Author's note: Thank you for following Missing Piece. A lot of things happened to me lately from losing a friend and started graduate modules. It took me a long time to finish this chapter. Enjoy!

Sayuri's POV

I hope it is just another nightmare. "What are these slightly damp clothes of mine?" I lift the clothes. It is not a dream. I hug myself. I feel embarrassed that Kurama has already seen everything. He also steals my first kiss. It is unforgivable to be touched by an evil creature. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. "Sayuri, this too shall pass." I look over his futon. He is always up early. I wonder if he even sleeps.

"You are finally awake. Are you longing to be touched?" Kurama teased her as he caught her looking at his futon. He then threw some clothing at me.

"What are these clothes for?"

"Those will save you from showing your skin while on training. Come out once you're done." He then left and closed the door.

I check the clothes; there is one long sleeve and pants all in one plain white color. I try them on and they perfectly fit me. "And what is this long slim fabric?" I am not certain how I would use this if it should be tied in the front with a knot in the front or back. It looks weird when I tie it in front of my waist.

"Why are you taking so long?" Kurama checked on me. "Turn around."

"Hmm?" I was confused probably due to lack of sleep.

"I said turn around and hand me that fabric." I did what he told me. He took the fabric from me and he tied it. He tied it so tight that I can barely breathe!

"Aww, Kurama-sama! This is too tight!" He left quickly. "Evil fox!"

"Nozomi!" I shouted and knocked repeatedly on Nozomi's room.

"Ojou-sama, I am here. Why are you in a hurry?" Nozomi happened to be outside their room already.

"Loose this for me, and please hurry up. I can't breathe." I am trying to calm down and not vent my irritation to Nozomi.

"Where did you get these clothes Ojou-sama? They fit you perfectly."

I realized something. 'They do fit me perfectly.' Kurama knew my proportions because… he forcibly acquired them last night! I just embraced myself from the shame I'm feeling as my cheeks are burning.

"Ojou-sama are you well? Your face is burning in red. There I fixed it for you. Who would have thought he knew a wardrobe that would suit you well?" She smiled so sweetly at me that I forgot the thought that I just made. My sweet girl Nozomi.

I went out to the clearing and saw Kurama waiting with his arms crossed beside a huge stone with a flat top. "Now, show me what you got. Make a long-range type of weapon."

Long-range. The only long-range weapon that I can forge is the set of crystal darts. I took some crystals from my pocket then shaped them to become 3 darts. I hold them between my right fingers and show them to Kurama.

"Now release those over the tree there. All three darts should pierce it." Kurama said while pointing at the said narrowed trunk tree. I gather my energy on my right arm to my fingertips then throw them to the said tree. My aim was so off that the three darts went in different directions: one barely hit the tree, one just vanished on air, and the last one…

Oh no, this can't be.

This is the worst, I'm doomed.

"Hmm, so is your aim really that off or you are trying to wound me? You should know by now that you can't kill me even if you try. You're just digging your own grave."

He doesn't seem to look angry. He still has his usual composure. I should heal the cut on his face at least. I faced him and put my left hand near his cheek. He was surprised so he backed off a little.

"Be careful ojou-sama." I heard Nobu saying.

"I am just trying to heal you. I caused it anyway. This might hurt a bit." I closed down the cut.

"I expected this to happen. This rock in here, do a handstand on top of this for half a day. First, do it with both of your hands, and halfway use only your right hand to stand. This will help your aim." I gulped because I don't know how to do a handstand.

I put my hands on top of the rock and gathered my strength to lift my body but I fell right away on my butt. I tried several times and I kept on falling.

"Nozomi and Nobu hold her together so she can stand." At least he is being realistic that I can't do it on the first try.

I tried my hardest to stand again, Nozomi holding my waist and Nobu holding my ankle.

"Concentrate and focus your energy on your hands."

I did as Kurama instructed me. I haven't completed an hour yet but my upper limbs were already hurting and my body was shaking. I heard someone coming but I was trying to concentrate so I didn't turn my head.

After three hours, I can't hold the stand anymore. "Sorry, but I don't think I can hold up anymore." I fell on top of Nozomi. I was way taller than her and she was very petite. I felt sorry for her. She looked really hurt with her eyes closed.

