VI

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After school, the four friends proceeded to walk home together, as usual. And, as usual, the four of them parted as they got to their houses. First Deku, then Kat, then Okami. Fumikage hopped onto his bike and pedaled to the alley where he first met Flumen. I hope I'm not late.

From a tree, Dark Shadow spotted Fumikage nearing him. He swooped down and flew at the same pace as he was. "You're actually going to go through with what that weirdo claimed?"

"My gut's telling me yes. That's what I'm going with," Fumikage replied, pedaling a little faster.

"If you're sure. I can only see this resulting in another beating. I'm not sure how much more of those you can take."

"I'll be fine."

Fumikage screeched to a stop when he got to the alley where Flumen told him to meet. He scanned the shadows until he spotted a familiar flash of white.

"So you came," Flumen said, almost impressed. She stepped into the light a bit. This time, a giant leaf was tied around her neck, like a bandana.

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Sometimes, young ones get freaked out and they quit."

"I can handle it."

Flumen looked at him skeptically "We'll see about that. Come." And so, she turned around and took a few bounds. Then she leaped over the fence at the end of the alley.

Fumikage and Dark Shadow looked at each. Then Fumikage walked his bike into the shadows and set it up against the wall. He jumped up and scrambled over the fence. He landed on the ground with a grunt. Dark Shadow soon followed.

"We don't have time for dragging. Hurry up," Flumen said. Then she sprinted into the woods.

"Aren't those woods rumored to be haunted?!" Dark Shadow chirped.

"It is true that hunters have gone in there and are never heard from again."

"Do you think that has to do with Flumen?"

"Maybe. Only one way to find out," Fumikage said and ran after Flumen.

Dark Shadow sighed to himself and followed.

After a while, they arrived to an open clearing by a small pond. It was well shaded by the ring of trees surrounding the area. Sunlight dappled the grassy forest floor.

"This is where I trained my last huata. It worked out pretty well, so I figured I'd train you here, as well," Flumen explained.

"Huata?" Fumikage asked.

"Someone like you. A lucid in training."

"Lucid?"

Flumen sighed. "I'll explain more later. For now, let's get started with the training."

Fumikage was about to protest, but then a thought struck him. Flumen was basically a mentor. She knows what she's doing, right? It's probably best not to question it. "Okay. What do you want me to learn first?"

"There is no learning to be done."

"W-What?"

"Everything you need to know is already there. You just need to awaken it. It shouldn't be that hard," Flumen said.

Fumikage nodded. "Okay. What's first?"

"Well, we should start with the basics. Say you get a deep wound. What is the best plant to heal yourself with?"

Fumikage looked around. He spotted a few puffed up dandelions and pointed to them. "Those."

Flumen shook her head. "No."

This caught Fumikage off guard. But ... they always worked on cuts. Wait. She said deep wounds. The dandelion trick worked on cuts that are shallow. I've never tried them on a deep wound before. Maybe they're not powerful enough?

"The brighter the energy glow, the greater the healing abilities," Flumen explained.

"Energy glow?" Fumikage asked, completely confused.

"Here. Let me show you," Flumen said and she dipped her muzzle into the leaf around her neck. She pulled out a few seeds and laid them on the ground.

"You keep seeds in there?"

"Yes. We usually keep them there for when we need them. Although, some animals are able to store them in their stomachs and cough them up when needed. It's gross. I find this easier." Flumen studied Fumikage a bit. "You're gonna need one for yourself. Based on human behaviors I noticed," She paused, reached into a bush, and pulled off a long, thin leaf. "it would be easiest for you if you tied this around your wrist."

Fumikage took the leaf and tied it around his right wrist.

"Nice. Now," Flumen said as she held up a seed between her toes. "find a plant that has an energy glow that matches this one."

Fumikage studied the seed, focusing. Then he felt a slight shift in his eye sight. The seed really WAS glowing. So THAT'S what she means by energy glow! He looked around once more.

Every plant around him seemed to give off some sort of glow. Some brighter than others. But he needed one that matched the seed Flumen held.

Then he spotted it.

"This is it, right?" he asked, holding up a white flower.

"No. That's a bittercress. Take a look at the bloodroot over there. It's slightly brighter, which is what you're looking for. You have to pay attention to small details like that," Flumen said. "Let's try it again."

For what felt like hours, Fumikage continued to compare the energy glow of the plants around him. Until finally, he was getting the hang of it.

"Well done," Flumen said after he held up a blade of grass. She looked up at the sky. "We've been at this longer than I thought."

Fumikage looked up as well and gasped. The sun was setting. That bastard's gonna kill me! "I-I need to go! My family's probably wondering!"

Flumen nodded. "I understand. Come back tomorrow, and I'll show you the next step. We've got a LOT to go over." She looked at the UA uniform he was still wearing. "And wear something that you can move more freely in next time, okay?"

Fumikage nodded. "Will do. Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

And with that, they parted ways.

"Well THAT was a snooze fest," Dark Shadow complained with a yawn once they were out of ear shot.

"It was, but this was only the beginning. I'm sure there's going to be more in store," Fumikage said as he hopped onto his bike. What have I gotten myself into?

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