Ch. 6: War & Love

Aspect took a step back. “A duel?”

The tiger nodded, standing up. “It’s been so long since I’ve gotten to stretch my muscles.”

The fox looked him up and down. He had fought many different foes over the years, too many to count. But he had never fought an enemy so huge. Isu towered over him; the tiger was probably almost ten feet tall. Aspect wouldn’t put it past him if he was even taller than that. He felt small compared to the mighty Shogun.

But perhaps he could use it to his advantage.

“All right.” Aspect agreed. “I accept your challenge.”

Isu narrowed his eyes, and before Aspect knew it the tiger was bolting towards him at breakneck speeds, bowling him over and flattening him to the ground.

The tiger held him down, his mighty paws holding his wrists to both his sides as his hot breath fanned Aspect’s whiskers back. He bared his teeth, his long fangs glinting as spittle dripped from them. For a moment, the Black Warrior thought he had met his match.

But then he realized that, with both of his hands occupied, the Shogun was completely vulnerable, and an idea struck him.

With all his strength, he pushed against the tiger’s huge body and shoved his knee into his abdomen, and the tiger immediately let go, choking.

The fox slithered out from under his grip and leaped to his feet, unsheathing his sword. “That was a dirty move,” He spat. “Fight like a man! Unless the only thing you can do is fight like a cowardly thief with no standards?”

Isu’s eyes narrowed, the humorous glint in them being replaced with the fiery light of battle. In this state, the tiger was far more terrifying than any other foe the Black Warrior had ever faced.

“In battle, there are no barriers for the moves you can utilize to your advantage,” He growled menacingly. “Every warrior is lowered to equal standing. The only thing that matters now is who will come out on top.”

With a roar, he bolted towards him again, but this time Aspect knew what he was going to do next. He swung his blade and felt it meet fur. Isu yowled and stumbled back, clutching his face as blood streamed from between his fingers.

Aspect lunged forward and sliced again, another spurt of blood flowing freely from the Shogun’s face. Isu spun around and snarled, knocking the blade from the warrior’s hands.

“Let me see your pure strength!” He roared mockingly. “Without your blade, what can you do to me?”

Aspect met his gaze unwaveringly. “As you wish. Become the rust on my blade, worthless fool!” He heard Kojo gasp from off to his side, as if he had cursed the gods themselves.

But Isu only laughed at his taunt. “Come at me, and see if your brave words hold up!” He leaped at him, claws outstretched and his face drawn back in an ugly snarl.

Aspect rolled with the impact and punched his adversary in the jaw, then leaped behind him and kicked him in the side.

Isu staggered, awkwardly turning to face Aspect and throwing a punch. But with him being so much taller than his opponent, he had to bend over to land his hit, and Aspect first avoided the punch, then came into Isu’s personal space and grabbed his head with both his hands. Then he threw Isu’s head down into his knee. He heard his snout crack before letting him go.

Isu stumbled around, clutching his face with a groan before tripping over his tail and landing with a thump.

Aspect stood, ready to deal another blow, when Isu stared at him with pleading eyes and dipped his head. He had lost and acknowledged his defeat. Aspect had won.

Aspect bowed after a moment, showing respect to the defeated Shogun. “I… I’m sorry,” He began, before Isu started to laugh. It was a deep, hearty laugh, and for a moment the fox was confused.

Finally Isu spoke. “That was invigorating! I haven’t had such a wonderful spar since my younger days!”

“Your- your face-” Aspect started before the tiger stopped him.

“I’ll be fine,” He laughed, dabbing his now crooked nose with his arm. “I’ve had much worse injuries, believe me. But that was the first time anyone has bested me in battle!” His eyes shone with admiration and pride as he stared at the warrior. “It’s like you have the strength of the gods themselves.”

Aspect shrugged, feeling embarrassed by his praise. “I’m glad you enjoyed our spar. But you’d better tend to your injuries, or they’ll get infected.”

Isu glanced at his hand, now soaked with the blood from his face. “...I suppose so,” He murmured thoughtfully. “Thank you once again, Mien. I look forward to another spar with you.” He rose to his feet and headed for the palace, presumably seeking someone to tend to his wounds.

Before Aspect could follow him, Kojo slid in place beside him. “I’ve never seen such skill,” He whispered hastily. “I do hope you hold no ill will against us.”

Aspect blinked at him. He wasn’t the sort to go around, attacking helpless citizens. “Of course not. You’ve done nothing but good for me.” Then he scowled. “Aside from poking into my personal business.”

Kojo returned the glare, his initial fear fading from his stern face. “You can't keep secrets forever. You’re not in the lonely forest anymore, facing off thieves. You’re in the open now.”

As the Blacklai Fox then turned to follow the Shogun, Aspect hung back. Was it worth returning to civilization, if privacy was no longer a luxury for him?

Then he remembered his brother. He was waiting for him, and so was he. I’ll do anything for you, Fire, He swore silently. I kept my previous vow. And I’m not going to turn back on this one now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When nightfall came, Aspect went out into the woods, just as he had done the previous night. I hope Snowshoe has kept her promise. Images of the beautiful Blacklai Fox flooded his mind, and he didn’t try to banish the smile from his face for once. His only worry was whether or not she had come tonight.

