School Daze: Chapter Nine

By: Juiicy

"HYAAAAAH!"

At the back of the Tokyo shoin-zukuri, a six-hundred-something year old transparent samurai lunged forward at a tired teenage descendant of the infamous Asakura clan, he smirked effortlessly. The ghost's sleek, silver hair pulled back into a messy ponytail, and after many years of malicious wars and bloodied battles, the result of a nicely built body blessed this restless soul.

Harusame plunged at its target's direction. But the ghost gritted its teeth as his finely forged sword had peirced only the blades of green grass, and not its victim.

"Ha!" a voice laughed from behind him.

The ghost whirled soundlessly around a foolish grin was worn by the fourteen-year-old scapegoat. A look of surprise and admiration flushed the spectre's pale face.

"Too slow, Amidamaru. But I guess it's okay, we've only began training last week." Yoh said. Little streams of red ran down his bronzey body from the shallow nicks Amidamaru had managed to inflict. Yoh scratched his nose with frustration. "But I don't understand why you're always holding back on me. Evertime. How do you expect me to improve if you aren't pitching in?"

Amidamaru gave him a dubious look. "Yoh-dono, is it really safe for you to fight with me?"

"Hey, you're pretty confident, aren't you?" replied Yoh. "If you've improved beyond my skill then that's great. I guess that'll have to be the point for the fighting today, eh?"

"No, not that," Amidamaru said. "I meant the fact that you are allowing me to wield a weapon and you are without any device to attack or defend yourself. It is unjust. Or have you forgotten already? I am dead. You cannot give very much damage to myself and even if you do, I will not be able to feel any of the impact. But you--"

Amidamaru stopped as Yoh raised his palm. "No excuses, Amidamaru. This'll help me. By the sound of it, I have a lot of catching up to do to come up to your level. But I'll get nowhere if you keep having doubts. If I get hurt then I'll just have Anna patch me up. It's nothing," he reassures. "Don't tell me youre getting lazy? We shouldn't have stopped training afterall."

"No, no!" the ghost cried with desperation, appalled beyond belief. "Surely I am not getting soft nor am I neglecting my training. There really is not much to for a ghost of my age to do anymore. I train often when you are busy with your studies.

"But what is bothering me is why you are returning to your training so suddenly and with more determination you had two years ago. The Shaman Tournament is over for the next five hundred years. What is the purpose of this unnecessary training?"

"I have to make it up to Anna so I'm building a drool-worthy body for her to boast about when we get into high school."

"... Ah, I see."

Yoh laughed. "No, no. I'm just kidding. I'll tell you if you can keep a secret."

Amidamaru nodded.

"Are you sure you can? Maybe Anna might see through you." Yoh studied his face. Then he slapped his thigh, laughing. "Get it? She can see through you? You know, you're a... and people can see... ah, nevermind."

"... Yoh-dono, you're attempts of jokes seem to be lacking wit recently."

"Right, then." Yoh shook his head. "Anna and I have a deal," said Yoh as he sat down. "I train, she goes to Tokyo High. It was the only way I could think of to get her to accept her scholarship."

"Ah! Yes! I have heard you, Anna-dono, and Manta-dono speaking of this Tokyo High! I have been meaning to ask you to explain to me this dilemma," said the samurai. He crossed his burly legs and hovered above the ground. "Oh, and I am unfamiliar with a scholarship."

"Well..." Yoh scratched his fuzzing chin, contemplating. "When one exceeds above everyone in a certain area like academics, which is how Anna recieved hers, you recieve a scholarship. High school sends out representatives to pick out students in selected Junior High School's that they think will contribute greatly to their school and they offer them a position. They're like papers that automatically give you entrance to their school with more advantages than other students get. They also pay for a part of your tuition for a certain amount of time depending on how much the scholarship is worth.

"Do you get it sort of? I'm sorry. I'm not good at explaining things."

Amidamaru shook his head. "Ie, I understand."

"That's great." Yoh got up and stretched his sleeping legs. "Shall we continue?"

Amidamaru didn't budge. "May I ask a question?"

"Sure."

"You speak as if you aren't one of those chosen people. Are you not going to Tokyo High with Anna-dono?"

Yoh's back hunched as he stopped. He was hushed and Amidamaru panicked.

"Did I ask a foolish question? Forgive me," said Amidamaru.

Yoh laughed an abashed laugh and turned around, a sheepish grin plastered his face.

"Ah!" the phantom clapped his hands. "You are one who has been accepted into Tokyo High just like Anna-dono!"

Yoh was glad Anna was out, otherwise she would've heard Amidamaru from inside the house. He continued to laugh meekly.

"And one who recieved a scholarship, as well?"

The samurai's lord nodded.

