®The Witch and the Beast is the propierty of Kousuke Satake.

3

Do not approach Guideau when sleeping.

Fortunately, Misha was spared from learning this the hard way. Ashaf, however, wasn't granted that privilege. Misha watched in awe as the stuffed animal floated in the air for a second, and then burst in mid-air. The area filled with feathers, loose threads, and shreds of fabric. Guideau continued to sleep soundly as if nothing had happened and she didn't just sucker punch the poor thing.

The feathers settled in softly on the sleeping figure, as Misha watched, swallowing hard. Ashaf was lost in thought, his memories coming back to him.

It had been a warm May. The lesson required the utmost discretion, and so, Ashaf and Guideau found themselves in a cramped, trashy room next to their target. It contained barely the essentials. An even smaller bathroom, a coffee table, a lamp, a bar as a closet, and a small single sofa bed. It wasn't really comfortable for spending the night, but it would do. It was part of her training, learning to keep an eye on someone without the aid of magic. The uncomfortable situation didn't bother Guideau. The only thing she really cared about was finishing her training as soon as possible, and getting her hands on a witch.

Their gear lay next to the door. The sun had long since set, and a beautiful full moon peeked through the blinds. Guideau slept soundly, her back to the door. Ashaf listened intently through the earphones, ready for some action. He preferred the discretion and reliability of magic, but this time, they had to rely on technology. He heard some movement. He squinted and concentrated. It was footsteps. Their target was moving.

Ashaf pulled out his earphones. He straightened and walked toward to his sleeping partner.

"Guideau-"

He barely had time to react. All he knew was that Guideau had suddenly shifted position, and swung her fist in his direction at breakneck speed. He dodged the blow, his reflexes quick and sharp. It missed his head by inches. Then, undistursofa bed, she rolled onto the sofa bed, her back to him as before. He watched in awe, processing what had just happened.

"Guideau?"

He stepped back just in case.

"Guideau?" he called again, a few decibels louder.

A low growl was the only answer he received.

The mage raised his defenses, rounded the sofa behind the girl's head, and stepped forward.

"Guideau!" this time he was prepared. He caught her fist in the air and drove it away from his head with a tight grip, and without wasting a second, he caught her left with his other hand before she could hit him.

Guideau opened her eyes at the interference. She was about to use all her strength to attack the intruder, to use his weight against him and send him flying back to the other side of the room, but she stopped when she recognized Ashaf's figure.

"What the hell are you doing, asshole?" she growled, rolling her eyes back to look at him.

"Trying not to get my face punched in," he said nonchalantly. "Get up. He's moving."

"Then don't touch me. Are you deaf or retarded? I told you I don't like being touched."

He released her wrists, which now exhibited angry red marks from his grip.

"I didn't touch you the first time" he clarified. "You came close to crushing my face, though."

"Then don't come near me when I'm sleeping," she warned, sitting up. Her hair was messy and her clothes disheveled. "I have heightened senses. It's not my fault if you get hurt."

She yawned and stretched out her arms. She got up and followed the mage to the door.

The mission was a success. They didn't talk about the incident again.

Annnd.. we reach the finale. Yay! Wait for an extra, though.

Fanfiction, February 11th 2024.