Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Just enjoying the rain Anne!" She lied. "Don't worry he's going to Leon right now." Zero grinned convinently forgeting to mention why he was.

He just smirked. "Yeah. Back to him. Though it's good that Merlin is there.....he's mastered a few healing spells, right?" He asked, twisting his smirk to a grin. "Cause by the time I'm done with that old man, he's gonna need 'em." He cracked his knuckles as they reached Leon's residence

Hotaru kicked open the door, and pointed at Leon. "I'm going to get some damn answers, and respect....." He then pointed over his shoulder, indicating the duel would be outside. "I'm waiting, and bring whatever you want to use...." He walked over to the wall, and picked up his practice blade. "And I promise Leon, I'm through holding back." Good thing I took the time to get it lacquered.....Hate to lose the only weapon I've got in this fight..... He smirked, before walking back outside, a few feet away from the door.

Leon shook his head. "So.....it's finally come down to this.....I knew he was gonna be trouble Yuff, but you just had to bring him back with us......" He sighed as he walked outside, drawing his Gunblade, Lionheart. "You sure you wanna do this kid. I wont stop till your down for good this time...."

((Been ages, I know. Just hectic being a full time student, working full time, and being a dad!! Sorry though!!))

Hotaru's answer was to simply take up his unique fighting stance. "You know old man, I'm getting sick of you thinking you can put me down......" Left hand in front of him, practice sword pointed low to the ground. All the dampness from the rain served to make Hotaru's body slowly begin to steam. "I don't really know which of us is going to go down Leon.....but it's about time you took me seriously"

For the first time since he could recall, Hotaru had actually used his name. "Guess you're serious about this then kiddo...." He just nodded to Anna. "If I can..I don't know when he got this strong....or how...." Leon just sighed again as he walked out into the rain. "Well then....no holding back, right?"

Hotaru answered Leon's question by nodding slightly, before taking to the air, sword pointed at Leon, mutter something. "You think you're so damn impressive Leon.....well, take this one..." As he started to descend, Hotaru let loose his attack, not swinging his blade, but rather using it to channel his spell, Firaga. Done in such a way, the flames shot out in a blazing inferno, covering Leon's position entirely

As the flames smashed into him, Leon barely had enough time to guard against the attack. Rolling out of the way, he glanced around, quickly scanning the area for Hotaru. ""I've been through worse Anna.....though I don't really want to face that one again...." He quickly got to his feet, taking a purely defensive stance. "Who'd have thought he'd have gotten this good....." He shook his head, shifting his footing, still trying to get a glimpse of Hotaru.

After he launched his attack, Hotaru ducked into an alleyway. "Knowing Leon, that just bought me a little time......" "You know Leon, defense is just going to make this end a lot quicker." He called out, moving through the shadows, slowly finding another vantage point. "I just need 5 minutes....then I can use my ultimate attack.....shouldn't have said no holding back old timer...."He cracked a grin as he began casting Firaga spell into his sword. One after another. "And here I was starting to like this blade Leon.....you're gonna owe me a real one after this....that's for damn sure...." He whispered.

Leon glanced over at Merlin and Anna. "He's right. This has to be a one on one fight. Strictly between me, and that hot head, Hotaru..." He broke his stance, and began searching the area for Hotaru. "Great....this is not going so well....Why'd I even bother to pick him up...." He mentally sighed.

As the rain starting coming down heavier, Hotaru scowled, "Man...I really hate the rain......no, scratch that. I just hate water in general..." He shifted his position to get the drop on Leon as he finished casting the final Firaga spell. The blade had become white hot from the sheer heat of his spells. "Alright Leon, this is it." He smirked as he lept into air. "Try this one on for size old timer." "MAO EN!!" A single white hot blast of flame shot towards Leon. As Hotaru hit the ground, he spun around, "KAHU ENBU!" Another spout of flame engulfed the area Leon was in, trapping him entirely.

"Well damn.....kids good...." Leon that, as he attempted to dodge both, only to be trapped in the second attack. Getting kinda hot in here.....knowing him, I'll be roasted alive if I don't get out of here...." He started looking for a weak point in the flames.

Hotaru stood a good ten feet away from the circle of flame. "You should know Leon, that's one nasty move. You either roast alive.....or you....nah. I'll let you figure that out for yourself..." He smirked, blade glowing a bright orange. "Just enough for THAT move...." He muttered to himself, "Even if you get out of that alive, you're screwed Leon....."

Hotaru shook his head. "My flames would die out if he was dead. The old timer is serious anyways...." He prepared his stance, feeling the flames starting to buckle, inside out. "Wouldn't do that Leon....." He offered up, smirking. "Hey Merlin, I'd suggest shielding yourself, it's gonna be one hell of a blast."

Leon had found his striking point. "To hot in here for me to really risk holding back...."He sighed, as he let loose his attack, smashing through the flames. Feeling the rain on his body was refreshing. "Thought something else was supposed to happen if I broke out...." He took his stance seeing Hotaru in his, smirk plastered on his face.

Hotaru just nodded at Leon's display. "Oh, it will Leon...." As Hotaru blinked, a huge blast, coming from the exact center of the fire prison, erupted, knocking Leon into the air, weapon flying out of his reach.

As he landed, he noticed Hotaru hadn't moved an inch. "Alright....that was impressive...."

"You've got two choices now Leon, give up, or pick your blade up, and come at me. I've showed you enough of my power to want to show off my strongest attack. So, I'm really hoping you like the idea of one last move for each of us. Winner is left standing..." Hotaru had moved over to Leon's gunblade, ready to kick it over should the fight continue.

Leon pushed himself to his feet. "One last blast kiddo.....Alright...."He nodded and held out his hand. "Lets see just what you've got kid..."

Hotaru simply tossed Leon the gunblade. "You ready then Leon. Cause I ain't holding back on this one...." He took his stance.

Leon just nodded as he caught his weapon. The two rushed each other at the same time, weapons at the ready, Leon used his ultimate attack, Renzokuken.

Hotaru met Leon's fierce attack with his own ultimate attack, Firefly Dance. The resulting flame kicked up enough dust to block out the battlefield. Both opponents standing with their backs to the other. "Not bad for an old timer...." Hotaru chuckled lightly.

Leon smirked and nodded. ""You aren't so bad yourself hot head...." He then joined Hotaru's chuckle with his own.

Both opponents using the other to remain standing, neither accepting defeat.