Chapter 32: The duel

A flash of steel

Funada Hoyori was a man in his late twenties, a veteran of several wars, bearing a prominent scar across his cheek. He was dressed in yellow robes, with a green sash around his waist, and a matching dark green hakama obscured his legs. He chose a spot upon the icy stone pathway directly between two cherry-trees, their branches white and bare from the winter chill.

Taeshimo Fuyukaze strode out in feigned confidence, he wasn't sure of his sister's plan. The Katsukana dojo was well known in training duelists, and he had practiced the act with his classmates hundreds of times, but never had experienced a true one. He gave a curt bow to Funada Hoyori which was matched in kind before he moved to stand next to him. Both men stood just a few feet apart.

Both men watched one another, their eyes looking beyond them, watching for the first sign of movement. Tension filled the air, they stood well within the reach of each others blades. It would come down to who drew the fastest, one would live and the other would die.

The crowd of courtiers grew in size slowly, whispering amongst one another. Many were trying to understand what had just happened and others were asking about the duelists. Others still were gambling upon the outcome.

Taeshimo Miyuki moved to stand next to Funada Chisato, giving her a casual smile. “I apologize if my brother offended your honor. I do not know what caused the outburst, but it's far too late to prevent blood from being shed.”

Funada Chisato watched, barely acknowledging Miyuki. “He was brash and vulgar, you were foolish to keep him on your retinue.”

Miyuki simply smiled and said in a pronounced tone, loud enough to be heard over the noise of the rest of the group. “Yes, calling a courtier a prostitute is as serious as accusing the entire delegation of a clan of being traitors isn't it?” Funada Chisato gasped and turned her head away for a heartbeat.

With the suddenness of a loud voice both duelists quickly reached for their katanas. Fuyukaze did not think, he simply let the flat of his hand connect with the woven silk of the hilt then rolled his hand causing the blade to slip from its sheath. He saw his opponent was drawing as well, Hoyori's shoulders raising as he pulled his own blade from its sheath, drawing high, his sword escaping the scabbard as he began to swing downwards. Fuyukaze twisted his shoulders, stepping forward, his leg striking Hoyori's as he pulled his own blade across his opponents chest. Suddenly there was a jolt of pain from his head caused the youth to flinch and Fuyukaze stumbled to the side holding onto his katana tightly.<two high draws?>

Fuyukaze pushed himself back into stance, his sword drawn and shifting to a high stance his blade high over his head. When he opened his eyes and faced his opponent, he saw Hoyori clutched at the bloody bubbling wound that drew from his side through his chest. Blood poured from the samurai's lips, his own blade still held tight in his hands. He looked to Fuyukaze with hatred in his eyes, trying to speak but could find no breath. He stared, speaking those silent words before finally collapsing upon the ground.

Fuyukaze pressed his hand to his head, finding no blood he blinked realizing only the pommel had struck him. He drew the blade to his cheek then flicked his katana down towards the ground quickly, a spatter of crimson fell upon the snow as a result. He carefully sheathed his katana and turned, bowing low to his sister “Taeshimo Miyuki-sama, please forgive my brashness. This blood should not have been spilled.”

Miyuki simply smiled, with Funada Chisato looking at her in horror. “No it should not have brother, but you have done well in winning this duel, so the glory is yours. Still, in the future,” she smiled to her brother but as she drew up his arms to cross them over her chest her fan pointed at Chisato. “You should be much more careful in insulting people.”

Funada Chisato gasped and turned quickly, retreating from the gardens and towards her guest house. The courtiers watching the events just hid there faces behind their fans, a few even dared to laugh.