Toman's Little Sister

81 | Strength

"So you're... his sister?" Mocchi questioned.

You nodded slowly, still somewhat hidden behind Kakucho. "Half-sister. We share a mother." You slowly stepped away from the protection of Kakucho. "I-I don't know how important that is to you but..."

You held your hand at your chest, over the necklace Izana had given you that you refused to take off. And you bowed. You bowed low, so low you nearly fell forward.

"I'm sorry." Your hand trembled against your chest. "I'm so, so sorry. I could've helped Izana... I didn't— I couldn't, I put Mikey before—" You felt someone's hand on your head and you were pulled in.

You felt Ran's hand rubbing across your back. "Aw, the little siblings are always such crybabies! Right Rindo?"

"Yeah yeah..."

"You have a bad habit of blaming yourself, huh?" Ran smiled, patting your head. "Complete opposite of Izana."

"Shut up..."

"Alright, say we forgive you." Ran said sarcastically. "What do you need?"

"Huh?"

"Well, Izana's gone now. So the torch comes to you. Has something to do with your gang, doesn't it?"

You nodded. "If it's not..." You paused on Madarame. "We're going to have to fix that."

•••

"Show me your stance.... NO, you stand like a five year old play fighting with his dad!" You pushed Madarame's forehead—nudged it, more like it—and he fell back.

"Kakucho, stance."

He displayed his stance to you and you walked around him. "He's lowering his core so he has more balance but he doesn't scrunch up. Your dominant hand is the one you're heavily dependant on so try to raise it higher so you're ready to strike. Use your forearms to protect your chest but keep your fists close to your face."

You poked your toes on Kakucho's feet. "His feet are planted but he's also light on them for when he needs to dodge or pivot. Keep the back heel raised for better mobility." You poked Kakucho's heel to signal for him to fix his stance.

"Legs bent to protect your poor, vulnerable groin."

"Hey!"

"Don't make your head face the same way as your torso so you can turn your cheek. A broken nose is the last thing you want."

Ran laughed. "Aren't you a talented teacher?"

"I'm a strategist. I'm supposed to know how to do this." You stood behind Madarame, holding his shoulders. "Don't stiffen them so much. It'll confine arm movement."

You smiled. "Don't worry. I whipped over a hundred boys into shape. These are just the basics but it should help."

Madarame clicked his tongue. "Whatever."

"Rindo, up against Madarame."

"What?!"

"Go easy on him now." You winked, sitting down at the curb.

Rindo groaned in annoyance. "Fine..."