A/N:
-.-; I feel really bad about this, but…
Unfortunately, this story wasn't planned out very well. I started writing it with only a way to start. It's only been recently that I know how I want to end it.
That being said, this story may only be four to five chapters. Sorry if that disappoints anyone.
Anyway! On with the next chapter!
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Chapter 2: The Beginnings of Friendship
As the days passed, I healed and gained my strength back.
I watched the woman closely, still curious about her and her knowledge about my world.
Although she was blind, she always seemed to watch my every move as if studying me. Perhaps she was, just not in a way I thought she was.
On my fourth day of recovery, she called to me, grabbing two sticks of bamboo as she did so.
She threw one of them to me and I caught it easily. I eyed the stick with distaste.
"A walking stick? Sorry, but I don't go on hikes."
Cera chuckled, "No, we're not going on a hike, but you would if I told you to. As your doctor, I'm telling you to get outside for some exercise. Now, go out to the backyard."
I gave a low, short growl to which she laughed. She knew I couldn't argue with her when she pulled her "doctor" line with me.
I walked through the backdoor and into the center of her lawn. Again, I admired the height of the fences, and that there was no lack in privacy here.
I looked around and took in how well tended her lawn and garden was. Flowers of all kinds were everywhere. It certainly was an admirable feat for a blind woman living by herself.
"Alright, 'doctor', you got me out here. Now what?" Cera walked out onto the lawn, stopping just a few feet in front of me. She smiled at me warmly.
"You're a swordsman, correct?" she asked.
I hesitated, "Yes."
Her smile grew broader, "Good. We're going to spar. I want to make sure that you've healed enough to move like you did before you were injured. If not better than before."
I gaped at her, shocked. how could she possibly expect me to spar with her? I had no doubt in my mind what the outcome would be if I were to fight with her.
I dropped the bamboo stick, "Forget it. I'm not sparring with a blind woman who I'd clearly have the advantage of."
I turned to walk away, but as I did, I felt a sharp pain erupt on the top of my head, my left elbow, and the side of my right knee.
"Ow! What the hell was that for, you crazy onna?"
Another sharp pain came from my shoulder as she whacked me again.
"I told you – we're sparring. Now, pick it up."
A low growl came from my throat, "No."
She whacked my other shoulder.
I growled louder this time as I picked up the bamboo stick and swung it at her.
When she didn't look as though she'd block it, I stopped just inches from her head.
"This is stupid. How am I supposed to fight you fairly?"
She stared straight ahead, "I knew you weren't going to hit me."
I lowered the stick, "What?"
"I knew you weren't going to hit me." She turned her face towards me, "That's why I didn't block."
She gave the slightest of smiles as my shock turned into a hard glare.
"Fine. I'll spar with you, but if I hurt you – "
"That won't happen." She said confidently.
I frowned, "If you think so. You may strike first."
She nodded and, holding the bamboo in one hand, struck with inhuman speed.
I was shocked by her speed and forgot to block, earning a blow to my left forearm.
"Is there something wrong, Hiei?" I thought I heard a mocking tone in her voice and I glared coldly at her.
She smiled, "There's no use in giving me looks I can't see."
I growled and she giggled.
"C'mon. You can have the first move this time."
I took it and was amazed as she continued to block low after blow, never faltering.
As we continued to spar, she never ceased to amaze me.
The sun was just beginning to set when she finally lowered her bamboo stick.
"That's enough for today. You did well."
And that was how everyday for the next week began and ended. She always said the same thing.
When the seventh day of sparring ended and we sat down to eat our dinner, I asked her a question that had been burning a hole in my mind for quite some time.
"Were you a kind of warrior at some point of your life? You had to have been. A blind woman doesn't just move like that without experience and with such confidence."
She sipped silently at her soup for some time before speaking. I supposed she was choosing her words carefully. Finally, her spoon came to a rest in her bowl.
"Where I come from, it's very peaceful. Sort of. My people don't like war so they secluded themselves from everyone else. They went into hiding, I suppose you could say."
She ate some more of her soup before going on.
"Eat before the food gets cold. I don't want to waste it." She waited until I'd taken a few mouthfuls.
"One day, our neighboring villages went into war with each other. We constantly feared that the war would be brought into our village and we would be destroyed.
A few months later, I was walking in the woods searching for different herbs and berries. I didn't get very far when I spotted a wounded man lying halfway under some bushes.
It frightened me to see him there because it made me wonder how close the war was getting to us. However, I knew in my heart that if this man was alive, I could not leave him there to die."
She paused again; a faraway look crossed her features. I could tell she was remembering that day as clearly as if it were yesterday.
When she didn't continue, I ate more of my dinner. It was cold now, but it still tasted fine. She was an excellent cook.
"So, what did you do?" I finally asked her.
She heaved a heavy sigh; "I think I've told you enough for tonight. Get the dishes done and go to sleep. You need your rest."
She rose from her chair and exited the room. I sat at the table until I heard the soft click of her bedroom door closing.
Something about that memory was painful for her. I could tell.
I kept thinking about it as I washed our dishes and as I lied down to go to sleep.
I didn't sleep well that night.
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A/N:
Wow, I think I really like that chapter! X) Especially for not being planned.
I'm really hoping this story does well, but I won't know if you guys don't hit that "Go!" button down there! XD So…
Review or give cookies, please! Or both! Both is good! XD
Oh yeah… -grumbles- stupid disclaimers… I DON'T FREAKING OWN YYH!! AND NEITHER DOES ANYONE ELSE ON THIS SITE!! SO STOP SUING!! FREAKING A!
Thank you! :D