Twice a Day

Chapter 7: They Never Learn

"What do you mean, it's dangerous? Goemon, I kind of assumed after you told me these bad guys called themselves the 'Demons of the Hour!' Kind of sinister!!"

Goemon shook his head. "We're nearing their base. If they know of our approach, and they must, given the situation with the tent, they will anticipate our attack."

"Attack?" You repeated blankly. "Maybe for you. I'm focusing on getting in, grabbing MY grandfather's clock, and getting out."

Goemon pushed some bushes out of the way. "If only it were that simple."

You saw those claw marks. You knew this group meant business. And yet, stubbornness and determination were the glue holding you together right now. You needed that clock, even if Grandpa seemed fine one way and only slightly bummed out on the other. You were lying if you said this wasn't about him, but... You were also lying if you didn't have a selfish goal of someday knowing that heirloom went to you.

It was a clock. How could it be worth enough to trouble these thieves? Or any thief, for that matter!

Goemon, on the other hand, was becoming less and less sure of his own circumstances. If he slipped up at any point, you would be the one to pay. What would he tell your grandfather? His teammates? Himself? Goemon had enough spilled blood on his back. He didn't want to carry the burden of yours as well.

And yet you insisted. Well, why wouldn't you? If his own grandfather had been robbed of a priceless ancient clock, he would be more than pissed himself. But, if HIS grandfather was getting robbed, the thieves would be cut to pieces before they hit the front door. And if HE was recovering a family treasure, he wouldn't mind higher stakes.

Having you around was a blessing and a curse. He knew what was holding him back, the same thing that held him back times before. He dared not say it, as it always seemed to get worse when he did. If the scars on his body and the blade of his sword weren't proof he was a warrior, the constant tearing of his heart sure did.

You spoke up, breaking his thoughts. "I have to recover it. If I didn't think this would be scary and intense, I wouldn't have joined you. This is too important! And frankly, we're too close now to start second guessing."

You continued walking in silence. He made no effort to physically turn you around or subtly reroute the two of you back to your home, and in doing such only proved that he knew better. It would take more than a measly excuse to send you back.

"...Do you know how to defend yourself?"

You thought, wanting to answer honestly rather than impulsively. "To an extent. I don't know how I would do against people with... I don't know, what do they have? Poisoned tipped knives?"

"Let me see, please." He set his things on the ground, including that ever-important katana, and stood still.

You looked at him strangely. "Now?"

"When else? Yes, now."

You set your stuff down next to his. "O-Okay." You got into an exaggerated fighting stance. "You mean, you're going to attack me? Or should I just...?"

"Just hit me. I want to gauge your power."

You laughed a little nervously at the clunky phrasing, but balled up a fist. Before he could say anything, you remembered to put your thumb on the outside of the fist, not the inside. Your grandfather had called that move, 'The easiest way to break your thumb."

You pulled back, staring squarely at the spot where his kimono opened to reveal his chest. Good a spot as any, right? You swung with full force, the sound of impact rattling through the forest. It was no better than punching a brick wall!

His breath caught, and you panicked, grabbing his arm. "Oh God, did I hit too hard?"

He swung the very arm you held up, his elbow dangerously close to your nose, stopping just short of your face. "Sympathy does not bide well with murderers."

Oh, this was a lesson. You let go of the arm, signalling to him you understood, but... "You aren't really hurt, right?"

He smiled halfway. "Hardly. Your concern is sweet, but misplaced." You thought back to the harsh echo of your fist hitting his chest. It was... pretty solid, and you were a little embarrassed in hindsight. You would be lucky if it even bruised.

"Can I get a rating? 1 out of 10."

He thought as he retrieved his bag, handing you yours. "You have the right idea. And you did not hold back, I could tell." You hoped pride wasn't too clear on your face. "7. If you must resort to punching, envision swinging with your forearm as opposed to your shoulder. All of the power, and more control."

"I see. What do you mean, 'resort to punching?'" You peaked between some trees to see the clearing from yesterday was long, long behind you. The journey was passing faster than you thought.

Goemon tapped his own arm with a finger. "Arm muscle takes time to build. The strongest part of your body is your legs."

"So kicking is a better bet?"

"You're quick," he grinned, proud of how effective his teaching was, not really realizing you'd only forgotten the basics. "If you can, deliver impact with the end of your thigh, before your knee."

You didn't need him to show you, yet you still held up a knee, balancing on the other leg. "The knee?"

Too wrapped up in his brief instruction to realize you were both wasting time, he nodded. "It provides heavier force."

You set your leg down on the dirt again. "If you know so much about physical combat, why do you use the sword so much?"

His hair almost seemed to stand on end like a cat's. "It-- It is my trademark."

You paused, walking silently as that statement set in. You burst into laughter. "Trademark? If you have a trademark fighting style, I guess I need one too!"

Goemon glanced at you. "It... Would ease some fears." He stared at the soil, thinking.

"Alright. Remember what I teach you." You didn't think you'd have trouble with that.

Until the sun was completely down, you continued your journey, peppered with occasional bouts of training from Goemon. He wasn't a very good mentor, but he sure wasn't shying away from close contact now, and that was enough for you. It had been the most pleasant part of your trip, even if it was leading towards potential death.

You didn't want it to end, but...

Goemon extended an arm before you, halting you. The moon peeked above the silhouette of a building, the first you'd seen in two days.

"Remember--"

"Remember what you taught me?"

He looked at you, concern temporarily taking over. "Please."