Love can Change you 6
A/N: I'm back with part six! That's right, it's the moment you've all been waiting for! The fight of the year takes place as Earth's beloved psychic, Hitomi Kanzaki takes on Gaea's most prominent psychopath, Dilandau Albatou! Now. Ladies and gentlemen. LLLET'S GET READY RUMBLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEE!
Chapter 6:
It was one hour after Dilandau had made his challenge and the Vione's arena was packed to capacity. It was a mixed crowd of Dragonslayers, guards, and a smattering of technicians and bridge officers who could find time off to view this event.
Gatti wore a grin so wide that an Alseides could fly into it and down his throat. The reason for this was apparent in the form of the tall, silver cat girl who held onto his arm. Naria wouldn't have missed this for the world, and it was always nice to have some company to these things.
Guimel stood near them, but he wasn't happy in the slightest. On the contrary, he was filled with murderous rage, and it was directed towards Dalet. The reason for this was all too obvious. Dalet had beaten him to the punch and HE was the one entertaining Naria's twin with stories of his "gallant heroism". It made him want to puke.
Miguel and Ryoun had taken it upon themselves to be the commentators for this event. Imagine Hitomi's surprise when she found out Gaea even HAD commentators! The two slayers were sitting behind a big steel desk and were hooked up to a speaker system via two pairs of headphones.
"Welcome, welcome to the sword fighting event of the season, as Dragonslayer captain, Dilandau Albatou, faces off against newcomer Hitomi Kanzaki." Miguel said, and Ryoun was quick to join in.
"We've got one hell of an audience tonight Miguel." The slayer squinted up at the crowd. "The high command themselves are here. There's Lord Folken. And is that general Adelfous beside him?"
Miguel cut in. "Well here are the stakes for this fight. If Hitomi wins, she earns a place in the Dragonslayers, the most elite unit of Zaibach's forces. The best of the best. The victors of a hundred battles. The unstoppable. The-"
"And for Dilandau, who made the challenge in the first place, no serious stake is made. Except for the humiliation and disgrace of being beaten by a new recruit."
"But if Hitomi DOES beat him, then there wouldn't be that much shame would there? I mean, she'd have to be good to win."
"I never said that. And don't interrupt!"
"No, but you implied it. And if you don't want me to interrupt, then you don't interrupt me!"
As the verbal fencing match continued, Chesta stood on the sidelines with Hitomi. As he expected, she was a bundle of nerves, and he was trying to soothe her.
"Just calm down. Going into a battle afraid isn't unusual, but going into a battle convinced you can't win is a recipe for disaster."
Hitomi sighed and forced herself to breathe slowly. "I know Chesta. I can beat him. But can you blame me for being scared? He's supposed to be invincible!"
"Nobody's invincible. Just remember the pointers we gave to you."
Hitomi shook her head in frustration. "This is insane! I've never taken a lesson in my life! And the only time I ever even practised with a sword was when I fought you!"
"And you won, didn't you?" Hitomi hesitated, so Chesta continued. "Besides, I'm sure it'll come to you. You're a natural!"
Hitomi blinked. "Seriously?"
"Yeah! I was talking to Viole about it earlier. He said the way you handled your sword was excellent."
"Well I HAVE been watching the guys back in Palas fight a lot."
"That's the spirit! Now just think to yourself: Can I win this?"
Hitomi hesitated. "Yeah."
"Will I win this?"
"Yeah!"
"Am I good enough to win this?"
"YEAH!"
"THEN GET OUT THERE AND KICK HIS ASS STRAIGHT OFF THE VIONE!"
"You feeling the need to voice your opinions today Chesta?"
Chesta turned red and snapped to attention, saluting as he did. "Sorry sir. I got carried away. It won't happen again."
Dilandau strolled casually past him and stared straight into Hitomi's face, with the eyes of a hungry predator. His intended prey stared coolly back. Some moments passed, and it became obvious that whoever looked away first would lose. The staring contest, and the match ahead. Neither budged. Chesta looked on nervously, wondering what was going on.
