After arriving in Tatakai City, the group all set up in a hotel. Preparing to spend the next few days to relax. At least Keyati and Dasizai did. They weren't swordsmen so they had no ability to participate in the Shinobi Conference. Kei-Kei and Shintawa, planned to train with each other.
They went to a public sparring location in Tatakai City. One of many. Shintawa invited Kei-Kei to have a sparring match. A fist to fist one. Use of swords in public sparring locations was prohibited. Mainly after an incident where a sword flew into an observers skull after it was knocked from the combatants hand.
Shintawa: "Ready for some hand-to-hand, Kei-Kei?"
Kei-Kei: "Since I was born!"
Shintawa smirked and Kei-Kei smiled. They got into their stances. Shintawa knew about Kei-Kei's strange fighting style when fist-to-fist. Unlike Barahoshi. However, his style was just as strange. Mostly because he ignored his teachers in everything that wasn't Kami no Chikara.
He ran in and threw a full punch at Kei-Kei who returned in kind with a punch from his right arm. Kei-Kei couldn't really feel the Dakuenaji flowing in his left half as much as it was against Barahoshi. Mostly because there was no longer threat to his life at the moment.
The two exchanged a few blows before Shintawa grabbed Kei-Kei's leg and tossed him to the edge of the arena. Kei-Kei caught himself and ran in with a punch. It hit Shintawa in the gut and caused him to return one in kind. Shintawa then grabbed Kei-Kei's horn and headbutted him. After that, he rubbed his forehead.
Shintawa: "Not a bright idea..."
Kei-Kei grabbed Shintawa's waist and lifted him. Shintawa kicked his legs before Kei-Kei suplexed him. Shintawa spat up blood and hopped up, his eyes white with fury.
Shintawa: "The hell was that!?"
Kei-Kei: "Hey it's a fight! The Shinobi Conference is gonna be a series of anything goes 1-v-1s!"
Shintawa: "Anything huh?"
Shintawa immediately ran up and bitchslapped Kei-Kei. Kei-Kei looked slightly surprised before Shintawa lifted him over the shoulder and slammed him. They had now begun a petty game to annoy the other with slams and other petty things.
Kei-Kei got back up and poked Shintawa's eyes. Followed by Shintawa sticking a finger up his nostrils. Back and forth. Forth and back. Again and again and again.
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A FEW HOURS LATER...
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They were sitting on a bench in silence eating some mochi. Kei-Kei and Shintawa just exchanged silent glances for a moment.
Shintawa: "So much for training eh?"
Kei-Kei: "Tell me about it."
The two just chuckled and giggled at the stupidity of their "training." They got up after finishing their mochi and began to head over to the grounds the tournament would be on. They went to the registry which was open so that contestants could secure positions early.
After registering, they checked the list. Eyeing up the names for anyone who sounds intimidating.
Kei-Kei: "Gasuto's already registered. Also, any of these sound threatening?"
Shintawa: "Hmmm...other than a few last names from Clans, no."
They put down the list and began to walk down the streets of Tatakai. Shintawa smirked as he thought up a conversation topic. He glanced at Kei-Kei.
Shintawa: "Yo, Kei-Kei. I see how you look at Keyati. You're totally into the chain smoker."
Kei-Kei turned red at Shintawa's words but didn't deny it. Shintawa knew Kei-Kei liked taller women who were muscular and had bad attitudes. Despite most things about him being innocent, his taste was a questionable one.
Kei-Kei: "S-so what if I do huh!?"
Shintawa: "Hehe...it's fine Kei-Kei I'm kiddin'. I know you do. Even if she'd shoot you after cussing fifteen thousand times."
Kei-Kei sighed and rubbed the back of his head. They walked in silence for the rest of the travel they made to their hotel. Kei-Kei had a room shared with Keyati. Dasizai and Shintawa mainly did that to mess with them. He entered his and Keyati's room and waved.
Kei-Kei: "Hi Keyati-"
Keyati: "Fuck up."
Kei-Kei: "R-right..."
Kei-Kei had developed feelings for Keyati quickly. Usually when he likes girls, his dense mind needs a day or two, which it did in fact take. Keyati had the attitude of a honey badger, so he wasn't gonna push it.
Kei-Kei went to lay down in his bed. The soft sheets embracing him as a soothed expression comes from his face. He quickly passed out, snoring softly in the embrace of dreams. Keyati looked over at him. Her eyes resting on his sleeping face. She slightly softened in expression. Toughness was a shield she put up due to growing up without Kami no Chikara.
Throughout her life, she had been beaten and bullied for having no Kami no Chikara. In Han'ei, most people have it, so to be born without it made you a freak. Her own family even disowned her. And Kei-Kei was a half-Oni. His suffering as an abomination of sorts was akin to her own as an Anomaly.
Keyati: "Pretty damn cute for a freak..."
She smiled, before putting her tough face back on as she went to her bed. She laid under the covers. Falling asleep swiftly herself. Dasizai and Shintawa were eavesdropping through the thin walls, smugly fist bumping each other for their decision to mess with Keyati and Kei-Kei.
Shintawa: "We are totally gonna get them together."
Dasizai: "Easy there pal, knowing Keyati, it won't be for a long time before that goes anywhere."
The two if them went to bed themselves. The Shinobi Conference on the horizon.
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Well, in a few horizons actually.
[TO BE CONTINUED]
[IN THE NEXT PART]