Hey- Normal talking

Hey- Kazuto's inner monologue

'Hey'- People thinking

(Hey)- Inner circles mean places or time skips

~Flashback~


As I've said before, my life was like an emotional rollercoaster. Finally, it had stabilized within the last two years.

"Good." stated Enji with a smirk, "You've gotten better. Not bad Kazuto."

"What can I say?" a now twelve-year-old Kazuto smirked. "I've improved."

Because of that small episode two years back, I was more engrossed into my grandfather's training. Something he greatly appreciated, even if he tries to hide it. As time went on, I came to realize that he isn't that bad as I thought he was. Sure he is still the arrogant and prideful man he always is, but he is more...how can i say it...easy-going? Subdued? in between small doses of course. Hell! he even apologized to my mother for being an asshole two years prior. He's been changing for the better. As such, so has our interactions. Even if he still had his mood swings..But hey! Rome wasn't built in a day you know!

"Don't get cocky now brat. You still got a long way to go to stand toe to toe with me." Enji stated with a smirk adorning his face.

"Yeah yeah. Just watch old man, I'll catch up to you in no time." Kazuto exclaimed with his own smirk in place.

Throughout the years, Kazuto had changed in both appearance and personality. He was now more playful yet serious when the time arose. He was also able to think on his feet and plan before acting within the seconds given, almost as a quick reaction. He had grown a couple more inches in height and had a slender built that was mainly for speed. He wasn't overly bulky, but he had defined muscles that was a sign of his training over time, accompanied by the lack of baby fat on his face.

"Hmph. Dream on brat." at his next words, he smirked. "Now, get up! This is enough resting. Back to work."

"Heh. Think you can handle me old man? I've gotten faster. Wouldn't want you to break a hip now would we?" Kazuto joked.

"Cheeky brat..." Enji grumbled as he took his hummingbird stance with a smirk.

"Hmm." Kazuto nodded as he took his varied version of Niten Ichi-ryū without the dual sword. As Kazuto went to widen his new stance, he thought back to what inspired him to create a new style to call his own…

~Flashback~

After the shocking revelation two years prior, I took my grandfather's words to heart and I went to apologize to my mother for my outburst. It didn't end exactly how I envisioned it to happen...but hey! I'm not complaining now!

"M-mom, I-i'm sorry I got mad at you please forgive me." Kazuto said through sobs as he went to hug Midori.

"It's okay my little Kazu. I'm not mad at you if that's what you're thinking." Midori smiled brightly. "It's just that I was well...shocked. I just wanted you to know that I hid that small fact because I-I was scared and thought that if you ever were to find out the truth, you wouldn't want anything to do with us anymore. Please, don't get mad at me..." she stated with tears pricking her eyes.

"I'd never! You're my mom after all!" Kazuto stated passionately with small tears.

"Oh Kazuto." Midori hugged her son even tighter. Throughout their embrace, Midori tried to lighten up the mood. Putting on a mischievous demeanor, she stated.

"You know, I'll forgive you..." Kazuto's eyes lit up with elation. "Only, if you agree to take dancing classes with me." Kazuto's eyes scrunched up with frustration for a few seconds before he caved in.

"Fine" Kazuto whined out.


(A week later)

"That's great Kazuto! Don't forget to step with your right foot after stepping backwards." Midori instructed with a bright smile.

"Okay" Kazuto said as he looked down and tried to mimic his mother's footsteps as they danced the Waltz.

"Wow! We've only been dancing for a few minutes and you almost have the dancing pattern down!" Midori smiled kindly as she continued to dance without losing a beat.

"I'm so proud of you, my little prodigy" she stated playfully.

"S-stop calling me that! It's embarrassing." Kazuto whined out with a blush as he moved his gaze away from the floor and onto the crowd inside the dancing studio looking at them dance while throwing praises here and there along with giggles and small cackles only muffled by little snickers.

"Nu-uh! This is your punishment remember?" Midori chastised playfully. "You wouldn't want to get me upset would you?" she questioned through fake tears. The snickering of the onlookers increasing in volume tenfold.

"N-no" Kazuto sighed as he gave into his mother's wish. 'There's no way out of this huh?'

~Flashback End~

Who knew that the dancing lessons would have payed off? I learned to increase my transitions through katas as if the shinai were the music and I its conductor? Twirling and sliding through attacks with relative ease like a dancer in the center stage. Anyhow…

"Ready…" Enji counted.

"And…" Kazuto continued.

"Begin!" they both shouted as they ran towards each other. Trying to win the first point against their opponent at the beginning of their deadly dance.


(Few hours later)

"You've improved greatly, not bad brat." Enji praised as a bit of sweat began to drip from his forehead. "In just a few more days, you'd be able to compete in the Kendo Junior Tournament. With my training, you won't be able to lose. You are dismissed."

Just as Kazuto was about to leave, his grandfather's voice rang out.

"Before you go, I just want to tell you how proud I am of you...Kazuto." Enji stated with a small smile.

