Chapter 11
The sound of two wooden swords striking each other echoed throughout the courtyard.
Bah… hah… hah… I'm so out of shape… The wood sword felt heavy in her hands. The Vaporeon was going easy on her; she could feel it. Maybe a few years back, I could beat him. But not now! EEP! She narrowly blocked a leg attack.
"Come on Koyuki… an 8 year old could have done better…" he teased.
"Shut up! I'm out of shape! An 8 year old probably could beat me!"
"Koyuki… I'm sorry…" He tossed his sword into the snow. "That was mean."
"No! No need to apologize to me! I'm just frustrated…"
"I… uh, oh. Alright then. Let's try again."
His left leg is moving… perfect. Jab strik- wait, what?! Shit!
She rubbed her sore arm angrily. "Stop hitting me! I'm out of practice! You practice 24/7!"
"You've got to get better!" he hissed. "Work harder!"
"Why are we doing this? I quit because I nearly killed somebody!"
"You're ridiculous! You wanted to help me when you can't even hit somebody?!"
"Ryujin?! What's your problem?" He picked up his sword and walked back into the temple without speaking. What an asshole… gee, what's up with him? For the first time, she was upset at him. "Why did you get upset so quickly, Ryujin?" She felt awful. Did I do something to anger him…? But what? She sighed. "I'm sorry… for whatever I did…" Should I apologize? But… no… if I do that, he wins! I can't let him beat me when I did nothing wrong! Fine! I'll talk to him! But not now… still…
She walked back inside and sighed. Candles lit up the wooden halls, since there was no electricity. The wood floor creaked with each step she took, and she remembered how creepy it had been to live here. Her mother wasn't around, and she saw no sign of Ryujin other than his shoes. She carefully walked around the temple, looking for either of them until she came to her room. She lay down on her futon, and exhaled loudly. "It's been awhile since I've been here…" The last time she had laid upon this bed had been that day… the day she murdered a fellow combatant. She didn't want to think far back. Her little Leafeon doll named Daisy was still next to the futon. She patted the head of her doll. "I didn't want any of that to happen. You're the only one who gets me, Daisy…"
"Umm, Koyuki dear? Have you seen your boyfriend?"
"Gah! Mom?!"
The older Glaceon stood in the doorway. "Yeah. I can't find Ryujin… did you anger him?"
"H-how did you know?!"
"I saw him walk past angrily. He was headed to the town."
Koyuki was quiet. "I should just leave him. He was angry that I couldn't keep up with him." But why…?
"That's all? I think you should go talk to him. He seems mature… but men do make rash decisions when upset."
"I… Ryujin wouldn't do that!" But she sighed. "So be it." She pulled herself to her feet. "I'll go get him."
"Koyuki… be careful. There have been some mafia members hanging out around the town. Just… don't get in trouble." He mother kissed her on the cheek. Koyuki reached under the futon to pull out her old birthday present; the Nevermeltice blade passed from her parents. Her sister had one too, but it was longer and heavier. Koyuki got dressed in their traditional white kimonos. They had pretty blue flowers dotted on them.
She stepped out into the cold air that she loved. A little ways down on a hill, the lights from the village glowed in the darkness. She clipped the sheathe to her side and walked down the snowy hill. It was hard to see, so she had to squint to avoid trees. I need to conserve my phone's battery… Finally, the lights became bright enough. She stepped into the main stone path, lined with houses. This village had somehow evaded most modernization; a few houses had electricity, but it was quite quaint and bland to her. Which also factored into why she wanted to leave. Many of the vendors along the street would gently bow to her; she was known to be the child of the temple owners. She smiled at them, but knew she had to find Ryujin.
Koyuki looked through the different stands, hoping to find the Vaporeon, but she couldn't see any water types even. She asked around, but nobody had seen any Vaporeon. When she was looking through one crowded stand, she felt a shiver run through her body. She turned around. N-no way! It was the cloaked figure who had attacked Ryujin at the masquerade. She felt it looking straight at her despite the fact that she couldn't see his eyes. She rested a hand on hilt of her blade. She turned around quickly to check one last time, then looked back at the figure. He slowly walked to a small rock garden at the edge of the forest and town and looked away from her. She slowly walked next to him.
"Who are you?" she whispered. "Did you kidnap Mitsumi?!" she asked more angrily.
He pulled his cloak back. "Koyuki."
"Ryujin?! I th- I thought you were the cloaked Pokemon!"
"I bought this cloak since I was cold." He smiled slightly. "Look, I'm sorry for losing my temper earlier. Can you forgive me? I was a real jerk…"
"O-of course!" she looked away, embarrassed by the way he was looking at her.
"You look pretty in traditional clothes," he said.
She blinked. "Wait, wh-" He was already walking away. She felt her face turn slightly red.
