𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍, bellamy blake ¹

14; learn the lessons

"As if you were on fire from within. The moon lives in the lining of your skin."

― Pablo Neruda

➳ ➳ ➳

"LIKE THIS?" NAOMI ASKED, HOLDING THE WOODEN POLE IN HER HANDS.

Kahina snorted and smacked the poles from Naomi's fingertips. "You suck at this already," she said, rolling her large, fawn eyes.

Naomi pulled her lips in, sighing out of her nose.

The brown-skinned girl raised her eyebrows at Naomi's actions, twirling around the younger girl. "I do not see how Serena puts up with you. You are a pain." Naomi ignored the comment, instead giving Kahina an eye-roll and tossing her sun-bleached hair to the side. She rearranged the position of her legs and moved to pick up her pole. Kahina moved back towards her. "Wrap your hand around it like this," she said, guiding Naomi's fingers. "And your other one here. I can't believe you didn't get the hang of this when Serena taught you."

Naomi swung the pole at her partner, aiming for the back of her thigh. Kahina twisted her back to let her weapon meet Naomi's in a blocking blow. She knocked the younger girl off balance, but Naomi swung under Kahina's arms, spinning around to face her opponent.

"You do know I'm younger than you," Naomi said, attempting to hit Kahina. The other girl blocked it again and easily flipped around Naomi's figure.

"You do know I'm better than you," replied Kahina in a teasing tone, aiming a sly hit to Naomi's ass.

The blonde spun around to meet Kahina's next blow. "You're annoying."

"You're a Sky Girl," Kahina retorted.

Naomi stuck her tongue out, rolling to the side to avoid the next blow. She swung out to the side, successfully hitting the weapon against Kahina's arm. Kahina kicked out and threw Naomi backwards, the latter clumsily regaining balance at the last minute.

Kahina cocked her head at Naomi, as the younger girl stood. "I like your hair," she said. "Did Serena do it for you?"

Naomi looked downwards at her gold hair, half braided in tight cornrows while the other hand hung loose. "Yeah, it's—"

Kahina's pole hit Naomi upon the head. "Never lose concentration."

"Ah, dick!" Naomi swung forward to strike Kahina, which she did successfully. "You know, I wish Serena hadn't left me with you." Kahina snorted at that comment and struck back, painfully hitting Naomi's knuckles.

"Why, because I'm better than you?"

"I am never letting Serena make me train with you again," said Naomi. She flipped backwards and tried to round-kick Kahina. Kahina ducked backwards and flipped her body sideways to kick away Naomi's pole. She swung her own with the momentum of her body so that the wooden weapon connected with the side of Naomi's jaw. Noe grunted and her head snapped back with the blow, an angry red welt rising quickly. Kahina let out an abrupt laugh.

Naomi rolled to grab her pole again. She spun to her feet, protecting her limbs while she rolled into an upwards position. Noe flipped backwards again, attempting the same move. She struck empty air. This time, Kahina's pole cracked the upside of her nose. Naomi fell back onto the ground, clutching at her nose and groaning. Blood touched her fingers.

Kahina stood over her. "Most trainees learn their lessons."

Naomi swung her feet out, tangling with Kahina's own and sending her sprawling to the ground beside Naomi. "But not you, apparently," said Naomi.