"...Why is it that everywhere I go now I'm surrounded by something that reminds me of the Soul Society? Seriously, I go to History class, and we talk about battle stratigies. I go to reading, and we're reading a romantic tragedy set in Feudal Japan. And in Science, we're discussing the genes of asian cultures, like why their eyes are all squinty and stuff. And when I finally thought I would get a break in gym, this happens. Of all times, Mr. Chiado just had to do it. Oh, well, I might as well enjoy this period. I mean, it isn't everyday that you get in a sword fight with one of your best friends in P.E., right? But still, I don't want to reveal anything about my altar ego, I wouldn't want my life in this world complicated too. Though, I don't know what to think about what just happened...
December 2, 2010
OUR WORLD
Woodrow Wilson Middle School
Lunch
Madison's Perspective
Anna, Bianca, Cree, Hannah, Kaylee, Madison, and Virginia sit at their usual round table in the middle of the cafeteria. The seven girls sit in complete silence, probably sensing that Madison wasn't in a great mood. The reason? She didn't get an ounce of sleep over fretting about what was happening in the Soul Society. Though, she knew not to throw that detail out to her friends. They would think she was crazy. So, she sits quietly, sketching in her drawing pad. A picture of herself, in the other world, of course. It was creepy how close her sketch resembled her reflection in the other world. She tried to keep the thought out of her mind as she tediously drew in the curly line pattern on the kimono. So far, though, only Cree had thought it looked a little like her, so she was safe.
Virginia gets annoyed quickly by the quiet table, especially Madison.
"What's wrong with you today Madison? You're usually bouncing off the walls with laughter by now." Virginia comments as she takes a sip of her chocolate milk, breaking Madison's thoughts.
"Did something happen after you got home from the hospital?" Anna asks as she throws Madison her slim jim, Madison's favorite lunch-time treat, to her from the other side of Cree.
"Or did you mess up on another of your imaginary boyfriend drawings?" Bianca comments from directly across from Madison, inspecting her newly manicured nails.
"Guys, leave her alone. She might still be on antibiotics and just doesn't feel super peppy." Cree interjects from Madison's left side, defending her.
Cree is the tom-boy of the group, other then Virginia, and is Native American (you can tell by her name). She has really long brown hair with blonde highlights, a braid usually intertwined. She wears cute purple rectangle speck glasses, and is known for wearing the cutest tees. Cree's character is easy to decribe. A friend for a life and someone who will keep you on the right track, or will punch you in the arm if you step off. But, she's truely a kind and caring friend and person in general.
Madison grins weakly.
"Thanks, I just didn't get much sleep last night is all." Madison says.
"It was just a joke, you don't have to be so edgy Kateri." Virginia comments from Madison's right side, calling Cree by her last name.
"Well, you know that she just got out of the hospital yesterday, so you shouldn't be saying stuff like that." Cree says.
"Whatever." Virginia says as she takes a bite of her burger.
"It's not just whatever, and you know that!" Cree says to Virginia behind Madison's chair.
Did she forget to mention that when it comes to Virginia, she has a short temper?
"Oh, great, it's their daily lunch fight." Kaylee remarks from Anna's left side as Cree and Virginia begin to yell at each across Madison's seat at the table.
"They do this everyday, you would think we would be used to it by now." Bianca says, taking a sip of her water.
"And yet we aren't. Man, now it's just annoying." Hannah comments from inbetween Bianca and Virginia, looking over her book to roll her eyes at the still fighting couple.
"Dido."
"I second that."
"Same here."
"Agreed." Madison, Kaylee, Anna, and Bianca say at the same time.
"May I have everyone's attention please?" a male's voice says from the speakers above.
Everyone, including Cree and Virginia, immediately shut up as Mr. Chiado, all their P.E. teacher, begins to speak again.
"As you all who are in my class know, I've been trying to decide on a new activity to do in P.E. especially for 8th graders. And, I believe I've found something that is perfect." Mr. Chiado says into the mic.
All the girls at the table look at each other.
"I bet it's biking or bowling." Cree says.
"No way, that's done too much. I bet he's taking us to swim at one of the high schools." Virginia says.
"If that were true, why is he just telling us today? We would of needed to know before now so that we would of known to bring bathing suits." Cree says.
"Shut up for a minute, you two, and listen." Bianca says.
"So, I've decided, with permission from Dr. Nitts, that today in 8th and 9th hour, my classes will learn how to battle with Katanas!" Mr. Chiado yells.
Madison's eyes widen.
"Huh?" Bianca says.
"What?" Hannah says.
"What the heck is a Katana?" Virginia asks.
"A Katana is a sword used back in feudal Japan by samurais and ninjas." Madison explains.
Mamori Koudoutai, her own Katana, flashes threw her mind.
"Swords?! Since when does Dr. Nitts allow weapons at school?" Anna says.
"Don't worry, they're plastic, so none of you will be in any danger of being hurt." Mr. Chiado finishes, "See you in Gym!"
"Oh, good, that scared me for a minute." Kaylee says, sighing in relief.
