Part 2.
Willpower
Small feet pitter-pattered against the hard wooden floor. A light rap woke Naia up first, Sagat stirring in his sleep directly after. Haru stood clinging to the door running over to the two. He had tears in his eyes hugging Naia as she carefully crept over the rather unfamiliar figure. She recalled who Haru was but not this guy.
"Naia! I woke up and you were gone! Thunder scares me...Mom still isn't back."
He clutched tightly onto her burying his face against her midsection.
"What am I gonna do if she doesn't come back?! Waahhh!"
She gently stroked his hair attempting to provide what little reassurance that she could.
"I know how you feel kiddo. I'm missing my momma too."
The guy came from behind, bonking the little kid on the head gently which still didn't feel very good.
"Meanie!"
"You should learn how to fight as well. It will serve you right to mimick my actions and pay attention."
All the sudden the memories of him came back, flooding in all at once. She muttered "ʻO ka gilikua"...(The giant...).
"Speak up girl."
"Ahh, it matters not. We are ready to learn, aren't we Haru? This can only make us stronger after all."
"Naia...I'm hungry."
They followed him outside after he put his shorts back on, thankful that the rain now tapered instead of remaining a downpour.
"He's mean though! I don't wanna learn from him! You teach me..."
"Haru! Be nice..."
Sagat narrowed his gaze at the boy, peering down.
"Once you're finished suckling from her tit then perhaps we can get started. The longer training is delayed, the longer it will take to have breakfast."
"Sagat! He is just a little one!"
"He could be a Prince for all I care, this is still no place for the weak. You both urgently need taught which is why I'm still here. It's time that you both grow up. There is no other option. As for you Naia, why you weren't taught years ago escapes me."
"My father taught my older sister and she easily took to martial arts. I however did not, following after my mother. I wasn't all that good at it and lost interest."
"You're going to learn now and this time you will succeed. It's a matter of having willpower and knowing that you can accomplish a difficult feat instead of can't. Understand?"
Haru now stood at Naia's side after she finally coaxed him there but still held steadfast to her skirt.
"Yes."
"You will address me as Sir while I teach you. Got it?"
"Yes...Sir."
"That was pathetic. Speak up louder or do you wish to stand here all morning?"
"Yes Sir!"
"Mh. Now, follow."
They did indeed sleep all of yesterday, sunrise now making its presence known. The ground was muddy and so she removed her sandals before starting. Haru followed suit, placing his beside hers on the porch.
"You need to stretch before we begin. Do it this way each morning."
He did basic stretches which should have been easy. Alas, nothing seemed easy with this guy, instructing them to do this for twenty minutes already tiring the two out.
"Can we take a break...Sir?"
"Are you serious? We have yet to even begin."
She sighed, trying to breathe deeply just as he instructed, falling onto both knees. Haru did likewise, voicing his feelings which didn't improve Sagat's mood.
"I wanna rest too! I'm still hungry..."
"Either listen or I'll be on my way."
Both sulked for a minute til she slowly stood back up, helping Haru.
He took on a wide stance making a simple punching motion with his fist balled. They mimicked this for a minute until switching to a forward kick doing so for another minutes time. Afterwards he punched twice with one fist, switching to the other and doing the same move. Next he performed a side kick. At that point the two pupils lost their balance with Haru falling first, landing in the muck with a small squish. Naia tripped when trying to help him up landing on her bottom as well.
Sagat brought his hand to his forehead doing his best at remaining calm. He assumed the former position, intense stare never wavering.
"Stand. Now."
She left Haru to stand on his own whispering "sorry". After a moment both were ready and continued for nearly an hours time repeating basic punches and kicks. They practically crawled back onto the porch completely out of breath.
"Can we...eat now, Sir?"
There came that damn affirmation grunt of his again walking past them not even bothering to look their way. He took his seat at the dining room table when waiting for the two. She wiped her feet before entering noticing that Sagat had the courtesy to do so as well. She might not have that many chores today after all.
Haru basically did everything she did, clearly preferring her over the latter which irked the tall man. She showed him to the bathroom saying "Let's get you cleaned up here...".
Both looked squeaky clean as they could possibly be when returning; Haru still sitting at the far end of the table. She placed two towels down on the cushioned floral chairs before they both sat down trying to keep things neat.
"We can have yesterday's meal. The food should still be fine since the power has not been off for very long. After this, there will be hardly any food left. We need to go shopping..."
She tried heating the food up on the stove top but the power was still out.
"Shoot...That is right. No power still. It often takes two days or more for the power company to fix this issue."
She divided the porridge into three small portions, placing the bowls in front of everyone along with cups of water. They ate in silence again as Sagat unexpectedly spoke finishing what could hardly be called breakfast in seconds. The portion size was meant for two people not three.
