Chapter 10
The first rays of light penetrated Agnes's room. She woke up instantly. She sat up, yawned, stretched and rubbed her sleepy eyes. It was yet another day filled with work. From practice with her squad to guarding the royal family, and preparing physically and mentally for the trip to Albion and the troubles that are awaiting there. It was still a week away, but the more she prepared her squad and herself the better. She began to put on her equipment which consisted of her armor, a dagger, sword and pistol. She then proceeded to exit the room and make her way to the barracks mess hall, were her squad along with other soldiers were having their breakfast. While she descended on the stairs, she was saluted by other soldiers and castle guards. Some saluting with respect, others just because they have to. There were those that thought that she was too young to be squad captain, and that it was a waste giving a woman such an honor. Agnes knew that already, what some of the soldiers thought of her. After all even the walls have ears. But she did not care. She knew that she was on that position because she earned it, with her own effort and sweat. When Agnes entered the mess hall her squad was already eating, and when they saw her were ready to salute her, but she just waved them to stop and return to their meals. Her squad was the only one consisting only of females. She sat against Michelle, who was not in a good mood.
- Captain, – a girl sitting next to her spoke – why is Michelle so grumpy this early.
Everyone on their table looked curiously at Agnes, and awaited her answer while she biting of a piece of bread.
- She lost a fight yesterday. – Agnes replied casually.
When hearing this, every girl from the squad awed in amazement that Michelle was defeated in a fight. She her fighting skills were second to Agnes, and she got beat.
- I was not fighting seriously. – Michelle protested with a calm voice.
- I know. – Agnes replied – But I told you not to hold back. So did Itachi.
- Who is Itachi? – another girl asked both of them.
- He is a noble, who recently began to work for the queen.
- A noble? – the same girl asked – So he used magic to beat you. That's cowardly!
- He did not use magic. – Michelle said – He used bare hands. He even beat the captain when he first got here.
Everyone on the table looked like they were going to scream "No way!" at the same time, while Agnes just sighed in confirmation.
- Yes he did beat me. – Agnes said – But perhaps we will be able to even things up today. – while saying this everyone looked at their captain with a puzzled look – He might join our practice session after we are done with breakfast.
With that said she continued to eat while the other girls were still talking while feeding. Agnes was intrigued about what Itachi might demonstrate, more so she wanted to know how he dogged a bullet when she first encountered him. She was a bit aggressive when they met, but after hearing positive stuff about him from the queen and the princess, she decided to tone down the aggression. Everyone finished their meals and headed out in the training grounds.
- Everyone start practice. – Agnes ordered – Michelle and I will bring Itachi here, so look sharp.
Agnes and Michelle maid their way in silence to were Itachi's balcony was. When they reached it Agnes shouted his name.
- Itachi! – she said loudly – Itachi are you there!
Suddenly the balcony doors were opened and an familiar elderly figure appeared. It was Rodrick.
- Miss Agnes. Were you shouting? – the butler began sarcastically – I am sorry, my ears are a bit deaf this morning. Might you speak up?
- Wisecracks for later Rodrick. – Agnes said bluntly – Is Itachi in there.
- Yes. – Itachi's voice came from the room, as he went outside on the balcony with his armor on – I will come shortly.
After saying that he jumped of the balcony and landed in front of them.
- Are you ready for practice? – Agnes asked him.
Itachi gave a nod after which the three of them headed back to the training grounds. They got there quickly, while no one said a word. As they got closer shouts were heard and gun fire.
- What is that sound? – Itachi asked – It sounds a bit familiar.
- Do you remember the weapon I fired with at you? – Agnes asked him.
- Yes. Is that the same?
- Imagine it a bit bigger.
After they reached the barracks they went through one of the corridors and reached a big wooden door which led to the training grounds for the firearm squadron. In the training grounds Agnes's squad had already began with combat and target practice. When Agnes turned towards Itachi, she was a bit disappointed, as he did not have that surprised look on his face as any other man who had seen her squad. It was more impressed and admiring.
- Impressive. – Itachi said – Back in the hidden leaf village they would have been made into fine kunoichi.
- Kunoichi? – Michelle asked.
- Yes. That is what we call the female shinobi.
- Everyone halt. – Agnes ordered.
At that moment everyone from the squad lowered guns and swords and turned towards their captain.
- This is Itachi Uchiha. – she continued – He is going to train with us this morning. After the training is done we will head to the town accompanying him, assisting him with his task of upholding the peace. – she then turned to Itachi – With what do you want to begin? Target practice or combat practice?
Itachi took a moment to answer, as he looked around the training field. His gaze stopped in the direction of the targets, which Agnes noticed and smiled.
- Very well. Target practice it is. – she said with authority – Everyone may continue. – after that order the girls returned to their marks. Some with guns started to shoot at the targets, others with their wooden swords in hand began to swinging them at their opponents.
Agnes, Michelle and Itachi went to the line from where the rest of the girls were firing. She grabbed a rifle and handed it to Itachi.
- Here you go. – she said and began explaining – Hold it I both of your hands like them, - she pointed at the girls who were firing – then you aim by following the barrel of the rifle, and fire by pulling the trigger. Try to hit the red dot.
- Okay then. Anything else? – Itachi said while examining the rifle.
- Yes, point it only at the target.
Itachi began aiming with the rifle as Agnes had explained. Agnes waited with anticipation to see how he would fair with a firearm in hand. And then a bang was heard from Itachi's rifle. When Agnes turned to see Itachi's target, she saw that he hit the third circle on the outside.
- Not bad for a first try. – Agnes said with praise.
- It's too noisy and slow. – Itachi said – I will stick to my kunai and shuriken.
