Chapter Nine

By the time training was over, Kaede was well and truly tired. After a two hour long sparring session with Shogo, that ended in a draw (No you definitely did not lose Shogo, you definitely did not lose. You were obviously holding back.) Kaede was eventually directed to a blacksmith.

Two stores were passed before she made out the one she was directed to.

"How can I help you, miss?" An apprentice approached and asked, zeroing in on Kaede. He looked younger than she was.

"I'm here to order a shield, customized." She said. "Armour too, also customized."

"For you?" The apprentice asked.

"Yes."

"Uh, of course, miss." He said. "Let me fetch my master." He departed, and a short while later, an older man with a beard, slightly singed, emerged from the forge.

"Shield and armour, my boy said." The man said. "I'm master Gus."

"Kaede Honjou." She extended a hand out to the larger man. For a moment she was left with her hand extended, then he took it in his own, though she was the one who shook it.

"So what kinda shield are you wanting for?" He gave her a once over. "With your physique, I reckon you get yourself a buckler, or a heater. A round shield if you want to be extreme."

Kaede found her gaze drawn to her own body, unable to refute his words that she was, indeed lightweight. Even with the running she had been doing for almost a year, she was still in the realm of petite, albeit with a little muscle.

But that would change soon. With the changes her body was going through, it was only a matter of time before she had a perfectly robust body. Just this morning, she noticed signs of a six pack.

"Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of a tower shield." The round shield she used back in training was actually pretty good. Especially since it would work well with her counter, once she learnt how to incorporate throwing, into her fighting style. However she just didn't feel right without holding her familiar rectangular shield.

Gus raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that lass? Balancing that, with your-"

"I'm aware." Kaede interjected. "-with my frame," she finished. "But I'm not looking for convenience. I'm looking for reliability, for something that feels like an extension of me." Kaede crossed her arms, standing firm. "I've used rectangular shields before. They suit my fighting style."

Gus studied her silently for a moment, his sharp eyes narrowing as if trying to gauge whether she was serious or simply naive. Finally, he let out a low grunt, scratching at his beard. "Alright, lass. If you're set on it, then we'll make it work. But you're gonna have to be precise."

Kaede nodded. "I've already thought about the design. I want it rectangular, just shy of my full height. Reinforced edges, but not overly heavy—I'll be using it for more than just blocking. It'll need a slight curve, enough to deflect blows instead of taking them head-on. And the handle… make it adjustable, with a strap I can secure to my forearm. I want the option to wield it with one or both hands."

Gus raised an eyebrow again, this time with a glint of interest. "Huh. Not bad. You've actually put some thought into this. Most folk come in asking for something flashy and end up breaking it the first time it sees real action."

Kaede allowed herself a small smile.

The blacksmith chuckled, a deep, gravelly sound that rumbled in his chest. "Aye, that's the right mindset. We'll get you sorted. Anything special for the materials? Iron's standard, steel's better, but it'll cost you."

"Onyx steel," Kaede said immediately. "And if you can reinforce it with a core of something even stronger, do it. I need it to hold up against… unconventional attacks."

"Unconventional, eh?" Gus's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone turning curious. "You expecting to fight monsters or something?"

The blacksmith let the silence stretch for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Onyx steel with a magic ore core. I've got just the alloy in mind. It'll cost you, though. You got coin?"

"I've got enough," she replied, pulling out a small pouch and setting it on the counter with a soft clink. Razen had given each of the otherworlders fifty gold pieces each for the month.

Gus didn't open it immediately. Instead, he nodded toward her. "And the armor?"

Kaede gestured to herself. "I want something modular. Lightweight, but durable. Enough plating to protect my vitals, but not so much that it slows me down. I need to move quickly in battle." With my durability, armour is pretty useless for me. If my idea works out though, the weight won't matter.

"Modular, eh? You're thinking plates and leather, then. Good for flexibility. I'll make the joints sturdy, but you'll need to maintain it yourself if you want it to last." Gus stroked his beard, already lost in thought. "Any preferences on the design? Or is function all you care about?"

"Do you have anything better than leather though? I'd like for you to use that." Kaede said, though she hesitated briefly before adding, "and… if you could work in some subtle detailing, I wouldn't mind. Something simple, like this." She passed him a a drawing of her red rose from Maple's armour.

Gus gave a rare, toothy grin. "Now you're talking. Alright, lass, I'll start drafting the plans. Give me a week, and you'll have your gear. Don't expect miracles, but I promise it'll hold up to whatever you throw at it."