"I'll go to the store. You two stay here. Lock the door this time."
"But will you not need help carrying-"
A death glare silenced her as Haru clung to her arm. She patted him back rubbing his back gently.
"Take care."
It sounded more like a goodbye rather than a see you later response. He scoffed this time, crossing both arms. One thing remained certain; he was no pushover.
Haru decided he'd rather play in the mud than sulk. She didn't mind this, telling him he could clean up later on, already having cleaned up herself. She sat on the porch dressed in a strapless white laced dress this time while rocking in a rocking chair beside the swing, smiling at his now cheerful display. He reminded her of when she had been smaller wishing how she could just be happy again for a moment, forgetting the recent tragedy if only on a temporary basis.
A distant figure approached minutes later. It must have been nearly thirty minutes since his leaving. Surely he couldn't be coming back already.
She brought the side of her palm to her forehead, trying to peer from afar. Not wanting to take any chances she called for Haru.
"Haru! Let's go back inside!"
He followed her gaze to where the figure was then hurried back still wiping his feet on the tan welcome mat before entering back inside.
"Hm, wait a minute."
Just then something rustled in the bushes. A branch shook til a small silhouette leapt out and onto the porch revealing a small black cat with yellow eyes. It meowed seeming to be unsure of whether to trust them or not.
"Aww, can we keep it Naia? Can we?"
"Wait Haru, don't get too excited. We may scare it away."
She crouched down, softly calling the little critter over.
"Come on little one, it is all right."
The animal cautiously made its way over to them, sniffling her outstretched hand. Haru mimicked her once more slowly holding his out. The kitty purred affectionately rubbing up against both hands realizing the two meant no harm. A loud clap however caused it to look back then scurry away leaping back into the bushes. She now noticed the figure coming from the light mist to be Sagat's, sighing in relief yet still irritated he did that just now.
"Why did you do that for? We were trying to make a new friend!"
He carried three large bags of groceries on each arm placing each one on the porch with a heavy thud following after. Each one must have weighed nearly as much as Haru.
"Start helping."
She crossed her arms this time then placed them on her hips storming in directly behind.
"We could have kept the little animal. There was no need to do what you had just done."
"Another mouth to feed. That's something that isn't necessary and can be easily avoided. The creature can clearly fend for itself if it's still alive."
"You are unbelievable...Is that all you think about? Do you even feel anything anymore?"
He gave a death glare again to which she countered, Haru squeaking out how he would be in the shower.
"You both need a change of clothes. We should also pick some of those-"
"Already did. You would know that if you started carrying bags in instead of incessantly complaining about petty matters."
The thought of her uncle crossed her mind, how he used to refocus her on each lesson...How patient he tried to be.
She turned away while stifling back tears again refusing to let him see her cry. All he would do was criticize how weak it made her look especially after that conversation. He wasn't exactly the consoling type.
Naia now focused on dragging each bag into the kitchen unable to lift them. She didn't say a word when preparing lunch, making sushi rolls. At least they could eat raw fish. She still preferred to cook the fish then refrigerate it afterwards. It tasted better that way to her but this would have to do for now.
Haru came out and whimpered, fear written all over his expression. He came to Naia of course tugging on her skirt.
"Naia, I need your help."
"After I finish cooking."
Sagat stood proceeding towards the bathroom.
"I need your help in the bathroom...It can't wait."
Sagat let out a displeased grunt before continuing on his way.
"No! Wait!"
He entered the bathroom to find the floor completely soaked along with the porcelain toothbrush holder and soap dish shattered below the sink.
"I didn't mean to knock them off...It was an accident, I swear!"
The stern man let out a sigh this time around, picking the boy up and placing him in the hallway. He closed the door not paying Haru any further attention. Naia came just then looking down at the scruffy kid with his sad puppy dog eyed expression, taking his tiny hand in hers and leading him back to the kitchen table.
"Come on now. Tell me what happened this time?"
"I didn't mean to knock things down off the sink and didn't know what to do with that curtain. Mom and I only use a bath tub not a shower. He just picked me up and moved me out of his way...I guess that's all I'm good for is getting in peoples way and messing things up."
"Haru, that is not true. Try to smile even when you hurt or feel bad. It will not only help you feel better but those around you to as well. Think of happier times with family and friends. You must make a strong effort to focus on the positive. Believe me, this will help you feel much better. You can still come to me if something is bothering you but please try and do these things."
He hugged her after a short pause, burying his squishy face into her petite chest this time. She patted him lightly chuckling.
"I wish we could stay this way for longer."
"Me too Haru, me too."
Sagat went back into the dining room taking his usual seat.
"We can sit with each other later on buddy. We need to eat in order to stay strong."
