Two Kinds of Souls
Chapter 3: Ever onwards
"Talking."
Thinking.
ATTACK!
DISCLAIMER: I have no rights, nor will I ever, to either Soul Eater or RWBY.
These people are certainly colorful, Mifune thought to himself while gazing at everyone on the airship. Having secured a corner for himself, Mifune let his eyes wander towards his future classmates. Most left a lot to be desired by his standards. There were students who stood out from the crowd though. Namely, the ones who had occupied the three other corners of the ship. To say they stand out would be an understatement. Mifune reasoned in amusement.
His amusement was short lived a blonde boy ran past him hand clutched over his mouth in a desperate attempt to hold in its contents. That boy is woefully unprepared. Mifune once more looked around the ship, searching for someone. She's not here. I remember her saying she would be attending Beacon. Was I mistaken? It's no matter. Here or not, I must stay focused. I'm sure my peers are also concentrating on the trials to come.
…
Kami was right. I should have dressed down, Spirit thought while looking at his suit. Sure it was his usual get up, but he felt very overdressed right now. Get rid of the tie, switch out the slacks for jeans, add sneaker and I might have a good outfit on hand, Spirit reasoned while mentally going over what clothes he'd brought from home.
…
After receiving a message from a hologram, Mifune and the other students exited the airship. Mifune paused to admire the architectural beauty that was Beacon Academy, smiling in the process. He found himself looking forward to his time here. His musings were interrupted when he heard and saw something explode a few meters in front of him. That is not my problem, Mifune thought before wisely ignoring the small debacle. Checking to make sure his weapons were secure, Mifune made to follow the crowd of students going to the auditorium. He walked in silence, enjoying the scenery once again.
"Mifune!" a feminine voice called out. The teenager found the source of the voice to be a woman his age jogging towards him.
"Hello Pyrrha," Mifune said, turning to face the famous Pyrrha Nikos. Said young woman was absolutely ecstatic to see the wandering swordsman. Stopping in front of him, Pyrrha shifted from one foot to the other, unsure of how to proceed.
"I'm so happy you decided to come to Beacon." Pyrrha finally said, letting her arms fall to her side. Mifune smiled, dropping his weapon on the floor. He raised his arms in invitation. Pyrrha's smile grew even bigger as she stepped forward and hugged Mifune.
"I've missed you too, Pyrrha." Mifune said, wrapping his arms around his friend. Pyrrha quietly sighed before realizing just where she was and who she was hugging.
"Erm, yes. Agreed." Pyrrha awkwardly said, stepping away from Mifune and hoping her face wasn't as pink as she thought.
"How long has it been?" Mifune asked, just as happy to see his friend.
"A little over a year. Did you get taller?" Pyrrha asked, reaching up to put her hand on his head.
"I believe so. That tends to happen during ones teenage years." Mifune answered, briefly standing on tippy toes to annoy Pyrrha.
"If I wasn't wearing my heels I'd feel small standing next to you." Pyrrha joked.
"I'm not the only one who's grown." Mifune said, eyes briefly looking over Pyrrha's form. She looked away and self consciously tugged at her skirt, suddenly wondering why she chose to wear such a short one.
"I'm still the same height I was a year ago. Pyrrha murmured, still not looking at Mifune.
"Yes, but you've grown in other ways. I can see that you've taken our lessons to heart. You have grown so much as a person. You are nothing like the brat I met all those years ago." Mifune said, chuckling at the last part.
"You could tell all that from a glance?" Pyrrha asked, a soft smile adorning her face.
"Of course, what kind of teacher would I be if I couldn't see the growth of my pupil." Pyrrha's smile grew. "I see it in every cereal aisle I enter." Pyrrha felt her face heat up in embarrassment.
"I-well, it was a paid sponsorship, and there was this set of armor I'd had my eye on for quite a while and I was told it would make kids happy and there wasn't any harm in it, well, I mean the cereal isn't healthy but-" Pyrrha was cut off mid ramble by Mifune quietly laughing.
"This is what I'm talking about. The old Pyrrha would have thought herself too good to appear on a cereal box. You have learned humility, and more importantly, how to have fun." Mifune said, placing his hand on Pyrrha's shoulder. She found herself covering his hand with her own.
"You know, sometimes I forget we're the same age." Pyrrha said, meeting Mifune's stare.
"I find myself thinking the same thing." Mifune said, his grin growing ever so slightly. Pyrrha stared for several moments, captivated by his smile. She was brought out of her stupor when Mifune spoke again. "I didn't see you on the airship."
"Oh! Yes!" Pyrrha exclaimed a little too loud while taking a step away from Mifune. "I-uh-arrived early as I wanted to explore the school grounds, get acquainted with where everything is." Pyrrha said, desperately hoping that Mifune wouldn't question why her face was pink.
"Ah, very responsible of you. So I take it you know how to find everything?"
"Yes, mostly."
"Mostly?"
"The dorms are confusing." Pyrrha admitted.
"There will be plenty of time to memorize that. Right now, would you lead me to the auditorium?" Mifune asked, his smile turning a tad sheepish.
"Of course! It's right over here." Pyrrha said, Mifune falling into step with her. Being in each other's presence again felt right. It was something she'd sorely missed.
…
"... which was an overreaction in my opinion. The building was not that damaged all things considered. Of course, I didn't stick around after that." Mifune said before finishing the last of his rice with his chopsticks. Pyrrha giggled across from him, her own plate of food nearly gone.
"To be fair, if he didn't want his house full of holes, he shouldn't have hired someone who's entire style of fighting is throwing swords everywhere."
