Zaku Kimimaro's Story

Zaku looked at the situation. One of the best fighters at the academy had challenged. Zaku himself was so far an undefeated duelist. He remembered stating that he could beat this guy without even using a weapon, and he had meant it. He'd been working on a new technique. The kid seemed arrogant, and Zaku would like to see him what he looked like in a defeated position.

The opponent formed a big eatheral morningstar. "You're going down you arrogant prick!" he said with passion. He was already making a mistake, Zaku had learned at a young age to not let emotion blind him in a fight. Zaku didn't respond as he felt he didn't need any psych tactics to win this fight. The students surrounded around the two were getting a little rowdier. "What's the matter? you getting cold feet?" the opponent asked.

Zaku was getting bored of this man, his quips were especially dull and tiring, inspiring no anger, and even the thought that he could win this fight was far from realistic. Zaku focused on his shadow, and used dark magik to move it over his opponents, and masking it so it wouldn't appear like anything was happening. The opponent tried to take a step but it was to late, Zaku had his shadow in the right place. He forced small thin blades up and quickly into the man's ankles. An easy trap, leaving weaker opponents unable to continue, and a lot of confusion as to how it happened.

Zaku didn't even wait for the crowd to disperse from around the crippled man. He had training to do in the somewhere else in the academy. He walked away carelessly wondering only how he could use his technique in an actual battle. It was a little straining, and took a while. It would be hard to stall a true enemy long enough. He threw it from his mind, and continued on his way down the halls to the back to train.

Zaku was meditating in the training field. His mind was free to think, as his body prepared. He was preparing for the Annual Fair in Talmanni square. All two years living in this city he didn't care enough to go, but this year he learned of the annual tournament held, and that though it was slightly new, it had gained a fairly popular reputation for being one of the best tournaments in Gallus.

Zaku wondered what techniques he would use. His Asp Biter? maybe, but only as a last resource, it would be to easy otherwise. Suddenly Zaku heard someone running toward him. Zaku stood up and side-stepped keeping his leg out. A young boy came dashing but tripped over Zaku's foot. The boy looked to be about 17, with spiky golden hair, and he wore an orange vest over his white shirt, as well as dark long pants and tall leather travelers boots. On his belt he wore a sheathed sword. He pushed himself off the ground and sat up, looking at a rather annoyed Zaku.

"Hey Zaku, looks like I'm still not stealthy enough," he said with a smile. This was Evan Doragon a boy who had in his head befriended Zaku, and no one understood why. Zaku felt like this kid was always around to annoy him, even when he was 17 he wasn't this obnoxious. "What do you want now Evan, I'm meditating."

"I was just going to ask if you were entering the tournament tonight?" he asked with anticipation.

"Yes, what off it?" Zaku asked always tiring of Evan's constant positive attitude.

"Woohoo! We might fight each other then." Evan exclaimed with delight. Zaku now had one more reason to not go to the fair. Luckily though, he had more reason to go than not.


Evan:

Zaku was walking down the street toward Talmanni square with Evan, the long way, because Evan wanted to build up to the fair. Zaku was at a special level of annoyed in which he almost didn't care if Evan was attacked by a monster. Suddenly Even stopped and peeked around an alley corner. Zaku was about to drag him when he sensed what Evan was looking at, the only thing was that Zaku wasn't trained to feel magikal pressure. He peeked around the corner to see a stout man in laid back golden hair, and a long blue military-like coat with a collar that flipped up and covered his neck. He wore clean white gloves and shiny black boots with his whit long pants that had a blue stripe with golden borders on the outside of each leg.

The man stood outside the house of one Mykeisha Bruma, knocking on the door. He stood very official-like with his hands behind his back. azu recognized this man as Alois Fawkner, the last and current heir to the Fawkner name. The coat he wore was the coat all members of the city council wore, identifying them as one of the few people with the power to control the city. Evan knew only that he must be a council member.

