Red Air Slash Trap Battle and Reason Uncover

Masane is seen lying on her bed as it is night at this hour and has done the few paperwork at her office, Ikki went out to hang with Stella and Ayase as she was asked to come but turned it down because Masane wanted to check on the dorms and there was another reason why she didn't come with Ikki.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" Masane rolled side to side on her bed with the pillow press against her face.

"I can't believe I kissed Ikki on the lips! I mean, I didn't mean to on purpose or anything, I tripped on a tree root that's all! It's not like my secret love crush on my own son has anything to do with that." Masane talked to herself that it was an accident, but saying she has a crush on Ikki made her think that maybe it wasn't an accident at all causing her face to become red again.

"Oh my god, I'm probably the worst mother ever! Kissing Ikki like that." Masane moaned of embarrassment.

Masane squeals a little longer into her pillow until she finally calms down and look up at the ceiling thinking about that moment.

"But at the same time, it was good feeling his lips against mine. Not to mention it was my very first kiss and deep down, I guess I wanted him to be my first kiss for a long time." Masane said placing two fingers on her lips still remembering how the kiss felt.

"Guess it was bound to happen sooner or later, I'll have to tell him eventually how I really feel. Maybe tomorrow before his fight." Masane said as she picks up a better showing the next official fight is Ikki vs Ayase tomorrow at 3pm.

"The battle should be interesting, let see if Ayase can take on Ikki when they fight for real." Masane excited a little.

She decided to turn in for the night and went to sleep.

(The Next Day)

"Oh my god, Ikki! Please tell me you're going toward the light!" Masane cried hugging Ikki on the medical bed.

"Mom, I'm fine, nothing too serious." Ikki said to calm her down.

"Tell that to the doctor." Stella said.

"So, what happened to you? Last night you were going out with Stella and Ayase at a little restaurant." Masane asked.

"Well, we had a little run-in with this guy calling himself the "Sword Eater" Kuraudo Kurashiki from Donrou Academy." Stella started explaining.

"Really, you guys didn't get into a fight because that would be bad for both of you." Masane worried.

"Don't worry, we didn't do anything except talking. Although, it looked like he and Ayase did know each other in a way." Ikki mentioned.

"I see, so then how did you get so hurt?" Masane asked again.

"Alice told us that he was called by Ayase to meet him at the school rooftop." Stella informed.

Before Ikki can reveal what happened last night, Kurono enters the resting room.

"Ah, I see you're awake, Ikki." Kurono said.

(Headmaster's Office)

"I had what you called a hunch after seeing your work with the side building of the school." Kurono said.

"So, that was your work. You must've had a reason for using your Ittou Shura before that match." Masane wondered.

"I do, but I don't want to say anything as I will accept any punishment." Ikki stated.

"We'll talk about that later, Mister. I'm sure you would want to know something." Masane guessed.

"Yes, I want to know Ayase Ayatsuji like what's going on with her father?" Ikki asked.

"(Well, he's bond to know, so might as well tell him.)" Kurono thought and pulls up a hologram screen chart of Ayase.

"About two years ago, her father Kaito Ayatsuji also known as the Last Samurai wielded his sword for the last time." Kurono said shocking Ikki and the others.

"Well, what happened to him?" Stella asked.

"His school was challenged and fought a one-on-one duel to defend his honor. This opponent was"

"The Sword Eater, Kuraudo Kurashiki from Donrou Academy." Ikki figured out as Kurono nods.

"And according to the rules they agreed upon before the duel. Ownership of the family's land were transferred to Kurashiki." Kurono informed.

"What about Kaito, what's his condition?" Ikki asked.

"He's been unconscious for the past two years." Kurono revealed shocking the students and Masane.

Later, they left the office and went outside to talk about what they just learned and Ikki told them what happened with him and Ayase last night.

"That's a terrible story, everything the poor girl loved and treasured were taken from her." Alice said feeling sad for Ayase.

"But now she is like a desperate animal trying to survive and she sees you as an obstacle to get through no matter what." Alice stated.

"And to think, that girl seems so nice when she was hanging out with us." Masane sighed.

"So, what are you going to now, Ikki?" Stella asked.

"I'm going to fight her with everything I got, full power and all. Anything less would be an insult." Ikki answered strongly as he still intends to fight Ayase.

"Yeah, but she used such a dirty trick and…" Shizuku was about to say more until Masane walks up to her.

"Shizuku, remember that her reason is because she wants to reclaim her family's dojo and get payback on the guy who caused her that pain for all these years. Compare to me, I had nothing to begin with before I met Ikki, so why don't we cut her some slack and help her out as much as we can after the match. Okay?" Masane suggested with a gentle smile.

"Okay, I guess I can forgive her a little." Shizuku nodded.

"That's all I ask." Masane said.

"Come on." Ikki started to get up though slowly.

"There is still one more thing I need to do before the match, I'll need Stella and mom to come with me." Ikki said, Stella and Masane looks at him curious of what he has in mind right now.

