Sparking Rivalry [Misha/Seri]

[Seri Winchester]

"Stop moving!"

Seri swung her sword in an arch knocking the shield out of the hands of the blond haired Apollo child that was frustrating her to no end.

The girl wasn't really even fighting, but just dancing around her like some sort of ballerina. It was like she wasn't even trying!

The young Apollo girl rolled to the side, panting heavily while blocking Seri's thrusts with her sword.

She was clearly inexperienced to not notice Seri had maneuvered every attack into forcing her towards the corner of the Arena where she would be defenseless.

Actually, Seri's eyes narrowed slightly, She still hadn't noticed!

Why would this kid challenge Seri if she wasn't even that good?

Seri didn't care what people thought of her, but that didn't stop her from knowing her reputation among others. She knew most people at camp regarded her as a strong person not to be underestimated in a battle.

She aimed another jab at the girl watching as her defense got weaker and weaker.

This was just downright disappointing in every way.

Finally losing her last strand of patience she had, Seri faked a jab with her sword and brought her foot up to kicked the Apollo out of her defensive stance and into the arena wall.

She watched blankly as the other girl looked at the wall with obvious shock.

Honestly, this was just a waste of time. Seri would have got more out of fighting a training dummy than this kid.

The Apollo lost her grip on her sword sending it clanging to the ground beside her. Trying to catch her breath she laid her back against the wall, sweat rolling off her brow in buckets.

"I give." She gasped out, "You win."

Winchester watched with a frown as the girl just sat there; to tired to make any attempts at retrieving her lost sword or stand. It was kinda sad in a way, like a puppy in a cardboard box labeled "Free to Anyone".

But the girl brought this on herself and if she was looking for sympathy she was barking up the wrong tree. She was the one who targeted Seri's pride in order to fight her. The girl should have known this was going to be the outcome.

Her eyes trailed to the small cut on the girl's knee from when she had fell, dodging Seri's first attack, "Make sure you get that cut checked out too-" She literally bit her tongue to stop herself from continuing that sentence. The last thing she wanted to do was come off as nice.

Instead, Seri pointed her sword at the girl's throat. "Forget it. You challenge me again like that in front of all your little friends, you better hope you're a lot better than you are now." She warned, "Because next time I won't hold back."

Seri didn't wait for the girl to answer, she didn't need to. The Apollo's eyes showed enough embarrassment that Seri didn't think she would ever see the girl's face around the Arena again.

Letting her sword casually rest over her shoulder, Seri walked over towards a training dummy. She didn't usually engage others in duels because it always resulted in disappointment. None of them were good enough to hold their own against her.

A long sigh escaped Seri's lips, maybe she should just stick to fighting monster. They at least put up a reasonably fun fight.

Word Count: 578

[Misha Bozhkov]

Misha had watched as the blonde haired Apollo girl challenged Seri Winchester. So he knew the statements made after the pitiful fight were just pride. He knew he had pride issues himself. Seri was known for her prosperity in a fight and it had to be insulting to get challenged like that.

Misha had watched as Seri skillfully had maneuvered the weak Apollo girl into a corner. He may not be a child if Ares but he wasnt that dull. He admired the way she held her sword in her tattooed hand. This girl could be a great adversary, he observed.

Of all the years he had been at camp it was hard not to see Seri. She was tattooed from head to toe. Her dark hair dyed black. She was beautiful in her own way. What made her stick out wasn't those things but her personality. She was strong and vibrant.

He watched now as she swung her sword at the defenseless dummies. He laughed to himself. Looks like she needed a challenge. He may not be an expert but he was better than a dummy.

He walked over, "Hello." He said in his thick Russian accent, "Would you like a real challenge?" He leaned his sword on his shoulder.

((211 words))

[Seri Winchester]

Seri swung quick slashes against the dummy, frowning at the boring-ness of it all. This wasn't fun at all. The thought of ditching the arena passed fleetingly through her thoughts. Though, it was quickly put aside in a matter of seconds.

What would she do? Go in the forest and hunt down some random monster? No, she was to lazy for that at the moment. She'd just stay here for maybe another thirty minutes or so and then call it a day. Maybe she could get a quick nap in before dinner so something. Now that was an idea.

Seri was so caught up in her own thoughts she hadn't heard the nearly silent footfalls of another's approach until the person was nearly beside her.

"Hello"

She nearly bit her tongue off, Seri was startled so bad. Quickly bringing a hand to her mouth she checked to see if she had made her tongue bleed.

It hadn't, thank goodness, but it hurt like hell all the same. Ow. Who in their right mind would just sneak up on someone with a weapon anyhow?

Composing herself, Seri took a quick glance over her shoulder to regard the boy behind her. Her eyes widened a faction of an inch before she quickly looked away.

