Chapter 14: Hitomi's Rigorous Training
The soft ground beneath her sandals whimpered softly as she made her way through the forest. Walking faster than usual, she held tightly to her necklace that jumped over her chest and to the wooden staff in her hand. Shielding her eyes, she stepped into the light of the bright clearing. The river looked more alive than it was that night. More louder, it seemed. Hitomi exhaled the forest air closing her eyes. She slowly opened them to the sunny morning glare as she walked further into the river bank, looking side to side, looking for her instructors. A minute passed by, with nothing but nature sounds and empty fields. Everything was eerily stiff.
She kept on examining the river to see if she was in the right place,"Y..Yumi-" The roaring sound of a sudden gust muffled her voice as she looked off at its source. She snapped her attention to the top of the river's fountain where a large twister was forming. Hitomi froze, mouth slightly open and eyes widen in awe. From there, just barely, she could see Yumiko, with her strange new attire, behind it all; eyes closed, arms outstretched, and fans in hand. The serene look on her face clashed with the ferocity of the storm, making her look severely out of place. She lifted her arms towards the sky, the cyclone following each command, as she exhaled softly never letting to of the gentle look on her face. In one quick jerk, Yumiko snapped her fans closed swinging her arms down, releasing the powerful tempest to the fury of its path; straight to Hitomi. The lone girl's eyes shot up even more as the unstoppable wind raced to her, all she could do was fall to her knees and shield herself with her arms, letting out a horrified scream. The storm split into two as it came an inch from her, brushing past the curled up girl on the ground, disappearing quickly back to the thin morning air.
The elder chuckled, "Out of all the things you could have possibly done..." He walked his way next to her as she cautiously raised her face to him, "you decided to take death instead. Hmm... interesting choice, coming from someone who's powers shine greater in the face of disparity..." Still on the floor, Hitomi looked around shaken and breathless. Yumiko walked in front of Hitomi, lending out her hand as she helped her up with a smile. "I see we still have a long way to go..." he finished.
Hitomi quickly bowed, "Please forgive me. I had no idea the training had begun-"
"No idea?" The elder repeated surprised as Hitomi did nothing but remained in her submissive position, "Why, one must always be prepared for new things to arise. One must be prepared to learn, even from the most unexpected place. A single leaf falling from its mother tree has a lesson. A bird call in the silence of the night has a lesson. A sudden change in the wind has a lesson. The question is, will you open yourself to accept and learn from their findings?"
Hitomi nodded, "I'm sorry. I want to try again."
"Good." He motioned to Yumiko. She quickly bowed and walked back to the designated spot, "Now," Hitomi straightened out and faced Yumiko as the elder placed himself behind her, "The objective is to force Yumiko to the ground, using anything you can. Judging by your level, I have asked her to use only but the wind to attack you. I do not expect the same from you. This is your chance to exercise all the abilities shown to you thus far and perhaps even more. Do not worry about hurting Yumiko. To you, she is now your enemy. You must do what you can to achieve your objective..." Hitomi didn't say a thing as she grabbed tightly onto the Ittaisei. Doubt began clouding her mind as she watched her opponent smile determined down to her. "Remember, you have the waters at your control...Are you ready, my dear Sui?"
Hitomi exhaled and nodded her head, trying hard to hide her worried face in a failed attempt. "I'm ready."
"Good." a piece of cloth fell above Hitomi, covering her alarmed eyes. The elder tied the knot tight behind her head as he chuckled lightly, "This will help you."
Hitomi quickly snapped around to the elder, "No! Wait wait! You want me to do this blindfolded?!" He grabbed her shoulders trying to calm her down, "Wait! I cant do this like this! She is going to kill me like this!"
The elder smiled warmly as he chuckled some more, "Do not worry. You will do fine..." With his wrinkled hands he gently, yet firmly, pushed her back around to her opponent, "Concentrate, Hitomi. Concentrate on your objective and will come clear to you..." He let go of her shoulders.
