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.

Enjoy

Informalities: 1

Dojo was the first to turn around. Seeing who it was, he screeched at the top of his lungs, and jumped into the young girl's lap. Jerking her head around to see the stranger standing behind her, she screamed and quickly shot up from the large log. With Jack's sword in hand she pointed it towards him defensively; Dojo climbing up her back and peaking over her shoulder.

Jack merely sighed.

"Please. I did not mean to startle you." The samurai assured gently. "Please, forgive me for my carelessness."

Gaining no response, the samurai slowly bowed respectfully, in an attempt to signify that he meant no harm. He looked up to see that the young girl's defensive stance did not change. Looking down at the sword in her hands, the back up at him, the young girl squinted her eyes in suspicion.

"I only ask that you return my sword to me." Slightly raising his hands in front of him, he gave her a reassuring smile. "That is all."

"And why would I go and do that?" She snickered, tightening her grip on the handle.

"Cuz you asked so nicely?"

A little taken back by her question, Jack hesitated before answering.

"W-well yes." He answered somewhat puzzled. He then leaned his head to set his attention to the little spider monkey hiding ever so innocently behind the girl's shoulder. "It was taken from me by you're little simian friend."

The young girl shot her pet a disapproving glare, receiving a nervous smile in return. She closed her eyes and sighed in frustration, knowing that she was in the wrong. Setting her attention back on the Samurai, she lowered the sword ever so slightly.

"Doesn't speak much on the skill of a soldier who gets their sword stolen." She said with a demeaning smile. "Especially soldiers who get their swords stolen by stupid little spider monkeys!" She said loudly, ending her sentence with a keen smile. Keeping her eyes on Jack, she then leaned her head back towards her pet and whispered "Sorry".

It was painfully obvious to see that this girl was trying to insult him, however, Jack was too much of a mature adult to allow such trivial insults bother him. He brushed it off easily, though it was still a little frustrating that he had to argue in order to get his stolen property back.

"Well…" The samurai began, closing his eyes. "I do not mean to sound rude, but thievery does not speak much on the moral conduct of a human being." He said, opening his eyes and focusing in on hers. "Nor does lying."

"Oh, how philosophical." The young girl shot back, fluttering her dark eyelashes in a false sense of amazement. "Was that s'pposed to impress me?"

Not amused by Jack's use of proper English, the girl blew a loose thick lock of hair out of her face and set her glare back on the samurai.

"Look, a sword's a sword pal. Why don't you just go run back to your superiors and tell them it was destroyed in the flames of glorious battle!" She spat sarcastically. "I'm sure they'll give ya new one."

Seeing the lack of "sense" in her logic, Jack simply folded his arms.

"Forgive me but I do not understand your reasons as to why you can not simply return my sword to me."

It was almost as if Jack had just told a joke and only she got the punch line, for the young girl snorted herself into laughter.

"Oh yeah, and uh- I'm sure as soon as I do, you'll just be on you're merry little way, right?"

Maybe now she understands.

"Yes." Jack answered in a hopeful tone. Laughter erupted from the spiteful girl yet again.

He was wrong.

"Do you really think I'm that stupid?" She asked in a laugh, tilting her head to the side, allowing her mass of black locks to fall over her shoulder.

"Gosh- are you soldiers really so closed minded that you honestly think that you are superior to anyone different than you? That anyone who doesn't look exactly like you can't possibly have any sense at all, right? "She asked, shaking her head in disbelief. "Typical."

Hearing her speak of such discrimination, Jack knew he had voice himself and speak against her insults toward him.

"Again, I am sorry but you are mistaken." He informed her sternly. "I am not in anyway a soldier of these lands, and more importantly, I do not harvest such discriminatory feelings towards those different than myself. That I must make clear."

"Aww." She cooed, lowering the sword away from her view of him, her expression said and pouting. "Did I hurt your feelings? I can be such a b- mmph!

She was interrupted by Dojo's hand covering her mouth along with a look of caution, warning her not to continue. Giving him a dirty glare, she shook her head free of his hold.

"I was gonna say "bad person", calm down!" She shouted, gritting her teeth in frustration. Adjusting her shoulders, her eyes then darted back towards Jack's direction.

"Look. I don't have time to waste here with you! If you wanna turn me in, then do it! But you AIN'T gettin' this sword back, and let me tell ya, the whole "a monkey stole it" story? Probably won't go over well with your captain!"

Seeing that this strange girl didn't respond to his reasoning, Jack remembered a certain article of jewelry he had found after his little "encounter" he had earlier with her thieving pet spider monkey.

