*BANG BANG*

« Again ! » I yelled furiously. I was back in the arena, training Ichika like I did before his match with Cecilia. It already seems an eternity ago but it's really like what, a week and a half? My marksmanship has improved quite a lot since then though, which Ichika can testify. I decided to take things seriously since he already had his first official match… okay, I admit I'm being harsher because he beat my girlfriend, so what? It's not like he'll find out.

"He beat Cecilia, not you." Huffed Houki. She came along to see Ichika fight or to make sure I don't 'accidentally' give him a serious injury, since Chi-chan decided to let us fight Friday for the position of Class President.

"And your point is?" I asked bored.

"You shouldn't take it personally." Houki started to lecture me.

"Why not? If someone beat your boyfriend, you'd be trying to get revenge as well." I stated while shooting burst at Ichika. This will be over in 10 seconds.

" Will not." Houki said in a 'Continue to argue and I will kill you' tone.

"Fine, I'll let it drop." I sighed. I heard Houki laughing under her breath. And in 3, 2, 1.

*BANG*

Ichika got hit in the back by Cecilia. And flies over the 50 yard line, the 40, the 30 and…

*CRASH*

It's a touchdown! Snipers 6, Melee 0!

"That's unfair! You never told me that Cecilia would help!" Ichika yelled frustrated. I sighed in annoyance. Do I have to explain the purpose of the training to him?

"Sometimes you have to yes." Houki said in a rueful tone. Don't worry, we'll get there eventually and we'll live happily ever after.

"This isn't a fairy tale."

You're right, this is a test of the Almighty Lord himself! Also, please stop reading my mind.

"I will for now." Ichika and Cecilia looked confused at hearing our (slightly one-sided) conversation.

"Ichika, do you know why I asked Cecilia to wait for an opening where she could snipe you perfectly?" I asked him seriously.

"Because you're an ass and wanted to give Cecilia a chance to get even with me after her defeat?" he deadpanned me with an annoyed look.

"Okay one, I'm rubbing way too much off on you judging by your recent acquired attitude and two that was partially my intention. What's my fighting style?" I asked him annoyed.

"You use every advantage you can get, sneak up on your enemy by using dirty tricks and…" He stopped in the middle of his sentence when he realized the purpose of this training.

"Mind sharing your epiphany with us?" I said with a grin.

"You let her wait for an opening because you would do the same and I learn this way how to counter your backstabbing by fighting you and evading Cecilia's line of fire the same time. You're actually teaching me to keep my guard up at all times." He said surprised.

"That and that rules are more like guidelines." I said while shrugging. No seriously, they key to becoming successful is knowing which rules can be ignored or bended towards your liking. Yes, I'm serious. Anyway, it seem like Ichika forgot that we were still training. *sigh* he didn't learn anything at all. I shot him in the head. Well not really in his head thanks to the AB.

"Who said that training was over?" I asked him with a forced smile. Oh, and I let my killer intent rampage. Don't look at me like that, this time it's punishment for him slacking off and not being able to train by himself.

"Maybe you went a little overboard." Cecilia said worried. Ichika lied on the ground, panting heavily and barely able to move. The sweat was flowing free like a river during a storm and he nearly fell asleep.

"… okay maybe I was a little harsher than usual. Houki, please stop glaring like that, but you've got to admit that he's also out of shape since you weren't as strict as me." And that you were fighting among yourselves the whole time. I've got my intel network here, I know what you guys did. By the way, thanks for hacking into the security systems G, that's really useful.

"No problem, that was easy. But those encrypted files from the raid on the other hand, they make the security from the Pentagon look like a friggin password on an MMORPG! Where the bloody fuck did these guys get their encryptions?" G started throwing a tantrum in my head… She knows the security, firewalls and encryptions of the most secured network on this whole damn planet?

"And I can hack them in 14 hours, 38 minutes and 43 seconds thanks to the advanced technology of the IS Core."

You're telling me that every IS Core can do this?

"Nope, Thanks to my self-awareness and streaks of boredom I specialized myself in hacking."

…

We are so fucking doomed if the IS Cores ever decide to revolt. But everybody is looking because I've dozed off and someone called my name. Skynet is nothing compared to them.

"Sorry, what was it?" I asked confused.

"Were you talking to G again?" Houki asked me.