Just as it seemed that they would stare forever, a black cloak broke the connection their eyes had. "I know how important psychological warfare is, but they've called your names five minutes ago."
The competitors hurriedly blinked, trying to bring moisture back into their eyes. When he recovered, Dilandau smiled. "Ready to show what you're like on the inside girlie?"
Hitomi grinned. "That's the one thing you WON'T find out Dilandau." Then she turned and strolled casually into the ring.
The pyro stared in shock. Then he whirled on his superior. "Was she teasing me???"
Folken was no less startled, but he hid it better. "I think that speaks for itself."
Cursing, Dilandau followed his opponent into the arena and the crowd cheered. Folken watched for an instant. Then he took a stunned Chesta up into the stands to watch the fight. 'This is going to be more interesting then I thought.'
***
Miguel and Ryoun had ended their scuffle and made the announcements. That was when the staring contest began. Now Hitomi took a deep breath and walked into the arena. It was about 20 yards long and had a hard packed dirt floor. Bleachers ringed the fighting circle. Not the stadium kind, the ones you'd find at a baseball diamond. But they were filled to capacity nonetheless. Hitomi was just staring at the announcer wannabes when she felt eyes on her head. When she turned, she faced Refina. The girl was grinning like a demon over its prey and Hitomi snorted. So Refina thought she was going to humiliate herself, hmm? Well Refina had another thing coming!
Hitomi strode to the centre of the ring and waited. She did not have to wait long.
Dilandau marched forward, arrogantly. Soon he faced the girl.
It was about that time that Hitomi's fighting instincts took over. She planted her feet to the ground for better traction. Her muscles loosened. She felt like the sea, just waiting for the moment. Going with the flow. She grinned in spite of herself. 'I've really got to stop watching those Kung-Fu movies.'
Movies or not, she tuned out the crowd, and went into a stance. Dilandau grinned at the sight. "Awww. Is the little girl gonna play swordsman?" He taunted. Hitomi didn't even blink. But her eyes did flash with that all too familiar glint.
Chesta saw it from the sideline and shivered. Where did that come from? One minute she was nice, kind, friendly. But when a fight threatened, she always seemed to be waiting for an excuse to beat the hell out of you.
Folken saw it too. 'It's probably just her way of coping with losing Van.' He thought no more about it.
Now Dilandau was in his stance and was caught up in the moment. Folken could see the murderous gleam from where he stood and was glad that they were using practice swords.
Miguel rang a bell. The fight began.
***
Dilandau immediately lunged forward, slashing. Hitomi blocked his first blow and was immediately beset by a second, then a third, a fourth, fifth, sixth! Then she cut left, dodging a vicious blow to her shoulder and attacked him from behind.
Dilandau blocked that, then immediately went on offensive again. Hitomi kept moving around. She had only fought with a sword once, but she knew that no one could keep attacking like that without getting tired. Until then, she'd just keep on until he gave her an openi- there!
While her sword blocked Dilandau's, her foot lashed out. Only to be caught in the hand he had on guard, and thrown.
Hitomi barely managed to recover her breath before he was upon her.
***
Dilandau grinned. This was too easy! One throw and she crumpled like a butterfly. He'd enjoy torturing her about his later. It just goes to show you that humiliating someone in public was just as much fun as torturing them in private!
He was laughing to himself when she flipped over his head, kicking him in the back along the way.
Startled, the general stumbled forward and fell to his face. Furious, he scrambled to his feet and barely managed to jump a cut at his legs. That bitch! How DARE she touch him! He lost all thought of humiliating the vixen and went psycho.
***
Hitomi smiled grimly when Dilandau's attacks became more forceful and less subtle. It made him easier to block or dodge. It didn't seem to be making him any more tired than when he started, but she had the advantage.
