Yi had thought that they would wait a little but it wasn't counting Yasuo's cheer impatience to prove himself, something close to the zeal of a youngster. After a quick breakfast, they chose to go outside, a large area of grass ahead of the house. Yasuo gazed at the Wuju master's sword, both impressed and nervous the last time he used it, it was supposed to kill me. This blade wasn't a good reminder for him, even less for his evil part, the one hissing at the mere sight of the weapon. The purpose of his blade had always been good.
Still, he was so happy to have this opportunity to cross swords with such a good warrior. During the war, he had a glimpse of Yi's skill but it was nothing compared to a real fight.
« Ready ? »
That was all it needed to start, a clash of steel resonnating in the village. From an external point of view, it would easily seem like dance, at the rhythm of the blows.
There was no real mistakes, each one waiting for a good occasion to win the fight but they could only appreciate how much their skills were as equal. It has been a long time since they got a worthy opponent.
Then, it happened, a small opening in the ronin's defence, just enough for Yi to take advantage of it and put him down, preventing him of getting up with his blade just under his chin.
« Dead » his previously serious face left place to a smile « Not bad at all, I have no problem understanding how you made it alive after the war. »
Yasuo didn't know what to think of the clear display of dominance, his own hurt ego against the inner shiver for being under the other man. Yes, he lost, it hadn't happened for years but it wasn't really humiliating, in the same way of a student bested by his master. I might learn a few things from him.
Yi offered him a hand to stand, which he accepted, thankful. « That was really tied. Want to try another one ? » the smirk was only to push the demon to accept again the challenge and he wasn't disappointed by the eager nod.
He already lost when he was younger, even if he knew himself more skilled than most of the warriors of his school. But this time was the very first were he was outmatched by someone quicker than him. All their duels ended the same way, another defeat for him but each time for a different reason, not fast enough, defence too weak. But it didn't discourage him and the ronin tried his best again and again.
Master Yi didn't hold back, by principle and after all, there was no need to go easy on the other man who proved his strenght in no time. It was also satisfying for him to see that he wasn't rusty and was perfectly able to kick someone's ass.
By the 5th duel, Yasuo ended up knocked down on the grass again, accepting his defeat with a sigh but still grinning. « Ok, I got it. You win. »
« You fought good. I think we can both take a break. »
He placed his blade down and sat near the demon, at last relaxing after this quite intensive training while the latter stayed where he was. They didn't do much, enjoying the quiet moment at watching the few clouds drifting in the sky. The Wuju Master reached to carress idly the ronin's hair, who welcomed happily the attention after the at-first surprise. Like a cat, the thought made him smile.
« Yi ? »
« Mmmh ? »
« What happened to the village ? It's in ruins except your house. » he send a puzzled gaze to him and noticed the sadness that struck him.
« Noxus. » like this simple word was an answer in itself and yes it truly was for Yasuo. « I wasn't here when they attacked the village, I was away, fighting. » Why did you go to war ? Why did you left us ?
The ronin was definitly listening, feeling the pain in the voice relating the not so surprising story.
We didn't want to fight this war !
« When I came back, once the war over, the village wasn't as destroyed as you can see it now. » words seemed to get stuck in him, difficult to hear.
You abandoned us ! Just to shed more blood and feel like a war hero !
« I don't know what they did exactly, what kind of weapon they used but the fews that were still alive became crazy, some sort of poisonous nightmare in their veins, to the point where they couldn't recognize me and died in the most atrocious way »
EVERYONE IS DEAD BUT YOU
« Being the only one who left to fight, I was also the only one alive after the massacre. » when he thought he would break and let it out, Yi found himself in Yasuo's arms without even noticing him move.
They didn't talk at all, one because he couldn't trust his own voice, the other because he didn't know which words use to express his compassion and shared pain with the man he embraced.
Actions said more than words.
