Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai Jack.

Author's note:

I'm not a fan of OC's, but I do want to practice building strong characters and developing personalities that aren't created for the soul purpose of pairing with a canon character.

I personally like developing friendship, it makes the small hints of affection even more meaningful.

Inspiration: I wanted to create a story promoting diversity and acceptance. My two biggest inspirations were the show itself and my own background. One of the most admirable aspects of "Samurai Jack" was taking a character who was born and raised in a land rich in tradition and honor, and had him travel, train, and learn from cultures different than his own. It really speaks of a person who is so honorable that they keep their own traditions and customs, but still respect and honor those that are different then their own, as strange as they maybe.

I come from a multiracial background, so I wanted to create a story where he comes across someone who is once again different then himself, but not completely. Someone who's family stems from the same ancestry as his own, but yet still very we are told is the norm and what it beautiful, might not always been the eyes of all, and even those who are deeply rooted in tradition, might think the most beautiful thing in the world are the things most different then themselves. Almost like a breath of fresh air. I wanted to do this through genuine friendship other then anything forced or out of character.

Oddities: 2

The forest can hold much excitement for those who are able to take full advantage of its surroundings. If blessed with the capability, one would not need wings to see high above the tops of the towering trees. Such as the agility of the mischievous little spider monkey in possession of something that it not his. However, the wondering Samurai who travels bare foot in search for a stolen sword, may not have feel the same thrill.

Pacing himself, Jack kept his eyes towards the sky, watching the movements his little "friend" was making from above.

"I do not have time for these games!" The samurai shouted up toward the thieving little spider monkey, which only continued to laugh in his shriek like way as he watched the samurai struggle to keep up with.

Leaping from branch to branch, the small primate would occasionally look down to see if the strange man was still fallowing him. Seeing that the Samurai had fallen behind, the small simian changed course and headed in a different direction, toward an opening in the forest. From down below, Jack stood with his back pressed against the base of a tree, allowing the small creature to fall victim to his plan.

"Whatever trickery this is, Aku , it ends now." He sternly warned to the still air.

Traveling at a normal speed, the small monkey climbed down limbs and branches towards a small wooded area where the sun reached the green grass. With Jack's hat on his head, and sword in wrapped in his tail, the small simian reached an old and twisted sun bleached log. It sat there, sniffing the material that made up the handle of the blade, occasionally biting into it. From behind, hidden behind the shrubs and bushes, stood Jack. He watched patiently, waiting for the perfect moment to make his move and retrieve what was taken from him. His feet, now sore from running on the harsh forest floor, tip toed behind the lush of the green vegetation that hid him.

Seeing that the little simian's guard was down, Jack readied himself to take back what was his. Just as he parted the leaves in front of him to step forward, a twig snapped from across the opening, opposite him. Stepping backward, he realized that he had not caused the twig to snap, but rather someone else was approaching from the other side. Seeing that the noise startled the small monkey as well, it jumped behind the large log as a cloaked figure emerged from the forest.

Draped in a black cloak, Jack could definitely see how this figure could appear to be intimidating. A face could not be seen through the opening of its hood, only infinite black. It walked barefooted upon the sharp stones and pieces of fallen branches that covered the ground with out any precaution or any sense of pain, as if walking upon soft grass. This peculiar specter walked with such balance, it was almost as if it were floating. In it's arms it carried a bushel of large yellow flowers that hung over the side, swaying as the figure walked. Thick yellow petals fell to the ground in a whisper.

"A phantom?" Jack thought in a state of disbelief. Such a simple a simple figure, but yet so disturbing. He had seen many things in his travels. Many things, but he found even the simplest of things could be the most treacherous. He stood completely frozen in silence as he watched the cloaked specter step toward the small thief who had stole his sword and hat.

The figure finally stopped in front of the log, facing the little monkey who peeked over the side. Jack watched as it slowly leaned down toward the frozen primate.

"A bit lost, are we?" It spoke in a high shrilling voice of an elderly woman.

With in a split second, the once fear stricken monkey suddenly shot up from behind the log. It grabbed hold of the edges of cloaked figure's hood and began to tug on it as if he were playing. Blinking, Jack watched as the figure's shoulder slouch in a defeated sigh.

"Couldn't fool ya, huh?" asked a younger voice emerging from the darkness of the hood.

The monkey shook it's head and jumped up and down as the figure placed the flowers on the log and stood up straight, no longer hunched over in a dismal demeanor. Jack blinked in disbelief.

"I'm telling ya, it's the hands!" The young voice exclaimed, holding their hands up in front of them. Jack studied them. They were long and slender and held no sign of age, clearly not fitting the voice he had heard previously.

"No way I can pass for a nasty old hag woman with hands lookin' like these! They're just too moisturized. They're a dead give away!"

Jack raised an eyebrow in confusion from where he hid.

The monkey took one of the figure's hands and began sniffing each individual finger.

"Yeah I know it's my fault, Dojo! You know how much I love cocoa shea butter! It's like a weakness! Try and be a little more understanding!"

Pulling their hand away from the curious simian, the figure then reached up and removed the hood that hid their face.

