Even in the middle of battle, Yusei thought about his wife. I bet Kat's gonna kill me after this, he thought ruefully. But it had to be done. There's no way she would have allowed this.

He didn't have the luxury of daydreaming right now though. Avoiding eye-contact with his Sharingan, Kisame came in fast and hard, forcing him to strike back taijutsu-style. But Yusei learned his lesson with Sasuke and had strengthened his former weakness. He deftly dodged Kisame's barrage of punches and powerful kicks. A direct hit would easily snap a bone in half, but it was easy to read his movements. Yusei found it unusual that he hadn't drawn his blade Samehada yet. Rumor had it that Killer Bee had returned it to Kisame after the war, as part of his reward for being a hero in the war. Others believed that he had stolen it back. Who really knew what happened? Still something that large looked like it had plenty of power behind it. Could it be that he didn't think Yusei was worth using it on? Or was he waiting for the right moment to make his move? Yusei tried using Chidori but when Kisame came out with him water jutsus Yusei was forced to use a different technique. He couldn't risk getting them both electrocuted.

"You're not bad," Kisame grudgingly admitted. "But you're nowhere near as good as Itachi."

Yusei scowled, but he knew it was true. "I'm not fighting to impress you, you know." He grumbled.

"No, you're just trying to steal my little girl away!" Kisame growled as his next blow grazed his arm.

"She's not little anymore!" Yusei grunted as he ducked and rolled just before Kisame slammed a crater-like hole into the ground. "She's an adult now and free to make her own decisions!"

"How do I know that you didn't seduce her?" He demanded. "With that hypnotic eye it would have been easy enough to do."

Yusei's temper flared and he scored a hit on Kisame's broad chest which repelled him backward, slamming him through a tree. "I would never use the Sharingan against her!"

"You did," Kisame reminded him as he picked himself up among the shattered, splintered remains of the tree. "Right before we left."

Yusei reddened. "Well yes…but that was different!"

"So that's why she's clung to you for so long," Kisame said as he charged towards him. "You've forced her to or maybe even threatened her-"

"It was to protect her!" Yusei interrupted as he blocked his next strike. "I knew she'd never agree to this fight because she cares about you."

"If she really cared, she would have listened to me and dumped you years ago!" Kisame hissed. He summoned his five sharks which Yusei blew up with his specialized explosion tags that evaporated the water altogether.

"She doesn't have to agree with everything you say to prove her love," Yusei protested. "You're just being selfish."

"Selfish!" Kisame snapped, a vein pulsed violently in his forehead. "All I ever wanted was for her to be happy! But I don't expect someone like you to understand that. You've caused nothing but trouble for her, especially with that mess involving Sasuke-san. She could have died!"

"You don't think I regret that night?" Yusei choked out tightly. Kisame was surprised to see tears in the corners of his eyes. "That I was too weak to protect her? That I nearly lost her because of my own stupidity? I will never forgive myself!"

"Then why?" Kisame pressed as he attacked from another angle. "Why haven't you left?"

"Because she didn't want me to!" Yusei grunted as he raised his kunai to ward off the blow. "It was her choice to forgive, and even though I don't understand it I'm not about to walk away from the best thing that's ever happened to me!"

Those words ran true and struck a long-forgotten chord in Kisame's heart. He remembered the reaction others had over his engagement to Ritsuko. "Have you lost your mind?" His old employer Fuguki Suikazan said. "She's ten years younger than you, nothing more than a child."

"She's seventeen," Kisame had growled. "That's not a youth."

"And that's not an adult either," Fuguki countered. "If you go through with this you'll be the biggest laughing stock in town."

"I don't care what everyone else thinks!" He had snapped. "I'm not about to walk away from the best thing that's ever happened to me!"

His thoughts returned to the present as he recognized the determined expression on his young face. Kisame often saw Itachi look like that, and whenever he did he didn't back down either. They may look similar but they're nothing alike, he reminded himself. Yusei is nothing more than a cocky brat. "She deserves better than the likes of you!" he growled.

"I know that," Yusei admitted frankly as he hurled his fireball jutsu into the next water attack. "I even met Shibata-san during one of my trips to Kirigakure. Even I can admit that he's better for her than I am."

"Then why are you standing in the way?"

