Disclaimer: See previous chapter

Chap. 7

"Ready?"

On the outer deck of the Mayship, Johnny stood in a relaxed pose, in wait for his 'opponent', who was readying himself on the other side. Eyes closed, Ky took in a breath of the fresh air. It has now been a week since he informed Johnny of the danger that waited below. Ky had healed mostly from the injuries he had sustained and was fit to be able to walk about.

However, being off his feet for so long, Ky realized that his muscles and reflexes would have softened and slowed. So, three days ago, he set out to regain his lost strength. June allowed it, but only that he should start off slow and easy, under the greatest threat that if he pushed himself too hard, she would personally chain him to the bed.

Ky still shivered at that...

On the plus side, Dizzy would probably be there for him again...

Shaking his head, Ky calmed his thoughts and focused, the Fuuraiken in his hands sparking lightly with blue energy. Slowly, Ky lifted the sword up and above his head, holding it there briefly before swiftly separating his hands, causing the blade to come down in a whoosh. Ky soon fell into stance and opened his eyes.

"Let's begin."

"Hey Dizzy."

"Hello June..." Dizzy smiled as she entered Ky's room. In her hands was a tray of food for the young man, but her eyes found no sign of Ky in the room. Her smile faltered a bit. "Where's Ky?"

"Oh, he's on the outer deck with the captain." June replied, folding up a blanket and setting it on the bed.

"Is he working out again?"

"Yeah. But he said he'd take it easy." A dark frown came over her face briefly. "Or at least he better..."

"Ah. Okay. Thank you."

Dizzy quickly set down the tray and rushed out of the room, not realizing that her tail had hit the table and caused the plate to fall. Panicked, June quickly rushed back and caught the tray before any of the contents spilled out. Placing it back on the table, June shook her head, sighing and smiling all the while.

"Boy, does she have it bad."

Clshkk!

The two combatants backed away after their blades crossed each other with the resulting clash. Taking a breath, Ky began analyzing his opponent. He had seen Johnny fight before, so he was well aware of the sword style he employed. The good news was that Johnny had fewer techniques to use than Ky did, so as long as Ky was able to read them before they came, he would be ready.

The bad news was how fast they came out...

There wasn't even a moment to blink before Johnny's sword would slash out from its sheath, strike, and then be pulled back into the sheath as though it had never left. 'I guess with that kind of speed, there's no need for other techniques.' Still, that didn't mean Ky was helpless. He had been able to read his moves well enough and his muscles, though beginning to ache, were still strong enough and fast enough to dodge or defend. It was a stalemate, but only because the two of them hadn't used any of their more powerful attacks. And since they were just sparring and Ky was still healing, there was no reason to go overboard (figuratively speaking of course).

"So, had enough?" Johnny asked, smirking beneath his large hat.

Ky seemed to take a moment to consider this. "Almost. One more go, captain?"

The smirk broadened into a grin. "If you insist."

Lightly, Johnny placed his hand on the sheathed blade and waited. It wasn't his style to charge in and attack. Rather, he would wait and seek an opening. The great thing about that was that all it took was a moment and he would be able to strike at it. And his sword could reach a good distance too. But fighting Ky... was another matter. Even though he knew the younger man was surprised by the speed of his attacks, he was able to see them and defend against them, albeit with difficulty. And to top it off, Ky could quickly move in close and that's when the real trouble for Johnny came in.

Ky didn't just attack; he danced...

It would start off small, a strike here and a slash there and before Johnny knew it, he was being assaulted endlessly and not being able to defend against all the attacks, he would have to slide away. And Ky was persistent too, well aware of what would happen if Johnny managed to get some breathing room, and acting in accordance with that. 'Guess he didn't become the leader of the Sacred Order for nothing.' Still, Johnny found himself enjoying the fight, but he was wary of Ky's injuries and didn't press.

It was just a spar after all...

Johnny continued to wait for Ky to make his move, but it seemed as though Ky was waiting just as he was. But that moment was brief and Ky rushed in toward Johnny. Johnny began to move as well, seemingly sliding across the ground as he began to search for possible areas of opening. When Ky came in close, he leapt into the air, with the momentum of his rush propelling him quickly toward Johnny and his sword coming up for a strike. Johnny slid off to the side just as Ky attacked, causing the Fuuraiken to miss him.

By inches...

As Ky flew by him, Johnny readied himself for the counter-attack. He couldn't let Ky move into his 'dance' again. Lifting his sheathed blade to waist level, Johnny quickly slashed out, aiming to disarm Ky. But Ky managed to wheel about as he landed and strike out to the side just as Johnny made his own attack. The result was both blades clashing into each other in a flash of energy. Ky continued on; bring his sword back and striking at Johnny again. On instinct, Johnny stepped back and struck out, his sword diagonal as it flew. Once again, both swords met with a clash of light. Johnny gritted his teeth from the attack and almost snarled when he saw Ky whirling about in attack again.

'Doesn't he let up?'

