Hello everyone, I know this is long but I ask that you please read the
following summary and random mutterings, this will help you understand the
story better. First off I don't own MKR or any of the other anime/manga
mentioned in this story, god knows I wish I did but hey that's life, I'm a
DJ so trying to get money out of me would be as pointless as telling my cat
that I am not his personal scratching post. First of all this is a AU story
about all of the MKR characters (other characters from other anime/manga
will show up and I'm thing about giving a prize to someone who can name
them all correctly - a poster or something because really good friends of
mine own a comic shop so I can get promo posters and things really cheap or
for free;). All are in high school and its time for a big martial arts
competition - there will be 3 different divisions, weaponry, hand-to-hand,
and Zen forms/weaponry. Each competitor had to go through preliminary
competitions to get to this level - the best thing I can think of to
compare it to is state finals. The MKR characters (some of the characters
had to go slight age and other small changes in order to more properly fit
into the context of the story however they will all still be in character)
will be divided into 2 different schools plus the other schools that will
be there. I will explain each form of competition as it comes in the story.
The rating will be earned for some language, and since I am such a hopeless
romantic, some couple settings that will take place throughout the story.
However most of it will be later because a lot of couples will be just
meeting so I actually want a plot and other things to happen before anyone
gets to hot and heavy to soon - plus it's more plausible that way. The only
other thing I can think of is that the character names have come strait
from the anime and manga that I have and so if it's spelled differently
than you think sorry. Also I work nights so if there are spelling or
grammar mistakes sorry but its 3 am when I'm writing this;). Now on with
the story!!!!!!
Title
She was shaking; this was the first thing that entered her sleep foggy mind. Was there an earthquake? No this seemed more of a rhythmic shaking, also as if there was a set beat and pattern. What? Do earthquakes shake to a beat?
"Umi!!! Guess what, it's 10 am and the coach says that we are leaving the hotel to go to the convention center in half an hour."
"What!!" Umi screamed now fully awake and sitting strait up in bed. She looked over to see on of her best friends Hikaru still bouncing on the edge of her bed.
"Now Miss Hikaru you know that you shouldn't tease Miss Umi like that,"
Umi looked up to see her other best friend and roommate for the week, Fuu come out of the bathroom almost fully dressed, "It's only 9:30 and she has an hour to get herself prepared before we are to leave."
"Sorry Umi but I couldn't get you up any other way and I thought that it would help."
"Hikaru, STOP JUMPING ON MY BED!!!!!"
"OK, I'm going to my room to finish getting ready, I'll be back in 45 minutes to pick you guys up, Ja."
Umi watched as an entirely too hyper, for 9:30 in the morning, Hikaru as she skipped out of her hotel room and presumably towards her own. "How in the hell does she do it? We were up till 2 am with everyone and she is still that hyper. It's just inhuman that girls energy," Umi muttered to her pillow.
"I believe Miss Hikaru has been up for at least an hour," Fuu said from her bed as she was putting on her socks, she paused to look at Umi, "but, I suppose being raised in a world class dojo and learning to train at all hours ever since she could walk might have something to do with it," Fuu smiled.
"I suppose," Umi muttered struggling to get out from under the covers and stumbled to the bathroom. "Are you all done in here Fuu?" Fuu nodded, "I'll be a while then," she closed the door and muttered to herself. "Getting woke up by you best friend like a pet, what the hell is she thinking this early of a morning doesn't she know that my beauty sleep is so precious to me. I will just never understand hyper, overactive people who feel the need to.."
Out in the room Fuu just smiled as Umi continued to mutter to her self, it was already going to be one of those days, and the prelims for the tournament hadn't even started yet.
**********
Hikaru, Umi and Fuu got off the elevator and headed towards the lobby, on their way there the girls saw a group of teenagers waiting by a side door who all seemed to be in varying states of waking. Most of the group looked like they had just woken up in the same violent manner as Umi but didn't have the previous hour to recover their wits.
"Hey Umi do some of them look familiar to you?"
"Yea they do Hikaru, but I can't place where I've seen." Umi trailed off as a certain person caught her eye. "Oh now I know why they look familiar. Hey Fuu, isn't that your man sleeping against the wall?" Umi sniggered as Fuu whipped her head around eyes locked on a certain green haired sleeping man.
