“That’s not it at all.” Lilian lifted her head from Kevin’s shoulder. “You’ve got it all wrong. The truth is, I’m always scared whenever we’re in a fight. I’m scared that I’ll never see Kevin again, scared that I’ll die without fulfilling my dreams. I’m just plain scared.”
“You are?” Christine seemed surprised. “Then how do you deal with being afraid?”
“That fear is what keeps you alive in a fight,” Kevin took over for Lilian. He absently reached out and caressed his mate’s tails as he spoke, earning a soft, content moan from the redhead. “When you’re afraid, you’re more aware of your surroundings, more aware of what’s going on around you. The key to surviving when in a battle isn’t to not be afraid, but to use that fear to your advantage.”
“I don’t get it,” Christine admitted.
“Don’t worry, Christy,” Iris said. “I don’t get it either.”
“Who said you could call me ‘Christy’?” Christine wrinkled her nose.
“Aww!” Iris pulled the girl into her lap. “Don’t be like that. Come on, give me some love by letting me use the new pet name I came up with for you.”
“I don’t want a pet name! And let me go!”
Christine finally started to struggle within the girl’s grasp, but it was far too late by then. Iris had wrapped the girl in her reinforced tails, and she didn’t seem to have any intention of letting her go.
“Stop struggling,” Iris grunted. Then she leaned into Christine’s ear and whispered, “I’m trying to help you out here. You want to be with the stud, right? I told you before the meeting: If you want to date Kevin, then you need to get used to being more intimate with me and Lily-pad.”
“W-wha—”
Christine’s face became inflamed. She did calm down, however, allowing Iris to continue holding her.
What does she mean by that? Surely she’s saying that I’ll have t-to—why the hell am I thinking this?!
‘What are you—oh, nya. I see. I see. Christine, you nyaughty yuki-onna, you. Where have you been hiding this side of yourself?’
W-w-w-wha—you shut up!
‘Hmph. I do nyot know why nyou’re so embarrassed. There is nothing wrong with these thoughts. Having a threesome could spice up your sex—’
Shut up! I don’t want to hear it!
‘Nyow, nywo, don’t be such a—’
“Damn it, I said shut up!!” Christine shrieked, breathing hard as if she’d just run a ten-mile marathon in her lolita outfit.
“Christine, is everything all right?” Kevin looked at her with worry. Christine flushed, but she tried to smile at him.
“O-oh, yes,” she said. “I’m fine. Just dealing with a, um, small problem.”
“Is Iris making you uncomfortable?” Lilian asked in concern. “If she is, please tell us and we’ll make her stop.”
“Hmph! No one could ever be uncomfortable within the comfort of my lap. What sort of blasphemy are you spouting?” Iris huffed.
“I-I’m fine,” Christine added. “It’s not.” Fidget. “Like I’m all that.” Fidget. Fidget. “Uncomfortable or anything.”
Lilian still appeared concerned, but since Christine said she wasn’t feeling any discomfort, she let it go. “Well, all right. Anyway, we should probably get some sleep soon. We have to get up early tomorrow.”
“Right.”
“Hold it!” a voice shouted.
Cien marched up to the group. He hadn’t been around for dinner, which made Kevin believe that he’d wandered off on his own somewhere. The inu didn’t enjoy their company, it seemed, and only followed them reluctantly because Kevin was the person who’d defeated him.
“Ooh, great. It’s the mutt.”
Cien growled at Iris, who stuck out her tongue. Kevin moved in front of Iris, blocking the inu from making further advances on her.
“Is there something you wanted?” he asked.
Cien frowned at Iris, who grinned from around Kevin’s shoulder.
“I heard your conversation, and I cannot accept that someone who believes fear is a strength could beat me. Using fear to stay alive? Ha! What kind of warrior are you? Warriors fear nothing! There is no way a coward like you could have beaten me! I demand a rematch!”
Kevin wondered where this was coming from. It was doubtful that his words had provoked Cien into becoming confrontational. Something else must have been bothering him. Understanding this, Kevin decided on a course of action.
