Mate of Fate

Chapter 9: Sports Competition

Nicholas and Kurumu weren't able to talk to Mizore and Michael until Monday about joining them for training during the upcoming weekend. The two were more than happy to join as not only was it a good way to get stronger, it would serve well for what was coming up very shortly at the academy. The new ones here found out about it from the other at lunch. "Really?" Hatsuharu asked. "There's going to be a carnival dedicated to athletics?"

"Well it's autumn now so it's that time again," Yukari explained.

"They're not that bad," Tsukune added. "They are for sports, and sports are a symbol of peace."

"Maybe," Nicholas commented and then got a grin. "But it's hard not to get competitive. Especially for us guys, you know how that goes. We like to show the others up and off."

"Oh I know that all too well with this idiot," Akito stated with affection as she looked to her boyfriend Kureno.

"Oh come on babe," he replied and gave her a squeeze of love. "I'm not that big of one when showing what I can do for you."

"Well is there anything we should know about this before competing?" Ayame asked.

"Well for one, monster powers aren't allowed," Yukari answered. "The other rule is release of transformation. If you break these, you'll have to leave the grounds."

"So it's all about physical ability and nothing more like any human sport then," Nicholas stated with a nod of understanding.

"You know about that kind of stuff?" Kurumu asked, a little interested.

"Well, me and my friends who came here have learned some things about humans before attending this academy. We may not know everything about them, but we have a decent idea when it comes to them."

"Well, let's just hope noting happens like last time," Mizore then stated.

Nicholas and the ones who had come with him and Liliana all looked to the rest with questioning looks, making this a bit of a funny situation to someone else if they had been watching this like in a show or anime. "Do we want to know?" Michael asked and then the next second shook his head. "On second thought, don't answer that."

"It's nothing bad," she replied. "Just got crazy is all."

"Isn't that always the case and how there's never a break from that?" Ayame said with a shrug.

"Well, let's just hope this time the parents won't get involved like some did last time," Tsukune mentioned and the result of those words caused some who were new, including Nicholas, to choke on their food and spit it out in comical ways.

"Wait, what parents coming?!" the guy with glasses asked between his coughing.

"Didn't you know?" Moka asked. "Parents come here to participate to just like with a visit during another event."

Some went silent for a few moments. Nicholas was freaking out a little which meant he might be meaning Kurumu's parents sooner than expected. Michael was a little less when it came to Mizore's folks. And there was another reason. "So that's what my mom and dad meant by that phone call," Kureno groaned, covering his face with a hand. Nicholas and the ones who had come here at the beginning had been keeping in contact with their families, much like Tsukune had during his first year with his mother. It had only been hinted at they might be coming, but now there was no doubt some of the folks were arriving.

Liliana got a sad look and Takeshi noticed, despite not being the most social kind of person, or one to let his emotions show easily. "Er… you okay?" the blue-haired guy asked. Everyone looked to him in shock, the ones that didn't know him well enough. He saw and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.

"Sorry, I… I'm not really good with situations like this and tend to not speak much," he mumbled. "But I can still see how others feel and ask…"

"He's right," Nicholas replied, backing up his friend before turning back to the situation at hand. "So Liliana, is there something troubling you that you'd like to share if you want?"

"It's just…" Here the Lereid paused. "I actually don't have any parents. I'm an orphan."

The group instantly got it and a couple gave her a hug in comfort. "That's gotta be rough," Kabu said sympathetically. "I can't say I know what it's like."

"Well, maybe we can help you find out where you come from after graduation," Nicholas offered.

Liliana smiled in spite of her sadness and nodded. "Thanks guys," she whispered, wiping the tears away that had begun to form in her eyes.

"In the meantime, what about this parent thing?" Kureno grumbled. "I don't like it."

"Nothing we can do about it," Nicholas said with a shrug. "Just hope and pray they don't embarrass us too much. Which is how life works; the parents are supposed to embarrass us kids and we in turn are supposed to embarrass them." Everyone actually laughed at that.

