Kaoru stretched her arms and whispered positive slogans at herself as she kept a vigilant watch on her challenger to her opposite. She wondered how strong she would be and if everything will go her way. Kamiya watched as the other seemed to be in a meditating state, standing still, eyes closed, and her wooden sword in hand. She's about the only other female fighter I've seem around, she thought to herself as she continued her stretching. She is pertty. Looks like the "Flower of Martial Arts" has competition in beauty. She took another glance at her opponent and narrowed her eyes with contempt. We'll just see about that...!
"Alright!" With a heavy sigh, she looked for her cheering supporters. "Hey! Where are they?!" She ran out the door, nearly tripping, just as Sanosuke and a yawning Yahiko walked up.
"So," Sano started, his hands on his hips, "I here you're taking a challenge."
"Yup!"
"You think you'll win?" Yahiko yawned.
"Maybe!"
Sano peered into the dojo and raised a brow in interest. "A women, eh? What's her name?" he smirked.
Kaoru thought for a moment, finally giving him a nervous laugh. "I really don't know." The two gave her a not-so-sure look and walked in.
"Well, I guess we'll be on your side."
"Yahiko, you're my student, so of course you'll be cheering me on!" She perked up upon realizing something. "Where's Kenshin? He said he'd be here" Kaoru looked out for him with a worried sigh.
"Are we going to start or not?!" her challenger's voice interrupted.
"Please, can you wait five more minutes?"
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Kenshin stood quietly in the middle of the yard, staring up at the late-morning sky. He was on his way to see Kaoru's fight, but then remembered her challenger. He clenched his fist and jerked away from the blue-heaven.
Tomoe...
A name as lost as the women it was given to.
It hurt him to think about how strong the resemblance was. Making up his mind, he continued to his destination when an unusually warm gust of wind blew.
"Ken-chan..." It came back to him, whispered to his ear. "Relax..." That soothing touch warmed his shoulders, slid down his chest, and comfort his scar. "I'm happy..." The words echoed in a whisper throughout his mind, taking him back to his dream. He unknowingly smiled as the hold became tighter. For what seemed like a blissful eternity, the wanderer and the shade kept together the meaningful hug, until, without a last word, a cold gust ended it.
It was gone.
Closing his eyes in regret, he continued in his way.
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"Kenshin!" Kaoru ran behind and pushed him to walk faster. "Come on! We've been waiting forever for you to get here!"
"M-Miss Kaoru, you didn't have to wait," he stuttered modestly.
"Of course I did," her voice become softer as she talked." This is my first real fight from a challenger, so I wanted you here to cheer me on."
The smile that was forced on his face weakened as he stepped in and saw the stranger leaning against the far wall, arms crossed, eyes closed. There was a painfully long silence as Kaoru picked up her weapon and took her stance.
"Alright! Kamiya Kaoru is ready!" She smiled in anticipation as her opponent's eyes slid open with that same warm smile; pushing off the wall and pointed her wooden sword at the other.
"I apologize for not introducing myself before."
Yet again, time seemed to stand still as Kenshin waited to hear the words that he had all but forgotten.
"I am Kusanagi Ukyo." She slashed the air and pointed to the name plaques on the wall. "I noticed that you are only the assistant-master, not head."
Kaoru's stance weakened. "My father is no longer with me, so these are all my responsibilities."
"Very well."
Kusanagi Ukyo...? Kenshin was almost heart-broken as the name beared no resemblance that he was secretly hoping for. He wanted to leave - to have his own time of peace to think, and have his aching heart soothed by the ghost that haunted him. But I will stay for Miss Kaoru.... He swallowed a knot in his throat and went back to watching the fight; yet something was still plaguing him - nagging from the back of his mind. He ignored it and focused on the match.
Kaoru had already regained her stance, now waiting for her opponent to do the same. "Are we going to get on with this or not?!"
"Patients!!" Ukyo took a step forward, the sword's tip resting just above the floor in front of her. "Yoshi!" With great speed, she rushed forward, the weapon still to the ground, and made one quick diagonal swipe that took Kaoru completely off guard; taking the hit on the left arm, she parried away before another could land.
