A/N: I know I say this every time but I'm so sorry about the wait! I've been panicking about the assessments and assignments and homework that I've been diligently procrastinating the whole term. Please accept my sincerest apologies. You'll be glad to know that I've nearly finished the next and final chapter and it should (note the word should) be up before the start of April.

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A Fight to the Death, Minus the Death

8

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Sakuno wasn't exactly having the best date in her life (even though it was the first date in her life, it could have been better). Echizen had disappeared behind a pot plant, leaving her to twiddle her thumbs, redo her paits and play Mr Salt and Mrs Pepper.

How are you Mr Salt?

Fine, thank you. And how are you Mrs Pepper?

I'm fine too Mr Salt.

That's great Mrs Pepper!

Let's get married Mr Salt!

What a wonderful idea Mrs Pepper!

What should we call our child Mr Salt?

Let's call him Alfred Mrs Pepper.

What a wonderful idea Mrs Pepper!

I don't like you anymore Mr Salt.

I don't like you anymore either Mrs Pepper.

Mr Salt and Mrs Pepper throw salt and pepper at each other

I'm sorry Mr Salt.

I'm sorry too Mrs Pepper.

I love you Mr Salt.

I love you Mrs Pepper.

Sakuno sighed. She looked for all the world like someone that had been stood up by her date or, in her case, abandoned. Tomo-chan will never let me live this down. Sakuno imagined her friends reaction when they arrived back at school.

Commencing Ryuuzaki Sakuno's inner mind theatre in 3…2…1…

"Nani?! You let Ryoma-sama get away?! How could you?! You should have worn some perfume! Jewellery! A shorter skirt! That love potion I bought from the weird lady down the street! SA-KU-NO!!!

Sakuno sighed again.

"Hey pretty, what are you gettin' all depressed for?"

Sakuno looked up and found herself staring at a tall high-schooler with spiky purple hair accompanied by two other students. Or, to be more exact, she was staring up his nose. Sakuno quickly looked down.

"Hey, I asked you a question. What's with the long face?"

"N…nandemonai (nothing)", stuttered Sakuno.

"Then let's go." He grabbed Sakuno's arm and pulled her to her feet. "I know a good place."

"P…please let go of my arm."

"Don't be stupid, come on."

"I don't think she wants to hang out with a bunch of losers," said Echizen loudly. "So back off."

The trio turned to face Echizen who appeared to have returned from his 'pot plant journey.'

"Nani?! What did you say?!" they scowled menacingly.

"I said, back off. Or doesn't that tiny brain of yours understand Japanese?"

Back at the table, Kikumaru was doing a running commentary.

"Cute, obnoxious and socially retarded ochibi, Echizen Ryoma, has just challenged a trio of high school students. So far he was managed to foil the bullies' evil plans as well as injured their pride, but how long will that winning streak last? It's a great never-to-be-forgotten-unless-we-forget battle between love rivals!"

"I'm excited!" exclaimed Momoshiro. "Young love is truly beautiful!"

"What part of a freshman taking on a group of high school students is beautiful? Idiot."

"You got a problem Mamushi?"

"Yeah, with you and your stupid young love kerfuffle!"

"Me and my young love kerfuffle?! Don't think I didn't see that Princess Diaries book in your bag!"

"NANI?! Shut up you blithering old hag!"

Who are you calling an old hag you old hag?!"

"Why don't we all assume that you're both old hags so we can peacefully enjoy the show?" suggested Fuji.

Kikumaru started to chant.

"Momo and Kaidoh sitting in a chair, growing old and losing hair."

"NANI?!" shouted both Momoshiro and Kaidoh. They both gave their senpai a death stare. Kikumaru gulped and quickly hid behind Oishi. "Ah, gomen gomen! It won't ever happen a-"

"At last!" interrupted Inui, "The fight has finally developed into physical confrontation."

The team turned around to find Echizen pinned against the wall by the guy with purple hair.

"You wanna have a go at me shorty?"

Echizen shrugged.

"Why not? Ike (go)! Twist punch!" Echizen shot a punch at the guy's stomach before pulling it up and connecting it with the guy's face. The high schooler lost his grip on the freshman regular.

"Drive P!" Echizen swung a half revolution kick at the high schooler's side.

"Split step landing!" shouted Echizen as he jumped and slammed his feet on the feet of the other two high schoolers.

"Nitouryuu!" Echizen punched the two high schoolers in the face, causing both of them to fall to the floor. The trio quickly scrambled up and ran out into the street faster than you could say 'ran out into the street.'

"Yay! You did it ochibi!"

"Congratulations Echizen!"

"Great shots!"

"The fight appears to have lasted for 218.4 seconds."

"It's a shame it didn't last longer."

"Don't look so disappointed Fuji."

Ignoring his senpais, Echizen turned to Ssakuno.

"Are you alright Ryuuzaki?"

Sakuno looked shyly at her date. "Ryoma-kun…ano…just then…that fight…did you do it…for me?" Sakuno quickly looked away, embarrassed.

"Well of course it was for you. Your grandma would have killed me if anything happened to you."

All hope of a romantic end to their date quickly went down the drain. I should have guessed as much, thought Sakuno bitterly.

"Wrong answer ochibi!" Kikumaru gave Echizen a disapproving glare and bonked him on the head.

"Idiot."

"Go see a doctor."

"Perhaps Echizen's past will shed light on this monstrous dip in IQ."

"What in world are you all talking about?!" shouted Echizen in frustration.

"You're kidding."

"You honestly don't know?"

"My god, for a supposed tennis prodigy you sure are thick."

"Not as thick as Mamushi though."

"NANI?! You got a problem octopus face?!"

"What did you call me bandana bunny?!"

"Are you even listening to me?!" Echizen's voice towered over the argument. "What the hell are you guys insulting me for?!"

"Well, ochibi," said Kikumaru with a grin on his face. "Instead of mentioning Sakuno grandma during your first date, you should have done this!" Kikumaru shoved a surprised Echizen towards a surprised Sakuno and they both became even more surprised when their lips connected. Sakuno's eyes widened before closing as she melted under her date's kiss. Slowly, Echizen's arms wrapped around Sakuno's waist as he pulled her closer towards him…