"What, afraid that you'd be cut open?" Virginia asks, laughing.
"Yes! Have you ever even seen a sword? They're dangerous and sharp, not to mention deadly." Kaylee replies.
Madison looks away from her quarrelling friends. This might not be good. Since Madison now is interfused with the memories of her past life, Yattamori, she now knows all the tactics when using a sword, especially a katana. So, she had to be careful to not go over the top while dueling a classmate. Even though they're plastic, with a good thrust, she could still cause injury to one of her friends.
8th period
Madison, Cree, Virginia, and Kaylee sit on the stands in the gym, waiting to take attendance for class. Madison's heart is beating fast. She's nervous about the matches.
"Scared?" Madison hears Cree ask.
"No, more nervous then anything." Madison replies as she looks at Cree.
"Nervous?" Cree repeats.
"About who I'll have to duel."
"Oh, well, since no one's never even probably held a sword before, it'll be a fair match." Cree says, apparently trying to reassure her.
"No, I've used a katana before. And I'm pretty advance in many tactics to win duels. I'm just nervous about letting that all out."
"Since when does your mom let you swing a sword around?"
"It's complicated.
"Ok class! Before we start, I want to know who's ever done something like this before." Mr. Chiado yells, ending Madison and Cree's ackward conversation.
Madison raises her hand, and is surprised when three others also raise theirs, including Cree. One especially catches her eye. Amanda Stranks, the self-proclaimed most popular girl in school. Madison and her friends didn't like her, they think she's just a big bully.
"They must fense." Virginia says.
"Alright, you four come down and help me give examples." Mr. Chiado says.
Madison, Cree, Amanda, and a boy named Austin get up and move to the front of the class.
"Alright, each of you take a sword and take a position across from one of the other people up here." he instructs as he points to a pin full of fake katanas in leather sheaths.
Madison takes a sword, gripping the nostalgic hilt in one hand then the middle of the sheath, and moves to one end of the group. Madison turns back to find Amanda across from Cree and Austin across from her. Perfect. She wouldn't have to restrain herself too much. Her Soul Reaper instints are beginning to take over as she places the short sheath in a loop attached to the elastic band of her gym shorts, pulls the blade out and grips the hilt with both hands, the sword straight up and down as she holds it about five inches from her hips.
"Madison has done the correct stance, everyone take note on how she's holding the handle-"
"It's called a hilt." Madison says.
"Oh, as she's holding the hilt, sorry." Mr. Chiado says, "Now, please begin the example duels. Duel!"
Austin runs straight at Madison with his sword held above his head, an amature beginning move. Madison steps to the side as Austin thusts his sword down. As he turns back, Madison flicks her sword around Austin's sword with her right hand then jerks, causing the hilt to fly from his grip and land on the floor. Before he can get to it, Madison has her fake sword's point to Austin's neck, indicating her victory. She slowly lowers her arm and turns back, to see Mr. Chiado and many of the others staring at her with amazement. Especially Virginia and Kaylee. She silently returns her sword to her sheath and winks at her friends, making them smile.
"Point-Madison." Mr. Chiado says.
Madison smiles, happy that she's finally done well at something in P.E..
"Ah!" she hears Cree yell.
Madison turns to see Cree on the ground with Amanda standing close, smirking.
"Cree!" Madison yells as she runs over to Cree's side.
Cree's closed eyes twitch, telling Madison that she was in pain. Madison places her hand on Cree's right arm, then jerks it back when she feels something gooey and wet. She inspects her hand and gasps. Blood. She looks back down to see a good sized gash on Cree's arm. The cut is clean and precise, telling Madison that she had been cut with Amanda's blade.
"She was so slow, I couldn't stop. I can see why though, seeing how round she is." Madison hears Amanda comment from behind her.
"How dare you say that!" Madison yells at Amanda as she turns to face her.
"Well, it's true." Amanda says, "She looks as if she has never worked out in her life."
"She's as skinny as a twig!" Madison counters.
"To most, yes, but to me, she's as large as an elephant."
"Why you!" Madison says, snearing.
"What are you going to do about it-"
"Get in your starting stance..." Madison says as she turns back around.
"Huh?" Amanda says, confused.
"Cree ojokutsokeru so kizutsukeru tameni pei munearo..." Madison says as she pulls her sword swiftly from her sheath.
"I don't know what you just said, put if you want to duel, I'll duel." Amanda says as she gets into her beginning stance, her sword in a perfect held position.
Cree sits up with help from Virginia and Kaylee as Mr. Chiado dashes over with a first-aid kit.
"Before we start, I must warn you. If you rank us in experience, I would be an expert, and you would probably be a beginner." Madison says as she turns back to face Amanda, her eyes closed.
"Such big talk, but you saw the way I took out your friend, now lets try it with you!" Amanda yells as she runs towards Madison, officially beginning the duel.
"Don't say I didn't warn you..." Madison says as she opens her eyes, her sword still held at her side.
