Chapter 17: The Tournament Begins!

Sorry Flygon, I had to do that XD I've always had a talent for referencing things, obscure or not. Once I made a reference so obscure, I didn't know what I was referencing! Don't ask me how I did that, I honestly have no clue. I think it was that I remembered the line, but not what it was from. It's not really a natural talent as it is one I've developed from a little more then 5 years of practice doing just that. I digress. Thanks for the compliments Killa! I do get quite carried away, don't I? I aim for 6K words normally, even passing up fantastic cliffhangers to meet the quota and end up with 11K LOL I do wonder if I go into too much detail, but it doesn't really matter. Believe me, I'm glad to be at this tournament! I keep saying that, but I keep delaying it by going into such detail and putting in snippits of stuff that, while I LOVE writing it, takes quite a lot of words. So I'm starting the tournament in THIS chapter, no matter the word count! Preliminaries start NOW!

POV Konata

Konata woke up to a light pain in her stomach. Waking up in full, she sighed as she grasped her stomach, quite hungry from missing dinner the night before. Then the reason she had missed dinner hit her again. She lost her appetite as tears filled her eyes again. She wiped her eyes and sighed as she started getting ready for the day. She got dressed in her uniform and walked out to the kitchen half-heartidly.

"Konata? Are you okay?" She heard her father call from the living room.

"Yeah, why?" Konata replied, sounding flat without meaning to.

"You don't sound it. You never came to dinner yesterday. I was worried." Sojiro came into the kitchen. He saw the red cheeks of his daughter and became VERY alarmed. "Konata? What's wrong? Why were you crying?"

"Don't worry about it dad. I'm fine." Konata tried her best to sound happy and give a smile, but Sojiro could tell it was empty. But he could also tell that she wasn't about to open up to him.

Alright Konata. When you're ready to talk, I'll be waiting. Sojiro thought. "If you say so." Konata made herself toast and grabbed a coronet for later. She ate it less then enthusiastically, if such an understatement could be made.

"Onee-chan, are you-" Yutaka started to ask.

"I'm fine Yu-chan." Konata interrupted. She grabbed her bag and left for school early so that she walk at her own pace. She stood on the sub-way and rode to the stop nearest the school. She got there and walked to school, already late. And not a damn was given. The entire time her thoughts were the same, dreading lunch when she would see Kagami again, when she would annoy her again, when she would piss her off again. Konata opened the door to her homeroom.

"Oi Izumi, you're late. I suppose you have an excuse?" Kuroi said, with a grin.

"No ma'am." Konata responded as she walked to her seat.

"Oh well... We already checked homework, take out yours." Kuroi said, taken aback. Konata had responded with no energy, quite unlike her.

"I didn't do it ma'am. I have no excuse." Konata said in the same tone. Kuroi got worried. Not only did Konata respond as if she was depressed, she was saying ma'am! Not to mention that she didn't use some excuse like she always did.

"Well... Alright then, let's get class started."

POV Tony

Tony awoke in a manner quite the opposite of Konata, completely refreshed and ready for anything. Well, almost. He got up and walked over to his closet. He pulled out regular clothes, feeling that showing up at the tournament in weighted clothing would be adding insult to injury to the people he would be beating.

"Otōto, I made breakfast!" Masutā shouted. Tony cringed slightly. His brother's cooking was only slightly better then his own. That is to say, extremely healthy, but a virtual slaughter of the taste buds.

"Thanks, I'm coming." Tony said as he walked into the living room. He took a bite of the eggs and made a face. I got spoiled by that one meal. Tony thought with a snicker.

"Come on Otōto, it doesn't taste that bad." Masutā said as he ate his.

"You haven't tasted Tsukasa's cooking. I've never had better tasting food, it boggles the mind that it was from the same place this stuff comes from." Tony said, looking down at his food. "To think Kagami gets to eat that stuff every day, I envy her to no end." At this, Masutā laughed. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, nothing. Don't worry about it!" Masutā laughed. "You just speak so highly of this girl when it's her sister you're suppose to like, right?"

"We-well, I..." Tony stopped himself, catching his stutter. He breathed deeply to regain himself. "Look. I'm a little confused right now. I realize that I don't like Kagami like that, I never did. But I don't know what I think of Tsukasa yet. She's just... amazing. It doesn't seem to matter what I tell her, she isn't the least deterred. For one so small, she seems so strong..." Tony thought aloud.

"You told her about all of that, eh?" Masutā asked, though having been told by Tsukasa before.

"Yeah. It felt... good." Tony said with a glazed look. He stayed like that for a moment as silence descended on the room. He snapped out of it to see the time. "Crap! I've gotta get going, sorry but I don't have time to eat! Thanks though!" Tony shouted as he realized that first bell would ring in twenty minutes. He grabbed his bag and was out of the house almost instantly. Masutā chuckled.

