Yea! I am almost done with the book! Then I will start a different story. I am not sure of what or which anime, but I do not like to leave books unfinished. Please let me know how to improve. BTW, I know there are a few spelling/punctation errors through some chapter. I apologize.

Sam

Chapter 19

(Ikuto's pov)

Amu and I trained with the fire dragon for two to three hours then we headed back to the palace for a much need break and some lunch. On our way to the palace I asked her how she felt about the orbs.

"I know that we have three, the fourth one will not be easy. If the next test is anything like that, it will not be easy" Amu said.

"Not be easy? You made those riddles look like she was asking if you knew your shapes and colors. Why do you always act like you don't know anything? Those riddles weren't exactly kindergarten level you know." I told her.

"Well, when I was younger people started calling me a nerd and teasing me. I was always teased for the color of my hair. I mean, who has naturally pink hair? Right? Anyway, I got so angry at always being teased for everything that I started pretending I could only do simple reading, writing or arithmetic. Forget the hard stuff, even though the hard stuff was easy for me. As the months went by, I would always drop my homework off when no one else but the teacher was around. As for the test scores, everyone thinks the teachers are either scared of me or they are paid off to give me a higher grade. On a more serious note, do you think that we can get this down and learn everything? Maybe we all have a sparring match to see where we are all at? It has been about 2 months" Amu replied.

"Sure, but I get to practice using your different orbs. Ooohhh, I wonder should we tell the others that we are officially engaged Amu-koi? I teased as I hugged her and kissed her forehead while walking up the road and into the palace. Her face was still red when we walked by Utau and Kukai.

The look on Utau's face told me that where she was still upset that I chose Amu, but that she understood and now only wished to be with Kukai. Once he tells her that she is his betrothed, she won't be hurt anymore. I know that she is my sister, but I wanted no part in their relationship. Mine was going to be difficult enough as it is. As long as I could make her blush, smile and laugh I would be in heaven.

Everyone was gathered around the lunch table and we were all talking about all sorts of topics when Nade asked Amu how her quest for the orbs was going and if we were able to find the fire orb.

"We had to search all down that blasted beach, but we found a cave and inside was the fire dragon!" she told the story excitedly to Nade and everyone at the table stopped talking so they could hear Amu.

When she got to the part about making her attack into glass, they were all shocked that she could do that and asked if she could show them later.

"Actually, that brings ups something that Amu and I thought would be a good idea" I said as they all looked at me. "We would like everyone to spar with each other maintaining the pairings we have setup. So, we could have Amu and I with Utau and Kukai go against Nade, Nagi, Rima, Kairi and Yaya. This way, it would change things up and you can all see how far we have all gotten with our training."

"I think that's a great idea" Kissa said as she finished her food. "I will see you all in the courtyard in about one hour. That will allow you all to finish your lunch and have your food digested before we test out abilities against each other. The one rule is do not aim to hurt each other, your aim is to help everyone improve. See you all soon."

"Are you going to allow your fiancé to control you during the battle or are we going to fight the old-fashioned way? I asked Amu. We will see how it goes and see from there" she thought back to me while turning red and trying not to panic." Do not tell them yet, wait until we are both ready" she requested and then walked towards our room so she could rest.

***The morning after Tsukasa sent everyone away with Kissa***

(Tsukasa's pov)

Tadase slept for 10 hours before he finally woke. When he opened his eyes, I could see that they weren't clouded or angry.

"Tadase, if you are willing, what do you remember?" I asked him.

"I remember everything" he told me sadly. "I'll tell you what happened from the beginning and maybe some of this will make sense"

I sat down in the chair in front of the gate of his cell. I had to make sure that he wasn't trying to get away so I couldn't let him out yet, but something about his demeanor said that he was fighting the evil inside him.

"I was walking home from school around 8 months ago with Saaya. You know that red haired girl?" He began. "Well, she wanted to go for ice cream and you always taught me to be a gentleman. So, we went to buy some, and she had some guys in the park waiting for her. She laughed as they hit me in the head, and I woke up on the floor locked in a room with nothing but bread and water."

"After around 2 hours, a guy wearing a dark robe walked into the room and said that we can talk nicely, or he would have to become forceful. I chose to allow him to talk to me and hear what he had to say. He said that you were some sort of guardian of princes and princesses. He told me that there was a princess from a world that he wanted to destroy so that she could never take her place on the throne. He wanted the throne to be his or eternity. I had no clue what he talking about at first then he started talking about someone named Deava."

"I remembered your stories Ojii-san" he told me. "I told him those are nothing but fairy tales and that he needed to grow up. Then he looked at me and said the hard way it is. The next thing I remember is lessons telling me how you are a liar and you destroyed his home and stole something precious to him. He said you stole his future. Then he put me on medication that dulled my faithfulness to you. I'm sorry. I know what happened to Amu's parents. Is she okay? While under his control, I remembered everything while I slept, but when I woke up there was nothing I could do to stop what was happening" he asked me.

"Tadase, I will need to keep you here for a few more days, but you and I will talk and see where we can go from here okay?" I told him and he nodded. "I will not allow Deava to get a hold of you again. You are my nephew and I will protect you."

"The guy that made me hurt Amu is Deava?!" he yelled. "He is real? Are you going to tell me the truth Ojii-san?"

"Hai" I said. "There will be no more secrets."

***Back to the present in Nagareboshi***

(Amu's pov)

Kukai requested his parents have everyone stay clear of the courtyard so that we could use our attacks and not fear someone getting hurt. I was glad but nervous, I know we have all been training but now we would have to work as a team.

I had my water orb in the hilt since I knew that how to control it easier than my fire. I just received the fire orb; I didn't want to push it. Ikuto walked up to me while Utau and Kukai came stood beside us.

"Are you ready Amu? Don't make me pull your weight" Utau said as she held onto Kukai's hand.

"I'm ready Utau, thank you for help with this" I told her. "Ikuto, I'll watch you for the change of attacks, and please remember to cover me when I am changing out orbs. I'm not that fast yet and need to work on my speed you know the signal" I told Ikuto. Then I asked Kukai, "Are you okay with everything? Do you need some time to process? I can talk to Kissa?

"Naw, I'm good. Thank you for thinking about me Amu" he said as he hugged me. Utau looked at me like she wanted to kill me and Ikuto responded by teasing me. Shouldn't he ask for permission before hugging someone's wife to be? I hugged him back ignoring them and let him go.

Everyone gathered in their positions to begin the battle.

We party was facing Nagi, Rima, Nade Yaya and Kairi. So basically, we were going up against a girl who could turn any earth bound attacks into beautiful sakura petals. Then she would take those petals and pin you to ground. Her brother had a knack for basketball that exploded at the enemy stopping him in his tracks.

Rima became the juggling queen and could walk any tightrope that she was presented with ease that would scare anyone. Yaya loved her duckies; they did not kill or destroy anyone's self-worth. Kairi was going to be a force to be reckoned with. He was a samurai. His dancing blades cut through his enemies and he had no remorse if they fell.

The sparring event went on for 2 hours as we hurled our attacks. In every break we change partners so we could all get used to working with each other.

After we were done, there was an applause that resounded throughout the rooftops where the people had taken seats just to view our scrimmage.

We all left the courtyard tired and in need of a nap. Four hours later we all had supper, hung out as a team then went back to bed for the following days activities. Our plan was to stay there for a few more days or at least until we heard from Tsukasa. We hoped that he was okay and able to get through to Tadase. Then we would go the realm where Nagi and Nade were from. Kissa said they were from Fuji no Hana.

A/N

The next chapter will have more of Tadase and Tsukasa will return. Then onto the air orb!

Sam