Cree's and Virginia's eyes widen, seeing a familar blue glow to Madison's eyes.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cree's Perspective
Cree watches as Amanda closes in on Madison. She glances over at Madison. She looks bored, but confident and a bit angry. The usual hazel part of her eyes shine a light blue, like the did during there run-in yesterday with Kimmi at the hospital. Cree starts to get an uneasy feeling.
Unlike Austin, Amanda begins by holding her sword to the left side of her body, a good starting stance. As she comes to be next to Madison, she swings her sword around to meet Madison's sword with a loud bang, like when you thrust a pool noodle onto to still water (no lie). Amanda's eyes widen when she finally sees Madison's eyes, but quickly gets over it and goes for another quick thrust, just to be cut short by Madison's blade. As they continue this pattern, Cree looks around to see everyone staring at Madison, including Mr. Chiado. The only one who isn't is Kaylee, who's wrapping a gahs around her injured arm.
Cree has to admit, she never thought Madison was very good at anything athletic. Madison isn't a super active person, and likes to sketch better then sweat. If she was good at anything athletic, she could stand a good chance at beating someone at soccer, only because her brother has been playing it since he was three and it her family's second favorite sport, racing being first.
But, as soon as Madison took hold of that sword, it was like she became a different person, a more confident person.
Cree soon turns her attention back to the fight, listening closely to what the two while saying inbetween combat.
"Will you just stop trying to delay my attacks and just accept defeat. Face it, all you can do if perry my attacks, sooner or later, you'll be out of options." Amanda says.
"No way Amanda, you hurt my friend and you're gonna pay for it." Madison says as her eyes begin to glow brighter for a second.
Suddenly, Madison steps out of the way of Amanda's next attack and begins to go on offense, swinging her sword swiftly and fast. Amanda's sword just barely has chances to perry Madison's attacks. A minute later, they come to be in a sword lock, gritting their teeth at each other.
"I don't lose, and I'm gonna make sure it stays that way!" Amanda says.
While Mr. Chiado isn't looking, Amanda slides her left foot behind Madison's right foot and jerks it back, causing Madison to trip. Cree gasps as Madison begins to fall. But, in mid-fall, Cree sees Madison do something unexpected.
She grins.
Before she hits the ground Madison puts her arms out and flips back up in a back hand spring, her sword still in her fist. Everyone gasps in amazement as Madison stands straight up, her expression looks mature and serious.
"So, that's how you did it..." Madison says.
"What?" Amanda asks.
"That's how you defeated Cree."
"Madison, what are you talking about?" Mr. Chiado asks.
You thought you were going to win until I began to actually fight back, and when our swords locked, you tried to trip me and catch me off guard by thrusting your sword at me, initially ending the duel and making you the victor. You used that exact tactic on Cree, inwhich it was successful and you ended up injuring her. If I had not been able to catch mysekf, you might of injured me as well. But, you don't care, just as long as you stay the victor, even if you do it by cheating." Madison explains, looking at Amanda as she talks.
Amanda snears furiously at Madison and holds her sword out to the left side as she begins to run at Madison.
"Shut up!" Amanda says.
Cree's eyes widen as the plastic sword in Madison sword begins to morph into a longer sword, the hilt now curved like a candy cane at the end, a pearl and a pink ribbon, connecting to another pearl, hanging from the end. Cree gasps to herself.
The blade is real.
Cree's attention is pulled away by the sound of Madison's bored sigh. She looks over to see that Madison's bangs hve fallen in front of her right eye.
"Mamori, let's end this..." Madison says to herself as she grips the sword with both hands.
Mamori...?
As Amanda starts to thrust her sword across, Madison whips her sword to her left side.
"Amanda, you lose." Madison says as she thrusts her sword across the blade of Amanda's sword.
When Amanda comes to stop a few feet from Madison, they stay silent for a moment. Then, suddenly, the blade of Amanda's sword falls off. Amanda gasps as she holds up the severed hilt, her eyes wide in shock. Then, half of her side bangs float to the gound, causing Amanda to finally crack and scream, dropping the hilt. The other kids in the room then begin to hoot and holler, amazed by what had just happened.
Cree looks at Mr. Chiado and Virginia, to see their jaws dropped and dumb-founded stares stuck on their faces.
"How did she do that with just a plastic sword?" Mr. Chiado says.
Cree looks at him in surprise.
"That sword isn't plastic, it's real." Cree says.
Virginia and Mr. Chiado looks at her like she's stupid.
"No Cree, those are fake swords, they're all exactly the same, anyway." Virginia says.
"But that's not true, Madison's has a curved green hilt with a ribbon attached." Cree says as she points towards Madison's sword.
"Cree, what are you talking about? There's no sword with a curved green hilt." Mr. Chiado says as he looks at Madison's sword.
Cree looks surprised and turns to look at the sword Madison is holding. It was just how she'd seen it before, a curved green hilt with a pink ribbon. It was so obvious, so why didn't Virginia and Mr. Chiado acknoledge it?
Am I the only one who can see it...?
Mr. Chiado gets up and walks over to Madison.
"Match-Madison." Mr. Chiado says.
