree, and my hands were clutched tightly to it. He looked down on me with a hurt expression. "forgive me," I said, gathering my composure. Everything felt creepy. Often it feels as if I'm talking with a ghost, rather than a person.

"Thank you," he said. He patted my shoulder, and walked on. I should respect his privacy. I had no right to spy on him, especially for a frivolous curiosity. But I fell as though I'd find answers in that box. I hope I hadn't broken his trust. I remember when he disabled that lock on it, just out of trust. No, I won't ruin that. If there's something in there that I need to know, God will have a way so that I'll find out.



-Haiku Shao

November 15, 2593

[Shao Feng-Li]

Oh, I've got some bad news- sort of. We all new that Mr. "Franswhaz" Desand- forgive my spelling- was up there in his years. According to Gorge, he passed away in his sleep. MY friend was devastated with the death of his father, as we all are. Kai seemed to take it the hardest for some reason, and he didn't even know the man. He's such a mess now anyway.

The only thing Gorge managed to say this morning was, "My dad went home last night." He hasn't said anything else all morning. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he's envious of his father. I lost both Mother and Father, so at least I can relate. Gorge is a strong man. Always has been. God will see him through. He's never let us down before and never will.

But to think the man was as healthy as a horse yesterday giving a sermon- makes one realize were nothing but a vapor in the wind (and not even a vapor with a pleasant smell. I have a word in mind, but it's very rude.) God can take a life at any moment in time. I'm not even guaranteed that I'll be here in the next five seconds! I guess it would really suck to be caught dead without the Heavenly Savior.

All right, my face must be the deepest red and my heart must of stopped. Kai's been standing over me since I started this entry.

"You've got to teach me how to do that," I said dryly.

"I'm surprised you don't," he said mock- scornfully.



I could tell he was looking for trouble. I was of course sitting with my back against the tree. I shot my hand back, grabbed a foot, and Kai was flat on his back. Before I had even time to scramble to my feet, he jumped before me, and caught my arm. Before I could think, he threw me over his hip.

"What the heck?" I said, as I lay on my back.

"Hah! That all you can do Haiku?" he said with a grin, looking down on me. I jumped to my feet and charged at him full of fury. He simply stepped away and geld out his foot. Just guess what happened then. I spat out the dirt and calmed down. I stood again, and held my ground.

"Scared ya into defense, did I?" he said, just to make fun of me. "Hmm, you better watch your back, brother!" I only had about a half second to think before I saw a heel in my face. I dropped to the ground, caught his foot, and gave it a yank. He went down hard on his face. Only then did I realize that a crowd was present, and everyone was shouting my name.

"Ahh! You jerk!" came from Kai. I looked at him just as he wiped dirt from his face and blood from his lip.

"Loser," I said.

"Awright! That's it!" He grabbed my neck with an arm and rubbed my head hard with his knuckle.

I was of course referring to my hair. "Hey! HEY! That's all I got up there!" I shouted, trying to squeeze my head out of his solid muscled arm.

"You think I'm gonna let you go after what you just did to my face?"

"YES!" I said. Everyone was laughing at us. Suddenly I was free again, and Kai was busting with laughter. Even Gorge was smile again.

[font=Verdana][size=84] Nah, "Franschwazâ€

[Shao Feng-Li]

Oh no, not again! Why would I have dreams of me killing people? Again I woke up sweaty and panting! That's the third time this week. I suppose I should write it down. Everything's dark. Like I'm in the Abyss. At my feet is a young man, with a look of- well as if he'd seen Hell itself. I strike him down with whatever is in my hands. Suddenly blood, well, snowflakes fall around me, and seem to fall forever, then I look up at a bright light. And it looks like a cross. What freaks me out more than anything though is that I'm being praised by a whole bunch of other guys, all dressed in black. There's no sound, except for my victims screams still echoing. Then there's a hand on my shoulder. I look up and there's Kai smiling down on me. Then I wake up.

But I've never killed anyone before in my life! well, not willingly. I've defended this village many times, and have taken lives, but I've never been happy about it!!!

Oh Lord, I'm so shaken I can hardly write.



I just woke my brother. He told me to shut up and go to sleep without even being aware enough to look at me. Worrying about this will only take my mind off the Lord. That is not a good thing.



-Haiku Shao

November 17, 2596 (Early, early morning.)

[Shao Feng-Li]

Hey! Im not posting this for my own pleasure! I need you guys to point out any mistakes and such that I miss

[Shao Feng-Li]

For the first time in three years I had to take up arms for my home.

It was oddly warm, despite the clouds as we worked up the ground, went over the water channel from the lake, ect. I was at the water gate. The fiber hinges on it we going bad so I volunteered to fix them, despite the fact that I had to go under the water.

