Training
Yoichi sits up from her bed. The clock shows that it is ten pm. She drags herself to the spring with a small washcloth to revive herself. She touches her face to wipe the sleep from her eyes. When Yoichi reaches the spring, she kneels before it and dampens the cloth to freshen up. Cleaning her face in a daze with all her thoughts being sorted through, Yoichi does not realise someone is approaching her from behind.
Upon entering the wide spaced training area, Yoruichi notices Fukashigi s' calmer spiritual pressure. Although far from being completely controllable the cat can sense that she has made some improvements on her condition while she was gone. Seeing that Fukashigi is not becoming aware of her presence, the cat softly clears her throat.
Yoichi snaps out of her daze and turns to greet her unexpected guest as she is startled by the sound and Yoruichi's appearance. "Hey Yoruichi," Yoichi stands. "What are you doing here so late at night? Aren't you supposed to be at Urahara's right now?" She yawns with a hand covering the gesture.
"I had the idea to come see what your spiritual pressure would be like as you slept, because it seemed to fluctuate a lot when you were in the villages before. Maybe it can tell us to what extent your powers affect your amnesia. Also, are you ok? When I came in I noticed your spiritual pressure has changed."
Having her mind wander about how old she is, Yoichi stutters a bit. "I-I discovered a lot when talking with my Zanpakutō. I still cannot hear his name, but he told me about my time in the Soul Society, like when I arrived, survived and became acquainted with him." Yoichi sighs then continues with an edge to her tone, "But it is just sad, because I still do not remember anything." She lies. "For now, though I am going to commit everything he says to my current memory and hope that it will sink in to unlock my actual memories someday."
"Why do you think your pressure has changed if you do not remember anything new?"
"Has it changed? I have not even realised. Guess I am still not good at sensing my spiritual pressure. If I have to guess though it may be because with everything my Zanpakutō has been telling me, the link between the memories I have now and from back then are slowly joining? What he says sounds so familiar yet just out of reach in my mind. It is like the feeling where you know you had a dream, but you just can't remember. Truthfully, I have no solidified ideas and I am too exhausted from training to think more about it right now."
Even though sceptical of Fukashigi 's story, Yoruichi accepts it as she tells her because she believes that the young girl will tell her what is going on in her own time. (She is confused and probably doesn't know who to trust even with all my hospitality.) "Oh of course, let us see to it that you get to bed now. It's quite late."
"Thanks for understanding Yoruichi, goodnight." (Tomorrow I will find out more.)
"Goodnight Fukashigi, we can always speak more on this tomorrow." Yoruichi leaves to wait in the shack for Yoichi to finish up at the spring so she can observe her spiritual pressure as she sleeps.
-
Yoichi wakes without Yoruichi on her beside chair where she had seen her last. Getting up, Fukashigi goes through the details of yesterday's events. She is desperate to never forget such important details of her life ever again.
(My gosh, I am 362 years old. Haha I am closer to Yoruichi's age than I thought, although she is still like 500 and something. And I have been living in the worst districts for a very long time and looking to fight people who I deem bad and distribute my own form of justice for the weak. Aaaaand, I am assuming, just as a couple of years ago I started to wonder closer and closer to the Seireitei to find out more about myself and this place. Not to mention Yoruichi does not know what memories I already have. Those being my death, a little of my life and my beginning of meeting my Zanpakutō in the Soul Society. Why did I not tell her again? Well derr, it is because even with all what she says is true I am sure she is not telling me everything I want to know about herself either. It may be that I am being childish, probably adding to my Zanpakutō's defence, but I do not care right now. I need to do this by my lonesome, except for my Zanpakutō's help of course. I am sure Yoruichi has specific things about herself that she is not telling me. I do not know if I can really trust her. Apart from possibly falsified information, she has not given any real scientific methods to help my condition. Although she did say when I am more stable, we can train.)
Determined to make more progress with her lost memories, she leaves bed, gets dressed in a casual black kimono with purple blossom designs that she had found in one of the draws, grabs her weapons and goes upstairs for some breakfast. She also uses her hands to make her hair look less like wild scrub by flattening it and using her hands as a rough brush. She doesn't have a mirror either but tries her best to feel if any bits stick up.
