A/N: Hm...not what i was expecting to have 1 review for a sequel, i thought u guys who read the first one would review... -shrugs-o well :-) at least 1 person likes it so far! let's hope that i won't disappoint all u readers who like this story so far! well, here's chapter 2. Happy reading :-)

Chapter 2: Love and it's Ups and Downs

As Liz woke up bright and early, she decided to train double like she had promised with Takeshi, mainly to lose some weight of what she ate last night. 'Man was that cake good!' she thought to herself when she reached the training arena. When she was in position for her normal routine, her inner self appeared.

'All right! This again! This time though, if I manage to 'hit' you, can you at least try and be phased?' her inner self asked.

"Maybe." Liz replied with a shrug and her inner self huffed.

'Oh fine, be that way.' her inner self said with a laugh as Liz began her training. First it was a punch to the side, then a kick to make her opponent balance. Right after a push to the chest and then kick to the front. Her inner self dodged all of these and jumped into the air. Liz followed quickly and did a sky uppercut. Her inner self went flying, but regained balance and charged. She sent punches, kicks, everything she could muster. Liz was quick on her feet and dodged every single one, and finally sent her inner self flying. As her inner self sat up painfully, she gave a sigh.

'You've gotten really strong now! There's no way I could keep up!' she squeaked.

"Training is in order for you then." Liz said and then tripped over something that rushed into her leg. She looked up to see Luca meow happily when he was on her stomach.

"Why hello there Luca. How are you today?" Liz asked as she gave Luca a pat on the head, and a scratch behind his ear. Luca purred happily and then meowed, his tail moving sideways to and fro.

"Good morning Liz, I see you're doing well." Liz heard Amy's bright voice say from behind her. She held Luca in her arms and faced Amy who gave a smile.

"Good morning to you too Amy. I'm great, how about you? Ready to train a little?" Liz asked as she put Luca down.

"You bet I am! I'm all fired up!" Amy said with a laugh.

"That's the spirit!" Liz said with a laugh.

"So...Luca wants to know-" Amy started and Luca gave a frown and a yeowl.

"All right all right." Amy laughed and Luca purred.

"Luca and I want to know how the dinner date went." Amy said and Liz blushed.

"How'd you figure it out so quickly!" Liz asked in surprise.

"Are you kidding me Liz? The whole team knows and we're happy." Amy replied plainly. Liz sighed heavily and one hand on her hip while the other scratched the back of her head. She finally regained posture, and gave Amy a wide smile.

"It was great! Amy, you should've seen the size of the cake we had! So much chocolate, it was so good! All three of us should go there maybe when we win the cup again." Liz exclaimed and Amy giggled.

"You really think we can pull it off?" Amy asked.

"Of course! This is Team Satomi after all!" Liz replied with a triumphant look.

"I see everyone's already here. Good morning." Takeshi's voice could be heard from a small distance. The two looked around to see Takeshi in his kendo clothes.

"Good morning." the two said in unison.

"Takeshi, did you like your date with Liz yesterday?" Amy asked and Takeshi blushed.

"H-how did you-"

"Relax, I already went through that look. Amy said everyone on the team knows." Liz said and then laughed when Takeshi's shoulders slumped and his look was blank in confusion.

"That sucks." Takeshi finally said and they all laughed.

"Are you ready for some good training Amy?" Takeshi asked and Amy nodded. As she and Luca went on the runner, Liz went to do her normal arm stretching while Takeshi practiced with his wooden swords. As Luca and Amy started at a regular pace, she began to speed it up. She kept going and going, until she pushed her limits. Takeshi and Liz stopped what they were doing to watch. When Amy pushed herself too far, she fell off backwards and landed with a thud. Takeshi and Liz rushed to her side and grabbed a breathing mask.

"Geez Amy, you need to take it easy. We know that the doctor told you not to overdue it." Liz said, concerned.

