The sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft golden light through the window of the small room where Yuma lay. He was propped up in bed, his left arm nearly immobile, chest bandaged, and his face still bruised from the fight. Cani had practically forced him into bed rest after his injuries, ensuring he didn't push himself further. Yuma, of course, hated it.
The door creaked open, and Kinsha stepped inside, her expression unreadable but her movements deliberate. She closed the door behind her, and for a moment, the only sound in the room was the faint rustling of the wind outside. Yuma turned his head, wincing slightly, but the moment he saw her, he smiled weakly.
"Kinsha… I didn't expect to see you back so soon," he said, his voice hoarse from pain and exhaustion. Kinsha stood by the door, her eyes on him but her mind clearly far away. For a moment, she just looked at him, taking in the sight of her closest friend, the person who had fought so hard for her freedom—even when she had nearly forgotten what that freedom felt like. She crossed the room slowly, her footsteps soft on the floor as she stopped beside his bed.
"I spoke to my parents," she said, her voice steady but low. Yuma's eyes widened slightly.
"And?" he asked, concern flickering in his gaze.
"I told them what they needed to hear… That I'm no longer theirs. That I've reclaimed my life." Yuma's brow loosened as he looked at her, his heart aching at the weight of her words. He knew what her family had done—how they'd given her away, abandoned her when she needed them most. He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, Kinsha continued.
"For so long, I let them define me. I let Ikati define me. I let their choices shape who I became… But not anymore." Kinsha's voice was stronger now, more certain. She looked down at Yuma, her eyes locked with his, and there was a fire behind them—a fire he hadn't seen in years.
"I'm free, Yuma... And it's because of you. You never gave up on me, even when I didn't know if I could keep going. You… you're the family I needed, the one I never had. And I'm not going to be a prisoner of my past anymore." Yuma's throat tightened at her words, pride swelling in his chest.
"Kinsha… you don't have to thank me for that… You did this on your own. You're stronger than you think." Kinsha smiled, the faintest hint of tears glistening in her eyes, though she blinked them away quickly.
"Maybe. But I wouldn't have realized that if it wasn't for you and Cani. You two made me believe in myself again." She took a deep breath, her hand resting on the edge of the bed.
"I've decided… I'm going to rebuild this island. The Akaba name won't be tied to shame anymore. I'll make it mean something… something good." Yuma's heart swelled with admiration as he looked at her, his smile soft but filled with pride.
"You will… I know you will."
Kinsha locks eyes with Ika.
"Who're… you?" Ika gulps and twiddles his fingers.
"I-I'm Ika… and you are?" Kinsha smiles, dramatically flaring her fluffy red coat.
"Name's Kinsha Akaba, Prince-... Queen of the Akaba Kingdom!" Ika's eyes sparkled.
"Y-You're Royalty..!?" Kinsha profoundly nods and laughs.
"Yup-" Suddenly, Moon smacks Kinsha's head.
"Stop messing around, let's get to combat training" Kinsha smiles and runs over to a rack of wooden swords.
"Kinsha, today is hand to hand… not weaponry" Ika exhales as Kinsha turns around, still smiling.
"I can't wait to be able to fight like Yuma!" Moon raises an eyebrow. Kinsha nervously laughs.
"Without the injuries of course…" Moon nods.
"Good… follow me" Moon leans back, lowering his elbows by his waist, fists in front of his face. Kinsha glanced at Ika, who nodded, her expression focused. The two of them mirrored Moon's stance, planting their feet shoulder-width apart.
"First, you need to understand your body. Where your strengths lie, where you're vulnerable," Moon continued, stepping closer.
"Kinsha, you're fast. You need to use that speed… Ika, you're built for endurance… Play to that." He moved behind Kinsha, gently guiding her arms into position. Loosening Kinsha's tight form.
"Stay light on your feet… Always be ready to move." He tapped the side of her leg.
"Shift your weight here." Kinsha nodded, adjusting her stance. Moon then walked over to Ika, positioning his hands in front of him.
"Don't lean too far forward. Keep your core tight. You'll tire out if you're off balance." Once they were both in position, Moon stepped back and took a fighting stance.
"Now, I'm going to throw a few punches, and I want you to focus on dodging. Not blocking—just moving out of the way." Kinsha blinked, her heart quickening as Moon's gaze locked onto her.
"Are you ready?" he asked. She nodded, tightening her fists. Without warning, Moon launched a quick jab toward Kinsha's shoulder. She moved instinctively, stepping to the side, but she wasn't fast enough. His knuckles grazed her arm, and she winced.
"Faster," Moon said, stepping back to give her space.
"Don't wait for the punch. Anticipate it. Use your Cat reflexes to your advantage" Kinsha shook off the sting and took a deep breath, focusing again. Her eye's constrict like a cat's. Moon threw another punch, this time faster. Kinsha shifted, her body moving with more fluidity, dodging the hit.
"Good," Moon said, approvingly. Thrusting another two punches, Kinsha barely dodges both before Moon steps back and loosens.
"Now, Ika, your turn." Ika squared his shoulders as Moon advanced. His fist shot forward, and Ika instinctively brought his arm up to block.
"No blocking," Moon reminded him.
"Just dodge." Ika frowned but adjusted, stepping back as he swung again. He managed to evade the punch, but his foot slipped slightly on the wet deck.
"Watch your footing," Moon said, his tone calm but authoritative.
"If you fall, you're done."
Cani smiles as she watches the training session.
"They seem to be having fun…" There was a silent creaking of the floorboards. Cani turns and groans.
"Yuma! Get back in bed!"