Urashin was completely unaware of Yamikuro's meeting with Seth, who left some unforgettable lines that echoed in Yamikuro's mind.
'Who was he...?'
Yamikuro felt someone press their hand against his shoulder, similar to how Seth had placed his hand on his shoulder before leaving.
Thankfully, it was Urashin, who had just gotten done with his business behind the locked door.
"Everything alright?" Urashin asked, seeing Yamikuro visibly shaken.
Yamikuro nodded without hesitation, unable to put his thoughts into words. And Urashin would've most likely brushed it off, considering the variety of Resonants in The Hideout.
Urashin took a deeper breath in, trusting Yamikuro's nod.
"We'll need to move if we want to reach the destination tonight."
They had been travelling for a while now, and it was about time for them to start training. The deadline was approaching quickly, as they had been on the road for almost two days.
Twenty-eight days remained, and Yamikuro was forced to leave behind the corrupt town known as Aisrus.
Yamikuro held his hand in a fist, which he threw in the air towards Aisrus' upper area.
"I'll come back," he swore under his breath. "I'll save you all."
Urashin glanced at Yamikuro, feeling the fire burn within Yamikuro again. He had hope, no, he was now certain of it: Yamikuro was going to take down Lucian, which was something he couldn't do.
Urashin lit up a cigarette, blowing smoke into the air as they took off. The smell was awful for Yamikuro, and Urashin knew that, but he hadn't smoked all day, having to fight Algeda and deal with Aisrus.
He caught every look Yamikuro threw at him, despite trying to create distance; Yamikuro was stuck to him.
Two smoked cigarettes and a few short interactions later, they arrived at the destination. It had been quite a long journey, and Yamikuro wanted to rest.
Before them was a small cabin made out of dark wood; the roof was a bit run-down, but the surrounding area seemed to be well-kept.
Next to the cabin, which Yamikuro didn't initially spot, was a wide hole. He only caught it after they stepped closer to the cabin, belonging to Urashin.
"So tired..." Yamikuro said behind a loud yawn, followed by a growling stomach, "So hungry..."
Yamikuro dragged his feet towards the cabin, hoping to get some rest after a bite.
"It's going to be an unfortunate night for you, then," Urashin noted, his eyes pointing towards the hole beside the cabin.
Yamikuro caught what Urashin meant too fast, his body jolting.
"I'm not training- Not right now!"
Urashin didn't seem to change his mind, standing by what he said. Yamikuro let out a gulp, wanting to just rest.
The tension built up within Yamikuro, but then, Urashin smiled slightly.
"Get inside."
The tension and fear immediately disappeared as Yamikuro opened the front door before Urashin could change his mind.
With the pull of a hanging rope, the light turned on, showing Urashin's small cabin. The day had already gotten dark, the sun setting behind the tall mountains.
Urashin led Yamikuro to the kitchen, where canned food was stacked on top of each other in the cabinets. A variety of meat, vegetables, and fruit was split between each cabinet.
Without them speaking to each other after the tiring trip, Urashin put on the fire on the stove, throwing different canned foods together in the pot.
After a long few minutes, the food was ready. Urashin grabbed two plates and set them on the table next to the stove, in the kitchen area.
Yamikuro didn't seem too pleased with the food, but he didn't complain, as he's had to survive on rough diets growing up alone.
"This is all you'll have for the next month," Urashin stated, before eating.
"That's fine..." Yamikuro responded, his mind tired.
The quietness that followed made the meal special, the two of them eating together in a safe environment. Yamikuro and Urashin had grown close in that short time span.
It felt like they had known each other for way longer, even though they had learned each other's names a day ago.
Urashin set the clean bed ready for Yamikuro, as he threw a mattress on the ground, where he'd lie.
Yamikuro's mind was filled with too many things, but he had tired himself out and fell asleep the second his head hit the pillow.
Urashin, on the other hand, stared at the ceiling in the dark. The only thing on his mind at the moment was Yamikuro, and how he'd found a student that he may not fail for the first time.
The following morning, Urashin had already gone out, just like at the motel. Yamikuro stretched, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Yamikuro hopped off the bed, washing his face with water, trying to find a toothbrush, when he remembered where he was. He had no choice but to step outside.
Birds flapped their wings above him, flying towards the sun and the distant mountains. Fog covered the ground as a sign of an early morning.
The cold bit through Yamikuro's thin shirt, making him shiver. Not too long ago, the heat made him and Kaminari go crazy, trying to find a place to cool down.
Yamikuro rubbed his arms, staring at the hole.
His stomach twisted, not from hunger, but from the uncertainty of what awaited him. Training with Urashin meant pain, exhaustion, and a reckoning with himself. And yet, he couldn't help the flutter of excitement in his chest.
"So you're finally awake," Urashin said behind him, holding a burning cigarette between his fingers.
He still wore his bandana, despite leaving his cloak behind.
"Morning," Yamikuro responded, still not used to the smell of the smoke.
"You ready?" Urashin cut through Yamikuro's greeting.
Before Yamikuro could respond, Urashin slightly nudged him. Yamikuro's feet trembled on the edge of the hole, his hands swaying in the air.
The hands swayed a couple of times before he finally fell in, his white shirt now ruined with dirt.
Yamikuro pushed himself upright, brushing dirt from his scraped hands and shirt. His heart pounded, adrenaline mixing with frustration.
He scanned the area, the uneven ground, the scattered rocks, the hole looming above him; all of this meant but one thing: things were about to get serious.
"Why'd you do that?!" Yamikuro yelled in frustration, seeing his clothes covered in dirt and his arms slightly scraped.
Urashin stood calmly; he didn't wear his sunglasses, so his eyes connected with Yamikuro's.
"This is where you'll be training."
And with that, the training to take down Lucian had officially begun.