Chapter 11

The next day Kurogane, Syaoran and I went out to train again, this time together.

"So what's on the agenda today, Kuro-sama?" I asked before posing different fighting stances, "Are Syaoran-kun and I going to fight each other in an epic battle with sensei only satisfied until blood is drawn?"

"W-what?"

"YAH BRAT! STOP SAYING SUCH DARK THINGS SO NONCHALANTLY!"

I shrugged, "But that's just your style, isn't it?"

Kurogane rolled his eyes "You are going to train separately."

"Eh? Why?"

"Because you two train different things and you both are starters. It would be dumb to let you fight against each other already." Syaoran and I looked at each other. "Makes sense!"

We arrived at the usual secluded place we used for training and Kurogane ordered me to stand on one of the stones in the middle of the river. As soon as I took my stance he started to throw stones on me. "Woah!" Trying to dodge it I fell down the river, but thankfully it wasn't too deep. Quickly rising up I spluttered out the water I accidentally drank.

"Aya-san, are you alright?" I heard Syaoran ask, worriedly.

"Peachy," I replied, rubbing my eyes as I stood back up on the stone. I noticed Kurogane smirking from where he stood, playing with one of those blasted stones in his hands.

"Wanna take a break already?" he mocked as he saw me panting and I bristled.

"Pff, I was just caught off guard. Bring it on!" I began dodging and at first it was easy until he started to throw two or three at once, not leaving much space for me to dodge and I was forced to deflect the stones with my arms.

"Use your magic!"

"How?!"

"Follow your instincts!" I stopped dodging for a second to shoot him a weird look. "That's such a cliche thing to say, Kuro-sama!" "JUST DO IT!" he yelled and I was promptly hit by a stone on my shoulder. "Ouch, come on! Can't you use something less hard?"

"Do you want my fists instead?"

"E-eh no, thanks. I will stick to the stones!" It continued like this and I managed to 'follow my instincts' and deflect the stones with wind a few times. He stopped and told Syaoran to take my place, allowing me a break. Plopping down next to the ninja, he grunted, "You were better last time."

"Oh yeah?"

"Even drunk you were better than now."

I grinned, brightly. "Well, maybe if-" "No." I pouted and laid down on my back, breathing in deeply a few times. Kurogane started to use the same technique of teaching on Syaoran as well and I heard a splash once in a while.

"Don't push him so much."

"How come you both say this for the other but don't complain when it comes to yourselves?" I stared at him, surprised before turning to Syaoran. Had he said this to Kurogane as well? I watched him stare at the ninja evenly, skillfully avoiding the hits or deflect them with his feet or sword.

"Did he really?"

He nodded, casting me a quick glance. "You've grown a lot closer here and back in Jade Country. You even forget to call each other formally from time to time." I nodded, having realised that too after Syaoran cried on my shoulder that night. I hadn't noticed that we had called each other informally before, though. I smiled at said boy, who was still highly focused on the task of defending himself.

Resting my head back on the ground I looked up at the Sakura tree, watching the beautiful pink petals sway slightly in the breeze. Shooting a gust towards them I grinned when they started to fall down on us. 'I used wind again!' I twirled my finger, watching as a small tornado whirled on the tip of my finger. It felt like I had overcome that oh so familiar barrier when it came to bending. Widening the tornado I called out to the ninja next to me, "Oi, Kuro-sama! Throw the stones in here!" He looked at me, bewildered for a second before catching on and grinning. He dropped one of his stones into the hole of the tornado and it shot out of the other end directly towards Syaoran, who deflected it swiftly.

Kurogane dropped another one and another. "This is going great, isn't i- wait, Kuro-sama, wait! What are you doin-?!" I watched in horror as he suddenly dropped a dozen of stones at once with a crazed smirk. My hands flew up to my mouth as Syaoran yelped and fell down into the water. "Syaoran-kun!"

"I'm alright! I'm alright," Syaoran spluttered as his head bobbed out from the surface and I sighed in relief before looking at Kurogane, who was scratching the back of his head with an expression akin to sheepishness. "Kuro-sama got too excited there, didn't he?" "Shut up!" I giggled, before looking back towards Syaoran, who was about to heave himself from the water. Deciding to help him and since I could now I sent a gust of wind to push him up. Instead of wind, the water reacted though, shooting up and pushing him onto his stone. Syaoran yelped before looking around in alert as I stared in stunned silence.

"D-did you just see that, Kuro-sama?"

"Huh?" Kurogane poked his head over his shoulder, having been too busy collecting more stones to witness what just happened.

"Never mind."

He continued throwing stones at Syaoran and me on a rotating basis until we were decent enough in his eyes. "Next time we will start with fighting stances and how to attack," was all he said before we silently made our way back home, too exhausted to make conversations. Though it didn't stop my mind from racing a mile a minute with thoughts, wondering what had happened before. 'Did I bend water? Or was it just the wind riling up the water. I didn't sense the feeling I usually have when I bend wind, though. It was unfamiliar and quite frankly scary.' I felt up my back, noticing how warm it had gotten. I only had this warm sensation on my back once, back in Koryo where my tattoo had expanded the slightest bit. 'Could it be- I need to check it out as soon as we are home.'

