Whatever benevolent being that controlled the weather blessed Tosa with a sky full of scattered clouds keeping the atmosphere cool. It wasn't muggy as usual, granting the Farmer's market attendants a welcome break from the heat. Ibuki internally expressed more gratitude than the rest. Ever since arriving to Tosa via train, her only place of shelter was a hollowed-out tree in the forest. The overarching foliage in that area trapped the heat making her time here unbearable.
"Excuse me. Pardon me." she mumbled after bumping shoulders. That day the farmer's market in Tosa was overswept by high foot traffic much like the train station in Tokyo. This time, however, Ibuki left her thieving antics behind. No accidental "bumps", no sleight of hand into the back pocket, no handshakes to steal a wrist watch. A new place means a new start. A clean slate. Her focus fixated on the crystal clear objective: getting a job.
And there was one place where she felt guaranteed to get it.
There's just the matter of finding where exactly Makoto's stand was. The farmer's market isn't complex in layout by any means. So few stands stood out in appearance which made it hard to get a grasp of her location.
Her sneakers stepped along the dirt path between the rows of stands on both sides. At both sides the farmer's contested against one another in volume to grab a potential customer's attention in hopes of a quick sale.
"Get your meats here! Fine marbled, high quality meats here!"
"Soybeans going fast! Get 'em while they're hot!"
Ibuki's frustration dealing with the other customers obstructing her line of sight forced her to walk on the tips of her toes. Over the sea of heads, she spotted Makoto's stand bare of any life. It's almost as if the surrounding space is a repulsive force field that repelled potential customers away. Regardless of the obvious low foot traffic, the martial artist wore a look of unyielding determination, "Looks like I'm catching her at a good time."
Ibuki wet the palm of her hand with her own saliva and slicked her hair back. Another palm of saliva finely straightened her long ponytail. Brimming with confidence, Ibuki slipped through the crowd and into the clearing before Makoto's stand.
Ibuki folded her arms on the counter, ready to work her magic, "Hey, how's it going?" Makoto grinned, more naturally than last time, "Good. Ibuki, right? Things are pretty good. Yerself?" Ibuki shrugged her shoulders, "Life couldn't be better."
The two turned their heads toward the crowd of people going about their day. Ibuki felt reminiscent of the train station, but at a fourth the speed. Not so much hustle and bustle here, rather that people are enjoying their time gathering necessities and having fun.
"So, uh, you wouldn't happen to have any job openings would you?" Ibuki nervously gripped the shoulder straps of her backpack. Makoto paused, as if she had just heard the phrase "job opening" for the first time in her life, "Job openings?" Makoto sneered, "Eh, no." She looked back towards the market.
"A-Are you sure? What about some help attracting customers or-", Makoto shook her scruffy black haired head, "Nope. No jobs."
"Really?"
"Really."
That was it. The one person at the market who wasn't a middle aged man or an elder shot down her inquiry quickly. Ibuki bit her tongue, disheartened, "Uh, cool. I'll buy an apple then." The exchange was made and Ibuki went on her way.
Like always, Ibuki had a back up plan for these sorts of situations. A little more drastic yes, but certain to get her needs met.
"Looks like it's onto Plan B."
That cloudy white sky turned into an orange sea that afternoon. The sound of footsteps and rocks tumbling against one another alerted Ibuki who hid behind a tree. She peered from beside it to see Makoto lugging unsold produce from her stand. "Someone's got their hands full," Ibuki pinched a makeshift kunai she whittled from an apple core between her fingers, "Time for a little divine intervention." With pinpoint precision, one masterful flick of the wrist sent the kunai whizzing through the air towards the bottom of Makoto's bookbag where the fabric split against the sharp edge. The produce inside spilled out onto the rocky path.
"Son of a bitch!" Makoto spat, setting the buckets down.
Ibuki gasped audibly, making an appearance from behind the tree. "Oh no! All that stuff fell out of your bookbag! Let me help you with that." Utilizing her agility, limited by the soreness in her ribcage, Ibuki retrieved the foodstuffs from the ground into her folded arms at impressive speed. She brought them towards Makoto with a smile, "Say. Don't you think you could use someone as fast as me?"
Ten seconds passed. Nothing came from either of them. Ibuki opened her eyes to see Makoto's face, tired and angry. Her eyes were narrow, analyzing the person before her. Nostrils flared, a tight frown, and a deep scowl. Swiftly Makoto slapped everything from Ibuki's grasp back to the ground. The ninja swallowed nervously. The martial artist snatched Ibuki by the collar, bringing the two face to face, "Are ya mockin' me?"
Does this chick know what personal space is?
Ibuki attempted to pry herself from Makoto's grasp, but her fist remained locked like a bank safe, "No. No. No. No. No." Ibuki's mind pranced around for an answer, "It's just a...funny coincidence."
"Funny?" Makoto shoved Ibuki flat on her back, disturbing the healing process her ribs had gone through. Seconds slowly tick by as Makoto approaches one step at a time, "Get up." Ibuki's breath trembled, unable to steady her shaken nerves. She scrambles up to her feet, feeling pinned by the tree behind her. Makoto focuses both eyes on Ibuki, her gaze cold and unforgiving. Makoto snapped into her combat stance in a blink of an eye. In another she threw out a blinding fast strike.