"Yep. Anyway, I'm gonna take Ichika back to his room, it seems like he won't be able to walk by himself." I said while slinging Ichika's arm over my shoulders and dragging him out of the Arena. Come on you lazy bastard, at least try to walk yourself. Actually, I could the exercise. As I carried/dragged Ichika along, who fell unconscious from sheer exhaustion, I saw the girl from this morning coming towards us with a pissed off look.

"Hey, sorry about what I said. I'm more of night person so don't mind me if I'm in a bad mood during the morning. " I apologized with a friendly face. She kept glaring at me for a few seconds before she shrugged.

"whatever. By the way, what was up with that harsh training you gave him? It was almost gruesome to watch." She said a bit too excited.

"You enjoyed it didn't you?" I stated in a matter of fact tone.

" Yep, the dense idiot deserved it." she said with a smile. I started laughing because of her response.

"Guess I'm not the only one who thinks like that." I said with a smile.

"I know! He was like that through Middle School." Rin exclaimed angrily. Wait, Middle School…

"Lemme guess, you also like him." I said in a tired voice. Rin looked like she could die of embarrassment. She wanted to attack me, but then saw the unconscious Ichika that I carried and held herself back.

"Not a word about this against Ichika." Rin threatened me.

"I solemnly swear on the grave of my deceased innocent youth that I won' tell him a thing." I vowed her. Why should I tell him, it's way more fun to watch if he doesn't know.

"Good. Well then, I was gonna tell Ichika something but I guess that can wait." Rin said quite cheery.

"Is it something that will piss Houki off?" I asked her anticipated.

"Who?"

"Way too strict samurai girl."

"Oh her… I really hope so. Why do you even ask?"

"So that I know if I should tape it or not."

"Please do! Well then see you later Haruka!" She yelled to me.

"I still didn't get your name!" I shouted. I can find it out in 30 seconds flat, but a little socializing can't do much harm.

"I'm Rin!" she yelled before disappearing behind the corner. I sighed. Things were going to get a lot more exciting from now on. Just what I needed. But first, I need to wake Ichika up. I wonder how cold those showers can go…

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Seems like they can get quite chilly.

Blood. Blood everywhere corpses piled upon one another and fire raged everywhere across the ancient ruins. In the middle off it was a pool with the statue of a girl crying and with her hands under her eyes. Blood came out of the sockets and it streamed into a knee-deep pond and filled to the brim with blood. In the middle of it stood a person with long, waiving blond hair with a green and red eye, both filled with sheer madness and bloodlust.

"Come on in Haruka. But please wash your hands first in this pool, merely hygienic etiquette you see. But after that the fun can begin." The person said with a wicked grin before it started snickering.

"Oh wait, you're already completely emerged in it, my bad! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA! WELCOME TO THE MADNESS, TOO BAD WE DON'T HAVE A HATTER!"

I jolted up, panting heavily. After a minute or so I calmed down and made sure I haven't accidentally woken Cecilia up. She was still sound asleep. I slipped out of bed and changed into my more comfortable clothes. *sigh* It's already Friday. This week just flew by and I already have to fight Ichika this afternoon. Not really looking forward to it. Especially since he's still breaking his head over that promise he made with Rin and his fight with her. Seriously, he only needs a rich ojou-sama, a damsel in distress and a forceful, naïve girl who knows nothing of the world to have a full harem… Not my business, let's go to the gym for the punching bags. I mean it's not like it's gonna happen, right?

By the way Universe, please don't prove me wrong on this one.

18/04/20XX, 16.34 Arena 1

"Are you sure it's gonna be alright to fight already?" Miyuki asked me worried. We already stood on the launching platform on my side and the fight was about to start.

"That's what we'll find out in a minute." I replied while shrugging. Except for the fucked up dreams I've been having, I'm practically back to my old self, to the annoyance of a few people. If I hit him correctly, Dad should still have a few problems breathing. Still, I REGRET NOTHING! I walked towards the opening from which I should leave.

"Haruka!" Cecilia called out to me. I turned around to answer her.

"Yes darling?" I asked her with a smile. She put her arms around me and kissed me passionately. After around 30 seconds (way too short in my opinion) we parted and we looked in each other's eyes.

"Come back safely and win this, okay?" she asked me scared. I flashed her my already infamous grin.

"Don't worry, I'll win this and afterwards we can have a little victory party." I told her with a wink. She giggled and look reassured. Thank you natural charms I'm now pretty sure I have.

"Hey Casanova, you still need to fight." Miyuki yelled to me with a grin. I kissed Cecilia on her forehead before I took off and entered the arena under loud cheering. I floated toward Ichika while waving to the cheering crowd. I could get used to this.