'If I can last long enough to take it.' Was her thought as she barley jumped back from a slash combination.
'Can I beat this guy?' Was the thought on her mind. Then she smiled. 'I'd love to find out!'
***
Adelfous sidled up to Folken who was intently watching the fight. The cyborg nodded greetings to the general of Zaibach's Red Copper army as Dilandau threw an intense combination of slashes at Hitomi. The attack left him open on one side and he had to quickly parry Hitomi's flurry of jabs and cuts.
Adelfous glanced at the battle. "A good fight she's putting up."
Folken just nodded again. If Adelfous wanted to talk, it was about something important, and he'd get to it soon enough.
He was right. "Where did you find her Folken?"
"In Palas". The words were straight to the point.
The General nodded slowly. "The logical place to look. After all, that is where Van Fanel was located recently." Folken showed more emotion in his silence then on his face and Adelfous pushed his advantage. "I've heard about her Folken. The Emperor's orders are full of descriptions that match her to a tee. She travelled with Fanel, and she's the one who ruined our plans at the energist mine." He clenched his fist. "That mine was a strategic location! And commander Jarhan was a trusted subordinate. Now both are gone, caused by that girl!"
"I have followed Emperor Dornkirk's wishes. I have kept her apart from my brother and am in the process of making her a Dragonslayer. You dispute the emperor's will at your own risk." Folken warned, not taking his eyes off the battle.
Adelfous smiled then. "I wondered how you'd react." He gloated. "We can get by without the mine, and Jarhan was a toadying buffoon. I just wanted to see the look on your face when I told you I knew." He stretched out and glanced back at the battle again. "Actually, from what I've seen of her, I think she'd make an excellent fighter. Too strong for the common ranks, but not the right officer material. She'll do well. If she passes". He added.
Folken did not answer. Adelfous was one of the few people who could manipulate him. He couldn't do it often, but when he did it was disturbing nonetheless.
Adelfous turned to go but then asked one more question. "Who do you lay odds on?"
Folken then looked the general straight in the face. "I wouldn't have agreed to this if I didn't think she had a good chance of winning."
Adelfous turned back to studying the action. "More than a chance I'd say. She's got him pissed off and attacking wildly. It's only a matter of time until she finds an advantage. There! You see?" He pointed as Hitomi had struck Dilandau's leg armour right where the kneecap would be. "She can win this!"
Folken didn't answer. He was back to the fight.
***
Dilandau struggled not to wince as his damaged kneecap pained him. In addition to that, he had a bruise where she'd punched him in the face. And she favoured her left shoulder where she'd been too slow to block his attack.
And all this time, she wore that infuriating smile! Even when he'd struck her it hadn't left her face!
'At least she's not at her best either! She's all sweaty. I can see it from here! It's made her clothes all damp and. God, she has a great figure! What the hell was that?! You're fighting this girl, not courting her! So what if she's hot? She's your enemy! NO!!! I do NOT think she's hot! Wait a minute. If I think she's hot then maybe.' Dilandau smiled viciously. 'Yes. I think that's the case! Well lets just see if I can get her riled up.'
Their swords met yet again. This time, they locked hilts and their feet churned up the dirt as they struggled and fought to set the other off balance. Neither could gain an advantage over the other. Dirt was flying everywhere and each was blinking constantly to keep it out of their eyes. Dilandau chose this moment to employ his strategy. He put on a grin and said, "You don't fight that bad you know!"
Hitomi merely grunted and Dilandau's smile grew wider. "You know, I think Schezar thought you were pretty good too." No reaction. "No? Maybe it was Van then!"
Hitomi's face twitched and she slowed. "Van?"
"Yeah! Don't tell me a gorgeous girl like yourself didn't attract Van!" This was great! For once, his verbal combat had an obvious impact. Her strength seemed to leave her and he pushed forward, swinging his sword victoriously. She was barely able to block. "What's wrong girl?" Slash. "Did I touch a nerve?" Jab. "Did he reject you or something?" Slice. Each word he spoke had a greater impact on her. Now she her head was pointed to the ground and heaven alone knew how she was still blocking. Dilandau grinned. He had won! "You never had a chance with him!" He brought his sword down for the final blow.