Alois was young for a councilman and even looked his young age of 25, but sounded much different. His Formal tone and deep regal voice complimented each other, it was one of the things that made him one of the most popular councilmen. "This is the residence of Mykeisha Bruma yes?" he said in a very friendly manner to the guard, "I wish to speak to her about the fair and another very important matter of business." He pulled out a sealed letter, bearing the seal of none other than the old private seal of the Fawkner family. The seal was pressed blue wax with the shape of an open book with two blades behind it, the letter smelled strongly of rose-like perfume making it reek of aristocracy.

Evan noticed the letter but of course not being versed in many of the old town symbols, didn't recognize the seal. Neither did Zaku, being somewhat of a foreigner still to the city. Evan began a quite climb toward the roof to get a better view on the conversation. When Evan finally reached the top, he saw Zaku already hunched listening to the banter. Evan didn't care for how he got there so fast now, as he rushed to quietly eavesdrop as well.

"Less drunk, I'll hate that one but okay," Neku said through pained teeth. Kaine's request was interesting, Well, I can definitely get you into the tournament, and maybe we'll spar there, and as for that whole suppressing energy, I think it came out of your arse." Neku gave a sly look to only Kaine on that last comment, knowing the guy had a fair knowledge about more than he let on. neku appreciated that.

"But of course, the lovely piper, girl of metal and caregiver to the sick," he raised his voice to emphasize the effect of the titles to an almost silly degree, "and first on the scene," he said in a mock secretive tone, faking covering his mouth with his hand. "You're request might be hard to keep, seeing as death is my mistress and wants to be my true love." Neku saw Zhu coo as piper petted him. Neku noticed how odd this was, "but to anyone who can calm a phoenix like that, I have a feeling that death will have a hard time."

"Why don't we all head to the fair together soon, seeing as we all just met, might as well christen it!" he said in a merry tone. "Its gonna be great!" Neku said as he jumped up, grasped on to the top of the doors threshold and started doing pull-ups. He was suddenly the picture of activity so soon after being wounded. Neku felt good about these new people, maybe even friend- worthy was his constant thought. Inside though, something felt like this was destiny.

(disregard Zaku, he was an accident here)

"Well if ever there were a better embodiment of coldness, then it must have the power to freeze over oblivion," Alois said sitting down. "I beg you madam Bruma, to take my remarks as of late, as they are, lighthearted and playful." Alois set his arms at ease, and on his legs. "Truly though madam Bruma you could spare some amount of emotion, for I bring both good news and a warning." Alois maintained his friendly tone as he exclaimed all of this, he tried not to look over happy however as he began, "but I do hope to maintain some seriousness throughout my words, as I do understand what it is to have someone be annoyingly cheerful when you feel overwhelmingly the opposite."

Alois set the letter on the table, inside lay black and white photographs of alley ways with dead bodies in them. Each alley also had a photo related to it, each of the strange upside down sunrise symbol made in blood on alley walls. "This is new that I've found out relates to you," Alois said, leaning in and quieting his voice a bit. "I have read every file the city has on you, totaling in two, and all I know is that Bruma could possibly be a fake name, and that you are running from something based on your first few days of activity in the city, which included only one valid days worth of research." Alois laid back and set his head on one of his arms with finger tracing his statuesque and handsome face. "You madam Bruma are indeed a mystery, and I'm the only council member that knows it, and the only member with family ties strong enough to find out even an ounce of this strange new gang's motives." Alois smirked with a bitter interest, "They are after something of yours, and they aren't far off, if I can deduce all of this, some of their best minds can't be either."

Zaku and Evan meanwhile had decided to wait in a near bye alley and try to tail Alois when he came out, to see what he was up to. Zaku had many ideas in his head as he stood in the shadow brooding. "Ughh, this is starting to get boring," Evan said sitting against a wall looking up with an obvious look of disinterest. "We've been here ten minutes, you can leave for all I care, but this is something truly curious," Zaku said in a scoffing tone.

