Unravel the World

Ch V ~ Sophisticated Violence

"If you're going to be any use to Aogiri, you will need to fight," Ayato said, voice echoing across the empty hall to were Iriai stood, staring at her surroundings.

This place looked a lot like Yamori's basement, except there was no dried blood that Banjou had missed and no random chair in the middle. The dark grey walls were high and seemed like they belonged in some sort of cathedral. Reflecting the almost invisible ceiling, the floor was chequered like a chess board, alternating huge red and black stone slabs. This was where Ayato had been told to train Iriai. Hopefully, she wold come out of this a lot more mature, but more sane than any of the ghouls Yamori attempted to 'train.'

"What's going to happen is that I will build up a chain attacks, alternating between two starting attacks, until you can defend yourself and use them to your advantage," he continued. "I might hurt you, but the aim is for you to hurt me, got it?"

Across the room, Iriai nodded solemnly and shifted her feet, bracing herself for the impact. But she was looking at the floor.

Naturally, Ayato released his kagune before firing himself towards her, landing on the floor and swiping his leg under hers to take her feet down. Immediately, she fell to the floor and Ayato stood over her, laughing. On autopilot from actual fights, he was ready to fire bullet-like crystals at her, but, as Noro and Tatara had told him not to hurt her too much, he stopped there with his foot holding her down to the floor. She scrabbled at his shin-high boot and flailed her legs a little before giving up.

"Always, always, watch what the enemy is doing. Watch the trajectory at which they jump, watch their hands when they're running. That's how you prepare yourself. Stand up." He didn't offer any help. When you're out fighting, there is no help, only you and your enemy.

Still, Iriai muttered a little to herself as she pulled herself up off the floor.

As she arranged her feet again, Iriai looked him dead in the eyes, watching his every move.

Ayato charged at her this time. Right as Iriai prepared to jump out of his way, Ayato jumped and spun so his feet collided with her shoulder. She made a muffled noise of shock, but tried to grab his ankle with her left hand and spin with him. She didn't succeed in pulling him to the floor but, as her hands smacked against the hard marble, Ayato stumbled before righting himself. His scarf almost got caught under Iriai, so he took it off along with his jacket. He wore a black tank top that was just loose enough to be worn under his jacket without being uncomfortable, just close enough to be practical if training absolute nimrods like Iriai.

She scrambled up and turned back around to face him. Without even waiting for her to prepare, Ayato jumped again, repeating the first move, standing on his feet as he watch Iriai hit the floor once again.

"There isn't just one way to start a fight, Iriai," he sighed. She should have known this; it was basic common sense! "Use your brain a little and watch what I'm doing." She couldn't fall for the same thing again. He'd even told her that he was going to alternate between two attacks.

She faced him with a sigh, pulling her fists up close to her face.

Ayato ran at her again, spinning in the air a few feet from where she stood. He thought felt his heavy boot collide with her shoulder yet again, but then there was some sort of change in force and he was wrenched downwards, crashing his shoulders straight into the floor in a burst of pain. She had grabbed his leg and pushed him away from her. Ayato grinned. She was learning.

Before doing anything, he waited for Iriai to stand over him to see if he was okay. The moment he saw her face, concern written all over it, he kicked up, driving his foot directly into her stomach. Shocked, she just stood there for a moment, allowing Ayato time to roll to a crouch. He brought his elbow up as he stood and heard a sickening yet oddly satisfying crack. The familiar sound of a broken nose. She brought her hands to her face in shock, blood dripping from her hands.