A/N: Written for the 1fandom challenge on livejournal (stretching it a bit and considering CLAMP as the fandom), for the 5,10,20,50,70,100 fandoms challenge, 71/100 = Angelic Layer, and because I've only watched half the anime but I'm already in love with it. :D And the archive's horribly empty (though not nearly as bad as the Dragonkeeper Trilogy one).


On the Layer Without a Fight

Misaki had the practise board to herself: a small relief as the aftermath of the Tokyo games had swept others away. Some had lost and put off playing for a while; others were content to build their excitement for the Kanto games – and then there was Hatoko who always had her special place to practise.

Misaki was in a secluded corner, so there was less danger of someone recognising her. Because then they'd challenge her, as Misaki-kun had (and that had been a very confusing confrontation, as they shared the same given name), or they'd fawn all over her and make her nervous. She didn't want that. Not then anyway. What she wanted was a little peace-time with Hikaru.

Her angel stretched on the liar, looking bright and cheerful and ready for action, and Misaki smiled softly. 'No fights today,' she said, and she thought she saw a pout from the angel as she added: 'We're going to relax instead.'

Not that meeting new people on the Layer wasn't fun, but it was nice to be able to step back once in a while, and the Tokyo Games had been intense. She couldn't imagine how the Kanto Games would be – and the Nationals, if she ever got that far.

Hikaru seemed to agree – but, in the end, it was Misaki's will that controlled her. And so Misaki relaxed into her chair and started humming a quiet tune, and watched Hikaru move gently with the music.