Unleashing Valor

By: Tellemicus Sundance

Venting

All was quiet in the darkness of the neighborhood. He couldn't believe how peaceful it was. With what he had growing up, the calm silence was simply unnatural. Yet he loved it. Simply because there was no one fighting for their lives

He wore a pair of torn denim jeans, a filthy sleeveless shirt, and a traveler's bag slung over his shoulder that was clearly packed full.

It had taken more time than he'd suspected, but now everything was in place. Now he finally could begin with his mission. What his sensei and friends had been fighting for all their lives would finally stand a fighting chance of success. After all, he'd been taught by the very best. That though brought a small smile to his face.

As he rounded a corner, the shattering of glass immediately snapped him from his musings. Shrinking back behind the corner, he carefully peaked out. The street was empty except for a large white van parked in front of a jewelry store. Though the lights were out, people were moving inside. Even in the darkness of the approaching dawn, he could see several men carrying rifles.

Thieves!

Running to the nearest alleyway, he set his bag down. Shifting through its contents, he withdrew his desired items: a katana, a fresh set of clothing, and a mask. Donning the disguise for the security cameras, he approached the store as silent as a shadow in the wind.

This is gonna be fun, he thought mischievously. He'd been partially looking for a way to relieve some stress that had been building up for some time now.

The cool Saturday morning air had the faint scent of flowers and rain on it. It was a relaxing smell; one a person could come to appreciate. As dawn's first rays reached over the trees and buildings, Ulrich watched it from his position on the soccer field.He was on his palms in the damp grass. His shirt and the fronts of his pants were soaked through thanks to the endless repetitions of push-ups he was pushing himself through. He now paused to watch the star rise into the sky from the tree line.

Hoisting himself up, he spread his legs wide as he placed one hand behind his back. Up, down, up, down. He didn't count how many he did. It would only serve to distract him. But now, as his thoughts began to wonder, he realized that might not have been a bad thing. With the way Yumi—

He gave an extra hard push so his body rose slightly higher. Switching his hands as he descended, he caught himself and continued doing his exercise. It was usually so demanding on his body to push it to its limits and beyond. But now he had no troubles doing that. He just couldn't stop himself from having Yumi's—

Grunting in aggravation, Ulrich snapped his legs up into a crouching position. Then, with a slight heave, he pushed his body up into the air and balanced on palms. Then, slowly, methodically, began lowering and raising himself. It was much more demanding than the usual ones, but right now he needed it.

He also needed a something to punch.

With this thought, he allowed himself to lose balance. Turning his fall into a roll, it took scarcely a moment for him to rise to his feet. Spreading his legs and raising his complaining arms, he dropped slightly into a fighting stance. With several deep breaths, he let his mind forgot his problems, lose its worries, and focus on the sounds and smells around him. It formed a vivid picture in his mind.

With a grunt, he launched himself into a frenzied taijutsu assault. Jabbing, blocking, kicking, backhanding, everything he could think of. In those moments of extreme concentration on eliminating his phantoms and fears, Ulrich finally found it possible to get his mind off Yumi. It was relieving for him.

Just like last night.

With a bright smile, Sissi walked up to the soccer field near eight o'clock. She spotted Jeremy sitting on the bench with his laptop. Odd was leaning against the side of the bench, with gameboy in hand. Scanning the area, she spotted her greatest desire sitting in the center of the soccer field.

He was dressed in a faded black pants and a simple brown shirt. With his hair pulled back by his new bandana, Ulrich looked ruggedly handsome to Sissi. He stared up unblinking into the morning light, a look of deep thought on his face.

Coming to an instantaneous decision, Sissi swaggered over to her heart's desire. A large smile was on her face for she knew, she just knew, that this time Ulrich would take her out on a date. She had something up her sleeve that she could use to make him, even if he refused.

As she approached, she heard Odd call to her. "Word from the wise! Turn around and save yourself the time."

Ignoring him, Sissi walked on until she stood almost ten feet from him. Her mind raced as she tried to find something sweet and innocent to say. Ulrich stayed in his cross-legged position, hands on his knees, and continued to stare at the horizon. He was completely unaware of her presence as far as she could tell. Sissi couldn't understand what he found so much more interesting in the sky than being with her.

"Hey, Ulrich," Sissi said, watching him. He barely reacted to her voice, only a sudden tension raced through his features. "Why don't you come and hang out with me?"

The only response she received was a gentle breeze that pulled at their clothes. Quickly growing impatient, Sissi continued, "I have special permission from the principal to leave the campus grounds this afternoon, me and a friend. I was hoping that you'd want to go to the movies with me?"

Receiving no reply, Sissi began to get frustrated with this game that Ulrich always played with her. She was very close to yelling at him and letting slip what she'd found when a sudden thought came to her mind. Smirking, she walked around in front of him so he'd have to look at her. Emotionless eyes stared straight through her as though she wasn't even there.

"If you take me there," Sissi said as she bowed down to look him in the eye. "You'll be able to see Yumi. I know that she and William are going there tonight."

With the sound of that one word, Sissi had his undivided attention. As his eyes focused on her, Sissi felt as though she were walking on air: he was about to accept, she knew it. Then his eyes suddenly grew cold and he glared at her. He instantly realized her intentions of taking him to the same theater as Yumi.

"No," he said in a quiet voice. He said it with such assertion that Sissi was stunned into silence. Looking down at the ground, Ulrich stood and faced her. "I wouldn't even go on a date with you if God descended from heaven and ordered me to..."

Normally she would've scrawled and left or try to persuade him again. This time Sissi only smiled with devilish cunning. It was time to spill his secret and to state her terms. She leaned close to him, ignoring his disgusted look, and whispered.

(A/N) Uh-oh! We all know what THAT means, don't we? It means a lot of suffering for Ulrich, sneering from Sissi, and misunderstanding from several of his friends.

Yeah, yeah, I know that this is a horrible way to end the chapter. To leave you all hanging. It's cruel and stressful.

Because this blackmail isn't in the original, is it?

Remember people, at least 7 (SEVEN) reviews before I decide to update. That is, if I can.