A Friendly Fight

She tied her dress so it would be shorter and smirked, "Bring it on~".

He returned the facial expression and moved his hand over to the strap on his outfit, pulling out his sword.

"Weapons or no weapons?", he questioned, to which she pulled out her dagger, "Hm.. touche".

Artemis scoffed and held the emerald-colored grip tight. The dagger was her most prized possession. She received it as a gift from one of her missions. It represented her honor and her grace as well as the loyalty and perseverance she has in herself.

"C'mon, you think I can't beat you with a dagger?", she cooed to him as he came closer to her with each step.

"You've never beaten me, darling, I'm still alive"

"And I am as well so get off your high horse and stop prolonging this", she rolled her eyes at him before spinning the dagger around in her hand.

Kai looked at the dagger and raised a brow, "You sure you want to fight with that dagger? If you ruin it then your pride will be ruined as well doll".

"Once I win with this dagger your ego will be ruined too, now shut up already and let's get on with it."

He chuckled and charged at her to which she stood still in a fighting position, gripping the dagger. Once he was extremely close she dodged his strike and moved behind his back, swishing the dagger close to his side. At this point, they have memorized each other's moves perfectly. It was no longer entertaining to fight. Their purpose for the little battles was slightly different. In the beginning, it was more of legitimate competition. But now, despite the words, their purpose was not really to hurt the other or anything of that sort. They were attacking each other for fun. As terrible or interesting as it seems, this was the reason.

After a couple of minutes, they were both panting a bit, obviously trying to hide that fact since they didn't want the other to think as though they've given up.

She caught her breath and looked up at him, "You tired already pretty boy?".

He chuckled and regained his composure right after as well, "You wish darling".

That made her smirk and once again, he returned the facial expression as they both charged at each other again. These short periods of attacks went on for a bit before they both were sitting on the field, breathing heavily and panting a bit.

Artemis looked at Kai and he looked at her which made her break out into laughter. He watched her roll on her back a bit before they both got up.

"Well we got nowhere today again", she finished laughing a bit after, to which he nodded in response.

"Agreed", he looked down at his sword and gripped it tightly, "Look.. I understand now we're having fun with all this, but we are still assassins and work under two different leaders. At one point one of us will have to die and I am not letting it be me regardless of how I may act towards you right now".

She got a straight expression on her face, showing that she understood what he was saying. She put her dagger back into her thigh strap and nodded sternly.

"I know."

"Good."

Although they both fooled around with each other during battles and didn't actually hurt each other, in the back of their minds that thought they just spoke about was always present. They both did not want this to end. Enemies or not they enjoyed each other's presence, even if they were fighting and could hurt each other. The thoughts hurt them more than their actions.

Kai began to walk away behind her, "I am going to be completely serious from this point on and I suggest that you are as well before someone finds out and we'll both be killed".

She turned her head back in his direction, "Trust me, I will".

And with that, they both parted with their ways. Or, for now at least.

Artemis finally returned home and went into the bathroom, staring at the mirror as more thoughts began to flood her mind.

Is he really serious when he said all that? I understand that this is our mission but.. but I thought we grew to like each other more? Tch, he was probably just distracting you. Distracting you with his sheepish smirk and that stupid face. That stupid face which also happens to be gorge- ... I did not just-.. Well, damn it.

She shook everything out of her head as she got into the shower. Turning on the shower hand and feeling the hot water hit her chestnut-colored skin. She leaned her head against the shower wall and let herself relax, sighing quietly.

"Damn it.. Why did I ever?- No, stop. He wants to be serious so that is what's going to happen. Besides, the trust that my Lord has in me is much more important than some attractive- STUPID!- Stupid damn Kai Sapphirus!"

She cursed and muttered under her breath for a bit more before getting out of the shower, drying off, putting on her night clothing, and plopping down on her bed. She fell asleep not too long after.

***

Kai was also muttering to himself as he reached the castle of his Lord, walking straight to his room.

"How was progress today my nobleman?", the Lord questioned him to which Kai simply shook his head and closed the door behind him.

He sat down on the side of his bed, putting his head in his hands and thinking back to what happened.

Why did I ruin the moment?! She was having fun for once and I had to spoil it-

He sighed.. Spoil it with the truth though. No, I was only being honest in what should be happening and what will happen if we both don't get our act back together. Why does this have to be so complicated.

He went to the bathroom, washing off and changing before going back to his bed. Covering himself with the blanket and closing his eyes, he immediately dozed off.

***

While the two assassins were sleeping, each Lord was devising and discussing plans with their own men. Yes, great minds do think alike even if they're opponents. According to both parties, a ball would be set up in which Artemis and Kai would have to assassinate the other. This was the final day that they wanted to end the other side. Both Lords were tired of their workers struggling and constantly battling when the main eyes and price were on the two highest ranks.

"It is set then my men", one Lord stated finally.

"This is the final decision", the other Lord explained.