As Kazuto kept walking towards the door, he couldn't hold back his emotions and let a small smile creep into his face with small tears welling in his eyes.

"Thanks... grandfather," Kazuto whispered. "I'll be sure to win this!"


(Seven days later)

"Ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer screamed out as he tries to hype the roaring crowd. "Welcome to the twenty-fifth annual Kendou Junior Championship! It seems we have a few promising bunch this year! Don't you think Shouta?!"

"Shut up Hizashi," Shouta stated plainly. "I didn't want to be here anyway. Ugh. This is all your fault."

"You've heard it here folks! This year would be the most spectacular of the year!" Hizashi exclaimed.

"That isn't what I said…" Shouta stated blandly but was ultimately ignored.

"This year, we have children from promising clans competing in this year's tourney! How great is that!?" At the revelation, the crowd broke out into an uproar of excited whispers.

"Now, without further ado, please welcome the first two competitors! On one side, we have the son of a third-class noble, Raios Antinous!"

Raios is a tall and burly child with long, wavy blonde hair and a bodybuilder's body fit for strength. He has a red sort of attire with the symbol of a wolf baring its fangs. As the announcer finished his sentence, everyone could practically feel the arrogance radiating off of said competitor.

"On the other side, we have a kid trained by the Ryuuji clan themselves, Kai Asmotheos!"

Kai is a tall young man just a bit shorter than Raios with a lean body built for speed. His most distinctive feature, however, was his blue hair and yellowish eyes encased in ice. His clothes consisted of a dark blue shirt and black pants with the design of a dragon biting its own tail. The said person just walked into the ring with a cold demeanor, not fazed in the slightest by the roaring of the crowd.

"Now gentlemen, we want a clean fight. The rules are simple. You get three minutes to land as many blows to your opponent before the timer rings. If your opponent goes out of bounds or gets knocked out, you get a point. The winner with the most points is the victor." a referee stated.

"Three minutes?" Raios questioned with indignation. "Ha! As if a nobleman such as myself would need more than a minute to defeat this peasant." he finished haughtily.

Kai just looked at Raios with a calculating eye behind his cold demeanor. Trying to analyze his opponent's weak spot.

"Ready…" Raios and Kai both got into their respective stances.

"Why not give up? A commoner such as yourself can't hope to beat a great noble such as I." said Raios haughtily as the crowd looked at his statement in clear irritation. Their whispers holding back their anger.

"And…" as the referee continued, Kai's gaze hardened.

"Begin!"

Just as the announcer finished counting, Kai ran towards Raios like a speeding projectile.

"Aahh!" Raios was too caught off guard to do anything else but stumble back in fright and land flat on his back and out of bounds.

"Point!" the announcer shouted.

"Huh. Guess you were right." Kai mocked. "It did end in less than a minute."

"Grr. Shut your mouth peasant." Raios shouted out of sheer embarrassment as he got back up and into his stallion stance.

"Hmph. Whatever." Kai said blandly as he loosened his shoulders. "You're not even worth my time."

"Grr. I'll show you!" Raios shouted in disdain.

"Ready. And. Go!" the announcer shouted.

The fight, if you'd call it that, was clearly one-sided. Raios struck with brute force, thinking that his noble blood would be enough to beat his opponent. Kai, on the other hand, attacked quickly and efficiently at Raios' joints and muscles to weaken him in the three minutes they were given. Thirty seconds before the match came to a close, Raios came to an abrupt stop and hit the floor with his eyes rolled to the back of his head.

"And the winner is Kai Asmotheos!" the announcer exclaimed as the timer rang out. The crowd cheered and clapped in enjoyment and approval.


(With the commentators)

"Wow! What'cha think of the match Shouta?! Wasn't it awesome?!" exclaimed Hizashi loudly through the mic.

"No." Shouta stated bluntly. "That Antinous brat was too prideful for someone so young and it led to his own downfall."


(Near the stands)

"Hmph. That Shouta fellow knows how to comment." Enji stated in clear approval.

"Oh shush you." Midori scolded slightly, "We came here to see Kazuto's match. Not make fun of people."

"Hmph. I already know the outcome. I trained him after all." Enji haughtily. "He has the Kirigaya blood running through his veins!"

"Please don't remind me of that Enji" Midori pleaded. "The only reason I forgave you was because Kazuto said you changed. I can see that from time to time but please. Just for today, try to relax."

"Ugh. Fine." Enji sighed.

"Wow! Did you see that mom!?" Suguha questioned with excitement shining in her eyes. "That mean guy was talking wwaayy too much and then, that other guy ran so fast I couldn't see him! Imagine if he was fighting my big brother! They'd be so fast! Just like the superhero shows we watch!" At this point, Suguha has stars in her eyes.

"Yes yes. So it would seem." Midori stated with a smile trying to keep her daughter's emotions contained.

"Heh." Enji snickered, drawing some of the crowd's attention to him. "As if a weakling such as that can hold off my apprentice."

