Chapter 29

Final Challenge

Hello everyone!

I'm sorry for the delay. You know I could've sworn I updated the latest chapter at the scheduled time, but it turned out I forgot to post it. I apologize for that.

This chapter takes place on the last trial day of the Academy Wars. After that the only thing left will be the grand finale. From there the main villain (may or may not be Yahiro) will make their move and things may or may not end happily ever after for our couple.

I did really well on my exams btw so thank you to everyone who wished me a good luck.

For now enjoy this chapter~

Misaki brushed her finger through Takumi's hair as she listened to his steady breathing. The fight today must have worn him out, because he had been asleep on her lap for the past twenty minutes now.

Misaki examined his features carefully. His high cheekbones, his sharp jaw, his flawless skin, and his thin lips that were warmer than they looked. Why did he have to be so perfect in everyway? Misaki almost laughed at how she was jealous of her own lover. She looked up at the clear blue sky. The more she tried not to the more she kept on thinking back to Yahiro. His piercing pink eyes kept on haunting the most fragile walls of her mind. She had thought she would never see him again, sadly she had thought wrong. She looked back down at Takumi and couldn't help but smile. It warmed her to know how much he cared for her. Yet it was also terrifying.

Misaki gently lifted a finger and traced it down his face. Starting from his temple to his jaw. She wondered if his grandfather would let them be together if he knew who her parents are. In the meantime she could only hope.

Misaki slowly bent down and inched closer to Takumi's face. She was lucky to have him wasn't she. Her lips slightly brushed against his. They were softer than anything she had ever felt. She was so into the kiss that she didn't notice herself being turned over, or that Takumi had pinned her against the grass. He pulled away and smirked as he stared at her. His emerald eyes piercing into her amber ones. "I fall asleep for five minutes and you decide to seduce me," he whispered next to her ear. "How cunning."

Misaki blushed and pushed him off of her. "No one was trying to seduce you!" She exclaimed as she stood up. Takumi just chuckled to himself as he trailed behind her down the hill. He grabbed her hand and interlaced their fingers. His eyes softened when she squeezed back and leaned her head against his shoulder.

"You're really affectionate today," Takumi noticed. "What gives?"

Misaki shrugged. "I guess I'm just in a good mood in general," was her vague reply.

Takumi's mind flashed an image of Yahiro holding Misaki's chin. "Even after all that happened today."

Misaki sighed upon hearing that. As she thought. Takumi was still upset about it all. "Master Jest says that we should always focus on the positive sides of life. That's how we'll be able to live today to the fullest." Takumi smiled slightly. "You're master has a way with words."

Misaki nodded and for a while they just continued to walk, enjoying each other's warmth.

"Can I ask you something?" He asked softly, as he wrapped an arm around her. Misaki looked up at him with her innocent eyes. Takumi gulped slightly, not sure if it was a good idea or not.

"Sure," was Misaki's reply.

Takumi looked straight ahead before he continued. Debating with himself. "Who exactly is Yahiro?"

Misaki picked her head up from his shoulder. She sighed as she looked up at the sky. "He...was a good friend." Takumi felt slightly jealous. Just how close had they been.

"Was?" He repeated. "What happened?"

Misaki stopped in her tracks and let go of his hand. Takumi feared that he had gone too far but when she looked up at him and gave him that beautiful smile, his insecurities melted at the sight of her.

"Like the rest of us, he was a part of the academy from the age of ten. We were all childhood friends. He was loved the most out of all of us. He was cold but we all knew the warmth he had inside of him. No matter how much we exasperated him, he would still be there for the rest of us. It was when me and Yahiro were thirteen that something's began to change. He seemed more distant. More reserved. It was then that the rest of us in the USA met his true colors. He went out one day on an X-level mission. In a working acedemy X level missions are given to the strongest of students. One who are capable of fighting back against death. Because X level missions are the type where one mistake can cost you your life. I was supposed to be his partner for that day but he told me he needed the money really badly. SO I stayed behind. Three days passed by. Naturally we were all worried. But soon we all regretted it. He came back. But he wasn't alone. He brought people with Kokusen from him. They were some of the most ruthless people we had ever met. Just six people alone were able to trash the entire school. The reason why our school is so big because the government took pity on us, for not being able to help us. So they paid us back by enlarging our school. However it never took away the pain from the heats of those that were there that day. Myself included. While the guys from Kokusen were destroying the place in part, I hunted down Yahiro. I found him standing alone. He looked helpless for just a second but of course I knew better. I tried to talk him but instead all I received was more pain. Back then I did both summoning and sorcery. However my sorcery wasn't as good, so I chose to use my spirits. If...I had known that he would slaughter them all one by one, I might not have made this mistake. He killed them all. All I could do was watch. Because I was too weak."

By the time she had finished they were sitting by the lake. Takumi stared at her the whole time. "I'm sorry," was all he said. Misaki looked at him and smiled.

"Why are you apologizing? It was my own fault," She laid back down on the grass.

"But he killed all your spirits," he said gently.

Misaki shook her head. "Not all," she whispered. Takumi arched an eyebrow as she pulled out her pendant from underneath shirt. She sat back up. "I still have one," she murmured as she held the violet crystal in her hands. The light grew brighter and soon a small creature leaped out. It was a purple dog creature, that remained Takumi of the guard dog of hell. Except it only had one head. Misaki reached her arms out and the small creature leapt onto her lap. "This is Nefarius Cerberus," she introduced as Takumi pet the small creature. "My first and last spirit. He doesn't look like much but he's the strongest spirit you'll ever meet." Misaki smiled as the creature lightly licked her.

"He's adorable," Takumi whispered. He smirked then to lighten the mood. "But not as cute as you," Misaki laughed at that. Takumi loved her laugh. It took all his worries away.