“Okay. I accept your challenge.”
Cien looked relieved. At least, that’s what Kevin gained from his expression before it hardened.
“Follow me. I know of a clearing that we can use.”
“Kevin?” Lilian’s inquiring gaze met his.
His reassuring smile made her relax. “I think Cien needs this.”
“Tch, as expected of a dog.” Iris crossed her arms underneath her chest. “Well, what are we waiting for. Let’s go.”
Cien stayed ahead of them as they walked. They moved around large trees and several boulders, walking ever further from New Genbu.
Christine walked up to Kevin. “I never did ask, but what the hell is this guy’s deal?”
Offering her an eloquent shrug, Kevin said, “Who can say. Inu are a very combat-oriented race. For all I know, this could be some kind of test, or perhaps he feels like he needs to regain his lost honor. Kiara once mentioned that honor means everything to an inu, though honor means something different to each inu.”
“You know an awful lot about inu,” Christine said.
“That’s because he’s spent way too much time with that old hag,” Iris declared.
“Who you’re still afraid of,” Lilian said.
Kevin, Lilian, and Christine were graced with a unique sight: Iris blushing.
“T-that’s… I’m not really frightened of her, per say. I merely don’t like her. Frankly, I don’t see how you can get along with her so well,” she said to Lilian, who merely shrugged.
“I’ve accepted that she’s going to be part of my mate’s life. If I can’t get along with Beloved’s instructor, then how can I expect to be involved in every part of his life?”
Kevin leaned over and kissed Lilian on the cheek. “Have I told you that I love you lately?”
“No, but we haven’t had many chances with all the crazy stuff that’s happened.” Lilian’s eyes glimmered like starlight. “Don’t worry, you can show me how much you love me later on.”
Kevin didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to.
“Are you okay, Christine?” Iris asked the yuki-onna, whose longing gaze said more than words alone ever could.
“Yeah… I’m fine.”
“Don’t worry,” Iris whispered into Christine’s ear. “If my plan works out like I think it will, you’ll be a part of this relationship too.”
“I’m not sure how to take that yet,” Christine admitted, for once not blushing.
“Uhuhuhu.”
“What are you giggling about?” Lilian asked Iris.
“Uhuhuhu, nothing.”
“You know, I really hate it when your sister does her perverted old man giggles,” Kevin commented.
“I hear ya,” Christine added.
“Owch.” Iris covered her chest with a hand like she was suffering heartbreak. “Now I’m just wounded.”
Christine snorted while the others chuckled. All too soon, however, Cien stopped walking and turned around, making Kevin realize that they had arrived at a large clearing—obviously the place they would be holding their…
What should I call this thing anyway? Honor duel? Spar? I have no clue.
“This place should suffice for our battle.” Cien slid into an orthodox stance, his single arm raised and fist clenched. “Now come at me. Prove to me that your way is better than our way! Prove to me that I am wrong!”
Chapter 8
Honor Duel
Kevin knew from the moment he accepted Cien’s challenge that this battle would not be easy. Th
e last time they fought, Cien had underestimated him. This time, his inu opponent was clearly pulling out all the stops. Of course, he was also missing an arm, so that would impede the inu’s fighting ability, but he already knew from experience that losing an arm didn’t necessarily mean much to an inu.
What’s more, Cien had challenged him to what amounted to an honor duel. To use weapons in a match like this would have been like saying that Cien’s opinion of him was right. Kevin didn’t have much use for things like honor or pride, but he did want his opponent to acknowledge him—no, not just him, but his beliefs. The validation of his beliefs and ideals, that was what this fight was about for him.
Air whistled as Cien threw a hook. Kevin could feel the air as it was displaced. It pushed against him as the overpowered punch sought to turn his abdominal core into mulch.
