Chapter Three
"His name is Roronoa Zoro." Grunts Chris, not quite meeting my eyes as he continues to stack the wooden swords onto the stand. "He just showed up and wanted to fight Koshiro-sensei."
It has been a day since the incident of the 'green-haired hellion' – as I had grown to call him – and I had finally been able to corner Chris to hear more on the matter. The fact that he seems to be sporting a sort of limp leads me to believe the fight he had had with the now named hellion had been intense enough to have bruised him.
"I've never heard of him before." I murmur, eyebrows knitting together in thought. "He must be from out of town."
"Some say he's been going from dojo to dojo challenging everyone including the masters." Chris sighs as he places the last one into place before turning to face me. "Not sure if it's true or not…"
"From what happened yesterday, it might just be." Looking up at Chris, who finally meets my gaze I give him a smile. "Don't tell me Chris-nii is a bit put out because he lost yesterday?"
The boy would forever say that his next actions are not of huffing and pouting like someone half his age. "I underestimated him."
"Would you like to fight him again?" I ask curiously and watches as his brown eyes darken.
"Yes." I roll my eyes at the action of him cracking his knuckles before turning away, looking for Koshiro.
The man hadn't spoken much about the debacle that had took place at his dojo when he had come home that night. Knowing it would be much better to ask Chris than the tight-lipped man, I had staved my curiosity the night by telling him about my day at the antique shop.
Spinning around, shoving strands of hair away from my face I stop Chris from moving away as I remember what he had said earlier.
"Did Otou-san fight him?"
"Nope. The brat was very angry about it and had stormed out declaring 'He'd be back!'." Chris imitates a high-pitched voice that I know for sure the kid didn't have.
His words leave me wondering just why Koshiro hadn't fought the boy.
Was it because he didn't think the boy was no match for him? Maybe it was pity?
So, I ask him as we head back in doors after closing the dojo, my hand secured in his much larger one and my eyes looking away from the periwinkle colored sky to the silent man beside me.
"Well, he hasn't fought every one of my best students yet, so he has yet to garner my attention for a fight." Replies Koshiro softly and I furrow my brows in confusion.
"I thought Chris' class was the highest you have."
"It is."
I wait for him to elaborate, only for the man not to say anything else. We arrive home and settle down for dinner, my lip still caught between my teeth in thought. My father doesn't seem to have noticed my brooding and instead continues to eat – quite contentedly, might I add – even humming a bit.
"What other best students do you have, Tou-san?" I couldn't help myself. Inwardly I sigh, watching as the man pauses in the drinking of his tea to give me an unknown look.
"I'm looking at one right now, Kuina-chan."
This has me choking as the warm liquid of my cup tries to murder me upon my father's words. Coming down from my coughing fit, I stare incredulously across the table at the man.
"Me?" My voice is slightly pitched, and I don't know if I should blame that on my coughing episode or the anxiety building up inside of me. "Technically, your eyes are closed and you're really seeing your eyelids- "
"Little bird," Koshiro opens his eyes as he chuckles, shaking his head a little. "You have grown a lot from the past two years. Have you not noticed?"
I want to lie and say no. I have not noticed shit. But then again, I couldn't lie to Koshiro. Not that I couldn't, more that I didn't want to.
There was just something that seemed to click after a few months in the dojo surrounded by my fellow peers and Koshiro. It reminded me of when I had started to sew again – like it was riding a bicycle again.
Which I found odd as I have never picked up a sword in my life.
My moves became more fluid and learning new katas aren't so hard, which I share with Anthony.
"You're just a natural, Kuina-chan! I mean, your dad is a swordsman."
I had considered that maybe it had been genetic – me becoming so well-versed in the way of the sword – as I know it applied in my past life. After all, my two boys had not only inherited their father's height but also his love for sports which made them insanely good at them. So maybe this logic could be applied to what was happening to me.
I still find it hard to believe though.
"I don't want to fight some kid." I say and Koshiro hums.
"I know. That's why he won't be having a match with me."
Trust Koshiro to be this sneaky, looking to my father I let out a huff of amusement before shaking my head and letting the subject go.
"He'll be back."
"And when he's back he'll just be filled with disappointment then."
.
.
"Sensei wants you to fight Roronoa?!" Anthony is just as incredulous as myself last night when I rehash my conversation with him over lunch the next day at school.
"Well, not that he wants me to fight the boy. More like he won't agree to have a match with Roronoa if I don't." My eyes follow the grain of rice I push around in my bento container with a chopstick.
