20. Three Matches
"Hmm. I can sense that you're pretty good," Joe observed while stroking his chin. "You think you can keep up with me?"
Hinata smiled. "Of course! I'm not in this tournament for nothing."
"Now aren't you confident? Let's see what you got."
"Fine!"
Hinata started the fight with a sweep kick that Joe parried. Joe immediately punched Hinata in the side of the head, making her reel backwards.
"Slash Kick!"
Hinata saw Joe fly at her with his leg extended outwards and blocked. Joe landed and met Hinata's two jabs to the face, then a strong punch to the head then she rose into the air, nailing Joe with her knee.
"Enbukyaku!" she yelled out as she burned Joe with three burning kicks, knocking him down.
"All right!" the announcer shouted out. "Hinata comes out with a combination attack to counter Joe's Slash Kick to start the fight. Let's see if she can keep it up."
Joe barely dodged a kick from Hinata and thrusted his elbow into her chin. Once again, Hinata was sent backward, but recovered quickly when she heard Joe shout of his next attack.
"Hurricane Upper!!"
Joe threw two quick uppercuts, causing the wind to pick up into 2 two typhoons to rocket towards Hinata. She jumped over the attack to perform a mid-air attack, but Joe was ready for her.
"Tiger Kick!"
Joe launched himself into the air, his raised knee covered with energy. Hinata saw it coming on short notice and blocked while in mid-air. Hinata landed before Joe did and took advantage by nailing her Shouyouken while he was coming down.
"Joe goes down hard after a recovery move from his opponent," the announcer stated. "But he's already on his two feet and ready for more."
Joe approached Hinata, ready to attack. He let out a punch, but Hinata dodged it and grabbed his arm while moving to his back.
"Take. this!" Hinata screamed as she threw Joe over her shoulder to the ground. Once he landed, he stayed down for a few seconds before standing up again. Just as he was about to try another attack, the announcer stopped the action.
"Excuse me for a minute," he started, causing a stir among the people in the stadium. "We've just got an announcement from the board. Three matches will now be taking place within this arena starting now. For those keeping count, that means that four whopping matches are going to be happening simultaneously!"
The announcer held for the crowd's applause before continuing. "Now, may teams C-22: Eiji, Kayin, and Ellis and C-21: Ryu, Makoto, and Kairi come to the first arena. In the second arena will be teams C-28: Yusuke, Kurama, Kuwabara, and Hiei and C-15: Batsu, Kyosuke, and Roy. How do you like those matches?"
Once again, the crowd went wild. This was the best action ever witnessed in a fighting tournament. and it was about to get even better.
----- -----
"Ryu. They called us."
Ryu looked at Kairi with burning pupils. He knew he was ready, for this was what he was waiting for the last three weeks. He managed to team up with his new rivals from Japan, and after their intense training, nothing was going to stand in their way of fighting at their best.
"What are we waiting for?" Makoto asked eagerly. "Let's do this!"
Both men stared at the karate girl as she slid into the ring and met her opponent. As Makoto got into stance, she was met by another girl her height wearing a totally white ballerina dress with a pink flower design on her chest. In both hands were small daggers and, as Makoto eyed her opponent, her short hair was an unusual color; green. The teenage girl she was going to face was named Ellis, and as the announcer for their match stared, she put her hands on her hips.
"Well then. for this match we got Ellis from team C-22 versus Makoto from C- 21. Fighters ready?"
Ellis stepped up to a few feet away from Makoto and bowed. Makoto returned the favor by doing the same.
"Fight!"
"Hey. before we start." Makoto said while getting into stance. "I'd like to say you have a real. unique costume to be wearing to a fight. Although you have twin daggers. they sure don't fit your personality."
Ellis stared at Makoto for a second before replying with, "Humph! I really didn't come here to be ridiculed by a guy like you. You perv."
"What did you say!?" Makoto demanded immediately. "I'm a girl!"
"Oh! Sorry about that. I guess. I couldn't tell by your appearance. You shouldn't talk about others you know. It's not nice."
"I'm telling you now. I didn't come here to be nice. It's a fighting tournament, so let's get with the fighting."
----- -----
"Well. this is it," Yusuke said while breathing hard. He stood up and started rotating his arm.
"What are you doing, Urameshi? Hyperventilating?" Kuwabara asked.
"Shut up, Kuwabara," Yusuke shot back. "Can't you see that I'm getting ready?"
"Yeah, whatever. Listen, I'll go first. Wish me luck."
Kuwabara just stared at Yusuke as Yusuke stood up and jumped into the ring, ignoring Kuwabara's yells of disapproval. At the same time, another fighter stepped in the other side. He wore all blue with white and red sneakers and his black hair was totally wild. As he and Yusuke got to center ring, Kuwabara couldn't help but noticed something. similar.
