Chapter 8 – Fighting once again

'Alright, so what is he doing here?' I can't help but wonder. However, before I even get a chance to think about it I am interrupted by Lord Inutaisho: "So, Natsuki, have you rested well enough overnight?" Instead of answering I simply nod, awaiting what is supposed to follow.

"Today, you and Sesshomaru are going to fight each other." I blink at that statement, and at the same time I vaguely notice the later mentioned shooting me a glare. However, our reactions are both ignored, and the lord continues: "You have already fought with a sword, haven't you?" "Yes, I have..." I answer silently. "Then choose from those, so that we can start this," he replies, pointing to the weapons placed aside.

I slowly walk up to them while my mind tries to turn into the maze of questions, such as 'Why are we made to fight? Does Sesshomaru know about what happened yesterday? Is this the punishment for my actions towards Akemi?' but I manage to block them by concentrating on the task that has been presented to me. Yes, I have trained with double swords, but that was prior to my 17th birthday... my grandfather used to teach me back there, and since then I have used only my long knives.

Finally, my eyes found a pair of suitable double swords. While they are longer than what I'm used to use, they seem to be my best option. Before turning back, I test the swords weight and grip, which I judge as acceptable, however, I might still have troubles with using them properly not just because of their form, but also because of my lack of training.

Seeing that I have made my choice Lord Inutaisho nods, and Sesshomaru come forward. It is crystal clear that he has no desire to fight or even bother with me, and if it was for him, he would be somewhere else. Unsurprisingly, this feeling is mutual, but for some reason we've both been made to face each other.

I get into the starting position for the battle, while focusing myself entirely on my opponent. He glares at me in annoyance, while his father says: "You are only to rely only on the swords and your flexibility. The use of anything else will be viewed as forfeit, is that understood?" We both nod to which he replies: "Good. You may start then."

For a while neither of us moves, probably waiting for the other one to make the first move. However, if I guessed correctly, Sesshomaru will want to end this quickly, so I won't do anything for too long, he will.

My assumption is proven to be right when he suddenly darts forward. I prepare myself for the impact and block his sword with mine. He takes it back and attacks from the left, to which I quickly adjust the position of my weapons. As expected he plans to get over this as soon as possible. His superior strength is something I'll have to take into account when facing him, for it's going to only get harder to block his attacks multiple times.

In order to preserve some of my strength I dodge the next strike rather than blocking it. He forces me to repeat the last move three move times. 'I just can't keep just dodging...' I think to myself as I'm considering my options. Not that I have much of them. It's either keep to defensive until I'm out of breath or strength, or to at least try to slip to offensive moves from time to time. The outcome of this fight is already clear, so the question is not who loses, but how.

After another series of dodges with some minor blocks, I decide to take some counterattack, blocking Sesshomaru's blow only partly by changing his sword's trajectory with my right sword, while attacking with the one in my left hand. I miss because he immediately steps backward. Without any pause he swings his sword at me again. I stand aside and strike again, but the result is the same.

Our combat follows a similar pattern where neither of us hits the other one, but I start to feel tired, even though we've been fighting for a couple of minutes. Sesshomaru is a very tough opponent. In one moment I nearly cut myself with my own sword because I forgot about it being longer than the swords I was used to. He quickly takes advantage of this slight distraction which gets me out of the flow, and swipes even harder than usual. I manage to get only the sword in my right hand ready to block that blow, in which I unsurprisingly fail, for it is knock out of my grip, and I have to roll sideways to avoid being pierced by another blow.

Fortunately for me, Sesshomaru pauses slightly to give me a superior look, which gives me the time to get back to my feet. He practically silently mocks me to try to continue fighting with glare, which would be suicidal. The only option I have if I was to prevent that is to give up. However, that is something I would personally hate to do. Instead I give Sesshomaru a provoking smile, which makes his eyes narrow.

He charges at me once more, and I prepare all my remaining strength for the blow. Surprisingly, I manage to block it even with one sword, but Sesshomaru uses his strength to push me back, to the point I fell. Before I reach the ground, he disarms me, and prepares to hit me with his sword. I instinctively block it by creating a barrier, which repels his attack.

Sesshomaru jumps back with a hint of surprise on his face, and I think to myself: 'Well, at least I managed to pull some kind of resistance in this fight...'

A/N: A very late update, but please enjoy this chapter nevertheless. I would also love to express my gratitude to waistedyouth, who became my 2nd reviewer! It means the world to me! Thank you for your support!

Published: March 29, 2017