Chapter Text
The evening air filled Zanka's lungs as he smiled to himself, he has been training with a Bo staff all day avoiding his father. Since he isn't old enough to join hell guard his father drags him around like a trophy to guests, a beautiful young boy destined to be a prodigy. Plenty of marriage proposals were already coming in from wealthy family's with girls his age, Zanka didn't have time for marriage. He didn't have any friends either, besides he'd have plenty people adore him when he reaches the top so no need to ponder on it now.
With a sigh he fixes his hair idly sitting down for a rest, his hands were calloused and his legs were sore. Maybe a spar with someone could finish off his training for the day....Getting up he walked around looking in the streets for someone to spar with. The chance they would agree was slim, no one wanted to fight with the Nijiku prodigy. "Hey-" before he could finish speaking the boy shook his head
"Sorry, I'm too busy to chat" he ran off with a friend....Too busy? What a lame excuse, these ordinary extras didn't even know what its like to be too busy.
"Tsk coward" he grumbled walking pass an alley way- what's that? He had a sharp sense of his surroundings so he quickly notice the curled up figure between two homes....A homeless person? That's impossible the Kamuatari District didn't have homeless people, and if they did he's never seen one before. Maybe someone wounded? Lost a fight and is hiding? Zanka knew he's done that plenty of times before....
"Excuse me-" The moment he took one step the figure suddenly threw off its blanket and started running-!? "What- HEY!" Zanka quickly ran after them, it didn't take long for him to catch up, if he wasn't sore he would've caught the bastard already.
Why were they even running? Is this an escaped criminal!? Zanka stayed focus as the swift figure made sudden turns, Zanka practically bounced off the walls with a new found thrill. He supposed a spark wouldn't be needed after this race-
He winced as he watched the figure accidentally slam face first into a tree, walking forward he leaned over them "You alright?"
He saw the figure now, a boy. Probably his age, with short dreads and wide magenta eyes. He glanced at his hands were he had rings that were too loose and bracelets that look ready to slide off, he was dirty Zanka could tell from the smell "Who are you...? What are ya doin here? You look like yer from the slums"
The kid sat up rubbing his face and glancing around before looking at Zanka blinking his eyes as if unable to form a thought. Finally after a moment he grinned "Jabber"
"Huh?" Zanka didn't recognize the word, what's a jabber? The boy noticed his confusion and stood up brushing off the dirt
"My names, Jabber" He put out a hand "Don't tell anyone about me, k?" his smile was kind of creepy....
"What kinda names Jabba?" Zanka eyed the boy suspiciously, this felt fun like he's catching a criminal just like his older siblings. "What's someone from the slums doing around here anyway? Ya stank"
Jabber scowled at him "Better food" he rubbed the rings idly and Zanka looked at them then at his face finally at the thin frame.
"When's the last time ya ate?" He poked Jabber who blinked confused but not annoyed
"Dunno, days or something" He shrugged scratching his face
"Days??" How could he been running so fast if he's so weak? Zanka got excited wanting to race the boy when he's healthy "I have plenty food, come with me" he didn't give two shits about the guys personal health, but missing the opportunity to race maybe even spar this kid was enough to care about.
Jabber was surprised but wouldn't pass up the offer "Can't let them see me, since I'm clearly slum yk?"
Zanka noted this "I guess we'll have to sneak you in, wash up make you look normal" it was all for personal gain, not like these things were negative for the poor boy anyway.
"Wow, you're like an angel" he chuckled following behind Zanka, slightly taller than him
"Tsk don't make me sound girly, I'm Zanka Nijiku. I assume you knew that" He adjusted his hair, head held high as they walked
"Nijiku? Why's that sound familiar" the boy thought deeply as Zanka looked at him dumbfounded
He was humbled by the kid and that pissed him off "We practically own this place! My father and older siblings are Hell Guard prodigy! We're the best, better than any of the other hell guard here! Next year I'll be joining to"
Jabber yawned as if bored- little brat. "Cooooool, sounds like you've got a strong family Zanka"
"Who said we're on a first name basis?" He glanced with a scowl over his shoulder, was a race really worth all this?
"Me" he grinned with a chuckle as they arrived behind Zanka's home
"We can sneak in through the window, the main issue will be the servants" he slid open the window with ease, he often used this was to hide from his father. Swiftly he pulled his weight up with ease and into the house waiting for Jabber to do the same.
The boy watched and mimicked Zanka, he did good enough. A natural talent. "Where-"
"Shh" Zanka raised a finger to his lips as warning "just follow me, if a servant sees you act like you belong here."
Jabber nodded and followed behind him as if curious, although the scent of food made him a bit distracted. It took everything in him not to start drooling as he looked around the fancy place, so many cool shiny things and a huge house- this rich kid was spoiled.
