The leader of the fire elemental was no other than Isshiki Satoshi. He was a prime example of a wonderful leader. He had the strength to be able to protect the people that wields the fire element, and he had the compassion towards his people. No wonder several loved this man and yet… there was someone who he cared about. Someone who he cared about but chose to be distant with him despite how they knew each other for a long time.

He had a smile on his face and whatever his thoughts were might have been bugging him for the longest time, but he didn't want to show what he truly felt. His people were always a joy to see, so he'd rather not place out the fake facade he was currently having.

"I can't believe were going to team up with the Ice Leader! She's so grumpy, she glares at anyone she looks at!"

"Kuga… Don't speak so rudely." Isshiki smiled nervously. "We're supposed to be ready for this, we're going to meet her soon. I think it's best not to talk badly of her."

The man named "Kuga" was a companion of Isshiki- but he was known to be loud and sometimes mocking. "Yeah, right." He crossed his arms. "She probably talks badly of you too." He snorted. "That's the kind of person she is, most likely. She's out here glaring at anyone, she probably thinks her stare makes people piss their pants but it's just her with her constant period."

"That's enough." Isshiki placed his right hand up before sighing. "I know you don't like her that much, but the Fire Element and the Ice Element will have a temporary truce since we'll be a team until this year's competition will end."

Kuga, noticing the sudden serious atmosphere only rolled his eyes. "Fine then." Even if he wished to speak more, he couldn't disobey the leader of his Element- at least, not at this moment. "For now, I'll follow what you say."

"Thank you." He definitely knew who Nene Kinokuni was. He knew her much more than Kuga Terunori. She worked hard to be in the place she's in, she went through so many obstacles to be that strong… all he didn't know was the reason why she always stared at him with despise when-

He looked at her with the exact opposite feeling.

"Leader Isshiki Satoshi." A common friend of the two suddenly popped out with a grin on his face. "May I talk to you for a moment? It's a serious matter."

"Kaoru?" He blinked a couple of times. He was confused because he wasn't the kind of person to talk so formally. "Yes, of course… But make it quick, I wouldn't want to disappoint our guests."

"Wait why am I not included?!"

"Sorry Kuga Terunori, I have no time to waste."

Yes. This certainly felt different.

The door behind them was locked and Isshiki stood up straight and fixed his clothes. "Why do you need to talk to me?"

"It's about the Leader of the Ice Element."

"Please don't tell me you don't trust her…" Isshiki trusted the gut feelings of Kaoru. He was always someone who was able to predict something out of nowhere, but the words he said… made him much more surprised.

"Bed her."

"What?!" Yes, the poor leader did not expect this from him. "They're going here for a formal matter. I would not want to force things so suddenly." Isshiki had to disagree with the idea, especially the fact that Nene seemed like she hated him.

"I know it is a formal matter, but do you think that your bond with her will make you two a good team?"

"Do you think my current bond will make her accept me asking that?"

"… Fair point."

"Why would you think of this in the first place?"

Kaoru smirked at him before answering his question. "Having sex can make you go closer to a person and-"

"I know that's not the reason. You'd never say things like this." Isshiki knew him quite well. If something, he was the most gentlemanly person he met. It was quite odd he'd recommend that. "Can you place tell me the real reason? We're running out of time."

Kaoru slicked his hair back. "Knew it was a bluff, huh?" He began looking aside. "The real reason why I want you to do this isn't for the bond. It's for the power. I've heard that if two people wielding elements had some… physical intimacy, they could either become stronger or gain the ability of the other. I think it's a fair trade."

"Is that how you got your ability of the Earth element?"

Kaoru paled at the question before he immediately responded. "Fuck no! I wouldn't bed anyone anyone… At least not yet." He was quite embarrassed by this question. "I got the Earth element because of my bond with them, also because I have the heritage of it with my father's side. I would recommend you to get as close as you can with Miss Kinokuni, but that would take much longer."

Isshiki knew that Kaoru was only worried about him, and he wanted that Fire Element to win this competition in hand with the Ice Element. "I understand, but don't worry. I don't need to learn how to ice to win this competition." He smiled a bit. "I think I want to bring pride to my people using my own element."

