Infinite Stratos: Fallen Angel

by Alfred Blake Astracadence

Orimura, a name whose meaning would have been strength itself for all the deeds she had done. Shinonono, who would then be recognized as a genius for ages to come for her work. Their siblings are thrust in a world irreversibly changed by their deeds, though what if there was a third to the duo? Gears begin to turn as another enters the fray. OC and AU. Undergoing revision, Sorry

11. Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN: Cutting through the Black Rain Shield

Disclaimer: I don't own Infinite Stratos but I do own this fiction and any other OC's in this story

ITALIC: THOUGHTS

Yukito sighed. "Okay, from the top, explain to me one more time what in the world you were doing with Charles in the bathroom, Ichika." He was on a bed, he couldn't care less whose while Ichika and Charles were seated on the two chairs for the large desk in front of him. He raised an eyebrow at their varying expressions, already telling of what really happened.

Ichika was as stone-faced as possible, most likely a hereditary attribute as he could see faint traces of Chifuyu's own scowl and glare on the black-haired boy. It was solid, but Ichika never really wore it unless he was hiding something. It was the same expression he wore when he was confronted about his apprenticeship with the good doctor after all.

Charles looked like he was trying his hardest to meet the white-haired boy's gaze, already making known the shame or embarrassment he must have felt. The question was now if it was because he was caught, or if it was because they were doing whatever they were doing in the first place. Also, that look made Yukito waver in his interrogation.

There were a lot of possibilities, really from the very reasonable to the extremely implausible but still in the realm of possibilities. They could have just been in the same room when he entered, say Charles showering and Ichika handing him the bath soap and Ichika just got wet, or the extremely... far of and not that nice to think about possibility that they could have, well, that line of thought was for when everything, absolutely everything was ruled out.

Even for someone like Yukito, some things were best left not thought of.

"Well, I got into the room..." Ichika began as he scratched his head, he seemed to be avoiding the gaze of the white-haired boy, or just looking at his slightly wet uniform somewhere near the air conditioning unit. He sported a jacket to fight back the cold as they agreed that the dry air would be best to dry the clothing. "...intending to simply relax a bit before dinner. I remembered you finished the soap this morning when you got back from who knows where..." Ichika's pause was unnoticeable, he knew what would happen next.

"The maintenance department, like I told you two last night." Yukito interrupted with a mock offended voice as he eyed the two with suspicion. "Sorry, please continue."

"Yeah so I grabbed the bottle from the cupboard, the one with the additional towels and other toiletries before going in and handing it to Charles." He paused again before meeting Yukito's gaze head on, nothing but professional stoicism in his eyes. "This is where it gets complicated, Our level of complicated." Ichika added seriously.

He was wearing the expression he always wore when they would discuss what had occurred after training. It wasn't necessarily bad per se, but Yukito could easily catch what Ichika was saying. Their level of complicated involved two things. The first involved high end machinery and vast amounts of code to optimize their machines, that discussion started as soon as Yukito caught on to what Ichika was doing with his IS in his very little free time. The second was massive amounts of moves, actions, done in a relatively short amount of time, or a simple battle or spar, something they started discussing when the smallest of moves would spell Yukito or Ichika's downfall in a fight.

The white-haired simply nodded, prepared to scrutinize the next statements and rebuild the situation. "Continue."

"The glass door opened and Charles stepped out, his right foot leading if I'm not mistaken. Then you called through the door just a half second after." Ichika said as he stood, prepared to demonstrate what happened next if necessary. "We were both surprised, but I was not as affected since I was standing still. Charles on the other hand, still had his foot in the air, so when we both acted, he brought it down a bit too forcefully and placed too much weight on that foot."

"He started to slip." Yukito summarized with a nod. Clearly there is something here, he would not be giving me a step by step explanation if it was not overly complicated "Continue."

"Since he intended to walk forward, he fell mostly forward. It was only right that I go and try to stop him from falling. So I took a step forward." Ichika explained, taking a step forward like he said so, or at least preparing for it. "But I made the same mistake in my rush and I took a step forward too quickly. We basically started tripping towards each other..."

"So you having more mass pushes the lighter Charles against the glass door, thus explaining the first thud I heard, correct?" Yukito summed up quickly, surprising Charles and causing the still expressionless Ichika nod. The white-haired boy shook his head, a dry smile starting to from. "Since at this point you were still stark naked, you more than likely pushed this idiot off?" Charles nodded with light rose coloring his cheeks as Ichika sighed.

"And you not really appreciating your position, push yourself off as well, causing you to slip and landing yourself against the door. Since at this point you are against the door, it would not open, thus explaining why it was unlocked yet still did not respond to me trying to open it. Then you call out to say that Charles is still naked so going in would not be the wisest idea. That brings us to our current predicament, doesn't it?" Yukito asked once more with a hint of finality, and fatigue.

"That basically sums everything up nicely, yes." Charles answered with a more relaxed voice this time, smiling most likely because Yukito purposely left out the quick throttling of Ichika as soon as he exited the bathroom first. Charles walked in on that torture... after about five minutes the black-haired boy exited before him. "Can we never speak of this?"

"Ever?" Ichika added, with a bit more embarrassment as his cheeks also started to gain color. He was deathly pale after Yukito gave him a good shaking, with the IS arms.

"I don't see why this would ever be discussed outside this room." Yukito answered plainly as he got up from the bed and approached the desk, retrieving a small piece of cloth and wiping his glasses with them. "Really I just needed this when all the hullabaloo started. Didn't think it would take too long to grab it." He said as he pocketed the piece of cloth.

"Wait, that's it?" Charles asked with a confused tone. "I mean, you're going back out? You just forgot your cleaner?" Ichika was struck by a coughing fit and quickly started striking his chest. Yukito simply raised his eyebrow at the blond-haired boy, Charles himself rubbing Ichika's back yet still maintaining eye contact.

"I'm starting to think you don't want me here." The white-haired boy smiled before a chuckle escaped him. "I can be very forgetful, you see, but when I remember something I rather attend to it immediately. This is one of those things, since I need them for maintaining and optimizing my equipment, especially my rifles. I haven't used them before so the data I need to sift through, from the pistols and adapting it into the rifles, is vast indeed. Again, I might not be back after dinner so don't worry about me."

He gave them one final wave before exiting the room entirely and beginning the rather long walk towards the maintenance room.

They are hiding something from me. Yukito thought as the sound of his footsteps filled the empty corridor. As unbelievable as the story might have been, it was within the bounds of possibility, so that is something I can't argue about. Ichika did pause after he said he slipped, it was small but it was there. It's almost as if he expected me... to... finish the story

Footsteps ceased.

That would mean he knew I would trust him, and make my own conjectures based on what he already told me, when in truth, several things could have happened.

The pace increased, yet it was still towards the maintenance area.

Yet he missed the fact that I also added in a wrong piece of information. I only heard one noise, not two. But then there could have really been two thuds, which turns it into a pointless argument from behind a closed door. If anything no one can prove anything anymore, and I'll be forced to give them the benefit of the doubt. This is just so frustrating.

A loud stomp echoed around the hall, before a sigh of exasperation.

Okay, take a deep breath... Nice and slow... Just breathe for a moment.

The footsteps resumed.

There has to be something, anything that would explain the reactions. That's the strangest part of it. If what I actually described happened, then the embarrassment would be uncalled for. If anything, it would have been pretty funny for Ichika, no matter how shy Charles is. Everyone who witnessed Dan being beat up knows how hard he laughed before finally stepping in. And even Charles would have been somewhat... less embarrassed if Ichika laughed. No one would hold it against him anyway. He even blushed...

"No." The voice was weak, only to be heard by Yukito and anyone at most a single foot from him. "No, it can't be possible."

But that's the only explanation left. There can be no mistaking that look, that blush. There was something else that happened, something that can't be spoken. Something, intimate and private. Something that can't be spoken off, ever, unless great consequences befall them. It had to be something they can't trust me with, something serious.

A bright smile made its way to his countenance as his eyes met the figure of a teacher. His grey eyes met a pair pf phoenix ones while her scowl deepened as his own expression grew brighter. He stopped walking when she did, her own arms on her waist while he gave her a lazy wave. "Chifuyu-nee..." He said rather quickly, but was cut off.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Sumeragi, call me Orimura..." She snapped as her hand flew towards his head, the mythical clipboard appearing out of nowhere.

