Author's Notes: Sorry for the very very very very late update everyone. It's just that there so many damned projects to make!!!Well…chap 8 is here!!!! Thanks 4 d reviews everyone!!! And I thank Kelly-san for her wonderful stories!!!

Natsume: Tch.

Me: Ok kitty do the disclaimer!!!

Natsume: Don't call me that!!!

Me: If you do the disclaimer for me.

Natsume: She DOESN'T own GA…she just own her bird brain…

Me: What.Did.You.Say.???

Natsume: -sprints away-

Me: Argh! I'll get you for that!!! –chases Black Cat-

Ruka: -sweatdrops- well I think our authoress might be busy so read everyone!!! -flashes a breathtaking smile- -insert fainting fan girls-

Chapter 8

A Brainstorming Battle Part 1: Battle with the Snake

Natsume's POV

I was walking err…correction…flying over the little hills and lofty mountains. The birds are chirping happily while sitting on the branches of the tree. I enjoyed every creature nature possessed. It seems like forever when I started this journey. But to tell you the truth, it's been 2 days of my journey. I got tired from flying and flying so I decided to walk a little. Upon reaching the middle of the forest I had landed on earlier, I crossed by a slimy-green swamp with many god-knows-what fruit thingy in there.

"Oh how am I supposed to cross this swamp with all the snakes in here?" I asked out loud.

"If you wanna pass through us, you must solve three riddles of ours." A snake with many scrolls on his body who appeared before me, said.

"What the… A snake in the wilderness?" I asked, dumbfounded. I don't know but I think I haven't seen such a creature in personal. Pops told me some stories about the snakes being wild, violent and ferocious not to mention it's poisonous too.

-flashback-

"Pops, I want another bedtime story." I demanded him. Well since I didn't go to school and just read some boring books, I don't know some ferocious creatures of nature. And I haven't seen one either.

"Well, I'll tell you a story about a girl who was bitten by a snake." He said with gleaming eyes. I don't know why his eyes were gleaming. I wonder what's so beautiful about it.

"Are snakes poisonous?" I asked.

"Yes they are. But some snakes are not." He explained.

"Oh." Was all that I uttered.

"Anyway, so, there is a story about a girl, the same age as you, who was walking at the forest with a flute." He started his story. I listened attentively because I got intrigued by the snakes. (Natsume's 10 years old by the way)

"When she was walking, a snake suddenly appeared before her. She got scared and she tried to run. But the snake is too fast for her. The snake caught her and bit her in her left leg. But she didn't scream." He continued and it is clearly visible that his eyes were sparkling like a crystal hit by a sunlight. I just nodded.

"Then, she remembered the flute she was holding. Then, she found out that the snake wanted to attack her again. She immediately played it and produced a very enchanting tone that the snake couldn't resist. The snake stopped attacking her and just danced a so-called Snake Dance." He continued again.

"Wow amazing." I praised his story. Although, I'm not really convinced about the snake dancing thing.

"She continued to play her flute and slowly walking out of the forest. She's limping because the pain of the bite stings. She continued to walk and walk while the snake follows her. When she reached her house, she immediately told her mother what happened. She was treated and good thing she didn't died because the poison is not that strong anyway. So from then onwards, whenever she plays her flute, that certain snake will appear and dance before her." He ended his story.

-end of flashback-

"What's the problem?" a voice asked snapping me out of my stupor.

"Nothing really. Ok then, bring it on." I said challenging the snake.

"What goes up but never comes down?" the leader asked. Yeah he told me that he was a leader.

"Hmmm…I know! It's age. Age never comes down." I answered gleefully.

"Correct! For the next riddle, what gets wetter and wetter the more it dries?" he asked.

"Hmmm…I know! It's a towel." I answered while raising my right index finger.

"That's right! Ok for the last riddle, what is the end of everything?" the leader asked.

"Hmm…" I thought hard. It's plain as day that he's smirking at me and that pissed me off. But I kept my composure though.

"Come on just give up for you'll never know the-" I cut him off.

"I got it! It's letter G! Am I right?" I asked, my heartbeat is rapidly increasing.

"Wow, that's very clever of you. Ok then, a promise is a promise. You have my word. You may pass through." The leader said in defeat.

"Thanks a lot sir!" I exclaimed happily.

"Wait young man, where will you go anyway?" the leader asked me.

"I'm going to the Forbidden Mountain." I replied, honestly.

"Oh, the journey you choose was very dangerous. You would meet many evil spirits on the way to the mountain. I'm gonna give you this Orb of Gaylord. It's an orb that sucks in evil souls. And also, please save our friend in there. He's at the prison. We know that you're the only one who can save him. Besides, you're the first person ever to solve the riddles we tell. Even the sorceress didn't know the answer." The leader explained sheepishly.

"Right, you can count on me sir." I replied immediately. "Anyway, I'm gonna save a friend of mine in there too. And I promise to save her even if it cost me my life." I added while looking up the sky.

"Wow that was noble of you. And on the way to the castle, you'll meet other riddle-giver there too. You must answer it all correctly to be able to pass through. They'll also give you a magical item. So go now and good luck to you!!!" the leader said and waved his tail at me.

"Thanks for the info!!! Goodbye!" I replied while walking ahead. I know that this journey could be fatal. Many ghosts and monsters are appearing. But I don't care. I have to keep on moving forward. I need to save Mikan, my best friend. Or else, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.

Author's Notes: Well, how was it? Reviews are Appreciated, Constructive Criticisms are Accepted and Suggestions are Welcomed.

Natsume: You made me too nice.

Me: hehe, it makes you more handsome

Natsume: tch. –blushes-

Me: I'm sure MIKAN will FALL for YOU.

Natsume: shut up bird brain.

Me: so you want another fight eh?

Natsume: -sprints away- whatever bird brain

Me: come back here!!! –chases Black Cat-

Ruka: they haven't changed –sweat dropped-