The other kids applaud as Madison smiles. Cree's breath catches as she turns to look at her. She relaxes when she sees that Madison's eyes are back to normal. Madison walks over quickly to her.
"You ok now?" Madison asks.
Cree nods. She quickly looks over to see Madison's sword back to being plastic, which intriged her.
Madison smiles even bigger, making Cree feel even more normal. Madison was back.
"Now, time for the next match." Cree says as she stands up.
Madison looks at her, confused.
"Next match?" she restates.
Cree nods.
"The match between you and me."
"What?!"
"You and I duel, right now."
"Cree are you crazy, you were just injured five minutes ago!"
"It was only a scratch, c'mon, what are you so worried about? Afraid that I'm gonna beat you?"
Harsh "oos" and "burn"s come from the kids watching from the sides. Cree grins. She knows all too well that Madison doesn't like taunting.
"No, it's not like that, it's just-"
"Just what? Just that you're too scared to admit I might be better then you?"
The kids repeat. Madison begins to become irritated.
"Cree, stop-"
"Stop what? Telling the truth?"
Now kids begin calling Madison to accept. Anger seems to begin building inside Madison.
"Cree, I'm warning you-"
"That if I fight you, it's gonna be boring, for me?"
That makes the kids go wild and Madison crack. Her eyes begin to glow blue again, anger in her eyes. She turns from Cree.
"Get into your starting stance." Madison says as she picks up another sword and throws it over her head, it landing perfectly in Cree's hands.
Kids begin to holler happily, some shouting specific things, like; "Beat her Madison!", "Show her who's the true master Cree!", "Kick her to the curb, Madison!" Most were for Madison to beat her butt.
Mr. Chiado comes to the middle as Cree turns back to see Madison in her stance, staring her down like an angry bull. He raises his arm.
"Duel!" he yells as he thrusts his arms down.
For the first time, Madison actually advances, just as Cree does the same. With a loud crash, their swords clash together then bounce off each other. Cree stumbles back from the inpact. Madison takes the chance to thrust her sword down onto Cree's. She quickly dodges, stepping to the right as the sword fell inches from her body. She turns back and thrusts her sword to the side as Madison stands back up. She's surprised when Madison's sword whips up and stops her's. Madison gets firm footting and pushes Cree back, a feet Madison had never been able to do.
For a minute, they stand still, both panting slightly. Cree looks over at Madison as she whips the sweat from her brow. Slowly, she watches as Madison's sword begins to morph once again into the other sword, the real one. Cree gulps. There was no way that her flimsy plastic sword would stand up to Madison's. But, she tosses the thought from her mind and runs at Madison. Before her sword collides with Madison's she squizzes her eyes shut, preparing for the worst.
Instead, she hears the clashing of metal. She opens her eyes and gasps. Instead of her plastic sword is a real one, the now yellow hilt bent at the end, with a piece of strand metal bent in curly-que, a saphire attached to the end. She looks up at Madison, who looks just as surprised as she is.
"That's not possible..." Madison says as she looks at the sword.
"Huh?"
"You can't have a zampakutou..."
"Zampakutou?" Cree repeats.
Slowly, Cree notices a faint glow coming from around Madison's neck. She looks down to see a lime green pendant with an arrow eteched in it hanging from a leather string around Madison's neck. Madison looks up at Cree, then pushes her away, more forceful then last time. Insisting to get answers, Cree rushes back, to meet Madison's blade one once again.
Suddenly, Cree is somewhere else. A void to say correclty.
"What the-?"
"What are you doing here?" a familar voice says.
Cree looks up and gasps. It was the girl from sketch Madison had been drawing during lunch! Her hair is chestnut brown and wavy, held up in a high ponytail by a lime green ribbon, bangs covering her right eye and thick strands of hair all that hang down, covering her ears. Similar to Madison's. She's bears the same necklace Madison was wearing a minute ago, along with a pink ribbon choker with another lime green gem attached to it around the base of her neck. She wears a pink, sleeveless, over-thing over a kimono with black curly-lined designs and black trimming, lime green arm bands transending from underneath the sleeves of the kimono, along with sandals worn over white sock-like things on her feet.
"How should I know?!"
"This isn't good. Cree, you need to get out of here now." the girl says as she pushes on Cree's back.
"How do you know my name?"
"No questions, I need to get you out of here before something happens."
"No! Tell me who you-"
Cree turns to see a steel sword pointed at her neck. Cree looks farther down the shaft of the blade and gasps when she sees the handle.
"I'm sorry for doing this. But it looks like it's the only way to get your soul out of here. Forgive me for using this method." the girl says as her shown eye begins to glove light blue, causing Cree's to widen more.
"Your eyes, the sword. Madison has the same. Just who are you?" Cree asks.
The girl looks away for a minute, then sighs and looks back. Her eyes are still glowing, but look more kind and nuturing.
"You can call me Yattamori." the girl says as the room begins to sway.
"Yatta..mori..."
The girl nods. Suddenly the void dims and becomes black.
"Match-Madison!" Mr. Chiado's voice calls.