Fuu quickly looked away from the wall bright red "Umi I have no idea what you mean. Mr. Ferio and I are just acquaintances from past tournaments."
"Oh I don't know about that Fuu the last time I saw you two together you seemed awfully close." Umi winked at Fuu, which only caused the green-eyed girl to become redder, "but I suppose if you say so. However lets ask Ferio and see what he says." Before the flustered girl could say another word Umi was half way over towards the group.
Fuu looked on in horror as Hikaru stood there looking a little confused by the previous conversation. Umi came up to the sleeping boy and 'nudged' (more like kicked) the sleeping boy, completely oblivious to the incredulous looks from his friends. "Hey! Hey you!" no response 'nudge nudge' still nothing from the sleeping boy. "Hey I am trying to ask you something." Ferio just groaned and turned to his other side. Umi was starting to get frustrated when all of a sudden she got an idea. The evil smirk that spread over her face was enough to make some of the party take a step back. "Oh Ferio, your girlfriend Fuu said to tell you that she was waiting up in her hotel room for you."
Bright golden eyes snapped open and the young man quickly stood up eyes darting around frantically. " What? Fuu? Where?"
By this time Umi was laughing so hard that she was doubled over and holding her stomach. Ferio however had spotted the object of his desire and was currently heading that direction while Fuu looked on in horror.
"Hello Fuu did you miss me?" Ferio asked with a wink. He then proceeded to take her hand and give it a roguish kiss.
"Fuu do you know him?" Hikaru asked as she stood beside her friend with a confused look on her face.
Ferio looked over at Hikaru startled, "Ah, and who is your lovely friend Fuu? I don't remember meeting her before. Unlike that blue-haired harpy."
"I heard that you idiot! I'm right behind you. You should be grateful that I woke you up or else you wouldn't have gotten to see her! Jeez talk about ungrateful smucks!" Hikaru just looked even more confused by this exchange, but just smiled while Fuu just stared off in the other direction a little less red than before.
"I'm Hik."
"Ferio," The group looked over to see a tall black-haired man coming towards them. "If you are done playing with your adoring fans we have more important things to be doing than waiting for you to go to the tournament site."
"Aw, calm down Lantis I was just saying hi to some friends."
"Yes Lantis don't get so worked up. I'm sure that Ferio was just about to introduce us to his lovely friends." The group looked over to see a boy with white-blond hair taller than Ferio but shorter than Lantis smiling back at them. "Ferio won't you introduce us now?"
"We don't have time for this Eagle we need to get to the site and get everyone warmed up and ready to go."
"Why so you can be extra prepared to lose?" The group turned around to see an extremely tall blond man behind them.
"Good morning Lafarga!"
The tall blond smiled down at the short red head, "Good morning Hikaru. I see that you are chipper as usual this morning. Ready to go and all warmed up I suppose."
"Yes I was up at 7 this morning and already did my morning run and practiced my forms."
"WHAT! Are you insane? You woke me up by jumping on my bed with that much energy after you were up in our room with all the girls till 2am and when everyone went back to their rooms you didn't even seem tired." At Lafarga's disapproving look Umi cringed and stuttered, "Um, well that is to say..."
"Oh my, having all that energy must be fun little one. You must be Hikaru, my name is Eagle it is very nice to meet you. Are you here for the middle school finals?"
"Um, no I uh."
"You baka! Hikaru is the same age as us!" At this everyone from the other school looked over surprised at Hikaru "She's a sophomore with us at Rayearth High."
"Umi its OK. I don't think that Eagle meant any harm."
"Besides Ms. Umi didn't you think that Hikaru was an 8th grader as well when we first met her?"
"You don't have to rub it in Fuu" Umi grumbled. "Its not like I knew she was the new student I was supposed to show around the school, and besides if I remember correctly you thought the same thing at first to!"
"Oh dear I suppose that is true. However I do not recall you making such a big deal over it at the time."
"But that's because. Oh never mind."
Just then a pair of tanned arms seemed to appear around the tall blond man's neck. "Oh Lafarga baby! Where ya been? I went to your room to get ya this morn'n an Clef said that you had already left to go to the meeting in the lobby. What's up with that? I thought you said last night that you would wait for me this morning." As the pink haired woman spoke the man in question turned a very interesting shade of pink himself.
