Of Demons and Roses
Chapter 7: Training Time!
Nobara woke refreshed the next morning from a good night's sleep. Because of the accident, school was closed for the rest of the week. The wake was scheduled for the next afternoon. Even though Nobara still felt sadness in her, she felt better after talking with Kurama.
"Good morning Kasan!" said Nobara to Kurama.
"Good morning! Oh, your father wants to talk to you after breakfast. He's out in the front," replied Kurama. Nobara nodded her head and ate what her mother made. Then, she went out the door to find Hiei.
Nobara sensed Hiei on the roof. She scanned it with her eyes and found her father. He then came out from the direction that she was looking and approached her.
"Do you want to get stronger?" he asked.
Nobara knew what he meant. Last night, she thought about how if she were stronger, she could have saved Niji.
"Yes," said Nobara nodding her head.
"Then come with me. We start right away," replied Hiei as he turned and started walking towards the woods near their house. Nobara smiled and followed her father.
When they got fairly deep into the woods, Hiei stopped. Nobara stopped too. In front of them were two weapons: the sword that belonged to Hiei, and another weapon that Nobara had never seen before. It was a staff that was dark gray and had blades on each end.
Hiei walked over to the weapons, picked up his sword and put it on his belt, where he usually carried it. Then, he picked up the staff and gave it to Nobara.
"This is yours," he said. "I'll teach you to use it."
Holding her hew staff, Nobara studied it's features. It was shorter than herself. It wasn't very heavy and it had a strap on it. That strap was to carry it on a person's back. The blades aren't that long, but they are very pointy. This is, without a doubt, a lethal weapon. Most parents wouldn't want their children holding a weapon like that, let along fight with it. But, Kurama and Hiei trusted their daughter with it. Hiei, however, wanted to be the one to train Nobara.
"This staff has been dipped in thick armor. It is very hard to break, but still fairly light. The blades on each end are sharpened to perfection. This weapon guarantees victory in battle," Hiei explained as Nobara look at her weapon.
Hiei showed Nobara how to hold it and carry it on her back. After that, he showed her how to quickly take it off her back without cutting herself. Nobara got a few cuts, but soon caught on.
The next day was the wake. Rain fell from that sky, making the day even sadder. Nobara decided that she was going to leave her hair down. She dressed herself in a black dress that belonged to Niji and left. The wake took place at the school. The classmates that weren't on the bus. Nobara was the only survivor of that accident. She went to every shrine for every persona and paid her respects. She went to Niji's last.
"Niji," said Nobara, "I'm so sorry I couldn't save you. If only I was stronger!" Nobara punched the floor and tears came to her eyes.
"I hope you're happy in spirit world. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if you weren't. I don't know if I can forgive myself now. For what I let happen. If only I could have prevented it... Niji, my best friend, I miss you so much! But I guess what happens, happens. I just wish it didn't!" Nobara bowed her head and got up to leave.
On her walk home, she ran into someone she didn't want to. Kokuei stood, staring at her from the shadows. Nobara knew he was there, but tried to ignore him.
"You mad at me?" he asked mockingly. Nobara just kept walking, but he followed.
"You can't ignore me forever Nobara! I will come to take your life, and your parents too!" Nobara clenched her fist in anger. She stopped and turned to Kokuei.
"Listen up Kokuei! I'm gonna train and get stronger! I'm gonna get stronger to I can kill you! You'll pay for what you did!" Nobara yelled angrily. Without waiting to hear his reply, Nobara ran home.
Kokuei stood alone in the rain, watching the red-haired demon run off. He smiled.
"I'll take that as a challenge. I'll be back when you're stronger!" He laughed evilly as he disappeared into the shadows.
As the days went by, Nobara learned many fighting techniques. She got stronger every time as picked up her staff. After learning the basics, Hiei taught his daughter to move quickly, jump high, keep balance and many other things. Demons usually have learned these things by then, and it takes awhile to master. However, Nobara is a quick study. She had these moves mastered in 2 weeks.
Then, training got harder. This was the time when Kurama stepped in and helped with Nobara's training. This was the first time Nobara had ever seen Kurama's rose whip. She was fascinated with it. Both Kurama and Hiei gave Nobara tips and strategies for fighting. This went on for another week.
The hardest part of Nobara's training has finally arrived. Nobara was going to face off against Hiei in a practice fight. They were almost equally matched in spirit energy, which Kurama educated Nobara about, and their fighting styles are very similar. But Nobara had developed a special trick on her own. He could use her staff as a bow, making a string with her spirit energy, and make spirit arrows. Her aim is dead-on-accurate, so there was no escape from her arrows. She would have to tone down her arrows in order to not hurt Hiei, but Hiei was ready for them.