Chapter 23

Demons and Phantoms

Exams are finally over!

I'm free at last!

I'm going to be a high school next year. Which is why I'll try to finish my fanfics by next year.

According to Violet167 and all the other writers who are in college, it is super stressful so they hardly have any time to write.

I don't know about stories but I'll most definitely keep posting one shots into this archive.

Who knows I might even find a new obsession and post stories there too.

But I will forever be in love with Maid sama archive since it was my first.

Anyway unlike Ruri's competition Misaki's will be a few chapters long. Following that there will be the chapter where Misaki and Takumi work things out between themselves so stay tune for that ;)

Shoutout to Minimise 123, Lucy Usui, and Kitsune Pl for following. Also to anyone who favorited and followed. I wish I could name you individually but I'm not sure how to figure out who followed or favorited for each chapter.

For now enjoy~

The loud cheers continued to howl as Misaki made her way up the steps.

She could only smile and wave as she walked past a swarm of fanboys and girls.

The line of boys that admired her was growing day by day. She really wished it would stop though. More fans meant more expressions of gratitude, and Misaki did not have the patience to do that for a thousand guys individually.

Misaki was greeted by a smiling Maria when she made it up to the center stage. Mari reached out to brush Misaki's hair out of her face. "You're hair is wet," she said gently. "At least you look pretty with wet hair." She giggled and Misaki smiled.

"That's our girl," Misaki turned her attention to her friends sitting among the audiences. At first Misaki was sure that she wouldn't win this contest, even if she was the Decade Princess. But hearing her friends cheering her on, Misaki smiled at her new confidence. She would win to make them proud.

But before she sat down she caught a pair of emerald eyes staring at her. He seemed like he was in a state of awe. Misaki blushed to the roots of her hair. Would it really be all that bad to fall in love with someone? No. That's not the question she should ask herself. It's would it really hurt to show him she loves him? Because even though it took a while Misaki knew by now she felt something for that guy. They didn't speak much but it was just through the little interactions they had every now and then that Misaki knew that he wanted her; and it wasn't in the lustful way like most of the guys. It was as if he truly adored her and wanted to make her happy.

Misaki ran a hand through her wet hair as she realized how cruel it was for her to reject him. But would he still want her, even after how much she had hurt him?

It was ridiculous how one no could hurt someone so badly.

Misaki glanced back at him. Their eyes met and he quickly looked away. Misaki turned around and beamed to herself. It was like the tables turned. It was now him trying to avoid eye contact.

Tadashi began with the announcements again. "Ladies and gentleman, it is finally that time of the day. It is time to see who will be our third Decade Queen."

The crowd cheered and some of them even began to chant.

"MISAKI!"

"ASUKA!"

"AKIRA!"

"KAAN!"

"RENKA!"

"ERIKA!"

"Erika?" Misaki arched an eyebrow and looked behind her. Her redheaded friend was nowhere to be soon.

"Where is she?" she mouthed to Yuuji and Shou. Yuuji winked at her. She glared at him. He chuckled and then waved his finger around telling her to turn around.

Misaki was confused at first. But when the platform rose and seven girls came out of the stage she gasped. Her so called "friend" was wearing a beautiful two piece gold dress. The top was tied back with laces and exposed her back and part of her stomach. The skirt had two slits on the side and exposed her thighs. Erika even had a scarf wrapped around her arms. Her hair was tied back into a messy bun. The dress was embroidered with beautiful crystals. It was definitely a new dress.

She lifted her hand to wave at Miskai, but retreated it when Misaki threw her a death glare. Her aura made Maria chuckle.

Tadashi introduced the girls on the platform. The audience had only clapped for the girls but when it was time to introduce Miskai and Erika they began to howl. Both girls shook their heads. They would never know what made them stand out more than everyone else.

Misaki got up as the judges beckoned her to come down to the platform. Rika waved at her but gave her a shaky smile as Misaki gave her a death glare. Rika hugged Misaki and Misaki frown turned upside down. Tadashi clapped his hands together.

"Alright ladies! Here are the rules for this years challenge!" The challenges for the Decade Queen changed every year. Usually there was a trial round set up in three different stages. Winner of each stage moved onto the final round where three girls faced each other in a battle royale.

Last one standing won the entire game and was crowned the Decade Queen. A banquet would soon follow in their honor where the king and queen of the kingdom would arrive to congratulate them.

