Chapter 53:

As the sun began to set over the tumultuous sea, its orange rays settled on a ship in the distance. It was tilted up slightly just as a pair of shoes clacked against the wood of the floor across the casino up to the sleeping quarters. These shoes belonged to a slim pair of legs that were wrapped in the material of a dress.

Midori looked up at the ceiling.

Her silver hair billowed around her as the sea breeze flitted through from the open sliding door.

Her midriff was open as she shivered, holstering her katana for a second to rub her shoulders with her palms to warm herself. She tilted her head and cried internally. Why did it end up like this? Half dressed when it's so cold outside?

The girl searched the room for any signs of life. But she figured there wouldn't be any, considering the water surrounding her was almost ankle deep. Most of the civilians would be on the emergency boats by now, paddling away in the sunset. Somehow that didn't sound so bad to her just then.

However, she had work to do.

Midori had to find Honoka and Ren and get off the boat before it sank with them still on it.

"As the good friend I am, I have to help Ren and oneesan wherever they are!" Midori clenched her fingers into a fist of determination.

Just then the ship groaned and seemed to swerve.

"And soon," she muttered, running up the stairs with renewed vigor.

"The kids are still on the ship," Sakaki finished his headcount by the emergency boats. He looked back at the fellow masters. "What do we do now?"

"There are still too many innocent people on the ship that need saving," Ma Kensei stepped on the railing, and straightened from his perfect land. He had almost five people over his shoulder. "The sleeping quarters are full of people. We still can't separate and look for Honoka-chan." He gripped his black hat and his eyes were suddenly hidden behind it pensively. "We will just have to wait a little longer."

"Hmm," Akisame murmured. "According to my calculations, the boat will sink in approximately one hour fifteen minutes. Approximately…if Ren and Akira stop damaging it."

"They're on…the upper parts of the…ship," Shigure reported, dropping civilians from her back as Touchumaruu ushered them to the boats and proceeded to give them a safety lesson. She smoothed her slick black hair back over her face. "No further damage will occur. I have closed the flood…doors."

"That only allows us thirty minutes extra," Akisame finished, folding his arms.

"Apa."

"I will…go look for my disciple," Shigure holstered her sword. "And the boy."

"By the way," Sakaki looked up. "Where did Miu and Elder go?"

"Honoka, you've certainly grown stronger," Kenichi stated. "But you're still not strong enough to defeat me. In fact…you're millions of light years away from defeating me."

Honoka coughed. She looked down at her balled fist. Good.

Most of it was spit and not blood this time.

She looked up at her brother who was in an expert Seikuken stance.

Her eye twitched.

"Light years is a measurement of speed, idiot," she corrected.

"Liar!" Kenichi pointed angrily. Honoka sweat dropped as she realized she had just shattered nineteen years of misguided assumption.

"You're so stubborn," Honoka muttered out of the corner of her mouth. She lowered her arms. "There's no helping it then."

Kenichi widened his eyes in surprise.

An opening.

Without hesitating, Kenichi leapt forward and with a mighty kick of his foot, he heard the satisfying sound of hitting his target,

A perfect hit! Kenichi cheered, lifting his arm back to balance himself again.

Honoka gritted her teeth against the influx of blood in her mouth and closed her eyes against the tears of anguish.

Kenichi landed just as Honoka took one step back.

She wiped her mouth again.

What the—? Kenichi wondered. He lowered his fists. Her arms… he observed her closely. Her arms are still down!

"Did you hurt your arms or something?" Kenichi asked in concern.

"You," Honoka's face was hidden behind her thicket of brown-black hair, "shouldn't be so concerned about your opponents, brother."

He blinked.

"You're not my opponent," Kenichi pouted. "You're my sister," he stated.

Honoka hesitated.

"I just want to protect Honoka-chan from all the dangers of the world. I know that Honoka wants to become strong too, but if she does, wouldn't my years of practice be redundant? Wouldn't my role as a brother be undermined? Does it mean I can't worry about you anymore?" Kenichi's voice wavered. He closed his eyes and tightened his fists. "Just because you want to be stronger doesn't mean I won't be here! What's the point then? I worry because you're my only sister!"

His little sister tilted her head.

"And even if I have to prove it to you like this…" Kenichi kept his eyes focused on the ground. "I want to show you that you don't have to go through what I did. Don't you see I want you to be normal? Grow up normally, meet a nice guy and go on dates with him and not have the urge to flip him if he comes up from behind to greet you and see your cute surprised FACE!"

The blonde girl watching the match sweat dropped.

"Is this even about me anymore?" Honoka witnessed her brother fall to his knees and crawl into a corner sadly. She sighed. "Honestly, big brother, you're so annoying," she exhaled and pushed hair out of her identical brown eyes. She placed a hand on her hip. "How about you let me do this one thing without you spoiling it? I don't want your concern," she said coldly. "I just want brother to be happy."

Kenichi paused.

"…"

"So," she opened one eye and grinned. "Get up."

The final match between siblings is about to end and the reason why Honoka will not use her arms is…?