Alois stood subtly and regally, with his hands behind his back. He took a brief but deep breath, and looked up eagerly. "Well on the side of good news, I was hoping to invite you to have a special seat at this years Fawkner Fair, specifically the tournament." Alois stood again and seamlessly began, "I thought that if I was bringing such grief news I might as well try and lighten the blow, as well as the fact that I have a great fascination with you Madam Bruma, you are obviously good at hiding many things, the slip ups I must believe are not entirely on your part, but I live for discovery."

Alois maintained his great positive charm as he spoke. "My family has looked toward danger in the task of seeking knowledge for generations unending, and you Madam Bruma, I must imagine store a vast wealth of knowledge." Alois bowed gracefully moving one hand under his chest in the proper manner. "Please, I must ask that you go, and at least compare some of your own intellecual finding with that of my own, and my bloodline."

Evan was getting tired of wait, and still waiting on Zaku who was tentatively leaning against the alley side. "I'm gonna go on ahead, you can stay and eavesdrop if you want," Evan said. Zaku barely heard, and made no signal showing he even did. Evan didn't care, he walked on once again, headed to the fair.

Neku was soon on the fair grounds, with a large bottle of a strong sake in hand. Zhu was still no where to be found as Neku stumbled his way over to Kaine. "Hey! pretty fun heh? just wait till the fighting starts!" he said with his face flushed from drinking. He wasn't that special drunk anymore, just the usual, always looking happy and as if he's flirting with life. He laughed loudly as he drank more and more. Suddenly a woman in a bright pink frill dress with a black choker and a very fair face. Neku followed her with his eyes and then with his feet as he chased after the woman.

Zaku had finally given up on spying, and decided that Alois Fawkner could tend his own business. He soon after reached the carnival, and it didn't take long before he spotted Evan enjoying the rides. Zaku walked on through the crowds, and eventually reached the arena tent, which was not open yet. He decided to wait, and soon noticed with his slight ability to sense aura's, there were some powerful people around, and Zaku hoped to defeat them all.

Evan was riding the overhanging cart and hanging his hands out. He'd never been to the carnival for this long, he had always been working to hard with various projects. After the thing called a "rollercoaster" Evan headed for the trampolines. He started jumping up and down laughing and giggling with childish joy. He hadn't had this much fun in a long time. He jumped off for a moment and noticed something odd. A child was sitting on a bench crying with an ice-cream cone lying on the ground. Evan couldn't just leave this child crying, he had to do something. Suddenly he rushed off and soon returned with a giant stick of gummy candy. he handed it to the kid and gave a huge grin, showing all of his teeth. The kid lit up like a street lamp, and started laughing as he ran off with his new gift. Evan was still smiling when he looked up and noticed a pretty girl with dark hair yelling about dying and fun. He made quick eye contact and could immediately tell there was something different about her. His giant grin turned into a half open amazed smirk.

Alois stood out on a balcony, which stood on two large wooden planks seeded into the north side of the bleachers surrounding the arena area. "Welcome all, to this years Fawkner Fair!" The crowd cheered very loudly until Alois raised his hands for silence, then boomed in his voice again, "We have a great line up of contestants tonight, many are last minute additions, from far away, and very close to home, I hope you all wish them you best, but I must announce that this year we will be performing something a little... special." Alois grinned widely as he announced the next part, "We will be matching up opponents randomly and by complete surpise, they will not be aware of who they fight, until they are called, and if they fail to enter the ring within 20 minutes of being called, they forfeit." The crowd cheered loudly for the new news, and in anticipation of these surprising match-ups that meant not knowing when the tournament ended.

Neku walked back to Piper and Scarlett with his face still somewhat goofy. "Umm, I'm sorry you two but Zhu entered you both into the contest by accident, he's not good with prioritizing and organizing people for long periods of time, but look at it this way... it's gonna be fun!" Neku let his eyes fall with the last statement, and passed out. He fell into a state of unconscious drunken stupor. Zhu landed on top of Nekus head, which now lay asleep on the ground.