His mouth was still faster. "We have a situation that involves Ichika-kun." He finished with a sing-song tone, in between serious and mocking, smiling as the clipboard stopped just a few millimeters from his crown. Check Ichika, prepare for the endgame. Your move. That was the only thought in his mind as he fearlessly met fiery orange with hard grey.

"Elaborate." Chifuyu grated out impatiently as she withdrew her own weapon. "If this is something silly then I hope you're ready for the consequences, Sumeragi."

"Oh, not much trouble, just that he's taking lessons..." Yukito baited, stopping for a while as his smile turned into a devious grin, bright and innocent as it was despicable and malicious. "...From the Frenchman..." He took the hateful glare of the annoyed teacher in stride, but after waiting a beat, he was still not yet struck. "...for one of their specialties.

The clipboard she held snapped perfectly in half as the teachers fist tightened. She was shaking, either with rage or anything else, he could not tell. "Can you verify this information?"

"No, but I'm sure our roommate has a thing for your brother." Yukito replied evenly. "I'm sure it will be a while before anything happens, but pretty soon you'll see them... together."

"I'll look into it then..." Chifuyu said with the tone that left no room for argument as she began to walk away, brushing past him. "And Sumeragi, not a word about this to anyone."

"Don't worry about me. My lips are sealed..." Yukito answered as he continued walking towards the maintenance area, nut not before one more blow. "But theirs are locked."

This is a Page Break

When the door closed behind their white-haired roommate Ichika finally breathed a sigh of relief. "I can't believe he bought that. We can all just relax now."

"Ichika, Charles, are you both in there? I'm coming in!" As soon as he heard those words, he snapped out of his stupor.

Unfortunately the wet floor had it out for him, and as he tried to get away from the naked form of the girl before him, he slipped, fell and landed on the door. With his hands desperately covering his eyes, he tried his very best not to peek as he put as much weight on the sliding door as possible. Who knows what kind of trickery Yukito would pull on them if he saw something like this. That was assuming he knew that something like this was happening in the first place.

He already knew the white-haired boy was more than what he seemed, already part of an unknown and worldwide organization at that age. He did not want to find out just how good and interrogator he could be when he needed answers.

"Yukito! Were both still in here, but I don't think it's best you come in here yet!" Ichika cried out at the top of his lungs, trying his best not to break his voice because of the stress of seeing... well, yeah, and trying not to think about what could happen if Yukito didn't listen to what he said.

Luckily, when he did lose to temptation and tried to peek, whoever was in front of him already had a towel around her form. It didn't do much, but it was much better than nothing. "Yukito, Ichika's right." She called out after in the voice of their third roommate. "It's already too crowded here as it is and I need Ichika's help to clean up."

"Clean up? What the hell happened?" Yukito asked, surprising the pair. Their eyes met for an instant, both of them at a loss at what to say before Yukito resumed. "You know what, do whatever you need to do first. I need to talk to the both of you... without the door refusing to open. Did you guys lock it or something?"

"It's kind of complicated..." Charles answered immediately, in a much calmer fashion than Ichika when he first spoke. "Just give us a few minutes and we'll be out of here."

He shook the memory out of his mind and faced the blonde-haired girl before him, both of them at a loss at what to do next. The earlier comment was supposed to lighten the mood, or that was what he hoped. It really just popped out of his mouth as relief took over. There was no confrontation, just a simple conversation.

It actually went much better than he expected, Yukito simply took over after he mentioned the slipping part. He was actually afraid when the words started coming out of his mouth, with such startling accuracy. He had a bit of trouble making up the lie, but as soon as Yukito began drawing his own conclusions, it was a simple matter of agreeing with him.

It was the classic smile and nod tactic, and it seemed to have worked like a charm. The equally mysterious white-haired boy was no longer in the room after all.

"Well, do you want some tea?" He asked, falling back on the habit of hospitality, even if this was essentially a stranger now. She was a girl posing as a boy after all, who knows what other secrets she was hiding from him, form them? Also, he would make some, if only for himself, due to habit, it was no problem to prepare another if necessary.

"Ah, sure, I'll have some." She responded with a hesitant smile, one he returned as he got up to prepare the hot beverage.

It only took a few moments, practice and experience allowing him to perform the task in the least amount of time. With two cups in his hand, Ichika offered one containing piping hot tea to the girl before him. She would have received it gratefully, had their fingers not brushed against each other unexpectedly. The girl behaved like lightning coursed though her, recoiling violently, causing Ichika to toss the cup upwards as the girl shifted away from him.

Of course, he had the reflexes to retrieve the cup in the air, training with several slave drivers he called friends, a monster of an elder sister and a terror of a roommate saw to that. The tea inside it was an entirely different story. Suffice to say, it was spilled all over his hand as he took the cup from the air, and of course he dropped the cup too.

"Hot! Hot! Hot! Hot! Hot!" He cried out, jumping up and down and waving his hand in such a manner that the other cup in his hand didn't spill a drop, before running towards the nearest faucet and drenching his hand in the coldest water it could produce. It would cool down in a few moments, but Charles was already by his side.

"So-sorry! Are you okay?" She said as she was already by his side, holding his hand down against the rushing water. Even before he could reply, she was talking again. "Let me take a look, oh is already all red! I'm so sorry." She apologized, though she didn't even look at him, more preoccupied at the red hand and treating the burn.

"It's fine really, no permanent harm done..." He trailed off when the sharp pain in his hand receded. Unfortunately for him, that was the most powerful stimulus and it was gone, leaving the second most powerful to take over. Specifically, that was the feeling of two soft and warm... globes being pressed against his arm. They were decently sized too, he could see a good portion of them, and that served as a really stimulating situation. When they were confronted, Charles still looked like a guy, but now, here assets were clearly there...

She must have stopped hiding them when I said to relax... just perfect. "...But other than that... um... your b-b-breasts a-are pr-pressing a-against me."

She was visibly shocked at what he said, freezing for a fraction of a second and staring at him before she jumped back, hugging herself defensively. Ichika had to admit, she looked kind of cut while she hugged herself, blushing as she averted her gaze. "And to think I was concerned... Ichika no ecchi." Of course he was offended, if he really was a pervert then he would have just enjoyed the feeling of them in the first place. Still there was the tone that tickled his imagination, he thought there was a hint of happiness somewhere there.

"Here, just take mine then, I'll make a new cup for myself." Ichika waved that thought out of his mind as he poured himself another cup, taking what he left from the desk and offering it to Charles. He was a bit more careful this time, holding it with the least amount of hand on the cup while still allowing it to be passed to the girl.

"Thank you." She replied with a nod, taking the cup with both hand to make sure than the instance before did not repeat itself. She sniffed it a bit before blowing on it and taking a little sip, the little smile of contentment surfacing before vanishing just as quickly. "So why didn't you tell him?" She asked somberly

Ichika figured that would be one of the first things she would ask, assuming she got the chance to ask the first question. There were so many ways to answer that question now that he gave it some thought. First and fore most, Yukito had really nothing to do with this and he didn't have any reason to tell him either. Ichika was the one who discovered Charles was not really a guy, so it was his problem unless some complication would suddenly pop up. If he would tell anyone, it would be his sister first, the one who could actually do something.

Secondly, Yukito was a member of an organization, the same organization that apparently has ties to several countries out there, possibly including France. He could nor really trust the other boy not to tell the rest of them, and that's assuming he had some kind of superior officer or some loyalty to whatever 'Its' really worked for. There were just so many things he could do with that information, they did manage to deduce a good amount of information at a party based on what people did and didn't do.

It was weird, he didn't want to think about it, but one thing was sure; if they could do that with things not explicitly stated, then they could do far more with definite information.

The third and final reason was the fact that he discovered Charles was not a girl by seeing her naked. Yukito would have a field day with that little tidbit. He knew if he told his sister then, sure she would be mad a first, but then she would understand that he didn't know Charles was a girl in the first place so it wouldn't be as bad. Houki, Cecilia and Rin would follow that same logic, maybe after being a bit upset that he did see a girl... again thinking about that was a bit dangerous, especially since he was in shorts and in the presence of...

