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Thank you.

Now, on with the story…

MAPOV

It was about 6:00 A.M., meaning I had about three and half hours to get to the meet…

I jumped of the tarmac as the flight stewardesses yelled at me.

I avoided security and jumped in a cab, as my heart reached a fever pitch.

"Taxi!" I hailed a cab.

"To the Iwatodai Sports Complex, Driver-san." I said.

The Driver turned and I recognized his blonde hair and nasty expression.

"Oh, hey Cato!" I greeted, "I didn't know you work part-time as a driver!"

"Hi." He smiled and smacked a cudgel in my head and I remembered no more as I passed out.

Meanwhile… as Minato rushed to the meet, or at least tried to, Minako's day hadn't been going exactly too well…

Minako

(08/02/10)

Ugh… today's going to be a bitch of a day…

I knew it since when I woke up and found out that I needed to be in for warm ups in thirty-five minutes… it was 5:55 AM…

The meet was to be held at 9:30 but we had warm ups at 6:30…

Since my auntie is such a sloth and a lazy fool, I had to go to Minato's and ask Leah to cook me a meal.

I didn't want her to make a fuss, but I really needed it.

Strangely enough, she was awake.

"Oh! Minako-chan!" Leah said, eating pancakes, "Come in! You've just missed Minato-kun! He left ten minutes ago." Leah said, "And he made us all breakfast. Come on in! The guys are inside. Aki and Junpei-kun are inside as well." she said.

"Thanks, Leah-nee." I said and went in.

Inside, Akihiko wore a black tank top while Junpei wore a periwinkle bathrobe while a woman I've never seen before who had bright red hair, petite stature and really pale skin wore only an oversized tee-shirt and was sipping on cold milk while eating blueberry cheesecake.

On the table was an amazing assortment of blueberry cheesecake, strawberry shortcake, pancakes and all other sorts of cake that'd make Ms. Toriumi freak.

I eyed the girl.

"Is this a new maid?" I said innocently, since Leah always wore an oversized tee, I only assumed...

She blinked confusedly as if I showed her a clip of me drunk dancing.

"No, I'm…" she said timidly.

"Chidori." Leah said, "Chidori-chan."

"Who's Chidori-chan?" I asked.

"Oh…" she said and looked around, "Junpei's girl."

"Nice to meet you! Sorry about calling you a maid..." I said.

"Of no consequence." Chidori said, "Pleasure to meet you, Minako-chan."

"Okay… now to much more pressing matters…" I said, taking a seat between Akihiko and Chidori "Junpei has a girlfriend?" I said incredulously, "Impossibru!"

Junpei looked somewhat offended, "What's that suppose to mean?"

"Just that, it'd be a bit more believable if she was Akihiko-senpai's girl, but…" I stopped myself, "Nevermind."

"Hey, I'll let you know that I'm a love machine!" Junpei said, "But Chidori tamed my wild soul! After all, I AM a breeder."

"I'm sure you are." Akihiko said as he ate the blueberry cheesecake.

"Hey, I'm glad I chose Chidori, since I'd only have to share my white dragon seeds with her." He said as he grinned.

Akihiko made gagging noises as Junpei winked at him.

"Goddamn it Junpei, you're gonna make me puke all over the cake!" Akihiko said.

"Speaking of cake…" I said, "Isn't it a bit too early for the bakeshops to open?"

"Oh, these aren't store bought…" Leah said as she had another bite.

"Custom baked?" I asked.

Leah scrunched her face, "You could say that… if custom baked meant that Minato made it…"

I tried to keep a straight face, "Minato bakes?"

"Read this…" Akihiko passes me a card.

I read it.

i baked some cakes for you guys.

obviously.

please enjoy the cakes and leave some for minako

seeya all in two weeks.

luv,

-minato

"Enjoy, huh?" I said, "Don't mind if I do." I said as I wolfed down the cake.

I loved the cake.

"Wow…" I said, "A guy who knows how to bake really... turns me on."

"He cooks! Don't forget he cooks!" Junpei said.

"He really works hard…" Leah said.

"Yeah… even I gotta admit… the guy's a hard worker…" Junpei said.

"More than you do…" Chidori muttered.

"What was that, toots?"

"N-Nothing, dear." Chidori said skittishly.

"Thought so." Junpei said, "Anyway, ya know, Minato's never had a great pal as good as you, Mina-san!" Junpei said.

"Yeah… from what I heard," she gives a sidelong look to Akihiko as if they shared some sort of dark secret together, "Minato is truly a hard worker… as if… he'd give his life for something he holds dear…" he looks at Akihiko again and I was sure that they kept something top secret from everyone.

Leah nodded, "Minako-chan, personally, I think you're God's reward to Minato for everything he's done."

I bowed my head.

Beep! Beep!

It was 6:20 A.M..

"Holy Hell!" I shrieked, "Is that the time?!"

I grabbed the cake, "Gotta go!"

"We'll be there by 9 for moral support!" Leah said.

"Thanks, Nee!" I said and ran off.