"Good morning Caldina!"
"Good morning Hikaru." The woman jumped down from Lafarga's back and proceeded to squeeze Hikaru wearing a skimpy off-white halter-top and daisy dukes the same color. "Good morn'n little misses I hope that everyone got enough sleep last night because tonight I plan on throwing a party for all the people who make it past the prelims today even you guys." She stated looking at the guys from Cephiro High.
Half the party sweat dropped at that and Umi spoke up, "Um Caldina. Don't you think that we should rest tonight? So that those of us who are in the finals tomorrow can do our best."
"Don't worry little miss it's not like we'll be getting drunk or anything this will just be a small congratulation party for those who do well today."
"I believe that your friend is not getting enough air." Everyone looked over at Lantis then back at Caldina.
"Oops! Sorry little missy."
"Air!" gasped Hikaru. "That's OK Caldina I'm fine." Said a still slightly red Hikaru.
"I think that." Whatever Eagle was going to say was cut off as the elevator opened and an arguing couple rushed out.
"What was that you big stupid woman?"
" I said that I don't want to here that from a stupid red monkey like you!"
"Who are you calling a stupid red monkey you big stupid samurai otaku?"
"What was that you ex-mono-brow stupid monkey?" This fight continued until the couple was out of hearing range. They were followed by a girl who looked on smiling and a boy who was video taping everything.
"Well that was..."
"Different?" "Interesting." "Stupid." "Funny."
The group looked at each other until a lavender haired boy interrupted them. "Lafarga, I believe that it is time for us to meet in the lobby and depart. Tarta, Tatra and Presea are waiting for us also I believe."
Lafarga looked at his watch. "I believe that you are correct." He turned to the rest of his group. "Come on we need to leave in order to get to the tournament hall in time to register, draw our lots and have time to properly warm up."
"Lantis, I believe that we are ready to leave also." The group looked over to see an almost exact copy of Lantis except for this man had deep violet eyes instead of sky blue, and long hair, compared to Lantis' shorter do, with his bangs framing his face where Lantis' bangs just seemed to hang in his eyes. "I had Emeraude horde Geo, Ascot and Alcione in to the van so that we could depart as soon as you are finished.
"We shall go immediately then big brother. Please excuse our tardiness."
Clef stepped up and looked at the remaining members of his group, "I believe that is our cue to depart also. Zagato, Lantis we shall see you there." With that he nodded, turned and headed towards the exit.
"Clef"
"Clef" both Lantis and Zagato nodded and the elder headed towards the other exit.
"Lantis"
"Lafarga"
With that the blond turned and left with Caldina following "See ya later everyone. Come on little misses."
"I'm out of here!" Umi said and turned muttering to herself, " I can probably still get in a nap before the actual competition starts."
"Oh my dear, I believe that this is where we must part much to my saddened heart. Until later, my dear Fuu, keep me in your heart." With that Ferio turned and jogged out towards his waiting ride leaving behind a red stunned Fuu.
"W- we- well I- I suppose that I had better get going too. It was very nice too meet everyone." and Fuu in turn left bright faced and in a hurry.
"I believe that we had better get a move on too, don't you think Lantis." Eagle turned and smiled at the remaining two party members. "It was very nice to meet everyone." He then turned and leaned down to Hikaru, "especially you Hikaru;)"
She turned and smiled up at both men "Goodbye Eagle and you too Lantis. I hope that we meet again soon so we can be good friends!" With that she turned and run-skipped out of the door, obvious to the fact that she had just left both momentarily stunned by her for different yet in a way the same reasons.
Eagle recovered first "Come on Lantis I don't think that Zagato wants to come looking for us."
This snapped the taller man out of his revelry, 'I've seen her somewhere before' his eyes unconsciously following the smaller girl out the door, and he in turn went out the door to where the van with his teammates were waiting. Leaving a mischievously smiling Eagle to follow behind.
**********
(OK just a small explanation for each event that you are entered into you draw a number lot and then the judges fill in your name in the appropriate fight, time and arena position - this way no one can say anyone rigged the tournament)
The teammates from Rayearth High entered the arena each member carrying different gear needed for their particular event(s). They watched as hundreds of other competitors milled about along with spectators, coaches, assistants, site personal and judges. The atmosphere created sort of an organized mess.