"Huh?"
Cree blinks and finds a plastic sword point at her neck, and Madison at the other end, her eyes a normal hazel. Madison lowers her arm and smiles.
"I warned you." Madiso says as she laughs.
Cree grins, her mind returning to what just happened. Who exactly is that Yattamori girl? And is she gonna show up again?
December 2, 2010
OUR WORLD
Woodrow Wilson Middle School
Lunch
Madison's Perspective
Anna, Bianca, Cree, Hannah, Kaylee, Madison, and Virginia sit at their usual round table in the middle of the cafeteria. The seven girls sit in complete silence, probably sensing that Madison wasn't in a great mood. The reason? She didn't get an ounce of sleep over fretting about what was happening in the Soul Society. Though, she knew not to throw that detail out to her friends. They would think she was crazy. So, she sits quietly, sketching in her drawing pad. A picture of herself, in the other world, of course. It was creepy how close her sketch resembled her reflection in the other world. She tried to keep the thought out of her mind as she tediously drew in the curly line pattern on the kimono. So far, though, only Cree had thought it looked a little like her, so she was safe.
Virginia gets annoyed quickly by the quiet table, especially Madison.
"What's wrong with you today Madison? You're usually bouncing off the walls with laughter by now." Virginia comments as she takes a sip of her chocolate milk, breaking Madison's thoughts.
"Did something happen after you got home from the hospital?" Anna asks as she throws Madison her slim jim, Madison's favorite lunch-time treat, to her from the other side of Cree.
"Or did you mess up on another of your imaginary boyfriend drawings?" Bianca comments from directly across from Madison, inspecting her newly manicured nails.
"Guys, leave her alone. She might still be on antibiotics and just doesn't feel super peppy." Cree interjects from Madison's left side, defending her.
Cree is the tom-boy of the group, other then Virginia, and is Native American (you can tell by her name). She has really long brown hair with blonde highlights, a braid usually intertwined. She wears cute purple rectangle speck glasses, and is known for wearing the cutest tees. Cree's character is easy to decribe. A friend for a life and someone who will keep you on the right track, or will punch you in the arm if you step off. But, she's truely a kind and caring friend and person in general.
Madison grins weakly.
"Thanks, I just didn't get much sleep last night is all." Madison says.
"It was just a joke, you don't have to be so edgy Kateri." Virginia comments from Madison's right side, calling Cree by her last name.
"Well, you know that she just got out of the hospital yesterday, so you shouldn't be saying stuff like that." Cree says.
"Whatever." Virginia says as she takes a bite of her burger.
"It's not just whatever, and you know that!" Cree says to Virginia behind Madison's chair.
Did she forget to mention that when it comes to Virginia, she has a short temper?
"Oh, great, it's their daily lunch fight." Kaylee remarks from Anna's left side as Cree and Virginia begin to yell at each across Madison's seat at the table.
"They do this everyday, you would think we would be used to it by now." Bianca says, taking a sip of her water.
"And yet we aren't. Man, now it's just annoying." Hannah comments from inbetween Bianca and Virginia, looking over her book to roll her eyes at the still fighting couple.
"Dido."
"I second that."
"Same here."
"Agreed." Madison, Kaylee, Anna, and Bianca say at the same time.
"May I have everyone's attention please?" a male's voice says from the speakers above.
Everyone, including Cree and Virginia, immediately shut up as Mr. Chiado, all their P.E. teacher, begins to speak again.
"As you all who are in my class know, I've been trying to decide on a new activity to do in P.E. especially for 8th graders. And, I believe I've found something that is perfect." Mr. Chiado says into the mic.
All the girls at the table look at each other.
"I bet it's biking or bowling." Cree says.
"No way, that's done too much. I bet he's taking us to swim at one of the high schools." Virginia says.
"If that were true, why is he just telling us today? We would of needed to know before now so that we would of known to bring bathing suits." Cree says.
"Shut up for a minute, you two, and listen." Bianca says.
"So, I've decided, with permission from Dr. Nitts, that today in 8th and 9th hour, my classes will learn how to battle with Katanas!" Mr. Chiado yells.
Madison's eyes widen.
"Huh?" Bianca says.
"What?" Hannah says.
"What the heck is a Katana?" Virginia asks.
"A Katana is a sword used back in feudal Japan by samurais and ninjas." Madison explains.
Mamori Koudoutai, her own Katana, flashes threw her mind.
"Swords?! Since when does Dr. Nitts allow weapons at school?" Anna says.
"Don't worry, they're plastic, so none of you will be in any danger of being hurt." Mr. Chiado finishes, "See you in Gym!"
"Oh, good, that scared me for a minute." Kaylee says, sighing in relief.
"What, afraid that you'd be cut open?" Virginia asks, laughing.
"Yes! Have you ever even seen a sword? They're dangerous and sharp, not to mention deadly." Kaylee replies.
Madison looks away from her quarrelling friends. This might not be good. Since Madison now is interfused with the memories of her past life, Yattamori, she now knows all the tactics when using a sword, especially a katana. So, she had to be careful to not go over the top while dueling a classmate. Even though they're plastic, with a good thrust, she could still cause injury to one of her friends.