***
*CRACK!!!*
Chesta's heart leaped straight into his throat. Somehow Hitomi had blocked Dilandau's last blow. The pyro's shock was evident even from ten feet away!
Slowly Hitomi raised her head and Chesta shivered at the look in her eyes. He'd only seen that look before in one person's face. Dilandau's. It was the look of someone who had lost the last of her senses. It was the look of someone consumed with hate. It was the look of someone completely out of her mind.
With a scream of hate that sent shivers down Chesta's spine and raised the fur on Naria and Eriya, Hitomi abandoned all caution and flung herself at Dilandau. Her first blow crashed into his ribs and this time his pain was evident to all present. He stumbled back, trying desperately to protect himself from her insanely powerful strikes. As she slammed the hilt of her sword in his face, he struck her wrist. The crack resounded through the room and she didn't even flinch. She snarled and slavered. She LAUGHED!
'I can't believe this is happening! I can not lose! I WILL not lose!' Dilandau doubled his efforts and refused to back off any more.
The two gladiators fought, toe to toe in the centre of the fighting circle. Neither one giving an inch. Neither one inflicting a blow on the other. As they clashed again, their swords locking, it seemed each was a force of nature. Unstoppable, unforgiving, and indomitable.
But they were just human. Something would happen, and it did.
When their swords locked for the final time, Dilandau released one hand and pulled a dagger from his belt. Seeing this, Hitomi released her sword and struck his hand sending the dagger skittering across the floor. Dilandau then brought the flat of his blade into the side of his head, knocking her across the floor too.
Taking his chance he lunged and landed on top of her. Their faces were separated by two inches and his sword was at her throat.
The room was silent. Hitomi growled in frustration. Then she seemed to relax. Then she smiled. The smile turned into a chuckle, and soon she was laughing hysterically. Dilandau stared at her in surprise. Then she looked down. He looked in the direction she had and saw his dagger a hairsbreadth from his stomach.
Dilandau moved slightly, inadvertently revealing this fact to the Viole who was acting as judge. "It's a tie!" He screamed out, and the audience burst into cheers. Everyone was going nuts! Gatti and Naria were jumping around like schoolgirls. Dalet got caught up in the moment and kissed Eriya, earning him a slap in the face and a laugh from Guimel. Miguel and Ryoun were crying like girls, and Chesta wore the smile Hitomi's brother would have worn if he were there. 'Good job Hitomi.' He thought. 'Good job Dragonslayer'.
Dilandau couldn't move. He had been beaten. By a girl! Who'd never held a sword in her life!! He watched as the girl rolled him off of her and stood up. She held out her hand to help him up. Dilandau looked at it suspiciously, but Hitomi just smiled. So he took the chance and took her hand. When he was on his feet, he looked her over. She was filthy, had a purpling bruise on her left cheek, nursed her shoulder, and cradled her broken wrist. But as she smiled happily, Dilandau realised that they had the same indomitable spirit and he grinned a true grin, not the crazed ones he usually gave.
"So, did I pass?" She asked.
"With flying colours!" He held out his hand and she shook it. "With flying colours."
A/N: So burn the flag if you must! But while you're at it, you'd better burn a few other things too! You better burn your house and your clothes! You better burn your TV and your VCR! Oh yes. You better burn your car as well! Because you wouldn't have any of these things without six white stripes, seven red stripes, and a hell of a lot of stars!
I'm sorry, but I always wanted to do something like that in front of a lot of people! So there you have it! Hitomi's a Dragonslayer. What will she do next? Will Refina stand for this? When will Van come to the "rescue"? Find out next time on Escaflowne!
And as always, review, review, review!
