Learning
to Walk Again
By:
Sinead
Chapter
Twelve
I
yawned, feeling rather warm, and overly cozy. Arms were wrapped around me, and I
looked over my shoulder to see Yokio there. And Michael. And Terrence. And Kale,
Nahele, and Itosugi. Yokio growled softly by my ear, and I kissed him quietly.
“How did it go last night?”
“Fine.
The armor fit, and your father spoke to me, training me verbally on how to use
it.”
Ito-chan
called over sleepily, “You should have been there to see it, Are-chan. Miya!”
Yokio
reached over, and hit him lightly. “Yes, and you taped it!”
I
laughed, and said, “I’m going to watch that when we have the chance!” With
a groan, I rolled out of the massive bed, and stood carefully, dressed in
flannel pyjama pants, and a sports-bra. I carefully applied weight to my left
leg, ready to fall, if necessary. Instead, it felt almost completely normal. I
lifted my right leg clear of the floor, and pulled my knee up to my chin, then
released it, to stand on both feet again. All six boys were watching me. I
blinked at them, then said, “What?”
They
shrugged, and I walked to the walk-in closet that was in this room, turned the
light on in it, and chose an outfit from my suitcase. I then escaped to the
shower. There was a knock, once I was drying off, and I wrapped the towel around
me, then opened the door a crack. Yokio was there, and said, “There’s a
line.”
I
sighed, and then let him in, keeping the towel tightly wrapped around me. He
shifted forms, and sighed. I looked to him, and he stretched his back and tail,
as he had shifted to becoming the Velociraptor I had first met him as. [I’m
deprived . . .]
[From
what?] I asked cautiously, making sure
that he wasn’t watching me finish drying off. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to
know what he was talking about, or not. It couldn’t hurt to ask, though.
[This
form. And my robot mode.]
[You’re
nearly completely healed.]
He
went to turn to look at me, but I wrapped the towel firmly around myself, and
then tucked it in. I reached over and touched his right cheek, where the scar
was. He rested his head against my palm, and I pulled him slightly closer. He
sighed, and looked at me. I rubbed my nose against his snout, then closed my
eyes. [Dinobot, what is it?]
[Nothing.]
[Please
. . . please tell me.]
He
opened his eyes, and then closed them again, and pressed closer to me,
trembling. I wrapped my arms around him, hoping that my towel would stay, and
felt a warm substance drip upon my shoulders. With a sigh, I held him as tight
as I could, and his Spark whispered, [Are you hurting?]
[No.
I’m in no pain. Why? How is that possible?]
[I
. . . I helped heal you.]
[How?]
He didn’t answer for a moment, and I pulled away, to see that what had been
running along my shoulders were . . . were his tears. I sighed, and then wiped
them away. [You’re the one in pain, Dinobot. You denied yourself the
luxury of healing yourself, to allow me to heal.]
[Negative.
I only helped, as I remembered that I had to fight today.]
I
looked at him, and then kissed his snout. He lowered it, and whispered, [Look
into yourself. I was lying when I said that there was a line for the bathroom.
Your parents are already up and out, and they said that the other boys could use
their bathroom, provided that they clean up afterwards.]
I
looked at him. [What do you mean, look into myself?]
His
eyes closed. [You’re lucky that I was the first into the bedroom last
night. You don’t remember waking up, either. This is the third time that it
has happened.]
[What?
What do you mean?]
[You
. . . you were in beast mode.]
Something
hit my shoulder lightly, and then kisses were plastered over my face. I
spluttered, and then sat up, thus causing my towel to come undone. I tugged at
it furiously, and then looked up, to see Dinobot looking away. I sighed, then
decided to give up on the whole ordeal. I turned his snout to face me. “Tell
me that you didn’t say what I thought you said.”
