~𝘓𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘳~ // 𝘚𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘻𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘸𝘢 𝘹 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳

- 𝕏𝕍: Stitches -

The following chapter contains grotesque and partially graphic depictions of injuries and medical aid. Read with caution.

"Kanao? Where are you? Are you ready?" You asked.

"She's coming!" Mitsuri called out to you from outside.

You made your way out of the hospital wing and into the training yard. Kanao was quick to join you, her sword on her hip. "Are you ready?" Mitsuri clapped her hands and smiled as she spoke.

Next to her, Kocho sat with a clipboard, tapping her chin and waiting for you two to start. She looked exhausted.

"Uh... Kocho?" You asked hesitantly. "Are you... all right? You look tired."

"I'm fine. I'm quite all right. Just a bad nights sleep, that's all. I stayed up researching a specific medicine that might be useful in a future battle..." she yawned, and Mitsuri pat her back.

"You should go take a nap." She said. "It could be good for you."

"No. I'm here to evaluate Kanao's development, not slack off. Perhaps later." She said, stifling another yawn as she spoke.

"Oh, all right. I suppose. As long as you promise to rest soon!" Mitsuri scolded her friend.

"I will. Kanao, Y/n," she said, turning all the attention to you two, "you may begin."

Kanao was out of range all ready, meaning you had to get closer. You studied her, watching every muscle flex and relax as she inched closer to you

She was mapping out your next move, as you were her. Before you could tell what was happening, however, she leaped over your head in a graceful flip. "Dance of the Bee Sting: True Flutter." She repeated eerily as she moved above you.

You rolled to the side, dodging her piercing attack, and Kanao landed on her feet. She lunged at you again, too fast to register.

You glanced back at the two Hashira as you dodged her many attacks. Mitsuri was watching intently, biting her nails, and Kocho was scrawling something down in her notes.

"Butterfly Dance: Caprice." She thrusted at you, making you contort your body in an uncomfortable way just to make sure she wouldn't kill you. Her blade cut a portion of your stomach open, making your skin sting. Your uniform was cut open along the wound, and bright scarlet red dripped down from the fresh injury.

With her momentum being so strong, she didn't have the time to react when you grabbed her wrist and squeezed it. Her grip weakened and you knocked the sword from her hands.

"Love Breathing, Third Form: Catlove Shower." You sliced through the air at her in wide arcs and simultaneously kicked her sword behind you. She jumped back each time you slashed at her, and with the twist of her body, she kicked the side of your head, sending a sharp pain through your skull.

You staggered. She dashed and grabbed her sword, immediately launching an attack. You couldn't hear what she whispered, but regardless, she threw herself at you and threatened to cut off your head.

Before she could get to you, you knocked her out of the air, sending her across the field. She landed on her feet, stirring dust as she skid backwards.

"Love Breathing, Fifth Form: Swaying Love, Wildclaw." You jumped and let out your whip string attacks, all of which narrowly missed her as she ran towards you. She smiled kindly, almost apologetically.

With that, she threw you to the ground. Your knee hit the gravel first, making a sick crack! sound and sending a horrible pain through your leg. Kanao grabbed you by the hair, grinding your face into the ground as she sat atop you, her knee digging into your spine.