14 Kyuu-san's Own Disciple

*Flower Maiden's POV*

"Put on some clothes brat."

Kyuu-san tosses at my face my jacket and shorts. Thank goodness, I don't want to wear a gi again. At least Kyuu-san didn't berate me for not wearing any underwear.

I think back to the fight, wondering if all that really happened… the impact of my fists, my heart racing alongside my excitement, feeling our fists collide, the stinging sensation of pain… it was as if we were in our own little world, the only thing that mattered was the fight. I didn't even notice the aura around me grew in power, all I knew was that the power within ran wild and I was all the more eager to let it out.

I look at my hands, still tingling from the fight. I close them and tighten my fists, a smile emerging on my face.

*Slide*

I turn to see the door slide open, Goddess Myriam gracefully stepping in, the stars and galaxies of her eyes meeting mine. The room seemed to grow warmer as her slender foot made contact with the floor, her radiance reaching every corner of the room.

"Hello, flower maiden."

"Morning Goddess Myriam."

Artemas bowed.

"Good Morning Goddess Myriam."

Goddess Myriam nods politely.

"Artemas, if you wouldn't mind leaving for a bit? I wish to talk here in private."

"Of course! No problem… I'll… I'll excuse myself."

Artemas passes me to leave… mouthing sorry to me while avoiding his sensei's scrutinizing stare. With Artemas gone, it was only us: Kyuu-san, Mokuren, Goddess Myriam, and me. Goddess Myriam takes a seat, her knees under her thighs. I sit in front of her criss-cross applesauce style which suits me just fine. Mokuren and Kyuu-san also take a seat beside me. Mokuren speaks up first.

"I had no doubt you were watching mother, so what is it?"

Goddess Myriam gestures to me.

"It seems you have found your passion flower maiden. How was the experience and first taste of battle."

I raise my hands into the air.

"It was Awesome! I want to learn martial arts and quanta arts, everything!!"

Kyuu-san stares at me, seeming to say… oh no you don't.

"Like hell you are! You are on punishment for ruining our arena, damages, and disobeying me… and breaking our deal!"

*Ahem! Ahem!*

Goddess Myriam tries to cough to break the conversation, clearly sensing the increasing tension. That was pretty awkward and a fake cough Goddess Myriam. But it did get our attention and interrupt Kyuu-san's rant. Goddess Myriam seemed a bit nervous. Mokuren raised an eyebrow.

"Got something to say mother?"

Goddess Myriam rubbed her antlers, the beads of starlight twinkling. She suddenly clasped her hands together to Kyuu-san.

"Ahahaha… actually, I came here to ask you Kyuu-san, if you could… please take the flower maiden as your own disciple…"

Kyuu-san's expression turned blank as her jaw dropped… hello?

"WWHHAAATTT!!!"

The room nearly shook with her thunderous voice. I heard someone land quickly and proceed to slide open the door in a hurry, it was Klara-san.

"What's going on? What's wrong? I've never heard you yell like that Kyuu-san."

This seemed to snap Kyuu-san out of her daze.

"Wha-? Klara-san, no, no… nothing is… wrong."

Klara-san gave a weird expression at the sight of Goddess Myriam begging Kyuu-san.

"Alllrriigght… I'll be on my way then…"

The slide closes leaving us alone again. Kyuu-san faces Goddess Myriam, her hands still clasped begging Kyuu-san.

"Goddess Myriam… yo-you want me to take the damn brat as my disciple?! Excuse my rudeness but please tell me why?!"

Goddess Myriam seemed a bit nervous to meet Kyuu-san's eyes. Was Goddess Myriam always so easily nervous under pressure?

"The flower maiden's primordial energy, it responded to her battle… more accurately her calling. As I said before, those who have that power often adapt them to something they will hone. I didn't expect it to be so soon… but in this case, it seems the flower maiden's calling is well… fighting."

Mokuren adds on while spinning her matrix cube on her fingers.

"Mother's right, I was here in person watching the girl fight. I'm sure you sensed it in the end too, Kyui. The flower maiden's powers responded to her desire and passion. Her outburst of power and that unnatural heat… she's awakening her powers."

Kyuu-san seems to falter, perhaps understanding the weight of the situation. She looks at me suspiciously.

"Is this true brat? I want you to answer me honestly or I swear I'll kick your ass."

She cracks her knuckles… Ahhh! Why is violence always her answer? What happened to her caring voice towards me?

"Ye-yes Kyuu-san… the excitement I felt, the energy I felt surging within me, it was as if it was telling me during my fight… this is where I belong."

I thought for sure Kyuu-san about sure to get even madder… but she surprises me again.

