For Zuko

[noblerworld]

Seifer spent a lot of his time sparring. Partly as part of his training and preparations but partly because he just enjoyed it. Whether it was with Zell or Luke or Arya; just the testing of strength, the battle of abilities, the thrill of winning, it all delighted him. Of his regular partners though, perhaps the one he most enjoyed sparring with

Comments

[irisewiththesun]

They've been going for a while now and Zuko's long since stripped off his t-shirt, tossing it over a nearby tree branch. Sweat's beaded on his skin but he ignores it, concentrating all his focus on Seifer and the bout.

He likes sparring with Seifer; the guy's good, and if nothing else, it definitely tests Zuko's endurance more often than not. Their blades flash as they each try to find an opening, pushing each other. Zuko backflips to avoid Seifer's gunblade and is surging back in as soon as his feet hit the ground, a kind of fierce grin on his face as he moves with the unnatural speed that's typical of him.

[noblerworld]

Seifer knew he'd never be able to match Zuko on speed and agility, but if fighting against him, and indeed Arya, had taught him anything, it was how to make his strength count instead.

He battered away at Zuko's two swords with obvious relish and all the strength he could muster, until he found that opening they'd both been looking for.

Zuko had allowed his left sword to be dragged slightly too far wide, and suddenly Seifer was grinning and swinging his gunblade through the gap as he locked his eyes onto Zuko's.

They both knew who'd won this particular contest, all Seifer had to do was stop his blade just before it reached Zuko's skin to prove it completely.

[irisewiththesun]

Zuko knows his mistake as soon as he's made it. Seifer will always win out when it comes to brute strength, and more often than not, if Zuko gives him the slightest opening he'll use that to his advantage. It's part of what makes sparring with the other teen interesting.

Zuko's sword is batted out of the way and Seifer's gunblade is swinging towards him, sudden enough that even Zuko can't dodge it. His eyes go wide with surprise, but he doesn't worry, trusting that Seifer will be able to stop it in time. Neither of them is looking to seriously injure here.

[noblerworld]

Seifer had sparred dozens upon dozens of times on this island, and each time he'd marked his victories with nothing more than stopping his blade just before it made contact with the skin. This time, though, was different. Maybe it was because of the respect Zuko had earned from him, maybe it was because of how close this particular spar had been, maybe his blood was just up, but this time he didn't stop the blade.

His weapon carved through the skin covering the top of Zuko's chest in a long lazy line, not deep enough to trouble his organs but enough to carve out a bleeding scar like the one Seifer had on his face. It was a permanent monument to his skills, proof that Zuko's guard had been broken.

Maybe, now he'd raised the stakes, next time Zuko broke through his guard he'd receive his own scar in return. Maybe Zuko would even give him it right now in a furious response. That would be fine. They could mark each other as equals, legendary fighters who were matched completely, scar for scar.