Ikaruga: ....
Arata: ......
It's quiet.
The only thing I hear is the wind blowing through trees and rustling their leaves.
"Psithurism" is what I think it's called?
Other than that the only thing I can personally hear is my heart beat.
Don't be nervous now. Hikage trained me for this day.
Kiriya-sensei and the girls are watching too, I best give them one hell of a show
Arata: ...
I take out my knife and point it at Ikaruga.
Ikaruga: .....
She doesn't do anything.
She just stands there observing.
Arata: ....So I take it you want me to make the first move?
Ikaruga smiles.
Arata: ...Here I go...
I stare at her.
Ikaruga: ....
3...
Arata: ....
2....
Everyone: ....
1!
Pshh..!
Ikaruga: eh!?
Asuka: W-Where did he go?
Ikaruga: ....? Ah...!
Shing...!
Ikaruga blocks my slash with her scabbard.
Arata: ...Tch...!
Ikaruga: Damn...!
I sweep Ikaruga-senpai's legs causing her to fall to the ground.
Ikaruga: Kyaa!
Before I could strike she evades and gets up.
Katsuragi: Wow! He almost got her!
Ikaruga: I see you've gotten better.
Arata: Glad to hear it.
I get into a fighting stance.
Katsuragi: huh...? Isn't that similar to Hikage's stance...?
Yagyu: Well she did train him...
Katsuragi: Yeah I guess that makes sense.
Ikaruga gets into her stance as well.
Arata: I will win today!
I slash at her relentlessly.
Ikaruga: kghh...! (Damn...! I'm barely blocking his slashes.)
This is...! Taking a lot of my stamina.
I distance myself from Ikaruga.
Ikaruga: Hiyah!!
As soon as I land, Ikaruga proceeds with her Assault.
Arata: oh shit...!
That was way too close!
Kiriya: ....
Asuka: Sensei?
Kiriya: hmm? Sorry, I was thinking about something.
Asuka: oh?
Kiriya: Do you think it's possible that Arata-Kun can...
Hibari: ...? Can what?
Kiriya: .......Nothing, Just a theory I'd rather not share for now.
Arata: *Pant* *Pant* ....
I wipe the sweat off my chin.
Arata: .....
Ikaruga: ....
She's starting to get tired. That makes me feel a little sense of accomplishment but we're not out of the woods yet.
Arata: Senpai, are you still good to go?
Ikaruga: I should be asking you that.
Arata: H-Heh...! I can do this all day. Hmph!
I throw the knife at her.
Ikaruga: Tch...!
Shing...!
She parries my attack.
My knife flies into the air.
Arata: I'M NOT DONE YET!!!
I sprint towards Ikaruga.
I grab the knife.
Ikaruga: Ah...!
Arata: Hah!
Kiriya: Enough!
Arata: ....
Ikaruga: ....
My knife was inches away from Senpai's stomach.
Kiriya: ....Arata is the winner.
Arata/Ikaruga: ....
Everyone: .....
Arata: ....I...won?
Asuka: You....Arata You won!!
Everyone gathered around me and Ikaruga.
Yagyu: You did it Arata.
Hibari: You actually beat Ikaruga!
Katsuragi: That was so cool! I never woulda' thought you'd ACTUALLY beat her.
Ikaruga: .....I...lost? To...Ara-chan?
Kiriya: ....? Ara-Chan?
Ikaruga: *Blush* eh!? Sorry Sensei, phew...that was a shock, looks like I need a lot more training if I lost to a newbie.
Kiriya: ....No. You didn't lose because you lack training.
Ikaruga: eh?
Kiriya: Arata....it was as if I was watching Hikage herself on the battlefield...
Ikaruga: what does that mean?
Kiriya: ........Just a theory... Don't mind me. Don't you have something to say to...uh..."Ara-chan" was it?
Ikaruga: *Blush* Please forget about that!
Arata: Senpai I won!
Ikaruga: Y-Yeah, Don't rub it in please.
Arata: ...
I bow to Ikaruga.
Ikaruga: What are you-?
Arata: Thank you for not holding back. I still have a long way to go, so please continue training me.
.....
........
............
Ikaruga: ....Yeah, Of Course I'll keep training you.
Katsuragi: Oi oi, You can count on us too ya'know.
Asuka: Yup, let's work hard together!
Yagyu: I...*Blush* I would like to train you as well.
Hibari: Yup yup, let's train together Sakamachi-kun
Kiriya: .....
Arata: Sensei? What's wrong?
Kiriya: O-Oh nothing, just impressed is all.
Later that night...
Arata: *Sigh* I'm so tired...
Yagyu: Well you did just have a duel with a senior, I wouldn't be surprised if you passed out.
Arata: Right? Pretty sure If I close my eyes I WILL pass out.
Yagyu: You should get some rest.
Arata: Waaaay ahead of you....
...
......
..........
Yagyu: ....
______________
He's asleep.
Yagyu: Now then...
I jump out his window.
Yagyu: It's not nice to snoop.
"Hoh...? How long have you known I was out here?"
Yagyu: For a while now.
Tall...black hair... looks to be about the same height as Arata.....could he possibly be a student....
He's also wearing...that...
Yagyu: I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
"I was about to, There's really not much information I can get when he's sleeping."
Yagyu: Information? You're not here to kill him?
"Well I can but I wouldn't gain anything by doing so."
Yagyu: ...?
"Don't lump me in with those idiots who are trying to kill him. I'm not scared of the "Prophecy", it didn't state that I would die or anything"
He starts walking in the opposite direction.
Yagyu: ....
"....ah....but if he does get in the way of MY goals....then I might just have to get in the way of His."
He disappeared into the night.
Yagyu: .....
To be continued...