"Steph," Akira asked. "Would you be willing to show Ren around?"
"I guess," Steph shrugged. "But why?"
"I will be training Darren and Hannah in hand to hand combat. I doubt either one of you would find it very interesting."
Steph gave the kitsune a quizzical look. While getting to know another soul drive unit was appealing, she was curious why she wasnt being trained as well. "Is their any reason I'm not being included?"
"I'm trying to avoid publicly embarrassing Darren," Akira replied with a smirk. "Trust me, this will be a much harder lesson for him. Do you really want to see him get ragdolled all over the yard?"
Steph chuckled nodding before turning to Ren. "So do you play Puzzle Privateers?"
"I'm more of a Pocket Monsters player but I'll give it a try," Ren replied as the two soul drive units walked away. With both Steph and Ren now occupied, Akira turned to the two teens. "If you follow me our lessons will begin."
Darren and Hannah did as instructed, following the kitsune as they made their way to the backyard. Darren for his part was excited, an opportunity to train with an actual warrior. What would he learn from the kitsune? Mystical kung fu? Long forgotten techniques? Darren's mind was racing as he now waited with baited breath.
"My niece Misaki will be conducting your training today," Akira stated, pointing to the young teen behind him. Darren gawked at the girl. Misaki was a little shorter than he was and looked as threatening as a kitten. "Seriously her?!"
Misaki giggled, her eyes seeming to sparkle as she tried her long hair into a ponytail. "What afraid to fight a girl," she grinned.
Darren felt his throat go dry as he gazed at the very cute teen. Misaki was certainly exotic looking and possessed a body that could give Crystal anton for her money. Darren wondered if her kitsune genes were the reason behind her athletic yet lean physique.
"N..no," he stammered. "Its just, I'm bigger than you." Misaki smiled, approaching the boy and gazing up at him. "Not by much," she smiled.
"Okay hold on," Hannah exclaimed. "So are you like a kitsune too or what?"
"If you mean can I assume fox form the answer is no," Misaki said. "The ability to shapeshift wasnt passed down to me. But, that doesnt mean I didnt inherit some kitsune qualities." Misaki now performed a complex flip, landing perfectly before summoning a group of fireballs that now lazily floated around her. "From what I've learned from Granny Aiko I'm as agile as any kitsune, plus I can create these. Fox fire, mystical flames that burn away evil."
"Backflips and fireballs," Hannah shrugged. "Guess it's a start. Is that it?"
Misaki chuckled, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "I have other skills," she smirked. "My family made sure I knew how to take care of myself. Care to try your luck?"
Darren now stepped forward, a confident look on his face. Sure he wasnt much of a fighter but he had a feeling he could overpower Misaki. After all he was the Catalyst.
Misaki bowed, assuming a defensive stance as Darren now lunged at her. It was over before it began. Misaki dodged the clumsy attack, grabbing the teens arm before flipping him onto his back. Hannah had to admit it was comical as Darren yelled, somersaulting in the air before landing with a loud thud.
"Not bad but can you handle this," Hannah yelled. Misaki how watched as the robot monkey girl flipped, using her tail to adjust in mid air before throwing a powerful kick. Misaki could only grin, dodging the attack before grasping Hannah's tail. Hannah's eyes went wide, the Japanese teen now swept her legs causing the gynoid to collapse in a heap beside Darren.
"Not bad for a first effort," Misaki smiled. Darren and Hannah rubbed their heads, feeling the bruises form from where they hit. Misaki obviously had alot of skill, skill the two teens hoped they would be able to learn.