Haru groaned, as she rolled out of bed, the crumpled trash of a water bottle falling off of her chest, staggering to her feet and staggering sideways, catching herself on the wall, opening one eye, emerald orb shining with a dull desire… for more sleep, probably.
-
Thud, Haru hit the mat, groaning, blood leaking from her left nostril, gritting her teeth.
"Don't you think you're going too hard?"
"No," Aurelia snapped. "You joined the most prestigious private military in the world. Stand up. Now."
-
Thud. Haru hit the mat.
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Thud. Haru hit the mat.
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Thud. Haru hit the mat.
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Thud. Haru hit the mat.
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Thud. Haru hit the mat.
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Thud. Haru hit the mat.
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Thud. Haru hit the mat.
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Thud. Haru hit the mat.
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Thud. Haru hit the mat.
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Thud. Haru hit the mat.
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Thud. Haru hit the mat and bounced, spinning and throwing a punch at the side of Aurelia's head; the half succubus, caught off guard, stumbled. Haru pushed, slamming her fist into Aurelia's jaw, stomach, before the ginger recovered, catching Haru's wrist, spinning the girl and throwing her.
Thud.
-
"You learn fast," Aurelia laughed as Fox spun through the air thrice, her foot connecting with Aurelia's guard and sending the girl staggering. Still, Fox managed to stick the landing, aiming a savage kick at the backs of Aurelia's knees, only to spin away from Aurelia's next strike.
"Your strikes," Aurelia grunted, grabbing Fox by the ankle and hauling. The younger girl soared in an arc over her head and slammed into the mat so hard that she bounced back up, crying out in pain, only for Aurelia raise her leg and kick with such force that Fox flew back, rolling across the floor several paces. "They lack technique. You're scrabbling like an animal in the street."
"Ergh…" Fox rolled her eyes, slowly pushing herself up to her hands and knees. How is Haru's learning going…?"
"She has a scary amount of strength," Aurelia shrugged. "The one time she punched me, I had to excuse myself moments later to spit blood into the sink. She has huge potential, but even less technique than you. I'm taking my time with teaching her."
"What do you mean?"
"You're fast, and that's likely going to serve you more than speed will. Haru, though; she's strong, and while I can teach reflexes, I cannot teach innate speed. I want to take my time and teach her how to direct that strength; she is starting with less of a mind for combat than you. Now, focus on yourself- battles are not won by comparing yourself to any warrior but the one in front of you."
"Right…"
-
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
Haru caught Aurelia's wrist in her hand and yanked the fairy forward, slamming her head forward into Aurelia's forehead with everything she had, then ripped forward again, throwing Aurelia across the mats. The succubus rolled to her feet and flashed forward; Haru ate the charge, planting her feet and resisting the momentum, bringing Aurelia to a stop, only to find her world spinning, slamming into the mats again with dizzying force.
"WRONG!!! USE MY MOMENTUM! AGAIN!" Aurelia grinned manically, bouncing on the balls of her feet. She raised her leg, and Haru grabbed it, pulling hard, yanking Aurelia forward. This time, she didn't push, she spun; bringing Aurelia around and landing her on the ground, hand tightening around the tanned girl's throat. Aurelia's eyes widened, and she jerked her head, biting the top of Haru's hand, hard, then planting her feet and sending the snow-and-ash-haired woman flying, rolling over the mats.
"Hey! What's going on in here!!" A young man with a shock of pink curls, and a taller, much more masculine man; scarred, thick blonde beard, and gray eyes that might have held the stories of a billion years, for their fatigue. Au contraire, the twink beside him was grinning as if he'd just had too much sugar and a hug from mommy. It was him who'd spoke, Haru realized, blood pouring down her hand slowly as he shoved a pair of glasses higher onto his nose.
"Hey. Who're you two?" Haru winced, as she climbed to her feet, and both of the young men walked forward, the twink ignoring Aurelia completely, the man with close-cut blonde hair giving her a small nod.
"My name is Lif," The blonde man spoke with a warm voice, and a deadpan expression, extending a hand. Understanding, Haru reached up to shake, gripping his hand and hauling herself to her feet.
"Sorry about the blood," She muttered, gazing up at him- god, he's as tall as a mountain-
"It is okay," Lif replied warmly, smiling slightly. "My name is Lif. I am intelligence- recon, scouting. At times, I may meet you in the field to provide an assist. It is a pleasure; and it is true, what Aurelia said. You throw punches with the weight of a bear."
"Do I? My status page thing said I'm nothing special; a lesser demon."
"Well, lesser demons can be strong. If that is all you have, then use it," Lif shrugged, smiling a bit more broadly now.
"Alright himbo, let me introduce myself!!" The one with pink hair grinned, waving. "I'm Ica. I won't see you in the field, I stay on cams, but you know, I can still be helpful! Your man in the sky-"
"Right." Lif snorted, covering his mouth. "Man. You could date a woman, my friend, who likes pink sweaters, miniskirts, and lace panties. Then, still, you would not be the man in the relationship."
"Okay so first off, screw you," Ica glared, crossing his arms. "I am a man, duh-"
"Haru here is more of a man than you, and she has tits bigger than my muscles- and she wears sports bra," Lif objected, his voice reasonable, almost playful. "You, my friend- you are just girl. Cute girl, pink hair. Like baby doll." Haru, looking on, started to snigger, covering her mouth, and the sound seemed to draw the two men out of their small argument.
"Well, nice to meet you," Ica huffed, already turning, storming off, hands balled into fists.
"Indeed. It was nice to meet you," Lif smiled that small, awkward smile from before and stretched, laughing. "May I train with you? I would like to spar with you, to see your progress. I am… slower than Aurelia."
