Grey: Monsters

"Hahaha, how was that?" she asked with a smile.

"Are you even human?"

"What kind of question is that? You think I'm like you?"

"Nn... that's not what I meant."

She jumped off my body, and I got back to my feet.

"What I'm saying is, you're just too fast... you disappeared."

"Seriously? Is that how you see it?"

"Then how do you see it?"

"I don't know... get ready, we're going again."

I stood back up.

"The hint's the same: pay attention to my feet."

This time, I followed her instructions. I looked at her feet, though I wasn't sure why.

"Here I come!"

Her right foot twisted right, and she disappeared again. Like before, she appeared behind me. I turned back, only to find my left leg had been sliced off. I dropped to one knee, but this time I refused to give in.

I shot my tentacles like whips over my body, and they caught her movements. That gave me a clue where she was headed.

I threw a punch, hitting the ground. She climbed up my arm, sprinting toward my face when three tentacles lashed out from different angles. She sliced through them in a flash, still closing in. I had a plan.

I shifted back, and she started to fall. Instantly, I transformed into Nephilim mode, caught her with one hand, and slammed her into the ground.

"Kuuik!"

"Oh shit, are you alright?"

I reverted to human form and rushed over, but she pointed her blade at my neck.

"That's not cool."

"Haha, sorry. But you were the first to play dirty—why transform back?"

"Why wouldn't I? You didn't set a rule against it."

"Still! Never mind, let's continue."

I stood up.

"That reminds me, have you been practicing what I taught you?" she asked.

"Err... yeah."

Lately, I'd been taking extra lessons from Saiya, ordered by Captain Leonard. And I have to admit, the training was paying off. Right now, my physical capability in the ranger suit was at five percent. Five fucking percent. If that isn't progress, I don't know what is.

The sparring continued for a few more minutes before she called it off. She said she needed to check something out, and after that, we did some extra training. I still didn't know what her deal was.

"Catch!"

"Ah... oh."

A water bottle aimed straight for my chest. I raised my hand and caught it.

"You remembered everything," she said.

"Yeah, it's all about the core and balance."

"Mm... now we need to wash up."

She was right—we were drenched in sweat. But what I didn't get was... did she mean we needed to wash up... together?

"Come on, I'm leaving you behind."

We headed back up to the room, and my nerves grew with every passing minute.

"Will you go first, or should I?" she asked.

I didn't know how to respond.

"Y-you can go."

My voice came out low.

"Sure... what's wrong with you? You're acting weird."

"Just go take the fucking bath, please."

"Okay, right."

Huff... Huff...

I was reaching my limit here.

After some time, she came out of the bathroom, wearing a dark T-shirt and white shorts. Not too revealing, which was a relief.

"Everything's ready for you. There's a towel—don't mess up the place."

I ignored her and went in. The place wasn't bad.

After a few minutes of a refreshing bath, I wrapped the towel around my waist. Then I remembered something critical—something really bad.

I didn't bring a change of clothes.

Fuck. I didn't think training would take this long. Shit, this is bad.

"What's taking you so long?"

What should I do? My old clothes were drenched.

"Err... I think... there's a problem."

I explained the situation to her.

"You didn't bring spare clothes?"

"You're shouting at me like it's my fault."

"Whose fault is it? Ugh, shouting won't help. We'll wash your clothes and wait for them to dry. In the meantime... wear this."

She tossed a sweater at me. It fit well on me, though I was sure it would be big on her... short girls, hahaha.

I didn't say that out loud.

Saiya helped me with the laundry, and we waited in her room, sitting silently on her bed.

"Does it hurt? How does it feel?" she asked suddenly.

"Where's that coming from—"

"When you transform, does it hurt?"

"Mm... a little. Like I'm on fire, but from the inside. I feel really thirsty and hungry."

"For human flesh?" she asked.

"No... for Nephilims. The first time I fought one in that form, I felt like I was going crazy. But after drinking its blood, the burning lessened. After eating it... I felt full."

"Is that so?"

"Mm."

We fell silent again. It was awkward, but what could I do?

"Mind if I touch it for a bit? I mean, your Nephilim skin."

I transformed my hand, and she moved closer, running her fingertips over it. I was aroused. Shit, a boner... oh shit.

"It's hard—"

"Hard?! I'm not hard! Pfft, what the fuck do you mean, hard?"

"I meant your skin."

"Oh."

"It's hard... and hot..." She kept moving her fingers over my hand when the door swung open.

"Saiya, the Cap—"

It was Sarada. Thankfully, I changed my hand back, but I didn't care if she saw or not. What mattered was what she thought.

"I'm sorry." She tried to close the door, but Saiya stopped her.

"Wait, it's not what you think. We were just—"

"..."

"We were just training," Saiya said.

"Training...?"

"Yes, training."

"On your bed... and he's wearing a towel."

"Sarada, please, it's not—"

Sarada wrapped her arms around Saiya, hugging her tightly.

"I'm so happy for you, sister. Finally."

"Sarada, it's not what you think."

"That's enough. I know you're embarrassed, but I came to deliver a message. Captain Leonard has been calling you. He needs you in the lab."

"Needs me? For what?" Saiya asked.

"I don't know, but I saw Mr. Nagato with him too."

"Hmm... both lieutenants, huh? It must be important. Thanks, anyway."

"Sure!"

Sarada shot me a thumbs-up.

"Well done, Dragon."

Saiya closed the door and turned slowly, teeth clenched, eyes sharp as ever.

"This is all your fault. If only you'd brought extra clothes—!"

"I'm sorry."

I wasn't entirely at fault, but my instincts told me the only way out was to apologize. Even if I wanted to argue, it wouldn't end peacefully.

"Well—"

"I said I'm sorry."

"Alright, I heard you. Just change and go."

"No, I'm following you."

"Why?!"

"Relax. I want to see the Captain. He told me to meet him today. I don't know the details, but... that's it."

"Hm, do as you please."

***

We walked through the base. It still felt weird, walking through these places, given that I'm a Nephilim—or should I say, half-Nephilim. It's strange.

I followed behind Saiya as we approached an elevator. An old man in a lab coat stood in front of the doors—one of the scientists, it seemed.

"If it isn't Lieutenant Saiya and...?"

"Ryuma. Tokita Ryuma."

"Oh, Ryuma. Captain Leonard is waiting for you on the lowest floor," he said to Saiya.

"Thank you, sir."

We stepped into the elevator, and Saiya pressed the button for the basement. After a few minutes, the doors opened to reveal a room. Inside were Captain Leonard, Nagato, and some scientists. All eyes were focused on the glass in front of them.

They hadn't noticed us yet, too engrossed in their work.

As we approached the glass, the figure on the other side became clear. It was a Nephilim.

Its body was all muscle, its eyes replaced by white flesh. Chains and nails pinned it to the cage. It turned its gaze toward me, and in its own language, it spoke.

"Long time no see, Xeno."