Chapter 32: Into The Woods, To Go To The Festival!
BOOM! SAME DAY! HA! I used the ancient spirits of the writing gods to enter into god mode and write out the next chapter in a couple hours! Usually, I reserve God Mode for times when I haven't been able to type at all for a month, but I SUPER wanted this out ASAP! I think you all know why. This chapter might mark around half of my story. Yes. Half. Give or take. You've no idea the amount of problems, fluff, ect. that I have in my head. You know how I told you that I have a good few megabytes written? That doesn't include what I've already included in my story and it's all ideas for future things. Albeit, some of it either won't happen, or it won't happen in it's originally intend context, but still, some has been subverted entirely. Still though, I have a few wizzbangers up my sleeve. Since these were posted so close together, I don't expect to have any reviews. However, I would love for you to still review on the last chapter. By the way, If you are reading this first… STOP! TURN AROUND! GO BACK! CEASE AND DESIST! I hope you all like this. I know I did.
Where we left off
"Let's go meet the ladies!" Tony smiled as the two walked outside of his house. Konata was wearing a multi-colored yukata.
"Yeah!" Konata cheered as they started towards the festival. They arrived shortly to see Kagami and Tsukasa, both in traditional floral print yukatas. "They look good~." Konata whispered to Tony.
"Yeah, sure, they look pretty in the yukatas, but take them off and they're wearing nothing!" Tony whispered back.
"I like the way you think." Konata catgrinned.
"Me too." Tony smirked.
"Hey Kagamin!" Konata waved
"Hey Tsu-chan!" Tony shouted.
"Hey Kona, hey Tony!" Kagami waved back. Tsukasa smiled as she waved back, hoping that the beauty she had apparently gotten from the potion would have some effect.
"You look very pretty Tsu-chan..." Tony blushed. A blush crept across her face, but she cheered in her head.
It's working! She said excitedly. They started walking aimlessly, but passed a particular stand.
"Hey Kagami, how is Gyopy-chan these days?" Konata asked with a catgrin.
"He's fine... Let's just not talk about him, huh?" Kagami blushed.
"Sure thing Kagamin." Konata agreed, surprising Kagami slightly. Tsukasa suddenly doubled over in pain, clutching her stomach. She winced scarily convincingly. Tony almost panicked until he remembered the plan.
"Tsukasa, are you okay?" Kagami asked, at her sister's side the next instant. Tsukasa looked at Kagami with a hurt look, looking almost in tears. "Come on, I'll take you home. Sorry guys, bu-" Kagami was cut off.
"No, allow me Kagami. Stay and enjoy the festival." Tony said, shuffling Tsukasa off before Kagami could protest.
"Well... okay... I guess it's just the two of us then, eh Kona?" Kagami smiled to Konata.
"Ye-yeah!" Konata agreed. Kan-kan totally did this, didn't he? Konata thought, wondering if he had told Tsukasa or simply asked her to play hooky. "So what do you wanna do Kagami?"
"I dunno, let's go see what's around." Kagami said. They walked around and eventually found some gaming stands. Kagami saw one that interested her and walked up to it.
"Hey young lady, throw the dart, pop a balloon and win a prize!" The man attending the stand shouted. "Only a hundred yen!"
"Alright, I so got this!" Kagami paid him and took one of the three darts she was issued. She threw one and barely missed a balloon. "Darn! I've got it this time..." Kagami picked up another dart and threw it. It nicked the balloon so slightly, it didn't pop. "Aw~! Come on!" Kagami picked up her last dart, but Konata snatched it. "Kona?"
"Let me try it..." Konata had a look of determination. She concentrated, aimed, and then threw the dart. It hit the balloon dead center. The dart bounced off harmlessly and hit the ground outside the stand.
"What the hell was that? It hit the balloon!" Kagami yelled.
"It didn't pop. I guess your little friend there ain't strong enough." The man running the stand said distractedly.
"Come on, that's not fair!" Kagami shouted.
"Hungry. Don't care. Bye." The man closed the stand and walked away. Kagami stood in disbelief.
