Zumi: The Tiger and The Bat

Chapter 2: Zuri's Hidden Skills

This chapter was also edited by crossoverLIFE19, she also added a point of view for Damian. Enjoy.

Zuri's pov:

The breeze rushes through the open windows, cooling the beading sweat running down my face. My breathing remains in my control; slow, calm inhales and strong exhales to keep my condition in its prime. Moments into the tournament, and I have nothing to do but stretch and will my thoughts to remain on my future opponents. I grit my teeth, using the muscles I've gained through years of gymnastics to lift myself in a headstand. As my thoughts run beyond the desired rail; time so long spent being pressured to do things I never found a passion for - and I force my hands to hold my body up into the air as high as I could go.

I made it, that's all that matters, I remind myself. I'm leaving their shadow - the grip that kept my heart caged for years. Slowly, I bend my arms at the elbow, lifting myself for some sort of distraction. I ignore the sneers and snarky remarks thrown my way; in a class full of hard-headed boys and no other girls, I know from practice the only thing to change anyone's mind is fighting for their respect. I've done it once, and I'll do it again. I'm going to practice and work as hard as I possibly can until my shelf is full of more trophies than books, I promise myself.

"Five minutes, princess," one of the boys' snarked.

I don't look back at them, simply pushing off my hands to flip into a standing position once more. I look back at the stands, filling with spectators, families, and friends. I dab my face with a fresh towel, drying my hands as I inched closer to the entry-way. I scan over the crowds, scanning for any familiar face. Nothing seems to stand out and the disappointment begins to seep in again. They never come - always off visiting the world and caring for things that give them more pride than a disobedient daughter. I don't allow my shoulders to sag; simply straightening up and walking away. Seconds after sitting on the ground, the tournament is announced through the large speakers, sending everyone into jittery excitement.

~~~

The events skim past my memory, and I steady my breathing as my final opponent stands before me. We both have fought for a good while (other opponents and each other) and he was growing tired. His stance is wavering, his punches lightning, and his kicks weakening. Before he can attempt any other hit, I bend out of the way - falling into a back handspring. The motion comes easy now as it grows to be my most powerful move - the Tiger Back Kick. Not bothering to lift my midsection, I bring my leg up and kick him straight in the head. In an instant, he's down for the count and the trophy is mine once more; the same as last year.

I walk away from the cheers, heading for the changing room as I spot one of the many butlers waiting by the door, Bertram. I take a very little amount of time to throw on my jeans with my t-shirt before I'm moving out the door, greeting strangers with a smile as they congratulate me. Bertram has my car door open by the time I reach him, so I slip into the back and watch as everything washes away from behind the tinted windows. When Bertram enters the car as well, he inquires of my day as we drive through. I'm glad for the distraction - he's the only 'Nanny' I can almost call a friend, no matter his age. With three siblings, parents hardly ever present, nannies were deemed necessary.

It seems as though Jessie, one of the better nannies, was due to pick up my sister and brothers to explain her absence from my tournament. The thought always sends a jolt of annoyance and a stab of loneliness to my heart, only pushed away by the hate I hold to the shadow that looms over me. I've never had a spotlight, and it seems I never will. I sigh, sinking into the seat as the car guides us back home.