Chapter Ten
Chimei-Tekina Kage No O O Mukaeru! [5]

"Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base. All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty. Duty is the essence of manhood."

- George S. Patton

Tamaki and Kyouya stood directly across from each other, waiting for the other to move first.

At the exact same moment, Kyouya drew his pistol as Tamaki threw a kick to his head. Kyouya ducked, and aimed a blow to Tamaki's head with the butt of the pistol. The hyperactive blond ducked, flinging the upper half of his body to the ground, landing on his hands, as his legs twisted in a semi-circle. Kyouya leaned back, the toes of Tamaki's shoes just missing his glasses.

Tamaki righted himself, running back at the Shadow King with another kick. He dodged it again and shot at the ground near Tamaki's feet. The nobleman leapt into the air, bending his elbows slightly as he aimed a spin-kick at Kyouya's back, effectively sending him flying.

But the dark haired boy wasn't through yet. He rolled as Tamaki landed next to him, cocking his pistol and aiming it at the blond's legs.

Bang! Bang!

He missed, Tamaki spinning out of the way just in time. He dug one heel into the ground, spinning in a complete circle as he lashed out with a navy blue clad leg. Kyouya saw the kick coming, and ducked, but didn't see the other in time. Tamaki used his momentum to lift his other legs from the ground, crashing it into Kyouya's jaw.

"Damn," the dark haired boy growled, spitting out a mouthful of blood. He pulled out a bar from his coat pocket, attaching it to the pistol with a click. He leapt back up, using the now bo staff shaped gun to attack, swinging the butt at Tamaki.

The blond caught the gun part with his hands, sliding back with the force of the swing. He threw his leg up, kicking the staff away so it wasn't pointing at him anymore.

"Tamaki!" He glanced over at an axious Haruhi standing with the rest of the crew. "Finish it already!"

He nodded, turning back in time to duck another swing from Kyouya. He roundhouse kicked the staff away, firing a barrage of rapid kicks at Kyouya's face. The bespectecled boy blocked them as best he could with his arms, but he was fighting a loosing battle. Legs held much more strength than the arms did.

He spun around, looking for his staff.

There!

He dived for it, grabbing it and bringing it up just in time to stop Tamaki's foot from coming down on his chest.

"Give up," the blond panted, glaring at the Shadow King.

"And let you win?" he gasped back, wincing as the pressure on his chest increased.

"Tamaki! Let him up! You've won, we can leave." Tamaki stepped back, watching the dark haired man climb to his feet, before walking over to te rest of the crew.

"I've never seen you lose to anyone before, sir." A man with long greying brown hair said, bandaging Kyouya's chest. The latter was silent. "You should go with them."

"Pardon?" Kyouya asked, looking at the man with flashing glasses. The older man smiled, handing Kyouya his shirt.

"They seem like an alright bunch," he reasoned. "You'd be happy with them." They studied each other for a long time.

"I see," Kyouya said finally, pulling on his shirt and buttoning it up. "They do have a debt to pay, and I intend on getting my money."

He walked out the door, closing it behind him.

"Good luck," the man whispered, smiling out the window at the bay.

"It won't make it," Haruhi said, looking at their rundown boat. She was once more dressed in her pirate attire, having given back the golden dress.

"I was afraid of that," Ritsu said, laying face down in the sand.

"Don't worry captain," Kaoru said, trying to cheer him up. "The boat may be worthless, but we've still got the treasure."

"You're right!" Ritsu said, beginnning to pick his head up out of the sand. "We've still got the treasure!"

Crack!

The Boija split in two with a sickening crunch.

"Uh," Kaoru said, watching it sink.

"We're doomed," Ritsu sobbed, dropping his head back into the sand.

"That ship and all its accesories belong to the Ootori Empire now," a cool voice said. They turned to find Kyouya watching them. "I can give you another ship."

"What's the catch?" Haruhi asked wairily.

"I come with you to collect payment and to make sure that the Umi Suraisa (Sea Slicer) is kept in good condition." Ritsu contemplated this.

"Well, there's no other way off this damned island." he sighed, picking himself up. "We accept."

"Good," Kyouya said, smiling a pleasantly evil smile.

"Where is it?"

"Right there," he said, pointing out to a grad ship waiting out in the water.

A/N: Does anyone recognize Tamaki's fighting style? It originated from all of his Tama-chan Kicks from the series, but his respect for women and the leg-centered technique is derived from another blond. . . And we inserted some bloopers from Arc One.

Next Arc: With the Chimei-Tekina Kage No O O Mukaeru! (Meet the Deadly Shadow King!) Arc finished, a new one begins!

After the crew and their new ship dock for more supplies, strange happenings occur on board. Suspicions arise between the crew members and everyone is on edge. Just what is happening? Find out next time!