45 Yuki Sai - Part 2 (1/2)
”Grandpa, it hurts!” Yuki complained. Her entire body was sore from the intense training she was being given.
”You'll get used to it.” He replied. ”Let's go. Just a few more laps.”
She continued to run around a dirt track. She carried a small backpack filled with rocks. ”Huff! Huff!” She breathed heavily as she finally ran the final lap. She collapsed on the ground with her arms and legs spread wide as she panted from exhaustion.
”Good job. Take an hour break and then we'll move to your evening training.
Evening arrived, and she entered a dojo while wearing a white kungfu outfit. She copied her grandfather's motions as he taught her the basics of martial arts. He focused on proper breathing exercises and proper form, so the workout wasn't that intense.
”That's enough for today. We've been doing this for a few months now and you've finally turned five years old. We can begin the next step of your training. He pulled a small booklet out from his sleeves. ”You'll begin training with this. All members of our sect start with this book before choosing one more suited for them after they awaken.”
She looked at the book. It was called the Mortal Dragon Technique. She sat down and read through the entire book carefully. Then she read it again. ”Grandpa... I don't understand. Isn't this just a bunch of make-believe stuff?”
”Nonsense! Just let grandpa guide you!” He sat down next to her and placed his hands on her back. He guided the mana along the proper paths for a moment before frowning. ”This... is troublesome.”
”What is it? What's wrong?” She questioned.
”Nothing for you to worry about.” He sighed. ”I'll have a talk with your father once he returns.”
Years quickly passed. Soon, she was ten years old. Her grandfather had assigned her private tutors for the last five years. Her education was already at the level of a high schooler. He had also personally taught her martial arts. Her kungfu outfit was now black instead of white. She had continued her strength training this entire time while also perfecting her martial arts.
”Ha!” She yelled as she threw a strong kick towards her opponent. The man dodged to the side and returned a punch of his own. He was much larger and had longer reach, giving him the advantage. She rolled backwards to avoid it, then kicked off the ground to charge the man. The man tried to chop down on her neck, but he was just a little too slow and hit her back instead. Her fist slammed into his stomach, causing him to kneel on the ground in pain.
”I give! I give!” He yelled while laughing.
”Humph.” Yuki snorted proudly. She sat next to the man and leaned against his arm. ”Uncle Fang. Why are we so different from everyone else in the sect?”
”Yuki...” He rubbed her head to comfort her. ”I told you before. I didn't inherit the ability to become a cultivator. You should have the talent for it. I'm not sure of the reason why the training doesn't work for you. I'm sure we'll find out once my brother returns.”
”When my father returns...” She sighed. ”Does he even care about me anymore? I haven't seen him once since mom died.”
”Of course he does! He's just been busy looking for the esper that caused your mom's death. Also, he's a world-renowned hunter. He saves people all over the world and participates in almost every nightmare attack. So, he's a busy man.”
”Tell me more stories about my dad.” She requested selfishly while she continued hogging his shoulder.
”Sure.” He smiled. ”There was that one time where we...” He continued to tell various stories of the past while Yuki happily listened. A slight blush covered her face as she enjoyed the peaceful moment that broke up the monotonous routine of her daily training.
Some footsteps rang out down the hall. She looked up and saw a man wearing a bright jumpsuit walking towards their training room. ”Dad?!” She yelled in surprise.
”Mm.” He nodded. ”I'm back.”
”How are you doing, big bro” Fang smiled.
Mr. Sai frowned while sighing. ”I failed. I've spent almost all my time hunting that damned zombie, but he always slips away. It's like hunting for a straw of hay in a pile of needles.”
”I don't think that's quite how the saying goes...” Fang commented.
”I know what I meant. You ever try finding something when literally everything in the continent wants to kill you? That esper has turned most of Africa into a living hell. The nightmares are practically doing those people a favor when they attack and free them from their misery.”
”Is that so...”
”Anyways.” Mr. Sai looked at his daughter. ”Why hasn't she awakened yet? I thought I left the training in grandfather's hands. To waste so much valuable training time...”
Yuki looked down in depression at the comment. Fang whispered into his brother's ears, explaining what had happened.
”I see.” He nodded. ”Come, Yuki. Let's go see your grandfather.” The two headed for the throne room where the old man sat. He didn't look a day older than the last time Mr. Sai had seen him.
”Look who's finally back. To abandon such a cute child for so many years. Have you no heart, my son? Where did I go wrong raising you?” He looked forlorn over the situation his precious granddaughter had gone through. Losing her mother so young. Then her father disappears for half a decade. What cruelty.
”Do you of all people have any right to question me on that?” Mr. Sai frowned. ”You didn't raise me. You abandoned me. I didn't even meet you until I was already a teenager.”
”No, no, no!” Grandfather shook his head while denying the accusations. ”It's completely different. For one, you weren't a cute child! Therefore, I was perfectly justified in abandoning you! Haha!”
Mr. Sai's eyes started to turn slightly red as he clenched his fist in anger.