Double or Nothing: Chapter 5

Let Go Of The Past

Time waits for no one and before Kuina knew it, it had already been five years in the future. Sweeping the last bit of dust off her cave, she found herself gazing up as she caught sight of the woman in the broken mirror hanging near her bed. Staring back at those dark brown eyes, she found not the gangly awkward teen but a woman in full bloom.

Reaching up and cupping her cheeks, she could scarcely believe what she saw. The baby fat she once had melted away to reveal the sharp features underneath. Perhaps she could have taken herself a bit more as she felt the faint scar just above her brow and how her hair needed to be tamed but she grew well.

Smiling softly, she then shocked her head as she turned her attention back to her cave. Leaning against the long handle of her broom, she sighed fondly as she gazed inside what had been her home these past few years. It had shrunk as she had grown older, with the ceiling getting dangerously close to the top of her head, but she had put in some work to make it livable.

The once bare wall was now covered with shelves. Her mess of storage hard turned into a proper closet, complete with a door to stop the rats from getting in. The cold, often damp, floor was now hidden under bamboo planks. It now looked more of a proper home rather than just a cave she found while trying to find shelter from the rain.

Still, all good things come to an end. Her clothes and anything of worth packed, the various furniture covered by canvas, those that she couldn't take stored or left where they were, and anything perishable had long been disposed of or packed along with the rest of her stuff. "I'm really going to miss this place," She whispered before she perked up as the soft sound of footsteps behind her.

"Cleaning up and packing up right before the big fight?" An all too familiar voice suddenly asked, breaking her out of her musing. Grinning, Kuina turned to find Zoro leaning against one of the trees just outside her home, "Aren't you being just a tad bit overconfident Kuina? It's been what, a hundred to zero since you started trying to beat your old man?"

She smiled back as she rested her hand over the pommel of her wakizashi before shrugging, "Perhaps I am," She admitted before sighing, "But it's my last day here," she then said, her tone tinged with just a hint of nostalgia, "I really don't want to leave a mess after I'm gone," She added before before letting out a rueful chuckle, "Just imagine what historians would say if they see a hovel instead of a neat little hole in the wall."

She wasn't quite sure what it was today but something told her that it was finally time. She had honed her craft long enough as her calloused hands could attest to and today, she'd finally put everything she had learned to the test. The trade winds were blowing once more, it'll be a shame if she were to miss this opportunity to sail out especially because she lacked the log pose for such a journey.

Zoro snorted as he fired back, "I'm sure they'll be far more busy talking about your exploits than your origin Kuina," making her snicker. The years and the memories she had only made her more fond of Zoro. To think that her friend would one day fight with such monsters…

Gazing to the trio strapped to his belt, each one forged by her father for Zorro, she was sure he'll be just like that Zoro. With those broad shoulders and chiseled muscles, he was every bit as determined as he was the day he made that promise. Looking up at the serene smile on their face, she quickly added, "But perhaps a bit less severe."

As her snicker petered off and her gaze turned towards the sea, her friend would then ask her, "Are you sure you want to do this?" No longer did they sport that easy going smile as their eyes locked, his tone carrying no humor in them, "You could take another year to train up," they suggested as worry filled their eyes.

She smiled back sadly at her friends as he admitted, "I could…" and she would be lying if that thought hadn't crossed her mind, "But I've already spent so much time here on the island," she then said. Looking out past the village peeking out of the tree line and towards the blue ocean ahead, she then told her friend, "There's a whole world out there Zoro and I want to see it with my own eyes."

She was already seventeen, maybe a bit more with another life having melded into her mind, and the time of troubles were soon upon them. She had pushed not only herself but her friend to a path that would take them to the heights to survive this coming age. If she fails here and now, she wasn't sure she could take one that's about to come.

Grinning widely to hide the fear in her eyes, she turned back to Zoro as she shouted, "Just imagine all the stronger people I'd meet along the way!" She was afraid, yes but she felt excited. Just imagining facing them and besting all those monsters made her heart race.

Zoro gave her a flat look but her grin never faltered. Finally, Zoro cracked as he let out a full bellied laugh. She laughed with him, knowing full well how silly she sounds, but what was life without silliness? "Never change Kuina, never change," her dear friend replied as he wiped off his tears, "But since you're that intent on leaving, I probably should give you this."

Reaching inside his sleeves, he pulled up a rolled up bundle before tossing it to her. Catching it, she felt it up, wondering what's inside until she realized it was clothes. Excitedly untying the twine, she found herself staring in awe at a pair of a Hakama and Haori her size, marveling at the soft blue cotton it was made off.