"Okay, you two," the announcer started. "I'm sure you know about the rules because we've ran through them numerous times already, so let's not waste anymore time. This is Round 1, people! Batsu Ichimonji vs. Yusuke Urameshi. Ready? You may begin!"
Batsu didn't waste words as he immediately got into his brawler stance. Strangely, Yusuke didn't get into a stance. He stared at Batsu with interest. Something. about him was so. familiar.
"What's the matter?" Batsu asked.
Yusuke just put his hand in his pockets. "Nothing. I'm just thinking about how fast this fight is going to be."
"What? You're going to let me beat you senseless?" Batsu asked again with a smirk. "That wouldn't be very fun. especially considering all the energy I'm sensing from you?"
"What?"
"Come on! Look at you and me."
Yusuke took a glance at himself and saw his blue aura erupting off his body.
{Well that's not new.}
Yusuke looked up to Batsu. and saw his aura was exactly like his.
{Now THAT'S new.}
Batsu had a grin. "I can see that you're going to be a nice opponent."
"Well, let's not waste anymore time, but before we start, I got to warn you that I'm the toughest guy in Sarayashiki Junior High." He paused while pointing a thumb to himself, ".so don't expect to be coming out of this one without being on a stretcher."
"Heh. toughest guy in Sarayashiki, huh." Batsu put his hands on his hips while smiling. "Well I'm the toughest guy in Taiyo High. I guess that makes it even, then."
Yusuke smiled. and rushed up to Batsu full force. Batsu didn't move, but he went fist to fist with his opponent. Both fighters moved at breakneck speeds just punching it out. Neither went on the defensive, but no one connected their punches. Eventually, Batsu had to go on the guard since Yusuke was punching way faster than he was. He blocked about a million punches from his opponent and thought, {Why doesn't he at least try to hit me low or something like that?}
Batsu shoved his elbow into Yusuke's face, breaking his momentum and followed with a flaming uppercut, knocking him skywards.
"You're too predictable!" Batsu yelled out as he charged up a bit and threw a blue sphere of energy towards Yusuke's falling position. Yusuke recovered in the air fast enough to block the Guts Bullet and landed on his feet.
"Too predictable, huh?" Yusuke asked. He held out a fist and it started to glow with blue energy. "Say hello to my Spirit Energy, Batsu. You'll be seeing a lot of this. especially in this way."
Yusuke pointed at Batsu with his index finger, the blue ball resting on his fingertip. He concentrated for a bit, getting his aim right.
"SPIRIT GUN!!!"
Yusuke fired his energy right at Batsu in a large blue ball of energy. It was pretty fast, but Batsu managed to duck the blast as it went towards the stands. then exploded as if it hit something. Yusuke smiled as he put his hand down.
"Sure glad that the rings are protected by a shield. Must have cost them a lot to buy those." Yusuke looked at his hand for a bit. "Normally I could only fire one of those a day. then I could fire 4. But now, after my. experience a few weeks ago, I can fire all I want. I suggest you get used to dodging."
"Nice trick," Batsu said while getting up. "I got a little trick myself."
Batsu raised his hands into the air, and shortly a small blue ball of electrical energy formed. It increased in size a bit as Batsu called out its name.
"Maximum. Guts Bullet!"
Batsu pulled in the energy and threw it forward. It wasn't as fast as the Spirit Gun, but it was equal in force. Yusuke dodged to the side, letting the move explode against the border.
"Heh. Nice one, huh?" Batsu asked. "And that wasn't even at full power. I don't want to pull out the stops just yet."
Yusuke smiled. "Like I know that. I was holding back too. Now, let's cut the small talk and get this over with."
----- -----
"Ellis is way too fast for me." Makoto finally realized while breathing hard through her mouth. She was facing Ellis in the first round. and although she was a dancer, that didn't stop Ellis from slashing her opponent with her twin daggers. She only hit Ellis a few times, but Makoto's body was a bloody wreck with cuts all over her body and her karate gi was ripped in certain places.
"What's wrong, Makoto?" Ellis asked with a wide grin in her face. "You were pretty cocky when we started fighting. What happened to that spirit now?"
"Oh, give me a break!" Makoto screamed. "Not everyone could move as fast as you do! And the fact that you have two weapons just makes it harder!"
"Stop complaining, already! You're just mad because you can't hit me with that slow fighting stance of yours."
"Oh, that's it!"
Before Ellis knew it, Makoto was in her face. Makoto took out her anger by punching Ellis hard in the stomach, almost making her drop her dirks. Makoto followed up with three quick punches to the head then blasted Ellis in the face so hard, Ellis went sky rocketing into the air.
"Seichuusen Godan-zuki!!" she cried out, her fist still in the air. Makoto held the pose for two more seconds. then Ellis's body crashed into the canvas. Makoto looked down at her fallen opponent.
"Now see where bragging gets you?"
