Aidzuki's POV
Nothing kicks Akaiame-sensei into gear more then a fight. After having us 'warm up' she decided having our own practice spar would benefit us greatly. "I am the only one here with experience fighting 'Newborn's' among us. SO! I will be your opponent." She said. We all move to a more secluded space out in the forest for more room and cover. Once there she orders all of them to shift since they will be fighting in their wolf forms.
Akaiame first gestures for Sam to join her and the black wolf steps forward. "Remember, come at me with everything you have." The wolf nods its giant head and with a growl he lunges at her. She doesn't move an inch until Sam is near her, snapping his jaws at her legs as his first move. which she easily dodges. They go on like that for a while Sam coming after her from every angle snapping and clawing and her just swiftly moving out of the way. She eventually caught him by surprise with a choke hold. "DEAD!" she barks. "Your speed needs work. Good unpredictability."
Next is Paul who goes for the straight ahead approach. He immediately swipes his claws at her. Akaiame makes a X with her arms over her head catching the attack before throwing him back. Paul flips head over tail halfway back to where he started. She was over him in seconds with claws at his throat. "Foolish. As the blonde tick said! Never go for the obvious kill!"
Akaiame waves over the lightest grey wolf, Leah, who readily obeys. She was fast and agile in her movements when the match started. Leah mostly settled for dodging and avoiding Akaiame's advances only going in once and a awhile to try and attack. To anyone who didn't know Akaiame-sensei personally it would look to them like Leah was giving her a run for her money, but I knew better. Sure enough Akaiame was soon slamming the wolf on her back having lured Leah into a false sense of invincibility. "Do not ever become comfortable in a fight." With a huff the giant wolf stood and angrily stomped away.
Without any prompting Seth prances forward happily passing by his sulking sister on his way to face Akaiame. Once there he lowers his chest to the ground with his tail wagging in the air. His face was bright while his large tongue lulled out the said of his maw. Like a puppy who wanted to play. Akaiame blinks at him, her eyes scanning over the wolf's posture. It was silent as she just stared at him.
Seth seeing this raises back up and cocks his head to the side, slurping his tongue back in his mouth. "What are you doing puppy?" She asks finally. It was Seth's turn to blink in confusion.
"Will he be joining the fight?" She looks over at Sam completely disregarding Seth who makes an affronted noise. The black wolf glances at his youngest member before shaking his head. Seth makes another displeased sound before slinking back to his place on the side lines. He flops on his behind and sags beside his glaring sister who was still sore about her match.
"Next time puppy." Akaiame assures with a shrug. She gestures for Jared to join her which he does quickly. The dark brown wolf waits in place for the other to attack first. She gives him what he wants and flashes over to him and he barely dodges a kick that would have otherwise landed on his front leg. It was a weak attack that only served to make Jared get moving. Once he did, it was clear his fighting style was like Sam's but more brash and impatient. It was his eventual undoing and he ended up covered in deep brown dirt. "to predictable."
Akaiame smirked. "Get over here Jacob." Her gaze was intense as the amber wolf stalked forward. "Do not disappoint me boy." She said. He nodded his head, scratching the ground like a bull about to charge. They stood opposed, silence hanging in the air. I could see the cogs turning in Jacob's head as he looked around the clearing. Akaiame must've noticed to because she went running at him. Jacob yelps in shock Before pivoting back away from her. She relentlessly went after him throwing random punches, swipes, and kicks keeping him on the defensive for a long while. Jacob was finally able to duck around her instantly turning around to snap at her when he saw her coming again. She jumps back before charging full force and diving for his legs. He jumps over her head in the nick of time and continues running away from her. Akaiame gives chase. Immediately she catches up to him and reaching out for his tail.
Right before it was in her grasp, in a miraculous turn of events, Jacob quickly turns around and thrust his body head first at her. She was running fast and close to him so when Jacob turned around she was to late to stop herself before she was tackled to the ground with Jacob's head buried in her stomach. He chomped his jaws at her in triumph. She looked up at him in mild surprise before she smirks. "You were a little fretful at first but that last move was smart."
They move and she claps Jacob on the back, hard. He stumbles from the impact but makes it to the sidelines. Sam disappears to phase coming back with his usual shorts on. "Alright everyone! That's it for training today. Rest up as much as you can. The battle will take place the day after tomorrow!" Just like when we were with the Cullens the pack disperse. "Seth your on patrol with me tonight." Sam said as said wolf sulked past him.
I walked with Jacob, both of us automatically going in the same direction. away from the rez to our place. Before we made it to the forest Akaiame-sensei called out to me.
"Stay. Out of everyone you have the least experience fighting corpses. And you are fighting yes?" She asks to which I just nod. I don't bring up the fact I fought Edward and Victoria, Seth on the other hand had way less experience then me. But I don't correct her because I know she wouldn't appreciate it.
"Come here then. I shall spar with you." She gets into position. "Remember to use your abilities. They are your enemy Not your ally."
"B-but sensei You aren't my enemy though! I can't use my abilities on you!" I said taken aback.
