Love Unexplained

Scroll 3: One battle One death

Utsukushi lifted the tree high above her head, threw it with all her strength and made a quick escape.

"Wow! That tree was really heavy. Good thing I kept up with my training."

As she started to run, she couldn't remember which way she had gone. She was alone and confused, thinking that she was going to never find her sister.

"I won't give up!" she said getting up and running in a random direction. For someone like Utsukushi who had always been very calm and collected, her actions were reckless.

When she was out of breath, she suddenly realized that she was in the small clearing where her father dead so long ago.

"So, you've come at last," a voice came from the shadows.

"You," she began, eyes widening and her mouth dropping with shock.

"I thought my father got rid of you a long time ago." she said, turning her shock into pure anger. Her eyes were burning with the glow of rage at the sight of the hideous creature that killed her father.

"Utsukushi, why do you look so angry, I've only come to make a trade." Hōfuku said, cautiously aware that she might try and attack before he can tell her what he wants to trade.

"I'm sure you would like to know what we are treading?" he scolded, as he put on a quick grin.

"Alright then, let's hear what you have to say before I kill you." Utsukushi said staring him down like he was the prey, and she the hungry wolf.

"I see you are very fond of your sister," he said slyly, and signaled one of his minions to drag something out of the shadows and placed it a few tail-lengths behind him. "I'm sure you'll agree?" Hōfuku picked her up and placed the girl in front of his feet.

It was then that she realized that what was lying on the ground was Shugyoku.

"What did you do to her?" she stuttered, staring at the limb body.

"Relax; all I did was scare her enough to knock her out, that's all." Hōfuku laughed, looking at her with his eyes filled with dark and evil thoughts.

"Although, you can get her back if you agree to my offer." he said, trying to sound trustworthy.

"Oh yeah, what's that?" Utsukushi asked curiously, giving him a cross scowl.

"Well, it's very simple really. I free the girl, in exchange for your life."

Hōfuku didn't even have to pretend to not care as he spoke. Not answering his trade, Utsukushi attacked him.

He tried to dodge each strike she laid, but she was much faster! Hōfuku fought back and with every blow, he hit her. Blood oozed from each wound they laid upon each other.

Towards the middle of the battle, there was a pause between them, both breathing heavily. They were both too evenly matched, yet the battle continued.