The announcer already started his ten-count as Ellis struggled to her feet. She managed to get to one knee, using the back of her right hand to rub her eyes a bit, then stood up as the count of 7. Makoto could clearly see how disorientated Ellis was and was about to capitalize off it.
"Heh. not so high and mighty now, huh, Ellis?" Makoto taunted while getting back into stance.
"Just keep talking, Makoto." Ellis warned. She braced herself. her body surrounded by a flashing blue and yellow aura.
"Here I come!!" she yelled out as she somersaulted into the air, flying straight to Makoto. Makoto senses something big, so she rolled to the side to avoid Ellis. Too bad it didn't work as Ellis tagged her just as she was coming out of the roll, scratching her shoulder. Ellis hit her a few more times while in mid-air before landing on Makoto's bare feet. She yelled out several times as she followed up with straight dagger strikes, causing more wounds onto the young warrior's body. After 4 consecutive strikes, Ellis reared back.
"French Kiss!!"
Ellis then struck Makoto in the head with both daggers, which were sparkling with stars. but just before she fell back, Makoto held out her hand. and a shadow image on Makoto shot out of her body and nailed Ellis right where Ellis hit her. Both girls were stunned from each others' moves; Makoto was literally seeing stars while Ellis held a hand to her forehead, trying to straighten out her vision that was whirling.
"Lousy. trick," Ellis muttered to herself.
"Ugh. what a stupid move." Makoto commented as both recovered from their dizziness. They both stared at each other.
"French Kiss. hah! Nice name, Ellis," Makoto said while smiling a bit.
"Whatever. It still kicked you butt," Ellis countered.
"I'm getting tired of this. time to finish it."
Both Makoto and Ellis ran towards each other. As soon as Makoto was about to make a move, Ellis ducked down with one of her daggers on the ground, covered with yellow energy, and aiming at Makoto's feet. Makoto saw it coming a little too late, but she raised her hand up into the air and brought it down as fast as she could. Just before Makoto started to graze Ellis's green hair, Ellis shot up, directing her attack at Makoto's head. Both girls gasped as they saw each other's attacks and tried to pull out, but it was too late. They hit each other at the same time, just like they did before. Makoto cried out as she was sent into the air for a short while as Ellis's head was sent into the canvas. When Ellis landed fully on her face, Makoto's body fell to the ground, bounced into a flip, and landed right in front of Ellis, in the same position as her opponent.
The announcer, not wasting any words, started the count, but this time, neither fighter moved. He got to the count of 5, and that's when both pushed their bodies off the floor. At 9, they got up fully, but they didn't have anything left to fight on. Both of their legs were wobbly and their arms hung as their sides.
".you're really something, Ellis," Makoto commented. "Tell me. what goes through your mind when you fight?"
Ellis was pretty surprised that such an answer came from a girl who was a few minutes ago arguing at her. "I. really don't know," Ellis answered. "I. never really thought about it. I. just fought. That is all."
"I know. there's more, Ellis. I'll. just have to find out later."
And with that, Makoto dropped to her knees. and fell back down. Ellis just looked at her opponent, whom finally succumbed to her injuries and fainted. As the announcer restarted the ten-count, Ellis couldn't help but look at Makoto.
{I wonder why. she asked me that.}
"8. 9. 10! Round 1 ends with Ellis being the winner!" The announcer turned to the other two fighters on the opposing team. "May the next fighter step into the ring?"
In no time flat, a man wearing only white karate pants and scars all over his body jumped into the ring. He landed, arms folded, staring into Ellis's eyes coldly.
{I can sense he's strong. and I'm still tired from the first fight. This won't end well.}
"Okay. Round 2: Ellis vs. Kairi. Ready? Fight!"
----- -----
Joe hit the ground. That's what he's been doing for the past two minutes since he couldn't keep up with Hinata's speed. Once again, the ten-count went into effect and Joe struggled to continue the match.
{There. is no way I'm losing this one. I'm an ex-champ for crying out loud! I can't let our team start up this tournament with a loss.}
"I strongly suggest you stay down, Joe," Hinata tipped off while smiling. "Even if you keep fighting, the outcome is always the same!"
Joe growled while getting up at the count of 8 and slowly got into stance.
{There. is only one way I can win this match.}
"Come on at me!" he yelled out.
{He's planning something.} Hinata thought to herself and approached him slowly. Joe swung at Hinata's head, but Hinata ducked and punched Joe in the stomach, making him kneel down.
"Tyah!"
Joe's head met Hinata's heel. He was sent farther to the ground. but he managed to stay on his feet.
"Double.!"
Hinata gasped as she quickly sensed a large boost of energy coming from Joe's fists.
{Oh, no.}
"Cyclone!!"
Joe stood and threw his fists up, creating two huge versions of his Hurricane Upper. Joe couldn't see if his cyclones connected on not. If Hinata blocked them, it would be all over for him and his team will have to go into the next fight 0-1. And even if he did connect, he still had to worry about the Sakura twins, Sakura Kasugano and Sakura Satsu. It seemed like a done deal for him either way.