Clef took charge while their coach took off for other duties. "Alright everyone you know what to do. Go to each event registration and get signed up for your particular events. After you get registered and have drawn your lots for each event if you happen to run into conflicting times let the fight staff know of the problem then tell either Lafarga or myself." Almost everyone started off to get registered Clef stopped Hikaru. "I know that you have competed in tournaments before you transferred to our school this semester, but never in one of this kind or this size. I know that you should be fine but if you should need any assistance please come to one of the upper classmen and we would be glad to be of assistance to you."
Hikaru smiled at the remaining people "Don't worry Clef, I'm sure that this shouldn't be too different from my usual tournaments." At this a few people snickered at her words and a few mutterings were heard.
"Yea right." "Sure Hikaru." "If you think so."
Lantis and Eagle were over to the side registering when they heard the following and headed over towards the group. "I would be willing to help her find her way around. We have just finished registering and it is no trouble." In truth Lantis was slightly disgusted by what he had overheard. Even though Rayearth and Cephiro High were enemies Clef was considered a friend from the tournaments they had met and talked to at, he had expected this kind of behavior from the others but not from him. Lantis was also confused as to why he would think that a new student to the area, let alone the school, would be fine in this madhouse. Hikaru, Clef and the few others that remained turned their heads in surprise at the duo walking towards them.
Beside him Eagle was also a little worried about why the girl would be turned loose in this chaos, and even if she did need help, whether or not she would even be able to find any of her schoolmates in this mess. "Hello again Hikaru. Are you enjoying yourself so far?"
"Hello Lantis, hello Eagle!" Hikaru smiled and waved at the young men who were standing in front of her. "You don't need to worry about me I should be fine! I've been to hundreds of these things and so far nothing to out of the ordinary has happened."
Lantis frowned slightly at Clef's acceptance of the girls over exuberance and obvious exaggeration of her experience at these things. For some reason he didn't want to question because it was completely out of character, he was more than willing to help make sure that she would be OK signing in. Looking at the small girl he pondered his willingness to be of help 'Oh well must my big brother instincts kicking in' (authors note-can we say denial.) "It's fine we don't have anything to do for a little while anyway both of our prelims don't begin until after one."
Eagle smiled, "Don't worry Hikaru, we are just worried that you could possibly get confused in all this chaos. Especially since this is such a big event."
A couple people left from Rayearth High that had been listening to the conversation snickered and muttered, "Yea right" "To us maybe" "Doesn't know huh."
Lantis narrowed his eyes at them and turned towards Hikaru, "What event are you in?"
Hikaru smiled, "All of three them!"
This caused Lantis and Eagle to widen their eyes in shock and reevaluate the girl and more sniggering could be heard from the Rayearth people.
"Well then you must be very good Hikaru. I thought Lantis was the only one I knew of who had qualified in all three events." Eagle smiled. "Shall we go get started?"
"Sure!"
The sign in's for hand-to-hand and Zen went smoothly but at the weaponry table as soon as she reported in the guys noticed ( note: the guys are talking to her during the wait but standing slightly to the side during the actually sign-in out of respect for her as a contestant) that the clerk seemed slightly shocked for a second then went to his list and told her to wait for a moment. He then came back with a supervisor, at which point the boys thinking that something was wrong walked over to stand beside her.
"Is something wrong sir?" Lantis asked.
"Oh don't worry Lantis I just have to go talk to some of the event organizers about something. I'll see you guys later. Ja." With that Hikaru followed after the man towards a room off to the side that had a sign posted "OFFICIALS ONLY"
"Lantis I wonder if something is wrong. Do you think that we should go tell someone?"
"Yes, let's go find Clef and tell him about these turn of events."
After searching the bleachers for contestants for about ten minutes they spotted the people from Rayearth High. They spotted Clef and waved him over.
"Hello again Lantis and Eagle I believe it was. What can I do for you?"
"We are worried that something may be wrong with Hikaru's entry status. When she was signing up for the weaponry competition an official pulled her talked to her and she had to go back to the officials room for some reason."