Yoichi plans to get straight back to talking with her Zanpakutō after food, but on her way scrounging through the fridge, Yoruichi is seen in her peripheral vision hopping onto the table. "Good morning Fukashigi, did you have a wholesome sleep after yesterday's events?"
"Yes, I did. Thank you for letting me sleep in today." He retrieves eggs from the inside of the fridge with some potatoes.
"Truly that's no problem. You looked exhausted. You must have done some hard training and Jinzen to be in the state you were in."
"Hmmm..? Yes… it was an…experience…" Yoichi feels lost on how to prepare the eggs and potatoes that she found. Sheepishly she asks. "Yoruichi, how do I cook these?"
"Oh, of course." (She probably has never used a stove in her life. They don't really exist for wanderers of Rukon.) Hopping up onto the kitchen counter Yoruichi gives directions on how to use the stove, pot and frying pan. This is a big relief to Yoichi as she does not want to get flustered over seeing Yoruichi naked just to make her breakfast.
As she flips an egg Yoichi glances over at Yoruichi. "Where were you this morning? Did you go to give my observational results to…. Urahara, was it?"
"Yes, it is and yes, I did."
"Soooooo, did you find anything that you did not already expect?" (Maybe there can me a medical way where I can get all my memories back at once.)
"Unfortunately, I only found that it was not as unpredictable since the events of yesterday, but nothing was found that we have not seen before."
Turning the other egg over without cracking its orange yolk, Yoichi mopes at the lack of any scientific discoveries. "That is disappointing. Why did you see him at all then if you found nothing noteworthy?"
With slight irritation in her voice Yoruichi says, "I had not told him about how you had learnt more information about your past and I thought that was worth the trip." The sleek cat drops down from the counter to wait for Yoichi at the table.
When putting the eggs on a plate Yoichi notices the little annoyance she caused. "Sorry, I know you are trying to get all the facts down, I just thought with such little information it would not be worth going such a long distance. But that is with the assumption that getting to Urahara's shop is far away, yes?"
"Look, don't worry about it. I know you're stressed with finding out who you are. His shop is far, but I have the fastest flash-step in the Soul Society so for me it takes no time at all."
Yoichi sits at the table in front of Yoruichi with her mouth full of food like this would be her last meal. She manages to muffle out, "Do you have any other suggestions for me then just to talk with my Zanpakutō until I get better?" With eyes glittering with the possibilities, Yoichi swallows then says, "Maybe if you train me, I will become even faster than you one day."
"Ha ha. Umm, ahem, I mean it isn't impossible for you to become faster than me, but it would be quite a feat for you, being so young and unpredictable, to be able to match someone who has lived for as long as I have. In the meantime, I can train you a little. Even though you are not very stable you are miraculously getting better and I believe the training may do you good. Maybe with muscle memory and sparring with someone will bring memories of your past." Yoruichi's ears perk up and tail twitches at the idea of training but forces control over her excitement. "Although since your spiritual pressure has calmed down a little since you came here, maybe all you need do is talk with your Zanpakutō some more."
"He has already told me so much of my experiences in the Soul Society, which he originally withheld from me in the past, but even so it is frustrating not being able to access all these memories personally. I think training would be an excellent idea to distract me and possibly make me closer to my lost memories." (I mean it worked when I trained by myself. Maybe with a partner in even more strenuous situations it will make more memories resurface. Even if they turn out to be horrible ones, I need to know more about myself.)
Still looking forward to training Fukashigi but not expressing it too enthusiastically Yoruichi says. "We can start after breakfast if you would like?"
Seeing Yoruichi suppressing her yearning to train, Yoichi wonders when the last time she had a good spar. "That would be amazing Yoruichi, thank you." (Maybe I can trust her after all. She really does seem to genuinely want to help me. Still not exactly sure why though. This is so frustrating. Why can I not just know everything already?) Yoichi finishes her meal looking forward to training, but a bit more annoyed with not being able to remember much since day one of her stay here.
Once Yoichi cleans up from her meal and Yoruichi gets some clothes on in her human form, they head downstairs.