"Well then, this is going to be interesting." He smiled as he finished his breakfast.

Tony ran with all due haste to school, making it about ten minutes before the bell. He walked over and sat down in relief. He checked and saw only Miyuki there, busying herself getting ready for the day. Tony's stomach growled as he took out his homework and started working frantically to get finished before class started. He knew he would have to make it a super quick, probably C to low B homework grade in a few minutes. Maybe a D or low C since he hadn't eaten breakfast or dinner the previous night. His stomach growled loudly again. Stop that. He commanded.

"K-Kan-chan?" He heard Tsukasa say behind him, her having arrived while he was distracted. He turned around to see her with a light blush.

"What's up?" Tony asked.

"I-um-..." Tsukasa fidgeted for a second before seemingly arriving at a decision. She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. "Would you like to copy my work? Onee-chan let me copy hers, so it should be good." Tsukasa offered her paper.

"Thanks a lot Tsukasa!" Tony smiled as he took the papers. He had them copied in moments. He turned and gave them back. "Thanks but... That's not what you wanted to say." Tony said, causing Tsukasa to jump a little.

"Wh-what do you mean?" Tsukasa asked in a panic as he had seen through the charade.

"Tsukasa, if you don't want to tell me, you don't have to. Don't worry about it. You can tell me when you want to." Tony smiled, turning back around. Tsukasa sighed. I wonder where Konata is... Tony thought as class started. About ten minutes in, after roll was called and homework checked, Konata came in the room, lacking her usual upbeat attitude.

"Oi Izumi, you're late. I suppose you have an excuse?" He heard Kuroi call as Konata entered the room.

"No ma'am." Konata said flatly as she made her way to her seat. On the way, Tony caught a glimpse of her face.

Wow, something's really gotten to her... I wonder what's going on.

"Oh well... We already checked homework, take out yours." Kuroi said.

"I didn't do it ma'am. I have no excuse." Konata said, in just as flat a tone.

Whatever it is, it's something big. Something I don't want her to relive more then she needs to. I'll wait for Kagami to notice at lunch and ask her. Tony reasoned. Class resumed as normal.

POV Kagami

Kagami woke up, her insides burning. She suddenly sprang out of bed to see a witch casting an internal melting spell that was at that moment liquefying her kidneys. She muttered a counterspell and blasted the witch through multiple walls into piles of honey. The witch pulled off her mask to reveal she looked the exact same as she had with the mask on, leading Kagami to wonder what the point of the mask was in the first place. Until the witch pulled her other mask off to reveal the same thing again. She cackled as she drew a sword, Kagami finding one strapped to her own thigh. She looked down as the witch sprang back up into her room and swung the sword around, easily very skilled. As she stopped showing off, Kagami sighed. "I don't have time for this, I have honey to eat and monkeys to save." She pulled out a gun from who knows where and shot the witch, killing her in possibly the most anticlimactic way possible. All the sudden, she felt a small pain on the entirety of her side. Kagami woke up for real this time, having fallen out of bed and sat still, contemplating her dream. She started hitting her head. "What the hell WAS that?" She wondered. She got up, already starting to forget her dream and got her uniform out. She walked out after putting it on and heard an alarm going off in her sister's room. She walked up and knocked on the door. "Tsukasa?" No response. She knocked again, but to no avail. She walked in to see the alarm clock on her sister and ringing loudly. Tsukasa, however, hadn't stirred in the least. Kagami walked over and turned the alarm off. She gently shook her sister. "Tsukasa, it's time to wake up."

"Five more minutes..." Tsukasa muttered.

"Sorry, no five minutes. You have to get up now." Kagami said sternly, increasing the intensity of her shake.

"Mm~..." Tsukasa hummed as she turned over in bed.

"Tsukasa!" Kagami shook harder.

"Hm? Whats..." Tsukasa sprang up. "Oh, morning Onee-chan."

"Good morning, sleepy head." Kagami smiled to her sister. "It's time to get ready for school."

"Okay, thanks Onee-chan!" Tsukasa smiled. Kagami got up and walked out to grab her bag. She did so and walked back, completely expecting to see Tsukasa sprawled back in her bed, asleep. She was surprised to say that wasn't the case. She walked downstairs to see Tsukasa in the kitchen, making lunch for later. She turned around and handed Kagami a bento. In the process, Kagami noticed two things. One was that she could see that Tsukasa was still tired. She had put effort into keeping herself up, even though Kagami had gotten her up in the first place. The second was the two bento boxes behind her.

"Thanks Tsukasa, but... why did you make an extra?" Kagami asked.

"Well..." Tsukasa blushed. "I figured since Kan-chan liked my cooking so much, maybe I could make him something today... you know?"