"Wonderful news, Yoh-dono," Amidamaru praised. "Did you get awarded one for academics like Anna-dono?"

"... ie," Yoh hung his head low. "I improved a lot, though. But it was okay because I recieved the one for my contributions to the track team. And i'm being honoured at the Graduation Ceremony on my improvement!"

"Congratulations!" Amidamaru cheered. "Ah, but if why did you have to persuade Anna-dono to go to Tokyo High? I would've been sure she would've been glad to go with you."

Yoh played with his finger. "... because she doesn't know I'm going?" mumbled Yoh. Amidamaru's eyes widened at Yoh's rebellious action. "See, that's the thing, Amidamaru; You have to keep this a secret. It's my surprise for her, you know?

"Tokyo High was already considering giving her a scholarship at the beginning of the year because she had top marks, with Manta, in our class. Track season hadn't started until later in May, I had joined track to put some use to the new skill that Anna, with excruciating training programs, had given me. I technically didn't win the Tournament so I tried to make her proud by excelling in sports," Yoh explained. "Anna deserves to go to this school after everything she's done for me."

His words moved Amidamaru. "That's very dedicated of you, Yoh-dono."

A smile brushed across Yoh's face. "I know."

The pair continued ther training but this time Amidamaru tried his best to pierce Yoh, all the while, holding a beaming expression at the marvelous act of his Lord.

Yoh removed his headphones and shedded his uniform jeans aside, leaving him in his boxers. He made sure Amidamaru's violent attacks would not hack off a patch of his uniform. Yoh wanted to look sharp for the ceremony.

To Yoh's delight, Amidamaru proved he had trained afterall. Yoh worked up a healthy sweat as he dodged Amidamaru's swipes. At the back of his mind, he scolded himself for telling Amidamaru to go all out. Now it took quite a lot for Yoh to dodge the ttacks and soon his hands began oozing blood as he stopped Amidamaru's sword from crushing his body in mid air. The ghost noticed the dark, red liquid slipping off his sword and backed off a little, he yanked his sword away and looked at Yoh, his eyes in question.

Yoh's head shook as he wiped his palms on his shorts, mixing sweat and blood. Amidamaru hesitantly dashed towards Yoh, his sword gripped tightly in his hands.

The brunetted quickly had his ghost in a headlock. "Don't do that again," Yoh said disappointedly into Amidamaru's ear. Amidamaru blindly struck his sword above his shoulder and Yoh let go, avoiding the swing.

"Forgive me, Yoh-dono," Amidamaru said. Without warning, he raced towards Yoh. Yoh gasped at the sudden movement and jumped aside, without thinking, barely avoiding that hysterical agression.

Dropping to his knees, Yoh was gasping for air, adrenaline rushed thoughout his veins. "Awesome, Amidamaru! That's exactly what I wanted! I'll get even stronger in no time!" He got up and beamed at his ghost. "Well, I guess that should be enough. Anna's going to kill If I shred myself anymore."

Amidamaru glided quietly beside his Lord as they both headed for the house. The Shaman picked up his dirtied uniform and wiped his sweaty head with his polo shirt. Yoh tried to limp as little as possible. Amidamaru had really went all out.

"Yoh-dono," Amidamaru called. He held out his transparent, weathered hands, revealing little tufts of brown hair. "I apologize for stroking the ends of your hair."

Yoh sweatdropped as he held the strand of hair in his palm. "It's only the ends, anyway." Anna had been bugging him or a haircut recently, complaining that he began to look more and more like his brother.

"It.. Itai." Yoh winced at the alcohol being applied to his shallow scars. Anna and him had gone through so many times before but each time the alcohol is used, each time seemed to be as painful as the last time.

"Baka," Anna muttered in his ear. "Serves you right. I'm happy you're willing to continue to train but this is stupid." Her nimble fingers ran up and down his back and eventually, she commanded him to turn to face her so she could get his chest.

Making sure every ridge and crevice of his torso is not missed, Anna leaned forward, her blond hair brushing Yoh's dirtied nose.

His stomach muscles attracted her as she gently smoothed out his weathered skin. Her mind drifted off into a place of fantasies and questions. It looked so tough but felt so soft under her touch. Anna had to admit that she was impressed by Yoh's manliness. Maybe if... Anna snapped back into reality.

'Damn hormones.'

She knew Yoh sensed her infatuation and she felt his cheeky smile.

"Don't get excited."

Yoh's grin slowly withered away. "Hm?"

She looked up and two dark eyes appeared behind her hair. Each strand seemed feathery-light under the sun, making her look enchanted. For a second Yoh was sure he fell asleep and was dreaming again.

Anna pointed her index finger downwards and said, "I'm talking to your pants, Yoh. It seems they have a surprise for me in there."