WHUNK
Leaves shook from the tree branches and fluttered to the ground. Makoto's fist planted on its target with a sickening crunch. Her terrifying strength left a permanent impression of her fist. Makoto pulled her fist from the inches deep impression she made in the tree bark. Ibuki stood beside the tree, heart thumping as adrenaline shot through her veins.
Makoto's face stretched, astonished, "You ARE fast!"
Makoto struck again, going for Ibuki's feet with a quick sweep. The ninja avoided the attempt just as quickly as before. "I don't know what the hell you were doing over there. Hiding behind that tree, but I know one thing for sure," Makoto's face brightened, "You know how to fight." Makoto deeped her stance once again going for Ibuki.
No amount of talking would get Ibuki out of this one, as it seemed clear Makoto felt passionate about the thrill of fighting. Ibuki unwillingly gave into the demand only remaining cautious of her injury. However, In the world of fighting there is no such thing as a perfect defense. Everyone has a weak point. It's all a matter of adjusting your focus to cover that new weak point. Despite trading blow for blow the slip-up was bound to happen.
Makoto exhausted Ibuki's defense by offering an overwhelming offense mid-match. When one strike was blocked another came right after just a strong. Makoto came quickly to the realization that Ibuki's defense focused entirely too much on protecting her torso. An unexpected leg sweep forced Ibuki to lose balance. In that time, Makoto made several impacts to the chest and groin area. The sudden surge of pain became too much to bear. Ibuki stumbled backwards holding up her hands, "Stop! Please!". She doubled over, fell back, and clutched her side. Makoto stood next to her with a balled fist of pride, "Hmph. I must be getting pretty strong!"
"No, you meathead! My ribs were already hurt!" yelled Ibuki, following several coughs. She twinged feeling her rib cage throb in pain. Makoto, no longer fueled by the thrill of the fight, knelt down next to her injured opponent, "Show me." Ibuki hesitated for a moment, but gave in. She lifted her shirt to let Makoto witness the extent of her injury. Splotches of red and purple were painted on her upper torso. A curious index finger jabbed Ibuki's side, "Ow! You fucking prick!"
Makoto shot to her feet, "That settles it. We've gotta get ya to a doctor."
"No. No," Ibuki struggled to get to her own feet, "I'll leave-" Makoto wrapped her arm firmly around Ibuki bringing them shoulder to shoulder. Ibuki experienced Makoto's scent which smelled of sweat and musty wood. She could feel Makoto's hardened muscles pressing on to her own. Similarly, Makoto whiffed Ibuki's scent which consisted of deodorant and grime. As if the woman hadn't bathed in a while. Her arm felt along Ibuki's shoulder which matched how it looked; defined and strong.
"Look, ya ain't gonna be much use to me if yer hurt. Let's get ya fixed up." Even in pain, the words brought a smile to Ibuki's face, "You mean I got the job?" Makoto tugged the injured ninja along with her, "Not until you explain just who you are."
In between destinations, Ibuki gave her life story; The Glade of Ninjas, her way of life in Tokyo, the underground fighting ring, the department store fire...everything. Makoto remained silent after hearing Ibuki's story. Probably trying to process some of the things she told her as fact or fiction. Together, the pair made it to the hospital just as night had fallen.
A staff member relocated the pair into an isolated room to await the practitioner. The walls were a clean stale white with a wallpaper wrapping around just below waist height. Ibuki took her spot on the patients table, kicking her dangling feet in the air. Makoto sat on a nearby chair cracking her knuckles.
Not a word had been exchanged between them since Ibuki concluded her story.
The surrounding appliance provided noise to keep the silence from feeling maddening. Above the fluorescent lights gently hummed to add a constant sound. The faucet on the counter occasionally dripped to a metallic THUNK. Makoto unknowingly joined in by popping her knuckles and her neck bones.
"Shadow clones."
Ibuki turned to Makoto, their eyes meeting, "You have to be able to do shadow clones."
"Never got that far into my training," she replied, "The closest I can do is substitution."
"Throwing knives?" Makoto added.
"Kunias. I lost the metal ones I had. So I use wood." Inquiries of Ibuki's ninja prowess stopped then and there. For a brief second anyways.
"Giant Frog."
"What?"
Makoto's eyes shot back towards Ibuki's. She spoke again with clearer diction, "Can you summon a giant talking frog?"
"What the fuck are you talking about?"
Makoto lunged at Ibuki grabbing her by the shirt, "I know you're hiding some sort of secret technique from me! You're going to teach me whether you want to or not!" Two gentle knocks silenced the room. The door swung open following whom they've been waiting for, "Good afternoon, friends. How are we today?"
"Could be better I suppose," answered Ibuki. The doctor walked over to the counter and picked up the clipboard the nurse left beforehand, "Let's see here. Ah! Broken ribs! How did this happen?" Makoto stepped off from Ibuki, "We were sparring when I tapped into my true potential and delivered a devastating blow that turned her ribs into dust." The doctor tilted her head of snow white hair. Ibuki pinched the bridge of her nose, "We were rough housing..."