He
watched me silently, his eyes never leaving mine. I sighed, and then rested my
forehead against the tip of his snout, and absently rubbed the sides. He emitted
what can only be described as a purr, and leaned more into it. I blinked,
stopped, then looked up at him. His eyes were half-open, but he shook his head,
and looked at me apologetically. I smiled, and asked, [Did I do something
wrong?]
The
’Raptor looked down, then back up abruptly, an odd red shade creeping into his
scales. I smiled and took my towel up again. He replied, [No, nothing at all.
You just . . . you just ahem . . . started to somewhat preform the first, ah . .
. advances of . . . hurumph.]
He
cleared his throat numerous times, and I said, [I know what you’re trying
to say. I understand. But . . . how did I enter my beast mode? How?]
Dinobot
maximized, and wrapped his arms around me. I held onto him, and he whispered,
“I love you.”
I
smiled, and then let myself settle into my soul, and sighed. Something shifted,
and I opened my eyes again, to behold a . . . I rested my hands upon the floor,
and closed my eyes again, not wanting to faint again. Dinobot’s arms wrapped
around me again, and I relaxed into them. [Thank you.]
[For
what?]
I
rubbed my cheek against his, and replied, [For helping me through that.]
An
mischievously evil look came into his eyes, as he replied, [I got to see your
legs. I’m happy.]
I
hit him lightly, and he shifted to his human mode. I looked away, as he
undressed and got into the shower. I, too, shifted to my human form, and then
finished drying off. I dressed and sat, waiting for him. We said nothing, but
instead, comforted each other through our presence. Soon, though, he shut the
shower off, and called out, “Could you hand me a towel?”
I
opened the door, walked out, then called in, “You can do that yourself, Yokio.
I have to get ready to meet the media, and so do you. We’re gonna be in armor
all day today after breakfast out at some restaurant.”
“Oh,
slag it all. I forgot that ‘we’ part. Alright, I’ll hurry.”
“Thanks.”
“Hohoemu
kudasai, Shujuku Kedakai!”
I
blinked, then smiled at the Japanese fan. She grinned, and I closed my eyes,
smiling again, holding up my first two fingers in a “V” for victory, hearing
her hit the shutter again. Yokio joined me, shifting somewhat uncomfortably, and
I immediately saw why. “Hold still.”
He
did, and I loosened the buckles one notch for his shoulder-guards. Camera
shutters were going off at every turn. He sighed, and said over his shoulder,
“How did you know that was the problem?”
“I’ve
been working with armor ever since I would reach the top handle for the bellows
in my father’s forge. I thought you knew that. Oh, and you still have to enter
your name for the team fight.”
Termination
walked over, and said, “I can run and tell them now, so . . .”
Yokio
blinked, then said, “Call me Dinobot.”
It
was before we split to be with our separate, if temporary, arenas. We were
wearing identical armor with the other members of our arenas so that we could be
identified as in an arena and not as individuals. Yokio tugged gently upon my
bangs. “I don’t want to fight you in the arena.”
“You’ll
fight who you will. I’ll see if I can fight Tempest again. He’s got a style
I’d like to learn more of. What’s a better way to learn something than when
in combat?”
He
chuckled, and I laughed, then looked over to where Termination was standing,
waving. I waved in return, and kissed Yokio, hearing camera shutters going off
once again. He kissed my cheek in return, and rested his forehead upon mine,
smiling. “You be safe, okay?”
“I
will. You too, Yokio.”
He
smiled, and I wrinkled my nose, smiling as well. He stood straight, then walked
off, reaching behind him for his helmet, which was hanging on his scabbard, a
borrowed sword from my father. I would be making him one of his own soon.
I
joined Brute, Fear, and Talon by our gate, and smiled at them. Talon glared at
me, then turned away. I sighed silently, and Brute fell to one knee, taking my
right hand in his, after seeing cameras around us again. “Please, O Noble One,
will you reconsider your marriage to that heathen Yokio Kenkokoro, and
join in the holiest matrimony with myself?”
