By the other side of the valley, where the terrain wasn’t so rugged, the fight went fast between Ichimaru and Megumi. He considered himself agile, but the fire demon’s speed was stunning and her spear attacked from every possible angle. Whenever he could, he jumped away to catch his breath, but there was no way to counterattack.
“Come on, that’s not fair! I don’t do girls!”
“Really? Such a waste...” she laughed with an indiscreet glance.
“Okay, that didn’t come out right…”
Ichimaru grunted; his left shoulder was hit by a cut. He kept retreating, now using his sword to parry the strikes, but even that didn’t last forever. A quick spin and the spear’s blunt end hit his weapon, almost making him lose it. Ichimaru ducked and the blade whizzed harmlessly over his head, but Megumi kicked him right in the face, throwing him away.
“It’s kinda good that it didn’t work out between Mikami and your sister. Who knows, maybe now our parents decide to marry you and me, cutie.”
“Wow, it’s the chance of a lifetime”, he mocked, standing up with a hand over his face.
“What, you mean smoking hot fire demons are not your type?”
“Let me see: smell like ash, sister to that douche, trying to kill me… Nope, definitely not.
“I thought that last part would be sort of a turn on for a bad boy like you.”
“Heh heh, okay, maybe… Crap!”
Megumi gave him no rest. He had barely catch his breath when she charged again, bombarding him with her long weapon. It wasn’t the size of the spear that kept him away; it was her velocity. He wasn’t used to be the slow one in a fight.
“Come on, she’s just a skinny girl!”, he thought. “Why am I chickening?”
A quick dodge sideward saved him from another thrust, but this time he dropped his sword and grabbed the spear’s hilt with both hands. For Megumi’s surprise, he threw her over his shoulder and she collapsed on the ground.
“Who’s the cutie now?”
She smiled back and, as an answer, the lance instantly burst into flames. Ichimaru leaped away and, in no time, Megumi had already jumped up. He retrieved his sword and was forced on more time into defensive position, as the red spear started hitting his blade again and again, now spreading sparks everywhere.
Nothing worked! Her wild behavior disguised a disciplined warrior that adapted quickly to everything he tried. If only he had listened to his father and practiced more, maybe he could fight back, but in his hands the sword was too slow and too heavy against Megumi’s mastery with the spear.
“Then why use it?”
Another thrust from Megumi, but, instead of moving back, Ichimaru stepped ahead. His blade deflected the spear away and this time it was his claw that drew blood. The fire demon jumped back, but didn’t lose the mocking smile.
“Ouch, watch it! Looks like a certain boy needs to get his nails done”, she said, landing a hand over the wounded neck.
The dog demon snarled. He had finally found a chance to strike back, and she kept making fun of him? Now he knew why Kumari used to be so annoyed by the constant jokes. He gripped the blade firmly with his left hand and charged, glad for at least being playing offense. It was Megumi’s turn to retreat while the sword hit her spear, making room for his claws to attack.
Suddenly, she tripped; staggered a step back, the wide eyes betraying her. It was the golden opportunity; Ichimaru stroke hard with his sword and ripped the lance off her hands, while his claws flew against her neck, ready to end the fight.
“Two can play this game, cutie.”
She hadn’t trip. With both hands clear, she managed to hold Ichimaru’s blow, and her other hand cut through his entire chest. He grunted in pain; her nails felt like hot iron.
He stepped back, panting. The wound burned as hell.
“So you do have some tricks of your own too.” She retrieved her spear and, like it was nothing, seared the cut on her neck with the flaming blade, stopping the bleeding. Ichimaru turned his nose away from the smell of scorched flesh. “I was wondering when this would start to get fun.”
