The adventure in the cat realm

Chapter 6

- Do you think I'm that useless. Just because all you've seen me do is clean and bandage wounds doesn't mean I can't fight, I say.

- Nonetheless. You won't be fighting, Rei says. I frown, annoyed at how condescending he's being.

- I used to train all the time back at mom's school. I bet I could take him. And I hate that he isn't taking me seriously, I say in my head.

- Don't patronize me just because I'm a girl, I say. Rei looks affronted.

- That's not it at all. I'm just trying to keep you safe, Rei says.

- Trying to keep me safe because you think I'll be useless in a fight, I say. I stand up, feeling frustrated.

- Tatsuki, get us some practice swords, I say.

- What, Tatsuki asks. Rei rolls his eyes.

- Fine, you want to prove your point. I'll go along, Rei says. Rei waves a hand toward Tatsuki.

- Go ahead, get the words, Rei says.

- You know my mom's an archery instructor, right, I ask.

- So I've heard, Rei says.

- Well, I was one of her students, I say.

- And that's relevant to your swordsmanship, how exactly, Rei asks. Tatsuki returns with the wooden swords, handing one to me and tossing the other to Rei.

- I'm just going to go get a snack while you two settle this, Tatsuki says. While he goes to the kitchen, Rei and I get ready.

- She taught at a traditional martial arts school, I say. I swing the practice sword experimentally, getting a feel for the weight of the blade.

- When I was little, she couldn't leave me home alone, so she'd bring me along with her. I used to wander all over that school, but my favorite thing was to watch the sword lessons, I say.

- I see. Are you finished with your preamble now, Rei asks. I raise my sword, readying my stance.

- All done, I say. There's a long moment of quiet as we meet each other's eyes, and I decide to be the one to break it. I leap forward, swinging my sword in a quick strike. Rei jumps out of the way, dodging my attack.

- We're starting, then, Rei asks. I thrust forward, and my sword meets his with a loud sound. He sweeps my sword aside, advancing with a broad swipe. But I dodge out of the way, whirling around landing a hit on the back of his knee that makes him stumble. Taking advantage of the opening, I arc my blade downward, knocking into his ankle. Off-balance, he tumbles to the ground. I stand over him, holding the tip of my word to his neck.

- Well. Still think I need your protection, I ask. Rei cocks an eyebrow, smiling with a glint of sharp teeth.

- You're better than I thought, Rei says. Suddenly, he swings his leg around, hooking my knee and sending me toppling to the ground. My sword flies from my hand as I try to catch myself. And I land face-first on Rei's chest. I can feel the low vibration of his amused chuckle.

- But you've still got some training to do, Rei says. As I try to catch my breath, I realize that I can hear Rei's heartbeat.

- His heart is racing, I say in my head. I raise my eyes, getting a good look at his face.

- He really is quite handsome up close like this, I say in my head. Embarrassed by my thought, I scramble to get off him, and he stands up, offering me a hand.

- I withdraw my assessment, Rei says. I take his hand, allowing him to pull me up easily. I feel myself blushing at the close contact we've just had, but I try to hide it with a smile and some false bravado.