Of Love and Death.

The Present Chapter 8: Enter the Antagonist Pt. 2

     Shu paced back and forth across the tile floor. Normally he was calm and collected before a tournament, but he was on edge today. It probably had something to do with how his hair had become flames less than a half hour ago. It also wasn't helping that the start of the Nationals was officially delayed due to technical difficulties.

     "Stop pacing already!" Richard groaned from where he was sitting on a bench.

     Shu whirled around, ready with a retort on his tongue. Clearly his expression was quite terrifying, as Richard visibly paled and held his hand's up. Maybe you should take it down a notch, Spryzen suggested in a calming tone. You're kinda scaring everyone.

     I am? Shu asked, looking around. Well, he wouldn't say that everyone was scared, but they did seem a little apprehensive. Also the other bladers were giving him a wide berth. Also no one was taking part in the nervous chatter that Shu often heard before events like this.

      Ah, oops, Shu thought, making a conscious effort to relax. He crossed over to an empty bench and forced himself to sit down. He closed his eyes and crossed his arms, trying to appear calm. Not like a tiger before it hunted, but like a dog, sleeping in the sun.

      Shu, you look like a tiger, Spryzen ever so kindly informed the Raging Bull's ace.

     Great. Shu sighed and opened his eyes, looking up toward the ceiling. He tried to think of something to do to keep his mind off of the upcoming battle and fire and Venice. It didn't really work. He only kept thinking about all of the stuff he wasn't supposed to.

      There was a slight noise as someone sat down next to Shu. It wasn't lost on him that a great load of whispering broke out at that. He chuckled a bit. Everyone was so curious about the person who was brave enough to sit next to him. He supposed he did have a bit of an intimidating demeanor. Also, if he was being honest, he'd earned a reputation for being a bit ruthless.

     I mean, that was kinda more me, Spryzen admitted sheepishly. Shu grimaced as he sensed the waves of regret coming from his partner. He was about to say something to comfort his partner, when the person who sat down next to him spoke up.

     "Shu Kurenai?" The person asked. While it was a question, it was more of a rhetorical one. This person was deadly serious, not to be taken lightly. They were also speaking softly, so as not to be heard by anyone.

     Shu narrowed his eyes, and Spryzen grew serious as well. This guy is going to be our main competition here, Shu thought to his partner. There was a silent nod of agreement from the bey.

     "Yes?" Shu asked, looking dead ahead. In this case scenario, looking to see who was speaking would be a sign of weakness. It would be like saying he needed extra information to figure out how to deal with this one. That wasn't something he wanted to tell a potential opponent right before a battle.

     Most people underestimate how important body language and tone are to blading. Sure, Valt was goofy, but he'd earned that goofiness by becoming the best. Everyone knew that, as nice as he was outside of battle, Valt could kick it up to eleven in a second. Shu wasn't sure if his friend was aware of it, but Valt was basically telling people "I'm good enough that I don't have to make you take me seriously. You just will."

     Shu, however, took a different route. He never let up around anyone but his closest friends. He stood tall, and he didn't make any movement that wasn't necessary. He rarely spoke if not about blading. The crazy part was, it wasn't exactly an act either. Sure, he wasn't quite as guarded as he pretended to be, but he wasn't super friendly either. He had always been that quiet kid in the corner, the Shu Kurenai the world knew was just more of that.