Yuba
Kohza wiped the sweat from his brow, breathing in slowly, from the exhaustion of working under the full glare of the sun.
Yuba was getting back on it's feet, the passageway to the Ukkari Hotsprings had been a great help to the economy though since it was so new and with Alabasta reconstruction there wasn't that many customers yet. In a few years however it would be another story. But even with the boost in economy the town nearly entirely needed reconstruction or at least a good brushing since most of it had been buried in sand. Now, nearly a year after the end of the war, most of Yuba was back to normal, but certain parts still needed work, this was what Kohza was working upon.
Farafra had followed him to Yuba and even though Kohza told him he didn't need to protect him anymore, the tall man still seemed to assure the role of his bodyguard though in a less conspicuous way than during their rebel army days. Kohza told him he had already repaid him for saving his life long ago, when Kohza had just join the rebels, he had saved Farafra, and in doing so had gain the slightly older man loyalty and respect. Of course he hadn't saved Farafra in exchange of something, anybody would have done the same, however the tall man had taken his life debt seriously, and had even lost his shoulder when he in turn saved Kohza's life. The rebel Leader had told him they were quite, and even more so since the war was over, Farafra didn't have to protect him anymore. But Farafra choose, even now, to always stay close enough to him to come to is aid in case of danger, not that he didn't have all confidence in Kohza skills as a warrior, he had seen them first hand, but you could never be too cautious. Farafra would give the rest of his arm for his friend and still the man he considered his leader. Kohza was important, even if himself didn't realize how much yet.
Right now the two men, with a few others, were digging an old oasis well that they hoped could be revived.
"Let's take a break, it wouldn't do for any of us to faint of insolation. And my father would never let us live it down." Kohza said, and the men enthusiastically agreed.
The work was hard, though it was actually a good way to stay in shape so Kohza didn't really mind, you never know what the future would bring after all, best be ready. It said something of his father's vitality that he had dug by himself for over a year, thankfully Kohza it seems had inherited this vitality. But now that he was back he could take over for his father, at least the physical work, and his father could focus on running Yuba as mayor, Kohza helped him in that too of course, a lot of people looked up and listened to him, especially the younger people, even though his leader days were over since a while now.
"Here Kohza-san, have some water."
Lost in his thoughts he hadn't noticed the group of girls surrounding him with cold pitchers of water and Alabastan pastries, smiling at him.
He thanked them politely as he took a cup of water.
"Well we know where your priorities are." One of the men teased the women, as they were in turn served.
"Kohza-san worked a lot harder than you, perhaps you should be less lazy if you want people to admire you and be served first." Retorted one of the girls.
"Perhaps you all should stop admiring Kohza when we're working, and go do something more productive instead."
"Yeah, you haven't got a chance with him anyway, he already got someone way better than you lot." Said another of the men with a smirk.
Kohza turned out the rest of the conversation as the women and men around him argued some more, mostly about his love life, which he felt rather put off about, should he remind them he was still here ? No, then they would just turn their attention, and questions, to him.
Farafra didn't say anything next to him, a good natured smile adorning his face as he watched.
Kohza's thought turned to a blue haired woman, as he looked at the sky, a light breeze cooling the desert heat for an instant as it passed him by, before the hot air came back. He wondered what Vivi was doing right now.
Another chapter that is a bit of a filler, but well in this story it's kind of necessary to show what our two protagonists do while apart.
Anyway, thank you again for the review, it's great to hear from you.