Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Love Affair ❯ The Separation ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10

Hitomi sat on Dilandau's bed watching patiently as Dilandau and Merle took part in a staring… or rather, glaring contest. She sighed and lay back, rolling onto her side. She closed her eyes and pulled the covers up to her chin. It was going to be a long day…

"Can't I just kill her?" Dilandau asked, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword.

Merle just rolled her eyes and sat down on the bed next to Hitomi, "Try it, Mr. `I'm so tough man.' Hitomi won't let you kill me, right Hitomi?" Merle stuck her tongue out at Dilandau and curled under the covers next to Hitomi. Hitomi just groaned and sat up looking apologetically at Dilandau.

He glared at her and turned toward the door, "You and me talk. Now." He punched in the code and walked out into the hall waiting for Hitomi to join him. She reluctantly threw off the covers and followed him out into the hall. Dilandau locked the door behind them and took her hand, dragging her down the hall. He made his way to the training rooms with Hitomi in tow. She didn't struggle but had a slightly annoyed look across her features. She didn't know where they were going and well… he didn't seem to be saying anything just yet so she just decided to enjoy the quiet.

They passed a few dragon slayers and Dilandau signaled them over and they lined up one by one behind them, following their leader. They didn't complain or looked confused. It seemed like a normal routine thing and they were used to it, expected it. Eventually after a few turns, they stopped in front of a door and he turned the doorknob. He pulled her in and waited as all the slayers lined up in front of him, silent and ready.

Hitomi looked around, eyeing the many weapons adorning the front wall. There were collapsible doors that would come together it seemed to cover up the weapons as the opponents fought. It was a closet, pretty much. Some of the weapons were dull from overuse and others were only slightly worn and still pretty sharp and dangerous, looking as if they had only been used a few times. The room was very spacious and there were curtains covering the walls. Her brows scrunched together in confusion as she walked over to the heavy dark curtains. She pulled it back to see her reflection staring back at her and she jumped back in mild surprise a faint pinkish tint on her cheeks from embarrassment. But no one noticed her as Dilandau nodded at the lined up group of young men. They all went to the front wall and took their weapons, broke off and split, half going to either side of the room. The curtains were pulled back and they waited as Dilandau grabbed his own weapon.

Hitomi watched silently as Dilandau put down the sword he normally carried and took one from the wall. It was very worn but beautiful. Rubies adorned the hilt and the blade shone despite its dull appearance. He looked at Hitomi and stood in the middle of the room.

"Today you will watch. After the session, you will choose your weapon." He took a defense stance, "Gatti, Miguel and Chesta. Attack!"

The three slayers obediently took their weapons and circled around their leader preparing their strategies with slight nods at the other. There was a mutual understanding with the quick glances and nods given to each other and finally, Miguel surged forward his own sword clanging against Dilandau's sending sparks flying.

Hitomi stepped back and watched, fascinated as the other two charged in a series of slashes and twists. Hair flew with swishes and the harsh sounds of rough breathing filled the air as the young men around the room all started to sweat with tension. Obviously this was done on a regular basis because when blood flew from a gash on Gatti's arm, nobody flinched. Gatti ignored the pain and kept his attack going. The three of them were unbelievably skilled but nonetheless they were still far from Dilandau's skill.

And then, after their many slashes and grunts, it was over. Chesta lay sprawled on the floor with Dilandau's sword against his neck and the other two stood back looking worriedly at their leader. Dilandau nodded at the two of them and they went back to their respective sides.

"Get up!" Dilandau growled at Chesta. He immediately stood, fear splayed in his eyes. Dilandau calmly brought his sword down to his side and looked at his student, "Good…" He said… and then backhanded the poor boy. Chesta stumbled back slightly, his hand coming to cover his bruised cheek, "But not good enough. Everyone," He turned and looked at Hitomi who stood leaning against the wall, shock clearly splayed on her pretty features, "Meet tomorrow at ten. Dismissed!"

The slayers put their weapons back in the closet and shuffled out of the room. Gatti only now seemed to notice his injury and held it as blood dripped steadily from it. Dilandau turned to him, "Gatti, go to the infirmary. Get that patched up and I expect to see you here tomorrow no later than midday. Understood?"

"Yes, Lord Dilandau. Thank you." Gatti replied and hurried down the hall.

The door closed with a small click and Hitomi looked at Dilandau. He was sweating and he looked down at the floor where Gatti's blood was splayed. He grimaced slightly and cleaned his sword with his shirt before pulling it over his head. Hitomi held back a gasp as her eyes drunk in the sight of his perfect physic. The sweat made his body gleam in the faint light of the room and he just looked so… so… so fucking sexy!

Using his shirt he wiped the floor and cleared the blood. He never liked the sight of blood in this room. He could handle the sight of blood everywhere else but is this room… in this room it drove him crazy. He picked up his shirt and threw it into one of the corners placing his weapon back on the wall. He turned and gestured toward the selection, "Choose your weapon."

Hitomi walked over to the wall, gazing at the variety of deadly artillery before her. Some were absolutely beautiful despite their dangerous gleams but a set caught her eye. Two well-endowed silver daggers gleamed provocatively at her. Dragons decorated the hilt and where the eyes were, there were two brilliant emeralds. The daggers themselves were sharp and pointed looking as though they had been used several times but not recently, almost as if they held a history of their own. Carefully, she picked them up, running her fingertips along the edge of the sharp blade. She pulled her finger back quickly when a slight stinging erupted on her index finger. Blood seeped out of a thin but deep wound on her finger and she looked at it entranced.

"Still sharp…" She whispered and stepped back, sticking the injured finger into her mouth.