It's almost made him envious, but his smile stayed plastered on his face as he followed behind. It was easier to put on a fake smile than to look sad.
Zanka led him through the hall to his room, luckily he was overlooked when he was not headed. Zanka walked like a ghost in these halls, no one passing by even notice him or the visitor "Here's my room"
It was clean, unnatural for a child with training gear instead of toys. A simple closet and door on the left Jabber assumed connected to a bathroom. "I'll get you some clothes and then we can go to the bath house, no one's ever there because the hot springs are so close"
Jabber was shocked to see a room this clean, then his eyes landed on the training gear. There was so much of it, a staff for a weapon and plenty of other equipment. Not to mention books! He was tempted to go over and look but he held back instead nodding his head.
"Hot springs huh? Do you go there often?" He tilted his head to the side watching as Zanka went through his closet to grab some clothes. He had to remind himself not to get too comfortable...
"I've never been, I prefer bathing indoors" and away from his family. "Here" he tossed some clothes, basic formal wear that almost everyone in the riches side wore "It should fit, how old are you anyway?"
Jabber caught the clothes, he felt the soft fabric and grinned at how clean they were...he's never had something so soft that wasn't something stolen.
"16" he answered, the clothes probably would be a bit loose. "How old are you?"
"15, those are my brothers old clothes" Zanka was a bit salty they still didn't fit him yet, he hated feeling small.
"Ah okay, you've got older siblings huh?" He glanced out the window "they nice?"
Jabber started to remove his old clothes, just fabric poorly seen together to make some sort of shorts and a shirt with a few holes. He was obviously malnourished- plenty of bruises and scars covered his skinny body.
"Yeah my older sister, and brother" He didn't answer the second question as he turned and froze "WHAT ARE YA DOIN!? GO CHANGE IN THE BATHROOM" he blushed stunned the other boy didn't know such a basic thing as decency
Jabber looked over confused by the outburst, he stopped halfway taking off his shirt. "Huh? Why? It's just changing clothes" he didn't understand the problem, so what if he changed in front of someone. It's not like it's anything to be ashamed of.
He shrugged and kept going, tossing his dirty old shirt in the floor. Showing off more of the scars and his thin tan stomach.
"W-What!?" Zanka had fallen to the floor in shock staring up at the half naked boy "Have you no shame!?" He couldn't stop the heat in his face as he quickly got up "Don't change in front of other people, no one wants to see that" he glanced away awkwardly
Jabber just shrugged still confused, he was half way finished taking off his shorts, not understanding the problem. "Why are ya so flustered? It's just my body, no big deal I swear"
He chuckled to himself but finally understood that Zanka wanted him to change away from him, so he took the clothes and went into the bathroom to change.
Zanka is such a strange guy, he doesn't get him, but he's getting free food anyway. The clothes were a bit big, but they felt soft and comfortable compared to the rags he normally wore.
He waited for Jabber as he stared out the bared window. After escaping through it and breaking his leg in the process his dad added them, holding the staff Zanka wondered what life Jabber came from to act so strange.....Seriously was this really worth a race? The other guy didn't even know Zankas plans after all. He sighed, sneaking someone around gave him a rebellious thrill....
Jabber left the bathroom completely oblivious at the thoughts going on Zanka's mind, he wore the clothes he was given and looked at himself in a nearby mirror. The difference was huge, from a dirty homeless boy to almost looking like he belongs here.
"All done" he said in such a happy cheerful tone it made Zanka feel a bit more at ease. He's just a kid, a weird and strange kid. Nothing to worry about.
"Not quite, time to wash up. You stink worse than the horse stables" He scrunched his nose grabbing some soaps from under his sink "When's the last time ya bathed?"
He pouted at that, he was a street kid of course he smells bad! "Can't remember" he answered honestly, he was used to the smell that he never noticed.
He did however appreciate the offer for a shower, and maybe the hot water will feel nice on his sore muscles. "Aww you sure are caring" he teased.
He scowled at the boy, although he adored praise mocking him was something he hated. "Come on ya filthy rat" he grabbed the boys wrist dragging him to the wash room, again Jabber noticed how easily Zanka and him went unnoticed.
"Yowch! Hey not so rough!" He stumbled behind, getting dragged along by Zanka's iron grip. His strength was impressive, Jabber was surprised at how fast he could move with his legs being shorter. He didn't mind the insult, it was kind of playful anyway.
But the feeling of his hand being grabbed was familiar and unpleasant, Zanka's hand felt different than the ones from people on the street however. It was soft and warm, yet calloused and worked.