"One the girls over at the village sewed it up for you," Zoro lied as he gazed away, scratching his cheeks, "They thought you look ridiculous with those rags you called your clothes," he jabbed at her, making her clutch her chest as she let out a gasp of mock shock.

"Hey, I'll have you know ripped Yukata is in fashion right now!" She fired back, hiding how her cheeks burned at his words. She really had been living like a monk all these years huh? Enough that even her friend went out his way to get her something nice to wear. Still… It felt nice.

Rolling his eyes at him, Zorro then said, "Oh please, we both know you can't match colors much less make up your own style," turning around, he then said, "Why don't you try it on? Maybe we could get it fixed just before you go fight your dad."

She giggled as she stripped, earning a squawk of indignation from Zoro. "What? Aren't you looking away already?" She pointed out as she stuck out her tongue at him. The man simply grumbled he lifted up his color, making sure he wasn't going to accidentally peek at her. ]

-x-x-x-

One quick change later and Kuina felt like a whole new woman. Spinning around, she looked at her new clothes as she marveled at just how good they felt on her skin, "Oh wow, these are amazing!"

They weren't simply the run off the mill clothes, they felt sturdy and well made. The fabric felt thick and the stitching, made to last. It also fit her well, hugging her form while not overly restrictive. It was made in a more masculine style but that's just how she liked it.

They say that the clothes make a man and she couldn't agree more. With these on, she felt like she could take on the very world government itself!
Nodding appreciatively, her friend told her, "They're made just the way you like them," and it showed. He definitely knew her three sizes, a fact she refused to let him live down as she grinned at him.

Powering through the blush in his face, the younger teen gritted out, "They'll let you move and jump around without tearing them up to shreds so don't worry about destroying them," before glaring at her, "Just be careful with slashes. Kimiko would kill me if you tore it up right after you just got them. "

"As if I'll let someone cut these up," She replied, hugging her clothes tightly. The mere notion offended her. New clothes were hard to come by and especially one that came from a friend who cared enough to buy it for her, "I'll make sure to take good care of them," Smiling, she then said, "Thank you Zoro."

It's nothing," Zorro waved it off as a small smile grazed his lips, "Just a friend wanting to give a proper send off is all."

Kuina almost felt her smile falter at his words. She was going out on her own, she had to remind herself. She won't have anyone else with her until she finds people she could call her own. They could be pirates, revolutionary or even a marine that could inspire her? Who knows… but she won't have Zoro by her side any longer.

"What about you?" She then asked, pausing briefly as she considered her next words, "Are you sure you still want to stay here for a while?" Maybe it was selfish, maybe she was risking so many things going wrong but can't she have her friend with her in her journeys? While it might be better that he helps a certain boy, maybe they could find another one to help them in their journey.

Unfortunately, their course was set as her friend shook his head, "Yeah, maybe another year or two," She felt sad but maybe it was the best. It wasn't like they could meet once again, right? "I Still have a few more things to master like that insane move of yours. Saru was it?" he then told her, making her giggle.

"Soru," She quickly corrected before teasing him, "If I had a bit more time, I could have reverse engineered the six others but I just have to live with this~" She had to hide her grin as she saw the man's face fall from what he just heard.

"What do you mean there's five more?!" He shouted before sighing as he ran his hands across his hair, "Well, I do have a year so might as well continue where you left off. You'd at least give me some pointers here right?" he asked to which she would give him a small booklet containing everything she had known. It would be up to Zoro to use this knowledge but the Six Powers would serve Zoro well. Perhaps he'll beat her to haki as well…

"I'm sure you'll master it by the time you sail off," She replied as she reached for her bag and slung it across her shoulder. Passing by him, she then paused as he told him, "Oh before I go, if you ever find a certain Straw Hat wearing Rubber Boy out there in the wild, be sure to talk them," While that boy would hate spoilers, she wasn't about to deprive him of one his friends, "They might have a few things that'll make you laugh,"

"I'll keep that in mind," Zorro nodded. While she never told him exactly what happened all those years ago, she was glad that he trusted her well enough that he didn't question her advice.

Taking in deep breaths, she then turned her gaze to the Dojo. While no longer her true home, it was where she was born. All those memories now surfacing as she took what might be her final steps back to her house, "Well, it's now or never," She told herself before waving goodbye to her friend, "Till we meet again Zoro,"

"Good Luck Kuina," Zoro replied before shouting at her retreating figure, "Beat the old man for me will you!"

"Just you watch!" Kuina shouted back as she ran, ready to face her destiny.

A/N:

Currently doing this commission before I move on to Lawman but I do plan on having either Lawman or Profiteering have 2 chapters. Two more chapters to go. Sorry for the delay.