"Hmm, I wonder if they will let her compete in that after all." Clef muttered to himself.
Both men looked at him "What?"
"Oh sorry nothing, just musing to myself. Don't worry I know what this might be about and it is probably nothing. You two had better warm up for your events though before you have to go out on the mats cold, but thank you for the notice I will talk to her as soon as she gets done." With that Clef turned around and started back up to his other teammates who were questioning him as to what the two men had wanted.
Having nothing else better to do they left to go find their own school and begin warming up but they agreed to come and find Hikaru later to see what had happened.
Well that's it the end of the first chapter a looong chapter that took me almost a week to write. Please review, but please be kind if you do I always try to be and if you find something you don't like at least be constructive with criticism. The next chapters may not be as long but I probably won't have internet problems holding me up for days either. Thanks for reading everyone.
Title
She was shaking; this was the first thing that entered her sleep foggy mind. Was there an earthquake? No this seemed more of a rhythmic shaking, also as if there was a set beat and pattern. What? Do earthquakes shake to a beat?
"Umi!!! Guess what, it's 10 am and the coach says that we are leaving the hotel to go to the convention center in half an hour."
"What!!" Umi screamed now fully awake and sitting strait up in bed. She looked over to see on of her best friends Hikaru still bouncing on the edge of her bed.
"Now Miss Hikaru you know that you shouldn't tease Miss Umi like that,"
Umi looked up to see her other best friend and roommate for the week, Fuu come out of the bathroom almost fully dressed, "It's only 9:30 and she has an hour to get herself prepared before we are to leave."
"Sorry Umi but I couldn't get you up any other way and I thought that it would help."
"Hikaru, STOP JUMPING ON MY BED!!!!!"
"OK, I'm going to my room to finish getting ready, I'll be back in 45 minutes to pick you guys up, Ja."
Umi watched as an entirely too hyper, for 9:30 in the morning, Hikaru as she skipped out of her hotel room and presumably towards her own. "How in the hell does she do it? We were up till 2 am with everyone and she is still that hyper. It's just inhuman that girls energy," Umi muttered to her pillow.
"I believe Miss Hikaru has been up for at least an hour," Fuu said from her bed as she was putting on her socks, she paused to look at Umi, "but, I suppose being raised in a world class dojo and learning to train at all hours ever since she could walk might have something to do with it," Fuu smiled.
"I suppose," Umi muttered struggling to get out from under the covers and stumbled to the bathroom. "Are you all done in here Fuu?" Fuu nodded, "I'll be a while then," she closed the door and muttered to herself. "Getting woke up by you best friend like a pet, what the hell is she thinking this early of a morning doesn't she know that my beauty sleep is so precious to me. I will just never understand hyper, overactive people who feel the need to.."
Out in the room Fuu just smiled as Umi continued to mutter to her self, it was already going to be one of those days, and the prelims for the tournament hadn't even started yet.
**********
Hikaru, Umi and Fuu got off the elevator and headed towards the lobby, on their way there the girls saw a group of teenagers waiting by a side door who all seemed to be in varying states of waking. Most of the group looked like they had just woken up in the same violent manner as Umi but didn't have the previous hour to recover their wits.
"Hey Umi do some of them look familiar to you?"
"Yea they do Hikaru, but I can't place where I've seen." Umi trailed off as a certain person caught her eye. "Oh now I know why they look familiar. Hey Fuu, isn't that your man sleeping against the wall?" Umi sniggered as Fuu whipped her head around eyes locked on a certain green haired sleeping man.
Fuu quickly looked away from the wall bright red "Umi I have no idea what you mean. Mr. Ferio and I are just acquaintances from past tournaments."
"Oh I don't know about that Fuu the last time I saw you two together you seemed awfully close." Umi winked at Fuu, which only caused the green-eyed girl to become redder, "but I suppose if you say so. However lets ask Ferio and see what he says." Before the flustered girl could say another word Umi was half way over towards the group.
Fuu looked on in horror as Hikaru stood there looking a little confused by the previous conversation. Umi came up to the sleeping boy and 'nudged' (more like kicked) the sleeping boy, completely oblivious to the incredulous looks from his friends. "Hey! Hey you!" no response 'nudge nudge' still nothing from the sleeping boy. "Hey I am trying to ask you something." Ferio just groaned and turned to his other side. Umi was starting to get frustrated when all of a sudden she got an idea. The evil smirk that spread over her face was enough to make some of the party take a step back. "Oh Ferio, your girlfriend Fuu said to tell you that she was waiting up in her hotel room for you."