We had migrated inside for lunch ever since the days outside began to grow colder, finding an unoccupied space at the back of our class to enjoy some peace and quiet. Of course, it compares nothing to the silence we were granted under that specific tree we had claimed as our own, but it would have to do until Spring rolled around again.
"I'll fight him for sensei." I give the boy a dry stare which seems to offend him, and he is about to voice this as I raise a hand which interrupts what he is about to say.
"You'll do no such thing. This is more for you than it is for Tou-san. You think you can take the guy that beat Chris?" My look is stern enough for the boy to just huff and look away. He doesn't argue any further on the subject, and I let it be.
Soon, class begins again, and I put the thought of the green-haired boy to the back of my mind, instead focusing on my lessons. The three more hours of school pass in relevant normality with Seulgi-sensei having only to raise her voice a handful of times to the troublemakers to the back of class.
"I wish I could walk home with you, Kuina-chan but Kaa-chan wants me to head to the market first for a few things." Anthony pouts, his hold on my arm not slackening even as we near the path that we must branch off in different directions.
He had grown a few inches over the past two years, but so have I. His rounded cheeks have less baby fat to them, but they were still round enough to show how young Anthony truly is – especially when he smiled and showed his dimples. I myself have found that I have grown out of my baby fat, now a little leaner thanks to both growth spurt and my days spent in the dojo.
Although we're only eight now, it feels nice to have grown just a bit.
"Then you should get going before it gets dark." I try to hide my amusement, pushing the shorter boy away from me with a push to his forehead which is covered by blonde curls.
"You're so mean." But he finally lets go and after a tearful good bye – mostly him wailing quite dramatically – goes down the path leading to town.
Ignoring the other students from school that pass me, I watch on until his back disappears down the path. Feeling satisfied that he'd be safe, I begin my walk home.
I wave at a few familiar faces who have taken residence on the porches of their homes or who walked by me. I didn't interact much with people in the village outside of those who came to visit Koshiro or from the dojo and sometimes school. It wasn't that I disliked them, and more of them not quite knowing how to interact with a child such as myself.
My maturity was noticed quite quickly by the members of our village who at first were surprised and amused the most over someone like myself. As time went on, they became to realize that that maturity somehow affected my attitude, so I wasn't like the other kids who caused mischief and often wasn't found doing things that would cause trouble. It was a relief for them, but when they had found out that I had taken interest in work of my father I could see the discomfort.
"A girl wanting anything to do with sword fighting?!"
"That is preposterous! What is Koshiro thinking teaching that to a girl?"
"If only her mother was still alive, it wouldn't have been like this."
Not even my recent adventures to Hamilton's and some persons often finding me stitching and knitting on our porch home seems to be enough to get the sexist comments to stop.
Imagine an eight-year-old girl having to hear some.
Luckily, I was no ordinary eight-year-old girl.
"A girl should be worrying about making dresses and cooking. Not this sword-stuff."
I sometimes wonder what Koshiro thought on the matter, often finding myself staring at my smiling father as he corrects my stances and provided tips.
Sometimes it seems clear as day; he doesn't care for society's idea of what a girl should and shouldn't do.
Other times… well, it was hard to tell.
"Oi! Do you just pass people like that?!" The unfamiliar voice makes my thoughts stop, and I blink as a head of green hair comes into my view.
"It's you." I manage out, surprised to find the hellion Roronoa Zoro glaring up at me.
"You're that dojo master's kid, right?" I raise an eyebrow at the boy's forwardness but nod my head either way.
"I am. My name is- "
"I want to fight your dad." He cuts my introduction. "Take me to him. He's not at the dojo."
"- is Kuina. Nice to meet you." Folding my arms across my chest, I give the boy an unimpressed look. "And no. He's not going to fight you so just go home."
"Wha- "
Maneuvering around the stunned boy, I begin to continue my walk home, huffing at the rudeness of the twat. I don't get far as he runs and puts himself in middle of my path again.
"What do you mean he won't fight me?" Gritting my teeth, I give Zoro my best glare.
"I don't need to explain anything to you, kid. Tou-san said what he said, so just give up already."
"I'm not gonna." The fierceness of his gaze as he looks to me has me pausing.
Why does a child have so much passion in his gaze?
"What?"
"I'll defeat each and every person of the dojos on this island. Including your dad." His declaration brings forth confusion and exasperation with a little bit of irritation.
"What reason do you have to do such a thing?" I ask, irritation leaking into my voice. It doesn't deter the boy however.
