Disclaimer: I don't own LH or RK. I don't own any of the characters. The only characters I own in this ficare Akimoto Akiko, Himura Shinji and any other characters whose names you have never heard of.
ANOTHER PROMISE
Chapter 9
Motoko walked up to the front with her full kendo armor making soft clinging noises with every step she took. Himura Shinji, with his expression hidden behind his helmet, examined this young warrior.
" The way she carries herself is very impressive," Shinji thought to himself as Motoko came to a halt in front of him.
Motoko bowed deeply to Himura Shinji as shestood before him.Shinji returned the bow as he closed his eyes to sense his opponent's aura.
" The ki is strong within her and a surge of energy is present in her aura," Shinji thought, knowing that his opponent may not be very skillful, but her mental strength is worth mentioning.
At the judge's call for start, Motoko sent a rain of attacks against her opponent, taking the lead. Shinji easily dodged the attacks but knew that even a slight lost of concentration would cause him a defeat. Motoko's attacks were fierce and almost flawless, but her opponent was very skillful and experienced. No matter how Motoko attacked, Shinji just dodged or wielded his shinai around so that the attacks didn't penetrate his strong defense. Sweat dripped down Motoko's face and it became hard to breathe as one minute ticked away. Motoko used all her concentration and skills to continue her attack, not letting her opponent have a chance to come back.
" If I wasn't more experienced than her, I would've lost by now," Shinji thought as he dodged yet another attack. He had been to so many combats that he could easily predict every attack from Motoko. However, Motoko's attacks were so powerful that even Shinji broke a drop of sweat.
Motoko was getting tired, but she wouldn't give up. With three minutes down, she continued to attack and her opponent continued to dodge to and fro. Keitaro watched the duel at the front in awe since the shinai were moving so rapidly that all he could spot were two blurry shadows. With one minute left, Motoko's attacks finally slowed down, allowing Shinji to start his attacks. Shinji's attacks weren't as fast and frequent as Motoko's, but when they came, Motoko had to use every skill she had learned to defend. Shinji concentrated on attacking weak points of Motoko's defense and they came at the most unlikely moment, often causing Motoko to struggle about when she dodged the attack. Finally, Shinji faked a strike down, causing Motoko's shinai to be brought up to defend. Easily, without the slightest hesitation, Shinji brought his shinai smoothly downwards to Motoko's side before Motoko could bring her shinai over to block the attack. A loud hit and a deafening kiai echoed around the large chamber. With only half a minute left, this could be the winning point if Motoko didn't manage to score another point.
" I can't do this...there is no time..." Motoko thought to herself as she tried to defend the attacks Shinji was sending right after he scored a point.
" No matter how you do, I won't be disappointed. Motoko-chan will still be our respected Motoko-chan no matter what happens," Keitaro's cheerful voice rang in her head.
" I won't give up. I won't let Himura-san score another point on me. I have to at least force him to sudden-death overtime," Motoko thought as adrenaline rushed through her body.
At once, Motoko forgot about how weary she was and that she was trailing by one point. Her limbs started moving with great agility and she was able to regain her lead. With the ki rushing through her body and into the shinai, each of her attack was powerful and wise. With ten seconds left, Motoko knocked Shinji's shinai away so hard that a surge of ki caused Shinji's hand to tremble uncontrollably. Motoko took advantage of Shinji's lack of control over his shinai as she performed a series of attacks known as a kata. First, Motoko struck down at Shinji's head causing Shinji to struggle in bringing up his shinai. Then, Motoko slid her shinai down to hit Shinji's side. Shinji anticipated that attack for that was what he performed to score his point against Motoko. However, when Shinji brought his shinai down to block what would have been the last attack, Motoko sharply pulled back her shinai and then thrust at Shinji's throat with a strong kiai. At that time, the match was stopped for the five minutes of regulation time had already passed.
" This girl learns really fast," Shinji thought, unable to believe that this young girl outsmarted him at the last second of the match.
With a tied score, they went into sudden death overtime. Since Motoko was slightly nervous and her aching muscles were starting to disobey her commands, she was unable to gain the lead. Shinji used fast, random attacks on Motoko, knowing that she was too tired to dodge them in time. After one minute or so, Shinji struck hard at Motoko's helmet ending the match.
The duo bowed to each other after the match. Shinji took off his helmet and smiled brilliantly at Motoko.
" Your persistence and strength is notable. With more training and experience, I believe you will become one of the greatest warriors of our time," Shinji said.
Motoko bowed again before leaving.
The sky was already dark when Motoko, Tsuruko and Keitaro left the stadium. Motoko had changed into her white gi and red hakama that was identical to what Tsuruko was wearing. Keitaro watched the duo as they talked about today's match.
" Tsuruko-san is so beautiful. I wonder if Motoko-chan will be as beautiful as her sister when she is older," Keitaro wondered.
They finally arrived at Hinatasou where Shinobu had already prepared a dinner for them. Everyone sat at the table with Su eating noisily as usual, Kitsune half drunk and pouring Soya sauce all over her rice, Shinobu munching softly as she blushed with every compliment about her food, Keitaro busily trying to dodge the food Su was throwing at him and the three kendo girls talking as if they had never said anything in 3 years. After dinner, Shinobu started on the dishes with Su "helping her". Keitaro, after helping Kitsune back to her room, went up to the roof so the three kendo girls could have the living room all to themselves.
" What are you doing, Keitaro?" Motoko asked as she headed up the roof to where Keitaro was sitting.
" Nothing much. The beauty of the city lights in the dark night sky captured me. It all seems like a very beautiful dream, Hinatasou and everything," Keitaro said half to himself, half to Motoko.
" No. The tie between all of us is solid and true. It is not a dream, but the reality," Motoko answered dreamily.
" Anyway, congratulations on such a good performance today! You were the only one to be able to force Himura to sudden death overtime!" Keitaro said.
" I couldn't have done it without your support," Motoko replied, " Arigatou. It was very fun to be with you today."
" That was nothing. Oh, and what did you want to tell me earlier today?"
" I want to...apologize!" Motoko screamed out.
" To me?"
" I didn't want to face you for the past few weeks because I felt really guilty for punishing you for something you didn't do. I must apologize! Please forgive me for what I have done to you, Urashima!"
" Fine. I'll forgive you if you promise me one thing," Keitaro said in a lighthearted way.
" What is it?" Motoko asked.
" Let me kiss you."
Motoko Aoyama: YAY! I finally finished this chapter! It took me so long! Please review to give me comments and feedback! I really need to know what you people think about this fic. If you don't have much to say, still review to tell me you're reading this! I need your support, okay? A big thank you to those who read and reviewed. Next Chapter: Motoko's first real kiss (not counting the one with cherry-kun)? Motoko and Keitaro start dating!