"Execution?! Isn't that too-"
"Extreme? I know, I know." The purple-haired woman sighed ruefully as she folded her arms beneath her chest, "But the higher-ups in Soul Society are always like that. They are always strict about maintaining balance between realms and all that. To be honest, their way of thinking is so old-fashioned."
She huffed irritably, obviously disdaining the methods employed by high-ranking officers stationed above Central 46.
Shirou pursed his lips tightly together. He didn't expect things would turn dire like this. He thought Central 46 wasn't as rotten as the Mage Association he heard from Tohsaka, but now they showed a similar trait.
"I see..." He breathed out slowly, forcing himself not to let negative emotions overwhelm his senses. "... If it's execution, then what should we do?"
"Probably nothing," Yoruichi shrugged carelessly, dismissing his concern rather bluntly. "Kisuke will find a way out. Just keep doing whatever you do to help your brother or something."
"Anyway, enough about boring talk. We haven't had any action lately, right? Let's do some exercise together."
Yoruichi grinned mischievously, her eyes gleaming dangerously. Her posture relaxed subtly though, signaling her casual demeanor once more.
"Aren't you supposed to be working?" Shirou asked dryly.
"Nah~ I'm bored anyway since Kisuke holed himself inside his room with Tessai for the entire week." She cooed delightfully. "Besides, I think sparring together would definitely benefit both of us! You also need to train to keep yourself sharp for incoming challenges ahead. Am I wrong?"
She was right. Shirou had trained very seriously after obtaining projection, however he still lacked experience with many Noble Phantasm and armaments. His lack of mastery over his ability greatly hindered him in battle.
Aside from practicing Projection in private by summoning various weapons every day without fail ever since mastering the basics, he had never sparred or fought anyone else since Ichigo awakened.
Maybe it was time to sharpen himself again.
"Then, I will be in your care."
***
The basement of the store was basically empty except for its rocky surface.
An enormous cavern formed below. Bright lights illuminated the area dimly and sparse grasses grew everywhere alongside small boulders scattered about randomly on ground.
The pair faced each other, standing apart roughly fifteen meters away.
Yoruichi wore her workout clothes consisting of a leotard bodysuit and loose pants tied around waist with a sash belt wrapped around the upper portion whereas Shirou remained dressed similarly wearing casual shirt and jeans.
"Are you ready?" Yoruichi asked teasingly.
"Anytime." Shirou answered, tracing the twin swords.
Yoruichi started circling around Shirou like a cat stalking prey, observing his movements closely. She slowly closed distance separating them till mere inches apart separated their bodies.
Then suddenly, she charged toward Shirou swiftly like a lightning bolt.
Her speed exceeded that of normal human limits.
Shirou dodged to the side swiftly, parrying Yourichi's small knife thrust aimed directly at his throat. He countered swiftly, launching a series of rapid slashes at high velocity alternating between twin blades.
Each strike clashed fiercely creating sparks flying freely through air before dispersing abruptly.
Yoruichi laughed joyfully during the intense exchange, enjoying herself immensely. She jumped away and tapped his toe against the ground.
"You've gotten faster, Shirou-kun." She praised earnestly.
"Not fast enough to catch you yet." He admitted reluctantly.
Hearing that, Yoruichi couldn't help but laugh loudly. "For a human who hasn't learned a movement technique, I'd say you're among the fastest. Too bad I can't teach Quincy about their technique as I know nothing about it."
"It's okay. I will figure something out." He dismissed lightheartedly with a smile gracing his features.
She smirked devilishly as she cracked her knuckles menacingly.
"Let's see how far you will get before I kick your ass, Shirou!"
Shirou grinned mischievously.
"Then come!"
Yoruichi's figure turned into blur as she moved closer to Shirou. She moved so swiftly he barely saw her movements.
Just before he could blink twice however—
Thud!
Something slammed hard into Shirou's stomach. His eyes widened momentarily before air pushed out forcefully from lungs causing him to cough violently.
Another impact crashed into his ribs, sending him flying backwards through midair and crashing against the rock.
"Gha!"
"Too slow!" Yoruichi taunted mockingly as she dashed forward once more, closing the gap quickly with unbelievable swiftness.
Shirou rolled to his side just moments prior to the second strike hitting solid earth, narrowly missing impact.
He rose immediately afterwards, gasping heavily for oxygen deprived lungs desperately.
Holding back against Yoruichi wouldn't work. He would end up in his family's clinic otherwise.
So...
"I am the bone of my sword."
Chanting his aria, he prepared his trump card.
"So, you finally brought that out huh..."
Realizing what Shirou did, Yoruichi lowered her stance and dropped to all fours while assuming her feline form.
