A swift breeze washed across his face as he bent backward to dodge a swiping rod. A foot extended outward in the same motion for his opponent’s stomach. Though, opposed to it being an attack, it was a means for further evasion, the boy pushed off and leaned into a back handspring.
With the distance made, the lad stared down the giant man. He stood firm in his defensive stance, raising his staff with one end aimed at the boy’s chest. The child with hair of the rising sun lowered his stance, clawing his fingers as though a tiger. His tail swayed back and forth slowly behind him like a pendulum, with the tip trained on his boulder built opponent.
“Hoooah!” He yipped.
His approach was a pounce forward from on all fours, and a small exchange ensued. Aggressive, clawed strikes were blocked and countered by the man easily. He was clearly more experienced. Though, when he went on the offensive due to a strike with the staff, the boy drew his fingers together to form a snake’s head. In a fluid motion, he zipped the fanged beast directly into the man’s front wrist and simultaneously kicked his back hand. Loosening his grip on the weapon, the sun child’s tail came in and wrested control, snatching it.
Retreating once more, he cartwheeled several feet away. Dancing in a in an impressive display of dexterity, he twirled on one foot and spun the staff from his tail to the right hand above his head. A smirk glimmered his features with a giggle. As soon as he was to finish with a pose, he was met with unexpected speed.
A heavy shoe was aimed at his head, and in a desperate measure he raised the staff to block. Though, it wasn’t much help, as the bigger man still launched him from his feet. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he couldn’t even fly away as the man caught his foot in mid air. Dangling upside down by his foot now, the light haired child dropped the stick. Fumbling, he raised his hands to protect his face from an oncoming punch...but it never came.
Hesitantly, he opened his eyes to see disappointment on the man’s face.
“You have lost focus again, Xiao.”
His voice matched his body, aged and burly. Xiao went limp, and the man let him go. The kid dropped on his head, displacing some dust, but it didn’t seem to hurt in the slightest. Simply lying there, the preteen looked up at him from the forest floor.
“I...I am sorry, Sifu…” The student addressed the master, though Yuan shook his head.
“You may have the ability to apologize to me, but your enemies will not be so gracious. Your theatrics mean nothing in true battle.” Master Yuan critiqued, stern in his delivery. Xiao stood up but his face did not leave the ground.
“Yes...I know…” His voice was more diminutive in comparison. The older man sighed, pulling his stick up from the ground.
“You remember why I teach you these things?” Master Yuan took on a more compassionate tone.
“To learn myself and grow strong?”“Yes, and that strength, to defend.” He explained resting the staff on his shoulder, slowly raising his open palms. Xiao remembered this exercise, and took a neutral stance. He threw a snake jab, but Master caught his wrist and took the opening to jab a finger into the boy’s side gently. Once there, his finger waggled. Tickled, little Xiao wiggled and giggled a few paces away.
His eyes closed for a second, but as he opened them, he noticed his master staring off into the distance. His expression was very serious, and it shrunk the little one’s smile. He wanted to ask what he saw, but the boy was afraid of the answer.
Yuan turned back to Xiao, and smiled.
“Come, let’s find food.”