He pulled her closer when Cerberus disappeared back into the pendant. "I love you," he whispered while kissing her forehead. She didn't say anything but maybe one day she will.

The next day…

It was the last day of the Academy Wars. The member from YSA team B was none other than Show himself. Misaki knew victory was guaranteed. But unfortunately the same could not be said about team A. Yukimura's turn had finally come. Misaki tried to comfort the poor boy but he just wouldn't stop crying. "I'm going to die," he kept on saying to himself.

"No you won't," Sakura tried to comfort him but no use.

"You'll be fine," Kuga and Aoi mused, but still no use.

"ALRIGHT. PLAYERS TO THE STAGE," Tadashi yelled into the mic. Yukimura screamed loudly before being dragged by Shou onto the stage. The other players laughed at him but one look from Shou was enough to shut them all up. However what bother Misaki the most was the cloaked player form Kokusen. The figure was of a women and it looked awfully familiar. She glanced at Kou but he shook his head. Indicating he didn't sense any danger as of the moment.

"Today's challenge," Tadashi began. "Will be a simple knock out battle. Knock out as many players as you wish. Last one standing will win it all. A tie will result in five points for each team. A win will result in ten points and a loss will result in zero points."

Yukimura breathed as he looked at Shou, who gave him one of his rare smiles. Yukimura blushed at the new confidence he felt and he braced himself for what was coming ahead.

"On your mark," Tadashi began. "Get set," YSA was the only thing un Yukimura's mind. "Go!"

But before Yukimura Could even sense what was going on, the player from Kokusen made her move. One by one she knocked out the player from Gokusen, Ouran, and Miyabigaoka. The three of them laid on the ground completely bruised. He had never seen anyone but Misaki do such a thing in less than ten seconds. Just who was this girl. While the other academies came to their teammate's rescue Yukimura and Shou remained the only one standing. Yukimura was surprised by the look on Shou's face. The only time he had ever looked this terrified was when Yahiro had attacked the school those dreadful years ago. That was a dark time for them all.

The girl stood before them now. Her cloak slowly came down and revealed a face he thought he wouldn't see so soon.

From the audience Misaki stood up and would have marched into the field if Kou, Kuga, and Aoi wouldn't have held her back. Her demonic aura gave the audience a fright. "LET ME GO!" She screeched. "I SAID LET GO OF ME," just looking at that girl made her blood boil. She had thought they'd never see each other again but apparently not.

Asuka stood at the field with a smile ever so cunning. She glared at Misaki and Misaki didn't hesitate to return the look. Asuka snickered and looked away. She eyed Shou and Yukimura hungrily. Not the desire kind but the killing kind.

She stook slow steps forward and Yukimura stepped back.

"I'm back," Asuka whispered under her breath. "I'm here for revenge," her voice got louder. "You guys will pay for what that bitch did to me," she yelled glaring at Misaki who was going to explode any minute now. "Starting with you." With one swift move she grabbed Yukimura and flew up into the sky. She let go of him but Yukimura was fast. He summoned his giant moth spirit that broke his fall. When Yukimura's feet were back on the ground Asuka kicked him on the side sending him flying towards the wall. Shou tried to approach him but Asuka that casted a spell that shielded him inside a bubble. Shou banged against the invisible walls but no use. "You'll have to wait," Asuka said with a sweet smile.

She slowly approached Yukimura again who struggled to get up. "You're weak. I take pity on you," she laughed a little. "Since I know you're obedient enough to give up I suppose I can spare you for today." Akuka turned on her heel and looked at her next prey but a small voice made her stop on her track.

"You're wrong," Yukimura swayed from side to side as he struggled to get up. Eventually he leaned against the wall and gave Asuka a fiery look. "I-I'm not...giving up," he choked out.

Hearing this Misaki froze. What was he doing?

Yukimura looked Asuka straight in the eye, who was temporarily paralyzed by what he said. This arrogance was just like his mistresses. "My academy," Yukimura began. "Will win. We will be at the top." Yukimura began to walk forwards but not to much success. Asuka grabbed him by the throat and lifted him off the ground.

"Such arrogant words," Asuka hissed. "Just like that bastard mistress of yours," she looked at Misaki who could only glare from afar. "If anything happens to him," she said loud enough for Misaki to hear, while her grip around Yukimura's throat tightened. "It's all your fault," with that a course of energy came out of her body. Yukimura screamed in pain as he felt all energy excreting out of his body. Asuka merely laughed as he fell to the ground. Yukimura coughed blood out of his throat.

Asuka paid no mind to him as the bubble around Shou collapsed. "Now it's your turn," she murmured but stopped when the timer went off. Buth Shou and Asuka grunted as the match was declared a tie.

Asuka glared at Misaki once more before leaving the stage. "We'll meet again. Your highness," she said with a forced mockery.

Misaki clenched her fists tight as she saw Yukimura kneeling on the ground.

"That concludes it ladies and gentleman," Tadashi howled. There was a slight hint of fear in his voice. "The last day of the trial round has come to an end. As of now YSA team A are in the lead with Kokusen right behind them followed by Miyabigaoka, USA team B then Hokusen and finally Ouran. The awaited grand finale will be held here two weeks from now so make sure you buy your tickets beforehand and not miss a chance to see the celebrities that will make their appearance here in the honor of our brave heroes. This is Tadashi signing out."

Misaki felt a hand on her shoulder and met Takumi's eyes. He looked at her worried but she managed a smile. Just for his sake. As he held her in her arms Misaki let the guilt wash away slightly. Tomorrow held new surprises but today she just wanted to be in the arms of the boy she now knew she loved.

How was it?

Pretty sad wouldn't you guys agree?

Review. Fave. Follow.