"Um, where is everyone?" I asked.
"Let's see. I'm pretty sure Kensei's out getting his magazines, Akisame's probably in that weird Buda room of his, not sure where the old man or Apachai are, and I'm pretty sure Kenichi's out with Miu right now doing some shopping. Either that or those two are sleeping in on their day off," Sakaki said. I nodded.
"I see. What about that weapon user?" I asked.
"Shigure? She's probably up in her room doing who knows what," Sakaki said. I laughed nervously.
"I, I see," I said. I didn't say anything anymore. We then arrived at the yard where we heard someone punching something.
"Apa! Apapapa!" someone yelled.
"Ah! There he is! Oi! Apachai!" Sakaki yelled. I saw the giant, Muai Thai user stop punching the air in front of him. Somehow, when he did punch it, it sounded like he was actually punching something.
"Apa? Oh, Sakaki! How are you this day?" Apachai said, walking up to Sakaki.
"Mornin' Apachai. I'm fine. Listen, I'm gonna need your help with somethin. Think you got a minute to help me test my new disciple's power?" Sakaki asked Apachai. Apachai then looked at me.
"But Sakaki, it doesn't look like she has any power," he whispered.
"Hey!" I said. Sakaki laughed.
"Yeah I know, I just want to make sure she isn't hiding any hidden strength from me," he said. Apachai nodded.
"Okay then. Haley! Let us begin!" Apachai said. He put on some training gloves that I have seen Ashley and Allie's karate Master sometimes use whenever they had to first practice punching against him. I got into a position that I've seen them do and I punched the mitt with all my power. Sakaki silently watched on as Apachai continued to make me punch his hands.
"I've seen enough punching. Now try some kicking!" Sakaki said.
"Huh? How am I supposed to kick him? He doesn't have anything but those mitts on his hands," I said. He sighed.
"Then just kick the mitts," he said, as if it was obvious. I grumbled something he didn't hear and got into position again. I kicked up at the giant's hands but my leg was too short and I didn't get it high enough, so I wound up falling down on my face.
"Ow," I muttered.
"Again!" Sakaki ordered. I glared at him. "What? You got a problem?" I sighed.
"No, no problem," I said. I got up and tried again. I was still too far away and too short, but this time I landed on my butt.
"Again!" Sakaki yelled.
I fell on my face. "Again!"
My butt. "Again!"
Face. "Again!"
Butt. "Aga-"
"I know!" I yelled. "You don't need to keep repeating 'again again again'! I know you won't let me freaking stop until I hit the mitts at least once!" I yelled. He smirked. I ignored it and stood up, facing Apachai once again. This time, I walked away from him and didn't stop until I was about 10 feet away. When I turned back around, Apachai and Sakaki were looking at me confused.
"Sakaki. What do you think she is doing?" Apachai asked Sakaki.
"Don't know. But it'll probably be stupid," he said. I ignored his insult and began running at Apachai who got ready. "Oi! Apachai! Show her why we don't charge at our opponents." Apachai nodded and stood like he was going to stand still. I jumped off a rock and got ready to kick his stupid mitt. Then he was suddenly a blur and I wound up crashing into the wall that was behind him, not even leaving a dent in it.
"Ow," I said as my body peeled off of the wall and onto the ground below, making me land with a thump. I saw Sakaki standing above me.
"Rule number one. Don't charge at an opponent unless you know you are faster than them and they can't avoid your attack," he said. I glared at him.
"Couldn't you have told me sooner?" I asked.
"No pain, no gain, as I always say," he said. Then he walked away and sat on the edge of the outdoor hallway. "Now, try again. This time get in closer and don't put as much weight into your kick. Just try to touch the mitt at first. Then when you know how to touch it with your foot, then you add power," Sakaki said. I sighed but got up anyway.
"Okay," I said. I brushed the dust off of my white uniform and waited for Apachai to be ready. It took him less than a second to get serious again. He stood still, his mitts in front of him. I walked up to him, stopped, then slowly raised my foot, judging the distance. When I wound up short, I brought my foot down, walked closer, and then did the process over. I repeated this until I finally touched the mitt. Once I was able to do that, I put power into my kick but still missed and wound up on my face. Sakaki sighed.
"Alright. That's enough. I've seen enough. Thanks Apachai," Sakaki said. He stood up and just shook his head at me. "Get ready Haley, cuz you're in for a lot of basic training." I sighed. Great, more moving.