The First Lessons (Training/Vesta and Tsukuyomi/PG-13)

[Vesta Zweig]

Vesta was off of school again and walking home. Her friends had noticed a bounce in her step lately. They, of course, were curious as to why she seemed happier all of a sudden. She would try her best to avoid the question, by changing the topic or start to talk about the homework for the day. It got to the point that she avoided answering so much that her friends just stopped asking about it, but still telling her that they were happy that whatever it was made her seem happier and they wished her well.

Even if she told them the full truth, they would never believe her. First of all, she had a new friend, which they would believe. Second, he was a shinigami, which they would then start to question, thinking that he might have a really weird job title or that she was dating someone a lot older than her, which from his appearance wasn't the case. Then, if they asked where he lived and she would say that he lived in Soul Society, aka Heaven, and it was his duty to kill hollows, aka demons, they wouldn't believe her.

More than likely, they would stare at her with open mouths and think that she was truly insane. If she even told them the truth about herself, how she was a Bount and had the ability to call forth a power called a doll and would then summon Zorn, they would at first not believe her. But, the proof of Zorn in their faces, they would more than likely believe her and then, knowing her friends, would want to ride the tiger doll and she was pretty sure Zorn wouldn't approve. 

So, she avoided and never told her friends the real truth about her. She knew that they wouldn't fully understand her, but she didn't mind. They still treated her like a friend and were genuinely concerned about her. It was enough for her. Besides, her father knew about her power and accepted her, since he was a Bount as well. But, what made her the most okay with everything was Tsukuyomi. It turned out that they were exactly the same in one important aspect.

They both had what Jin had called sinner chains. It signified them as Nakkabakki, half demons. He was half shinigami while she was half Bount. It was weird that the first spiritual friend she made turned out to be like her. It was because of this similarity that she seemed to grow closer to him. Also, what happened when they last met, it made her blush just thinking about it. Coming close to home, she took a breath and walked through the door, being greeted by her father.

She immediately went to work on her schoolwork while her father started to cook her dinner. After about an hour, she finished all her schoolwork and ran into the kitchen to hug her father tightly, which was now the routine for her after school. He smiled, patting her head and hugging back just as tight. She quickly ate her meal and told him that she was out to adventure again. When he asked if she would be okay, she turned and smiled. "Of course! I have Zorn with me now!"

He smiled, nodded and waved. She ran out of the door towards the forest. While she was gone, her father was mulling over some thoughts he had. The last few days she had been adventuring outside more than normal. It was ever since that day a week ago, when she came back happier than normal. He was curious as to what was going on, but he didn't want to pry. It wasn't affecting her schoolwork and he didn't really have the ground to stand on, because he still hadn't told her the full truth about herself or her race. He would be content to wait till she told him.

She ran out to the forest, skipping while she went. Ever since that day, she had been very impatient, hoping to see Tsukuyomi the next day. When it didn't happen, she came the next day and then the next. So far, it had been one solid week and no sign of him. She knew that he was busy with his work and couldn't just come whenever, but she hated the waiting. So, after about a half hour of wandering around in the forest, she sat down under a tree, looking up at the sky. Her thoughts wandered about this new boy and while she was thinking about it, she drifted off to sleep.

[Tsukuyomi Kawada]

Tsukuyomi walked right through the woods listening all over for the sounds of the tiny animals. He could hear birds and squirrels as they flew off branches and jumped from them to another or to the ground. The leaves on the ground made a constant sound in the back of his attention that just as present as he made his way back towards Vesta's house. He hadn't seen the young girl in about a week now and or some reason felt the need to check up on her.

He made his way over towards here they ad spoken after he got hurt by the hollow and hear t sound of a soft breathe being taken. It too a moment, but Tsukuyomi realized that it was Vesta and made his way over toward her. She was obviously asleep so Tsukuyomi made his way right in front of her and crouched down in front of her and then poked her in the forehead. "Hey wake up. You're still in danger when outside dummy." Tsukuyomi just gave her a slight smile as he faced her waiting for her to wake up.

[Vesta Zweig]

Vesta was sleeping soundly under the tree. She was so deep asleep that she didn't even hear Tsukuyomi walk up to her. She did feel something poke on her head. Right after the poke, she stirred, swatting at whatever hit her head. She then murmured and said, "Just five more minutes daddy, please. I just want five more minutes before I wake up for school." She murmured again and started to roll onto her side. She was awake enough at this point to feel the bark on her face while she rolled over. It didn't hit her for a few seconds.