Kevin twisted his body, spinning around. He struck the extended forearm with the palm of his hand. He gritted his teeth as his hand was burned from the heat caused by the friction created from Cien’s fist plowing through the air. At the same time, he completed his spin and launched a quick snap kick at Cien’s left knee cap. It was blocked when his inu opponent raised a knee, but Kevin merely used the momentum from his kick to increase his speed. He switched feet, dropped to the ground, hooked his right foot around Cien’s left leg, and yanked.
Cien yelped as he was pulled to the ground. Yet even when surprised, he still managed to respond with admirable speed. He placed his hand on the ground to bolster himself, then he kicked out with his right foot. Kevin narrowly avoided having his face caved in by the yōkai’s boot, and even though he managed to move his head enough to avoid that fate, the air pressure from the attack still slammed into him and knocked him backwards.
Ignoring the stinging in his cheek and the taste of copper on his tongue, Kevin moved. Rolling across the ground, he landed on all fours, but soon stood to his feet when he realized that Cien was right in front of him.
The next attack came at his side. Kevin was moving before the attack was even launched. He ducked underneath the powerful kick. The wind threatened to blast him off his feet, but he held firm by keeping his center of gravity low. When the next attack came at him, a knee to the face, Kevin rolled along the ground, landed on all fours, then performed a sweep kick that caused Cien to stumble. He followed through by leaping to his feet and launching a double palm thrust into Cien’s chest. The kinetic energy that had been built up by Cien’s momentum was turned against him, and the inu was blasted backwards.
Cien skid across the ground, kicking up dirt and twigs. He fell to a knee upon stopping, then raised a hand to his chest, where two small bruises had formed.
“How do you keep stopping my attacks?” Cien asked. “You’re a human. There’s no way a human should be capable of even seeing my attacks, much less countering them.”
There was no way Kevin would ever reveal the secret to his fighting style. Only Lilian knew how it worked, and she knew only because she was his mate and he trusted her. Not even Iris knew how his style worked. Of course, Iris had never asked him about it since she didn’t care.
“If you want to know why I can see through your attacks, then why don’t you come and attack me some more?” Kevin raised his hand and signaled for Cien to attack him again.
Snarling at the nonchalant gesture, Cien had no issue reinitiating the battle.
“Is this fight really necessary?” asked Christine. Unlike Lilian and Iris, who didn’t seem to mind that Kevin was fighting against a yōkai, she was concerned.
“I doubt it,” Iris said, buffing her nails. “This fight is completely pointless, but men always like doing pointless things.”
“I don’t see how you can say that, Iris.” Lilian pouted. “You might not be able to see why this battle is happening, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important.”
“Is that so? Then why don’t you explain this to me since you’re so knowledgeable.”
“Fine, I will.” Lilian crossed her arms and huffed. “This isn’t just some random brawl. The dog is testing Kevin to see if his ideals are strong enough to withstand a test of mettle. If Kevin loses, then it’s basically validating Cien’s belief that humans are simply scum to be exterminated. Beloved is fighting to force Cien to accept his beliefs.”
Iris wrinkled her nose. “That’s so sickeningly shōnen it’s disgusting.”
“Whatever,” Lilian mumbled. “You just don’t understand how cool battles like this are.”
As Iris and Lilian began to bicker, Christine clutched the fabrics of her lolita dress as the battle became even more intense.
Kevin…
Cien leapt into the air, his body twisting like a corkscrew as he reoriented himself and extended his leg. His attempt to land a heel drop on Kevin’s head ended in failure when the young man leapt back. The earth exploded as Cien’s heel crashed into it.
He burst from the rising cloud of dust, which parted for him like the Red Sea. Kevin leapt to the side as Cien charged forward, missing him by a hair. Even though he didn’t get hit, the air pressure created by Cien’s charge pushed him back.
I see how he does it now, Kevin analyzed his opponent’s method of attack. He’s using his enhanced strength to fire off attacks at incredible speed. The speed generates a powerful force that displaces the air and extends his attack range.
