The Soul of a Warrior

By: Tellemicus Sundance

Chapter 10--Fighting Spirit

He stood in the strangest structure he'd ever seen in his life. It looked like it had once been a home at one time, but it had been stripped bare of everything that made it a home. All that remained was the skeletal remains, only the most necessary of support beams still stood, and the roof.

The ceiling was by far in the best condition, despite the obvious cracks and rotting wood in various places. It had the appearance as though it had been through many battles from all the slashes and chips of wood that were missing. Ulrich was surprised that it still stood on the cliff edge that it had been built on.

Keeping his hands on the hilt of the katana that had been given to him, Ulrich walked forward wearily. He'd had been told that his opponent was waiting for him, but as far as he could see he was alone. However, the tingling at the back of his neck told him that he was being watched.

Ulrich couldn't help but to thank Master Riyo that he had given him a choice of weapons. His master had said that he was required to carry a katana, but he had a choice of two more concealed weapons. Hidden inside his sash were a dozen throwing stars and a long whip was concealed inside his shirt. While it was slightly uncomfortable having such sharp objects so close to his abdomen, Ulrich felt oddly calmed by their presence.

As his free hand strayed toward his sash, Ulrich glanced carefully around him. It was quiet, too quiet, inside the structure. He tried to concentrate on finding his opponent but he could still feel the gazes of the villagers and many other warriors outside.

A brief memory flashed through his mind at that thought. He had been walking up the cliff toward the building at the head of the villagers. The night was dying with the approaching colors of dawn that were silently creeping over the mountaintops. The closer he approached the structure, the more he began to notice men and young teenagers emerging from the woods and rubble of the rising day.

Rather than joining the villagers, the newcomers matched Ulrich's pace. They glared at him from behind black masks as their hands crept eagerly towards their weapons. It was rather nerve-wracking for him to continue at a steady pace from the feeling of danger that was threatening to consume him.

A head suddenly dropped down and lingered in front of his face. A putrid breath assailed Ulrich and snapped him back to reality. He made a fast evaluation of this person. It was a middle-aged teenager, easily sixteen. The boy had the body build of an experienced wrestler and was quite clearly larger than Ulrich. Long blond hair was hung from his head like a cape and clashed badly with his dark uniform. His face, from what Ulrich could see of it, was covered with ugly scars and acne. The boy's blue eyes were narrowed in mixed versions of anger and anticipation.

"Figures," he growled from his hanging position. Running a hand through his curtain-like hair, he continued with distaste. "All that smoke they blow up my ass and this is what I'm suppose to kill? This won't even be fun."

Taking a step back, Ulrich gazed up at the boy. "Sorry for the inconvenience."

Laughing loudly, the teen dropped to feet. Slowly standing up to his full height, he grinned knowingly down upon the smaller boy. He was almost surprised when he noticed that Ulrich didn't seem the least bit intimidated by his superior size in height and brawn.

"So tell me, boy," he said in his deep bass voice. "Will I have the pleasure of your name before I strangle you?"

Staring almost pityingly up at the arrogant teen, Ulrich said, "I am Ulrich Stern."

Laughing loudly at the ridiculous sounding name, the boy started to pace around Ulrich. He could see that this small boy, though not very brawny, had the build of a warrior in-training.

"Would you honor me with your name?"

Suddenly feeling insulted, the teenager leapt up and over Ulrich. Facing him with a furious glare, he snapped, "You have never heard of the great Daisuke?"

Raising an eyebrow, Ulrich said, "Should I have?"

Scrawling angrily, Daisuke returned to his pacing. With a resigned sigh, Ulrich said, "You know, my masters wish for me to return with your head on a silver platter."

A loud, smug laugh answered his statement. "I bet those old has-beens would want that," Daisuke said he snatched Ulrich's bandana pulled up off his head. He pulled it on to his own head and rather enjoyed to feel of it; he felt even stronger now.

As his hair fell into his eyes, his anger began to rise at the teen's lack of respect and arrogance. It was difficult for him to keep his voice straight as he continued, "Personally I'd rather just knock you out and call it even."

Turning to face Daisuke, he crossed his arms over his chest. He stealthily reached down towards his sash and throwing stars for he knew what was coming next. "But let's make it you decision, shall we?"

Crossing his own arms over his chest, Daisuke stroked his chin as he said, "Hm, do let's."

Barely half a second later, he lashed out with his arm and sent Ulrich flying several feet backward. Anticipating the blow, Ulrich had already grasped onto his stars and thrown them as he flew away. Daisuke saw them coming and quickly dodged them.

Landing roughly on his back, Ulrich forced himself up and threw three more stars at Daisuke's retreating and laughing form. Losing sight of the teen as he leapt up into the roof's rafters, Ulrich climbed to his feet. Walking quickly back into his former position, he glanced around, looking for his opponent.

Riyo stood a fair way away from the structure in which the death battle was taking place. He could feel a quiet pride rising inside of him. He knew that Ulrich was just toying with Daisuke.

"Your fighter is quite impressive," Kurokawa said beside him. "but he'll never face up to Daisuke."