"Come on Kagami, let's just go." Konata started to walk away.
"Not yet Kona..." Kagami stopped Konata. Kagami picked up a dart and poked her finger. The point was incredibly dull, not even breaking skin. "You couldn't pop a bubble with this..." Kagami muttered. She started looking around for something.
"What's up Kagami?" Konata asked.
"Help me look..." Kagami looked at Konata with a rare mischievous look. The man came back about half an hour later to find all of his balloons deflated. He sighed and started to blow them back up. As he got to the fifth one, he looked to see the first one had deflated again, the second one almost deflated as well. He picked the third one and looked it over to find a small hole in it. Kagami continued walking, feeling avenged. "Hey Kona, are you hungry?" She asked.
"Yeah, let's go get something to eat!" Konata cheered. They heard a loud ding that distracted them momentarily. "I wonder what that was..."
"Probably a high striker." Kagami suggested.
"Wanna go see who it was? We haven't heard one all day!" Konata asked.
"Nah, it's probably some musclebound jock." Kagami said. "Let's go get something."
"Alrighty!" Konata smiled as the two walked to a stand. They both got a hotdog and a small coke, costing more than a thousand yen each. They found a table and sat down. Kagami snickered. "What is it Kagami?"
"I just thought of something I'll have to tell Tsukasa later..." Kagami giggled.
"What, what is it?" Konata asked, a smile on her face.
"I've been thinking about what we talked about Ariel, how much Tsukasa liked that conversation. Think. Winnie the Pooh-" Kagami giggled as she whispered into Konata's ear.
"Phfahaha! I never thought of it like that!" Konata laughed. As the two laughed, a couple boys came up.
"Hey babes, you here alone?" One of them asked.
"You could say that..." Kagami said cautiously.
"You wanna stay alone?" The other boy asked suggestively. Konata and Kagami exchanged an uneasy glance. Something told Kagami that Konata would not enjoy these random boys' company.
"Yeah, kinda." Kagami said to the relief of Konata. The boys were not in the least deterred.
"Come on babes, you know you want to hang with us!" The two sat down next to each girl. Kagami got an uneasy feeling in her stomach.
"No, not really." Kagami got up.
"Take a hint guys, get lost." Konata stepped up. The guys stepped closer to the girls.
"And what if we don't? It's a free country!" The boy closest to Kagami protested, stepping within a foot of Kagami.
"We wouldn't hang out with you if you were the last people on Earth!" Kagami shouted as she took another step back. The boy leaned in closer.
"If we were the last people on Earth, who would stop us?" He said with a sneer. He suddenly hugged onto Kagami. Kagami yelled for help, but was swiftly silenced as Konata stepped over and, in a blur of blue, had the boy on his rear and Kagami free. Kagami took a step back in fear. It was about half a second later, Konata was in between Kagami and the boys. Konata assumed a fighting stance unfamiliar to Kagami.
She... She saved me... Kagami's heart took a small leap.
"I would." Konata said fiercely, her stance shifting so that she could guard from the both of the boys as the one who was knocked down got back up. The boys took a step back. Konata shifted her stance to a different form from the martial art she was using. The boys started running off. Konata relaxed considerably. "I'm glad they didn't attack." Konata said. The form I was using to begin with was an emergency only form. If they attacked, I would have hurt them badly. Konata thought.
"Konata... You saved me... Thank you." Kagami hugged Konata. Konata was caught quite off guard, a massive blush coming onto his face. Konata hugged Kagami back with much more force than Kagami had hugged her with. As Kagami held Konata in her arms, she just felt something was... right. She was safe and happy. They stood there for a while, how long is anyone's guess. They broke and Kagami saw Konata look away with a blush on her face. As they started walking aimlessly, Kagami realized she had actually hugged Konata first. And liked it. She felt so much emptier now without Konata in her arms. She also realized that the boys had been hitting on them, something she had complained about not happening not long ago, had now given her the creeps. And she had hidden behind Konata. Kagami sighed. I really do love Konata, don't I? Kagami thought, trying her best to quell her rising emotions. She started trying to think of a topic of conversation. "So Kona, what form of martial arts where you using? I didn't recognize it." Kagami said, trying to sound casual. She was failing, yes, but Konata didn't pay it any mind.
