Spy Versus Spy

Chapter Five

The eyes of dozens of eager minions were on Kaoru as she entered the fighting ring. Most wore ninja uniforms, their faces and bodies covered in black cloth. They were a swarm of bees dipped in writing ink, buzzing with excitement and anticipation of the coming bloodshed. Inside the ring waiting for her was a tall, lean American with blond hair that stood straight up. Kaoru wondered if he dropped his blowdryer in the bathtub. He wore what seemed to be armor around his waist and was armed with at least half a dozen Japanese swords of different lengths. The expression of a child in a toy store was on his face, feeling in his element on home turf. One of his blue eyes was He had to be one of the lowest in ranking. Sure, the man’s probably killed, but more than likely just to obtain or test the steel on his back. He probably tested on those much weaker to boot. He was a non-factor.

The American opened his squinted blue eye and smiled a crocked smile at Kaoru. The flat of his sword was brought to his lips and he licked the steel as if it were a woman. His eyes never left Kaoru’s frame. Her small hands showed no signs of trembling, her chest going through no unnecessary heaving. She was calm, almost serene, but The American, he was tickled pink at the opportunity to draw the blood of a woman. The name “Cho” was being chanted in the background, but soon came to a full rumble as anticipation began to boil over.
Swordhunter Cho, 10th ranked. This is whom Kaoru had to fight. For a moment, she felt insulted. First, a mere child was thrown at her as a test, now she had to go through the motions with this hatchling. Kaoru kept her disgust internal, for the crowd hushed and parted as Shishio Makoto made his way front and center to witness the fight. His head concubine was clenched on his left side, a contemptuous smirk on her full, painted lips. The woman pulled her kimono up slightly and knelt down first, extending her hand to her master. Shishio smiled and kissed her gently with lips which seemed to be the texture of number forty sandpaper. Yumi blushed wildly as their places were taken. Kaoru turned to Shishio and bowed respectfully. Cho rolled his eyes and placed a hand to the side, waiting for the woman’s brown-nosing to conclude. Sensing discontent, Shishio’s eyes fell upon his prized fighter, causing him to re-evaluate his actions instantly.

“It seems your opponent has already won the first battle, Cho. Is there a reason you show me no respect?” Shishio quizzed.
Cho gulped, for he knew if he chose the wrong words to speak, his life would be taken without a second thought. Paloma did not move, though, she was giggling to herself. What a moron!

“Shishio-sama, with all due respect, I have not been asked to bow before you unless it was a formal event,” Cho replied, his voice showing none of his fear.

“And you do not call this formal?" Shishio boomed.

“Forgive me if I have offended you, Master,” Cho said, dropping to his knees, his eyes cast to the floor. Shishio laughed hysterically at the display, knowing it was only a matter of time before this weakling was displaced. Yes, he had served a good purpose. Cho lived up to his name and acquired swords of great value, but he had outlived his usefulness. He wanted to witness the death of the American.

"Just provide me with good entertainment,” his master said before bringing a glass of wine to his lips. Yumi stood up and walked to the center of the ring, taking over as mistress of this particular ceremony. She looked at Cho with amusement as she moved the pair to the center of the ring.

“You know, at first I was rooting for you to kill the little slut, but now I think I want to see her chop your head off,” she purred into his ear.

“Yumi-san!” he gasped.

“The rules have changed from last man standing to last man alive. FIGHT!” Yumi yelled as she shuffled back to her place off the mat with stunning dexterity.

Cho immediately charged after Kaoru in a fit of anger and desperation. He had to prove himself to Shishio. Why he had to do it against this newcomer, he didn’t know. Why it had to be a fight to the death, he didn’t know. Yes, he had planned on killing her, but now, it seemed forced. It seemed urgent. His fate depended on this one match, these next few moments. And this one woman, she was in his way. Without much effort, Kaoru sidestepped the attack, causing the crowd to jeer. They wanted to see action, see blows exchanged and blood spilt. She tightened her left hand around her machete and prepared for him to charge again, this time he’d undoubtedly wield one of his swords. And, just as she predicted, Cho came with a charge attack, head on with a full-length katana.

This match should not end too soon, she thought to herself, so, instead of side-stepping again and impaling his liver, she blocked the strike head on. It was a very difficult and risky move with her weapon, but she was a fucking surgeon with it. Kaoru kicked Cho in the shin, pivoted around and struck him in the back with the butt of her handle. The man fell to the floor as he grimaced in embarrassment and pain. Kaoru stood over him and kicked him in the side with full force. He coughed up some blood, the liquid curdling in his throat.

“Is that all you have?” Kaoru taunted.

She was answered with a leg sweeping her off her feet. As the woman-fighter rebounded, Cho rose off the mat and held his ribs. Kaoru had somehow kicked him above the metal cage about the barrel of his body, causing him much pain when he moved. He would be slowed down considerably.

“Good to see dirty tactics,” Cho said, straightening his body.

“All’s fair, my dear,” Kaoru said, shrugging her shoulders.

