Tiger tribe(1)

"One! Two! Three! Again! One! Two! You are bad at this, huh?" Anders commented as he looked at the boy who had just fallen on the ground. 

"The moves are too complicated. I also don't understand why I need to learn dancing," Sirius replied while patting his clothes in a try to remove the dust from them. 

"It's not just dancing, I told you. These are exercises that will strengthen your body, giving you at the same time flexibility. Watch!" Anders said and took a fighting stance. He first punched the air with a force that was so strong that it even created a sound. He bent down next, making a sidekick and rolling backward over his shoulder before standing back to his feet, all these in a few seconds.

"The proficiency to move your body in whatever means you want to is essential in battle," he continued with a proud expression. 

"Wow! That was amazing! You look stronger than Ajamu," Sirius couldn't help than remark with admiration. 

"Haha, you are underestimating Ajamu too much. He might fall shorts in technique, but that's because he is younger than me three years. In terms of power, I dare to say he is more powerful than me at his age. If he fixes his mentality, he'll become a terrifying warrior one day." 

"It seems that he was truly holding back that day..."

Looking at the boy lowering his head, depressed, Anders approached, putting his hand on his shoulder. 

"It's true that as you are now, you stand no chance against him. However, as long as you haven't reached your limits, you have not right to lose hope."

"These are quite wise words. From whom did you steal them?" 

"You brat!" Anders shouted with a laugh, punching him softly. 

"Although you are right. It's a saying of our tribe."

"I see... In other words, success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts, right?" Sirius suddenly said with realization, having received enlightenment. 

"Wow! Don't tell me that you just thought of that?" 

"Who knows?" The boy answered with a mysterious smile. Naturally, these weren't his words. He had just quoted Winston Churchill.  

"You boys seem to have fun. I hope you don't neglect your training!" The boys had to stop joking, though, when the Chief entered the courtyard. At his side was standing Sarah, who was holding in her hands a wooden tray with cups filled with water. 

"No, father. I was only teaching him the Dragon Dance."

"Oh? How is he?" The man asked while looking at Sirius with interest. 

"Well... It might take some time for him to learn it?" 

"Haha! What did you expect, just because you and Ajamu are geniuses, you think everyone can do it in his first time too?" Seeing that Anders didn't know how to answer, the man began to laugh. 

"Here, take this, please!" Sarah said with a soft voice as she gave one of the cups to Sirius. 

"Thank you," Sirius, without shyness, enjoyed the fresh cold water with a big smile. It was just what he needed on this warm day, especially in compound with the intensive training he had until now.  

"I'll bring you more," receiving the cup while blushing, the girl left in a rush. 

"She seems to like you. I haven't promised her to anyone yet, what do you think? Are you interested?"

 "You... You read too much. We only met a few days ago," Sirius replied timidly. 

"Haha, why not? I think you would make a good pair," the Chief couldn't stop his intrigue to tease him, upon seeing him behave shy. 

"No... And don't treat her like an object. What she'll do in her life is her own decision," the boy retorted, not being able to restrain his irritation. He had noticed before how the people here discriminated against women, a kind of treatment he couldn't accept, nor he wanted to.

"Shut up, Astar! Father, I apologize for him, he doesn't know what he says," Anders hurriedly kneeled, his face pale.

"Stop, idiot! Have you forgotten my teachings? A Dragon from our tribe is never allowed to kneel to anyone," the Chief reprimanded him angrily before turning his attention to Sirius. His expressionless face truly scared the boy, making him regret his recklessness. The person in front of him wasn't anymore the kind man who had taken over his training. It was the sole leader of the tribe, the most influential person here after the Great Shaman. 

"Do you know what is the punishment of disrespecting the Chief of the tribe?" His deafening voice made the boy feel like the time had stopped. Every second that passed seemed like an eternity, while an unbearable feeling of nervousness started to overwhelm him. 

"It's death! That is how much power my position holds. Not even the Great Shaman would go against that decision. Take this lesson to your heart, and be more careful next time." 

"Wha... No, I sincerely thank you for your mercy," Sirius quickly restrained his fluster, before bowing respectfully. 

"Good!" The man nodded while his expression began to soften. 

"I know that you came from a different place and that there will be times it will be difficult for you to fall in line with how things are in the tribe. I won't ask you to change your thinking, but I'll demand from you to at least learn how to adapt to our lifestyle, even if you disagree with it. That is also a kind of training for you. If you want to change what you don't like, do it in a way that aligns with our laws." 

"Thank you for your kindness, Chief. I am sorry for being impolite," Sirius thanked him again while apologizing for his behavior, but not for his ideals. That was the one thing he would stand firm on no matter what. 

"I-Is everything alright?" At this point, even Sarah had returned, holding the cup with the water. She was baffled upon witnessing the tense atmosphere. What could have happened in the several minutes she had left?

"Haha, don't worry. I was only educating the younger generation. I have to go. These geezers will be coming at any time now." 

"The Elders?" Anders asked. He already knew they would visit today. It was the main reason why they trained alone today. 

"Yes... Now that I think about it, I haven't told you the reason yet, have I? It seems that the Tiger tribe will visit us in two months. You know what that means, right? I expect a lot from you. Ah! And Astar! Don't think that you have escaped from that proposal I gave you earlier. We'll talk about it again when I have time. As for your punishment... How many laps did you do today?"

"S-Six," Sirius answered, terrified. 

"Do another six, then. Anders, make sure he'll do them all. Don't help him this time, even if it takes all night for him to finish."

"Yes, father."

"Good!" The Chief left happily. 

Is this how he shows forgiveness? How is this different from a death sentence? The boy truly felt despair. 

"Sigh! You are so lucky. If you had said these words in the presence of others of the tribe, no one would be able to save you. Be careful next time! I don't think I'll be able to handle the anxiousness again," Anders commented with a sigh. Wasn't that guy supposed to be smart? Why couldn't he see it? 

"Thank you, Anders. Making you kneel, I'll never be able to apologize enough. I am sorry!" Sirius shouted with his head lowered. He would never forget how the boy begged for him; the remorse would haunt him for the rest of his life. 

"Forget it! As long as you learned your lesson, it's alright. You will be my brother-in-law, after all," Anders joked with a smile. 

"B-Brother-in-law? W-What?" Unfortunately, he forgot that there was and another person here. Sarah, who couldn't comprehend the situation, dropped by mistake the cup down. 

...

...

"So, you are the one who'll be my husband?" The girl asked timidly. 

"It's not decided yet. I'll do my best to persuade your father, don't worry. You should marry the one you want to," Sirius said seriously. He didn't want her to misunderstand his intentions and hate him. 

"Hehe, so that's how it is. I see!" 

"You understand, right?" 

"Eh? Ah, yes! Don't worry! Hehe!"

The boy couldn't understand why she was giggling like that, but since he had cleared his position, everything was fine. 

"How is he smart? I only see an idiot. Am I the one who has a problem?"

"Is everything alright?" Sirius, who could hear some mutters turned his attention to Anders. 

"No! It's nothing!" 

"By the way... What did Chief mean when he said that he has expectations from you?"

"Ah, you are talking about the Tiger tribe's visit," the boy's expression became serious. 

"It's a custom here when a tribe pays a visit to hold a competition." 

"Competition?"

"Yes, a competition among the younger generation. A fight for our tribe's prestige and honor!"