He reluctantly let go following her like a lost puppy as always. She finished wrapping her last two rolls on her own plate making sure that everyone had five. She put five grapes on the side of each one making sure her count was right. They waited for her to bring her own meal and sit down before eating then said a quick internal prayer.
No one spoke again while eating. The silence felt awkward and strained. After they finished she washed dishes then put them away, telling Haru he could play with her toys in the living room.
"Honey, why not go into the living room and open that big chest up beside the t.v.? I'll come join you in a little while!"
She bent down on his level when speaking, patting a shoulder.
"Okay!"
He smiled eagerly running over to the chest afterwards. His eyes lit up even brighter and smile broadened while looking over the selection of play things.
"Sagat, I need to talk with you. Come to the bedroom please."
He appeared to be meditating again so she spoke in a near whisper, not wanting him angered. He joined her after a moment standing in the doorway with arms still crossed, expression just as equal.
"Sit down next to me but close the door first, if you please."
His hand carelessly shut it. He joined her just as she wanted looking straight ahead.
"Your lesson isn't over today. We should train soon."
"With all due respect Sir, this has nothing to do with training. Listen when...How can I put this...When you are dealing with women and children, it is important to be sensitive and empathetic. Our feelings hurt easily...especially girls. You need to be delicate with us since we are delicate; if not on the outside then surely on the inside.
It is better to speak softly and lovingly...Sagat, you really hurt not only Haru's feelings but mine as well. We have no idea where our mothers are and he probably lost his father too. Try to have some compassion-"
"That's enough. If you're looking for love then you're sorely mistaken. I had to raise myself as a child. Love is something that will get you killed in this world. Trust no one. Love no one.
Only focus on bettering yourself while helping those in need not because it will be done out of love but a good deed given and in turn, given back. Karma is a concept that couldn't be any more real. That is how you survive in any situation. Only defending yourself or killing when necessary which is why we should be training now."
"I'm sorry you feel that way but my circumstances were different growing up...I always felt loved by my family. I wish you could have too."
"Wishing will get you nowhere fast, girl."
"That isn't my name. Besides, I am a young woman, not a girl."
"Fine then, woman."
"If you insist on acting like a stubborn mule then I will not bother even trying to talk with you. I will not be training anymore today and neither will Haru since we are both exhausted."
"You will and that is final."
"We just started rigorous lessons this morning...It takes time to gradually increase each one."
"If not then my time has been wasted."
"Oh, so you will just threaten to leave us again? How will it make you feel if something terrible happens to us, huh? What if I get...what if something awful happened and we both died?"
"This conversation is over. I have an errand to run."
"Tell me how you would feel."
He got up to leave only to be grabbed by her small hands, firmly hugging his waist.
"I want you to hug me before you leave."
"Hn?"
"Every good deed should be returned. You said so yourself."
He could kick himself in the ass right now. He forced himself to face her, her mouth nearly coming into contact with forbidden territory. She let out a slight squeal when feeling his "thing" as she called it press firmly against her lips, barely concealed at this point. It looked strange when sticking out that way causing peculiar unfamiliar feelings to stir.
"Now do you see why your suggestion didn't work? This is why I don't hug."
"Hang on a minute. This will to work."
She climbed onto the bed, holding out both arms.
"Now where is my hug?"
They were the same height now. He took her into a gentle embrace breaking it just as quickly as it started.
"Lock the door. Only answer it for me or family."
"That wasn't a hug."
"Woman, are you trying to tempt fate?"
"What do you-"
He silenced her with a kiss, hugging for longer this time. She signed into it, frozen stiff just standing there in place. Something made her want to do much more yet she resisted that urge. She wanted to please not only him, but others in forbidden ways. She wanted to lick his lips as his tongue made its way into her mouth. She wanted her knees to buckle while tightening her hold around him, moaning his name. And that would be it, she would break him and all others who thought they had control, reducing them to nothing more than horny, lustful men and women, crushing any resolve which remained.
She held back a moan, feeling him pull away while practically running out of the door. Besides the last thing that she wanted was for Haru to walk in on anything awful, nor did she feel right about engaging in any adult activities. She knew very well it could all happen later on and apparently so did he. Right then, a haze lifted from her head causing the young woman to nearly pass out. Her hands cradled the peculiar sensation felt within the squishy organ rubbing both temples.
"What is happening to me...Why did I just do that? It felt as though I were looking through the eyes of someone else. He must be just as confused as I am."
She forced herself to stand, walking into the living room and leaning against the wall for support. Haru played with army men and dolls, blissfully unaware of her current condition until he heard a thud. The last thing she remembered was locking the door, muttering Haru's name then Haru calling for her before she fell limply onto the ground.
