Thirty or so hooligans lay bleeding on the ground, likely the result of a fight with a rival gang. Kyo had run into them during his ride, and had already called ambulances.

They looked badly hurt, but seemed all alive. Kyo approached one who was still conscious.

"Hang on, help is on the way."

"Nhh… that… fucking son of a… bitch…!"

"Don't talk, you are injured."

"A monster… he was… a fucking monster!"

"'He'? It was one man who did this?"

"Hands like claws… unstoppable…"

"…Spare your breath and hang on, the ambulances will be here soon."

Kyo wasn't a hero like Terry Bogard or Kim Kaphwan, he wasn't a cop like Blue Mary nor a soldier like the Ikaris. It wasn't his duty to protect people or apprehend criminals, and he already had his hands full anyway, what with a manicure-obsessed bastard intent on stealing his power and a new bunch of psychos trying to resurrect Orochi.

But he was a good guy, and if a violent troublemaker was nearby, the brunet figured kicking his ass would be the right thing to do. Besides, if the guy was strong enough to take on thirty opponents, he was probably a decent enough fighter to entertain Kyo for a couple of minutes, and hopefully take Kyo's mind off a certain red-read…

So Kyo hopped on his bike and sped on, following the road ahead. There were no light posts, but the sky was cloudless and the moon and the stars shone brightly. It wasn't long till he spotted the silhouette of a man walking along the road. When the bike's headlights illuminated the man's back, the astounded rider pulled the brakes hard.

No!

But there was no mistaking that icon of the crescent moon, the symbol of the Yagami Clan.

Him of all people!

Kyo's mental curse would have made the hooligan from before blush like a choirboy. So much for getting his mind off him…! What to do now? Was Yagami the attacker? Had he gone Blood Riot again? Was ignoring Yagami, turning around and getting away the best course of action? Or was it fighting him to help him come back to his senses before more people got hurt, and maybe even to get back at him for the beating at the end of the latest Tournament?

Kyo was still rapidly considering the possibilities, when the red-head stopped dead in his track, turned around and, as if annoyed, asked: "What do you want, Kyo?"

What?

For a few seconds they just stared at each other, the annoyed expression never leaving Yagami's face. Kyo could now see clearly the blood on Yagami's hands, confirming his suspicions. Then, the biker took off his helmet and spoke.

"Picking on amateurs, are you? Back to grade school, Yagami?"

"Says the guy who is still in high school."

Gah!

"That has nothing to do with this!"

"And what would 'this' be?"

"First you go after me, then you go after Ash, now you are going after random hooligans. What next, you'll go after hookers like Jack the Ripper? You need therapy, lots of it."

"So you have a problem with my training method? The way I exercise is none of your business. Now leave me alone, I still have a lot of work to do and I can't afford distractions."

"What!? You are telling me to leave you alone!?"

"That's what I said."

Unbelievable! The nerve of that guy, after stalking me for ten years…! What a hypocritical, infuriating bastard!

Kyo was so enraged that he completely dismissed the 'training method' part. He got off his bike, hands itching to wrap themselves around Yagami's neck, and assumed a mock-hurt tone to disguise his anger.

"Me, a distraction? I thought I was your raison d'être."

"You are my one true enemy, and you will die by my hands. But not now. I have other business to take care of before I kill you."

"Right. Like beating the crap out of small fries and stalking the one person in the World who is more of a freak than you are. So many psychoses, so little time."

For an instant, it looked like Yagami was going to retort. But then he just turned around and started walking away without a word.

Kyo dropped all pretense now and snapped, his tone ferocious and his eyes flaring up.

"Fine! Ignore me! Good riddance!"

Once again, the moon-bearing fighter stopped dead in his track and turned around, but this time his expression was incredulous.

"Kyo," his voice was soft and disbelieving, but serious, "are you jealous?" It didn't sound like a joke.

It was extremely rare for Kyo Kusanagi, cockass extraordinaire, to be left speechless. But Yagami's utterly ludicrous question did the trick.

"Clearly, the loss of your power has made you insane. Well, more insane than you already were anyway. Should have expected that, after Chizuru gave her blessing to Shingo joining our Team. If she flipped out…"

"You are blushing."

"You are delirious."

"You are jealous," the incredulous expression turned into an amused smirk, the infuriating bastard looked about to point and laugh.

"Keep telling yourself that, you dateless freak. I'm sure Yuki would find your claims hilarious."

Yagami didn't reply. Instead, he walked towards 'his one true enemy', and stopped a few inches from him.

Kyo expected him to make another of those same old same old death threats the red-head was so fond of, or to glare at him ominously (more like ridiculously), or maybe to throw a punch. He did not expect him to lean forward and kiss Kyo's lips.

The sudden and overwhelming shock left the brunet completely inert, and the tiny part of his brain that was still functional didn't scream bloody murder (as it should have!), but instead marvelled at the softness of Iori's lips (so unlike the painful blows exchanged in their strife) and the gentleness of the kiss (was that really the same beast who could, and often had, beat people to death?).

Iori did not move further, just continued pressing his soft lips gently against the other man's, keeping his eyes open all the while, silently daring Kyo to make a move.

Let it not be said that the heir of Kusanagi backed off from a challenge.

Proud and defying, the tip of Kyo's tongue pushed slightly against Yagami's mouth, requesting access, which was promptly allowed. It was chancy and awkward at first, but soon both men got the hang of it, kissing fiercely, tongues fighting for dominance like their owners did on the battlefield, refusing to concede. Eventually, even that duel ended with a draw, as both fighters broke contact at the same time.

They panted for long seconds, the taste of the kiss still lingering in their mouths. Naturally Kyo was very upset, but Yagami looked disturbingly unruffled.

"What was that for?" The threat in Kyo's accusatory tone was about as subtle as a giant neon sign.

"I felt like doing it."

"You 'felt like doing it'. That's it? You 'feel like' molesting a guy and you go for it? How typical of you."

"Not just any guy. Not just any person. Only you."

"What about your 'other business'? Aren't you going to molest them too? I bet Ash would love it."

"You did."

"Bullshit. You dared me, I had to take you on. Doesn't mean I enjoyed it."

"Keep telling yourself that. I'm sure your girlfriend would believe you."

Kyo's mind filled with panic, "You aren't going to tell her!?"

Yagami's expression turned scornful, as if the mere suggestion that he'd do something like that offended him.

"No. I'm not interested in your affairs, only in your death by my hands."

Leave it to that sociopath to make a death threat feel so relieving.

"Kyo, you are my one true enemy, never forget that. Ash, the clowns who are trying to resurrect Orochi, even Orochi himself… They are but annoying bugs that I have to get rid of to clean the battlefield for my last duel with you. I want it to be perfect, memorable. So, now I have to go and work hard to make sure nobody will spoil it. But after the annoyances are dealt with, I'll be back for you. Wait for me, Kyo."

With that, Yagami walked away, and this time his archrival didn't try to stop him. Kyo stayed there for a while longer, gazing at the night sky. They said you could see your future in stars. Kyo was no astrologer, but he could clearly see Iori's image on the surface of the moon.