"Enji." Midori sent him a warning look as some of the crowd had their whole attention set onto Enji's conversation. Some having looks of recognition on their faces, as they looked at his visage, which quickly turned into excitement at the prospect of the Enji Kirigaya having an apprentice while others were confused or outraged by his claim.

"Ugh." he sighed, "damn woman…"

All this was going on while Suguha had a question mark lingering on top of her head.


(With the commentators)

"Such a splendid way to kick off the matches, no!?" Hizashi shouted, drawing roaring approval from the crowd. "If you think that was great, wait until you see the next match up!" At this, the crowd grew in volume.


(Main Hall: Competitors area)

"Woah! He moved so fast! He almost reminded me of grandfather during his warm-up routines!" Kazuto exclaimed in awe.

"Woah...he managed to beat Raios!? N-no one was able to beat him back at home! I-I don't stand a chance against him!" Humbert Zizek stated while shaking like a leaf.

He has gray hair plastered in oil and slicked back. Humbert is a young man whose body is built for agility and flexibility. His uniform consisted of a pale yellow color and a design of a lion on his right chest.

He then looks at Kazuto and let an arrogant smile slip onto his face. 'Him on the other hand, I could beat easily. No one had beat a Zizek before. Tch. Even the legendary Enji Kirigaya had problems with my father back then many years ago! I have the same blood running through me. That means that this win is surely guaranteed! Ha!'

"...wait until you see the next match up!" the announcer's voice rang out. "Would the next contestants please step into the ring?"


(With the commentators)

"I hope this one doesn't disappoint…" Shouta muttered.

"Alrighty, folks! For our second match-up, we have the self-proclaimed "Prince of the Kendo" Humbert Zizek!"

There were some roars of the crowd from only two thirds of the stands as they processed his "title". The others were just hoping it doesn't end like the match from before.

"On the other side, we have the...oh my! The apprentice and grandson of Enji Kirigaya, Kazuto Kirigaya!" Hizashi shouted with elation. 'The reviews are so going to skyrocket. I'll be rich! Ha!'

Through the end of his statement, many things happened at once. Humbert felt the color drain from his face and, in turn, was left a pale white. Then, Kazuto was walking the stage with his head down, trying to ignore the looks of the crowd.

'Geez, I knew my grandfather was famous but isn't this a bit much?' he thought. His appearance consisted of an all-black attire with a black shirt and black pants. On his right chest, the design of a raven with a red crown was shown in all its glory. All in all, symbolizing his allegiance to the Kirigaya household.

And lastly, the crowd gasped as a whole as Enji stood up from the stands and soaked up all the praises and gasps like a fish to water. Making his ever-long ego grow twice its size. His appearance only igniting the whispers of the crowd.

"That's the famed Enji Kirigaya!?"

"No way dude! We were sitting next to a legend!?"

"How did we not notice that!?"

"Wait a minute…" a random individual between the stands connected the dots. "If he's the grandson of Enji Kirigaya and that other kid is the son of Alexander Zizek...this would be an awesome battle!" he shouted through the end of his musing.

"Yeah you're right! A Zizek versus a Kirigaya!"

"Is this fate!?"

Catching himself through the commotion, Hizashi continued. "Well what do you know folks!? Would we get to see the battle to end all battles between the Zizek and the Kirigaya!? Only one way to find out!" The crowd was practically bouncing in their seats at the fight.

"Blood relations aren't everything you know…" Shouta stated but was ignored.

"Alrighty then! Who's ready!?" At the roaring crowd, he then pointed at the referee. "Ref, would you like to do the honors?"

"S-sure" the referee said.


{Queue song: "Black Sky"- Arrows to Athens}


"Ok. As I've said before, I want a clean fight. By now, I'm sure you've heard the rules?" At the two competitors' nods, he continued. "Ok. Get into your stances and I'll start the countdown."

The duo did so and awaited the countdown.

"Ready…"

"Hey Humbert right? Good luck. I'd be honored to fight you!" Kazuto beamed with a toothy grin.

"Hmph. Even if you are a Kirigaya, you are still destined to lose in my eyes." Humbert stated arrogantly. 'A loser is always a loser anyways'

"Heh. We'll see" stated Kazuto without losing his composure.

"And…"

"Fight!"

*THUNK* *THUNK*

In that instant, the sound of Shinai hitting Shinai resounded throughout the stadium like bells in the silent winter. Kazuto locked eyes with his opponent without any hint of strain, if his even breathing was any indication. His opponent, however, was breathing a bit more heavily when he was taken off guard by that quick attack. Humbert was quick to block the attack out of sheer reflex and it showed on his shocked face.

"Wow you're good" Kirito smiled, "Didn't expect it."

"H-how a-are you t-this fast?" Humbert questioned through pants.

As they got out of their stalemate, they separated and got into their respective stances while Kirito took a thinking pose for a little while.