When it did, she quickly opened her eyes and bolted upright. She then barely recalled someone telling her to wake up, still being in danger when she was outside. She immediately rubbed her eyes and looked up. When she saw Tsukuyomi there with a smile on her face, her own face lit up. Of course, he would never see it. A huge grin spread across her face as she quickly got to her feet. When she was standing up, she quickly walked over to Tsukuyomi and hugged him tightly. While in the hug, she spoke to him. "TSUKI! How are you doing? Do you feel better than last time? What brings you here?"

[Tsukuyomi Kawada]

Tsukuyomi was facing Vesta yet due to his blindness he wasn't able to see her sleepy face. He could hear the sound of her moving over the bark of the tree. Tsukuyomi moved his arms up swiftly and positioned them on her sides of her arms keeping her from falling. It seemed that Vesta was not someone that could just wake up immediately and be fine. Even if she normally could right now he wasn't to it appeared that Tsukuyomi had caught her at the best time to point out how careless she was being.

Vesta it seemed was trying to wake up rubbing her eyes over and over again. Next thing he knew he felt Vesta hugging him tightly. She suddenly just started asking question after question without pausing to allow him to answer. After she was done actually talking Tsukuyomi decided to speak. "I do feel better then the last time I was here Vesta. I came y to check up on you and it seems you're still allowing yourself to be a target. After last time I would have thought you would have at least summoned Zorn while you slept."

[Vesta Zweig]

Vesta pressed her face into his shoulder, blushing slightly and enjoying being around him again. When he started to speak, she ended the hug, keeping her hands on his shoulders while he spoke to her. She smiled when he said that he was feeling better than last time. It seemed that wherever he went had actually helped him with his injury, which she was happy about. She could only assume that where he went was something like a hospital. She wanted to feel his chest to see if the injury was actually gone, but she felt that it was too much to do against him.

He then said that she was still allowing herself to become a target. Well, thinking back on it, he was right. She pretty much did leave herself wide open to an attack from any direction, just because she felt tired. She also didn't even think about it, but she had to think about it now. She knew about Hollows now, and if she looked at one long enough, they would notice her and start to come after her. She would need to be prepared and he was right, that she should've summoned Zorn before she fell asleep. "You are right Tsuki, I should've done that. But, why did you want to check up on me? I didn't know that shinigami regularly checked up on people they saved before."

[Tsukuyomi Kawada]

Tsukuyomi thought it was strange that Vesta was still keeping contact with him even after the two of them had just met back up after a week. For some reason though the fact that she was still keeping her hands on his shoulders was making his chest feel warm. Tsukuyomi had no clue why he was feeling like that just from her touch. He had to keep his head straight he was a Shinigami even now after learning that he was part demon. Vesta was part demon too and that meant that the two of them had to look after one another so that was why he was here right now it wasn't for any other reason . . or at least that was what he kept telling himself.

"Well at least she is more admitting now." Tsukuyomi was caught off guard by her questioning his reasoning for checking up on her. His face took on a more serious expression for a moment while he came to the conclusion. "Shinigami don't . . friends do." Tsukuyomi smiled as he walked over to the tree and then sat down slowly. He took his zanpakuto from his waist and rested it against the bark of the tree. He had finally gotten and friend and that was something he wouldn't allow to split through his fingers not like what had happened with his mother.

[Vesta Zweig]

Vesta smiled when he called her a friend. She had always thought of him as such, and after the last meeting they had, she was happy to say that he was the closest friend she had. It was nice to actually hear him say the word friend. She watched as he sat down next to the tree, almost like she had before she fell asleep. He took his sword off and rested it against the tree as well. She thought it curious they he just go ahead and sit by the tree.

Vesta slowly walked over, and sat down next to him by the tree. When she did sit, she scooted closer to him so that her right arm and his left arm was touching. She had a little blush on her face, but she never knew why she always wanted to be close to him. It was weird but nice at the same time. "So friend, why did you want to check up on me now? I'm half expecting a hollow to appear with the luck you've been having around me." While she said that, she rested her head on his left shoulder, waiting for an answer.

[Tsukuyomi Kawada]

Leaning against he bark of the tree wasn't something that Tsukuyomi found uncomfortable like many other people would claim. The blind half demon boy had for some reason always loved nature and pretty much everything about it. Even right now the smell of the trees around them was pleasant and warming to his demeanor. It was just something that seemed to lays have a positive effect on hi attitude and right now he as happier then he had been since his mother ad passed away. He hadn't really thought about it though and only realize now that it was probably because he wasn't alone anymore.

That was when Tsukuyomi had heard the sound of Vesta walking over towards him. It was a few more moments then he felt Vesta next to him and her arm brush against his own arm. Tsukuyomi's face was out in a stiff nervous expression. It made no sense why did he always start to sweat and panic when Vesta got close to him. Tsukuyomi couldn't help, but feel his heart pounding the sound of every thud echoing in his ears as his face caught a blush and he fought off the nervous sensation. That was when it go way worse. Vesta rested her head on his shoulder.

