Chapter Five: Before the Battle….

She opened her eyes slowly, squinting at the bright sunlight that came through the windows. She felt a little stiff from how she slept, and as she shifted into a more comfortable position, she realized that there was something wrapped around her. For a moment, she forgot, but then she remembered the night before.

"Oh, right, Kyoya," she murmured quietly. She sat up and turned just enough to look at his face.

Hikaru smiled. He was leaning back against the wooden crate, and looked peaceful and harmless. She tipped her head to one side, gazing at him with wide, curious eyes. It was hard for her to imagine - looking at him now - that he was the same person who had tied her up before. She studied him for a moment. His skin was the perfect shade of tan to accent his dark, greenish-blue hair. And there were the crossed scars under his eyes and that one little fang-like tooth that came out of his mouth. To anyone else, they were flaws, imperfections, but to Hikaru, they made him perfect.

She placed a hand on each side of his face, gently tracing the scars with her fingers. He didn't stir. She brushed his bangs to the side. He didn't show any signs of waking up. She leaned closer, and closer….and closer, until her soft lips touched his.

She had only meant to make it short and sweet, but his lips began to move with hers. Out of surprise and the wonderful feeling that sparked within her, it took her almost a minute to pull away.

"What a way to wake up, huh?" he snickered. Then he stood up slowly, gazing down at her. He held out his hand and chuckled as she hesitantly accepted it. Her face was pink with embarrassment as he yanked her up off the ground with surprising strength. She stumbled into him, and he caught her carefully, holding her close for a moment before pushing her away. He reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her behind him as he headed toward the warehouse entrance.

"Come on." His voice was normal, no longer soft and sweet. He sounded naturally bored and even slightly intimidating. "We have to go."

"Where?"

Kyoya halted instantly and turned to look at her. "Wolf Canyon, duh." He continued leading her away, his footsteps long and swift.

"You're bringing me?"

"Of course." He glanced over at her. His sky blue eyes sparkled with dark thoughts. "Why wouldn't I?"

Hikaru's voice was sassy. "And we're walking?"

"Yes."

"Won't that take forever on foot?" she whined.

"Since when do you complain about anything?" he challenged, with an edge of humor in his voice.

"Umm!" She tried to jerk away from him but wasn't strong enough. "Since I don't want to walk for hours to get to a place in the middle of nowhere!"

"Well, we're walking," he decided.

"I don't want to walk," Hikaru insisted, trying to pull away again.

"Then you will force me to drag you."

"Awww…." She reached forward and poked him in the side.

He didn't look at her, but he spoke as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. "I'm not going to carry you."

~Two hours later, only a short distance from the very spot Kyoya climbed out of Wolf Canyon~

"You're a lot heavier than you look."

"Wimp."

And Hikaru burst into laughter.

Kyoya rolled his eyes and fought a smile. Her cheerfulness almost made him feel bad. He closed his eyes tight, thoughts buzzing in his mind. I don't deserve this. I don't deserve her. There's something she doesn't know about me…the reason I can tell no one where I was or what I was doing.

Her soft hand brushed along his cheek, snapping him back into reality. He let out a sigh. I'm sorry, Hikaru.

He gazed at the hot summer sun, slowly sinking in the sky. The breeze that blew through his hair was hot and dry, and carrying Hikaru on his back only made it worse.

Though, he didn't mind.

A drop of sweat rolled from his forehead and dropped from his chin. His panting was quiet, and his legs were tired. But no matter how exhausted he was, he wasn't going to show it.

"Good luck in your battle," Hikaru said suddenly.

Kyoya felt the weight lift from his heart at the sound of her voice. "Thanks," he muttered quietly.

"Surely you don't doubt yourself?" She kissed him on the cheek, and his face started to turn red.

"No. I am going to win," he growled through gritted teeth. He stopped walking and loosened his grip on her legs and she slid off his back. "We're almost there."

"Thanks for carrying me." Her voice was sweet and sincere.

"Don't mention it." Kyoya began to walk forward again.

Hikaru matched his stride. "You're over-exerting yourself," she realized. "You might want to rest."

"I don't need rest. I need to battle Ginga," he panted.

"If you say so."

They padded on in silence. Their steps were small, their pace slowing as time passed. As far as they could see, now, was dry, barren wasteland dotted with small plants and large boulders. They were walking along the edge of a deep, rocky canyon, which was green with plant life at the bottom. The setting sun cast shadows across the rocky landscape, and with it came cooler air.

Suddenly, Kyoya grabbed Hikaru's shoulders and flung her aside. She squeaked in surprise as she landed in a shrub. She was about to scream out at him, to demand why he just threw her down, but stopped herself when she heard a familiar voice.

"Kyoya!"

Hikaru carefully freed herself from the plant, trying her hardest not to make any noise. Kyoya must not have wanted Ginga to know I'm here, but then….why did he bring me? She pulled twigs and leaves out of her hair as she listened.

"You came alone." Kyoya crossed his arms. "You didn't even bring your girlfriend, or that annoying little shrimp."

"Hikaru's not my girlfriend," was Ginga's only response.

She blushed and peered through the thick shrub. Did he really just say that? He thinks of me before Madoka?

Kyoya had uncrossed his arms and was clenching both hands into fists. "I meant the other one," came his fierce growl.

Ginga still seemed oblivious to Kyoya's attitude. Probably too excited for the battle to begin, Hikaru thought.

"Oh, you meant Madoka?"

"Are you ready to battle now, Ginga?" Kyoya had pulled out his launcher, and with a click, he was ready to launch his bey. A child-like smile spread across Ginga's face as he held his launcher out in front of him.

"Three." Kyoya's deep voice was more like the wild growl of a lion.

"Two!" Ginga shouted, his voice filled with excitement.

"One!" they both called out at the same time. "Let it rip!"

Reviews?

(:Mizune