Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
The crack of the bokken meeting each other echoed through the glade, determined brown eyes met fierce golden ones.
"Don't overextend," Touga counselled his friend. Due to Ryuukotsusei's desire to become stronger, Touga had taken to playing sensei. They sparred in a glen near to the Western fortress but away from prying eyes.
The wooden blades met again and Ryuukotsusei grunted as Touga's lunge threw him off balance. In a split second, Touga took advantage of his friend's disorientation and sent Ryuukotsusei toppling onto the warm earth.
"You must always be ready," Touga warned his friend, holding out an arm to help the young dragon to his feet. "An enemy will not wait for you to gather your bearings."
Taking Touga's hand, Ryuukotsusei scrambled to his feet. He'd abandoned his geta a while ago, preferring to feel the ground beneath his feet as he sprang.
"Again," Ryuukotsusei decided, straightening his shoulders doggedly.
Touga arched a silver brow. "Third time lucky?"
With a roar, Ryuukotsusei launched himself at his friend and Touga threw himself back into practise, an anticipatory grin playing on his features.
The lady of the west found them when the sun was already beginning to set over the horizon. Nami, holding the hem of her jūnihitoeso that it didn't drag along the dirt, marvelled at the sight of them.
Side by side, they lay in the grass, bokkenlying some distance away and they both panted with exertion. Apparently the tutoring had gone well.
Touga was the first to notice her appearance, nose twitching as he caught her scent. "Nami-sama!" he cheered, waving tiredly.
Nami was amused that they were too tired to even sit up and pulled her treat from behind her sleeve. "I brought you some dango!"
Strangely, the mention of food rejuvenated them instantly.
A/N: This was originally written for iy_unsung_heros prompt Third and was first posted on March 9th 2011. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this enough to offer a review!