"Your blind overconfidence will someday be your undoing," Riyo stated in matter-of-fact voice.

Despite how much he respected Kurokawa as a warrior, he despised him as a human being. The fact that they were both the leaders of their villages meant that they had to show a ceremonial respect to one another.

Otherwise what little restraint the warriors on both sides had would've snapped and they'd attack. It was a lesson learned the hard way for the proud warriors. That one fight would lead to another and another until they were at war again.

Riyo hated the arrangement that they ancestors had made to handle the bitter grudge between them. Their best warriors would meet up at the building and battle to the death once a year. The last standing would then ring the bell on the roof and bring his village honor. Whether it was a good thing or bad, but neither side could gain enough prestige to outdo their rivals, it was aggravating.

"I'll give your boy three minutes," Kurokawa said with an evil grin. He had no intention of walking away with another defeat; his pride forbade it. One way or another, his village would surpass the samurai: one way or another.

Riyo only grinned as he watched.

The creaking of a board at the far end of the structure drew his attention. Then Daisuke dropped into view. Taking long, deliberate running paces toward Ulrich, his hands reached straight for the extra large katana that hung at his side.

"Here—I—come!" he said, punctuating each word with a step. "Ready—or—NOT!"

Ducking and rolling under Daisuke's charging slash, Ulrich winced slightly as the teen collided with the main support beam. The entire structure visibly trembled from the impact and Ulrich could clearly hear the ringing of a bell on the roof singing. Backing away slightly from the teen, Ulrich couldn't help but smile at the teen's display.

"My head," he was whining as he clenched his throbbing forehead. "MY HEAD!"

Unsheathing his own katana, Ulrich rushed forward. Recovering enough, Daisuke saw him attack and reacted. Catching the blade that was slashing at his abdomen, he caught Ulrich off guard long enough to land a powerful punch his chest.

Losing his grip on his katana, Ulrich was thrown back almost fifteen feet. His back slammed into a beam and he felt the weak wood break under the force that carried him. As he landed heavily on his back with the wind knocked from him, a large portion of the roof suddenly collapsed on top of him thanks to the lack of support from the missing beam.

Laughing like a maniac, Daisuke picked up his katana and approached. Kicking Ulrich's katana to one side, he sneered down at the pile. That is until the sounds of snapping and breaking wood wove up into his ears. The sounds were coming the center of the pile.

His grin was instantly replaced by a frown as he sheathed his katana. Bending down he grasped a large section of the rubble and pulled. Heaving the heavy woodwork over his head, he looked down in surprise. There, in the center of the rubble, was a hole large enough for even him to fit through.

Daisuke was still deciding on whether to jump down into the hole when a rough hand descended upon his face. In one fast movement, Ulrich snatched his bandana from Daisuke's head. As Daisuke looked up in surprise to see Ulrich hanging from the portion of roof that he was holding, Ulrich's knee suddenly snapped down and hit him solidly in his face.

Screaming in pain, Daisuke dropped the roof, but not before Ulrich was able to slip out from underneath. Rolling away from the thrashing teenager, he quickly replaced his bandana on to his forehead.

"That must've hurt," Ulrich mused with a small grin.

Upon hearing his voice, Daisuke forgot his immediate pain. Turning, he rushed the boy while he was still on the floor and unable to defend himself. Grabbing Ulrich's arm as he tried to ward him off, Daisuke yanked him bodily off the floor. Then, in three fast swings, sent him flying up and through a weak part of the ceiling.

Landing heavily upon the roof, Ulrich cradled his aching head; it had taken the blunt of the hit. He rolled unconsciously away from the hole that he'd just made, and just in time. For a second later, Daisuke's colossal form leapt up through the hole and landed where he'd been.

Throwing back his arms, Daisuke deep a deep breath. With a loud, obnoxious sigh, he cried, "AH! Fresh mountain air!"

Chuckling evilly to himself, he swaggered over to Ulrich. Grasping the boy's neck, he pulled him bodily off the ground and half dragged and half carried him to the edge of the structure.

"I think you'll find the scenery over here," he was saying as they neared the edge. "Worth dying for."

Holding Ulrich over the edge, he threw back his back and laughed like a lunatic. For what lie below them was easily a three hundred foot cliff. Upon seeing the drop, Ulrich's hand crept unobtrusively toward his shirt where his whip was still hiding.

Bringing Ulrich face to face with himself, Daisuke's grin was large and knowing. "It's been a pleasure killing you," he said. "Sayonara!" Accentuating his farewell, he threw Ulrich from him, far over the edge.

He had barely left Daisuke's grip when Ulrich pulled his whip free. As he descended, he flicked it up and toward Daisuke. The teenager didn't even see it coming until it was too late. The whip coiled itself around his waist tightly. Ulrich's weight and momentum quickly caught him, pulling him sharply downward. He almost lost his footing on the roof as he staggered to keep his balance.

Ulrich, meantime, swung down toward the cliff wall. Getting as decent a footing on the cliff face as he could, he glared back up at Daisuke who was finally balancing himself. Seeing his glare, Daisuke glanced down at the rope bound to him then back at Ulrich.

