Wow, exactly 3501 words. This is probably the longest chapter I've ever written. I hope you all love this chapter now!

Disclaimer: Beelzebub belongs to Ryuuhei Tamura, not me.

Chapter 13- Feelings and Smiles

"Good morning, Ayaka!" Furuichi greets me enthusiastically, his eyes bright and full of energy.

"Good morning to you too," I greet, smiling at his sudden cheerfulness. "Someone's in a good mood today."

"I slept really well last night because of the massage," he tells me. "I felt so relaxed that when I lay my head down, I was out like a light!"

I chuckle, feeling my face heating up. "Well, I'm glad that I was of help," I say. "It looks like you'll be able to do well in training today."

During the walk to the training room, Furuichi tells me about a new technique that he's learning. "So, Ayaka, your grandfather has been teaching me a new move," he begins. "I call it the Chuushou Naiseikanshou Shibire Heigaku, or Pillar General Intervention: Numbness Strategy. I have to summon a pillar general from Behemoth's Pillar Division, and focus intensely on their power. It's combined with the varma kalai and with the long stick, so when I strike my opponent in their core with my two fingers, it paralyzes them. However, the stronger the pillar general, the more energy I use up. If I were to call on all of the pillar generals, I'd be completely drained of my energy, and I would kill my opponent."

"Impressive," I say. "So, it's your new special move?"

He nods. "The Pillar General Intervention: Numbness Strategy," he says. "I like that title."

"I've come up with my own special move as well," I say. "Again, it's my sudarshana chakra technique combined with both varma kalai and with weapons. I call it the Sudarshana Talaiyitu Tantiroopayam, or Intervention Tactic."

"So, looks like we both have trademark moves now," Furuichi says.

We arrive at the training room and greet Grandpa. "Grandpa, can I show my new Sudarshana Intervention Tactic?" I ask.

He nods. "Sure. And Takayuki can show his Pillar General Intervention: Numbness Strategy as well," he replies. "We'll have to go outside to show these moves, however."

We go outside and I step up to the straw dummy that is set up for this. I take out my dual knives and form a defensive stance. I then close my eyes and start chanting the sudarshana mantra in my head for a total of nine times. Om… sudarshanaaya vidmahe… mahaajvaalaaya dheemahi… tanno chakrah prachodayaat… Om shanti shanti shantihi…

"Sudarshana Chakra…" I say, opening my eyes as a glowing chakra appears in front of me. "...Talaiyitu Tantiroopayam!" I shout, lunging at the straw dummy and slashing a knife across it, completely destroying it.

I turn to Grandpa and Furuichi, who are staring in amazement. "Wonderful!" Grandpa praises. "You're getting a lot better at this! Now, Takayuki, why don't you show your move now."

Furuichi goes up to another straw dummy and forms a defensive stance, holding his long bamboo pole in front of him and closes his eyes. "Chuushou Naiseikanshou…" he starts, and a demonic aura surrounds him. Right then, he opens his eyes. "Graphel Shibire Heigaku!" he shouts, lunging at the dummy and obliterating it with the pole.

I stare in amazement. "Wow…" I whisper. "That's pretty powerful!"

He nods. "If I used my two fingers and touched them in the core, I would paralyze my opponent," he explains. "However, if I summon all of the Pillar Generals and the Leader himself, I would kill my opponent."

"Exactly," Grandpa tells him. "Only use that move when the time is right. Now, let's focus on today's training."

(Hilda)

"Alright everyone!" I say. "It's time for a one hour break!"

Everyone sighs in relief as they all get up. A lot has happened these past few days. We've accomplished a lot in training, and we're even stronger than before. Also, Kunieda and Izuma had gotten together, much to everyone's surprise. Kanzaki and Yuka have also gotten together, and it seems that Miki had developed a small crush on Nene.

"Man, I'm so tired!" Nene yawns. "Not even the lessons of that Sadohara-sensei can make me feel this exhausted!"

"You mean Saotome-sensei, right?" Natsume asks.

"No, I mean the one who woke up Berubo and tried to have an arm-wrestling match with Tojo," she replies.

"Oh, that guy!" Himekawa comments. "Oi, Oga's wifey. I'm going to the arcade for a bit."

I nod. "Go ahead, but be back in the fitness room soon," I say.