"That's a bit.. forward, isn't it?" Kagami asked, worried her sister might out herself prematurely.

"Yo-you think so?" She panicked.

"It's up to you, I'm not getting involved." Kagami smiled, receiving a pout from her sister.

"Onee-chan! Tell me, I need your help! I don't know about this stuff!" Tsukasa pleaded.

"Sorry Tsukasa, but I don't know anymore than you on that subject." Kagami grinned. Tsukasa gave a worried look to the bento she had prepared Tony. "Don't worry, I'm sure whatever you do is going to be fine." Kagami said reassuringly.

"Thanks Onee-chan... I think I'll give it to him!" Tsukasa decided.

"Alright! Worse case scenario is that he doesn't like it, in which case he can eat whatever he brought. Though the thought of someone not liking your cooking is ludicrous at best." Kagami snickered as she added the last sentence, causing Tsukasa to blush in embarrassment from the praise.

"You're right! What can go wrong?" Tsukasa smiled.

"Now go grab your stuff, I'll make breakfast today." Kagami smiled.

"Thanks!" Tsukasa thanked as she ran to her room.

Alright, I just have to remember how I did this before... Kagami thought as she tried to remember when Konata was sick and she made a pancake that was supposedly fantastic. She got together all the ingredients she had used before and performed the same steps she had before, though doubling the amount so that there was enough for her and her sister. She finished just in time for Tsukasa to come back down, fully prepared. Kagami handed her sister her pancake and put her own on a plate. She grabbed a couple forks and they both sat down.

"Thanks for the food!" Tsukasa chimed. They both cut off a piece and ate it. The reaction was both unanimous and one of disgust.

But I thought this was good! Kagami thought despondently before remembering something Konata had said.

Konata swallowed before saying "Yeah, totally! This is better than I've ever made! Kagami must have put a lot of love into this!"

*Sigh* What does that even mean? Geez, I can't even make a simple pancake. Was she just trying to make me feel better? What, I'm a woman with no love now? Kagami thought, getting an odd feeling of Deja-vu. Wait... didn't I say that before? Either way, this sucks. Kagami thought bitterly as she finished her pancake. She could have sworn a couple pieces were crunchy. And not in a good way. "Alright, you ready Tsukasa?" She asked after Tsukasa had finished her pancake.

"Yeah Onee-chan!" Tsukasa confirmed, too nice to say what a lousy job Kagami had done. They both started walking to school, Kagami's bike having been taken yesterday and having enough time to walk anyway. They arrived without a hitch and walked in.

"Bye Tsukasa, see you at lunch!" Kagami waved.

"Bye Onee-chan!" Tsukasa waved back. Kagami entered her class.

"Oi Hiiragin! Whatcha doin' after school today?" Misao shouted as she walked over to Kagami.

"I'm going to the World Martial Arts Tournament with my sister and our friends. Why?" Kagami asked.

"You should hang out with us instead!" Misao said, referring to herself and Ayano. "We barely get to see you outside of class now! Besides, you're too fragile for fightin' in that!" Misao protested.

"Wait... I'm not fighting in it, I'm watching someone fight in it. That boy you saw yesterday is going to fight. Which reminds me, where the hell is my bike?" Kagami shouted.

"Whoa! How did you get from that weird kid to your bike?" Misao asked with a giggle.

"It's a long train of thought. But you're changing the subject!" Kagami shouted.

"Well..." Misao avoided eye contact as she scratched the back of her head sheepishly.

"Well what?" Kagami asked.

"My brother... kinda ran it over." Misao sighed. Kagami stood there dumbfounded for a moment.

"You owe me a new bike!" She shouted after a few moments. "Why did he do that anyway? Was it an accident?"

"That's the stupid part! It wasn't!" Misao said, infuriated.

"WELL THEN WHY?" Kagami yelled.

"Hiiragi! Stop the yelling in my class! You're killing me!" Yukari shouted from her desk. Kagami looked over and saw bloodshot eyes.

"Sorry Ms. Yukari." Kagami apologized before turning back to Misao. "Well? Why?"

"Because. He's. An. Asshole. I've told ya that Hiiragin!" Misao said. Kagami instantly hated her brother.

"That jerk owes me a new bike..." Kagami sighed as she took her seat.

POV Lunchtime... wait what?

"Hey, I'm here for lunch!" Kagami announced as she walked in the room. Konata instantly shifted in her seat as everyone took a chair around her desk. "Hey Tony, where's your lunch?"

"I didn't have time to pack one..." Tony scratched the back of his head in embarrassment as his stomach growled loudly. His cheeks turn slightly pink. "And I didn't get any dinner last night either." He said with his eyes closed so as not to see the people he was talking to. He was embarrassed enough as it was. Kagami's eyes widened as she realized how perfectly it had worked out. She turned to Tsukasa while Tony wasn't looking and mouthed for her to go. Tsukasa blushed.

