Blowing the cobwebs away (Training Private)

It was time for the spar that Hayato had agreed upon with the newly awaken Naomi. It had only been two days and Hayato would be lying if he said he wasn’t surprised that she was up to the task of training so quickly after having woken from her roughly three year coma. However, even on that first day when she had awoken, it was clear she was determined to overcome any difficulties that she may have been faced with and although she fell then she had made it a surprising distance before having done so, she was strong willed that was for sure and clearly loyal to the serreitei as she was more than anxious to get back into everything she had missed within her squad as soon as possible. It was a bit of fresh air seeing someone so positive and driven. The people in the hospital that Hayato saw day in and day out typically seemed to possess quite the opposite trait, having a more downward demeanor and outlook on the future.


Hayato crossed the Serreitei on his way towards the training grounds where he was to meet Namoi, his zanpakuto strapped and prepared at his side, his medical gear, out of habit, in its usual spot slung across his left shoulder. Hayato pondered what it was about Naomi that made him accept her offer to train so willingly, was it her loyalty, her kindness or was it that he knew he needed the training just as much as Namoi most likely did? It often times crossed his mind how useless in battle he was, outside of his shikai his skills were almost non-existent, it strained him a bit, made him think he wasn’t worthy to be anywhere even outside of the hospital.


Hayato sighed as the training ground came into view, it had seemed as though time had progressed a bit quicker than he had anticipated, and as he continued to walk he looked around the area, trying to find Naomi so that he could meet up with her to begin their training, he had hoped she hadn’t been waiting long, this was the first thought that ran through his head as he spotted her and began to walk up to her.


“Hello.” Hayato said with a smile, “You’re looking even better then you were only a few days ago, much quicker than most would have healed up.”

 

Hayato couldn’t help but laugh a little after Naomi was finished talking, he hadn’t known her long, but already could tell she had a habit of talking non-stop almost without restraint. She was talking quicker than she could think and go herself all flustered too, it was amusing to watch not that Hayato would ever say that specifically to Naomi.


“Relax Naomi. It’s all ok, no need to worry about something so little as not asking how I was, but I suppose since you asked now I’ll let you know.” Hayato said with a little smirk. “I’ve been good, keeping myself busy mostly with normal duties around the hospital, other than that though I don’t think anything of extreme interest has happened.”


“Now…” Hayato paused for a moment thinking, “In the ways of training I’m truly open and free for whatever you think will best help you out. I’m sure I’m equally as rusty as you might be when it comes to all this, so anything would be worth the refresher. So, what is it you want to train? After all you have to get back in good standing with your squad, show them being away for three years didn’t take its toll.”


Hayato stretched his arms out above his head as he listened, waiting for a response from Naomi. It was clear she was a kind girl and her intentions were all of the best nature, Hayato couldn’t help though to see how she was in battle. Often times people changed when they fought, on the field and off the field had devastating effects to ones’ personality so it would truly be interesting if there was a change to her nervous yet extremely kind outlook on things if they sparred.


Yet at the same time Hayato desperately tried to think of what he wanted to train, he hadn’t even put any thought in it, a bit too wrapped up in the actual training potential of all of this, what he wanted to train was lost. At this point it seemed like he was going to have to rely on what was relevant at the time and the few techniques he had read up on, but had not put to use in much effective training. Maybe at least then he could get something out of all of this, get better, not just be someone who fixes the wounded, but can protect those from getting wounded as well.

“Zanjutsu it is, should be a good warm-up for sure.” Hayato said calmly trying to sound as confident as he could as he unsheathed his zanpakuto carefully, watching as Naomi did the same. He took his sealed Zanpakuto out and pointed it, holding it in both hands, out towards Naomi, as it seemed she had done to him already.

“To be honest I’m pretty sure I could do with any training at all, so anything you want to do and in whatever progression I’m fine with, Namoi.”

Hayato nodded as Namoi spoke, announcing she was ready to begin, allowing for Hayato to begin the session. It had been quite some time since he had held his zanpakuto in this manner. In a manner in which to fight, it had certainly been too long at that, for although he talked to his spirit often, actually fighting and using techniques he had was something that had completely fallen to the wayside, unless healing techniques were included in the mix. It was a constant fear on his mind something he tried his best to repress but as of late found it nearly impossible to do.