"Perhaps you will settle for a trade then?" He questioned, reaching into his gi. He pulled out the tightly beaded strand that was around the simian's neck from before. Jack watched as the young girl's eyes widened nearly three times their size when she caught glimpse of what was in his hand.

"Wh-where did you get those?" She asked in a desperate rush of air. She no longer held the overwhelming confidence in her stance like Jack had observed from earlier. He looked down at the strand in his hand.

"I found them shortly after your little friend departed with my sword in his possession." He answered, watching her nervously feel around her neck as if she were looking for them. "They were around his neck."

He watched as she quickly lowered the sword to the ground and looked at the small monkey over her shoulder. His eyes went wide as well as he felt around his own neck.

"It can't be them!" She exclaimed in a very high and desperate voice. She felt all along her black cloak until she finally ripped it off over her head, revealing her own preferred clothing, and began to search those as well. Though, in Jack's opinion, didn't offer very much material hide anything in.

He would never understand why the women of this time wear such little clothing. Perhaps it was part of the female human nature and the need for attention that drives these women to broadcast and display their bodies as if they were goods at a market, or why men find women who reduce themselves to 'starvation' diserable. Not that this was REALLY any different than people in his time, though it has progressed to a whole different level. Jack observed that both men AND women have become more demanding, expecting a little more "skin" then should be seen, and then expecting payment for their time and affection. Jack personally never had any interest in those sorts of things.

However, this particular woman wasn't nearly as revealing as others he had seen. Her white top didn't cut all the way down to the center of her chest, and at least it had straps, thin and flimsy as they may be.

She was barefoot. He would never be able to understand how she could walk on the forest floor with such ease. The jewelry around her ankles looked familiar. Perhaps he had seen them being sold at markets from past travels.

Her choice of bottoms could have been thought out a little more. Perhaps it was the fashion trend of this time to wear pants that have been cut short to the point of ridiculousness, but her gray cotton material ones weren't as terrible as others he had seen. Her choice of attire looked as if they were meant for comfort, almost as if she were to wear the same thing to bed at night. Perhaps this girl was taking "mobility" into consideration. But for someone who is trying to be very "sneaky" in where she goes, perhaps wearing bright clothing against a more tan skin tones isn't the best idea.

Returning from his racing thoughts, he looked to see a very desperate look across the young girl's face.

"I'm sorry." She said in a very shaky voice. "He didn't mean to take the sword, he was just trying to help me. It's my fault. Please." She said reaching her hand out to take the beads from Jack. "Please don't break them."

"I would never do such a thing." Jack assured, seeing how important this piece of jewelry was to her. However, many people had fooled him in the past, especially women. He would gladly return her beads so long as he receives his sword in the process. He extended his arm with the beads in his hand.

"Now if you please." Jack said as he raised his other hand towards his sword.

Looking over her shoulder she gestured her pet towards Jack, handing him the sword to exchange. Dojo looked at his master with unsettling eyes, showing her that he didn't agree to take it over to the samurai.

"Dojo." She said very calmly. "Now."

Hearing the seriousness in her voice, Dojo knew she wasn't kidding around.

Hopping on the ground, Dojo slowly made his way over to where Jack stood. Keeping his eyes locked on the samurai, the little primate placed the sword down at Jack's feet.

"What do you say?" The young girl asked, folding her arms. Dojo shot Jack an annoyed glare, and then placed his hands behind his back. He then proceeded to make small simian noises, while rocking back on forth on his heels in his attempt to force an "I'm sorry".

Kneeling down, Jack chuckled a little.

"It is quite alright, my little friend. No harm was done…err…except for my footwear of course." He assured the little monkey, patting it gently on the head. Finding no pleasure from Jack's pets, Dojo quickly snatched the beads from Jack's hand and quickly ran over to where the young girl stood.

Jack watched as a smile of relief formed across her face when the beads were back in her possession. Looking up from her hands, the young girl brushed another stray lock of thick hair from her face.

"So I take it you ain't really soldier from Taiyo Valley, huh?" She asked in a calm and civilized tone, very different then her previous one. "I thought you were dressed a little funny."

Standing up, Jack brushed the dirt from his gi.

"I assure you, I am simply passing through." He stated gently, taking a more observant look around the wooded area. It was very lovely. He could see why she came here.

"Wish I could." She mumbled under her breath.

"Look, I didn't mean those things I said earlier. I've been known to sorta have a big mouth. It gets me in trouble a lot." The young girl said playing with the beads in her fingertips. "It's funny how I was so quick to accuse you of judging me, when it was me being the real idiot. Sorry 'bout that."

