Dusk is the dematerialisation of bright yellow-orange rays and a solid indicator that training should cease for the day.
But such rules do not apply when Izumi is in picture. She has been training since the commencement of the workshop two weeks ago. Determination to win swallows water like the thirsty grounds of a desert, and Izumi is perfectly in sync with her audacious mindset.
Tonight, Shisui and Itachi train by her side, another identical routine as the last.
One factor, however, is different. Izumi is going to dodge Shisui's attacks in perfect tandem.
"You only managed to scrape yourself twice so far, Izumi," Shisui calls from somewhere between the trees.
Exhaustion may seep through, but willpower gets her ignoring the pulsating pain that grows by the deep wounds of her shoulder.
"I'll dodge them all this time!" Izumi cries.
And when she turns to give Itachi a nod of approval, someone is standing by his side with the most lifeless expression she has ever seen.
But Izumi recognises her.
At their prolonged silence to the newcomer, Shisui drops from the trees and heads toward them with a peculiar expression.
"Excuse me," the girl says frankly, "But you are hurt, shouldn't you patch yourself up?"
She raises and points a slack finger in Izumi's direction.
"What?"
Izumi's tone sounds contempt, but the brusqueness of her response to such a blunt question is perhaps lending a cold atmosphere to the way she is speaking.
"You are clearly exhausted and hurt. Therefore you must fix that, get better and then continue training later," the girl answers pragmatically.
"I'm fine," Izumi says firmly, "I can continue. I have enough stamina anyways."
"But you're hurt, therefore you need to fix it."
"Just because I'm hurt, it doesn't mean I can't continue training."
She is good at withholding vexed emotions, but this girl is challenging her mode of suppression in a very seamless manner.
"That doesn't seem to make much sense. If you're hurt then you-"
"Honoka, it's not black or white," Shisui interrupts quickly.
"I don't think she understands that," Itachi adds quietly.
There is a brief stillness that crisscrosses in all four directions. Whether the cause is from Honoka's discomfiting stare between Itachi and Izumi, or the fact Shisui seems to know her, Izumi can hardly believe the incredulity of this situation.
"One part of the couple seems to understand," Honoka says pensively, and she nods at Itachi.
"Couple?" Izumi blinks.
"Yes, couple. You and him-"
"Honoka! There's an amazing art exhibition I'd like you to see," Shisui interjects uneasily, "We better get going or we will miss it. Sorry guys, training's done for tonight."
He takes her by the shoulder and shifts her from the tense quietude.
"Must we see such thing at this hour?" Honoka asks.
"Hold on, what do you mean by couple?" Izumi demands.
But Shisui gives her a brief wave to indicate their departure, leaving a score of sheepish edginess between them.
x
There is too much unspoken embarrassment that infiltrates their space.
Honoka's comment leaves a gaping hole of sheer awkwardness that intensifies the longer they stay silent.
"Erm…I'm sure she didn't mean anything by that," Izumi says tentatively.
But Itachi is deeply glazed, as if reality has disappeared and his state of mind exists only in another world.
Izumi keeps quiet. She wonders if Itachi's mind is hovering over their presence, or that another issue - perhaps the coup d'etat - is getting a hold of his conscious.
When Izumi gently taps his shoulder, Itachi instantly breaks from the heavy reverie.
"Sorry, Izumi, I must have zoned out," he states.
"No matter," she answers, "I supposed we should go on home now."
Her tone turns abnormally dismissive, yet Izumi is unsure of its origin. But Itachi knows her well, because he turns and gives the briefest smile of reassurance.
"We can still continue to train, I know how much you want to get those dodges right," he says.
His offer sends a wave of exhilarating energy through her. Suddenly she feels alive, awakened.
"Really?"
He nods.
"I don't know what to say," she continues appreciatively.
"It is important to you. I understand your position," he replies.
At his comment, there is the briefest of moment Izumi is raising her arms in the air, an unconscious effort to embrace him out of gratitude. And perhaps Itachi is aware of that microsecond attempt, because he stalls and swiftly turns away.
On Izumi's end, she is uncertain of its meaning, but the awkward hesitation does little to deter her mood.
She is going to get the dodging right without a scratch.