"That's right. We need you at 100 too when we go against Sledge Mamma." Takeshi replied when Amy was all right again. Luca rushed up, concerned, and toppled on Amy giving her a lick on the cheek. Amy laughed and pet the tabby.

"It's okay. I'm all right now, thanks." she said with a smile and the two smiled back.

"There you guys are, Andrei and Mark wanted you three to do another simulation." Jesse said when she saw all three of them on the floor.

"Ohmigosh! Amy are you-"

"She's fine Jesse, no worries." Takeshi said with a smile and Jesse's face expression relaxed.

"Oh, that's good. Well then, I guess you three should head to the simulation." Jesse replied and the three followed her. When they arrived, all of the mechs were ready. They went through the usual chat with Andrei, and entered the cockpits.

"Now last time it was only Takeshi and Liz, but with you back Amy it should be a piece of cake. Not that I'm saying that the two love birds didn't pull off a win in the practice round." Andrei said and the two shouted loudly to Andrei, "SHUT IT!" Amy giggled. Luca smiled.

"Boy I'm glad to be back. I finally have the power of human speech. And might I say both of you make a wonderful couple." he said and flicked his tail to and fro. There was no reply, but Amy could picture both of her friends' faces going pink.

"All right, with the chatter said and done with, let's begin!" they heard Andrei cry and they all nodded. As the simulation began, Sledge Mamma was in front of Satomi.

"Okay guys, let's do it!" Takeshi roared and the other three nodded eagerly. As they charged foward when the second round started, Team Sledge Mamma looked back and gradually charged at them. The three took on their counterparts, and gave everything they had. Takeshi gave punches, kicks, and once in a while had to afford a dodge or two. Liz managed with low kicks, high punches, and some blows to the side. Amy, well, she had a little trouble.

"Amy we need to focus here!" Luca said and Amy nodded.

"R-right!" she squeaked and attacked. She gave an outward punch, and her opponent dodge. Amy's mech began to fall foward, but her enemy helped her up...er, gave her a blow to make her fly up that is. She screamed, and fell to the ground.

"AMY!" her teammates called and rushed to her side.

"Are you all right?" Liz asked.

"I'm...okay. I'm fine now thanks." she managed to say and charged foward to her opponent.

"Liz, we'd better make sure Amy doesn't get hurt." Takeshi said and Liz agreed as they raced to their enemy, making sure they were at least a few feet away from Amy. 'C'mon Amy, pull yourself together!' she thought to herself and guarded continuously. When there was an opening for an attack, she took it and made her hit. Her enemy went flying backwards, and she cheered, happy that she was able to do it. As she went over to Liz to help her out, Takeshi was doing better than ever. Little did Amy know that her opponent wasn't done yet...

"RAGH!" Takeshi roared and charged at his opponent, knocking the mech to the ground. Sparks flew as it screeched, trying to get up. Takeshi didn't give the mech a chance and made a blow to the chest by giving a kick. He looked back to see how Amy and Liz were, and was glad they were doing a tag team. His happiness ended when Amy's opponent came from the rear end, rushing at them at a high speed.

"Amy! Liz! WATCH OUT!" Takeshi cried but it was too late. The mech rushed past both of his teammates, barrelling it's way through. Liz and Amy went flying, their mechs went skidding down the hard pavement. Sparks flew, screeching noises were made nonstop. With Takeshi's opponent down, he rushed to his teammates. Liz was farther away, Amy closer. 'LIZ!' he thought. As he rushed toward Amy, she was glad to see him give her some help. Although Amy wasn't who Takeshi wanted to save first. Liz was the only person on his mind. All of a sudden though, he was in a pausing moment. His eyes went wide, and he realized what he was about to do. There was Amy, closer to him than Liz was, and he was just going to rush by her to save his girlfriend? Liz would understand that he would save Amy first, but he couldn't help but feel guilty that he would neglect Amy to help Liz. As he blinked, snapping out of it the speed took over and he nearly sped past Amy! In the nick of time, he managed to grab ahold of Amy's hand, rescuing her first.

