“Come on, I already said I’m sorry!”
“I don’t want to talk about it!”
Again, the same answer. One day after Ichimaru had blurted he had spied on Kumari on his mother’s death anniversary, the bear demon still didn’t seem to be willing to forgive him.
“It was Soji that showed you the graves’ site, wasn’t he?”, he asked, suddenly grabbing him by the collar.
“I thought you just said you didn’t want to talk about it.” Kumari pushed him, letting him go, and walked away. “You think I need a boy’s help to follow you? I can do it with my eyes closed!”
Ichimaru sighed. He knew the argument would spare Soji from being blamed, but having wasted all the progress he had done with Kumari on those days still weighed on him. He needed to find a way for the other to loosen up, or he would have to stand another seven months under a cranky lord’s service.
“Come on, Kumari, let’s forget about it and do something fun for a change!”, he said, running to him.
“No.”
“How about that: try to hit me with that sword of yours.”
“What?”
“You heard! You’re dying to take it out on me, and I need some practice with my sword.”
“Don’t be stupid…”
Kumari hastened his steps, leaving him behind, but the dog demon followed suit.
“Come on, man! If you don’t do it...”
“Ichimaru…”
“… I’m gonna tell Sazume…”
“… stop it!”
“… that you are a coward!”
The taunt was more effective than planned. Kumari drew his sword immediately, almost hitting Ichimaru with the same move.
“Oh… Did I hit a nerve there?” He grinned, landing a few steps away.
“Shut up!”
Kumari was already taking the sword back to the sheath when Ichimaru suddenly rushed to him, the long sword already in his hands, and hit the green-hilted katana with it.
“Oh, no, don’t think I’m gonna let you put that sword down! We are just starting to have fun!”
Angry, Kumari pushed him away and charged, attacking with no mercy. Ichimaru found himself being pressed by the bear demon’s overwhelming strength, each hit on his sword making him step back further and further. “Damn, he’s really not fooling around!”, he thought.
All of a sudden, Ichimaru disappeared with a gust of wind, and showed up right behind him. Kumari didn’t hesitate to turn back and strike again, but his blade cut only the air. The dog demon was literally running around him, laughing.
“Don’t think you’re gonna hit me that easily! Good looks aren’t the only thing I got from my dad. I’m as fast as he is!”
“Is that so?”
Kumari took the scabbard in his left hand and kneeled down, hitting the ground with its tip. The earth trembled all around him, and Ichimaru lost balance and fell down. He rolled on the ground clumsily before finally getting on his feet again, leaning on his sword.
“Wow, you sure are taking this seriously!”
“I’m always serious.”
“That’s your problem! You don’t loosen up, you never take a joke! You need to relax, man, let yourself into the game.”
Kumari sighed. He couldn’t believe he was letting himself go with that, but decided to give it a try. He put the scabbard back in his waist and turned to Ichimaru.
“Is that what you want? Fine, then…” He gripped the sword firmly with both hands. “No tricks. Just two guys and their swords.”
Ichimaru grinned.
“Sounds good to me.” He pointed his blade at the other demon, facing him. “Let’s go!”
None of them waited; both charged against each other, their swords ready.
