The weeks following Hoshiko's first breakthrough were grueling but exhilarating. Every night, she returned to the courtyard, dedicating herself to pushing her limits. She began experimenting with the moonlight beam she had created, refining its shape, extending its reach, and learning to control its intensity.
The process was far from easy. Sometimes the beam flickered and dissipated, leaving her frustrated and drained. Other times, the energy surged uncontrollably, dispersing into a blinding flash that briefly lit the entire courtyard. Through it all, she maintained her focus, her determination unshaken.
Byakko's guidance remained a constant presence in her mind. "Patience, little one," he would say whenever she stumbled. "The moon's light does not rush to rise—it moves at its own rhythm. Trust that rhythm, and the energy will respond to you."
Gradually, Hoshiko's control improved. She learned to regulate her chakra flow, adjusting the beam's intensity to suit her needs. She practiced manipulating its direction, curving the light in smooth arcs or focusing it into a sharp, narrow line. Each success, no matter how small, brought a rush of pride and the confidence to keep pushing forward.
One evening, as Hoshiko practiced in the courtyard, Byakko's voice rumbled in her mind. "You've grown comfortable with the basics," he said, his tone both approving and challenging. "Now, it's time to take your training to the next level. Movement is the key to mastery—moonlight is not static, and neither should you be."
Hoshiko frowned slightly, considering his words. "What do you mean?"
"Your constructs must flow with your body, adapting to your movements," Byakko explained. "Start small. Focus on maintaining the beam while you move. Once you've mastered that, we'll work on combining it with strikes."
Hoshiko nodded, rising to her feet. She summoned a glowing beam of moonlight from her palm, steadying it before taking her first cautious steps. The light wavered as she moved, flickering faintly, but she gritted her teeth and pressed on. She began walking in circles, then shifted to quicker, more dynamic movements—turns, lunges, and sidesteps. Each motion challenged her control, forcing her to adapt on the fly.
Over time, her efforts paid off. The beam grew more stable, its glow unwavering even as she moved with increasing speed and fluidity. Byakko watched her progress with a faint smirk, his lavender eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "You're starting to understand," he said. "Good. Now, let's see how you handle a real challenge."
Byakko appeared in the courtyard one night, his massive form materializing in the moonlight. Hoshiko, startled but not afraid, turned to face him with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
"Tonight, you'll spar with me," Byakko announced, his voice resonating like thunder. "Your task is simple: maintain the beam and use it to land a single strike on me. No constructs, no tricks—just control and precision."
Hoshiko blinked, her heart pounding in her chest. Sparring with Byakko was no small task. The great tiger radiated power, his every movement exuding a predatory grace. Still, she nodded, determination flickering in her lavender eyes. "Understood."
Byakko crouched low, his tail swishing behind him as he prepared to pounce. "Then let's begin."
The tiger charged, his massive form moving with surprising speed. Hoshiko darted to the side, summoning a moonlight beam from her palm. She slashed the beam through the air, aiming for Byakko's flank, but he twisted effortlessly out of the way, his claws scraping the ground as he circled her.
"Too slow," Byakko growled, lunging forward. Hoshiko barely managed to dodge, the wind from his strike ruffling her hair. She countered with another swing of the beam, this time curving it midair to adjust her aim. The tiger leapt over the attack, his lavender eyes glinting with amusement.
"Don't just react," he said, his tone both instructive and taunting. "Anticipate."
Hoshiko gritted her teeth, her mind racing. She focused on Byakko's movements, watching for patterns in his attacks. When he lunged again, she sidestepped, pivoting smoothly as she swung the beam in a wide arc. This time, the edge of the light grazed his shoulder, leaving a faint, glowing mark.
Byakko halted, turning to face her with a toothy grin. "You're learning," he said. "But don't get cocky. This is only the beginning."
Encouraged by her progress, Hoshiko threw herself into her training with renewed vigor. She began experimenting with new techniques, shaping the moonlight beam into different forms. Byakko guided her every step of the way, offering advice, critiques, and occasional challenges to test her limits.
"Try extending the beam into a crescent," he suggested during one session. "It will give you more reach and flexibility in combat."
Hoshiko followed his instructions, focusing her chakra to reshape the beam. After several attempts, she managed to create a glowing crescent of moonlight, its edges sharp and precise. She swung the crescent experimentally, marveling at its fluidity and power.
Byakko nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, learn to wield it as if it were part of you. Moonlight is not just a weapon—it's an extension of your will."
Hoshiko practiced tirelessly, incorporating the crescent blade into her movements. She imagined herself as a dancer, each step flowing seamlessly into the next, the crescent slicing through the air with elegant precision.
Despite her progress, there were moments of failure that tested Hoshiko's resolve. During one particularly frustrating session, her crescent blade shattered mid-swing, leaving her vulnerable to Byakko's counterattack. The tiger's claws raked the ground near her feet, sending a spray of dirt into the air.
"You're losing focus," Byakko said sharply, his voice cutting through her frustration. "You can't let fear or doubt disrupt your control. Moonlight responds to your state of mind—if you falter, so will it."
Hoshiko clenched her fists, tears of frustration pricking at the corners of her eyes. "I'm trying," she said, her voice trembling. "But it's so hard…"
Byakko's gaze softened slightly, his tone losing its edge. "No one said this would be easy, little one. Strength is born from struggle. Each failure is a lesson—learn from it, and you'll emerge stronger."
Hoshiko took a deep breath, steadying herself. She nodded, determination rekindled. "I understand. I won't give up."
By the end of the year, Hoshiko's progress was undeniable. Her control over Moonlight Release had grown exponentially, her movements fluid and confident. She could summon and wield crescent blades with ease, shaping the moonlight into extensions of herself. Her sparring matches with Byakko became more competitive, her strikes landing more frequently as her skill and strategy improved.
One evening, as she practiced alone in the courtyard, she gazed up at the moon, its silvery light bathing her in its glow. She felt a deep sense of connection, not only to the moon above but to the power within her—the power gifted to her by Tsukuyomi and nurtured by Byakko's guidance.
"I'm getting there," she murmured to herself, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Slowly but surely."
From within her soul palace, Byakko watched her with quiet pride. "You've come far, little one," he said softly, his lavender eyes gleaming. "But this is only the beginning. There is still much to learn—and many battles yet to come."
As Hoshiko stood beneath the moonlight, her resolve burned brighter than ever. She knew the road ahead would be long and arduous, but she was ready to face it, one step at a time.
And with each step, her light grew stronger.
🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘🌙
Here's an important question I need answered.
Should there be a harem, and if yes, then with who?