*sigh*

"I've never even had a disciple before. This will be a first… why did it have to be you brat?"

I'll never get how Kyuu-san reacts and expresses her emotions.

"Ok, Goddess Myriam… but what exactly do you even want me to guide her for? Couldn't she just join the dojo like the rest?"

Goddess Myriam's tone turns a bit more serious this time.

"I think it'll be best if her powers are kept more hidden from the public. Sure, it is hard to tell, but if it gets out and spreads to other systems in our galaxies… it might attract unwanted attention. I want you to personally guide her and help her hone her powers so she can get it under control and manage her powers properly. Now that she discovered her calling, there's no stopping her growth now."

Kyuu-san still seems confused.

"But Goddess Myriam, wouldn't it be better for you or even Mokuren to help her… the Prometheus clan? You and they all know and understand more about Primordial power than I do. Surely the Prometheus clan could take care of her better than I ever could?"

Goddess Myriam seemed to hesitate a little, her eyes almost searching for an answer. Mokuren sighs and rolls her eyes at her mother's incompetence and lack of preparation.

"Kyui, the Prometheus clan has allowed the girl to stay here, knowing this might happen. When my mother told you that they wanted you to take care of the girl, they anticipated this too. Don't fret you worry wart. You're a great sensei Kyui, otherwise they wouldn't have trusted you with her. And if anything happens, the Prometheus clan is a call away with my mother here."

Kyuu-san seems to blush lightly and closes her eyes in thought. In that moment, Goddess Myriam mouths a silent thank you to Mokuren.

"I see… ok, I'll take up the burden."

Yay!! I want to jump and down but I feel like that would just be rubbing salt on the wound for Kyuu-san. She then realizes something.

"Alright, if I'm going to be training the brat, then I'll need to personally test her like Artemas. Goddess Myriam, if you will lend us the Akasha dimension for a sparring match?"

Goddess Myriam almost immediately answered, almost expectantly.

"Yes! Yes! Please by all means use the Akasha dimension. If you don't mind, I would like to come with you to watch myself."

Mokuren slapped her face, shaking her head in disappointment. Kyuu-san was a bit unnerved by Goddess Myriam's enthusiasm.

"That won't be a problem… ummm… thank you Goddess Myriam?"

After some idle chatter, me and Artemas were forced to clean up the arena and the rubble we made. I was sweeping up the pieces of broken pavement and dust with a broom while Artemas moved the bigger pieces to a safe corner.

I was surprised by Goddess Myriam's proposal as well... me? As Kyuu-san's disciple? I grip my broom tighter... and I'm going to have a sparring match with Kyuu-san? I am both excited and a bit scared. But... Yes! I finally get the chance to learn martial arts and quanta arts! I hop up and down, not noticing I gripped my broom too tight in my frenzy.

*Crack*

Ah oh... I bring up my broom, now in two pieces. Kyuu-san's going to kill me now! I look towards her direction. Kyuu-san went back to training her students somewhere else, this time however leaving Wukong and Mokuren in strict watch of me. I hear footsteps behind me and I immediately say.

"I didn't mean to break it! I'm sorry!"

It was Wukong... oh thank goodness. She hands me another broom.

"Don't worry, I won't tell sensei. These brooms are too old anyway, but you know sensei, always the traditional type."

"Seriously, some robots or maybe some cleaning tech to help would make this so much easier."

Artemas comes huffing to us, sweat on his forehead. He just got done with cleaning up the rubble, but now a bucket and mop was in his hands. Wukong laughs.

"Cleaning the stalls and bathroom again?"

"Cleaning the stalls and bathroom... for a month. You're lucky kid... the cleaning is hell."

Artemas waves his mop at us, pretending to mop us. Wukong covers her mouth while still laughing.

"Gross Artemas! Don't traumatize her!"

I couldn't help but laugh along them.

*Creak*

"Welcome back munchkin, how did the spying go? Did Kyuu-san find you out?"

Ohari has her back turned to us, carrying a platter of something that… *sniff*... smells absolutely delicious! A fresh, sweet aroma wafted around the room as soon as we entered. Ohari turns around to me… and Kyuu-san, who didn't look so pleased.

"Hey mom, yeah, I did find the brat spying on me with YOUR permission."

Ohari had a surprised look on her face, like a child being caught... making minimal eye contact with Kyuu-san.

"Oh… did you… hehehe. I baked some fresh cookies as an apology? They're chocolate... your favorite."

Ohari presented her cookies and attempted a shameful, adorable smile at Kyuu-san to which she sags her shoulders, her annoyed expression breaking.

"Mom, I can't believe you would turn against me like this. Not only that but the brat... is now my disciple."

