A/N: At last we've reached the final scene. Like I mentioned last chapter, these scenes were made by Editor-san and I don't know which characters he's going to use in them until he sends me the DocX. So I'm just as much in the dark as you all. Let's see who he decided to finish the series off with.
The training hall was occupied at this time of night as Momiji put in an evening workout to keep from growing stiff. Since dawn, she had been up with no rest in between to continue her training. Helping with the task were Kasumi and Ayane. The three weren't besties but knew teamwork was paramount whenever called. Ryu and Hayate made sure no infighting occurred as part of their partnership.
Each kunoichi went their separate ways to spar on their own after more than three hours. Momiji then opted to stretch after taking a less than satisfying lesson. Never take on an experienced ninja, let alone two. Kasumi and Ayane were unmerciful in their methods, though Momiji knew it would only make her stronger in the end. She wished, however, that they didn't attempt to maim her. The Dragon Shrine Maiden supposed that was the way they were, referring to their sibling rivalry. Momiji could sense the hatred in Ayane but chose not to question either nor bother Ryu and Hayate with such a trivial matter.
Despite the numerous welts, Momiji seemed content with how she was progressing. Ryu's teaching combined with constant sparring heightened her awareness and an improved skill set. Her strength had also increased noticeably, something even the ninja sisters detected. The advanced techniques made Momiji lose track of time as the art's movement, and exertion had taken considerable stamina to keep up. She stood still to gain a breather, profuse sweat lining against her furrowed brow.
It was then Momiji spotted Jai out of the corner of her eye.
There he stood outside his designated room, viewing the full moon in its splendor, leaning against the doorframe while lost in thought. Momiji contemplated the best options. Approach, or leave him be to his musings. He was a mystery to her and the others, yet Jai's apprehension lessened whenever she was around.
Decision made, Momiji carefully approached her guest. Jai didn't visibly acknowledge her presence as she drew closer. She predicted that he knew she was there, his silence undeterred as it added to the quiet demeanor.
Momiji kept a respectable distance as not to startle him, moving toward the steps that were out of his vision. Nothing was said for a lengthy period, except for the occasional cricket.
"Evening, Ms. Momiji," Jai broke the muteness.
The gentleness of his voice threw the Maiden off guard momentarily before she responded in kind. "Likewise, but no need for the Ms., Jai. You may call me Momiji."
"Apologies. It's how I address people that i don't know."
"I understand." Momiji paused. "You don't mind any company, do you?"
"Not at all. You've been the most hospitable person to me since my arrival." Gradually, Jai turned around to get a clear view of her. "Tell me. Why is that?"
Another long pause hung in the air as Momiji contemplated his inquiry. Why did she greet him with kindness rather than hostility? Ryu and the others weren't so keen on welcoming an outsider into their estate, especially when Jai appeared from a portal out of nowhere. Not to mention the ninjas were in a conflict of their own.
"I always believed in peace before fighting despite my occupation. Plus, you seem easy to talk to," Momiji answered.
For the first time, she saw Jai smile. "Most would agree with your assessment."
"Jai, if you don't mind me asking. How did you get here? Where do you call home?"
"Honestly, even I don't know how I became displaced. I assume we aren't too different from each other in how we protect the ones we care for, even if it involves violence. As for my home, I hail from a realm called Edenia. It's a place much like here but not as technologically advanced as your world."
"I see. Was there anyone you left behind?"
The question stilled Jai as if it pierced him unexpectedly. If preferable, he didn't want to answer. Yet, he found himself growing to trust the Maiden who had shown no inkling of distrust or anything of the like.
"Oh, forgive me. I didn't mean to-"
"No, you've done nothing wrong," Jai interrupted, his head lowering. "It was nighttime when that portal snatched me away from my family - a wife with our five children."
Momiji didn't let the shock she felt appear on her face, not expecting that reply. There was more to her visitor than she anticipated.
Jai heaved a sigh, turning away to gaze at the moon again. "We were putting them all to bed when that occurrence took place. They are rightfully worried about my sudden disappearance. And I fear for their safety with no idea of how I can return to protect them."
Everything happened in a flash and without warning. The atmosphere quickly turned uncomfortable for the young man as it was still processing in his head. Momiji completely understood his pain, lost where he had no knowledge with almost no one to trust. Perhaps this was why she wanted to befriend him and build as much trust as necessary. After all, Jai did lend a hand to help fend off the attack earlier in the week.
Boldly, Momiji placed a hand on his shoulder, the contact stiffening his entire body. "I'm truly sorry for your plight. Just know that no matter what my master or the others say, you'll always be welcomed here. It's my way of saying thank you for helping us." Her voice held confidence and reassurance that everything would be ok despite the unfortunate circumstances in how he arrived. "Your family. May I... learn more?"
Feeling more comfortable than at any point, Jai turned around and raised his right hand. Around the wrist was an onyx bead bracelet that Momiji had noticed a few days back. She figured it was a symbol or a deep semblance of meaning to him.
Jai carefully picked one bead, the calligraphy in his native tongue as he read each name. "This is Jade, my loving wife." He chose the next bead. "Jamiyah and Jamaar, our first fraternal children. Jazmine, then our other twins, Moses and Desiree."
Momiji gave a caring smile. "All wonderful names. Your wife is fortunate to have you as a spouse."
"Not as much as I am to have her. She's... she's my everything, as are our blessings. I know Jade can handle herself and take care of them, but I feel as though I've abandoned them."
"Don't say things you know aren't true, Jai," Momiji lightly reprimanded him. "Especially regarding things out of your control. I can't promise you anything, but I believe you'll see them again."
"It's why I fight, Momiji. They are the fuel that keeps me going. What about you? What's your reason?"
"I train every day to rid the world of evil alongside my master and ninja brethren. Master Ryu wanted me to devote most of my time perfecting what he taught me. However, I've grown to appreciate the art we've honed. I've grown stronger as a result, but not to where I'm satisfied or complacent."
"So you seek to improve on your craft. That's something I not only respect but admire."
Momiji failed to fight down a blush creeping across her face. "Th-thank you."
"No need to be embarrassed by me, Momiji. I merely speak on what I believe."
"Even though you just met me?"
"Of course."
The two turned back to the moon, now covered with faint clouds as sakura petals filled the air. Momiji had gained enough courage to stay right by Jai's side, her hand never straying off his shoulder. He slowly raised a free hand to clasp gently over hers, silently accepting her token of friendship. They remained there for several minutes, sharing an instance of human compassion in the throughs of anxiety, despair, and uncertainty around them.
A/N: Ah, I had a feeling he was going to pick Momiji. In our discussions and whenever one of us makes a scene with her involved there almost always happens to be a bit more in the dialogue than what I put in. He's been pushing for her hard these past few weeks since we started storyboarding. Though I wished he picked a DOA Woman neither of us didn't use, him using Jai instead of Yao is a nice spin on things and besides. I'm his partner, not his mother.
With this scene, Testing the Waters is finished. What did you think of the scenes? Which DOA Lady is your favorite out of the ones we used? Which scene was your favorite? Out of me and Editor-san who did you think wrote the better scenes overall? Let me know with a PM or a Review, go read up on Yao Guai's Journey since that will be the prerequisite for the actual DOA story, and I plan on making a poll based on Testing the Waters so in a few hours check my Profile out and vote on it. I'll see you all real soon! Bye!