Swords materialized midair with a blue fire, fake and deformed Noble Phantasm materializing into reality. He raised his hand and commanded these swords to fly towards the woman.
"Steel is my body and fire is my blood."
"Throw them all!"
Yoruichi pounced to evade swarms of swords launched toward her direction.
Every blade left a blue trail, pierced grounds with great precision, and exploded wherever they impacted surfaces.
However, none hit their mark whatsoever. She continued dodging erratically avoiding every assault effortlessly whilst zigzagging at breakneck speed.
"I have created over a thousand blades."
Preparing for his next attack, Shirou traced a weapon that impaled him in the heart back then. A red spear reminiscent of blood appeared in his hand as blue fire flickered.
"Gae Bolg!"
He threw the crimson spear forward at high speeds, but unfortunately the Spear of Impaling Barbed Death failed to pierce anything vital due to Yoruichi's incredible agility.
She disappeared in an instant.
A thunderous boom resounded across the cave along with a shockwave generated by a powerful throw force sent forth.
It took several seconds for dust clouds created by massive destruction earlier to dissipate.
Yoruichi's figure could be seen standing in the middle, blood trickling down her upper left arm where a cut wound was located. It bled profusely as droplets of blood seeped out freely.
The purple haired woman looked at her wound and licked it.
"Slurp- I have to admit that the spear was dangerous. One mistake and I would have my chest pierced," she commented coolly. "I'm surprised."
"Huff... Thanks." Shirou replied, letting the Noble Phantasm disappear, "But using that spear took a toll on me too. It took a lot of reiryoku from me. I can't activate its full potential without a full chant."
This was not exactly true though, because Lancer's spear was B rank Noble Phantasm. It required quite a high amount of energy to sustain itself properly.
Shirou wiped sweat running down his forehead tiredly; "Do we stop for now, Yoruichi-san?"
"Hehe... It's getting fun, so why should we stop? I will show you something interesting."
A feral grin formed on her face as her amber orbs shone brilliantly. An ominous aura exuded from her body radiating immense pressure around her vicinity.
This woman... She was not finished yet. Her power still hadn't reached peak condition.
'Geez...' Shirou thought nervously inwardly. 'This catwoman surely has limitless stamina.'
"Let me tell you. This technique is called Shunpo."
As soon as she said that, her figure disappeared completely. Shirou could no longer trace her movements even with his trained sight.
'So fast!'
He summoned another Kanshou and Bakuya to intercept the attack coming from behind him.
However, before he could react in time, he felt something heavy smashed into his back forcefully. He was sent flying again, but he quickly regained his balance and stopped himself by stabbing the swords into ground, halting further motion completely.
At that moment, Yoruichi had already moved behind him again.
"Too slow."
A kick landed square onto his backside followed shortly thereafter by another vicious strike delivered directly toward the lower abdomen region.
Shirou spat out a large glob of saliva while clutching his belly painfully, tumbling downward to solid earth with a thud.
"Urgh..."
Despite being dazed slightly due to severe pain, Shirou promptly reacted by rolling away.
A heel cracked the spot where his head laid seconds earlier, crushing hard ground beneath effortlessly. Clouds of debris erupted forcefully upward into the sky upon contact point impact zone.
"Let's stop here." Yoruichi said calmly while brushing dirt off her black pants, smirking wryly afterward, "You've gotten so strong that I lost control a little. Sorry~"
"Please don't be sorry." Shirou groaned weakly in response, slowly rising upright.
He felt his wound healed at a rapid speed thanks to Avalon inside him, which he found once again when he mastered his Tracing.
Shaking head several times to clear remaining dizziness away, he stood steadily afterward. Then he looked at Yoruichi sternly.
"You are just too strong, Yoruichi-san. What was that movement?"
"Shunpo," she repeated name casually with a mischievous smile adorning a beautiful visage.
"I remembered Quincy has something similar called Hirenkyaku, utilizing Reishi to create a foothold under their feet and ride them to move faster. How to do it? I don't know. I am not a Quincy."
"That's it?" Shirou questioned curiously, raising eyebrows doubtfully in the process.
She merely shrugged nonchalantly, responding casually.
"That's it. If you want to learn, just start somewhere. Anyway, let's return to the shop. Tessai should've returned from shopping now, so make me some food, Shirou-kun. It's been a long time since I ate your cooking!"
"... Fine..." Shirou sighed resignedly. "I am tired, so I will make something simple."
***Chapter End***
A teasing catwoman! Is there anyone better than a beautiful, playful, and se- I meant, good mentor like that?
Shirou is still green, not used to fighting against strong Shinigami yet. And we know Yoruichi is one of the fastest out there! He's able to injure her is something to be proud of!
Anyway, stones?