The day then came and there was a buzz of excitement for this to begin. "Oh yeah, I'm already anticipating to win during this!" Ayame stated with a grin.

Everyone was changed and Akito and Liliana looked a bit uncomfortable in their t-shirt and shorts. Well, the truth was they couldn't be called shorts as they were something else being so short and different, it was like wearing a bikini bottom piece. "Do we really have to wear this?" the black haired female groaned, trying to pull her shirt down to hide it a bit more with no success.

"I hate it just as much as you babe," her boyfriend Kureno said. He was standing as close to his girl as was possible to be acceptable. "Well, at least I hope me being this close to you not only tells everyone you are mine. Plus, I'm never going to ask you to be in these ever again."

"Never mind that; you think that's bad, you gotta ask how the hell Ruby is allowed to dress like she is," Kabu stated with a jerk of his head over his shoulder and pointing with his thumb over that same area of his body.

Hatsuharu couldn't help but look and saw the said female in quiet the sexy, revealing outfit. The witch happened to be wearing something that looked like a casino girl outfit with fishnet leggings that went all the way up her legs and even part of her lower area. The upper body was like a one piece bikini. While certainly old enough to wear something like that, it was still a bit on the inappropriate side for a school event. Then again, this academy did have crazy stuff happen that somehow was looked over. The male with grey colored spiked hair blushed hard and tried not to stare too much at Ruby. Like last time she would be the announcer at this event. "So where are the others?" Michael asked as his attention was for Mizore instead. "They should have been here by now."

"Sorry we're late!" went Tsukune's voice.

"There you are, we-" Nicholas began but then stopped when seeing Kurumu who was with the former human and the rest in the group.

The succubus was dressed like the other females while Mizore had gone a little more punk like with a belt. Tsukune and Moka were holding hands while Kokoa was trying to look like she wasn't interested in this at all. "Took a bit longer to get here?" Kabu asked them.

"A little," Fang Fang replied. Unlike the others, he was dressed more in a Chinese martial like outfit with no sleeves which was allowed.

"Oh my god…" Nicholas and Michael thought in their heads as the guy with glasses stared at Kurumu while the other stared at Mizore. Each female looked so hot and sexy to them.

"Are you okay?" the succubus asked the guy with glasses, noticing his face going red.

"Oh! Uh, yeah!" he replied quickly and looked away. Michael did to so Mizore wouldn't catch him staring at her.

"Looks like this time we're on the same team," Yukari said. "We're sure to win."

"Yes, this is a battle after all!" Fang Fang added.

"Yep, there we go with what I said about us guys getting competitive," Nicholas stated with a grin.

"I see you were right about this one," a different male voice, deeper and more mature suddenly said.

"Aw crap…" the male with glasses groaned softly and he and the large group turned to see the speaker who was with some others and clearly older. The parents had arrived to talk with their children before this started.

"Hi, mom and dad," Nicholas then stated with a look and tone of voice like this situation was very troublesome and embarrassing.

"Now come on," the same person who had just spoke replied. "What kind of greeting is that son? We're just here to say hello before this thing gets rolling."

To the ones that hadn't met Nicholas's parents, they did a double take. And that was because it wasn't his father that caused it, but rather the long-haired male's mother. The former was the same height as Nicholas so it showed who he had inherited that from. But it was everything for physical looks that the guy with glasses had inherited from his mother. Their hair color, eyes, nose, everything, it was like looking at twins. Their only difference was their height, obviously the chest being different, and that her long hair hung loose rather than in a ponytail. Kurumu especially noticed this. "Whoa… no wonder Nicholas has such good looks, his mother's beautiful," the succubus thought in her head. This female then blushed, not wanting to believe she had just thought that about Nicholas.

"Oh, these must be your friends from the club," Nicholas's mother then said, noticing the new faces she didn't recognize.

