Hey everybody!
Big thanks to Vampirelle, klagana1, xXMewzikLuverXx, and Daphne-Angel- for the reviews! Your criticism alters my story greatly, and I appreciate your opinions!
Disclaimer: I do not own Loveless, it belongs to Kouga Yun.
Ch. 4: The Exam Begins!
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"All students participating in the ranking advancement exam report to the north corridor on the second story." A voice came on over a P.A. system that was linked throughout the academy.
It was after this announcement that Ritsuka's nervousness came to a full fruition. He began shaking slightly, and his breath becoming slowly shallower.
Soubi, seeing his sacrifice having a panic attack on their bed, walking over and began to comfort him, "Shhhh…Ritsuka, it's alright. I'm here. I will always protect you", the fighter whispered as he embraced the boy.
The two stayed in this position for several minutes, until the neko's breathing calmed down.
"Ritsuka, if we are going to take the exams, we need to be going." The fighter stated.
"O…kay." The other replied nervously.
Soubi then grasped Ritsuka's hand, and lightly tugged him out of their room and through the halls of the school, knowing Ritsuka's nerves would only get worse as the time before the test narrowed down.
Finally, the two approached a large blob of people in front of the north corridor, the door seeming to be blocked by a group of higher ups. Ritsuka had no idea whom they were, but he felt Soubi give off a slight shiver upon seeing them, so the sacrifice assumed they were no good.
"Ritsuka!" The boy turned to find who might of called, but as he did, was harshly tackled to the ground by the terrifying twosome that is Zero.
"Ow…" the Loveless sacrifice groaned, then realizing what happened, became very angered, "What was that for? Get off me!" Ritsuka shouted, gaining the attention of some of the other teams participating.
"We're just greeting you." Youji said innocently as the two continued to glomp the defenseless kid.
Soubi simply smiled from his sacrifices behavior, the blonde adult was originally concerned Ritsuka would continue to overly stress himself over the exams, but the Zeros seemed to provide an adequate distraction. 'It appears there is something they're useful for after all' the fighter thought.
Interrupting the Zeros attack on Ritsuka, was the opening of the north corridor door. One single figure walked out in front of the participants, looked about until his view was cast upon Soubi, and smiled a crooked and devious grin.
"Welcome" Ritsu stated calmly, though what he stated next was voiced in a cold manner, "Those of you who have come today, I hope you have prepared yourselves. This test has driven many to the break of insanity, others have been killed, if you are not willing to accept the possible consequences, leave now."
Everyone in the hallway was silent and intent, but no one made a move to leave. The Zeros and Ritsuka lifted themselves off the floor and listened to Ritsu continue.
"Very well then. There are three portions of this test, each different so that all qualities of a prestige must be displayed. For the first part of this exam, the sacrifices will be in a separate area than their fight…"
"What, how are we supposed to take the test without our fighters?!" one participant outraged.
Ritsu ignored the comment and continued on,"Down this corridor are two levels, the sacrifices will be taken to level two, and the fighters will remain on this floor. If you have a concern with being separated from your fighter temporarily," Ritsu continued to explain, now addressing the concern previously mentioned, "then I suggest you leave now." Ritsu glared at the boy who had made the outburst.
"Since there is nothing else that I need to address, the test may begin." Ritsu expressed a smile that sent chills down everyone's spines, "Oh, and I do hope for the school's population's sake, not all of you die."
With that Ritsu walked off, and the higher –ups began dividing the fighters into a group, and the sacrifices into a group.
"Soubi, I don't want to be separated from you." Ritsuka pleaded.
"I know, but it won't be for long. Do your best, you've studied hard. I will see you soon," and with that, the blue eyed adult placed his lips to Ritsuka's and disappeared through the hallway.
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Ritsuka had been herded to the second floor with the rest of the sacrifices, placed into a random room, and given a paper with a seating placement. 'Seat number 9, just lovely.' (9 is considered unlucky in Japan because it has the same pronunciation off pain, agony, torture, etc.)Ritsuka thought as he stared at the piece of paper that told him where he would sit.
Ritsuka placed himself into his seat, and watched as the rest of the sacrifices were processed to. Youji, was given seat number 33 and was seat quite a ways away. Suddenly, the seat next to him moved, and he turned to see who it was, assuming he wouldn't know regardless.
To Ritsuka's surprise, Midori sat next to him, in seat number 8(lucky him).
"Hey Loveless." The Breathless sacrifice greeted him kindly.
"Uh, hi…" Ritsuka responded, his nerves were getting the best of him again without Soubi's presence.
"Hehe, you should calm down, if you stress out to much you may do worse." Midori stated as he watched the other boy tremble.
Ritsuka glared, "Why do you care, aren't I your competition."
"I suppose, but it never hurts to have allies as well. You don't have to be everyone's enemy."
Ritsuka was surprised at the wisdom Midori held in his words, and nodded in agreement.
As Ritsuka was about to ask how Midori felt about the exam, a very bulky man plodded into the room.
He continued walking till he was at center stage, his presence gaining the attention of all.
"My name is Ryota Takeo. (Ryota means stout and strong, Takeo means violent/warrior man. Just so you get the gist of what he's like.) I will be the prompter for the sacrifices' first portion of the exam, which makes me the law. I am going to explain to all of you what the first exam will entail, and I will not accept any questions."
The students were silent, half in shock, the other half in fear of what the man might do if they did so much as ask a question.
"The first portion of the test will be an exam. Ten questions, you start off with ten points, and will then receive marks down for each one you get wrong. If either you or your fighter scores a zero on this exam, even though the tests were taken separately, your group will fail. If you are caught cheating by anyone of the others, you will be docked two points from your total. You have l hour to complete it" The higher –up all smirked and took their locations around the room, checking for any forms of cheating, "Now then, if there aren't any questions?" he paused, as if asking for someone to raise their hand. When none came, he smirked and continued, "Let part one of the exams begin."
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Soubi had been given the same set up as Ritsuka, he received a seat number, placed himself in it, and waited for the prompter to arrive.
"Don't you look excited?" Natsuo sneered as he sat next to the adult.
The fighter turned away from the annoyance, and focused on the view outside. He drifted off into a reverie, and his thoughts centered around his concern for Ritsuka. He continued to daydream until the prompter walked in to explain the rules.
"The first portion of the test will be an exam. Ten questions, you start off with ten points, and will then receive marks down for each one you get wrong. If either you or your sacrifice scores a zero on this exam, even though the tests were taken separately, your group will fail. If you are caught cheating by anyone of the others, you will be docked two points from your total. You have one hour to complete the test. Does everyone understand?"
The prompter looked around the room, peering into each face, "Alright then, let the exams begin."
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Sorry, Sorry, Sorry. I know I said the actual test would begin, but I needed to stop the chapter here or I wouldn't be able to stop for a very, very long time, and it would take too long to put up.
Also, I know that, if you are a Naruto fan, this test sounds a little (a lot) similar to the Chunin exams, but I promise you, it isn't going to be. There may be similarities, but I planned a completely different plot for it.
Please review, I love hearing what you think, and if you have a certain direction you want the story to go, or suggestions for the future chapters, let me know.
One last thing, I have posted a poll on my profile regarding whether you would like Ritsuka and Soubi to pass or fail the exam. It will be open for quite some time, but I hope that you will all take the opportunity to vote.
Thanks so much to all of you guys!