Chapter 4: Training Daze

I was sleeping peacefully in my bed when my bedroom door got banged open and I opened my eyes to see Saix with a clipboard in his hand. I so did not want to get out of bed but I knew Saix wouldn't let me sleep in so I sat up and gave him a glare. Luckily, I was wearing a black nightie so he couldn't see anything personal. The last thing I wanted was Saix to see me naked. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and stared at Saix to ask him what he wanted.

"Xemnas and I will begin training you in half an hour," he informed me, looking at the clipboard. "You might want to get ready or you'll have to train in your nightgown." His eyes were cold with no humor in them. Did this guy ever smile?

"Fine," I snapped crossly, folding my arms across my chest. "Anything else O Royal Pain wants me to know?" I set my jaw, glaring at him sternly.

"No," he said blandly, "I'll just take my leave and let you get dressed." With that, he turned on his heel and left the room the same way he came.

When I knew I was alone, I pulled my nightgown off, threw it on the floor, and dug out some clothes the organization provided for me. There were bras my size and some dark clothes for me to wear. I put my bra on and slid on a white tee shirt and black jeans to prepare myself. Grabbing a hairbrush, I let my ponytail down and ran the brush through it to smooth the tangles. After that, I slid my hair in another ponytail and brushed my teeth to get ready for training.

…

Xemnas, Saix, and Vexen met me in the training room and they looked at me curiously. Vexen approached me and began circling me like Xemnas did the day prior. He did odd things like running his fingers through my hair and measuring the length of my arms. After that, he wrote a few things down on his clipboard and spoke to Xemnas and Saix in hushed tones. I tried to listen in but they kept their voices too low for me to hear.

"Well," said Vexen, walking back over to me, "my dear, have you ever shot a bow and arrow?"

I quirked an eyebrow and said, "Well, I did in gym class but I failed so much at it. Why do you ask?"

"You see," said Vexen, reading off his clipboard, "your arms are perfect length for using a bow and arrow. I trust you know the basics."

I nodded. "Yeah," I answered, "I know how to string a bow but I'm not the most sharp shooter." I meant to joke but they didn't laugh. When these guys lost their hearts, did they lose their funny bones too?

"Well, I'm sure you can do fine," assured Vexen, patting my arm dismissively. "I'll be outside the training room to observe you." He walked towards the see-through door and went out to the little sitting room that was connected to the training room.

In Xemnas's hand, a black bow about twenty-five pounds appeared with dark arrows that looked like something the devil used. I hesitantly grabbed them from his hand and strung the bow. I took my shooting stance that I learned in PE and held my elbow high. Remembering back to that time in PE, I focused my eyes on the little target on the back wall of the room and I released the arrow…too soon. The arrow hit the wall but not the target. I looked back at Xemnas and sighed in defeat but he nodded at me to prompt me to continue.

…

About what felt like an eternity later, I slouched in my form and sweat ran down my forehead. I was tired enough to fall down but I kept myself up by sheer willpower. Xemnas and Saix came in and took the bow and arrows from my hands. I guess that meant training was over. It took a lot out of me and I felt like fainting. With a shaky walk, I walked out of the training room to talk to Vexen but he was reading his clipboard. I got his attention by clearing my throat.

"It's a good beginning, child," said Vexen, staring at me calmly, "but we still have a lot of work to do before we place you on the field."

I visibly sunk because I did give it all I got. What did they expect me to be, Super Girl? Seriously, I was fine with my fists and feet but using weapons was completely new to me, not counting a baseball bat. I wanted so badly to take a nap since I deserved it. My arms, back, and shoulders were aching because I used muscles I haven't used in a while. Vexen patted my head and resumed to speak to Xemnas and Saix in hushed tones. I saw them reply back in quiet responses but they nodded and looked at me every so often. Finally, Xemnas nodded and approached me.

"Every day," he said in his deep, slow tone, "we'll come back here to observe you as you train. Until we think you're ready, you won't be able to go on field missions."

I sighed and shook my head, saying, "Fine, do what you please." I held up my hands in resignation. "I'm going to my room. I hate you all." There was no conviction in my tone but I was too tired to amend what I said so instead I just walked out of the training area to go to my room and shower.

…

After showering and dressing, I laid down on my bed and closed my eyes to rest a little but the opening door made me open them. I saw Axel standing in the doorway with Roxas and they smiled at me. The two walked up to me and sat on my bed, questioning me on my training and what my weapon was.

"I shot a bow and arrow," I answered, sitting up on my bed, "and I did horribly but Senor Mansex says I need more practice before going on a real mission."

"We wish you the best of luck," Axel said with a kind smile. "Don't call him Mansex to his face, though. He wouldn't like that." But a smile was broad on his face.

"Oh, believe me, I won't," I said sassily, "much." I stuck my tongue out playfully, prompting Axel and Roxas to chuckle.

"Well," said Axel, "we'll leave you to rest. You're probably tired."

"Yeah," I replied, lying back down. "Well, see you two later."

The two stood, walked out of my room, and shut the door behind them, leaving me in peace. I slid under the white covers and closed my eyes once more. Since I was so tired, I managed to slip into slumber easily and drift off into sweet dreams I haven't had in a while.

A/N: Sorry for the late update! I was really busy with stuff! Read and review please!