Chapter 9

The clock hit five thirty in the morning, but today, there was no cheery chocobo music to fill the air.

The eyes of the figure on the bed flew open instantly. She swung her legs off the edge of the bed and came to sit upright. She then pushed herself to her feet.

She turned the knob and the room steadily grew brighter. She walked across the carpeted floor and turned on the shower in the next room. After a quick morning shower, she donned a shirt. Long at the sleeves and as black as the one she wore when first coming to this world two years ago. The only difference was that this one was made out of leather and the other cotton.

She pulled on an equally black pair of long pants and slipped on a sleeveless, dark purple coat. A coat was starting to become a trademark of hers. Lastly, she buckled on her leather holster under her coat and inserted her gun-blade. She also tucked in her phone into an additional leather pocket she had fixed on her belt not too long ago.

Her long, dark hair flowed down around her shoulders. Facing the mirror, she gathered her hair high in a single braid that she reached her waist with a length of violet, satin ribbon.

On her desk, which she made into a dressing table, lay two dark blue gloves, underneath the table, was a pair of matching boots. Without a word, she put them on. Carefully, she flexed them and she felt her limbs grow heavier. Unlike the first few times she wore them, she noticed that they were lighter and lighter with each passing day, which was unusual since the gloves and boots were made to grow heavier when she felt accustomed to their current weight.

Bernice exited her room to find herself on marble flooring. Checking the time, she saw it was exactly six o'clock, as usual.

She reached the mess hall ten minutes later, her personal record. The people on duty in the mess hall had already had a bag of sandwiched ready for her. She said her thanks and made her way to the gym.

She reached there nearly effortlessly. She placed the half empty bag of sandwiches to one side of the great room. There was still half an hour before training would officially start and fifteen before Tifa would arrive.

She got on her feet and started to warm up. After a while, she heard something. It sounded like rubber rubbing against recently waxed marble. A grin grazed the corner of her mouth. Bernice counted, "Five…four…three…two…"

In conjunction to 'one', Bernice turned and saw the double doors part and Tifa coming through.

"You're early," Tifa noted, she wore her usual attire. But today, she brought a large sling bag with her.

Bernice shrugged. "Force of habit," Bernice said, her grin was replaced by a smile.

Tifa chuckled, "Well, Miss Force of Habit, is there anything you wanted to ask before we get started on today's training?"

Bernice looked unsure but she said, "Well, I think there's something wrong with my gloves. They don't seem to be getting heavier…"

"Hmm…?" Tifa cocked her head. "Let me see."

Bernice extended her right arm so that Tifa could inspect them. After examining every inch oh the glove, a smile crept slowly unto her face.

"You're done with them," Tifa said. "Congratulations."

Bernice merely blinked incomprehensibly. "What?"

"You've drove them to their limits. They won't go any higher." Suddenly, Tifa had an idea. "Take them off, let's see how good you really are now." Tifa opened the bag that she carried and fished out a pair of normal black gloves and shoes and tossed it to Bernice.

Bernice caught the items and saw that she was in no position to argue with her instructor. She replaced her gloves and shoes and looked up. Tifa was in the middle of the large room. She stood in a familiar pose, one which she had taught Bernice countless times.

Ready for battle, Bernice posed and bit her lower lip hard. She had never been asked to fight hand-to-hand with Tifa. She gulped. Taking a deep breath, she ran forward.

Bernice's first attack was blocked by Tifa, who held two of her arms out in a cross. Bernice didn't hold there for long, instantly, she lashed out with her right leg and took Tifa out from under her. While falling to the right, Tifa immediately caught the floor with her hands and cart wheeled away to the side.

Tifa's feet barely touched the floor when she saw Bernice in the corner of her eyes. Bernice ran at her and delivered a series of blows at her. During one of her punches, Tifa caught her by the wrist and sent Bernice sprawling into the opposite wall.

Despite the force that sent her into the wall, Bernice landed lightly on the wall. Bernice kicked off the moment she made contact. Tifa ducked as Bernice zoomed overhead.

Seeing that she had missed her target, Bernice flipped once and landed on the floor. Suddenly, a sharp pain sheered through her head as Tifa's fist found its mark on the side of her head. Ignoring the pain, Bernice ducked without delay in order to avoid another blow from Tifa.

Again, Bernice lashed out with her leg. Tifa jumped and Bernice was again on her feet in no time. While Tifa was still in the air, Bernice fell forward, gripped the floor with her hands and pushed off, delivering a hard kick in Tifa's direction. In the air, Tifa twisted her body and Bernice's legs flew past. Landing on her feet, Bernice felt a pain as Tifa brought her body around and kick Bernice squarely on her shoulder.

Tifa sent Bernice tumbling in the opposite direction. The force of the blow caused Bernice to rebound several times before coming to a halt with her face down on the ground.

Shaking her head clear, Bernice got to her feet. Her head spun and limbs felt like jelly. Nausea gripped her stomach and Bernice sank to one knee.

A hand appeared beside her and she took it. Tifa helped her to her feet and aided her in walking over to the nearest bench. They both sat down heavily. Tifa took out a green materia out of her pocket as Bernice wondered: How did that NOT get broken during the battle?

Bernice felt all the pain lifted from her body as Tifa used the cure materia. "That should do it," said Tifa as she put away the materia. "You did really well for your first real battle, you actually managed to wear me out this time. One day, you might even surpass me."

"Really!" asked Bernice, overwhelmed with excitement and joy.

"No," said Tifa bluntly. "But as your instructor, I'm supposed to be supportive," Tifa added with a grin that could only be described as EVIL.

"Oh, umm… thanks, I think."

"No problem," Tifa said brightly. "Now, shall we go to the roof?"

"Roof?"