"Well...I do a lot of push-ups, sit-ups, and drink plenty of juice." he shrugged. "You should try it."

"Why you! Don't mock me! I'm a Zizek!" Humbert raged.

*THUNK* *THUNK*

They both clashed in the deadly dance again with Kazuto on the defensive and Humbert attacking with a combination of low and high slashes.

"Meh. Don't you remember what that Shouta guy said?" he asked. Seeing Humbert's questioning look, he continued to speak while dodging and parrying Humbert's strikes. "He said that blood relations aren't everything. I mean look at that Kai dude. He doesn't have any of that "noble blood" you and that other guy speak of and yet, he managed to beat him."

"That's…d-different" as they broke away, Kazuto let Humbert catch his breath to speak. "He was taught by the Ryuuji clan! The noblest of clans!"

"That may be so, but a person isn't defined by who taught them...it's based on how much effort they put into their training!" With these words, Kazuto launched himself at Humbert with even more vigor. Like a ballerina, Kirito moved his Shinai in the typical Hummingbird style, dancing through the balls of his feet hitting left and then switching the Shinai with his other hand for a wild vertical swing while adding some of his own variations throughout the attack.

As Kirito kept on twirling around, he then found an opening around Humbert's right hand side and took advantage of it.

*THUNK*

"Point!" the referee shouted.

"Grk." Humbert lost focus for a quick second and felt the Shinai hit his ribs. "Fuck! That hurt! Y-you're n-not tired yet!? H-how!?" Humbert shouted as his leg was close to giving out.

"Ready. And. Fight!" the referee shouted again.

"You're good" Kazuto said with a smile, "I guess I'm just a bit too fast for you."

"D-don't mock me!" Humbert shouted in indignation

"I'm not." Kazuto said "How is one supposed to learn from their mistakes if they don't see it for themselves? Anyway, I think that's enough talking, get ready!"

Kazuto shot himself towards Humbert with an even greater speed than before. All Humbert saw was a small blur before he got hit on his back. The next thing he knew, he was looking at the roof with his back on the ground.

As he turned his face around, he saw Kazuto looking down at him as he, along with the rest of the crowd (except a select few), were too shocked to move or look away.

"See what I mean?" Kazuto questioned the downed Humbert. "Only a person who trains can get stronger. Blood relations don't mean anything if you don't sharpen your skills." As he looked at the shocked crowd, he started to walk away.

"H-hey!" Humbert shouted from his position as he tried to stand up. "Where do you think you're going!? The match hasn't ended yet!"

"Um, actually, the clock's about to ring. Just take a look." he pointed at the timer as it rang after two seconds. "See? It was fun fighting you though." he smirked as he went back to the Competitors' area.

"T-the winner is Kazuto Kirigaya!" the announcer shouted as he got out of his shock.


(With the commentators)

"W-wow folks! That was great! Young Kazuto completely dominated the match!" Hizashi shouted as the crowd got out of their shock and screamed at the top of their lungs.

"Tch. You can say that again" Shouta stated with a small smirk.

"Oh? What's this, did he catch your attention Shouta?" Hizashi teased.

"No. He was just greatly level headed and didn't let his blood ties get to his head. I can respect that in a competitor." Shouta said as if it was obvious. Some of the crowd agreed with his statement as they talked about the match with hushed whispers singing nothing but praises to the young Kirigaya heir.


(Near the stands)

"Awesome!" Suguha shouted at the top of her lungs. "Did you see that mom!? Did you!? Did you!?"

Midori nodded with a proud smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Yes. Yes. He was awesome Sugu."

"He was like *shoomp* *clank* and then...and then! When he was running! He was ssoo fast! It was like that guy in the beginning!" Suguha shouted as she flailed her arms around with a big smile on her face.

"Heh. I knew he could do it!" Enji shouted. "The Kirigaya blood runs deep into his veins! Haha! He will be just as great as myself!" he finished with a proud smile with the tip of his lips forming a small smirk.


(Near the stands on the far left)

"Did you see that Alice!? He was really fast! Just like those guys back at home!" a brunette shouted as he had stars in his eyes. He was a slender-looking boy with flax-brown, wavy hair with alluring green eyes and a cream color complexion. He wore a short-sleeved light blue shirt with grayish shorts.

"Yeah!" said individual nodded. "He was so fast! I can't wait to go ask my father for some training of my own! Don't you think so Eugeo?"Alice was a young girl with sparkling blue eyes with long, golden hair tied to both sides of the head with a braid running down from the back of the head with a bow attached at the end of the braid. She wore a light blue dress with an intricate design of a blue flower.

"Y-yeah!" Eugeo nodded with a small blush. "I-I'll become strong. Strong enough to protect you. That's a promise!" Eugeo stated with determination.

"Okay. I'll believe in you Eugeo" Alice stated with a smile that radiated in the glittering light of the stadium with a small blush tainting her cheeks.


(At the competitors' area)

"W-woah" Some of the competitors stated with awe.

"He's so fast!" one competitor shouted.