{NO! I can't let myself think like I'll lose this fight. I got to think like a champ to be a champ.}
His Double Cyclone Upper move finally died down and Joe put his arms down to his sides. He was panting, tired from his desperation move. He looked up and didn't see a trace of Hinata's body.
{Where. did she go? Did. my move knock her out the ring?}
Joe frantically turned his head from left to right, searching for his opponent. Then he heard something. and he didn't like it.
It was. Hinata's giggle.
"Sorry to disappoint you." she teased, ".but I guess the ditch maneuver is something you weren't expecting."
"WHAT!?"
"Hisshou!"
Joe whirled around to see the girl run up to him and deliver a massive amount of punches all on his body followed with her flaming Shouyouken.
"Moutei! I win!" she yelled out.
Joe remained mute as he hit the canvas once again. His body was drained completely. The announcer could count to 100 if he wanted to. He wasn't getting back up. Joe could barely hear the cheers of the crowd for Hinata or the announcer's ten-count. He could only hear his inner voice. that said.
{Joe.? How did she avoid that move? It makes no sense! I surrounded myself with my cyclones. Her ditch was supposed to land her in the back twister. How.?}
Hinata made eye contact with her opponent. and Joe passed out.
"8. 9. 10! There you have it. The winner of this bout goes to team C-8: Sakura K., Sakura S., Darrell, and Hinata!"
The crowd went wild. The rookie team won their first match of the tournament and by the looks of it, it seemed as if they were going to win a lot more often.
"Hey, Hinata!" Sakura S. shouted out. "I do think that the other matches have to get started in that ring. You might want to move!"
Hinata heeded the warning and slid out of the ring. As she got close, she decided to speak up.
"I don't know about you guys.," Hinata spoke up, "but I'm not staying around here to get blasted. I'll race you to the hotel room!"
"For once, you've got yourself a challenge." Sakura K. mentioned. "See ya there!"
The two ran off towards their room, shortly followed by Sakura S. and Ran, but Darrell stayed back, eyeing Sakura K. in particular.
{Hmm. Weird...}
He stared just a bit longer before shaking his head.
{What am I thinking?!}
Darrell sighed heavily and walked calmly after his friends.
----- -----
{I feel sick. I really do. I. really don't know why. but I feel as if I'd start crying any minute now. I just came off a good first round win with my friends. I should be celebrating, hearing the play-by-play on the matches over the T.V. in our hotel room. Sakura K and S, Hinata, and Ran are right next to me, so I dare not start my waterworks. but this feeling inside.}
{I look up to Sakura K, who is watching her idol, Ryu, take on the swordsman Eiji in the final round of their match. It is pretty close. and Sakura is staring at it with so much intensity. I notice a spark in her eyes. scanning Ryu's every move. and my sickness grows. Why? Am I.? Could it be. that I'm jealous of Ryu? It doesn't make sense. He helped me beat a powerful demon a month ago. I don't have a grudge against him. I hardly know him. But there is something about his. attractiveness to Sakura.}
{I look away so no one could see me, but I turn my gaze back to Sakura's body. She's. so beautiful. She. is. like a gem that I'd like to keep to myself. Wait a minute. Why am I thinking about Sakura K. even more than I normally do? Why am I noticing these things about her all of a sudden? I stare at her. and gasp inside my head. I think I know why.}
{I'm in love with Sakura.}
{No. It's just my hormones. I. can't really. be in love. with her. can I?}
"Hey, Darrell!"
Darrell gasped as he spun in the direction to the voice, namely Ran.
"You okay over there?"
"Uh. yeah, I'm fine." he replied.
{Bullshit.} he scolded himself automatically. {You're secretly in love with your friend. but have the feeling that she's interested in someone else. namely Ryu. It's total bullshit. and by the look on Ran's face, it looks as if she isn't buying it.}
"It doesn't seem like it," Ran answered to Darrell's previous response. "You look like you're about to cry or something."
Darrell gave a puzzled look. "I. I." he stuttered. He couldn't shake his feeling of... well. internal rejection.
He looked up. and saw all the others stare at him. He suddenly felt dizzy, almost falling out the sofa.
"Hey!" Hinata voice rang out. "What's with him?"
"Darrell!" Sakura K. shouted out. She reached over to grab Darrell by his shoulders and started to shake his body furiously. She stopped when she heard him murmur something in a light voice.
"What?" she asked.
Darrell looked up and his sickening felling returned, stronger than ever.
{Oh, great. I almost lost it in front of her. What's wrong with me? Why can't I get my feelings straight all of a sudden? I.}
He sighed heavily. "I. think I need. to. you know. rest a little."
Darrell got up, and without waiting for a response, went to his bedroom.