The guy was shirtless. Actually shirtless. Who walks around without a shirt?Obviously this guy. Wasn't he cold or something? Probably not, he looked like he had a sword on him so he was probably fighting or something. Yeah, that was it, and was that an accent she heard? Russian? German? She was pretty sure it was Russian.

"Would you like a real challenge?" He asked her. Was he serious? Did he think he could honestly take her?

Seri turned to face her new challenger, mirroring his stance by letting her own sword rest against her shoulder. She made sure to keep her eyes on his face and she couldn't shake the feeling she had seen him around before.

He was hard to miss. Russian, short brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. Not to mention he had a thick accent to go along with it. No, his name was on the tip of her tongue, some of her cabin mates had mentioned a Russian. What was the name...?

Mista...Misha...Misha?

Misha Bozhkov.

That was it! A child of Hephaestus. Of course, the only guy in camp who walked around without a shirt and was usually covered in grease. He couldn't be serious trying to pick a fight with an Ares could he? Maybe he was just crazy.

"No offense," She drawled plainly. "But I doubt you could keep up with me. I'm sure that Apollo girl will be right up your alley, you should ask her."

Seri turned back towards the dummy, fully expecting him to walk away and leave her alone to her boring training.

Word Count: 483

[Misha Bozhkov]

Misha noticed Seri's astonishment at his appearance. He let one of his charming smiles escape his lips. He didnt intend to show off but he was more comfortable this way. He was always so hot, probably something to do with his father being Hephaestus.

He watched her eyes as she paused for a second taking him in. He wondered what she was thinking. Then she almost sneered, "No offense, but I doubt you could keep up with me..." Thats all it took for his demeanor to change. "...I'm sure that Apollo girl would be right up your alley." Was she serious?

Misha stood absolutally dumbfounded as Seri turned away. Was this girl calling him weak as well? It figures that he just try to be nice and get insulted. Well he wasnt taking the insult laying down. His eyes were slowly but surely darkening turning almost black with his anger and frustration.

"What?" He asked his accent made him sound confused. There was one thing Misha was not and that was weak. He frowned and took a more defensive stance still holding his sword lightly balanced on his shoulder. This girl was not going to insinuate that he was someone to shrug off.

He laughed, "Maybe you'd be more suited to fight a fluffy puppy then or maybe your just frightened." He knew that would tick a nerve. He was prepaired for a good fight. And since he was instigating he fully expected her to swing.

((246 words))

[Seri Winchester]

Much to her disbelief, Misha didn't leave as she had thought. Oh no, that would probably had been to easy for her.

"What?"

Seri gritted her teeth together in anger as he spoke. Why wouldn't he just leave? She just wanted to train and go to bed.

Keeping her body facing the dummy, she tried her best to ignore him. Well that was until he laughed.

"Maybe you'd be more suited to fight a fluffy puppy then or maybe your just frightened."

That's all it took for Seri's rational side to slip away. To be challenged twice in one day? She was either off today or something was seriously wrong. Maybe this some kind of sick joke the gods were playing on her? She hoped not. She hardly cursed out their names all week. She didn't need this crap.

Either way, this guy had hit the wrong nerve at the wrong time. Seri never backed down from anything and she was going to make sure this guy never came up to her again.

Slowly turning around, Seri gave Misha another once over, this time really taking him in as an opponent. She never underestimated anybody before, and she wasn't going to start now.

She had thought he was just joking, but by the anger in his eyes he actually wanted to fight her. So be it.

Smirking, Seri nodded towards the middle of the arena before casually walking past him swords twirling in her hand.

"Clear out." She barked, watching with narrowed eyes as people quickly moved out of their fighting range.

Letting her gaze fall back on her Russian adversary, her gaze hardened, "Come on then." She expertly held her sword out in front of her waiting for him to make his first move.

The first few attacks would tell her all she needed to know.

Word Count: 307

[Misha Bozhkov]

As Seri turned around Misha had expected an immediate attack. Surprised that she could hold her anger so well he followed her to the center as she called out, "Clear out!" Campers scattered here and there leaving the fighting arena nearly a ghost town. Several eyes watched from the sidelines.

The manic smile never left his lips. Misha stood infront of her his muscular body taking an almost expert stance. After all, 4 years of almost constant training helps make you better. His sword was firmly gripped I'm his hand. It was light but strong, giving him the ability to strike with his full strength. He had made it himself and he trusted it with his life.

Misha watched as she truely looked at him. He saw what Seri wanted. She wanted to size him up as a true opponent. Best not let her down. He struck like a snake. The lightness of his sword made it possible to attack without much warning. And the blow would be a direct one aimed at her upper arm to make sure it wouldn't injure her to much if it cought her off guard.

