1 Won't Back Down

"I am but a man. I am no mountain. I am only a man," Karasu breathed his mantra outward. A heavy rain was falling as he and his opponent circled each other, wetting his long hair and plastering his clothing to his body... even so, his stormy, hazel blue eyes glared toward the enemy, the man wielding a long katana. Foot steps splashing on the rainy cobblestone, heavy breathing audible even over the noises... the crowd looking on watched tensely.

In a battle such as this, things are quite unlike chess. Namely that in a fight like this, the person who makes the first move has the disadvantage... but Karasu would give that to his opponent. He lunged forward, flicking his short blade around toward the other man... who ducked and kicked Karasu backward. He stumbled, regained his footing, and resumed circling.

"I won't lose to you," Karasu called softly, just loud enough to be heard.

"May the best man win," his opponent answered, narrowing his eyes.

"No, I said I'm going to win."

Karasu whipped his blade up as the enemy attacked, parrying and blocking. In the space of less than two seconds, they become a flurry of blows, kicks, parries and blocks. Finally, with an exceptionally forceful pelt of blows, the two staggered apart again.

"You're strong!" The enemy; no, Hinata. Hinata, Karasu's childhood friend, one of his few. "However. I am stronger, old friend."

"I'm sorry, Hinata... today is not your day!" Karasu slashed; as expected, Hinata raised his blade to block, but Karasu pushed all the harder, pushing Hinata off balance, and then kicked him square in the chest. This wouldn't have been enough, but Karasu pressed, forcing Hinata to stagger back while parrying, blocking, failing to dodge...

"Next time, brother," Karasu spoke seriously, voice steady, and made his final move. He took Hinata's incoming blow to the shoulder, crying out, and put all of his own force into pivoting his body, grabbing Hinata, and hurling his friend's body over his back and off the edge, into a crowd that caught and righted the soaked young man.

There was a collective cheer from about half the audience, and silence from the other as Master Bell climbed out from under the eaves and onto the rainy platform.

"Your victory was all the more impressive given the circumstances, Tachibana. Would you be so kind as to join me in my home tonight, for meal and drink? You can bring the girlfriend who's eagerly waiting for you to look at her, of course, and I'll have a hot bath waiting for you, so that you can, hopefully, avoid getting sick."

"Of course, and thank you," Karasu spoke, giving a slow, deep, respectful bow. "I'll text my parents inside, and then come over straight from there, with Ayano if she wishes."

"I'm proud of you, Tachibana. Do hurry." Master Bell turned and hopped back under the eaves, headed for the inside of the dojo. Karasu looked around; Ayano was anxiously waiting for him, but he waved for her to wait just a moment, and instead walked across to where Hinata stood under the half roof.

"Hinata... you fought well, but I had to win."

"As did I, Karasu, there's no hard feelings at all. I hope you'll continue to fight with me, so that I can keep growing with you," Hinata spoke seriously, and suddenly leaned in, giving Karasu a quick, manly hug before backing away. "I'm going to head home and get cleaned off, it looks like somebody's waiting for you~" He turned and walked off... and then Karasu, a half Japanese, half American teenager, turned as well, seeing Ayano standing there. About to turn seventeen, she had caramel hair that hung just past her shoulders, bright, coffee colored eyes, and a proud grin on her face as she hugged him, ignoring his drenched outfit.

"You did so well, Karasu! You'll get your sixth degree now, after all this time!" Sixth degree black belt, to be clear; the highest rank possible in this school of Tae Bong Soo Do, a relatively obscure style of martial arts. Standing on tiptoe, Ayano pulled his head down just enough to kiss him once. "I'm really proud, Karasu, you did amazingly~ now, are you ready to go get dried off and go home!?"

"Actually... Master Bell invited me to his home, he wants to have me over for dinner... and, he said you're welcome to come, too. Also that I could take a hot bath there, to try and avoid an illness."

"I'll grab your bag, then, and let's go! You have a change of clothes, right?"

"Always do," Karasu answered with a soft smile. "Even on a sunny day, it'd be a bit strange to walk around in the streets wearing a martial artist's getup," he added, following Ayano inside toward the bench where he'd left his bag and umbrella. As he went, he returned his wooden practice blade to the shelf full of them.

Master Bell's home was less than a quarter mile from the dojo, practically in its backyard, and in no time at all, a very wet Karasu arrived with a mostly dry Ayano, knocking softly. Another moment, and the middle aged man himself opened the door.

"Please do come in, the both of you. I've got the hot water ready, Tachibana, and a towel on the counter. Please simply leave your shoes and socks by the door, I'll run the socks through the dryer."

