The Bounty Hunter

June 17th, 2089

Veronica’s POV

I stood in the center of the dojo, enjoying the feeling of the cool hardwood floor beneath my bare feet.  Out of the many new things I have seen and experienced in this new world, I find that training in the peace and quiet of the dojo is one of my favorites.  It’s even better when I am accompanied by Terra or one of my few precious friends.

“Vera, I *wheeze* can’t *wheeze* go *wheeze* *wheeze* on…”  Hikari, one of those few precious friends, was lying in front of me in a puddle of sweat.  “I don’t care for excuses, get up.”  I stabbed my blunted rapier at the prone Hikari, who frantically rolled away while grabbing her weighted shinai.  She quickly got up and readied herself for another exchange of blows despite her many bruises and exhaustion.

I’ve taken it upon myself to train Hikari these past few months in combat.  This world may be far more peaceful than my home, but that doesn’t mean it is perfect.  She needs to be able to defend herself just in case.  This is something Kira, Terra and I are in agreement upon, but it was decided I was the most suitable instructor.  Both Kira and Terra use a 2-sword fighting style, which is not compatible with Hikari.  She has practiced a one-sword style of kendo since she was a child, which is a blessing since she already has a strong understanding of the basics.  Hikari is quite talented with the sword, but she lacks experience.  Thus, our training has been me beating her senseless in an attempt to instill some fighting prowess and grit.

“Are you ready?”  Hikari didn’t have the breath to respond, simply nodding her head instead.  I slowly took a single step forward, but as my foot touched the floor I rocketed forward while emanating some minor killing intent.  Hikari desperately attempted to parry, but she was too slow.  However, this was not due to a delayed reaction or her being scared by my bloodlust.  Even her form while parrying was respectable.  I was simply too fast and she was too tired.  The result was me knocking the wind from her as she collapsed once more into a heap.  I didn’t stop and promptly went to kick her.

To my pleasant surprise, Hikari managed to scramble out of the way while lashing out with her shinai.  I easily avoided her strike, but the fact is that not only did she hold on to her sword after being struck, she also managed to put up resistance even when she was injured and completely spent.  “We’ll stop here for today.”  I said as Hikari sprawled out on the dojo floor.  I heard the faintest “…ok” from her as I brought some water over. 

A shadow of a smile appeared on my face as I looked at her disheveled appearance.  It reminds me of when my mother first started training me.  She was even more brutal, breaking several of my bones during my first few months of training.  In her words “My love makes it hard for me to hold back.  I want to make sure you are able to protect yourself.  Bones can be healed with magic, but life cannot be regained once lost.”  It was touching, but it didn’t make the injuries feel any better afterwards.

“Vera, how did I do?”  Hikari asked me after finally catching her breath and rehydrating.  “Well, I think.  You have finally started showing some fighting sense, so I think it is time to change things up.  We can get Kira and Terra to spar with you, it’s important to have various kinds of opponents.”

“Yay!  You better watch out Vera, soon I won’t be the only getting bruises from our spars!”  Hikari cheered as she slightly bounced up and down in happiness.  No one would think that only five minutes ago she was too exhausted to even stand.  Her energy is truly extraordinary.  Normally I would find that sort of person extremely irritating, but somehow Hikari makes it rather endearing.  I can’t help but get a little pumped up too whenever I am around her.

“Woof!”  My musings were interrupted by a short bark, causing me to instinctively jump backwards and ready my sword.  I looked up to see that Hikari’s dog Snoozer had woken up from his nap.  “Vera, I don’t understand why you dislike dogs so much.  It’d make sense if it was Kira, but with you it’s baffling.”  Hikari sighed while picking up Snoozer and petting him.  “Why in the world would Kira have a problem with dogs?”  I couldn’t help but tilt my head in confusion.  As far as I know, Kira was never hunted by dog-kin for an entire day and night like I was.  “Yeah, I guess you’re right.  It was just a wrong assumption on my part.”  Hikari responded after thinking for a moment.  I could hear her mutter faintly something about cats and dogs not getting along.

“Anyways, I think you’ll be ready soon to go on a hunt for your first kill.”  Hikari nearly dropped Snoozer after hearing me.  “…What?” she asked me in a quiet voice.  “Hesitation is the most common reason why newbies lose a fight.  And dealing the final blow is the most common reason why newbies hesitate.”  I explained as Hikari turned pale.  I ignored this and continued on “Back home there were plenty of monsters and bandits that one could fight, but that’s not an option here.  So, I think a simple hunt will be the best we can do.” 

“But I don’t want to kill at all…”  *Sigh* It truly is wonderful to be able to grow up to her age and still be so innocent.  I can’t help but wonder how I would have turned out if I had been born in this world instead.  “Mercy, honor, and kindness are wonderful things but they are luxuries reserved for the strong.”  To illustrate my point, I picked up her weighted wooden shinai and exerted some strength into my grip, crushing the solid wood into splinters.  I ignored the blood now leaking from my splintered hand as I kept my eyes locked onto Hikari.  “You are not strong, so you must be ruthless, underhanded and desperate instead.”

Hikari avoided my gaze, instead looking at her now broken shinai.  “You broke it…” she muttered.  “Terra can fix it easily, don’t worry.”  “And you hurt your hand…”  “A minor injury like this isn’t even worth bothering Terra for.”  I calmly wrapped some gauze around my injury.  There was a pregnant pause as I waited for her to finally react to my statement.  I waited patiently as the seconds turned into minutes. 

Finally, Hikari spoke.  “I don’t think I’ll be able to do it, but since you think it’s for the best I’ll at least try.”  “That’s fair enough.  I know it’s hard, but remember that this is for an important reason.”  I patted her on the back as I continued “I just want to make sure if you ever get into a situation where it’s either you or them you are able to choose yourself.  Kira, Terra and I have all lost people close to us and I don’t want it to ever happen again.”  I couldn’t help but turn a little red as I finished.  It’s kind of embarrassing speaking at length about my feelings like this.

“Who did you lose?”  Hikari’s question snapped me out of my thoughts.  I guess I haven’t ever told her about it.  Apart from general details about home and my relationship with Terra, I never talked with Hikari about my personal life from before.  It was easier to let Kira chatter away instead.  I don’t care to reminisce much about it after all.  “My mother.”  I replied.  “I see…” Hikari said as she fell into thought briefly before asking “Did it change you?”

“Yes, it did.  It’s impossible not to change when someone precious to you passes away.  Life was very hard for a time.”  I became quiet for a moment as I thought back to all those lonely years before meeting Terra.  “But, I’ve discovered since then that finding new precious people can change things in a good way.  Like meeting Terra, Kira and you.”  A small smile graced my face as I finished.  Smiling used to be so hard for me, but now it’s getting easier and easier.  I only have a small circle of precious people right now, but I daresay that it’ll grow.  School should be a good opportunity for that to happen.

“Vera!!!”  Hikari tackle-hugged me at a speed I couldn’t dodge, causing us to fall to the floor in a tangle of limbs.  I immediately regret sharing my emotions openly.  “Kari, get off!  You’re sticky and gross!!”  “Ha!  It’s too late!  You’ve already gone ‘dere’, you can’t switch back to ‘tsun’ anymore!”  Hikari laughed as she proceeded to snuggle up to me shamelessly.  Her cheerfulness must be infectious, because I couldn’t help but smile once again at her antics.  The thought that the rest of my life is likely to be as carefree as this is truly wonderful.