"True. But for the next few minutes I am not your ally either..." My mouth hung open at her reply. No way could I fight her that seriously. I went to say as much but she was running at me in the next second. I don't dodge her kick to the stomach in time and end up smashing into a tree, winding me.
"Get up. That was pathetic." She said getting into her fighting stance again. She wasn't gonna go easy on me, not like she did the others. I quickly stumble to my feet when she comes at me again just barely catching her fist aimed at my cheek. "Akaiame-sensei...I don't think newborns fight like that." I said a little upset. This was nothing like the swipes and sloppy blows* she exchanged with the wolfpack.
She proved my point by exploiting my open spot and upper cutting me with her free hand knocking my head against the tree. It cracked from the impact and wood splintered past my vision. I didn't get to recover when she grabbed my shirt and spun around to fling me. I hear the fabric rip as I'm thrown a few feet. When I land I don't waste time before getting to my feet so fast I sway a little and my vision swims. The blurry image of her coming at me again almost instantly sobbers me up. She begins a myriad of blow once she reaches me while I constantly block searching for an opening. Once I would find one she easily covered it, moving faster and hitting harder then she was before. "You are being to Obvious Koinu!"
I grit my teeth in irritation and try to activate one of my abilities, so I could at least make her stop swinging. I don't get the chance as i'm knocked to the ground. "You aren't battle ready. I am pulling you." She decides looming over me.
I glare up at her. "That's not fair! You went harder on me!"
She narrows her eyes but doesn't deny the accusation. "I have made my choice."
"I won't listen. I'm fighting with Jacob!" I argue.
She crosses her arms. "Your mate will be fine! He did better then you." I growl and stand up. "Im going anyway." I say through clenched teeth. I wasn't gonna leave Jacob to fight alone. I won't. No matter what anyone says. "I'm sure the pack will agree that I'm an asset. I don't know what your deal is but I will have their backs."
She rumbles in her chest before grabbing my ripped shirt and yanking me forward. "I will break your arms and legs before I watch you get killed to boy!"
That's when it hit me. Hit me harder then Akaiame herself. She was scared...to lose me. My eyes soften. "Akaiame-sensei..."
She grunts and lets go of my shirt. "This would be your first battle. Most rookies do not make it to their second. I know first hand."
"You haven't even given me a real chance." I grab her arm. Something that was usually a no no for her. "I know I can do this sensei! I have to fight."
No matter what she decided I was still walking onto the battle field with Jacob. I understand how she feels. We are all we have left of home. I look over to Jacob who sat tensely near the tree line. I have a another home though. A new one even more important then the one I lost. And I would follow that home anywhere. Very slightly Akaiame sags but her eyes harden. "I promised to protect you. If ever I saw you again I promised your O bāchan I would keep you safe. And I intend to keep that promise."
"O bāchan? What?" I said confused.
"Koinu Sore wa mondaide wa arimasen. Just know I will keep it." She said in finality.
"I made a promise as well sensei. So you can...do your worst. But i'm going." I reflected her tone back at her before walking off towards my mate. She doesn't say anything more nor move from her spot. Jacob and I leave her there.
717171717(^.^)17171717171
It was hours later and Jacob and I laid on our beach enjoying the scenery of a starless night once again. Jacob was on his back using his arms as a pillow. I was tucked under his arm with a head on his shoulder and my hand on his chest. My thumb absent mindedly rubbed back and forth over the line in the middle of his muscular chest. I glance up at him seeing the glossy sheen of his kiss swollen lips, evidence of our recent activities. We haven't gone beyond making out and I was more then okay with that.
"I love this. Being here with you." Jacob said out of the blue. "It's one of my most favorite things."
I nuzzle him affectionately. "I love it to. It's the closest I've felt to you since...everything."
"I can agree with that. To think I almost messed this all up..." He sighs. I didn't say anything to that but I couldn't help but agree. I don't know what life would be like right now had we not been able to work things out. Lonely and dark still probably.
"What do you think Akaiame-sensei is gonna do? To stop you." Jacob changes the subject.
"I don't know. She can be very unpredictable. But if I had to guess she'll try to stop me from entering the clearing. Probably by knocking me out and putting me far away." I shrug, I was worried about what she might do but knowing her she wouldn't make it obvious until the time came.
I angrily furrow my brow. "I wish she would understand how I feel. I can't think about you fighting without me. I want to be there to protect you in case something goes wrong."
"The pack will have my back, I'll be fine. Whether she stops you or not..." His words don't exactly bring me any comfort.
"Don't you want me there?" I ask suspiciously.
"..." Jacob looks away. I sit up and glare at him. "Jacob!"
"What? I told you I don't!" He sat up to. "But I won't try to control you Ai."
"You don't think I can handle it either." I huff standing up and walking to the shores edge shaking my head. "I thought you believed in me."
"No! I mean- Ai!" I hear shuffling then his footsteps coming up behind me. "It's not that. Of course I know you're capable. It's the unexpected that has me scared!" Jacob stands beside me and grabs my hand.