Ohari looked at me for confirmation to which I nodded my head. Ohari tried to hide her giddiness as she set aside her freshly baked cookies and approached us with a big hug, wrapping both of us... but when I felt her embrace... it was just slightly hesitant.

"Oh Kyui, I knew you would come around to like her. So how did that come to be? What happened?"

We sat at the table, Kyuu-san taking a cookie, rich in a buttery color with chunks of melty chocolate... it looks so good. I reach out my hand for one only for it to be slapped away.

"Ow!"

Kyuu-san looked at me, taunting her cookie in front of me.

"No food for two weeks brat, remember your punishment. Hahaha!"

*Whimper*

I want the cookies! All I could do is stare as Kyui-san continues to taunt the cookies in front of me, eating them in front of my eyes. This is too cruel! Why did mom bake cookies today!? Ohari looked at me worriedly, wanting to give me cookie as I sat pouting with my face on the table defeated.

"Punishment? Kyui what happened."

"A lot of things happened... too much to say the least."

Kyui-san gave the rundown on what happened at the dojo, Ohari's expression growing wary as we talked about my awesome sparring with Artemas.

"You fought? I thought I told you not to hurt yourself! Come here, are you hurt... no sweetie no."

Ohari lifted into her lap and inspected me all over.

"I'm fine mom, Mokuren healed me. And I love fighting! It feels amazing! Wacha! Punch!"

I do little punches, expressing my excitement. But Ohari didn't look so pleased. Instead, her eye brows pulled together in concern. She turned to Kyuu-san.

"You said Goddess Myriam wanted you to be her disciple. Why? What does the Goddess want with her?"

Kyui-san was a bit taken aback by Ohari's serious tone.

"Goddess Myriam...wants me to guide her as her abnormal powers seems to respond to fighting and battle. She said it would be better to keep it in secrecy... though... I'm sure she's hiding things from me... even Mokuren. Goddess has never been a good liar."

Mom tightened her arms around me. Ohari knew the basics of what happened during my meeting with Goddess Myriam, knowing that I had strange powers and a strange body.

"Kyui... did Goddess mention the Prometheus clan? What does she plan to do..."

Kyuu-san's amber eyes widened.

"Mom, how did you know she mentioned it? Yes, she did, and well... told me to guide her as her sensei for now and told me the Prometheus clan was aware of the situation. Goddess Myriam has allowed me to use the Akasha dimension to test the brat two days from now... and she wants to be there."

Ohari seemed displeased, her brows scrunched and her ocean blue eyes intent... it was the first time I've ever seen her close to angry.

"I'm going Kyui, I'm going there to watch with them."

"What? No, mom, you don't have to worry. Mokuren and Goddess Myriam will be there to provide support. The brat won't be seriously hurt, they'll be there to help in case anything can go wrong. I'm there as well."

Ohari shakes her head defiantly.

"No Kyui. I don't like where it's going. I'm going there with you."

Perhaps it was her determination, perhaps it was her unusual seriousness, but Kyuu-san relented. It was late afternoon when we got back and Kyui-san headed off to take a shower. I still sat in mom's laps and she looked at me.

"What are they planning? What are they going to do to my little daughter."

I only looked at up her with confusion. What they have planned for me? I put my hands on her arms.

"I'll be fine mom, fighting is fun and what I have a passion for. You said not to have regrets right? I know I'm different, I'm not that naive as to not know there are consequences to what I do."

Ohari looked at me, her eyes carrying hesitation and doubt.

"I did say no regret right... I hope your right... want a cookie?"

As much as I want that soft, thick, chocolate filled cookie... I said no. I'll get to eat it another time, for now I have my punishment... as much as I was tempted by the aroma... no don't think about it! I just wanna eat again...

"Alright, everything is set. Ready to go?"

Announced Kyuu-san. I stood at the door in my jackets and shorts, wearing underwear this time as she demanded. Ohari was beside us, wearing a long coat and a little scarf. It was kind of cold in the morning, but Kyui-san still wore her black gi. It's been two days since then and today's the day I have a sparring match with Kyui-san.

"Let's go munchkin."

Ohari takes my hand and we exit our home to head towards the dojo. The first rays of sunlight shines on us. It was pretty early, 7 am when the sun starts to slowly break above the horizon. It was the first time we went out together. We make our way through the village, taking a long time to get to the dojo. I look up at the roofs... jumping up there would have been much faster.

*Chirp*

Two little puffy birds landed on my head and started playing with my hair. It was Mokuren's birds!

"Morning Kyui and little flower... Misses Ohari?"

Mokuren greets us on the path.