Stop doing that, okay, just think of Dan, Dan and what happened when Yukito snapped. Ichika thought with a very slight smile, before he refocused on the task at hand.

He would simply tell the truth.

"You are asking me why I didn't tell Yukito, the boy who, for the last few days, has been making my life a living hell either by teasing me, misunderstanding several situations, questioning my manhood when it was yours that was... um... ignore that last bit and making other people do the same?" He stated sarcastically as he took another gulp of the now warm tea to clear his throat. "I really don't want to imagine what... story he would make up if he knew what happened... happened." God that was awkward.

She seemed to share his sentiment as she suddenly found the tea more interesting, her cheeks gaining a bit more color as she realized the implication of telling the white-haired boy. "Good call." She all but whispered as she took another larger sip of the tea, draining the cup's contents before placing it on her bedside table. She seemed to know what was coming.

Good, here goes nothing. He thought, he wouldn't delay it any longer either. "So, why were you pretending to be a guy?"

All was silent for a moment, deep violet meeting warm crimson.

"My father told me to do it." She answered plainly, in the tone one would use when simply talking about the weather.

"Your father..." Ichika repeated, quickly putting two and two together. "Wait, isn't your father..."

"Yes, he's the CEO of Dunois Enterprises..." She explained, again her voice expressing nothing. "He ordered me to do it, a direct order from him is something I simply can't disobey."

"He ordered you?" Ichika was even more confused at this point. "Why would he do something like..."

"Ichika..." Her voice hitched a bit, but she continued. "I'm an illegitimate child."

Ichika could only look at her dumbly as she said something like that. The big reveal of her gender was a bomb in itself, but this was something else entirely.

He could only say nothing, so she continued, a bit of pain entering her voice. "I lived apart from him for many years, but two years ago, I was brought back... after my mother died." Another dagger hit both of them, Ichika because he was ashamed that he was digging up unpleasant memories, and Charles because she was reliving them. "People from Dunois came to get me, and after many tests, they found that I had a fairly high aptitude for piloting the IS. Unofficially, I became one of the test pilots for Dunois Enterprise."

"I've really only met my father twice, and talked to him for about an hour in total. I've never been into the main house either, but I think that's for the best. My father is a married man after all, and who knows what would have happened if his wife met me." She tried to laugh it off as Ichika resisted the urge to cut something, with the dullest knife he could make, with an IS on. This was just too much for the boy, but he could not make her stop. He needed all the information on the situation before he could act.

"That was about when the crisis happened. Dunois Enterprises was threatened with the loss of production rights." She said evenly, like reading from a text book.

"The Ignition Plan. Even with Dunois Enterprises being one of the largest manufacturing companies in the world, it's still not enough is it? Not a Third Generation Model." Ichika replied. He knew what was happening in Europe, that they were trying to jump start the production of Third Generation Models as to hold most of the power in the world. Even as research had to be shared, there were always such exceptions the Alaska Treaty failed to account for, such this secret arms race was still going on, and affecting Charles it seemed.

"Yes, that's correct, the Revive is still a second generation machine after all. IS development needs a lot of money, and most of the enterprises were only able to develop after getting the support of their respective country." Charles explained even he already knew it. Still he listened in, in case something he didn't know arose. "However, France was omitted from the European Union's 'Ignition Plan', and facing this crisis, they had to create 3rd generation frames. Though it was out of national defense concerns, for a country that doesn't have enough capital, what awaits it is doom if they don't get any benefits right from the beginning."

"Okay, so why don't you just come here as a girl with data collection in mind?" Ichika asked as gently as he could. "I'm sure Cecilia and Laura are here because of that reason."

"The first reason is publicity. No one can debunk the existence of a male pilot because there is one, and now two, already known to the public before I came here. Still the rarity of such cases are still very high as in the world, supposedly only three individuals out of billions could pilot and IS while the rest of the male population can't..." She paused for a while.

"...the second reason, was to make it easier to meet two strange cases and to gather data on the aforementioned individuals as well as their machines." She said with a smile. "Yes, Ichika, I'm here to steal Yukito's and your data." There was no hesitation in her voice, no fear, no grief, no apprehension. That's what really broke his heart. She was simply... okay.

"That really felt good." She added with a bright smile. "Really, talking to you relived a great weight from my chest. Thanks for listening to my story." She even bowed her head low in apology. "I'm sorry for trying to steal your data, and lying to the both of you. The last few days with you guys was... fun. Everyone was just so nice, and even if Yukito would tease you, I'm sure he meant well. In any case, now that you k ow about this, I'm sure it won't be long till everyone does, including the teachers. It doesn't matter anyway."

"Then through them, the home country of the pilot." Ichika finished as his mind kicked into overdrive. He was so focused on trying to think that he wasn't aware he was doing it out loud. "If the country knows, expressively a deception at this level, France would be labeled as an untrustworthy nation, and to relieve themselves of the blame, they will have to blame you, like you were acting independently. For your father to save himself, you would be disowned totally. The world will fall down around you. And it doesn't matter?"

Charles was visibly surprised, but Ichika couldn't think straight anymore. One of his sweetest friends, which was a girl so that kind of explained things, was about to be crucified, and she was okay with it. That would not stand. "The legal consequences aside, are you really okay with this? With being forced to bend to your father's will? What right did he have to do that? What right did he have to force you into becoming a pilot? Hell, what right did he have to take you away from your old home?"

"Ichika, please..." Charles tried her best to get Ichika to calm down, but it was not to be. The black-haired boy was fuming.

"I know that parents are the reason children exist, but that in itself does not mean they own them! In fact it's their responsibility that the children grow happy, and to help further society and not just used as tools for personal gain. The parents were once children as well, why can't they understand that they should help the children grow, not cage the in? He had no right, absolutely no right to make you do anything and you're alright with taking the fall, how is that, in any possible way, alright?" He shouted, rage marring his face.

"Ichika, please calm down. You're scaring me." Charles let out the words in a quiet whimper, finally braking Ichika's mad trance.

"Sorry, It's just that Chifuyu-nee and I were abandoned by our parents." He explained with a tired sigh. "It just gets me so... upset when something like this happens." He looked back at the girl with warm eyes. "Charles. What now then? I already told you what would happen when you get back to France. I refuse to accept that it just ends like this."

"I have no choice, Ichika, no matter what it will end the same way." Charles breathed out with pure acceptance as she looked back into Ichika's eyes.

"Then stay with me, with us." He replied quickly. "Clause number 21 of the special directive: students who are studying in this Academy will not be affiliated to any country, organization or syndicate. Without the student's agreement, external organizations are not allowed to manage them. Not even France herself can touch you while you're here, and a few years should be just enough time to get this thing worked out in the end." His smile was reassuring as it was sincere.

"Ichika" Charles began, mirroring his own expression. She was happy, but not about the arrangement. No, shock should go first if it was something this big. He thought.

"What?" He was genuinely confused now.

"I just find it funny you managed to memorize that entire book. There are 55 clauses in there." Charles began to giggle.

"Well, it's not the entire manual, let me tell you. At least it's much thinner than an old phone book." He replied sarcastically, but his smile did not falter. She erupted in full blown laughter as he said those words, the dark atmosphere finally lifted as they both felt much better. He didn't laugh, for fear if he did, the melodious laughter would disappear. "Still, the choice is yours to make, no one can stop you anymore, so you can just do what you want to."

"I will then." She replied with a smile as she took a step closer to him. "Thank you for protecting me Ichika."

Of course such a moment was ruined by two things. Both of which could be identified as under her still partially unzipped jacket. When confronted with the sight of them, again, Ichika as a well developing young man could not help but stare. Lucky, or unlucky depending on the perspective of everything, the sound of knuckles rapping against wood reached their ears. For Ichika, he was torn between thanking the gods that he was distracted, and cursing them because if he was distracted by them then everyone else could see them.

They needed to think fast. "Ichika-san, are you in? It seems that you haven't had dinner, are you feeling unwell." Cecilia's voice was the signal to think really fast. "I'm coming in."

Ichika was still faster, grabbing Charles and all but flinging her into his bed before two, blankets, the thickest ones he could find were covering her. For good measure, a face towel of a dark shade was laid on her forehead, and she faced the side so that no one would be the wiser. Still, people would think it strange that he was sprawled all over her, but he had a good, relatively good, excuse. "Oh, Hi Cecilia. How can I help you." Ichika asked her cheerily from his awkward position.

