We exit our room hand in hand as we walk down to the dojo, where she is to meet Naoko. We converse quietly about her training and how well she is progressing before I decide that I will be watching her training this morning, to see for myself. I know better than to tell Kagome that, however, for if she knows, she will become shy and not perform as she normally would.
"Ah, Lady Kagome. I trust you had a pleasant night. Come, let us begin." Naoko barks out, tossing a sheathed katana to my miko, who catches it deftly, drawing the blade before tossing the sheath away, where it lands next to a wall.
I step back to the doors and lean against the wall, getting comfortable as Naoko has her go through a set of more advanced katas. I smirk lightly at the intense focus Kagome slips into as she works her way though the movements, resetting whenever Naoko taps her shoulder with the flat of his blade in correction, redoing a movement repeatedly until she does it without error. Then, at the end of the set, he instructs her to do them again. This time, there are less mistakes, and upon completion, he orders another set that she does with even fewer mistakes.
I am thoroughly impressed at how quickly she has learned as well as how easily she is able to take Naoko's barking orders, the repetitive movements, all with a steady, focused determination.
After an hour of this, Naoko steps back and crouches ever so slightly, katana drawn across his body, blade out facing her. "Attack." is all he says before Kagome flies towards him. My eyes widen at the speed she accomplishes, positive that she is moving far faster than any human can. I continue to watch as they meet each other blow for blow, before Naoko flips out of range, and then darts further back.
"Come, Kagome. Show me what you've been practicing." he demands, bringing his blade up again, just in time for Kagome to practically vanish in the speed she uses to lunge for him.
If I were prone to such displays, my jaw would have dropped. She's moving at youkai speeds. Is she even aware? If she is, why has she not said as much to me before? I watch them for another hour as they dash around the dojo sparring. Kagome doesn't manage to land a hit, but she keeps Naoko on the defensive for most of the match, and not entirely by his own choice, as is evident by his narrowed eyes and grunts when he blocks her.
"Enough. Very good, Kagome. We will make you a master swordswoman, yet." Naoko tells her, his tone shifting from his firm barks to gentle and almost fatherly. Kagome stops and straightens, smiling brightly as she pants softly.
"Thanks! One day I'm going to hit you." she chirps, jogging over to the discarded sheath from earlier and slipping the blade into it.
"Indeed you will, little one. However, for now, I believe your fox would like to spar. I can feel her youki itching." the old eagle grumbles, as my miko giggles before she flares her aura just slightly, calling her guard in. Naoko pauses as he passes me, bowing slightly, with a teasing smirk on his face.
"She truly is a marvel, my Lord. Treat her well." he murmurs before continuing on his way. As if I would treat her any other way.
5/1/21 A/n: I'm going to change to updating this story to once a week. It'll give me ample time to write, edit and post the chapters, as well as keep up with Order. I hope you all understand, and greatly appreciate you continuing to read the story!