End of Chapter 20
"Hmm. I can sense that you're pretty good," Joe observed while stroking his chin. "You think you can keep up with me?"
Hinata smiled. "Of course! I'm not in this tournament for nothing."
"Now aren't you confident? Let's see what you got."
"Fine!"
Hinata started the fight with a sweep kick that Joe parried. Joe immediately punched Hinata in the side of the head, making her reel backwards.
"Slash Kick!"
Hinata saw Joe fly at her with his leg extended outwards and blocked. Joe landed and met Hinata's two jabs to the face, then a strong punch to the head then she rose into the air, nailing Joe with her knee.
"Enbukyaku!" she yelled out as she burned Joe with three burning kicks, knocking him down.
"All right!" the announcer shouted out. "Hinata comes out with a combination attack to counter Joe's Slash Kick to start the fight. Let's see if she can keep it up."
Joe barely dodged a kick from Hinata and thrusted his elbow into her chin. Once again, Hinata was sent backward, but recovered quickly when she heard Joe shout of his next attack.
"Hurricane Upper!!"
Joe threw two quick uppercuts, causing the wind to pick up into 2 two typhoons to rocket towards Hinata. She jumped over the attack to perform a mid-air attack, but Joe was ready for her.
"Tiger Kick!"
Joe launched himself into the air, his raised knee covered with energy. Hinata saw it coming on short notice and blocked while in mid-air. Hinata landed before Joe did and took advantage by nailing her Shouyouken while he was coming down.
"Joe goes down hard after a recovery move from his opponent," the announcer stated. "But he's already on his two feet and ready for more."
Joe approached Hinata, ready to attack. He let out a punch, but Hinata dodged it and grabbed his arm while moving to his back.
"Take. this!" Hinata screamed as she threw Joe over her shoulder to the ground. Once he landed, he stayed down for a few seconds before standing up again. Just as he was about to try another attack, the announcer stopped the action.
"Excuse me for a minute," he started, causing a stir among the people in the stadium. "We've just got an announcement from the board. Three matches will now be taking place within this arena starting now. For those keeping count, that means that four whopping matches are going to be happening simultaneously!"
The announcer held for the crowd's applause before continuing. "Now, may teams C-22: Eiji, Kayin, and Ellis and C-21: Ryu, Makoto, and Kairi come to the first arena. In the second arena will be teams C-28: Yusuke, Kurama, Kuwabara, and Hiei and C-15: Batsu, Kyosuke, and Roy. How do you like those matches?"
Once again, the crowd went wild. This was the best action ever witnessed in a fighting tournament. and it was about to get even better.
----- -----
"Ryu. They called us."
Ryu looked at Kairi with burning pupils. He knew he was ready, for this was what he was waiting for the last three weeks. He managed to team up with his new rivals from Japan, and after their intense training, nothing was going to stand in their way of fighting at their best.
"What are we waiting for?" Makoto asked eagerly. "Let's do this!"
Both men stared at the karate girl as she slid into the ring and met her opponent. As Makoto got into stance, she was met by another girl her height wearing a totally white ballerina dress with a pink flower design on her chest. In both hands were small daggers and, as Makoto eyed her opponent, her short hair was an unusual color; green. The teenage girl she was going to face was named Ellis, and as the announcer for their match stared, she put her hands on her hips.
"Well then. for this match we got Ellis from team C-22 versus Makoto from C- 21. Fighters ready?"
Ellis stepped up to a few feet away from Makoto and bowed. Makoto returned the favor by doing the same.
"Fight!"
"Hey. before we start." Makoto said while getting into stance. "I'd like to say you have a real. unique costume to be wearing to a fight. Although you have twin daggers. they sure don't fit your personality."
Ellis stared at Makoto for a second before replying with, "Humph! I really didn't come here to be ridiculed by a guy like you. You perv."
"What did you say!?" Makoto demanded immediately. "I'm a girl!"
"Oh! Sorry about that. I guess. I couldn't tell by your appearance. You shouldn't talk about others you know. It's not nice."
"I'm telling you now. I didn't come here to be nice. It's a fighting tournament, so let's get with the fighting."
----- -----
"Well. this is it," Yusuke said while breathing hard. He stood up and started rotating his arm.
"What are you doing, Urameshi? Hyperventilating?" Kuwabara asked.
"Shut up, Kuwabara," Yusuke shot back. "Can't you see that I'm getting ready?"
"Yeah, whatever. Listen, I'll go first. Wish me luck."
Kuwabara just stared at Yusuke as Yusuke stood up and jumped into the ring, ignoring Kuwabara's yells of disapproval. At the same time, another fighter stepped in the other side. He wore all blue with white and red sneakers and his black hair was totally wild. As he and Yusuke got to center ring, Kuwabara couldn't help but noticed something. similar.