"I don't need to explain myself to you." He is just as angry as I am getting, and I find myself making the biggest mistake ever –
"Oh yeah? Well if you don't defeat me, you won't get a chance to go against Tou-san!"
"Then I'll fight you too!"
"…. I-yeah- what!?"
Opening my big fat mouth!
.
.
"Can ya tell me why that brat is foggin' up my glass?" Looking up from threading my needle, I find Hamilton glaring to the front of the store. Something told me I shouldn't be surprised to find a short person with green hair and sharp dark eyes glaring straight at me.
"That's just Zoro. He's been following me around for the past few days." I release a sigh before returning to my work. "He won't do much."
"You're cleaning that glass."
Ever since opening my mouth Monday, proclaiming myself as the only obstacle in the way of Zoro having his much-wanted fight against Koshiro and stating that I have no intention of fighting him, the green-haired boy had taken to following me everywhere he could to try to change my mind.
It has been a week since then, and Zoro doesn't seem to want to give up.
"If you make old man Hamilton ban me from this place, I'll gut you." I was never one for violence, but recently the idea of destroying Roronoa Zoro didn't sound so bad.
"If that means you'll fight me, then I'll do it." How could one boy be so annoying?!
Walking home, Zoro keeps himself behind me as he chatters on about whatever – I had resorted to just block out whatever he decides to talk about – and I fiddle with the end of my scarf.
The cold winter that came with the ending of the year is fast approaching, and with it I had begun to wear a little bit more clothes due to breezes that have begun to pick up.
Persons give us a wide berth as we pass by, most times their eyes surprisingly not on me but on the young boy behind me. I would say it was because of his unnatural bright green hair and sour expression, but then again, I had blue hair, and didn't fisherman Asif have red?
Chris and Anthony had both mentioned that Zoro is known enough by the villagers for his troublesome nature and lack of manners. Understandable that people often kept their distance, I guess.
"Aren't you going to go home?" I spin around, making the boy pause in what he was saying – something about how I was just scared to face him in a fight; the audacity of this brat– and huff while looking away muttering something under his breath that I don't get to hear. "What?"
We had finally come to my home, standing just at the door where the boy makes no move of backing away from.
"I said I ain't got nowhere to go to." There is a dusting of pink on his cheek, which must be why he makes no move to meet my gaze. "So, I'm gonna stay in the old shed."
His answer has my breath leaving me as I grab onto the boy's arm and pull him inside my home, shutting the door behind me.
"W-what are you doin'?!"
"Getting you something to eat," Unwrapping the light scarf from around my neck, I hang it up on the coat rack and taking my shoes off. "Take your shoes off there and come."
He is silent behind me as I lead him to the dining room, gesturing for him to take a seat there.
A few minutes later I return to find Zoro looking quite uncomfortable, shifting in his seat.
Placing the two bowls of soup down, enjoying the steam that rises from them I give the boy a nod to begin to eat. He doesn't until I take a spoonful, placing the spoon tentatively to his lips. We eat in silence with Zoro not being able to look at me, and me blatantly staring at the boy.
"Tou-san won't be home until later, so I'll have to be the one to set up a place for you to sleep," I murmur to myself. "The room at the back should be just fine. I even have a futon there for when- "
"Why are you helping me?" For the first time since meeting Zoro, his voice is soft and the childishness of it rings through. He is finally looking at me and I see the vulnerability there – a kid, lost, alone and confused.
It makes my insides tighten at the sight.
"Because you need help." I answer, tilting my head to the side. "If you feel uncomfortable because of my behavior towards you from before, forgive me. When someone, especially a child needs help, I cannot turn away."
"You're a kid too." He retorts, a bit of his roughness returning to his voice. "And I don't need your help."
"Well too bad." I huff, standing up when my last spoon of soup is swallowed. "I'm going to give it to you, kid."
As much as he complains and tries to refuse, I end up having him tucked into the futon in less than an hour. He glares up at me which I only return with a smile.
"If you need anything, I'll be in the room next to you."
"This doesn't change anything!" He springs up, pointing a finger at me. "I'm still gonna defeat you and your dad!"
Blinking at his outburst, I find that I can only smile as what he has said finally registers.
"I didn't expect it to."
.
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FINALLY SHE UPDATES AFTER... A YEAR?! (Actually seven months but whatevs!) The first two chapters were edited so maybe you guys should read them over? Not much has changed, but I think they should still be read.
Anywho! I look forward to hearing from you and your responses to Zoro (the brat) and your thoughts on Kuina. :)