Training Time
GK shifted herself into a defensive position, watching her uncle carefully. He hadn't attacked yet, and she knew for a fact he preferred sneak attacks to any other.
Like she had predicted, he rushed her. GK quickly dodged between his meaty legs and watched him skid to a stop, chuckling. It was a good thing she was smaller than he was. Most people were to begin with, but GK was smaller than most people were. Hun turned and smirked some, snapping his clenched fist at her.
The thirteen-year-old caught his fist in the chest and fell backward with a yell of pain. "Uncle Hun! Careful! I gotta bad heart, remember!"
Hun rolled his eyes and helped her stand up. She caught him by surprise by kicking him hard in a not-so-good area. He yelled and clutched the area, as his niece stood over him, smirking. "First rule, Uncle Hun, never offer assistance to an enemy. Remember?"
He got to his feet, chuckling some. "Good, ya actually remembered for once. We'll make you into a Purple Dragon leader soon, I hope. You'd be good, if ya keep this up."
She remained quiet at his compliment and moved into a defensive stance. The pair began training again, watched by the turtle. He sat tied up on the side, grumbling some.
Slash had to admit, the girl was okay when it came to fighting. She didn't seem to use street fighting, or ninjitsu, when it came to defending herself. Slash had never seen her style before, and he made it a point to study all the fighting techniques he could. GK kept dodging to the side whenever Hun tried to attack her, and she never once tried to hit him. It could have been the fact she didn't want to hurt her uncle, but that seemed unlikely that such a small person could hurt anything.
GK rolled to one side, her bright eyes keeping an eye on Slash. He seemed to be intrigued by this exhibition. She chuckled to herself, dodging her uncle's fists once more. Practice was getting better, GK concluded as her uncle waved her away after thirty minutes. She grabbed a towel and wiped her sweaty face, grimacing as she felt a new zit. She was going to have to get an appointment with one of those face doctors. Derma-something, she tried to remember the name.
Slash moved over for her as she sat down. She leaned back and asked, "So, whatcha think of that?"
"Don't give up your day job," he replied rudely. GK gave him a nasty look and slapped his shoulder lightly.
"You should be lucky you ain't dead yet. If it wasn't for me, my uncle would have shipped you off to his boss. I hear, his boss is intrigued by turtle freaks." She let the words sink in, and smirked as she walked away. Slash glared at her retreating back and muttered, "Just you wait kid, I'm gonna kick your ass if ya keep that attitude up..."
GK rolled her eyes, hearing the threat. She wasn't bothered much by it. Patting Hun's arm, she said, "Listen, gonna go and work at the restaurant. I'll see ya around, alright?"
Hun nodded, watching her run off. He chuckled to himself and walked back up to his office.
Coming Home
GK dodged through the people crowding the sidewalks, skidding to a stop. Her eyes narrowed when she saw her foster sister, Lourdes. The brunette looked up from cleaning the window and smirked. "Mom's gonna kick your butt for being late, you were supposed to be here by eight, remember?"
The older of the two girls ignored her and made her way through the tables. Lourdes followed, sneering, "Where were ya, that stupid gang of yours? They're just a bunch of washed up losers, ya know. Just like you, no wonder you joined them."
GK clenched her hands, struggling to keep her angry retorts back. Failing miserably, she snapped, "And where were you last night, huh? I know those "games" you play with the football players at school. I saw the money too. Don't think I won't tell Wendy that you're whoring around."
The two foster siblings glared at the other, their customers staring. Without a word, the two girls turned and began waiting on the customers, their bad moods visible. GK saw her usual customers, the young men in their hooded sweatshirts and walked over with a fake grin. "Hey guys! What can I get for ya today?"
The one in blue shrugged and said, "Our usual."
Nodding, GK hurried back to Wendy, giving the woman the order. Wendy gave her a disapproving look and said quietly, "GK, what did I tell you about being late? Everything's been so hectic lately, what with Lourdes getting sick all the time and you disappearing all the time with your uncle...Please, for me, will you stay at the restaurant tonight? We've got a party of eight, and I'll need all the help I can get."
GK opened her mouth to protest, then quickly shut it at the look on Wendy's face. Sighing, she nodded. "Don't worry, Wendy, I'll be here tonight..."
"Thank you dear," Wendy replied and hugged her before going back to her cooking. The teenager took back the large pizza to her customers and set it down. She hurried off before they could thank her and got back to work.