"No kidding."

"Not only him though" one person pointed out as he shot a glance at Kai who was looking at the wall with a blank look.

"Yeah. Him and that Kai dude."

"I-I think we should back down. Y-you know…" a competitor stated through nervousness.

"Y-yeah we have no chance against them…"

"Awe come on guys!" Kazuto whined out as he got inside the competitors' area. "I came here looking for a fight, not grandeur. Who cares if any one of us wins or loses? We should have fun."

"Easy for you to say! You were trained by the Enji Kirigaya!"

"Yeah!" the rest of the competitors chorused.

"Tch. Not like I had a choice at the beginning..." Kazuto whispered. "Hey guys, the point of all this is to show how strong our spirits are. If you all give up, you would end up as cowards. Was your goal not to make a name for yourself?" Seeing some of the people ponder his words, he just added one more push to dispel the gloomy atmosphere. "That's right! We all have a chance! So, who's with me!?" he finished with a strong voice.

"Alright!"

"Yeah! We'll show you!"

"He's got a point guys!"

"S-sure…"

"Hmph…"

"Why try to hype the crowd Kirigaya?" Kai stated blandly as he kept his eyes fixated on the wall. "It's not like they'll stand a chance. Be a realist. Losers will always be losers."

"I am being a realist in my own way you know." Kazuto pointed out, "I just like the thrill of the fight."

"If it's a fight you want, then why gloat them?" he asked.

"Meh. Makes things more fun." Kazuto stated blandly.

"Again, if it's a fight you want, you're talking to the wrong people" Kai stated bluntly.

"What's that supposed to mean!?"

"Dude what the hell!?"

"Grr. You'll see! Just watch!"

Ignoring the indignant shouting of the competitors, Kai continued to look at Kazuto while he spoke. "Can it, you extras. You don't stand a chance. Just be real. You, Kirigaya are an exempt competitor and it piqued my interest. If you beat the guy while holding back, how fast are you really?" he asked blandly while the competitors looked at him in shock.

"Heh. Caught me red-handed." Kazuto said while ignoring the shocked looks of the competitors at his revelation. "Although...I'm not the only con-artist now am I?" he smirked.

"Guess not." Kai said as his mouth twitched. "What do you say we see who's the fastest?"

"Oh? Is this a declaration of war I hear?" Kazuto said in mild excitement.

"A declaration? No. Why would I declare a war I'm sure to win?" Kai said with a bit of excitement shining in his eyes.

"Heh. Alright, I accept." Kazuto stated with a cocky grin. Kai was staring at Kazuto while matching his grin with a toothy smirk. "Just make sure the dragon doesn't get pecked by the crow. It can attack better with a sloppy defense in its path after all."

"Hmph. Only if the dragon lets the crow attack first." Kai shot back.

"I'll be glad to face you in the finals Kai Asmotheos." Kazuto exclaimed as he put his hand into a fist and stuck it out.

"I as well, Kazuto Kirigaya." Kai said as he fist-bumped Kazuto's outstretched arm.

As both competitors went to sit in their respective corners, hoping to wait for the next match, the rest of the competitors were looking at both of them in bewilderment.

"D-did they just ignore us? All of us?"

"I-I think they did."

"Blasphemy!"

"We'll show them! Who's with me!?" a random person shouts.

"We are!" the rest chorused. No one takes a shot at their pride and gets away with it!


(Time Skip)

As the competition escalated in order to try their best, the competitors ultimately failed to try and overthrow their supposed "rivals" in order to crawl to the top spot. They each fell one by one either by Kazuto or Kai. They were a force to be reckoned with, not including the fact that they had the power to back it up. Even as the crowd took a liking to underdogs trying their best to overthrow the "top dogs", they failed to do so. Now, it was time for the main event to start and the crowd had become anxious, waiting with bated breath to see who comes out on top.


(With the Commentators)

"OOOOKKKKAAAAYYY! Here are the finalists, folks!" Hizashi shouted as the crowd lit up like a match to a fire. "On one side, we have the Blue Lightning Dragon of the Ryuuji clan, Kai Asmotheos!"

"Hmph. I still can't believe they gave us nicknames…" Kai grumbled.

"On the other side, we have the Dark Raven himself, Kazuto Kirigaya!" Hizashi shouted as the crowd grew even greater in noise.

"Yeah I know" Kazuto moaned out, "I just wanted to fight…"

"Hmph. On this, we can agree on…" Kai grunted.

"You know, Hizashi, I agree with the kids. Why would you give them nicknames?" Shouta asked with a bored expression.

"~I don't know~" Hizashi sang out, "It just sounded fitting."

"Right…" Enji and Shouta stated blandly from their respective seats.

"Alright, this is our final match. As such, the rules have changed. The winner is only declared by the last man standing in the match. There are no points. All you need is your fighting spirit to lead you onward. Do any of you want to back out now before we begin?" The referee questioned.

Seeing their determined faces, the referee nodded.