"That's all I ask," Kaede said with a nod.

As she turned to leave, Gus called out after her. "Oh, and lass—don't forget to come back for fitting. If I'm building armor for you, I'm gonna make damn sure it fits right."

Kaede raised a hand in acknowledgment, already stepping out into the street. The heat of the forge gave way to the cool evening air, and she allowed herself a moment to take a deep breath, steadying her thoughts.

---

Kaede pushed the door to otherworlders shared suite open, her body aching from the day's exertions. She didn't even have time to fully step inside before a familiar voice greeted her.

"There you are," Kirara said from the couch, her arms crossed and a sharp look on her face. She was still in her casual wear, one leg folded over the other, but her gaze quickly softened. "I was starting to think you'd gotten lost or something."

Kaede stepped inside and closed the door behind her, setting down the bag she carried. "I was at the blacksmith, Kirara. Took longer than I thought it would."

Kirara raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "The blacksmith? Ooh, don't tell me you were buying something exciting, like a new sword—or maybe one of those spiked gauntlets I saw in the market? You do look like you could use a little edge."

Kaede let out a tired sigh, already sensing where this was going. "A shield and armor. Custom made."

Kirara blinked, her playful smirk faltering for a moment. "A… shield? And armor?" Her voice carried just a hint of disappointment before she quickly masked it with a wide grin. "Well, that's so practical of you, Kaede. Very, uh, sensible."

"Glad you approve," Kaede said dryly, moving toward her side of the room.

Kirara watched her for a moment before clearing her throat and gesturing to the folded fabric on the table. "Anyway, I've got something for you. Your uniform came in."

Kaede glanced at the neatly folded stack of clothes Kirara had set out. The fabric was crisp, the design simple yet functional, with subtle detailing that hinted at its quality. Kaede walked over and picked it up, running her fingers over the fabric. "Looks good. Thanks for picking it up."

Kirara shrugged, leaning back into the couch with an air of casualness that didn't quite hide her fidgeting. "It's not a big deal. I figured you and Shogo would be too busy punching things or swinging shields around to notice."

Kaede raised an eyebrow but didn't comment, setting the uniform aside. True, sparring with Shogo was something she actually looked forward to. "Something else on your mind, Kirara? You look… twitchy."

"Twitchy? I'm not twitchy," Kirara said quickly, straightening up. She hesitated, her usual bravado faltering for a split second before she masked it with an exaggerated toss of her hair. "Actually, now that you mention it… like, I was thinking we should go shopping tomorrow. Together."

Kaede turned to face her. "Shopping? For what?"

Kirara's confidence wavered again, and for the briefest moment, Kaede caught a flicker of shyness in her expression. "You know, stuff. Clothes, accessories, supplies—important things. I mean, it's not like I can trust your sense of fashion, so someone has to help you pick out something decent."

Kaede stared at her, unimpressed. "Right. Important things."

Kirara huffed, crossing her arms tightly and looking away. "Look, I just thought it'd be nice, okay? After all, you just got here, like, you'll have to get clothes eventually. Plus, I could use a second opinion. On stuff. Or whatever."

A small smile tugged at Kaede's lips. "So, you just want company."

Kirara's head snapped back toward her, her cheeks faintly pink. "What? No! I mean—maybe. I don't need company, obviously, but, like, if you're coming along, I won't stop you. For your sake, of course. Like, someone has to keep you from buying something embarrassing."

Kaede chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Alright, fine. I'll go. But you'd better not drag me into one of those accessory shops that smells like perfume."

Kirara grinned triumphantly, leaning back with a satisfied air. "Deal. But don't blame me if I make you try on something cute. You could use a change from the whole 'serious warrior' thing you've got going on."

Kaede rolled her eyes, but there was a faint smile on her face as she turned back to her bag. "Sure, Kirara. Whatever you say."

Kirara watched her for a moment, her grin softening into something warmer before she stood and stretched. "Alright, it's a date, then. Don't chicken out tomorrow, okay?"

Kaede waved a hand dismissively. "I'll be there."

Kirara's laugh echoed through the suite as she headed for her own room. "Oh, you will. But it'll be worth it."

Kaede shook her head again, exhaustion finally catching up to her as she sank onto her bed. Despite her fatigue, she found herself looking forward to tomorrow, if only a little.