"Okay, you two," the announcer started. "I'm sure you know about the rules because we've ran through them numerous times already, so let's not waste anymore time. This is Round 1, people! Batsu Ichimonji vs. Yusuke Urameshi. Ready? You may begin!"
Batsu didn't waste words as he immediately got into his brawler stance. Strangely, Yusuke didn't get into a stance. He stared at Batsu with interest. Something. about him was so. familiar.
"What's the matter?" Batsu asked.
Yusuke just put his hand in his pockets. "Nothing. I'm just thinking about how fast this fight is going to be."
"What? You're going to let me beat you senseless?" Batsu asked again with a smirk. "That wouldn't be very fun. especially considering all the energy I'm sensing from you?"
"What?"
"Come on! Look at you and me."
Yusuke took a glance at himself and saw his blue aura erupting off his body.
{Well that's not new.}
Yusuke looked up to Batsu. and saw his aura was exactly like his.
{Now THAT'S new.}
Batsu had a grin. "I can see that you're going to be a nice opponent."
"Well, let's not waste anymore time, but before we start, I got to warn you that I'm the toughest guy in Sarayashiki Junior High." He paused while pointing a thumb to himself, ".so don't expect to be coming out of this one without being on a stretcher."
"Heh. toughest guy in Sarayashiki, huh." Batsu put his hands on his hips while smiling. "Well I'm the toughest guy in Taiyo High. I guess that makes it even, then."
Yusuke smiled. and rushed up to Batsu full force. Batsu didn't move, but he went fist to fist with his opponent. Both fighters moved at breakneck speeds just punching it out. Neither went on the defensive, but no one connected their punches. Eventually, Batsu had to go on the guard since Yusuke was punching way faster than he was. He blocked about a million punches from his opponent and thought, {Why doesn't he at least try to hit me low or something like that?}
Batsu shoved his elbow into Yusuke's face, breaking his momentum and followed with a flaming uppercut, knocking him skywards.
"You're too predictable!" Batsu yelled out as he charged up a bit and threw a blue sphere of energy towards Yusuke's falling position. Yusuke recovered in the air fast enough to block the Guts Bullet and landed on his feet.
"Too predictable, huh?" Yusuke asked. He held out a fist and it started to glow with blue energy. "Say hello to my Spirit Energy, Batsu. You'll be seeing a lot of this. especially in this way."
Yusuke pointed at Batsu with his index finger, the blue ball resting on his fingertip. He concentrated for a bit, getting his aim right.
"SPIRIT GUN!!!"
Yusuke fired his energy right at Batsu in a large blue ball of energy. It was pretty fast, but Batsu managed to duck the blast as it went towards the stands. then exploded as if it hit something. Yusuke smiled as he put his hand down.
"Sure glad that the rings are protected by a shield. Must have cost them a lot to buy those." Yusuke looked at his hand for a bit. "Normally I could only fire one of those a day. then I could fire 4. But now, after my. experience a few weeks ago, I can fire all I want. I suggest you get used to dodging."
"Nice trick," Batsu said while getting up. "I got a little trick myself."
Batsu raised his hands into the air, and shortly a small blue ball of electrical energy formed. It increased in size a bit as Batsu called out its name.
"Maximum. Guts Bullet!"
Batsu pulled in the energy and threw it forward. It wasn't as fast as the Spirit Gun, but it was equal in force. Yusuke dodged to the side, letting the move explode against the border.
"Heh. Nice one, huh?" Batsu asked. "And that wasn't even at full power. I don't want to pull out the stops just yet."
Yusuke smiled. "Like I know that. I was holding back too. Now, let's cut the small talk and get this over with."
----- -----
"Ellis is way too fast for me." Makoto finally realized while breathing hard through her mouth. She was facing Ellis in the first round. and although she was a dancer, that didn't stop Ellis from slashing her opponent with her twin daggers. She only hit Ellis a few times, but Makoto's body was a bloody wreck with cuts all over her body and her karate gi was ripped in certain places.
"What's wrong, Makoto?" Ellis asked with a wide grin in her face. "You were pretty cocky when we started fighting. What happened to that spirit now?"
"Oh, give me a break!" Makoto screamed. "Not everyone could move as fast as you do! And the fact that you have two weapons just makes it harder!"
"Stop complaining, already! You're just mad because you can't hit me with that slow fighting stance of yours."
"Oh, that's it!"
Before Ellis knew it, Makoto was in her face. Makoto took out her anger by punching Ellis hard in the stomach, almost making her drop her dirks. Makoto followed up with three quick punches to the head then blasted Ellis in the face so hard, Ellis went sky rocketing into the air.
"Seichuusen Godan-zuki!!" she cried out, her fist still in the air. Makoto held the pose for two more seconds. then Ellis's body crashed into the canvas. Makoto looked down at her fallen opponent.
"Now see where bragging gets you?"
