Here we go again! I am so happy people is reading and liking this story.
Well, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. More Jack and Ashi interaction :)
Again, sorry for any mistakes. I'm spanish native (I really need a beta btw)
Chapter II
-That was not a proper way to behave, Ashi- Fujiwara sensei scolded her once the practice was over and everyone but his son and wife were left-. One of the purposes of kendo is "To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor" and you did not do that when you attacked our son in that way.
-I deeply apologize- she said, bowing. Ashi wanted to blame everything on Jack but he was right. She lost her temper and she deserved to be admonished. That didn't make her feel less embarrassed and hurt though
-Father, with all due respect. I admit I provoked her with my last hit- Jack said, bowing too next to her. Ashi flinched. He was lying! He was fighting fair and square
-What?!- she blurted, standing- Don't listen to him, sensei! I was...I am...
A giggle was heard coming from Fujiwara Obasan, interrupting the exchange
-Darling. Why don't you just make them clean the dojo after we have some tea? Obviously, both are to blame. Why keep dragging this up?
While the couple argued some more about if the punishment was enough, she eyed the Fujiwara's son. As he looked in pictures around the house, his squared features gave him a stuck up look like he really believed he was some solemn warrior. However, right now, sweating, with his topknot hairstyle looking messy and clearly standing uncomfortable in front of his parents, he looked human, humbler even. Still, her previous animosity toward him only increased. Why covering her up that way? He didn't even know her!
Tea was a quiet affair, thankfully. Sadly, Ashi couldn't feel comfortable enough as she used to. Usually it was just her and the Fujiwaras but now Jack was in the spotlight and she couldn't stand the guy. When he was asked by his parent to tell her about his trips to China, Greece, England, Italy, Arabia and Scotland she had to stop herself of rolling her eyes.
Why would he make spend his parents so much money? He had a perfectly good teacher here. A teacher who loved him dearly along with his mother. Also, how archery, astronomy and horse riding would help his kendo? Pretentious asshat.
-I know you are wondering why I've been traveling so much- Jack told her once the tea was over and they started their cleaning duty-. Mother told me about how our best student disapproved my absence
She couldn't help but blush a bit while picking up all the bokken swords on the floor. She didn't know she was that obvious
-That's not my business anyway, Fujiwara-san- she replied flatly, purposely using the -san suffix to put some distance between them
- Please, call me Jack. Everyone seems to call me that way
"Is this guy for real?" she thought and went back to work
-My ancestor made many connections around the world- he kept talking-. It is network of exchange of different disciplines. I think in a few months we might receive the daughter of one of our Scottish friends. We do it for free since our friendship has lasted for generations.
-And you are telling me this because…?
He scratched his neck and then shrugged
-Being completely honest. I have no idea. My parents love you and think of you almost as a daughter. I don't want you to think bad of me. Also...
This time, Ashi's blush reached her entire face. She knew he didn't mean it, but the implications of that statement were more than awkward.
-Also what?- she hissed, about to lose her temper again
-Well, I feel in debt for taking care of my parents all this time and since they talked about you all the time I feel like I already know you.
-Ok. I am done- she snapped. Ashi walked toward him and pointed her finger to his chest-. I've tried to be polite all this time because your parents are the best people I've known, but don't try to act all friendly to me. You don't know me at all! You don't know what I've been through and to be honest, I see you as a spoiled guy who thinks too highly of himself to live a normal life as everyone else. Some people just don't have the chance to go around the world without any responsibility.
For the first time, he seemed pissed.
-Do you think I was in some kind of vacation? I trained as hard as I could for years. Do you think I didn't miss my parents? I did every day
-Then why you left them? Do you really believe that being some kind of modern samurai it is useful at this time and age? Gimme a break
-It is my dream
-Who has the time to have dreams? I would have given anything to have the life you left behind!
He looked at her and sighed
-You are very troubled and very confused
With that last statement and an exasperated groan from Ashi, the argument was over. They finished their work in silence and parted ways without exchanging a single goodbye.
-Didn't you say you would send the application this Friday, Akuma?- the teacher scolded her after class that Monday-. Stop acting like a child. Life is hard and it won't wait for you
Ashi looked at her shoes and bit her tongue. She wanted to tell him it was not his business, but she had enough of fighting with others.
-Seems like Aku-chan got in trouble- a classmate said, passing by once the exchange with her teacher was over. She liked to make fun of her last name every chance she got. How original.
She was about to tell her to shut up when she saw a guy waiting by the gate of the school. He wasn't wearing a school uniform so he definitely stood out in the crowd.
-Who is that one?- her classmate asked- He looks out from a period drama or something
Granted, he wasn't wearing a gi. Just a white t shirt and worn out jeans, but he was wearing that stupid topknot and geta shoes. If he was trying to look like some weird modern version of a ronin, he succeeded.
-What is he doing here?
