It was a chance meeting, a wrong step in the halls that forced her into his world and sent his self-confidence spiralling. At first Asuka stared stupidly at Edo. Imagine! Of all the people to run into in the halls so late in the evening. When she recovered from her shock, her eyes narrowed so quickly, her face contorted so rapidly, that Edo nearly stepped backward to escape her undulating abhorrence. Still, he was able to collect himself and muster his cool countenance.

"You . . . !" Asuka breathed harshly. All previous destinations fled from her thoughts to give her enough mind to detest Edo.

"And you are who to block my path?" Edo asked coolly, mocking tone apparent.

"My name is Tenjoin Asuka. You should recognise it!"

"Tenjoin? Nope, nothing."

"Well, Mr. Phoenix, I definitely remember you. You're the petulant brat that broke the silent strength of a very dear friend."

Oh, it was on now, Edo decided. A girl challenging him? Hah! All she was good for was standing around being pretty. Sure she could play pretend at being a good duellist or having a will, but leniency only went so far. No man was to challenge Edo Phoenix, never mind an insignificant female with no substantial titles to back her up.

"Oh? Well, I break many people. If you would be a bit more specific, maybe I could help you." Edo felt a profound hatred for this girl sprout in his soul. She had the guts to insult him and that both awed and worried him. Who was she-this common girl, this nobody-who was this nobody to judge him? He decided that she would have to be dismantled in the cruelest way possible.

"You know very well who I am referring to! Marufuji! Marufuji Ryou, the best student to ever walk the halls of this school! The man that you broke, trampled on, and slaughtered for fun. How is it that you can sleep at night?"

"Ah, him. Yes, he was a good sport. Played along well. Though I must say, he did take it a little harshly. Quite the sore loser!" He would take little jabs because they added up to something grand . . .

"You . . . You're nothing more than a child. Yes, a child. And children don't know the consequences of their actions," Asuka spat.

"Me, a child? You were the one who started this nasty little exchange, Tenjoin," Edo shrugged nonchalantly as he finished, still masterfully feigning sardonic apathy. He knew that she was right, and for that he hated her even more. Asuka turned on her heel and began to march away from him, the heels of her boots clicking definitively on the polished linoleum.

"Come back little girl! I'm not done with you! Let me tell you how I crushed your friend beneath my foot. Let me tell you how little of a man he was!"

Edo would have never been able to guess what Asuka would do. Asuka spun around and stopped Edo's pulse with a glare so overwhelming powerful he may as well be a tiny child confronted by an army of seven foot monsters. She was much, much stronger than he first thought.

"You little ignorant child." Asuka's tone was so flat Edo worried about what she would do. But she did nothing, did not move, did not continue until he began to breathe again. "Yes, ignorant. Do you know what else children don't know? They don't know when to stop."

Once again she whirled on her heel and fled the frozen boy. Edo did not dare to think or twitch until she was gone. When he was alone again, Edo gasped for his breath and leaned against the wall for support.

What . . . What exactly had happened? He had been . . . Beaten? Taught a lesson? Bullied? What else children don't know, he thought. Who was that she-devil to try and teach him anything? Where did she think she got that kind of authority? Finally, Edo gathered himself and was ready to continue on through his day borne upon a smug gait all his own. And Edo, lost in his self-satisfied world, failed to notice the two siblings glaring at him for the next week.