"Um... Kan-chan?" She said faintly.

"Yes Tsukasa?" He smiled.

"A-about that thing you said this morning, that it wasn't what I wanted to say... It was true." Tsukasa muttered.

"Oh?" Tony smirked at finding out he was right.

"Ye-yeah. I was wondering if you would... like this?" Tsukasa shrank as she brought out the bento she had prepared and handed it to him. She had to look away as she handed it to him, a scared blush enveloping her face. Tony changed from smirking to surprise. "Please accept it!"

That's unexpected! He thought to himself. "Thanks Tsukasa... I-..." Tony said, already picking up that he was about to start stuttering again. I really must find out why I do that... He thought. "Thanks. But wait... what are you going to eat?" He asked.

"We-well, I made an extra... So I have lunch to eat!" Tsukasa said. Tony smiled a very warm smile that she could see a lot of joy behind. Kagami couldn't help but smile herself. She also couldn't help but expect the comment about a flag being triggered that was inevitably going to come. When it didn't, Kagami looked to see Konata looking down into her lap and otherwise avoiding attention and eye contact with any of them.

"Konata? Are you okay?" Kagami asked, worry easily discernible in her voice. The table quieted down as they listened.

"Yeah, I'm fine. There's nothing to worry about." Konata said in a despondent tone.

"Bull. Now tell me what's wrong." Kagami said sternly.

"I told you, I'm fine." Konata sighed.

"No you are not! Don't try and tell me that, it's written all over your face! Your cheeks are puffed and red!" Kagami shouted, luckily not attracting very much attention. Konata could feel herself about to tear up.

"Kagami, I told you not to worry! I'm fine! Just drop it!" Konata shouted much louder then Kagami, attracting the attention of most everyone in the class. Tony looked at them all staring at their table.

"Hey, this is none of your business! Turn back around unless you want a drying rack strapped to your chest!" He threatened. Everyone went back to their own conversations promptly.

"... Fine. You can tell me when you're ready." Kagami got up and started to walk out. She stopped at the door and looked back, Konata looking back down into her lap again. Kagami sighed. I hope she's alright... She worried. She left.

Okay, I have to ask her after school. Though... If Kagami couldn't get it out of her, I don't think there's any hope for me. Tony thought, starting on the bento Tsukasa had made. The first bite was ecstasy. "Tsukasa, I swear, it's like every piece of food you touch is transformed into something amazing." He said through a mouthful.

"Th-thanks Kan-chan!" Tsukasa blushed. The rest of lunch was spent in silence as Tony was too busy eating to talk, Konata was too depressed, Tsukasa was too embarrassed, and poor Miyuki was completely left out again.

After School

As Konata got up from her seat, Tony walked in front of her. "Hey, we need to talk. That's right, it's your turn." He said.

"I don't want to talk." Konata said.

"Oh, it wasn't a choice, you have to do it." Tony said rather matter-of-factly.

"If I don't?" Konata muttered defiantly, the most emotion Tony had heard her put into any dialogue.

"I think you're forgetting who you're talking to. Tsukasa, could you go keep Kagami busy for me? Undoubtedly she's going to try and listen in." Tony asked.

"Sure thing!" Tsukasa went outside the room and waited for her sister. Tony waited for the room to empty before confronting Konata.

"Wha-" Konata started ask before Tony shushed her. Tony crept over to the door.

"You know, it's rather hypocritical to listen in on friends the day after you scold someone for doing the same thing." Tony shouted in a loud voice. He heard a "Darn!" from the other side by the foiled Kagami. "Alright now. Who am I going to kill?" Tony asked, turning his attention on Konata.

"What do you mean?" Konata asked.

"I mean, who made you cry? Tell me what's wrong Konata. What happened that you can't even tell Kagami?" Tony asked.

"Nothing's wrong, I keep telling you guys!" Konata pleaded.

"If you're going to lie to someone trained to know when you're lying, you should at least put some effort into it." Tony sighed.

"There's no need to worry!" Konata shouted as loudly as she had to Kagami.

"Horse Hockey!" Tony shouted, easily overpowering Konata's voice. The sheer volume made Konata's ears ring. "Look, just tell me. I can help. We can." Tony said in a much calmer voice.

"Alright, you wanna know? I have Girl Problems!" Konata shouted. Tony blinked a couple times. He suddenly raised both hands up.

"Say nothing more. I have no need to know anything more." Tony said as he walked to the door. Konata sat thinking about what she had said.

