Clash 2: The Wolf and the Desertstorm - a collab with Amaterasu

Chapter 25

Taryn sat at the edge of the training grounds, watching her youngest student and her new sensei. The girl had been confused at first, and a little nervous, but after a few days, she had gotten comfortable with her new trainer and had even started to enjoy the heavy exercises he put her though.

"Again," Ichiya commanded of Kumiko, taking his role of teacher seriously. He had to if he was going to have a chance of gaining acceptance within the academy as well as the villagers. "Come at me as if your life depended on it, Kumiko."

Though Kumiko raised her blade and charged at him, Ichiya remained calm and in control. He dodged her strike with little effort and reached out, grabbing the back of Kumiko's neck with just enough force to still her. Though he was strict in his training, he was still kind, being sure not to cause Kumiko serious harm.

The girl gasped.

"For your sake and the sake of your teammates, you must attack with the intent to kill. You cannot worry about your enemy. They will not be the slightest bit worried of you, nor will they take it easy on you because you are a child."

The lessons seemed harsh, but necessary. Gained from years of experience, Ichiya had passed down his knowledge to Kumiko. His knowledge could one day be responsible for her survival. He suddenly released his grip and took several steps back, losing a few slivers of hair. He smiled, proud to see Kumiko taking decisive actions with little hesitation. Before, she was slow to act. "Good. Keep up the heat, but do not lose focus."

"Yes sensei," Kumiko said. Her breathing was heavy. She was tired, but she wasn't going to give up. She readied herself and came at him again. She just needed to find an opening and get behind him.

Taryn had to admit Ichiya was doing a good job. Yes, it would be good for the girl to be trained by someone other than herself. She leaned back on her hands and tilted her head to look at the second onlooker. "What do you think?"

Kuro's mother, who had been studying the trainee and her trainer every day since they had started working together, tore her gaze away from the field and looked at the young woman on the ground. "He is good," she nodded, "he can certainly add to the Academy. It's just a question of how the parents will react."

"Perhaps he can be a guest teacher first," Taryn suggested, "they can come and watch him train the young students. From there they can make up their own mind."

The woman nodded. "I'll think on it."

They both returned their attention back to the spar.

"Arisa has been asking about you," Kuro's mother continued, "she wants to know when you'll visit."

Taryn cast her eyes down. Arisa was Kodan's mother, Kodan, who had been her teammate. She studied her finger nails and frowned. It was always hard to speak with Arisa Motou and her husband. As a child she had spent a lot of time in their house, to discuss mission, or to just hang out with her teammates. Still, she never knew what to say to the woman, especially now that Kodan was gone. She had always been awkward around adults. "Soon," Taryn muttered.

The woman nodded, not pressing on the matter.

Taryn moved her eyes across the field until they landed on an unfamiliar figure at the edge of the training grounds. A young woman was watching the fight with interest, but her eyes were not on Kumiko, but on Ichiya, a soft smile on her face. Taryn studied her curiously. She hadn't seen the woman before. This must be Fujiko, Ichiya's wife.

Slowly she stood up and sauntered over. "Hello, she greeted, "I don't think we've met." She held out her hand. "I'm Taryn."

The woman was slightly hesitant, but she reached out her hand and shook Taryn's offered hand. "Fujiko," she timidly replied. She was still new and it made her shy in public. Usually with Ichiya with her, it wasn't quite as bad, but alone as she was now, she was probably coming off rudely to the woman. "Nice to meet you...Ichiya...he speaks of you very fondly." Ichiya had indeed explained who Taryn was and how she was responsible for the two of them being reunited. "I can finally thank you in person." She smiled timidly, but she meant every word.