Title At The End

While walking on the porch of the dojo, I see Kuina running towards me. I open my mouth to say hi but she rushes past me.

When she passed, I could see tears in her eyes...

Curious, I jogged from where she ran from and saw Koushirou and another man in a room.

I asked him what's wrong with Kuina and he told me something that made my blood boil.

"She couldn't handle the truth." He simply said.

This bastard…

I balled my hands into fists and put my head down.

I can't believe he would really say something like that to his own daughter! But I know Kuina, even though it affected her, it won't deter her.

As long as she makes that promise to Zoro…

I looked back up to him and also said in a simple, but serious voice, "She will prove you wrong."

I took a few seconds to enjoy his shocked expression before walking away from him.

So, it's finally happening…after this fight between Kuina and Zoro the next day…Kuina will die.

Let's see if I can change her fate…no, I will change it.

I stopped in front of a door and knocked on it, after a few seconds Sabo came out.

He yawned at me before staring at me with tired eyes.

"What do you want…I was taking a nap." He said tiredly.

"Well...didn't you say you wanted to see an actual fight with swords?"

He instantly woke up.

x-X-x

"Is this the place they will fight at!" Sabo exclaimed quietly.

"No, it's too out in the open for them to do that. They need somewhere private so they won't get in trouble." I said looking at both of them.

Currently, we just made it to our hiding place when Kuina came. After waiting for a bit, Zoro came running down the road with two swords in his hand. Stopping in front of Kuina, he issued another challenge to her, saying that this will be their last battle.

He doesn't even know how true his words were after the battle… it's a good thing I'm here.

Kuina said yes to his challenge and went to get her sword. When she got it, we began to follow them to the clearing where they had their battle.

Two minutes later, we finally made it to the spot. They both got into their position and looked at each other.

They both stare into each other's eyes for a couple of seconds before Zoro rushes towards Kuina and swings his sword. Kuina raises her sword and brings it down to meet Zoro's.

*KLINK*

The battle has begun…

It went exactly like canon, except that it was longer and they were reacting quicker to each other's attacks thanks to the training I introduced.

Sabo's constant 'oohing' and 'aahing' in my ear is also different…

Of course, Kuina won the battle in the end because of her extra lessons with me and her already great skills.

When the battle was over, Zoro had both his hands on his face shedding tears of frustration.

"I'm supposed to be the one who should be crying tears of frustration," Kuina said with a solemn tone.

She then started talking about her issues about being a woman and wanting to be a boy so she can grow stronger. Zoro started to open his mouth to denounce that claim and I was no better.

"But then…Noah told me something that I took to heart." She then said, looking up to the sky.

Oh…this is new.

"He told me...that with conviction I could have the strength to reach my dream. However, up until this point, no one believed that I could do it, not even my father…"

She then put her hand on her chest and said, "...but Noah did, he believed in me and that gave me the strength to keep going. So, I ask you this, Zoro…" She looked at Zoro.

"Do you believe that I could become the greatest swordsman in the world?"

Zoro stood there, shocked at what he just heard, then he composed himself before opening his mouth.

"No!"

!!!

We were all shocked, that wasn't something Zoro would say! I was nervously trying to figure out why he would say that until he said his next words.

"Because I will become the greatest swordsman in the world! So what if other people and your father don't believe in you?! Screw them! There's no way they are going to take my rival from me!!"

Now…that was something the Zoro I know would say.

"Promise me! That one day we will fight for the title of the world's greatest swordsman!!" He sticks his hand out, waiting for Kuina to take it.

She stood there in shocked silence before smiling. She wiped her tears away and clasped his hand.

"It's a promise, you weakling."

"THAT WAS AWESOME!" screamed Sabo.

Kuina and Zoro, scared out of their minds, look towards us.

"Yep! It really was!" I said, happy how the exchange went.

"Noah! Sabo/Sawdust!"

"It's Sabo!" Sabo yelled at Zoro. Hitting him with his pipe.

"What are you both doing here!" Kuina shouted.

"We're here to watch the fight of course! Noah knew you both were going to fight, so we followed you. And for what it's worth, I also think you can become the greatest swordsman in the world!" Sabo also shouted.

Kuina was stunned but she quickly showed a smile.

"Thank you, Sabo."

"Hey! What about me!" Cried out Zoro.

Sabo stuck his tongue out to him and ran away, laughing.

"BASTARD!! GET BACK HERE!" Zoro ran after him.

"Are you ready to call it a night?" I asked Kuina, Giving her a gentle smile.

She beamed a smile at me.

"Yeah, let's get some sleep."

We strolled back to the dojo, but I won't be relaxed until the next day is over.

x-X-x

"Am I doing it right?"

"No…not even remotely…"

It's the next day and I'm currently training Zoro in Total Concentration breathing…as you could see, it's not going too well…

I wanted to spend most of the day near Kuina, but he kept insisting on wanting to learn my 'breathing thingy'.

I succumbed to him and started teaching him.

"Noah! Kuina's match just finished!"

Sabo called out.

"Where did she say she was going next!!" I hurriedly ran towards him and gripped his shoulders.

If I'm right about this, in the next few minutes Kuina will die!

"S-She said that she was going to the shed to sharpen her sword." He uttered.

I quickly pushed him and ran. I ignored the yells of the two of them and only focus on running.

Please make it on time! Please make it on time!

I started chanting these five words in my head to give myself a boost.

I spotted the shed in the distance and ran even faster. After a few seconds, I see Kuina coming out of the shed. While she was moving, she turned around to close the door when she took the wrong step on the stairs.

She started to fall backward and I stared. Time seemed to slow down.

Looking at the distance…there's no way I'm fast to close the distance between us.

I couldn't catch her…

…

…but I was prepared for something like this…that's why I spent the last two years learning this one move…

"Thunder Breathing First Form…"

I dragged my left foot behind me, widening my stance. I took a deep, but quick breath, instantly filling my lungs with air. I picture lighting vibrating violently around me while tensing the muscles in my legs.

"...Thunderclap and Flash!"

*BOOM*

Then like lighting, I flash.

x-X-x

(A few seconds earlier)

Kuina POV:

"Phew, Zoro really knows how to destroy things."

I just got back from my match with an adult at the dojo. After last night, my confidence in completing my dream soared to new heights! Everyone was surprised at my energy during my match, including my father!

I show them that I will never stop in reaching my dream!

Currently, I was sharpening Wado Ichimonji because of the fight with Zoro. I just finished the process and was leaving the shed. When I went to close the door, I missed my step and started to fall backward.

"WH-"

There wasn't enough time to turn around and catch me, especially with the sword in my hand!

No!! This isn't how I wanted things to end! I was finally able to have the conviction I needed to finally see my dreams come true! I had friends who believed in me! Is this really how it ends!!

With tears in my eyes, I had enough time to look at the flower Noah gave me.

'Noah...' I closed them.

I don't want to die…

…

…huh?

The ground felt too soft…someone caught me!

I look up to see who caught me.

"There's no way I'm letting you die in such a lame way. You still haven't become the greatest swordsman in the world yet."

It was Noah.

Title: Saving My Flower