"Because it's not what she wants," Yusei insisted. "If she really preferred him, I wouldn't hesitate to stand in her way."

"Even if it means losing the best thing that's ever happened to you?" Kisame sneered, twisting his words around to inflict pain.

"Yes," he said honestly. "Her happiness means more to me than anything else."

Kisame frowned at this confession. Yusei's expression was very sincere and Kisame scowled. No! He thought firmly. I won't think well of you! Growling he charged once again with surprising energy.

Yusei groaned as he reacted defensively. Doesn't he know when to quit? Just how long is this going to take? He decided to step it up, thinking he'd played around long enough. Now it was time to end this.

Kisame felt renewed strength behind his attacks. I would have thought he'd be worn out by now, he mused. Not a problem. I'll just speed up the process.

Minutes later Yusei felt himself beginning to wear thin and he couldn't figure out why. He hadn't used any super powerful techniques so why was he running out of chakra so fast? Then he noticed that the bandaged blade was writhing like crazy on Kisame's back. It was almost like a living thing struggling to break free. Yusei narrowed his eyes shrewdly. "Does your blade absorb chakra?"

"You mean you didn't know?" Kisame smirked as he finally drew the blade. "You challenged a swordsman without knowing the power of his blade? I knew you were a fool…I didn't think you were an idiot as well."

Yusei glowered at him. "A sword is a sword. It's just a weapon."

"That's like saying eyes are eyes," Kisame countered. "But your eyes are far more powerful than mine. Besides you haven't even seen Samehada in all his glory."

He swung a blow at his right side. Yusei thought he had avoided it until suddenly large protruding spikes burst through the bandages. He cried out in pain as they sliced through his vest and stabbed into his side. Even Kisame was surprised. Samehada had never done that before, he must really like his chakra. Yusei sucked in his breath as he felt even more chakra being sucked away. Using a fireball jutsu he burned the sword off of him. Samehada cried out in pain, almost human-like in sound. It was very strange and more than a little creepy. But despite that it simply LOVED the taste of Yusei's divine chakra. It burst through the bandages as he tripled in size. Baring his sharp teeth he growled hungrily.

Yusei's eyes widened at the monstrous sight. "What kind of sword is that?"

"The greatest in the history of the Seven Swordsmen," Kisame bragged.

Samehada pulled out of Kisame's grasp and charged at Yusei, moving quickly despite its enormous size.

"It's moving on its own?" Yusei cried out in horror as he chakra-leaped backward. "But how?"

He ran this way and that trying to escape from Samehada. The great sword constantly nipped at his heels as he continued to steal chakra. Its appetite was incredible and Yusei was fast running out of energy. Meanwhile Kisame was laughing so hard that he wiped tears of mirth from his eyes. He couldn't let Samehada have all the fun and so he whistled for his return. The sword whimpered in disappointment but returned to his Master's side. "You really liked his chakra huh?" He sympathized with his sword. "Not to worry, once we defeat him you can have even more."

Samehada hissed and cackled with glee as Kisame made the hand signs for the move that would finish this battle once and for all. "Water Style! Super Exploding Water Shock Wave!"

A huge bubble of water enveloped them and Yusei watched in surprise as Master and Blade fused into one. He really is a walking shark, he thought to himself. But once the initial shock had worn off, he couldn't help laughing at how ridiculous Kisame looked. "Wow, you're an even bigger freak than I am!"

"Shut your mouth!" Kisame snarled. "Show a little respect for your elders!"

But humor aside, Yusei knew he couldn't hold his breath for much longer. He made several hundred clones and scattered them around, each going in a different direction. He hoped that it would distract Kisame long enough for him to escape. But within a matter of seconds Yusei was struck from behind and he spun around disoriented. Before he could get his bearings, he was hit again and again with dizzying speed and terrible strength.

"It doesn't matter how many clones you make," Kisame laughed evilly. "In this mode I can lock onto your chakra signal. You can't hide from me!"

Yusei was pummeled from all directions and was losing chakra even faster than before. This is bad bad bad! He thought in terror. I'm going to lose if I don't do something quick! But his muscles twitched in defiance, refusing to move.

