An Assassin's Respite

After Their Battle

Kagura wakes up in the medical ward of the stadium. She sits up groggily and notices someone sitting next to her. 

“Oh, you’re finally up.” Kazuna says. 

“Kazuna?” Kagura says surprised. “What are you doing here?” She asks. 

“Obviously to come and visit you, idiot.” He replies. 

Kagura grabs her blanket and blushes. “Oh. Th-Thanks.” She replies shyly. She tightens her grip on her blanket. “U-Um, why did you help me out in our fight. It would have been easier if you just let me be.” Kagura asks. 

Kazuna extends his arm and lightly flicks her on her forehead. “i***t. Obviously, I wouldn’t want to fight someone when they weren’t at their best. And... I guess I couldn’t watch a friend struggle..” Kazuna answers while leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes.

Kagura smiles widely at Kazuna’s answer. “Thank you.” She replies while blushing. 

“For what? I hear that that’s what friends do.” He replied. 

“Well, I’ve never had a friend that did so much for me. So, once again, thank you very much.” She says facing Kazuna. 

“Fine. You’re welcome.” He replies.

“So, who will you be facing in the next round.” Kagura asks. 

“Someone from FA. Although it won’t be much of a match.” He answers confidently. 

“Yeah. You’re probably focusing on Usagi though aren’t you?” Kagura implied. 

Kazuna sits up and his face turns serious. “Honestly, I’m not certain that I can beat him.” He replies. 

“He’s that strong?” Kagura asks. 

Kazuna nods his head. “Yeah, at least that’s what it felt like.” A silence passes through the room after that statement when there's a knock at the door and Shiba and the rest of their classmates burst into the room. 

“Heyyy Kagura.” Matt starts. 

“Hey, Matt.” Kagura answers. 

“That fight was amazing.” Emiko shouts excitedly. 

“Yeah, it was really good.” Shiba agrees. 

“You’re stronger than I thought.” Juro adds. Kagura’s face turns red at all the compliments. 

“I’m glad you weren’t my first fight.” Chiyo states. 

“What, are you saying it’ll be easier to beat me?” Haruna asks. 

“W-W-Well n-no that’s not exactly what I was trying to say.” Chiyo stammers. Everyone laughs and the serious tone that was there before they all entered was gone impressing Kazuna at their ability to lighten the mood.

Suddenly a voice can be heard over the intercom. “Both fighters for the fourth match are to head to the arena at once. I repeat both fighters for the fourth match are to head to the arena at once.” The intercom turns off. 

Chiyo and Haruna look at each other before Chiyo addresses their classmates. “Well, I guess we’ll be heading out.” Chiyo says. 

“We’ll be cheering for the both of you.” Kagura states. They both smile and exit the infirmary. 

“We should all head to the stands as well.” Shiba says as he exits. Everyone else follows leaving just Kazuna, Kagura, and Matt in the room. 

“So Kagura, do you think you’ll be able to go view the match?” Matt asked. 

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” She replies. 

She gets out of the bed and heads towards the stands with Kazuna and Matt after she changes.

When they reach their box Chiyo and Haruna are both on the stage. “Looks like we made it just in time.” Kagura points out. 

“Yeah.” Kazuna says. Shiba notices them approaching and waves them over. 

“Hey Kazuna, who do you think is going to win this match?” Shiba asked as Kazuna, Kagura and Matt sat. 

“Hmm… probably Haruna. She can use Chiyo’s power against her by changing her water into ice. Chiyo's best bet would be to win the battle with her first couple of attacks. It’d be different if Chiyo could raise the temperature of her water but unfortunately, that’s not the case.” Kazuna replies. 

“Oh, I see. I thought Chiyo had the advantage due to her attacks being more powerful.” Shiba responds. 

“Although that's true, she hasn't been able to increase the speed at which her water can move so Haruna should be able to defend against her attack for long enough to turn it into ice.” Kazuna says. “But, she can still win as long as she doesn’t allow Haruna to dictate the fight.” He adds. 

“Your pretty smart for someone so dense.” Haruka says. Everyone starts to laugh. 

“Huh.” Kazuna says with a confused look. 

“Everyone the match is starting.” Kagura says. They all go silent and direct their attention to the fight. The two girls clash with water and ice creating a frost around the stadium and sending chills down everyone's spines. 

Meanwhile, an important meeting was taking place between Japan’s strongest warrior Yuu and the principle of GA. 

“You continue to surprise me Asuka.” Yuu says to the principal. 

“Whatever do you mean.” She asks ironically. 

“You know exactly what I mean. You let that boy into your school.” He clarifies while eating an apple. 

“Oh, that.” She answers as if she just got what he was talking about. “Well, my job is to nurture children for the future. So seeing that boy beg me to let him into my school, well I couldn’t just go and say no.” 

