A/N: Way shorter than usual, and I am sorry about that. Still, I hope you enjoy.
Leap, slash, cover in ki. Repeat. That's the simplest of what makes up the Claw at the Moon maneuver. The philosophy is even simpler, to embody a cat attacking at it's prey, aiming for a weak spot from an unpredictable angle. Soon, the mind and instinct begin to reveal it's true form.
The roar of a tiger and the song of steel cutting through air ring out before colliding against Asuka's wakizashi. Asuka and Caleb come face-to-face that would have been an almost romantic scene if Asuka's clothes wasn't ripped to kingdom come, practically in only underwear and even that's somewhat ripped, while she reeled and Caleb glared at her like a beast at the cusp of losing control.
As one would expect from a practitioner of the Tiger Claw discipline, Caleb teetered at the edge of his human nature and his bestial nature, doubly so with how good Asuka smelled to his honed senses in the style. Teenage hormones, his nature, and the Tiger Claw discipline's nature coming together in a torturous cocktail that challenged his restraint each time.
Still, Caleb kept his cool and responded appropriately.
Asuka should have seen the knee coming followed by the spinning back kick, but she was still a bit woozy from the last time he did it. Her back hit the floor but she rolled back, a burst of anger coursing through her as she hops back and onto the tree behind her.
It was hard to explain without sounding unreasonable, but it was something she was getting used to controlling, the burst of emotions that come with the discipline, according to Caleb. The ki converged around her blades and she jumped.
The sound of metal colliding against metal rang out first, Asuka's wakizashi colliding against the Tiger Fang and Eventide's Edge. Then, the force of ki followed in the form of two claws, forcing Caleb back with his feet leaving deep grooves on the earth before he fell on his back.
Asuka spots a weakness and was about to leap and do it again, but she held back, the unreasonable wrath and instincts receding as she 'returns' to normal. "… I did it?" She spoke in between heavy breaths, her chest heaving with each movement.
"That," Josue mutters sitting up with a wry grin, "you did. Good job on not pouncing on me afterwards." He adds as an afterthought while Hibari and Yagyu join them.
"Woah~, that was awesome Asuka!" Hibari cheers, her eyes glinting with excitement while Asuka scratched at the back of her head.
"Thanks, but phew." She says, crouching down and falling onto her rear, a puff of smoke returning her to her normal clothes. "I'm tired."
"You were fighting for a while and used quite a bit of ki." Yagyu points out, her umbrella unfurled and covering Hibari with Asuka this time, her eyes narrowed on Caleb as he glared right back. For a second neither of them said anything until Yagyu continued, "It's no wonder you're exhausted, this one we can probably throw into a lake or something. He probably smells."
Caleb brought up a hand and flipped her off, leaning forward, "You should brush your teeth, I can smell the seafood from here."
Yagyu glares at him but checks her breath subtly while Caleb got to his feet, "Now, how are Ikaruga and Katsuragi doing?"
"Us?" Katsuragi began, practically skipping to the clearing with Ikaruga trailing behind her, hand near the handle of her swords. "We were done ages ago, we were just waiting for you two to finish."
"Good work on getting stronger, Asuka." Ikaruga compliments, even if her eyes occasionally trailed over to the side. Particularly where Caleb sat down as he slid the Eventide's Edge and the Tiger Fang into his Bag of Holding. Still, Asuka's excitement and pride practically glowed on her face.
"Thank you, Ikaruga-senpai." She thanks her upperclassman, turning to Caleb. "And thank you, Caleb."
"No problem." Caleb assures her, stretching. "Training is what this whole thing is about, though the only one who didn't was Yagyu."
Yagyu sends a narrowed look at Caleb as he sends his own, though Hibari pipes up, "We were practicing while you all were fighting." Hibari announces as Caleb leans at the base of the trunk of a tree.
"Well, then that's it for training, I think." Caleb notes out loud. Looking down at himself, he can see sweat staining his shirt, "Yeah, I'd like a shower myself."
"Actually," Ikaruga began, curiosity in her eyes, "I was wondering, how did you learn how to dual wield weapons?"