Jack was surprised to see that it was not an old haggard woman at all.

A tight rounded face poked out with almond shaped eyes and flat pug nose emerged from the cloak's binding. He watched as she reached behind her neck and pulled out her long black hair, thick and twisted with curls.

"Ugh. I was dyin' in that thing" She grumbled, running her finger through her tangled hair.

One could comment on the peculiarity of her features. Eyes tightly curved complimenting high cheekbone structure, with even a small black birthmark under her right eye to add even more character to her unusual appearance. It was confusing to him on just what it was about her features that puzzled him. Perhaps it was her tangled mass of hair that now hung over her shoulder, or the fact that her features highly resemble women of his homeland.

Or maybe it was her skin. It was a rich golden honey color. Very vibrant.

Her lips were plump, and emphasized every word she spoke. Perhaps she was a native to these lands?

He watched in silence as she continued speak.

Wait.

"Who was she speaking to?" He thought loudly to himself. "It could not possibly be the monkey? Why would she speak to an animal as if it were human?"

"Wonder if I could pass for a nun." The young girl said, pulling the hood back over her head, imitating the attire a nun would wear in a convent.

The small monkey folded its arms and shook it's head in disapproval. The young girl then looked down at her small companion with an expression with annoyance.

"I don't see you comin' up with any bright ideas!" She said sarcastically, placing her hand on her hip.

" Just cuz you can't get in trouble for being out here doesn't mean you can't help me out!" she shouted, giving the little simian a little shove, striking up a loud and unnecessary cry from him.

Rolling her eyes, the girl only sat down on the log and continued to run her fingers through her hair.

"Oh hush, I didn't even touch you." She said in a sigh. Placing her hand on her cloak covered knees; she sat straight up, as if anticipating something exciting.

"So whacha bring me?" Her words filled with so much excitement. Dojo rubbed his shoulder for another second begrudgingly then reached down and handed her Jack's straw hat.

Jack watched as she took it in her hands and studied it. She ran her fingers down the braiding that made its build.

"Oh, is it a basket?" She asked with a bright smile. "It'll go perfect with these flowers I found." She then leaned over to pick up a hand full of the large yellow flowers she had been carrying earlier. She then draped the long stemmed flowers over the hat, observing how it looked.

"They're called sunflowers. They don't usually grow around these parts. I just found a small bushel of them back towards town. Thought I'd bring some home to Baa Baa to put in the kitchen window. Ain't they pretty?"

Jack's eyes went wide.

She was speaking of her grandmother. The young girl used a term to refer to her grandmother in Jack's native tongue. But how can than be?

After several seconds of staring at the flowers, Dojo finally snatched it from the girl's hand and shook the flowers out. He then leapt up and placed it on her head in a hard thud. The girl was silent for a second. Her eyes traveled up towards the edged of the straw hat, then back down at her small simian companion.

"A hat?" She asked very dully. "This is a hat? " she asked again. Removing it from her head and studied it again, only this time without as much admiration. "You can't be serious? Who in their right mind would wear this?"

Upon hearing her insults, Jack merely squinted his eyes and kept his silence.

"A straw hat. Oh yeah that's attractive." She said sarcastically, tossing it into the bushes where Jack hid.

Slowly reaching his hand, Jack grabbed his hat and slowly placed it on his head, keeping his un-amused gaze on the two characters before him.

"What else ya get?" the young asked, leaning in towards her pet. The little monkey only smiled and shook his, using his tail to push Jack sword under the log.

The girl cocked an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? You sure you didn't get anything else? Where'd ya get the hat?"

Dojo's smile only grew wider, he shrugged, revealing his white fangs and looked around the forest as if saying, "I really don't know."

Jack rolled his at the simian's false innocence and could tell by the look on the girl's face that she wasn't fooled either.

"Just found it lying 'round the forest, huh?" She said leaning closer towards him. She suddenly then jerked down and snatched the sheathed sword Dojo had been trying to hide the whole time. Before the spider monkey had a chance to react, the young girl was holding the sword in her hands.

"So I guess I you just found this lying around the forest as well, right?"

The small monkey began let out a small shriek of panic when he saw the sword in her hands. He then placed his hands on the sword and nudged it a little towards her.

She shot him a suspicious glare.

"A gift for me?" She asked very sarcastically. Seeing how quickly he was nodding, she knew that wasn't the case. "Nice try, bud. What did I tell you about stealing?" She asked, still studying the sword. Slowly pulling the sword from its sheath, she eyed the silvery blade as it shimmered against the piercing rays of sun seeping through the trees. Her eyes reflecting in it's the flawless steel.

"Such pretty things." She sighed, tilting her head as she locked focus. "It's a shame what they're used for."

Perhaps she was too distracted by his sword to notice the footstep approaching from behind her. Leaning over the young girl, the blade caught Jack's refection from above. To deep in a daze to notice, the young girl only blinked when she saw the reflection of a young man in the blade looking back at her.

"Oh wow." She said squinting her eyes and tilting her head even more.

Seeing, as she was clearly preoccupied, Jack finally decided that he would have to be the one to break the silence.

"Ahem." He coughed.