"Good Morning Mokuren, how are you? If you don't mind, I'll be coming with you into the Akasha dimension."

Mokuren smiles warmly.

"Of course, mother is waiting at the dojo, everything's already prepared so we'll be ready to open the portal."

Two large creatures trailed behind her... Blair and Xata! I haven't seen them in a while! I run over and pat them to which they make a low grumbling sound.

"Hello Blair and Xata! I missed you!"

The green glow of their hollow chest seemed to vibrate and the foliage on their back started sprouting flowers. I guess it means they're happy.

"Greetings little one, we miss you as well."

The birds on my head hop on the Dobos, tweeting happily. I look at Mokuren expectantly, she chuckles and nods.

"You can ride on them little flower, no worries."

I plop onto Blair, its body warm and not as rough as you think it would be. Ohari snickers as we continue on our way while I enjoy the feeling of being tall once more.

"Is this how you traveled around when you met Mokuren? It sure looks fun."

"Then why don't you ride one too mom?"

Ohari holds her face, lightly blushing. Though I could see her tail wagging.

"Oh I couldn't, it's a little embarrassing."

"Misses Ohari you can, come on, there's nothing wrong with having a little fun is there? To feel young again?"

Ohari laughs.

"Always the tease Mokuren... I suppose I could, just this once."

Xata kneels in front of Ohari and she cautiously climbs on. Soon we were riding alongside each other.

"It feels amazing doesn't it mom?"

"It sure does munchkin."

We continue on our way to the dojo, sometimes bumping into each other and giggling, enjoying the trip as some people gave us funny looks. Kyuu-san scoffs next to Mokuren.

"Children."

We pass into the main entrance to the dojo. It was then that I noticed that within the front main temple, there was a large statue within. It depicted a tall figure with a massive sword... more like a massive heap of metal really. It's body rippled with muscles, but the statue had it wore rather simple clothing: a tight shirt that only served to outline its muscles, a waist cape and tight pants paired with armored boots and leg armor... a weird combination. Metal, heavy chains were wrapped around its forearms like gauntlets. It had its hand gripped around its sword, slamming it down into the ground, looking downwards at us. I couldn't help but feel slightly intimidated by its stature.

What made me feel most uncomfortable was that... the person wore a skull-like mask, the same one that I saw at Asura's memorial. We moved into the center of the dojo, where the arena was. Goddess Myriam stood there, her mantra ring glowing around her.

"Good morning everyone... Ohari."

Mom narrows her eyes at Goddess Myriam.

"Myriam, good morning. It's been a while since we have met properly."

"It has."

An unspoken tension rose between them. Goddess Myriam fiddles with her hair, growing some more bright, orange tulips.

I hopped off Blair and gave a thankful rub. I ran over to help Ohari down as I took her hand on my tip-toes in an attempt to reach her.

"Thank you munchkin... hehe... but I think I can handle myself."

Kyuu-san stepped forth into the center of the arena... the pavement still cracked and missing some pieces. But the ring that encircled the arena was intact. When I was cleaning it up, I noticed that the ring had symbols all over it, undamaged from my battle. Kyui-san reached out her hand and blue flames engulfed her hands and wrapped around her arms like a serpent as she closed her eyes in concentration.

I was standing on the ring when I noticed something glow underneath my feet. What's this? I move my feet away to see the symbols I saw before glow.

*fwish...fwish fwish*

One by one, the symbols around the ring lit up. Trails of energy particles floating from the symbols... it looked so surreal. The ring formation and the symbols... it reminded me of Goddess Myriam's mantra ring. Once all of the symbols were lit, Kyuu-san steps away.

"Goddess Myriam, if you will."

"Yes, any particular places in the Akasha dimension?"

Kyuu-san rubs her chin for a little bit.

"The Tsundora planet, a remote location away from any stations. My favorite place for battles."

Goddess Myriam nods and steps into the ring, near the center. Her mantra ring suddenly shines brighter, in resonance with the arena ring. At the center of the arena, a point in space begins to warp, expanding outwards like a supernova as iridescent energy warped around the center. It soon stables and stops expanding, forming... a portal! The edges of the portal distorts the space as I feel a strange energy resonate outwards.

I walk all around the portal, it seeming to always face me like those creepy dolls. I pear into the portal's face, almost like a clear mirror to only see... ice and snow? I couldn't see much from the portal's opening.

"Everything is set, ready to enter the Akasha realm brat?"

Kyui-san looks at me with a smirk then proceeds to walk through backwards into the portal. Mokuren turns to Blair and Xata.

"Make sure to watch the village and help anyone while we're away alright?"