Once they entered the bath room Jabber got to see it, the baths and the lockers as warm water filled the air. Each bath looked like it could hold three or four people each, how luxurious and yet they looked unused as if only one person comes here.....Zanka walked forward to the lockers starting to undress "Here it's okay to undress in front of people, keep a towel wrapped around your waist and don't stare at people" Zanka informed him diligently despite no one else being around
Jabber nodded, taking in the warm and humid atmosphere. The steam was refreshing, and he could feel the soreness in his muscles begin to ease up. It was a luxury he never experienced. He watched as Zanka undressed, he was smaller just like him but clearly the boy was built stronger, his skin was pale like ivory and free of any blemishes.
Jabber was envious, Zanka was so well taken care of in every aspect. So why exactly was he being nice, feeding him and washing him like a little kid?
"What did I say about starin?" Zanka scowled at him, his face easily shifted between emotions, still very young it made Jabber wonder if Zankas face would always look so round and delicate.
"Sorry sorry" he held up his hands in defense, grinning like a little kid caught doing something they weren't supposed to.
He got distracted, there was just so much to look at! It was kind of funny to see such a cute kid glare at him like that, and those cheeks! "You have a cute face yk?" he blurted out before he could stop himself.
This made Zanka scowl more "Enough with the insults I'm helpin ya out yer just a piece of trash bein all rude" he finished undressing and had a towel on before Jabber could accidentally see anything else
Jabber started to strip, tossing the clothes to the side, his body was littered in scars and bruises all over. He knew Zanka was stealing glances at his naked body, yet he was used to people seeing him in this state before so it didn't bother him. He walked around carefree. "YAHOOO" he plunged into the bath splashing water everywhere
"HEY! It's a bath not a pool ya idiot" he stepped into the bath after Jabber setting the soaps to the side "Have you ever used soap??"
Jabber had already begun to splash and play around like some sort of hyper puppy. In the slums bathing was just wading into a river for a few minutes until the stink was gone, it was never this fun and certainly didn't involve soap. "Nope" he popped his head out of the water with a huge grin.
Zanka grabbed him by his hair and pulled him up "Then you gotta listen to what I'm sayin!"
Jabber yelped as he was pulled up by his head, feeling the grip tighten in his messy damp hair. He was so surprised at the sudden change in mood, Zanka really got into his role of being in charge.
"Gah- okay! Okay!" He said between gasps. Zanka was stronger than he looked, and his grip was tight.
Zanka quickly let go looking sorry and a big embarrassed his annoyance got to him "Uh- here it's a bar if soap ya rub it over yourself and then rinse in the water" Jabber found Zankas little accent funny
He watched as Zanka handed him the soap, taking it in hand and examining it. It felt soft yet grainy to the touch, the smell was pleasant it made his face scrunch up. He started scrubbing the soap on himself, watching the grime and dirt come off, his body finally being cleaned properly.
After a second he dunked his head under the water to wash his scalp, the feeling of being clean was new to him. He glanced at Zanka through the wet of his hair, grinning at the boy.
Zanka watched him curious then stoped him suddenly "Hey! It's not meant for ya head, here this is shampoo use it for her hair" he swapped out the soaps and began to wash himself as well
"Huh?" Jabber grabbed the new soap, smelling it and noticing the slight difference from the first. He started to scrub his short messy locks, feeling the suds build up. It felt nice, a lot nicer than the river.
The water was a nice temperature, and he was starting to relax for once in awhile. His eyes glanced over Zanka's body, he was so pale like a porcelain doll, with soft and smooth skin. No blemishes. "You're body is so smooth!" He blurted out once again, this time with a cheeky smile.
Zanka blushed slightly at the statement with a scowl "Don't say weird things, when yer bathing you focus on yourself! I think" he mumbled the last part a quick window into the lonely life Zanka leads.
Jabber noticed the blush, and couldn't help but giggle. "You're cute when you get all flustered" he teased, dunking his head under the water again to rinse out the shampoo.
He didn't mean any harm by it, it was just fun to see Zanka act all proper and serious while being so awkward. To him, this moment felt almost normal... like he was just another kid hanging out with a friend. And for once, that felt nice.
"Stop callin me cute! I'm a guy!" He splashed Jabber before taking the shampoo "Tsk, here this is conditioner it's also for yer hair, not the scalp"
"Okay, okay!" Jabber laughed, wiping the water from his face. He took the conditioner and looked at it closely, sniffing it first before smearing a bit on his dreads. "This feels weird" he giggled again at how silly this all felt.
He was actually enjoying himself for once... being clean, having someone talk to him like he mattered. Even if Zanka was bossy and kinda rough around the edges- he liked him. A lot.
Zanka shampooed his hair now watching Jabber curiously "Where'd ya get all those scars?"
