La Nuit Tourne Red

Chapter Ten

"Position your axe past your ear making sure not to tilt left to right." Itsuki says as he stands behind me instructing me how to throw an axe one handed. As I try to position the axe he continues.

"Your axe should nearly touch your shoulder before beginning your forward motion." He then places his arms around me as I begin to feel his warmth against my back making my heart race. He places his hand around mine as he positions the axe.
"Throw the axe as if you were throwing a dart, then release when the handle is straight up and down."

He steps back as I suddenly feel the absence of his warmth... strangely. I shake it off as I begin to focus on his words, and the target dummy. I lock in on my target as I throw the axe, exactly the way that Itsuki showed me. The axe flies from my hand swiftly as it hits the dummy head on and explodes in flames.

I jump back as I accidentally jump into Itsuki's arms. He chuckles at me as he catches me, his deep honey brown eyes glistening from the bright lights. His grin doesn't leave his face as his eyes never leave mine. I feel my heart begin to beat fast again as the dummy continues to burn behind us.

He only breaks eye contact as his gaze begins to move downwards towards my lips. My heart begins to beat out of my chest as he suddenly clears his throat and pulls away, swiftly putting the fire out with his powers.

"This time, a moving target." He winks at me as he begins to walk away from me towards the center of the training room.
"I didn't know you had moving targets?" I ask confused as he chuckles.
"Oh! We don't." He slicks his hair back as he narrows his eyes at me.
"I'm your target."

My body freezes, as my eyes also freeze wide open... did he just say what I think he said? Yeah... he's insane.
"No!" I argue as he waves me off.
"C'mon! If I wasn't sure I wouldn't let you do it." He winks at me as he holds his arms out.
"Are you serious?" I ask still not convinced.
He happily nods as I shake my head and line my axe up with his body.

Normally... I wouldn't practice throwing axes at the guys I've been around... but I probably should have with some of them. I do as he taught me and throw the axe towards him, it passes right past him as he never moves.

"Kenzo's pinky toe can throw better than that." Itsuki teases as I start to pout and become angry.
"You're just a bad teacher." I scoff as he chuckles.
"If that's all you've learned... then apparently so." He winks as I line my axe up again.

I won't go easy this time. I lock into my target as I throw the axe, this time it heads right for Itsuki. Right before the axe makes contact, Itsuki dodges it and appears on my right side, gripping the axe in his hand, he swings it at me.

I swiftly dodge it as I roll backwards. Is he trying to kill me? I stand back up quickly as Itsuki lunges a second attack, this time from the air. As he almost lands on me I dodge it and jump back towards the wall... my mistake.

As I'm against the wall I see Itsuki rush me again as he holds my neck behind the axe, not pressing it against me.
"You die." He says as he releases me and the axe. I slump over in defeat as he pats my back.
"You're not ready to fight alone, but you're doing well." He says as I glance up to to see a grin on his face.
"Let's go again." He reaches out his hand as I begin to remember I'm the one who said that I wanted to get stronger... it won't happen overnight. I take his hand as I'm ready to go again.

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After Itsuki and I trained for a few more hours, we headed back to the quarters. I'm not sure what he's doing now... but this shower is going to be the best one I've ever had. I stand in the bathroom as I undress and step into the shower. I feel the hot water trickle across my hair as I eagerly wash my entire body. Much needed.