"You feeling well to do this?" Ichika asked me worried. Now that insult clearly calls for a response.

"Bitch please, I kicked your ass during our practice, so you better worry about yourself." I told him while flipping him off.

"Seems like you're alright." Ichika responded drily.

"Glad that you realize that. Now, do you want to make a few rules or not?" I asked him.

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, I have seven different things I can efficiently use in a battle and you only have your little second handed toy sword."

"We'll see about that when I shove that toy sword up your ass. I still have to pay you back for that ice torture." Ichika said with a challenging smile. I smiled at his response.

"Well well well, I might make a real man out of you yet." I said while chuckling. Ichika grinned and materialized his sword (I think it's called the Yukihira Type 2 or something like that). I materialized Longinus (My spear) and waited until one of us started moving… never mind, Imagination just gave me a wonderful idea. I charged towards Ichika. He stood in a defensive position, but looked surprised when I flew over him and in random patterns. But he got it when he inhaled some smoke and saw the white trail I left everywhere, creating a giant smoke screen. I flew right in it and then started to quickly devise a plan that would hopefully work…

(Ichika POV)

"Dammit, where is he?" I muttered. I hoped that I would at least attack him before he schemed something, but I was too late. I knew I should have attacked immediately!

"Calm down, idiot! You're falling for his trap!" Chifuyu-nee yelled from a private line. Nobody has noticed, but she's nicer towards Haruka for some reason. But I'll leave it at that for now, I have a match I need to win. Maybe afterwards I can talk to him about my problem…

*BANG BANG*

Crap, he started with his BITs! That means he's gonna to make a surprise attack from that smoke screen. I better get up.

(Haruka POV)

I saw Ichika dodging the cross fire from the BITs and kept going higher in the sky. Idiot, you're way too focused on the cloud, it was just a distraction. I let the BITs there on standby and moved to the other side of the arena with the Stealth System. It was already unstable and fluctuating at 40 mph but because he only watched the smoke screen I got away safely. Really, Chi-chan even called my bluff on an open line in the hope that I would response. Nice try, but it didn't work. But his idea of getting higher isn't that bad actually. But now that I'm at the other side of the Arena and he's distracted I can stab my spear into the ground, grab my rifle, calmly aim and- fuck, he's coming this way! Chi-chan must've switched to a private line. I threw away my rifle and pulled my spear out of the ground and charged as well. Our blades clashed and we were locked in a power struggle.

"So, what did you think about my little plan?" I asked him with a smile. Yes I know that we're fighting, but who cares? We're still friends.

"It was nicely done. Chifuyu-nee had to warn me that you were already behind me." He said with a grin.

"Seriously? Oi Chi-chan, Ichika has to learn to fend for himself and you're not exactly helping him!" I yelled in the open comm link.

"Shut up and fight you idiots!" yelled Chi-chan.

"You know, I find that calm, soothing, motherly voice of your sister really charming." I said drily. Ichika grinned before we both jumped backwards and stood in our stances. Ichika stood in his traditional kendo stance, while I bent my knees and held my spear behind me. Ichika was the first to charge with a pierce. I slid to the right and swung my spear in a wide arc. He parried it and I spun around, trying to stab him in the back, but he sidestepped it and cleaved through the shaft. Fuck, that shaft was made from the same material as an IS its armor! I really need to be careful with his toy sword. I threw the blade to his face and charged towards him with my Phantom Blades. He ducked under the blade and flew backwards, trying to get some distance between us.

"There's energy building up in his wings… HE'S GONNA TRY IGNITION BOOST!" Superstes informed me panicked. Relax, build up the power in only one of the wings at 30% and prepare an adrenalin boost as well. Turns out I can partially control the amount of pheromones and hormones in my blood as long as they don't reach toxic or dangerous levels. Thanks IS Core for medical perks!

"But you'd only be able to!... I see, very well Haru-dono."

Thanks, and now we play the waiting game. By the way conversations like this during a battle take like 0.05 seconds to finish. Way more efficient. Thanks voices in my- "NOW!" – I released the adrenalin boost into my blood stream. Combine that with the Hyper Sensors on an IS and you have a world in Hollywood slow motion speed. I unconsciously used this trick against Cecilia and that pilot with the rabid dog face, but I've mastered it to a certain degree. Time slowed down as Ichika charged to me with his sword in an piercing stance.

