DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN Aoharu X Kikanjuu

A/N: ...So..I saw the reviews. Apparently people enjoy stories that have been written by a potato, and so I bring you the second part of 'I Said I'm a Girl' set a few months after the previous chapter

Not Again.

Please, no.

Boots pounded against the ground accompanied by the constant drumming of the rain and the rustling of the trees.

This can't be happening..

Her legs moved as fast as they could.

I won't let it happen, not again!

Hotaru's knees buckled which resulted in a face full of mud. That'll leave a mark, was a thought that crossed her mind as she pressed her palm against her temple in an attempt to reduce the pain. Grinding her teeth, she raised to her feet and picked up her G3 that was now coated in a thick layer of mud. After a deep breath, she took off once more in the direction of the gun shots.

But, it's just a game right? Hotaru grimaced as she recalled her own words. How wrong she had been. The battles at TGC were laced with baggage from the past of her friends, this one more so than others.

Several gunshots sounded again, causing a flock of birds to fly in the other direction.

This was her second time at TGC, her second time against Team Hoshishiro and her first time in the Semi-finals.

After announcing to Midori, Ichi and Fujimoto about her decision to rejoin Toy Gun Gun she hadn't encountered them. Her lips curved slightly at the memories since then

"Oh? Mattsun, doesn't this mean you were beat by a girl?" Yukimura had stated more than asked.

"What?! Name one time Hotaru's ever beaten me!" Matsuoka retorted, immediately becoming defensive.

Hotaru watched as Yukimura went through several occasions when Hotaru had bested Matsuoka, those including: lasting longer than him in training; lasting longer than him in TGC and some more recent occasions. All of which resulted in an irritated and somewhat flustered host.

"And anyway, by that logic she's beaten you too!"

"True, but if you recall, I also beat you duri-"

Matsuoka gave in with a groan, "Fine! I get it." he turned his attention back to the stir fry he was currently making. Hotaru could've sworn he was mumbling something along the lines of 'disrespect' and 'unbelievable' but decided to keep it to herself. Instead enjoying the delicious aroma that floated in the air.

Stumbling through the trees she eventually reached the small clearing. Out of breath and panting, she clung to a tree for support. Not that it did much, thanks to the scene in front of her.

Matsuoka was flat on his back in a puddle of muddy water with Midori standing above him, gun pointed and a sadistic smirk on his face. A few metres away, Yukimura was being held down by Fujimoto where - despite his desperate struggles - all he could do was watch his best friend go through hell. Hotaru scanned around for Ichi but she was nowhere to be found, She must be hiding in one of those trees. There's no way she wouldn't be here to back them up.

Decision made, she aimed her gun at Fujimoto's back. Despite not being a very good shot, there was no way she could miss such a large target, especially when she had the element of surprise on her side. The safety off, her finger rested on the trigger.

Wait.

Wait.

"Fujimon," his voice was clear despite the loud pitter-patter of the rain.

Damn!

Hotaru's gun fired rapidly at the now-wide-eyed man. She stopped as soon as she heard him call 'hit' and felt a pang of guilt. Fujimoto had been a friend to her during her time with Hoshishiro and even before that, he had made his good nature clear. Unfortunately, this was no time for sympathy; her attention turned towards the slightly crazed Doctor whose gun was already pointed at her.

Her G3 fired directly at him but it was more so to get him away from Matsuoka than to get him out. The dark-green haired man took several steps back towards the trees at the opposite end of the clearing to avoid the laser-like flow of bullets.

Subconsciously, her legs began to carry her to the body of her teammate. She switched her G3 to her left and and used her right to support his head, "Matsuoka-san?! Are you alright? Are you hurt?" her voice quivered as she spoke.

"Hotaru..I'm sorry. You were right." his larger hand reacher up to give her forearm a comforting squeeze. "We, no, I should've trusted you."

Matsuoka stood at the end of the table, Yukimura and Hotaru at either side.

"So, it'll be like last time. Hotaru will go after the big one, Yukki will take the sniper and I'll go find Midori. Understood?"

Yukimura gave him a disapproving look but decided against voicing his concern. Hotaru on the other hand was more forward.

"What?! You can't be serious; we tried this and it didn't work! They destroyed us then so shouldn't we try something new?"

The blonde man simply stared down at her with a stern look on his face. He then released a sigh "You managed to take 'The Destroyer' last time. If you can do that again then Yukki and I will take care of the sniper. Then the three of us go for Midori. Is that any better?"

"Very."

The two men smiled and held out their fists, "Well then, let's do it!"