Sensing the end, Kisame released the giant mass of water. Yusei lay on his back gasping for air. Kisame stood over him and slipped back into his normal form, the handle of Samehada in his hand. The sword whimpered softly as he nudged Yusei's face, but he didn't return any of the chakra. His loyalty to Kisame was strong but it was also clear that he hadn't meant Yusei any real harm either. Anyone with chakra that powerful was alright in his book.

"It's over kid," Kisame chuckled with a smirk. "I've won."

He turned away to retrieve the marriage certificate from where it had been placed for safe-keeping. Yusei narrowed his eyes and felt his temper flare up. I can't let Kat down! She was counting on me to win so I can't let it end like this!

Samehada's excited growls caught Kisame's attention and he looked over his shoulder to see Yusei surrounded by visible red charka. He blinked in surprise. Was the kid some kind of jinchuriki? That couldn't be, all the tailed beasts were accounted for and sealed away in host bodies. He wasn't sure what this was but he didn't really care. His thirst for battle had subsided now and he just wanted to go home. Spinning Samehada around he slammed it into Yusei's stomach. He coughed up blood and the sword sucked away the extra chakra, leaving him to his own strength once again. Now officially spent, his head rolled to the side and his chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath.

"Anything else?" Kisame taunted. "Any other surprises?" The only sound he heard was that of Yusei's ragged breathing. "Good," Kisame said triumphantly. "When you manage to drag yourself back home remember to stay away from my daughter."

He turned on his heel and walked away. Sadistic glee spread over him as he reached out for the certificate. Then suddenly he was trapped in the water prison jutsu. The density of the water immobilized his limbs and his eyes widened in horror. Yusei was capable of that kind of jutsu? That didn't make sense at all. But the hand that reached out to pick up the paper was delicate and graceful, that of a woman's.

It was Katsuye.

She turned towards her father as she carefully pocketed the precious marriage certificate. Glowering at him from under her dark eyelashes, she was truly an enraged beauty like her mother. "After today," she spoke in a deathly quiet tone. "I will never speak to you again."

"What?" He asked in surprise. "But I won fair and square!"

"My future will not be determined by some stupid fight!" Her gaze drifted over to Yusei's bruised and battered body where Itachi was quickly administering medical assistance. "How could you Dad?" She asked softly, tears welling in her eyes. "How could you do that to him?"

"He's the one who challenged me remember?" Kisame scoffed. "He had it coming."

Gentle tears streamed down her devastated face. It broke Kisame's heart to see her cry. "You're nothing like the man I once idolized," she whispered. "He was a man of honor and strength, noble in heart and mind. He was the man who encouraged me to break out of my shy shell and to dream impossible dreams. That's not the man before me now. All I can see is a big bully who won't let anyone stand in the way of his selfish goals."

"But I did it for you!" He pleaded. "Don't you see that?"

"You did it for yourself!" She snapped. "If you really cared about my feelings you would have listened to them long before now! You're only thinking about yourself and what you want!" Kisame stared in wonder at her temper. He had never seen her so angry before. "I love Yusei," she repeated like she had for so many years. "And if you're going to make me chose sides then I'm going to chose him."

"I'm your father!" He protested. "Your loyalty should be to family first!"

She shook her head slowly in a resigned manner. Yusei was right before, she was foolish to think her father would ever come around. She turned on her heel and started to walk away when he panicked. "Don't go!" He pleaded.

She stopped but her back was still to him. "Give me one good reason."

"I love you kingyo," he said softly, using her nickname in an attempt to remind her of the old days.

She sighed and looked over her shoulder at him. "I love you too Dad and that's why it hurts more than anything that you don't trust me."

"What are you talking about?" He frowned. "I trust you."

"But not enough to let me make this choice for myself," she said sadly. "You raised me to be strong and confident, to stand firm in what I believe in…even when I have to stand alone."

He remembered teaching her that. When you know that what you're doing is right then it doesn't matter what others say about it. You have to stand strong even if you have to stand alone. At the time she was still young and she trembled at the thought of being alone. He sensed she was afraid and wrapped his arms around her. But you'll never be truly alone. Those who believe in you will stand with you. He sighed in defeat. "You really feel that strongly about him?"

She turned back towards him, her expression softened. "Yes I do."

"He's going to be nothing but trouble," he groaned.