"Hey, Haiku!" my friend Jeremy said to me, looking down at the sun dial he'd just made, "my wife wants me back now."

I knew he wasn't making anything up. His wife Janna was pregnant.

"Sure Jer," I said. "Go on. I'll be done in a few minutes. I just gotta replace the sub-binder."

With I smile and nod, he dashed back towards home as if Janna was already giving birth. So I was alone, waist deep in the clear water. I couldn't feel my toes, but I wasn't supposed to be in there long, or so I thought. Well thinking that I might as well get it over with, I plunged under, using my hands to find what I needed to work with. I'd done it a million times, so it was almost natural. With the new hinges installed and the old ones removed, I got out of the water. As I clambered to the top of the bank, I found myself looking up at a young woman.

"Can I help you?" I said.

"I'm looking for someone. A 'Shao Kai'?"

"Might I ask why?" I got myself on my feet.

"He's a friend of my family, before- you know. When we heard the good news I wanted to meet him."

"You must be from up north, right?"

She confirmed.

So I led her back. She was known by many of my own friends. Of course they were delighted to see her. Still, I felt uneasy and I soon found out why.

As soon as she walked up to my brother, she froze. Kai caught her staring, and looked back with a puzzled look on his face.

"What's with your friend here, Hai?" he asked.

I was as lost as he, then, like an animal, Janna jumped him, and the next thing I heard was Kai's painful cry.

"YOU! You killed them ALL! SHAO! Spawn of Hell!" Janna screamed.

After a moment of being stupefied, I saw that the girl was using all her strength to kill my Brother with a knife. Kai, pinned to the ground pushed back her hands. We were all about to jump in, when Kai threw her off, and then was in a superior position.

"Listen to me! Don't you make the same mistake I did," Kai said in a loud, almost harsh tone. "I took vengeance in my own hands, and we all know what it did to me!"

"You’re nothing but a lousy hypocrite!" she retorted, flailing her arms at Kai, trying anything to cause him pain.

"Maybe you're right. I did nothing but eat and drink blood and death, for my family, for ten years, and now here I am telling you not to the same. But that's who I was! MY Lord threw it all away! And I deserve death more than any of you, although we all deserve Hell.

"Some would say I lost my salvation, as foolish Christ followers will sometime believe. But you can't loose what you did not earn. I talked the talk and walked the walked, but not for long. I was not a true Christ follower before now." With that he stood up.

"You're right!" Janna sobbed, sitting up, covering her face.

"Don't cry now," Kai said gently to her, kneeling at her side. "I know how you feel."

"Really? you do?" she sniffed.

"Worse even," he said, "It's my fault in the first place."

When I realized that there were only a few of us left spectating, I turned to leave. I figured I'd be no help here.

"C'mon guys, let's leave these two alone now." I said quietly.

"You guys go, Haik, you stay."

After a few hours of talk- Kai did the talking- I fell asleep. Kai told me that all’s well.

[font=Verdana] -November 20, 2596 Saturday[/font]

[Shao Feng-Li]

"A very wise person put it this way, 'Who's your Jesus?'"

A short murmur went among us.

"Is your Jesus one you thought of in your mind? Or is He the one the holy words of God speak of? He told us that He was the word and that the word was with Him. If you reject part of the word, would you not be rejecting part of our Holy Savior whom predestined us to be saved before the foundation of the world?"

"Amen!" we shouted to Jean's words. "Françoise would be proud!" someone hollered.

So you know, Jean's preaching ended a few hours ago. I was doing my best to jot down most of his words. He went on to tell us that this was the last sermon that his father wrote before he died. Of course he did so, but not without choking up first.

Well, he's right in what he said and read. I know that years ago there were many denominations, each with their own way of telling you what God's own words meant. Some taught that you must do this or that or lose your salvation, but that's nonsense and rejects a verse in Romans and Ephesians. I don't think I believe in denominations or any of that. All I know is that every last word of God is just fine how it is.

Sure though, someone's gotta figure out what it all means sometimes. Say, you interpret a verse. Then you read along and realize that your interpretation of the verse is contrary of another verse, and then you refine your interpretation to fit both verses (not the other way around.) See where I'm going with this? It’s just my theory right now. Be sure that your life fallows along with God's own words.

And now, I think I'll go do just that. We got a bible here somewhere.

Later on today, all of the men, including my brother and me are gonna have a study, discussing "free will" and today’s sermon. I'm not sure what the ladies are going to study. Jeans wife always gets high praises for her studies, like "a woman who fears the Lord will be praised" sort of thing.



-November 21, 2596, Sunday