He woke up the next morning to the sound of someone calling his name

“Tenshi” he heard somewhat muffled

“Tenshi…” the voice became clear

“Tenshi!” Liz yelled waking him up

“Ah!” Tenshi sat up quickly “H-hey… GET OUT OF MY ROO-” before he could finish he caught a shirt to the face.

“Put that on” She told him

“What are you doing here?” He asked as he got dressed

“You told me to be here early” She pouted at him

“I didn’t mean… What time is it…? 7 AM?!?” Tenshi looked at her

“Something the matter?” She asked

“It’s too early” he groaned

They went down stairs and were met with Madako holding a baby in the living room “Morning” She gave a warm smile

“Hey mom” Tenshi said as they walked to her kissing the baby’s head “Hey Harmony” he smiled. Harmony gurgled a bit, making adorable little baby noises.

Liz waited by the door as Tenshi walked after “We’re heading out now” he said

“Have fun on your date” Makako giggled.

“I-It’s not a date!” He blushed.

“D-d-date…?” Liz said to herself, embarrassed.

Madako stuck her tongue out at them “Have fun” she said in a teasing tone.

They left for the Tamashi Festival, which they had two in a year. Summer was for Jiyū or Freedom, and Winter was for Ai or Love. The Winter Festival is for people to get together, and spread love for friends, family, and even strangers as acts of kindness. And as the name suggests, it’s also a time where people find love, form bonds, and make families.

As for the Summer Festival, (Which is the one currently), it was a more recent one. It was created when not only Tamashi, but most Catfolk in the land, gained allies who helped them in the Tamashī Freedom War, and made peace with some Human cities. To celebrate this time of year, they host tournaments, 8 different ones that only happen once a year. Hunting, Racing, Chess, Cooking, Brawling, Sailing, Weapons, and Mage tournaments. Everything is interesting, and changed to make it more interesting. This year’s tournament is Weapons, meaning they take part in a fighting tournament where they’re allowed to use any weapon they want.

As they approached the Festival they saw the sights. They played some games, walked around, ate until it got a bit darker. Then they heard the roaring of fireworks coming from the arena.

“Are those the fireworks?” Tenshi asked

“That means the tournament is starting soon” Liz said

Tenshi nodded “Let’s get going”. They began to head towards the Preliminary area. Then entered an arena, and went to where the other fighters were. They were greeted by some gruff men and women who stared them down.

“Bah! Another kid” A man dressed like a lumberjack said.

“And what about it?” Liz growled

“You kids shouldn’t be a place like this” he scowled

“Leave ‘em be” A calm looking man said from behind. He looked at Tenshi for a minute, their eyes meeting for a moment. He gave a nod and looked away.

Tenshi looked at him before taking Liz by the hand to take her away from them, “Let’s go” he said. Liz nodded and followed Tenshi’s lead to a bracket, showing her the match ups.

“See here, it’s broken up by region and gender.” Tenshi said showing her the list as their names were apart from each other

“But why? We entered as a team” Liz pouted “It even ends with a team battle” she added

“I know, but this is a tournament of strength. It’s to determine who is the strongest male and female of each region.” He explained

“Oh… that makes sense I guess.” Liz seemed a bit worried

“Besides, remember what happened during Qualifications? You and I had to watch each other’s backs, and we barely made it in,”

Tenshi smiled and ruffled her hair “but don’t worry. We’ve both been training hard, I’m sure we’ll make it through!”

Liz nodded “Right! We’ve been training for this” she said confidently

They both laughed and looked back to the board “Looks like you’re up against Rei… whoever that is” he said “and I’m up against Momo” Tenshi looked at the list

“Rei… that sounds familiar, but I can’t put my finger one it, there a last name?” Liz sighed

“Doesn’t look like it.” Tenshi looked again, then shrugged “Oh well.”

The intercom came on “Will everyone from the West district come out to the field, I repeat, everyone from the West district, please come out to the field”

“That’s our que” Tenshi said and began walking toward the exit with Liz in tow.

There was a glaring light as they entered the field. They walked towards the benches and sat next to a big stone platform, which was the ring they had for the new arena. There were swarms of people, from many different places. There was a roar of cheers as each person walked out onto the field. Tenshi couldn’t help but smile to himself as he felt the adrenaline rush through his body. He fixed his collar as he walked along and sat where the guys were supposed to sit.

As they sat there the intercoms turned on with the announcers speaking “All right everyone! Are you reeeeeeeeeady?” The man yelled with people cheering in response

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“It’s time folks, for the first ever Weapon Masters Tournament!” The woman next to him said with an even louder response from the crowd

They both laughed and they looked at the contestants “Right! Let’s get started!” the woman said.