"It doesn't surprise me that it's unfamiliar to you, it's not a Japanese martial art. It's the southern Chinese fighting style that Master Liu taught me called Wing Chun. That particular form is called Biu Tze." Konata said.
"Is that... good?" Kagami asked, feeling quite unlearned.
"Well, I probably shouldn't have used that stance, if they had attacked, I might have accidentally done some serious damage out of sheer reflex." Konata sighed. "It's the kind of form that's only supposed to be used when you have no other option. I just used it in a panic."
"How good are you? I mean, I know you have the title of Master, but do you have a rank? If you don't mind me asking that is! Like, what's the rank system?" Kagami added hurriedly, not wanting to upset the girl.
"Well, my rank would be Sigung." Konata said. Kagami gave a confused look.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know what that would be..." Kagami said sheepishly.
"Let's put it this way. The guy you would go to pay to train you?" Konata started.
"Yeah?"
"I'd be training him." Konata said. Kagami's jaw dropped in surprise. " Actually, now that I think of it, the word I'm looking for is Hanshi. I told ya, I've been practicing martial arts for a long time." Konata shrugged like it was nothing. "And Biu Tze is probably the most complicated form in Wing Chun. In fact-" Konata started to say, but was cut off as they came across quite a scene. Konata and Kagami's jaw dropped.
POV Tony
Tony and Tsukasa walked through the festival, Tony laughing on the outside, Tsukasa on the in. "A truly wonderful job, you should be an actress!" Tony shouted. Tsukasa gave him an appreciative look. "So what do you wanna do?" Tony asked. Tsukasa looked around, looking for games. A particular stand that had a rather large and fluffy looking dog as a prize. Tsukasa's eyes widened. She grabbed Tony by the arm and pointed. "That one?" Tony asked. Tsukasa nodded feverishly. "Alrighty, let's go!" Tony cheered. They walked up to the stand. "Hello, how much for a game?" Tony asked.
"300 yen and you get three balls to try and knock down the three cups in the middle." The man said distractedly as he continued to text. Tony looked down the stand to see three solid plexiglass cups stacked in a pyramid.
"Here ya go!" Tony handed him 300 yen. The man set down three baseballs. "Go on Tsu-chan." Tony encouraged. Tsukasa picked up a ball and took aim. She threw it, but missed. She picked up another and concentrated even harder. She threw it and barely missed again.
I can do this... Tsukasa picked up her last ball and concentrated. She started concentrating with such might, it required her to lick the top of her lips as she had in her search for her cell phone number. She threw the ball and hit the cups dead center. The ball bounced off and the cups remained vertical.
"Hang on a second here... She hit them!" Tony shouted. The man looked back.
"They ain't knocked over." He said before going back to his phone. Tsukasa's ribbon drooped. Tony looked at her sad expression.
"My turn..." Tony muttered to himself, dropping 300 more yen on the table. The man put down three more balls. Tony was suddenly stopped by Tsukasa. He looked over to see her grabbing his arm. Her eyes were basically asking him for them to merely leave, as the game was obviously rigged. Tony smirked. "Not on your nelly, Tsu-chan." Tony picked up one of the balls. "I know you're not actually talking, but it helps to pretend you are." Tony smiled. Tsukasa gave him a look that almost accused him of insanity. "I'm going to pretend I didn't pretend you said that." Tony said before he started concentrating. He drew his hand back and flung the ball with what he knew was an incredibly overkilling throw. The ball made contact with the cups, shattering the hard plexiglass and spraying the back of the stand, luckily prize free, with shards of plastic. The ball kept going and broke through the wooden back wall. The noise caused the man running the stand to look back with a dropped jaw. He looked back to Tony, speechless. "So did I win?"
"Y-yeah..." He muttered. Before Tsukasa could even begin to grab her prize, Tony stopped her. Tsukasa gave him a quizzical, almost sad look.
