The Forbidden Fruit

Stand with me? Or fall?

(The mystery woman kanji keeps seeing in her dreams👀👀 no the art still ain't mine💀)

Kanji's POV

"So... Toshiba... how exactly does this help?"

I let my head turn as she bent herself backwards and walked like a weirdly bent out of shape spider. I cringed and shuddered. 'What the hell kind of practice is this?!' 

"I'm showing you how flexible the training we have down here makes us. I know you may not think it'll happen but what if those things break through the Barriers and attack? How will you and the others protect yourselves?"

I opened my mouth then closed it. She had a point. Though we had some experience in fighting our fighting styles are so different that we could possibly get ourselves killed fighting with them. I sighed and nodded.

"Alright come on show me. I'll teach whatever I learn from you guys to the others."

Toshiba smiled and untwisted herself. She took on a strange fighting stance. Her legs were far apart. While one hand was raised by her chin the other was low by her abdomen. Her left heel was raised and her right foot was slightly raised off the ground. She smirked and looked at him with confidence.

I took on the formally widely known Karate fighting style. I took the stance Kokutsu Dachi. Taking a deep breath I began to clear my mind.

"Karate? Against Jeet Kune Do? Kanji if this were a real battle you'd die..."

I frowned my brows at her words. 'Jeet Kune Do? What in the world is that?' I saw her strengthen her stance to remain in place. 'She isn't going to make the first move.'  I immediately lunged at her with a full force fist. She dodge and threw a swift jab at my throat. I collapsed to the ground choking while holding my throat. She sucked her teeth while shaking her head.

"Kanji. Why would you attack head on if you don't know my fighting style?"

I laid on the ground choking and in pain. Toshino and Mira ran in shocked and worried. "TOSHIBA WHAT THE HELL?!"

Toshiba shrugged and walked off to the side.

"She needs to learn to defend herself."

Toshino glared at his twin sister.

"I understand that but you didn't even explain our fighting style to her?! You just attacked her!"

Toshiba scoffed and turned her head away.

"How was I supposed to know the only thing she knew was karate? I mean come on the Kokutsu Dachi stance? We learnt that in first grade!"

Mira helped me up and grabbed a bottle of water. She shook her head and looked up at Toshiba and Toshino who were still arguing. "I understand you two are part of the faction that wants to help us... but please. If you aren't going to actually put in effort then leave us alone."

Toshiba scoffed annoyed and glared at Mira.

"Oi. Be glad I vouched for you guys. I've been putting in effort to keep your lazy ass safe since you got here! Zero. Toshino. Me?! We've been working our asses off. We even decided to teach you guys how to defend yourselves. And instead of a thank you or even small gratitude we get accused of not actually helping?! Fuck off then! And suffer on your own. I refuse to help a sorry ass who doesn't even put in effort to help herself."

Toshiba stormed away angrily as Toshino called out her name.

"TOSHIBA! COME BACK!"

She didn't turn around. She slammed the doors and silence overtook the room. I looked up at Toshino and bowed while apologizing.

"I'm so sorry. I was the one that told her to teach me so I could  teach the others. It's not her fault but mine. Mira. Apologize."

Mira looked at me in disbelief and pushed away from me.

"Apologize? Why? Just four days ago they wanted to throw us out now we have to apologize?!"

Toshino gave Mira a side glare as she also left the room pissed. I again bowed and apologized for her behavior.

"Kanji it isn't your fault. Though I hate to admit it some of what Toshiba said is right. It doesn't seem like anyone from your group wants to make an effort. And it's not okay at all. If you guys are going to stay here you have to help out or at least learn something. We can't always protect you guys."

I nodded and sighed. Ever since my confrontation with Aiden both sides have been on edge. Everyone refused to join me today which is what led to this happening.

"You are right. I'll talk to them. And again I am deeply sorry about Mira."

He shook his head and smiled. "It's alright we've dealt with worse."

I smiled weakly and watched as he walked away. Left in my own chaotic disordered thoughts I remembered Mira.

"Right...now to deal with that..."

-

Usually I appreciate Mira's hardcore don't tolerate bullshit attitude. It was always useful especially under my mother's watchful eye.

But...

Right now I wish nothing more than for her to just... SHUT UP!!!

"Mira's right! Why should we thank them!?"

I stood in the middle of a very angry and pissed off group of Genshina's. Mira had done me the "pleasure" of running back and telling everyone what happened and about me "forcing" her to apologize.

'Damn it.'

"Look I understand the tension is high right now but-."

Someone from the group started talking over me creating an even worse situation than before.

"Oh shut up! You don't know shit! You've been hauled up in a room for weeks. And before that you were unconscious. Hey who even made you the one who calls shots huh?!"

Everyone began to agree in unison and started screaming at me. I felt overwhelmed. Annoyed. Angry. Scared. Threatened. And I was sure they felt the same way.

"CAN YOU ALL JUST SHUT THE HELL UP!?"

Myiro leaned against a wall beyond pissed. He screamed so loud that everyone went silent. He glared at Mira as he spoke.

"She may not have been there when we were fighting for our lives but let's not forget she's not the reason we are here. Now she managed to find us shelter. Food. And protection. And instead of thanking her you ungrateful maggots gang up on her?! Why. Because that self centered bitch over there complaining starting shit actually did something?! All she's done is create the refit between both parties to become worse. Now kanji is looking for a solution. You guys can either shut the hell up and live? Or get the hell out and fend for yourselves up there on earth. Choose."

I stared at Myiro wide eyed and suppressed tears that threatened to spill. Although he and I didn't see eye to eye we definitely agree that staying here for now was the best option. He glanced at me and nodded respectfully. I smiled and nodded back.

Mira was fuming. She glared at him and then looked back at me.

"Kanji-"

I ignored her and stepped forward.

"As Myiro has stated. If any of you believe that you would fair better out there then leave. No one's stopping you. But my mother. One of Genshina's greatest warriors. And a noble. She saved us so we could have a fighting chance. I don't plan on giving that fighting chance away. So.... Do you all wish to stand with me? Reclaim earth? Save our homes? And become this generations hope?!"

The ones who had doubted me began to scream and cheer. Mira stood behind me. I didn't hear her cheer or scream. But I knew she knew what we said was right. It was the only way.

I should've done better to make sure she understood what it meant.