It Began on the Streets

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--: Thanks! And yes I am Pilipino.

Part 17

"I can't wait to get my prize after this," Tatsuha mentioned as he threw a katana into Ryoma's hands. Ryoma stared at him in indifference. "In a fight, one must acknowledge the challenged' demands."

"What is it?" Ryoma asked.

"I will let them go regardless of who wins this match, but in the off chance that you lose," Tatsuha faded, "you have to work for me," he whispered the last part in Ryoma's ear from behind.

Ryoma barely blocked the sword about to swipe him in half. He jumped out of the way hoping to catch some distance but Tatsuha was already in front of him. Tatsuha began to strike making Ryoma go on the defense. He was being pushed back.

"You know Anak there was always a reason why I let my lackeys do the fighting," Tatsuha said while blocking Ryoma's momentary offensive strikes, "Haven't you ever wondered why she never fought, Anak?"

Ryoma growled in annoyance before making a swipe that pushed Tatsuha back. "You have no right to call me that." He said angrily. Tatsuha just laughed.

"Compared to us, you are only a child, Anak."

Tatsuha took out his gun and began firing in Ryoma's direction. Ryoma really didn't have time to react but swung his sword to protect his body. It was a risky shield but if perfected the bullets wouldn't hit. He hadn't perfected it yet right before his Ina died. She had taught him how to use it but when she was the one firing the bullets they would always hit him but one. Luckily they were only fake bullets that it only made him sore. He just had to trust his luck on this one.

Soon the round stopped. He then realized that none of it hit him. He was lucky. His attention was on Tatsuha who was applauding him. "She even taught you that trick. She seems to teach you more on defense than offensive tricks, ne Anak?" Ryoma was annoyed and threw three knives at him. Tatsuha caught them in between his fingers with his eyes closed. "You know this offensive?"

Tatsuha threw the knives back and Ryoma knocked it away with the sword. He then swung behind him to prevent Tatsuha from slicing him. He jumped back. "You have very good eyes. I wonder what career would you have pursued had she not found you that night. Would it be archery, or maybe…tennis?" He threw a smug look in Tezuka's direction, who glared back at him.

Tezuka hated watching from the sidelines. He'd gotten a bit scared when Tatsuha fired at Ryoma. He was relieved that the bullets never even hit. Though he was still worried that something could happen to Ryoma. He wasn't able to catch on what Tatsuha's side of the deal was. He just hoped Ryoma comes victorious on this.

Fuji examined the fight carefully. He never knew Ryoma could move so fast that he could barely follow. From his point of view he knew Tatsuha was just playing around with Ryoma, testing his abilities. Tatsuha was right, if Ryoma did pursue tennis, he would've been good enough to make it through. Not saying he couldn't before. Fuji shifted a little as a blade bounced off the ceiling and cut through the ropes binding him. He relaxed and pretended nothing happened. He then smiled, more like a smirk, and looked at Tezuka.

"Ne, Tezuka, ready for some fun?" Fuji said. He wanted to laugh at the expression on Tezuka's face. "We have to wait though."

Satoshi looked at the fight looking for an opening on getting Fuji and Tezuka out of harms way. After all, Ryoma was trying not to swing or bounce off any projectiles in their direction. He did catch that opening when he saw Ryoma consciously fly the knife to cut Fuji's restraints. Now all he needed to do was wait for Fuji to make a move.

Ryoma mentally cursed as he tried to hold on for as long as he could. He knew Tatsuha was just playing with him. He really hated that. It was usually him that had the upper hand. He needed to find some way to beat Tatsuha or hope Fuji makes a damn good distraction long enough for him to. He opted to glare at Tatsuha who looked smug.

"C'mon Ryoma, I thought she taught you better than that… Or did she die too soon for her to finish training you?" Tatsuha taunted.

"Bastard!" Ryoma spat out, "You're just toying with me."

"No I'm not, either that or you just got rusty."

Ryoma lunged at him only to be knocked back into the ground. He felt the sheath of the sword press down on his stomach. He groaned in pain.

"Tell me Ryoma, do you have any idea what I can do right now?" Tatsuha asked as he stared down at the form on the bottom.

"No – gasp – but I do know – gasp – what I can do – gasp –" Ryoma said before kicking Tatsuha's legs and standing up to take the sheath only to jump, avoiding the oncoming attack.

"You really are a sneaky little brat. But tell me, how fast can you go?"

Ryoma quickly moved avoiding and blocking any attack Tatsuha was throwing at him from all angles. He caught a few knives and blocked the rest. He threw them in the direction of Tatsuha where it wouldn't hit someone. He didn't really want to kill anyone. He then thought about what was going to happen after this. He couldn't go back, knowing who he was. He'd feel awkward. He'd just find a way-

Ryoma froze as he felt Tatsuha grasped his wrist. He gasped as he felt his wrist being dislocated. Tatsuha let go as Ryoma clutched his wrist. It damn well hurt. Tatsuha did it efficiently.