Oh... he thought I meant... wow, I lucked out. I really don't want anyone to know right now. Konata thought to herself as she walked to the door herself. The two left the room, Kagami pacing impatiently like one would imagine an expecting father to.

"We're done here." Tony said, walking out. Kagami gave him a look, then Konata, then caught up with Tony.

"Tony, what's up? What's wrong with her?" Kagami asked. After all, Tony had allegedly diagnosed Konata before when doctors couldn't.

"Nothing I need to have anything to do with." Tony continued walking.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kagami asked.

"It's not my place to say." Tony said. He stopped, realizing he was ahead of everyone else. He waited for everyone to catch up, by this time he was out of the school. "Alrighty, you guys wanna go ahead to the preliminaries? Bro's gonna meet us there."

"Yeah!" The unanimous answer rung out.

"Kan-chan, what's the preliminaries?" Tsukasa asked as they walked.

"Well, it's how they determine who fights who based on strength or skill. I'm not sure how they're going to do it, but we'll just have to see!" Tony smiled. "By the way, thanks so much for lunch Tsukasa. I really needed something to eat before this or I wouldn't be able to do my best! Needless to say, it was food fit for the gods." Tony said.

"Any time Kan-chan!" Tsukasa said, blush crossing her face again. Kagami, however, missed this entire exchange, the whole while looking intently at Konata with an extremely worried look.

"...What is it Kagami?" Konata looked away.

"Are you angry with me?" Kagami asked with a look of sadness. Both Tony and Tsukasa fell silent as they listened to what was happening.

"What? No! What would make you think that?" Konata asked, looking Kagami in her eyes for only the second time all day.

"You're very quiet and unresponsive today. Whatever I say, you just seem to brush off." Kagami said, worried.

"Kagami..." Konata was about to say it had nothing to do with her, but then she thought about how much it did, in fact, have to do with her Tsundere. Before Konata could continue, however, they heard the loud barking of a dog. They all looked over to see a large dog barking at a much smaller cat. The dog was probably about half the size of Kagami.

"Tony, you have to-" Kagami shouted, looking at Tony. She saw a weird sort of fear, something she hadn't really seen before. She knew he was useless. Miyuki didn't know anything about fighting, Konata was depressed, and Tsukasa was trying to comfort Tony over whatever was happening to him. Then it's up to me! Kagami determined. She ran over and started yelling at the dog. The dog ignored her and continued barking at the cat.

"Kagami, what are you doing!" Konata shouted. Kagami ran up and kicked the dog. It had barely any effect. The dog stopped and looked at her. Without warning, the dog jumped at her, Kagami falling to her rear in fear. "KAGAMI!" Konata shouted, leaping between them and, by nothing but instinct, catching the dog on the top and bottom of his head. Seeing her new situation, she landed a blow to the side of the dog's neck, turning it so that his side was facing Konata. Konata brought up her leg and threw the hardest kick she had ever thrown, including every bit of power she could put behind her foot. It was enough to make the dog hesitate, then leave. Konata looked at her hands and realized that the only reason she hadn't sustained the injuries she had expected was from her martial arts training.

"Konata you... saved me. Thank you so much..." Kagami breathed in relief. "Tony, it's okay. It's gone." Kagami called back, figuring that he must have been afraid of big dogs or something. "Are you okay Konata?"

"Yeah, I'm fine... Thanks Kagami." Konata thanked. She turned around and helped Kagami up while averting her gaze even more.

"Konata! Please tell me what's going on!" Kagami pleaded. "It doesn't matter what you say, I still feel I'm responsible for your misery somehow!"

"Kagami..." Konata said, speechless. After all the crap I put her through... She seems so concerned! I wish I could tell her, but then I'd end up losing her forever. "Kagami, don't worry. I can honestly tell you that you're causing me no misery. It's just something I've gotta work out myself, ya know?"

"I guess I understand..." Kagami sighed as she went and picked up the cat to check for injuries. She noticed Tony hadn't moved. "Tony?" She asked as she walked closer. Once she was within ten feet, he back up ten yards in even less time. "T-Tony?" She walked closer.

"Kagami. Don't come near me with that..." Tony warned.

"What do you mean? The cat?" Kagami asked, confused as she walked closer.

"Stay away!" Tony yelled with such a power that Kagami had to drop the cat to cover her ears. The cat merely landed on it's feet and walked away. Tony saw what he had done and felt guilty instantly. He ran over to Kagami. "Are you okay Kagami? I'm so sorry!" Tony said while Tsukasa and the others checked on her welfare. Luckily, her ears just really hurt.

"Geez Tony, you sure have a loud voice when you want to..." Kagami commented as she rubbed her ears. "So, are you afraid of cats?" She asked rhetorically, considering he had just screamed and ran from one.

*Sigh* "I was hoping you wouldn't find out... Not that I don't trust you, but still. It's embarrassing..." Tony looked dejected.