Tsukune knew that unlike that one time he had to first meet someone else's parent, this wouldn't be like that and he smiled at these two. "Yeah, nice to meet you," the former human replied.

"The pleasure's all ours. We've heard a lot about you from Nicholas."

Introductions where then done. In addition to his folks named Vincent and Linden, the mother and father of Kabu, Ayami, and Michael were here as well. However, nobody noticed what happened with the look in the eyes of the mother that Nicholas had when he introduced Kurumu. She saw the way her son looked at the succubus and she couldn't help but think this female not only was very beautiful, but also looked like a nice, sweet, loving girl who would be perfect for him. As for Michael's mother, she noticed the way her son was looking and Mizore. And despite the Yuki-Onna not being one for showing her emotions, the older female could still see Mizore was a nice, quiet girl who also was attractive and a perfect person for her son. But neither parent said anything, just smiled happily and thinking of cute future things. "So, are any of your parents coming today?" one of the fathers then asked the ones who were new to them.

"I think mine are coming," Yukari replied. She then turned and saw both her mom and dad approaching the large group and got a smile.

Her parents came up and more introductions were done. But then an announcement came on. "Uh-oh, I think it's time to begin," Moka stated.

"We'll get some good seats to watch, good luck," Nicholas's dad told them and the parents left.

"Well that was pleasant, I liked meeting yours," Kurumu told the long-haired male.

Really?" he asked, trying not to sound too hopeful.

"They're nice. Plus I was shocked how much you look like your mother."

"Oh yeah, others have pointed that out. They've even said we could pass for twins."

First up were the first years. Since nobody in the group was in that category, they could only sit back and watch. The same rules that had been mentioned before were announced by Ruby. Hatsuharu just watched her with a smile and discretely so as not to call attention to himself. "I'll show her and everyone what I can do," he thought in his head. The guy knew why but didn't have time to dwell on it yet, but figured he would try and talk to Ruby later.

The rest in the group were looking and getting an idea of what they would have to do during the first half of this. "Doesn't look bad here," Ayame stated.

"We'll see when we get down there," Yukari told him.

After all the first year events, it was time for the second years to have a turn. That meant Kokoa was up. The young vampires was warming up as it was going to be an obstacle course coming up. "Wait, she's gonna jump through those?" Michael asked, seeing the rings on the track that were actually on fire.

"Me and Kurumu had to, she'll be fine," Mizore told the white haired male.

"Really? I don't know…"

At least this time there was nothing on line or at stake unlike what had happened last year. Kokoa made it to the end just fine. "Well now, we can't let her take all the wins, can we?" Akito said to her boyfriend.

"I don't plan on being shown up in general honey," Kureno replied with a grin.

It was then time for the rest of the group as the third years were now going to have a turn. "Finally, our time to shine!" Ayame stated with a grin while warming up with stretches.

"Looks like this is somewhat a race for us," Nicholas commented. "So who's gonna run this? I don't think we all need to."

It was decided for the girls, Kurumu, Liliana, and Akito would participate. "Good luck, have fun!" Michael told them.

For the guys, Nicholas, Takeshi, and Hatsuharu would take a turn. It was close but they managed to win. "Well done, all of you!" Kabu told them, and hi-fives were passed around.

It then soon came time for a lunch break. The parents did join the kids, much to the cringe and embarrassment of a couple of them. But the talking actually went smooth as the mothers and fathers just asked general question. From how the club was they had heard about, the summer vacation, things like that. While the kids didn't go into full detail about things, it was a wonderful time. "So what event is next?" someone then asked.

"It's the parent event," Kurumu answered. "It's where the parents and children team up against others."

"Sounds like fun, so who's gonna compete?" Nicholas's dad asked with a grin.

Nicholas got a deep in thought look. On one hand it could lead to embarrassment while at the same time, it might not be bad to kick ass with his old man side by side. "Oh what the hell, let's do it, you and me old man," the guy with glasses finally decided, looking at his dad with a grin.