“But first a few rules.” She said “No going out of bounds. If you leave the ring or get knocked out, you’re done for. Also, while we prefer making each other admit defeat, some people refuse to give up after they lose. So if you must, you can resort to killing.” The woman said

Most of the crowd looked surprised, and a few looked uncomfortable.

“Those were the rules assigned by everyone who voted to have this event, because those who fight felt it an insult if they weren’t allowed to give it their all” the man said, “so warning, it may get beyond bloody today. Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that.”

The crowd sat there as this became a much more intense atmosphere, but the fighters seemed relatively fine with it.

“Would Liz and Rei walk into the ring?” the man said after.

Tenshi’s eyes shot up at Liz as she stood up across from him “So, she’s up first.” Tenshi said to himself and bit his thumb nervously “Liz… good luck.”

Liz walked up to the stone stage and looked at her opponent. Rei was a tall woman. She wore an eyepatch and had a cold look in her eye. She was a woman of about 30 years old, yet her hair was white and matted. Liz examined Rei and froze up for a moment when she saw a pin on her jacket. The pin was the emblem for her father’s former team, and slowly realized it was a whole black uniform. Rei’s vicious grin stretched across her face “Hello Little Liz.” The cold look became deadlier as she tilted her head a bit. Liz drew her sword as she felt her knees shake a bit.

Rei chuckled as she raised her arm and flicked it downward as a blade flashed.

“Get ready!” The male announcer said as there was a brief moment of cold air that flew by Liz

“Fight!” The woman now yelled as Rei began to run toward Liz

Liz froze up as she saw the haunting eye looking her down as she rushed her with her blade up. Rei pulled back her blade and went to stab Liz

“DUCK DOWN!” Tenshi yelled as Liz snapped back and ducked the blade and jumped up to kick Rei in the jaw.

She stumbled back a bit “Damn brat!” Rei yelled and swung again as Liz clashed blades with her.

Tenshi bit his nail as he watched “Damn… she could have lost her head there” he tapped his foot rapidly

“Yeah, That could have been pretty bad” A squeaky voice was heard. When Tenshi looked, it was the other kid who joined as well. “Oh? Hello there.” Tenshi said, looking at him then looking back to the fight.

“I’m Moses, but most people call me Momo” he said “You are?”

“Tenshi.” He simply said and kept watching the fight.

There was a loud clash of the blades that caught everyone’s attention. Even the moderators were silent about it. They were now in a power struggle.

“You think you can beat me, little girl?” Rei chuckled as she pushed Liz downward

“Of course I do! Unlike you, I can adapt in battle!” She yelled and rolled under Rei and cut her leg, leaving a gash in the calf.

“Agrh! Little brat!” Rei yelled and turned around limping a bit

Liz smirked and ran her with her sword up “Raaah!” She yelled as she went to stab her, but Rei raised her arm blocking with a blade on her arm.

Rei gave a menacing grin as she swiftly kicked up, hitting Liz in the jaw and sending her back a bit. Tenshi felt his own, seeming to understand that pain.

“Ouch, huh?” Moses said to Tenshi

“Yeah… looks like that hurt quite a bit.” Tenshi kept his eyes locked on Liz’s movement. “She’s nervous… and a bit scared I’d imagine.” He said as Liz stubbled a bit before being balanced again. She growled as she rushed Rei, swinging and clashing her sword trying to find an open spot.

“Well, wouldn’t you be?” Moses asked Tenshi

“Sure, but… not like this, it looks personal for her.” Tenshi replied with an anxious look on his face.

“Are you worried about her?” Moses looked at him

Tenshi nodded “Very…”

Meanwhile back in the fight, Liz was starting to get tired, and it showed. After a while, Rei took that chance and kicked Liz in the stomach, sending her back onto the ground. “Argh…” Liz whimpered a bit.

Rei laughed “Is that it?!? That’s all you can do?” Her laughter became sadistic as she slowly walked towards her. Liz looked in fear and went to grab her sword, but Rei kicked it out of her reach. She grabbed Liz by the neck and lifted her into the air, choking her. “Well, do you admit defeat? Or am I gonna have to kill you?”

Liz struggled to break free, kicking and scratching, but to no avail. Liz began to black out, her vision getting blurry, and all the noise getting muffled, only a constant ringing in her ears. She tried to stay awake and fight back, but once she saw Tenshi out of the corner of her eye, she was determined. He was cheering her on, despite his doubts and worries. Her eyes opened and she pressed one foot into Rei’s chest, then kicked Rei’s elbow up, breaking it and causing it to go out. Rei screamed in pain as she let go of Liz.

