I stood in the kitchen, cooking dinner with Miu. She and I talked, laughing and messing around. She was teasing me about Akisame fixing my leg. Apparently, the whole dojo had heard my string of swear words.
"Even Sakaki was impressed," she said. "He didn't think a woman could swear like that." I laughed.
"Yeah, well, that shit hurt," I said. I looked down at my still bandaged knee. I felt pretty good today. I still had moments where I had to stop and take a break and Akisame insisted I get an afternoon nap. I was dreading the day I could leave. I was having so much fun with these people.
"It's nice having another woman around," she sighed. "I live with a bunch of men and Shugure really doesn't count."
"It must be hard on you," I said. "Do…do you have anything you want to ask me?" Her big blue eyes sparkled and she smiled.
"I do!" she said. "Uhm, is my period supposed to hurt?" I stared at her blankly for a moment, then reached over and hugged her.
"Oh, you poor child," I said. "Yes, it will hurt and that's normal. Take it easy, take some Tylenol and get a heating pad." She laughed from where her face was pressed into my chest.
"If I have more questions…can I ask you?" she questioned.
"Sure," I said. "It must be so difficult living with a bunch of guys who don't know what you're going through. You poor, girl." I stroked her hair and hugged her again then let her go and turned back to the stove.
"Well, uhm…" she shuffled her feet and looked down at the floor, blushing. "When…when should I have sex?" I was floored by this question and looked at the blushing teen. It was a normal question I supposed, one I had asked my mother once upon a time.
I sighed and thought for a moment.
"Miu, I'm sure your grandfather would tell you to wait until you're married and in a perfect world that would be the right answer," I began. "But the worlds not perfect and I'm not about to sugar coat it for you. You should have sex when you are ready, not a moment before. Don't ever let anyone pressure you into doing anything you don't want to."
"But how will I know?" she asked.
"When the time is right, you'll know," I said. "There's not some light that goes off or sign in the sky. You just won't be afraid or nervous."
"What if I'm with a guy who really wants to and I'm not ready?" she questioned.
"Then tell him no," I said. "No one should pressure you into something you don't want to do. If he cares about you, he will wait. And if he leaves, then he didn't care and just wanted to screw you."
She smiled nodded, moving closer to me.
"Was your first time special?" she asked. I smiled.
"It was no roses and candles, but I had fun," I told her. "The guy wasn't my boyfriend, he was just a really good friend I had known for a long time and trusted. I did not tell him I was a virgin until after we were done. He was a bit upset. He didn't think he should have been the one to take my virginity, but I wanted it to be someone I trusted and knew and I could think of no better candidate."
"You didn't love him?" she inquired.
"No," I said. "I didn't love him, not in that way. I loved him in a platonic way. But he made my first time special and fun."
"Did you sleep with him after that?" she asked. I laughed.
"I'm not going to lie," I said. "I did. I tried out all manner of sexual things with him. He was my test subject I guess. Not that he minded."
"Did it hurt?" she questioned.
"Well, I didn't have a hymen," I said. "Some women don't, whether from using tampons or just from falling really hard on their butts or riding horses. I've heard my friends tell me it hurts a lot, but considering your martial arts training, you may not have one."
"Is there any way to tell?" she questioned.
"See a doctor," I replied.
"I couldn't let Akisame…" she began.
"Whoah, whoah, Akisame is not that kind of doctor," I said. "You need to see a woman's doctor. A gynecologist."
"I'd be too scared," she confessed. I smiled at her sympathetically.
"Would you like me to go with you?" I asked, gently. Her eyes lit up and she smiled hopefully.
"Would you?" she asked.
"Sure," I said. "I'll even help you make the appointment. We can do it tonight if you want. You should be seeing one anyway at your age."
"Okay!" She reached over and hugged me tightly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Just make sure it's okay with your grandfather," I said. She nodded and bounced on the balls of her feet, darting out the door. I giggled and went back to cooking, reaching over and stirring the pot Miu had been tending.
"That was very kind of you."
I turned and saw the Elder standing in the doorway.
"I didn't upset you, did I?" I asked.
"Not at all," he assured with a kind smile. "Miu needs a woman to talk to. I am thankful that she feels comfortable enough to talk to you about certain things and that you can give her advice. I keep forgetting that she's not a little girl anymore and a young woman needs another woman to go to for advice."
"I don't mind," I said. "Miu is so sweet; I'll answer any girly question's she wants." Hayato walked over and laid one massive hand gently on my shoulder.
"Thank you," he said.
"You're welcome," I said.