"It's alright Tony, we all have stuff we're afraid of." Kagami said.

"Hey Tony..." Konata said, her voice seemingly regaining a bit of it's normal excitement.

"Yes Konata?" Tony asked with a raised eyebrow, curious to see where this was going.

"A super loud voice... Abnormal fear of cats... Are you a merman?" Konata asked with her a shine in her eyes akin to what she usually had.

"Hehe, as hilarious as that would be, it was just a hilarious coincidence. I just happen to have a loud voice." Tony smiled a little at seeing Konata regain her usual humor. Konata suddenly seemed to realize something and shrunk down again.

"Konata, you were like normal again!" Kagami smiled as they resumed walking.

"Yeah... Sorry..." Konata looked down.

"Sorry? What for? I... like the way you are..." Kagami blushed as she took her turn to avert her gaze. Konata gave her a shocked look.

"Wait, I thought I annoyed you all the time with my anime references and comments and stuff! I thought you might hate me for it..." Konata said, tears coming to her eyes.

"Is that what this has been about?" Kagami asked in disbelief. "Konata, if I hated you, why would I be here? Why would I have come to lunch?"

"So... You don't hate me?" Konata seemed uplifted.

"Of course not. Konata, you're one of my closest friends." Kagami smiled. The only reason she said one of was so that no one felt less significant.

"Woohoo!" Konata cheered as she brought Kagami into a massive bear hug.

"H-hey! Come on now!" Kagami shouted as she struggled. However, Konata seemed to have no intention of stopping, and Kagami could see that she was being vastly overpowered. She gave Tony a pleading look. Tony chuckled and walked over. When he spoke, he spoke with an Australian accent.

"Okay, now what we see here folks, is the Otaku's attempt to attract a mate! This is very rare, be careful not to make any sudden movements, as the mates are generally very easily startled. Very dangerous to get involved, VERY DANGEROUS! Exchanges like this could go on for hours! 'd be best just leave them to it and see what else we can find around here." Tony said, talking to Tsukasa and Miyuki, who both giggled throughout the entire "explanation". The three started walking ahead.

"Yo-you're just gonna leave me here? !" Kagami yelled after them.

"Well, you two are just going to miss the tournament!" Tony shouted back. "I bet there will be all sorts of interesting people there!" Tony shouted. Seeing that that wasn't going to cut it, he decided to try something else. "Hey Tsukasa, are there any particular singers or actress' that Konata likes?"

"I think she likes Aya something..." Tsukasa put a finger to her lip in thought.

"Aya Hirano?" Tony asked.

"Yeah, that's it!" Tsukasa confirmed.

"... She must love herself then..." Tony muttered. He shouted behind him. "Yeah! I heard Aya Hirano might be opening the tournament!" Within seconds, Konata had caught up with stars in her eyes, Kagami in tow by the hand, and speeding forward. Tony sweatdropped as they only ended up with enough time to hear Kagami say half a letter. "Such a reaction... Let's at least try and make it there within half an hour of her, eh?" Tony chuckled.

"Okay!" The two girls started jogging while Tony merely sped up his walking to match their speed.

"Hey Miyuki, I have a rather... sensitive question for you." Tony said.

"Yes Kanpeki-san?" Miyuki replied with a smile, already knowing what Tony was about to ask. Also, a little side note here, Miyuki's first words were the 5571st word. I feel so bad for her.

"Well... What do you think about homo-"

"I support Konata-san and Kagami-san." Miyuki interrupted.

"-se... Oh. Well then. That was easier then I thought it was going to be." Tony said.

"Well, your brother asked me the same thing." Miyuki giggled.

"Well then, that would explain that. Tsukasa had an excellent idea yesterday about the festival after the tournament. The five of us are gonna go to the festival, then Tsukasa will seem to get excited by something and pull me off really quickly. You'll follow to calm her down and voila! Those two are alone together! Quite an ingenious plan. Almost flawless..." Tony smiled as Tsukasa blushed a little. She was still getting used to being praised more... She's cute with a blush...

"Absolutely flawless!" George Michaels echoed.

"Does it do that every time?" Tsukasa asked. Disembodied voices were a little unnerving.

"Yeah, kinda does. But are you with us on this Miyuki?" Tony asked.

"Yes of course! I would be happy to help." Miyuki eyesmiled.

"Thanks!" Tony said.

Those two do seem to be getting along quite nicely. Maybe I'll see what I can do for them... Miyuki smiled as she thought of a plan herself. She giggled at the simplicity of it, yet how well it could potentially work.

"What's so funny?" Tony asked.

"Nothing, don't worry." Miyuki smiled. I think I'll give them a little push as well... Miyuki thought as they arrived. They walked into the building to see Konata and Kagami waiting, Konata looking quite antsy. Tony and Konata locked eyes for a moment.

