Tao of the Broken

Chapter Five

Five

            Over the next few mornings Sorrel continued her exercises, sure to see that Batur was busy doing his own morning routine before tiptoeing out to her garden.  She wasn’t going to stop just because he told her she was weak.  As for her self-confidence, she was working on it.  It was easy to let her hair fall around her and become invisible.  It was easy and familiar.  She wasn’t sure how easy it would be to keep her chin up and her arms by her sides but she was ready to try.

            On her jog with Eiji and Ako it was easy to be relaxed.  He usually remained silent or offered light conversation, asking what she’d made for dinner or what she planned to grow in the spring.  He hadn’t brought up the kiss or asked her for another, she was grateful for that.  Aster had been right about it though, she’d felt the knot in her stomach easing when he’d met her that morning.  He’d smiled and it made her heart jump, then she was smiling as well and the feeling was gone.

            Sorrel felt lighter, like telling herself Eiji was her friend had made it real.  She’d told him she believed him, but she didn’t think it was really true until recently.

            “I’ve been doing those exercises you showed me.”  She offered.  They’d been silent halfway to the river.

            “I thought that was why you asked to see them,” he returned with a smile, “for how long?”

            “Just a few days.  They seem easier; my legs don’t shake as much when I do the bends.”

            “You seem less breathy too.”  He commented, “How do you feel?”

            “Better than I did on our first trip.  Do you think we can push it ‘til we get to the river?  I want to see how I do running.”

            Eiji nodded and easily picked up his stride.  Sorrel followed suit, determined to keep up.  She liked when he set the pace, he seemed to know how fast he could go for how long and she wanted to be able to match him.  She wasn’t that much shorter than him now, and her legs were long and felt stronger.  They had just over half a mile to run, she would make it.

            As the river came into view Sorrel was breathing much harder and she was sweating just along her hairline.  Her long sleeves felt too heavy, but it was cold out and she was exerting herself.  Even Eiji seemed winded as they slowed to a walk at the riverbank.  Sorrel felt herself smiling.

            “That was fun!” she exclaimed, “Let’s not do it again for a while.  I don’t think I’m ready.”  She was taking deep breaths to even her breathing and it was slowly working.

            “Deal.”  Eiji kicked aside a few stones and dropped down in the sand, “I’m impressed though.  You’ve definitely got more stamina than I remember.”

            Sorrel sat down across from him, folding her legs beneath her.  “Batur caught me in the garden.”  She told him, watching Ako pace the shoreline.  The water was colder now and he didn’t seem as eager to jump in.  “He told me I lacked confidence.  That I have no force.”

            Eiji studied her, not sure how to respond.  In a way Batur was right.  She was still quiet, shy and unsure of herself.  He could see her changing though, he knew it was only a matter of time before she felt a sense of pride she was willing to stand behind.  He knew she already had something to be proud of; he was just waiting for her to see it too.

            “What did you say?”  He asked.

            Her shoulders slumped and she looked at him, “Nothing.  I was too surprised that he was watching.  I also didn’t have an argument.  He’s right; I’m going to try though.”