"Yeah, that's true." Katsuragi notes out loud, "There was the Supernatural Clarity and the one that broke Hien."
"The Desert Wind." Hibari adds.
"Then there were the two he had right now." Asuka notes, the others now looking at him in curiosity while he shifts.
"Well, it's half-and-half." He explains, sitting down, "Like I said, I learnt a few things traveling, which includes some disciplines that include how to dual wield, though they were all mostly under one discipline. The rest I just figured out practicing or from watching."
"What's this discipline?" Ikaruga asks, curious in all things sword-related, whether it be swords themselves, sword styles, or just disciplines.
"Well, the way it was taught to me, they just called it the Sublime Way." He elaborates, "It's supposedly a bunch of disciplines that are the origin of a lot of martial arts, nine in total, and once someone masters all nine…" He trailed off, looking up as the Hanzo girls lean in, curious.
"What happens when someone masters all nine styles?" Hibari asked, her eyes alit with curiosity.
"How would I know?" He retorts as they nearly fall from the blunt answer. "I didn't exactly master all these disciplines, I know about them, about some techniques and the like but the exact details weren't exactly open to me."
"Tch." Yagyu clicks her tongue, looking to the side, "As I thought, you half-baked fighter."
"Bitch." Caleb retorted, Yagyu turning, about to close her umbrella and whirl around to smack Caleb upside the head, until Ikaruga did it for her. Smacking him upside the head as he reels under her stern eyes, Katsuragi laughing.
"Ha! You got scol-ow!" Katsuragi was interrupted by a sheathed blade hitting her head.
"That's enough out of both of you." Ikaruga began, turning to Caleb, "Thank you for telling that, it was… interesting."
"Don't worry." Caleb grumbles, standing up while rubbing his head, "I only somewhat believe it now."
"'Somewhat'?" Hibari repeats as he scoffs.
"Yeah, I mean if cute Shinobis are a thing, why not whatever strange thing I was taught?" He asks, turning and unaware of the blush on all of their faces, except for Yagyu, who's blush was far lighter but she was simply glaring at him.
"W-Well, we should probably wash up." Ikaruga says after regaining her composure. "If I'm right, there should be a bathhouse near here."
"Whooo!" Katsuragi said, "I call first dibs!"
"Katsuragi, it's big enough for everyone!" Ikaruga yelled after the blonde senior as she ran.
"Not what I'm talking about! I call joining Caleb in the baths!" She proclaimed confidently as all the other girl's faces explode into blushes.
"Katsuragi~!" Ikaruga yelled, blushing but still angry before chasing after Katsuragi as the underclassmen watched their upperclassmen chase each other.
"Well, let's go." Caleb said, already used to the chaos as he walks off at a sedate pace. Of course he would probably have to continue with his eyes closed to ignore Hibari and Asuka speed walking to the bathhouse. Or, at least in the direction where Ikaruga was chasing Katsuragi.
He brings out his phone and inputs the location and finds one in the opposite direction. It either is or isn't, but he wants a shower. Yagyu sighs and chases after Hibari while Caleb makes his way to the bathhouse.
Caleb was at the outside of the building, seated and resting his back against the wall while relaxing as he turned to see a group of particularly down Shinobis. Katsuragi had some welts on her head, Hibari and Asuka looked particularly down and Yagyu didn't express anything beyond distaste for his general existence.
"Here we are." Ikaruga says, "I'm glad you were able to make your way here Caleb, unlike some people." She said, smiling innocently while Katsuragi made an effort not to look at him or at Ikaruga.
"Well, let's go then." Caleb insisted as Ikaruga nodded, entering as the employees bowed at her as they got into seperate sections, Katsuragi with a child backpack around her back with a leash that Ikaruga tugged to stop her from entering the men's side after Caleb.
"There, now Katsuragi." Ikaruga began before her voice deepened, her eyes practically glowing with a warning that Katsuragi received clearly. "Behave."
"Yes!" Katsuragi confirms, or nearly squeals as Ikaruga nodded, turning and stripping.