I thought he was playing to get a prize for me. But that's awfully boyfriendish I guess... Tsukasa thought sadly. Tony looked around the prizes. He suddenly grabbed the dog that had drawn Tsukasa. He then held it up to her.
"Did I choose right?" Tony asked, a smile on his face. Tsukasa lit up and smiled as she ferociously hugged her new friend. "I guess I did?" Tony smiled. Tsukasa nodded in vehement agreement. Tony sighed in relief as the two kept walking, leaving the poor man at the stand in complete awe. As they were walking, Tony heard something from behind him.
""Oo~ Look at him, he's cute!"" A girl said in English. Tony turned just enough so he could see they were, indeed, referring to him.
""Yeah, but what's he doing with HER?"" The girl's friend snickered.
""He MUST have gotten her pregnant."" The first girl laughed. Tony got angry.
"Hey Tsu-chan, do me a favor. You see that stand over there? Could you go get us some Cotton Candy?" Tony asked as he gave Tsukasa some money. Tsukasa smiled at him, took the money, and hurried over to the stand. Tony turned and started walking to the girls.
""Uh-oh, here comes mister muscle, I don't speak Japanese, what do I do?"" The first girl asked her friend.
""Well, he probably doesn't know English, so he must have been attracted by your looks. Go with that!"" Her friend said.
""Good evening good ladies."" Tony said as he walked up. The girls exchanged surprised looks.
""Hey good looking!"" The first girl shouted as he got to them. ""Leaving that ugly thing any time soon?"" She asked. Tony looked to see Tsukasa already approaching them.
""As it happens, that "ugly thing" happens to be the girl I love. As far as I can tell, she's Kishijoten compared to you."" Tony said. The girls gave a confused look.
""Who?"" They asked in unison. Tony sighed.
""She's the goddess of luck and beauty. In my eyes, you have the looks of a swine compared to her and the voice of a songbird drowning in hot tar."" Tony said scornfully.
""Ho-how could you say something so mean?"" The girl asked, looking as if she had been struck.
""If I'm right, there's a saying known as "The Pot calls the Kettle black" that is applicable in this situation. I can divine by what I've heard that you're shallow and egotistical. She is neither of these things. Now piss off before I get angry."" Tony warned. The girls ran away in fear. Tsukasa came up behind Tony, a stick of cotton candy in each hand with her arm wrapped around her dog. Tony turned to see her giving him another quizzical look, as if to ask what they were asking. "They wanted to know where the nearest bathroom was, but they didn't speak Japanese so they couldn't ask anyone. Poor girls were wandering so long trying to find someone, they had to run off quickly." Tony lied. "So what else do they have here?" Tony asked as the two walked around. It feels almost like a date... Tony blushed to himself, though he didn't dislike the idea in the least. He got an idea suddenly. He grabbed hold of Tsukasa's hand. She jumped and blushed, looking up with a surprised look. Tony suddenly felt almost uncomfortable under her gaze. "S-so we don't get separated..." Tony looked slightly away, blushing himself. Tsukasa smiled as she intertwined her fingers with his, causing his heart to jump. "Hey, a high striker!" Tony pointed with the cotton candy in his free hand. "Think I should try it Tsu-chan?" Tony asked. She nodded fiercely, obviously as excited as he was. However, she showed exactly how excited she was when she pulled him over to the game and to the back of the line. One by one, guys failed to impress their girlfriends. Every now and again, someone would hit it within close proximity, but would fail to hit their target. As Tony came up, he saw the High Striker's true height. "Whoa! That's gotta be at least... 10 meters!" Tony shouted in surprise.
"Yep." The woman running the striker smiled.
"How much is it?" Tony asked, bewildered at how this thing was even staying vertical.
"As much as you can live with losing. It's a double or nothing game." The woman smirked. Tsukasa stood on the tips of her toes, holding a hand over her eyes as if to shade them.
