Double or Nothing: Chapter 7

And Face the Future

It was another beautiful day in the Shimotsuki Dojo. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and the cries of Kuina's complaints filled the air. "Fuck, that hurts so bad!" She gritted out as Zoro pulled at the bandages hard.

"If you weren't squirming so much, we would have been done with this!" He scolded him but she couldn't but squirm as her friend tied it up before moving to the next wound. She won but at what cost? A few more days on the island just so she wouldn't keel over all while the worst nurse tended to her wounds.

The time after a fight was always the worst especially when the adrenaline wore off. She could feel every cut, every strain and every wound she now bore and she had taken far more than she wanted to admit. It was painful but she had to tough it out. This was just the reality of getting into a fight after all. People get hurt, there was no getting around it but that doesn't mean she was not going vocal about her disdain for it!

Thankfully, Zoro was quick with his hands as he finished dressing the last of her wounds. Tearing the gauze up and tying it neatly, Zoro nodded as he gave her a pat on the shoulder, "There, that should hold up for a while," right over where she thinks she tore some muscle.

Sucking in a sharp breath, she turned around and gave the man glare. She hated how smug he looked as he teased her, "Hey, don't look at me. I'm not the one that gets into fights, you are," Poking her on the cheeks.

Rolling her eyes, she then looked away as she grumbled, "Yeah, yeah," She was a warfreak, no need to rub it on her. Letting out a sigh, she then laid down on the familiar lacquered floor of her home. It's been so long she felt it under her hands. It's been what? Five? Six years? Time sure does fly by.

Closing her eyes, she then asked her friend, "Don't you have a better place to be?" Hearing the sound of the dojo's student crying out as they practiced their daily katas, she then added, "Perhaps a few brats to take care of?"
Taking a peek at her friend, she found him staring at her before he snorted, "Really eager to get rid of me eh?" Shaking his head, he got up before waving at her, "Fine, I'll get out of your hair," Just as he walked away and opened the door, he paused before looking back at him.

"Hey Kuina," He called out, making her look up at him, "Take care of yourself, ok?" He asked her, his tone serious for once.

She nodded back as he replied, "Yeah," before she shooed him away, "And the dojo's down the hall. Don't get lost!" The man shook his head as he smiled before he slipped away, finally leaving her be. She was going to miss him.

Laying there, Kuina breathed in deeply, letting the familiar scent of home fill her lungs. Even after all these years, it still smelt the same. The fragrant scent of incense that her father offers up to her mother, the familiar essence of cloves lingering in the choji oil they used to service their swords, as well as the warm smell of just… home all around.

Kuina could just lose herself in the moment as memories long past flitted through her mind. Her first steps, the sound of her parents' laughter, and warmth of their touch, all these feelings lingered in her heart. Despite all that had happened, she took comfort in the feeling that nothing truly changed around her. It was almost a shame that she was going to leave it all behind

"Hey Papa," Opening her eyes, she then turned towards her father. Sitting beside her, the older Shimotsuki held their family's sword, resting against his shoulder while her sword laid on his lap, "That was a good fight."

Her father smiled as he nodded back, "That it was," before he winced as he felt his bandaged chest. Getting up hastily, she moved to check on him before he raised his hands, "It's just the bruises Kuina. They hurt but nothing to worry about," He told her reassuringly.

Pulling back, she nodded hesitantly, "Just take it easy ok?" She requested, not wanting to see him hurt any further. The man was just as roughed up as she was, sporting bandages all over. While paler than usual, he was once more sporting that smile of his.

As he nodded back, an awkward silence soon descended between them. Gazing out towards the gardens, she reflected on her victory. It was actually over. She had been at it for so long that now that she won, she wasn't quite sure how to feel. Happiness, melancholy, all these feelings mixing inside her chest.

However, it was relief that filled her heart. She can move on… all that's left to do is to say her goodbyes. "Hey Papa," she called out, breaking through the silence, "I'm going to be sailing in a few days time," She then told him, feeling her heart grow heavy as she gazed out to the sea, "Maybe earlier if another boat drops by soon."

"Kinda missed the one I was supposed to board," She chuckled, feeling all too silly about it now. She actually planned to sail away after the fight but they really went at it. Now, she had to stay… but maybe that was a good thing.

"But it's not all bad," She admitted, "Atleast I get to say goodbye to you and Mama one last time," Forcing out a smile, she did her best not to cry but the tears started flowing. Rubbing her eyes, she realized that a piece of her still wanted to stay here.

Reaching up to her, he wiped the tears of her eyes, "Kuina, I'm sorry for everything. I-!" He tried to apologize but she shook her head as she reached up and held his hand.