"What are you doing Ichika-san?" She asked rather suspiciously. It really was a scene one did not see every day.

"Oh, yeah this. Charles said he was feeling a bit sick so I'm taking care of him." He managed to get out with an awkward laugh as Cecilia simply tilted her head to the side.

"By laying over him?" She asked with genuine confusion as the boy tried his best not to walk across the room and bang his head against the wall.

"Well, really should have led with this, he has a sore throat and a fever. When I couldn't understand what he was trying to say, I leaned over him, then you knocked and I sort of stumbled." He explained without pause, already somewhat experienced with lying on the fly. "On the subject of dinner though, I supposed I could go get Charles something to eat. We've both been pretty cooped up in here until recently. You want to join me Cecilia?' He asked, hopping and praying that she would accept.

He didn't need to.

"We'll be back as soon as possible, Dunois-san." She called out before linking her arm with Ichika and practically dragging him out of the room. Any retort or argument he could form was crushed when two objects were likewise pressed against his arm. "We mustn't waste time Ichika-san, we need to get you back to Dunois-san as soon as possible."

Ichika was about to ask her why she seemed to be hurrying more than usual, that is if a harsh voice did not call out before he could speak. "ICHIKA!" Houki screaming at them really explained nothing at all, but he was really too scared to argue. She seemed to be carrying a weapon after all. "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?"

"Ahh, Houki-san, we're going to have dinner together now." Cecilia replied almost smugly as the two objects were pressed harder against him. It seems like she's emphasizing the word 'together'. Ichika didn't really understand the meaning, but whatever got him food faster was fine with him. If Yukito managed to reappear again, then they were dead.

"WHAT HAS THAT GOT TO DO WITH LINKING ARMS AND STICKING YOURSELF SO CLOSE TO HIM LIKE THAT!?" Houki demanded.

"Oh? It's absolutely natural for a gentleman to escort a lady." Again, there was a smug superiority coming from the blonde-haired girl. It was their first meeting all over again.

"I thought that I was the one being escorted." Ichika replied offhandedly while suddenly being confronted with Houki's glare.

"You too, Ichika! I was waiting at the cafeteria for you, what's going on!?" She grated out as her eyes narrowed, switching her target to Cecilia.

"Even if you ask me, I had... wait didn't I say I was going to" He was confused, but was far more afraid of whatever Houki hid.

"Anyway, we're going to eat now. We'll take our leave now." Cecilia interrupted again, using whatever strength she miraculously gained to begin dragging Ichika again.

"Hol-Hold it! If that's the case, I'm coming along as well. I'm going for dinner as well."

"Now now, Houki-san, eating too much will speed up weight gain, you know?"

"Humph, don't worry about me. I will burn off those calories through my activity level." His fears were proven to have basis as Houki pulled out a katana from the bundle she was holding. No longer a piece of wood, it was a masterly crafted weapon with quickness and finesse in mind. It was the Shinonono family sword, made to be used for single strikes before the enemy inevitably fell. In the hands of those who wielded it, one strike was always enough for one enemy, to those who mastered it, more than one enemy.

"It's name is Akeyou, crafted by the master sword smith Akaru Giyou in his last years." She even introduced it before linking arms with Ichika. "Lets go then."

"…Houki-san, may I ask what you are doing?" Cecilia seemed surprised that Houki followed suit...

"Isn't it natural for a gentleman to escort a lady?" Yet was silenced when her own reasoning was used against her.

He would have been alright if it was just them, really whatever it took to get food and hurry back in the least time possible. It wasn't even that bad, he could still walk somewhat correctly so long as they occupied the entire empty corridor. Then others started to enter the mix.

"Ahh, so good..." The one in pajamas commented as she looked on sleepily. Her name is Nonohon-san apparently, good thing I got that out of the way.

"This is the so-called being hugged on both sides, I guess." Another shrugged as she continued walking, but not before snapping a picture.

"What childhood friend? That's too sneaky!" One commented, though the squeal made the boy doubt her complaint.

"What personal machine? That really is sneaky!" Her companion agreed, nodding sagely as she watched as well.

There goes my quiet peaceful evening. Ichika thought as he sighed, earning him another pinch to both his hands. Just please don't let Yukito come back to the room.

This is a Page Break.

"I'm... back" Ichika entered the room panting, shakily supporting a tray with what looked to be the Mackerel meal set. Even an idiot would see that he was exhausted.

"What happened?" Charles stood and took the tray before placing it on the table. First I burn him now this? What keeps happening to him? She thought before shaking her head. "Never mind. Go take a seat, you look like you've been running from a monster." The tone she used was definite but gentle, most of all motherly as she looked at the tray.

"That's not too far from the truth actually." Ichika laughed nervously as Charles, again, looked at him in confusion. He obviously didn't want her to worry. "That was just a joke, really everything's fine. You should go eat your food though, while it's warm it always tastes better." He tried to sooth her worries, and it would have worked if that was her only one.

The meal looked delicious, and smelled just a good, but from the freshly cooked fish, to the steaming rice, to the other side dishes there, her eyes were glued on the utensils.

Chopsticks.

She was trained to speak like a boy, which entailed another language, accent and method of speaking in general. She practiced breathing with her chest constricted so she could speak, move and even fight normally. She trained with the IS for quite a while, something only Laura or other full time military personnel could hold a candle to. She could take down a grown man, handle several firearms, memorize the entire rule set pertaining to the IS, and all in all was a shining example of a Representative Candidate.

Even with all that, she had yet to master eating with two wooden sticks.

Really, it's impossible to eat with those things unless you stab the fish like a fork, and the rice... Charles thought as she shakily split the two cursed objects apart, even doing that step wrong. Separating meat from the bones was just a matter of dragging it away, but when she tried to pick it up and place it into her mouth, the meat just fell back on the plate.

It happened the first time...

It happened the second time...

It happened a seventh time.

She was focused, intent on taking the food the way they did it here, but each and every time, it would fall from the grasp of those impossible wooden sticks. She was beginning to get frustrated, and that was saying something. She was mostly patient, mostly meek but when it came to these things, they could really bring out the worst in her.

"I'm sorry, I kind of forgot that you always eat food with other utensils. I'm just so used to chopsticks I got them out of habit." Ichika apologized, snapping her from her thoughts as he made his way to the main door. "I'm just going to get you a spoon, I'll be right back."

"No I'm fine like this. I'll just have to learn how to use these..." She immediately replied before he could reach for the doorknob. He already did too much for her, for him to help her with something so... no matter how difficult it was, it was still very trivial. Still Ichika cut her off with a chiding tone and a wide smile.

"Still, food is better when it's hot. If you continue doing that then it would get cold." Ichika explained quite forcefully as another memory surfaced.

'Please excuse him. He says he could go through life as long as he could do three things: Bathe, Eat and Sleep, in that order of priority.' Yukito told me that a few hours ago when they were in the dressing room. She thought with a smile as he continued.

"Besides, you should really learn to ask for help more often. You helped me out so much, I have to return the favor. Even if its just something like this, or as complicated as family problems, just rely on me to help you and I'll makes sure we come through. Deal?" He ended with an expression she just couldn't refuse, one with so much care and confidence.

What she said next surprised her just as much as it surprised him."Ichika..." She hesitated, but the look on his face was so... heroic, she just had to ask him. "Can you feed me?" he was stunned for a moment, simply looking at her with an open mouthed expression, but what she said next and the way she said it was the final nail. "You said, I could rely on you, right?" The low tone and the look in her eyes was simply irresistible. There was really only one thing he could say.

"Right. Real men do not go back on their word." He said a bit too seriously as he came and sat before her, taking the chopsticks and deftly twisting them into the correct position. "Lets's do this. Say 'ah'" He said in a strange way as he took a piece of the fish and placed it directly before her mouth.

She almost giggled as she opened her mouth and gratefully took the food. She smiled when she met his curious gaze, one not out of place on a calculating scientist. "How is it?" He asked with a very serious expression as she chewed thoughtfully. She was planning to drag this out for a while, he looked much too funny.