- Slow? – Michelle asked.
- Yes. The aiming takes time. – Itachi said to which the other girls that were firing turned towards him.
- Well that's why we practice. – Michelle retorted.
- Still it is slow. – Itachi continued – Also the reloading process is even slower.
Agnes frowned a bit at Itachi's criticism.
- Well we only need one hit to take down our target. – Agnes said – Then we worry about reloading.
- And if you miss? – Itachi asked.
Before anyone can said anything Agnes drew her pistol and turned to the farthest target away from her while simultaneously aiming and firing within the blink of an eye. She hit the red dot right in the center.
- You were saying? – Agnes asked.
- And what if your target moved? – Itachi asked again.
Now this was getting ridiculous. No one was that fast to avoid a bullet. He did. Once. But barely. He was underestimating them.
- No one can doge a bullet. – Agnes said – You were lucky and dogged one by accident.
- That time really was an accident. I could have dogged it easily, but I took too much time looking at your weapon and the fact that it shot metal from it's barrel. I was caught off guard. It will not happen again. – Itachi said with a victorious smirk.
After saying that Agnes and Itachi were getting everyone present's attention. Agnes was a bit irritated by Itachi's ego.
- Very well then demonstrate. – Agnes said challenging – Show me that you can dodge a bullet, like you say you can.
- Captain I don't think… - Michelle began a bit worried were this was going, but was interrupted by Itachi.
- Okay. – Itachi agreed.
Everyone of the squad including Michelle looked worried after hearing Itachi's reply. Agnes took a rifle and began to walk ten paces away from Itachi after which she stopped. Everyone else stepped aside at a safe distance while Agnes began to aim.
- Last chance Uchiha. – Agnes said – Are you sure about this.
Itachi did not give a reply, only a look that said "Proceed".
Without warning Agnes fired and everyone else looked at Itachi with wide open eyes. When Agnes lowered her rifle she could not believe what she saw. He stood there like nothing happened. She aimed at his chest but there was no red spot. Not even his chest armor was grazed. She began to walk towards him, still not believing her eyes that the man in front of her was fine.
- How in the name of the Founder are you still standing? – Agnes asked.
- I told you. I can easily doge it.
- Are you even human?
At that question, Itachi smiled a bit amused.
- Do I not look like one? – he said jokingly, but before Agnes could say anything he continued – Lets go on to the combat practice.
- Fine. But I want answers later!
After saying that, Agnes and Itachi went to the wide space in the field where combat practice was done. Everyone else returned to their activities a bit affected from what they saw. Agnes grabbed two wooden swords and gave one to Itachi. She was determined get even with him for that time in the gardens, and show that she also was not someone to be taken lightly.
- Don't hold back. – Agnes said to Itachi with immense confidence.
Itachi did not say a word. He only took his combat stance. Everyone again stopped with what they were doing and turned to what Agnes and Itachi were doing.
Agnes stood in one place at the ready. Her wooden sword was in front of her, and she was holding it with a slightly loose grip. All of a sudden she felt great pressure. Like something was trying to squash her on the ground. This was no ordinary pressure. She felt like she was on the battlefield. Killing intent. It was not something she was a stranger to. She knew the battlefield. She had fought. She killed. But she never felt anything like this. She was about to start shaking, to lower her sword and open herself to be attacked. "Get a hold of yourself!" she thought. "You are captain of the firearm squadron. This is not something unfamiliar. Face it head on with no doubt. Fight!" After that she calmed herself and looked Itachi straight in his eyes. Her doubt gone. She released her own killing intent towards him, and she saw Itachi raising an eyebrow at her. He had no openings. None. She charged with the intent of creating her own opening to attack. Itachi swung his sword from above at Agnes. She blocked it and shot her left hand straight at Itachi's stomach. He stepped on the side and dogged the punch. Agnes turned with the momentum she had with a swing to the side at Itachi. He had place his sword at the ready to block, but at the last moment Agnes lowered her body along with her sword, aiming for his leg. Her opponent jumped back at the last second dodging was not done. She began an onslaught of swings with the sword, stabs, faints, punches and kicks. She could not hit him. He was too fast. Was this really Itachi not holding back. Was this really the man she made threats at when she met him. The fight went on several minutes without changing pace. Suddenly Itachi went on the offensive. He began with his own attacks. Agnes managed to parry and doge, but three or four of his attacks she missed barely. She knew that in order to win this fight she had to make a risky move. One that she would never make in a real death match. She met Itachi's diagonal slash head on and blocked it after which she jumped straight at him seeing as he could not doge from his momentum. She pulled out the dagger from her waist and placed its edge right on Itachi's throat. Both of them stopped. Agnes looked tired at him and took deep breaths. She smiled slightly not moving her dagger an inch.
- I win. – she said with a tired voice.
Suddenly she saw Itachi move his eyes down and then back at her. When Agnes looked down she saw a sharp knife in Itachi's left hand pointing straight to her stomach.
- Okay! – she said – It's a draw.
Itachi dropped his wooden sword and put his kunai away, while Agnes doing the same with her dagger. She saw Itachi take a few deep breaths. "So he is not beyond fatigue." Agnes thought.
- You are an excellent warrior. – Itachi spoke, complimenting her – You should be real proud with yourself. I would not mind fighting side by side with you.
Agnes felt a bit proud of that statement.
- I would not mind either. – she said with respect towards Itachi - You are always welcome to practice with us.
Itachi gave her a conforming nod after which he spoke.
- Shall we go to town. There is work to be done.
- Agreed. Everyone practice is over. Leave the riffles. Swords and pistols only! – she ordered, after which she and her squad followed Itachi.