“Yes...” he trailed off, charging faster than he had when uninjured.

Kaoru’s eyes narrowed. His determination to win sent his body over its normal limits. But, since his skill level was low, it would not be much of a problem for her to overcome. Two moves and he will be finished, she decided. No more shitting around. No more mercy, if you could call her earlier behavior mercy. Everyone knew he was worthless, even Shishio. The way he gazed on with a negligent air told it all. Yumi seemed unimpressed as well. So, Kaoru decided to end this battle with a little flare. Just as it was resolved in her mind, Cho grabbed the mid of his back and the metal around his waist began to unravel. Eyes grew wide, for this was the first time many had seen the Cho’s Ultimate Attack with his most prized weapon. A flexing blade, forged thinner than she had ever seen. Her machete was no match for the super-long range weapon. She would have to depend on her speed to get in close enough to strike without getting cut.

Now, Shishio had his chin resting in his hand as he leaned forward. It was the woman, not the dull fight that had his attention. There was something about her, something that he got from her spirit that was unlike anything he had felt. This battle-rose was more than that. He knew she would easily dispose of Cho, but not this easily. Aside from the sweep, she had been in complete control. She had a look at bored amusement on her face. She was going to enjoy killing him. That pleased him greatly. Yumi noticed the smirk growing on her lover’s face and she turned her head in disgust. She knew the whore was trouble the second she laid eyes on her.

“COME!” Cho yelled, directing the long thin blade towards his opponent, forcing her to back away.

At the last moment, he flicked his wrist, causing the tip to come dangerously close to her face. That was the last fucking straw. Kaoru held her machete so the flat portion was resting on the back of her forearm. She yelled and charged with lightning speed, so fast it seemed Cho’s blade was moving in slow motion and Kaoru in realtime. She dodged the whipping metal, blocking a swaying portion with the protected forearm. The crowd was silent as the fighter set her feet, whipped her blade around and struck Cho in the side of his rib cage. His eyes turned into colored saucers as blood gushed from his wound. The grip he had on his weapon was lost, then followed his consciousness.
“Damn, I wanted to use ‘Heaven and Earth’ on him,” she said to herself in Japanese.
Somehow, Shishio overheard her and began to laugh hysterically, breaking the silence in the arena. Attention was now on the master and he rose and began to clap. Yumi was especially perplexed by his actions. How could he have found this bore of a fight entertaining? How worthless was Cho! He couldn’t even finish off that little girl. Still, Yumi had to remember her place and be silent for the moment as Shishio entered the ring. He stepped over Cho’s body and gave Kaoru a firm pat on the shoulder.

“You must be a kindred spirit of some sort. You completely obliterate your opponent, yet you are unsatisfied...why, my pet?” Shishio asked.

“I didn’t used the attack I wanted to,” she said in a child-like manner.

“Tell me, Shinta, where did you find this one?” Shishio asked of his minion, who had managed to enter late without being noticed. Kaoru’s eyes narrowed as she looked at that man. Oh, when would she be able to have her rank test against him. The thought of tasting his blood made her mouth water.

“She is the one who found us, Shishio-sama,” he replied respectfully.

“I see. Well, it seemed that she has proven herself enough today to go up four in ranking,” Shishio decided.

“Four, Master? The others will not be pleased to learn of this,” Shinta commented.

“Too bad how they feel is meaningless, eh, Shinta?” his lord laughed. He then refocused his attention to the beautiful, playful newcomer. “I’m sure you don’t mind skipping the boring battles, anyway. I hope to see that move of yours next time.”

“Yes, Shishio-sama,” Kaoru said, letting his name roll of the tip of her tongue.

Shishio chuckled and removed himself from the mat, motioning for Yumi to following him. The look on the whore’s face was one that could murder a dozen men. Too bad Kaoru was immune. She only blew a kiss her way and gave her a wink. Yumi clenched her tiny, untrained fists in anger and scowled, swearing to herself that she would not be shown out in public by that child. Shinta saw the visual exchange and chuckled. Women and their petty emotions never ceased to amaze him. He decided he would take this moment as an opportunity to deflate the ego of the young woman. After all, she must be grinning from ear to ear after the compliments given to her by their master. Kaoru saw him coming out and rolled her eyes. What the hell did he want now?

“It seems Shishio likes you, eh?” he said, standing before her.

“Hai,” she replied without looking at him, taking off the bandages around her hands.

“It also seems Yumi despises you, eh?”

“Hai.”

“Do you dislike me, my dove?”

Before Shinta could exhale, he found the bloodied blade of Kaoru’s machete against his temple.

“Do not ever call me that, or I will not stop at the outer edge of your flesh. I will continue until I penetrate through the other side and leave your head hanging by a flap of skin. Do you understand me?” she quizzed, her tone scorching.

“Yes,” he replied.

“Good,” she said, as she rested the blade and continued on her way back to her chambers to clean up.

Shinta’s eyes did not leave the woman. She was much deadlier than she let on. Question was, why did she hold back? Why?