Alone in the hollow hole of the dark field, Hitomi's knees began to shake. How can he push me like this? Although she could not see, she could feel the earth spin around her. Her shaking hands seemed to lead way to her dry throat as she supported herself on the staff. "Elder, I have a question?" her hands went around herself, searching frantically for the old man, "Elder?!"
The wind blew passed her pushing her where Yumiko stood before she went blind, "You better be ready, Hitomi-chan," she announced in a serious tone, "I will not go easy on you only because you are who you are. Now...HERE I COME!!"
The winds surrounding Yumiko began to suck everything in, or so Hitomi thought as she supported herself on the staff. She must be creating that wind twister again! I need to do something quick before it comes at me! But I can't do anything like this! Her heart trembled with fear, suddenly His face appeared to her. His golden eyes seemed to be glaring at her pathetic state, making her ashamed in her dark corner. She slowly composed herself and straightened out. No. I need to try. I promised him I would do my best...Concentrate, Hitomi...
Her mind went blank. For a split moment she felt floating in the air, when the howling air shook her back to the ground. The shadows liquefied into a few blotches of light blue, leaving the rest for the dark color to dwell. It was faint, but she could see, what seemed to be Yumiko's outline ahead of her, however the colors were smudged by the growing winds in front of her. The figure suddenly moved, as all the colors blended together in a furious dance. She released it?! The storm charged at her at an incredible speed, but before it collided, without giving it a second thought, she dove onto the side, landing on the cold river. She glanced up hearing sloppy footsteps running at her, making her eyes sprung wide open beneath the dark cloth. Yumiko's aura grows stronger in the water! Hitomi jumped to her feet, as Yumiko raced to her, opening up her fans. Yumiko swung the large fan at her, but Hitomi dodged it just barely, when Yumiko swung again meeting no impact. Her opponent kept this up with no intent in stopping any time soon, as Hitomi smoothly dodged each attack. The fans are wet, making them easier to see...But she is too quick. I cant do anything else but move aside. Isn't she tired?! Yumiko kept on driving her backward, occasionally using her staff to block the blows. Just when she was beginning to get accustomed to her rhythm, her eyes shot open in pain as the air was sucked out of her bringing her to her knees. From behind her the elder stood with a large stick, looking down at Hitomi as she writhed in pain.
"Ah! Hitomi-chan!" Yumiko knelt beside her taking off the blindfold, as Hitomi curled up in shock.
"You are not trying hard enough," The elder said coldly, narrowing his eyes.
Hitomi gasped as she tried to get up, but failed as a the injury to her back burned to her bones. "Wha..t...do you mean?!" she said said between gasps as tears of agony filled her burning eyes.
"Like a reckless beast, you are only paying attention, if any, to what is in front of you. You just insulted the guardian arts by even attempting such a thing..." the elder spoke with ice dripping from each word. Hitomi looked away, but before she could say a word, he cut her off, "A guardian must always be aware of every single detail in the land beneath them, even in the heat of battle. Concentrate on both your opponent and your surroundings. Predict what your enemy's next move will be and be prepared for a sneak attack or perhaps a chance to use your surroundings to your advantage." He grabbed the piece of cloth from the ground and held it out to her. Hitomi began reaching out for it when she stopped and forced her eyes on his. "Don't waste your time apologizing or swallowing yourself in self-pity." He said firmly making Hitomi back down, "There is no time to waste on self- doubt either." he said simply as she looked down speechless, grasping the earth beneath her. "Are you ready my dear Sui?"
Hitomi looked up with fire in her eyes, "I am ready."
The elder's hard look turned smooth as a satisfied smile formed his features, "Good." He let the blindfold fall into her hands as he walked off to the side, hands behind his back.
