Disclaimer: See chapter one

Chap. 14

"A watcher? What is that?"

Dan was still cornered by Ryu's blade, but he wasn't too worried about it. At least, not that he showed.

"Well...I can't really tell you..." Ryu raised the blade and Dan backed up against the tree further. "Okay, okay." He sighed, trying to calm himself down a bit, "I'm part of a secret society that watches your kind, immortals."

Ryu narrowed his eyes slightly, "For how long?"

"A long, long time. It's ancient." Dan stopped talking and jovially noted, "Could you please put that down?"

The Japanese immortal considered it briefly before he lowered the blade.

"I've never heard of you."

Dan grinned, "That's the point. We observe and record, but we never interfere. You'd never be able to tell one person from another." He then turned his head to the side and frowned a bit.

"I'm not even supposed to be talking to you about this."

Ryu frowned slightly as well, "Why do you watch us?"

Dan hesitated. He wasn't supposed be doing this. He was breaking the most important

rule of a Watcher just by discussing this with him. But hey, not many options at this point.

"In a way, we're historians." He looked back at Ryu. "What would it be like if your life went unheard? The life of the last warrior of the Hoshi clan."

"I'm not the last."

Dan nodded, "I know. But you were raised into the life whereas Ken was only trained. In that way, you are the true last child of the Hoshi clan."

Ryu blinked, "You know about Ken?"

Dan half-laughed at Ryu's constant surprise, "Of course. We watch all of you. Especially now, in the time of the Gathering."

"You know of the Gathering too?"

Dan suddenly became solemn and looked of to the side again, "The time when the few remaining immortals will battle for the Prize." He nodded and faced Ryu, "Yeah, we know."

The two of them stayed quiet for a brief moment. Talk about the Gathering wasn't exactly a comfortable topic for Ryu, but he was surprised that Dan seemed to share it. Shaking it away, Ryu decided to continue the discussion or at least end it on a better note.

"So what happens...?"

However, his words were cut short when his head was filled with a familiar sensation.

Dan looked at him and seemed to recognize the glance.

Immortal...

Ryu quickly moved back to the dojo where Sakura was already up and looking out the front. Ryu did the same and saw who it was. There, a young man stood at the dojo gate, looking up at Ryu. His hair was long and a shimmering pale white in color. His eyes were partly covered by it, but a scar could be seen coursing down his left eye.

"Ryu, who...?" Sakura began. But Ryu cut her off by whispering...

"Kairi..."

1603, Tibet

Ryu strode through a now destroyed campsite located on a large snowy mountain. Walking through, he saw many fires burning the tents and many bodies littering the ground. All warriors. All dead. From the looks of it, they were all killed by swordsmen. As he continued to examine them, he felt the presence of another. An immortal. Turning swiftly, Ryu unsheathed his sword and raised it in fighting stance. Before him was a dark haired man, hair covering his eyes. His shirt was torn, showing various scars lining over his body. But seeing how they weren't healing, he guessed that he got those before he became immortal. In any case, it didn't matter now. The man was holding a sword and Ryu had to be ready.

"I am Ryu of the Hoshi clan."

The warrior shifted slightly, showing his eyes; one of them scarred like the rest of his body.

"Kairi of the Ashura clan."

Ryu blinked in surprise, "Ashura clan? Then..."

Kairi nodded, "Yes. But our duel will have to wait. I have another matter to settle."

Ryu looked back at the scene. It was clear that this one guy was responsible for the destruction of the encampment. Why he did it was unknown, but Ryu could see that this fighter was obviously pained by something. Plus, this man had some honor in that he only killed the warriors. As long as innocents weren't hurt, it didn't concern him.

"Another time then." Ryu replied, sheathing his blade.

Kairi simply turned around, disappearing into the growing flames around him.

"Another time."

The white-haired man continued to stare coldly at Ryu, "Ryu. You know why I have come."

Ryu began to walk down to the gate, "This doesn't have to happen. Our clans have died long ago, and the feud along with them."

Kairi didn't even so much as blink, "But you and I remain. Therefore, it is not over. Not as long as we both live."

Ryu saw the icy look on his face and saw that he wasn't going to change his mind.

"Not here."

"Of course not. It would be inappropriate." Looking over to the side briefly, "By the waterfront at moonrise. We'll end it there."

With that said, Kairi swiftly turned away and disappeared into the trees...

"A rival clan?"

Sakura stood behind Ryu as he explained the identity of the strange immortal that appeared to challenge him. It was a surprise to her because Ryu never told her about this.

But then again, Ryu seldom talks much at all.

"Yes. Kairi is that last member of the Ashura clan. Years ago, his clan and mine were locked in a mortal blood feud until his was unexpected wiped out by a group of barbarians. He was the only survivor. After that, he took his revenge on them but now seeks to continue his vendetta against mine."

Sakura gave a strange frown and then asked, "So what are you going to do?"

"I have to face him." he replied quietly. "He won't stop until I'm gone."

Sakura seemed to move closer to his back, but she never came in contact. Rather, she lowered her head briefly and then raised it again.

"Ryu...Be careful"

Waterfront

In a silent area of the waterfront, Ryu quietly strode in one of the abandoned warehouses where a small dock was at the far end. His blade strapped to the side, Ryu looked around for his opponent as bright moonlight shimmering in from the above windows. As he walked, he happened upon a clearing on the floor. There in the center was a dark kanji symbol on the ground. Ryu waited, know that this would be where the battle would take place. And to prove it, the presence of Kairi filled his senses. Suddenly, Kairi rushed in from behind and made a spectacular flip right over Ryu's head, soundlessly landing on the other end of the symbol.

