A Contest Of Wills- Chapter 2
"The win goes to Red Bella!" The Daimiyo proclaimed.
The lady rabbit bowed respectfully to the Daimiyo then to her audience.
"I'm gonna congratulate her." Leonardo said, climbing down into the arena.
"Wait, Leonardo-san." Usagi told him, hand outstretched.
But it was too late. Leonardo had jumped into the arena. Red Bella looked suspiciously at this newcomer.
"Hi, I just want to say I really admire your fighting skill and..." He began.
He never finished what he was saying as a sword was suddenly aimed at his face.
"Do not come any closer." She said, still brandishing her sword. She held swords in both hands and was in a fighting stance.
"I'm not going to hurt you." Leonardo told her, "I just..."
"I warn you...stay back!" She frowned, not moving her eyes from him.
By this time, the other turtles had also jumped into the arena and were behind Leonardo.
"Chill, babe. We're the good guys." Michaelangelo said.
"What did you call me? Do you know who I am?" I am Red Bella. Warrior Queen and keeper of the Royal House of Hirsutia! I am not a babe!" Red Bella exclaimed, straightening up.
"Please excuse my young friends, your Highness." Usagi said, bowing to her, "They are not from this place."
Red Bella softened at once at seeing Usagi. A faint blush appeared on her face at seeing the young ronin before her. She put her swords back into her sheaths attached to the belt around her waist.
"Very well. They are forgiven. I don't believe we have met." She replied.
"My apologies. I am Miyamoto Usagi. At your service."
"You are a samurai for you carry a sword." She observed.
"Correct. I am."
"You must test your blade against mine. Call your master so he may give you permission to spar with me."
"Alas! I am but a ronin. I have no master." Usagi replied.
"That is too bad. Perhaps my father will hire you."
"Ah, I see you have met Usagi and Master Splinter's four prodigy's"
"My Lord." Red Bella bowed to the Daimiyo.
"This is Hamato Yoshi or Master Splinter." The Daimiyo said, introducing Master Splinter.
"It is an honor to meet a past champion of the Battle Nexus. I too will soon join the ranks of the champions." She said, bowing to Splinter.
"I am honored as well, Red Bella. Your reputation as a fighter precedes you." Splinter replied.
"Yeah, well, I'm the best. So is Leo." Raphael said.
"Really? Would you like to try taking me on?" Red Bella asked, taking out her swords.
"Raph, that's enough." Leonardo told him.
"What? She doesn't look so tough. I can take her." .
'''You are more than welcome to try." She said, smiling.
Raphael and Red Bella faced each other.
"Go easy on her, Raph." Leo said.
"Fine." He murmured.
The hot headed turtle ran towards her and she jump stepped out of the way. He swung at her. She ducked. He swung his sai which was caught by the blade of her sword. Metal clanged against metal.
"Hey, I promised to go easy on you." Raphael told her.
She waved her hand and the surprised turtle found his feet go from under him falling to the ground.
"I never said I would go easy on you." She smiled, "Besides, a warrior. I am heavily versed in magic."
"Neat trick." He said.
Raphael leg tripped her and she found herself on the ground.
"Mine's better." Raphael crowed.
"How dare you!" She screamed.
"You are being rude to our guest, my friend." Usagi told Raphael.
"Are you alright, my queen?" Usagi asked Red Bella, helping her up.
"I am. Much thanks to you, o noble ronin." Red Bella replied, eyes twinkling and smiling.
Usagi blushed and then took her hand in his own while bowing on one knee. He then kissed it. Red Bella blushed.
...
Deep within the shadows of the arena, a snake-like figure watched the exchange between Usagi and Red Bella.
"This is working out better than I planned. Soon, I'll have my revenge on the rat master, the turtles, and the ronin!" He cackled.
...
"You still owe me a match, Usagi. Master or not." She told him.
"I could never fight you, Red Bella." Usagi told her.
"You must. It is the only way I can marry. If any man can defeat me in a fair fight, I must marry him according to Hirsutian law."
"What kind of lame law is that? Shouldn't a guy marry you because you guys love each other?" Michaelangelo asked.
"This law is hundreds of years old. It has been the law of all members of the Royal house to have their mates chosen for them by combat." She replied.
"Usagi, fight!" Red Bella called out. But the young samurai bowed out and backed away.
"What? You do not wish to fight me?"
"I am sorry. I cannot." He replied, turning away. Red Bella looked on in shock.
"Usagi, wait!" Leonardo called out, running up to him.
Suddenly, they were attacked by ninjas. One fired a poisoned dart from a gun. It was coming towards Usagi but Leonardo blocked it with his katanna blade.
"It would seem we are even, Leonardo-san." He said.
"Why don't you want to fight Red Bella?" Leonardo asked him, karate kicking a ninja in the face.
"Because she knows I would probably win and I am afraid." Usagi replied, pushing back a ninja with his daishi sword.
"You afraid? Of what?"
"I am but a poor ronin without a master. I travel from countryside to countryside seeking work as a bodyguard. She is a queen. What could I possibly offer her?" Usagi replied, sadly.
"Don't you like her?"
"Oh, a lot. More than like I think." He blushed.
"Don't you think she should know how you feel?" Leonardo asked.
"I don't know."
"Just tell her."