He pushed through the bushes and came into the clearing where they had sparred, but the lovely pseudo-Samurai was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps I’ve come early, He thought, sitting on the ground to patiently wait for her.

The moon gradually crossed the sky, and it was nearing moon high when Aspect pricked his ears at a rustle. He turned to find the Blacklai Fox pushing through the bushes.

Her eyes widened. “Well, hi!” Snowshoe greeted him, looking surprised. “Uh… how long have you been waiting here?”

Aspect’s face flushed red. “Since nightfall.” When she immediately looked concerned, he quickly added, “But I like being out in the woods by myself. The-there’s no need to w-worry.”

A smirk crossed her face, and she turned as if she were going to leave. “In that case, I suppose you don’t need me here.”

“NO! Don’t go.” Aspect leaped to his feet worriedly. “I-I was looking forward to talking with you.”

Snowshoe looked him up and down slowly, almost tauntingly as Aspect stood there, willing himself to not look so stupid in front of the fair lady. Finally to his relief she spoke again.

“Relax, furball. I wouldn’t ditch you. I was just messing around.” She stretched and put her arms behind her head. “Geez. Anyone would’ve thought you liked me with the way you’re acting. Ridiculousness, am I right? Or am I right?” When Aspect struggled to find an answer, suddenly Snowshoe leaned into his face.

“...You okay? Your face looks kinda red.”

“WHA!” Aspect stumbled back and tripped, falling on his back helplessly in his panic. “Buh- I’m not red! Y-YOU ARE!”

That was the wrong thing to say. Idiot.

Snowshoe stared down at him as if he said the moon was made of goat cheese. “...Hey, pal, I’m not sure if you noticed, but… last I checked, I was blue, not red.”

Aspect sat up sheepishly, and when he tried to speak all that came out was a croak.

Snowshoe shook her head slowly. “Do you need water, Mister Black Warrior?”

He finally found his voice. “...No. No, I’m good. Thanks, though.” He turned to her to find that her face was full of amusement. “You seem like you’re in a good mood,” He observed.

She shrugged. “With that show you put on, who wouldn’t be?” Then she laughed. “You’re pretty goofy. For a while I thought you’d be one of those serious no-trash-talking dudes. But turns out you’re pretty okay to be around.” When he didn’t reply, she ducked her head in embarrassment. “...Too much info?”

Aspect shook his head. “You’re fine.”

Snowshoe looked relieved and looked at him over again. “...So you said your name was Aspect,” She observed. “Pretty cool name.”

Then she looked as if she suddenly just remembered something. “Hey… earlier Isu came in with his face covered in blood. Do you know anything about that? Cause then he didn’t bother me for the rest of the day.”

Aspect stared at her. “Erm… we… We sparred earlier. It got pretty brutal.”

“You look fine, though. Where’s all your injuries at?”

He glanced at his arms. “...Just a few bruises.”

“So you heal up easily? Even after getting beat up by Isu?”

Finally Aspect could feel smug. “Actually, he lost.”

Snowshoe looked as if she couldn’t believe her ears. “What! Well, I suppose he is pretty stupid. But even then, he’s a pretty formidable opponent.” She stared at him. “...Are you bluffing?”

“Nope.”

“Geez.” Now she looked shy as she glanced at her paws. “I knew you were strong, but dude, just… wow.”

They sat together in an awkward silence before she then grabbed his hand and shook it vigorously. “Nice job, dude.”

Aspect felt warmth rush from his snout to his tail tip. “...Thanks.”

She smiled at him. He smiled back, and then Snowshoe flopped down in the grass, gazing up at the stars.

“Look at them,” She murmured half to herself. “Each of them are free to travel the skies, with nothing holding them back.” She pointed suddenly. “There! A shooting star. Blazing its path faster than the eye can follow it.” Then she sighed dreamily. “That’s going to be me one day. I want to become the greatest warrior Blacklai has ever seen, and blaze my path into the stuff of legends.”

“I’m sure you’ll get there.” Aspect assured her after a moment, daring to lay by her side, though keeping just far enough away so that she wasn’t uncomfortable.

Snowshoe glanced over at him, her eyes now brimming with sadness and resentment. “Not if I’m stuck here in Jiang-lao. My father thinks I’m useless. The only thing I’m apparently good enough for is to be used as an alliance creator.”

“Look,” Aspect said suddenly, pointing to the sky. Snowshoe followed his gaze to find another shooting star flying overhead. Then another. Then another. Soon the sky was ablaze with a meteor shower glimmering above.

“Make a wish.” The black fox said softly.

“Heck, make all of them!” Snowshoe added cheekily, her voice filling with hope.

As they watched the stars fall, Aspect made a wish of his own: I wish that I can find my brother and save him.

And I wish that, regardless of what happens, Snowshoe can be free to follow her own path, whatever it is.