((190 words))

[Seri Winchester]

A short hiss of surprise escaped Seri's lips as she barely deflected Misha's blow towards her upper arm. His stance was nearly perfect; set not only for defense but also for a quick offense. He knew exactly what he was doing and it seemed like the weight of his sword meant nothing to him.

Seri, not missing a beat, pushed her sword against his' to form a large X between them, testing his strength, while at the same time lifting her leg up, aiming to kick in in the chest.

She needed to see exactly how good he really was. She'd might just go all out, just to see if he could handle it.

A actual smile played across her lips at the thought of a real dual. His sword was mildly distracting, though. It was beautifully made, unlike her, which had scratches etched into it's blade and rust around it's edges.

If she pushed it to much, Seri had no doubt in her mind it would break in half on the spot. She would need to be careful, it was the only blade she had.

Not that she needed a sword really. Her body was a better weapon than any sword, ax, or gun.

Regardless, if this guy was as good as he seemed she would need to be careful.

Word Count: 223

[Misha Bozhkov]

Misha was very entertained by Seri's defense. She just barely blocked his blow at her arm. This hiss she made as she deflected his sword made it clear she had misjudged him.

His grin changed from slightly evil to charming as there swords met in the middle. He pushed himself close to her in an odd flirty fighting stance both blades nearly touching him. Her sent drifted to him... surprise, sweat, blood. Quite an interesting combination.

Misha noticed the change in her stance. Block with the sword fight with the body. He had seen it before right before the little Apollo girl was defeated. She wouldn't get him that easy.

He spun away to her right while trying to land a blow on the back of her thigh, purposely barely letting his sword touch her skin. Didn't want to scar her pretty tattoos. While doing so he was also trying to gain the upper hand in position. She want that dull though, she turned to match him. They locked swords infront again.

"Having fun?" Misha asked with a smile. "Better than that dummy?"

((183 words))

[Seri Winchester]

Seri's eyes narrowed slightly in confusion when he pushed himself closer against their blades. She immediately wanted to put distance between them to gain a better striking advantage. What was he playing at anyway, getting so close?

When she moved to kick him; he moved effortlessly out of the way as if he expected her do what she did. It was more or less infuriating, but also strangely exciting. Which was completely ridiculous.

Distracted she didn't catch the blow he landed to the back of her thigh. It barely grazed her skin, leaving only a slight scratch even though it should have been worse if he was really trying to get her. Which meant only one thing.

Anger immediately filled her eyes. Was he playing with her? She pushed aside his attempts to gain an upper position, keeping him equal with her, but her anger was slowly getting the better of her.

There was no way this forger was better than her.

Locking swords with him once again, a low feral growl slipped from her lips.

"Having fun?" He was smiling. Just a big old game to him. "Better than that dummy?"

Seri's eyes narrowed, "Fight like you mean it. Your sword should have done damage. Stop holding back!" She growled out, putting more weight against their swords.

A sudden crack, stopped her dead, her eyes widening in shock.

Her sword was straining against the better weapon, bits crumbling to the ground. It wasn't going to make it much longer.

Pulling away from their deadlock, Seri grinned, aiming a three quick slashes towards Misha's chest, upper arm, and leg. She wanted to put pressure on him, making each strike faster than the last.

She didn't stop there, she began adding side kicks and jabs, even twirling her body to bring her sword in a long arch, trying to break his defense and render him powerless. She needed to completely defeat him before her sword gave out.

Word Count: 326

[Misha Bozhkov]

Misha had been truely enjoying their fight. He really had. He wasn't quite sure why Seri was getting so agrivated but anger looked beautiful on her.

He could tell she had been surprised by his offense. He figured he was the best sparing partner she had challenge her. He was flattered.

Then everything got serious, "Fight like you mean it!" She growled at him.Ares children definitely take things too seriously when it comes to fighting. His smile faded with a look of confusion.

Then a cracking sound distracted him. Bits of metal fell from her sword before she stepped back. He was wondering why such a great fighter would use an inferior sword. He could easily make her one like his, or better give her his and make his own.

Then she struck. Distracted by his thoughts he only caught the first blow. Letting the others hit his skin. They didnt so much hurt as they did burn. It was the first time he had been injured in a fight.

He quickly changed his stance for defense. Assessing his wounds quickly he continued. They were only meer cuts. Blood dripping down his arm and leg he swung at her chest making contact with her sword. The blow sounded through the arena.

((212 words))

[Seri Winchester]

Seri, who had fought tons of monsters and had seen tons of people bleed was slightly perturbed by the cuts she made on the demi-god in front of her. She didn't know why she didn't like seeing his blood on her sword, but it somehow rubbed her the wrong way.

The strangest part was, she was enjoying the fight immensely! Yet, it also felt like she was beginning to take it to far, which was again ridiculous thinking. Then again she didn't like seeing people bleed usually, but it was a fight, it happened. So why couldn't she stop frowning at the blood on his arm and leg?

