Duality (DxD) (Part 1)

Ch 8 - Hurting

It had been a month since Ban said something that had hurt Jin and it seemed like there was no getting over it. Ban had tried to apologise to Jin. He tried to explain what he actually meant. How this home would never be a replacement for the home Jin felt most comfortable in. The home that he missed and always would. But that didn't help the issue. Jin remained in a state that Ban hadn't seen before. If Jin was docile before now he was completely tame. He had no excitement to him, yet he tried very hard in working out and learning. Pushing himself in cardio. He didn't show any happiness, just a dedication to learn.

Ban didn't understand what was happening and while they were in the dojo, about to teach Jin his techniques. He wanted to know what Jin was doing. What this completely shut off phase was.

Ban: Jin I've apologised everyday. I've explained myself. What else do I need to do for forgiveness?

Jin: Nothing.

Ban: If I've done everything I can why are you still in this attitude?

Jin: Your action needed no apologies. Now please show me the techniques. {He's right. This isn't my home. I'm just a guest. So I can't let him view me as a burden. I need to do well so he doesn't see me as a burden.}

Ban looked at Jin as he only seemed interested in learning at this point. But he didn't understand why Jin was doing what he was doing.

Ban: Not until you tell me what's wrong.

Ban stood his ground. Looking at Jin as he looked at him with eyes Ban couldn't make out. Was he angry? Was he annoyed? Ban couldn't tell.

Jin: You... You... Teach me the techniques you... YOU OLD MAN! {If you don't teach me the technique how will I impress you showing you I'm not a burden! Make it make sense!}

Ban looked at Jin. As if he couldn't process what Jin just said. For the first time in nearly two months, Jin was rude. But then Ban thought of something. Something that usually people wouldn't experience until their teenage years, but Ban believed he was experiencing it now.

A rebellious phase.

Ban: {So this is the rebellious phase. I believe you're supposed to just let this happen for children.} *Sigh* Kids. Fine. But my techniques are nothing to scoff at. They're quite advanced and its going to take practice and dedication.

Jin: Just show the techniques old man.

Jin said as Ban gave another sigh. Going to show the techniques he had developed throughout his life. Ones he used to fight even the strongest of people.

Ban: First there are two techniques that strengthen physical ability, one is called Allsight. When we start training your dynamic visual acuity and you're able to see the flow of enemy's energy you can catch and pierce even the quickest of things with complete precision. This is only made better when you get more experience and can tell by body movement where things are heading.

Ban looked around the room as he then suddenly took a deep breath. Breathing out deeply and then in again. As if taking all the air in the room, and expelling it back out. Yet it was completely silent, but a heat was coming off Ban.

Ban: There is Awakening Breath. Its a breathing technique that exerts your body to the utmost limits. Using it temporarily boosts physical capabilities.

Ban them grabbed a piece of tissue from his pocket. On he scrunched up into a ball and threw in the dojo. But before the tissue ball could land, his finger pierced straight through it. Not opening it up, but piercing straight through the ball. But yet that wasn't the most impressive thing Jin saw. Ban instantly moved from one part of the room to the other. Extremely fast Jin nearly didn't see it. If he blinked he definitely wouldn't have seen what looked like a blur.

Ban: That was Instant Movement. A special footwork that allows for swiftly and fluidly movement as if you are flowing like water. Its purpose is to move in unexpected ways, swaying like water without reducing precision. Then at the same time I used Piercing Fang. A movevement and use of the fingertips. Its smooth like water but powerful like a wave striking against a rock. Lastly...

Ban threw the tissue from his fingertips and then in a quick movement faster than Jin could see, the tissue was shredded into fine dust. But the dust didn't fall on Ban, instead around him. As if he was defending the air around him.

Ban: Water Stream Encampment. A technique where you create an area where your fists destroy anything that enters, protecting what's inside that area. {That should have impressed him enough to get out of this phase.} This is the style of Fist of Flowing Water, Crushed Rock.

Ban looked at Jin. Expecting he to be in amazement and show the excitement he once did. To jump about and question he persistently. To question the world and why he knew this. Where did it come from? Did he use it to defeat bad people?

Ban had just showed Jin a martial arts style that recreated the flow of torrenting water within ones fist. It was a perfect blend of offense and defense. A martial arts that included the ability to repel attacks and redirect them with twice the power. It was something anyone would awe at.

But Jin wasn't going to awe anymore. Going into stance and practicing. Trying to make his body flow like water and practice the piercing movement. Taking breaths to try and mimic Ban.

Ban sighed as it seemed this "phase" may have need more time to get over. Going to help Jin on his form and feeling of the technique. But little did he know, that every time he sighed, Jin felt even worse.

Like a heavier burden placed on the old man's shoulder.