"So now it will come to an end." Kairi said as he slowly pulled out his sword, a katana much like Ryu's, with a silver and black handle.

Ryu placed his hand on his sword, but didn't unsheathe it yet. "Please. You seem too noble and honorable to continue this. This feud can end here, without swords."

Kairi's eyes closed briefly, "What you ask...can not be done. We are immortals and opposing clans. If we are not to fight for one reason, then it will be for another." He looked at Ryu again, "I'd rather it be an honorable battle to the death than one of mere survival."

Ryu took in his words in quiet understanding. This warrior, more than anyone he met, understood what it was to truly be an immortal. Kairi wanted an honorable fight...no, he wanted to choose his own death. With this understanding, Ryu finally unsheathed his blade.

"Then make ready. For this will be our first and final battle."

Kairi gave a small smile, "Well then. Let's begin, Ryu of the Hoshi clan."

Ryu responded, "As you wish, Kairi of the Ashura clan."

The two warriors bowed to one another in silent respect. Suddenly Kairi lunged with an overhead swipe. Ryu quickly raised his blade to deflect and the blade clashed loudly. Kairi wasn't slowed by the defense and quickly lifted his sword in another attack. Ryu was impressed by Kairi speed and quickly lowered his blade to block. Ryu then pushed forward and came up with a horizontal slash. Kairi jumped back a good foot and Ryu moved in to attack again.

But Kairi suddenly bounced and jumped forward, meeting Ryu in mid air. Their blades clashed again and the two rolled on opposite sides of each other. They came at each other again and again, blades clashing through the air as they try to get one over the other. Ryu quickly backed away briefly and examined his opponent. Kairi may have a different stance, but his fighting techniques were very similar to his. One day, he'll have to find out how their clans became rivals. But that'll have to wait until later.

If there was a later...

Ryu watched as Kairi reversed the blade in his hand and attacked. Ryu quickly twisted his blade to block, but Kairi swiftly twirled and lashed out with a high roundhouse kick. Ryu was smacked hard and reeled back. Seeing Ryu stunned, Kairi quickly switched his handle on the blade and stabbed forward. But Ryu somehow managed to turn himself around in time and deflect the blow. Still turning, Ryu smashed Kairi with a backhand fist. Kairi spun, but not before taking his blade with him and curving it into a deadly arch. Ryu ducked just in time, but the blade managed to cut a few stray hairs. Kairi turned face forward and reversed his blade again. But this time, a shimmer of energy flowed around it.

"Shinki Hatsudo!"

Ryu didn't even see the energy come at him. It just appeared, blasting his hand and causing his sword to fly away. Kairi then moved in for the kill. But Ryu was far from done.

'Tatsumaki Senpuu-Kyaku!'

Kairi was blindsided by Ryu's multiple kicks and staggered back. But he never dropped his sword and attacked again. Ryu rolled away and began to dash for his blade, but Kairi leaped over head and landed right in between Ryu and his sword. Without a hint of emotion on his face, Kairi raised his blade and slashed down. But Ryu rolled to the side and moved toward his sword again. But the move was a feint and as Kairi turned to strike again, Ryu suddenly shot up and jumped over Kairi's slash and head, using his own trick against him.

Landing behind him, Ryu quickly snatched up his blade and stabbed it forward, just as Kairi was turning to slice. Ryu's blade connected first and stabbed deep into Kairi's gut while his blade stopped short of cutting off Ryu's head. Kairi gasped and his blade fell from his hand. Ryu slowly rose up and pulled the blade out of Kairi as the scarred warrior fell to his knees. Ryu stood over him, sword ready while Kairi merely bent his head down, knowing that he was defeated.

"It was an honor...to fight with you...Ryu" he choked out.

Ryu raised the blade, "You fought well. I am the one honored."

With that done, Ryu's blade came down and Kairi's head fell away from his body. Ryu moved away as the energy of the Quickening shimmered around Kairi's dead body and floated to Ryu, who had moved out into the moonlight. But he made it no further as the energy took effect and Ryu gave a loud cry. The water exploded before him violently as electricity crackled rapidly. Ryu continued to scream loudly and the water erupted even more. The Quickening finally dies down and the water began to settle. Ryu fell on his knees and his body fell forward as well. But suddenly, another pair of hands caught him from falling on his face. Looking up, he saw that it was Dan.

"I've got you."

Dan slowly pulled Ryu back upright and placed his arm around his shoulder, helping the Shotokan warrior to his feet. Ryu unsteadily made his way back to his feet and Dan finally released him when he was stable enough to stand on his own.

"That must have been hard."

Ryu didn't reply and he staggered over to the headless body of Kairi. Slowly, he bent down and picked out Kairi's silver blade. Sheathing it and holding it out in his hands, he looked at the weapon briefly before solemnly bowing to Kairi's body.

"You're keeping the sword?" Dan asked while coming near to him.

"No. You are."

Dan blinked in surprise as Ryu turned to him and held the weapon to him.

"You're a Watcher right? A historian. Then it would be fit if he was to be remembered as he is. A warrior."

Dan looked at the blade and slowly put his hands out. Ryu handed the sword to him and Dan took a firm hold of it.

"Hm. I see."

Ryu looked away, "So what happens now?"

Dan turned around as well, "Now you live on. And I will as well."

Dan walked away, but stopped before reaching the entrance. Turning around...

"See you around, Ryu."