Seri advanced towards Misha, still slightly distracted from her thinking and carelessly blocked his sword he had swung towards her chest. The blow was so loud it resonated though the arena breaking the silence between the onlookers and the fighters.

The blow had also been pretty hard. Her poor sword finally gave out, splitting in two halves of shattered fragments from the fangs of the better weapon.

Seri hissed as one of the small pieces of metal cut into her hand making her drop the broken handle.

"Owww." She cursed silently, shaking her slightly bleeding hand in anger. "There goes my only sword."

Word Count: 211

[Misha Bozhkov]

Misha stopped all that he was doing when the sword split. As Seri dropped the handle he noticed the blood on her hand and he knew it wasn't his

"Ow!" She exclaimed

He stepped forward sheathing his sword at his side. He didnt care about his injuries but hers bothered him. His face formed into a frown.

"Looks like you need to visit the Apollo cabin." He said reaching out examining it closely in his hand. Her skin felt smooth even silky but he could see the calouses of all the hardships and fighting she had been through.

He let go reaching down and unbuckling his sheath. He took it off and extended it to Seri. He had seen her admire it and he heard her exclaim, "There goes my only sword." She needed it more than him. He could always make another.

"Have mine. I can make another." He said with a smile. "I'll walk with you to the Apollo cabin if it's ok." Indicating his bleeding cuts.

((169 words))

[Seri Winchester]

Seri froze when Misha stepped towards her. What did he want to gloat about her broken sword? She kept her gaze turned to the side in embarrassment.

"Looks like you need to visit the Apollo cabin." Seri's eyes snapped towards Misha face as he took her hand into his. She tried to keep her face blank, but her eyes held clear confusion. What the heck was he doing? She didn't know why she didn't pull away immediately, maybe because she had been able to get a closer look at his wounds when he stepped closer.

Not that she had been worried about the cuts, because she hadn't. Why would she be worried about him? She wasn't. End of story.

When he let go, Seri took a step back watching him warily as he unbuckled his sheath. He held it out to her making her eyes narrow in suspicion.

"Have mine. I can make another." He said with a smile. "I'll walk with you to the Apollo cabin if it's ok."

She couldn't seem to find her voice and ended up just staring at him for a long moment.

Finally composing herself, she fixed Misha with a hard look, pushing the sheath back towards him. "I don't want your hand outs. And I'm fine, it's just a scratch." She remarked looking away from him again. For some reason she was feeling incredibly embarrassed.

"I don't need a weapon to finish kicking you butt." Seri tried her best to keep her face blank and emotionless, but to her shock her voice sounded almost teasing.

How did that happen?

Word Count: 266

[Misha Bozhkov]

Misha raised his eyebrow. Seri was being a proud soldier again. He liked her independence. It was very attractive to see an independent woman. Most girls were prissy and whinny. Seri most definitely was not that.

He held back a knowing smile. Misha didnt want to piss her off. He shrugged.

"I wasn't handing anything out." He said, "I was giving it to you as a gift for whooping my ass. Think of it as a battle trophy." He smiled again more warmly this time. He was trying his hardest to earn her trust. He offered her the sword again. Misha didnt give up easy.

"I don't need a weapon to finish kicking your butt." She exclaimed almost playfully. He was sure she wouldn't but he would never lay a finger on her or fight her with a weapon when she didnt have one.

"Guess we will never find out. But I'm sure you could." He said with a smile. The blood flowed more quickly from his wounds. He realized he under assessed his wounds especially the one on his arm since it was bared.

"I think you should go to the Apollo cabin but I know I am." Misha shook his hand blood dripping from his fingers.

((208 words))

[Seri Winchester]

Battle Trophy?

Seri's eyebrow perked up at the thought before glancing back at the offered sword. Her eyes traveled from the sword to Misha's bleeding arm and then back. It was obvious he wasn't going to give up.

Reaching out and tsking under her breath, Seri grabbed the sword and strapped it to her side, refusing to look at the Russian in front of her who was now smiling for some odd reason.

What a weird guy.

"Guess we will never find out. But I'm sure you could."

This time she spared him a glance. Was he humoring her or did he actually mean what he said? She honestly couldn't tell, but he kept smiling which was really what was throwing her off. It was like they hadn't just fought and made each other bleed.

"Don't be too sure. I expect another round as soon as you heal." She remarked. The fight had been glorious, more fun than she had in week.

Her eyes moved back towards his arm that was still bleeding. Guilt formed in the pit of her stomach. She must of tagged him pretty good.

"I think you should go to the Apollo cabin but I know I am."

She chuckled slightly, "You big baby." She murmurer, turning away from him and towards the direction of the Apollo's cabin fully expecting him to follow.

Word Count: 227