dont own YYH


Chapt. 30

Mamoru and the Earthly Battle

Wind kicks up. His black eyes glow gold.

"I'll teach you to fear me," he snarls.

"I'm sure little man. But let's go somewhere else to fight. Like a nice clearing I know of." A sudden change of scenery startles the dog pup slightly.

"What's your name?" I ask him, standing and walking a fair distance from him.

"I am Mamoru," he answers boldly, standing as well. "And I will bring you down for the disrespect you've shown me!" A bright energy envelops him, flaring up brilliantly. He rushes me. Punches are thrown widely. I block them with one hand.

"Not bad," I complement him over the smacking of skin, "but you're too weak to hit me." With my unoccupied hand, I thrust a weak energy at him. He skids back a ways, panting.

"How?" he gasps. He swallows and tries again. "How can you be this strong already? I watched you fall."

"And you watched me rise again. Get over it. You can't defeat me trying to use what you don't have."

"What do you mean?"

"You're trying to use attacks of fire and dark when your power resides from the earth!"

He stares at me in shock. His aura fades away. All he seems to be able to do is stare. His knees buckle beneath him and he hits the ground. He sits there, leaning forward on his hands to stable himself. A warm breeze brushes the tears from his cheeks and the grass caresses his hands.

"Why did you try to beat me with elements that contradict your powers?" I question, kneeling by his side.

"I wanted to be strong!" he sobs.

"The earth gives you strength. Learn to look to its wisdom and power for help." I touch his shoulder gently; he pulls away harshly.

"I want to be able to depend on myself for power. I want to wield elements that will not need persuading to use. Like you." He looks up at me with teary eyes.

"I asked the elements to help once. I had to learn to respect them before they helped without question." I look to the trees that surrounded me. "Once, the earth was the only one that would help. The fire neglected me for my weakness. And the darkness disgraced me for my pleading eyes. The earth understood."

"Then why won't it listen to me?"

"Because you feel ashamed to wield it. You must respect it for its awesome powers. The earth is a majestic being, more alive and free than any other element. Can't you understand that earth is easily the most powerful element of them all?"

"But so many things can defeat it: Darkness keeps it from growing; fire burns it to ashes; ice freezes it, keeping it from growing too; water drowns it; and light can kill it just as easily as darkness. How can earth be the strongest when it's easily the weakest?"

"Summon the earth to you and I'll show you." I stand and walk to the edge of the clearing. "Let go of pride and bring all you have."

Mamoru got shakily to his feet. He wiped away the dried tears with the back of his sleeve. A new aura surrounded him this time, more true. Deep green flames danced and swirled in an artificial wind. The trees hummed blissfully and the grass sang in harmony. Flowers let go of their sweet smell and a few petals. Petals, leaves, blades of grass, and such swirled and danced in his green flames. Then it faded suddenly. He positioned a naganata easily before him; the earthly items that were around him moments ago formed this bladed staff.

"You wanted to see all I have. I just hope you're prepared for it," he growls smoothly. He leapt forward and slashed at my middle. Blades of leaves flew towards me swiftly. It seemed the wind was also on his side.

"Funny thing though," I smirk at the racing blades, "I control earth too." I easily catch five of the ten flying leaves. Flinging them back, the ten collide with each other and fall to the ground. "Did you forget that already?"

"No, I remembered. I just thought I'd test you first." He readjusts the position of his naganata. "Draw your weapon."

"Gladly." A barbed rose stem erupts in my hand; rose petals burst out with it and floated to the grass. "Let's go!"

We rush at each other with matched speed. He thrust the blade at me from three feet away. I knock it away.

A good reach, but less control out that far.

I speed up and try to get closer to attack. The naganata flashes before me and I jump back, barely missing the cut. I go forward again. This time he thrusts at me. I step to the left slightly and continue running. Jump; slash. He screamed and the naganata fell to the ground in a crumpled heap.

"Heh, guess you win," he smirks painfully, clutching his right bicep.

"It was a good round. Do you believe me now?"

"Yea. I felt the thrill of becoming one with the earth." He stops for a moment. "You should be gettin' back, they might need you."

"Right. You wanna come?"

"Can I?"

"I wouldn't be asking if ya couldn't," I wink. The scene changes quickly.

"'Bout time you got here. We got a match in ten minutes!" Yusuke yells, thumping me on the head.

"Sorry, jeez!" I growl, thumping him back.

Both of us are abruptly thrown against a separate wall and held there.

"Will you two save it for the ring?" Osadyro growls, roughly setting us back on the floor.