Evan had heard the news, and was excited. No way of knowing you're next opponent or even when the fighting stops; it was a true test of bravado and will. Evan looked over to his left and saw the old master Zen. "Quite a show huh my boy?" he said humbly and joyously.

"Yeah, it's gonna be great, but you mastered that brown headed drunk guy right? How does he intend to fight when he's so out of it?" Evan said with a lot of confusion. This master looked wise, and possibly full of years of magikal experience.

"Oh he is much stronger than he looks, and he probably won't try to win here, maybe just test others," The master looked on at the stone arena floor with the same expression. "He hasn't used his full potential in a long time, and besides, after I had trained him to control his control over the power of lightning, he still won't use it for fear of hurting someone badly."

Evan was surprised by this statement, and was a little more cautious to hear the man now passed out on the floor could greatly injure someone, while holding himself back. Evan wondered just how strong Neku actually was now, and how he would even fight. Something deep down inside of Evan wanted to fight Neku, but something else, something still less powerful, advised against it.

Neku mumbled in his stupor, "More blood than alcohol...4 liters of blood...3 liters of sake." Neku must have been remembering something in his head, and somewhat vaguely aware of his surrounding. He started to snore somewhat loudly letting out small mumbles occasionally. He rolled over now, and was blushing very furiously as he somewhat loudly mumbled, "Evany," and made a little more off a stir, then subsided.

As the first match ended, Alois rose again and announced loudly, "Now, this was just demonstration of the fighting you will see tonight ladies and gentlemen, these men could not make it in time for the actual tournament, but you can see all of the real contestants as they now move to sit at the side of the arena," Alois pointed to the edge of the arena, which was a large cobblestone area all around the 3 foot high arena circle, that stretched about 35 feet around. "I must ask all non fighters to sit only in the bleachers, thank you." Alois sat once more, allowing a brief intermission before he announced the first real fighters.

Evan started moving along to the waiting area, and noticed Zen going to. If Zen was really going to fight, then he might be as strong as Neku. Evan wondered where Zaku had run off to, as he looked around. ll he could see that stood out was a man in a long coat with cut out sleeves, and a black woolen hat and long spiky hair poking out from the bottom, as well as the fact that he was extremely ripped around his arms. Evan also saw some woman in a pea coat and what appeared to be a black business attire shirt underneath, and an elegant skirt with expensive looking stockings and stiletto's which seemed to Evan a bit crazy to wear in a fight. Evan couldn't help but notice her bust as well, as he blushed and hoped no one saw him being such a pervert. Lastly Evan barely saw a hooded figure that appeared and the evaporated in the small crowd. Something about the figure struck Evan as dangerous.

"Mmmm?" Evan exaggerated a little. "Talkative too eh?" he joked. He watched on but spoke to her as well, trying to notice both details of the conversation and the match. He saw Yurishi start to unsheathe his blade, and his face was full of anger. Evan knew Kaine was tough, but a big sword like that could hit him with the sheathe on, and without the sheathe Evan worried that Kaine might get seriously injured. "The man with the blade is dealing with a power beyond him, he'll lose," the sound of a familiar voice in Evan's ear, Zaku's voice. Evan turned and looked all around him, but Zaku was no where to be found, so he focused once more on the match.

"Will you put everything on an assumption?" Yurishi asked angrily, taking his sheathe off. "How dare you even question my control over my own ability, I feel it's time to end this, this will be my strongest blow." Yurishi yelled as he ran much quicker than before. This was probably his fastest sprint with his blade ready for a strong fast cut, now that the heavy sheathe was gone. He covered the distance of only a few meters in moments, and went all out on his swing making sure to place Kaine's midsection in the middle of where his blade would be, and swinging once again on the injured side. Yurishi was berserk with rage.

Alois had guessed that Kaine would w coat sat next to in, and he had a clean-up team waiting. A man in a blue military coat sat next to him on the balcony and spoke with him a bit before he prepared to draw the next two slips. Alois showed politeness in the conversation, but it seemed it had no affect on the man's disposition. It was obvious they talked of Kaine because the man often looked directly toward the man walking from the arena.

