The Kingmaker's Lover

The Kingmaker's Lover - Part 2

CHAPTER 9

Several days later…

Leo walked out to the sparring grounds.  He’d been cleared by Nightingale for combat and he was anxious to get back to training.  He felt sluggish and out of sorts, and a good fight would put him right again.

“Barbatos!”  Leo called out.

“Look who’s finally out of bed!”  The Phantom shouted, clapping his hands together loudly.

“I know, right?  About bloody time if you ask me.”  Leo smiled broadly, reaching out to clasp hands with Barbatos. 

“You sure you’re up for this,” Barbatos asked, raising an eyebrow.  “Perhaps you should give yourself a chance to recondition before jumping back into battle.”

“I’ll be fine.  This is exactly what I need.”

“If you say so,” Barbatos shrugged.  “But to be fair, I won’t count this as part of our wager.”

Leo snickered.  “You are most honorable, Phantom.”

“What can I say, I am the consummate gentleman.”  Barbatos bowed mockingly; flourishing his hands in a grand gesture. 

“No, you’re an idiot,” Leo replied, slapping Barbatos on the shoulder as he walked by.  “Now arm-up demon, it’s time to fight!”

And fight they did.  Three rounds total.  Surprisingly, Leo managed to win one out of the three; the last match to be precise.  He was able to identify the Phantom’s defensive pattern and develop a counter-attack.  It wasn’t executed with quite as much fluidity and grace as Leo would have liked, but he did manage to break through Barbatos’ defense in roughly 15 minutes.

“I’m impressed,” Barbatos said, bumping fists with Leo.  “You held your own.”

“I’d say thanks, but I have feeling you were holding back.”

“Not on that last one,” Barbatos laughed.  “I could barely keep up.  You must’ve found your stride again.”

“I wouldn’t say that.  I’ve got a ways to go.”

“Well, you certainly gave me a run for my money.  If you want, we can meet again tomorrow and pick up where we left off.  Sound good?”

“That would be most appreciated.”

“Well, I’m heading back in.  I kind of pissed the ‘ole lady’ off the other night, and getting back on his good side is taking some effort.”

“I can imagine.  I’ve only spoken to the Anima once, but I get the sense that he’s… difficult.”

 “You have no idea,” Barbatos chuckled softly.  “But he’s worth it.”

“You can’t help who you love, right?”

The Phantom nodded in agreement.  “Speaking of love, what happened with you and Bunchu that night?  I’ve been meaning to ask you for a while, but I didn’t want to pry.”

Leo shrugged nonchalantly.  He’d never been the kind of man to kiss and tell, so he decided to keep his responses vague.  “Nothing worth speaking of.”

“Don’t give me that,” Barbatos replied shrewdly.  “I saw the way he was looking at you.  Something happened, right?”

Leo didn’t reply, but the smile on his face was unmistakable. 

“I knew it!  So, did you hit?”

“Wow, you don’t sugar coat anything do you?”

Barbatos shrugged.  “No sense in beating around the bush.  Besides, I’m curious.  Bunchu is so calm and reserved, not to mention he can be kind of distant at times.  I mean, he gets along with everyone, but I always get the impression that he’d rather be somewhere else when we’re all hanging out.”  The Phantom paused; his brow furrowing thoughtfully.  “Hmm, now that I think about it, he kind of reminds me of Iku, just not as aggressive.”