When she came down into the hall the next morning, Lara found Kazuya sitting at his laptop. She was not surprised that he was working again. He seemed to be very occupied, since he had taken charge of the family business.

"Good morning." she greeted him.

He looked up. Lara suddenly felt very silly for letting him walk away last night. At this moment she found him quite irresistible, wearing a purple shirt which suited him perfectly, top button open, his dark brown eyes fixed on her.

"Morning, Lara."

"Much work to do?" she asked sitting down on the sofa besides him.

"Not really. I just wanted to go through the update from my office, before we go shopping. I am finished now." He closed his laptop and put it aside. "Did you want to go shopping right after breakfast? Because I am dying for a rematch."

She was not quite sure what he was talking about. "Rematch?"

"I think I took a bad hit on Monday," he answered.

"Oh. Now I know what you are talking about." He was of course talking about their little sparring session when she had hit him on the back with her weapon. "This time I will let you wear protective clothing," she joked.

"Very funny... I hope your butler is not listening but, protective gear is for losers."

"Ok, Mister, you got your rematch. But don't complain afterwards."

Lara got up and made her way to the dining room. Kazuya got up as well and followed her. Hilary had prepared breakfast for them. He had also put out plates for Bryce and Kurtis but none of them showed up.

When they returned to the hall after breakfast Lara asked him if 'now' was a good time for a little fighting practice.

He shrugged. "Now is fine."

"Then let me get the weapons." Lara turned to go.

"Get out the katanas," he joked. At least Lara thought he was joking. With Kazuya you never knew. "But not the one I gave to you when you were in Japan, that is priceless and should not be used in a common sparring session," he added grinning. He was serious.

"You are crazy," was all she could answer.

"That's a well known fact. But get out the Shinai when you fear you cannot handle me."

"Don't worry, I can handle you," Lara said and left the hall, marching purposefully. Five minutes later she returned with two cases and the bamboo sticks.

"You may choose," she said holding out the two katanas.

Kazuya just picked the closest one. He drew the weapon and inspected it carefully. "Not bad… almost too valuable for training."

"How often do I get the chance to use them? Fighting against you is a big enough occasion."

Kazuya put the weapon down and grabbed a bamboo sword. "Let's warm up first."

She nodded and picked up the other weapon.

"Whenever you are ready." Kazuya said and moved into stance.

"Ready." Lara replied moving her weapon into fighting position.

Kazuya attacked her, but not very hard. Their sticks met a couple of times.

"I didn't know you did sword fighting as well."

"My family is very traditional in this aspect. Some of my ancestors were Samurai."

"In that case you won't mind if we fasten the pace?"

"If you can keep up with that…"

"We will see who can't keep up."

Their weapons met again, this time both had hit harder.

"This is what you call faster?" Kazuya teased Lara.

She felt provoked and attacked left, then right, then left again. All the times her bamboo was stopped by Kazuya's. Lara then spun back. She held out her weapon pointing it at her opponent. He waited for her next attack. Lara moved quickly towards him, hitting low, then hitting high but he anticipated her moves and countered them. When she finished her attack string, he quickly turned the tables and attacked her. Lara was forced to move backwards. But she suddenly moved sideways out of the way and started to fight back. After she had won some ground both halted for a moment.

Lara then slowly advanced upon him. She pretended to bring up her weapon but instead aimed for Kazuya's stomach. He was prepared to defend high and got the hit. He did not react to the hit but moved on to defending the rest of Lara's attacks. Then he started an attack of his own, forcing Lara back a bit. Lara broke free with a strong hit against is weapon. She then went for his legs but he jumped over her stick. He used his chance to attack Lara now. He forced her back and finally managed to get through her defence, hitting her in the side. Lara clenched her teeth but immediately prepared to pay him back. However, Kazuya blocked or evaded one attack after another.

"You are really skilled, but you are assuming that your opponent plays fair."

"What do you mean?" Lara said angrily, enticed by the hit she had taken.

"What I'm saying is that you might lose a fight without rules."

"I didn't know we had any rules," she said stubbornly.

"In that case, you won't mind…" Kazuya started another attack, swinging the sword high. Suddenly he brought up his foot and pretended to kick Lara.

"There you go. If I had kicked you, you would have ended up on the ground. And I guess I don't have to tell you that this would have given me a huge advantage if not the opportunity to kill you."

"Smart ass, I didn't think you would be using other 'weapons' now. You don't seriously think that your cheating would have held me down, do you?"

"I didn't mean to sound smart. I just wanted to show you where you have to improve if you ever intent to play it dirty."

"I need to improve?" Lara was in rage. "If that's what you want. Let's put the bamboo aside, let's take the Katanas. Let's play it dirty."

Kazuya lowered his weapon. "Are you serious? I cannot guarantee that you won't get hurt."

Lara grabbed her Katana and threw the other one to Kazuya when he was prepared to catch it. "Stop babbling. Show me what you can do." she shouted.

She was annoyed that he had pointed out a weak spot in her fighting and didn't wait for him to be ready but attacked him right away. She moved fast, hit low, then high and low again. Kazuya blocked the low hit, ducked when Lara attacked high and again blocked the second low attack. Frustrated about his good defensive work, Lara changed her tactics and tried to kick him. But he grabbed her leg with his free hand and then used his foot to pull away Lara's other leg. She tumbled to the ground and her weapon clattered on the stones. Angrily she grabbed the weapon jumped up and circled him. He just looked back at her still very concentrated, his eyes following her movements.