Relax

Wait…

Empty your mind

He's getting closer…

Keep your eyes on the target and-

NOW! I discharged the energy in my wing, which made me jump over Ichika with an axis. When I was over him I fired a Launch Cable and wrapped it around his leg. And if I now use my horrible physics skills in real life I should be able to use the momentum of my spin to create kinetic energy that will send Ichika in a wide arc which will in return make him eat dirt.

*CRASH*

Wow, it actually worked! Never knew that physics could be applied in real life. By the way seeing Ichika scream in slow motion is awesome! Too bad the adrenalin boost is wearing off already. Ichika got up with his shiny armor covered in dirt. He looked annoyed when I did the 'come at me bro' gesture. The awesome one with only one hand. Ichika charged towards me with is supposed to be a battle cry, but it was a bit too high to be intimidating. He started a furious series of jabs and swings, but I dodged and parried in a dance like fashion.

"Now don't tell me that's the best you can do." I taunted him with a grin. This made him even more pissed off and his attacks grew even more relentlessly… and very sloppy.

"Focus Ichika, you're letting your emotions getting the better of you." I scolded him. But alas, as is always the case in a bout of rage, he did not heed my fair warning… Where the fuck did that come from? But still, he has a lot of openings in his stance. Idiot. *sigh* let's counterattack then. I sidestepped a downward slash and high kicked him in the face. He stumbled backwards and barely recovered before I started my own barrage of jabs and cuts, seriously pushing him back. I thought that I had him cornered and would win this. Big mistake on my account. Ichika kneed me in the stomach, forcing me to halt my assault and hit me with the hilt of his blade. still not completely recovered from that hit, I quickly rolled to the right to evade his toy sword and flew in the air. Since when does he play dirty? Ichika chased me with and increased his speed in mid-air. Hah, I can easily-

Oh no, you won't. it's time that you and I had a little chat eye to eye Haru-chan.

What the fuck? I can't move!

"AB is down! I repeat the AB is down! You have to doge that strike Haru-dono!" Superstes yelled frantically.

It's no use, I can't fucking move! Warn the teachers no- I couldn't finish the sentence as Ichika's sword shot right through my abdomen. Ichika looked like he was in a daze and then he look terrified at his sword, like he couldn't believe it. I could barely believe it myself. Still, he doesn't deserve to be guilty of something like this.

"Hey Ichika." I called him weakly. He looked at me with tears in his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry Haruka. I didn't mean to really ki-" Ichika started saying frantically. I put my hand on his shoulder.

"It's alright. Now get me to… the bloody medics… before …I ." I didn't finish my sentence as I fell unconscious into a deep slumber. The last thing I saw was my blood on Ichika's white armor. A quite fitting image for his loss of innocence.

"Bring in the tachycardia now!"

"He's going into shock!"

"Goddammit someone stop his bleeding right now!"

"Sir, the… the wound is closing itself slowly."

"Bollocks, let me… sweet mother of god, what is that thing in his body?"

"I don't know sir, I honestly don't know."

"Brain activity is dropping. He's going into a coma."

"Fuck, try to keep him stable and GET HIM BACK!"

It's no use. As long as you haven't accepted who you are, you'll be in this state. So buckle up and prepare for a trip down Memory Lane, followed by a descending into your personal hell. I can't guarantee that you'll keep your sanity but I assure you ,you'll never be the same again.

Chapter 16 is here! I want to apologize in advance if the quality isn't as good as my other chapters, but today is my birthday and I wanted to celebrate it with my readers by uploading a new chapter. If by any coincidence one of my readers is celebrating his birthday as well on May 11th then I also bid you a happy birthday. But let's get on with the reviews!

Toby860: thanks for the ideas, but I figured it out. also I'm glad you like the story.

Cappa: if you think that's rude, wait until I'm warmed up.

AnimeL0ver00: Thank you AnimeL0ver00 for reporting the news. Now for our gossip corner, it has been officially announced that the confrontation between Haruka and the Ichinose will be put off for the main story. They should however make a comeback around chapter 21 or 22.

Btw, you should totally become a reporter, you've got some skills.

Mandalore Requiem: Too bad that we don't have Comedy Central in Belgium, it seems like I'm missing a lot… Anyway, thanks for the nickname, I already have a good idea what I could do with the initials.

Now which language is that? It sounds awesome! And I never say no to a good dose of Mandalorian Revenge!

That's all folks, until next time.