Unselfish Wish

Chapter 14- First Practice

Kiyoshi and Fumiko practiced in a separate, wooded area, rather than the dojo in the basement of Fumiko's house. Kiyoshi was unsure what her power would look like. He knew at the least that she had strong powers of purification, which likely meant that she would be adept at healing. She arrived at the appointed location wearing an odd-looking black outfit. It was a pair of fitted leggings with a slight v waistline, a cropped loose fitting T-shirt, and black running shoes. Her hair was up in a long ponytail. He'd never seen her in anything so revealing, but he had to admit she looked good. Maybe too good, he thought as she bent down to stretch, giving him a bird's eye view of her shapely rear. He quickly looked away, determined to push such thoughts away until later.

"Fumiko, I've, um, never seen that outfit before. It's... unique." He said hoarsely, stuttering slightly. It was mortifying how easily she flustered him without even trying.

"Oh this? Mother chose it when I told her I needed something to practice combat skills in." She said. Aiko-sama, you're a vixen, he thought. "Why, do I look weird?" She looked a little self-conscious as she tugged at the crop top. As someone that had grown up chubby, she lacked confidence in displaying her body. Years of teasing will do that.

"Er, no, not at all. Actually it looks very good. But that is not what we are here for, right?" She blushed, a little embarrassed that she had even asked. "Alright, let's get started shall we?"

They faced each other. She did not have any weapons, but he carried a Boken (wooden practice sword). He was a little irritated. What was she intending to fight with? Although it was possible all she’d have to do is look at him and he’d let her win... He was such a pushover for her, it was ridiculous.

"Um, Fumiko, don't you need a weapon?" She blinked at him, then smiled, quirking a playful brow.

"No. Just watch and see. Don't hold back now." She took a stance that seemed to indicate hand-to-hand combat. Against a sword? Well, he had to find out, he supposed.

He leapt towards her, intending to strike her shoulder. She twirled as though dancing, then she reached behind herself and drew out a katana made of gold, effectively blocking his strike. They were face to face. She smiled and pushed him away. The blade seemed to glow and shimmer. It also had a long, white ribbon that seemed to swirl around her.

"Is that the Honsho Masamune?" He couldn't believe it.

"Oh, you know Byakko's other name?" She smiled cheekily.

"Know Byakko? The god?" He was feeling a little perplexed. If Byakko's soul was guarding her, then she could very well be correct about not needing help.

"Well, as someone who understands the existence of kami why does this notion surprise you? The sword speaks to me, yes." She smiled brightly again. "Shall we continue? Byakko says he has been waiting for a chance to go against you. What does that mean, I wonder?"

He immediately moved in to attack before the damn sword gave anything more away. She moved swiftly, elegantly, and decisively, easily sparring with him on equal footing. He took a moment to gather some basic magic and tried some energy blasts in between strikes. She seemed to bring forth another tool as a shield, but it was very small. He realized that it was a small mirror made of jade, carved like a turtle. Another relic's soul? This time...Genbu?

He didn't have a chance to think beyond that as the ground beneath him seemed to shake, and the very blasts he'd sent were coming back at him from the ground. He dodged them easily, as they weren't especially powerful. Then he looked up and realized she was coming after him again. This time, with a fireball generated from a strand of prayer beads. Suzaku? Just how many protectors did she have?

He could hear the relics' laughter, and he was sure they were enjoying themselves. She stopped suddenly.

"Now, now, there's no need for you to be so rude to my dearest friend. There's certainly no need to laugh at him like that." He decided to take this moment to attack, however a low growl was followed by an icy blast. A large blue dragon swirled around her. Seiryuu as well? This time it was a sash around her waist, which oddly made him jealous. "Now, Kiyoshi, it's not nice to attack without warning!" She ran back into their battle with the four guardians assisting her. An hour later, he was soundly beaten after only being able to use human-level attacks. She leaned over him, her protectors hidden away. She smiled and then held out her hand to help him up. He took it.

"See, I'm safe I promise." He shook his head, somewhat sheepishly.

"You're right, they seem to be very protective of you. How did you obtain such help?"

"Hmm, well, they were presentations from my grandfathers, though I do find it a little odd that such powerful deities have agreed to guard duty for a demigod like me. But they refuse to tell me how the agreement came about." He could hear whispers of minding their own business. She giggled. "See? They are nice though, for all their grumblings."

"I think that has more to do with you than them, honestly." He said sarcastically.

"Oh? It sounds like you know them?" She eyed him curiously. There was something more here he was not telling her.

"Er, no. Just what I've heard in legends and such." He avoided eye contact and she decided to have mercy on him. The secrets of the kami were secrets because those entrusted with the information kept them well.

"What do you say, Kiyoshi? Shall we go get some tea?" She smiled, happy that she had proven herself to Kiyoshi in terms of her battle skills. She had trained rigorously in secret with the guardians. Not for this, but for the growing threat she had sensed even back home in Unnan. They had all asked for and fought over her hand in marriage as well, but she had gently refused them, explaining that her heart was taken. While they had accepted her answer, not just anyone would do. So far, Kiyoshi- no, Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto had their approval. But they weren't planning to let him win easily, and they certainly were not telling her they knew exactly who her special young man was. They had their pride, after all.

"Sure, but please wear my jacket." So saying, he helped her put on the oversize fleece hoodie and zipped it up. This effectively covered her rear and midriff, at least. They went to a little shop in town for tea, avoiding the more popular shops just in case others should run into them. After all, their attire was a bit odd. She was looking at him after they had ordered some tea and cookies when she noticed the dirt on his nose. She giggled. He looked at her, puzzled.

"What is it?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, but you have dirt on your nose."

"Oh." He tried to wipe it but kept missing.

"Here, let me do it." She leaned forward with her handkerchief and wiped it for him. They made eye contact which both held for a solid thirty seconds, only broken by the sound of a bell as another patron entered the shop. She sat abruptly, blushing.

They had tea peacefully, chatting about many things.

So began their twice a week routine of practice and tea. Not quite a date, but Kiyoshi was pleased nonetheless. There were times when he wished he could unleash his true powers so she didn't beat him so thoroughly, but he supposed at least it was a bolster to her confidence. He didn’t consider that perhaps she too, had held back.