"If you say so, then I respect your decision. But if you do get close to Miss Icey-Red-Eyes over there, please inform me. I'd love to see you two together."

"Kaoru…"

"I mean, can you blame me? childhood friend route here we go!" Kaoru laughed at himself before going back to serious business. "Seriously speaking. I want you two to win, but to win… You should get closer. Being two strong people, but having no bond… It's useless. You'll both be losing."

Currently, the two leaders were now facing each other with two chosen people at their sides.

Isshiki was between Kuga and Kaoru while Nene was between Rui and Alice.

"You may leave now, we can handle this." Her red eyes was focusing on the man in front of her, but the two people by her side understood what she meant.

"Okay Nene-chan~! If anything bad happens be sure to call us!" A girl with white hair winked at her before patting her shoulder. "We'll be here in seconds! Now, now, let's go Rui-chan~!" She skipped outside the door while the girl she mentioned only followed her from behind in silence.

"Nakiri Alice and Kofuru Rui are trustworthy people." Isshiki had a warm smile on his face.

"Of course I'd pick people who are trustworthy for this meeting." She sighed before raising an eyebrow. "I'm not sure if that "chibi" was a good choice. He's always loud, are you sure you made the right decision?"

"Shut up Little Miss Pigtails, you're just jealous because I at least have people to talk to while you're-" Kuga got lifted up by the other person beside his leader. "FUCKING-! LET ME GO-"

"No, No. We're leaving. Good luck, Leader."

With that, the door behind them was shut close and the two leaders were alone, and their direct attention was at each other.

"I'd like to think he's trustworthy. He might not seem like it to you, but as someone who's been with him for so long- I can say that he is."

"Enough of defending your people." She quickly changed the topic. "We have to discuss these matters. The competition."

"I would love to discuss that, but I'd prefer if we get to know each other more. We'd be a team, after all."

"Listen, Isshiki. I'm only here to discuss formal matters with you. am not here to acts as your friend. I want you to look at me as a fellow leader, not as your companion."

It couldn't be helped. He had no choice but to go with the flow. "I do look as you as a leader, Nene. But I hope you know that we would have to be in better terms if we actually win this competition."

"I don't see why we should be in better terms- at least personal relationships. The only thing we really need is good teamwork. It's possible to achieve that without getting close to one another."

He sighed and he clearly knew that it would be hard to get his way from the start, but he only wished that they could be friends. They only grew more distant after she won last year's competition against him. "Why do you not want to do anything with me at all?" He finally brings up this question, a question he has always wanted to ask.

It did hurt that the person he wished to be closer to wanted nothing to do with him. The worst thing was he didn't know why.

She glared at the male. "Should I repeat myself again? We're only here for the competition. I don't want to do anything with you. All I want to do is prove that I'm a better leader than you. I did not want to team up with you."

Well, after she said that, he may have had a plan. It may be a low move, but if it was his only chance on this whole thing to work, then he has to.

"Alright. We'll go with what you want. Let's discuss the matters of the competition."

"Thank you for finally cooperating."

"But can we have a deal?"

"A deal?" She wasn't too interested in a deal, but she still wanted to hear him out. "If this has something to "becoming your friend", I'll have to deny that."

"No, nothing to do with it." He smiled, but it was different than the smile he had shown a couple of times ago. "If we win this competition, we'll have a duel."

"What's so special about that?"

"I won't hold back." He smirked. "And I know that you've always wanted to fight with me holding back."

Nene twitched before her eyes got colder. "So you admit that you've been doing that?"

This was the only way to get her to work with him. "You have to tell me first." He ignored her question. "Are we going to team up and win this competition or not? Because if we lose or we don't become a decent team, the deal is off."

"I can accept this. Being a good team will only be temporary. My pride lasts forever. If we win this together, then I'll show you my true potential."

Excellent, she agreed. "That's nice to hear from the Ice Element Leader." He showed his hand, offering a hand shake. "It's nice to be your partner for this competition. I hope I don't disappoint you."

She looked over at his hand before looking back at his eyes. "Fire Element Leader, you better keep this deal."

She gave him her hand, and they had a short yet firm handshake.

This is what started the alliance between the two teams: Fire and Ice.