"Nozomi, I am so sorry." I helped her to get up and clean the dirt on her hair and clothes. "Where does it hurt?" I asked her as I scanned her body for injuries. I slightly pressed her belly and she groaned. I thought so as I landed on her belly.

"Kurama I think this will take a while, do you want me to help? I can hold her up steadily on my own more than these two." I recognized that it was Yomi who was volunteering to hold me.

"I have enough people in here, leave and train with the others." Kurama refused him blatantly but Yomi did not budge.

"I am done with the training."

"Didn't I tell all of you to stay away when I am training Sayuri?" The vines were sprouting from his hair as he said those words.

"Calm down, alright I'll leave. Endure it my dearest." I felt his modest touch on my back then he left us.

My upper limbs are getting numb although I keep my energy just right to hold my whole body. Kurama is observing me, making sure my pose is perfect.

"If you don't hold your pose as it should be, I'll surround you with thorns. And you two, leave. I have no use of you. I'll make her suffer more if you don't." Nozomi and Nobu hurriedly left us.

I kept falling. I am not aware of how long I was in that stand until I fell again.

"Alright then, let's make it more interesting."

Green vines with thorns sprouted from the ground around the flat stone. When the vines were established, he pulled out the life from them until they became dried thorns. One characteristic that I noticed from him. He was really patient. He was just observing me while reading some scrolls sitting with his leg crossed.

"Awww!" I fell on the thorns sideways so the flesh on my right arm was now bleeding. Some of the thorns were pierced on my skin so I plucked them out and lifted myself again for the handstand pose.

"See what I meant; you look more interesting now that you have more colours on you." Kurama seemed more satisfied with my misery. I didn't hold the pose for quite enough until I fell down again until my body was filled with wounds and my clothes with tears.

I feel a drop of water on my skin. Please... don't tell me that the rain will pour while I'm here. It will definitely make it more difficult than it is as the water will weigh me down.

But the sky did not listen…

"This rain will make your training more worthwhile, even if I would rather not be drenched." He had a look of irritation as he touched his hair. "Don't move. I'll be right back." Kurama left me and went to the hideout. My body was getting heavy as my clothes were being drenched by the rain. Then my hand slipped, I was just waiting for my body to fall on the dried thorns again but…

Well-built and toned arms caught me and carried me away quickly. This masculine scent…

Yomi…

"He has gone too far already. Look at you, I can't find a spot where you don't have cuts. These wounds will leave scars. Fortunately, your face only has a few scratches." Yomi ranted. "And where are your comrades?" He continued.

"I don't know but Kurama threatened them to leave. I need to come back and train."

"No, that is enough Sayuri. Just rest for now."

"But you'll get in trouble, Yomi-san. This will make me stronger." I argued while I tried to free myself from his arms but he only held me tighter.

"No, this will not make you stronger but will kill you! Damn you Kurama!"

"I'm alright…" I clasped the fabric of his yukata as I endured the pain on my wounds.

"What a bizarre scene...aren't you holding someone's possession?" Kurama asked with a displeased expression on his face.

"So tell me the truth here Kurama, are you really trying to train her or kill her?" I can feel Yomi's grasps on my arms getting stronger.

"If she dies then she doesn't deserve to be with us in the first place, training is done. Hand her over." Kurama commanded with one hand holding a long stem with a huge leaf over his head to keep him dry. Yomi's eyes are covered by shadow but he was clenching his teeth seemed to hold his anger.

"Yomi, keep having that attitude and it will be the end of you both."

Yomi hesitated for a while but gave in and returned me carefully to Kurama.

Kurama brought me to Nozomi and Nobu's room. "You two. Cleanse her, dress her and call me right away when you're done." He commanded and tossed me on the futon.

Kurama POV

I am certain it will take long for them to cleanse and dress her wounds. But why do I feel oddly miserable?

Am I not satisfied with her suffering? As I am changing my clothes, her image is still on my mind.

After a while, "Kurama-sama, we have cleansed the princess. You may take her back at your convenience." Nozomi informed me with her eyes on the floor. I followed her to their room.

Sayuri's wounds are all dressed now with few sweats on her forehead. I lift her, her scent is stronger now. She flinches, must be in pain, and grasps the fabric of my top. I lay her carefully on her futon and remove some strands of hair from her face.

"Have I really gone too far?"