The ice apparition sighed, running a hand through his gelled hair in frustration. "You know some people would be extremely proud of a child in this situation right now. A boy like Rinku has achieved a great triumph competing here today. We helped couch and prepare him for tonight…in most cultures human and demon we would be cheering him on and offering our support right now." Touya paused to eye his redheaded roommate counting a role of bills. "Not betting on when he's going to choke out of the competition!"
"Hey come on now Toy, I betted he'd make it the final round."
"Yes but you're bad mouthing him to other people to insure your hefty sum, by making them think he's going to flunk out before his first word."
"I have all the confidence in the world for the lad, what it be matter'n if others don't?"
A pupil-less glare was given to the Irish man.
"…I don't be interferi'n with how you make a livi'n!"
"What are you talking about?"
Jin huffed, "Come on Toy, this fight'n aint be us. You know I want the best for laddie. Truce?"
The koori demon sighed, "Truce." He sighed shaking his long time friend's hand. "…But just out of curiosity, what is this 'living' you were talking about? We're both retired from mercenary assignments."
"I met your work at the book place."
"Jin." Touya sighed. "I volunteer at the library once a week, there is no living to be made on zero salary. I'm paid by being surrounded by books and being alone for one day a week."
The elf bit his lip in thought before turning to Touya and inquiring. "…Why do you need to be alone?"
A familiar vain in the cooler man's temple began a dangerous throbbing until a shorter older woman sitting next to him poked it. "Count to ten and shut the hell up. This night isn't about you five ADULTS, and I use the term lightly, problems."
"Yes master Genkai, by the way it was very thoughtful of you to come here with us and support Rinku." The ninja said bowing his head slightly before returning his attention to the stage at the front of the auditorium. "I realize a night at a crowded school hall isn't your idea of fun."
"Nonsense I encourage young people to express themselves in anyway besides training for spiritual tournaments…besides this favors the less destructive aspect of my temple."
"Speaking of destructive." The blue haired samurai spoke up from his seat at the end of the aisle. "When will this blood bath begin?"
"Shishiwaka~" Suzuka elbowed. "It's a children's spelling bee. There for no blood is expected."
"I'm talking about when Rinku wipes the floor with that smart mouthed little pisser of Carol's." The tengu grinned letting an evil cackle slip out.
"This isn't going to be pleasant." The blonde inventor sighed. "Well at least young Rinku will look fabulous in the clothes I got him." Suzuka boasted proudly.
"Thanks again for fitt'n the bill for that mate." Chu grinned clapping the blonde on the back. "Didn't know you had a nice side like that!"
"I resent that!" The beautiful man announced. "I am always committed to helping the non-beautiful become better, though as long as they don't expect miracles, at becoming as fabulous as I 'The Beautiful Suzuka'!"
"And queue the laugh." Touya muttered from his seat where he was now nose deep in a program."
"Ahahahaha~"
"And now he be stick'n his nose in the air." Jin whispered.
Indeed the blonde elevated his head so his pointed breathing aid was skywards.
"Let this be a lesson that beauty and originality are two different things." Genkai added shaking her head, now second-guessing her invitation that night.
"As I was saying." The inventor returned to his original topic, as though his ego rant had never taken place. "It was my pleasure to take Rinku shopping. Every man regardless of age, including the hideously elderly, should own at least ONE fabulous outfit for his triumphant moment! Which reminds me Chu…when I was looking through your closet to find a tie for Rinku I couldn't help notice every single on of your outfits contains…leather? Is that really all you wear?"
Everyone stopped for a moment to eye the Aussie. It was true the drunken fighter was not one for fancy dress. Not many of the demons were expect for two anonyms vain men. However, that night most everyone had dressed a tad better for Rinku's performance…except for Chu who remained in his usual leather 'Sheila Catching' outfit.
"Hey now mates, don't be thinking my dress has anything to do with me support'n the little mate any less. Besides," He grinned reaching under his seat. "I outrank everyone in this whole place when it be com'n to cheering the kid on." With that the purple haired man raised his hand revealing a giant orange foam finger. "GO GET HIM KID!"
Meanwhile back stage…
"That does not sound good." Rinku muttered adjusting his tie. Hopefully the guys wouldn't start a riot in the audience…at least on purpose. Oh who was he kidding, by nine the cops would probably be taking his entire household away.
"Don't be nervous." Jilly smiled. "You're going to do just fine."
"I'm not nervous." Rinku smiled. "It's just my clothes…they itch." The yo-yo child frowned scratching under the stiff sports coat, and giving a tug on his kaki pants.
"You look very handsome." Ms. Jilly smiled adjusting his tie. "…By the way Rinku. Your hair looks very…unique."
"Suzuka did it." Rinku frowned trying to get his gelled locks to stay down instead of pointing straight up, like his blonde stylists.
"That explains that." The apparition sighed, walking away to check on her other pupils.
"Rinku!" an eager voice cried from behind him.
"Eddy!"
The two youths smiled greeting each other. "What are you doing here?" The human asked.
"I'm in the spelling bee. My tutor Ms. Jilly entered me along with some other home schooled kids."
"I'm in it too! With the other schools! …Man I miss hanging out with you. Maybe we can do something together after I win."
"That'd be great, maybe the guys will drive us to- wait you win? What makes you think you'll win?"
"Well I came in second in the last two competitions, and the winner isn't eligible anymore because of his age. So naturally, I'll win this year." Eddy smiled.
"I hate to rock your boat." Rinku laughed. "But it looks like your second place record is going to keep in tact. I can out spell anyone. I even beat Touya on a few words when he was helping me, and he's probably the smartest guy I know!"
"Big deal! My mom told me that foreigners are a lot dumber when it comes to academics. No wonder you beat him."
The young brunette's eyes widen before he let out a small growl. "Take that back!"
"Why?" Eddy blinked.
"We de-foreigners are just as smart as you, or your stupid mother. In fact most of the foreigners I know could outwit her if they were drunk in the gutter after too many ogre shots!"
"Ogre shots? What is that some stupid energy drink from New Zealand, like that weird guy who raised you?"
"Chu is originally from Australia you dumb ass, and is part Aborigine. A race of people who know more about this world than you would even bother to learn in a lifetime!"
"Eddy." A gray haired teacher called from across the room. "It's nearly time to start, please join the rest of your class."
The human child cast a glare at the demon. "Try not to feel to bad when I beat you, by the way, what happened to your hair. You look like you stuck one of your dumb yo-yos in an electric socket."
Aquamarine eyes widened, that was below the belt. "You thought my yo-yos were awesome!"
"Yeah they were cool tricks five years ago! Anyone can do what the stuff you do now." Eddy sneered before joining his class and preparing to enter the main stage.
The star marked child growled trying desperately to control his energy levels as he fingered the mentioned yo-yo in his pocket. "Is that so, Eddy? Well then, this means war."
Oh my god! It's been so long since I updated, I apologize. I've been going through a lot of emotional ups and mostly downs these past few months. I actually had to move back in with my parents temporarily to coup, but my therapist says I can do all the writing I want since it's an outlet for stress! Whoo-hoo! So here me out and be patient with chapters, I promised myself I would sit down and try to put at least one chapter a week or more for my fanfics. So everyone enjoy this chapter and REVIEW, I need the confidence right now trust me. P.S. I own nothing. Happy Holidays! Next time the Spelling Bee!