A/N: I'm back with part six! That's right, it's the moment you've all been waiting for! The fight of the year takes place as Earth's beloved psychic, Hitomi Kanzaki takes on Gaea's most prominent psychopath, Dilandau Albatou! Now. Ladies and gentlemen. LLLET'S GET READY RUMBLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEE!
Chapter 6:
It was one hour after Dilandau had made his challenge and the Vione's arena was packed to capacity. It was a mixed crowd of Dragonslayers, guards, and a smattering of technicians and bridge officers who could find time off to view this event.
Gatti wore a grin so wide that an Alseides could fly into it and down his throat. The reason for this was apparent in the form of the tall, silver cat girl who held onto his arm. Naria wouldn't have missed this for the world, and it was always nice to have some company to these things.
Guimel stood near them, but he wasn't happy in the slightest. On the contrary, he was filled with murderous rage, and it was directed towards Dalet. The reason for this was all too obvious. Dalet had beaten him to the punch and HE was the one entertaining Naria's twin with stories of his "gallant heroism". It made him want to puke.
Miguel and Ryoun had taken it upon themselves to be the commentators for this event. Imagine Hitomi's surprise when she found out Gaea even HAD commentators! The two slayers were sitting behind a big steel desk and were hooked up to a speaker system via two pairs of headphones.
"Welcome, welcome to the sword fighting event of the season, as Dragonslayer captain, Dilandau Albatou, faces off against newcomer Hitomi Kanzaki." Miguel said, and Ryoun was quick to join in.
"We've got one hell of an audience tonight Miguel." The slayer squinted up at the crowd. "The high command themselves are here. There's Lord Folken. And is that general Adelfous beside him?"
Miguel cut in. "Well here are the stakes for this fight. If Hitomi wins, she earns a place in the Dragonslayers, the most elite unit of Zaibach's forces. The best of the best. The victors of a hundred battles. The unstoppable. The-"
"And for Dilandau, who made the challenge in the first place, no serious stake is made. Except for the humiliation and disgrace of being beaten by a new recruit."
"But if Hitomi DOES beat him, then there wouldn't be that much shame would there? I mean, she'd have to be good to win."
"I never said that. And don't interrupt!"
"No, but you implied it. And if you don't want me to interrupt, then you don't interrupt me!"
As the verbal fencing match continued, Chesta stood on the sidelines with Hitomi. As he expected, she was a bundle of nerves, and he was trying to soothe her.
"Just calm down. Going into a battle afraid isn't unusual, but going into a battle convinced you can't win is a recipe for disaster."
Hitomi sighed and forced herself to breathe slowly. "I know Chesta. I can beat him. But can you blame me for being scared? He's supposed to be invincible!"
"Nobody's invincible. Just remember the pointers we gave to you."
Hitomi shook her head in frustration. "This is insane! I've never taken a lesson in my life! And the only time I ever even practised with a sword was when I fought you!"
"And you won, didn't you?" Hitomi hesitated, so Chesta continued. "Besides, I'm sure it'll come to you. You're a natural!"
Hitomi blinked. "Seriously?"
"Yeah! I was talking to Viole about it earlier. He said the way you handled your sword was excellent."
"Well I HAVE been watching the guys back in Palas fight a lot."
"That's the spirit! Now just think to yourself: Can I win this?"
Hitomi hesitated. "Yeah."
"Will I win this?"
"Yeah!"
"Am I good enough to win this?"
"YEAH!"
"THEN GET OUT THERE AND KICK HIS ASS STRAIGHT OFF THE VIONE!"
"You feeling the need to voice your opinions today Chesta?"
Chesta turned red and snapped to attention, saluting as he did. "Sorry sir. I got carried away. It won't happen again."
Dilandau strolled casually past him and stared straight into Hitomi's face, with the eyes of a hungry predator. His intended prey stared coolly back. Some moments passed, and it became obvious that whoever looked away first would lose. The staring contest, and the match ahead. Neither budged. Chesta looked on nervously, wondering what was going on.