"Alright then, on my signal!"


{Queue song: "Irresistible"- Fall Out Boy}


"Ready…"

Both Kazuto and Kai got into their respective stances while locking eyes with their opponents. Both unwilling to lose to the other.

"I hope you're ready Kirigaya, I won't go easy on you." Kai mocked with a smirk.

"I hope not. I can't wait to wipe that smirk off your face." Kazuto taunted with a cocky grin.

"And…"

Their eyes sharpened and turned cold. Trying to calculate their opponent's weak points as the crowd looked on with bated breath.

"Fight!"

At one moment, they were just looking at their opponent without breaking contact. The next, they vanished in the eyes of the crowd.

*THUNK* *THUNK*

As the crowd turned their heads to look towards the sound, they saw both Kai and Kazuto engaged in a battle of strength as they tried to overpower their opponent. A couple minutes after their power struggle, they separated from each other. Both with their breaths even without any hint of tiredness.

Kazuto waited for Kai to make the first move and, after the little game of cat and mouse, Kai lost his patience and quickly advanced on him and struck downwards. Kazuto held his shinai upwards, with a slight tilt to the left, causing the wood to clack harshly. He then quickly brought his sword down on Kai's right wrist, only to find it blocked. Kai then leveled a strike at the right side of Kazuto's abdomen, only for Kazuto to twirl to the side and avoid the attack, bringing him closer to Kai's right and attempting a strike to his midsection. Kai blocked it and the two continued to trade blows back and forth.

As the fight continued, Kai and Kazuto started to find themselves frustrated. Not only were both of them matching each other blow for blow without none of them having an advantage, but they decided to speed up at the exact same moment one of them tried to strike with vigor. After a few more strikes, Kai decided to stop holding back and started leveling increasingly faster strikes at Kazuto, occasionally aiming for his left side since he saw how Kazuto seemed to favor his left foot. To Kai's surprise, Kazuto moved just in the nick of time and transitioned his movement with his right hand to parry the attack. As his strikes picked up in speed, so did Kazuto's. A furious clacking of Shinai against Shinai was all that was heard between the two without stopping.

"It seems we're at a stalemate." Kai exclaimed as he backflipped and got close to the edge of the ring, "Let's end this on a high note, no?"

"HHAAAHH!? What's this? It seems like both competitors are ready to throw in all they got into this final blow!" Hizashi said as the crowd screamed.

"Yeah. It seems fun." Kazuto smirked as he and Kai ignored the crowd.

"Alright then," Kai said as he got in his dragon stance with his hand at the tip of his Shinai, (as if he was going to throw a lance) with his dominant right hand holding the Shinai in a vice-like grip. "Get ready!"

"As you wish…" Kazuto said as he got in his varied version of Niten Ichi-ryū with his right hand hung loosely next to the sword while said sword was being pointed downward.

As both competitors ran at each other with speed like none other, the crowd waited for the winner, the victor to come on top and claim the title of "Junior Division Champion" for his own.

"AAAHHHH!" they shouted as they crossed each other and into their opponent's previous corner. They looked at the edge of the corner to add a dramatic effect to the now restless crowd until…

Kai spat out saliva as he got on one knee holding his now busted rib.

"You d-don't m-mess around d-do you?" he gasped out.

"H-hah. H-hah. Y-you don't either. Heh." Kazuto said as he was trying to catch his breath.

"Hm. I g-guess this is your win. I...concede." Kai said as he laid down on the ground.

"Heh. T-thanks buddy" Kazuto said as the crowd cheered.

"And the winner of the Kendo Junior Division...Kazuto Kirigaya!" the referee announced.

"Make no mistake my rival." Kai said as tried to stand up and bump his fist with Kazuto while holding his ribs. "Next time, I'll win."

"I'll look forward to that." Kazuto exclaimed as he bumped the outstretched hand which caused the crowd to go wild for such sportsmanship.

As Kai went back to the competitor's area, Kirito is seen grinning like an idiot as he looks at the small smile of his grandfather's face. One showing approval. Approval...the word he kept seeking when it came to his grandfather and his cold demeanor. It felt not too long ago that he wanted to get better. And now, he has the title to prove it.

"Yeah! I finally did it! I won!" he screams out.

Kirito runs towards his family. Showing off the golden trophy. The light giving it an afterglow of beauty.

"Haha! I won! Just like I told you I would!" he shouts out.

"Yes. Yes you did." Enji said with a smile full of pride.

"My little Kazuto won! This calls for a celebration!" Midori said with a bright smile.

"Yeah! You did it big brother!" Suguha shouted as she went to hug him. "I knew you would!"

"Hey!" "Hey!"

Two distinctive voices rang out as two blonde-haired children the same age as Kazuto came running towards them almost out of breath.

"What do you brats want?" Enji asked lamely.

Not deterred by Enji in the slightest, the blonde girl started.

"We were watching your match and I gotta say that it was so cool!" she exclaimed with barely contained excitement. The boy following suit.