Taken back and slightly embarassed he tried to explain what he didn't need to. "Ah... ano... It's not..." Yoh's ears grew hot, he laughed stupidly, and fell silent. "Sorry."

Anna cleaned up while Yoh rolled his eyes up to the sky in shame.

'Ah, damn it.'

Eventually, Anna stood up from the wooden porch, slid the shoji door open and stepped in.

Before long, Anna stepped out again with a clean, white shirt and long strips of bandages. Anna knelt own and continued to fix her fiancee up. She delicately wrapped the bandages around Yoh. Though, by now, most cuts had healed, the deeper ones continued to bleed. Anna wound him up firmly but not so much, she knew it'd be hard enough for him to sleep without his wounds hurting.

"Done," she said. She leaned back to study her work. When she tightened the bandages a bit more and was completely satisfied, Anna sighed in accomplishment. "Don't move around too much, those cuts might open up again with too much movement. It's best if you stop your training for the next few days and take it easy when you do get back to it. I'll be sure to tell Amidamaru.

"If any one of you two disobey me, then be prepared to die or, in Amidamaru's case, die again," she threatened but her tone lacked any discipline.

"Hai," Yoh replied. "Oh, and uh, if the bandages come undone can I get you in the middle of the night?"

Anna paused. Then she nodded. "You might as well stay with me after that."

Yoh's face brightened but he tried to hide his eagerness quickly. "Okay."

"Actually, uh... just because you're beaten up today more than usual, you'll," she cleared her throat. And without shame, she continued, "be staying with me for tonight. Just for me to make sure you don't hurt yourself."

Anna looked away as her cheeks flushed a little as the smile on Yoh's face grew.

"... Um, Anna?"

"What?"

"... I think one of the bandages is coming undone at the back."

That wasn't exactly what Anna was expecting. Anna looked at him and arched her eyebrow. "Are you kidding me?" She crawled forward. Anna wrapped her arms around Yoh, feeling around his back. "You do realize these are my last ones.

"Tell me where it's being undone. I can't find it," she murmured, her words muffled by Yoh's shoulder. Then her hands stopped.

Delicately, almost reluctantly, Yoh wrapped his bruised arms around her, his chin sat softly on her shoulder. Yoh had tricked Anna. She had to admit that she felt a little stupid for not seeing it coming.

"... Yoh?"

He grunted, not wanting to move away so quickly. Yoh had got her fair and square and he felt he deserved her just a little longer.

Anna relaxed a little, knowing that a grunt was about all Yoh was going to give her, allowing him to cradle her quietly. He wreaked of sweat but Anna didn't mind. The smell was familiar and sent feelings of euphoria in her veins.

Yoh's eyes slid halfway down. "Anna?"

Now it was her turn to grunt. "Mhm."

"You know that surprise I dealed with you?"

"Yeah?"

Yoh paused for a second and said, "I'll give it to you soon, I promise. But please forgive me because it isn't that great."

She sat on the smooth wood and said to the boy that lovingly wrapped his arms around her, "Sure."

Slowly, both let go of eachother, their faces a little pink from the intimate contact and from the scorching hot sun. Anna picked up the forgotten shirt that was tossed aside without her knowing it, and she handed it to Yoh. Anna helped him slip it on, careful not to touch the more critical parts of his body. Yoh got up and contemplated on the spot, looking out at the beautifully cared for garden.

He looked down to see Anna bent over, studying his hands. "... Ano...?"

"You're hands aren't injured, are they?"

Yoh lifted up his hands and wiggled his fingers simultaneously. He shook his head and said no.

"Good." At that, Anna stood up straight, reaching at about Yoh's nose and said, "You'd better start cooking now. Manta's here."

And, on cue, three small knocks sounded from the front. The couple watched the entrance for a moment, debating silently of whether or not to answer it, and then they parted as Yoh began to walk towards the door.

He stopped midstep, turned around, and walked back to Anna, who looked a little unsure of Yoh's sudden action.

"Thanks, Anna," he kissed her forehead gingerly, afraid she would fall apart at the slightest touch. He bent down to her ear and whispered something only she would be allowed to hear from Yoh. Then, Yoh quickly ran for the door and welcomed Manta in, who was a little furious at Yoh's slow movement.

A/N: Hooray! 90 reviews! thank you guys so much for giving me a reason to keep my imagination. to tel you the truth, i hated writing and im not really sure why i started writing stories because honestly, i was almost sure nobody would read my stories. Anyways, I hope this would make up at least a small fraction of my lack of fluffiness.

Thanks again, Juiicy.

shoin-zukuri: traiditional Japanese house

shoji:a sliding paper screen that divides inside and outside of the house