"Thank you very much, Master Bell, but you don't have to go to such lengths-"

"I don't mind at all," spoke the kind man. "You've made me a very proud Sensei today, so just relax and let an old man do you a favor, today. Ayano, would you like to help me prepare the food while he cleans off?"

"Yeah!" She grinned and immediately began to throw her hair into a high ponytail. "I'll go and wash my hands."

"Tachibana, the bathroom is in that hall, to the left halfway down."

"Thank you again, sensei," Karasu answered respectfully, hurrying that way so as not to drip on the carpet any more than he had to.

The shower was delightful, if a bit uncomfortable, but he was no stranger to that. He was, after all, a solid fifty five or fifty eight centimeters taller than the average Japanese man; because while there were by no means many of these in Japan, his mother was an American immigrant. Karasu had inherited her blonde curls, which, now wet, hung a few centimeters past his shoulders. He'd also gotten her height... and because of his blue eyes, blonde hair and all around difference, he'd never quite fit in at school. He wasn't bullied or tormented, but in general, most people avoided him... not in the dojo, though, Karasu thought as he cleaned his hair with the travel shampoo Master Bell had left beside a towel on the counter.

In the dojo, people understood that size was not everything, that skill mattered above all among martial artists. They respected him as a person, a fighter and a challenge to overcome; some of them did, but in the last few years, the number of battles he lost had decreased to almost zilch. In the Steel Dragon Dojo... Karasu was just another guy, and it felt amazing.

A few minutes and he got out of the shower, drying off, then put the towel he'd been given in the hamper that sat in a corner, then dressed in his brought change of clothing and left the bathroom, bare footed.

"Karasu~!" Ayano grinned at him as he returned. The girl was just laying out a third plate on a small kotatsu table, three sides of which were situated with small seat cushions. the food itself sat in a hot pot at the center of the table, bubbling merrily in a mess of meat and vegetables, broth and noodles. "Dinner's just about ready," Ayano continued, seeming overly pleased about something or another. There was pride in her eyes, and it made him smile, bite down a laugh.

Karasu had started school at Gekkoukan High when he was sixteen, just like most of the students there; and at first, everyone had been so friendly! Slowly, though, they'd edged away from him, understanding something to be wrong with him and his past, even though he refused to openly talk about it. There was Hinata, though, and Ayano, and two others who had seen what was happening... and swam against the current, not wanting to leave Karasu to suffer alone in the deep end. It had been a welcome gesture, and in the end, worked out well for everyone.

Now, as Karasu sat down at the table with the other two, saying his thanks and beginning to fill his bowl when the chance arose, Master Bell smiled warmly across the kotatsu table at him.

"Tachibana... may I call you Karasu?"

"Of course, sensei," Karasu answered, feeling formalities in that direction unnecessary.

"Then please, Karasu, call me Issei; it is my first name, though that is likely plain to you... there is a reason I asked you here beyond hot water and a meal... but, now that the time has come, I realize I don't know how to begin. Let us eat, and then I will speak."

"Of course, se- Issei." Karasu felt awkward, using Master Bell's first name, but he ate modestly without taking seconds, then waited patiently for Ayano to finish, Issei already having done so.

"Wait here, Karasu." Issei spoke abruptly and stood, leaving the room.

"Where do you think he's going~?" Ayano asked playfully, edging closer to him and planting a soft kiss at his lips before drawing back. Karasu smiled, his train of thought derailing for a moment.

"Couldn't tell you..."

Issei returned with two things; a long package wrapped in brown packing paper, and a package in gift wrap, about the size of a book. Karasu's eyes widened at the sight; were these gifts? He couldn't possibly...

"Karasu... since the day you joined my class twelve years ago, you have made me nothing but a proud teacher. At times, people joined because they were forced to by parents, and at others it was only for bragging rights, or something to do... but you, you fought hard to be everything that you could be. Even as a boy, I saw it in your eyes; you were tired of being weak... at this point, I have no doubt that you would prove a serious challenge for me. To celebrate your reaching the final rank at such a young age, I have two gifts for you; don't bother saying you can't take them, I insist," he added when Karasu opened his mouth to do just that.

"Thank you very much, sen- Iseei," Karasu answered somberly, bowing his head and taking the proffered objects.

"Unwrap the larger one first." Karasu did, and slowly, his jaw dropped. Inside was a short katana- the length Karasu preferred, sheathed in a light, silvery gray and with a black, wire wrapped handle. When he drew the blade, the metal inside, sharp as any traditional weapon, seemed to glow for its polish.

