Eye of the Taiga

You, Rider, and Taiga enter the dojo. You take a seat on a mat outside of the sparring area as Taiga picks up two Kendo sticks and hands one to Rider. She walks over to the starting area and readies herself. Rider holds the kendo stick loosely, like she's not even ready to fight. "Watch and learn, Shirou! En garde!"

Taiga steps forward and attempts to take advantage of Rider's obvious unreadiness and stance. Rider stands in one spot as Taiga swings.... And you don't even see it. Rider's stepped completely out of the way of Taiga's attack. *WHACK* Rider's kendo stick hits Taiga's back. "Point for me." Rider says.

Taiga turns towards Rider and growls, "So that's the way it's going to be? Fine with me!" Taiga goes in for another fierce attack, cutting from lower left to upper right in an effort to block Rider's apparent escape route. You try to keep an eye on Rider, but she's simply a blur to you as she easily dodges all of Taiga's attempts.

Taiga gasps and takes a breather. "Heh, heh.. you're quick. Time to get serious." You feel anxious as Taiga declares so. "Time for you to face.. The Tiger." Taiga grins and readies her stance. You've never seen The Tiger. Taiga moves in with her ultimate attack. *Clack* The sound of clashing kendo sticks fill the dojo as Taiga goes all out. Deflecting and dodging seem effortless as Rider looks at you, asking if you'd like her to finish. You nod. Rider ends it with a swift pommel hit to the gut.

Taiga falls to the dojo floor, breathing heavily. "Fuji-nee!" you rush over to Taiga's aid and roll her to her back. This puts her as being held in your arms. She's surprisingly light. "Shirou, thanks for coming for me. I didn't know you felt like this for me." Taiga says, weakly. "Of course I do!" You say naturally. You mean as a friend but that's not what Taiga meant. "Come on, let me take you to your room to rest."

Taiga nods, "Yes, thank you. And Rider, Shirou is in good hands with you. Please take care of him. And please, take me on as your kendo pupil as well." Taiga closes her eyes, exhausted. You pick her up and carry her bridal style to the guest bedroom of your house.