Hayato took a deep breath, watching his opponent as he stood there, mentally preparing himself before moving, it was tough for him, having so little experience out on the field made it so every movement he made seemed as though it might have been the wrong move. He had very little to no actual instincts when it came to battle and it made all this even more difficult, but despite all of that, all of the doubt he knew what he had agreed to with Naomi. He wasn’t going to let someone down, especially in something as trivial as a practice spar just because of his inability to get past such mental blockades.

Hayato took another breath and in an instant shunpo’d towards Naomi, blade in hand, coming out of his step right in front of Naomi with a swing of his blade coming from her right shoulder down to her left hip. His hand shaking slightly as his blade came down, he was not confident with his techniques, his stance, anything, although he knew basic maneuvers outside of that he was clueless and his confidence surely showed that.

Hayato heard as his shaky stance and grip met with the more confident one of Namoi, the tinge of two blades meeting and locking. Neither one was currently moving; they were simply in stale mate, however it would only last like that for a few moments as Namoi pressed forward with more might, catching the already unsure Hayato off his footing.

As he was pushed away though it seemed as that was not all Naomi had planned as she extended her foot, hooking behind Hayato’s own. It was a rookie mistake for Hayato no to have been able to catch it, but he was far from out of practice in one-on-one fighting, words were hard to even describe how much so and so Hayato stumbled with a small grunt, but by some miracle was able to remain on his feet, though not in an shape for an ease counter-attack. Instead Hayato stumbled back a few feet, embarrassed at the idiotic movements he had made.

Trying to make a successful comeback he tried not to delay as he came in again toward Namoi swinging his blade at horizontally across her midsection. His movements though were still shaky and without strong confidence, fighting in general had always been one of Hayato’s weak points and this spar was only currently showing more to that effect. It was certainly a struggle mentally for Hayato, only seemingly reinforcing how truly pitiful he was in some regards as a shinigami.

Where zanjutsu wasn’t Hayato’s strong suit though he had been practicing some bakudo when they moved on in their training, for now though he needed to keep his eye on the prize it were, feeling weak was already enough of a distraction he needed to make sure that he could focus as much as he could on the sword fight in front of him. If anything at least he was getting some practice, right?

Naomi was quick blocking Hayato’s attack yet again. For someone who had just gotten out of the fourth hospital, after such a long time immobile in her coma, she certainly didn’t take any time to get back into the swing of things. Her movements were fluid and concise blocking when needed and not pushing herself any further then she needed to, or at least so it seemed in the ease she carried herself in contrast especially to Hayato himself. On top of that too though, Hayato could not help but to notice that she was not even using the bladed side of her zanpakuto instead relying on the reverse dull blade, whether that be because she thought this to be a simple dual, not wanting to injure someone, or that she felt confident in her abilities to be able to maintain such a maneuver were unknown to Hayato, but he continued forward apply pressure to the blade of Namoi’s as they met.

“That’s surprising because you don’t look as though you’ve been caught off guard at all.” Hayato said with a smirk as he looked at Naomi, their blades still locked, he knew what she said was true, but he remained silent. He needed to be more confident in himself, his movements, and his actions, all of it. How could you be expected to make your movements mean anything if you yourself were unsure of them, however operating and battle field maneuvers were as different as two things could be for him.

Hayato however quickly perked up as Namoi spoke again before disappearing quickly, reappearing, far quicker than he had hoped, to his right. Hayato quickly tried to move, escaping one of his legs, however the remaining leg, his left was unable to move as quick, maybe it was still his lack of confidence or the surprise in the attack, but it was uncertain either way, the blunt side of the blade skimmed his shin, which would certainly leave a bruise as he staggered back a few feet from the impact.

Damn it….

“You’re quick, huh?” Hayato would say as he rubbed his shin slightly. “Good move.”

“Definitely guess I’ll be picking up a thing or two from you, if I don’t get bruised up too bad first.” Hayato said smirking.

“Let’s go again.” Hayato raised his zanpakuto out and towards Naomi. “No more lucky shots.”

He smiled prepared to go another bout.