8th period
Madison, Cree, Virginia, and Kaylee sit on the stands in the gym, waiting to take attendance for class. Madison's heart is beating fast. She's nervous about the matches.
"Scared?" Madison hears Cree ask.
"No, more nervous then anything." Madison replies as she looks at Cree.
"Nervous?" Cree repeats.
"About who I'll have to duel."
"Oh, well, since no one's never even probably held a sword before, it'll be a fair match." Cree says, apparently trying to reassure her.
"No, I've used a katana before. And I'm pretty advance in many tactics to win duels. I'm just nervous about letting that all out."
"Since when does your mom let you swing a sword around?"
"It's complicated.
"Ok class! Before we start, I want to know who's ever done something like this before." Mr. Chiado yells, ending Madison and Cree's ackward conversation.
Madison raises her hand, and is surprised when three others also raise theirs, including Cree. One especially catches her eye. Amanda Stranks, the self-proclaimed most popular girl in school. Madison and her friends didn't like her, they think she's just a big bully.
"They must fense." Virginia says.
"Alright, you four come down and help me give examples." Mr. Chiado says.
Madison, Cree, Amanda, and a boy named Austin get up and move to the front of the class.
"Alright, each of you take a sword and take a position across from one of the other people up here." he instructs as he points to a pin full of fake katanas in leather sheaths.
Madison takes a sword, gripping the nostalgic hilt in one hand then the middle of the sheath, and moves to one end of the group. Madison turns back to find Amanda across from Cree and Austin across from her. Perfect. She wouldn't have to restrain herself too much. Her Soul Reaper instints are beginning to take over as she places the short sheath in a loop attached to the elastic band of her gym shorts, pulls the blade out and grips the hilt with both hands, the sword straight up and down as she holds it about five inches from her hips.
"Madison has done the correct stance, everyone take note on how she's holding the handle-"
"It's called a hilt." Madison says.
"Oh, as she's holding the hilt, sorry." Mr. Chiado says, "Now, please begin the example duels. Duel!"
Austin runs straight at Madison with his sword held above his head, an amature beginning move. Madison steps to the side as Austin thusts his sword down. As he turns back, Madison flicks her sword around Austin's sword with her right hand then jerks, causing the hilt to fly from his grip and land on the floor. Before he can get to it, Madison has her fake sword's point to Austin's neck, indicating her victory. She slowly lowers her arm and turns back, to see Mr. Chiado and many of the others staring at her with amazement. Especially Virginia and Kaylee. She silently returns her sword to her sheath and winks at her friends, making them smile.
"Point-Madison." Mr. Chiado says.
Madison smiles, happy that she's finally done well at something in P.E..
"Ah!" she hears Cree yell.
Madison turns to see Cree on the ground with Amanda standing close, smirking.
"Cree!" Madison yells as she runs over to Cree's side.
Cree's closed eyes twitch, telling Madison that she was in pain. Madison places her hand on Cree's right arm, then jerks it back when she feels something gooey and wet. She inspects her hand and gasps. Blood. She looks back down to see a good sized gash on Cree's arm. The cut is clean and precise, telling Madison that she had been cut with Amanda's blade.
"She was so slow, I couldn't stop. I can see why though, seeing how round she is." Madison hears Amanda comment from behind her.
"How dare you say that!" Madison yells at Amanda as she turns to face her.
"Well, it's true." Amanda says, "She looks as if she has never worked out in her life."
"She's as skinny as a twig!" Madison counters.
"To most, yes, but to me, she's as large as an elephant."
"Why you!" Madison says, snearing.
"What are you going to do about it-"
"Get in your starting stance..." Madison says as she turns back around.
"Huh?" Amanda says, confused.
"Cree ojokutsokeru so kizutsukeru tameni pei munearo..." Madison says as she pulls her sword swiftly from her sheath.
"I don't know what you just said, put if you want to duel, I'll duel." Amanda says as she gets into her beginning stance, her sword in a perfect held position.
Cree sits up with help from Virginia and Kaylee as Mr. Chiado dashes over with a first-aid kit.
"Before we start, I must warn you. If you rank us in experience, I would be an expert, and you would probably be a beginner." Madison says as she turns back to face Amanda, her eyes closed.
"Such big talk, but you saw the way I took out your friend, now lets try it with you!" Amanda yells as she runs towards Madison, officially beginning the duel.
"Don't say I didn't warn you..." Madison says as she opens her eyes, her sword still held at her side.
Cree's and Virginia's eyes widen, seeing a familar blue glow to Madison's eyes.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cree's Perspective
Cree watches as Amanda closes in on Madison. She glances over at Madison. She looks bored, but confident and a bit angry. The usual hazel part of her eyes shine a light blue, like the did during there run-in yesterday with Kimmi at the hospital. Cree starts to get an uneasy feeling.
