Chapter 5

The first few days after Haruhime's declaration of "rebellion" were not like in the stories both her and Bell read. There was no direct confrontation with her parents, where she declared her independence or ran away from home. There was no plot to impress her parents by doing a great accomplishment, like finding a big treasure or solving world hunger. No, her rebellion consisted at first of observing the goings of the territory, to check when they could feasibly leave at all without the loyal servants immediately catching them. It helped that her parents went on this tour they were on before Bell and Kojiro found that letter and that Haruhime had prior experience when it came to sneaking out. Once they found a secure routine to sneak out, especially after Kojiro caught wind of what they were doing, they didn't go too far away from the territory. After all, Haruhime was still targeted. Their disguise wasn't exactly the best, merely a brown hood to hide her hair and ears that were a dead give away, but it was at least something for peace of mind.

Nevertheless, with each passing day, with each time they snuck out and felt excitement at their little rule breaking, even with each time Kojiro teased them about their relationship, they grew bolder and bolder. Which led Bell and the others to today, to one of the main attractions of the capital.

The Arena.

It was a recent creation according to Haruhime. Built by the Hachiman Familia to reduce tensions via "proper stress relief". A place to compare one's martial might with another in front of an audience. Killing was frowned upon, but sometimes unavoidable. Nevertheless, it became one of the main attractions of the capital, seeing warriors beat each other up. Naturally, Kojiro wanted to participate, but unfortunately for him, he was denied, as he didn't belong to any Familia yet.

Honestly, it was weird to see a grown man pout as they sat on their seats, relatively high up in the arena. Still, Bell couldn't help but feel excited. He was going to get to see other blessed people fight each other! He was looking forward to the Divine Arms Martial Art used by the warriors, who, according to Haruhime, were "far above her". Not that he could really judge as Haruhime didn't want to participate in sparring against him or Kojiro, much to the two men's disappointment for different reasons.

"So who are we going to see?"

Haruhime's ears twitched underneath her hood as she leaned forward, a thoughtful frown on her face as she looked over the fighters warming up in the wide space.

"Considering the Hachiman Familia is outside right now, I believe it's going to be the Storm Faction mainly."

"Because they like fighting?" Bell asked. Haruhime nodded in confirmation, her eyes not leaving the arena. She seemed a bit uncomfortable at the violent mood in the air but another part of her, the part that smiled nervously, seemed to look forward to the event.

"Yes."

"Any individuals to look out for?" Kojiro asked as he leaned back, arms crossed.

"Hm... Ah, I see two!" Haruhime shouted, pointing down. They followed her finger and saw men she was referring to. Bell had to admit, he thought as he blinked, they certainly did stand out, appearance wise at least. The first that caught their eyes was a man whose face was shadowed by the green hood he wore. Yet one could see his cocky grin as he rolled his sleeveless shoulders, with a katana in hand.

"That one is considered the next sword saint of the Susanoo Familiar. Wind Blade Shinjiro," Haruhime explained as the battle gong was sounded. Bell tilted his head at the name.

"Wind Blade?"

"It's as if the wind itself strikes you down. Look!"

At her exclamation the two men looked down. Bell's eyes widened at the sight. After this Shinjiro muttered something under his breath, a wide grin on his face as he casually dodged the enemy's strikes with only his upper body. He seemed to have become faster, his movements becoming a blur that Bell could barely follow. His opponent roared with his teeth bared, his black wolf ears twitching as he intensified his assault with his spear. Yet nothing hit as Shinjiro merely played with his prey. Until at last his arms blurred into motion, sword in both of his hands.

Time seemed to slow down for Bell. Yet he still barely saw it. The first upward strike was dodged, if barely as it tastes blood. But just as his opponent stumbled back, trying to regain his footing, the katana already came back down, the reversal of directions way faster than Bell thought possible. Having dodged the first strike, he was wide open to the second one. The wolf man could only widen his eyes before his kimono and his chest were stained with blood when a new red line was marked on him. The crowd cheered as the man coughed up blood and collapsed. But while Bell felt the same excitement, if a bit sick, he gave Haruhime a concerned look. She had her eyes clenched shut as she looked away.

