Time slipped by; the sunset burned the sea red as the last light clung stubbornly to the horizon.
"Goddamn stubborn little loli… can't even tell when to quit. But hell… maybe that's what they call a swordsman's heart."
I stood there, watching Kuina's face pale with exhaustion, bamboo sword still shaking in her small hands. My arm was getting numb too; fucking hell, she had lasted longer than half the grown mercs I used to spar with.
"Screw it. I guess it's on me to end this."
I stumbled back two steps, wiped pretend sweat from my brow and huffed:
"Damn… I'm done! Too tired to go on!"
"Ha… ha… What?"
Kuina froze, blinking at me, hair plastered to her red cheeks.
"That's not fair! I haven't landed a hit on you yet! You can't quit!"
"Let's call it a draw," I panted, plopping down onto the sand. "We can keep sparring next time. Deal?"
Her eyes lit up. Even through exhaustion, her lips curved into a faint grin:
"A draw? And next time too?"
…She's actually happy? Hell, never thought calling it a tie would make a kid this damn excited.
But I kept my cool, nodding:
"Yeah, sure."
"Yay!"
Kuina's tiny body practically bounced… and then instantly toppled forward, completely passed out.
"Shit! Hey—hey!"
I rushed forward and caught her before she face-planted. Chest rising and falling slow, breath even. Just dead tired.
"Scared the crap out of me, kid…"
I glanced toward the distant dojo on the hill, thought of her old man, Koshiro:
"Fuck… If something happened to you, that scary bastard might cut me in half."
I shifted her onto my back and carefully made my way toward the palm trees.
Thunk!
One kick and three coconuts fell from the swaying tree.
I set Kuina gently on the grass, tore open a shell with my dagger, and chugged the cold juice.
"Aah… fuck, that hits the spot."
She slept on, sweat-soaked hair stuck to her forehead, cheeks a little less pale now.
Watching her, a soft grin tugged at my lips.
"Half a year in this world… always thought I'd see Kuina one day. Didn't think it'd be like this though. Fate's a funny motherfucker…"
I raised my gaze to the blood-red horizon.
"Almost five, huh? Five years left 'til that damn age ten… Let's see if I can change your fate, little swordsman."
A soft cough snapped me from my thoughts.
"Cough… cough…"
Kuina's eyes fluttered open.
"Wha… Where…?"
"Yo. You're awake."
I handed her the coconut. "Drink. You earned it."
She hesitated, then gulped it down. Juice dribbled at the corner of her mouth.
"Ah… Thanks…"
Her face flushed, eyes avoiding mine.
"What the hell are you thanking me for?"
I laughed, ruffling her damp blue hair.
"Aren't we friends? It's what friends do, dummy."
She opened her mouth, then closed it, looking even redder.
Then Kuina glanced at the sky and squeaked:
"Oh no! It's so late—I need to get home!"
She tried to stand… and her legs wobbled before she dropped to her knees.
"Oi, careful."
I caught her again. "Don't move. I'll carry you."
"Eh…? B-but…"
"Don't argue, princess."
I hoisted her piggyback, feeling her light weight, and started walking toward the dojo.
"Here we are," I said, stopping at the foot of the slope.
The wooden sign over the gate read Isshin Dojo.
Kuina slid down off my back, face still pink.
"Thank you… This is my home."
"Hey, didn't I tell you?"
I smirked. "That's what friends are for. Or do you not see me as a friend?"
"N-no! I do! I mean—"
She panicked, waving her hands.
"Pff—hahaha! Gotcha."
I waved as I backed away.
"By the way—my house is west, last one near the woods. Big tree in the yard. Come find me whenever."
Then I turned on my heel and walked off, leaving her there sputtering.
Behind me, I heard her giggle softly:
"Friend… I finally found a real friend…"
I didn't look back. Just kept walking into the orange dusk, a crooked grin on my lips.
"Heh… stubborn, prideful, and cute as hell. Don't you fucking die before I can see what you become."
This story is inspired from various fanfics i have read from around the world so if you find any similarities please dont mind . Thank you
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T/N :
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