Stronger Thanks to Friendship

The crowds were silent as the sensei of the dojo made his way to the center to speak.

"We are delighted to see you all gathered in one place to witness the fine art of kendo by two of our most skilled sword masters," sensei's voice boomed throughout the court. "The winner of this challenge will be able to advance and compete to the swordsmanship competition which is to be held in a couple months."

The crowded cheered in excitement and with a ring of the gong the fight started. Marie was the first to make a move. In a quick leap Marie stepped to the left and raised her sword slightly above her head. She brought her sword down diagonally from left to right. Luisa was oblivious to her quick movement and was struck in the arm. Pain shot through her arm and extended to the rest of her body. Luisa took two steps back and adjusted to a defense stance, with the shinai slightly angled in front of her to offer some protection. Luisa moved her right foot in front of her to help with her balance.

While giving a small shout Luisa ran towards Marie and leaped towards her. While in the air Luisa brought her sword down and it collided with Marie's sword with a smack of wood against wood. The impact of force made Marie lose her footing and she stumbled backwards. Taking Maries loss of balance as an advantage, Luisa quickly strike Marie by the side. The force of her blow changed Marie's direction from stumbling back to the side. Marie was on the verge of falling, risking the chance to compete in the swordsmanship competition. Her passion and training wasn't enough, Marie was going to give up when she remembered the first time she met Luisa.

*FLASHBACK*

It was the first day at the dojo and they had to choose a weapon to specialize in. Marie didn't know much about the name of weapons only the name katana. It didn't bother her because she always wanted to learn how to wield a Katana. After picking a weapon the students had to partner up with another student that had a similar weapon. Since Marie was shy about talking to people and possibly making a fool out of herself she decided to wait for someone to pair with her or have sensei pair her up. As she was doting about what to say if she had a partner, a young girl with short black hair walked up to her and hit her on her head with her hand.

"Don't be a wallflower!"

"OwwwL"

"Hahaha… serves you right, don't look like a depressed downer that takes anything that's handed to them. You have to fight for the things you want in life, even if it's as tiny as wanting a person as a partner." Luisa spoke with a sort of twinkle in her eye.

*speaks in a low tone* "Would you like to be my partner?" Marie had an uneasy tone as she looked at the floor, obviously embarrassed.

"Hmmm…No, I'm too good to be your partner," Luisa walked away with her nose in the air.

Marie looked down at her feet, fighting back tears, she had taken that girl's advice and asked her to be her partner. However she was shot down and started to feel like a Baka. Almost as if her anger was controlling her she bolted in the direction the girl had went. Without a second thought she jumped on said girl, tackling her so the floor.

Luisa was startled as she spoke, "What are you doing get off of me!"

"No, you told me to stand up and fight for what I want. And I want you to be my partner! Now you are going to train with me and we are going to be the best."

"Ha! Glad to see you caught on quick." A smirk appeared on Luisa's face," Hi, I'm Luisa Izumi, glad we can be friends."

"Hi I'm Marie Tachibana, I am not your friend I am your partner."

*FLASHBACK ENDS*

Marie thought to herself, why is she thinking of giving up this easy. She was sparing with her friend that taught her to fight for something she wants, and she defiantly wanted this spot in the competition. Even if this was her friend who wanted the spot just as bad 0as her, Luisa would have to take it from her firm grasp. Marie felt her body leaning backwards, she instantly tucked her hands close to her body being weary of the sword. Bending her knees slightly she pushed off the floor. Using the momentum of her falling backwards Marie did an awkward backwards somersault. She then regained her balance and went to an offensive stance.

Both girls had trained together for years, and had strengthened their skills, body and mind. The only thing that would be a problem is that they knew each other's weakness. Luisa had obviously used her knowledge of Marie not being able to keep her balance to her advantage. Now it was time to use Luisa's weakness of not being able to block repeated hits to her body in random places. With Marie's newly gained perspective it motivated her to beat her opponent. Marie ran towards Luisa and swung her shinai at Luisa's right side. As Luisa blocked her right side Marie drew back her shinai and hit her at her left thigh. Pain shot through her body.

"I could be worse without this bogu on" Luisa thought as she instinctively curled into a sort of standing armadillo.

Marie hit her again in the same spot and then on her left thigh. Luisa fell to her knees, in that moment Marie had brought her shinai above her head and forcefully brought it straight down. Luisa held up her own shinai in time to block Marie's attack. However, the force of the impact vibrated through her hands to her shoulders pushing Luisa back causing her to fall on the floor.