A knock sounded on the temple door and Kureno peered in as Yuki turned his head slightly.
"Master Yuki" he replied, "It's time."
Yuki nodded slowly.
"I'll be right there."
He stood up and bowed one more time with his eyes closed. Then he walked to the door and opened it up, somewhat ready for the final outcome.
(Next Scene)
Shigure walked over to Hatori who was waiting behind the scenes in a secret room near the fighting area. When Hatori spotted Tohru behind his friend he frowned a little.
"Shigure what is this?" he asked sternly.
"Hello there Hari" Shigure grinned, "Nice day for a fight huh?"
"Shigure answer my question. What is she doing here?"
"Oh Tohru. I invited her to come and watch."
"What?" Hatori's eyes became wide, "Are you even thinking? Where's your brain? A girl doesn't need to see this kind of thing. Especially when it's the boy she is in love with."
Before he could answer Tohru stepped forward.
"Hatori" she replied, "Shigure didn't pressure me to do this. I want to be here. I want to be here for support for Kyo. Even if he can't see me now" she said sadly, "I want to be here for him afterwards. No matter what the outcome. I want to be here for him."
Hatori looked at her with sad sympathetic eyes and sighed.
"Suit yourself Miss Honda" he said kindly and then sat down.
Shigure too sat on the bench followed by Tohru who gazed out the window at the area.
"So where are we exactly?" she asked.
"Oh" Shigure spoke up, "That area out there is usually used for New Years. It's the perfect spot for fights like this. We'll sit here where Kyo can't see us and Akito will be over on that veranda" he pointed across the way, "Over there."
"Akito will be here?" she said a bit surprised.
"Of course. After all he is the one who made the deal."
"Right of course" she nodded sadly, "How could I forget."
"Looks like Kazuma has arrived" Hatori replied as Kyo's Master entered the area.
(Next Scene)
Kazuma walked over to a small building and tapped on the door. Kyo walked out and Kazuma looked at him directly.
"Are you ready Kyo?" he asked.
Kyo nodded and Kazuma patted his shoulder.
"Okay. Let's go."
Kyo followed Kazuma out into the area and stood on the side with his back towards Tohru and the others. Tohru stood up and clasped her hands together when she saw him.
From inside the main house Yuki walked out over towards the other side of the area, but not before stopping by Akito and Kureno. He stared out into the area with a determined look on his face.
"Remember Yuki" Akito replied, "Do your best. And don't disappointment me."
"Yes sir" Yuki nodded with his eyes closed.
He walked out into the area and faced Kyo who looked at Yuki directly in the face, frowning but extremely calm.
(Next Scene)
From on top of his roof Hatsuharu watched the entire thing. As he was sitting there he didn't here someone else coming up the ladder.
"Haru" Momiji replied, "What are you doing up here?"
"Shh!" Haru put a finger to his lips, "My mom doesn't know I'm up here. I'm watching the fight."
"Yuki and Kyo's fight?" Momiji said interested and sitting down next to him, "Has it started yet?"
"No" Haru shook his head, "Not yet. They just arrived. But this is a good place to watch it from."
"Yea you're right. You can see everything. And no one knows that we're up here either."
"Exactly" Haru grinned and then thought, "Come on Kyo. You can do it. Just remember everything we learned."
(Next Scene)
Kazuma walked to the center of the area and stood between the two boys.
"All right boys" he replied, "You know the rules. First one down and stays down to the count of three loses. Fair fight. Good luck to you both. Bow to each other."
Yuki and Kyo both bowed politely then each took their fighting stance. Kazuma moved out of the way.
"And. FIGHT!!"
Kyo and Yuki both stood their ground poised and ready for the attack. For Yuki many thoughts had entered his head.
"Looks like Kyo took my advice. He's not attacking. Usually he just charges headfirst. That's good," he thought with a relief.
"Remember your training" Kyo thought, "Think before you attack. Think before you attack."
"He's doing well so far" Yuki thought, "I better make the first move," Yuki charged forward.
"He's coming towards me. I know this move" Kyo flipped back and then charged a little himself preparing to punch Yuki.
But Yuki blocked the attack. They began sparring with each other. Not really hitting that much. If Yuki kicked, Kyo would block it. And if Kyo kicked Yuki would block it just as expertly.
"He's gotten better. He's gotten really good" Yuki thought, "I can not let his training go to waste. I have to give it all I got" Yuki charged once more, however this time he did land a punch on Kyo making him stumble back a little.
From where she stood Tohru gasped a little as Shigure watched her expression with worry. Kyo wiped the side of his cheek and then prepared to fight once more.
"That was a nice attack for him" Kyo thought as they both stood there, "Think Kyo" he told himself, "Think. You have to think about his moves. You know his weaknesses, use them" then he thought of what Haru had told him once, "One of Yuki's weaknesses is that he tends to be elegant in his fighting. You've got to catch him off guard and don't forget it's a trick Kyo. The elegance makes it harder to attack him. Don't fall for it."
"Don't fall for it" Kyo muttered to himself, "All right" he thought, "I'm ready now."
Once more Yuki charged Kyo. But Kyo got away from all the punches and kicks. Finally he himself managed to punch Yuki right in the jaw. This time Yuki stumbled a little, his cheek beginning to bruise. He brushed it aside and moved back into the area.
"Come on!" Akito shouted from the sidelines, "What are you doing out there Yuki? Playing?"
"I'm sorry Akito" Yuki thought angrily, "I'm not doing this for you. But I am giving it my all. It's just Kyo's doing so well. I've got one more move on me and I didn't give this one to him. Here goes nothing," Yuki charged forward once more.
He jumped and then flipped over Kyo making him surprised then he kicked him from behind. Kyo flew forward and fell to the ground. By this time Tohru had her hands over her mouth and her eyes were wide, starting to fill with tears.
"Get up Kyo" Haru whispered loudly as he watched, "Get up."
"Kyo" Kazuma looked at him, "Are you all right?"
"Yea" Kyo staggered to his feet his whole face red now, "I'm fine."
"He's angry" Yuki thought, "Don't get too angry Kyo. That's always where you lose it. Don't get too angry."
"I am so mad right now" Kyo thought as they once more took their fighting stance, "But I got to remember what Haru told me."
"Your anger isa big issue Kyo"Haru said in his head, "Don't let it control you."
"Maybe I can make the damn rat think that I've lost it. I have an idea" Kyo thought, "But it might not work. Well it's all or nothing" Kyo charged headfirst, "AHHH!!!" he yelled with his fists raised.
"Oh no" Yuki thought preparing himself, "He's charging me. He let it run away
with him again. It's over" he closed his eyes, "I have no choice but to defeat him now. I'm sorry Miss Honda."
(To be continued..)
Authors Note: It's a two parter!! See you later for the finale!!!