Hitomi snatched it in her hand, grabbing it tightly in her fist as she gazed at it for a long time. Yumiko placed a gentle hand over her shoulders helping her up to her feet, as Hitomi stumbled up wincing from the injury. Yumiko leaned in, "Don't worry, Hitomi-chan," she whispered, "it may sound like a lot right now, but you'll see it will get easier and easier as you practice it more." She gave her a reassuring smile as she walked back to her original position. Hitomi looked down at the piece of cloth once more, determined more than ever. She folded twice and placed it over her eyes, creating a tight double knot, and nodded preparing herself.
"Ready?" Yumiko asked opening her fans. "GO!"
Water's natural power is to heal and protect, making its offenses weak if not practiced properly. This came natural to Hitomi. The ability to avoid each hit was successful in each exercise, however her attacks were weak if anything. For the first weeks, each exercise failed. Hitomi fell to her knees time after time, due to not sensing the elder's attack, creating multiple lacerations over her back and limbs. Each time, however, she replied again and again, with more boldness in her voice, "I am ready" to her superiors. Although Hitomi could not notice, the elder smiled at the progress she was making. A few of the latest sneak attacks from the elder, Hitomi dodged them successfully. But,as the elder concluded, Hitomi did not notice them thinking it was all Yumiko's doing. On the morning of the beginning of the fourth week The Elder pulled her aside before their routine morning practice.
"We've had over three hundred practices so far, and out of all of them, you have only attempted an attack sixty times," The elder closed his eyes and exhaled, "...Yumiko-chan must be tired..."
Hitomi looked up puzzled. His straight face wouldn't give way. She couldn't help but giggle, "How could you joke with such a serious face?" she hadn't laughed since the training had begun.
"Ah, good," The elder smiled, "I see I haven't broken your sense of humor, yet." He looked away, "I am pleased to see you improve in your concentration and defenses. However, running away wont ever defeat an enemy." Hitomi nodded a bit embarrassed, "Good then. I am glad you are aware of it also. From now on I have instructed Yumiko-chan to increase her speed and power in her attacks. Also, now your objective is to not only force Yumiko to the ground, but to also force me as well. I am sure you are ready to handle it, are you not?" He looked back at her, as she looked up a bit surprised, but nonetheless she smiled and bowed curtly.
"I am ready."
Hitomi's fierce training continued as she struggled her way up to a new level of power. Weeks flew by as she learned more and more techniques. Sui no Kage, was a strategic use of the moisture around the area, creating a thick massive fog with just the lifting of the Ittaisei staff. Highly effective for a short time however, in Yumiko's case. The wind could carry away the fog which bought Hitomi time to attack Yumiko's seemingly exposed back, however, having experienced a similar training when young, Yumiko would wait patiently for Hitomi's next move. Sui no Kabe, a protective dome created by the shielding power of water, proved to be effective against Yumiko's wind attacks and energy orbs that were constantly bombarding Hitomi's position. At the beginning, the shield, however was thin and weak but with each time used it seemed to fully grow into an affective barrier against any attack, it seemed. To Hitomi's dismay, the Sui no Kabe has a short life span, making it hard to use throughout a long battle. In the final weeks of her training, unlike the other powers, neither Yumiko nor The Elder assisted her in finding the last of the basic attacks, the Sui no Moui. Strangely though, Hitomi had an idea of what it would be. During the final nights of her training she meticulously thought out of a plan, the final plan she would execute to finally meet her objective.
"Ready?" Yumiko asked fans opened in each hand as she stood one morning across the green field, staring determined at Hitomi's covered face. "GO!"
