Dad had drawn me a map of the village my first day after breakfast so I knew where I was going. Ayame's hut was on the opposite side of the village which meant going through the village center would be the fastest.
I saw many males as I passed through the village but no females. I never asked if there are females other than Ayame and myself. I got my answer once I reached the center where a girl with long black hair stood with a blonde fellow. I got the instant feeling I wanted to avoid these two. I had felt this way every time I ran into a bully in school. Your hairs stand on end and your mind screams at you 'TROUBLE THAT WAY! AVOID THE HEADACHE AND TURN AWAY!'. I barely turned away when the female stopped me.
"So the stray female Orpheus brought home finally shows her face." She laughed when she got in front of me. "Oh wow, everyone said you're so pretty but they seem to be blind to think a pig looks good." I looked her up and down and chuckled. Did she really call me a pig when she has more of a stomach then I? "What are you chuckling about piggy?" She seemed enraged that I dare make a sound let alone laugh at her.
"I am obviously laughing at the kettle calling the pot black. I mean seriously if I am a pig then what does your gut say about you?" She gasped and looked at her belly in disbelief. Bullys are the same wherever you go. They picked on me back in my old world too. They took one look and thought I was easy to pick on but this girl has a backbone. I have never let bullies get their way. I prefer giving them a piece of their own medicine. While she was busy checking out her fat I tried to escape but of course, it couldn't be that easy.
The blonde had stepped in my way with a wicked smirk and mischief in his black eyes. "Not so fast there. I don't think Stef is done with you yet. Right babe?"
Stef grabbed my hair and yanked me backward. "Bitch I will teach you not to call others fat." A hiss escaped my lips as I twisted out of her grip and punched her in the face. She screamed as I heard a crunch. Oops, I think I broke her nose. Her words came out muffled as she held her broken and bloody nose. "Ranald, get her. That bitch got to pay." Stef glared at me with her purple eyes.
I jumped out of the way as the blonde tried to grab me. "I suggest giving up on hurting me Ranald. I have been in my share of fights and I normally win." Now I don't like fighting but taking down bullies is something I enjoy. Shifting to a sturdier position I waited for his next move. I forgot about one major thing. Bullies I fought in the past couldn't shift.
Ranald laughed, "I doubt this is a fight you can win." I was taken off guard the moment he dropped his skirt.
"Seriously now, I don't need to see your private part," I shouted at him as he shifted. Next thing I knew a leopard was swiping its claws at me. What the hell happened to females being precious. I'm pretty sure this guy is trying to kill me. Guess he doesn't care since he has bitchy Stef over there. I dodged until I saw an opening. I smiled to myself as I swung my foot at his head. He roared as he stumbled. The left side of his head was bloody from the impact. My army boots might look normal but they are steel toe. I got them off Amazon.com after falling in love with their look and the steel toe was a bonus.
"What do you think you are doing? How can you be hurt by a girl? Stop your whining and take her out. You are so useless." Stef's nose had stopped bleeding and now was running her mouth. I really hate her type.
Ranald staggered as he came at me again. He was much slower with the blood blinding his left side. I should just finish this. He may get brain damage if I hit him in the head again. The only choice is to choke him. As he dashed at me again I dodged and jumped on his back. I used the chokehold I learned from watching too many wrestling matches on tv. Ranald struggled as he ran around trying to fling me off. He almost hit one of the gawkers that had gathered to see what the ratchet was about. Finally, Ranald slowed and then fell over as he lost consciousness. I slowly released him before getting up.
I glared at Stef as I brushed off some dirt. Her purple eyes now only held fear. As I got closer her mouth opened and closed like a fish. "Nothing to say now that you don't have back up." I mocked her.
She turned to a gawker and grabbed his arm. "Please help me. She's crazy and going to kill me like my mate." She was crying now.
"Your mate is not dead, simply unconscious. He will wake with time." Did she really think I killed him? "Can't you see his chest rising and falling. Not that he planned to let me live with the way he came at me."
"No, you killed him and now you want my life too." She looked at all the males like they would believe her and defend her. I hated her more each minute.
I was about to repeat myself when a familiar voice came through the crowd. "I was wondering why you were late but when I came looking for you I didn't expect this." The men parted to let Ayame through. She looked at Ranald and signed. "Stef stops with your hysterics. As Amber says he is only unconscious and will wake soon enough."
"She attacked me and he defended me. Look at my face." She pointed at her face like it was proof.
I scuffed at her twisted facts. "I was on my way to Ayame's when you stopped me and insulted me. Then when I told you off you attacked me. I was defending myself for you and him. Its good I am fast or your man would have ripped me to shreds."
Ayame looked at Ranald and motioned to two men. "Take him to the pit, I will deal with him later for breaking the laws of attacking a female." She turned to the crowd. "Did anyone see the beginning of the fight?"
All the men shook their heads. Then a small figure pushed threw them. "I did," a female with blonde hair and teal round eyes pointed at Sia, "She started by calling the redhead a pig and then grabbing her by the hair."
"Thank you, Julia, for stepping forward and for sending Markus to tell me there was trouble." Julia's smile radiated like the sun from the praise. "Now what to do with you, Stef. This is not the first time you have started fights in the village and you know the rule." Stef's eyes got huge. "I am not sure if I should banish you or put you in the actions."
Stef shot forward grabbing at Ayame's white dress. "Please I don't want to be sent away. I will do anything you want. Just give me another chance, PLEASE!" She pleaded as tears streamed down her face.
Ayame shook her off "You know the rules are 10 chances and then you're out. You used them all and have learned from none of your mistakes. Now choose." Ayame's face was nothing but hard. I could only hope she never looked at me that way. I thought going to action was voluntary but I guess not if you break too many rules. I have a lot still to learn.
Stef turned to me in a rage "This is all you fault. If it was not for you I wouldn't have to.." !!SMACK!! The sound of Ayame slapping Stef left a dead silence in the air.
"Take her away to be marked for banishment tomorrow." Ayame turned toward her house as the shocked Stef got dragged away. I would have found her dumbfounded look funny if I didn't feel her punishment would be graver then I could imagine. "Amber let's go have that lunch I had planned before this nasty business. Better late than never." I followed behind her in silence through the crowd. Note to self learn the rules and don't cross Ayame.