Title: The Challenge (Part VIII)
Author: ficeler37
Note: Don't own Mai-Hime. I'll let Sunrise take the credit.
Rating: PG
Word count: 1279

Summary: Reito speaks!

A/N: Here's the latest development. Thank you to everyone who has read my drabble earlier. I was scared that nobody was going to share my humor. Anyways, the long weekend is coming up, and I shall have more time to write, YAY!

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While Natsuki is still confused about Shizuru's confident declaration, a clear sound of "ping" enters into everyone's ears. Apparently, after the cue ball made contact with the 8 ball, it got on a track that resulted in Natsuki's victory. With the aid of Natsuki's solid ball that was strategically placed against the rail next to the pocket by the cunning Shizuru, the cue ball made a 45 degree cut soon after leaving the eight ball, and it fell straight into the hole.

"Shizuru, how did you know where the cue ball was going to before hand?" Now smiling from ear to ear, Natsuki turns to Shizuru with eyes of adoration. Was Shizuru possessed by the God of Pool for a brief moment? This was like magic. How come whenever something miraculous happens around this woman, she can just shrug it off like it is no big deal?

Shizuru pulls on Natsuki's sleeves and leans her body forward so that her lips are merely inches away from Natsuki's ears. "Do you remember how I made the cue ball roll back towards the back rail earlier? That ensured Takeda would put on a top spin on the cue ball, which kept the cue ball rolling once it made contact with the 8 ball. If you scratch on the 8 ball, you lose. Calculating the paths of the balls and setting up your solid ball as an aid were easy; the only uncontrollable part in my plan was whether Takeda was stupid enough to make such a dangerous shot." My little show with you was not just for my own pleasure, believe it or not. It served my purpose well because it made Takeda want to end the game quickly. I wonder what you'd think of me if I have told you my masterplan in details, my shy Natsuki, hehe.

Shizuru's warm breath on her ears make Natsuki quiver slightly. Why do I feel so warm whenever Shizuru is close to me? It must be because I haven't seen her for a long time and my body is reacting strangely to her presence. That must be it … Natsuki shifts her gaze towards the Kendo club captain who can only fix his eyes on the pool table and mumbles "this is not happening" and "so close". Thank God this guy is an idiot.

"Hey Takeda, snap out of it. Look, I won, ok? So don't bother me anymore." Natsuki grabs Shizuru's hand once again and pulls her towards the exit of the pool hall.

"Hold on, Kuga." Takeda sprints to catch up with Natsuki and Shizuru and blocks the girls' way with his arms up. "The game is not over."

(sigh) This guy is a moron. "Don't be such a sore loser, ok? I'm not going out with you. Now beat it." Natsuki tries to get around the spiky haired boy with an annoyed look on her face.

Just as Takeda is about to reach out his hand to stop Natsuki, Shizuru pulls Natsuki back towards her body and wraps her arms protectively around Natsuki's waist. Shizuru puts her chin on Natsuki's shoulder and stares straight into Takeda's eyes with a killer's intent. You don't deserve to touch her. She's mine.

"May I say something?" Three pairs of eyes turn to the man who has been observing the whole scene silently since the beginning. "It is true that we did not decide what rules to abide by at the start of the game. Some people do not consider a scratch on the eight ball an instant win..."

Sparkles come out of Takeda's eyes as he looks at Reito expectedly. I knew it! Kanzaki-senpai is on my side afterall. All those rumors about him going out with Kaichou are just rumors in the end. Guys stick together!

"… so let's have a compromise. A rematch." Reito says with his smile that implies 'you better not say no or else I will get very scary and you will be sorry.'

"Wait, why do I have to go through a rematch? I won. End of story." Natsuki protests. I don't want to take my chances again. There's no way in hell that I'm picking up that cue stick.

Knowing that Natsuki is a headstrong person who does not change her mind easily, Takeda decides that the next best thing to do in his favor is to change the terms of the game. "Kuga, if you don't want to play against me, you can ask Kaichou or Reito-kun to play for you. Deal?" I just need a second chance. I don't care who I play against. Kuga and Kaichou got lucky this time, but miracles don't happen twice in 15 minutes.

Before Natsuki can mutter another protest, Shizuru has replied already. "I accept the challenge. We'll make sure we decide on the rules this time." Shizuru lets go of Natsuki, turns around and walks back towards the pool table. Facing towards only Reito, she gives him a devious smirk. Good work, Reito-san. Everything is according to plan. Before Shizuru and Reito reached the pool hall, Shizuru had asked Reito to act as a third person observer who should discreetly lead the game towards a one-on-one between Shizuru and whoever is challenging Natsuki.

At the time of the request, Reito had jokingly replied, "You can count on me. It's not the first time you ask me to be the evil henchmen anyways." Anyone who truly understands the power structure behind Fuka High School the previous year knows that Shizuru and Reito together hold the fate of the school in their hands. When these two are on the same side of the coin, anyone on the other side of the coin can only helplessly act like sheep waiting to be slaughtered.

"Kuga, for you, I will defeat Kaichou." Takeda declares before he heads towards the pool table following Shizuru. Man, I sounded so cool. Kuga might even be swooning behind my back, haha.

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww, who the hell does he think he is? "Don't go deciding things on your own. I am not going to cheer for you, you know." Natsuki yells with a flushed face, embarrassed about Takeda's cheesy announcement.

Takeda turns around and sees the blush on Natsuki's face. Kuga-san is so cute. Just an innocent girl, embarrassed about my declaration of love. When he finally reaches the pool table, he is met with a death stare from our now fuming Kaichou.

"8 ball game. Instant loss on an 8 ball scratch. Ball in hand for all other scratches. Clear?" Shizuru states the rules curtly, not wanting to have unnecessary conversation with the boy who made her Natsuki blush. Making her blush is my privilege. How dare you get a reaction out of her in front of me? I'll make you pay for this later, I swear.

"Fine," comes the equally succinct response from Takeda.

Shizuru put her right hand on the pool table and lets it lightly trace the rail as she moves forward to meet Natsuki. "Do I get a good luck kiss? I'm you knight in shining armor, fighting for your love life after all." Shizuru teases Natsuki and tilts her head sideways a little to get a better look at her angel. I bet Natsuki is going to blush and call me a BAKA like the old times, hehe.

Natsuki says nothing. She moves her hand towards Shizuru's right cheek, her fingers making feather light contact with the Kyoto woman's smooth skin. With slightly flushed cheeks, she leans forward and gives Shizuru a quick peck on the opposite cheek. "Good luck." A voice as quiet as a puppy's whimper escapes Natsuki's parting lips.

TBC.