Unlike Austin, Amanda begins by holding her sword to the left side of her body, a good starting stance. As she comes to be next to Madison, she swings her sword around to meet Madison's sword with a loud bang, like when you thrust a pool noodle onto to still water (no lie). Amanda's eyes widen when she finally sees Madison's eyes, but quickly gets over it and goes for another quick thrust, just to be cut short by Madison's blade. As they continue this pattern, Cree looks around to see everyone staring at Madison, including Mr. Chiado. The only one who isn't is Kaylee, who's wrapping a gahs around her injured arm.
Cree has to admit, she never thought Madison was very good at anything athletic. Madison isn't a super active person, and likes to sketch better then sweat. If she was good at anything athletic, she could stand a good chance at beating someone at soccer, only because her brother has been playing it since he was three and it her family's second favorite sport, racing being first.
But, as soon as Madison took hold of that sword, it was like she became a different person, a more confident person.
Cree soon turns her attention back to the fight, listening closely to what the two while saying inbetween combat.
"Will you just stop trying to delay my attacks and just accept defeat. Face it, all you can do if perry my attacks, sooner or later, you'll be out of options." Amanda says.
"No way Amanda, you hurt my friend and you're gonna pay for it." Madison says as her eyes begin to glow brighter for a second.
Suddenly, Madison steps out of the way of Amanda's next attack and begins to go on offense, swinging her sword swiftly and fast. Amanda's sword just barely has chances to perry Madison's attacks. A minute later, they come to be in a sword lock, gritting their teeth at each other.
"I don't lose, and I'm gonna make sure it stays that way!" Amanda says.
While Mr. Chiado isn't looking, Amanda slides her left foot behind Madison's right foot and jerks it back, causing Madison to trip. Cree gasps as Madison begins to fall. But, in mid-fall, Cree sees Madison do something unexpected.
She grins.
Before she hits the ground Madison puts her arms out and flips back up in a back hand spring, her sword still in her fist. Everyone gasps in amazement as Madison stands straight up, her expression looks mature and serious.
"So, that's how you did it..." Madison says.
"What?" Amanda asks.
"That's how you defeated Cree."
"Madison, what are you talking about?" Mr. Chiado asks.
You thought you were going to win until I began to actually fight back, and when our swords locked, you tried to trip me and catch me off guard by thrusting your sword at me, initially ending the duel and making you the victor. You used that exact tactic on Cree, inwhich it was successful and you ended up injuring her. If I had not been able to catch mysekf, you might of injured me as well. But, you don't care, just as long as you stay the victor, even if you do it by cheating." Madison explains, looking at Amanda as she talks.
Amanda snears furiously at Madison and holds her sword out to the left side as she begins to run at Madison.
"Shut up!" Amanda says.
Cree's eyes widen as the plastic sword in Madison sword begins to morph into a longer sword, the hilt now curved like a candy cane at the end, a pearl and a pink ribbon, connecting to another pearl, hanging from the end. Cree gasps to herself.
The blade is real.
Cree's attention is pulled away by the sound of Madison's bored sigh. She looks over to see that Madison's bangs hve fallen in front of her right eye.
"Mamori, let's end this..." Madison says to herself as she grips the sword with both hands.
Mamori...?
As Amanda starts to thrust her sword across, Madison whips her sword to her left side.
"Amanda, you lose." Madison says as she thrusts her sword across the blade of Amanda's sword.
When Amanda comes to stop a few feet from Madison, they stay silent for a moment. Then, suddenly, the blade of Amanda's sword falls off. Amanda gasps as she holds up the severed hilt, her eyes wide in shock. Then, half of her side bangs float to the gound, causing Amanda to finally crack and scream, dropping the hilt. The other kids in the room then begin to hoot and holler, amazed by what had just happened.
Cree looks at Mr. Chiado and Virginia, to see their jaws dropped and dumb-founded stares stuck on their faces.
"How did she do that with just a plastic sword?" Mr. Chiado says.
Cree looks at him in surprise.
"That sword isn't plastic, it's real." Cree says.
Virginia and Mr. Chiado looks at her like she's stupid.
"No Cree, those are fake swords, they're all exactly the same, anyway." Virginia says.
"But that's not true, Madison's has a curved green hilt with a ribbon attached." Cree says as she points towards Madison's sword.
"Cree, what are you talking about? There's no sword with a curved green hilt." Mr. Chiado says as he looks at Madison's sword.
Cree looks surprised and turns to look at the sword Madison is holding. It was just how she'd seen it before, a curved green hilt with a pink ribbon. It was so obvious, so why didn't Virginia and Mr. Chiado acknoledge it?
Am I the only one who can see it...?
Mr. Chiado gets up and walks over to Madison.
"Match-Madison." Mr. Chiado says.
The other kids applaud as Madison smiles. Cree's breath catches as she turns to look at her. She relaxes when she sees that Madison's eyes are back to normal. Madison walks over quickly to her.
"You ok now?" Madison asks.
Cree nods. She quickly looks over to see Madison's sword back to being plastic, which intriged her.
Madison smiles even bigger, making Cree feel even more normal. Madison was back.
