Defy

Chapter 3

Author Notes: And we be back. Already we're seeing a nice amount of tiny changes and slight details being mixed around. Now though things get real~ I do not own Nanbaka.

3rd P.O.V

Hajime wanted a cigarette. "Come on Hajime! You gotta let us enter!" The bald man was shaking with frustration as his prediction came to fruition. The Warden's introduction speech of the New Year Tournament just ended and all he's heard after that is whining demands.

He knew, oh he knew cell 13 consisting of Uno, Nico, Rock and Jyugo was going to want to participate as soon as Yamato opened his big fat mouth. The guard supervisor could only sigh as he gives in. Not that it mattered since the warden was forcing him regardless of his desires.

The bratty teens were cheering in joy at the news. For a moment Jyugo and Hajime's eyes lock, the raven haired teen smirking as if the competition was already won. "We got this in the bag~" Out of all of the prisoners in cell 13, Hajime was worried about this one the most.

Just what exactly does he desire to where he's willing to enter? "Alright guys start getting into position as we get this tournament going~" Mitsuru was high in the air, getting a good view from his little moving platform.

"Yo this is Mitsuru and I'll be your announcer for this crazy competition~ First match is-" Jyugo and the others were listening loud and clear to the rules being presented before them.

All of them had been locked up in Nanba prison at different points this year, so this was a first time event. If they wanted to win any one thing of their desire, they had to use whatever skills they possessed to win these little competitions.

Although that was a problem with Jyugo. All he was good at was breaking out of jail and undoing any lock or puzzle. Sure considering he was a criminal it was a very handy gift.

"Ohhh and Number 69 just crashed number 2 and the first layer right into the audience~" However he wasn't strong like Rock, able to stop martial artists in their tracks. "Ah! Number 25 is going head to head with Number 58 and-oh he's over powering him!"

And unlike Nico, Jyugo didn't have this passionate motivation or fascination to things to make him able to copy the movements and skills of others. "Looks like Seitarou and Number 11 are putting Kiji and his boys, Numbers 82 and 3 in their place~" And yeah he was observant.

But it was nothing compared to Uno, the guy had a good set of eyes. Able to easily observe and perceive things thanks to his gambling addiction. All three of Jyugo's friends and fellow inmates were incredibly talented.

Even Hajime the gloomy overly serious workaholic and Yamato the too optimistic training junkie had skills outside of their stereotypical reputations. They could be calligraphy teachers for god's sake! And hell Seitarou surprised everyone when he destroyed his opposing superior in Hyakunin Isshu.

"Get in there!" He was only supposed to watch and cheer his friends on. "Huh?" The sixteen year old never expected to actually get kicked into the arena. "You're supposed to be the hero you asshole!" Especially from said talented friends.

They didn't need him in order to win this entire thing. "Don't make us do all the work!" Groaning in pain, he stands up, rubbing his sore face. He sighed noting he was paired up with the one guard who he struggled working with more than anyone.

Hajime. Fricking. Suguroku. "Don't slow me down Number 15." Scowling the teen tsks at the supervisor, but doesn't bother to comment. He didn't want to win for the old man.

There was something he wanted...more than anything. He had to win this! "Now up against Building 13 we have Kenshirou from Building 4 and his prisoner partner Number 634!"

Jyugo let out a small gasp as the prisoner walked in, grinning ear to ear. "Musashi..." The familiar figure's ears perked up at his name, his sense of hearing strong. Able to easily hear Jyugo's quiet surprise. Though being blind will do that to someone.

Still Musashi was glad to hear an old friend, his smile growing even wider. "Well if it isn't Jyugo. Been a long time huh?" The raven haired teen was in turmoil. The first thing she wanted to do was smile and hold him. It had been so long, and almost took a step forward.

But then he remembered, he had to compose himself. He couldn't reveal himself. And Musashi understood that. "Well here we go guys! First one to break open the new year's sake barrel wins the match~ Here we go!"

With Mitsuru's encouragement the two teams went off, going head to head in combat. Jyugo wasn't much of a fighter, preferring to do things the stealthy way, but he had good instincts and was able to avoid Musashi's hits.

"Gonna have to do better then that Jyugo! You can't block forever!" But there was another reason why he didn't want to fight...Musashi- "You can do it Jyugo! Win us that prize!" No! He couldn't allow his past to affect his present.

If he wanted a future of freedom he had to win! "Hraaaa!" Jyugo curled his fist, his black painted nails disappearing as he goes for a quick left jab. "Too slow kid!" Growling Jyugo picked up the pace, trying to find an opportunity to get a good blow in. "Whoa look at Jyugo go!"

Nico, Rock and Uno were watching in awe, seeing their escape artist friend go toe to toe with Musashi. Not even flinching as he get's a painful punch to his stomach. "I didn't know he could fight so well!" None of them did and it was surprising.

Uno himself was curious, and his thoughts from a couple days ago came circling back. "What else is he hiding from us?" Rock glanced Uno's way. Hearing his quiet question, but didn't answer. He had no idea either.

"Jyugo...he hasn't been himself lately." Nico bit his lips as his words left his mouth, opening up the conversation all of them had been thinking and dreading. "Think he's going to book it?" Uno held his breath at Rock's question.

Staying silent a moment before answering, keeping his blue eyes right on Jyugo. "I think so. Soon. We've all seen this before. It's only a matter of time." When that time was there was no way to tell for sure. But the three were determined to talk to Jyugo after this.

They wanted to help him open up, and start revealing those little secrets of his. Because it was clear that those secrets were killing him. Despite wanting to constantly be released from chains and handcuffs, Jyugo did a pretty good job keeping himself on a tight leash when it came to his emotions.

"What's this!? It looks like Number 15 is making his way to the sake case with a hammer from our little weapons chest!" It was the moment he was waiting for, just barely able to dodge Musashi's kick, Jyugo made a mad sprint.

Grabbing the first thing he could reach for, that being a hammer. He ran, gasping for breath as Hajime covered his ass to break the sake barrel. But before he could even lift the heavy tool at his destination he gasped in shock.

His eyes and the eyes of everyone else widened as loud bang was heard. Now this wasn't the sound of one of those rubber bullet guns building 13's Hajime was firing at Kenshirou. No this was an actual gunshot.

One that pierced right into Jyugo's back. "What the hell!?" And another that hit the ground beneath the convict's feet. Causing an explosion big enough to set the whole arena in a blaze. "Jyugo!"

To be continued~

Author Notes: Well I skipped over the games, but that's fine. As much as I love writing stories based on the manga/anime, doing a rewrite on an entire scene can be quite exhausting.

Plus I wanted to make sure to capture Jyugo and his moment. See in the end we got fire, even if Musashi didn't use any~ But that's it for now, guys if you like this series please feel free to fav/follow/review as I love seeing people's reactions to my work. Tchao for now