Skipping back, Ukyo gave her a calm smile, pulling off the dark cloak to reveal a dark-grey juban with an equally colored garment underneath to cover her chest and a black hakama; once again slashing the air then rushing forward, this time sending out a thrust-slash combination. Volting to the side, Kaoru managed to avoid both hits; lunging straight for her opponent's vulnerable stomach, but, to much surprise, Ukyo stopped it with her left hand. Grabbing hold of the wood-blade, the challenger pulled the younger girl closer till they were face to face. Watching with steady eyes, Sanosuke and Kenshin knew there'd be some difficulty in this match, each guessing what Kaoru would try next.
"Do you think she can beat Ukyo?" Yahiko inquired with a small worried tone.
"Why do you ask? Worried?" Sano smirked.
"Not about her!" The Kamiyashin student crossed his arms. "It's just that it wouldn't be very good if the only assistant-master of Kamiyashin were to be beaten by some stranger."
The taller fighter smiled and looked over to Kenshin. "Do you think she has a chance?" He didn't answer, he wasn't even paying any attention as Kaoru fought. Letting out a sigh, Sano and Yahiko quieted down as they heard an amused chuckle from the challenger.
"You sure are slow," she whispered, looking her opponent in the eyes. She inched herself closer - an uneasy move for her prisoner - and lightly kissed the wound on her cheek. "You're marked..." she cooed. Kamiya couldn't move from the shock, not to mention embarrassment Still staring, her face turned red the longer it lasted. Finally, Ukyo backed away, her hand still holding the blade, and closed her eyes.
"It's time to finish this!" She violently pushed Kaoru away, waiting for her to catch her balance. Seeing her chance, she charged once more, dragging her sword behind. Picking herself up, expecting the challenger to lead into a horizontal slash, Kaoru once again took her stance; giving herself encouraging words. Tightening her grip, she steadily watched and waited, and, as a predicted, Ukyo swung the weapon across her chest with great force; but visible enough to be blocked. The assistant-master returned the hit, but she was not at all fazed; jumping back, Ukyo charged her once more in the same way. Blocking it easily again, Kaoru lifted her weapon above her head and fiercely struck down on the other's right shoulder; yet it still didn't fazed her.
Cikushoo! What is she?! Kaoru let out a frustrated sigh and looked over to her audience, a steady expression on each of their faces. Returning to her duel, she caught sight of an icy glare from Kusanagi's deep eyes. Once again, she charged.
Recalling the last two attempts, Kaoru focused on one spot where she noticed to be open. As she waited, a devilish sneer caught her eye, making her even more determined to finish their fight. Lowering her blade, she noticed the other's angle change, but dismissed the action as she came closer. I'm gonna finish this-!
"Nezumi-chan! SHINE!!!" The sudden cry made Kaoru's mind go blank. Seeing her distracted, Ukyo skimmed the floor with the blade's tip as she switched from a horizontal to a straight vertical slash, aiming most of the force to the vulnerable chest. Kaoru's body filled an incredible shock of pain, letting a scream out that gave Ukyo a pleased smile. She thought of nothing else but the feel of death as she seeped into darkness. Kenshin and the others watched in disbelief as their girl fell to her back like a rag doll. Their legs refused to move as they tried desperately to reach her, not caring about the other woman.
Seeing their shocked faces brought another smile to Kusanagi's lips, a feeling of cold triumph coming over her. "I'm surprised I didn't bring her down sooner." she laughed, walking calmly to the beaten girl, dragging her weapon behind. Lifting it up, she gave her a contemptuous glare, "She was already marked..." and brought the sword down in a streak.
"STOP!!" Ukyo's blade came to a halt just inches from Kaoru's head, staring at Yahiko with a surprised expression. He ran at her with his bokken, but was unsuccessful in a hit. "This was to be just a challenge; not to the death!" He took the stance.
Her gaze of hatred quickly changed to that of a soft smile Ukyo once again slashed the sir, showing some appreciation for the young student's courage.
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