Yoichi changes into her clean training gear and ties her sword to be on her side. When ready Yoichi sees two white socks on her bed and moves to examine them. Picking them up Yoichi feels that they are not socks, but agility and stealth enhancing Tabi shoes. (They are probably mostly used by assassins. Hmm, what a weird bit of trivia I have recalled.)
They have a split between the big toe and the others which creates a very odd but fittingly unique look. Slipping them on Yoichi sees that one size most likely fits all and that they are soft but have a tough underside that is used for gripping on multiple surfaces. Zipping them up and strapping them on, Yoichi can feel the amazing snugness and how supportive the boots are for her ankles. Becoming even more distracted, Yoichi unsheathes her sword to be ready for training but pauses at the doorway to admire its fluorescent blue gleam on its silver blade.
Disrupting Yoichi's examination, Yoruichi's impatience gets the better of her, "What is taking you so long Fukashigi? Stop wasting time in there."
"Coming Yoruichi-sensei." Making a dash outside Yoichi feels bubbly and excited as she beams at Yoruichi who is out in the middle of the barren training area.
Yoruichi is wearing a black and backless singlet, an orange over-shirt with two white straps on each shoulder, a large beige sash around her waist, and black stretch pants with a pair of lightweight brown shoes. (Practical for stealth and easy use of Shunpō. Fascinating attire.) She also has long beige wrist and leg warmers, each secured by bands. Her expression is dead serious, and she has her arms folded. Yoichi finds it strange because in her cat form the brunette is used to telling her mood by the tones in her voice and not the expression that she dons.
"Yoruichi, before we start, I just have to say thank you so much for everything you have done for me. You have given me a place to heal and sleep, food, pyjamas, nice clothes and even shoes. For that I will be in your debt. Umm, so thank you so, so much Yoruichi-sensei." Bowing, Yoichi misses the kind smile the sly woman gives her.
"No problems Fukashigi, it is for the greater good and not just your own sake. So, you owe me nothing except gratitude. Now let's start on your training."
Yoichi's heart races with her eagerness for battle. Feeling the longing for the high amount adrenaline running through her once again after all these years of her life, Yoichi concentrates her strength. In an improvised defensive stance feeling prepared for Yoruichi's attacks. "I am ready Yoruichi-sensei. I will try my very best." With her resolve set, it fills Yoichi's soul as she sees Yoruichi get into her own stance. (Let's see how good I can become.)
Yoruichi sees a thin gathering vortex of white Reishi around Yoichi as the youth becomes serious. (So, she can focus her spiritual energy a little after all? And her stance is not too bad either. I might have to correct some things later though, so she doesn't have openings.) "For now, we will work on cultivating your endurance, speed and strength. Try to strike me Fukashigi."
Puzzled as to why Yoruichi has not drawn any weapon for defence or attack, Yoichi shrugs it off and remembers how Yoruichi said she is the fastest in the Soul Society. (She most likely can dodge anything I can do to her.) With this information, Yoichi does not hesitate any longer and launches herself to stab at Yoruichi's stomach.
Yoruichi allows Fukashigi to move in face to face and chooses at the last second to flash step behind her. Instinctively, Yoichi whirls around to slash across the darker skinned womans torso in prediction to Yoruichi's avoidance. Even though Yoruichi does not think Fukashigi is this in tune with her muscle memory, she predicts that Yoichi might counter in this manner and moves far enough away that the young girl misses.
Realising she swiped at air and that Yoruichi is somehow far away from her, Yoichi dashes towards her with the dagger and chain of her sword now spinning in her right hand. Yoichi discretely detaches it from the sword, throws it at Yoruichi's face as a distraction then crouches, and slices horizontally at her legs.
Yoruichi, being extremely fast, sees the distraction in slow motion. Amused by Yoichi's attempt at being deceptive, she jumps high in the air and does a flip over Yoichi, kicking the girl on the back of the head and makes her kiss the floor, just because she can. The dagger that Yoichi had thrown pins itself in a mound of rock in front of her.
Discouraged from face planting the floor and Yoruichi's game of chase, Yoichi spits salivary mud from her mouth, pushes her body off the floor and shouts, "Yoruichi please stop running away and use a weapon to defend yourself." Dusting herself off, Yoichi sulks, turns around and sees her instructor standing smugly atop a small mountain.