She cracked a side smile. "Yeah I know…but I wouldn't have it any other way. He's the best thing that's ever happened to me." Her gaze drifted back to Yusei and his father. She was excited to see that Yusei was sitting up now even though he still looked in a great deal of pain. Kisame noticed how her face lit up. He grimaced slightly but he knew that this was real love and that he shouldn't stand in the way of her happiness. Not if he really cared about her. "Then…I will…uh…" He felt uncomfortable apologizing.

"Yes?" She gently encouraged him.

He looked up into her eyes. "I give you my blessing."

She released the jutsu and flew into his arms. He hugged her tightly, crying tears of his own. She wasn't his little girl anymore and that made him sad. Instead she had grown into a confident woman and that made him feel prouder than ever before. "I love you Katsuye. I only want you to be happy."

"I will be," she assured him. "Thank you Dad…for finally listening to me."

After kissing his cheek she hurried to Yusei's side. Kisame turned to see Itachi approaching him with a dangerously cool expression on his face. Kisame was surprised to see him. "What are you doing here?"

Itachi narrowed his eyes as they shifted into their Mangekyo form. "I warned you what would happen if you ever touch my son again…do you think I made that threat lightly?"

Kisame paled and swallowed nervously. "Now hold on a minute he started it! It was all in self-defense!"

"Nevertheless," Itachi purred malevolently. "I am a man of my word."

Katsuye looked up in horror at Kisame's scream. His eyes glazed over as he was trapped within his mind, tortured by some unseen nightmare. Itachi turned away to let him writhe in agony. "What did you do to him?" She cried out.

"I only showed him what Ritsuko-san did when she found out about his secret plan," Itachi said with a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "If there is anything he fears, it's his wife."

Katsuye laughed. "Well that's true. Mom can be every bit as scary as he is."

Itachi looked at his son and daughter-in-law quietly for a moment. "I will leave Tsuki with you and take Kisame back myself. I am sure you both have a lot to talk about."

As the two men disappeared into the distance, Katsuye turned her gaze to her husband. Yusei was silent, his expression worried, and his ears folded back against his head. He always looked adorable when he did that. She looked exasperated and heaved a heavy sigh. "Now that's really not fair."

"I'm sorry," he blurted out. "I know that I shouldn't have over-powered you or put our marriage in jeopardy with a duel and-"

She interrupted him by placing a finger against his lips. "While all of that is true and you ought to feel ashamed, that isn't what I meant." She knelt by his side. "How am I supposed to be angry when you pull that kind of face?"

He frowned in puzzlement. "What face?"

"That 'please don't be angry with me' face that makes you look super adorable."

"Does it now?" He smirked as he reached for her but she gently pushed him back.

"Don't," she said firmly, her eyes narrowed at him. "Cuteness aside, I am still very angry with you."

His face fell. "I'm sorry Kat," he repeated. "I really thought I could win. I mean how could I lose when I was fighting for you?"

"You're forgetting that he was fighting for me as well," she scolded him. "Not to mention he's more experienced than you. There's no way you could have won. Now I could have told you that if you had told me about this stupid plan of yours to begin with."

He sighed and hung his head. "So you came to my rescue once again. This isn't fair at all." His hands curled into fists. "Will I ever be strong enough to protect you?"

He looked so pathetic and humbled that she couldn't be angry any longer. He may have been an idiot but he had meant well. For him to stand up to her dad was crazy but also very flattering. "Come here you blockhead," she said as she hugged him close. He hissed in pain but managed to hug her back. "I didn't marry you because I wanted to be protected." She whispered. "I did because I love you just the way you are."

"Even when I come up with some pretty stupid ideas?"

She giggled. "Especially then."

He chuckled in turn as he kissed her. In that moment time stood still. The feeling of her in his arms, her delicious scent filled his nostrils, and her gentle touch eased the humiliation of defeat. She was all that mattered to him. "Thanks for coming after me."

"I'll always be your hero," she said with a gentle smile. "Day or night, through thick and thin, you can always count on me to save the day."

He laughed. "One day it'll be my turn, you know. You can't keep all the glory to yourself."

Her smile grew wider. "Fair enough. But this had better not turn into some kind of competition. I'd rather we work together."

"I'd like that too," he murmured as he kissed her again.

The End