Luke went back inside the house and grabbed Kise's sword. He almost stumbled being so eager, but brought it back to him.
"H-here's the sword Kise." Luke said giving it to him.
"Thanks." The sword felt heavy in Kise's hands as he didn't touch the sword in years. It felt natural, but almost foreign to him.
"Are you taking me on as your student now?" Gohan asked.
"Don't get ahead of yourself kid. I'm just gonna bully you a little. You'll see there's a difference between swinging a sword and actually using one."
"Then please enlighten me." Gohan jumped back to give Kise some distance. People from around the village came out of their homes and stopped their activities to see what was unfolding. It was especially rare considering Kise's inactivity in years.
"Whenever you're ready kid." Kise baited.
"Don't mind if I do!" Gohan charged at Kise, jumped in the air with a downward heavy strike. Kise was able to block it, but was gradually pushed back by the force of Gohan's swing. Kise's sword shook from the impact.
The kid has some power for sure, but that's about it, Kise thought to himself.
Gohan took another swing at him and Kise went on the defensive. The clanging of both swords echoed around the village, and everyone was watching the fight unfold.
"Kise might have aged, but his skills are still sharp." Hanako examined.
"He's just been blocking this whole time. Gohan might actually hurt him." Asuka said.
"You don't have to worry about him. He'll be just fine."
"You know something I don't?"
"I know how Kise's swordsmanship was years ago. Let's just say that even though he has aged, his skills have not."
Asuka wasn't sure what Hanako was expecting, instead she looked on at the bout. Gohan and Kise clashed swords once again.
"You've been blocking all this time. Aren't you getting tired?" Gohan mocked.
"You think I've been sitting on my ass this whole time? Think again!"
Kise pushed Gohan away and they were both at a stalemate.
"I'm gonna show you something interesting. Try attacking me." Kise waved his hand over to bait him.
"You're gonna regret that!" Gohan charged at Kise again and swung at his body. Kise knocked his sword away with his own instead of blocking it.
"What the…" Gohan stumbled a bit but quickly caught his footing. He swung again, but it was parried once more. Every parry threw Gohan off balance, but he didn't let up on the assault.
"You see what I mean now Asuka," Hanako asked.
"Yeah. Kise was gauging how strong Gohan was by just blocking. Now he's parrying all his strikes."
"Precisely. Martial arts and sword fighting aren't really that different from each other. They all have the same fundamentals."
"Were you a martial artist Hanako?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" She said with a smile.
Gohan was sweating profusely, while Kise barely managed to break a sweat.
"Your skills are sloppy, you have no technique, and no finesse. Swinging a sword doesn't make you strong, it's how you use it that matters. I feel bad for whoever made that sword for ya kid. You're doing them a real disservice."
"You bastard!" Gohan let the taunts aggravate him and charged blindly.
Kise readied his stance and waited for the perfect opportunity. Gohan swung his sword high and that's when Kise struck.
"Too slow!" Kise knocked Gohan's sword out of his hands completely. It flew all the way in the air and stuck in the ground.
"Not so tough now are ya haha!" Kise laughed menacingly. He held the tip of his sword to Gohan's neck, feeling the cold steel touching his neck. "Now, what's it gonna be kid? You wanna continue this charade or you gonna leave and find someone else to bother?"
"I'm not leaving until I take care of this serpent problem. Someone has to do it right?" Gohan retorted.
Kise's grip on the sword grew tighter with that comment. They locked eyes for awhile before he took the blade away from Gohan's neck.
"Finish your business and get the hell outta here." Kise turned his back and went inside his home. The crowd formed around them dispersed and they went back to their previous activities. Asuka patted Gohan on the back.
"Ya win some ya lose some. You did pretty well if I do say so myself."
"Your skills were quite adequate Gohan," Miroku chimed in.
"It was a fine effort Gohan, but you had no hope in defeating Kise. I saw the outcome in the first few swings haha." Hanako laughed.
"I would be surprised if did win. Kise is strong, definitely strong." Gohan grabbed his sword from the ground and put it back in his sheath. "It's upsetting that he's keeping those skills and his strength to himself. He should- huh?"
Luke timidly approached Gohan and bowed to him. "Even though you lost, that was really something. You're not a bad guy are you?"
"Don't worry, I'm one of the good guys."
"NOT ONLY THAT!" Asuka interjected and waved her hands at Gohan as if she was presenting him to someone. "He is the esteemed, all powerful, descendant of the legendary Saiyan Son Goku!"
"Hey Asuka…" Gohan pleaded.
"Woah are you really?!" Luke's eyes sparkled brightly.
"I mean… Well that's that they say I am…"
"I heard stories of him. He was an amazing man who saved the world. Everyone looked up to him, but…"
"Hm?"
Luke looked down at the ground, searching for the right words. He looked into Gohan's face and spoke from his heart.
"I look up to my father more than Goku. He's the hero in my life. He sacrificed himself to save this village so we can live in peace. I look up to Kise too. They both saved our lives. I want to be like those two one day."
Gohan smiled and crouched down at eye level with Luke.
"You really have that much faith in Kise don't you?"
"Yes I do! Even though he doesn't fight much anymore or teaches me anything, I want to be able to do what he does."
"What does Kise do exactly?"
"He protects people! I want to get as strong as him and protect the village just like he and my dad did."
Gohan stared at Luke for awhile and stood back up.
"Kise hasn't taught you anything at all?"
"Well, no. He's been real out of it since dad died. He doesn't teach me, he won't even let me touch that sword I brought to him. It's been in the corner gathering dust for years. That's why I was so surprised when he told me to get it. When I saw him use it, it was amazing. That's how I want to fight."