I
blinked at him, took my hand out of his, and hit his head. “Dope. Wait until
Yokio sees this. He’ll insist that I write you off of my will.”
He
stood, brushed himself off, and said, “I can see that I’ll have to behave,
if I’m to inherit the forge, then.”
I
grinned. “What makes you think that I’m going to give that to you? For all you
know, Itosugi will be getting that forge! You know that he’s been in
there more times than you have!”
Michael
Brute grinned, and Fear called out, “Before he asks, will you enter the arena
on my arm? Please?”
I
glared at him, then chuckled. “If anything, I’ll walk over to Yokio’s
temporary arena, and walk in upon his arm! And you know how strict
the rules are about entering the arena through your own door.”
The
announcement for all involved arenas to enter was made, and we walked in, then
stood under our arena tapestry. The announcer was in the center, upon a raised
stage. It was one of the obstacles that would be in the arena for the team death
match. We’d have to avoid that one, since he’d be there throughout the whole
event. I looked over the moveable obstacles, noting that they would be
moved around after every match, creating a different challenge for each fight.
I
looked to my right, and saw Yokio there. I nodded once, and heard, “There are
five arenas left in the competition with enough points to enter in the
Deathmatch! They are as follows: WeyQuinTree,
[Hmm
. . . sounds like a Tarantulus-type of fight. Completely unfair. Reminds be of
the Beast Wars in a way . . . Wouldn’t you agree, Alessa?]
[Dinobot!]
[What?!
Blame me for speaking the truth!]
[You
and your nostalgic moments. I love you, you know that?]
[Thankfully,
yes.]
“–And
the fighters are: From North Shore Arena, Demise, Fuerza, Heion, and Azufre!”
The
fighters raised their bare swords to their names, gathering the cheers of the
crowds.
“From
the
The
same motions, the same reactions . . . I looked to Dinobot, who nodded once. Our
arenas would be different.
“
I
spread the word to my fighters. Talon didn’t listen, but Fear and Brute nodded
their agreement. One glance over to Dinobot, as Yokio, within his borrowed
armor, showed that he was ready. Our reaction would be unlike the other
arenas’.
“From
North PlainFoxBoro Arena, Termination, Befire, Fuego, and standing in for
Extinction, who is still recovering from his final duel yesterday, is
Dinobot!”
As
their names were called, each removed his helmet, and bowed.
The
crowds loved it.
“And
finally! From the WeyQuinTree Arena, the femme fatale wonder, Kedakai! With her
warriors: Brute, Fear, and Talon!”
As
each of our names were declared, we did both. First, we took our helmets off,
then raised our swords in a tribute. All, but Talon, who stood stock-still,
neither acknowledging his name being called, nor the glares aimed at him from
the other four arenas, who, apparently, didn’t approve of his behavior either.
Brute aimed an especially-evil glare at him, then stood straighter, his face
hard. Even the announcer seemed puzzled by his behavior. “WELL! Looks like
there’s a bit of non-cooperation in your ranks, there, Kedakai! Hope that it
clears up before the fight! All right! First up, are the
We
exited, and I knew that cameras were on me as I dropped everything, and pinned
Talon to the wall. “You. Idiot. We all need you in this! Dad couldn’t
fight, and Yokio was the only other fighter that could replace him to save his
arena from dishonor.” I removed his helmet without a second thought, swiftly,
and hissed into his face. “If my father wasn’t injured, then I would have
replaced you with Yokio that very moment
you questioned my words with my father.”
Turning
away, I picked up all my dropped gear, and walked into the lounge, and sat on a
stool. Termination, his helmet off, walked over. “You almost completely lost
it.”
“Not.
Now.”
Dinobot
joined him, and placed a hand upon each of my cheeks, angling my head to look up
at him. “Al . . . Kedakai, I mean . . .” I whispered something to him, as I
looked up into his green eyes. He sighed, and the rested his forehead against
mine. “Oh, you.”
