Authoress here.

Thank you all for the wonderful reviews! It's so heartening to know people are appreciating one's story. So thank you very much to KIMIxLova, Ami Belle, LadyKatsu, Eris Snow, alchemistgrl09, DearBabySister(BlondeVersio...), Meiko M, tsumesgirl05, Endy's Girl, Melanie-Chan, Shinsei Yume, Magawa, fierceone, Morning view, Katsume18, and Yushiko Takeyama!

And, a very merry New Year to y'all. I hope you all had a good year.

Onto the chapter!

No Mountain High Enough
Chapter Four: Rules and Regs

Hana Kimi

Kagurazaka blew noisily on the hot coffee he held, standing next to the buffet breakfast table laid out for the competitors. Taking a cautious sip, he watched the large bus pulling into the spacious field designated for parking. The side paneling displayed the kanji for Osaka High School.

Kagurazaka was almost certain what team would have been selected. He had guessed that Noe was bluffing when he had told Kagurazaka that they had already been selected, but the mere fact that the team had both Sano and Nakatsu made them a shoe-in.

He was not disappointed. The first person to hurry down the bus steps was the effeminate Mizuki Ashiya, followed closely by his bodyguards Nakatsu and Sano.

"I thought only men where supposed to compete in this event," Kagurazaka raised his voice so it carried to the new arrivals. "So tell me; what's Ashiya doin' here?"

Sano stiffened, and Nakatsu made a rude hand gesture. Ashiya, however, simply shot him a disdainful look. "Gee, Kagurazaka, didn't they tell you this wasn't a Boy Scout meeting?"

The rest of the Osaka team laughed appreciatively. Kagurazaka drained the Styrofoam cup's contents in one pull, and contemptuously threw it in the large bin beside the table. "You talk big now, Ashiya, but you're goin' to be clingin' to your little friends when you see what this course is handen' out. This isn't some paved track; you're out of your element."

"Oh, and I assume you think the wild is your element?" Nakatsu shot back. "Makes sense, you're about as smart as a gorilla."

As the Junk Boys dissolved into mocking laughter, a few other teens from the Tokyo team came up around Kagurazaka.

"I see the filth has arrived." One of the taller boys crossed his arms, smirking broadly.

Sekime whipped off his glasses and polished them imperiously. "Now that you've got your thugs around you, Kagurazaka, you feel better, right?"

"Stay out of it, Four-Eyes," another Tokyo boy sneered. "Hate t'see your glasses get broke."

All throughout the exchange, the two groups had been slowly moving towards one another. Now, the Junk Boys and the Tokyo Academy team were standing within feet of one another. The jibes died down into a cold staring match, and both teams were so focused on the other that they started as a new voice interrupted.

"I see birds of a feather flock together."

Kagurazaka whipped around, glare intensifying. "Tsubasa…"

A third group of teens were strolling towards them, a tall, dark-skinned boy at their head. He had strange green-black eyes, and a strong, wiry frame. Across his jersey, and the jerseys of his teammates were the words 'Nagasaki Central.'

"Glad you remember me, Kagurazaka," Tsubasa drawled. "But then again, with all the times my name was one ahead of yours on the scoreboards, I'd be more surprised if you didn't remember me."

Mizuki turned to Sano, while Kagurazaka glowered at the smirking Tsubasa. "Who is this guy, Sano?"

Sano was also viewing the new arrival with a great amount of distaste. "He was Kagurazaka's big rival when I was… when I wasn't competing."

"Oh."

Kagurazaka was speaking again, and Mizuki hastened to listen.

"-Though you weren't talkin' so big when Sano started up again!"

Tsubasa snorted. "Like I'd be worried by some gimp!"

The entire Osaka team started talking all at once, shouting on Sano's behalf. Over the angry buzzing was Mizuki's voice, loud and strong.

"-LISTEN, YOU HALF-BAKED EXCUSE FOR A GUTTER-RAT, CALL SANO A GIMP ONE MORE TIME AND I'LL INTRODUCE YOU TO MY FOOT, AND YOU'LL HAVE A COUPLE OF TOE-SHAPED LIPS WHEN I'M DO- Mmph!"

Mizuki's tirade was cut short by Sano's hand clamping firmly over her mouth. She looked up, and saw Sano trying to hide his smile. He noticed her eyes, and shook his head once, signaling her silence.

"Truth is, Tsubasa," Kagurazaka cut in loudly. "You were only my competition after Sano got hurt. You aren't in our league. That's saying something, if you can't stand on the same level as a loser from Osaka."

There was a small silence after Kagurazaka finished. The Junk Boys were trying to figure out if his statement was a compliment or a jibe, and Tsubasa was glowering at Kagurazaka as if he would like nothing more to land a fist in his face.

"Whatever, punk." Tsubasa regained his cool, and the smirk returned to his face. "Whoever finishes first will decide who truly the best school is. And it's not gonna be Tokyo, or Osaka."

"Big words for such an underdog," Nakatsu said boldly, and even Kagurazaka's team murmured their agreement. "This thing's between Osaka and Tokyo, and I think you know it."

Tsubasa's smirk only broadened. "I think you think wrong. We'll separate the men from the boys."

Kayashima spoke up from the back of the group for the first time. "I think it's obvious who the kids are here, Tsubasa."

Tsubasa's eyes narrowed. "Your funeral, boys. C'mon," he turned to his teammates. "Let's go somewhere where the air isn't so polluted."

The Nagasaki team departed amid hearty snickers from the other two groups. Once they had left, Kagurazaka turned to the Junk Boys.

"You're right, it's between us. But my team doesn't plan on losing."

Sano returned his stare. "Neither do we."

The two teams abruptly turned different ways and hurried away. Mizuki couldn't help feeling a little less hostile towards the opposing high-jumper; they had been temporarily united against Tsubasa. But now, it was obvious they were rivals once more.

Half an hour later

The race official spoke heavily into the microphone, addressing all seven teams as they stood anxiously at the starting line.

"You have been given your food for the first leg of the race, walkie-talkies, and a map of your own course. Each team will be on their own separate courses of the same lengths and difficulty, but that is no promise that you will not see one another throughout the race. All paths cross occasionally and at least at every checkpoint. There is no time limit on this race, but check-in by radio is required every day. Remember in case of emergency; there are helicopters within ten minutes of every part of each course."

The official looked over to where the rest of the adults were standing. Each was a representative of a different school, and none of them looked too thrilled to be standing by the others. But at the official's look they all nodded.

"Gentleman, good luck and remember that this is an event of sportsmanship. On your marks."

Mizuki felt that her heart was pounding so hard that she was sure everyone else could hear it. She tensed up, ready to jump into a flat run at the signal.

"Get set."

Sano, standing next to her, looked over and tried to hide his smile. Her face was caught between concentration and wild excitement, giving her a look of beauty that only someone who knew the truth would ever recognize.

"Go!"

Mizuki began to run, only to be slowed by a restrictive hand on her arm. She looked back to see Sano, grinning widely, holding her to a jog. Looking at the other teams, Mizuki realized that everyone else was taking off at a slower pace, saving themselves for the long distance.

Their path started climbing immediately, ascending into the mountains which the Junk Boys were soon to conquer.

End Chapter

Authoress here.

Meh. Another chapter done. Hope it ish good! Reviews, please!