(Later, Battle Arena)

"Here we are in Training Field Three and we're about to start today's third match. I'm your reporter, Hangetsu and with me today is Yuuri Oreki." Hangetsu introduced today's guest with her.

"Hello everyone." Yuuri greeted.

"I got to say, Miss Yuuri, you're sure looking well." Hangetsu complimented.

"Thank you, but we're just getting started. The Miss Yuuri you all know and love with be back to her old self in one time, so don't worry I got spared blood and I'm ready to go." Then Yuuri vomited blood again.

"Well folks, as Miss Yuuri just demonstrate what's a battle without bloodshed!" Hangetsu excited.

"(How does that woman have so much endurance through blood vomiting?)" Masane thought wondered then turn to the stage.

"The first one coming out is an F-Rank with the perfect record of six wins, we used to call him the "Worst One" but now we call him the "Another One" still undefeated. Ikki Kurogane." Hangetsu announced as Ikki enters the ring despite his condition.

"And entering from the other side, also undefeated, a third year with spotless wins through six fights and six wins. She is a D-Rank third-year from class 3-1, Ayase Ayatsuji." Ayase entered.

"A unique battle of student vs master, Ikki vs Ayase. This will be front page hit!' Kagami excited.

"Let just see how this battle will go for your paper." Stella said hoping Ikki knows what he is doing.

"I surprise you showed up, I was hoping to make this a win by default. I'm really impress, Kurogane." Ayase complimented.

"Come to me, Intetsu." Ikki summoned his sword releasing a shockwave.

"I know you'll never forgive me, but I'm the one who'll win." Ayase proclaimed as she moves her hand down making a red rift.

"Come, Scarlet Blade, Hizume." Ayase summoned her red sword from the rift ready for the battle.

"I tried looking in her records, but I couldn't find any details about her Blazer power." Masane informed the others.

"I've been looking on my end and came up nothing too, nobody has seen her ability just her swordplay." Alice mentioned.

"That must mean she's keeping her ability a secret to get the jump on her opponent." Kagami guessed.

"Which also means that Ikki is at a disadvantage as well." Shizuku worried as Stella and Masane might know thanks to Ikki's idea from earlier.

(Music: Anthem of the Lonely, Nine Lashes)

"LET'S GO AHEAD!"

Ikki jumps toward Ayase for the first attack, but Ayase turns over her sword pointing down and tap the handguard then suddenly Ikki got cut on the chest when he was a couple feet away and jumps back.

"What on earth did we just see folks? Kurogane got cut in midair and Ayatsuji didn't even move. That have to hurt from a devastating attack." Hangetsu commented.

Ikki lands trying to figure what just happened believing it's Ayase's doing, then he got attack from behind with a big cut.

"Oh no, big brother." Shizuku worried and felt Masane's hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry, your big brother won't lose because he is determined to see this battle through." Masane assured without taking her eyes off the battle.

"What do you think of my Noble Art? Mark of the Wind." Ayase revealed as she clashed her sword against Ikki's.

"Very effective." Ikki answered.

Ikki and Ayase barrage clash their swords and push each other away.

"(I see, so she set traps all over the arena and they cut the opponent when they get through one. And I think she did this beforehand.)" Ikki thought figured out.

"(All I have to do is activate whatever the ones that are closet to him, and the vacuum will release a whirlwind of attack. With so many slashes around, there's no where he can hide.)" Ayase thought before charging.

"If she set up traps before the match, that would be illegal to the rules." Alice said.

"And if Ikki can figure it out, the match would be forfeit and he would win." Shizuku added.

"Do you really think Ikki would want to win like that even if he knew his opponent is cheating?" Masane asked Shizuku making her think on that.

Ikki dodges another attack from Ayase as he jumps back getting closer to another of Ayase's air slashes, but he actually ducks to slide under that much to her shock.

"(Is he figuring out my traps? He can't be sure yet, I better finish him before he does.)" Ayase thought attacked as Ikki jumps up though got a small cut on his left arm.

Then Ayase activates another Mark of the Wind to cut open Ikki's little wound into a bigger one rendering his left arm useless.

"Another Ikki is hit by another attack and down on his knee, but we still haven't seen the attack coming. It's almost like the wounds are opening on their own." Hangetsu gasped.

Yuuri is watching the match very carefully making Ayase think she doesn't know about her traps, but in truth she does and hasn't said a word.

Ayase goes for a furious attack on Ikki forcing him on the defense, he tries to counter with a downward swing but is deflected down by Ayase.

"Ikki, I'm sorry." Ayase apologized and swings her sword for a powerful strike to end the match.

(Music End)

However, she soon discovered that she was tricked when Ikki blocks the attack with the handguard of his sword, thus performing his Irregular Guard Technique forcing her to jump back and ready herself again.

"Good, I'm happy to see you really are who I thought you are." Ikki smiled confusing Ayase.

"(Before the match, we informed Yuuri about Ayase setting up traps in the match and even asked her not to ratted Ayase out even though Ikki knows if he even lose one selection match he won't go to the Seven Sword Tournament. But that's not what you're fighting Ayase for.)" Masane thought remembered the time they went to see Yuuri.

