The Moon and Polaris

Chapter 8: Kyo vs. Iori: Round [Lost Count]

Iori and Kiki walked side by side on their way to the supermarket as Kiki recounted the events from earlier that morning. "So, I guess I have a rival now?" she concluded her story with a shrug.

"Good," said Iori with no change in expression. "Now you have another thing to work towards."

"I'm not gonna kill him!" Kiki cried.

"That's not what I'm saying," Iori punched his fist into his palm. "Just show him who's boss."

Kiki shook her head, "No! I don't wanna hurt him!"

"Then what the hell am I training you for?!"

"I'm sorry!"

Iori pinched the bridge of his nose and grumbled, "This is exactly what I meant when I said you're holding back. Speaking of which," He pointed at the girl and continued, "stop doing that. Every training session for the past week, I had to tell you to hit me harder. You have to do that without me saying so."

"But what if I break something?"

"I've already told you, you're not at that level yet."

"And when I am?"

"Then, good for you!"

As the two of them conversed, a voice called out in the distance, "That's her!" Iori and Kiki looked over in the direction of the voice. Further up the road, they saw Shingo with a young man in a black school uniform heading in their direction. Shingo and his companion came to a halt and locked eyes with Iori and Kiki.

"Cruz!" Shingo shouted and pointed.

"Shingo?" Kiki questioned and cocked her head.

"Kyo!" Iori howled and ignited a purple flame in his hand.

"Yagami!" the young man yelled and ignited an orange flame in his.

"Kyo?!" Kiki cried and whipped her head back at the pair in front of them.

Iori and Kyo charged at each other. Purple and orange embers flew in the air as the two of them exchanged blows. They yelled and grunted with each strike and dodge.

Kiki whipped her head around, noticing bystanders on the street starting to crowd around them. She brought her attention back to Kyo and Iori and cried, "Now?! Here?!"

As the fight continued, Kyo glanced at his surroundings as he dodged each of Iori's kicks and punches. The crowd looked on at the scene with a mix of excitement and concern. Some people hollered and whooped while others pulled out their phones, ready to call the police, no doubt. Iori sent a punch straight to Kyo's face, but Kyo caught it in his hand just before impact. "Let's settle this somewhere else, Yagami."

"Killjoy," Iori brought his fist down and mused through gritted teeth. "The usual place?"

Kyo smirked and gave him a slight nod. He sprinted in the opposite direction he came and beckoned Shingo to follow him, "Come on!"

With no hesitation, Shingo started running after him, "Wait up, Mr. Kusanagi!"

Iori looked over to Kiki and flashed her a devilish grin, "Change of plans."

Kiki held her head in confusion as she tried to process what just happened, "Okay??"

The pair ran through the bustling streets. Iori kept his sights on Kyo, charging straight ahead, not stopping even when he bumped into passersby. Kiki scampered after him, directing "Sorry"s and "Excuse me"s at the complaining street-goers.

The two pairs arrived at the local train station and waited for the next train to arrive on the platform. Kyo and Iori glared at each other at a distance. Shingo tried to do the same with his rival, but Kiki's perplexed expression didn't help at all. Once the train rolled in, the pairs piled into separate cars. Iori and Kiki were squished into the car with the other passengers. Kiki clung onto Iori's jacket and her face was pressed up against his exposed chest.