Himekawa, Kanzaki and his lackeys, Yuka, Nene, Chiaki, and Miki then leave for the arcade. "Hilda-san," Izuma says. "I'm going to take Kunieda out for lunch."

Once the two of them leave as well, Tojo and Shizuka also leave to go on a walk, and soon it's just Tatsumi, the Young Master, and me. Tatsumi turns to me. "So, Hilda," he says, removing his shirt and revealing his bare, well-toned chest. "How do you think we're doing so far? Are we getting any stronger?"

I nod. "Yes, we all are," I say. "Can you give me the Young Master? It's time for his lunch."

He proceeds to give him to me and I smile at him. "Okay, Young Master," I coo gently. "Time for milk."

I cradle him in my arms and give him the milk bottle, which he starts sucking on immediately. Once I set him on the bench, I suddenly feel Tatsumi's eyes watching me intently. Before I realize, I feel his lips suddenly give me a kiss on my cheek. Wait, what?! Why'd he do that?! I stare at him in surprise. "What was that for?" I ask.

Looking a bit caught off guard, he lowers his eyes, blushing slightly. "N-No reason…"

I raise an eyebrow, but go back to entertaining the Young Master. What's the reason for Tatsumi's strange behaviour? Why did he suddenly give me a kiss on the cheek out of the blue like that? I try to ignore the feeling, but I feel a warm feeling in me from the short kiss on my cheek. Suddenly, I feel his hands grab my sides from behind and I tense up. Whatever he's up to, I don't trust him one bit. What I don't expect, is for his fingers to suddenly start tickling my sides.

I try and hold in my laughter, trying to get his hands off me. "T-Tatsumi…" I try and warn in a dangerous tone, but my tone wavers through suppressed giggles. I can almost sense his mischievous grin as he continues to tickle me. "S-St-Stop th-this r-right n-now!" Right then, I break into a fit of laughs as he starts tickling everywhere, from my underarms to my sides, to my arms.

What's gotten into him all of a sudden? Tatsumi seems to enjoy this as well, as he's letting out small laughs at this. I try and turn myself around to stop Tatsumi, but I end up falling backwards onto the floor. I look up and see Tatsumi grinning at me, with no evil glints in his eyes. Eventually, I give up trying to stop him and let him tickle me, just enjoying this playful, almost cute side to him.

Eventually, I stop laughing, my breath coming out in heavy pants as I stand up. "What… What has gotten into you all of a sudden?" I ask. "You've never been this… playful before."

He lowers his head a bit, blushing. "I… I wanted you to… to give me that smile," he mumbles, standing up. I raise an eyebrow.

"What smile?" I ask.

"That smile… the one you always save for Berubo," he says. "You don't ever smile like that towards me, you only smile when around my family or with Berubo. I wanted to see you smile at me like that, even if it's only once, I'd be happy."

For some reason, I feel my heart flutter at that little confession. "I… I thought you hated me…" I say. To my surprise, he pulls me into an awkward hug.

"I don't hate you," he says shyly. "I… I like you… Hilda… I have feelings for you. I thought that if I showed you a small sign of affection, you'd give me that smile." He suddenly leans in closer to me so our foreheads are touching. "If I kissed you, would you smile at me?"

Before I can even respond, he suddenly presses his lips against mine in a sweet kiss. My eyes widen in shock as he softly cups my face, his lips moving gently against mine. I slowly close my eyes and wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him back and entangling my fingers in his messy brown hair. As we kiss, I feel my heart pounding against my chest, my mind going blank, and the same warm feeling I felt before. It's one of the best feelings I've ever felt. I don't know how long we stand there for, and I don't even care, surprisingly.

He pulls away, and I give him a soft, tender smile as I gently stroke his face. "Tatsumi…" I whisper. Tatsumi smiles at me, and again, that same feeling comes back. This smile isn't demonic, evil, or barbaric. This is sincere, genuine, and sweet.

"You know what? My family and Berubo can have that other smile," he says. "I'll be keeping this smile."

At that, I can't help but chuckle at that. The Young Master cheers happily at the sight, excited that we're finally confessing our feelings. Tatsumi leans in and kisses me again, and this time, I kiss him back immediately. This time, the kiss is more passionate and heated, yet at the same time sweet and gentle.