As he held her hand and gave it a squeeze she took deep breaths. Then with a shaky smile she waved her hand, letting go to show she was alright. Having regained her composure she pointed at the hooded man sticking his tongue out as he motioned for the crowd to cheer more.

"That was considered the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Shohato," Haruhime explained, still somewhat pale.

"Shou...hato?" Bell repeated the foreign words, tilting his head as he did so

"Hm. It's a skill that requires a lot of intuition and interception ability. Essentially it's two strikes in quick succession, so that even if the first strike misses, the second one will finish the enemy off."

His eyes sparkled, his mouth open. He looked back down at the swordsman, finally stepping off the battle stage.

"Whoa... that's-!"

"Disappointing."

The stark contrast to his own excitement was staggering. Haruhime and Bell leaned forward to look at the man next to Bell, blinking in sync.

"Eh?/Eh?"

Kojiro was openly frowning with his arms crossed. With a sigh he shook his head and leaned back.

"You'd never hit a swallow with only two strikes. Especially if they don't hit at the same time."

Despite the roars around them, the silence could not be more defeaning. They were waiting for him to elaborate but he just looked at the stage with disinterest. In the end Haruhime turned to Bell with her ears twitching underneath her hood, her eyebrow raised.

"Swallow?"

Bell shrugged with an awkward laugh. It wasn't like this was an inside joke or anything he was aware of. However his words sent a chill down his spine when he thought about them.

If this Shohato technique was considered the peak of swordsmanship… what was Kojiro capable of to write it off like that?

His musings were cut short when the crowd exploded into noise. He and Haruhime had to cover their ears with a flinch when the final contestant entered the stage. What stood out were the crimson red hair that seemed to glow. Next came the cross scar on his wide smiling face, stretching a bit as he had his arms wide open, his black kimono straining against his muscles. To Bell's surprise he held no weapon in his hands as he walked up to the nervously sweating opponent, who held his axe up.

"Level 4 Executive of the Tsukoyomi Familia. Akatsuki, or Crimson Moon Araki."

Kojiro let out a hum as Bell snapped his head towards Haruhime with wide eyes. Another Level 4? Ryoma was on the same level as this man?

"An executive is here? I didn't expect that."

"Uhm, is he dangerous?" Bell asked as Kojiro leaned forward. Haruhime nodded, biting her lip in thought.

"He is called a genius. He managed to learn Hachiman's Divine Arms just from fighting and seeing the actual students of it. His red hair is caused by the b-blood of his victims. Er, s-s-supposedly!"

Bell gulped before patting Haruhime's back to comfort her. That would explain his predatory glint in his eyes as he basically looked down on his opponent.

Before they could say anything more, the gong sounded. To the axe fighter's credit he didn't hesitate. He exploded into motion and swung his axe down on his opponent's head. Unfortunately for him it wasn't enough.

The weapon seemed high quality enough. His speed was just a bit below to the Wind Blade. However, his enemy merely scoffed and raised his arm. Said arm's muscles pulsated in a weird way before seeming to harden. Bell gasped in shock when the weapon shattered as if it hit the hardest metal in the world. Just as the former axe wielder gaped in shock, the executive began to practically glide on the ground as he danced around his opponent. It was like looking at the irregular movements of fire itself. Barely avoiding the frantic counter blows and stepping right back in to ram hìs fist into his body, the Crimson Moon dominated his opponent utterly. While it seemed cruel to Bell, he had to admit that these martial arts were impressive.

"Hm, his movements aren't half bad." Kojiro nodded in small approval as the battle's outcome was obvious. Shaking his head he leaned back."Still, this place is on a lower level than expected."