Just as it seemed that they would stare forever, a black cloak broke the connection their eyes had. "I know how important psychological warfare is, but they've called your names five minutes ago."
The competitors hurriedly blinked, trying to bring moisture back into their eyes. When he recovered, Dilandau smiled. "Ready to show what you're like on the inside girlie?"
Hitomi grinned. "That's the one thing you WON'T find out Dilandau." Then she turned and strolled casually into the ring.
The pyro stared in shock. Then he whirled on his superior. "Was she teasing me???"
Folken was no less startled, but he hid it better. "I think that speaks for itself."
Cursing, Dilandau followed his opponent into the arena and the crowd cheered. Folken watched for an instant. Then he took a stunned Chesta up into the stands to watch the fight. 'This is going to be more interesting then I thought.'
***
Miguel and Ryoun had ended their scuffle and made the announcements. That was when the staring contest began. Now Hitomi took a deep breath and walked into the arena. It was about 20 yards long and had a hard packed dirt floor. Bleachers ringed the fighting circle. Not the stadium kind, the ones you'd find at a baseball diamond. But they were filled to capacity nonetheless. Hitomi was just staring at the announcer wannabes when she felt eyes on her head. When she turned, she faced Refina. The girl was grinning like a demon over its prey and Hitomi snorted. So Refina thought she was going to humiliate herself, hmm? Well Refina had another thing coming!
Hitomi strode to the centre of the ring and waited. She did not have to wait long.
Dilandau marched forward, arrogantly. Soon he faced the girl.
It was about that time that Hitomi's fighting instincts took over. She planted her feet to the ground for better traction. Her muscles loosened. She felt like the sea, just waiting for the moment. Going with the flow. She grinned in spite of herself. 'I've really got to stop watching those Kung-Fu movies.'
Movies or not, she tuned out the crowd, and went into a stance. Dilandau grinned at the sight. "Awww. Is the little girl gonna play swordsman?" He taunted. Hitomi didn't even blink. But her eyes did flash with that all too familiar glint.
Chesta saw it from the sideline and shivered. Where did that come from? One minute she was nice, kind, friendly. But when a fight threatened, she always seemed to be waiting for an excuse to beat the hell out of you.
Folken saw it too. 'It's probably just her way of coping with losing Van.' He thought no more about it.
Now Dilandau was in his stance and was caught up in the moment. Folken could see the murderous gleam from where he stood and was glad that they were using practice swords.
Miguel rang a bell. The fight began.
***
Dilandau immediately lunged forward, slashing. Hitomi blocked his first blow and was immediately beset by a second, then a third, a fourth, fifth, sixth! Then she cut left, dodging a vicious blow to her shoulder and attacked him from behind.
Dilandau blocked that, then immediately went on offensive again. Hitomi kept moving around. She had only fought with a sword once, but she knew that no one could keep attacking like that without getting tired. Until then, she'd just keep on until he gave her an openi- there!
While her sword blocked Dilandau's, her foot lashed out. Only to be caught in the hand he had on guard, and thrown.
Hitomi barely managed to recover her breath before he was upon her.
***
Dilandau grinned. This was too easy! One throw and she crumpled like a butterfly. He'd enjoy torturing her about his later. It just goes to show you that humiliating someone in public was just as much fun as torturing them in private!
He was laughing to himself when she flipped over his head, kicking him in the back along the way.
Startled, the general stumbled forward and fell to his face. Furious, he scrambled to his feet and barely managed to jump a cut at his legs. That bitch! How DARE she touch him! He lost all thought of humiliating the vixen and went psycho.
***
Hitomi smiled grimly when Dilandau's attacks became more forceful and less subtle. It made him easier to block or dodge. It didn't seem to be making him any more tired than when he started, but she had the advantage.
