The fight begins, and a blaze in their eyes appears as they prep their first attacks. There is an electric strike; the dagger of Okazaki snivels at Usagi. Her body reacts without thought. A sideways motion leaves the knife swishing by, her fist running straight to his face. He shoots back, surprised by the attack, before plowing his own fist at her. It makes contact only with her arm. She sustains it with sheer strength.


    “What the hell!?” he swiftly says before backing up.


    “You weren’t lyin’ about not holding back. You’re even stronger then I thought you would be, and I’ve been hittin’ the gym more lately.”


    Usagi returns back to her area, a good distance between them as they take in the situation, determining their next move. “Yeah, I said what I said. You better not go easy on me even for a moment, or else I’ll make you regret it.”


    Ishimoto’s eyes glare. The sheen of her spirit is on display, her aura being more vibrant. “She means business. Her aura is bright.”


    “Yeah, you’re right. I believe Kubo said that means we’re displaying more power or something along those lines?” Shoji says, his sleepiness being evasive to learn.


    “I believe what’s going on is that this is her current strength over that. You see the way she’s handling herself? It’s a lot like she did with Mr. Pond.”


    “Yeah, yeah, he’s right!” Keiko begins to jump up and down, cheering them both on.


    “Neither of you be afraid! Once it’s my turn, I won’t go easy either, even if I am new!”


    Okazaki has his attention averted before turning back to his opponent. The churning in his belly, the excitement building up as he conjures another dagger, flipping it to the blade that stands in his hand.


    “I hope I don’t cut too deep. Even if I do, I’m sure Takei will patch you up, but I’ll let you know.” He chunks the blade into a tree with great force. “I intend to make this a good one.”


    Usagi hits her boot to the ground, spinning her leg into the air. Her agile body carries with it, impressing the others who have never seen it. It is a circus-level acrobatic skill. “Good, because I’m making sure this battle is one I won’t lose. Not again.” She grimaces.


    “Her focus. The intensity. The sheer determination.” Angel is fascinated by her. She’s never seen anyone with that look in her eyes, like a cornered lion.


    “That’s Usagi for you. No matter the odds, she’s never going to back off. That can be a good and bad thing, y’know?” Shoji swiftly says.


    “Perhaps you’re right, but I lack in seeing the recklessness you all said earlier. The way she’s staring right now, her eyes are keened in, not on the dagger.”


    “What?” Shoji scoffs. “What else wo—”


    The blade shoots like a star, a trail behind, heading straight for her chest. Her body shifts to the side, her back leaned, and it passes on by, missing entirely.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    “The flick of his wrist. It shows his true intention,” she answers.


    A flurry of daggers fire at her, but each one is skillfully dodged, her body reacting in a way it hadn’t in the past. Her hesitation is lessening by the day, and her actions are more concise as she launches a hard kick at his side. He narrowly escapes to the trees.


    “Damn!” he says.


    Okazaki preps himself. He swipes at the tree, bark flying off its trunk. “You’re a smart opponent, Usagi. I don’t know if my brute force is gonna be able to take you down, so I’ll try something new.” He swipes the tree again, and with great force, the tree gives a snap. His blade cut straight through it.


    “What!?” Usagi doesn’t take this into account; the tree is now timbering down to her as she tries to react out of the way. Before she can, two daggers careen to either side, preventing her from making a clean escape. She chooses the left, and one cuts her flesh. A red mist shoots out of her arm as she grunts.


    “Impressive, Okazaki. It seems you’re using that worn-out brain of yours,” Ishimoto says.


    “Hell yeah, I am. If I’m going to win this fight, I’m going to have to be smart about it!”


    Usagi is stammered, her hand covering her bleeding wound, teeth gritted, and stomach churned. Takei can’t bear to see her friend in pain; she wants so badly to intervene to heal her, but her healing only works if she’s able to touch or get near her wound. And the fight is still on. Surely, if she tried anything, Kubo would intervene. His eyes have been fixated on nothing but them since the match began.


    “Damn it… I should have seen that coming. Why didn’t I see that coming!?” She sneers and bats at her wound. If I keep losing, I’ll never be able to save the world. We only have one shot at this when it comes to them. It’s doubtful they’ll let us live, especially if it’s one-sided in their favor. She buckles her knees quickly and then takes them apart, her stance back in a fighting one despite the blood loss occurring, slowing out her cut. “This won’t end in another loss for me, even if I have to go beyond what I’m capable of… I won’t lose even if it’s to you, Okazaki!” Her voice shakes with determination.


    “Your friend Ishimoto.” Angel catches his attention.


    “I’ve never met anyone like her. She fights with elegant recklessness. Her spirit is an unwavering lioness hunting for her prey. I must say you and Okazaki found some wonderful people while I was away. It makes me wonder if we can all be friends. I sure do hope so.” She gleams.


    “Of course, Angel. Things have changed since you were gone, but only by good means. We’ll simply add you to that equation.”


    “How wonderful.” She crosses her hands on top of one another near her hips.


    “Yeah! Heck, Usagi even said we could all go to the arcade sometime. Why don’t you come along with us, and I’ll show you why they call me the game master!”


    “I would most enjoy that, if you all choose to have me.” She giggles.


    “For sure!” Keiko confirms. Angel continues to study the fight. Usagi bats at her leg, catching Okazaki’s attention. He suspects it to be part of her plan and guards himself, trying to stay nimble if needed, but his body isn’t for it.


    She runs with one of her legs lagging behind, making the run appear unconventional, almost impossible for a regular person to pull off. Okazaki can’t tell why she is doing this. He guards his left side, the direction she is currently hopping to. Before his eyes can track, she hops to his right and left again and then bounds up into the air, her leg whooshing down, striking the side of his neck. He gasps out of breath, and he hits the ground hard, billowing dust upward.


    “Woah!” Keiko exclaims, not expecting that level of brutality. “She… really didn’t hold back on that at all…”


    “Yes, Keiko, that’s what they’ve all been saying.” Shoji rolls his eyes but laughs after.


    “I know, but… I…” Keiko hesitates, peering down at her cards. “I just didn’t truly think we’d go that far…”


    Angel shifts over to her side, a concerned look down at her. She can tell something is off. “Your name is Keiko, correct? Forgive me if I’m wrong, but none of us have been properly introduced one on one.” Okazaki, in the background, picks himself up the moment before Usagi plants her heel into the ground, narrowly missing.


    “Yes, I’m Keiko. Sorry if I haven’t actually introduced myself right.”


    “You’re the girl who was the first to take the mantel of Ishimoto and Okazaki when I left, correct?” a grin spreads across her face.