She held out her own and returned their grins. "Yeah!" Unbeknownst to them, the smile did not reach her lime-green eyes, instead dread swirled around inside her, something told her that this wasn't going to end well.

"Get out of here." she turned to Yukimura "Both of you, go."

The two of them gave her an incredulous look and were about to retort when they were silenced by the sound of bullets whizzing through the air.

"Oh, you'd like to start now?" Midori sneered

"Wait, Hotaru!"

"Tachibana!"

The cries came simultaneously but it did nothing to stop get in the way of the teenager. She fired once more though Midori dodged easily, the bullets flying into the trees.

"Hah! You're going to have to do better than tha-"

A cry from behind cut him off.

Dark blue hair flowed as Ichi found herself falling from her hiding spot in the trees though before she could hit the ground a rush of orange flew forward and caught her. Hotaru set her on the ground with the gun aimed at her head.

"You should call hit. Or else I'll have to shoot you again." her voice was even, but her eyes were like a storm.

"Hit.." was all Ichi managed. The 17-year old was a lot more intimidating up close. She picked herself up and began to head in the direction Fujimoto had gone, followed by a reluctant Matsuoka and Yukimura.

"Just us, hm? This'll be fun."

Hotaru didn't let him continue, charging forward with her gun aimed. He dodged her attacks swiftly though he had to admit, she had improved greatly.

Pulling out both his guns, the leader of Hoshishiro began to retaliate, his aim was impeccable and speed unrivalled.

And yet here she was, countering every attack.

Taking the offensive side, she moved in and out of trees, getting closer and closer while still shooting at the evil-doer before her.

A smirk plastered on his face, Midori stopped shooting and began to run in the opposite direction. The blonde-haired girl followed close on his tail.

"Looks like it worked out for you, eh?" it was becoming more and more of a struggle to keep her cool.

The two of them finally reached the end of the arena, Midori several metres before the wall of tempered glass.

"This won't be like last time. This time you don't have Ichi to help you." Hotaru voice was monotonous with a slight edge to it; her eyes burning with the feared bloodlust. Most would have found it intimidating, unfortunately Midori only seemed amused.

"True." Before she could reply, a sharp, shiny object had flown past her face, grazing her right temple. As a trickle of blood fell from the cut she looked into his grey orbs to find his true colours surfacing. His voice cut through the air, "This time, I get to finish you myself."

"God dammit!" Matsuoka raved as he slammed his fist against one of the benches.

Normally, Yukimura would've stepped in at this point to console his teammate but he was too busy silently berating himself as well.

"I should've known!" the blonde continued. "Now she's up against Midori, alone!"

"At least it's one on one this time." a woman's voice said from behind. The two men turned to see Ichi and Fujimon sitting at the bench behind them.

Fujimon was chugging a bottle of water while Ichi sat at the other end.

"No, you don't get it!" Three - not counting the eyes of the gathering onlookers - pairs of eyes turned to stare at Matsuoka, all slightly perplexed.

"Oh? Something you know about Midori-sensei that we don't?" Ichi's words were laced with sarcasm but the hint of interest was still noticeable.

"Last time you were there to end it quickly, Midori didn't get the chance to hurt her. But now they're alone. God knows what he'll do.."

Matsuoka once again punched the bench resulting in cracked and bleeding knuckles.

"Mattsun, we both know he's just trying to get to us through her."

"Yes, I fucking figured that out! That's why I was against her rejoining Toy Gun Gun! I knew she'd get hu-"

"Well I'm sure Tachibana knows too. She's not an idiot so we're just going to have to trust her right now. Trust that she has a plan this time."

In truth, the dark-haired sniper hated the situation just as much as his teammate but it wasn't like he was going to be rational right now which meant it was up to Yukimura.

"Trust me, okay? I know what I'm doing!" Hotaru said with a bright smile, the wind causing her hair to flow around her. Her like coloured hues brightened the way they always did before a match. Even after months of experience and training the child-like joy that radiated from her always remained the same.

Yukimura and Matsuoka shared a look and knew they were recalling the same memory. They then shared a single thought, a single plead.

I'm trusting you right now, Hotaru. Now please show me why I was an idiot for ever doubting you.

A/N: Yes I am working on chapter 3. And I will try to post it as soon as I can. AKA as soon as my exams are over and I can breathe again ;-;

Oh and I want to ask do you have any idea/suggestions for where this story should go? I have an idea myself but I'd be interested to hear your opinions too!

Also, do you have any idea for random little extra scenes? I feel there isn't enough fluff. (and because I get Writer's Block every other day -_- )