I own nothing save maybe the servants, the woman, and her baby. I also make no money from this, so please read for free and enjoy.
They stopped early the next day at Gennosuke's insistence. Usagi didn't think the servants were happy about it. As usual, though, they said nothing, and their expressions barely changed. However, their usually blank faces had slight wrinkles between and above their eyes and around their mouths.
Even as the campsite was being set up, the rhino Bounty Hunter seemed to go against his earlier reasoning for stopping: being tired. He challenged Stray Dog to a spar. Usagi's gaze then left the woman and her baby. She had procured a length of cloth to carry the child in while helping the servants with her hands. They still turned their backs to her at her every approach. Hoping it was safe to do so, Usagi left off watching her to observe his friend spar with a fellow bounty hunter. His eyes widened as the match went on.
Stray Dog's style reminded him slightly of Leonardo's. The Hound did not have the solid mass of Gennosuke nor Usagi's own small height, which put his sword closer to his opponent's legs and stomach. So, his striking range was more like the ninja' turtle's.
Stray Dog was slimmer than Leonardo though. He took advantage of this by making his movements slighter than the kame's great leaps often doing little more than sidestepping Gennosuke's stabs and backing or leaning away from his sweeps. He only blocked when it was impossible to avoid injury otherwise. Usagi thought by doing so he was probably preserving his energy. Seeing the Bounty Hunter's bones poking out through his skin and clothing Usagi thought this was probably wise.
There seemed to be a great deal of patience in the Dog's strategy as he kept on the defensive until Gennosuke made a mistake. Then he thrust his sword toward the rhino's vital areas with a speed and accuracy that almost made Usagi spring to his friend's aid. Thankfully, it seemed the rhino knew his opponent's habits. He recovered from his errors with surprising speed to block the blows. Gennosuke eventually called an end to the spar. The Hound pulled back and stood watching till the rhino had sheathed his blades before sheathing his own. The opponents then gave each other a slight bow. Stray Dog turned and walked a little closer to the woman with the baby and began watching her work. He asked her a few questions about her cooking and childcare.
Gennosuke came over and sat down heavily next to Usagi before muttering. "So, you know what you're up against."
At the slight lack of breath in his words a breath of warmth filled Usagi's heart. He gave a slight smile. "Thank you, my friend."
Soon the rice and vegetables were passed around. After everyone had eaten, they laid down to sleep despite the sun not quite touching the horizon. Usagi's gaze studied Stray Dog's flat deep breathing form on the other side of the sleeping mother and child. They should easily reach the orphanage the next morning. Soon after leaving it, barring some great luck, he'd have to kill the warrior he'd only just seen wield a sword or be killed by him.
What do you think?
God bless
ScribeofHeroes