Evan looked at the girl after the match at ended, he had heard her mutter something about Kaine. Maybe his original base that she did want something from Kaine wasn't entirely false, but he didn't want to judge her from just that. "By the way he said," now turning to the girl and smiling big and friendly and extended his hand for a shake, "I'm Evan Doragon." He tried his best to not make it awkward, and just hold his hand halfway between the two instead of any farther, mostly because he got the vibe that this girl wasn't one that shook hands.

Alois rose to announce the next two contestants, and he spoke loudly as to be heard over the ambient noise of the crowd, "Zen, and Zaku!" Zen appeared on stage somewhat early, and seemed surprised at the name, it was familiar, but not clear enough to remember. Zen had no formal last name as he abandoned it long ago, but he saw no other sages or such here. This meant this man kept his last name secret, but for what reason?

"That wording sounded a bit dark for you," Neku replied to Scarlett with a grin. "but personally I disagree, if Kaine teases Yurishi too much, he might stop showing off and start trying to do real damage. Remember, he hasn't even unsheathed that blade."
"Kaine is way too experienced and battle wise for making such a mistake." Scarlett replied to Neku. "If the blade, or anything else was a problem for him, he wouldn't bother to tease Yurishi."

Scarlett went silent when she witnessed the last final attacks and defenses. She instantly grabbed Mykeisha by the shoulders when Kaine's foot collided with Yurishi's face. Her expression formed a grimace when the sight instantly made her imagine the pain Yurishi had to endure. It was shocking for Scarlett to see someone as cheerful and kind as Kaine to display such a violent action... and enjoy it. She expected the slaughter she was talking about earlier, but she would admit - that surprised her.

Silence froze the whole audience, including Scarlett. Yurishi didn't make any move, not even a sign that he would get up. That would mean... "He won..." Scarlett whispered and grabbed Neku and Mykeisha by the hands.

"HE WON!" Scarlett's voice exploded along with the massive cheers of the crowd. "KAINE WON THE GAME!" Scarlett bursted in the same hysterical joy as the one after Neku's victory. "DID YOU SEE THAT? I TOLD YOU SO! HE WON!" The hysterical manner remained, but the mood quickly shifted from joyful to panic. "YURISHI MUST GO TO THE HOSPITAL INSTANTLY!" Then her mood shifted to happiness again. "KAINE STILL WON! AAAAAAAHH!" It would be a rarity for Scarlett to have been trough a hysterical cheer without hugging someone, so Neku, Mykeisha and a random stranger found themselves in her powerful embrace.

Soon after everything, Alois announced the next contestants, which were Zen and Zaku. "Hey! Neku!" Scarlett finally broke the group hug. "Isn't Zen your master?"

Hong Maoliu

And just like that, Kaine won almost flawlessly. Maoliu couldn't but cheer as loud as she could. "Ten thousand years for dragon-fist Kaine!" she cried, fist in the air. She wondered, however, if the two would fight, and if they did, would she have her face beaten in the way the swordsman had. Of course, such would be impossible, for she was quite the herself, so she let the thought dismiss itself from her mind.

Maoliu wanted to congratulate Kaine personally, however, Kaine had headed in a different direction, and it would have been difficult for Maoliu to reach him. And then, the next names were called; Zen and Zaku. Maoliu was surprised when she heard that Master Zen was fighting. She didn't know the nature of his opponent, as he had not arrived yet, however, it was likely that it was going to be a good fight. It made her think about how her master possibly looked when she fought, but she remembered that her old master didn't use such skill to duel with humans, but to defend from evil spirits that may have found her master.

Mykeisha Burma

Mykeisha decided to continue sitting and read her book, of which she was rather determined to finish, despite it not being the best she'd ever read. She ignored the sounds of taunts, bones breaking and crowds cheering, but she felt the fingers of the crazy woman playing around with her hair. Braiding it, as her maid occasionally did from time to time whenever she needed company. Not precisely for conversation, just to have another's presence around her. It wasn't as if she was immune to loneliness.