Bright golden eyes snapped open and the young man quickly stood up eyes darting around frantically. " What? Fuu? Where?"
By this time Umi was laughing so hard that she was doubled over and holding her stomach. Ferio however had spotted the object of his desire and was currently heading that direction while Fuu looked on in horror.
"Hello Fuu did you miss me?" Ferio asked with a wink. He then proceeded to take her hand and give it a roguish kiss.
"Fuu do you know him?" Hikaru asked as she stood beside her friend with a confused look on her face.
Ferio looked over at Hikaru startled, "Ah, and who is your lovely friend Fuu? I don't remember meeting her before. Unlike that blue-haired harpy."
"I heard that you idiot! I'm right behind you. You should be grateful that I woke you up or else you wouldn't have gotten to see her! Jeez talk about ungrateful smucks!" Hikaru just looked even more confused by this exchange, but just smiled while Fuu just stared off in the other direction a little less red than before.
"I'm Hik."
"Ferio," The group looked over to see a tall black-haired man coming towards them. "If you are done playing with your adoring fans we have more important things to be doing than waiting for you to go to the tournament site."
"Aw, calm down Lantis I was just saying hi to some friends."
"Yes Lantis don't get so worked up. I'm sure that Ferio was just about to introduce us to his lovely friends." The group looked over to see a boy with white-blond hair taller than Ferio but shorter than Lantis smiling back at them. "Ferio won't you introduce us now?"
"We don't have time for this Eagle we need to get to the site and get everyone warmed up and ready to go."
"Why so you can be extra prepared to lose?" The group turned around to see an extremely tall blond man behind them.
"Good morning Lafarga!"
The tall blond smiled down at the short red head, "Good morning Hikaru. I see that you are chipper as usual this morning. Ready to go and all warmed up I suppose."
"Yes I was up at 7 this morning and already did my morning run and practiced my forms."
"WHAT! Are you insane? You woke me up by jumping on my bed with that much energy after you were up in our room with all the girls till 2am and when everyone went back to their rooms you didn't even seem tired." At Lafarga's disapproving look Umi cringed and stuttered, "Um, well that is to say..."
"Oh my, having all that energy must be fun little one. You must be Hikaru, my name is Eagle it is very nice to meet you. Are you here for the middle school finals?"
"Um, no I uh."
"You baka! Hikaru is the same age as us!" At this everyone from the other school looked over surprised at Hikaru "She's a sophomore with us at Rayearth High."
"Umi its OK. I don't think that Eagle meant any harm."
"Besides Ms. Umi didn't you think that Hikaru was an 8th grader as well when we first met her?"
"You don't have to rub it in Fuu" Umi grumbled. "Its not like I knew she was the new student I was supposed to show around the school, and besides if I remember correctly you thought the same thing at first to!"
"Oh dear I suppose that is true. However I do not recall you making such a big deal over it at the time."
"But that's because. Oh never mind."
Just then a pair of tanned arms seemed to appear around the tall blond man's neck. "Oh Lafarga baby! Where ya been? I went to your room to get ya this morn'n an Clef said that you had already left to go to the meeting in the lobby. What's up with that? I thought you said last night that you would wait for me this morning." As the pink haired woman spoke the man in question turned a very interesting shade of pink himself.
"Good morning Caldina!"
"Good morning Hikaru." The woman jumped down from Lafarga's back and proceeded to squeeze Hikaru wearing a skimpy off-white halter-top and daisy dukes the same color. "Good morn'n little misses I hope that everyone got enough sleep last night because tonight I plan on throwing a party for all the people who make it past the prelims today even you guys." She stated looking at the guys from Cephiro High.
Half the party sweat dropped at that and Umi spoke up, "Um Caldina. Don't you think that we should rest tonight? So that those of us who are in the finals tomorrow can do our best."
"Don't worry little miss it's not like we'll be getting drunk or anything this will just be a small congratulation party for those who do well today."