"Now, time for the next match." Cree says as she stands up.
Madison looks at her, confused.
"Next match?" she restates.
Cree nods.
"The match between you and me."
"What?!"
"You and I duel, right now."
"Cree are you crazy, you were just injured five minutes ago!"
"It was only a scratch, c'mon, what are you so worried about? Afraid that I'm gonna beat you?"
Harsh "oos" and "burn"s come from the kids watching from the sides. Cree grins. She knows all too well that Madison doesn't like taunting.
"No, it's not like that, it's just-"
"Just what? Just that you're too scared to admit I might be better then you?"
The kids repeat. Madison begins to become irritated.
"Cree, stop-"
"Stop what? Telling the truth?"
Now kids begin calling Madison to accept. Anger seems to begin building inside Madison.
"Cree, I'm warning you-"
"That if I fight you, it's gonna be boring, for me?"
That makes the kids go wild and Madison crack. Her eyes begin to glow blue again, anger in her eyes. She turns from Cree.
"Get into your starting stance." Madison says as she picks up another sword and throws it over her head, it landing perfectly in Cree's hands.
Kids begin to holler happily, some shouting specific things, like; "Beat her Madison!", "Show her who's the true master Cree!", "Kick her to the curb, Madison!" Most were for Madison to beat her butt.
Mr. Chiado comes to the middle as Cree turns back to see Madison in her stance, staring her down like an angry bull. He raises his arm.
"Duel!" he yells as he thrusts his arms down.
For the first time, Madison actually advances, just as Cree does the same. With a loud crash, their swords clash together then bounce off each other. Cree stumbles back from the inpact. Madison takes the chance to thrust her sword down onto Cree's. She quickly dodges, stepping to the right as the sword fell inches from her body. She turns back and thrusts her sword to the side as Madison stands back up. She's surprised when Madison's sword whips up and stops her's. Madison gets firm footting and pushes Cree back, a feet Madison had never been able to do.
For a minute, they stand still, both panting slightly. Cree looks over at Madison as she whips the sweat from her brow. Slowly, she watches as Madison's sword begins to morph once again into the other sword, the real one. Cree gulps. There was no way that her flimsy plastic sword would stand up to Madison's. But, she tosses the thought from her mind and runs at Madison. Before her sword collides with Madison's she squizzes her eyes shut, preparing for the worst.
Instead, she hears the clashing of metal. She opens her eyes and gasps. Instead of her plastic sword is a real one, the now yellow hilt bent at the end, with a piece of strand metal bent in curly-que, a saphire attached to the end. She looks up at Madison, who looks just as surprised as she is.
"That's not possible..." Madison says as she looks at the sword.
"Huh?"
"You can't have a zampakutou..."
"Zampakutou?" Cree repeats.
Slowly, Cree notices a faint glow coming from around Madison's neck. She looks down to see a lime green pendant with an arrow eteched in it hanging from a leather string around Madison's neck. Madison looks up at Cree, then pushes her away, more forceful then last time. Insisting to get answers, Cree rushes back, to meet Madison's blade one once again.
Suddenly, Cree is somewhere else. A void to say correclty.
"What the-?"
"What are you doing here?" a familar voice says.
Cree looks up and gasps. It was the girl from sketch Madison had been drawing during lunch! Her hair is chestnut brown and wavy, held up in a high ponytail by a lime green ribbon, bangs covering her right eye and thick strands of hair all that hang down, covering her ears. Similar to Madison's. She's bears the same necklace Madison was wearing a minute ago, along with a pink ribbon choker with another lime green gem attached to it around the base of her neck. She wears a pink, sleeveless, over-thing over a kimono with black curly-lined designs and black trimming, lime green arm bands transending from underneath the sleeves of the kimono, along with sandals worn over white sock-like things on her feet.
"How should I know?!"
"This isn't good. Cree, you need to get out of here now." the girl says as she pushes on Cree's back.
"How do you know my name?"
"No questions, I need to get you out of here before something happens."
"No! Tell me who you-"
Cree turns to see a steel sword pointed at her neck. Cree looks farther down the shaft of the blade and gasps when she sees the handle.
"I'm sorry for doing this. But it looks like it's the only way to get your soul out of here. Forgive me for using this method." the girl says as her shown eye begins to glove light blue, causing Cree's to widen more.
"Your eyes, the sword. Madison has the same. Just who are you?" Cree asks.
The girl looks away for a minute, then sighs and looks back. Her eyes are still glowing, but look more kind and nuturing.
"You can call me Yattamori." the girl says as the room begins to sway.
"Yatta..mori..."
The girl nods. Suddenly the void dims and becomes black.
"Match-Madison!" Mr. Chiado's voice calls.
"Huh?"
Cree blinks and finds a plastic sword point at her neck, and Madison at the other end, her eyes a normal hazel. Madison lowers her arm and smiles.
"I warned you." Madiso says as she laughs.
Cree grins, her mind returning to what just happened. Who exactly is that Yattamori girl? And is she gonna show up again?
No comments:
Post a Comment