maeko14- yes i know it was short, but im glad thatyou liked it

Fae Rain- im sorry that you found that last chapter jumpy, i was kinda trying something knew ;) and i do not consider you a dork for wanting Van and Hitomi to be together.

TheElvenHanyou- im glad that you liked it, and i would say 'hoped you like my long review' but you havent updated yet (evil glare) hurry up would you?

Macky- thank you, thank ya always a pleasure hearing from you

trekker4life- yes, and no to your assumtion of the 'old enimy returing' and there will be a fight scean or two in the next chapter!

linkinparkfangirl- its good to hear that im improving, with my spelling at least ;)

pure hope- yes i updated! AND COULD YOU NOT WHIP ME! it hurts TT and if it hurts too much i cant sit at my computer and write it!cause i write it straight onto my comp,

Chapter: 13 Practice

'Where is it! I know I came here with it, now where is it!'

"What are you looking for Milady?" Merle and Hitomi had finished shopping, and after Merle had returned Hitomi to Hitomi's room she excused herself to go and try to find her two boys, Kain and Damasu, to see if they were going to join her at the town hearing later that afternoon.

Hitomi was on her hands and knees, trying to see under the bed- she had al ready looked through all of the cabinets and dresser drawers.

"I'm looking for my sword. I know that I had it with me when I came here." Was the muffled reply.

"Have you tried the practice courts?" the maid asked, she was warned that she should expect anything from the girl from the Mystic Moon so this wasn't that big of a surprise to her.

"No." said the visitor as she sat up. She had changed into her fencing slacks –which had obviously seen better days- and a fitted Nike T-shirt. It had been an entire day since she had last practiced and she knew that she would get into trouble by her instructor when she saw him next if she didn't practice. "Could you tell me where the practice courts are?"

With directions on how to get to the practice courts Hitomi slowly made her through the winding halls.

The north wall of the practice courts opened up onto the stables, extra swords, and other weaponry as well as training armor hung on two of the remaining walls. And on the third stood locker like niches. Hitomi found her sword with some leather armor –in her size- in one of the cubbies, with an over large brown eagle feather. She silently thanked the eagle woman who obviously prepared the armor, as she slipped on the armor and buckled on her sword.

There was a good hand full of Knights in the arenas sparing, so the seeress chose a secluded corner to do her excursuses in peace.

Unfortunately her mer presence caught the eye of all the knights, for it was a rare sight to see a female in the practice courts –let alone practicing.

"So, you thinking for becoming a knight of Fanelia?" one guard asked after she had stretched.

"No."

"Then what are you doing here?" asked another.

"Practicing."

"Why are you practicing?" yet another asked.

"I think that that's a silly question coming from a knight." She stated as she moved through her exercises. "You of all people would know that if you don't practice you get rusty, and if I get rusty my Sansei will have my head."

"'Sansei?'" the first guard asked.

"Teacher."

"Who is this teacher of yours?" a fourth guard asked.

"Master Kirijini"

"Never hear of him." Stated the fifth knight.

"I know, I didn't expect you to." She said in a tone of voice that she meant to say 'could you just leave me alone so that I can practice in peace?' The guards took her tone of voice as an insult.

"So, sweetheart, you want to match your skills to a Fanelian knight?"

"OR are you too scared?" the first two knights taunted.

Being the only female at her dojo, Hitomi was used to these kinds of taunts. She would usually just ignore the guys until they lost interest, but she could tell that these guys weren't going to let her practice in peace until she showed them that she was able to wield a sword as good as or better than they. "I except your challenge," She told the first knight, as she finished her excursuses. "But be warned that I will not go easy on you."

"Such big words, for such a small lady." Was his come back, but it was true the top of her head only come to his chin -and he was the shortest.

sorry its a shortie (653 words)

im trying to make them longer, i promise!

and if any of yous have any suggestions on what they should do please tell me! cause i have gaping holes that i need to fill.

so be kind and review

this little box right here should help you