-Do you know him?!- her classmate exclaimed but Ashi was already gone to meet with Jack or whatever he liked to be called
-Good afternoon, Akuma-san- he said, bowing his head briefly
-Good afternoon and please call me Ashi- she said. Jack opened his eyes, surprised- Just because I don't like my last name- she added quickly- Don't get any ideas
She was still acting defensively, he noticed, but her demeanor was way more relaxed and approachable than the last time. Jack took the chance and invited her to take a drink from the vending machine by the park.
She didn't want to, but she agreed. After all, if she wanted to keep going to the Fujiwara's dojo they would have to settle on a truce sooner or later.
-I want to apologize- he said offering her an iced coffee she asked. Both were sitting on a bench by the shadow of one of the park's trees- I shouldn't have been so rude the last time we spoke.
-I stand by what I said but I do apologize for the way I expressed myself- she replied and took a sip of her drink. Jack rolled his eyes and shook his head. Did his parent know how his beloved student could be this stubborn?
-I know I might seem like a slacker- Jack said-. Believe me, it is not the first time someone calls me that way. I've never gone to a formal school and since I was little I've been training around the world. In this time and age, as you said, follow that path seems more like a just a useless pastime
-I never said martial arts were useless. I just don't agree with the sacrifices you made to follow that path. I know it is not my business but your parents are very important to me- Ashi looked at the can in her hands, remembering how they helped her to adjust to her new life and how sad they looked when they talked about their son-. I don't know if they have told you about me, but I have no parents and while my guardians are good people to me they are more like an uncle and an aunt taking care of a bunch of nephews and nieces. Your parents make me feel loved and it pisses me off so much that you had the nerve to reject that
-I understand how you can see it in that way- Jack sighed. Sometimes he thought the same thing himself-. Traditionally, kids in my family are given the chance to train with our friends around the world but very few take it. My grandfather was the last one who did it. When he asked me if I wanted to leave, he was surprised when I said yes. It was unexpected, but if I had chosen that path, he could not stop me. Surely, he thought I would come back in a year, but I did not. When agreed, as young I was, I was serious.
-That's something I can't understand. How a child could know that?- she wanted to add that even she, an eighteen year old didn't have that kind of resolution but he didn't need to know that
-You would laugh if I tell you
-I already have little respect for you so you have nothing to lose
Jack couldn't help but laugh even if he couldn't tell if she was joking or being completely serious
-So, did you guys work things out?- Fujiwara sensei asked her. However, Ashi didn't pay attention and kept putting her training equipment, her mind somewhere else. To be more precise, in her meeting with Jack yesterday.
He was serious, dead serious when he said that he did't have a dream. He had dreams, in plural, just like her, and he took that some kind of omen
"-My family has told me the legend of the Nameless Samurai since I was a baby so they thought that my dreams were just a suggestion of sorts- he explained. But while practicing with my father, I could feel like I was doing the right thing, that this was my path in life. When I decided to take the chance of training around the world, I admit I was scared and any eight-year-old would be from being separated from his parents, but every time I questioned my decision, deep down I knew it was fate.
-So, you think yourself as his reincarnation or something?
He just laughed and looked at her, amused for some reason
-I do not, but the legend says he will return forever for his Timeless Princess so who knows?"
-Smooth talker- she hissed while doing that day's exercises. How he could always say such embarrassing things to her? She had to agree with her annoying classmate, he seemed to come out straight from a period drama. A very cheesy one to be more precise.
"Do you really believe in all that crap do you?" she thought while he was helping his father with the younger students. He seemed happy and comfortable in his own skin. Maybe he was just delusional and after all, he wasn't a bad guy. She didn't trust him yet, but she could tolerate him. Also, she had those weird dreams too. Maybe she was a bit crazy too with the only difference she had more common sense to don't act on them.
-Ashi seems kind of distracted today. Did you guys had an argument again? - Fujiwara Sensei asked Jack this time
Jack frowned and carefully meditated his reply. She was acting nicer by the end of their conversation, but she still was wary around him
-I would not say she hates me as much as she did before-he offered
His father snorted
-With Ashi, that's quite an accomplishment. You should have seen her when we first met. The Yoshimoto's, the old couple who took care of her, were desperate. She didn't connect with them or any other children and…
Suddenly, he stopped and looked at the Dojo's door. There was an old woman talking with his wife. She looked very distressed
-Talking about the devil, that's , Ashi's foster mother. She rarely comes here unless something bad happens
Jack saw how both women rushed to Ashi and told her something. The girl stopped everything she was doing, took her helmet off and left with them, her face full of concern
- I will go to see what is going on, You, keep working -his father told him. Jack wanted to go with him, but he was sure Ashi wouldn't appreciate his interest in her private life. Still, the rest of the day passed painfully slow and neither of his parents came back until the practice was over.
-Sorry for leaving you like that, son- his father told him, his voice tired- It was an emergency
-It was not a problem. Is Ashi well?
His mother looked at him and shook her head in denial
-Darling, Ashi needs our support now. Her mother is out of jail and she has been asking to see her
Notes:
Sorry for the cliffhanger! But things will get more interesting now. I will update I think in friday so wait for the next chapter and leave me some love in the comments (if you feel inclined to do so of course :)