"Hmm... I got this." Tony smiled. "Put me in for a thousand." Tony said as he gave the woman his money in exchange for a hammer. Tony raised his hammer above his head. He swung down and hit the plate, causing the the little weight inside to raise about ¾ths of the way up. "Hmph. Double or nothing?" He asked the woman. He was interrupted from seeing her answer by Tsukasa. He turned to see her pulling his sleeve, ribbon slightly drooped. She looked at the high striker, then back to him and shook her head. "I know what you're thinking Tsukasa, but if I didn't hit the bell, it means I didn't hit it hard enough. Make it triple or nothing." Tony said.
"Alright then, triple or nothing." The woman smiled. Tony grunted.
I can't look like a weak idiot in front of Tsukasa... Tony thought, determined. He brought the mallet back and, with most of his might, hit the plate again. The weight reached the same place again. The hell... I know I hit that thing at least twice as hard as last time... Tony thought. So it is rigged...
"Sorry young man, pay up." The woman held out a hand.
"One more time. I'll bet you 18,000 yen on top of what I have so far that the bell will ring this time." Tony said.
Is... Kan-kun trying to impress me? No way, he has to know that he's already done that... Tsukasa thought.
"...You're on." The woman smiled wider. As Tony readied the mallet, he didn't look at where he was aiming, but at the bell itself. He hit the plate and, as the weight inside reached the same place, Tony muttered, well under his breath:
"Ring..." He felt the energy siphon as the bell rang out. The woman's jaw dropped, as had everyone else's that night. "Well. Pay up." Tony held his hand. "I bet triple or nothing and won nothing. Then I added 18K onto that. You, ma'am, owe me 18K." Tony said. Without a word, the woman handed him the money. Tony smirked as he pocketed the cash and the two walked away. As Tony and Tsukasa were walking through the festival, hands intertwined, Tony looked back at all that had happened that night and all together. He sighed to himself. … It's either now or never... He determined. It's time. Tony stopped and turned to Tsukasa, who walked a step before realizing that Tony was no longer walking with her. She stopped as well and turned back to him.
"Tsukasa..." Tony bit his lip. Between the lip biting and the fact that Tony used her name, not her nickname, Tsukasa could tell he was really nervous about something. Tony reached in his pocket. "This... is a symbol of my protection." Tony brought out the box that held the necklace and opened it. Tsukasa covered her mouth with both hands, gasping inaudibly in surprise and awe of the amulet Tony held. "With this, I swear I will always protect you. Please, always keep it on." Tony requested. Tsukasa was absolutely stunned for a moment. "Will you accept it?" Tony asked, bringing Tsukasa from her trance and causing her to nod almost violently, heart fluttering. "May I?" Tony brought the jewelry from the box. After a nod of affirmation from Tsukasa, Tony put the chain around her neck from the front and clicked the clasp together. Tsukasa looked down at the beautiful necklace that hanged just above her breast for a moment before noticing something. Tony's arms were still around her neck. Tsukasa looked up to see him staring into her eyes. They stayed that way for a moment. Not that Tsukasa was complaining about the situation, but something seemed a bit off about Tony. Almost as if a fierce battle were being raged in his head. After a moment, Tony seemed to have allowed one side to win as he started leaning in, his face getting closer and closer until...
The two stayed there a moment as Tsukasa felt her voice return. It didn't matter though, the kiss was enough to completely paralyze her. After another moment, Tony broke the contact and looked into Tsukasa's eyes, where he paused yet again. "Look, Tsukasa. I may not be some popular guy with a rich uncle, or ultra powerful alien that conveniently looks like a human and has an even more powerful thing inside him, but if you'll have me, I promise to protect you with all that I am." He said. He stopped and continued looking into her eyes. Say something... SAY SOMETHING! Tony shouted in his mind desperately. Tsukasa tried to say something, but found her throat full of joy to the point of silence. Tony at least liked her! The potion must have worked! Suddenly though, Tony released Tsukasa and back up a few steps. "I'm sorry..." He apologized, voice cracking in obvious, misled sorrow before jumping with enough strength to get him out of earshot, tears streaming down his cheeks. Soon, he was gone.
"Kan-kun!" Tsukasa yelled out fruitlessly.