"Go Kagami! Use Twin Tailed Tornado!" Konata shouted, pointing at Tony.

"Go Miyuki! Use Multi Moe Missiles Mark 3!" Tony shouted, pointing at Konata.

"UWAG! Super effective!" Konata grasped her heart dramatically.

"Yes! Over 9000 experience gained!" Tony posed triumphantly. Two swift knocks to the head later, both Konata and Tony were sitting on the ground with a lump on each head.

"Hey, you're drawing too much attention, people are staring! You can't just start yelling stuff like that, it embarrasses us! Tony, you're going to be on TV pretty soon during your matches, so you can't just act like that anytime you want to! Now, what do you say?" Kagami shouted. Konata had shrunk to the same state she had been that morning and Tony could tell it was his job to do something about it and make a snappy comeback. He leaned over to Konata and said, just loudly enough for Kagami and the others to hear,

"Meanwhile, Aunt Martha, having taken a tramp through the woods, lies in a ditch on the edge of town..." Tony muttered. Konata lit up and started laughing. Kagami just looked confused.

"Did I miss something?" She asked.

"I guess so." Tony smirked as Kagami started wondering how his statement made any sense in any context. Which conveniently gave Konata and Tony time to sneak away. Kagami noticed they were gone and, Miyuki and Tsukasa in tow, went to find them. They ended up finding them at the desk, about to get into the tournament with Masutā.

"Okay then, that'll be ¥ 10,000 for each ticket, so your total comes to ¥ 60,000!" The girl handling entry said.

"But I thought it was free for family members? I'm participating in the tournament." Tony said.

"Name please?"

"Ryū Tora no Kami." Tony said, causing all of the girls to look at him funny.

"And what is your relation with these girls and man?" The girl asked.

"This is my brother." He said, referring to Masutā.

"Heya." Masutā waved.

"This is my cousin, Miyuki."

"How do you do?" Miyuki bowed.

"This is my sister, Konata."

"Yo." Konata said distractedly. Her and Tony had discussed exactly what he had to do to get the Hiiragi's. Tony smirked.

"This is my wife, Tsukasa, and her sister, my sister-in-law, Kagami." He grinned ear to ear as he saw Tsukasa's face turn the reddest he had ever seen it. That only made him smile wider. One could imagine the edges of his mouth touch on the back of his head.

"Well alright then, we don't usually count in-laws, but I'll make an exception this time. Enjoy the tournament and please try not to get too hurt in the ring Ryū!" The girl said.

"Thanks!" Tony bowed as the lot entered the area. There were all sorts of vendors everywhere selling who knows what.

"You're entering as the God of Fighting? Isn't that a little presumptuous?" Kagami asked. "And why don't you just yell out "Smite me almighty smiters!" 'cause I don't think the gods like being impersonated..." Kagami scolded.

"I'll change it when someone proves me wrong." Tony chuckled.

"Let's go see what everyone's selling!" Tsukasa said excitedly.

"The preliminaries are starting soon." Tony said, poking Tsukasa in the forehead. "Sorry Tsukasa, another time?"

"Alright Kan-chan." Tsukasa giggled. Konata's eye sparkled a bit.

"FLAG!" Konata pointed to the two.

"No flag. Let's go." Tony said, walking to the biggest crowd of people who looked like fighters. He turned out to be right.

"Okay! Let's begin! When I call your name, come up and hit the machine with everything ya got!" Akira shouted. Tony saw a machine with a punching pad. "First is... Recoome!"

"Make way for the champion!" They heard the giant man with a small of orange hair yell as he made his way to the bag. "RECOOOOOME~! PAWNCH!" He hit the bag. A reading showed up of 279.

"Oo~, That's gonna be tough to beat! Next fighter, Mr... Gisō-shin!" Akira announced. Shin was a bald man and... Tony noticed something. Shin was looking directly at Tony. He didn't know how he knew it was at him and not anyone around him, but Shin wasn't breaking eye contact. He walked up to the bag, looking at Tony with a wicked grin. He seemed to lightly tap it. A reading showed 490.

"Hey Otōto... I have a weird feeling about that guy." Masutā said, unblinkingly staring at Shin.

"Yeah, me too. Something's up."

"Four hundred... and ninety? That's crazy, it must be malfunctioning..." Akira said. "Well, next contestant I guess, we'll just work with the new numbers!" Someone walked up and hit the bag to a reading of 160. Person by person, everyone ended up going to and hitting the bag, each scoring between 134-279. Then it was Tony's turn. Neither him nor Shin broke eye contact the entire time, each looking intensely at the other. "Next, Ryū Tora no Kami!" Akira called. Tony walked to the bag, greeted with sneers from his competition. He brought has hand up and, putting a great amount of strength into it, hit the bag in the same manner Shin had. The reading showed 505. Needless to say, the sneering stopped. Shin's grin, however, only grew wider.