On the other side of the empty bathhouse, Caleb was already washing his body before entering the baths, generally ignoring the sounds coming from the other side since as much as he likes showers for their efficiency, a good bath was always nice.
By the time he was done bathing, he could hear another racket, "Whoo! Boobs, butts, and baths! The three B's of any good day."
"Keep it down." Ikaruga's calmer voice began.
"Want me to wash your back, Hibari?"
"Really? Thank you!"
"Want me to wash your back, Asuka?"
"Kyah~! Katsu-nee!" Asuka says amidst Katsuragi's perverted giggles but it stops almost immediately without the sound of a thunk. Seems like she wizened up, must be the Diamond Mind discipline seeping through the skill he taught her.
On one hand, a part of him is proud, on the other… the less said about it, the better, especially in general.
After rinsing himself off, he made his way to the large bath tub for him alone since no one else is there as he lowers himself in it. He can't help the exhale that escapes him at the warm feeling that overwhelms him.
He enjoyed the peace on his side, even if a part of him really wanted to enter the women's side. And it was letting itself be known very physically.
It'd be extremely awkward if there was someone else in the baths right now.
"Hey Caleb, you there?" Katsuragi asks as Caleb sighs.
"Yeah." He answers, "Where else would I be?"
"Just making sure." Katsuragi retorts, "Who knows what those discipline can do?"
There was a second and Ikaruga landed a chop at her head, causing Katsuragi to yelp as Caleb relaxed. "Hey, Caleb."
"Yeah, what's up Hibari?" He asks, dipping himself deeper into the tub.
"Where'd you get a digivice from?" She asks as Caleb has to stop himself from surging forward in surprise. He was sure he hid that well enough, guess he was wrong.
"It was a gift from my mother." He answers, "I'm a bit old for it, but it has memories of her, so I keep it around."
"Oh." Hibari said, almost as if ashamed, "Sorry."
"It's fine, you didn't know." He assures her. "It was a while too, so there's nothing to really be worried about."
Right, the digivice…
That brings back some memories, good and bad.
Still, after the girls return to talking, he relaxes, closing his eyes for a short stretch of time before standing up and stretching as he makes his way out, changing into some new clothes while rolling his shoulder.
He waits outside, seated on one of the sofas while sipping at some soda, after this he'll probably return home and either sleep or do… something.
The bath has left him a bit tired, it's been a while since he felt so relaxed.
Well, he'll be home in a few minutes anyway.
"This isn't my home." Caleb notes out loud while Katsuragi pushes him.
"C'mon, the day is still young, we've got so much we can do! Let's go to the arcade!" She insists, before stopping as she presses her chest against his back, "Or do you want to see us in lingerie~." She whispered, low enough for no one but her and him to be able to hear.
"C'mon~." Hibari insisted, grabbing his arm and pulling him along, "Let's go check out some sweets."
Asuka whirls around and grabs his other arm, "Ooh, let's get some food, I still haven't eaten."
With the decision made, he's pulled along while the two girls chat excitedly and he sighs. Ignoring Yagyu's glare on his back or the way Katsuragi looked at the trio with bemusement of Ikaruga's strangely distant and yearning look in her eyes.
Soon, all of them filed into a diner being seated as Caleb listens into their conversation, occasionally saying something but he doesn't have much to add, especially when they're talking about things like makeup or training. As involved as he is, there's nothing he can say.
Though their food came quickly as they dug in, with Caleb picking a burger, Katsuragi some ramen, Yagyu some seafood, Ikaruga a traditional dish, Hibari, reluctantly, got actual food rather than sweets and Asuka ordered some sushi. Not Futomaki rolls, sushi. There's a difference, for some reason.
Well, their food is alright until he catches a glimpse of a rather familiar face and he reels in surprise. "So, he really did it." He mutters before returning his food, it was the face of an old friend, it was nice to see it, now if only said friend wasn't prideful and a bit of an ass.
"What are you-Holy crap!" Katsuragi yells, practically dashing out of the diner as he can see her appear beside…
Jesus, he's that famous?