"Alright then folks. Let's see what fate has in store for our ladies."

With that an illusion appeared in midair. There were six different pictures. One of each girl. The men whistled at Misaki's picture where her lips were parted and she was looking at everyone over her shoulders. Her hair was flying across her face. It was seductive. Thank goodness it was only the face though. But compared to the other girls pictures Misaki was a nun.

Three lights appeared on the illusion. A dark pink, a dark blue, and a dark violet. The pink was for stage one, the blue was for stage two, and the violet was for stage three.

The pink light split into two. The lights roamed around the pictures of each girl until they came to a stop. "Stage one goes to Miss Kaon of Miyabigaoka and Misaa Renka of Ouran." The crowd cheered as the two girls faced each other with sly smirks.

The blue light was the one to split next. It roamed around four girls faces until it came to a stop. '

"Whoa! Stage two goes to YSA's Miss Erika and Kokusen Asuka." Misaki looked at Erika worriedly. She was strong but she was fighting Asuka who was also very strong.

Erika patted her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. Misaki tried to smile back but it didn't come.

"Stage three goes to out last two ladies, Ms. Misaki of YSA, and Ms. Akira of Hokusen." Misaki and Erika exchanged a bow. There was no need for any harshness between them since they were both friends.

"I always wondered which one of us was stronger," Akira said with her finger on her chin. As if she were in deep thought.

"Hmm," Misaki said copying her. She crossed her arms and looked around. "Why don't we find out?"

"Now one more thing," the girls turned their attention to Tadashi. "We have a slight change of rules this year." Misaki's eyes widened. She was not informed of this. "Instead of heading straight to battle with each other you will have to clear a mini stage. It can be anything. A talent competition. An obstacle course. A beauty contest. The mini stage will be the same in every stage. The winner will get to set up a penalty for the loser as long as it's not against the rules."

The girl slowly nodded. Misaki wondered what Asuka would make Erika do if she lost. It sent a shiver down her spine.

"Ladies! You have one hour to get ready. Wear something appropriate for this stage. You will be allowed to change your outfits again for the final stage if you wish. For now choose your tactics carefully. Be sure to choose weapons that you can carry around easily. If you are a summoner you cannot use any more that three spirits. Are we clear?" The girls nodded.

"Well then I wish you all a good luck. See you in an hour." With that Tadashi left the stage and the girls soon followed.

Misaki bid farewell to Erika and headed off to the opposite direction. When she was inside the dark halls of the arena she ran into none other than the Queen of Phantoms.

"Well, well, well." Asuka wagged her head in a mocking manner. "It seems that I'll be going up against your so called best friend." Asuka began to fan herself. "I wonder how long she'll last before I crush her completely."

Misaki gave her a cold smirk. "By that you really mean how long until you cower away," Misaki retorted.

"Hmph," Asuka turned her head as she walked past Misaki. "This battle between the demons and phantoms will end today. Not to mention so will the unfinished business between our mothers. I will be the last one standing. Count on it. And when I win it'll be you who has to admit how weak they really are. After all you're the one who wasn't strong enough to save their little sister." Asuka laughed annoyingly.

Misaki lost it at that moment.

She turned out with her hands clenched into a fist. She aimed a blow at Asuka who froze in shock. But when she was a cm away from Asuka's face and hand grabbed her wrist.

Misaki gasped as she saw none other than Takumi holding onto her arm. He shook his head gently.

Misaki lowered her hand and yanked it away from him. "Typical. You leave your men to comfort you. And you said I was the whore."Asuka laughed again before walking away.

Misaki shot daggers at Takumi. "Why didn't you let me punch her?" She spat.

"If she had gotten hurt than you'd have gotten disqualified," he gently explained. Misaki glared at him but knew he was right. She looked away with her back to him.

"What happened to your sister?" Takumi asked. He regretted it when he saw her tense.

Memories of her little sister came back to her. That day Misaki truly was weak. She couldn't save her little sister.

"You don't have to-," Takumi began but Misaki cut him off.

"She died," Misaki told him. "Two years ago."

Silence fell between them. "How?" he asked.

"Murder," Misaki answered. Her hands began to shake. The face of the assassin came to her head. She had trusted him and he had betrayed her.