"It's good, delicious." She finally said as he blew a sigh of relief. "Can I have some rice next?" She asked with a giggle as he quickly complied, offering the side dish as she opened her mouth to receive it. He even picked of the little bit of rice that landed on the side of her lips when she asked him too.

In moments, all drifted into a comfortable silence, just the slight noise of her chewing and the ever present 'ah' was heard in the room. There were both comfortable, she knew she was and Ichika didn't have any look of complaint or reluctance on his face. In fact, if she wasn't seeing things, he looked generally happy, like when she was still pretending to be...

She banished those thoughts. She didn't need to be reminded why she was sent there in the first place, but she was happy to be there now. Sure, she knew she still had to hide from most of the students in the school, and one of them was her own roommate, but at least she had a confidant now. She had someone who could make her feel herself again.

And as they put away the tray and prepared for bed, she realized something. She was happy. No longer weighed down, no longer afraid. And...

This is good enough for me. She thought before slumber took her into it's embrace.

This is a Page Break

This has gotten too far out of control. Houki thought as soon as she was able to escape classes. She heard it after all, the supposed reward for winning the tournament being the right to go out with Ichika. It almost spiraled so far out of control that people from other year levels were asking about it, and that was really worrying.

She knew the rumor mill worked fast, but having reached an entire third of the school after a couple of days was disturbing. The only reason it was only limited to the first years was because, of course, personal gain since no one wanted to fight the upperclassmen, or women, for one of the only boys in the school. That and Yukito already threatened them with the demon teacher, Orimura Chifuyu. The ticket incident still fresh in their minds, no one dared to speak of it anymore unless they were sure the white-haired boy was not there.

And the Yukito was almost always there if Orimura-sensei isn't. She thought, happy that for once, the boy was actually not fooling around. He was acting strangely recently, always being somewhat air headed more that usual. His teasing nature was also more prominent, but then again, he had been more secluded, always missing unless required by class.

Never mind, still the problem with Ichika is more pressing. I just have to win, yes winning right now would solve everything. Here eyes burned with fire that could burn down any before her. If not for a memory that quenched that fire like the monsoon rains. It was a long time ago, when she misunderstood the idea of strength.

It was when the sword was dulled by rage and grief, when she was left alone in the world and that was the only way she could find the light. The sword was used as an outlet for here pent up frustration, her anger, her hate and remorse.

It was also a mirror, showing her and others just how much anger she held, yet that anger blinded her to herself. In that time, it was only her sword and the enemy she had to cut down. Ironically it was the tears of another that allowed her eyes to be cleared, and since then she used the sword as it was supposed to be used. Even before entering the Academy she tried her very best to get her act together, even if that meant no longer participating in competitions. I just hope that I never make the same mistake again.

She had already resolved to win, but now it was with proper strength. Nothing more that pure skill would be used to gain victory. I can't have him see me in that state, even if it meant victory, I would lose the only one who ever tried to protect me. She thought with a smile, the same one she used to wear as a child, when everything was alright.

"A penny for your thoughts?" A voice rung out, her instincts forcing her to turn around and reach for a blade that was not there. "Oh wait, we don't use pennies do we?" It was Yukito who stood behind her, his hands in his pockets as a bright smile tugged on his lips. His grey eyes seemed to be brighter though, or maybe that was just the sun.

"It's nothing, Yukito. None of your business either." She replied curtly as he shook his head, not even meeting her glare as he did so. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"I'm sure you heard the news by now then." She froze on the spot, surprise eclipsing her rage before the latter immediately won out. That instant was enough though. "I was there originally anyway, so I know what really happened. When I knocked on the door he said he would love to help me out on an errand, so I took him up of that offer."

Her eyes narrowed, yet the rage was no longer directed at the boy before her. "He can be so dense sometimes." She grated out, temporarily ignoring the presence of the white-haired boy. "Really that's why I got the nerve to do this in the first place, and he interprets it as that? A simple errand? That idiot!" She shouted, good thing only one could here.

"That does describe Ichika well, doesn't it?" Yukito asked with a laugh before snapping his fingers in front of her face a few times. "But that's not why I'm here. Its about Ichika."

"I'm listening." She answered as soon as he dropped his name. They really didn't talk much, her and Yukito. The black-haired boy was their only link to each other as far as she was concerned. Now he came to her regarding their only connection, there was no other choice but to listen. He did lose every trace of humor in his voice.

"He seems to be acting strange, much stranger than usual." Yukito began seriously. "I don't know if it has something to do with Charles but he did react rather strangely after an incident yesterday. I just need to know if you are noticing any visible changes that's all." He aroused her curiosity, her mind wondering just what that incident was.

Though if he did want me to know about it, he would have told me himself instead of calling it the incident, or Ichika would have told be something like that. Still, Ichika's acting like he always does, still like the same guy I... No! I must not wander there, just think about Ichika... this isn't working. Think about something neutral, something serious, like Chifuyu-san. She thought immediately, crossing her arms before looking back at the sky. "I can't say he's been acting strangely. If it's something about Charles then shouldn't you ask him?"

"That's just it, I did but then I don't know if he's lying to me or not." Yukito scratched his head. "Thanks anyway, and good luck in the tournament then. I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for soon enough." Those were his parting words as he walked away, leaving the girl with much to think about.

The tournament, I have to win it now, all things aside. She thought with a pair of clenched fists. This victory will be mine.

This is a Page Break

"Ah." Two voices cried out in unison as they met on the field of battle. The Dragon of the East stared down the Blue Artisan, green eyes meeting blue.

"What a coincidence, I'm about to do some special training for the divisional tournament in order to win." Cecilia said haughtily as her BT units activated, each humming with power. Even if they were not yet unleashed, each Blue Tear was shining with ethereal blue light, the same light that belied it's more sinister purpose.

"What a coincidence. I'm thinking the same thing." Rin drew her blade in reply, both of her Impact Cannons glowing with energy just waiting to be released on command. The fiery orbs of air had the illusion of being solid, each glowing like the eye of a dragon. "Now's a good opportunity to decide here, once and for all, who's better."

"Now, it's rare for us to have a common agreement. Now we can use this chance to see who's stronger, and at the same time, who's more elegant." Cecilia summoned her main rifle, by the command of Orimura-sensei, it was now trained on Rin immediately, it's safety already off. She would have fired right then and there, starting the battle if not for the interruption.

One that took the form of a supersonic projectile exploding right between the two of them, kicking up a decent cloud of debris and sand.

Rin changed targets, now aiming her weapons at the black IS that floated just a small distance away from them. Before them stood the IS known as Schwarzer Regen, in all its' dark glory. It was the only machine that could have done such a thing, it's cannon still smoking slightly, the only other proof needed to name it the culprit.

Cecilia was also trained on the new target, who's pilot was... "Laura Bodewig."

"That was something, really brave or really stupid." Rin commented offhandedly, even as he weapons were primed against her. "So what are you doing here anyway."

"So this is China's Shenlong, and England's Blue Tears..." Laura pondered a bit, showing no signs to have heard the pair. "They looked so much stronger as blue prints."

The taunt was registered by the other pair though. "What? You want to fight?" Rin asked with a sickeningly sweet smile. "You can all the way from Germany just to get beaten up? You're such a masochist, or is that just some trend going on where you farm potatoes." She ranted as her eyebrow began to twitch and her weapon slowly shifted.

"Now, now, Rin-san, it would be far too cruel to be teasing her so much. She doesn't speak the same language we do after all." Cecilia followed up with a noblewoman's laugh, her own missiles still threatening the stoic German. "Even dogs can whimper after all, and kicking one would be unbecoming of ones like us."

Laura simply ignored them and sighed. "For people like you to have third generation IS like I do... a pair of countries known only for their massive population, and ancient history are severely lacking in talent then. Didn't you both lose to some nobody pilot a little while ago, and you come and try to challenge me? Don't make me laugh."

"She really want's to be thrashed Cecilia." Rin said with a wry smile. "So now how do we settle who gets to go and pummel her first?"

"Well, I don't really mind going first or last, it would end up the same anyway." Cecilia replied with a smug smile.

"Then why don't you both come at the same time?" Laura baited once more. "Nothing plus nothing is still nothing anyway. It's not like I will lose to a pair of dogs in the heat fighting over some stray mutt anyway." That was the insult that stuck a nerve it seemed, as both of their expressions suddenly turned murderous.

