A/N: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays. No matter what you celebrate around the world, I wish you a blessed holiday season; and if you don't celebrate, I still hope you are safe, happy, and blessed. Sorry for staying away from this story for so long. NaNoWriMo kicked my butt this year and I am slowly getting back into my old rhythm. Unfortunately, I probably won't be back to regular updates until after the New Year. Enjoy the new chapter and let the plotting begin!

Chapter 11 – Sword Play

Takeru got up early, as he usually did for his run, but instead of running around the block and such, he grabbed his school uniform and school bag and took off. Yui had tried to ask him where he was going, and he only paid her enough attention to yell, "School." He didn't have time to explain anything, and she was the wrong person to talk to since his whole idea revolved around her and his brother; however, he had the distinct impression that if he didn't tell her his destination, she would plague Tsukito with questions…she still might.

He couldn't worry about that now though. He had to find Michi. After thinking about the lack of options available to him, he decided recruiting her was the best solution to his problem. If she wouldn't help him, he would figure out a plan "b" if he needed to, but he really hoped that he didn't need to. Seeking help from any of the other gods was sure to blow up in his face, and trying to convince Yui's brother's to help, he was afraid they might murder him. Michi though…Takeru was convinced that if Michi wanted to get physical with him, he would be able to hold his own with her and he wouldn't have to lay a single finger on her to do it. Some may have called him cocky, however, he liked to think of himself as confident.

About an hour later, he believed he should have thought his plan through a little more.

There was one gate allowing access to the school grounds, and he waited just inside for Michi's arrival. Being a delinquent, he wasn't sure if she would show up on time, late, or at all, and waiting there was a risk because Yui and the other gods would see him waiting and begin interrogating him…. It was a risk he had to take; and when he noticed his friends entering, he ducked behind a large group of students who were gathered together and gossiping. They blocked his presence, and ten minutes later Michi strolled in looking irritated and bored to tears, and the day had yet to truly begin.

It was now or never. Calling out to her, he waved to her trying to get her attention, "Michi-san."

Stopping in her tracks, she slowly turned her glaring gaze in Takeru's direction wanting to know who dare called her by her first name without permission, and when she recognized him, she pulled back ever so slightly on her murderous intent, "What do you want?"

He wasn't sure why, but a chill went down his spine and he was slightly afraid. She was nothing more than a human girl and she could invoke that kind of reaction…he respected her a little more than he had just a moment ago, "Just to talk."

Her arms crossed over her chest and she told him, "So talk."

Looking around at the interested stares of others, he asked, "Can we go somewhere else?"

"Eh? Sure. Why not?" She shrugged and started walking off towards the back of the building, knowing as soon as they were out of ear shot, the gossips of the school would begin to spread any number of rumors about her and one of the exchange students – and she wasn't sure how she felt about that. Takeru seemed different than the others bunking at Yui's house, but then again, they all seemed different from any other student at their school, and it was more than their exchange status. This blue haired boy and his purple haired brother were both Japanese, and yet, their aura and countenance seemed to match that of an era long gone. They were just different and she couldn't explain why that was so.

She wouldn't be able to stop the rumors though. Regardless of where they ended up for their talk, the other students would say what they wanted and by this afternoon it was possible the student body would believe she was having his baby in nine months. Crazier rumors had been spread about, and her being a former Yankee did not help her reputation…it certainly wouldn't help his. Did he realize what kind of danger he was putting himself into?

When they arrived at the spot behind the school, the very one where students for generations had used to confess their feelings to the one they liked – why had she not taken him somewhere else? – she spun around and demanded, "We're here. Talk."

His eyes darted from place to place and almost immediately landed on her. She was prettier than he remembered from the week before. Her cheeks held a tinge of a blush, her lips were almost heart shaped and dark pink, and her eyes were sharp, as if they could and did catch anything and everything that went on around her. Why did he suddenly feel embarrassed? No! This was not him! He was confident in himself and certain of his abilities as a god and a man; and he would not allow this girl to throw him off. Clearing his throat, he said, "I wanted to ask you for your help."

"My help," she scoffed. Her eyes rolled high into her head and landed on him again, "No, thank you."

"But…"

"Look. I don't know you or your friends. I only know that you are staying with Yui-senpai, but that's it. For all I know, you could be harboring intentions to hurt her…" Pulling out something from her skirt pocket, she closed the distance between them quickly and held a knife blade to his neck, "And if you hurt her, I'll hunt you down and kill you." She was sure that this guy was actually okay, otherwise, Yui wouldn't have allowed him and the others to stay with her family at the shrine; however, after the awful morning she'd had, she really didn't want to bother with inconsequential things…even if they did come from a cute guy whose very eyes seemed to call out to her. NO! She would not succumb.