Although, Mykeisha didn't exactly enjoy people being too close, as at once, Mykeisha was yanked by her hand and held into a big embrace. She couldn't emit any noise, and could only hold a slightly pained expression as she was held more closely than her mother ever dared. Upon being released, she broke into an ever-so common coughing fit, though, in the middle of it, she noticed a man who she didn't recognize, as she hardly played attention to the fight that had taken place. Upon finishing coughing into the back of her hand, she brushed off her dress and picked her book off the ground and sat back down and continued reading. She wasn't one to do most of her own speaking.

Neku heard all of the excitement over his master and he took it collectively. "Honestly, I've never seen him fight myself, and I knew him for well over four years." Neku laughed a little at the thought of the old man fighting. "This seems like it could be interesting," Neku petted Zhu who even seemed to tilt his head in interest, "very interesting."

"Not even a name?" Evan asked, "I don't know where you're from but obviously the concept of general hospitality isn't very popular." Evan quit joking when he heard Alois announce Zaku. He looked to the arena to see the old man with Neku from before and a shadow figure. Could this be the Zaku Evan knew? The figure finally had some light illuminate him and it was indeed Evans friend. Evan was wordless, to finally see Zaku fight against others of high caliber and not just the common school jerk was rare. Even with the power of the recent fights, Evan had seen something more fantastic performed by Zaku, and this felt like an opportunity for Zaku's best. Evan was obviously torn from his goofy dumb smile to a serious look mixed with surprise.

"I remember your name now boy," Zen said with a grin, his long beard raising as his smile of realization did.

"Funny, you don't seem to ring any bells of mine," Zaku said, leaving it at that. He was prepared to fight, not talk philosophy with an old man. He put his arms and palms out and two shadowy scythes grew from his palms, and he pulled his fingers up in a curve along the top edge of the blades. The scythes extended until they were about a foot long. This was his mantis reaper technique, his second most popular technique. He could have taken this man out in one move, but his robes covered his ankles so Zaku's aim was thrown off.

"Yes, you where but a baby when I saw you, at Kimimaro Island yes," Zen stroked his beard with his one hand and placed his other behind his back, "making you a Kimimaro right, the great shadow warrior clan." Zen raised his eyebrows with joy, "then this should be interesting." He chuckled and popped his neck. He placed his left foot forward and his right farther back and leaned slightly back, with his hands in an open palm fighting position.

Ring Side/Spectator Stands

Kaine looked down at the little girl as she began coughing upon being released by Scarlett, whom was now going on about his injury. "Hey, are you alri-- WHOA!!" he started to say, before being whisked off at insane speed by Scarlett, leaving Neku and the girl with a surprised yell. In one second, Kaine was asking the girl if she was okay, and in the next, he was suddenly back inside the medical tent, forced to plop down by Scarlett's earnest desire to get him proper medical treatment. He wasn't going to lie; his wound was indeed rather impairing, and if he had to fight right now, he wouldn't last very long without the aid of his class power, or one of his Master's special recovery pills. That being said, for the time being, he felt relatively fine.

The young man known as Evan went on talking with the same eager attitude, making light jokes about the girl's obvious ill temper. He finally seemed to shut up as soon as the other contestant arrived. Perhaps Evan knew the guy; they seemed around the same age, at least. Either way, the girl didn't care. There was only one thing -- one person on her mind right now... She wasn't even really watching the ring anymore. Her eyes were on the last victor; the man called 'Kaine'. And she was able to keep him in her line of sight, up until he practically disappeared this world entirely.

