Sworn through swords (P, NK, IO)

Kazuo gritted his teeth as his blade clashed against Neku’s, seeing his other one raise to attack, before being swung in horizontal arc at his neck, mirroring his last attack. Kazuo’s right blade would rise to action, rising in a vertical position, held in icepick grip, to strengthen his grip on the blade. The blades would clash, sparks flying off of the two blades as this occurred.
 
Neku spoke of merely following orders, asking what Kazuo would have had him do. Kazuo’s face contorted in anger as he began to speak, pressing his clashed blades against Neku’s making sure to assert his position so his blades wouldn’t be twisted out of his hand.
”The world is not black and white, fool! Just because an order has been given does not mean that it is ‘Good’ or ‘Justified.’” Kazuo retorted, twisting his left blade as he spoke, attempting to hook it under Neku’s right blade, before jerking it upwards, which would send the blade flying out of the man’s hand. ”A real Samurai would have defended her honor despite his orders. A real Samurai would have defended her honor.”
 

As he did this (After the twisting blades passed Kazuo’s leg, to avoid his foot getting caught up and accidently cut), Kazuo would raise his left foot, aiming a sideways kick at Neku’s left hand, which would push it outwards as he yanked it upwards with his blade, thus making it practically impossible for Neku to maintain a grip on the blade.

(1394)

Neku heard Kazuo, only saying more of how he was not a real samurai, how he would have and should have saved her, letting his own life take the place of his own. Didn't this fool understand? That would have been no solution. There was no point to needless bloodshed where it could be spared. He was one that believed firmly in giving one life to save many others.

Neku's blade was flung from his hand before he could do much about it, And soon after the blade in his left followed. Being left disarmed, Neku would jump back, away from the man, trying to stall and find a way out of this.

"You don't understand how that place worked. It was either kill her, or kill more innocent people by defying their judgement and having them sic the others on me. They would have killed her anyways. She was dead either way, I decided i'd rather it be quick and painless. Is that so bad of a thing?" Neku would say, trying to justify his actions to not only Kazuo, but to himself.

Kazuo watched the man’s blade come towards his foot as he aimed the kick at his blade, disarming him of that sword. As Neku attempted to swing his other blade at Kazuo’s leg, the move would be executed, and, due to his failure to compensate, he would lose his other blade. Kazuo now had total field advantage. Stepping forward, he would cross his blades around Neku’s neck, so that any slight movement would result in his throat being cut open.
 

”I understand how that place works far better then you do, whelp. I understand that anyone that stood against you deserved to die. They sacrificed their honor for petty coin.” He said, pressing the blades as he said this, to emphasize his point. ”And if you’re too naïve to see that, so be it. Would you prefer a quick death, or would you rather put right your mistakes?” He asked, the seriousness still clear on his face. His expression was grave, a mix of anger and solemnness.

Neku stood, blades against his throat, disarmed, and well prepared for his death. He had commited...atrocities. He knew that much. And so did this man. So why offer him a reprive? And why give him a second chance?!? Didn't Kazuo remember, that he was the one that killed the person he had loved? Why was he standing here, still alive, if what Kazuo spoke was really true...? Neku didn't understand, not in the least bit, but he would take advantage of what he could.

"Anyone that stood against them deserved to die, you fool. That's why I was forced to kill that girl...what did you call her, Aika? We all fear death to an extent, we all have reasons to thrive and live to see another sunrise. Ours were extinguished at the same time, were they not? I lived to protect and serve, you lived for her. I was forced to kill her, or I would die. If what you say is true, then we were both innocent. But if you claim me guilty before that event, then she was guilty too. Face the reality. I killed her, yes. But do you honestly believe that I am to blame? I am a monster, yes. But do you think I was the one that created this visage?" Neku would say, hoping to stall the man, anything.

As Neku made his last argument for life, Kazuo’s face would contort into rage at the mention of Aika’s name.
”Don’t speak her name!” He shouted, pressing the blades so that they drew a small amount of blood. ”I won’t stand for you disgracing her by uttering it, when  you…” He raged, losing his temper. ”When you, a lost fragment of that village yet to meet its fate, don’t deserve the air you demanded from the world to say her very name.” He continued, the blades drawing away from the man’s neck slightly.
 
”We’re not the same. I lived for something real. You served masters on empty promises and broken vows. You’ve forsaken yourself.” He corrected, his tone lightening. It was clear that Neku didn’t believe he had done anything wrong. In his mind, he was innocent, and in Kazuo’s blood needed to be shed for the offense. Revenge or Forgiveness? The choice was hard to make. What would Aika have wanted? Would she have demanded the head of this man, who acted on the orders of the corrupt? Or would she ask Kazuo to show compassion and forgive him?
 

”I… I can’t kill you. Not like this.” He said, lowering his blades, and then sheathing them. ”I’ll let fate decide.” He told Neku, pointing to the two blades he had discarded. ”Pick up my blades. We settle this like Samurai, not like petty criminals fighting over who is right and who is wrong.” He told Neku, waiting for him to pick his blades back up.

The blades pressed into Neku's neck when he spoke Aika's name. So, that was how it was. And that was this man's soft spot. Most certainly. He could use that to his advantage if he so desired. Throw sand into his eyes, anger him to the point that he would strike in rage, slip up, do something that Neku could capitalize on. But...that wasn't who he was. Neku fought for honor and what he believed to be right. He didn't fight to kill, or for his own sake. He fought for others.

Kazuo hesitated, then lowered his blades, pointing to the two that had been knocked from Neku's hands. He then told Neku to pick them up, that they would decide this like men, not like boys. How fitting, Neku thought.

Neku would slowly reach down and pick up the swords, one on each hand as before, keeping his eyes on Kazuo the entire time. He didn't trust this man to not kill him where he stood while he wasn't looking. Once the blades were in his hands, Neku would rise again, nodding at Kazuo. He had been afforded a single reprieve. There was something driving this man to not take his head. Whatever it was, Neku needed to take advantage of it.

Readying himself for another fight, Neku would await Kazuo to make the first attack

Neku did not speak as he picked up Kazuo’s blades. Kazuo had, for all intents and purposes, beaten Neku. The second chance he had given was to prove he was better then that. He was giving the second chance that was never offered to Aika. If Kazuo’s blades found Neku’s flesh once again, it would be with a killing blow, with no mercy shown.
 
Neku seemed to be waiting for Kazuo to make the first attack. Of course, the coward wouldn’t strike first. “The first to strike is the first to die” as the old saying went. Kazuo didn’t believe a word of it. A strong, constant offensive that left your opponent with no chance to react was a far better strategy. Overwhelm your opponent, and you shall have victory.
 

Kazuo would step towards his opponent, his right hand on his left sheathe. His blade would rocket out of the sheathe as he drew, making one fluid motion, a cut aimed at Neku’s throat.

(2.5 month houring)
 
Kazuo's blade struck Neku's throat, cutting across it, however, not making a lethal stroke. The man would fall to the ground, bleeding and shocked. He would not, however, die from the experience. Kazuo, of course did not know this. He simply wanted to let Aika's killer suffer. Sheathing his swords again, he clicked his tongue, stepping over the man. 
 
"Another notch on my blade." He muttered, making his leave.
 
(Exit)
 
TWC: 2053
 
2053/10,000 words towards Flashblade
 

+10 Stats