Pushing her hand aside, he smirked, "I can understand, but I have no intention of hurting weed."

"Weed?"

"Uh…well…"

"Just spit out what you want to say!"

"We…I mean Yui-san…" He could see he was losing her and she appeared antsy to leave, "I want your help bring weed and my brother together!" His heavy breathing filled the air and he took a small amount of pride at the fact he had just shocked her, if her facial expression was anything to go on.

Whatever she had been expecting, it had not been that. "Excuse me," asked Michi after she blinked and attempted to process the odd request, which only left her more confused.

"I want to bring my brother together with Yui-san…romantically," he added the last word in case there was still some confusion.

"Didn't they just meet or something? Why do you need my help?"

"We've actually known her for months, but I need your help because the other go...I mean there are others interested in her. If I ask them for help, they will only sabotage my plans, and that's only if they will agree to help."

She was a little curious as to what he was about to say, but let it go for now, "And so you need my help? Yui-senpai has other friends. What about Akane-senpai and Chikako-senpai?"

"We didn't exactly make the best first impression on them. They won't help." Why was he explaining himself to her? He was the Sea God of Japan!

"So you only have me?" She crossed her arms again and looked slightly smug. "I'll tell you what…I'll help you if you can beat me in a kendo match."

A smirk appeared on his face, "No problem." If she was anything like Yui, this would be an easy win, and just to show that he was a nice guy, he would go a little easy on her. She was a girl after all.

At lunch that day, Michi – much to the surprise of the other gods and Yui – picked Takeru up at the classroom and took him down to the kendo dojo. The others tried to follow, but the Sea God and former Yankee gave them both the slip…adding more fuel to the rumor fire. They didn't care though. They had a match to get to.

Going easy on Michi was one of the worst mistakes Takeru had ever concocted. Unlike Yui, Michi was more aggressive, had stronger wrists, and a lot more stamina. If he wanted to win, he would need to go all out. It would be a best of three point match, and much to his amazement, she had scored first. It was then he decided he needed to go all out on her otherwise he would lose; and unlike his first match with Yui, he had read up and done some studying on kendo, so he was better prepared.

"Did you really think it would be an easy win because I was a girl? I used to run with one of the toughest girl gangs around here!" She called out mockingly.

He refused to admit that had been exactly what he had done and growled, "All I see is a competitor right now. Gender has nothing to do with it! I was just getting a feel for your skills!" He swung at her head, but the attack was blocked by Michi's own shinai.

She could feel laughter and something else bubbling within her. It had been a while since she had had this much fun in a match, and this one wasn't actually an official match. It had been Yui that had gotten her involved with the kendo club when she was trying to make the decision to leave the gang or stick with it, and she didn't regret her decision. She had been beat up and knocked unconscious when she left, but it had been worth it…sort of. Once she was free, she no longer felt torn between who she was and who she wanted to be. Her future was her own. "Ha!" She scoffed as she swung at his arm, however, he jumped and dodged just in the nick of time. This boy was skilled, but that didn't mean he was as skilled as she was.

Dodging her attack, he swung his shinai to the side and caught her in the abdomen. His point. It was now tied one to one. All he needed was one more point and she would agree to help him.

He attacked, she countered. She swung, he blocked. It felt like they were locked in a never ending dance. The third point would not come easy to either one of them, but then Takeru lost his footing momentarily just as she launched her knew attack and caught him in the shoulder.

"No point!" Their referee, the kendo club teacher, announced. "It hit the shoulder." He glanced briefly at his watch and called, "The match is a draw."

"Eh?" Both Michi and Takeru exclaimed.

"You have ten minutes to take your showers and get to class. If you want to finish, come to kendo practice after school." With what he had seen, he wanted the exchange student on his boys' team for as long as the school had him registered.

"Fine!" They both growled and stomped towards the locker rooms.

The team captains for both the boys' and girls' team were the other two referees, and the boys' asked, "Will they kill each other during the match, or before they can continue?"

"Bamboo swords can hurt, but they won't kill," sensei teased and started walking towards the dojo's exit. "Just make sure all kendo gear stays here when they leave."

Michi was waiting on Takeru when he walked out of the locker room and told him, "Look, we both know that I'm going to win the match, but I'll help you if I see that Yui really does have feelings for your brother."

That raised his hackles, "You will not win!"

"Buy me dinner if I do!"

"Fine! You buy me dinner if I win!"

"Fine!"

They both stopped and looked at each other before racing towards the school building where the bell had just rang. Had they just agreed to a date? No! This was only to discuss Yui and Tsukito.