"Koyuki, could you show me around here?"
"Y-yes!"
The two of them walked through the town. The Vaporeon walked next to her. She was so nervous… the two of them walking alone… but it was different from earlier. He had specifically asked her to show him around!
"I'm really sorry about getting mad at you," he began again, without looking at her.
"Please stop apologizing… you're making me feel bad!"
"It's just…" He stopped and looked at her. "I don't want you to get hurt. Or anyone for that matter. That's why I think you need to defend yourself."
She looked at him with a face she imagined to be pretty shocked. "O-okay…" she squeaked. Oh god, how do I respond to that? "I… I think you need to protect yourself too…" Wait, I'm saying he's weak?! No!
He frowned, and she flinched internally. Then he patted her on the shoulder. "You're right. I have to protect myself too."
She smiled. "Would you like to get something to eat? My mom is cooking, but…"
"Alright then. Maybe we could get some sweets… I heard you like chocolates."
"Eh? From who?"
"Rin. Although it's pretty clear… I… found your chocolate stash under your bed when I was cleaning…"
"Gah! You were in my room?!"
"Saki gave me permission. Remember the day we cleaned?"
"Yeah… we went to the movies and Yusei and Kousei helped you right?"
"Yeah, that day. We-"
"Koyuki… who is this boy?"
They both turned to the side. Koyuki gasped. "Dad?!"
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"Who are you?" Koyuki's dad glared at Ryujin from across the table.
"Dad, this is Ryujin. He's a friend from school."
"A boyfriend?"
"N-no! No way!"
"Hmm… you say Ryujin. Too bad he's not that kendo boy… if you'd continued, you could be at his level. He could probably help you more than I could."
Koyuki started speaking. "Uh well, you see…"
"Ryujin Rakachi? The kendo champion? Yeah, the same name and species. But he's supposed to be really good right?" The Vaporeon shrugged.
"Really good? He's dominated every age group for the past 5 years!"
"Yes… I certainly aspire to be like him someday. I'm a mere student."
"So what are you doing here with my little Koyuki? Planning to do evil things to her?"
"Dad! Calm down… he's…"
"No. I'm just her dorm head. I was assigned to take care of her over winter."
"Isn't it a little early for break…?" ventured Koyuki's mother.
"Koyuki wanted to visit you guys." Ryujin crossed his arms. "I'm just keeping an eye on her."
"Hmph. You sure seem cocky for a guy with nothing special." Her dad looked ready to explode.
Ryujin sipped tea calmly. "Mr. Matsuchi, the nationally known kendo teacher… I'm nothing compared to you."
Her dad clenched his fist. "Out of here, you!"
The Vaporeon shook his head. "I can't. I'm responsible for Koyuki."
In a heartbeat, her father reached to his side and pulled out his wooden sword. "Cocky little fuck! Leave my daughter alone!"
"Dad…" gasped Koyuki.
The Vaporeon didn't move to reach his sword, but just held his arm up. He flinched when it connected with a painful thud.
"Stop it!" shouted Koyuki's mother. "Leave the poor boy alone! When we started dating, my dad was nothing like you!"
"THEY'RE DATING?!"
"N-no!" squeaked Koyuki, but she was interrupted by her mother.
"YEAH! THEY MAKE A CUTE COUPLE TOO!"
Koyuki's dad took another slash at Ryujin. This time, the Vaporeon pulled his sword strapped to his back and blocked it. Her dad's eyes became big. "You blocked it? But how?"
Ryujin handed her dad his wooden sword. "This was a gift from my father."
It had his name sketched into it. "Rakachi… Ryujin… gah! Wait, you're the kendo prodigy?"
The Vaporeon sighed. "I'd been hoping to keep it secret, but yes… I am in fact Ryujin Rakachi."
"Ah… I…" Her dad crossed his arms. "Hmph. I can't believe I didn't recognize you."
"I'm sorry, Yakeru sensei." The Vaporeon bowed slightly. "It's been awhile since I've seen you at tournaments. I didn't have my glasses then."
"Yeah, I can tell. You've become quite mature looking compared to the little boy back then. Your sword skills have gotten exponentially better from what I've seen. In that case… I've got no problem with you staying here with Koyuki. You should have a good influence on her."
"I hope so… thank you very much."
"Hmm… I guess I'd be okay with you hanging out with Koyuki…"
"Just like that?" groaned Koyuki.
"Of course. Any skilled swordsman will have the honor never to touch a lady unless she asks."
He looked at Koyuki who put her hands up. "I-I'm-I wouldn't ask! Don't worry!"
"You better not… nobody will touch my daughter…" grumbled Koyuki's dad. His eyes glinted dangerously. "Even you, Ryujin."
Next time… well, just wait and see! Read and review; please! :3