What Vesta said made Tsukuyomi grin slightly at the fact that every time the two of them had crossed paths it was due to a hollow attacking her. Well right no she wasn't under attack yet she had made a mistake that could have led to such a thing occurring yet again. There was no reason to restate that though she had admitted her naivety openly this time and would learn from it he hoped. "Well for right now you just have to deal with me. I came to make sure you have been trying to get stronger and not lazing around. Seems goo that I cam when I did."

[Vesta Zweig]

Vesta took a big sigh as she rested her head on Tsuki's shoulder. She was surprised that he hadn't said anything about her shortening his name at all. He seemed like the type to complain about something like that, but it honestly didn't matter. Just resting her head on his shoulder was nice, even nicer than when she did it with her father. There was just something about him that made her feel different...

But, she listened to what he said and took her head off his shoulder to listen better. She smiled lightly as she saw the blush there on his face. Deal with him? What in the world was he talking about? She didn't have to 'deal' with him, she liked his company. He wanted to make sure that she was trying to get stronger and not being lazy. Well, on that front, she was trying, he just caught her at a bad time.

She then gently grabbed his face and pulled it to face her own. She then leaned her head in so that both of their foreheads touched, like the last time they met. She smiled as she spoke again. "I don't have to 'deal' with you, I like spending time with you Tsuki. With the training, you just caught me at a lax time right now. Though, if you would like, I would love to get some help in making me stronger. Would you like to help me Tsuki?" She was blushing from the contact, which she figured he would be able to feel through her skin, but she didn't care. It was just something about him that made her want to be around him all the time.

[Tsukuyomi Kawada]

Tsukuyomi felt Vesta's head move off of his shoulder and when that happened he rotated his shoulders a bit making sure that neither were stiff. It seemed that Vesta was more tired or at lest still waking up then Tsukuyomi had thought. She still seemed tired as she let out a sigh which was slightly like a yawn at the same time. It didn't matter she needed to wake up and start training for real or else Tsukuyomi feared he wouldn't be able to find her the next time.

The next thing he knew Vesta's hands were on the sides of his face and she was holing him like that. It was only a moment later hen Tsukuyomi felt something flat press against his forehead. It was warm and familiar and he realized that Vesta was pressing their foreheads together like he had done to her last time that he had seen her. "Why is she doing this right now I'm not leaving yet." Tsukuyomi was puzzled due to using this symbol as assign of goodbye yet she was using it for something else. . .

It seemed that Vesta wasn't one that didn't like his company. He felt that was quite different no one had ever really liked to be around him other then his mother. Almost everyone else had treated him like a curse and just stayed away from him while calling out hurtful things directed towards his blindness. Vesta was different and more like him then he knew even now with the knowledge of them both being part demon. Vesta ten asked if Tsukuyomi would help her get stronger which caused Tsukuyomi to grin widely.

He pulled back from Vesta breaking her hold on his face. He stood upwards right away and started to walk over away from the tree. He walked about five feet and then stopped turned around and looked at Vesta with a serious expression. "Alright f you want me to help you get stronger then you're going toned to realize I'm going to be harsh. I can't let you slack off even at the start or else you won' get as strong as possible." Tsukuyomi ginned though signaling to Vesta that it was all for the better.

[Vesta Zweig]

Vesta was enjoying the feeling of his forehead on hers. It was actually kind of calming to her. Though, she still didn't understand why she wanted to be close to him. She did enjoy his company, yes, but she was still young. She was young enough to not really realize what was happening between them and sheltered enough to not even think that something like that could actually be happening between them.

Once she finished talking, though, he pulled back from her hold and stood up immediately. He walked away from the tree, almost with a purpose, leaving Vesta to sit by the tree alone. Once he got about five feet away, she turned around and looked towards her. She immediately recognized that expression. It was one he wore on his face while he was in the middle of a fight, all serious and stern.

It was different from the new face that he had been showing her. Though, he spoke that if she wanted his help, she would have to realize that he's going to be harsh. He didn't want her to slack off or else she wouldn't get as strong as possible. She nodded and then saw his grin reappear, which made her smile. So, he was going to be tough but fair, she could live with that. She quickly got up from the tree and took a few steps towards him. "Alright Tsuki, that's fair. Is this training going to involve my doll as well or just me?"

[Tsukuyomi Kawada]

Tsukuyomi listened and heard the sounds of Vesta standing up from where she had been leaning against the tree just like him only a few moments ago. It was strange though it seemed that Vesta had no talent for masking the sounds that she made when moving. That or she wasn't trying, but with what Tsukuyomi already knew about her it seemed more that she just never was trained to hinder the sounds she causes when moving so stealth is not her forte. It was then that she asked if the training was going to be just n her or if it would involve her doll Zorn also.

