Here we are at Chapter 5. In this chapter. We'll have Inglis spend some time with Ripple. I do not own Reborn to Master the Blade. They belong to their respective owners. Here's chapter 5. Enjoy.
Chapter 5: Fluffy Wuffy
Outside the capital, the sounds of combat can be heard. Gunshots ring out, small explosions occur, and a little bit of laughter is caught in between. A tree falls down, revealing Inglis, with one of her ice swords in hand, and Ripple as her opponent with her pistols aimed at the battle junkie. The two are out here for a little sparring session away from everyone else. This way, they can cut loose a bit and have some fun. Ripple fires off her pistols again, but Inglis deflects the bullets with her sword as she closes in on the shooter. Ripple jumps back to keep some distance, but Inglis won't fall for that.
"Oh no, you don't. You can't stay away forever. That won't be as much fun," Inglis smirks.
"Sorry, but you know how I like to fight. You'll have to catch me, Inglis!" Ripple laughs before firing off a few more shots.
Inglis smiles and deflects the shots again. Only this time, the deflected shots hit a tree branch above Ripple, breaking it off. Ripple looks up just in time to see it fall and jumps out of the way. However, this gives Inglis the opening she's been waiting for. As soon as Ripple collects herself, Inglis is on her with a swing of her blade. Ripple manages to block with her pistols, but she still gets knocked back into a tree. As Ripple gets up, she finds Inglis' blade before her.
"And I believe that's game," Inglis says.
Ripple sags in defeat, "I can't believe you actually beat me. I figured that if I just kept the distance between us, I'd eventually take you down since I don't have to worry about running out of ammo," she gets up and puts her pistols away.
"Maybe for a normal opponent, but I don't you can consider me normal," Inglis makes her sword dissipate.
"Yeah, you're right about that. Still, I had fun. Been a while since I could have a fight without having to worry about losing my life," Ripple is as cheery as ever.
"Uh-huh, I always love a good fight against a strong opponent," and Inglis will never change.
With the sparring match done, the two find a spot under a tree, one that hasn't been destroyed in the fight, for a little lunch. Eris has official duties to attend to, and Rafinha is spending time with her big brother Rafael. Thus, Inglis and Ripple are alone for the time being. Inglis was sure to pack up at least enough food to hold her up until dinner. She's always hungry for more. Which is why Ripple packed a separate lunch for herself, or else there'd be nothing left for her.
"I don't think that I'll ever understand how you can eat so much, yet still keep that amazing figure of yours, Inglis," Ripple watches the battle junkie inhale her food.
"I train a lot, so that helps. I don't want to get fat or else I can't try on nice dresses for parties. Parties that usually have tasty food," Inglis says after swallowing her food.
"Yeah, you'd make any man, and maybe some women, drop dead with your good looks," Ripple says as she makes a subtle glance at Inglis' beautiful form.
Even if that beautiful form is marred a bit by her voracious appetite.
"Still, I'm glad we were able to train out today. It's nice having plenty of strong opponents to fight so I can get stronger myself," Inglis notes.
There are a few people at the academy who could at least last more than a few seconds against her, but only a few, and some still don't last too long.
"Well, I'm beat after that fight, so I'm gonna take a nap. Don't mind if I do," Ripple leans down to rest her head on Inglis' lap.
"Huh? Ripple?" Inglis was surprised by the girl's actions but doesn't push her away.
"Hmm, the weather is perfect out today, and your lap is nice and soft, Inglis," Ripple mumbles as she gets nice and comfortable.
Inglis just watches her for a few moments before her eyes drift to Ripple's tail, seeing it sway back and forth. She then stares at Ripple's dog ears. When she first met the Hieral Menace, she had the hidden desire to pet them and see how they feel. That desire is bubbling up now, and the atmosphere around them certainly isn't helping.
"Um, Ripple, may I ask a favor?" Inglis begins.
"Hmm, what is it?" Ripple replies, half asleep.
"Would it be alright if I pet your ears?" Inglis asks.
That wakes Ripple up, "Huh? My ears?"
"Yeah. I've always wanted to pet them and see how they feel. Is that... too much to ask for?" Inglis thinks she might've asked for something unreasonable.
"Hm... Well, I suppose it would be okay... Just be gentle, alright," and Ripple actually gives her permission.
Inglis was surprised that Ripple said yes, but now that the opportunity is right in front of her, she doesn't want to waste it. Slowly reaching down with one hand, Inglis starts stroking Ripple's ears. Ripple twitches at the first contact, but she relaxes as Inglis pets her ears. Inglis is surprised by how soft they are. Like a furry, fluffy cloud in her hand. While she pets Ripple's ears, she notices the girl's tail moving around, a tell-tale sign that she enjoys the petting. Inglis' left hand moves and strokes Ripple's back. Meanwhile, Ripple is really loving how Inglis pets her.
"Inglis, you're the first person I've ever let pet me like this," Ripple mutters.
"Huh? Really? Not even Eris got to do this?" Inglis was surprised by that.
"Yep. I was always self-conscious when it came to people wanting to pet my ears. More than a few wanted to throughout my life, but I always refused. Until you that is. I just didn't feel uncomfortable with you petting them. And it feels really good when you do," Ripple says, snuggling closer to Inglis.
"Then I shall consider it a great honor to be your first," Inglis says.
"Now, don't go saying stuff like that. If someone heard you, they'd get weird ideas in their heads," Ripple pouts.
Inglis giggles, "I'll be careful. Just as long as you can let me pet your ears from time to time," she scratches behind Ripple's ears, making the girl squirm in delight at her touch.
"Oh yeah, right there. That's good," Ripple sighs in bliss.
They remain in this state for a while longer before deciding to finish their lunch and head back before the others get worried. As they approach the capital city, Ripple looks to Inglis.
"I had a lot of fun today, Inglis. We should definitely do this again sometime," Ripples says.
"Yeah, and let's bring everyone else too. I would love to have another spar against Eris," Inglis gets that hungry look in her eye again, and it's not because of food.
"We can do that too, but I'd like to spend some time along, just the two of us," Ripple clarifies.
"Oh... I see," Inglis has a slight blush at that.
"And, if it's just the two of us... you can pet my ears again if you want," Ripple says, blushing a bit herself.
"Really?!" Inglis likes the sound of that.
"Yeah... maybe, we can make a date of it," Ripple says.
Inglis smiles gently, "I'd like that. Okay, the next chance we get, it's a date. Just the two of us,"
"Yep. Sounds like a plan," Ripple smiles back.
With that settled, the two head back into the capital. Ripple follows Inglis all the way back to the knight academy where they would part ways.
"Alright, I'll see you next time, Inglis," Ripples waves her goodbye.
"Ripple, wait," Inglis calls out. Ripple turns, only to get a quick peck on the cheek by Inglis. "Consider that thanks for the ear petting. And you can call me Chris too. Bye Ripple," Inglis says before running back inside the academy.
Ripple touches the cheek that Inglis kissed a moment ago before walking back to the castle, her tail swaying back and forth happily.
And that's the chapter. Not the most romantic of the bunch, but a little fluff never hurt anyone. Only a few chapters left before I'll consider this short story done. Until then, please Read and Review.