Just the Maid

Chapter 1- The Beginning

"Don't just stand there!" said our leader. "Let's open it!"

The men let out a roar and started pushing the large door open.

Where are we exactly? Who am I? Why are we pushing open some door? Well, my name is Katara Dragoness. I do odd jobs and what not wherever I can, but it's the BIG jobs that I enjoy! Ones that include LOTS of treasure and rewards and money!

As I was wandering, I came upon the Dentora Region of the Republic of Padokea. While sauntering through the streets, I came across a flyer that wanted strong men to gather at 'The Drunken Clam', a popular bar in the area. Putting on my favorite black cloak and throwing up my hood, I head to the bar to check it out. It may have said, 'Only men', but I was as strong and cunning as any other guy.

Arriving at the bar, I sat down at a booth near the door. A waiter came over to take my order. He looked suspiciously at my hood and when he did, I slightly lifted my head and gave him a deathly glare.

"I-Is water okay s-sir?" he choked out. I just nodded and he scampered away.

I don't mind being mistaken for a guy because guys are better than girls in so many ways. Ironic, right? Yeah well, get over it. It's true.

Anyway, soon after I get my drink, a huge man jumps onto the table. He has a weird looking mustache that goes sideways, then sharply turns down, making it look like handlebars. He has a yellowish bandana on with an eyepatch covering his right eye. He's also wearing a red, long coat with the sleeves cut off and fur on the back, black gloves, a piece of cloth wrapping around his middle to hold up his burgundy colored pants, and black boots.

"Alright men! I believe time is up! Anyone here who thinks they're strong enough to come with me must win in a fight with someone else. Or," he snickers, "or you must win a arm wrestling match with me!" He laughs like he's the funniest man in the world.

After about a quarter of an hour, half of the men are laying on the ground. The only person who hasn't been challenged or even challenged someone else is me.

"Is that it? I thought we'd have more of a show!" the man, who I presume is the leader, shouts out. He's leaning back onto the bar leisurely, taking in the sight. I stand up, finish my water, and slam it down loudly. Every eye in the room is now focused on me. I grin maliciously and walk over to the table right in front of the leader. I sit down and rest my left elbow on the table, ready to wrestle. My left arm is showing; it's quite thin, sadly, giving off the premise that I'm not really strong, but that's okay because that just means I get to prove them wrong. I glance up at the leader, who is appraising me with his eyes. All of a sudden, he starts laughing, as does the rest of the bar. Irritated, I do my best to keep calm and to not punch him in the face.

He finally stops laughing and gets down from his stool.

"Alrighty, this should be interesting..." he states, then laughs again. "I'll let you use your better arm, since I'll throw your arm down so hard, it might break the table!" followed by another fit of laughter.

He grabs my left arm roughly and I let my arm swing a little with the force of it. I stare straight at him, keeping my head down so my identity isn't revealed, although that would be pretty easy, given my outfit. I mean, it's my favorite outfit. A deep purple tube top and my black miniskirt with two gold chains hanging on the side with black fingerless gloves. These three colors are the greatest!

Back to the fight, the same person who waited on me decided to be the referee.

"One!"

I shifted my arm.

"Two!"

I grip his hand a little harder and I think I saw him wince a little.

"Three!!"

I matched my strength with his, making him put up a fight. I didn't want to win easily or show off my full strength, so I kept giving in then pushing back then giving in the pushing back and so on until about half an hour passes by.

Finally, bored with this, I yawn loudly and push his arm down.

He looks at me as I take my hand away.

"H-How? No one has ever beaten me before!" he cries.

I don't answer because I still want to keep my gender and identity a secret, just in case.

"Well, you know what?" he says. "A deal is a deal. You're on the team, and since you've beaten me in arm wrestling, you're going to be my captain!"

I couldn't do anything, other than give him two thumbs up.

"Now that we have our team, we will set out for Kukuroo Mountain tomorrow morning, so get your rest!" our leader shouted. Hearing this, a few were quite relieved that they were able to get some time to heal. Others weren't so pleased since they weren't really injured at all and were ready to get going.

'Well,' I thought to myself, 'I think I'll try to read up on this 'Kukuroo Mountain...'