Chapter 24: Training

Ikki and Myzuki arrived back to the house, with Ikki winning of course.

"Ugh, that sucks! I thought I had you that time," Myzuki pouted.

Ikki just laughed looking rather smug with himself. They went through the front door. Everyone seemed to be getting along pretty well. The guys were scattered throughout the living room eating some pizza and playing video games. You can hear giggles and chatter coming from upstairs. It was safe to assume the girls were gossiping.

"What's up Ikki; Myzuki," Kazu and Onigiri said almost in unison.

"Yo,"

"You know I never really properly introduced you," She whispered over to Ikki.

"I think he knows you can be pretty rude sometimes Zuki," There was an impressive looking guy with dark hair and eyes, that took up most of the seat he was occupying. He was massive nothing but muscles.

"The brooding loner over there is Daichi," She rolled her eyes at his comment.

Daichi just rolled his eyes and stood up. He made his way over to Ikki and gave him a fist bump.

"You're in high school," Ikki asked. The guy in question towered over Ikki.

"Are you saying I look old," He looked pissed now.

"Oh come on Daichi, you do look old," A girl with bubble gum pink hair giggled. She was making her way down the stairs over to them.

"Hi, I'm Lexi. I've heard loads about you," She grabbed onto Myzuki and was hugging her from behind, "He's a lot cuter than what you said Zuki-chan,"

"Shut up," Myzuki blushed at the admission.

"Ah, so you do talk about me," Ikki sat on the couch next to Buccha and took a slice of pizza for himself.

"Don't get cocky," Kenshin came up from behind where Myzuki and Lexi stood. He seemed to be just getting there too.

"Where were you," Myzuki inquired.

"Getting some fresh air, it was getting rather cramped in here," he made is way to the far end of the living room leaning up against the wall.

"Nah, it's like I told him. He needs to disappear once this is all done and if he doesn't well," Daichi shrugged and sat down where he previously was.

"Glad I'm not the only one," Ikki added.

"Will the two of you stop this pissing contest? We need to focus and threatening others isn't what we need right now. Let me make this clear," Myzuki rubbed the bridge of her nose before she said, "Whoever will hinder my chances on getting my dad back can get the fuck out and you're going to have to deal with me,"

"Well said love," Cokefire came out of the Kitchen accompanied by Benkei.

Ringo came downstairs accompanied by Emily and a girl she's never seen with black hair in pigtails. The other girl that emerged was another one of her friends.

"Hey Junko," She was statuesque, with dark brown hair in a messy top knot. She was gorgeous and Myzuki was always secretly jealous at how pretty she is.

"Yo," She waved over to her. Junko was the quiet type that always had a bored expression on her face.

"Hey Myzuki," Emily ran over to her and gave her a hug. The girl was as bubbly as ever. "This is Yayoi. She's Agito's tuner," She explained further.

"Nice to meet you," The quiet girl bowed slightly.

"Oh nice to meet you, I'm a bit surprised that you're his tuner,"

"Why the fuck," Agito chimed in.

Myzuki raised her eyebrow over to him.

"Because you're polar opposites, this side of you is a dick and she seems like such a nice girl,"

"Tch," was all that he responded.

"Where's Johnny," Myzuki asked.

"Are you serious? I've been here the whole time," He was sitting in front of the TV playing a game. He was not short. He was Myzuki's height but he had such a baby face that people always thought he was in middle school.

"Oh, I didn't see you there,"

"That's because he's so small," Daichi chimed in.

Everyone laughed at this.

"Screw you Daichi! You're just jealous because I 'm so youthful and you look like an old man, I mean who the hell has that much facial hair in high school,"

"Dude what the hell,"

"You have facial hair Daichi," Lexi asked. She was examining him closely.

"I shave okay," He tried to swat her away. "You're going to pay for that,"

"That's a good idea," Cokfire said.

Everyone just stopped and looked over to him. They weren't sure what he was talking about.

"I think we should partake in a practice battle. Similar to when you guys battled Sleeping forest in the inorganic net," He continued.

"This time it will be in real life," Onigiri asked.

"Yes, I think that it is important that the two teams battle in order to get them ready for whatever may come. There are just too many variables in this. Therefore, I think it's a good idea to prepare for anything. Not only that but I also think that this will enable all of you to get familiar with everyone's abilities just in case we are separated,"

"I think that's a great idea," Ikki seemed excited about it.

"Sure I guess. We just have never had a balloon battle, care to explain what it is,"

"Of course love. First off the reason I picked a balloon battle is that it is the hardest battle and highest ranked. Both teams are pushed to use their full potential both mentally and physically. Every one of their accumulating strengths and skills is a decisive factor victory. If we are successful then we will be ready for anything. The only difference is that we aren't putting your emblems on the line for this. It is a simple practice battle. The point of the battle is whichever team catches the balloon wins. It's usually played with a 5 on 5 basis, though 6 to 6 have been done on occasion. Each person has a role they play on the team. The panther, which is the person that chases the balloon and is the only member to touch it, if any other rider touches it, the team will be disqualified. Then there is the decoy, this person lures the other members away making them think they are the panther. There's the ultimate that battles the other team. The middle that assists the 3 people in the front. The keeper, they stop the enemies attacks,"

"This sounds complicated," Myzuki, sounded concerned. She hadn't had a battle with her team in a long time. She pretty much stopped battling ever since the whole thing with Kenshin went down.

"It is but I had a lot of fun," Emily added. This surprised Myzuki because she seemed to get into AT's because of Kazu.

"It is fun but it can make or break a team. That's why only the best have these battles," Cokefire said.

"Furthermore, each positon has a fatal risk. The panther must never reveal itself. If they do the other, team will target them, while the decoy puts their life on the line to protect the identity of the panther. Ultimate has to fight hand to hand, while the middle assists. The Keeper has to block attacks; they end up receiving the most damage. Meanwhile the balloon is floating about," he continued.

"Who won the balloon battle between Kogarasamaru and Sleeping Forest," Kenshin asked.

"Well of course we did," Ikki announced proudly.

'He could have used that information to his advantage. What an arrogant bastard,' Kenshin thought.

"Well let's get game plan together guys," Myzuki said. She was heading upstairs so she can discuss strategy with her team. They followed her upstairs while they bickered about what position they would be.

Ikki just smiled. He was getting pumped. He hadn't had a battle like this in a while and something told him that this was going to be fun.

"Wipe that grin off your face, your creeping me out Ikki," Kazu smacked his arm.