Liberty is always unfinished business.


(Welcome, Keiko… how wonderful to see you again.)

(Same to you.)

"Are you insane, Keiko?!"

(Completely. A sane woman wouldn't be in this mess.)

(…En garde.)

(Allez!)

The fight began on Keiko's snarl, and was one sided to the extreme. The dark one was utterly fast, and Keiko's own rush was the only thing that checked him. But not forever.

(This fight is getting interesting! Maybe this will be fun!)

(Only I would think that, idiot!)

The dark one launched an attack, and skidded to a halt. Keiko tried to use Inferno, but the dark one blocked her.

(Not. So. Obvious.)

(Don't be such a cheater!)

The dark one tried his own technique. Keiko felt it coming, and blocked him.

(Now who's the cheater?)

(Mind your own business!)

The dark one wheeled in, and leaped to the ceiling. He charged directly into Keiko, and she had to hit the ceiling to dodge the attack. She dislodged a slip of paper.

"Veil of Mist!"

(What? No!)

"Keiko. Draw two Power Slashes in one stroke!"

Keiko did so, wondering what would happen. A veil of mist occupied the arena, and the dark one slowed down. Four chilly chimes played, and the mist lifted.

"Issun described the technique as 'bending time to [your] will.'"

(Slow… time? Wicked! Now I can kill things much faster!)

"Unbelievable. Unbelievable. At a time where your chances of losing are greater than five, you think about your next billion fights?"

(What? What's wrong with felling a thousand beasts?)

Keiko slowed time to a crawl again. She leaped into the air, and slammed directly into the dark one.

(Yelp…)

(Wait… oh no… that cry sounded familiar…)

"What?"

(…Nothing…)

Keiko lay down a combo attack with the Thunder Edge. The dark one heeled, and fell onto his side. He shifted into his human form.

(…I felt it… but I acted too late…)

"Don't blame yourself, Keiko. The fault lies with the oni."

(But… I can't…)

"Keiko… you must… for me…"

"Keiko, who exactly is this?"

(Naoko… my old friend.)

"Listen… Keiko… the other one… his name is Yasha… I need you to take him on…"

(OK… I think I can…)

"Keiko, have you gone soft?"

"Well, I like this new Keiko…" It was Karin. She'd come to Ezofuji.

(KARIN!" Keiko cheered, returning to human form.

"Warn me when you do that!"

"Sorry!"

"I regretted not coming here once I made the decision. So I got some backup as apology."

"Tetsu?"

"Who else?" Tetsu had emerged from behind Karin, and gave Keiko a firm handshake.

"We take on Yasha… together?"

"Definitely. But first…" Karin threw a slip into the air. It swung around, and hit Naoko in the chest. He stopped breathing.

"Karin?"

"Better a quick death than a long and painful one."

"Oh."

watch?v=n4iPwTsvU20

Yes, I know links don't work. But this link inspired the story. Cut it some slack.

Credit to SuriOokami for... let's just say providing the song.

Leap before you think!