I arrived at 6:40 and you can guess how Madame Toriumi chewed my ass out…

"Never in all my years!" Ms. Toriumi cried, "Minako, I thought you'd have more sense to show up early! Your tardy sickness is apparently contagious! Why, even Minato-kun is tardy!"

"He's not coming." I said as I wore my socks.

She blinked.

"Why didn't you tell me?!"

"It never came up! And you didn't ask!" I said as I laced my shoes.

"Irresponsible! Against the rules!" she cried.

"On the bright side, I brought you some cake." I said.

She grumbled, "Go do your warm ups, Minako…"

As I left, she grabbed the cake, "Give me that…"

My face was like, Fine, chill out!

I did my warm ups, but I still felt sad about Minato ditching me.

Minato A. POV

When I woke up, the first thing I thought was: Ooooh… my head…

And I opened my eyes and I saw I was in a storehouse.

"What the hell…?" I said as I noticed Cato counting a wad of money.

"So you finally decided to wake up?" he said.

"No, I'm probably sleep talking…" I muttered sarcastically, "Of course I'm awake!"

"This is really nothing personal…" he said absentmindedly, then, he looked up,"Actually, it's quite the opposite, really."

"I'm gonna kill you!" I shouted, "HELP! SOMEONE, HELP!"

"Haha! There's nothing you can do… these walls are sound proof."

"Why'd you do it Cato?!" I shouted, "Can't handle the fact that everyone's better than you?" I said.

He laughed as if it were a joke, "Everyone? Better than me?" he cackled, "Impossible. It's just that… I'm on a high stake bet with someone on the outcome of the Sports Meet and I wagered a pretty fine bid against you. But as security, one of my… associates, paid me to take you out."

"You're gonna kill me?" I growled.

"Heavens no!" he said and really meant it, "Why would I taint my soul for that? No, I would just hold you for a few hours and release you when it's all done." He said, "And if you'll excuse me, I need to use the facilities."

He went to the Port-a-potty outside.

I tried struggling, but Cato really put a lot of duct tape into tying me, so as I struggled, I cut my wrist.

"Damn it…" I muttered.

I thought if I could break the chair…

The chair was old and creaky, so I thought of it and I put it into action.

But my feet were tied up as well, so I had to put an extra effort into it.

With all my might, I jumped and the chair legs and right armrest broke.

It made quite a ruckus, and screamed in pain but Cato didn't seem to stir, so I tried an old trick...

I summoned my old Holy sword, Deus Xiphos.

It took a bit of pulling and some MP, since I accidentally summoned Yukari's bow and Akihiko's boxing gloves by accident, but I managed to make the sword materialize in my hand.

I used my free arm to cut my bonds and I freed myself.

Then, I dissipated the sword and looked for the exit.

I saw one about 6 meters away from where I was being held, but before I ran off, I went outside, kicked open the door and tackled the Port-o-potty to its side.

"OH SHIT!" Cato screamed, "Yuck! Corn!? I didn't eat corn last night!" Cato screamed as I kicked it down, causing the Port-O-Potty to roll down the hill, "AHHHHHH!"

"Served you right, asshole!" I screamed, "Don't forget to wipe!" then, I ran off, with my gear and most of Cato's money near the door.

I looked at the surroundings and I knew then I was half way across town.

Reaching for my battered sports watch, I looked at the time and it was 8:58 …

I only had, more or less, thirty minutes to go.

Realizing there was no time to waste, I ran to the side of the road and jogged.

A kilometer and a half later, I stopped by an intersection, where a Ford Everest pulled up as I gasped for breath.

I really thought it was one of Cato's 'Associates'.

"Minato-san?" a familiar voice said.

I looked up and saw a red headed teenager with a Puma headband, Nike wristband, PowerBalance wristband.

"Quan-kun?" I said, "Am I glad to see you…" I gasped.

"Need a ride? My mom's driving us to the meet."

"Us?" I said.

"Meeee!" Pinky said from the front seat, "Hellllo, my Minato-kun!"

"Please give me a ride..." I said.

"Hop in." he said.

I rode in the back of the car, where Quan sat.

"Hello Minato-chan!" Quan's mother said.

Quan's mother had the same fiery red hair, kindly smile and motherly face.

"Oh! Hello Mrs. Lao…" I said.

"So, you're the Minato-san my Quan-bozu keeps talking about!"

"Mom!" Quan complained, "Not in front of Pinky!"

"Oh, sorry." Mrs. Lao said.

"Hey, no fair!" Pinky said, "Move over, Quanny!"

She went to the back and cuddled with me.

"Um… Pink… I sorta have a girlfriend…."

"Awww!" Pinky made a face, "What Minako-chan doesn't know won't kill her!"

"Minako's not my girlfriend!" I said.

"Ah…" Quan's mom said, "Who is this Minako-chan I also keep hearing about?"

"No one special!" Quan said.

"Quan's crush!" Pinky said dejectedly.

"Oh, too bad for ol' Pinky eh?" Quan's mom said, "She always did have a soft spot for my Quan."

"Mom!" Quan complained.

"Auntie!" Pinky complained.

"I swear these two have been friends since they were young!" Quan's mom said.

Pinky noticed my gashed arm.