"Look at me." He says gently. I just glare stubbornly at the horizon. He steps closer until I could feel his body heat on the side of my body. I shudder.
"You are the strongest person I've ever met." I feel my face get hot but still keep my eyes forward. "But there is no amount of strength or smarts that will make me ok with you in harms way. So yes I agree with sensei but not for the same reasons."
"I- I feel the same way about you...That's why I wanna be there." I finally look at him. "What am I gonna do otherwise? Sit on the rez and hope you return?" I shake my head again, the thought unbearable. "I won't not unless your sitting with me."
I search Jacob's eyes like they held some sort of answer. Any answers at all. But Jacob looked just as lost as I felt. He sighs hopelessly and leans his forehead against mine. "Just once I wish this could be easy. Between us. No more fear or hiding. I just wanna be with you."
I blink slowly. "If it were possible I would have us sit on a mountain like Edward and Bella." I smile. Jacob chuckles deep. He suddenly pulls away, his face lighting up.
"That's it!" He held me at arms shaking me by the shoulders. I cock my head shocked at the complete one eighty he just did, "What's it?"
"The mountain! You can stay on the mountain with Seth. He can't fight in the actual battle but Sam said he could help Bella and Edward keep tabs on the fight." Jacob said.
"How would that work?" I ask.
"Wolf telepathy, Seth will have a direct line to us and Edward to him. If anything happens you'll know and can join us." He explains excitedly.
"That's actually genius! who knew you had it in you." He smiles at my words before his face falls. "Hey!" He shouts offended and I snicker. I peck his nose to apologize.
"Akaiame-sensei will be glad to hear about this. It isn't as good as fighting alongside you, but it will have to do. Just do me two favors:" I pull Jacob back to me until we were molded together chest to chest.
"What's that?" He smiles.
"Firstly when Victoria shows up rip her to shreds, and save the pieces for me to burn." I say through clenched teeth. That was another reason I wanted to be there. Even if Hoshi told me it was meant to happen, that she was meant to be killed, I still needed revenge. The thought burned like acid in the back of my mind daily.
"You got it. Save you a vamp-kabob." He pulls me in tighter. "And the second this?"
Before I answered I place a hand in the center of his warm chest, over his beating heart, feeling the strong thumping beneath my fingers before I trail my hand up to the back of his neck to pull him down. Our lips gently meet in a chaste kiss and my eyes flutter shut as electricity flittered across my entire body. We pull away with a soft smack. I don't let him pull away just yet instead pulling his head down till my mouth was next to his ear. He shivers when I breath out across the side of his face.
"Come back to me..." I whisper like it was a curse, cause it implied he may not survive. But I needed to hear him say he would, that I will see him again. That this wasn't all gonna be a distant dream when all was said and done.
Jacob moves back enough to look into my slightly misted eyes his own brilliant brown eyes shining with a million emotions. Then quietly, so quietly I barely caught it he says "I will come back to you-"
We were leaning in before the words completely left his mouth.
.:'(.
Early the next morning Jacob and I were once again going to meet Bella and Edward for what I hope is the last time. I was tired of seeing Edward's sneering face directed towards me. We walked hand in hand talking aimlessly about anything that came to mind until we could finally scent the two. We hesitantly unlock hands and put some distance between us when we were close enough to hear their voices.
"...I think we should wait to tell him." Bella's voice says clearly. "You know at least till after the fight."
It was obvious by her tone we weren't supposed to be hearing this conversation yet despite his enhanced hearing Edward doesn't warn her of our approach. I glance over to Jacob confused but he just shrugs also confused.
"If you're having second thought-"
"I'm not." Bella interrupts Edward. we can now see them standing ahead facing each other. There's no way Edward doesn't know we're here but Bella still hasn't spotted us even though we are well within her range of sight. "I just want him to have a clear head..."
Knowing it was him they were discussing Jacob makes our presence known. "Who's mind is unclear?" He says and she starts a little quickly looking our way before shooting Edward an incredulous look.
"No one's I hope." She says trying to play it off.
"Alice said there's a storm coming." Edward informs us. I could already tell due to the damp smell and feel to the air along with a subtle electric charge.
"Yeah I can feel it." Jacob says as if he were in my head just now. "Huh, me to. Must be a wolf thing." I agree. "Anyways we have a bit of an update. I won't be fighting in the battle." I announce to rip of the band-aid.
"Why? Are you ok?" Bella asks concerned. I nod my head. "Yes, I'll tell you after the battle. On the other hand though I will be staying up on the mountain with you guys." I smile.
"We're good on people." Edward says. I shrug. "Well now you better!"
"We should get going." Jacob sighs. We all agree and Edward says goodbye to Bella with a kiss to her forehead before leaving.
"Is something up?" Jacob asks going to pick Bella up.
She avoids his gaze by looking at the ground. "Bunch of vampires trying to kill me."
Jacob lifts her bridal style like last time. "Same old same old!" We turn in the same direction Edward went and begins a light sprint.
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*Giggity