Chapter 4

Kotone stepped into the center of the room, watching him warily. Hyuga snorted in amusement.

"I won't attack without warning Miss Kotone," Hyuga's voice was slightly reproachful, whilst his eyes sparkled with mirth. "Not until you learn to have enough spatial awareness to know where I am at all times." He sat down, and she followed suit. "What I'm going to tell you is your current schedule until later notice." Kotone instantly started digging around in her bag to pull out a notebook and pen. Hyuga's lips quirked up into an involuntary smile, and he smothered a laugh. Cute.

"Every Monday, we'll work on class work, the things that you'll want to sleep through but have to be covered. That will be done at my room unless I say otherwise." Kotone's pen zipped across her paper. "Tuesdays we'll work on your forms with two-handed swords. Wednesdays, one-handed blades, and Thursdays, dual one-hand blades. Fridays, you'll spar with me, block and dodge until I say otherwise. Saturdays are entirely devoted to hand-to-hand combat and physical training. You'll have Sundays off unless you get in trouble, of which then I'll oversee any punishments I give you." He waited until the small pen stopped, and those pale lavender eyes looked at him again. "I expect you here or my room by seven to eight in the mornings, and if you get in trouble, six." She nodded. "I'll work you until you can't walk, or, in the case of class work, pass out from boredom."

Kotone coughed, struggling with her laughter. "This week, I'll get a basic grounding on what you know in terms of swords, both one-handed and two-handed." He smiled at her, and she took that as her cue to put her things away and take her sword (which she had set across her knees as a writing desk) and take her stance. Kotone deposited a brightly colored bracelet on the ground and took a stance above it in the most basic form of the Neudaiz-style Ryōte Sword Form. He inspected it closely, and nodded in approval. It was off, but not as much as he had expected from only observation. He simply hoped her Katate and Nijū were as good. He stepped behind her.

"Good," He praised her gently. "Move this elbow a little closer in," He placed one hand on her hip, twisting her body slightly, "Turn your body this way." He pressed her thigh softly. "Move this foot a little bit forward. Further . . . good." He stepped back. Kotone didn't move, holding the position obediently. "And lower your sword." Kotone's grip adjusted quickly and she lowered the blade slowly until the tip rested against the ground. "Don't adjust your grip, it could be dangerous. Give me your sword and take one lap around the training room."

Kotone passed the blade to him hilt-first and set off on a steady pace. She returned to her little bracelet and without being told, took up the exact same stance after retrieving her blade. Hyuga marked her stance and nodded. "Good. One more lap and retake the stance. Take the blade with you this time." She complied, and continued, retaking her stance as dictated. Once he was sure it was flawless, he nodded. "Next form." She shifted her feet a bit further, spun the blade to guard in a diagonal to her body, and braced the blade against her left hand. Hyuga stepped behind her again.

"This way." He murmured, tilting the blade slightly. "And this should be . . ."

Six hours (and a lunch break) found Kotone panting for air, shaking slightly. Her arms, legs, and chest burned with the strain of carrying such a heavy weapon. Her chest heaved up and down, as she gratefully bent over, taking in the air. Hyuga smiled in amusement, watching her breathe. He took the blade from her, and waited until she could look at him.

"What's wrong with this form?" He asked her, a touch dryly. "A wrong answer and you owe me another lap." She glared at him weakly.

"Your feet are too far apart," She muttered, after walking around once. "Your arms are too far from your body." She pointed out the flaws, and when she was done he beamed at her.

"Correct! How about this one?" He shifted into the next form, and Kotone pointed out the flaws again. She occasionally missed a flaw, earning her several laps. An hour later, and they were both taking a drink. "Hmm. Three o'clock." He helped her stand. "Take a hot shower," He advised her. "Or a bath. Stay in the water for at least three minutes. Stretch after, and you won't feel stiff tomorrow." She flashed him a grateful smile. "Care for some food or are you going to take my advice first?"

"I think I'll get something to eat," Kotone muttered, strapping on her weapons, feeling a slight gnawing at her stomach.

Hyuga fiddled with his lesson sheet, waiting for Ethan to show up. He wouldn't even wait, knowing he was in for a ribbing, but he had some questions.

"Hey there teacher!" Ethan teased. "How was your day?" Hyuga gave him a pointed look. Ethan caught the look and frowned. "What?" He glanced over his shoulder.

"Don't call me that," Hyuga said darkly. "I'm still trying to get to terms with it." Ethan snickered. "Hey, do you know where the student waiver forms are?" A cheerful voice made them jump slightly.

"They're in the GUARDIANS Headquarters. Mina keeps track of them." A familiar, rich voice greeted them. "Long time no see boys." Karen grinned at them. "What's this about teaching?" Hyuga groaned while Ethan smirked.

"I've got an apprentice," Hyuga confessed faintly. Karen toppled out of the chair she had sat in.

"Really? You?" She sputtered. Ethan burst out laughing again as Karen clambered back into her seat, staring at him wide-eyed. "When?"

"Officially, today. I was informed of this yesterday," He added dryly before she could open her mouth. "Don't carp." Karen waited, staring at him. Hyuga tried to ignore this, scribbling down his notes. Get a TECHNIC MARK wavier from Mina. He chewed his bottom lip, scribbling down some more notes for himself. Establish her skill with other weapons. Take her to a doctor for a visual physical. After some other notes, he gave into his urge to scowl at Karen. "What?" He asked sharply, in the same voice he had used on his cute little student when she had stared at him during practice. Karen and Ethan both blinked.

"I'm not saying." Karen decided. Hyuga groaned, his head hitting the desk. I thought I left the closed-mouthed person taking a bath. Damn it.

"Fine. I'll see the two of you later. I have some work to do." He left, grumbling.

"Not even one flirty comment." Ethan sounded surprised.

"He's still in teacher mode. What did you expect?"

Ryōte - Two-handed

Katate - One-handed

Nijū - Dual