"Yeesh, get a room you two!" We suddenly break apart and stare in shock at the doorway. Kanzaki is looking slightly disgusted, his lackeys, Tojo, and Himekawa are grinning, Izuma and Miki are smirking slightly, and Kunieda and the girls look surprised. Everyone is in the doorway, watching the two of us kiss!

"What the hell, Kanzaki! You're the one to talk!" Tatsumi retorts, an embarrassed blush on his face.

"Well at least don't kiss in front of a baby, dammit!" Himekawa snaps.

I can't help but chuckle at the banter between them. Who would've thought that a question over a simple smile could help bring Tatsumi and I together?

(Furuichi)

I wipe off the sheen of sweat on my forehead, breathing heavily. I've been perfecting my Pillar General Intervention: Numbness Strategy move for hours now, and I'm already feeling exhausted. Guruji can sense my fatigue and lets me stop.

"You look tired," he says. "Go get some water and rest up for a bit. I have to see how Ayaka is doing right now."

As I sit down with some water, I suddenly feel a demonic aura. I tense up, holding my bamboo pole in front of me. "Who's there?" I ask, trying to sound intimidating. Suddenly, to my shock, I see someone come out from behind a tree. What shocks me even more is that it's… Hilda-san! And damn, she looks even hotter than before!

"H-Hilda-san?" I ask, feeling a blush on my cheeks when I look at her figure-hugging outfit. She gives me a sultry smile.

"Oh, Furuichi-kun…" she says, my name rolling off her tongue. "Have I ever told you how cute you are?"

This isn't the real Hilda-san! I realize. The real Hilda-san hates me, she'd never call me cute! However, I feel my mind being toyed and swayed over, until my shock fades away and desire and lust takes over my mind. "Come closer, Furuichi-kun," she purrs, beckoning me over with her finger. "You know you want me…"

I start to move closer to her against my own will, when I suddenly hear Ayaka call out. "Furuichi! That's not the real Hilda-san!" she calls out.

Right then, it's almost like someone pours ice water on me. As quick as it happens, the spell lifts from me, and I find myself back to normal. I glare at the fake Hilda-san. "You're not the real one," I snarl. She simply smirks at me.

"What are you talking about?" she asks. "I'm obviously here in front of you."

"The real Hilda-san hates Furuichi," Ayaka says, glaring at her. "Stay away from him… Surpanakha."

Wait, what?! This is one of the Great Thirteen?! The fake Hilda-san glares at us. "Too bad my disguise failed," she says. "Oh well, it doesn't matter."

Suddenly, a purple mist surrounds her, and she starts to shift. In front of us stands a woman with tanned skin, long black hair, glaring yellow eyes, and fangs. She wears a tight-fitting black blouse and a long blood-red skirt. However, her nails are as long as animal claws.

"What are you doing here?" Ayaka snarls. She smirks.

"How rude," she says. "Especially for the granddaughter of a Hindu priest. And you." Surpanakha turns to me. I shiver at her predator-like look. "You're pretty cute actually. Too bad you're my enemy." Suddenly, she lunges at us. "Now die, both of you!"

Ayaka sends a kick at the Asura, and sends her flying back. I watch as the two of them fight rather fiercely. For some reason, Ayaka seems to be more fierce and vicious in her attacks than ever. It's almost like she's… territorial. Surpanakha seems to be trying to get in an attack, but she can barely get even one in. However, when Ayaka tries to do her Sudarshana Intervention Tactic, she's sent flying back.

"Give up, wench!" Surpanakha hisses. "You're no match for a member of the Great Thirteen!" She raises her claws. "Prepare to feel the final blow!"

Right then, before I realize, I find myself running towards her. "Chuushou Naiseikanshou…" I say, raising my two fingers. "Hecadoth, Agiel Shibire Heigaku!" I shout, jabbing Surpanakha in her pressure points. I watch in amazement as she suddenly falls down, paralyzed. She glares at me.

"You'll pay for this, boy!" she snarls. Right then, Hecadoth and Agiel materialize next to me.

"I see you've run into the shape shifting Asura," Hecadoth says, glaring at her. "Damn, we should've warned you."

"Why?" I ask.

"She turns into the one person whom her victim desires, and casts a spell on them so that they're transfixed on her. You're lucky that you managed to get out of the spell. If it wasn't for Ayaka, you would've died," he tells me.

