In another life

Training

Today would be (Y/N)'s first time training with Kyoujurou and Shinjuro.

The first thing they did were a few small warm ups, like jogging around the estate 20 times without stopping. Surprisingly, (Y/N) held up perfectly fine, which Shinjurou and Kyoujurou both praised her greatly for her stamina. Then after a few stretches and other exercises they began working on swordsmanship.

Shinjuro handed (Y/N) a wooden sword, and she stared at it oddly. In her training from her Father, she had never used a sword. Just her nails and legs. So this was foreign to her.

"Ah, (Y/N)." The girl looked up from the hilt of the sword to the voice. Kyoujurou sidled closer to her and put his sword under his arm, "You're holding it wrong."

The boy reached out and helped her reposition her hands, which she gave a nod of thanks to. He smiled at her, taking his own weapon and gripping it.

"Alright! You two ready?" Shinjuro announced. Both the children nodded, Kyoujurou more enthusiastic than his friend but, both excited.

The Flame Hashira had taken to teaching them simple swings, running around with their swords so that they'd get the feel of having one, and other complex positions to swing a sword in. Kyoujurou was doing excellent, but (Y/N) was lacking, not being quite as used to having an extra item on her when attacking, much less using the item.

The training stretched on for days, weeks, and eventually a month and a half. But there was very little improvement in the girl's swordsmanship. Shinjuro realized this early on, and soon came to terms that maybe a sword wasn't what (Y/N) needed.

He brought her outside one day, sitting her down on the engawa to talk with her about the issue. He asked, "When you were being trained back in your old home, what did you use to fight?"

The girl paused, piecing two and two together and asked, "...Are my sword skills bad?"

Shinjuro chuckled, "Well," He struggled to find the words, "...they aren't improving."

"Oh.." (Y/N) looked down—her face still flat—but shame seeped off of her in small streams.

"No worries!" Shinjuro started, resting a hand on her shoulder, "Some slayers don't use swords to fight."

The (H/C) haired girl slowly looked up at the man, "..Really?"

He nodded, "Absolutely, I know a few slayers who can't use them, so instead they use other forms of weaponry that suit them better." (Y/N) stared at Shinjuro with big eyes, full of wonder. He continues, "That's why I'm asking what you used before, that way I know how to properly train you."

"Oh." The shame she felt had been subdued, and she flits her gaze down to her hands that are neatly folded in her lap. She raises them to show Shinjuro, "These."

The Hashira smiled at her, albeit confusedly, so she flexes her fingers. Her nails suddenly extend, going from short and trimmed to long sharp pointy edges. The sudden transition causing Shinjuro to lean back in surprise.

"Ahh, claws." He states in realization. She was taught to fight like a demon.

(Y/N) nodded, "I used my arms and legs."

"Impressive!" The Hashira exclaims, "Are you capable of any demon blood art?" The girl shook her head, but the man nodded, "That's fine, what we have now is perfect to work with."

——————

After her talk with Shinjuro, training for (Y/N) was altered. While Kyoujurou continued with a sword, Shinjuro had (Y/N) focus more on close combat, he was pleased to see how much skill she already had in that aspect of fighting.