"You okay?" he asked.

"I'll be okay. You go get Liz." Amy replied and sped off to the finish line. Takeshi nodded silently, and sped to Liz's mech. Liz did not give in and continued to fight as she kept screeching down the runway. Her mech sent out vibrations that soon got to her, and she had a bumpy ride all the way. Her mech was already on it's way to being blown up, but still she wouldn't give up! Suddenly, she saw Takeshi's mech rush up toward her, it's arm outstretched. A light of hope began to shine and she extended her hand. As Takeshi's mech helped Liz's up, they were in a position where it looked as if Takeshi's mech was hugging Liz's. There was another pausing moment, but it all ended when they realized they needed to get to the finish line, and quick! They hurriedly transformed into their vehicle mode and rushed past the finish line.

Takeshi sighed as he got out of the cockpit, sweating like mad. Had he ever sweat before after a simluation? Maybe it was just his nerves getting the better of him. Liz and Amy walked over to him, Luca trotting behind. The group came over.

"Great job guys. Takeshi, nice warning." Andrei said.

"Too bad it didn't work. They still got hit and we almost got destroyed." Takeshi replied solemly.

"It's all right. At least you were able to save the day." Mark said and gave a playful punch to Takeshi's shoulder. He smiled, and then turned to Liz, Amy, and Luca. They smiled back at him, and suddenly the three heard Takeshi's stomach growl. He blushed pink and laughed.

"Guess I worked up an appetite..." he said with a wink. The two laughed and Luca purred as they went out for some food.

"We're eating earlier and earlier, it's not even supposed to be lunch yet!" Liz complained as she ate her sandwhich.

"At least it's something." Amy replied as she gave Luca a piece of her tuna fish. Luca meowed happily, wishing he was able to say that he looooved tuna fish.

"Yeah yeah, I know." Liz said as she continued to eat. When the three finished their early brunch, they decided to take a break from the training and go out to the beach. It wasn't that far and they told everyone where they would be. They changed into their bathing suits and raced to the beach, wearing hats and sunglasses. Luca was even given his own pair of mini sunglasses! When they reached the beach, they saw a lot of people, and decided to set up just a little farther away, in case someone figured out who they were. Luca meowed angrily and hissed everytime the water came closer, and everytime it went farther out Luca would curiously creep toward it, and then jump back with a yeowl. The group found this amusing, and watched until Luca finally gave up and came under the umbrella to have a nice little cat nap.

"Who's great idea was it to take a break and go to the beach?" Liz asked as she started her tan.

"All of us. I'm glad we thought of it too." Amy replied as she put on sunscreen.

"Aaah, this is great. It's nice to just chill out for a while ya know?" Takeshi said with a yawn as he stretched.

"You said it." Liz replied as she closed her eyes. Suddenly she felt something cold splash on to her suit and she woke up with a start. Her sunglasses were half off of her face.

"Gah! Who did that!" Liz cried angrily as she got up, shivering and freezing. Amy giggled, Luca only made his tail give a reply. She turned to see Takeshi trying to hide a bucket.

"TAKESHI! GET OVER HERE!" Liz roared menacingly and chased after him. She finally tackled him to the ground and he spat out some sand.

"Take it easy there Liz. Haha." Takeshi laughed and Liz was able to throw him up in the air and out in the ocean.

"Aaaaaaaah!" he screamed and was able to dive in at the last moment, making a gigantic splash that landed on Liz, washing her sunglasses into the ocean.

"Ooooh you're so in for it! C'mon Amy let's dunk him!" Liz motioned and Amy gradually followed. They managed to dunk Takeshi, but then he gave them twice the dunking. When it was almost time to head back, they left the beach and raced to HQ.

"I'm gonna take off somewhere else with Luca you guys, I'll meet you at Satomi HQ." Amy said with a wave and ran off with Luca. The two waved, and they gave a smile as they walked somewhere else besides Satomi HQ. The two were silent, and Liz decided it was time to say something at least.