"Oh, my!" she said, "Minato-kun! You're hurt!" she said, as if she were about to cry.

"Here, let me help." Quan said, taking a first-aid kit.

As I was getting a patch up, Quan's mom asked what had happened.

I related my story to them.

"Damn the Cato…" Quan muttered.

"Language!" his mother chided.

"Sorry, mum." Quan said.

"Cato's such a stupid head." Pinky said as she used a black wristband to hide the wound.

"Language!" Quan's mother chided.

"Sorry, Auntie."

"I'm glad we left the group, eh, Pink?" Quan said.

"Right-o."

"We'd better call Toriumi-sensei." Quan said as he dialed the number and put it on loudspeaker.

"Where are you?!" Ms. Toriumi said.

"Nice to see you too, Ms. Toriumi." Quan muttered.

"What was that?"

"I said hello, anyways, Pinky and I are on the way to the Meet."

"Where are you guys? Minako's been staring into space for the last few hours!" Ms. Toriumi said.

"What's the situation?" Pinky asked.

"Minako's got only up to five minutes to come up with a partner to go against the pair team of Yamano Takeharu and Yuna Sagiri, if she doesn't, she's DQ'ed in thirty seconds."

"Not to worry, we'll be there quickly." Quan said.

"You'd better! It's 9:55! And Kenji and Rio are almost done!" Ms. Toriumi said, "Minako's on!"

"Tell her Minato's on his way!"

"I can't! She's already at the court!" she said frantically.

"We're on our way." Quan said.

Then, on cue, the car broke down.

"Oh man…" Quan said.

"Don't worry, Quan, we can fix this!" Pinky said.

"Minato-kun, you'd better go on ahead…" Quan said, "Go to her!"

"What about you guys?" I said.

"We'll be there." Quan said, "It's only a few blocks away! Hurry!"

I nodded and ran.

Minako A. POV

I changed into my attire and went in.

Ms. Toriumi stopped me.

"I can't let you in there without a partner."

I shook my head.

"Minato's my only partner."

An official came over, "Your five minutes is up. If you don't find any partner at all, the match will be forfeited in thirty seconds."

"At least take Takeshi!" she points to the scrawny kid in the bench.

"Thanks, but I'd rather lose… I think… Minato will come." I said.

Ms. Toriumi shook her head, "We're done, finished! It's over. Damn it! Just like that!"

"Ms. Toriumi!" I said, "He'll be here." I reassured her and went in.

Players to the court, the announcer said, thirty seconds till disqualification.

As I walked alone, I thought to myself, Minato… please… I really do hope you come…

Minato A. POV

Meanwhile…

I weaved through traffic and people but I managed to get inside the Meet.

Everyone greeted me.

"Minato!"

"Minato?"

"Hey! Minato!"

"Yo bro!"

But I had no time to talk, until I saw Yuko.

"Yuko-chan! Where's Minako?" I said.

"Inside! But quick! She only has forty minutes left!"

I nodded and went in.

I was on the highest bleacher.

"Minako!" I yelled, "Hey! Minako! Minako!"

Everyone, including Minako, looked at me.

"Minato!" the smile on her face made up for all my trouble.

"I-I made it!" I shouted.

"I know!" she shouted.

"I didn't even get any free peanuts!" I shouted, "Well, I may have snatched some from a flight stewardess, but that's beside the point! It felt somewhat shameful!"

"Okay, fine, discuss that later! You have to be here now or else we're getting disqualified!"

Twenty seconds till disqualification

"Alright, fine!" I said and right then and there, I took off my clothes.

Literally.

As I took off my underwear, I saw from a yen piece behind me.

"Ohh! A yen coin!" I said and bent over to take it.

There was a collective gasp and hoots.

"Well, there you go, folks! A free show!" the announcer said.

I wore my stuff in a fast pace, like I did every time Mitsuru would turn the alarm on in the middle of the night.

"Wow! I feel good!" I said.

Then, another problem…

How was I gonna get down?

I decided to wing it.

I grabbed a metal tray and used it to skateboard like Legolas did in the second LoTR movie and surprisingly, it worked well.

I ended it with a snap and broke the judges table in half as I fell.

"Oh!" everyone shouted.

"That was AWSOME!" Kenji yelled.

"Dramatic entrance for entry number 2!" the announcer said.

"I'm all right… I'm okay…" I groaned as I took my racket.

I ran to Minako's side.

"I knew you'd come." She said, with her eyes sparkling.

"Told you so."

"Let's play."

Since I trained diligently with Minako, my body was light as a feather and I moved with grace and power, like a tornado.

Minako was not slow either.

She made explosive saves and finishes, like she was a volcano.

When I look at it, we were both like a volcano meeting a tornado.

We easily reached 21 points and won the tournament with ease.

Later, the results were out…

Kenji, Rio, Quan and Pinky received silver medals while Minako and I received gold medals.

"Oh my God, we won!" Ms. Toriumi squealed.

"Really?" Minako said, "That's great!"

"Party at my house!" I shouted.

I called Leah and told her to get a party going.

I gave the ok as everyone lifted me and Minako in the air and marched straight to my house for one wild night.