POV Tony
Damn it, damn it, damn it, DAMN IT! So it wasn't me, she doesn't like me! Otherwise she would have said something! Plus I just outed myself, she knows how I feel! FUCK! Tony screamed in his head. I... I even took her first kiss... Tears streamed down his face. His heart felt as if it were being utterly destroyed as he scolded, hated, and otherwise berated himself. He landed in a clearing and took a few step before collapsing into a tree, falling onto his hands and knees. He hadn't the strength to continue. Tsukasa would no longer wish to see him, for she surely hated him for stealing her first kiss. This knowledge safely tucked away, he finally let go and began to sob. He laid there for what seemed forever.
POV Tsukasa
"Kan-kun!" Tsukasa shouted as she wandered through the festival, hoping that Tony would hear her. Unfortunately, after nearly two days of not being used, her voice was still a tad weak. "Kan-kun!" She cried desperately. She started to run. "Kan-kun! Kan-kun!" She yelled out. She got into a clearing, thoroughly tired. She walked forward, but heard someone from behind her.
"Hey, doesn't that girl hang out with that Izumi kid?"
"Really?" She heard a boy laugh. She got a bit scared from the sound of this boy's laughter, it was very creepy and sent a chill down her spine. She decided it best to just keep going. However, her fears were realized as she felt a hand on her shoulder that forcibly turned her around. She was turned to see a boy, apparently the group leader, and a gang of boys behind him. The main boy laughed. "Really? You hang out with the little bitch otaku? I thought you would have better taste." The so-called leader laughed. Tsukasa shrunk in fear.
"Wh-what?" She muttered.
"Yeah, I saw that little bitch hugging a girl today like a whore! Actually..." The boy looked Tsukasa up and down. "It looked a lot like you." He leaned in closer. "Hows it feel to know your sister is a freak?" He asked, smiling wickedly as Tsukasa teared up. "Maybe I'll start "training" that bitch again." The boy grinned.
"What do you mean?" Tsukasa asked, though not sure she wanted to know the answer.
"Well the first thing I need is some collateral. The bitch can outrun us now." The boy started mock thinking. "Oh I know! Why don't we just take you?" He leaned in. Tsukasa's eyes widened as she realized she was about to kidnap her. She opened her mouth to scream, but a hand over her mouth silenced her as two of the boys from the group grabbed her from the side. "And I think this necklace will sell for a nice amount. Get her out of here, she's ours now." The boy turned around.
"Is that so?" A voice called out. What was weird was that it seemed to come from Tsukasa's chest. The boy looked around at Tsukasa in time to see her amulet suddenly float off of her chest and start to glow. Energy started to gather around Tsukasa, blowing both of the boys holding her hurtling into trees. The energy seemed to gather together, blocking Tsukasa from view until it passed. However, once it had passed, there stood a boy with his eyes closed in possibly the most badass pose ever conceived. Tony opened his eyes.
"Kan-kun!" Tsukasa cried as she hugged him from behind.
"It's alright Tsukasa, it's the least I can do." Tony said, not registering Tsukasa's speech. He turned his attention back to the leader. "And who are you?" Tony asked.
"You first, bitch." The boy said.
"I asked first." Tony said. He gave Tsukasa a glance that told her to leave. Tsukasa walked backwards.
"Fine. My name is Kurono. I'm your worst nightmare. Now you. Who are you to stand for that whore?" Kurono boasted, pointing at Tsukasa for the insult. Needless to say this angered Tony. "And why defend that Izumi slut?" Tony got even angrier, but kept his temper.
"I don't understand why you call people by such mindless names. The only thing it does is reveal your own fear and ignorance. I guess name calling is your only attack, because you're too weak to challenge me any other way." Tony said, allowing as much scorn to enter his voice as he could. Kurono got a look of anger.
"I'm weak? Who do you think you are?" He shouted. Tony looked into Kurono's gang to see they were starting to recognize him.
"I think your "men" could tell you just as well as I could." Tony smirked.
"What?" Kurono turned to his gang.
"He-he's Ryū Tora no Kami boss! T-the winner of the world martial arts tournament!" One of the scared boys muttered.
