We have Changed

Chapter Five- Training

My blood was pumping as I sparred with Jackal. I felt my body bruising from each hit he delivered. Though I refused to back down, as I knew he was also struggling. I spat blood before landing a final punch to his jaw. He collapsed onto the mats, and I raised my fists in victory. I felt a hit coming from behind me, but I avoided the attack with a flip. I danced away, before jumping up, and wrapping my legs around their head. I used my body to flip them onto the ground. I flipped off before they hit the ground, and landed nimbly on my feet like the tigress I was. I watched my ankles as he tried to reach for me, but I just gave a magic enforced kick to his head. It killed his body, but I knew he'd be back by dinner.

"You're doing quite well, Minerva." The guild master said as I drank water from a bottle.

"Thank you, sir. May I practice with your demon form?" I asked as I glared back at Jackal, whom was upset I had beaten him again. My body screamed at me to stop, but my mind and heart said keep going. I had to become strong enough for my master.

"I would suggest you take a break." He told me as he walked through a portal to wherever he went. I growled, before returning to my room. It was quite like my room back at Sabertooth.

The walls were now a darker blue, and the trim was now white decorated in gold. The bed was slightly bigger, yet less comfortable. And the availability of my favorite makeup products was fairly limited compared to Sabertooth. The floor was stone, and cold from the lack of rugs.

I ripped off my sweaty clothes before looking into the mirror. I studied the various marks of battle marring my flesh. Bruises were sprinkled across my skin, several freshly healing scars marked where my weaknesses were. I opened my mouth and spat out the mouth guard. A bit of blood trickled down my chin before I turned and stepped into the shower. The water was frigid, but slowly warmed. The transition seemed to help my body relax from battle mode, to calmness. After a good amount of time, I stepped out of my ensuite bathroom.

"How was your day, princess?" I snapped my head to where a form of light stood. Only for it vanish into nothing, causing a pained sigh to slip past my lips.

"Honestly, everyday seems to be turning into another horrible one." I muttered as I gently laid myself into my bed. I relaxed into my bed before, I sat up, aware of someone approaching. I snapped my fingers, as simple work clothes appeared on my body. My door opened a moment later, and Jackal stood their with a frown.

"How did you learn how to fight like that?" He questioned quietly, his head bowing as he looked to the ground in submission.

"Jiemma, does not accept weaklings. He trained me since I was three, and has taught me many important things necessary for survival." I explained as I sat cross-legged on the bed.

"He would do that to his own child?" He asked incredulously as he moved into my room. I nearly hissed at him, but restrained. He was a guild mate, so I had to refrain from harming him outside of training.

"Jiemma was never intended to be a kind person, never mind a kind father." I informed him as flashes of sparring with my father, and being forced into s-class missions when I was still so young.

"Can you teach me to fight better?" He asked abruptly, pulling me from the source of my nightmares.

"Why me? What makes you think I'd teach you anyway?" I inquired as he continued to fumble with his words.

"You're a really good fighter, and I want to get better. You don't have to, I was just looking for a new way to get better." He outlined as he stared at the floor. I thought about it, before answering.

"Sure, but for this thing, I will be getting one favor that I can use for anything, whenever." I replied as I stood, and began to walk out of my room. I snapped my fingers again before I was dressed in fresh training clothes. "I want you to be prepared for the worst three hours of your life."

I didn't have to look at him, to know he was surprised. "Three hours?! Are you insane?!"

"Maybe. It's up for debate. Though before we discuss my sanity, or lack of it. I want you to know this is the kind of thing that made me who I am." I said as we walked into the training room. No one else was there, as they were off managing details to the plan of Mard Geer, our guild master. I had finished my part fairly quickly by giving them some information on a few of the people within the guilds.

I turned, looking at Jackal before raising my fists. I stared him, dead in the eyes.

"Show me what you've got."

The next three hours, we pushed to our limits. I put him through grueling exercises, and marked up where his form needed structure. He just listened like a good student, and followed my instructions. We did drills, we ran, we used our magic and curses till we were on the edge of Magic/curse deficiency disease.

I smiled as he knocked me down to my feet, for the second time in the three hours. Then I struck him down, pinning him to the ground. I then stood, and took a drink. When pinned, the games were put into a time out.

"That was good, but when the enemy is down. You must strike." I clarified before walking to the training room door. "We're done for today. Tomorrow, be here by six AM."

He groaned, but I saw him nod his head. I sighed as I stepped down the hall till I was in my room again. I stripped, and took another shower before I fell into my bed. I dressed myself in a comfortable a shirt and shorts, then fell into a deep sleep.

Come home princess, your tigers need you. Sting's voice whispered into my ear.

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Sting: Characters and such belong to Hiro Mashima.