11 years ago.
Yumiko uneasily observed the toy house from where she was sitting. Bow donned a smug face as he peered around the door's corner. "Hmm, are we playing with dolls?" Bow laughed, surprising Yumiko as she turned around.
"What?! No, I'm not! I got this "gift" from your parents! I don't want anything to do with it! You're not even supposed to be here!" she called, puffing her cheeks.
"You're not supposed to be here - she says! Yeah, right! I can be here whenever I want to be! It's not like your parents care!" he opened the door, causing Yumiko to stand up. "But now I see just how boring you are! What's with all the dolls and that toy house? That's for babies! You're a baby!"
Yumiko angrily shouted, her arms shaking, reddened in the face while looking at him. "I'm not a baby! I'm a warrior!" Bow grabbed his stomach and began to laugh out even louder.
"A baby like you?! Haha, you're silly! Playing with toys won't get you anywhere! Warriors are all cool and stuff! They do badass stuff while you just do those, weird, little girl stuff."
Yumiko shared an annoyed face. "I wasn't even playing with it! I don't want this house anyway! I got them for my birthday and I regret it!"
Bow stretched and crossed his arms behind his neck, looking at her unfazed. "If so, then just destroy or burn it. Maybe that'll make you less of a baby."
"Bow, stop! There's no way I'll burn something like this!" Bow blinked twice, confused, then asked. "And why's that? It's just a toy. Is it because you *are* a baby?"
Yumiko tossed the pillow into Bow's face in anger. "Hey," he shouted while she continued to burn in awkwardness. "I can't burn something that I received as a gift! That wouldn't be nice! Especially since I got it from your parents!"
Bow's arms hung in front of him, dangling below his kneecaps. "But if you don't like it, then at least return it or somethin'? I dunno..." Yumiko gently crossed her hands behind her bottom and became embarrassed.
"If I did, I'd turn out like a horrible person. I may not love the gift, but I still like to watch it. It just tells me that there are people who actually care. Besides, I'm 7, so I feel far too old for this."
Bow made a loud call while opening his mouth. "You're so boring! Fine, use it however you see fit! Do you want to join us for a game outside? Play football?" Yumiko wasn't at all fond of it.
"Why do we always play your choices? Why am I not allowed to choose for once? I mean, it is my birthday." Bow breathed deeply as he closed his eyes. "No way! You'd choose the most tedious stuff ever! I don't want to watch cartoons or go horseback pony riding. I need some action!"
Yumiko responded, much more irritated than before. "You didn't even ask about my choice! Cartoons are not my thing either! And where would you ever find ponies here?" Because of his accusations, Bow turned around and scratched his nose with a kitty face.
"You can't be sure. Maybe you'd rather that we use a doll that resembles a pony." Yumiko's head popped up with an exclamation point in awe. "I don't have that! I just wanted to fight!" The moment Bow turned around and leaned on the doorframe, his interest was immediately piqued.
"Hm? Seriously? You want to fight? Like punching and such? That would put us in danger, no way! I don't want our parents to start screaming at us, because I hit a girl!"
Yumiko refuted his ideas. "No, stupid! I wanted to fight with wooden swords. So neither of us would be hurt! In addition, I think I could defeat all three of you!"
She laughed out loud, but unimpressed Bow to his utmost. "C'mon, Blue. You already know I would beat you in a heartbeat!" Yumiko's moniker caused her hair to stand up. "Do not call me Blue! Yumiko is my name," she yelled. "And you couldn't ever win! I'm going to win this time!"
Bow began to feel better as he grinned knowingly. "Fine. We could likely do that. But, you're too dull to thrive at swordplay. I'm still baffled by your desire to learn how to use a sword. You know that's not possible for you."
Yumiko responded indignantly, "What do you mean?" while he replied, "Because trust me, it's impossible for you." Yumiko stretched her arm while exhaling a white cloud. "I'll demonstrate to you my proficiency with a sword! You giant meanie, fight me!"
Bow chuckled as he dashed into the hallway. He yelled, "See ya!" prompting Yumiko to run after him only to trip over the carpet. Bow laughed in her face as she flushed, refusing to assist.