"My, my, does it hurt?" he taunted. Ryoma glared at him before resetting it back. He winced in pain but it was expected. He made circles to get it back. "Which one should I get to next, your arm or maybe your shoulder?"

Before he could move, Ryoma felt a sharp pain on his left shoulder. He grasped it before glaring around him. Tatsuha was too fast. He quickly took the pack of knives from behind him and threw it in a circular wave. It was enough to distract Tatsuha for a while until he placed his shoulder back in place. He shut his eyes. This was much more painful than the wrist.

Crunch… Crack…

He's going to get sick of those sounds. Before he could move again, he froze. Tatsuha stood behind him with his back facing his and the sword against his neck.

"You know, she told me that there would be someone that would beat me one day. She said that it would be the one she was going to raise as her own. She must've had good eyes but didn't get the chance to finish yet. Do you know what she told be before I killed her?" Tatsuha chuckled a bit before resuming, "She told me not to kill you. You know, she always came to me for advice on how to raise you when we weren't working for opposite corporations. I killed her after that. You do remember the first mission you went on, don't you? Remember the man's name?"

"Kyosuke Abarashi. What does he have to do with anything?" Ryoma asked annoyed. Apparently the name seemed to catch Fuji and Tezuka's attention.

"First rule when you assassinate someone is to leave no witnesses. Remember which company he was the boss of?"

Ryoma pondered for a moment before realization dawned on him.

Tezuka owns that company.

As he replayed that night in his mind he did remember that someone saw him. But he couldn't kill him and instead knocked him out. Now that he thought about it…the person that saw him was…

He chuckled darkly at the irony of it all.

"You know, this one pretty fucked up life she introduced me into," Ryoma said coolly, "What do you plan to do with this piece of information, I ask?"

"Ah, the information is useless to me as of now. But I guess it was informative of bringing up her last moments, ne? Ready to give up?" Tatsuha teased. Ryoma used a knife to push the blade of the sword from his throat.

"Not just yet… I still have a score to settle with you."

"Already on your knees and you refuse to give up. I hope you're much better this round." Ryoma looked at him with a dark glint in his eyes.

"You wont be disappointed."

"There you are."

Tezuka watched the scene play out before him. He seemed to be in deep thought when his deceased mentor was mentioned. He wondered how Ryoma knew that name. He knew that Ryoma knew most of what his company was about. He was still trying to piece together what was being said. He was probably sure that Fuji already figured it out. Tezuka was slower nowadays.

Fuji really couldn't believe what had just transpired. It was a case that had never been solved. The police did say that the murderer had been caught but died firing back and resisting arrest. Tezuka didn't believe it nor did he. But it was convincing enough for the public. They left it alone. Fuji was surprised when Ryoma mentioned that name. By the way the conversation went he realized that the killer of Abarashi wasn't caught. What a small world, Fuji thought.

Tatsuha and Ryoma were on opposite sides breathing heavily.

"You really are here to kill aren't you? You weren't trying before," Tatsuha said.

"That's because that weakling that I'm sharing a body with was fighting with me at the same time. In the end I will always be victorious. Did you ever wonder what happened to those guys that created me?" Ryoma said an evil smirk on his face. Tatsuha knew the condition of Ryoma's mental state. He was suffering from a Multi-personality Disorder. They share the same name but not attitude. Tatsuha smiled.

"Ah, it was hard to piece together what part goes with what. I had a hard time with that. It was pretty hard to clean up all the blood while she picked you up."

"That's good. Then you know exactly what's going to happen when I'm through with you."

He was about to charge until he felt the presence trying to force him back down. He clutched tightly at his head. No! I was doing better! I am better! He told the dominant personality that was fighting back. He dropped to his knees and was taking deep, harsh breaths.

Tatsuha looked at the 'pathetic' form of Ryoma trying to fight his way as the dominant personality. Well at least the old Ryoma wouldn't let him be disemboweled any time soon. He walked over to Ryoma's kneeling form taking his chances.

"Wait! You know how unstable he is!" Satoshi told him.

"I know what I'm doing. She did suffer the same thing after all," Tatsuha replied. Tatsuha was about to kneel but then he froze. Ryoma's alternate personality was able to stab him through his stomach. He stepped back before falling to his knees.

"I finally got my revenge. You were the one who sent them after us," Ryoma gasped out.

"Couldn't resist. She gave me the 'look'. I didn't know you had it in you."

"Shut up."

Ryoma stood up as he finally regained himself. This time he was back to his old self.

"You're not dying. I made sure he didn't hit any vital organs. You'll live with a few stitches," Ryoma told him and turned around. "Release them." He commanded. Fuji didn't really need releasing. Tatsuha's goons left along with Tatsuha to fix him up.

Tezuka and Fuji walked towards him but stopped as Ryoma pointed a gun in their direction.

He fired…

TBC------------

BLK Angel of Destruction: Almost finished! Probably about two or three more chapters! We're approaching the end! Thanks for your reviews! I really appreciate them!

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