'If I can last long enough to take it.' Was her thought as she barley jumped back from a slash combination.
'Can I beat this guy?' Was the thought on her mind. Then she smiled. 'I'd love to find out!'
***
Adelfous sidled up to Folken who was intently watching the fight. The cyborg nodded greetings to the general of Zaibach's Red Copper army as Dilandau threw an intense combination of slashes at Hitomi. The attack left him open on one side and he had to quickly parry Hitomi's flurry of jabs and cuts.
Adelfous glanced at the battle. "A good fight she's putting up."
Folken just nodded again. If Adelfous wanted to talk, it was about something important, and he'd get to it soon enough.
He was right. "Where did you find her Folken?"
"In Palas". The words were straight to the point.
The General nodded slowly. "The logical place to look. After all, that is where Van Fanel was located recently." Folken showed more emotion in his silence then on his face and Adelfous pushed his advantage. "I've heard about her Folken. The Emperor's orders are full of descriptions that match her to a tee. She travelled with Fanel, and she's the one who ruined our plans at the energist mine." He clenched his fist. "That mine was a strategic location! And commander Jarhan was a trusted subordinate. Now both are gone, caused by that girl!"
"I have followed Emperor Dornkirk's wishes. I have kept her apart from my brother and am in the process of making her a Dragonslayer. You dispute the emperor's will at your own risk." Folken warned, not taking his eyes off the battle.
Adelfous smiled then. "I wondered how you'd react." He gloated. "We can get by without the mine, and Jarhan was a toadying buffoon. I just wanted to see the look on your face when I told you I knew." He stretched out and glanced back at the battle again. "Actually, from what I've seen of her, I think she'd make an excellent fighter. Too strong for the common ranks, but not the right officer material. She'll do well. If she passes". He added.
Folken did not answer. Adelfous was one of the few people who could manipulate him. He couldn't do it often, but when he did it was disturbing nonetheless.
Adelfous turned to go but then asked one more question. "Who do you lay odds on?"
Folken then looked the general straight in the face. "I wouldn't have agreed to this if I didn't think she had a good chance of winning."
Adelfous turned back to studying the action. "More than a chance I'd say. She's got him pissed off and attacking wildly. It's only a matter of time until she finds an advantage. There! You see?" He pointed as Hitomi had struck Dilandau's leg armour right where the kneecap would be. "She can win this!"
Folken didn't answer. He was back to the fight.
***
Dilandau struggled not to wince as his damaged kneecap pained him. In addition to that, he had a bruise where she'd punched him in the face. And she favoured her left shoulder where she'd been too slow to block his attack.
And all this time, she wore that infuriating smile! Even when he'd struck her it hadn't left her face!
'At least she's not at her best either! She's all sweaty. I can see it from here! It's made her clothes all damp and. God, she has a great figure! What the hell was that?! You're fighting this girl, not courting her! So what if she's hot? She's your enemy! NO!!! I do NOT think she's hot! Wait a minute. If I think she's hot then maybe.' Dilandau smiled viciously. 'Yes. I think that's the case! Well lets just see if I can get her riled up.'
Their swords met yet again. This time, they locked hilts and their feet churned up the dirt as they struggled and fought to set the other off balance. Neither could gain an advantage over the other. Dirt was flying everywhere and each was blinking constantly to keep it out of their eyes. Dilandau chose this moment to employ his strategy. He put on a grin and said, "You don't fight that bad you know!"
Hitomi merely grunted and Dilandau's smile grew wider. "You know, I think Schezar thought you were pretty good too." No reaction. "No? Maybe it was Van then!"
Hitomi's face twitched and she slowed. "Van?"
"Yeah! Don't tell me a gorgeous girl like yourself didn't attract Van!" This was great! For once, his verbal combat had an obvious impact. Her strength seemed to leave her and he pushed forward, swinging his sword victoriously. She was barely able to block. "What's wrong girl?" Slash. "Did I touch a nerve?" Jab. "Did he reject you or something?" Slice. Each word he spoke had a greater impact on her. Now she her head was pointed to the ground and heaven alone knew how she was still blocking. Dilandau grinned. He had won! "You never had a chance with him!" He brought his sword down for the final blow.