What's up with that guy... Tony thought. He broke contact and walked back to his friends.

"Good job Kan-chan! You got the highest score!" Tsukasa shouted in joy for her friend.

"Nice going Tony!" Kagami smiled.

"That was so cool!" Konata shouted.

"Real nice Otōto, make the others afraid of you." Masutā smirked.

"It would seem that's the case..." Miyuki eye smiled as they all looked to see most people staying clear of him. Recoome, however, came over.

"Ryū, our fight is one that Recoome looks forward to. Recoome knows it will be a life changing experience... for us both." Recoome smirked.

"You bet it will buddy, but be warned! I'm gonna beat you to a pulp!" Tony said playfully.

"Oh please, you can only try." Recoome responded.

"Yeah, you just watch pal. I'm gonna wipe the floor with you!" Tony smirked.

"Yeah? Well Recoome will smash your face in with a brick." Recoome replied.

"Hehe, you ain't go-... Wait, what?" Tony asked confusedly.

"And then Recoome will set fire to your house in a pagan ritual." Recoome continued.

"What... the hell man?" Tony said.

"And then if we play a game of Monopoly, Recoome will take your turn when you go to the restroom."

"Okay dude, you seriously have issues..."

"And then Recoome will rape your mother."

"Necrophilia?" Tony raised an eyebrow.

"And then Recoome will kick your dog."

"I.. don't even have a dog."

"Well then Recoome will buy you a dog."

"Well that's very nice of yo-"

"And then Recoome will kick it." Recoome finished. There was silence for a second.

"... Why the hell are yo-"

"And then Recoome will make you listen to Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber."

"You wouldn't DARE!" Tony looked defensively.

"We'll see Ryū! We'll see..." Recoome laughed as he walked off.

"... What the hell was that?" Tony asked.

"I... don't know. He didn't have to be such a jerk." Kagami said.

"Well, this tournament will certainly be interesting." Tony smiled.

"Indeed it will be Otōto." Masutā smiled.

Luckier Channel

"Luckier~! Channel~!" Akira shouted. "Hiya Luckies! I'm your navigator, Akira Kogami!"

"And I'm the assistant, Minoru Shiraishi!"

"Did you all see me? I was totally in this chapter! I'm gonna get a lot more parts, which means a lot more pay!" Akira shouted excitedly.

"I'm happy for you Akira-sama!" Minoru said for the unpteenth time.

"I swear I'mma get you a part or something Shiraishi-san!" Akira shouted.

"Whatever you say Akira-sama!" Minoru said. Akira had promised this several times before. Odd after she had said he was probably gone for good earlier.

*Music Tone*

"Aw~, I guess we ran out of time! I'll see you all next chapter! Bye nii~!"

"..."

"So what's with the attitude?"

"What?"

"The way you said 'whatever' just ticked me off. Almost like you don't expect I'll do it."

"No, no, of course I believe you Akira-sama!"

"Believe what you want, I'm getting something for you."

*End*

After section

Hey, I hotfooted this chapter! I told ya I was excited for the tournament! I've been debating on whether to include the fights in the chapters or make them separate chapters, let me know what you think :P Yay Stealth is back! Welcome back Stealth! I'm glad to hear you're lovin' Tony now XD And by the way, your assumption about my name, I'm afraid, is incorrect :P Ac is my name XD I can't say I blame you for being able to review Flygon Master twice and not my story, it'd be like me trying to blame you for commenting on Team Four Star instead of my abridged series or something XD As for the Disney parodies... I do enjoy them. I think I have 6 so far, not including what's in the story XD The four masters of the Lucky Star Shrine, eh? That's freaking awesome. I've read both Lucky Star Z and Lucky Life (both fairly obviously) but I'm afraid to say I haven't gotten to Beyond Friendship with everything I've been needing to work on :P. Hey, maybe I'll take a month Hiatus and read it XD A chapter a day! Fact of the matter is, I kinda had to stop myself from keeping this chapter going on longer so that it didn't take a week to read XD I just noticed I'm laughing a lot... It was crazy, I saw that Flygon had made another chapter in something like 2 days and I was like "Holy crap!" So I sat down and started writing this chapter. It was the longest session I've ever written, at 4K words in one sitting. It was crazy XD And Konataism, who's to say Matsuri didn't explain things to Tsukasa while she was dressing her up? XD Anyway, review! Maybe I'll make the same threat Flygon made! So review or I'll drop the project, and the whole 2+ Mbs I've written ahead will GO TO WASTE! REVIEW!