"Th-they say he's a god!" Another one muttered in fear.
"Give the men a cigar." Tony smirked wickedly.
"Didn't you watch that? It was all fake! No one can disappear!" Kurono shouted. "I'll prove it to you!" He lunged at Tony with his stick and swung. Tony dove to the side and felt something in his hand.
"Grabbin' a pipe!" He said. He readied it like a katana. "Come at me bro." He managed to say before the weapon was knocked from his hand in a flash. "Well that was highly improbable..."
"See? I told ya!" Kurono laughed. He swung the stick horizontally and caught Tony in the midrib. The stick, being hit against Tony's ribs that had been conditioned to far worse, splintered and broke.
"And what was that supposed to be, oh Being in the dark?" Tony asked, letting his tone become one of ridicule. "My turn then." He drew back a punch slowly. Kurono, meanwhile, was taken aback by the fact that the stick had broken on Tony.
"Be-beat him you cowards!" Kurono shouted to his "gang" before Tony finished drawing his fist back. None of them moved an inch forward.
"Fist of the Fighting Sage!" Tony yelled for dramatic effect, putting barely a hundredth of what went into his last one as he punched the kid in the stomach. Kurono seemed to lose consciousness quickly after. Tony walked over to the boy's group. He leaned forward, the lot leaning back as he did, and whispered "This is the part where you apologize and run away." After hurried apologies, the group backed away.
"MOTHER FUCKER!" Kurono screamed from behind. Tony spun around to see Kurono swinging the metal pipe Tony had earlier down in a vertical chop aimed at Tony's head. As it neared Tony's head, Tony reacted on nothing my instinct. Weaving his essence into the energy around him, he desired only to protect himself and Tsukasa. The sudden force sent the pipe flying until it was stuck into a tree, embedding itself into the trunk. Tony, realizing what had happened and noticing the drop in his energy, decided the capitalize on the situation.
"You think to injure ME with such a pitiful attack? I will show you the TRUE power of the Fighting Sage!" Tony yelled. Kurono, nearly paralyzed in fear by the fact that some invisible force had wretched the pipe from his hand, stumbled back and fell down. Tony smiled until Kurono started to look around. He spotted Tsukasa, standing about twenty meters away. Kurono got up and started sprinting towards her, drawing a knife from his waist. Tony's anger peaked. Does he really think he's going to hurt my love? Such insolence... Such ARROGANCE! MUST. BE. PUNISHED! Tony thought, bringing his fury to fruition. "Back!" He shouted as he took hold of the energy surrounding the boy and pulled back, causing Kurono to be sent hurtling towards Tony.
"Help!" He yelled. Needless to say, no assistance came. Before Kurono was all the way to Tony, Tony stopped him by reversing the energy and, though not literally, freezing him in place. Tony snickered wickedly, deciding it was necessary to frighten Kurono to near heart attack levels. He looked into the reserve of energy the environment held and tried to think of all the hell of could cause with it's formidable resources.
I think I'll scare him a little bit. Unfortunately, I can't kill him or Tsukasa will get even angrier with me... She can't want to see me anyway, she must have hugged me simply because I saved her. Tony thought in his head. He delved into the energy of the air, trees, and other various plants. He got the perfect idea. He started to drain the energy from the air around Kurono, but nothing that actually touched him so he didn't feel the chill that would be creeping into the air. He neared the limit of the amount of energy he could drain, there being very little left. Once he found he couldn't siphon anymore, he smiled knowing his got near his objective. "Storm!" Tony yelled in power. Clouds appeared around the clearing. Tony sent the energy he had garnered from the draining into the air connecting the cloud to the ground, heating the air and paving a pathway for a lightning bolt to strike the ground a meter away from Kurono. It did just that, striking the ground, terrifying the ever living crap out of the poor boy, but only singeing him since the temperature of the air around him was near absolute zero, preventing much heat from getting to him while Tony kept draining energy from it. Mission: Accomplished. Tony smiled as he saw Kurono get truly terrified. It goes without saying that, had Kurono been eating that night, he wouldn't have been able to hold it any longer. Kurono started babbling mindlessly. Tony walked up to him slowly, only causing further babble. Tsukasa, who had been watching from afar, got scared of what Tony was going to do. Tony put his hand to the side of Kurono's face in a similar manner to how Hachiman had to Tony. Tony started to send energy along the boy's nerve pathways leading to the brain. In fact, he sent so much as to make Kurono's nervous system start to degrade. Of course, this procedure was excruciatingly painful for the boy.