His smile faltered at the question, he didn't expect to be asked about that. He paused for a moment before answering, trying to keep his tone lighthearted. "Oh ya know, just from street fights, livin on the streets is rough and all that"
He shrugged it off, but his scars were more than just battle wounds. He had plenty of scars caused from ones he loved.... it was a painful past he refused to dwell on for long.
"What about you? No scars or anything" he teased playfully.
Zankas gaze was soft as he listened focused and intent not daring to ever interrupt, when Jabber asked him he scowled turning his gaze away "Tsk no one wants to fight a Nijiku"
Jabber chuckled at Zanka's response, knowing full well that he was telling the truth. The Nijiku clan was too strong and well respected, who would dare mess with a prodigy?
He noticed the soft gaze from Zanka, it was a strange look. Almost as if Zanka cared. But that couldn't be, they hardly even knew each other... He chose to ignore it nonetheless. "Must be nice, never getting in trouble" he said sarcastically.
"Who says I don't get in trouble?" Zanka looked slightly shameful and yet a bit prideful for his rebelliousness even if it was mild
Jabber raised an eyebrow at that, amused by the slight hint of pride in Zanka's response.
"Oh? So the perfect little prodigy isn't so perfect afterall?" He teased, but there was a hint of genuine interest. Zanka had the whole 'good kid' look to him, but it seems there was more to him than meets the eye.
Zanka faltered being called perfect, that was one thing he never heard. Even as a tease it caught him off guard but he quickly went back to normal "Yer so stupid" he shoved Jabbers head under the water
"Gah- hey!" Jabber sputtered, coming up with water dripping from his dreads and a wide, unshaken grin.
"You really like pushing me under, huh?" He wiped his face, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Bet I can hold my breath longer than you."
And just like that he ducked back under, not waiting for a challenge. The bath rippled as he curled into himself at the bottom, grinning up through the water like a strange little fish who’d never been clean before… or cared this much about someone’s attention.
Zanka held his breath under the water already knowing he would win, always alone here he let himself sink under the water often wanting to feel the peace of the water around him.....He didn't understand why, he's just a kid after all.
Jabber began to feel his lungs burn. How long could Zanka hold his breath? It had to have been at least two minutes now, yet his head still wasn't back above the surface.
He was starting to get nervous, it seemed like a long time. But he held his breath stubbornly, trying to keep up... until he couldn't hold it in anymore and resurfaced gasping for air, coughing on the water in his lungs. Jabber shook his head like a dog, wiping the water from his face.
Zanka still hadn't reappeared yet either…
He finally lifted his head casually, he wasn't even gasping for air like Jabber "Seriously already?? That was 30 seconds you moron!" He huffed hiding the small blush of pride for winning
Jabber panted, catching his breath between coughs. He was both impressed and slightly pissed off that Zanka kept his breath for so long.
"Shut up..." He said between breaths. "How the hell're you so good at this?"
He looked at Zanka and noticed the tiny hint of pride, like winning truly meant something to him. He couldn't help but smile, it was kind of cute seeing Zanka so competitive
"Anyone could beat 30seconds, but I guess I'm just naturally better" Zanka would never admit all the work he puts in to everything, nothing was natural for him. Unlike his family.
"Yeah right, you're just full of yourself" Jabber chuckled, rolling his eyes but still holding that smile. He couldn't help but find this amusing, seeing this spoiled kid Zanka playing games with him, a street rat.
He sank back into the water, leaning back and closing his eyes. The hot water felt nice on his skin, it was relaxing. For once in quite awhile he felt content with where he was.
"Hey..." he spoke suddenly. "Can I ask you a question?"
Zanka looked up that soft look returning, maybe it came when ever he was alert and ready to listen "What?"
He looked back at Zanka, their eyes meeting. For once he was serious.
"You're rich, you have a nice house, nice clothes, your dad's a big shot..." He started, treading the water now.
"So... why're you being so nice to me? I'm just some street kid... you even said it yourself I was a piece of trash."
He paused, his eyes searching for some kind of answer. "Do you pity me or something?"
Zanka scowled "Why would I pity you?" His words came through sharp and kind of bratty but softend as he spoke again
"I want to race you, I was sore today and you are starving but we were both still fast. I wanna race when we're both at our best" he grinned slightly, he was helping Jabber because he was desperate to have someone to battle. Just someone to pair him, even if he'd never admit it.
He tilted his head at that, a sly grin spreading across his face. "You think we're evenly matched?" He asked, amused by the idea.
He was scrawny and dirty, just some no-name kid from the slums... and yet Zanka was a prodigy, trained and with a high status.
He let out a laugh, shaking his head. "You're crazy" but it was exciting.
"So?" Jabber expected him to get angry but he was unbothered. Like crazy wasn't some sort of insult, just a meaningless word to someone on such a high pedestal. "you scare you'll lose?"