Here's chapter 2, hope you like it. Bring on the Reviews. Oh...and since i haven't said it yet, i don't own Final Fantasy XI i only own Amand, and the other characters are owned by my pals in the Goonies.


Training Session

Vexed reclined against a tree in West Ronfaure, on a hill overlooking the vast camp of the Shinsengumi. Not even three days after the bloody Battle of Rabao the entire group was knee-deep in a training session, and it was an amazing sight to see.

The third and fourth squads were paired off with one another, and under the direction of their leaders, Myloko and Avadon. Avadon was a slightly short, but powerful Hume who had been trained in the ways of the warrior and monk as well as the samurai.

Ginryu, a female Elvaan, and the leader of the fifth squad was overseeing the archery practice of the first second and fifth squads, as their leaders were otherwise engaged. They practiced first by striking the center of the target, but after a while, they switched to a moving target. And after they mastered that, they had to score a bulls-eye while they ran past the moving target.

Amand, however, was personally training Noxes and Rhaina. Noxes was an average height Elvaan and the leader of the first Shinsengumi squad. Rhaina, a female Elvaan, headed the second squad. Amand was sparring with both of them at the same time, and soon he landed blows on each of them, and they bowed to each other.

"Noxes" Amand said "The arc of your swing is just a bit too wide."

He then turned to Rhaina

"Rhaina, you need to vary the type of attack you use a bit more."

They seemed to think about this for a moment, exchanging glances before Amand spoke up.

"Now, again." He said, retaking his stance.

Vexed looked on, becoming more and more amazed at the skill of these Samurai, especially that of Amand, who was taking on two skilled fighters at once. She had always looked upon the Samurai as heathen mercenaries, but now, they fought with each other under one flag for the well-being of Vana'diel.

Amand, amazing as he was, soon defeated Rhaina and Noxes once more. He bowed to each of them.

"Much better, continue to practice like this and you will become much stronger than you are now." He said "Now return to your squads."

"Yes sir." They said in unison, bowing.

Amand watched as they rejoined their soldiers, and observed them for a short time before speaking up.

"Are you just going to sit there and watch us train all day?" he said without turning around.

"I...er...uhh." Vexed stammered as she fell over from surprise. She quickly righted herself, and dusting herself off.

"Got a problem with it?" she said, putting her hands on her hips and smirking.

"Scaaaarrryyy." He said, turning around to face her, also smirking.

Vexed scanned the training ground once more before looking back at Amand.

"I guess I was just curious to find out what made you and the Shinsengumi such amazing warriors." She said

"You know better than most, the training of a Ninja isn't TOO much different than that of a Samurai." He said, indicating his soldiers with his hand.

"Yes, Ninja training is much more productive…" she said, smirking at him again.

"Oh is it now?" he said, turning to face her again. "Well then would you care to have a little match to establish that?" he asked.

"Very well, if you really think you can stand up to my strength." She said, mock-taunting him as she took up one of the wooden swords, setting her real one off to the side.

Amand took his position in front of her, raising his own wooden sword up to bear with Vexed. Instantly serious, they stood, their eyes locked on their opponents. In a split-second Vexed struck, stabbing at Amand's chest with her sword, but Amand was too quick and he knocked her sword upward with his own, and swung down at an angle at the side of her neck. Vexed, however, was not about to lose that easily, she bent her wrist so that her sword bent low and she blocked his strike.

The fought fiercely, quickly attracting the attention of the Shinsengumi, Noxes, Rhaina, Myloko, Avadon, and Ginryu soon abandoned their training to watch this spectacular fight, and soon, the entire Shinsengumi was watching them battle it out.

Chster and Zigg, attracted by the crowd, and the cheers coming from it, came from out of the city to see what was going on. They stopped and exchanged a confused glace when they realized that it was Amand and Vexed that were fighting and attracting all the attention. They ran down to watch as well, pushing and shoving their way to the front to stand next to the five Shinsengumi leaders.

"What's going on?" Chster asked

"I'm not sure, but I assume they're just sparring to compare their different abilities." Replied Noxes

At that moment, they looked back at the fight in time to see Vexed attempt another thrusting technique. Amand dodged to one side, sliding his sword along hers to keep it in place, then spun around, whipping his sword around to connect with the back of Vexed's neck.

She cried out in pain as she was flung forward by the force of the attack, flipping in mid air, to land on her feet.

"Owwww" she said, rubbing the back of her neck. "That hurt."

"It took me a while, but I found the weakness in your defense." He said

"When you attempt a thrust, you count on your opponent's body or blocking maneuver to keep your balance, thus when it is dodged, you are off balance and vulnerable from behind."

"I couldn't find a single opening in your defense." She said, replaying the fight in her mind. "Everywhere I tried to strike, you were there waiting for me, it was like you knew what I was going to do before I did."

Amand smiled lightly at this.

"Hate to break up the festivities, but we've got a meeting with the King in a few minutes." Chster said, jerking his thumb in the direction of Chateau d'Oraguille.

"Yeah," said Zigg "And we don't want to make the King wait, rulers never seem to like that." He said, rolling his eyes.

"Very well, everyone back to work." He said to the massed Shinsengumi, and with a slight groan, they dispersed, retuning to their training. He then laid down his wooden sword, re-securing his real one to his side.

The four Commanders made their way up to the city gates, and walked through the stone archway into the bustling area of Southern San'dOria, when Vexed stopped suddenly.

"I left my sword back at the camp." She groaned. "Tell the King I'll be right there." She said, taking off back outside.

She stopped just outside the gates, and peered through the growing darkness toward the camp, searching for the spot where they had been fighting, So much was she concentrating on this that she failed to notice the dark figure looming up behind her.

A clawed hand suddenly clamped over her mouth, and another held her arms at bay. She thrashed violently, but in vain, she could not break free. Then, a blunt object connected with the side of her head, and she fell limp in her assailant's arms, and was carried off into the darkness.