Oh right! I need to make sure she's okay! I turn to her, only to see her frowning in a hurt way at me, a small pout on her lips. Oh crap, she probably realized that I'm a real pervert! I really did it this time! "Wait, Ayaka!" I call, but she starts walking away.

"As much as I appreciate you saving me, don't talk to me!" she snaps, storming off.

I stare after her in confusion. "What the hell did I do?!" I ask. "I was under a spell, I couldn't stop myself, even if I wanted to!"

Agiel sighs. "Another thing that was failed to be mentioned," she says. "Only the victim's future soulmate can break them out of Surpanakha's spell. Sheesh, for someone who's known as the Strategist, you're so dense when it comes to love!"

"What?!"

"Can't you see, Furuichi?" Agiel chides. "That human girl is in love with you! She loves you and she's sad because she thinks you're in love with that Demon Maidservant!"

I stare in shock. Wow, I really am an idiot! I can't believe I never even noticed that Ayaka's in love with me! I can't believe that I denied my own feelings for her! She's the one girl who has seen past the whole Creepichi, Mobichi, Lolicon gig, and has seen who I really am and what I'm like! Damn, I really did it this time! I start running after her, ignoring Hecadoth's comment of "That's why I've never liked the idea of love. Too much drama."

(Ayaka)

For some reason, I feel tears in my eyes. Right now, I just feel hurt that Furuichi seems to like Hilda-san more than me. Why does he like her? Sure, she's gorgeous and attractive, and a killer body that makes all men turn their heads, but she shows no interest in him! I've done a lot for him, yet it seems that my feelings are purely one-sided!

However, I can't help but feel guilty. I still like him, no matter what. His kindness, his sweet and gentlemanly behaviour, as well as his awkward comments are all cute and what I really like about him. I try and fight back the tears in my eyes as I sit down under a large banyan tree. I had just realized my feelings for him today, and I wanted to tell him, and I see him being seduced by an Asura! Well, it isn't his fault at all, since he was under a spell, but I still feel a bit hurt.

"Oi, Ayaka!" I look up and see Furuichi. I sigh and turn away. He stops next to me.

"Ayaka, I am so sorry," he starts to apologize. "Gosh, I'm such an idiot! I was so obsessed with Hilda-san that I failed to notice you, your feelings for me, and my feelings for you, and I feel so terrible right now! I know you're mad at me, and that's understandable, but-" I shush him by gently pressing my finger against his lips.

"I was never mad at you, Furuichi," I say. "I was just sad, because you seemed to like a woman who's more beautiful and attractive than I ever will be. You mean a lot to me though, because you're the first person who welcomed me to Ishiyama and made me feel at home." The tears fill my eyes again. "But I know I can't force you to feel the same way, and it just hurts. I… I don't want to feel like a burden to you."

I hear him sigh. "Ayaka, look at me." I turn to face him. He sits down next to me and pulls me into a hug. "I'm sorry for not realizing how you feel about me, I really am. Because of this, I've realized just how much you mean to me." I look up at him in surprise.

Furuichi smiles at me. "Yeah, you mean a lot," he says. "You're not a burden to me. You saw past the whole Creepichi, Mobichi, Lolicon gig, and took the time to get to know the real me. For that, I'm grateful, and I'm forever in your debt. You have done so much for me, and helped me realize that I'm worth more than people tell I am. You're kind and beautiful, and your smile just always makes my day. I always enjoy listening to you talk, Ayaka. Your voice is like music to me, and I can't ask for anything more."

I stare at him in shock. "B-But, what about…"

"I'm not in love with Hilda-san," he tells me. "Whatever I felt for her was all just lust and desire. Besides, Oga has probably claimed her already. You're my future soulmate, because only the future soulmate of Surpanakha's victim can break them out of her spell." He smiles at my shocked expression. "And guess what? I'm your diamond in the rough."

At this, I start to laugh tearfully. "Takachin…" I say, smiling at him. He looks a bit surprised at that, but he smiles at me. "Takachin… thank you." Right then, I wrap my arms around him in a warm hug and he hugs me back.

"You know, when you were fighting against Surpanakha, you seemed very fierce," Furuichi, or Takachin, comments. "Were you jealous?" he teases.

I blush a bit. "Y-Yeah… I wasn't jealous, I was territorial."

He laughs. "Don't worry, I'm not upset," he replies.

We sit under the banyan tree for a while in a warm embrace, happy that we finally got our feelings out.