Chapter 1 – The fight

The wind rustle surrounds me as I dart forward. Of course, I'm not that stupid to expect a direct attack to succeed, especially when considering the gap between our abilities (not to mention the difference in age). Honestly, the chances of me surviving this battle are close to zero, even if I manage to oppose my opponent for a time being, it probably won't last long. However, if this is the end then I refuse to be just inert.

As I'm only about five more steps from the target – he didn't move a single bit, after all I'm miles behind from being considered a thread to him – he smirks. I bet he expects me to continue with the direct attack, but that's not my point. In the last moment, I change the direction throwing myself aside, so I'm no longer facing him from the front but rather from the side and strike with the cutting barrier. His smirk disappears, I can see his eyes widen as he dodges my attack – and lands ten metres behind me.

'Oh great, it failed… what a lucky person I am.' I hoped that I would at least scratch him... which almost happened, but he managed to get away. Looks like I've only revealed my secret ability… all in vain. Now I must change the tactics and come up with another plan, some that would work. 'But that's easier said than done!' I turn around, still deep in my thoughts - trying to make my brain cooperate - when he suddenly spokes:

"Could it be that you're from the Seigyo clan?" Somehow it sounds more like a statement than a question – or at least a question directed at me. The slight surprise in his voice leads me to the decision that he's asking himself rather than me, but I decide to take this chance to... stalk for time?... before I get an idea how to proceed.

"And what if I am?" Probably not the best choice of words (and intonation!), I get a bit carried away. Now, instead of getting him to talk on, it made him regain a full focus. 'Hmm, that surely hadn't go on as I thought.' He quickly lunges at me, I follow my instincts again and counter his attack with a blocking barrier while move out of the line. I expect him to come after me again, but – it may be just my imagination - for some reason it seems that he is holding back, almost like he's only testing me, which baffles me slightly.

Another clash, I jump aside, however, he already awaits me there. 'Wow, that's fast!' I think as I block his attempt with another barrier. But if this keeps on I might not be able to catch up with him… Suddenly an idea strokes in my head and I finally have the plan.

I take a few steps back, pretending to retreat withdraw while pulling a small bag, which can be easily clenched with one hand out of my pocket. When he comes at me I 'accidentally' drop it while getting away out of the blow. To make it seem more authentically I try to get it back. An excepted he prevent me from picking it forcing me to fall back and leave the bag behind. 'Alright, now to wait for the right moment...'

Continuing with the bluff I put on a disappointed expression and we carry on our "attack/block rote". Then suddenly…

'NOW!' I through my knife at him which he dodges without any effort, taking only one step sidewise... probably thinking how could even believe I would succeed with it. Due to that move, my weapon can pierce its real target, the bag. It's full of a secret 'magical' powder of my clan (the last bunch of it I had with me) that block the enemy senses (by creating a smoke cloud and by its smell), and even though it lasts only for a while, I've managed to scratch the demon on the left side with the cutting barrier before he realises that it was all a trick. Nothing deep or serious, but I can surely smell some blood escaping from his wound.

'Point for me' my inner-self smiles; however, I do not let it reflect on my face, since I'm aware that this triumph won't last too long – because I unintentionally inhale a bit of the stupefying gas, which will probably affect my reactions...

As my opponent gets away from the smoke cloud I hear the drawing of a sword and a shout "Wind scar!" 'Oh my, looks like I'm in great trouble, this doesn't look good at all.' Before the flash of yellowish light can hit me, I create the double shield barrier to protect myself.

After that 'storm' passes, I fall on my knees breathing heavily. With my current abilities, the barrier managed to protect me from the main force of the attack, however, I did not get out of it unscratched.

When I raise my head up I see the demon charging at me. I try to get away, but I'm unsuccessful. I feel the claws piercing my skin on the back and I let out a cry. I am lifted and being thrown to the nearby tree for the second time in a few minutes. Disoriented and hurt I feel that my conqueror has grabbed me by the neck and placed me by back against the tree, and the last words I hear before I fall unconscious are: "Not bad hanyou-girl."

A/N: This is the first fanfic I actually write down. Most of the time I just have some fragments in my mind, which I can change everytime I want. But I wanted to try to take it to another level. Feel free to let me know your opinion.

seigyo - translates to English as "control" or "mastery"
hanyou = half-demon

Published: September 8, 2016