"Is something wrong, Takeshi? You're awfully quiet." Liz asked.

"Well, it's just that..." he started and sighed.

"What? C'mon Takeshi, talk to me." Liz said.

"Well I..during the simulation when you guys both were skidding down the runway, I sort of..wanted to save you first." he said. She didn't really think of that as a bad thing at first, but then remember that she was farther behind then Amy and Luca. She let him continue.

"I'm flattered Takeshi, but is that what is bothering you?" she asked.

"Sort of...I mean, don't take it the wrong way but, Amy and Luca were closer but I completely forgot about her and wanted to save you at all costs." he explained.

"Hm, I see your problem. It was a little mistake you almost made, at least you didn't." Liz said as she gave him a pat on the back.

"Yeah...but the thing is, we're a foursome. And when I didn't think about Amy and Luca at all I felt really guilty, but then felt ashamed that I couldn't save you first." he added and she couldn't help but blush.

"It's really great that you wanted to save me first, and don't worry I won't mind if Amy and Luca come first on the track. You're right, we are a foursome. It's just that you and I have become a twosome. Just remember that on the track we're a team, but I guess...when we aren't we can be a twosome." she said and he smiled.

"Thanks Liz. That really helped me a lot." he said to her with a smile.

"No problem. Now c'mon, we're probably late." she said and started to run off.

"Yeah..." he said to himself with a grin.

He smiled as he watched her run off, and started to follow as well. He went at a light jog, and then started to run, but then paused when he caught sight of Fantine, with Cunningham...again. He growled and gritted his teeth. He didn't want to believe that he had actually been with her, but this proved it. It made his hair stand on end, to think she was going out with him. There couldn't be a reason for why he was jealous, could it? Maybe because Cunningham was a close friend at one time, or maybe because it was strange that Fantine would just get over him that quickly. Okay, so maybe he was being a little selfish, but still he was human after all. In a split second, he saw that she had turned to face him, a surprised look on her face. He gave her a blank stare back, and then saw Cunningham walk over, wondering what was wrong. When he looked at Takeshi, a surprised look appeared on his face as well, but then anger came over. He gave Fantine a kind look, and Takeshi could see his lips move. How it made Takeshi want to throw up. He saw Cunningham place his arm around Fantine's shoulder, and she looked into his eyes with compassion. He blinked maybe once, twice, and then they were walking away, away from his direction. As he watched them leave he could have sworn he saw Fantine glance back at him, a sad look was on her face. He finally snapped out of it when he heard Liz run back to him, and stare out to what he was looking at. It was a good thing they had left before Liz came, for Takeshi knew that would be bad.

"What's wrong Takeshi?" Liz asked, concerned.

"I'm sorry Liz, I was just watching some birds fly by. They were pretty, and thinking that made me think of you." he half lied. Even if that was a lie, he wouldn't deny that she was pretty. She blushed and smiled, grabbing his hand.

"Well, thanks for the compliment, but we really should be heading back. I can tell that Ms. Satomi will have our heads if we're any later." she teased and he followed willingly in a run, making sure his grip was firm on her hand, though not that firm to make him grip it too tight. He just, didn't want to let her go; not ever. He decided to not think about Fantine and Cunningham, only Liz. How great she was, and anything else that would get his mind off of Fantine. Liz was who he loved, always would love. After all, even if he was jealous, there was nothing he could do about. At least, not yet.

'Hm...man, love is so complicated. Gosh, I wish it didn't have it's ups and downs sometimes...'

A/N: Uh-oh. Looks like Takeshi has some things to work out! And what did he mean that he couldn't do anything about it, at least not yet? ooooo things look like it's gonna get a little complicated! Will Takeshi be able to stand this FantinexCunningham pair? or will he try and take out cunningham? and what about liz?...things are going to get interesting! (don't worry i am still stickin w/TakxLiz!)