"What the hell just happened!" the girl suddenly shouted, jumping up from her seat. She began looking around the area Kaine was last spotted. The scene truly shocked her; she'd never seen anything like it. But that's when she was reminded of the girl who fought just two matches ago. 'She had enhanced speed...' she thought to herself, noticing the girl in question also happened to be missing as well. 'But how did she manage to use a physical class power on another individual...? Can she extend its effect range onto others? If so, that might prove annoying for me later on...' She began biting her thumb's nail out of nerve, wondering where the black-haired girl might have stolen him off to... The only logical location would be the medical tent, but it was so sudden, and Kaine didn't appear to have been too severely injured, so what was the rush...? No matter the case, she had a feeling that her new 'friend' here would follow after her if she decided to leave to go and check... 'So god damn annoying...'

Medical Tent

"Hey, I'm alright, Scarlett. And nothing's broken, trust me. I've been in my fair share of fights, really." Just as Kaine said this, Scarlett's father, who was currently masking his identity, handed him a pill as a substitute for now. It wasn't his Master's special type, but maybe it was similar. Kaine accepted it either way, not wanting to seem rude. Just as he popped the pill in his mouth, he realized just what a strange character this doctor was... "Um... Who are you...? I've never seen you before..." said Kaine, truly oblivious as to just who this man was, despite it being entirely obvious who it was... He gave quick look around the room. "Were you here earlier?"

Kaine wasn't sure he'd seen him before, but that was mainly because of the strange mask. Other than that, the doctor was wearing a common medical coat, which suggested he was in fact a doctor. Kaine wasn't particularly worried about an assassin or anything so sinister, as he didn't regularly think there was anyone out there who wanted him dead for any reason. He just honestly didn't recognize the guy, never having seen the mask before now. He was truly curious as to who the guy was, and why he was wearing a mask. It seemed rather silly to him...

Medical Tent/Ring Side

"Oh..." said Kaine in response to the doctor's explanation. "Okay!" Kaine smiled once more, just as Scarlett sighed and suddenly sped off with him back to where they came from. Barely any time had passed, so the feeling was rather strange, to say the least. "Haha, that power of yours is really fun, but could you warn me before you bring me with you?" Kaine scratched his head as he asked her politely, still smiling.

Spectator Stands

Almost just as soon as Kaine and the black-haired girl had disappeared, they suddenly reappeared right back. The girl watching them was still biting her thumb's nail, but felt a little relieved to have that man back within her sights, and so she decided to sit back down. It was probably for the best that they came back, now that she thought about it. If he had stayed inside the medical tent, then the black-haired girl who brought him there likely would have stayed with him. Not to mention whatever doctor or doctors were in there as well, so she wouldn't be able to get any proper answers anyway.

"Just too many people here..." she muttered to herself. She hated crowds. And for good reason; if she ever needed to get out of a situation fast, the more people to block her path, the harder it would be for her, and easier it would be for whoever was chasing/trying to kill her. She'd experienced this dilemma more than once... Was there some way she could get the guy alone? It seemed difficult, to say the least, what with both sides -- hers and his -- were involving annoying people who don't know how to take a hint... Evan here seemed far too interested in the her for her own comfort, and the black-haired girl seemed to be the type who doesn't understand boundaries, which would mean that it'd be hard for either her or Kaine to get away without one or both of those two following them... Perhaps a bathroom excuse would work...?

Ring Side

Kaine had just managed to readjust to his surroundings, when another young girl happened to come to his side, asking him a rather strange question out of the blue. Her voice was shaky and she seemed a bit nervous, but Kaine didn't really notice, and merely turned to her and smiled. "Yeah, I'm Kaine. What's up?" he said, placing his hands on his hips in a relaxed manner. She took awhile to continue, but Kaine was patient. After she finally managed to get to the point and covered exactly what she was asking his help for, Kaine looked up at the ceiling of the tent, thinking. "Mmm... Well, sure I know some people who have high knowledge on magik..." he said, now looking back down at her. "But they aren't here at the tournament... My Master lives a good ways away from Gallus, so the only person I think would have such great knowledge around here would be the Master that's currently fighting right now." Kaine gave a point up to the ring where Zen and Zaku were facing one another.