"Yeah! You guys were moving so fast it was SO awesome!" the boy stated.

"Aw shucks." Kazuto states while scratching his cheek, "it's no big deal. It wasn't that great"

"Come on" the girl whined out, "You're the Champion! I would totally celebrate like crazy if I were you!"

"Thanks, I guess?" Kazuto questioned. "By the way, what are your names?"

"Oh," the girl blushed, "Where are my manners? My name is Alice Zuberg. Nice to meet you!" she finished with a bright smile.

"M-my name is Eugeo. Eugeo Gesualdo. Nice to meet you." he bowed in respect.

"Nice to meet you too Eugeo and Alice!" Kazuto exclaimed with a smile of his own

"Anyway, we were here to congratulate you and tell you that it was awesome to see you fight. Hope to see you again!" Alice said as she went to meet up with her parents.

"Yeah, it was nice meeting you Kazuto!" Eugeo waved as he went with Alice.

"Wow. Not even a second after winning the match and my little Kazu made friends!" Midori wailed tearfully.

"M-mom...you're embarrassing me." Kazuto said as the crowd of onlookers threw glances in their direction.

"As your match came to a close, I am proud to say...congratulations my grandson. You've made me proud." Enji said with passion.

"T-thanks grandfather." Kazuto said as his smile grew even greater to the point that it would split his face.

"Come along children, we are going out for food to celebrate," Enji said as he looked at Midori who smiled with a nod. "My treat."

"Really!?" Kazuto and Suguha asked with stars in their eyes.

"Yeah." Enji smirked, "Let's get going brats."

"Yeah!" they shouted.


(Minutes later)

"Ugh." Enji said lowly as he tried to look for his wallet, "I...left it at the stadium. How foolish of me. Hold on, I have to go back and get something." and so, he went back to the stadium as he left them alone.

"That was honestly pretty fun, mother." Kazuto said with a smile as he looked at his trophy in excitement.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Midori said with a smile of her own.

"Do you think you can teach me big brother?" Suguha questioned innocently.

"Hmm." Kazuto thought. "Maybe when you get a bit older okay?"

"Hmph." Suguha pouted "Why not later?" she whined out.

"Hehehe. ~What do we have here~?" a voice rang out as the sound of a reloading gun was heard.

As the Kirigayas turned to look at the voice, they weren't prepared to see a gun pointed at them at such close range.

"Let's say you give me all your belongings and I'll let you go no?" the man said as he pointed the gun to Midori. "Unless you want a bullet to pierce that pretty face of yours." he finished with a cackle.

"Kazuto," Midori said calmly. "Take your sister and get as far away as you can from here okay sweetie," she said as a small tear escaped her eye.

"B-but mom!" Kazuto stammered out, "I can't just leave you!"

"Please Kazuto" Midori pleaded. "I beg of you, take your sister and go."

"Mommy! I don't wanna go!" Suguha hiccuped as the weight of the situation hit her.

"Come on Sugu...we...don't have a choice." Kazuto said as he tugged her arm and tried to make a dash for it. Trying, but failing to stop the tears from cascading down his face as Suguha started crying even more.

"NO! NO! MOTHER!" Suguha shouted as she was taken away. Only for them to stop shortly with a yelp when a bullet barely missed Kazuto's cheek and only succeeded in leaving a gash.

"Ah Ah Ah." the man said as he reloaded the gun. "Wouldn't want my prey to escape now, would we? Hehehe. Now, give me all your belongings and I might let you live afterward."

"Please…" Midori tried to plead but was shut up as a bullet shot close to her head, ending behind the wall.

"No no. This is how it's going to end" the man sneered. "I will get all your valuables, you will try to run and I will try to shoot you down like the pray you are. Sounds like fun n-"

His musing was cut short as Enji got in back of him and had him in a headlock.

"Why you!" the man shouted as he looked at Enji.

"Trying to harm my family is something I won't allow. Especially by a low-life such as yourself." Enji spat as he tried to choke the man to death.

"G-grandfather" Kazuto said through tears.

"Take your mother and sister and get away as soon as possible Kazuto. Now." Enji said with authority.

"B-but grandfa-"

"I said NOW Kazuto!" Enji screamed as he tried to punch the man.

"I won't fuckin' let ya" the man said as he head-butted Enji on the nose, setting himself free.

"We'll see" Enji grunted as blood trickled down his nose.

"Come on Kazuto, Suguha. Let's go!" Midori said as she took hold of said children's' hands and ran out of the alley.

"Wait, mom! What about my grandfather!? We have to save him" Kazuto pleaded but was left ignored as they heard gunshots in the corner. "Mom, please! Let me go! Please! I have to save him!"

"We can't Kazuto!" Midori screamed through tears. "We can't! He helped us escape. If we go back now, It'll all be for nothing."

"But, I won't live with myself if I didn't help him while I was given the chance to do something to save him!"