"You're not even able to stand straight up!" Yumiko got back to her feet and charged toward him. Both sprinted outside into the streets of Harventona City shouting, "Stop being so rude!" People heard Bow laughing and Yumiko fussing behind him as they turn to face them.
They were able to make it to the dojo, where Yumiko, Bow, Kizu, and Trap were standing next to other young children who were being instructed and watched over by the dojo's teacher Hako.
"How fantastic, if I may say so. I've never seen all 20 of you together at the dojo before. I anticipate facing a significant obstacle today." Hako chuckled while keeping his arms behind his back, smiling, his eyes closed.
Yumiko was the only girl present in the dojo, and together with Kizu, Trap, and Bow, she appeared to be one of the most self-assured trainees.
The boys kept shooting scornful looks at her. Although many of them ignored her, she felt uncomfortable being with them. "It appears that our darling Yumiko has also come in the second year of your lessons, which began today. A while has passed, don't you think?"
Yumiko remained motionless and nodded gravely. "One week has passed. Don't give me that!!" She yelled, directing her annoyance at Hako. He merely chuckled and didn't seem to mind at all. "Since you're here, I'm assuming you'd like to watch the swordplay, which is quite entertaining." He finished.
"The only reason I'm here is to crush their butts," Yumiko declared. They laughed at her as she spoke aloud for everybody to hear, and she rapidly became angry. "What's so funny?!"
"You're funny looking, that's what! You're a girl and you came here to become a swordsman! That's so ridiculous!" laughed the boys. "Yeah, so what?! Why can't I be a swordsman?!" they never replied. "Hey! Answer me!" but Hako stopped the argument.
"Now, please. Let's not fast get offended over insignificant issues. Let's start with the lesson for today. You'll be participating in a competition where I'll be testing your abilities from the "Summer Swordplay Dueling Teachings" you learned the previous year. You'll fight with wooden swords in a series of sparring matches, and the winner will advance through the competitors' "ranks" to face off against the other two. The winner will be named the principal of this dojo."
Yumiko made fists while grinning as she became energized. "I'm good! It's time to stomp them!" others, though, continued to laugh.
The youngsters were divided into 10 rounds, and when Bow was called to the front, he managed to accidentally land the wooden sword's tip on top of another boy's head out of surprise. He grinned as he pulled the wooden sword back to allow Hako to declare the winner. "Well done, Bow. That was an easy win." Bow lowered his head and bowed intently.
Kizu crossed his arms and laughed aloud. He smiled, "That was too easy!" Trap was unperturbed. "Yes, I suppose." Unamused, Kizu regarded Trap before spotting Yumiko slipping ahead "All right! My turn! When I beat that child, I'll crush Bow as well!"
Yumiko excitedly ran into the small rectangle in which they were training and received a wooden sword in seconds. She faced one of the trainees that seemed to make fun of her constantly.
"Why do I get the weakest one?" he asked, mocking her. "Hey! Don't be ridiculous! I'll beat you, even if I'm a girl!"
The young man laughed as he reached for a wooden sword. "Uh-huh, sure." Yumiko sprinted forward carelessly as Hako and her began their training the youngster remained motionless.
"Here I come!"
She was about to slice the wooden sword ahead of her as she yelled out her battle cry, but the boy's foot caught her and she immediately tumbled forward. Everyone started laughing at Yumiko when he let go of his sword and touched the point of it to her back.
"Tippy is the winner." Tippy grinned as he moved away from Yumiko, who was still lying on the ground. "You are so naive. Just leave, baby. Do you honestly believe that a girl may be suitable for battle? See you, you girls are made for chores." Tippy persisted in making fun of her, and Yumiko seized the sword she dropped angrily.
She was sad and realized she had lost. Yumiko got to her feet as Bow gave her a displeased expression. "Seriously? You wanted to face me and you lose in the first round. That's embarrassing and silly!" Bow laughed, which only served to aggravate Yumiko.
She kept hearing boisterous laughter surrounding her as if some demons were attempting to lock her joy away. She then leaped up and ran out of the dojo while Bow and the others looked on as her eyes started to well up with tears. In contrast to Bow, the other kids just laughed, and even Hako was annoyed with them.
To be continued...