Author's note – I always seem to get in a funk when I finish an arc. Oh well, this is the last arc any way's. It's just that this arc is about as long, if not longer, than all 6 previous chapters combined. And also, since only 30 or so of you have stuck it out so far, I'd like some positive reinforcement that my story isn't a gigantic waste of time for you all. (lol)
Tikigod784 – Yeah, new reviewer! And trust me, there's going to be TONS of action. How well written it will be is not guaranteed.
Tzuiassassian – That idea of yours is really good; maybe when I've finished I'll edit it in as a different ending to the chapter.
Daughter of ether – Yup, it was a headache for him the next day. And exams are over, finally, so I'll be able to update pretty regularly 'til July 16th or so.
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Lee had to admit, taking the plunge pays off in spades if it works. The last few months had been some of the best of his life. He was on cloud ten since the moment Zazie agreed to go out with him, and it never really wore off.
They had used almost every excuse in the book to get out together. They had gone to the movies, to amusement parks, to café's, and on one memorable occasion, a karaoke bar.
Shoulda remembered that I can't sing. I was surprised at Zazie, though. Her voice was so soft, but it was really nice-sounding too.
Basically, life was good. Actually it was freaking awesome.
At least, until about a week ago.
Right around then, Zazie seemed to all of a sudden go back into her shell of indifference. They still went out together, but she wasn't as lively as she usually was around him. He was sure he hadn't offended her, so he just couldn't make sense of it.
I wish I knew what was wrong, so I could comfort her, but she won't tell me… sigh women.
Zazie's POV, one week earlier
Negi walked before the class and beamed.
"Class, I am glad to announce that the famed Mahora school festival is only one week away!" Cheers erupted around the room, even from Lee, who barely even knew what was going on. Zazie however, all of a sudden felt her insides go cold.
Strange… I usually look forward to the festival. It's the only time the Nightmare Circus gets to perform. Why do I feel so sad, though?
As a result, over the past week she had been somewhat… cold, to Lee. She couldn't help it. The closer they got to the festival, the more she felt like hiding in her room with her kitten.
Oblivious to the way she was making Lee feel, she retreated back into her protective, indifferent shell.
Mana also worried about her during this time, and told Lee as much. Together, they made plans for the second day to cheer Zazie up. But that is a story for later on.
And then the day came.
Lee's POV
"Yes!!! Finally, the festival!" Asuna was yelling, whooping and screaming to anyone in a five-mile radius.
"Geez, calm down, Asuna." Lee covered his ears with one hand. The other arm was currently in a death grip, courtesy of Zazie, who was shivering more than Lee had ever seen.
All of a sudden, Koutaro ran past, yelling, "Hey, Negi, hurry up! The martial arts tournament registration is open, and the prelims are in an hour!" Negi yelped and ran after him.
"An hour!?!?"
"Yep, they're trying to pack the entire tournament except for the finals into one day!"
Lee perked up. "Hey, a tournament! Maybe I should give it a try… what do you think, Zazie? I'll only enter if you agree to cheer for me!"
Managing a small smile, Zazie nodded slightly. "Sure, I'll cheer for you."
Emboldened by her comment, he said, "Come on, then!" and proceeded to drag her over to where the tournament was being held.
Quickly entering his name, he looked to Zazie for encouragement. Summoning deep reserves of strength within her, Zazie smiled again, and replied cheerily, "I'm sure you'll do great."
Lee smiled wide enough to nearly take in his ears, and put an arm around her shoulders. Zazie felt really guilty, for a second, for her inability to be really happy, but she couldn't shake the cold felling out of her chest.
One hour later, they went back to the tournament grounds. An announcer in an impeccable suit walked onto stage with a microphone in his hand.
"Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Mahora martial arts tournament!"
And there was much cheering.
"Alright, you know the drill! There will be 16 prelims free-for-alls, and the last one standing in each make it into the tournament!"
And there was more cheering.
"If the contestants would please note in which prelims battle they are placed from this chart behind me, and then proceed to your respective areas. The melee will begin in ten minutes."
Lee scanned the board. "Ring 5, huh. Whelp, looks like it's almost time. Better get going."
"Wait!" Zazie grabbed his arm. He turned to regard her, confused.
"Good luck. And be careful." Smiling, Lee pulled her into his arms for a hug, and then kissed her forehead and ran off.
Zazie went to go over to the stands to watch.
Lee's POV
Lee found himself standing in the middle of a ring filled with huge, burly guys, small, quick guys… and him.
Huh. Didn't know this was gonna be so big.
The announcer walked on stage and held up his hand.
"Ready… GO!"
Chaos ensued.
Rather than expend his energy needlessly, Lee just dodged around the fights breaking out all around him. (Oh, he's wearing White tennis shoes, blue jeans, a white T-shirt and a white short sleeved collared shirt unbuttoned over it. I don't know why that's important, but oh well.)
While dodging the stray punch here and there, he observed his opponents.
Huh. There are a lot of them, but… not too much skill. We'll see who rises out of that lot, and then I'll deal with him.
Soon enough, there was only him and one other; a big, bear of a man with arms the size of Lee's waist. Seeing only one opponent between him and entry into the tournament, he roared and charged.
Lee smirked.
Zazie's POV
She was more than a little confused at why Lee wasn't fighting like the rest, until it occurred to her that he might be waiting until there were less people to fight.
That's smart of him. I wonder what he'll do when he does have to fight, though.
She got her answer.
When the side-brawls were over, the only one left besides Lee was a gigantic man in a black vest. He spotted Lee and charged with a deep roar ripping from his throat.
Zazie covered her eyes in horror.
He'll be crushed to a pulp! Lee you idiot, why'd you have to do this? And why did I let him?
She peeked out from in between her fingers, though.
Just in time to see the explosion of movement that followed.
Right when the man was upon him, Lee burst into action. Jumping into a handstand, he twisted his waist and kicked the guy across the face with his lead foot, slowing his charge.
Then, using his momentum and the fast motion of his hands, he pulled a complete circle while still hand standing and swung low, kicking out and taking out the man's legs.
Since he had kicked out, though, the man was falling forward, Lee took full advantage of the opening, and swung up to complete another full rotation before pushing off the ground and twisting in midair to land a double kick right on the big man's torso.
The force of that kick sent the man off the edge of the ring, from whence he did not rise again, making Lee the winner.
The entire sequence, from starting movement to finishing contact, took less than a second and a half.
Wow.
Even the announcer was shocked. Clamping his jaw shut, he stammered, "L-lee is the winner!"
Smirking, Lee walked out of the arena.
Zazie ran over to him. "Lee, that was amazing!"
Lee smiled. "Thanks."
Together, they walked over to where the match-ups were announced. Lee scanned the bracket.
"Hmmm… I'm up against Ku Fei next. Looks like I might have to take it up a notch."
"You mean that wasn't your best."
"Nope, far from it. I expect you'll see what I mean. For now, lets just go get some food, 'k?"
Zazie giggled. "Sure."
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Note – I will only be writing Lee's matches, sorry. And also, no, they haven't REALLKY kissed, like on the lips, yet. And I realize that Zazie was acting happier at the end, but she was just amazed by Lee.
Ja ne