"I already know Papa," She replied as she smiled up to him, still crying as she held him, "I wasn't quite asleep when you gave me my sword," She admitted. She knew, she always knew but now she held him, she knew it wasn't just a lie, "I forgive you," she whispered before she reached out and wrapped his arms around her.

They held each other as father and daughter, their tears flowing freely as their shared regrets and resentment melted away. She still loved him, she still wanted him to be her father and to hear him apologize, it was all she needed to hear. They held each other for a good long while before she pulled away, rubbing her eyes.

"But I still need to go," She whispered as she looked up at him. This wasn't just for herself, to prove that she had what it takes to be somebody but for his sake as well. She wouldn't have trained so hard if it wasn't for what lays ahead. She simply can't lay down and accept what's about to happen.

She could see the hesitation in his eyes but he nodded, accepting his wishes. Reaching for her sword, he then told her, "If you're going out there, I want to have this," She expected to be handed her Wazikashi but not the Wado Ichimonji as well. Pressing it against her hands, he told her, "You'll need him more than I do," and all she could do was stare in disbelief.

"But-!" She tried to give it back but his father would lay his hands atop hers.

"You've proven without a shadow of a doubt, that you're worthy of wielding him," He then said before chuckling, "Besides, he's getting a bit more restless after that fight," As he wrapped her hands around the hilt, he then said, "I don't think I can wield him anymore after what you showed us yesterday."

Looking up at her father, she nodded before she pulled out the sword. It's been so long since she last wielded him. She could still remember how he rejected her during that fateful night but now, she felt it just right. The Wado Ichimonji had chosen her as its wielder.

Sheathing the sword and slipping it on her belt along with her Wazikashi, she then promised her father, "I'll take good care of him Papa," Now that she's wielder, she would do everything in her power to make sure that she was worthy of him. It was now up to her to make sure that he was just as beloved and renowned as he was in another time.

"I know you will," Her father replied as he pulled her in for another hug, "I'm proud of you, Kuina," he then whispered as he pulled her tightly against his chest.

Hugging him back, Kuina smiled, "Thank you Papa," She finally had her father back and she couldn't have been any happier.

-x-x-x-

Just as she suspected, she was forced to stay a few more weeks; Mostly due to her injuries. Sure she may have bled out a bit but that doesn't mean she was going to die from a trip. Still, she had buckled down and stayed after some persuasive pokes on her wounds. Missing several boats, she was all but ready to go but it seemed that her father and Zoro had one last surprise for her as she guided her towards the shore.

Feeling the sand crunch beneath her feet, she cried out, "Come on Zoror, Papa, the ship's going to go any second now!" With a blindfold wrapped over her eyes, she had to rely on both of them for navigation. She trusted them enough to know they weren't going to push her over the pier… or at least she thinks she knows.

"Just humor us on this one, Kuina" Her father asked her, his tone level enough that she couldn't catch if this was a surprise or a gag that was about to blow all over her face. N

Thankfully, Zoro wasn't too good at keeping secrets, "You'd love it, I swear!" the boy told her as excitement colored their tone. Assured by her friend's voice, she sighed as she went along.

It wouldn't take long before they finally stopped. She might not know where it was but she knew it was a long way away from the docks as she couldn't hear the usual hustle and bustle that accompanied a docking ship but it was near the coast or so it seemed with the cries of gulls overhead.

"You can take them off now," her father told her. Reaching up, she pulled away at the blinds before she stared ahead in disbelief, arms falling limp at what she saw. There, gently bobbing in the waves, was the fishing skip she once tried to sail off on before her father caught her.

"S-she's still here?" She whispered as she walked up to the craft and felt the sturdy oak beneath her hands, marveling at how well kept she was. She had always thought her father burned the ship, not taking care of it. Her sails were still full and her hull, free of barnacles. She was as seaworthy as the day she got her, maybe even more so as she saw the various repairs it now sported.

"She always had been," Her father told her as he laid his hand on her, "I had to do some repairs but she's just as seaworthy as the day I took her away from you," He told her before he let out a strangled cry as she hugged her tightly. She had the best father.

After a quick inspection, with Kuina finding her fully stocked and ready to go, it was now time to sail off. Casting her sails and manning her helm, Kuina stood upon her ship's deck, ready to face the world. She was as ready as she can ever be. "So this goodbye then," She whispered as she untied her mooring.

"But not our final one," Her father replied, "The doors to your home are always Kuina. We'll be waiting," he told her as he and Zoro waved goodbye.

"The next time you hear me, I'll make you two proud!" She shouted, "I'll be the strongest woman in the world and don't you forget about that!" She cried out, her gaze lingering towards their slowly shrinking figure before she tore away and looked ahead into the setting sun. The world was waiting and she couldn't wait to make her mark.

A/N:

Finally done with these. Now off I go make Lawman... after I take one good sleep.