The doctor looked closer at Makoto, "Yes! You're the Rindokan master I've heard so much about! Your track record is-" The acknowledgment seemed to excite Makoto. The martial artist proudly swiped her thumb across her nose, "Impressive, innit?"
"The doctors share stories of how your time in school made the local dentist a rich man." The two shared a laugh. Ibuki found herself curious pondering if such stories were fact or fiction.
"Forgive me," the doctor's blue eyes shot wide open, "I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Medical intern Ng'ang'a filling in for the normal doctor while he's out on vacation. You can call me Elena."
Elena stood many heads taller than Ibuki and Makoto with a slightly lanky build including incredibly long limbs. Her different skin tone gave away that she wasn't from Japan. Most importantly, Elena had a smile that could warm the coldest of hearts.
"I haven't seen you around town before? Ya new?" asked Makoto to which Elena responded, "I come from Kenya to study medicine abroad." Elena gathered her tools as she continued to explain, "Just doing simple things, nothing too serious."
Ibuki leaned forward, "Broken ribs are simple?"
"Simple as in anything, but surgery."
Elena proceeded with Ibuki's examination. A very simple process. Use the stethoscope to listen for the heart and determine any shortness of breath. Next came a visual inspection, Ibuki removed her shirt for Elena to examine the damage. Elena noted that Ibuki appeared underweight. Her slightly visible rib cage and cold fingers were telltale signs. "Does it hurt here or more here?" Elena gently prodded a finger into Ibuki's side. The injured grunted a response once the most painful spot had been touched.
"I'd expect a full recovery within four to six weeks. No heavy lifting. Plenty of rest," Elena placed her gaze specifically on Makoto, "And no sparring or rough housing." Makoto rolled her eyes.
"In the meantime I'll prescribe you painkillers to make your life a little easier," Elena handed Ibuki the clipboard, "Just fill out some basic information and I'll be right back."
The room went back to the quiet from before. Ibuki tended to the paperwork, jotting down what information she could.
First Name: Ibuki. Last Name: ...
Being an orphan in the Ninja Glade Ibuki never had a last name nor the need for once. Hence why none of the villagers gave her one. Her eyes shot around the room for inspiration. On the counter laid a small well kempty bonsai tree.
Last Name: Banzai
"Phone Number and Address...", Makoto snatched the clipboard from Ibuki and scribbled the rest of the information, "There. As far as anyone is concerned you live with me. Got it?"
"Does that mean..."
"Mean what?"
Ibuki shyly touched the tips of her index fingers together, "Well...I may or may not be...homeless...", Makoto crossed her arms followed by tilting her head, "You're just full of surprises aren't you?" Ibuki brought out the puppy dog eyes that softened Makoto's steely, cold gaze, "C'mon, Makoto. After all you did beat up someone who is already injured-"
"Fine! You can stay. For two weeks," grunted Makoto to which Ibuki celebrated with a gentle fist pump.
At that moment, Elena returned to the room. The clipboard exchange was made meaning business here concluded, "Before you leave," Elena fished in her coat pockets. "I can't leave a patient empty handed. I've got three things for you!"
"Huh?"
Elena held out two lollipops, "One for each new friend I made today." Makoto grabbed the green apple; Ibuki took the cherry flavor, "Gee, thanks! What's the third thing?" Elena reached into her coat pocket once again and handed Ibuki a slip of paper, "The bill."
Outside the hospital, Ibuki's built up internal stress went external, "TWENTY TWO THOUSAND YEN?!" Ibuki paced in front of the shop where the two grabbed sandwiches for dinner, "How the hell am I supposed to pay this? All she did was tell me things I already knew! All I have is a thousand yen to my name!"
Makoto calmly chomped from her egg sandwich, "I can take care of it as long as ya work off the rest ya owe for that bill." Momentarily Ibuki forgot that since they cleared the air Makoto had given her a job, "I'll start ya off real simple. Then when you heal up I'll get you on the regular work. It's incredibly simple stuff and the pay is alright." Makoto tossed away the wrapper for her sandwich, dusted off her hands, and firmly hocked a loogie in her right palm.
"We gotta deal?"
Ibuki grimaced, the circumstances of her future situation looked bright, an admirable one too, but the deed to seal the deal between the two seemed less than ideal. "Well...when in Rome..." Ibuki spat into her right hand.
The two clasped hands and shook on it. "Then it's settled," Makoto knelt down before Ibuki facing forward, "Now hop on my back."
"Huh?"
"Dealing with yer injury put me off schedule for today's workout. I see this as an opportunity to make up for it. Now get on." There wasn't a point in contesting against it. She's come so far, why stop now? Ibuki leapt on Makoto's back, wrapping her arms around her strong shoulders.
The distance going home Makoto alternated between lunging and squatting each step.
A house to sleep and a job. I sure am making strides for someone who's new to town. In a place like this, I don't imagine there's going to be much excitement. I could use just that for a while.
Plan B worked like a charm.