The others were chosen and then it came time. Ruby made the announcement that this was a mock Calvary battle. The rules were simple, getting as many of the hats off of the heads on the opposing team in order to win. If a hat was taken off, that parent child team was out. "I hope this doesn't get out of hand like last time," Kurumu said to the others who were watching with her.

"Yeah, partially my fault and my sister's," Fang Fang stated with a sheepish grin.

For the ones no competing in this and hadn't been there during that particular time all gave those that had some funny looks. "Was that part of the reason it got so crazy?" Liliana asked.

"Uh, yeah," Tsukune answered. Just then a gun shot was heard. The event had started, forcing the group to look and see how this would go.

"On your left!" Nicholas told his father, spotting an opening.

The older male moved and then in the next second, his son had snatched the hat of the opposing head with a grin. "Well done; let's keep it up!" Vincent said.

"And don't let your guard down!" his son added.

Kabu then let out a sound of frustration as his hat was swiped off. "Damn!" the male exclaimed.

"Looks like they're out," Liliana said while seeing that from the stands and with the others.

"At least Yukari's doing well, wouldn't you agree?" Moka asked. She then noticed Mizore and Kurumu were a little too focused one individual each.

"Um, earth to you two…" Ayame stated. "Are you even listening to her?"

Both said females jumped and blushed, the succubus more so than the Yuki-onna. "Uh, yeah!" the blue-haired one replied in a rush.

"Sorry, must be the sun," Mizore mumbled.

The rest shrugged it off, but Akito got a thoughtful, teasing smile on her face. "Hmmmm? You sure?" she asked in a tone to match.

Those two didn't respond, but were left with their confused thoughts and feelings. They knew that in their hearts that they still loved Tsukune, despite him and Moka dating. The feelings were genuine even with the competition with the female vampire in a sense. So then why had Kurumu ended up staring at Nicholas too much again? Why had Mizore done the same thing with Michael? But then a shout made the succubus and Yuki-onna come back to the present. "Is it…?" Hatsuharu asked.

"Yeah, looks like it's over," Ayame stated.

"We have a winner!" Ruby announced. It turned out it was right down to the nail, but the ones to win was the side Nicholas and the friends were on.

"So, not bad teaming up, right?" Vincent asked his son.

"Yeah, not at all," Nicholas agreed.

"It was a good time out there!" Michael commented with a grin. "I wouldn't mind doing that again!"

The group of friends met up for a few final words with the parents before the day was over. "That was a good job you guys did out there," Liliana said to them.

"It was fun to," Kabu replied.

"It's all about that teamwork and trusting your parent," Nicholas's dad said. "I get it at times as I was once your guy's age and rather not have people associate me with my father. But I know in the end I'd rather team up with my son than anyone else."

"And it was certainly nice to meet all of you as well," Linden then stated to the others. "I hope there's another thing that will happen that I can come back to and see you guys again."

"There's the school festival for that," Kurumu answered. "That will happen near the end of the year."

Nicholas and those that had come with him including Liliana perked up with interest at that. "Really?" the guy with glasses asked, curious. "First time I've heard of that."

Tsukune gave a quickly explanation on what that was about having helped a lot with that first one when he had first come to the academy. Some got a look on their face as though they had all come to the same idea. "You thinking what I'm thinking? Ayiame asked them.

"I think I am thinking what you're thinking," Nicholas replied. He signaled the band members for a quick huddle. The others watched and heard them whispering but couldn't make out what was being said. But whatever it was, the band seemed to agree on it and broke part.

"What was that about?" Kurumu asked.

"Oh, nothing much, just something we can do during it. But we'll worry about that later when the time comes."

"And another chance for us to come back," Ayami's father added. "That is if we can make it." There was now not much else to do but finish up the goodbyes and for the day to end. This event had been a success and now it was time for the regular work for school to resume.