Shaking his head, Jack adjusted his sword to his left side.

"There is no need to apologize. I know you didn't mean to sound so cruel."

Raising an eyebrow, the girl looked up from her hands.

"Oh yeah?" She asked in almost a laugh. "How'd ya figure that?"

Jack was now setting his focus on the broken straps of his sandals. He placed his foot on one and attempted to tie the torn strap.

"Because it is clear to me that this is your true nature, kind and caring, but yet very curious, just like your little friend there." The knot came undone, so he tried again. " Otherwise you would not have apologized to me. "

Seeing that it was no use, Jack sighed and stood up straight. He looked over at the young girl who looked as if she was lost in thought.

"Yeah well, sometimes it's hard being nice all the time." She admitted coldly, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes. "Some people are just naturally miserable."

Jack only smiled. "I suppose I could see how it could be difficult for some, but lovely words come from lovely people, so it should come easily for you."

The young girl's faces soften as her eyes flickered into an unwanted smile. Sitting on her shoulder, Dojo rolled his golden primate eyes and slapped his small hand against his forehead.

"Forgive me, but I must bid you my farewell." Said the samurai as he bowed respectfully. He caught glimpse of the small monkey-waving goodbye with a small condescending smile on his face. "I have a long journey ahead of me, and I wish to reach the end of these forests before dark. Farewell my friends."

Jack turned around to leave.

The young girl's eyes snapped open and she shook her herself out of her daze.

"My grandmother can fix those!" She called after Jack.

Dojo looked at her as disbelief that she was actually calling AFTER him. Stopping, Jack remembered her mentioning her grandmother earlier. He turned around and faced her once more.

"My grandfather used to wear sandals like those all the time...and used to break them…all the time!" She explained in a laugh. "My grandmother can probably fix them in her sleep. I know she fixed this several times." She said, holding out her beaded strand. "She'd probably be happy to fix sandals again."

Amazing how someone can change so drastically in a matter of minutes. Jack thought to himself. He knew that the forest probably lasted for at least a few more miles until he reached the end. She had mentioned something about a Valley earlier. Perhaps it was close by. The sooner he could leave this forest and not have to walk in bare feet, the better.

"It's a pretty big valley, you really can't miss it. Not that long of a walk either- though uh- we better hurry up and move." The girl then looked over both of her shoulders.

"You've probably figured out by now that I'm not really supposed to be out here, so I would really appreciate it if you didn't mention the whole "sword" incident to my Grandma, kay?." She ended her sentence with a bright smile.

Jack only laughed.

" I won't, and I would greatly appreciate her assistance. Thank you." He said, bowing once again. Realizing that the only name that had been established between the two of them was the monkeys, Jack smiled and stood up straight. "The people of this these lands…they call me Jack."

The young girl only blinked at him for a moment, then her mouth began to scrunch into a smile trying to hold back laughter.

"Pff…Jack?" She said in a snort, trying desperately not to laugh.

Although he agreed that the name "Jack" did not fit his samurai profile, he still did not see what was so funny to her.

Getting over her giggles, she lowered her hand that was extended out showing him her beads.

"That's interesting…Jack." She said in a laugh, wiping her eyes. She knew that wasn't his real name.

"I'm 'Nikki'...uh...sorta. I don't really like my full name. Nikki's easier. Trust me."

Well that's a un- usual name as well, isn't it? Jack thought to himself. Then again, she's certainly proven herself to be an a very un-usual girl

From the look on Dojo's face, Jack could already tell that he was not pleased that Jack would going home with the two of them. He sat on Nikki's shoulder coldly with his arms crossed.

"I…take it your little companion is not pleased that I will be accompanying you on your walk home."

"Who Dojo?" asked Nikki turning her head seeing her pet's annoyed expression. She sucked her teeth and laughed a little. "After what he did? Please. He can get over it." Her fingers reached up and gave one of his little ears a dug.

Jack smiled.

She was a very peculiar girl indeed.

"It is an honor, Nikki." He said.

She chuckled at the way he said her name, over emphasizing the "eee" at the end.

"Honor's mine…JACK." She said widening her eyes and tilting her head when she said his name. She began to laugh again. "That's not his real name."She whispered to her monkey companion.

No sooner had they finally reached first named basis, screeching through the air, something fast came flying by, ripping the beads out from Nikki's hand. With the loud sound of a sharp object piercing wood, the three jerked their heads over to see the an arrow sticking out from a tree, piercing the strand of beads to it's wood.

Twisting around, Jack took hold of his sword and prepared for the armed opponent that would soon emerge from the thick darkness of the forest.