Blair and Xata grumble in agreement as they turn around and move back. Goddess Myriam nods to us and along with Mokuren walks into the portal.

Ohari takes my hand and leads me towards it. I poke lightly at the portal, it seeming to ripple like water. It doesn't feel like anything but pure energy... what if... I take a bite out of it... doesn't taste like anything either.

"Come on munchkin, let's go."

As I take a step into the portal, a funny, butterfly feeling fills my stomach. It feels like your insides are being pulled by some force. My vision blurs, unable to grasp the travel through distorted space and dimensions. In a blink, we were somewhere else. My vision clears and... oh... I feel dizzy. I hear Mokuren's voice next to me.

"Yeah me too little flower... uhhh... I will never get use to this."

I look next to me to see Mokuren holding her stomach. I feel Ohari help me up and I look around... ice... there was ice every where. A massive tundra landscape everywhere I looked. Pillars of hard, blue ice and massive, snow covered mountains around us. I look behind me, the portal still open. It was cold, really cold. I can see Ohari's breath as she rubbed her arms and her tail wrapped around herself for warmth.

Kyuu-san was stretching off in the distance in her open sleeved gi. How is she not bothered by the cold?! Mokuren uses her branches and weaves a coat out of leaves to wrap herself with.

"Why would you choose this kind of place Kyui? My antlers are going to freeze off any minute!"

Mokuren's antlers shake along with her body and she reaches out her arms. Green, emerald light enveloping her body and circling around her. A bubble of quanta energy soon forms around us, protecting us from the cold.

"I'll help."

Goddess Myriam was inside the bubble with us and her mantra ring begins to light up more, this time a warm heat radiating off the ring... that's nice. Kyuu-san was still standing outside the bubble, stretching her arms.

"Come on, it ain't that cold, if anything the cold gets your blood pumping. Just what we need for a fight. Speaking of which, are you ready brat?"

I'm going to have a fight with Kyuu-san... the feeling of excitement washes over me again.

"Yeah!"

Kyuu-san throws me a gi and... bandages?

"Put it on and let's go."

Ohari helps me take off my bra and started wrapping the bandages around my chest multiple times... it doesn't feel that bad and wrapped firmly around my chest. As she's wrapping them she looks me in the eye.

"Please don't push yourself too much okay? You might hurt yourself."

I had to put on the gi afterwards... it's much welcomed itchy fabric and rough texture torturing my skin.

I take a step out... the cold not bothering me. Perhaps it was because I feel the heat of the power inside me, or maybe Kyuu-san is right. The cold does get the blood pumping. Ohari looks at us worriedly.

"Go easy on her okay? Don't do anything reckless!"

I give mom a thumbs up and she does it back, but her worried eyes never wavering. I see Mokuren take out her matrix cube again.

"We'll be right here, ready to help if anything happens alright?"

Good luck flower maiden... whispered Goddess Myriam in my mind, her expression serious this time as she watches us go further into the ice land.

I take a deep breath of the icy wind and look up to see no clouds, no sky... but countless planets close and distant drifting in the inky soup of space blended with mesmerizing cosmic dust. Is this really a different dimension? But there was no stars oddly, and something... felt off. I can feel the wind, but the atmosphere, this Akasha realm... it felt eerily still... unmoving in its entirety.

"The Akasha realm is a dimension separate from our universe brat. No life exists here... only the countless, lifeless planets and an endless void of space. Perfect for fighting without worrying about damaging the environment and harming potential life."

Kyuu-san explain my unease about this realm. We walk further into the cold, ice terrain. The crumble and cracking of ice under my every step. Kyuu-san stops and with a sudden move, leaps onto a pillar of ice, looking down on me.

"I hope your ready brat, from what I've heard about your match, you can hold your own. I would like to see that myself... that or I get to kick your sorry butt for some sweet revenge."

She tightens the rope around her waist and smirks. I look up at her, the primordial energy within me beginning to stir, my heart, beginning to thump excitedly. I smile.

"I won't hold back Kyuu-san! I'll prove to you what I'm capable of so you better watch out!"

"Confident are you? I'm still not convinced that your calling is fighting... so you better prove me wrong if you're going to be my disciple!"

I begin jumping up and down, letting my arms move freely to loosen my body. All I hear is the whistling wind passing by and the beat of my passionate heart. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath in... deep breath out... with my last exhale I open them and cocentrate my attention on Kyuu-san as I take a stance. We stare at each other for a moment's silence.

I feel the hard ice shatter in an explosion around me as I leap off the ground at Kyuu-san, her pose as clam as ever.

*Krakoom!!*

--TEASER DRAWING for the next chapter--