Hiruko didn’t speak to me about anything regarding the people outside my window. He was more concerned now about my training, I decided, as he rambled on about it all night. By the time I returned to my bed, there was no trace of them, as to be expected.

It was hard to get back to sleep; knowing what pain Hiruko would put me through tomorrow, and then tease me as he healed me without explanation. But those men outside my house were confusing. Hopefully, after seeing that blue-haired man, Hiruko had re-thought my nickname of ‘Funny hair’, though, from what I knew of him, it seemed unlikely.

Hiruko had not attempted to rest last night, and it showed. He made no comment on it, although I could see how exhausted he was, and every time I mentioned a break he believed me to be skipping out on training, no matter how many times I reassured him otherwise.

I grasped the blade, bracing myself for pain, and was surprised to find that none came. I looked up to Hiruko, but he dismissed it.

“This is your first real training session.” He strained the word on purpose and I gritted my teeth.

This would be fun.

“Teach me!” I held the blade toward him and he nodded briefly.

“Right hand goes on top of the hilt, left hand supports the bottom.” He noted at the way I was holding the blade. I nodded and quickly switched the position of my hands.

“Block is pretty easy.” Hiruko began to explain the simple poses and techniques used in battle. “But note on this: the way you are swinging now,” he dipped his head at the slow movements of the sword, “will be completely useless in battle. Not only that, but to have such connection with your sword, you need to fight. Don’t tell me you can’t, because the way to learn is to fight!” I nodded as he said this, clenching my hands tighter around the hilt of the sword as my excuse not to fight was gone in an instant.

“Alright, kid!” Hiruko yelled from across the terrace, his haunches rising as he lent in as though to spring at prey.

Brilliant, I thought, as I realised that I was his prey.

“Take this seriously, boy. I now become your enemy!”

“Right.”

“And the enemy does not have to hold back!” Hiruko said eagerly, leaving me baffled.

“What?!” I yelled out in frustration. He would attack me full on?

“It’s okay, kid. You’ll manage.” Would I?

I put my right leg behind me to brace myself when he came at me. He would make the first move, I was sure of it.

Hiruko yowled and leapt forward, claws unleashed. He yelled as he jumped into the air, full on. I was shocked at how quickly he moved, slicing through my clothes and reaching my skin. Gracefully he flipped in the air and landed on my shoulder, claws and all. By the time I swung around he had already leaped again and I heard him yell something over my straining.

“Good communication!” He yowled jumping above me and coming in for my face. Surely, he was referring to the sword

Slice, up! Move forward to block his attack! A cool, urging voice in my head came and I obeyed, flinging the sword up as Hiruko came down, be he diverted and jumped from my head into the air once more.

“You’re getting there, but you’re not good enough!” Hiruko teased. I was partially covered in scratches, while Hiruko had no damage. “I can do better, boy! I can slice you easily and in a true battle, you would have died a few seconds after you began! You’re worthless.” I sighed. Clearly this torment was doing him more good than me.

Speak to me, Aaron! I stopped, and allowed the sword to point to the ground. That voice, that voice that had produced a ‘yes’ only yesterday, along with small stabs of pain now spoke clearly?

You’re worthless?! Are you going to let that fur-ball treat you like dirt? You said it yourself, General or not, that cat has issues.

Great, I thought. That blade could read my mind, as well? Every thought, anything that had ever slipped my mind...it had heard?!

What are you worrying about? It’s not like I would invade your privacy. Sure I hear your thoughts, I hear them everyday, and I definitely hear them when you’ve drunk too much sake.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

I cringed as the voice chuckled softly. Had it heard all my desperate thoughts of Nada?

Every little detail, the voice said in reply. I choked, before blurting out abruptly, “What?!” Hiruko stopped and stared at me sideways as I frowned down to the blade in my hand. It chuckled at my remark.

I told you, I don’t invade your privacy, so therefore I heard nothing, but when you ask if I heard your thoughts about a girl, it just makes me wonder...

“She could have been my sister!” I yelled at the metal. “It was only proper that I checked!”

Ahh...brotherly love, then? The voice said rather cheerfully, as Hiruko moved closer to inspect me.

“So communication lines are up, then?” Hiruko commented as I shouted to nothingness. “You still have to learn how to think thoughts back, instead of yelling out. Once again, this won’t improve your image with the neighbours.” I waved my hand at him as I listened intently to the voice. I had to work with this sword?

Oh, will you just shut up?! I had only just realised what I had done before the sword began congratulating me.

Amazing, Aaron! The voice applauded in my head. Though, I’ll have to mark you down - surely you could have spoken to me sooner?