"Did I hear right? Did she just say 'Please punch us as much as you like' Cecilia." Rin asked as her weapon was pointed at the German, her eyes glazed over with rage.

"It seems so, Rin-san." Cecilia replied before tuning to Laura. "Insulting people who aren't here, I'm really ashamed of you as a fellow European Union Candidate. Let me beat you up until that frivolous mouth of yours is shut for good." Her own expression was not quite as angry as Rin's but she was still itching to take a shot at the silver-haired girl.

"Come at me, if you can." Her hand was moving towards herself, the ultimate taunt as she faced down the pair of Representative Candidates.

Just before they could change into the fray though, three yellow beams struck the ground in front of where they were standing. All three of them moved backwards, all eyes tracing the trajectory of the beams to gaze up at one of the docks that would usually launch an IS into the arena. All were surprised when they laid eyes one another black suit, this one much larger than the first that appeared, but it was not because they didn't know who it was.

Yukito had been playing peace keeper recently, no, they were surprised at what was new on the machine that was the largest in the Academy.

A pair of cannons mounted on the hips, much like Blue Tear's missile launchers were leveled at Cecilia and Rin while a sniper rifle being held one handed was pointed at the ground before Laura. The new cannons took the appearance of rails, arranged like a square contrasting the triangular shape of the rifle, that ended with a pointed tip. They also seemed collapsible, proven when they did close in on each other, sealing the long gaps between them, and retracted, leaving the cannons appearing like slightly thicker scabbards.

The blue lights that emanated from the mask were still staring at them when the sigh was heard by all in the arena through the communication network. "Do I always have to break up all the fights? Really, I was just going to get a bit of training in when I see you three raring to just duke it out. I should have just stayed with Houki."

"What do you think you're doing, Yukito?" Cecilia demanded, not taking her eyes off the smaller black suit for one second. "Are you actually defending her?"

"Stay out of the way, white boy, this little..." She was cut off by another set of rounds, again striking the passing just inches away from their necks. "Would you stop that!"

"It doesn't matter if you're one or three, the outcome would be the same anyway." Laura interjected stoically. "Nothing will change if you try to intervene."

"Arrogant one, I see why you two are pissed." Yukito addressed the two on one side with a lighter tone. "What did she do, insult Ichika or something?" He was met with silence, a raised eyebrow on account of the silver-haired girl and two less than pleased expressions in a strange shade of crimson. "That's exactly what she did, figures. Well, let's start then."

The other two seemed surprised as the last three words exited his mouth. In fact, only Laura had time to react when the sniper rifle was replaced with a pair of large pistols and each of them began firing at a rate no regular side arm could match. Each shot was spread out and erratically aimed, allowing the silver-haired girl to dodge instead of get struck, but it was merely a diversion anyway, something to buy time as the two other combatants in the arena snapped out of their stupor.

They were not amused.

"It's rude to take another person's prey you know?" Rin changed targets before firing the two shots she charged since the beginning, both aimed at the larger suit as it dodged with a simple sidestep. She was met with her own flurry of yellow beams though, forcing her to evade as well as encouraging her to respond in kind. "So that's how it is huh? Fine by me!"

"Now, now, settle down Rin-san, we are here to..." She was not allowed to finish as a stay beam struck her straight in the chest as Rin flew by. "...discipline these two in battle." Blue bolts began to fly, towards the smaller suit evading a stream of yellow and the machine responsible for bombarding two opponents.

The battle begun in earnest.

Yukito said nothing else as his weapons modified themselves, enlarging themselves as the rate of fire increased drastically, aiming both weapons at the Shenlong and the Schwarzer Regen, both of the suits evading the rapid bolts of hellfire as the Blue Tears took shots at both him and Laura. Evading the blue bolts took some effort on his part, but the main priority was too keep Laura occupied enough as to avoid the beat down the two would receive if she devoted her full attention to the pair.

"Come on, It's not like this is all you got." He taunted with a laugh as his weapons simply fired nonstop, intent on striking the enemy down. He stood somewhere in the middle of the arena, a dangerous place to be in to be sure, but with everyone firing at each other, it was the perfect place to be when he tried to strike all of them down before anything else.

That or he was simply stalling for time.

Rin could barely do anything in a battle of ranged weaponry as her only ranged armament was meant to be a support or supplementary weapon to her melee capabilities. The shots of compressed air were too short ranged and took to long to fire to be a remotely effective stand-alone ranged weapon, so she was simply reduced to dodging as beams of yellow nicked her suit in several places. The damage was not much through, most of the blows being glancing scratches instead of direct hits, a testament to her skill against such a good shooter.

"Get back here you silver-haired bit..." She was cut off when another yellow beam grazed the back of her armored hand, though the grip on her weapons only tightened. She could not throw them, not when she wasn't sure about getting close enough for true hand to hand combat. She could always go for Yukito, but then the boy was crafty, scarily so.

She would rather continue dodging and allow him to whittle at her shields instead of being caught between a beam blue and a bolt of yellow.

Cecilia was simply evading the beams fired at her while accurately striking both black suits with her sniper rifle, or at least that's what she attempted to do. She could see a pattern, especially since she took the highest ground at that point. Yukito was guiding their enemy, his bolts placed in such a manner that they would force her to dodge one way, avoiding the boy's and her own projectiles in the process. She would use her BT weapons but there was something the black suit was hiding, something built like artillery shouldn't move much after all, and Laura made it a point to avoid the mixture of blue and yellow that nipped on her heels. There was something wrong, and she would figure it out.

"Yukito-san! Just let us do this!" She screamed as her BT was finally released, the four small machines beginning to fly out in different directions to assault the black suit.

But it was not to be. "Caught you." Laura stated simply as she made a mad dash towards the independent bits, halting them with a gesture as her cannon was leveled at the sniper. Cecilia fired first but the larger projectile tore through the blue bolt like it was nothing, and it was quite clear she would be shot down...

"Not today!" Yukito would probably smiling as the cheerful voice rung out from behind the mask, pushing the smaller Blue Tears away at the last minute to intercept the large slug with his scythe. The slug was cut in half, yet both halves barely separated as it flew, its trajectory unchanged.

But the damage was done, and the shell only struck empty air. "If you think that would work on me, girl, then you have another thing coming." The black sniper rifle was leveled at her as the pair dashed to the side. It was obvious she could not lower the barrier that suspended the four bits, but she could not face her opponents either.

Two beams, gold and azure struck the black suit as a pair of missiles and explosions of flame followed soon after.

This is a Page Break

"Is it over?" Ichika thought nervously, prepared to summon Byakushiki to break the barrier if he needed to. Even with Yukito, this was a trained military specialist, and that meant that in combat, there should only be a handful of people who could best her, even in an unfair fight. Inside, he knew it was far from finished.

He was proven correct when the smoke cleared, leaving Laura standing proudly as the two pilots looked at her with disbelief, Yukito's expression simply hidden behind a mask. "Is that all you have?" She mocked them haughtily before the yellow attachments to her thrusters were flung forward, attached to black wires that seemed to glow with malice.

They only had one purpose, to bind and they flew for the slowest of the group. The Shenlong took the sky in response, but it could only evade the daggers for so long before being caught in the snare. Not even the combined fire of Yukito and Cecilia could stop her from taking Rin by the leg and pulling her in like a fish. With Rin in the way, both held their fire.

"Wrong response." Those words flew from Laura's lips before the pink machine was swung around and flung towards the pair at extreme speeds, leaving only the other black suit to evade as the Blue Tears was taken down along with the Shenlong. Laura smiled proudly at her achievement before a hail of yellow began assaulting her.

The only reaction she gave was to raise her hand, stopping the projectiles before they even struck her. "AIC." Charles grated out nervously as she watched the unparalleled defense.

"Active Inertia Canceler, no wonder she didn't even bother dodging the attacks." Houki elaborated as she looked on, watching the fight with growing trepidation.

The AIC, Active Inertia Canceler, or the Inertial Arrest Ability. Made as an improved version of the PIC or Passive Inertia Canceler, it can block any attack with nothing but a thought. It will stop anything from a sword swing to a bullet as long as it is activated before the attack comes too close. It's basically the ultimate shield, something not even Reiraku Byakuya could cut down because the blade would never make contact with the shield. It's most likely the most perfect defense I've ever helped design. Ichika thought with a stoic expression as he watched his weapon being used to defend one who struck him. He could barely keep his rage form surfacing when Laura approached the large black suit.