The announcer already started his ten-count as Ellis struggled to her feet. She managed to get to one knee, using the back of her right hand to rub her eyes a bit, then stood up as the count of 7. Makoto could clearly see how disorientated Ellis was and was about to capitalize off it.
"Heh. not so high and mighty now, huh, Ellis?" Makoto taunted while getting back into stance.
"Just keep talking, Makoto." Ellis warned. She braced herself. her body surrounded by a flashing blue and yellow aura.
"Here I come!!" she yelled out as she somersaulted into the air, flying straight to Makoto. Makoto senses something big, so she rolled to the side to avoid Ellis. Too bad it didn't work as Ellis tagged her just as she was coming out of the roll, scratching her shoulder. Ellis hit her a few more times while in mid-air before landing on Makoto's bare feet. She yelled out several times as she followed up with straight dagger strikes, causing more wounds onto the young warrior's body. After 4 consecutive strikes, Ellis reared back.
"French Kiss!!"
Ellis then struck Makoto in the head with both daggers, which were sparkling with stars. but just before she fell back, Makoto held out her hand. and a shadow image on Makoto shot out of her body and nailed Ellis right where Ellis hit her. Both girls were stunned from each others' moves; Makoto was literally seeing stars while Ellis held a hand to her forehead, trying to straighten out her vision that was whirling.
"Lousy. trick," Ellis muttered to herself.
"Ugh. what a stupid move." Makoto commented as both recovered from their dizziness. They both stared at each other.
"French Kiss. hah! Nice name, Ellis," Makoto said while smiling a bit.
"Whatever. It still kicked you butt," Ellis countered.
"I'm getting tired of this. time to finish it."
Both Makoto and Ellis ran towards each other. As soon as Makoto was about to make a move, Ellis ducked down with one of her daggers on the ground, covered with yellow energy, and aiming at Makoto's feet. Makoto saw it coming a little too late, but she raised her hand up into the air and brought it down as fast as she could. Just before Makoto started to graze Ellis's green hair, Ellis shot up, directing her attack at Makoto's head. Both girls gasped as they saw each other's attacks and tried to pull out, but it was too late. They hit each other at the same time, just like they did before. Makoto cried out as she was sent into the air for a short while as Ellis's head was sent into the canvas. When Ellis landed fully on her face, Makoto's body fell to the ground, bounced into a flip, and landed right in front of Ellis, in the same position as her opponent.
The announcer, not wasting any words, started the count, but this time, neither fighter moved. He got to the count of 5, and that's when both pushed their bodies off the floor. At 9, they got up fully, but they didn't have anything left to fight on. Both of their legs were wobbly and their arms hung as their sides.
".you're really something, Ellis," Makoto commented. "Tell me. what goes through your mind when you fight?"
Ellis was pretty surprised that such an answer came from a girl who was a few minutes ago arguing at her. "I. really don't know," Ellis answered. "I. never really thought about it. I. just fought. That is all."
"I know. there's more, Ellis. I'll. just have to find out later."
And with that, Makoto dropped to her knees. and fell back down. Ellis just looked at her opponent, whom finally succumbed to her injuries and fainted. As the announcer restarted the ten-count, Ellis couldn't help but look at Makoto.
{I wonder why. she asked me that.}
"8. 9. 10! Round 1 ends with Ellis being the winner!" The announcer turned to the other two fighters on the opposing team. "May the next fighter step into the ring?"
In no time flat, a man wearing only white karate pants and scars all over his body jumped into the ring. He landed, arms folded, staring into Ellis's eyes coldly.
{I can sense he's strong. and I'm still tired from the first fight. This won't end well.}
"Okay. Round 2: Ellis vs. Kairi. Ready? Fight!"
----- -----
Joe hit the ground. That's what he's been doing for the past two minutes since he couldn't keep up with Hinata's speed. Once again, the ten-count went into effect and Joe struggled to continue the match.
{There. is no way I'm losing this one. I'm an ex-champ for crying out loud! I can't let our team start up this tournament with a loss.}
"I strongly suggest you stay down, Joe," Hinata tipped off while smiling. "Even if you keep fighting, the outcome is always the same!"
Joe growled while getting up at the count of 8 and slowly got into stance.
{There. is only one way I can win this match.}
"Come on at me!" he yelled out.
{He's planning something.} Hinata thought to herself and approached him slowly. Joe swung at Hinata's head, but Hinata ducked and punched Joe in the stomach, making him kneel down.
"Tyah!"
Joe's head met Hinata's heel. He was sent farther to the ground. but he managed to stay on his feet.
"Double.!"
Hinata gasped as she quickly sensed a large boost of energy coming from Joe's fists.
{Oh, no.}
"Cyclone!!"
Joe stood and threw his fists up, creating two huge versions of his Hurricane Upper. Joe couldn't see if his cyclones connected on not. If Hinata blocked them, it would be all over for him and his team will have to go into the next fight 0-1. And even if he did connect, he still had to worry about the Sakura twins, Sakura Kasugano and Sakura Satsu. It seemed like a done deal for him either way.