"EXTRA! EXTRA!" I blinked as papers flew around us. One of them got stuck on my face and I scanned it as far as I could.

"I can't understand what it's saying," I said and heard Kurogane sigh before he ripped it off my face, analysing the paper himself. "Something about kijis and civilians."

Whispers started to erupt around us as people looked astonished at what they were reading. "Kijis attacking civilians? What is the municipality doing?!" I exchanged looks with the tall ninja.

"Something seems out of control."

"Do you reckon it has anything to do with Sakura-chan's feather?"

"Most likely."

"Oi, kid," Kurogane called out to Syaoran, who was looking around the people worried, "Your training is not done for today, yet."

"Eh?"

"Take this..." He held out a piece of cloth. "...and blindfold yourself. Find your way back to the cafe."

"What? Kuro-sama!" I protested, but he only pushed my head away as he also handed the boy his sword they had purchased yesterday, "I don't even know my way back from here with eyesight, how is he supposed to do it, blindfolded?!"

"Right now, the kid is not able to detect any invisible attacks from his left side like he can with his right side. He needs to master this ability on both sides in order to get stronger in defending himself." I stared as Syaoran tied the knot of the cloth at the back of his head obediently. "You can rest, you can ask for directions. But you can never take it off."

"Hai."

I glared at Kurogane's back as he wordlessly turned around to walk back to the cafe before turning to the young boy. "Take care. And don't get hurt too much." He smiled and nodded. Sighing heavily I left him to catch up on our sensei. It was most likely that he was just walking off for show, but would secretly keep watch on the young boy. But first...

"Oi, Kuro-sama!"

"What?"

"Fai-san told me to tell you to buy flour from your way home," I informed as I skipped past him quickly, "See you at the cafe!"

"WHAT! BRAT, GET BACK HERE!" I quickly formed a ball of wind and hopped on it to get away faster. "HOW COME YOU CAN DO THAT NOW BUT CAN'T DURING TRAINING!" I heard him yell faintly and laughed, quickly rushing past the stores and houses, ignoring people's stares. Though I occasionally stopped to ask some for directions, otherwise they wouldn't answer me. 'Something unfamiliar is always scary and needs to be avoided, typical human behaviour.'

Finally arriving home, I got confronted with a whole lot of customers. The cafe was filled to the brim for the first time we had opened it. A flash of white, black clothes and auburn hair rushed past me and I barely registered the 'welcome back' from Sakura as she panted, wiping the sweat from her forehead and delivering an order to one of the many waiting customers.

"Ah, Laki-chan is finally back!" Fai called out from the kitchen. He threw my work clothes at me, saying, "We have a lot of customers and Sakura-chan needs help! My beautiful waitresses," was the last thing I heard as he twirled back into the kitchen, the door closing shut. Sighing I quickly went into the back room to change and swiftly got back out, tying my apron. Armed with a tablet, a notebook and a pencil I was ready to strike, when I noticed the lone figure sitting at a table next to the windows, immediately recognising him as my heart beat quickened automatically. 'Subaru...' A smile crept up my face and I felt all my exhaustion slip as I walked up to the first customer, enthusiastically. Halfheartedly listening to their orders I snuck a glance in his direction. He was sipping on his cup of coffee and I had no idea why but the mere movement had me mesmerised for a second.

"Hello?" someone snapped their fingers in front of me and I turned back to the customer in front of me with a sheepish smile. "Sorry, a slice of pie and hot chocolate was it?" He looked surprised that I had heard - albeit unconsciously - and nodded before he looked at his female companion, who started her order. I quickly dotted it down on the pad and vanished behind the bar with a quick 'be right back'. At that moment Subaru looked up, having heard my voice and waved towards me with a smile. I beamed back before stumbling over freaking air. Trust my feet to embarrass me, but thankfully I blew a gust of wind in front of me fast enough to push me back on my feet safely before I could fall face first. I awkwardly avoided his intense gaze as my face heat up from that display and quickly rushed behind the bar.

"How is it going, Laki-chan?" Fai asked as he came out from the kitchen with two plates of freshly baked pies.

"Awesome," I replied, cursing my high-pitched tone.

"Hm? Are you alright, Laki-chan?" he asked as he peeked a look at my face, "Your face is as red as your hair!"

"W-what? Oh, it's just exhaustion," I brushed off dismissively, "Kuro-sama was being hard on us again."

"Aww poor Laki-chan and Little Puppy. Where is the dog duo anyway?" he asked as he helped me with getting the order ready.

"Kuro-sama sent Syaoran-kun blindfolded to find his way back here and he himself is getting the flour you ordered."

"Blindfolded? That's new."

"I know. He is having one of his moods again." Fai laughed and ruffled my hair as he went back into the kitchen.

"I know, right? It's insane," I commented, absently even though the mage didn't say anything as I kept glancing at the black haired customer. Walking back towards the customer I handed them their request, noticing Subaru raise his hand.