Once again, Johnny stepped back, this time not even bothering to attack and simply blocking the attack. The ringing of metal sounded out and Johnny pressed his sword against Ky's, locking them. The two of them struggled for a bit before both jumped away from each other. Both were breathing hard, though in Ky's case, it was more ragged. Johnny observed his opponent, feeling a bit overcome at the strength and speed Ky had, despite being injured and just recovering.

And without using any of his lightning either...

Still, Johnny could let him know that and simply grinned at him. "Now have you had enough?"

Ky nodded, evening out his breathing. "Yes. Thank you for the spar."

With that, both men relaxed out of stance and Ky placed a flat hand across his chest and bowed slightly to Johnny. Johnny only nodded in response and retorted. "Always the gentleman, eh?"

Ky simply smiled, only to stop short when he heard the sound of clapping. Turning about, he saw a good portion of the crew clapping their hands in applause. Ky was surprised, as he had not noticed any of them during the spar. But his attention was centered in on one particular figure, who seemed was carrying a slightly worried expression on her face.

'Dizzy...'

Not seeing this, Johnny waved to the women. "Okay, you've had your show, now back to work."

There were a few groans and chuckles as a result, but the crew all re-entered the ship to continue their duties. However, Dizzy remained in place as Ky approached her, still seemingly worried.

"It's okay." he assured her. "I'm okay."

Worry seemed to switch to a frown on the young gear's face. "June said not to push yourself."

Ky sighed. "Sorry. I didn't mean to get so worked up. I just..." Finding that he was losing just what to say, he simply repeated. "Sorry."

It was at that point that Johnny came up beside Ky. "Hey don't worry about it, Dizzy. We didn't go too far. But a guy has to push themselves sometimes."

When Dizzy's expression didn't change, Ky reached forward and took her hand. Bringing it out gently, he bent down and placed a delicate kiss on her knuckles. Both Dizzy and Johnny were shocked, with Dizzy immediately beginning to blush from this action.

"I am genuinely sorry for worrying you." Ky replied, rising up and meeting her gaze. "I promise to take it easier from now on."

"O-Okay."

With a short bow, Ky moved past Dizzy and into the ship, leaving a still flushed Dizzy behind as well as a grinning captain who was only moments away from laughing aloud.

'A ladies man? Who would have thought?'

"No way! He kissed you? Really?"

In May's room, Dizzy had just related to her friend what had occurred on the outer deck. Since May wasn't there at the time, she had asked about it and Dizzy went to tell her about the sparring match, as well as what happened afterward. Needless to say, May was ecstatic and Dizzy was beginning to have doubts about sharing her feelings with her friend as she continued to rant on.

"How was it? How long was it? Where was it?"

"It-it was just on my hand." Dizzy managed to answer.

"On your hand? Oh that is so sweet! He is such a gentleman!" Pausing for a moment, May let out light happy sigh as she imagined Johnny doing that to her. 'Oh, Johnny...' Her attention returned to the present and to her friend and she smiled warmly at her.

"I think he really likes you."

"I...like him too..." Dizzy half-whispered. "I feel...different when I'm around him. Happier, I think." Her gaze lowered and became a look that May well recognized as dreamily. "And when I'm around him, I always feel warm..." She placed a delicate hand over her chest.

"...here..."

May was stunned for a while, her previous ranting and raving gone as he looked upon her friend. She had known Dizzy for quite awhile and she knew Dizzy was honest almost to a fault. Yet, the way she answered her seemed to be...more than that. And her hand, placed softly on her chest...

Over her heart...

It was such that May found herself quietly asking Dizzy. "Oh my... Dizzy... Are you...in love with him?"

The gaze of the young gear lowered, both in question and in wonder. "I...I don't...know..."

Later on in the day, Ky was found on the outer deck once again. This time however, he was alone, gazing out into skies before him as the sun began to sink into the horizon. The winds picked up a bit, waving his now-mended uniform in it. Sometime during the day, Ky had found it neatly folded on the bed and he was able to change into it. He found that it was completely repaired, even the light armor underneath, as though it had never bore the tears or bloodstains that he was sure was on it from recently. And it was that event that brought his thoughts in an unavoidable direction

"Enjoying the view?"

Ky didn't turn as Johnny came up beside him when he answered. "Yes. It must be something to have a sight like this every night."

"It is." Tilting his hat upward, Johnny gazed out onto the setting sun along with the young officer. "I've spent much of my life in the skies, but the beauty of it never changes." He then turned his gaze to Ky. "But somehow, I doubt you called me out here to talk about the scenery."

"No. I don't think I thanked you for saving my life and caring for me here. I am in your debt."

Johnny almost replied with one of his usual remarks, but saw he wasn't finished speaking and simply remained quiet in order for Ky to continue.

"And I also wanted to say...that I won't be an inconvience to you any longer."

With a sigh, the pirate captain turned back to the setting sun. "So you're leaving."

"Yes. It's time."