"Misaki" Takumi gently spoke before wrapping his arms around her. Misaki stood there frozen. "What are you-"

"Let it out," he cut her off as he buried her face into his chest. Of course he had seen the tears threatening to fall. And they did. Misaki let them out as she sobbed. One by one the tears drench his sweat. She felt him hesitate when he tried to kiss her. But Misaki let him. "You can." She told him.

She saw him smile as he kissed her forehead. She fisted his shirt into her hands as she blushed slightly.

He kissed her eyelids and dried of the tears covering her pretty face She was so strong and yet fragile. He looked into her eyes for a few second before glancing down at her lips. She closed them in consent and he beamed happily. He kissed her furiously. And she kissed him back with the same passion. She parted her lips slightly before letting him slip his tongue in. Their tongues danced in a rhythm.

Takumi turned them around and pushed her against the wall. She gasped as she wrapped her arms around his neck. His arms ran along her bare arms before encircling around her waist. She moaned and the closeness between them.

He pulled back for air before kissing her jaw. "Say it," he breathed.

"Say what?" Misaki asked as she tried to regain her control over her mind. He pressed a kiss to her neck.

"Everyone knows that your deadly smart!" Takumi retorted. "You know exactly what I mean. You already know I love you. Isn't it about time that you tell me how you really feel?"

He kissed her throat before she cupped his face into her hands. "Misaki," he breathed out as she kissed his head.

"Hmm," was her vague responses.

"Say it," he said pleadingly.

Misaki went into deep thinking as he continued to pepper her neck with kisses. "I...I,"

"You what?" He asked urging her to continue.

"I d-don't...I don't hate you," she told him.

For a moment his lips lingered on her neck as he froze. Then all of a sudden he burst into laughter.

Misaki was beyond embarrassed. "Hey," she scolded him. Takumi wiped a tear away before patting her head. "I suppose that'll do for now," he told her. He leaned closer and whispered beside her ear, "But you have to tell me more at the banquet after you win."

Misaki pulled back. "How do you know I'll win?" She asked, He brought her into his arms and hugged her. "Because you're the only girl here that's a lot more than just looks."

"That's mean," she said scowling. He kissed her head the flicked it softly.

"Can't be helped. I only see you." He said before pecking her lips. "Now then," he took her hand into his before leading her to her personal dressing room. "Let's get you ready," although she shouldn't she let him lead her away.

One hour later…

Misaki fidgeted with the outfit she was wearing. Takumi had chosen a cheongsam for her but it only went down to her knees. It exposed her legs but they were covered by her high boots. A weapons belt crisscrossed around her waist. Takumi had filled them with small knives, and a whiplash. Misaki could summon weapons of her own anyway.

Takumi relaxed her shoulders. "Good luck," he told her. He was going to kiss her bus eh pushed him away when she saw her friends coming. "Misaki," Sakura waved. "And Walker san?" She was confused at why Takumi was there.

"Hello," he greeted before he smiled at Misaki once more and left. Misaki blushed as he winked at her.

"Ooooohhhh," Her friends cooed.

"What?" She asked them with a glare.

"Misa's in love," they all said in unison.

"Shut up," she yelled and greeted Erika.

Erika waved and the two girls soon left for the center stage.

When Tadashi blew the whistle they went inside with a deep inhale.

Misaki and Akira stood side by side on a large platform. The audience can see them through illusions.

As Misaki had prayed it was indeed an obstacle course.

While both girls tried to cross they attacked each other in order to slow down the other.

Despite Akira's attempts Misaki won. They were the first two to clear the mini stage.

"Miss Misaki, what is your penalty for Akira?" Tadashi asked.

Misaki smirked at Akira evilly who stepped back in fear. Misaki chuckled at her reaction. "Your penalty is that you can not use your magic," Misaki said smoothly.

"What?" Akira growled. "That's against the rules," she whined.

Misaki held up a hand. "I won't use mine either. This'll be a battle of combat," she explained. Akira relaxed slightly and Misaki nudged Tadashi to let them continue.

Misaki stood on one end and Akira on the other. Akira held out her sword and Misaki stood there frozen. She couldn't use her magic to summon a sword. She really should have listened to Takumi.

When the whistle blew Akira leaped towards Misaki but Misaki jumped up and grabbed onto a railing above her head before she flipped herself over and now stood on the railing. The audience was impressed.

