Chapter 25

It had been a week since Andre first arrived at Yuko's shop and he was still training under Doumeki.

Or so he wished. Doumeki's "training" seemed more like chores than anything else, but Andre understood that he was weak. Despite that, it seemed he was steadily gaining more muscle these past several days. It astounded Andre as to how strong he had become, but his instructor felt otherwise.

As Doumeki watched over Andre's "training", he sat near Watanuki and waited a few seconds to make sure Andre was out of earshot.

"His strength has almost tripled within this past week, Watanuki. It can't be healthy. The boy has even grown in height; he looks like a ten-year-old now. I've never heard of such a thing happening. Have you talked to Yuko-san about it?"

Watanuki nodded, "I have. But she refuses to tell me much about it. From what I know, it's the boy's vampire blood that's responsible for his rapid growth. When I spoke to Fay-san a couple of days ago, it seems the same is true for their daughter. She's been able to sword-fight and use magic for the past month, when she was only the size of a five-year-old."

Doumeki stayed silent for a few moments, analyzing the information his lover had just given him. "Do you think the blood reacts on its own?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not positive, but I have a feeling their vampiric blood only reacts rapidly when combines with a catalyst of some sort."

The bespectacled teen quirked an eyebrow, "A catalyst like…?"

"Perhaps…physical labor? Certain types of nutrition? I'm not exactly sure, but it must be that. Think about it, Watanuki. The boy was alive for only a few months but when he came here, he looked much younger than he does now after only a week."

"Hm…I agree…" Watanukie stood up, "I'll try to talk to Yuko about it. For now, I think you should just focus on him." He smiled softly, "He has a lot of potential."

Doumeki gave Watanuki a slight curt of his head in agreement.

Andre's eyes widened, "R-Really, Doumeki-sensei!? You'll let me use a bow and arrow for real!?"

Doumeki nodded and gave his apprentice a gentle smile, "Yes, chibi. Now, follow me. I'll take you to the practice grounds."

The young boy followed his teacher around the shop and into what seemed to be a connected yard with targets on the fence and a bow and arrow lying at his feet.

"Go on. Pick them up."

The blonde boy nodded and did as he was told. He slid the arrow between his fingers and held the end by the string. He then held it up.

"Remember to keep a firm grip."

Andre tightened his hand on the bow.

"Lower your elbow."

The copper-eyed boy pressed his arm closer to his chest.

"Keep both eyes opened."

Andre didn't even realize he had closed an eye. So he tried his best to keep them wide open.

Just as he was about to shoot, Andre felt a hand on his waist and a voice whispered into his ear.

"Your target is right in front of you, Andre. You won't miss. I have faith in you."

The young boy felt a shiver down his spine at the mention of his given name. It made him realize that this teacher was confident that he could do it. He wasn't sure if it was nerve-wracking or flattering. But Andre knew that he had to make the shot. It could be the beginning of all that he has waited for. He wanted to be strong. He wanted to catch up to his sister. He wanted to protect his fathers.

He had to make the shot.

So as Andre took a deep breath and felt Doumeki release his hold on him, he let his fingers go of the string. He closed his eyes once he felt the arrow out of his control. Then, he heard a sharp strike echo through his ears.

A large hand ruffled his hair, "You can let your breath out now, chibi."

Andre took it as a sign to open his eyes. So as he opened up his copper-colors eyes, a sense of accomplishment filled him.

He hit the target.

It wasn't a bulls-eye. No, actually, quite far from it; he had managed to hit the very outer ring of the target, almost missing it. But it was good enough for him. He had hit it, and it felt so good.

Andre's smile widened and he looked up at his teacher.

"Doumeki-sensei…I hit it."

Doumeki nodded, "Indeed you did."

"I…hit it. I hit it!" Andre kept repeating it in excitement.

The elder teen smiled slightly as he ruffled the boy's dirty-blonde hair but his eyes widened when he realized Andre begin to cry.

"O-Oi, why are you crying, chibi?"

Andre bit his lip and shook his head, "I...I…Sensei…" The boy couldn't force out his words and simple tackled Doumeki into a sudden hug.

To say the least, Doumeki was surprised. He never had a little kid hug him, much less a kid he had trained. It felt…gratifying in a way. He knew exactly what it felt like to shoot your first arrow. It was a feeling he couldn't forget, even after all these years.

"Congratulations, chibi. You did well."

Andre nodded in thanks as he let his tears into Doumeki's yukata.

"Now come on. We've got a lot more training to do."

The boy pressed closer to his teacher before looking up and giving him a tearful smile, "Okay!"

A certain figure crossed her legs as she listed to her servant, Fei-Wang entered her throne room.

"Princess, I have arrived with a new strategy," Fei-Wang stated as he knelt before her.

"You have failed me once already, Fei-Wang."

"Yes, I know. I apologize for that blunder. I was sure Ashura's resurrection would have brought on a more…catastrophic ending for our dear 'heros'."

The princess narrowed her eyes, "The only one with a 'catastrophic' ending was Ashura." She lifted her hand, "And if you fail me once more," she snapped her fingers and a sudden pain entered Fei-Wang's head, "you shall be the one with a 'catastrophic' end."

Fei-Wang crouched over, holding his head in agony, "Y-Yes, Princess. Understood." Within seconds, the pain in his head was gone. He looked up at his princess and gulped.

'They will not escape this time. I swear it upon my life.'