"But what is it you're looking for exactly? My knowledge on magik isn't very deep, but I do know a few things. Otherwise, you might be better off asking Neku here." he said, giving the man beside him and Scarlett a small nod. "He's also a martial artist, but his magik skills were pretty awesome too!"

Scarlett noticed the girl who came over Kaine and started asking questions. "He already has fans!" She almost whispered to Neku, while smiling.
Saphire felt slightly relieved when numerous of people who knew things about magik were mentioned. One of them even said they had mastery in the magical area. She felt slight relaxation - something she have forgotten what it felt like. The warmth of the thankfulness calmed her down a bit, but she was still very nervous. "So I guess you guys know a thing or two about controlling your powers?" Saphire asked. "I-it's kinda urgent..."
"Urgent?" Scarlett thought, slightly surprised. "How bad is she at controlling her powers?"

Evan heard the girl mumble something about too many people. The voice whispered something about a chance in Evan's head, he noticed it more now than before, but this one came without a flood of emotion. He chose to ignore it at present. "Bothered by the crowd?" Evan asked, distracting himself from the match. "I know somewhere less crowded if you want, but comes at a price," he said with a light tone.

Neku was invested in the match so heavily that he barely responded to the stimuli around him. He noticed the new arrival and how she said her need was urgent, and as much as the match was interesting, he couldn't turn someone down. Neku saw that this kid was currently holding back, and that he was much stronger, probably even as strong as himself, if what his master said was right. He had been told by Zen before of his visit to Kimimaro Island, and the skill of the clan. "Well," he said before Zhu made a soft caw, "what's the need and why so urgent he said with a big grin."

Zaku rushed quick toward Zen and made several quick strikes, slicing inward at Zen with his scythes. Zen backed away and dodged most of the strikes, and swiped away the ones that got any closer than those. Zaku backed away after and rid himself of his palm scythes and crossed his arms with his hands pointing outward at the elbow. He grasped at nothing and formed two long scythes that where much darker and obviously empowered with darkness. He uncrossed his arms and wielded the double-edged scythes like long daggers. He rushed again at Zen and started by jumping and throwing a kick to the head. After Zen dodged, Zaku landed on his other leg and based himself before throwing a flurry of hard punches and kicks. Zen showed extreme mastery by blocking and dodging almost every attack, and sides stepping most of the cuts and lunges of the scythes made after most of the punches. Most of the crowd couldn't even follow the action because of the speed. Zaku finally backed away once more after his last attack, a direct lung of his scythe, missed. Immediately he threw his blade clutching fist up and summoned a large scythe blade from the ground beneath Zen. Zen jumped and flipped forward to dodge, and hit the ground just as Zaku let the blade disappear.

Saphire's face went paler than ever after Neku's question, which wasn't a pretty sight, since her skin was already pale. "P-personal reasons." She started blinking very fast in order to hide that her eyes started watering.
Her attention and Scarlett's attention was taken away by the intense beginning of the fight. Both of them seemed very skilled, fast, powerful. The younger contestant had blades and seemed very experienced for his age. The older one could dodge everything, his defense skills were amazing. He could handle everything, despite of not being armed like the other one. He had the experience of someone at his age, and the energy of a young person.
"Master Zen will win! For sure! I'm rooting for him!" Scarlett said.
"Who is he?" Saphire asked.
"The old man!" Scarlett replied. "The other one seems powerful too... Everything is impressive! Who knows? Maybe both of them will be able to tell you a thing or two about power controlling! So will be Neku! He's being taught by Zen! And Mykeisha too! And Kaine! So, so many teachers!" Scarlett happily wrapped her arm around Saphire's shoulder.
The red-haired girl didn't know how to feel about this. "You seem very cheerful and friendly for someone born in the Upper class." Saphire said.
"What?" Scarlett was confused. "I'm not from the Upper class!" She chuckled. She could ask herself why was she assumed to be from the Upper class, but decided to watch the match for now.