Kunzite paced the salle. The prince was late to practice for the third time this week, and it was only Tuesday. The young prince was finally old enough to begin proper training. His father and Kunzite had agreed that it was time for Endymion to learn how to defend himself properly.
Unfortunately, Endymion had also started to notice girls. He wasn't old enough to do more than awkwardly flirt, but that occupied all of his time and interest now.
A sound in the hall made Kunzite looked up. He recognized the step of the prince and he went over to the door to meet him.
Endymion came strolling into the salle, arm in arm with his current interest, the youngest daughter of some minor earl in the court. Kunzite leaned back against the doorframe, arms crossed, but his stern glare was lost on the prince.
"I'm sorry I'm late, Kunzite-sensei," Endymion said, "But I was with Crystal and I just lost track of time."
"I see that," Kunzite responded.
"Oh, this is Crystal," Endymion introduced her to Kunzite. The girl gave a little curtsey and Kunzite nodded in a suggestion of a bow.
"Prince Endymion has told me that you're teaching him to fight," Crystal said shyly, "I was wondering if I could watch."
"Watch?" Kunzite repeated.
"Yes," Endymion said, "Could she watch me practice?"
"I promise that I will be very quiet," she added.
"I do not think this is a good idea," Kunzite said.
"I want her to stay and watch," Endymion said, "Come on Crystal, you can sit over here, you'll be out of the way." He led the girl around the outside of the ring and sat her down on a bench.
Kunzite held back a sigh as he waited for the prince to stop chatting with the girl and come over to practice. Endymion made a great show of selecting a practice sword and then went over to where Kunzite was waiting.
"Are we finally ready?" Kunzite asked.
Endymion nodded, "I am."
"Good," Kunzite said, "Then begin."
Kunzite led the prince through a complicated dance of thrusts and blocks to warm up. The clicks of the practice swords fell into an even rhythm as Endymion followed each of Kunzite's commands. After each turn, Endymion would glance over at the girl, but his form never lapsed, so Kunzite let it go.
"Kunzite-sensei?" the prince spoke up, "I think that I'm warmed up enough. Can we try a real practice now?"
Kunzite blinked.
"Where I try to disarm you," Endymion continued.
"I don't think-"
"Please, Kunzite-sensei? That's much more interesting then the practice dances."
"Alright," he said, "But we will do the pattern we have been working on."
Endymion frowned a bit. "I want to try a real battle. Like you do with the others."
"You aren't that advanced," Kunzite started.
"Of course I am."
The Shitennou's eyes narrowed a bit as he saw the way Endymion kept winking at Crystal. He sighed inwardly. He knew having the girl watch was a bad idea. The prince was trying to impress her… at the cost of a lesson, and Kunzite's time.
"Very well," Kunzite agreed finally.
"I can do it," Endymion said confidently.
"Take your position then."
The prince grinned and held his sword at the ready.
As Kunzite predicted, even though Endymion said he didn't want to follow a pattern dance, the young prince did anyway. Kunzite followed, thrusting and blocking according to the pattern. He thought Endymion followed well. Later, of course, he would teach the boy to improvise, but now, he just wanted him to learn the moves.
Then Endymion rushed at Kunzite, swinging his sword wildly. Kunzite ducked out of the way just in time.
Crystal cheered. "Well done!"
Endymion whirled to face her and gave a sweeping bow.
It took all of Kunzite's self control not to roll his eyes. But he decided there was no harm in letting the prince tire himself out by running around. It was a waste of energy, but it looked good to the girl watching. The Shitennou already had dismissed this lesson as a lost cause. Maybe the aching muscles tomorrow would be enough of a lesson to the prince.
"Kunzite-sensei," Endymion protested after Kunzite dodged him for the third time, "You're not trying."
"Sure he is," Crystal said, "You're just faster than he is."
"No," Kunzite said, "You are racing around recklessly and swinging your sword around. You are not fencing."
"Come on Kunzite-sensei," Endymion held up his sword, "I know how to defend."
Kunzite sighed.
"I want to show Lady Crystal what I can do," Endymion murmured softly.
"You already were," Kunzite said, "In the pattern dance."
"No, not that," Endymion said, "I told her that I'm a good warrior. Now come on!"
Kunzite's patience snapped. "Very well my prince."
With that, Kunzite slashed out at Endymion's legs. The prince yelped and jumped back. Kunzite didn't give him a chance to recover, striking him hard across the arm with the flat of his sword. The prince tried to counter, but Kunzite slipped past him, hitting Endymion's arm again. The prince yelped and clung to his sword as his arm went numb.
Another quick twist from Kunzite's sword and Endymion's sword went flying. Kunzite quickly kicked it out of the way when Endymion scrambled for it. He stuck out his foot and tripped him, knocking the prince to the ground. He held the end of his sword to the prince's throat.
Kunzite lowered his sword without a word.
"That… was not fair."
"I did what you commanded of me," Kunzite said, "You wanted a real battle." He held out his hand to help Endymion up.
The prince pushed his hand away and got up, brushing himself off.
"Pick up your sword, and let's try again."
"No. I am done."
Kunzite sighed. "Very well. Pick up your sword and put it away then."
"No," the prince said.
"Prince Endymion!"
The prince stormed over to the door and left the salle, slamming it shut and setting the wall shaking.
Crystal got to her feet quickly. "Thank you… for letting me watch… Lord Kunzite…" She gave a little curtsey and quickly vacated the room.
Kunzite growled and stalked over, picking up the wooden practice sword that Endymion had dropped. He glared at the door and then threw the weapon at a pile of sandbags. He stood there for a moment, watching the sand spill out.