A Shameful Win

Metal clashed as our blades collided. We lunged, parried and struck in a violent dance. We both were covered in little cuts we barely gave each other room to cut deep let alone leave gashes. It seemed like neither of us would ever find an opening from each other's defense. The dance continued on and on. Finally I found an opening and took a chance and struck, cutting deep into his arm. He roared and managed to grab my arm. He tried to get me to fall and claim the victory, but I wasn't finished quite yet. I front flipped and now I had him pinned by twisting his arm.

What I wasn't expecting was that he was going to slash my side. I cried out in pain and jumped back holding my side. I looked down and to my horror my hand was bloody. I roared in fury and charged at him sword aimed at his stomach. Of course I knew he would believe I would actually be hitting that spot so at the last minute I sliced the inner part of his thigh. He stumbled and almost fell and i would have been the victor but he got his footing before he could hit the floor. I punched his face before he rose off the ground. He stumbled again but recovered right as I raised my hand to push him down. I yelp as he jabbed my ribs with his hand. I stumbled and started to fall towards the ground but that's when he grabbed my kimono in the front and smiled viciously at me.

" If you fall now then I would have no pride when I win. Besides, I like to toy with my soon to be food" he said smiling, revealing his two sharp fangs under his glamour.

I gulped in fear but made sure it didn't show on my face.

" I smell my twin on you, phoenix hashira. I smell your attraction to him who would have thought that a hashira like yo.... " He managed before I slashed his side. I righted my self in time before he lunged at me, sword aimed for my throat.

He was pissed and I could tell because of the wild and uncoordinated slashed he made with his sword. I jumped back each time he jumped towards me. I knew what I was doing I was wearing him out. He seemed to realize that though and chuckled darkly raising his sword and pointing at me.

" You're smart I'll give you that.... Hashira " He seethed.

" You have no idea what I am capable of demon, nor can I right now. " I spat.

" All for the sake of being discovered and called different, called a freak. So, you hide behind a facade and a mask and hunt us at night. How well will that go over if you were to be exposed right here and now in this arena with everyone watching. How would you explain the flames and the phoenix that resides in your mind? " He threatened.

" I will not risk my identity being exposed not by a human and not by a heartless demon like you. " I roared charging at him with my sword over my head. I flew at him at blinding speed but before I could bring my sword down his hand grabbed my throat and the impact was so hard that my blade was wrenched from my hands and clattered harmlessly to the ground. The impact almost snapped my neck. If I could have screamed in pain I would've but all the air was wrenched from my body and he slowly raised me off my feet and I now dangled from his grasped fighting desperately for air but his hands were only squeezing tighter. Dark spots decorated my vision and my brain felt like it was being pierced by tiny ice picks.

" Stop! You Have to stop him, he'll kill her! " I heard Kiri roar.

I was slipping into darkness, and i knew much more of this would indeed kill me. I couldn't feel my limbs anymore and they slumped lifelessly to my side. I was accepting death when his hand released me and I saw him fly across the arena. I scrambled on the ground choking on the air that now forced its way into my lungs. I scrambled to my hands and knees I looked up to find Choseki hand to help me up. I slapped it away hard.

I righted my body and rubbed my neck, I was pissed. The demon knew I couldn't show my powers and he used it to his advantage but that action cost him his victory he so desperately desired. I stormed out of the ring and through the crowd who parted, knowing I was pissed. Smart choice.

" Violations of rule 28 of the swordsman conduct handbook has been violated . Due to this The Red Army Is Disqualified. The winners are the Born Warriors! " the announcer said, still shocked. His voice reached my ears as I walked to the main school building and the crowd found a way to cheer for me but I didn't feel like hearing it. I hadn't been able to get out of that death grip. In my eyes that was the most shameful win I could have ever had. I had lost, and I knew it.

' You can't be beat by him don't let him win like that, Nikku. You couldn't fight like you normally would have you had your identity to protect, and you did well. Whether you choose to accept it or not, it's your call. ' the phoenix said softly.

' I can't accept that at all, I will hunt him and I will kill him. That I can promise. ' I snarled.