As the audience celebrated the beating of the axe wielder, Haruhime had an uneasy smile on her face as she politely raised her hand.

"L-lord Sasaki, these are all blessed individuals."

"I stand by what I said," Kojiro said with a shrug. Soon after they rose from their seats as today's event was over. As Haruhime grabbed the cloth of Bell's shirt from behind she leaned in and whispered into his ear.

"He is... very sure of himself, isn't he?"

"Ahahaha... I mean, he has reason to?" Bell muttered awkwardly as he fought his way through the crowd with her. More often than not he was easily pushed around. Because of that he was breathing somewhat heavily when he finally got out, taking in the fresh air and free space.

"I really can't get used to so many people... " He said, shaking his head as he supported himself on his legs.

"At least you didn't get lost," Kojiro joked, patting his head a few times. Bell chuckled dryly before straightening up his back.

"Yeah that would be embarrassing. Right, Haruhime?"

Only silence responded to him. Blinking he turned around.

"Haruhime?" He asked, looking around. But to his growing horror she was nowhere to be seen. He cupped his mouth in a panic, taking a deep breath "Haruhime?!"

No sign of a hooded girl. No sign of a Renard. No sign of his friend. He turned to Kojiro, almost hyperventilating as his face was pale.

"Did you see where they went?!"

His heart fell when the man shook his head.

"Not at all. I assumed she was right behind you." Kojiro crossed his arms and tilted his head. "Still, why the panic?"

Everything stopped for Bell. He even felt his panic vanish as utter confusion grabbed hold of his heart.

"Huh?"

"You shouldn't feel responsible for this. Sooner or later this was bound to happen. Getting lost in this place seems normal. " Kojiro waved his hand dismissively with a casual smile."If we just leave this be, I'm sure she'll be fine."

"What are you saying... ?" Bell muttered disbelief. How...how could he be so calm about this…?

"While she might have been kidnapped, we have no proof. So instead of running around we can just wait. I can't say that this matter concerns us too much anyway."

Maybe Kojiro was comforting Bell in his own way. Maybe Bell was seeing the worst in him right now. Being unfair. But his mind focused on one simple word.

Kidnapped. It would be his fault if it happened. He pushed Haruhime. He willingly got her into danger. And now, if he were being optimistic, just wait even if the worst happened? He saw it in his mind. Haruhime, crying and in chains as she was dragged away.

He could see grandpa's disappointment in him if he just let it be. Shaking his head and turning away from Bell. Anger filled him after he stomped the ground, causing Kojiro to blink in surprise

"It doesn't concern us?!" He screamed. He hated this. This pain in his throat. The fire in his chest and the shame of yelling at his mentor, a friend. But now the floodgates were open and he would not stop.

"I don't just leave friends behind!" He cut the air with his arm. "And even if she wasn't, it's an innocent girl that could be taken from her peaceful life if you're wrong! Taken from everything she knows! How can I not be upset?! How can I not want to help and find her if she could be in danger, Kojiro?!"

He gasped for breath, slowly feeling exhaustion taking over his wrath. Then he truly saw Kojiro's expression. His eyes were wide, as if realizing something. Then he lowered his head, his face twisting into some form of guilt.

"I'm sorry. I sounded too callous."

It was enough to extinguish whatever anger he had left. In panic and shame Bell frantically waved his arms in front of himself

"N-no, I'm sorry!" He bit his lip as he averted his eyes. "I shouldn't have yelled at you… "

"No, no. You're right." Kojiro squeezed Bell's shoulders reassuringly. "I shouldn't stay static. Things change after all...I cannot pretend to be seperate from the events of the living. " Bell blinked at his cryptic words. Then the man nodded and began to move forward. "Let's hurry and find Ryoma."

Determination filled Bell's heart as he hurried behind Kojiro. He prayed that Haruhime was alright...and that she would endure if she wasn't until they could save her.