Yumiko sprinted towards her as she began to swing around her fans, building up the pockets of air beneath them. Hitomi stood motionless, staff to her side. In a split second, Yumiko leaped high in the air whipping her fans towards the girl, releasing puncturing knives of flesh-splitting wind and sand. Hitomi was consumed by a cloud of dust as Yumiko landed back on the ground. As the dust settled, a small patch of untouched ground was left empty. Yumiko looked around when she suddenly spun around to the right as she dodged Hitomi's low kick. She charged her staff at Yumiko pushing her back into the cold river as she deflected each blow with her fan, a bit startled at first. Yumiko leaped as far as she could, escaping Hitomi's swift swings. A few meters away Yumiko created a series of whirlwinds as fast as she could as Hitomi began racing after her. Unexpectedly, an arrow cut through the depths of the forest making its way in front of Hitomi's path forcing her to stop in her tracks. Another arrow quickly followed suit, this one aiming at Hitomi's chest. She sidestepped with just enough space to capture the thin sharp projectile with her bare hand, leading way to the rushing old man. Holding a long staff, the elder swiftly ambushed her, attacking her from all sides possible. Hitomi dodged and deflected a bizarre string of varied attacks. Seeing through the improvised decoy, she waited patiently for the approaching storms. The fight between her and the Elder seemed to become more ruthless as the cyclones clashed around them, making their way towards Hitomi. She successfully dodged each one, while trying to avoid the elder's attacks all at once. Yumiko ran towards her and began attacking her opposite to her master. Water splattered around them as the fight became more and more intense, Hitomi just barely evading each blow. In a split second, she saw a flaw in their nonstop strategy; a split second worth of cease fire. Hitomi leaped backward enclosing them in the Sui no Kabe and untying the blindfold, she let it limply fall to the water. Before they had figured it out, streaks of water began orbiting around a motionless Hitomi. Eyes closed she raised the Ittaisei in her hands making the waters of the quiet river tremble. In a soundless flash, multiple blue orbs of energy sprung out of the water crystal heading their way towards the helpless couple that watched from inside the disappearing protective dome.
Yumiko shut her eyes tight, awaiting the powerful impact. Two seconds passed and nothing happened. She cautiously opened her eyes to see the orbs of energy frozen in their positions around the elder and her. She glanced at Hitomi who was holding her staff with a proud smile upon her face.
"That was...AWESOME!!" Yumiko shouted happily. The elder gave a broken smile, however, it did not outshine the sparkle in his eyes. He gazed at her, at his dear Sui, like one looks at an open treasure chest with overflowing riches.
"That is quite impressive, Hitomi-chan," the elder said looking around at the dozen of medium sized powerful orbs, "But I'm afraid you have yet to reach your objective-" All of a sudden, from underneath them, the slippery water supporting them gave way, making both of them fall to their backs.
"I never said I was finished," Hitomi said with a smile as both Yumiko and the elder chuckled taken aback by the sneaky trick. She released the orbs, letting them sink back into the river, returning the power to the original source.
Hitomi helped Yumiko and her master up, as he smiled weakly at her, "You have completed your training Hitomi-chan. What are known as the basics of your training is complete. The rest you will have to discover on your own..." he began falling back when both girls caught him in time. He chuckled softly in their worried arms, "I think this old man has had enough activity for one day..."
"Elder..." Hitomi said gently as her troubled irises examined his fragile state. She grabbed her blue necklace, "It's because of me, isn't it..?" the oracle turned to her, "Is there anything I can do to help you...?" she looked eagerly into his gray eyes.
A wrinkled hand landed on Hitomi's cheek, "My dear Sui, there is nothing we can do to stop the inevitable. You are almost across the line. That line that Izumi drew...You are close...But I am afraid I cannot help you anymore..." He began to stand up, as the girls gently wrapped his arms around their shoulders. He shook his head and pulled away as he manged to stand on his own. He folded his arms behind his back, facing them, "You two have done an excellent job...now I must retreat to my chambers. I urge you to leave this place and go back..." he turned around, "The next time we meet, will be in battle. And I expect the utmost from all of you, especially you, Yumiko..." Yumiko nodded silently as he went on in a somber tone, "I may turn into a frightening beast but do not let the fear interfere with your priority." He began walking off to his home, the rays of the mid morning sun striking his silvery beard.
Hitomi and Yumiko both bowed deeply, "Thank you for everything, elder." they said in unison.