Dilandau grumbled something and took her finger, sticking it into his own mouth, "Will you be careful? Stupid girl…" He practically dragged her to the corner and picked up his shirt, ripping off a little piece. Taking her finger out of his mouth, he wrapped the wound in the makeshift band-aid and dragged them back to the wall, taking another set of daggers for himself.

"Keep those. They seem to suit you but take care of them… They belonged to my… someone…" He trailed off and closed the closet leaving them in a room surrounded by mirrors, "First lesson with your weapon: Stance and basic technique."

He held the daggers loosely in his hands, blades running down along his wrists and the hilts held firmly in his hands, "This is basically if you want to hurt people but not kill them. Use the hilts to strike and keep the blade in line with your arms, like this."

He showed her and took a stance, feet slightly apart and one arm poised near his head and the other near his side almost like a karate stance. She followed his actions and took her position, facing him.

"Right… No, no! Don't press the blade against your skin or you'll cut yourself! Wait! No! Not like that!" He groaned and stepped behind her, taking her hands and positioning them and fixing the blades.

"Like this?" She looked at her stance in the mirrors and held the blades like he showed her, his form slightly pressing against her from behind. He stepped back and circled her.

"Yes." He took the daggers from her and set them in the shelf, "It seems we have a lot more work to do with you than I thought. Do you have any basic training at all?"

Hitomi grinned sheepishly, grinning nervously, "Ano… not really…" She replied laughing nervously.

"Well then, I'll have to train you in the basic defenses, attacks, and then we shall advance to weapons. At least now we know what may interest you and how I can better train you to use your weapon." He took his own daggers from the floor and put them away. He took off his shoes and chucked them to the side.

"Lesson one: Defense." He charged at her suddenly and she backed away, grimacing as she awaited the impact… but it never came. She opened her eyes and saw him frowning at her.

"What!" She cried out throwing her hands up and scowling at him.

"Defense, I said. First stance, remember it." He took stance and showed her different ways to defend against incoming attacks. Soon enough he charged again and she avoided the attack. Obviously, he toned his skills down drastically but still used some edge to motivate her. They went on for hours, and she tried her best to remember and use the techniques he showed her. Her diligence soon overtook her after the first few attacks and she tuned out things around her as she focused on her attacker and things that might interfere with her training.

Her breathing became labored and she broke out into a sweat, swiftly dodging his numerous advances and jumping over sweeping legs when he tried to trip her again. She had fallen the first time but learned from her mistakes observing not only his advances but also the different ways he maneuvered himself. Finally he stopped and they stood breathing hard and sweating in the room.

"Enough for today. We will resume tomorrow. You're a quick learner. Soon enough, you'll be able to match wits with my dragon slayers. It may take a few months, though." He placed his shoes back on and grabbed his shirt headed for the door.

Hitomi looked partially shocked, "Months!"

He turned back, "Of course. These techniques are not learned in a matter of days. It takes time and practice. It takes diligence and pain. You also need to gain more muscle on you although your legs are quite strong. Not only that, you run pretty fast. Come. It's late and we still need to talk about that bitch in my room."

Hitomi sighed. He body was aching and she was sticky and smelly. She needed a shower and she had forgotten that Merle was with them. Now she had to deal with an overly annoying cat girl. She groaned and let her head drop, "I need a shower…"

"Later. First, we need to know if she'll be staying with us. I refuse to take her back because Van will be waiting for us. Now, we just need to figure out where she's going to sleep…" He walked on thinking to himself when he suddenly stopped an evil smile gracing his features, "You came to learn the ways of battle. In order for her to stay, she will also be required to train. She will share a room with my Dragon Slayers. They will teach her as I am teaching you and she will be treated as one of the guys. Understood?"

Hitomi stopped during his suggestions… or rather his commands. Her temper rose, "Absolutely not! She's sixteen and she's got raging hormones and if she trains, she might get hurt. She doesn't act her age and she's irresponsible and I won't allow you to-"

"Won't allow?" He mocked, turning to face her, "And just who are you to tell me what to do? I control most of this ship. I'm second in command to Lord Folken and my orders will not be questioned!"

She stepped forward, her eyes glaring at him with defiance, "You are free to do with me as you please, but I won't allow anything to happen to her, Got that… Lord Dilandau?" She sneered at him even against the most resentful glare he shot back at her.

"I will do with you AND her as I please. Understood? And she WILL bunk with Gatti and Miguel! That is, unless you also want to join the dragon slayers yourself? If so, I would gladly pair you up with… Chesta perhaps?" He challenged, a satisfied look in his eyes when her jaw dropped.

Hitomi clenched her hands, more than ever just wanting to kill the bastard in front of her, "Fine! But instead, I'll bunk with Gatti and Miguel and Merle will bunk with Chesta. Okay? Okay! Deal!"

`Ha! He's sure not getting any tonight! Whoa… Where in the hell did that thought come from?" She shook her head and smirked triumphantly at Dilandau's scowl.

"Fine… You and she will be dealt with just as the other slayers are…" He threatened slowly.

"You don't treat me like the others. That's unfair. I will take her punishments. You are not to harm her in any way. And I do understand the consequences of my actions. I am willing to accept these terms."

He scowled, his own nature kicking in, "I'll bring you and that girl to your rooms. I expect to see the both of you at eight tomorrow. Since you are not advanced in battle, you will both require extra training. More than likely, the other slayers will end up teaching the girl, and I will deal with you."

"Fine. Lead the way to my new room… and the showers?" She asked rather hesitantly.

Dilandau smirked, "Did I forget to mention? The slayers shower together in a big shower room. You and the girl will be given your uniform tomorrow and I will send someone tonight for your measurements."

Hitomi paled, "WHAT! A SHOWER ROOM! YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!"