"That's a simple way of looking at my abilities, but yes I do agree with the sentiment."
"You certainly weren't idle this past year."
"And what about you? You won the Mistral Tournament for the fourth time in a row. As I understand, that's a new record." Mifune said.
"Oh, well yes there is that. And it led to my cereal sponsorship, which was also pretty cool." Pyrrha said out of modesty.
"And what of friends? Have you made any noteworthy companions?" Mifune asked while reaching for an apple.
"Well, that's the thing. I, uh, don't really have any friends." Pyrrha admitted, her mood taking a downturn. Mifune paused mid bite in surprise.
"Why not?"
"My fame and my ability seems to have created a rift between my classmates and I. Not out of envy or Jealousy I assure you!" Pyrrha quickly added upon seeing Mifune's stormy expression. "If anything it came from a sense of inadequacy. Everyone thinks I'm too good for them, so I end up alone most of the time."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up." Mifune said.
"No it's fine. That was then. Now I have a fresh start here." Pyrrha optimistically said.
"Whatever happens, know that you'll always have a friend in me."
"I know, and thank you." Pyrrha said out of gratitude.
…
Pyrrha sighed in satisfaction as hot water cascaded across her body. Beacon's showers certainly are wonderful, she thought in amusement. Her thoughts drifted from one thing to another. Her day had been filled with surprise and excitement. Ultimately, her train of thought went to one Mifune. Even now she found herself barely able to contain her happiness. He's actually here!
"I remember when I couldn't stand the site of him." Pyrrha murmured.
…
"Who's the scrub?" A fourteen year old Pyrrha asked, casting a disdainful eye at the boy in front of him.
"That is Mifune. He is to be your instructor." Answered a teacher from Sanctum.
"Instructor? You're joking right? He's my age but he's a teacher?That toothpick is supposed to be in charge of me? That's such bull-"
"Pyrrha! You were the one who complained about our curriculum, so here is the solution. Mifune is going to guide and cultivate your abilities whether you want him to or not. Maybe he'll even fix your attitude problem." The teacher said, muttering the last part to herself.
"Careful teach, we both know I can kick your ass into next week." Pyrrha said, not even bothering to look at her teacher.
"Just. Go. Introduce. Yourself." The teacher said through gritted teeth before leaving. Pyrrha sighed, blowing hair out of her face, before walking towards her supposed instructor.
"Good morning. My name is Mifune and I belie-"
"Don't care. Listen, I don't know what they're paying you or who's idea this was, but I want no part of it." Pyrrha snapped.
"Hm? Is that so?" Mifune said, eyebrow raised.
"Yes it's so. I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm THE Pyrrha Nikos. I'm the youngest person to ever win the Mistral tournament. No one at Sanctum holds a candle to me. Even some of the teachers can't compete. I'm a prodigy in every sense of the word. Nothing, I repeat, nothing would benefit me from sitting in a room for hours with a toothpick like you." Pyrrha menacingly said. For his part, Mifune didn't look fazed in the slightest.
"You certainly don't lack confidence." Mifune said, a smirk appearing on his lips. Pyrrha growled before stepping forward and grabbing his shirt.
"I'm only going to say this once. Leave before I use you as my training dummy." Pyrrha threatened.
"I certainly have a lot of work to do." Mifune said with a sigh. Pyrrha's eyes narrowed as she reached for her sword.
"Don't say I didn't-"
"Enough." Mifune said, the conviction in his tone unshakeable. With ease that startled Pyrrha, Mifune pushed her backwards. "I am here to teach you, and I will whether you want it or not. You've been learning from people you deem inferior. That stops now. I've seen you fight and can say with certainty that I am your better. From now on, you will be training and fighting against someone stronger, smarter, faster, and just plain better than you." Mifune said, his glare causing even Pyrrha to think twice. Pride, however, isn't so easily destroyed.
"Better? Than me? Oh I am going to enjoy this." Pyrrha said as she drew her sword and shield.
"If this is what it will take, then so be it my troublesome pupil." Mifune said as he hefted hìs weapon.
…
"I didn't take my loss very well. I refused to even look at him for a week." Pyrrha said to herself as she put on a red tank top and black booty shorts. She exited the bathroom and made her way to where the first years were sleeping. It's like a large slumber party, Pyrrha thought to herself. Not that she'd know much about slumber parties mind you.
"These certainly are odd sleeping arrangements." Mifune said from behind Pyrrha. She turned around to see Mifune in a light gray Yukata and sandals of all things. Without her heels, Pyrrha was made all too aware of the difference in height between them.
"I think it's a great idea. This helps foster a sense of camaraderie among the new students." Pyrrha said.
"Oh not you again!" Two voices yelled from the other end of the hall.
"I can sense the friendship." Mifune sarcastically said.
"I think it would be best to avoid that area. I'd rather get a good night's sleep." Pyrrha joked.
"That is wise advice that we should both take." Mifune said.
"It seems that the hall is separated by gender. I suppose this is where we part ways." Pyrrha said. Once again, Pyrrha found herself shifting from one foot to the other, a feeling of awkwardness dwelling in her. Mifune smiled before raising his arms.
"Come here." Mifune said. Pyrrha stepped into the embrace, burying her head in his chest.
"I really did miss you." She said, her grip tightening.
"As did I, but fortunately we are here together again." Mifune responded. Pyrrha reluctantly stepped back, letting her fingers linger on his Yukata
"Good night Mifune."
Good night Pyrrha."