Once freed, Liz jumped back to get her sword and caught her breath, panting heavily, as she looked around, and adjusted her senses again. Tenshi smiled and cheered louder as he was excited to see his friend had made it out alive.

“You damn BRAT!” Rei yelled as she held onto her broken arm “You… you’re scum… you associate yourself with those damn animals.” She slowly stood, “Those cat folk don’t deserve to be breathing! You traitor!” Rei ran towards Liz

Liz’s face was blank. Deep down she was angry, and used the fear and hatred she had built up against Rei to fuel more anger.

Rei raised her non broken arm as she was ready to attack, but Liz raised her sword in her battle stance. For a moment, time seemed to slow down as Rei ran, then Liz’s blade was shoved through Rei’s stomach. They both stood there, as the crowd went silent.

Tenshi’s eyes widened as he looked attentively. “(That look on her face… that’s the same look she had from back then…)” He thought to himself.

Liz slowly pulled her katana back, then cleaned off the blood before sheathing the sword. Rei, now with a look of shock, looked down at Liz as she pushed Rei back. She collapsed to the floor, dead before the final impact. After a brief moment, the female announcer came on the intercom. “LIZ WINS!!!” She yelled as the crowd began to cheer.

Liz began to walk off the stage as Tenshi ran to her, and hugged her tightly. “Are you okay?” He asked her, in which she simply nodded as she teared up

“Was she from…?” He began to ask, but didn’t need to finish.

She nodded again

“Let’s go sit” Tenshi said and walked her to sit down as she cried on his shoulder.

Tenshi wrapped an arm around her and comforted her as the next match began for the women.

Tenshi looked at Liz as she stopped crying

“Thank you…” She said softly

“Don’t worry about it. We’re a team, so I’ll look out for you as long as I can” Tenshi replied with a smile.

Liz tried to smile back but let out a sigh “I’m starting to think we weren’t ready to actually fight again.”

Tenshi pouted “I know it’s tough, but we’re the future for our people. Even if we don’t win this tournament, we have to get stronger.”

Liz sighed as she looked at the other women fight

“You think anyone here has had to kill like us?”

“Maybe” Tenshi began “They all must have been alive during the war too. But who you fought you knew she was from the war. If she wasn’t I’m sure she would have just KO'd you. I doubt anyone else is actually trying to kill each other today.” He tried to assure her

“I really hope so” She responded and looked at her feet.

After their brief talk, Moses came and sat next to Tenshi

“That was a scary match. I’m glad you’re okay.” He said

“Thank you… you must be the other kid. I heard the old guy complaining that there were kids here.” She said

“Oh?” Moses said “You must mean Yamato! He’s the guy with the ax-hammer there.” Moses pointed to the lumberjack man from earlier.

“Yeah him” Liz said

“He’s mean, but he means well I guess. I’m Moses by the way!” He said and reached his hand over Tenshi to shake Liz’s hand.

“It’s Liz” she replied and shook it

Tenshi chuckled “You know the old guy?”

“Yeah! I see him around my village.” Moses said

“Really?” Liz asked

Moses nodded “A lot of kids wanted to join too, I was the only one who made it though”

“Really? Why’s that?” Tenshi said

“Well I’m a good fighter” he responded

“No- I mean why did the kids wanna fight?”

“Well they heard stories for kids fighting in the Neko Freedom War, and wanted to be like the kids from the stories”

Liz looked at Moses “So you guys wanted to be like us?”

“Huh?” Moses looked at Liz

“Yeah, Liz and I took part in that war… lots of other kids from my village did. It was the Tamashi Freedom war… by the way.” Tenshi said

“Ooooh, so you guys fought there! What was it like! Was it super cool! How many people did yo-“

“Look… we don’t talk about that stuff. It wasn’t a fun time.” Tenshi said “It was complicated, and hard. It wasn’t some game, got that?” He looked a bit angry

“O-oh… okay.” Moses said as he looked down to his feet

Tenshi sighed “Sorry… It just… it’s not an easy thing to talk about.” He said

“Oooh okay… I understand…” Moses said

Tenshi ruffled his hair “Let's focus on the match okay?”

Moses nodded as they watched the rest of the fight.

They didn’t hear the name of these competitors but one the match was over, they saw a short woman with long straight light brown hair and big eyes like an Owl. She raised a fist into the sky as the announcers both said

“DULCE WINS!”