Feeling bored out of her mind, GK watched as the party of eight stuff their faces. She sighed in annoyance, getting more wine for them and glanced at the clock. Twelve fourteen, the glowing hands pointed. If it hadn't been for the extra tips she was going to get, GK would have gone to bed long ago.
An hour later, GK and Lourdes began cleaning up the restaurant. The brunette gave her a nasty look and said, "Look, about the argument…"
"I don't wanna talk about it, Lour. Let's just say it never happened, and we don't blackmail one another for it," replied GK tiredly. "'Sides, I wanna get to bed without your claw marks in my skin, all right? Friends?"
"Friends." Lourdes agreed, putting the dirty dishes away. After the restaurant was cleaned up, GK and Lourdes yawned as they trudged up the stairs leading to the apartment above the restaurant. The redhead climbed into the lower bunk bed, saying, "Hey, Lourdes?"
Her tired foster sister's voice answered back, "Yeah?"
"How big WAS Jerry, anyways?"
Lourdes blinked for a moment, then burst out laughing. GK joined in, the pair's laughter echoing throughout the quiet house.
A few days later...
As it was Saturday, it was finally GK's day off, for both the restaurant and the Purple Dragons. Sighing happily as she walked down the street, she felt that she could finally relax. That and she could hang out with Vinnie without getting interrupted. Making her way to Central Park, she sat on a bench, licking a Popsicle while she waited for her strange boyfriend.
She could hear him puffing as he jogged over to her. "S-sorry I'm late, G-GK…"
"Nah, it's okay." GK said, laughing as she handed him his Popsicle. "Considering it seems like ya ran five blocks, I won't smack you."
He laughed, putting his arm around her. GK felt the usual dry and cool skin nuzzle her ear and blushed, saying, "Vinnie! That tickles, stop!"
Laughing, he proceeded to literally tickle her, the pair ignoring the stares they were earning. A few minutes later, they stopped, both breathless with laughter. GK leaned into him, panting as she said, "Y-you win."
She saw a smile flash from under his hood. "Heh, you let me win, youkai. I know what you're capable of, you know."
"Yeah, I know. It's just that since you're such a sore loser, I figured to let ya win." Replied GK, as she stood up, throwing away her Popsicle stick. Vinnie stood up as well, placed his hand around her waist and together the two teenagers walked throughout the park, talking.
"So, you gonna go to that tournament ya uncle's holding?"
"Nah, just gonna watch it. He demanded I stay away from the ring and wait 'til I'm older. What about you?"
"Ain't gonna enter it either. My…dad said for me to stay away from those tournaments."
GK nodded, hugging Vinnie's arm some. She knew he was adopted as well, by a scientist named Duir. He also had two little sisters, both that GK never saw for some reason.
"So how's Taylz and Kiki?"
"They're doing good. Taylz still isn't talking, but Kiki learned a new word today."
"What was that?"
Vinnie laughed and imitated an irritated child's voice. "You fucktard! Duir isn't too happy with that one."
"For good reason. Heh, she's already gotten most of her cuss words down, right?"
"Yeah, and it's getting pretty funny. Whenever Duir gets mad at Kiki, she starts throwing a tantrum and cusses him out."
She nodded, looking ahead. "So, whaddya think of that turtle, Slash?"
GK felt him hesitate and looked at him, blinking. "Vinnie?"
"Sorry." He quickly replied. "It's just…it's nothing. Anyways, I dunno what I think of him. He's okay. I've talked to him a few times and he seems nice."
"Nice?" GK burst out laughing. "The guy's an ass! Honestly, I try to treat him good, but I swear, it's like he thinks anyone in the Purple Dragons are bad."
"Well, we are bad. GK, why don't ya try to get to know him? He's had it pretty rough lately, ya know? Do that psychology thing you're so interested for him."
She looked at him again, raising an eyebrow and saying, "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're nuts. Feeling sorry for an enemy and then asking me to help him out? Vinnie Mortelli, you never cease to confound me."
Vinnie laughed quietly, hugging her. "Heh, that's my job. Look, I'm gonna head home, alright? Duir wants me to get some Chinese takeout and watch the twins. I'll see ya later." He kissed her cheek and ran off.
GK watched him run and headed to the nearest hotdog vender. Walking and talking always upped her appetite.