I growled softly.

Now is not the time, sword! We’re in the middle of a fight! The sword turned serious and agreed that we had to work together.

Do you have a name? I questioned the blade, remembering what Hiruko has said about names of swords.

As you said, now is not the time. Refer to me as ‘sword’ as you have been. Now as that fur-ball jumps, do not block him – move out of his way and then try slicing him as he tries to recover!

I sighed. This is not a fight to the death! We are still in training!

Then at least get him to your mercy, Aaron! The sword yelled as Hiruko galloped forward. I did as the sword advised and moved to my right, turning as Hiruko yowled as he landed. I stuck my sword forward to him, but he quickly side-stepped and jumped to my neck, placing his claws to it.

“You lost.” He said, and jumped down, directing me back to the opposite side of the terrace. “Again! This time, be much quicker!” I sighed, but nonetheless turned to face him.

“Don’t get cocky, boy!” Hiruko yowled at my expression, but I took no notice and instead tried to communicate with the sword.

To attack first or not to attack first, that is the question...? The blade chuckled softly as I thought over how I could attack Hiruko.

Indeed.

Well, we are to attack first, then! It said cheerfully. Do not slice but instead come in at him crouching...

And then I’ll move you forward to his chest? I suggested.

Yes, perfect! The sword said.

I did as we had planned and slid down, moving the blade forward to Hiruko’s chest, hovering it so it did not cut him. He was taken aback, but smiled at my attack.

“Good.” Good?! Could he think of nothing better to say?

Tut tut, such an evil fur-ball, don’t you think? Personally, we did well for a first timer, right Aaron?

I ignored his question, and instead put forward a remark of my own. I still don’t know your name! I said as Hiruko passed off training for the rest of the day.

Ah, but you have to eaarrn iitt! The blade said in a sing-song tone.

Cheater! I accused him, but he kept singing until I told him to leave, and he did so quite abruptly, his song cutting off mid-way.

At first I thought I had distressed him, until I found that I hadn’t.

You still haven’t earned it yet... He said as I wandered into the house.

“Shut up!?” Hiruko turned and raised his eyebrows.

“I am going to have so much fun trying to figure out whether or not you are talking to me over the next few days...” Hiruko said as I threatened to hit the blade against a wall.

Aww, don’t give me that Aaron! The sword pleaded in my mind.

“I told you to shut up!?” I yelled to it again, Hiruko shaking his head with the thought of it all. The blade sighed and reverted back to silence, averting being bashed repeatedly against the wall.

“It’s all too stressful...I’m not sure his mind can cope...” Hiruko murmured to himself, but I took no notice, still irritated by having to cooperate with a strictly cooperation-free blade.

“He’s impossible to work with!” I shouted at Hiruko.

“I hope you’re not referring to me.” I sighed and opened my mouth to tell him otherwise, but he knew I was, in fact, referring to the sword.

“If you can’t figure a way to get along, then I’ll leave.”

“Not the best way to threaten me...I’d be happy to be rid of you...”

“And be helpless when endangered? No way. I can’t have you wandering about by yourself – you’re far too weak…and strange looking.” My eye twitched at his words.

Weak, eh? So far, I agree with that fur-ball.

There was a loud yelling from the blade as I hit it against the floor, until Hiruko took it off me and apologised for me.

Hehe...I like this fur-ball...

I didn’t apologise, sword, Hiruko did, and for no apparent reason!

I don’t think this is the best way to learn names... The voice said. I said nothing in reply; I had given up talking to him, and eventually he fell into silence as well.

Hiruko sighed and looked confused as he sat, mulling over in his mind the previous days and how quickly he needed to train me.

“I’ve only taught you the basics of battle. There’s is far more than fighting skills needed in any fight.”

“So you think I won’t be any good?” I said as I covered the blade for the night, having recovered from my outbursts of irritation.

“Hm..” Hiruko smirked, “with the way you are going,” he noted, as I glared in frustration to the now-silent sword, “that is what I am beginning to think. You can’t converse with it if you’re always fighting with each other, let alone work together.”

We better get to work...but for your information, I don’t think our personalities are much different...we both like to taunt and lead...hmm...oh, we’re going to have so much fun tomorrow... The sword perked up, though he spoke with clear sarcasm.

Yeah...fun...

Don’t be so gloomy, Aaron...you’re the one who is bringing us down!

Hmm...I’m just...just...tired.. I excused myself from talking to him. Despite his abrupt seriousness, it did not change his usual attitude towards things.

As he said, we were going to have so much fun working together.