"Karasu... all your life as I've seen, you've lived by a code, as true as any samurai. Putting your neck out for those who cannot, defending the weak, looking even those you despise in the eye, and taking responsibility for your mistakes. You do not let your emotions control you, although you could end anyone at your school's life with only a blow or two... the Samurai and Shinobi classes have long been dead, but you would fit easily into either one and surpass many... so, my favorite student, this blade is for you.

"My family, in the past, were samurai... and this blade is the style that my ancestors carry. With it, I hope that always, no matter where you are in life, you will remember your time in my classes. I also hope that, until you cannot, you continue coming to my classes; though at times, maybe I could ask you to help with teaching the young ones."

"Sensei, I can't... I mean, I don't know what to say! This..." Karasu felt his eyes watering, felt his shoulders sagging as this kindness threatened to tear down every ounce of cliche manliness he possessed, reducing him to a crying, happy mess. However, in the end, he only gave a watery smile as Ayano and Issei looked on with proud smiles. "Thank you so much, Issei!"

"You are more than welcome, Karasu... in truth, you've been like a son to me. I can no longer teach you anything, so I hope to call you a friend, instead, from now on. Now, open the smaller one." He was smiling, a bit watery himself. The taller half American did, and promptly looked back to Issei, confused. It was two copies of a virtual reality game that was supposed to release tomorrow; Sword Art Online. It'd been all over the news for weeks, there were raving crowds of teens and adults waiting for this game.

"Your father got in touch with me; or rather, vice versa. We discussed the blade, and he mentioned that he'd gotten you the Nerve Gear... and Keiko here has one too, doesn't she? So, two copies for you two to play together... it's one of those multiplayer ones." The Nerve Gear; Karasu had just gotten it. A virtual reality helmet that was advertised to immerse you in a game more than any other ever could, making it as though you were truly a character in your chosen game, able to roam and explore freely.

"Th-Thank you very much!!" Ayano buried her hands in her lap, looking absolutely stunned. "I don't know how to repay-!"

"It's fine, Keiko," Issei answered softly. "After all, the thought was for Karasu here. I know you aren't much for games... but the way you devote yourself to others... I can see it in your eyes, how close you are to snapping, at times. You need to take care of yourself, just like others... so tomorrow, this game launches, and I want you to play as much of the day away as you can. Enjoy yourself, you and Keiko both, and don't stop playing until you have to. Promise, me, Karasu; that you'll try to have fun with it."

"I will, thank you," Karasu stated immediately. It was true that he'd never been much for games, but he had just gotten a new console, so what would it hurt to use the thing? These were his thoughts as he handed a copy to Ayano.

"Master Bell; how did you get these if the game launches tomorrow?" It was Ayano who asked the question that Karasu thought of but was not planning to utter.

"I have connections; old students who work in the industry. There are only ten thousand copies set to go out on launch day, so you two will... well, think of it as a guaranteed spot in the front row of a concert."

"Thank you, s- Issei." Karasu exhaled slowly, no longer feeling tearful but still lighthearted and giddy. "I don't know how to thank you, the cost of the games isn't small, but having a blade like this made..." It matched his preferred practice blade exactly, both in proportion and weight.

"You are welcome. Now, Karasu, your socks have been dried, and are with your shoes. If you're ready to go home, the rain has lightened up some and I am happy to lend the two of you umbrellas."

"This is really too kind...!" Ayano smiled helplessly, evidently uncertain as to how she should be handling this. Karasu found himself grinning as well, shaking his head and slowly climbing to his feet. holding his gifts.

"Issei, I cannot thank you enough for these things."

"You can, though. You've been through a lot; keep being strong, Karasu. Never let them drag you down, never let them break you. Now come, I'll get the umbrellas! I want to take care of the dishes myself, my legs are falling asleep!" Standing, Master Bell hurried over to the hall closet, taking out a pair of black umbrellas. "Here, you two," he spoke, returning and handing them over.

"I'll be seeing you in class, sensei."

"That's Issei to you, my new co-instructor. Now go, get home."

~~~

Karasu and Ayano smiled downward and upward at each other, respectively, and leaned in, pushing into a slow, deep kiss. When they broke apart, there was something lewd in her gaze, and a fiery burn in his own, something born of pride and affection, of the memories they'd forged tonight as one.

"I don't want to go home without you," Ayano murmured, looking down and to the side, disappointment in her eyes. Karasu swallowed, debating. Did he tell her, or didn't he?

"My... dad is in Kyoto for business, but could you get away with...?"

"I'll lie about where I am," Ayano breathed in a husky little voice, nudging Karasu to start walking. "I'll text my parents on the way, just take me there..." Karasu felt a funny sort of heat start to burn in his chest as she nudged him again. He knew what she wanted, and wanted it much the same, but was this okay...?

Who gave a damn if it was.