That explained why Kevin’s ability to react had been hindered when Cien and he first fought. Now that he understood the basic principle behind Cien’s extended reach, he could counter it more efficiently.
I need to figure out how far that generated force extends his reach.
Kevin dodged the next attack, a straight punch, by moving his entire body out of the way. He could feel the wind rustling his clothing as the tree behind him took the brunt of the attack and exploded. As bark showered him like tiny wooden skewers, Kevin backpedaled and goaded Cien into attacking him again.
When Cien attacked him again, Kevin only moved his head, dodging with the minimum amount of safety margins needed to avoid being hit. He flinched when he felt his cheek almost cave in. Stumbling several steps backward, Kevin regained his balance in time to dodge the next series of attacks.
Kevin bent and twisted his torso. A fist soared past the place where his chest had been. He felt a strong breeze, but it wasn’t enough to even push him back. Cien came in again with another straight punch. Kevin grunted as he leapt backward. Once more there was a strong force pushing against him, but he’d increased the range of his jump and the displaced air couldn’t fully reach him.
The range of his attack depends on the angle. He can extend his attack range more from the front than from the sides. The speed and strength pushes the air in front of him, giving him an extra foot of range. So long as I avoid a direct hit, slipping into his guard should be simple.
Yet even as Kevin’s thoughts went to how he would beat his opponent, Cien was already moving.
Kevin prepared his guard as best he could, leaving small openings for Cien to exploit. Cien took none of them. Kevin had only a moment to be surprised before the earth in front of him exploded.
“Gya!”
He stumbled backwards as dirt flew into his eyes, grains scraping against his cornea, causing more than just irritation. It actually hurt!
Kevin tried to rub the dirt out, but the air currents to his left suddenly shifted, and he forced himself to ignore the pain and move. He couldn’t see, but he could feel the shift in the air as a fist soared past his head. There was no time to feel relieved, however, as a second later something powerful and fast slammed into his torso.
“Kouf!”
It was like being punched by a Titan. Kevin’s inside squelched as he was lifted off his feet and into the air. He hit the ground seconds later and rolled across the dirt. He yelped when his shoulder joint popped out of its socket as he slammed into a large rock. Twigs and needles poked his skin, some breaking through flesh, others merely scraping against him.
He eventua
lly came to a stop. He couldn’t see, couldn’t move, and his body felt like it had been hit by a wrecking ball, then stomped on by a oni. His insides were a mess. Every movement, no matter how minute, sent a lance of agony through his body.
Wha… what…
Kevin couldn’t figure out what had happened. He tried to think, but his thoughts were like electric eels, impossible to grasp without feeling pain.
Footsteps. Kevin heard them through the sound of blood pounding in his ears. He felt the vibration through his back, a heavy thud-thud that reverberated inside of him. A shadow fell over him. Cold eyes frowned at him.
“I bet you’re wondering how this happened.” He was, but there was no way Kevin would let Cien know that. “It’s pretty simple, actually. I don’t know what sort of weird fighting style you’ve got going on here, but I realized that every time you landed a strike against me, it was always a counterattack. So long as I don’t attack you directly, it seems that strange style you have is useless.”
Kevin struggled to reply, but he was still catching his breath. There wasn’t much he could say anyway. That was one of his styles many weaknesses, which his dual-wielding guns normally fixed.
“Perhaps I was mistaken,” Cien muttered. “I thought you might have been able to prove me wrong, but it looks like you’re the same as all the other humans. Without your weapons, you’re nothing. There’s no way I could swear my loyalty to a guy like you.”
Cien turned around and walked away, therefore missing the way Kevin gritted his teeth and, slowly, painfully, clambered to his feet.
“D-don’t think this battle is over yet…”
Cien stopped. He turned his head, glaring at Kevin out of the corner of his eye.
“This battle is over. Look at you. It’s clear that you no longer have the ability to fight. If I had to guess from looking at you, my attack ruptured one of your kidneys. If you don’t heal that soon, you’re gonna be in trouble.”
A Fox's Mission Page 23