Folding her arms again, Yoruichi humorously explains, "I will only defend myself once you can at least catch me. This is speed and strength training for you. You are trying to catch me with speed and using your strength by swinging your sword with its dagger and chain. Yes, I know your sword has no weight to you as it is part of your very being, but surely lifting your arms for hours has its benefits. So come on, it has only been," slightly unfolding her arms Yoruichi lifts a bit of her arm warmer to reveal a wristwatch. She glances at it and giggles. "half an hour."
Yoichi pouts at her impatience being snickered at. "Can we mix it up with you countering a bit, but with your own weapon or something?" (Why must I get bored so easily.) Yoichi turns her back to her trainer and fetches her Tanto from being stuck in the rocks.
"I do not use weapons anymore. I rely mostly on Hakuda, which is hand-to-hand combat, or my Shunkō, which is a high form of lightning Kidō mixed with Hakuda, but you would be way to slow to match that at the moment."
Yoichi reaches for her dagger and wriggles it up and down to come loose. Distracted with the possibility of controlling elements Yoichi asks, "Can you teach me to fight like that?" She gets her Tanto out of the rock with a clink of its chain.
"Within good time Fukashigi , for now let's get your endurance, speed and strength renewed."
(There is still so much for me to learn. I wonder how much of this I had done in the past.) Returning with both weapons in hand, Yoichi dashes towards Yoruichi. "Ok here I come." Running her fastest Yoichi is determined to catch Yoruichi and leaps up top of the hill to attack with a downwards slice.
Seeing this from a mile away, Yoruichi dodges with ease again and appears some distance away.
This pattern continues for a very long time and by the end of it, Yoichi is so beat she cannot feel her arms or legs anymore. Her limbs are so lead heavy that Yoichi is about to collapse from exhaustion. Seeing this Yoruichi half carries her pupil into the hot spring.
Going in fully clothed Yoichi slowly takes the thin fabrics off in the water and gives her soaked clothes to Yoruichi so they can be washed and ready for tomorrow.
Afraid the youth might fall asleep in the water, Yoruichi puts Yoichi's clothes to wash and comes back within a second to watch over her while she bathes. Since the water is a milky colour due to its healing minerals, Yoichi does not mind having Yoruichi keep her company. But when she sees her stripping her clothes off to join her, Yoichi quickly becomes flustered.
Yoruichi notices Yoichi look away in embarrassment. "What is the matter Fukashigi~kun don't like what you see?
With her head still turned the opposite way to Yoruichi's position, Yoichi has half her face buried in the water, and tilts her head to say, "That's the problem Yoruichi, it is not that you are not attractive, it's that you are too beautiful for me to stand to look at. I feel lecherous to look and possibly stare."
Yoruichi's smiles at the honest compliment and finds Yoichi's reddened face too adorable to resist. Therefore, she continues to tease her by coming into Yoichi's peripheral vision with the upper half of her body exposed. As she drifts through the water gradually nearing, Yoichi grows even redder in the face as she knows that Yoruichi is planning to continuously make fun out of her by doing this. She closes her eyes and senses Yoruichi's presence right in front of her now. Yoichi backs away and subconsciously covers her chest in protection of her own modesty even though she is submerged to her collarbones.
Yoruichi looks down at Yoichi's face which is sinking to be half hidden in the water and says, "Open your eyes Fukashigi, bodies are not meant to be so shameful."
Shaking her head Yoichi causes the water to stir and blubs, "Only if you cover yourself appropriately."
Yoruichi fake sighs with the girl's stubborn embarrassment. (Ahh youth's modesty.) "Fine, it is 'safe' now. Open your eyes."
With one eye closed and the other squinting blurrily at Yoruichi's face, Yoichi can see that she, much to her relief, has changed back into her cat form.
Paddling around in the water, Yoruichi cheekily mocks, "Better now, little innocent Fukashigi~chan?"
Huffing at being teased so obviously, Yoichi though still very red in the face, defiantly stares into Yoruichi's golden slitted eyes, sits up properly in the water and replies, "Yes, thank you." The weariness from training quickly catches up to her and Yoichi feels her eyes slowly becoming extremely heavy. Unfortunately, for her, this takes the edge off her glare. (No time for my Zanpakutō today then…..)