Family Ties

Chapter 8: Training part 1

The next couple of chapters are gonna be Ichi training for his battle to come. Hope you like it. Don't own nothing but my OC's.


Wensday morning, Ichi had started waking up from his sleep. He was still shocked to realize his fathers heritage, but besides that he seemed alright about it.

"What's that smell?" He said, sniffing the air "It smells delicious."

He left his old room and entered the kitchen, when he looked around he surprised to see Shifu wearing an apron and holding plates of bean buns and tea cakes.

"Um, good morning." Ichi answered

Shifu's POV

It's strange, back home it feels normal to see him wake up with the others; but to see him in pajamas, holding that teddy bear of his... he actually looks adorable. "Good morning Ichi."

"Not really, I'm actually still a little sleepy." He said, yawning "Isn't that my moms apron?"

"Um yes, forgive me if this gives you bad memories." I answered

"Actually, it gives me good ones." Ichi said, smiling "You remind me of her, you have her eyes."

"Is that so?"

"Well what do you know, the puppy dog's awake."

Ichi's POV

Is that Jubei? His face looks a little red, that could mean one thing... he's drunk. "So how about it hic, want some hic sake?"

"No thanks." I groaned

"What's with that attitude?" Jubei asked "Don't you know that the basic japanese breakfast involves dumplings, sweets, and sake?"

"Which you have none." I retorted "I guess trainings gonna have to wait till tomorrow."

"No, training will start today." Shifu corrected "Until Jubei is finished recovering from his intoxication, I will train you."

"I guess that's better than an old drunk." I muttered

"Hey who you callin hic callin old?" Jubei asked

He fell asleep. We ignored him and after I changed clothes, we went down into the training room from before; when I unsheathed my dads or I guess my sword I felt something... bloodlust. I had the sudden urge to kill, to taste blood. But I didn't let it control me, so I endured it.

"Now, are you ready?" Shifu asked

"Sure, where do we start?" I answered

"The basics."


Part 1: Basics

"But I already know how to use a sword." I explained

"Yes, but it's always good to remember the basics." Shifu said "Now let's practice with a little sparring."

I was about to say 'But you don't have a sword' but then I realized that Shifu brought a backpack with him; when he rummaged through it I was shocked to see him pull out the sword of heroes. It was so elegant and beautiful, it's blade had a emerald dragon on it, and just looking at it made me want to drool. But I held it in trying not to embarass myself. "You brung the sword with us?"

"Yes, your training is going to be much harder." He answered "Which is why you'll need more of a challenge."

I gave out a smirk and said "A sword of heroes versus a sword of demons, sounds like a good match."

He smiled from my enthusiasm; I fell into a sword stance and held the sword in both hands, I felt like there was tension between us, it was so thick that anyone of us could cut it. "Let's go!"

I charged with a forward strike, only to have it blocked by his sword; we clashed at each other and made every move perfect, no matter how we attacked neither one of us could make a hit. I knew it would be hard to make a hit... to tell the truth I didn't even want to.

"Focus, become one with the blade." Shifu explained "Let it become a part of you."

A part of me, so in other words... I have to listen to the blade. Focus, open up your senses, listen to your demon instincs.

"So, you can hear me?" A voice asked

"Who are you?" I retorted

"Can't you tell, your holding me in you're hands."

"... Kageichi Muramasa." I stuttered

"Yes, one of the many sons that Sengo Muramasa created." He explained "I can tell just by looking at you, you have the same look as Reishin, and even more attitude."

"Thanks for the compliment." I said, smiling "Now could you please..."

"You don't have to say it, I already know." Kageichi said "I will give you my power, now become one with the shadows."

I then woke up from my mind, Shifu still didn't make a move. I returned to my stance and said "Become one with the shadows, Kageichi Muramasa!"

The next thing I knew I was right behind of Shifu, my blade was so close to his neck that I could cut it off instantly. "Shadow Stalker."

"How did you do that?" Shifu answered, shocked

I moved back and said "I became one with Kageichi, his power was overflowing inside of me. Next thing I knew I was coming out of your shadow, ready to attack."

"Well done, you showed an excellent performance." Shifu said, smiling "I'm very proud of you."

I always feel happy to hear Shifu say that, I was about to sheath the sword back into scabbard behind my back until I heard Kageichi's voice. "I want blood!"

"Look, if we're going to work together we need to set up some rules." I explained "The only blood you're going to taste is the blood of evil. People, and even demons."

"... You really are like your father." He groaned "Very well, as you wish master."

I came back out of the mindscape and said "Great, now I got two people in my head."

"Shall we continue?" Shifu asked

"Let's." I answered


Part 2: Reflecting

"This is new for you, I'm going to teach you how to reflect." Shifu explained "I can tell that your blade is strong, if you concentrate on your target you can reflect any projectile weapon."

"That's pretty cool, I think I heard of that." I said, thinking "Oh well, so where do we start?"

He grabbed some shuriken and said "Right now!"

He was throwing them at me at full speed, I started to dodge them as quick as I could; at sometime I was also using my sword to block them. I need to learn how to reflect quick or I'm done for. Come on, focus. I then took a deep breath, and next thing I knew everything was slowing down. I reacted quickly and attacked the shuriken, throwing them right back at Shifu. He grabbed them and said "Very impressive for your first try."

"I think I was in slow motion." I explained "It felt cool, what's next?"


Part 3: Blink step

"This move is something I made up myself." Shifu explained "I call it the blink step."

"Why do you call it...!?"

Shifu was right in front of me and pointed the sword of heroes to my neck. "If you focus your chi, you can use it to move at high speed."

"Cool!" I exclaimed

"Since you have the same speed I'm going to teach this to you." Shifu explained "Now are you ready, start by focusing your chi."

I formed a sword stance and started to focus; I could feel the chi overflowing inside of me, like a giant tidal wave ready to attack a town. "Now charge!"

I reacted and went for the blink step, I was instantly matching Shifu's speed at every minute; We clashed each other blow for blow, if anyone was there the only thing they could see would be sparks flying in the air. When then stopped and took a break. "You're faster than I expected, I must be getting old."

"Don't say that, I actually thought you had me a couple of times." I said, smiling "I need to practice some more on that technique."

"That you do, but you did show that you can master it." He explained "But I do think that I'm getting a little old."

"Not to me, a wise crazy old lady once said 'Don't act your age, act your shoe size'." I assured "Besides, with those small feet you can pratically be a five year old."

"Thank you Ichi." Shifu said, smiling "That really means alot. That's enough training for today."

When we got upstairs Jubei was asleep, still buzzed. "Hey good lookin, why don't you ditch the zero and come with the hero."

"That catchphrase is so old." I groaned "I guess I'll make dinner."

"No, please let me." Shifu insisted

"If you say so."

Sometimes I wonder what would happened if I didn't met Shifu, I'd probably just be in the same room in that orphanage. I'm really glad that he adopted me. "By the way, are you going to keep that bear?"

"Teddie, oh I guess not." I answered "I have to grow up someday."

"Well don't do it now, you already have the maturity of an adult." Shifu explained "For once you should be happy, and let your childish side come out. Besides, you look adorable holding him."

"A-Adorable, um thanks." I said, blushing


To be continued

The training chapters are gonna keep coming, so get ready for more. Chapter 9 coming soon.