“But to allow him to skip the entrance exam.” Yuu replies. 

“He clearly had the ability and intellect to enter the school. It would have been a waste of everyone’s time.” She answers. “What has led to you taking an interest in Kazuna?” She asks. 

“I know who the boy really is. I knew the second I saw him. Of course I would take an interest. I’m sure you know the trouble that surrounds him.” Yuu states. 

“Not exactly, but I do have a pretty good idea. But that just makes it all the more important to take him in so I can keep an eye on him. Also, the very idea of him possibly becoming an asset to Japan is well worth all the risks.” She answers. 

“Worth the risk to your students?” Yuu asks. 

Asuka’s face tightens at the implication that she doesn’t care for her students. Her face loosened as she prepared to answer. “I took a gamble on how much danger they would be in I admit. However, these students have seemed to become quite close to Kazuna so I doubt he’ll let any harm come to any of them.” She answers calmly. 

“Do you really think he can fight the world alone?” Yuu says. 

“He doesn’t have to do it alone anymore, he has friends. And, of course, teachers that will help him as well.” Asuka answers smugly. 

“Well, I’m still not convinced so I think I’ll keep an eye on him. If it becomes dangerous for the students to be around him, then I’ll have him leave, even if by force.” Yuu says angrily. 

“You think I'll let you do that?” Asuka asks with a smirk. 

Yuu grunts. "At some point, he will show his true colors and when that happens I'm sure you'll be more than happy to be rid of him." He warns.

"Are you sure he hasn't changed from the person you knew." She asks.

"A wolf in sheep clothing is still a wolf. At some point, he'll get hungry and ditch his sheep costume." Yuu says, and with that, he walks away leaving an angry Ms. Asuka standing there.

Back at the arena, Haruna has won the fight against Chiyo and it had gone exactly how Kazuna said it would. Chiyo wasn't able to finish the fight quickly enough so Haruna was able to take over the fight. The rest of the matches ended quickly. Those that made it to the second round were: Kazuna, Haruna and Emiko from GA. From WA were Mia and Usagi. From LA was Daisuke Eiji. Last, from FA, was Goro Hideo. Class 1-A decided to tour the stadium a bit since they had a couple of hours before the start of the second round. They headed towards the mall that was in the stadium to do some souvenir shopping. 

“A mall inside a fighting arena?” Matt questions. 

“I know what you mean.” Kagura agrees. 

“So where are they normally located?” Kazuna asks. 

Both Kagura and Matt stared at him. “Have you never been to a mall?” They ask simultaneously. 

“No. Is that weird?” Kazuna asks. 

“Yes, it's weird man. Here, come on, we’re gonna have to really dive in here.” Matt says while grabbing Kazuna. The three spend the better part of an hour walking through the mall. They see all types of stores, one for swimsuits, one for electronics, some for clothes and tons of food places. Kazuna had never seen anything so amazing, he was left star-struck.

They were unable to finish their little adventure since Kazuna had to prepare for his next match, so they left for the waiting room. 

“Soo, how was it?” Matt asks as they enter Kazuna's waiting room. 

“I’ve never seen a place that has so many different shops inside. Thank you both so much for showing me something so unique.” Kazuna answers. Kagura smiles cheerfully. 

“Well, I’m glad to hear that. So how about next time we go to the mall in Tokyo? It's much larger than the one here and we won't have a time restraint.” Kagura states. 

“Yes, I would like that very much.” Kazuna says. The intercom starts up. 

“The first round of the quarter-finals will begin soon. Both fighters for the first round of the quarter-finals should head for the stage at once. I repeat the first round of the quarter-finals will begin soon. Both fighters for the first round of the quarter-finals should head for the stage at once.” The intercom shuts off and Kazuna stands up. 

“Well, I guess I’ll head out.” Kazuna says.

“No problem. Now get out there and win will you.” Matt shouts will raising his fist into the air. 

“Yeah, you definitely can’t lose since you beat me.” Kagura adds. Kazuna nods his head and leaves for the stage.

He walks out onto the open field. As he walks onto the stage the crowd’s cheering intensifies. The announcer begins his commentary. “And now that both of our fighters are here why don’t we get this thing started! Now on the left side is the weird fella that managed to graze past the last round Goro from FA!” The crowd cheers halfheartedly. 

“And on the right side is the man that gave us an electrifying performance in his fight while showing off some marvelous swordsmanship. The mysterious swordsman Kazuna!!!” The crowds cheering shakes the arena. 

“Kazuna seems to become popular no matter where he is.” Matt states as he takes his seat in the student section for GA. 

“Just as I thought, a trouble maker.” Kagura adds. 

“Now without further ado, let the match… BEGIN!!!” the announcer shouts.