Taking advantage of his mother's uncertainty for a small second, Kazuto freed his hand from his mother's grasp as he ran back to the alley. A dark glint in his black eyes.

"Kazuto! Wait!" Midori screamed.


(Back in the Alley)

"Is that the best you've got?" Enji stated while he was trying to punch the man, only to dodge a bullet that was sure to pierce his leg.

"No." the man smirked, "but it was close to killing that brat over there!"

"What!" Enji turned around to look but was met with nothing.

As Enji tried to come to grips with the man tricking him, he tasted the liquid fluid of blood in his teeth as he looked down onto the gaping hole in his torso with glazed eyes. He then fell to the ground unable to move before he felt his final breaths come close to his throat.

'I'm sorry Kazuto.' Enji thought, 'I guess...I won't be able to train you...but I will at least be able to see you grow in the afterlife.' The image of his daughter in law and his son flashed into his mind. 'We will finally be able to get reunited Yukito...Aoi' Enji thought before he heard the commotion and turned his head to see a sight he wouldn't expect.


(A few minutes before: With Kazuto)

As Kazuto ran as fast as his body willed him to do so, he had one thought running through his mind without stopping. 'Come on, I'm so close! I've got to make it! Come on!'

When he reached his destination, his body was roaring with so much rage that he attacked on autopilot. With a mighty roar to the heavens, Kazuto jumped towards the man who was busy holding his sides while trying to get the smoking gun.

"What the hell you little shit! I'm going to kill you now!" the man shouted as he felt Kazuto's fist hit his face. What he also failed to realize was the almost predatory glint in Kazuto's eyes as he looked at his dying grandfather and then at the man responsible. As such, he failed to notice what was behind Kazuto's right hand.

As Kazuto went to claim the blood of the soon to be murderer, he got his trophy with the end of the golden Shinai facing forward and thrusted the gold towards the man's skull with a roar.

"Agh. You fucking brat! Damn you!" The man shouted with searing pain as he tried to close the wound on his right eye but to no avail. "Damn you! Damn you, Damn you!" he shouted. "I'll kill you!"

"I doubt it," Kazuto said blankly without emotion as he went to get the gun. "A dead man doesn't make empty threats."

Just as Kazuto was about to pull the trigger, the man pleaded for his life.

"W-wait! Please! I-I was just trying to get money to survive here in the streets! Please! Don't kill me!" he pleaded with a whimper.

"You know what?" Kazuto asked with a blank look as the man looked up towards his eyes with hope, only to be washed away with Kazuto's next words. "Demons don't recite final verses to repent. As such, you don't deserve any mercy! Die." Kazuto stated with venom as he pulled the trigger and let the gun fall with his arms laying limply at his sides when the sound of a bullet penetrating flesh was heard.

"K-kazuto" he heard a distinctive voice and looked to see his grandfather in a corner.

"Grandfather!" Kazuto shouted as he went to help him. "Grandfather! You'll be okay! You'll make it through! Just hold on!" he said as he was nearing hysterics as he heard small footsteps getting closer to the alley.

"N-no. M-my time...was only limited…" Enji tried to say through a glob of blood. "Before I depart from this world and...see m-my son and y-your mother...I just...wanted to t-tell you how...proud of you...I am." Enji smiled a bloody, sincere smile.

"What are you saying, grandfather!? Don't talk anymore please! Please!" Kazuto shouted through sobs. "You're like a father to me! Please don't leave!"

"I-I'm glad...because...I...t-thought of you...as if y-you were my own son." Enji said as his eyes became lifeless. "I-I'm proud of you son. J-just promise me…"

"Anything grandfather" Kazuto said with tears in his eyes.

"Promise me...that you'll continue training...that y-you'll continue with Kendo in order t-to protect your family." at Kazuto's nod, he continued, "D-don't let this affect you...y-you've got so much potential in you...I just know it...I-I'm proud of y-you...my s-son…" Enji finished as his pupils dilated and his eyes snapped along with his heart. As such, Enji Kirigaya's death came to a close.

"Kazuto!"

"Big brother!"

"Kazuto wha-" Midori's words stopped as she covered her mouth with her hands to stop the sobs that are sure to come out as she looked at the tragic ending.

"H-he...he's gone, mother." Kazuto said in a broken voice without any emotion as Midori closed Suguha's eyes. Not even the sound of sirens could stop him from escaping this realization. The realization that he no longer had a father figure…

They say that tragedy has an odd way to dance in the night. I guess that it was true. I grew up hating the man that I now see before me: his body destroyed for saving his precious family. All I could think of was how ironic this tragedy was...the man I wanted so desperately to leave me alone in my younger years now lays limply by my side. Oh...how tragedy must love my company. Goodbye grandfather...may the heavens weep for your soul. I hope you enjoy watching from the shadows with my parents. After-all, if anyone deserves the right to reclaim his halo in heaven, it's you because, to me, you were an angel painted black that only shone gold in the most desperate of moments. For that...I mourn your death.