Well, here's chapter 7. Enjoy!

Chapter 7

"Taka, pass the ball!" Karin shouted running side by side with one of the players from the other team. So far the score was 1:1 and time was running out. The opposing team made the first goal near the beginning but after a few changes in formation, Karin and friends were able to take control of the field and ball before making the next goal.

Now, with the game tied, it was essential to be the one to make the next goal and fortunately for them, luck was on their side. The opposing team best player, some kid named Shika was taking a day off to take part in some marriage meeting. What luck!

"Here!" Karin made sure the pass was no failure as she shifted gears and collided with the ball head on. Good. Karin thought as she took the hit and made the ball go wherever she wanted it to. Running at full speed, with nothing but the wind to slow her down, she charged at the goalkeeper. Another good thing about this "Shika" kid going to a marriage meeting was the fact that the regular goalkeeper had to be on the field with the substitute becoming the new goalkeeper and who would have guess, it was some spineless kid who suddenly felt like playing soccer in the last minute with his others friends.

And just as Karin would have hope, the kid backed away in the last minute and Karin had no trouble in making the final goal to tied the match. Now the final match next week would determine who would use the field and who wouldn't. Everyone in Karin's team cheered as they ran over to their "captain".

"We won! Nice going Karin!"

"Yeah Karin, you were just awesome!"

"Maybe we do have a chance!"

Karin was proud to say the very least. Her teammates morale were brought up tremendously from their win today which meant two things. One they would do even better on their final match and second, they will be more eager to do more workout before the match. It was just her day and best of all, Yuzu was sitting on the sidelines, cheering for her. Today is definitely my day…

Karin quickly ran to her sister Yuzu who took out a towel and something cool to drink.

"Karin, you were just great!" Yuzu said, smiling before handing Karin a towel, followed through with a cool drink that she personally prepared for her sister.

"Thanks Yuzu, but you're sure 'he doesn't mind that you're here with me?" Karin asked before taking a drink of her sister's sweet lemonade.

"Karin, for the last time, we both agreed to take a break today so I could spend it with you." Yuzu said, but it just didn't seem to make sense to Karin.

We both agreed? Since when does a god allow someone else to call the shots?

oooOOOooo

Toshiro let out a sigh as he spent his day in the woods, gazing over the lake. Yuzu asked for the day off so she could spend it with her twin sister. Apparently her sister was having an important "match" and she really wanted to support her.

"How could I refuse such a request…seriously" Toshiro said to no one in particular. Still, a day without Yuzu meant a day without enjoyment. He grew accustomed to Yuzu's presence, the very existence that made the day go by faster and made practically every moment count.

Still, tomorrow was another day and one without any important event that would prevent the two from meeting up. So to make the day go by without a hitch, Toshiro began to think about what sort of activities they should do for tomorrow.

"I almost wish the day would come to an end… still, it's nice to wait…" Toshiro said, smiling as the breeze carried on, pulling away any discomfort he had previously and scattered them throughout the forest.

oooOOOooo

"Yuzu! I'm stepping out for a bit. I'll be back before dinner, 'k?" Karin began, waving back before running on ahead. Yuzu simply waved her hand before returning to her cooking. Their father would be home soon and tonight, Yuzu was planning to whip out quite the arrangements of dishes to celebrate Karin's win against those older boys.

"I hope Toshiro will enjoy what I planning to make for tomorrow." Yuzu said, thinking of him. It been a day, and although she wasn't really exert herself, it was pretty sunny for her taste as she tried to remember the cool feelings she usually got whenever she was near Toshiro. His very presence remained her of winter, her favorite season of all time. Everything seemed to stop, allowing her to look around and to take in the scenery. It was the closest thing to a magical world where her worries seemed to disappear along the snow.

"Toshiro… I wonder how you are making out today…" Yuzu said, both happily and worriedly. Still, tomorrow, we can get to see each other…

oooOOOooo

Karin ran and ran, purposely avoiding anyone she came across that wasn't "him". Tonight for sure, she was planning to get a name out of him, even if she has to make one up.

No…No…Not him…where the heck is this guy?! Karin felt like she ran around the town twice but not once did she come across the boy in the woods.

"What do I have to do to find him?" Karin let out as she stopped to catch her breath. Maybe he's hanging out in the woods, like before. After a minute, Karin thought it was worth a shot and wasted no time in running to the woods by the side of the hill.

"Crap." Karin whispered when she saw one of those priestesses making her rounds nearby. It seemed like she was picking up some grass to be used as medicines. Karin ducked down and made sure the priestess was far away, just enough so she could crawl her way through without being seen. Lucky for her, the priestess suddenly turned and began heading back to the temple up in the hill.

Without a moment further, Karin quickly made her way and eventually was surrounded by nature. There were trees in every direction and for a moment, Karin felt lost. She knew there was a trail of some kind that she used before but now she couldn't find such a thing.

"Great, just great… Lost in the woods…" Karin said, her frustration began to simmer as she continued to walk, believing she would hopefully find her way.

After about half an hour, Karin was beginning to get cold as the sun began to set.

"Great…you know what, I blame that stupid kid. If he would have just told his name and place, I couldn't be here, LOST IN THE WOODS! Idiot." Karin muttered that last part. "Now what?" She asked herself.

"You can start by explaining to me, why it is my fault you are here?" A voice said, coming from on top of her. Karin quickly looked up and spot the boy from before, the one she was pretty much placing the blame on, sitting on top of a tree branch.

"You." A surprised Karin said as she stood there. She wasn't expecting to find him at all and especially in all places, on top of a tree branch.

Toshiro looked at her for a moment but then the moment passed. He dropped down without much effort and sound. "What exactly are you doing trespassing in this forest, again?"

This time, Karin made sure he stayed by gesturing her hands out, as if passing her wasn't an option. "I was looking for you."

Toshiro took a look at her hands as they expanded from her body. Did she think something like this would stop me? "Well, it looks like you found me, you may leave now." Toshiro said as he began to walk passed her. "Hold it!" Karin said as she tried to stop him but he moved almost like a serpent as he avoided her hand. He then appeared behind her but about a foot apart. Whoa…he's good. He was able to go right pass me without getting a finger on him.

"Are you done?" Toshiro asked, taking the effort to turn slightly to her direction to look at her. Although he was hoping the girl would back off, he didn't quite consider her taking the other approach. Karin like to take on challenges and this one was one of them. Hearing those words sparked something inside her. Something that placed a small grin on her face as she turned to him and took her stance.

"Is that a challenge I hear?"

Toshiro noticed the sudden differences from before to the girl now standing there. For one thing, her eyes were more jagged and gleaming as they reflected the night. "What if it is? What are you going to do about it?" Toshiro faced her completely as the wind began to speed up.

"For one thing, I like taking on challenges. So let make this simple and quick. You and me, the first one through the woods wins."

So this kid think she could outrace me. Foolish child, I could easy run circles around you. "Go home. I don't have time for your childish games." Toshiro then started to leave but stopped as he dodged a rock that was directed for him. The impact left a mark on the tree that took the force of the rock.

"Another thing you need to know about me, I take my challenges very serious. I understand if you're too scared or weak. I mean, you are kind of short. What are you 9 years old?" Karin said.

Toshiro was no fool, he knew she was baiting him. He knew better but he really couldn't stand hearing about his lack of height and more importantly, his apparent age for her.

"Alright, I accept your challenge."

END OF CHAPTER 7

So Toshiro did take on Karin's challenge, but what exactly will happen during and after the race? Will Karin find out his name? What about Yuzu?