"I believe that your friend is not getting enough air." Everyone looked over at Lantis then back at Caldina.
"Oops! Sorry little missy."
"Air!" gasped Hikaru. "That's OK Caldina I'm fine." Said a still slightly red Hikaru.
"I think that." Whatever Eagle was going to say was cut off as the elevator opened and an arguing couple rushed out.
"What was that you big stupid woman?"
" I said that I don't want to here that from a stupid red monkey like you!"
"Who are you calling a stupid red monkey you big stupid samurai otaku?"
"What was that you ex-mono-brow stupid monkey?" This fight continued until the couple was out of hearing range. They were followed by a girl who looked on smiling and a boy who was video taping everything.
"Well that was..."
"Different?" "Interesting." "Stupid." "Funny."
The group looked at each other until a lavender haired boy interrupted them. "Lafarga, I believe that it is time for us to meet in the lobby and depart. Tarta, Tatra and Presea are waiting for us also I believe."
Lafarga looked at his watch. "I believe that you are correct." He turned to the rest of his group. "Come on we need to leave in order to get to the tournament hall in time to register, draw our lots and have time to properly warm up."
"Lantis, I believe that we are ready to leave also." The group looked over to see an almost exact copy of Lantis except for this man had deep violet eyes instead of sky blue, and long hair, compared to Lantis' shorter do, with his bangs framing his face where Lantis' bangs just seemed to hang in his eyes. "I had Emeraude horde Geo, Ascot and Alcione in to the van so that we could depart as soon as you are finished.
"We shall go immediately then big brother. Please excuse our tardiness."
Clef stepped up and looked at the remaining members of his group, "I believe that is our cue to depart also. Zagato, Lantis we shall see you there." With that he nodded, turned and headed towards the exit.
"Clef"
"Clef" both Lantis and Zagato nodded and the elder headed towards the other exit.
"Lantis"
"Lafarga"
With that the blond turned and left with Caldina following "See ya later everyone. Come on little misses."
"I'm out of here!" Umi said and turned muttering to herself, " I can probably still get in a nap before the actual competition starts."
"Oh my dear, I believe that this is where we must part much to my saddened heart. Until later, my dear Fuu, keep me in your heart." With that Ferio turned and jogged out towards his waiting ride leaving behind a red stunned Fuu.
"W- we- well I- I suppose that I had better get going too. It was very nice too meet everyone." and Fuu in turn left bright faced and in a hurry.
"I believe that we had better get a move on too, don't you think Lantis." Eagle turned and smiled at the remaining two party members. "It was very nice to meet everyone." He then turned and leaned down to Hikaru, "especially you Hikaru;)"
She turned and smiled up at both men "Goodbye Eagle and you too Lantis. I hope that we meet again soon so we can be good friends!" With that she turned and run-skipped out of the door, obvious to the fact that she had just left both momentarily stunned by her for different yet in a way the same reasons.
Eagle recovered first "Come on Lantis I don't think that Zagato wants to come looking for us."
This snapped the taller man out of his revelry, 'I've seen her somewhere before' his eyes unconsciously following the smaller girl out the door, and he in turn went out the door to where the van with his teammates were waiting. Leaving a mischievously smiling Eagle to follow behind.
**********
(OK just a small explanation for each event that you are entered into you draw a number lot and then the judges fill in your name in the appropriate fight, time and arena position - this way no one can say anyone rigged the tournament)
The teammates from Rayearth High entered the arena each member carrying different gear needed for their particular event(s). They watched as hundreds of other competitors milled about along with spectators, coaches, assistants, site personal and judges. The atmosphere created sort of an organized mess.
Clef took charge while their coach took off for other duties. "Alright everyone you know what to do. Go to each event registration and get signed up for your particular events. After you get registered and have drawn your lots for each event if you happen to run into conflicting times let the fight staff know of the problem then tell either Lafarga or myself." Almost everyone started off to get registered Clef stopped Hikaru. "I know that you have competed in tournaments before you transferred to our school this semester, but never in one of this kind or this size. I know that you should be fine but if you should need any assistance please come to one of the upper classmen and we would be glad to be of assistance to you."
Hikaru smiled at the remaining people "Don't worry Clef, I'm sure that this shouldn't be too different from my usual tournaments." At this a few people snickered at her words and a few mutterings were heard.
