Chapter 9: The Ambush

I awoke the next day to find Kanta-kun munching on an apple. Yawning and stretching, I ruffled his hair and grinned. "You're so cute, Kanta-kun…"

Kanta-kun frowned and turned away. Tears burst out of my eyes as I reached out to him. "OH, I'M SORRY, KANTA-KUN! I'M SO SORRY!"

'You oughta be… guys can't be…'

I saw his face turn pink at having to say it.

'Cute.'

I burst out laughing and ruffled his hair again. Man, him and his pride—it was so annoying sometimes. Why can't he just like being called cute? I don't think it's an insult to cute little Mamodos like him. Thinking of revenge, I said, "Fine then! Zatch doesn't mind being called cute. I'll go visit him with some fish Popsicles."

Kanta-kun quickly zipped back to looking at me. He had a slightly jealous look to his face. 'Y-you can't go to Zatch! You're my partner! He's so unserious about this battle that it's not even funny!'

"I heard he got more serious after the battle with Kolulu," I replied, grinning. Kanta-kun looked so angry with me, it was cute! I wanted to hug him, but before I would, I'd tease him a bit more.

'But you can't!'

"Why not? I mean, he doesn't think about his pride when I call him cute. He lets me hug him all I want and without a problem at all!" I stated. Kanta-kun looked at his apple and quickly swallowed the rest of it before staring me in the eye. It was awfully weird how he ate everything, including the stem and the core—not to mention the seeds. Kanta-kun slowly held my hand in his and his eyes got big and watery.

'I can… do all that stuff too…' he said softly. I think I made him sad and upset. Quickly, I hugged him tight.

"I'm sorry, I was kidding…" I said, resting my head on his. He grabbed my shirt lightly. "Kanta-kun, I really was kidding. I know you're my partner and Kiyo is Zatch's partner."

'Yeah… okay.' He pushed me away and grinned. 'That's… good to know.'

Suddenly a Mamodo crashed in through my window and grinned at us. I heard a spell be shouted out and quickly I shielded Kanta-kun.

"TAWOK!"

I felt a surge of pain coarse throughout my body as I fell limp on Kanta-kun. Quickly, he shook me and I did my best to get back up. Kanta-kun grabbed my hand, the book, and leaped out the window, pulling me along with him. As best as I could, I landed on my feet, only to crash to the ground on my side.

'Hold on to the book, okay?' he asked me. I nodded slightly and tried to get back up. Kanta-kun quickly dragged me up and pulled me along to run, but I knew I couldn't run for long. Suddenly, I remembered… Kiyo had given me his number. Pulling out my cellphone, I pressed speed dial and the phone started to ring. He didn't answer. Of course he didn't, it was 6 AM—who would wake up that early? The answering machine came up and I left an answer as best as I could.

"Kiyo-kun… help… Kanta…"

Then I fell to the ground and Kanta-kun jumped in shock. Quickly, I felt him lift me up and hide me behind some bushes.

'I'll come back as soon as I can!' Kanta-kun whispered. I nodded and before I fell unconscious, I said one more thing into the phone.

"…hurry."

End of Chapter 9: The Ambush

Author's Note: OMIGOSH! WILL I DIE? No. I don't the attacks are really strong enough to kill a person--or they're not MEANT to kill a person. I guess some people have in Zatch Bell, but I dunno... I think that first guy that Zatch and Kiyo fought did. Err... the one I'm thinking of is the one where that guy heldup the bank. He threatened, but never did kill anyone.

Forever gone-I feel slightly guilty,

Sammy