Chapter 9 - Recovered

Yue closed her eyes as she prepared to leave the house knowing what or rather who would be there. Once she had finally had recovered she foolishly thought everything would return to the way it was. No, instead she continued to get daily lectures at dinner about not leaving the village and ‘stranger danger’ talks from her parents. But what was worse was that Nik was acting as her shadow. He never mentions what happened but from the moment she steps out of her home to when she returns he makes sure that he is by her side. 

Yue opened the door and yep there he was smiling.

“Hey Yue, ready to go to school?” Nik asked, ignoring her glare.

Yue sighed, she really needed to work on her glares no one ever seems to react to them. “Lets go.”

On the way to school which neither Yue nor Nik learn much from they talked about random things with Ink trotting behind them his tongue hanging loose. Both of them laughing at how Ink would spot a shadow dive into it turning black and then jump into the light changing back to his white coat.

Once class ended Yue and Nik hoped in the carriage to head to training, although unlike before the kidnapping Ink came along since Yue didn’t want him going out alone again until he was big enough to fight back. 

Sir Arthur greeted them like always with an order to start laps around the yard. Yue had been grateful for his reaction previously. Unlike others he praised her on being able to be on her own in the forest, telling her that pushing ones limits were good just make sure you don’t die because of it. 

Hand combat sparing was next and Yue couldn’t help but frown at how Nik still didn’t seem to give it all and pulled back some punches. It has been close to a week since she recovered, but Nik still wasn’t taking her seriously. Hand combat practice ended and they both went to get their weapons. As Yue was grabbing her duel blades she heard Arthur’s call.

“Yue come her for a sec.” Arthur motioned.

Yue followed him to the other end of the yard out of hearing distance. “What is it sir?”

“What have you been doing this last week, I thought you got rid of that passive behavior?” Arthur said in a disapproving tone.

“What?”

“During sparing, you just follow the flow allowing Nik’s fears hold you both back. You went into the forest alone, surly you have the confidence to fight. Show him you aren’t the fragile girl that first came here even if it means giving a few bruises.” Arthur finished by poking Yue in the chest.

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Yue felt a weight lift from her shoulders, he was right. Nik has to remember that she could take care of herself. Tightening her grip on the blades Yue headed to the sparing circle. 

Nik was already there loosely holding his sword waiting. Smiling he asked, “Ready?”

Yue didn’t respond but rather tried to focus and listen for Arthur’s call.

“START!”

Rushing in Yue didn’t hesitate to slice downward with her right blade, keeping her left raised slightly over her chest ready to block. Nik stumbled slightly at the unexpected strength and speed of the attack but quickly reacted with a block then twisted slightly to reverse the block into a counter attack. 

Yue prepared to block with her left and counter with the right when she noticed something that made her eyes narrow so instead of blocking Yue just changed into a charge stance. Like she suspected when Nik’s attack was going to hit he pulled back instead.

“I am not a doll, and if you treat me like one you are going to lose.”Yue taunted, then rushed forward striking downward with both blades.

Nik rolled to the side but still got slightly nicked by the tips which tore lines in his shirt. “Yue this is just sparing stop being so serious, that could have hurt!”

“Good.” Yue responded with a flurry of attacks.

Nik barely blocked or dodged them until one finally hit on his shoulder leaving a bruise behind. After taking the hit Yue jumped back dodging his counter.

The combat continued in a dance of blades leaving more bruises and taunts until Nik finally snapped and stopped holding back. The fight was longer then any of the sparing sessions in the past as both Yue and Nik threw their frustrations into the blades. Nik at being useless again and Yue at being treated like a china doll. As the sun was setting and both bodies were trembling and soaked with sweat Yue and Nik clashed with the rest of their strength then fell side by side breathing heavily.

“Sorry.” Nik said after he regained some of his breath.

“Yah because you just got beat by a girl,” Yue joked trying to ease the tension.

“Says the one who has bruises too!….. I am sorry, it is just that I was helpless again. All I could do is ask the healer if you were okay, when you were unconscious all I could think of was what happened a year ago.” Nik sighed, “You can take care of yourself, and aren’t weak. Heck you even went alone and came back from the forest. But next time invite me okay?”

Yue laughed, “Got it, next time you can come.”