"Uh…" Haru looked sideways at the tan succubus where she knelt, and Aurelia shrugged, as if to say 'Do whatever you want'. "Sure, I'd love to!"
"Excellent," Lif chuckled, grabbing Haru by the throat and turning, throwing her through the air. Haru's eyes widened; she didn't hit the floor and roll, she hit the wall, seeing stars.
"What the-" She wheezed, landing on her feet, swaying. "I thought you were recon!!"
"Recon is strong!!! Come, fight me," Lif grinned wickedly, now, walking forward with his arms splayed, and Haru, eyes widening, darted forward; but she was sloppy, and Lif chopped the side of her head, staggering her.
"Ah! See," Lif laughed, and punched Haru in the back, sending her staggering forward onto her hands and knees. Before she could recover, he was there, kicking her in the ribs and sending her rolling. "You must learn to adapt to each enemy; you cannot fight me the way that you fight Aurelia, little badger!!"
Right. That makes sense, Haru winced, coughing, trying to stand up, but she fell, blood spilling off her bottom lip, head spinning.
"Get a healer!!" Aurelia's voice reached her through the haze before she went dark, collapsing, conscious of the peaceful embrace of unconscious ripping at her.
"The healer will save you regardless- but I wish to impart some phenomenal news to you. You're going to make an amazing protagonist, Haru- I look forward to your struggles."
-
"Ugh," Haru winced, as she woke, wrinkling her nose. She was… she was in bed. Beside her, Fox. On her other side, Lif, both sitting on the edges of the bed.
"I apologize," Lif stated immediately. "I did not understand that you are somewhat fragile. I should have been more gentle- you nearly died."
"The healer fixed you up in moments, though," Fox hummed, leaning closer. "Gods, I wanna kiss you. You doing, okay?"
"Yeah." Haru nodded, swallowing.
"I am so sorry. I only wished to help," Lif spoke earnestly, brow furrowed. "That you cannot hunt a bear as you hunt an eagle."
"Oh trust me…" Haru sighed slowly, closing her eyes for a long moment. "I learned."
"Good. However, I apologize- I got carried away," Lif sighed, shaking his head. "Little badger, I must be gentler. Aurelia said that your body cannot break. I suppose this only applies to the skin."
"Little badger… you calling me that… why…?" Haru raised an eyebrow, yawning, sitting up slowly.
"Your ears. They are badger." Lif nodded, smiling warmly. "Are you feeling well?"
"Right as rain."
"Good. Then I will be leaving." Lif stood, dusting off his pants. "I will leave Fox to her girl kissing activities."
"What-" Haru blinked rapidly, and Fox smirked, leaning closer as Lif hurried away, comically covering his eyes, shimmying sideways out of the room.
"Oh my gods," Fox laughed, tiredly, leaning back once he'd shut the door. "He's a hoot. Aurelia said you're way stronger than I am, but you don't understand how to control that strength."
"Do you think I'm just going to… be useless?" Haru sighed, shaking her head, closing her eyes for a long moment. "Lesser demon… maybe I just can't fight somebody like Lif."
"Like they say," Fox shrugged, "-Fight like a girl."
"What do you mean?"
"If strength isn't enough, use your head. A rock on the ground. Rat poison and your enemy's own shirt, for all anybody cares. The winner is the one who survives, honor is a myth for old spoiled nobles who'd rather lose a war then win with a bad reputation."
"Mm…" Haru nodded softly, imagining herself spinning round Lif's neck and breaking it with her legs, or slicing the tendons in the backs of his ankles and then beheading him- Haru. Haru what is wrong with you. Don't think like that.
"Uh… and about that kissing me stuff-"
"Can I-?"
"No," Haru snorted, shaking her head.
"Come on, just a little,"
"You can kiss my left ass cheek," Haru muttered sarcastically and yelped as Fox grabbed her hip, pushing. "WAIT I WAS KIDDING-"
"SCREW YOU!!"
"Ugh!!" Haru laughed, grabbing Fox's shirt and yanking, rolling her across the bed and off, onto the carpet with a thud.
"Curse you!!" Fox shouted from the floor, a laugh in her voice. "I shall have my revenge!!"
"Will you?" Haru rolled her eyes, slowly standing from the bed, looking down at Fox, who was sighing, eyes closed on the carpet.
"No. I'm tired."
"I'm not gonna lie to you," Haru muttered, slowly sinking down, sitting beside the dark-haired young woman. "I feel like I could sleep some more."
"Mm…" Fox yawned and opened her eyes, frowning. "Are you just saying that to be nice to me?"
"No." Haru hesitated and slowly leaned back against the front cushion of the chair beside her bed. Eh, comfortable enough. Taking care not to be sudden, she gently tangled a hand into Fox's hair and guided the fox girl to rest her head on her, Haru's, lap. Fox blushed furiously and quietly buried her head against Haru's thighs, shuddering.
"Can I… can I stay here, a while?" Fox mumbled softly, tail twitching.
"Mm," Haru yawned, closing her eyes again. "Tired, yeah," She whispered truthfully; maybe healing had taken a lot out of her? There were no windows to tell the time, but nonetheless, her head swam… "By the way… wasn't Lif also the name of the forest ranger we met… back when…? Or am, I crazy…"
"Common name… like bob…"
In moments, Haru's head dipped forward. Fox, smirking reached up, plucking a pillow between her toes and swinging her ankle round, flicking it onto the chair behind Haru. Once it landed, she reached up and gently pushed Haru's forehead, so her head fell back, neck supported. With that done, the fox girl curled up, content and guilt free, nuzzling into the badger girl's lap, drifting off.
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