"I believe you'll get there. You have a strong look in your eyes. That's the strength we need in this world. I'll be rooting for you Luke." Gohan gave him a thumbs up. Luke smiled and returned with a thumbs up of his own.
"I'm sure you've worked up an appetite after that battle. I'll treat you all to a nice dinner. You can also stay the night if you wish. Would you like to join us Luke," Hanako asked the young boy.
"M-me?" Luke pointed at himself in astonishment.
"Of course. You've only eaten meals with Kise, and its not very often we have visitors. You should be more active, especially at your age."
Kise looked at Hanako, then towards Kise's home.
"I don't know. Kise might be worried about me soon so maybe I'll- OW!"
Asuka pulled him by the ear and led him to Hanako's home.
"Oh shut up and let's go!"
"You don't have to pull my ear!"
"Nice Asuka! I was just about to do that hahaha! Now how about you two? Hanako turned to Miroku and Gohan, a grin crept upon her face, as if she dared them to refuse. They both sped towards her house. Hanako just smiled.
The five had a delicious meal together and engaged in great conversation. The sun started to set over the village. The rest of the nice was peaceful, without any interruptions from the serpents. Miroku, Asuka, Luke, and Hanako turned in for the night. Gohan however, became a little restless after his spar with Kise. He took his sword with him and left the house to undergo extra training.
The night was still, with only a few torches lit around the village for people passing by. Gohan unsheathed his sword and held it up high, the moon making its reflection off the sword.
"With or without Kise's help, I'm determined to get stronger. Hopefully strong enough to save this village." Gohan began swinging his sword.
"With your swordsmanship that won't be possible."
Kise was sitting underneath a tree staring up at the sky. He looked at Gohan and pointed at his sword. "Give my regards to the one who forged that sword."
"That would be my dad. He made the Z-Sword for me so I'll be prepared for any battle. I want to make sure his efforts aren't wasted so I need to learn how to master it. That's why Master Roshi wanted me to seek you out. He thinks highly of you if he recommended you to me. I wonder if he knew you wouldn't training me."
"That old geezer knew of my situation and knew I would reject you. He sent you on a wild goose chase."
Gohan clutched the hilt of his sword and started crying. "Damn you Master Roshi. I'll get you for this…"
"Is Luke with Hanako," Kise asked.
"Yeah, Hanako invited all of us for dinner. She allowed us to spend the night as well."
"That's mighty kind of her."
They had an awkward silence between them. Gohan hesitated to say what was on his mind. Kise picked up on his hesitance and spoke first.
"Who will protect them next time?"
"What?"
"You won't be around to look after this village forever. Who will protect them after you settle your business here?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Gohan pointed to the moon shining above them.
"Goku huh?"
"Apparently, he watches over the whole world. I'm still not sure how he does it, but this is what he chose to do. This is his way of protecting this world from above. As his descendant, I'll protect it from below. I can't do it alone though. So to answer your question as to who will protect them next time…" Gohan looked at Kise and smiled. "I'm hoping you'll protect this village, and the people you love when I'm gone."
Kise grown quiet hearing Gohan's answer. He stood up and stretched out his back.
"So, you're still expecting me to come out of retirement huh?"
"Heh, if you don't, I'll have to depend on Luke to defend everyone. I'm not a master swordsman or anything, but maybe I can at least show him how to swing a blade. I'd rather him be able to defend himself, then depend on someone who's still stuck in the past."
"Stuck in the past…" Kise thought to himself and rubbed his hand through his hair. "Dammit, never thought I'd get a pep talk from a kid. Alright, I'll show you a few things. Swing your sword for me."
"Swing it? Okay then." Gohan brought the Z-Sword over his head and swung down, the force of the swing moving the grass and the leaves on the trees.
Kise folded his hands across his chest and nodded. "You got the power, but we need more control."
"What do you mean?"
"If you were to go up against anyone with skill with weaponry, you'll be disarmed in a matter of seconds. This also applies to demons as well. They see an opening those monsters wouldn't hesitate to kill you. Don't make any exaggerated movements. Keep them short and sweet."
"Short and sweet. Okay… HA!" Gohan swung a couple more times and became faster with each swing.
"That's good, short and sweet. You're gonna do this until the sun comes up. " Kise said.
"Wait huh? Until the sun comes up?" Gohan asked with sweat on his forehead.
"You wanted me to train you right? This is how I was taught, and this is how I'll train you as well."
"What about me?"
Gohan and Kise turned to see Luke standing in the doorway.
"You should be sleeping Luke." Kise said.
"I know, but it's not fair that you're training Gohan and not me. I've been asking you for years."
"Well that's…"
"Let him do it Kise. He wants to protect this village just as much as you do. He should be able to defend himself at the very least don't you think?"
"Alright ya got me there. Let's see here…" Kise looked around and found a nice sized stick. He picked it up and threw it at Luke.
"Woah!" Luke fumbled a bit but managed to catch the stick.
"We're gonna work on your swings and posture until the sun comes up."
"Wait huh? Until the sun comes up," Luke says with wide eyes.
"I said the exact same thing haha." Gohan said.
"Alright ladies enough talk. Let's get to work!"
I don't understand how this kid was able to rile me up so easily. What am I saying, he was right about everything he said. Maybe I was scared this whole time. Scared to confront the past, and scared of what will happen next. I can't set a good example for Luke or the village if I stay like this. If I don't change, we won't survive the next attack, then who will protect us… -Kise