Kurtis came down the stairs. He looked a bit irritated when he saw what was going on.

"Good morning," he said.

"Morning," Kazuya and Lara replied but immediately went back to attacking one another.

Hilary entered the hall and looked at Kurtis.

"Good morning, Mr. Trent. I think you'd better come into the dining room right away. It is not safe out here."

"I've had it with you," Lara suddenly yelled and considerably fastened her pace. Kurtis jumped back onto the stairs to get out of the way when Lara attacked Kazuya again.

"Shall I call the ambulance, Miss Croft?" Hilary asked from the doorframe.

"That's not necessary," she replied. "There will be nothing left of him when we are done."

Then Lara started another hard attack and in the end she even managed to cut Kazuya's upper arm. He clenched his teeth. Lara halted for a moment when she realized that she had hurt him, but he did not. He continued even harder and forced Lara back. Finally he managed to hit her sword with such a force that she had to let go. He pointed the tip of his sword at her throat. Lara slowly raised her hands and he lowered his weapon.

"My point. Thank you for this wonderful fight."

"I want a rematch." Lara yelled.

"Certainly," Kazuya said smiling at her. "But not today."

"And now take off your shirt!"

"Excuse me… in front of all the people." Kazuya replied grinning.

"Take off your shirt and show me your arm."

"No," he said firmly.

Lara stepped towards him unflinching. "Show me your arm."

"Are we having this discussion again?" he said unnerved.

"I am not discussing it with you. Just do it."

"You know, I am very flattered that you want me to undress, but…"

"It's the same arm again." Lara went on without paying attention to anything he had said.

"What?"

"…where you've been hit by that bullet last year."

"So? This is just a scratch."

"It's bleeding heavily for 'just a scratch'."

"And it's not bleeding enough for 'Kazuya, you are dying'…"

"I don't find it very amusing," Lara commented.

She again moved closer towards him and started opening his shirt. He did not resist.

Hilary who had left the hall a moment ago returned with a first aid pack.

"What do we need?" he asked.

"Nothing," Kazuya replied stubbornly.

Lara pulled his shirt off over his shoulder and inspected his arm.

"It's not that bad…"

"I told you."

"But it has to be bandaged before it ruins your shirt completely."

"You have sliced through it, how much more ruined can it get?"

"And we have to disinfect the wound." Lara persisted.

"Don't be silly…"

"You are just afraid that it might burn like hell." Lara said to his face.

"Bad metaphor," he commented quietly.

"I know."

"That's just excellent, if I won't let you do it, you will make me look like a coward… but it's completely unnecessary." He sighed and held out his arm. "Go ahead. Put it on."

Lara took a bit of cotton wool out of the first aid box and tended to his wound. He did not flinch when she disinfected it.

Kurtis got up from the stairs.

"What were you doing anyway? No wonder one of you got hurt."

"I am not hurt." Kazuya grumbled.

"Whatever. Have you two seen Kill Bill too often?"

"Yes, and this is the remake, 'Kill …'."

"Kazuya!" Lara said warningly, not letting him finish. "Your temper is unbearable sometimes."

Kazuya simply shrugged. Meanwhile Hilary started to collect the weapons and put them on the nearby table.

"I am going to have a shower now." Kazuya said and handed the katana to the butler.

"Good idea." Lara replied.

"And we go shopping afterwards?" Kazuya looked at Lara for confirmation.

"Yes," she replied and looked at Kurtis. "Will you come along?"

"Why not?"

"Ok, we will meet here in 45 Minutes." Lara said.

Then Lara and Kazuya made their way upstairs together. They stopped at Lara's room.

"I will see you in…"

Lara couldn't finish the sentence. Kazuya had pushed her against the wall and kissed her. It took her a second to figure out what was happening but then she slung her arms around his neck.

At that exact moment, Bryce had come out of one of the nearby room. He threw the door shut to get the attention of the other two. Lara looked at him shocked.

"I knew it…"

"You knew what?" she asked, threatening.

"I said to Hilary that you two wouldn't last much longer. Too much sexual tension… He said you would wait until Kurtis has left…. I have to tell him."

"Bryce, you are getting on my nerves. If you say one word you will regret it."

"But if I don't tell Hilary, I will lose my bet…"

"What do you mean 'bet'?" Lara yelled.

"Oh, oh. I will leave you to it…" Bryce said and fled.

Lara was very upset. She looked at Kazuya who only shrugged.

"Say something." Lara said.

"What should I say?"

Lara thought about it and then something silly came to mind. "Remember: If Kurtis finds out, I'll get your car."

Kazuya was prepared to counter it with logic. "No, no. When I tell him, you'll get my car, not when Bryce does."

"You initiated this. I will hold you responsible."

"You know what? I've had enough with you. I don't care if he finds out. It's worth it. And when I am done with the deal tonight we two will take a little trip to Germany, you can pick your own car, I will pay… I hope that solves all of your little problems."

Lara was silent.

"Ok, I am off to the shower now. I will see you in 30 Minutes down in the hall." Kazuya said and left Lara behind. And now she was angry with herself. She knew exactly that she had wanted it as well and that it was unfair to blame Kazuya, but she had reacted without thinking. Bryce had made her pretty angry. She had to make sure, that he wouldn't tell Kurtis anything.