Moon Child (Complete!)

Chapter 17

I was was jerked awake by something hard colliding with my stomach. Snapping my eye open I clutched my stomach in pain. I shoved the book off of me, sitting up. 

"Was that necessary?" I grunted out. Kian stood at the foot of my bed, arm still in mid throw. 

"I tried waking you up for the past ten minutes." I blew a strangled piece of hair out of my face. I glared at him through lowered lids. I switched my gaze on the little square window set into the hut I was given. Outside it was still dark, the moon hung in the sky. 

"What are you doing, waking me up?" I was still half asleep, I couldn't tell if it was near morning. Kian looked over my appearance. I pulled the covers of the bed over my body suddenly self conscious. I had on only a long white night gown. 

"Get ready, training begins now." He gave me another look over, before striding out of the hut. I blinked past the the haze of sleep. Pulling back the covers I set my feet on the morning chilled floors. Kanza had left a spare set of clothes on top of the wooden dresser by the bed. The hut was circular, as normal. The door to outside was covered by a large tapestry. 

I grimaced, as I picked up the tight fitting tank buckskin dress. I hardly wore any dress, and when I did it was only on special occasions. But I wasn't that girl anymore. I was becoming someone different. I hastily stripped off the night gown tossing it in a corner. 

The dress was so snug it took a few tugs to get it over my head. It fell into place around my waist. Fastening the black belt around my stomach, I gazed into the mirror. Startled for a moment I didn't recognize myself. The girl who stared back, was fuller more defined. As if the weeks that passed had hardened me. The worst part was the dull color of my eyes grey eyes. I averted my gaze from the mirror, braiding my hair in a quick motion. 

"Were using wooden swords for practice." Kian explained holding out a slightly curved  Japanese wooden sword. I grasped the hilt, my fingers curling around it. The sun was just peaking over the horizon chasing away the darkness. We stood a few miles from the clan. The morning dew on the grass made my legs wet. Kian's hair was pulled back in a manly pony tail. Somehow it seemed fitting for him. His white shirt hugged his finely toned stomach.

"Why can't we use real ones?" I blurted out without thinking. Stupid. I was stupid, of course it would be suicide to start with real swords. He probably sensed the instant regret, for he just ignored me. He griped the sword in his right hand, as he stood feet apart in a stance. 

"Stand like this," He demonstrated emphasizing his stance. I tried to mimic his stance, I put my feet apart throwing my shoulders back. 

"Like this?" I asked, feeling proud.  He laughed shaking is head, my pride depleted. 

"No," He came up to me, examining my stance up close. He put a strong hand on my stomach, the other on my back. He put pressure on my stomach. 

"Tighten your core muscles, don't slouch so much." His breath tickled the stray hairs on my face. The grip on my sword wavered, I was all to aware of him standing so close. He quickly removed his hands stepping away. His green eyes became clouded with something. It was gone the next moment. 

"Try it yourself." I did as he said tightening my stomach, not daring to slouch. I looked to him for approval. He nodded his head in silent approval. As fast as a cobra, he shot forward bringing up his sword and hitting me square in the chest. The force knocked me off my feet, I landed on my back in the grass. 

"What the hell!?" I screeched. My teeth had knocked together from the impact. He stood looming above me, not offering a hand to help me up. 

"Lesson one, never let your guard down."