Tsukuyomi thought that over for a moment. It was true that she had a large creature that she could summon that would aid her in battle and possible just fight instead of her whenever danger arrived. Yet the fact that last time Zorn had told Tsukuyomi that he would most likely have lost to the hollow ifhe hadn't been there to aid him in protecting Vesta and killing the hollow. "No this training must focus on developing your own talents separate from Zorn. You can't rely on him entirely or else eventually that will be your downfall."

Tsukuyomi was very serious right now and sound in an empathetic manner that seemed to be covered in a stern steel. He cared for Vesta and whether he would admit it or not she was the only person he could call a friend or someone that could make him feel sorrow if she was taken from existence like his mother. "I'll teach you how to defeat and attack with your body not your powers." It was going to take awhile, but Tsukuyomi was ready to try his best in helping Vesta learn the ways of a martial art.

[Vesta Zweig]

Vesta stood and waited to see what the answer would be to her question. She had assumed that it would be with just her and not her doll, but she wanted to ask anyway, just to be on the safe side. Her training with Jin was unique, since he was also a Bount and had her doll attack him first before they did anything else. She was still impressed that he was able to hold off Zorn without the use of his own doll. She wanted to be that strong.

He then answered that this training would be separate from her doll, focusing solely on her abilities and making herself stronger. He brought up the good point that she can't just keep relying on him all the time to fight for her or else that could be her biggest downfall. She nodded in agreement, more to herself than towards Tsukuyomi, since he couldn't see her anyway. She needed to get strong herself and stop relying on others, even if it meant Zorn.

She squeezed her locket once before she let her hand fall away from it, almost as if to say sorry that he wouldn't be coming out to participate in the fighting. She still didn't know how she could talk to him without words, she had just assumed it was some kind of telepathy, and she was always curious if it worked while he was still in the locket. She would need to figure that out sometime soon.

Besides that, she looked to Tsuki, who still seemed as stern as ever. Though, she thought she could hear a little bit of worry in him at the fact that she really didn't know how to defend herself. She then dismissed it as something she must've imagined and took a deep breath while he said that he would teach her how to defeat and attack with her body. She shook her limbs loose and stood loosely with her hands at her sides. "Alright Tsuki, I'm ready when you are."

[Tsukuyomi Kawada]

Tsukuyomi heard the sound of Vesta grabbing at her locket and holding it in her hands. Tsukuyomi assumed that the locket was somewhere a way to communicate with Zorn or somehow summon him. It couldn't be something that her other biological partner namely her mother wore simply because she was like him. Both of them only had one true partner that had been there for them so her mom was the demon and couldn't have left behind that locket which left the theory of it being linked to Zorn. It wasn't so far out there that it was impossible. It made just as much sense as a zanpakuto so Tsukuyomi went with that assumption.

Next thing he knew he heard the sound of Vesta stretching and getting ready for physical activity. Well at least her head was in the game right now which meant that training her right now was probably the best time possible. So that was it Vesta said she was ready to be trained. Tsukuyomi felt that training Vesta on the spot was the best way to go about it. Tell her nothing and just see how she would react and hope that she had enough inner fire like he believed that she would attack back and not simply be afraid.

Rushing forwards Tsukuyomi stepped fast extending his right leg out slightly to far and then doing the same with his left making himself close the distance slower while giving Vesta enough time that she would effectively gather what was going on. When he actually got in front of her his left leg came up from the ground and his righ leg bent downwards lowering his center of gravity and altering his balance. Vesta would a moment later be struck with his left foot against her right shoulder.

[Vesta Zweig]

Vesta thought that she was ready for what Tsukuyomi was going to throw at her, but she wasn't completely ready, really. She honestly had no idea what to think. She did think, before he did anything, that he would tell her what was going on before he did anything, since they were friends. So, she stood, waiting to hear something from him. She waited and waited and he didn't say anything.

Instead, he just started to run towards her. At first, she was pretty bewildered. She had no idea what he was going to do, since he hadn't even explained what was going on. He just started to run towards her. She had kind of seen him fight, so she assumed that he was running in for an attack. He wasn't running very fast, which made her think that he was doing it on purpose to show her what he was going to do.

She watched him, trying to figure out what was going on. She did notice that he was starting to bend his right knee. The only thing she could think of was that maybe that he was going to kick her. She moved her right arm up and turned her torso, trying to block the kick. It avoided her shoulder, but she still took the full force of the kick on her right arm. She would try to grab his left leg to retaliate and then try a punch to it with her right hand.