***
*CRACK!!!*
Chesta's heart leaped straight into his throat. Somehow Hitomi had blocked Dilandau's last blow. The pyro's shock was evident even from ten feet away!
Slowly Hitomi raised her head and Chesta shivered at the look in her eyes. He'd only seen that look before in one person's face. Dilandau's. It was the look of someone who had lost the last of her senses. It was the look of someone consumed with hate. It was the look of someone completely out of her mind.
With a scream of hate that sent shivers down Chesta's spine and raised the fur on Naria and Eriya, Hitomi abandoned all caution and flung herself at Dilandau. Her first blow crashed into his ribs and this time his pain was evident to all present. He stumbled back, trying desperately to protect himself from her insanely powerful strikes. As she slammed the hilt of her sword in his face, he struck her wrist. The crack resounded through the room and she didn't even flinch. She snarled and slavered. She LAUGHED!
'I can't believe this is happening! I can not lose! I WILL not lose!' Dilandau doubled his efforts and refused to back off any more.
The two gladiators fought, toe to toe in the centre of the fighting circle. Neither one giving an inch. Neither one inflicting a blow on the other. As they clashed again, their swords locking, it seemed each was a force of nature. Unstoppable, unforgiving, and indomitable.
But they were just human. Something would happen, and it did.
When their swords locked for the final time, Dilandau released one hand and pulled a dagger from his belt. Seeing this, Hitomi released her sword and struck his hand sending the dagger skittering across the floor. Dilandau then brought the flat of his blade into the side of his head, knocking her across the floor too.
Taking his chance he lunged and landed on top of her. Their faces were separated by two inches and his sword was at her throat.
The room was silent. Hitomi growled in frustration. Then she seemed to relax. Then she smiled. The smile turned into a chuckle, and soon she was laughing hysterically. Dilandau stared at her in surprise. Then she looked down. He looked in the direction she had and saw his dagger a hairsbreadth from his stomach.
Dilandau moved slightly, inadvertently revealing this fact to the Viole who was acting as judge. "It's a tie!" He screamed out, and the audience burst into cheers. Everyone was going nuts! Gatti and Naria were jumping around like schoolgirls. Dalet got caught up in the moment and kissed Eriya, earning him a slap in the face and a laugh from Guimel. Miguel and Ryoun were crying like girls, and Chesta wore the smile Hitomi's brother would have worn if he were there. 'Good job Hitomi.' He thought. 'Good job Dragonslayer'.
Dilandau couldn't move. He had been beaten. By a girl! Who'd never held a sword in her life!! He watched as the girl rolled him off of her and stood up. She held out her hand to help him up. Dilandau looked at it suspiciously, but Hitomi just smiled. So he took the chance and took her hand. When he was on his feet, he looked her over. She was filthy, had a purpling bruise on her left cheek, nursed her shoulder, and cradled her broken wrist. But as she smiled happily, Dilandau realised that they had the same indomitable spirit and he grinned a true grin, not the crazed ones he usually gave.
"So, did I pass?" She asked.
"With flying colours!" He held out his hand and she shook it. "With flying colours."
A/N: So burn the flag if you must! But while you're at it, you'd better burn a few other things too! You better burn your house and your clothes! You better burn your TV and your VCR! Oh yes. You better burn your car as well! Because you wouldn't have any of these things without six white stripes, seven red stripes, and a hell of a lot of stars!
I'm sorry, but I always wanted to do something like that in front of a lot of people! So there you have it! Hitomi's a Dragonslayer. What will she do next? Will Refina stand for this? When will Van come to the "rescue"? Find out next time on Escaflowne!
And as always, review, review, review!