Misaki drew out the whiplash Takumi had put on her weapons belt. She aimed at Akira and batted her sword away from her hand.

Misaki jumped off the railing and aimed a kick at Akira who dodged it easily, despite wearing a long cheongsam. It was the slits on the side that made it easier for her to move.

Misaki landed on her feet and did a backflip when Akira tried to kick her. She fron flipped and grabbed Akira by her waist before throwing her backwards. Akira laid on the ground, groaning.

Misaki was about to pin her to the ground but Akira got up and kicked Misaki on her chest, pushing her backwards. Thankfully Misaki was near the wall. She ran towards it and put one foot on the wall before using the other to flip herself backward. When she landed behind Akira, she slid down, and used her leg to hit both of Akira's legs causing the girl to fall down. Misaki grabbed her arms before she could get up. Akira struggled but Misaki managed to have her pinned down until time was called.

The crowd cheered as Misaki rose in victory.

When she came out of the arena after shaking hands with her old friend she found Kaon out of her stage. She must've won against Renka. Kaon gave Misaki a scowl and Misaki merely rolled her eyes.

But what really troubled her was the fact that Rika wasn't there. It was then that she heard her friends.

"You guys are gonna pay for his," Kuga, Aoi, and Yuuji said in unison.

They were talking to a couple of kids from Kokusen who were laughing obnoxiously.

Misaki turned her attention to the illusion screen. She covered her mouth to contain her cry.

Reika was being brutally beaten by Asuka.

Tadashi ordered the grounds to get rid of the arena that was an illusion the whole time. But even after that Asuka continued to beat Rika.

She was punching her face and kicking her on the side. Rika cried out in pain.

"Stop it," Misaki yelled at last. Asuka smirked at her then grabbed Rika by the hair as she flew up. She now stood about thirty feet off ground and she was holding Rika by her hair.

ASuka with one last obnoxious laugh let go off Rika.

"RIKA!" Yuuki and Shou came running towards her. They caught Rika in their arms and checked her injuries. Sakura and Yukimura came rushing down and used their light spirits to heal her.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Kuga yelled.

"Were you trying to kill her?" Aoi asked. Both boys had their feet firmly planted on the ground.

"Kill her," Asuka said chuckling as she ran her hands over her seductive red dress. "Oh no. I was merely trying to entertain the people. I did play within the rules."

"Rules?" Misaki growled. "You tortured an opponent who already lost."

"That bitch kept on boasting about her no good school and their bond. It was getting on my nerves," Asuka retorted calmly.

"Even so," Misaki whispered. Kuga gasped as a dark aura surrounded her and her started to fly upwards. Her bangs hid her now changing eyes for now. Aoi and Kuga stepped back as Yuuji and Shou carried Erika away. "You acted ways that contradicted the rules of human decency."

Asuka chuckled again. "Can't help it. After all I'm the Queen of Phantoms," she said mockingly. She was going to laugh again but the sound just wouldn't came. Her eyes widened and her jaw hung open she didn't know when it all happened but a circle of sword surround her. All only a fingertip away from touching her. Asuka nearly screamed when Misaki raised her head again. They were glowing a blood red color and with each step she took forward Asuka shook more and more.

"If you're the Queen of Phantoms," Misaki said before she grabbed one of the swords. She lunged forwards and struck towards Asuka. The said girl screamed before she realized that Misaki had only touched the tip to her chest. "I suppose Queen of Demons isn't such a bad title for me after all," she whispered dangerously before she pulled back.

Asuka's bared her teeth as her own fists clenched. "I will take you down if it's the last thing I do," she called out behind Misaki.

Misaki's stopped for a second before looking over her shoulder. "Good," she said. She began to walk towards the infirmary but not before saying, "Because that's the last thing you will ever do."

Asuka's knees gave up as one of the boys from her school caught her from falling,

No one dared to speak to Misaki as she made her way to see another one of her loved ones that she couldn't protect.

A lot of Misaki's true colors are seen in this chapter.

After the Academy War ends there will be a plot twist where I'll introduce the main villain of the story.

Remember I'm a huge emotional anime fan

So you can expect a lot of sadness in this fanfic. But rest assure Takumi and Misaki will end up together, but I can't say much about their ending.

Bear with me for a while.

Read. Review. Fave. Follow.