NEW LIFE : A SECOND CHANCE

The clanging of the sword against the Tekko-Kagi, the swish of the sword as it was swung by, all of it were sounds that filled the small room. There was not much room to manoeuver, and Kyle found he was at a severe disadvantage.

Kyle was amazed at how fast Donnie could still be moving, considering that he was still recovering from his injuries.

Just what sort of physique did this guy have? Though granted, Kyle was exerting more energy than him as it was Kyle who had to constantly jump around like some monkey while all Donnie needed to do was swing his damn long-*ss sword.

Even when one took that into consideration, shouldn't Donnie already be tired?

Kyle noted that he was using his left arm to swing the sword more and this was because he had been shot in the right shoulder and arm. Donnie also knew that this was his weak spot so he protected the area better.

Kyle gritted his teeth.

He should have had the upper hand, considering that he was using both hands to fight while Donnie was holding the sword with both of his hands. In essence, Kyle had two hands to use his weapons while Donnie had one.

Donnie was what you would call a clever fighter.

He wasn't just skilled but he was utilising his strengths and downplaying his weakness. Donnie was also keeping him a prisoner in the room by blocking the only way out. Kyle could not leave, and was forced to fight in this small space.

Donnie knew, if Kyle was allowed out in the open space, the playing field would be more to Kyle's advantage.

Both were already sweating profusely, each being agitated for not being able to gain the upper hand. Kyle had thrown a few shurikens at Donnie, who simply used his sword to fling the shuriken aside like some pesky flies.

His speed and reaction time was amazing.

Finally, after ten minutes of this high-intensity fighting, the first blood was finally drawn.

Donnie glared angrily at Kyle, while three long slashes formed on his left cheek. He ignored it, despite the fact that the blood was dripping down.

They stood, each in a defensive position, as they glared at each other.

It had been a lucky shot.

Or swipe, really.

Donnie had side-stepped to the right and did a low swing of his sword at Kyle, aiming for his waist. Using the protruding Tekko-Kagi on his left hand, Kyle successfully trapped the blade of the sword inbetween the long claws as he twisted his waist and hit Donnie's hurt shoulder while swiping the cheek with the Tekko-Kagi on the palm of his right hand.

Unfortunately, the wound was not deep for Donnie managed to jerk his head to the side at the last minute. Kyle immediately let go of the sword that he had trapped momentarily, as he already felt that blade being pulled back.

"I must admit," Donnie said grudgingly, "You're lasting far longer than I thought."

"Staying alive is my motivation, after all," Kyle replied, flicking his hair back.

"If you weren't my enemy, we could have been friends," Donnie said, thinking. He did admire those with skills, especially one who could last this long against him. Too bad he had to be a ninja.

"Nah," Kyle said, shaking his head, "Not a chance in Hell."

Donnie grunted a bit, frowning at that statement as he moved his shoulder slightly. To check its condition. He kept his face impassive, though he realised that he wouldn't be able to maintain the fight if this continued any longer.

He had to finish it quickly. With that decision in mind, Donnie decided to attack more aggressively. Donnie went back into a fighting position,

As for Kyle, he was also getting tired though it could not be seen at all in his face. In fact, he was barely able to show how much his hands were shaking due to the force he had to endure each time he defended himself. If this went on any longer, he may very well fall first.

Thus, Kyle had to enter Zen Mode.

The moment he did, everything became clear and it was as if Donnie was moving in slow motion. He could see the slight hesitation when Donnie swung his sword.

Kyle took it, including the small window of opportunity that Donnie presented by leaving the side of his waist wide open.

Kyle dodged right at the last minute as the sword seemed to sing as it brushed passed him, missing his chest by a millimeter. Kyle could even feel the wind of the sword as it flashed by.

In that close position, as the sword was still being swung down, Kyle embedded the palm claw deep within the waist of Donnie while the other, he used to swing down right between Donnie's legs.

It hooked right at Donnie's butt and Kyle viciously swung the claw upwards and outwards. At the same time, Kyle straightened his other arm, effectively streaking the claw on his palm from the waist to the thigh while simultaneously headbutting Donnie's hard chin.

Donnie gave a blood-curling scream, as blood gushed from inbetween his legs and sides while his head was spinning from a slight concussion. Mercifully, the scream stopped after a minute as he fell back, unconscious with the blood pooling underneath him.

Kyle looked detachedly at the claw in his hand, noting with indifference how some parts of Donnie was now embedded in it. Looks like the thick part of his pants was no match for the sharpness of his blades.

Kyle flicked the claw and pieces of flesh and certain body parts flew out. He definitely was going to throw away this Tekko-Kagi later.

Kyle felt Donnie's pulse and found that it was still present, but very weak.

Kyle tsked.

He still wasn't dead, despite all of that?

Well, even better.

However, the fact that Donnie was unconscious, was not.