“If
I didn’t do that, then I wouldn’t have said things that I did. He needs more
than just a verbal rebuke.”
“You
can polish the armor,” my father’s voice said, “but you cannot change what
it is.”
I
looked up at him, and then nodded, closing my eyes, and sighing. “I take it
you saw.”
He
chuckled, and replied, “I was worried that you would have put him through
the wall, my daughter. Even then, he would have deserved it for treating you the
way that he has over the past few weeks.”
Termination
patted my shoulder, and said, “Kai, you’ll hold up fine.”
I
nodded, and heard the crowd screaming in delight. I pecked Yokio upon his cheek,
then walked over to Brute and Fear, who were glaring at Talon. The boy was
flirting with some blonde. I sighed. “Talon, come here, please. We have things
to talk about.”
“Really?
I don’t.”
“Then
you’ll find yourself quickly at the disadvantage, in the Deathmatch. A full
team, against one? The rest of us will forfeit.”
Yokio
called over, “One against many has been done before, and you know that,
Kedakai.”
Talon
indicated Yokio. “See? He agrees.”
“However,
that person was near death by the end, and was only saved by chance.”
It
struck me. He was talking out of his own experience. I looked to him, and saw
that even though his emerald eyes were hard as the stone they had taken their
color from, they were distant. I looked back at the blonde, who smiled, and
walked up to me. “Can I get your autograph for my little sister?”
Talon,
I saw, was seething. I smiled at the blonde, and asked, “Sure. Wait.”
I
trotted over to a table, where there were rare black-and-white pictures of us
fighters, and picked one up, as well as a pen. Talon was hissing something to
the blonde, who blinked over her shoulder at him, and said, “Well? Do you
expect me to believe that? Betrothal is betrothal, and nothing else. Duh, she
couldn’t have decided against it, she was out cold! Not to mention,
that even if she wasn’t unconscious, I doubt that she would have gone against
it.” She winked at Yokio, whistled, and added, “And sweetie, I’m telling
you . . . after seeing that face, she wouldn’t say no if she had to.
Sorry, Jett, but he out-ranks you in the looks, possibly even in personality as
well.”
I
blinked, rested my hand upon the table again, and then walked back towards the
blonde, asking, “So, your sister’s name is . . . ?”
She
chuckled, and said, “Fayette.” She chuckled again. “And she’s going to
go for her black-belt tests in a month.”
I
wrote a quick note, wishing her well on her tests. I stopped writing for a
moment, to look up at the wall-sized TV screen, seeing the fighters start to
engage in combat. This was a top-view, with the colored helmets of the armor
showing which sides the fighters were from. I then looked back down, and
switched the top and bottom photos, surprising the girl by asking, “And your
name is?”
She
blushed. “Ronna.”
“And
what belt are you going for?”
“How
do you know that I’m going for one at all?”
“You
walk like you’re a fighter. It’s the way that you balance yourself.”
She
laughed, and I smiled at her. She was about my height. “Okay, okay, I’m
going for my second level of black-belt.”
I
wrote her the note, adding a little extra at the bottom, and then handed her the
two autographs, turning to face the screen. Yokio walked over and kissed my
cheek. “I have to talk with the others in the arena I’m with today.”
I
nodded, and heard, “NO WAY!!!”
“Something
wrong, Ronna?” I asked innocently.
“Are
you serious?! You and your Dad will teach me?!”
“If
and when you get your degree.”
She
hugged me quickly, then ran to the door, only to stop. “What about my
sister?”
“Do
you think that I’d leave someone out, who is as diligent to get her black belt
as you are? The same condition applies.” I looked over to her, smiled, and
said, “Now get out before security comes and tells you . . . hi guys! Hey, let
her off easy.”
The
security guys, all buff, grinned at her, and popped their knuckles. She dropped
into a fighting stance, and then one playfully feigned a punch, only to have his
wrist twisted, but not so hard that it broke. All she did was hold it while he
blinked at her. She released him, and he pulled his sleeve up, showing a brace.