"No," Daisuke said, pleadingly. "No, no, no!"

With a swift yank, Ulrich was able to pull Daisuke right off his feet. Crashing down on to his stomach, Daisuke was able to get a hold of a rafter that was visible through a hole in the roof. It was that alone that prevented him from being pulled down into the canyon and to his death.

Chuckling, he reached down and grabbed the whip with his free hand. Seeing his action, Ulrich looked curiously up at him. What he saw was a large, ugly sneer.

"My turn!" he barked.

Then with a considerable heave of strength, Daisuke stood up and pulled the whip backward. Ulrich was yanked up forcefully; the force was so great that he actually flew up and over the roof's edge and Daisuke. Landing heavily on his back for like the third time, the wind was knocked from his lungs again.

Taking Ulrich's momentary disorientation, Daisuke unraveled the whip from his waist. Casting it over the cliff edge, he approached Ulrich and unsheathed his katana. This was just getting more and more fun by the minute, quite to his surprise.

Pulling himself up to his feet, Ulrich saw Daisuke's approaching form and tried to back away. However, he didn't even go two feet before his heels bumped into something. Glancing back, Ulrich found the source of the ringing bell he'd heard earlier. There was a little stand in the center of the roof with an elevated bell. Though it was nearly the size of his head, it was being blown gently from side to side with the wind.

Returning his attention to Daisuke, he reached into his sash and cast four throwing stars at him. Crouching low, the stars flew harmlessly over him. Looking up, he grinned evilly.

As anger began to rise in him, a familiar voice flashed through his mind. Just fight. Taking a shallow breath, he let his anger slip away. Within several seconds he became the calm center of a raging storm. And then, he felt an awareness rise within him. It wasn't the complete awareness he'd felt several days ago, but enough for him to understand the layout of the roof and Daisuke's form.

Seeing an opening in Ulrich's relaxed posture, he grinned wickedly. Rushing forward, he brought his katana up in hopes of cleaving the small boy from head to toe. When he was only a pace away, Ulrich suddenly glared at him and knelt down. Using Daisuke's momentum and bulk to his advantage, Ulrich sent him flying over his shoulder and into the little tower that held the held.

Whirling around, Ulrich caught the bell by the chain that held it. He waited patiently for Daisuke to stand. Using his katana as a cane, he climbed painfully to his feet. Glaring at Ulrich, he felt his blood boil with hate; this boy was going from annoying to fun to irritating very quickly.

"You cannot defeat me, boy!" he said, hefting the katana. "You cannot defeat DAISUKE!"

Rushing Ulrich, he brought his katana across hoping to split open his chest. However he slashed only air. Leaping high in the air, Ulrich brought the bell down with punishing force onto Daisuke's unprotected head. With a ringing sound in both their ears, Daisuke crashed to and through the roof.

Dropping back inside the structure, Ulrich landed lightly nearby. Daisuke lay with his face down on the floor on his stomach. Glancing at the bell, which was still singing its tune, he couldn't help but to grin.

"Daisuke, huh?" he said. "Name rings a bell."

Half expecting an arrogant reply, Ulrich was surprised when Daisuke remained where he'd fallen. Upon closer inspection, he saw a fast growing puddle of blood coming from the teenager. Unsure of whether to help or leave, Ulrich remained in place as his awareness died away.

"Well done, boy," Daisuke said. Yet he spoke in a voice that almost sounded like he was speaking with water in his mouth. Coughing for a moment, he continued in a strangely subdued tone, "You are…indeed a skilled…warrior."

Slowly rising into a sitting position, the teen looked at him. Ulrich was shocked at what he saw. The entire left side of his face had been mutilated; all flesh and muscle were stripped away, leaving only blood and bones to be seen. The blood from what was left of his face was pouring down his uniform and the floor, staining everything. It was a sickening sight; Ulrich felt his stomach getting very weak very quickly.

Smiling despite the indescribable pain, Daisuke tried to climb to his feet but could only reach his knees. Panting and coughing very hard, he glanced up at Ulrich who seemed rooted on the spot in his horror at what he'd done.

"You…have beaten…me," he said, bringing his katana up. "But…I'm content…content to…commit…double suicide…"

With that said, he summoned the last of his fading strength. Twirling around, he brought his katana down onto the weakened beam behind him. In one mighty slash, he broke it in half. As the two pieces fell the floor with Daisuke's body, the roof, now devoid of its primary supporter, quickly followed suite.

Realizing the immediate danger, Ulrich turned and sprinted for the closest opening in the wall. He was fast, very fast, but not enough. Just as he reached the opening, the roof came down on him.

(A/N) For those of you who are kind of squeamish, I'm sorry about that last part. I even found myself feeling a little unsettled while I was writing this, if that makes you feel any better.

I can hardly wait the post the next chapter. Needless to say, something is going to happen. Let's have a little contest shall we? The one(s) who can guess or come closest to guessing what's going to happen will have the next chapter dedicated to them.

I hope you liked the chapter. I nearly bust a gut at several places in this reading, particularly the bell thing. I loved that one, personally.

Good luck to all of you who will play the 'game.'