The Best Things Happen in the Dark

Train With Me

I yelled loudly as I swung my sword. Taking yet another step and swinging again, I jumped up into the air, backflipping. I landed on my feet, kneeling. I dropped my sword to the ground, gasping for air. "My... God..."
"Training in the dead of night, I see?" Someone walked up behind me.
A hand was placed on my left shoulder and I took a deep breath, eyes closed, and feeling refreshed. "Ozpin." I looked at him over my left shoulder.
He smiled. "Trying to improve no doubt."
I nodded. "Yes..." I coughed, pushing myself up. I reached down and picked up my sword, letting outa sigh. "With each day, I... I..." my voice became a whisper as I spoke.
Ozpin let go of my shoulder gently. "You what?" He moved to my left side.
I hung my head. "... I... feel like I'm getting weaker." I spoke slowly and quietly.
I saw Ozpin give a nod of understanding from the corner of my eye. "I can understand how you would think that. I've seen you struggling ever since you were put onto... your own team. It puts pressure on a leader to be able to do something like this - to protect the innocent. I always feel like you're just still too young to handle this."
I didn't respond. I just closed my eyes and turned away from him, raising my head and walking to the edge of the roof. I stopped, opened my eyes, and looked up at the moon in the sky, pieces traveling behind it - remnants of it. Just like we are Remnants, born from Dust. "... hey Ozpin?" I stared upwards. "Maybe... maybe you were right. Maybe... maybe I am too young for this."
I heard an awkward laugh. "Not quite. You were very determined to be put on a team, and then later you were brave enough to want to be put on one alone. I admire the strong and independent young girl you have become," he walked to my left side, joining me at gazing towards the sky. "I admire it and want to see you continue to grow, to become a brave Huntress. You'll become someone strong... and eventually leave." This caused me to look at him. "You'll graduate, leave Beacon and myself behind, and go out into the world to help innocent lives."
"But... Ozpin, I would never leave you! Or Beacon - it's my home!" I said.
"Only temporarily," he said, still looking up. "You'll have to leave one day. And on that day... you may never come back," he closed his eyes and sighed. "Because you will have found your place in the world, your path for life, your meaning..." he opened his eyes again. "... your.... destiny."
I looked at my feet, feeling uneasy and scared. "My... my path is here, at Beacon, with you. Until my parents come home, Beacon is where I'll stay, at your side!" I clenched my fists. "Until then, I'll never leave you!!" I yelled.
"I didn't mean to make you upset, Natalia. I'm sorry," he looked at me, speaking quietly. "I truly am."
I slowly shook my head. "It's not your fault," my voice shook. "I just... I want..." my hands tightened as tears fell from my cheeks. "I want them to come home! It feels like it's been forever! I miss them..." I hiccuped. There was silence between us. Ozpin put down his coffee cup and moved his cane in front of him, holding it with both hands. "... so do I," he said quietly. "... but we must not dwell on the past, Nattie. They've helped many people and still are. You will see them again... when the time is right. Believe me - I've had experience." He sighed.
I looked over to him to see his hands gripping his cane tightly. "Ozpin..."
"And until they do return, I will not let you leave Beacon - just as you wish. I will let you stay here by my side and everyone else's, completely safe. That is..." he clenched his jaw. "That is the promise I made!!" He shouted, voice shaking. He fell to his knees, head hanging.
I quickly dropped to mine, reaching out to him. "Professor!"
"I'm sorry..." I stopped. "Don't... if you end up..." he couldn't find the right words and let out a pained breath. "I just..."
Moments passed, silence within them.
I finally decided it was time I spoke. "... I won't leave unless you tell me to. You know that. No matter how much I'll object, I'll have to listen. My father will come here and you'll decide wether it's time for me to leave... or not. And I'll listen."
He slowly nodded as I looked up. "You're right... what a smart girl you've become," he chuckled.
"... train with me," I stood up.
He looked into my eyes. "What?"
I picked up my sword once more. "You heard me," I said, straightening my skirt. "Train with me. Like we did a few months ago. I haven't been able to ever since the day I was placed on a team." I pointed it at him. "Please?"
After a moment, he smiled. "... it seems my student wishes to remain as such." He stood up. "Alright. But remember, I'm going easy on you."
I smiled. "Wouldn't have it any other way..." I said quietly.
He walked across to the other side of the dark roof, turning to me and holding up his cane. "Ready?" He met my eyes.
I gave a determined smile, nodding. He grinned and we took off running at each other. My sword met his cane, being knocked back. I backflipped away from his attack and parried his.
Moves of fighting one another continued on for what seemed like hours.
"You have improved," Ozpin said as our weapons met yet again, number of it lost. "I'm proud to call you my student."
I smiled. "And I to call you my teacher."