"Who-ah." Ikaruga began, "Him. Katsuragi loves his movies, for good reason, they're pretty good." Ikaruga admits while he leaves his burger on his plate.
"I'm gonna go check it out." He says.
"Tell her to come back before her noodles get soggy." Asuka reminds him as he follows after Katsuragi's trail to the movie poster.
"Watcha lookin' at?" He asks, causing the blonde to turn to him, her blue eyes wide in excitement.
"Can you believe it!? He has a new movie coming out, how didn't I know about it!" Katsuragi gushed, "Oh, I can't wait to see it! His last one was so cool, though the ending could have been better, I just wish I could've gone to the opening night."
"Huh…" Caleb mutters. looking at the poster and recognizing the face on it along with the immature jabs the two would throw at each other whenever they could. Though he tended to start them, the man in the poster wasn't any better, goading him to continue and turning it into either a fight or a dojo-wide debate.
"Wait," Katsuragi says, her eyes alit with excitement and disbelief, "You recognize him?"
He trained with the man himself, Josue would be remiss if he couldn't remember someone who beat his ass multiple times. Though it'd be a different issue if he was repeatedly hit on the head, then it'd be a bit more understandable if he forgot him, which he kinda wishes he could on occasion.
"A bit." Caleb relents as Katsuragi's eyes were wide. "What? I might have been too busy traveling to learn some things, but I know others."
"I can't believe it." Katsuragi muttered, grabbing his collar and pulling him in, "Have you seen his movies?"
"Errr, no." Caleb admits as Katsuragi seems appalled, as if the idea that someone didn't watch the movie of her favorite movie star. Personally, it was just as appalling as Caleb finding out that the man that used to bother him in the dojo was now a worldwide famous actor.
Katsuragi whirled to him, leaning forward with her eyes shining with devious intentions. "We've gotta go on a movie marathon one of these days."
"First," Caleb said, pointing at the diner, "you should finish your ramen before-."
"Ah shit, the noodles might get soggy!" Katsuragi cursed now that Ikaruga shouldn't be within earshot as she dashed in the direction, disappearing in a cloud of dust.
Sighing, he follows after her in a sedate pace, entering back and returning to his burger and fries while watching Katsuragi try to deal with the fact that her noodles were soggy. It was fairly amusing.
Though, it wasn't so amusing as Katsuragi beat him in the arcade machines. "Hah!" She yelled as she hit the side of her machine, "Get wrecked!"
On the screen in front of them were two characters, one of them was a beautiful woman with large chest while the other was fairly standard for fighting games. You get two guesses on who's who and one of them doesn't count.
There was also a 'Perfect' splayed on the screen. "What the hell." Caleb muttered, turning to see Katsuragi smugly looking at him, well, there was also something else, but one didn't need to guess what else Katsuragi was feeling most of the time.
Slowly, she brought a leg up his calf as he slapped it away and huffed. "Again." He said, bringing out a coin as Katsuragi smugly looked at him.
"Oho~, if you're so desperate to get your butt kicked, then let's go ahead." She said, smiling as the two were back in the character select, with Caleb far more serious and Katsuragi as amused as ever, even if it did do a good job of hiding the sharpness in her eyes.
Hibari, Asuka, Yagyu, and Ikaruga watched, at first somewhat peeved that Katsuragi has Caleb's attention, except for Yagyu, who's just jealous Caleb has Hibari's attention, before that became genuine interest as he slowly improved.
"C'mon Caleb, use the combo! Combo off of it!" Asuka yelled, practically hopping as she tried to get a better look, her chest practically against the back of Caleb's head.
"But he'll be open for Katsuragi to counter, use your special!" Ikaruga brought up.
"Do your best Caleb, Katsuragi~." Hibari cheered from the sidelines as Katsuragi turned to the pink-haired girl, tears in her eyes.
"Hibari~," Katsuragi started, leaning forward to try and hug Hibari, "you're the only one who's on my side."
Only to be stopped by Yagyu, who only said a few words, "Beat him into a pulp."
For his first time in an arcade, Caleb had fun.