"(You wanted to believe that Ayase is still the good person you knew when you first met her and want to save from her own darkness.)" Yuuri thought looked down at Ikki and Ayase.

"Ayase, now your swordsmanship, your steps, your breathing, they're all out of order. Not only what I taught you, you're not even using your former technique affectively, you're trying to create something dark inside you, but you can't fool your soul. Your mind is lost, and you can't reach your potential like this." Ikki lectured.

"Shut up, Ikki!" Ayase said.

"Ayase, there is so much more to you than this. Your pride is true, I can see it in your father's techniques." Ikki stated.

"But my mind is not lost! I had to learn the hard way two years ago, no matter how much pride you have in yourself, it does you no good at all if you lose." Ayase said angry.

"Pride without strength is meaningless, so I will do whatever it takes. I will beat you no matter what and take back what I lost!" Ayase declared.

(Music: Worst One, Ikki Kurogane's Theme)

"Then there's one thing I can do for you. Ayase, with all my strength I will win back your pride!" Ikki promised.

"I will win!" Ayase shouted.

Ikki charges at Hangetsu notices that Ikk isn't using his any of his power unknowingly because of his already injured state from last night when Ayase made Ikki use his Ittou Shura to save her from the fall for advantage.

Ayase tries to slash at Ikki with her Mark of the Wind slashes, but to her surprise he actually dodges three of them using his Perfect Vision to see through her traps.

"(No, not yet I cannot lose just yet.)" Ayase thought as she remembers her coma-state father, the Sword Eater, and her burning revenge to make him pay for all the pain she went through.

"This isn't over!" Ayase stabbed her sword to the ground making an explosion of slashes.

The Ikki appears jumping at her and Ayase reacted quickly thrusting her sword through the stomach, but he suddenly vanishes right in front of her eyes.

"The Fourth Secret Sword: Shinkirou (Mirage Wolf)" Ikki said standing behind her.

(Music End)

Both sword fighters turn around and slash across to the other side then Ayase fell on her knees.

"He's done it, Kurogane took her down in one clean swing." Hangetsu announced.

"Did he change his final strike?" Alice noticed.

"I think when he cut her, he must've switch his blade to phantom mode, but why would he do that?" Shizuku wondered.

"His objective was to drain her energy, and it was more than winning the match." Stella stated.

"Damn you, you're holding back." Ayase angered.

"Yes, I am. Now I won't have to hurt you to win." Ikki said.

"Don't insult me!" Ayase tried to get back up, but her legs refuse to move as they are telling her to stop as the rest of her body are telling her the same thing.

"When we have no where to go, the only thing that can support us is the pride of our swords and sometimes the support of a loving parent." Ikki said as Ayase soon realizes something important.

"Where has your pride gone, Ayase?" Ikki asked.

"It's gone, I can see that now. I've been fooling myself this whole time. I'm so sorry, Ikki. I lose, I'm done." Ayase surrendered.

"And that's that! Ayase has conceded the match and Kurogane is the winner!" Hangetsu announced.

"I'm so pathetic, I'm stupid to not realize that." Ayase said crying and got a one-arm hug from Ikki.

"You're not pathetic, you made mistakes and lost your way, but you never threw away your father's Ayatsuji Ittou-ryuu, nor where it comes from. Ayase, I want to help get back what you lost so you won't have to suffer anymore." Ikki determined.

"But why, after everything I did to you, what reason could you possibly have to help me?" Ayase asked.

"Well, you're one of people I care so much for and I don't need a reason to help them." Ikki stand up and hold out his hand.

Ayase started to see Ikki as her father holding out his hand showing the small blisters seeing all the hard work, he has been through like her father went through to become the man everyone in the world knew.

"Ikki, please… help me." Ayase cried as she accepts his hand.

(Later)

Ikki is seen sitting on his medical bed looking at the afternoon crimson sky as he needs to get as much needed rest to fulfill his promise Ayase.

"Hey, Ikki." Masane greeted, walking into the room.

"Hey, mom, did you need something?" Ikki asked.

"Just wanted to make sure you're okay and I was wondering about something I could ask you." Masane said.

"Sure, what's up." Ikki nodded.

"Well, what would you say if you liked more than one girl, not just Stella?" Masane asked.

"That's kinda odd, but to be honest if I did like other girls besides Stella then I would treat them all the same with love in my heart." Ikki stated.

"Including me?" Masane asked.

"Yes, including you." Ikki nodded then realize what he said.

"Wait wh" Ikki's sentence was cut off when Masane pressed her lips against his shocking him a bit for a moment until he closes his eyes and kiss her back.

KO a new chapter is done and hope you all enjoy it!

Ikki has battled Ayase and slashing through her cheats to make her realizes of her wrongs and promise to help her get her family's dojo back from the Sword Eater, and then he now realizes that his adopted mother has feelings for him with the kiss on the lips making her Ikki's second lover. This will also make Ikki realizes that there maybe other girls who shares the same feeling for him too as his life will be crazy loving from here.

KO comment, favorite, and follow through of how this story will go!