"You want to dance then, little girl? Alright." Yukito was flying towards the girl even before he finished his statement, a scythe at the ready. Ichika almost cringed when he was caught in the barrier, forced to remain still as the massive cannon was aimed at him. "I would say look behind you, but that would ruin the surprise now, wouldn't it?"

Laura stoically looked behind her and raised her hand, in time to block a pair of missiles and explosive air before it even came close to striking her. She did not seem to have forgotten about the boy though but he managed to nick her arm just before she distanced herself from him, the giant cannon at the ready for any more surprises they had for her. "Let's just do this instead then." She spoke in a bored tone as the daggers flew once more, entangling the fallen forms of both Rin and Cecilia as they were pulled towards her.

Then the beating began.

Laura was brutal, punching and kicking the two girls like they were simply pieces of meat hanging from a ceiling, the pair helpless to do anything but receive the blows. Her blows rained down mercilessly on the two, draining them of shield energy with each well placed punch and executed kick. This was no longer a fight, this was simply torture.

"Their shield energy is not going to last! This is horrible!" Charles cried out indignantly as she watched what occurred before them.

"If their shields are forcibly shut down then their lives will be endangered!" Houki added as her eyes glazed over. Anger began to burn furiously in her blue orbs.

The next blows she delivered began shattering the armor of the IS itself, further illustrating just how weakened their shield energy was. Laura's blows were too precise, something shown as non lethal but strong enough to injure and even break the armor itself. They were obviously on their last legs as Laura struck blow after blow, her stoic expression shifting ever so slowly into a malicious smile.

Not even Yukito could do anything at that point. Him charging in would simply result in all three of them being trapped for Laura to simply blast them apart. Yukito could take the damage, his shield being at the highest, but as the beating continued, the pair's shields dropped to a level that even the Absolute Barrier would simply be a delaying tactic. That would result in the pair being unarmored in the clash between Yukito and Laura, one Laura would win just because of her AIC.

Ichika would simply not let that happen.

In a flash, he was combat ready, and with that, he slashed at the barrier with Reiraku Byakuya, shattering it as he charged in with the most powerful Ignition Boost he could muster.

"You are a fool for charging in here." She mocked him as a sickening crunch was heard throughout the arena. Ichika's eyes widened as the finger parts holding back the black wire were shattered and the rest of the IS of Rin and Cecilia disappeared entirely. "You move in a linear motion and you let your opponent know you charge in the first place. Idiotic."

I can't move. Ichika thought as he realized that this was truly AIC, the weapon that could turn her cannon into a feasible close range alternative as well as the defense that would allow her to aim her weapon from afar. If this is AIC, then this will be the only way we can win this. He thought as she continued to rant about his weakness.

"To think you are the instructors brother." She spat as the cannon was leveled at his head. "You are nothing but a triviality compared to me, perish!"

"I'm not much compared to her, you're right about that." Ichika could only smirk. "But then again, I'm not the one you should be worried about.

The next few instants were quick, almost too fast for the eye but with the hyper-sensor, Ichika caught every millisecond of it. The expression of Laura turned to fear in an instant as she realized that she had no more hostages, and the sniper with two rifles was behind her back, waiting. She turned with wide eyes, her head stopping just in time to see two beams of yellow literally centimeters from her face. The impact strained against the shields, enough to blow the silver-haired girl away while Charles followed up, descending from above.

Armed with a Gram in both hands, she rained bullets on the German with a strange smile on her face, Yukito joining her with his new hip cannons and pistols as the sniper rifle was put away, no doubt to recharge after using such a powerful shot. Faced with such an onslaught, Laura was forced to back away for a moment while Ichika took the two girls in his arms.

Laura looked like she was about to fire a shot when she had to sidestep to avoid a massive scythe that would have cleaved her in two. "I'm you're enemy now, little girl." She had to duck as the scythe came inches away from striking her head or her thrusters on its horizontal path. "You have no time to deal with them, or freeze me."

"Are you two okay?" Ichika asked as he placed the two against the arena wall, far enough from the battle to be relatively safe.

"That was disgraceful." Cecilia mumbled as she looked the other way.

"Ichika..." Rin whispered as she looked at the black-haired boy.

"Good, you're both conscious." Ichika sighed with relief as he turned to Yukito and Charles, the latter now caught in the same black wire while Yukito held it down with his hands. It was a simple matter for Ichika to charge towards the silver-haired girl as the large black suit and the orange IS resisted its attempt to entangle them. "I will destroy you for attacking my friend!" Ichika cried as he brought his sword up and swung down with all the force he could muster.

Laura followed suit, attempting to strike him except with a blade that formed on her arm. With a harsh cry she lashed out with a straight punch in an attempt to skewer him.

Both attacks were blocked by a pilot in a black suit.

"This is why I stopped dealing with kids." Chifuyu commented sardonically as she held back two IS suits with nothing but a katana. Keep in mind that the katana was used for the IS as well, and she lifted it like she was using a simple sword. Really, even Laura was shocked, and she wasn't even straining against the weight.

"Chifuyu-nee?" Ichika could swear he saw her eyebrow twitch, but she seemed to refrain from hitting him for the moment.

"Having mock battles is well and good, as a teacher I can't ignore the destruction of the arena barrier. What are you kids thinking destroying school property?" She demanded, all of the collective wincing. At least that was what Ichika wanted to think, since we was the only one who really wrecked the barrier. "You have to settle whatever argument you have in the Individual Division Tournament. All of you, disable your IS suits, unless of course there is a problem with my decision."

"Since the instructor said so..." Laura replied meekly as her own suit disappeared with a flash of light.

"Orimura, Dunois, Sumeragi, what about you three then?" She asked, still holding on to her sword like it was a simple stick.

"Of course, Chifuyu-nee." Ichika replied offhandedly as he disabled his own suit. Of course the moment he landed her realized his mistake and rushed to correct it. "I mean, Yes, Orimura-sensei." He said with his bravest voice as he struggled to stop gaping at the fact his sister just blocked two IS with a sword, by herself.

"I am fine with that as well." Charles answered as well as she landed with a soft thud, sending a hard look at Laura before going to see the barely conscious pair.

"I have no problems with the agreement." Yukito finally emerged from the cloud of black as he looked at the scene curiously. He seemed to be avoiding the giant blade as well.

Chifuyu almost smiled as they all agreed quite quickly. "If there are no problems then..." She stabbed her sword into the ground with what looked like very little effort. "...All mock battles are prohibited from this point onwards until the Individual Division Tournament! All of you go back and prepare for dinner. Dismissed!" She proclaimed as her hands met.

All of them winced, as even if they were used to her loud claps, this one was louder than the artillery firing.

This is a Page Break

"Okay, and I can't believe I'm having this conversation, please explain to why the three of you were fighting Laura." Ichika said with a sigh after staring at the two in the infirmary beds and at the third who gave his a similar demand quite a short while ago. In response, the two injured girls averted their gaze from him while the boy laughed.

"She started it, and really, after she ignored the warning shot I gave her, and you and Charles, I had to follow through." Yukito explained in a sing-song, matter-of-factly tone. "What was weird though, was the fact that they were already fighting when I got there. They would have even been more damaged if you, or I didn't intervene."

It was much more than what the girls gave him. "We would have won even if you didn't interrupt us. It was bad enough Yukito-san came into the fray, but..." Cecilia mumbled weakly.

"It would have been alright even if none of you saved us." Rin said a bit louder, but the faint blush on her cheeks, probably the medication, and her averted gaze spoke differently.

"I really should have seen something like this coming from you two..." Ichika said with a sigh. He tried to imitate the white-haired boy, but he only incurred the wrath of the two he did save. Speaking of the boy... "Well I guess I should thank you for helping them, who knows how much damage could have been done. Still, you two need rest for now."

It was at that point Charles entered the room with a serene smile on her face carrying two cups of tea, as Yukito declined when he was offered. "You two are just embarrassed because of the bad show you put up in front of the person you like, right?" Charles asked sweetly, in a hushed tone only the girls could hear. The result was hilarious.

