Dedicated to the masters in my life. Without them, I wouldn't be what I am.

It also is a gift to staineddragon, who I respect as a great author and artist alike. His vampire universe has fascinated me, and therefore I hope I can brighten his day a little with this short story.

-*-*-*-

"A nephilim. You got to be kidding me."

But there he was standing, without doubt. Even though it wasn't exactly his imagination of a halfblooded angel. Taller than most humans, with quite some scars, and a huge tattoo covering all of the man's back. Definitely not what he had been imagining.

Sasa was unsure what to think about all of this. Why would such a man want to learn how to fight with a katana? There was no guarantee this 'bastard angel' wouldn't try to decapitate him at first possibility. Well, there had been quite some assuring him the nephilim was harmless, but how was he supposed to know for sure this man wouldn't try to pull any stunts.

Teaching him how to fight with a katana. I must be crazy, somehow.

The other male had noticed Sasa by now, but didn't say anything. Those light grey eyes were unmoving, seemingly not impressed by anything. Not even a hint of any emotion in them. Maybe a consequence of the past?

"So you are the bastard angel who wants to learn how to fight."

Even as it hadn't exactly not been an instult, the nephilim merely nodded. Quite possible this man was used to much worse insults already. Not that Sasa wanted to push it... but it certainly could be funny to test this nephilim.

"You got any fighting skills?"

Now, the other male smirked slightly. The first real movement the completely black dressed man made. "Sure I got some skills already. Though... I doubt they will anywhere near yours."

No flattery, but a mere statement.

Sasa didn't react to that, as the vampire already was pacing around the nephilim a little. He was used to encounter smaller or only slightly taller oponents, not someone being almost half a foot taller than him. That might could prove to be some sort of weapon for the halfblooded angel. Sasa dared to doubt the nephilim ever had made a good first impression. So much darkness as this one was radiating...

"I assume... fist-fighting?"

The nephilim nodded, crackling his knuckles as he clenched his hands tightly into fists and relaxed them again immediately. "Has been a while since I had a decent fist-fight, though. Since some weeks, noone dared to challenge me." No wonder... who would want to risk a fight against someone with angel blood in his veins?

Again a long silence, and this time, the vampire and the nephilim merely looked at each other for a long time, trying to assess the opposite. Sasa already moved like he was having a duel with the nephilim – which the other male immediately understood. Therefore, they both were circling around now, expressionless masks on their faces to hide any hints on movements yet to be made.

Somehow, Sasa had the impression of having seen the other one time before already. But he really couldn't tell where that should have been. After all, the nephilim surely was someone to leave a lasting impression.

"Say, nephilim, what is your name?"

They both had stopped pacing around now, having completed a circle on the training grounds. "Cherosh Seiphar, at your service. But most of the times, I'm called 'bastard' or 'worthless mutt'." Sasa was a little confused it hadn't seemed to even faze Cherosh to tell him about that. Had the constant assaults with those humiliating names enough to form something like a shell around the nephilim's heart?

"Surely not a nice way to address to you."

Cherosh shrugged his shoulders, smiling faintly. "My daily life. I at some point had to stop listening. Otherwise... well, I guess you can imagine."

There was a short silence, then the vampire handed Cherosh a katana. "Do you even know what you are trying there? A katana is a completely different world. It doesn't matter if you fought with blades before; such an edge is the next level."

The nephilim smirked, giving the shimmering blade a long look. Then, handing the vampire the blade back, he stated: "If it really is a completely different world, then I should start with a different blade first. Not that I ruin this one."

-*-*-*-

Over several months, the nephilim showed up every night, to be taught how to fight with a katana. Sometimes, he seemed to be a little absent-minded, but that didn't keep him from making quite some progress. Strangely enough, he never behaved disrespectful towards Sasa – even though nephilims are known to often mock their tutors. This left only one other possibility.

The nephilim had accepted Sasa fully as a master. And a master could command a nephilim to do anything, for the half-blooded angels never would defy a master.
Some days, after Sasa had stated the nephilim now was ready to fight with a real katana, the nephilim didn't show up again.

Some claimed he had been killed by his angelic parent. Others firmly believed that an other vampire clan had caught wind of the nephilim and captured him to betray them. Sasa, however, knew the nephilim merely had learned what he had wanted to learn and had seen no further reason to occupie his time. Or how else would the finely worked dagger and the letter saying "I thank you for everything, Master Sasa. I am ready to face my destiny." be explained?