"Hello Aya-san," he said and I smiled, cheerfully greeting him back, "Hello, how was the hunting yesterday?"

He looked down with a troubled look. "Kijis attacked the civilians for the first time ever."

My smile dropped as well, "I've heard of that this morning as well. It's really terrible."

Subaru nodded, distress crossing through his features and my heart sunk seeing that expression on him. Quickly mustering up a smile I said, "Don't worry though. I'm sure the municipality is going to solve this issue soon." I didn't really believe it since we were almost hundred percent sure it had something to do with Sakura's feather, but he didn't have to know that. His face softened and he looked at me with something akin to loneliness and other emotions I couldn't catch on. "You are right."

"Of course I am," I said, grinning as he chuckled, "Now what can I get you?"

He blinked. "Huh?"

"You wanted to order something, right?"

"Eh, right. Yes," he stammered before asking for a refill as he handed me his cup. Smiling I got him his cup and we conversed some more, poor Sakura bustling around the entire cafe as I neglected my work. "So I didn't see you this morning," Subaru remarked and I was suddenly aware of how similar he was to Fai when it came to ask for explanations without appearing so.

"Ah, yes. I was out with Kur- I mean Big Puppy and Little Puppy this morning."

He raised an eyebrow, "The new kiji duo? They got quite popular with their skills."

"Yeah, they are quite experienced with fighting. We were actually training this morning," I said, wondering how I could easily tell him all of this. 'Well, it's not like it's a secret. Maybe he could give us useful information,' I reasoned my own behaviour.

"You were training with them?" he asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Hai. I may not be a kiji hunter but a few defending skills are good for everyone, who travels."

"You're travelers? As in going to different dimensions?" Subaru asked and my eyes widened before I remembered that this was actually a known fact in this world and nodded, "That's pretty amazing. Not a lot have that ability. Your magic must be remarkably good."

"Oh no, it's not me who does that, it's one of my companions," I waved off, "I'm more of a bender than a magician." He leaned forward with interest. "Bender?"

"Yeah, I can bend the wind to my will," I said, feeling quite proud about it as his eyes shone with excitement, "And recently I even moved a bit of water, but I'm not sure what that was about..."

"Aya...," he breathed and the thick emotions in that one word shut me up. It seemed like he was struck with some kind of revelation, but I had no idea what he was on about as he suddenly stood up and stared down at me with a vulnerable expression, "It's really you..."

"Pardon?" I wasn't sure I had heard right but I felt my heartbeat quicken at the intense gaze. He suddenly snapped out of whatever trance he was in and quickly sat down, his flustered demeanor quite cute.

"Ah, nothing. I'm sorry to have kept you from work," he said, gesturing to our busy surroundings I had completely forgotten about, "You must be busy."

"No worries there," I replied, dismissing his odd behaviour from earlier, "I'm quite happy to be kept away from work." I felt satisfaction rush through me as I saw a smile replace his distressed expression. But I decided to start serving the other customers, seeing as Sakura looked close to falling asleep from exhaustion whilst taking an order. I went back behind the bar when I realised we were out of the pie that was just ordered.

"Hey, Fai-san. We are out of apple pie," I said, strolling into the kitchen and towards the blond mage, who was busy kneading the dough.

"There is a new batch right over there." He pointed next to him and I noticed there were several pies ready to be served.

"Wow Fai-san is hard-working," I commented, cheerfully as I looked over at all the goods, my mouth watering. Just as I was about to dig my finger into a delicious looking chocolate mousse Fai slapped my hand lightly with a 'tut'. "No eating the customer's food away." I pouted. "Besides, Kuro-woofy told me to keep you away from sweets to retain your fitness." "What? He called me fat!?" I asked, "I'm scandalised." Fai laughed at my choice of dramatic words and ruffled my head. "I'm sure that's not what he meant. Laki-chan is perfect the way she is." "Aww, aren't you sweet?" I said lightly, ruffling his hair back to which he blinked in surprise and walking out with two plates, not hearing his heart beat quicken. Continuing my work I shared a few exhausted looks with Sakura along the way until dawn approached and the never ending bustle of customers slowly dissipated until only a few remained.

I glanced up when I noticed Subaru shrugging on his coat after he paid Sakura for all the coffee he drank. I briefly wondered how someone could drink so many cups, but he probably needed all the caffeine to stay awake for his night job. Straightening up I held the door open for him and he smiled gently.

"See you again, hopefully!" I said, meaning more than him coming back as a customer.

"I will make sure we do, Aya-san," he replied and I had a feeling he also meant more with that statement. Closing the door behind him with parting words I watched him disappear in the night when Sakura called out to me, "Laki-chan, could you take over the new customers?"

"Hai," I said, already turning away when a sudden thought struck me and I turned back to stare out of the glass door. 'Both Sakura and Fai have called me Laki-chan the entire time we were here...how does he know my name?' The realisation almost knocked the breath out of me. 'Could he possibly...be the one spying on us?'