{NO! I can't let myself think like I'll lose this fight. I got to think like a champ to be a champ.}
His Double Cyclone Upper move finally died down and Joe put his arms down to his sides. He was panting, tired from his desperation move. He looked up and didn't see a trace of Hinata's body.
{Where. did she go? Did. my move knock her out the ring?}
Joe frantically turned his head from left to right, searching for his opponent. Then he heard something. and he didn't like it.
It was. Hinata's giggle.
"Sorry to disappoint you." she teased, ".but I guess the ditch maneuver is something you weren't expecting."
"WHAT!?"
"Hisshou!"
Joe whirled around to see the girl run up to him and deliver a massive amount of punches all on his body followed with her flaming Shouyouken.
"Moutei! I win!" she yelled out.
Joe remained mute as he hit the canvas once again. His body was drained completely. The announcer could count to 100 if he wanted to. He wasn't getting back up. Joe could barely hear the cheers of the crowd for Hinata or the announcer's ten-count. He could only hear his inner voice. that said.
{Joe.? How did she avoid that move? It makes no sense! I surrounded myself with my cyclones. Her ditch was supposed to land her in the back twister. How.?}
Hinata made eye contact with her opponent. and Joe passed out.
"8. 9. 10! There you have it. The winner of this bout goes to team C-8: Sakura K., Sakura S., Darrell, and Hinata!"
The crowd went wild. The rookie team won their first match of the tournament and by the looks of it, it seemed as if they were going to win a lot more often.
"Hey, Hinata!" Sakura S. shouted out. "I do think that the other matches have to get started in that ring. You might want to move!"
Hinata heeded the warning and slid out of the ring. As she got close, she decided to speak up.
"I don't know about you guys.," Hinata spoke up, "but I'm not staying around here to get blasted. I'll race you to the hotel room!"
"For once, you've got yourself a challenge." Sakura K. mentioned. "See ya there!"
The two ran off towards their room, shortly followed by Sakura S. and Ran, but Darrell stayed back, eyeing Sakura K. in particular.
{Hmm. Weird...}
He stared just a bit longer before shaking his head.
{What am I thinking?!}
Darrell sighed heavily and walked calmly after his friends.
----- -----
{I feel sick. I really do. I. really don't know why. but I feel as if I'd start crying any minute now. I just came off a good first round win with my friends. I should be celebrating, hearing the play-by-play on the matches over the T.V. in our hotel room. Sakura K and S, Hinata, and Ran are right next to me, so I dare not start my waterworks. but this feeling inside.}
{I look up to Sakura K, who is watching her idol, Ryu, take on the swordsman Eiji in the final round of their match. It is pretty close. and Sakura is staring at it with so much intensity. I notice a spark in her eyes. scanning Ryu's every move. and my sickness grows. Why? Am I.? Could it be. that I'm jealous of Ryu? It doesn't make sense. He helped me beat a powerful demon a month ago. I don't have a grudge against him. I hardly know him. But there is something about his. attractiveness to Sakura.}
{I look away so no one could see me, but I turn my gaze back to Sakura's body. She's. so beautiful. She. is. like a gem that I'd like to keep to myself. Wait a minute. Why am I thinking about Sakura K. even more than I normally do? Why am I noticing these things about her all of a sudden? I stare at her. and gasp inside my head. I think I know why.}
{I'm in love with Sakura.}
{No. It's just my hormones. I. can't really. be in love. with her. can I?}
"Hey, Darrell!"
Darrell gasped as he spun in the direction to the voice, namely Ran.
"You okay over there?"
"Uh. yeah, I'm fine." he replied.
{Bullshit.} he scolded himself automatically. {You're secretly in love with your friend. but have the feeling that she's interested in someone else. namely Ryu. It's total bullshit. and by the look on Ran's face, it looks as if she isn't buying it.}
"It doesn't seem like it," Ran answered to Darrell's previous response. "You look like you're about to cry or something."
Darrell gave a puzzled look. "I. I." he stuttered. He couldn't shake his feeling of... well. internal rejection.
He looked up. and saw all the others stare at him. He suddenly felt dizzy, almost falling out the sofa.
"Hey!" Hinata voice rang out. "What's with him?"
"Darrell!" Sakura K. shouted out. She reached over to grab Darrell by his shoulders and started to shake his body furiously. She stopped when she heard him murmur something in a light voice.
"What?" she asked.
Darrell looked up and his sickening felling returned, stronger than ever.
{Oh, great. I almost lost it in front of her. What's wrong with me? Why can't I get my feelings straight all of a sudden? I.}
He sighed heavily. "I. think I need. to. you know. rest a little."
Darrell got up, and without waiting for a response, went to his bedroom.
End of Chapter 20