"Yea right." "Sure Hikaru." "If you think so."
Lantis and Eagle were over to the side registering when they heard the following and headed over towards the group. "I would be willing to help her find her way around. We have just finished registering and it is no trouble." In truth Lantis was slightly disgusted by what he had overheard. Even though Rayearth and Cephiro High were enemies Clef was considered a friend from the tournaments they had met and talked to at, he had expected this kind of behavior from the others but not from him. Lantis was also confused as to why he would think that a new student to the area, let alone the school, would be fine in this madhouse. Hikaru, Clef and the few others that remained turned their heads in surprise at the duo walking towards them.
Beside him Eagle was also a little worried about why the girl would be turned loose in this chaos, and even if she did need help, whether or not she would even be able to find any of her schoolmates in this mess. "Hello again Hikaru. Are you enjoying yourself so far?"
"Hello Lantis, hello Eagle!" Hikaru smiled and waved at the young men who were standing in front of her. "You don't need to worry about me I should be fine! I've been to hundreds of these things and so far nothing to out of the ordinary has happened."
Lantis frowned slightly at Clef's acceptance of the girls over exuberance and obvious exaggeration of her experience at these things. For some reason he didn't want to question because it was completely out of character, he was more than willing to help make sure that she would be OK signing in. Looking at the small girl he pondered his willingness to be of help 'Oh well must my big brother instincts kicking in' (authors note-can we say denial.) "It's fine we don't have anything to do for a little while anyway both of our prelims don't begin until after one."
Eagle smiled, "Don't worry Hikaru, we are just worried that you could possibly get confused in all this chaos. Especially since this is such a big event."
A couple people left from Rayearth High that had been listening to the conversation snickered and muttered, "Yea right" "To us maybe" "Doesn't know huh."
Lantis narrowed his eyes at them and turned towards Hikaru, "What event are you in?"
Hikaru smiled, "All of three them!"
This caused Lantis and Eagle to widen their eyes in shock and reevaluate the girl and more sniggering could be heard from the Rayearth people.
"Well then you must be very good Hikaru. I thought Lantis was the only one I knew of who had qualified in all three events." Eagle smiled. "Shall we go get started?"
"Sure!"
The sign in's for hand-to-hand and Zen went smoothly but at the weaponry table as soon as she reported in the guys noticed ( note: the guys are talking to her during the wait but standing slightly to the side during the actually sign-in out of respect for her as a contestant) that the clerk seemed slightly shocked for a second then went to his list and told her to wait for a moment. He then came back with a supervisor, at which point the boys thinking that something was wrong walked over to stand beside her.
"Is something wrong sir?" Lantis asked.
"Oh don't worry Lantis I just have to go talk to some of the event organizers about something. I'll see you guys later. Ja." With that Hikaru followed after the man towards a room off to the side that had a sign posted "OFFICIALS ONLY"
"Lantis I wonder if something is wrong. Do you think that we should go tell someone?"
"Yes, let's go find Clef and tell him about these turn of events."
After searching the bleachers for contestants for about ten minutes they spotted the people from Rayearth High. They spotted Clef and waved him over.
"Hello again Lantis and Eagle I believe it was. What can I do for you?"
"We are worried that something may be wrong with Hikaru's entry status. When she was signing up for the weaponry competition an official pulled her talked to her and she had to go back to the officials room for some reason."
"Hmm, I wonder if they will let her compete in that after all." Clef muttered to himself.
Both men looked at him "What?"
"Oh sorry nothing, just musing to myself. Don't worry I know what this might be about and it is probably nothing. You two had better warm up for your events though before you have to go out on the mats cold, but thank you for the notice I will talk to her as soon as she gets done." With that Clef turned around and started back up to his other teammates who were questioning him as to what the two men had wanted.
Having nothing else better to do they left to go find their own school and begin warming up but they agreed to come and find Hikaru later to see what had happened.
Well that's it the end of the first chapter a looong chapter that took me almost a week to write. Please review, but please be kind if you do I always try to be and if you find something you don't like at least be constructive with criticism. The next chapters may not be as long but I probably won't have internet problems holding me up for days either. Thanks for reading everyone.