Luca: Ok, is everybody red…Wait. Where's Kurogane?

Syao: He's still in bed.

Luca:(sighs) Gimme a sec. I'll get him.

(Walks into bedroom and finds Kurogane.)

Luca: Hey, Kurogane…Kurogane, wake up…Kuro-fluffy…Wake up!

(Kicks him really hard)

Kuro:(muffled) Knock it off.

Luca: Um, are you ok?

Kuro: I'm too tired to get up.

Luca: Why?

Kurogane: Because that white bean bun drank all my Red Bull.

Luca: For the love of… that's the worst excuse I've ever heard! But, if it's going to get you up…

(Takes a Red Bull and throws it at his head.)

Kurogane: Ow! Luca, what the hell was that for!

Luca: Never mind that! Just get up! We gotta go!

Sakura: Please enjoy chapter 8.

Disclaimer: I don't own any anime or manga.

It turns out there were so many people in the tournament that they had to have 6 different branches. Luckily, we all ended up in different ones so we didn't need to fight each other.

Not surprisingly, Kurogane lost in the first round, followed by Fai in the second, Sakura in the third and Syaoran in the forth. I managed to win all my battles and got to the final round.

Rio looked a little tired but had plenty of fight left.

"Now for the championship match!" the announcer said as I took my place on the battle field.

"The newcomer, Luca, will now take on the reigning champion!"

A figure appeared on the other side of the field and I froze.

He handed a trophy to the announcer and turned to me. He brushed his hair out of his eyes and gave me a sly grin.

"Zero." I whispered.

I stared as he took the ball from his belt.

"Showtime, Absol!" He cried, tossing it into the air.

The creature appeared in front of him and, after a few seconds, he called out.

"What's wrong Luca? Are you scared?"

I turned red with anger and snatched the ball off my belt, hurling it as hard as I could.

"Rio, let's show this guy some manners!" I cried as my partner materialized in front of me.

"This will be a one-on-one battle," the announcer said. "The winner will be named the new champion. Ready, Set, Fight!"

"Absol, use Razor Wind!"

"Counter with Bone Rush!"

Rio's staff appeared and he sliced through the gale to connect with Absol's blade.

"Close Combat!"

Rio let loose the barrage, sending Absol tumbling backward.

"Rio, use Aura Sphere!"

The blast sent Absol flying until it sank its claws into the floor and skidded to a stop.

"Iron Tail!"

"Use Slash!"

Rio spun to hit the enemy, but at the last moment, Absol twisted its blade, pinning Rio in place.

"Night Slash."

"No!" I shouted as Absol's paw glowed and shot up into Rio's stomach.

A small explosion occurred and, after a few seconds, Rio came flying out of the smoke and struck a wall.

"Rio, are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine."

He stood up, but seemed extremely shaky. Zero wasn't about to give up.

"Absol, use Hyper Beam!"

"What! Rio, dodge it!"

The attack fired, Rio dodged, and I froze.

The attack had been aimed at Rio. Rio had been in front of me. Without Rio there, the blast was coming toward…guess who? Me.

Time seemed to slow down as the attack streaked toward me. My body told me to get out of the way, but I was too scared to move.

"Luca!" I heard Rio shout as the blast drew nearer.

When it was a couple of feet away, I braced for impact.

Suddenly, an arm wrapped around me and the blast split on either side. As the attack hit the wall behind me, I realized that the arm belonged to Rio and was stunned to see a large scythe-shaped blade of aura sprouting from the back of his hand. He stumbled and I realized that his arm was burned badly.

"Rio…"

"I'm fine. I'm just glad you're safe," he replied, the blade flickering and dissipating.

I looked over at Zero, who looked extremely worried about me, and a light bulb went off in my head.

"I think I have an idea…"

I quickly explained the plan to Rio and then turned back to the battle.

"Rio, Aura Scythe!"

The scythe sprouted again and Rio shot forward to cross blades with Absol.

I grinned as the trap worked.

"Duel swords!"

Another blade appeared and Rio slashed the opponent, sending Absol skidding back.

"Now, finish it off with Cross Slash!"

Rio crossed his arms and shot past Absol, slashing as he went. Nothing happened for a moment, then an x-shaped slash of aura hit Absol and it crumpled to the ground.

It was silent for a moment, and then the crowd burst into cheers.

"Absol is unable to battle," the announcer said.

"The winner and new reigning champs are Luca and Rio! Congratulations!"

"We won?" I asked, completely stunned. My face lit up. "We won! Oh, Rio, we won!" I cried, running over and hugging Rio, who had a very satisfied look on his face.

I didn't notice him wobbling during the awards ceremony, but when we walked out behind the stadium to give Sakura her feather, he collapsed.

"Rio!" I cried, grabbing him as he went down. We fell together to the ground and the others gathered around in concern.

"Is he all right?" Sakura asked, sounding worried.

I felt his pulse and was relieved to find that it was slow and steady, meaning he was merely asleep.

"I guess he is a lot prouder than I thought," I said with a soft smile, pulling his head into my lap.

"He was too proud to collapse until there weren't people around."

"Pride is an easy thing to lose." Kurogane said.

"He was probably protecting his at all costs."

"You're probably right," I replied, gently brushing the fur away from his face to reveal a peaceful expression.

Fai: We should go celebrate our victory! (Goes to leave then turns and looks at Luca) Aren't you coming?

Luca: I would, but I can't move Rio. He's too heavy. (Kurogane helps her pick up Rio and they drag him off.)

Mokona: Please review and ask.