“That’s been tried before. Good form, though. Maybe you can join the ranks .
. . ?”
“I’ve
claimed her as potential apprentice!” I called over, not watching them
anymore. I was watching the Deathmatch. “So hands off, slimebag!”
“Now,
now, no need to be harsh, snotbrain!”
The
bell rang for time-up as three beats, and the announcer roared out, “And Cape
Islands has the win by twenty-three hits! Next up! Fighters from WeyQuinTree and
We
walked out, each paired with another fighter of the opposite team, by the
judges. That paired person, was who we were going to fight. I was scared. Talon
was against Dinobot. I was against Befire, Brute was against Termination, and
Fear was against Fuego. But I feared for Dinobot, and how Talon was going to
behave. He wouldn’t hold back, but I didn’t know how strong he was, even after
three weeks of healing. It scared me, because I didn’t know if Dinobot was
going to hold back.
It
was going to be an ugly fight.
The
bell rang once to start the fight, and I faced off with Befire. We circled a few
times, and I pulled a quick move, wanting to end the fight quickly. He sheathed
his sword, acknowledging my victory, and we climbed up so that we could see a
few of the other fighters. Termination was winning . . . no . . . he won, and
they joined us, Brute with his sword sheathed. Termination and I tapped swords,
congratulating each other, as Fear used his small stature to win against Fuego.
Then, it was only Talon and Dinobot left. I looked up at the announcer, and
called up, “Tell the judges to let the time slide on this.”
He
turned his mike off, and asked, “You doin’ all right? Your hip hurt or
something?”
“I’m
fine, but let the time slide.”
He
nodded, activated a smaller microphone, and I looked back at my husband . . .
and someone who could have been a lover, once. Both were completely intent upon
fighting each other. I watched Talon’s movements carefully. He was intent upon
hitting Dinobot with everything that he could. He whirled, but Dinobot blocked
it easily, leaping back out of his range. I looked to the others, and we
sheathed our swords in unison, all leaving it up to these two to decide who
would go on to the finals. I leapt to another pedestal, and continued watching.
This time, Dinobot slashed out, catching Talon’s side, and gaining five
points. Talon grunted with the impact, but swung out with his left fist. Dinobot
caught it with his own left, and blocked a swipe from Talon’s sword. They
struggled, each trying to gain the upper hand. Finally, Dinobot pulled a harsh
twist, sending Talon stumbling into the pillar I was standing upon. It wobbled,
and I leapt free, rolling to my feet, as it fell.
[You
alright?!] Dinobot asked, his voice
strained.
[I’m
fine! Heads up!]
He
leapt out of the way, as Talon started to run at him. But then, he stopped, and
looked to me. I held my hands up, showing that I was unarmed, and out of the
Deathmatch. Talon spat out one word. Unfortunately, there had been microphones
installed into the arena overnight. His comment echoed through the center.
“Coward.”
Dinobot’s
voice followed, filled with anger. “Kedakai is many things, but one she is
certainly not is a coward! She has left the Deathmatch upon her own
choice, and is no longer a factor in who wins and who loses.”
“So
she can’t defend herself anymore?” Talon sneered, playing with his sword
slightly, shifting it in his grip.
A
sharp whistle sounded to my right, and I threw myself towards it, stepping on
Termination’s joined hands, feeling him throw me upwards, as I timed it, and
leapt up higher at the same time. He followed me up, and then turned, and
snorted back down to Talon. “You treat your Arena Marshal with the respect she
deserves, Talon.”
He
glared up, and I watched back silently, taking my helmet off. The others did so
as well. When our swords were sheathed, there was always the option of taking
them out again. Once the helmet came off, then there was no point of return. I
looked to Dinobot, and blinked my eyes slowly in respect. He had to win. There
was no doubt about it.
If he didn’t win, I feared that Talon would kill him.