Of course, the boys were oblivious as to why the pair as blushing profusely, and sputtering out nonsense. It was Rin who regained her bearings first. "What-what-what a-are you-you talking about!" She shouted a bit too loudly in a stuttering fashion. "I have no idea what you're implying here!"

"I-I-I did-didn't do any-anything t-too much." Cecilia retorted in a much more subdued fashion yet she still did not seem to like whatever Charles was implying. "You should really stop making all these wild guesses, Dunois-san, so much misunderstanding can take root if you continue to do so."

"Just drink your tea you two." Ichika sighed as whatever seemed to come over them died down. "Now, Yukito came in late right? Why were you two fighting Laura then?"

Both there reduced to coughing soon after, maybe a bit of tea being inhaled after Ichika asked his question. "Um, how should I put this..." Cecilia explained in between coughs, trying to steady herself as she made an effort not to spill the tea in her hand. "She insulted a woman's pride is all. I'm sure Ichika-san and Yukito-san wouldn't understand."

They didn't but a flash of recognition flashed across Charles' face. "Oh, I see. Did Laura say anything bad about..." She would have said more, but the two 'injured' parties jumped from their beds and made a combined effort to cut of the rest of what she was going to say.

"Come on, you two, the doctor said you need to rest, even if your injuries aren't as serious as they could have been." Ichika tried to pacify them, without touching them.

"What do you mean rest? These injuries are nothing but simple, insignificant little.." Rin started ranting furiously.

"I agree, it's already shameful enough that you had to come to our aid, but to be restrained to staying here would be..." Similarly, Cecilia begun her speech.

That is until Ichika grazed his hand over their 'insignificant' injuries. He placed his hands on their shoulders specifically. Next thing he knew, there was a yelp of pain before he was slapped on both cheeks. As he nursed his sore cheeks and Yukito chuckled at him being called an idiot... again, simply smiled from her position on the bed.

"Is it just me or are we having an earthquake?" Yukito asked, his voice soft enough to let the hear the bottles along the shelves rattle as what sounded like thunder approaching emanated from just outside the door. "Or maybe a stampede, wait. Oh dear. We better hurry up and escape before the girls get to..." He almost finished when the door literally burst.

Several of their classmates, or pretty much the entire class, whatever works, burst through the doorway and into the room. It was like an explosion went off, and the door, not much was really left of it after everyone barged in at the same time. All of them were shouting the same thing through. "ORIMURA-KUN, DUNOIS-KUN, SUMERAGI-KUN!"

""Wh-Wha-What's up?" Ichika tried to sound as casual as possible. They can smell fear, don't sound or look afraid. He thought facing down the mob.

"Wha-What's going on? Everyone...pl-please calm down." Charles appease them. They're too close, and where is Yukito-san? She thought as she looked a round the room.

The white-haired boy was gone.

"THIS!" They all shouted in unison as a flier was pressed against Ichika's face.

"Okay let's see. In order to make the battles more realistic, the individual division tournament this month will be done in pairs. Henceforth, all those without pairs will have a partner selected for them in the lottery. The deadline is..." Ichika was cut off when once again they all spoke in unison. Well somewhat in unison.

"PLEASE PARTNER UP WITH ME ORIMURA-KUN!"

"PLEASE PARTNER UP WITH ME DUNOIS-KUN!"

This is bad. Ichika thought as he glanced at Charles. He was used to dealing with these mobs by now, Yukito even more so, but she was, well a girl, and if anyone partnered up with her, things could go south fast. He needed to control those interacting with her as a whole, and as such, he needed to be with her for as long as possible. If anything happens and eh isn't there to control the damage, then he would soon be facing his sister for the crime of being an accomplice. There was really only one solution.

"I'm partnering up with Charles, everybody, so please just ask Yukito if you want." At this declaration there were mixed reactions.

Some simply looked at each other blankly before processing the information. Some grumbled, probably because none of them could nab any of the pair before them, but most seemed to understand. Some tried to rationalize it, as more stupid things were done in the name of brotherhood, the crown jewel of this being a small book that contained the rules of such; they understood it was American made and left it at that. Others simply nodded in agreement and seemed to lose themselves in twisted fantasies Ichika would not dare think of.

The strangest reaction though was when most of them froze at the sound of Yukito's name. That's my roommate, not my sister. Ichika thought as the select few started whispering to the rest of the group. Soon enough all of them had stiffened in fear at least once, said their goodbyes and all left the room, leaving a confused group of people.

"Well Ichika, about that..." Charles began nervously before the pair on the beds cut her off.

"Ichika!" They both shouted as they jumped before the boy, each wearing expressions telling of their intentions. If neither of the were injured Ichika would think to run about now.

The door suddenly opening was his savior, the forms of a childish looking teacher and a grinning boy standing in the doorway. "You both better be grateful we intervened when we did, otherwise you might not even get to participate in the tournament." Yukito greeted with a sigh. "Seriously, you both took so much damage I'm surprised you two can even stand."

"Sumeragi-kun is right. It is advisable that you both refrain from doing any strenuous activities, but you will recover by the time the tournament comes." Maya said with a gentle smile before her tone changed. It seemed like she was trying to imitate the tone of a teacher. "You both better be careful though, you're teamwork was less than satisfactory, both against myself and Bodewig-san. If you two are to get better, maybe it would be best that you two learn to work together. The tournament gives you the perfect chance, don't waste it."

"With all due respect, Yamada-sensei, it was down right atrocious." Yukito explained in a manner that was not respectful in the least. "Pardon me for saying so but, just look at yourselves." He gestured towards the pair on the infirmary beds. "Ichika just touches you two and your in a fit of pain. That battle was a three on one, and still this happened. Sensei is right, if you are to partner up with anyone, you should do so with each other. Improve instead of bothering someone who already has chosen."

Ichika sighed with relief as the two begrudgingly agreed to partner up. The assessment was correct though, even if Laura was heavily outnumbered, she managed to hurt Cecilia and Rin that badly. Clenching his fist in restrained anger, he rushed out of the room with a single thought on his mind. Laura, I will deal with you myself during the tournament.

This is a Page Break

"What the heck?" Ichika asked as the first few matches were displayed. He honestly hoped to go against Laura in the first match, it would have added so much more convenience, but of course fate had to spit on him, again. "We have to fight Cecilia and Rin? Ready Charles?"

"You wanted to fight Bodewig-san, didn't you Ichika." Charles asked, but Ichika's mind was on other things.

It was displayed before him that he would have to fight the once injured team before facing off Laura in the second round, if they made it that far. They were ready a few days after they were discharged, as thy nursed their prides, they had sharpened their fangs. This would not be an easy fight of any stretch of the imagination. But the Laura could lose as...

"We get to fight the German, great." Yukito said sarcastically with Shizune beside him. They had partnered up soon after, as they were both roommates once and all the others would just avoid him for some reason. "And theirs Houki too, this is going to be a tough one. You up for this, Shizune?"

"As ready as we'll ever be I guess, you also have to stop using that as a threat, the Tournament will be over soon after all." Shizune replied as Ichika raised an eyebrow.

"Wait, what threat?" Ichika was curious, Yukito's threats weren't that scary, now if it was his sister...

"Oh, nothing you need to concern yourself with, just worry about the two girls you hurt." Yukito replied snidely. "Come on, let's give them a show."

"Don't give them too much of a beat down, Laura has to pay for what she did." Ichika's anger started to surface as Yukito smiled.

"Are you asking me to throw the match?" Yukito asked, his tone genuinely surprised. He began to walk towards the changing room, but not before leaving a few cryptic parting words.

"I'll see what I can do."

AN

Okay so this is the new chapter up, yes Cecilia and Rin would be fighting Ichika and Charles first while Yukito and Shizune faces of against Houki and Laura. Who will win? Will the VTS be discovered? What does Chifuyu and Yukito think about the relationship between Charles and Ichika? Is there anything wrong with our white-haired boy? Will we finally deviate from cannon? Will Yukito take over as the one with the harrem? All of these will be answered in the next chapter, except the last one which I answered so many chapters ago.

Again, for questions PM or review would be fine and I'll explain them as well as I can without spoilers. I might be able to post once a month if this trend is going, so thanks for all still reading this thing.

See ya!