"I'm... burning! From the inside out!" Kurono screamed in pure agony. Tony broke the contact, ceasing his energy flow into Kurono. Tony sighed in a bit of exhaustion as Kurono lost consciousness. Tony relished in the fact that Kurono was now permanently weakened. He would still be able to move, but he would never have the dexterity he use to have, nor would his muscles possess as much strength as they once held.
"Did not know who he was screwing with." Tony spat on Kurono as he muttered under his breath. He looked to see Tsukasa and started walked towards her, a scared look in her eyes. As Tony reached her, he whispered to her. "Don't worry Tsukasa, I know that look in your eyes. I didn't kill him, I only weakened him." He whispered. Looking her in the eyes, he gave a sad smile, one that filled Tsukasa with sorrow herself without her knowing why. "Besides. I'm in enough hot water with you anyway." He muttered. They walked in silence, leaving Kurono's "men" to tend to him, until they were alone again. "Look Tsukasa, I'm so, so sor-" Tony started to apologize before Tsukasa interrupted him.
"Kan-kun, listen-" Tsukasa started to explain, but Tony cut her off, the fact that she was speaking still not even computing in his head.
"No Tsukasa. I'm sorry for stealing your first kiss!" Tony shouted, his voice cracking. "I know you must have meant it for the boy you love, but I-" Tony started to confess, but Tsukasa put a finger to his lips.
"Kan-kun." She said sternly.
"Aaaah~, aaah~! Aaaaah~, Aaaaaaaa~!" She sang, demonstrating her verbal abilities. Having been silenced, Tony came to a powerful realization. One that both filled him with a mixture of shock and sheer, overwhelming joy.
It... It hasn't been two days yet... She's... By the gods, she talking... She's singing! That means... Tony thought, pure happiness flowing through him. The one she thought of as her love... was me. Tony smiled as Tsukasa continued to sing. "Tsukasa..." He muttered, his eyes wide and his smile transforming into one of pure delight. Instead of answering him, Tsukasa leaned up and kissed him. He quickly returned it, wrapping his arms around her. They broke after a moment and looked into each other's eyes for almost a full minute in silence before Tsukasa thought of a topic.
"Kan-kun, how much did this necklace cost?" Tsukasa asked. Tony smiled.
"That's classified." He responded. Tsukasa started rocking back and forth, trying to carry Tony with her.
"Kan-kun~!" She whined. "Tell me~!"
"My apologies, but I'm contractually obligated as the giver of that gift to keep that secret to my grave. But you know..." Tony trailed off.
"What is it Kan-kun?" Tsukasa smiled.
"To be completely honest, I like Tsukasa more than Tsu-chan... Do you mind if I call you by your name instead of by your nickname more often? I think it's so much prettier." Tony asked.
"If you want to Kan-kun..." Tsukasa blushed at the compliment to her name. "But..." She smiled.
"Yes?" Tony smiled back.
"Th-there's a two lip fee." Tsukasa mumbled, sounding extremely nervous.
"Consider it paid." Tony swiftly kissed her on the lips again.
"WOOHOO!" The two heard Konata and Kagami shouted. They turned, both too happy to blush more then a little at being caught. Konata and Kagami ran up and hugged their respective siblings.
"Onee-chan, how long were you watching?" Tsukasa asked. Kagami gave a look to Konata, who returned it. She took a stance, as did Konata.
"Kan-kun, listen!" Kagami said over dramatically, imitating Tsukasa's voice. She sang in a manner similar to Tsukasa earlier.
"Tsukasa!" Konata shouted just as dramatically. They both hugged and did a fake-out make-out, both wishing it could be for real, but their lips never came close to touching.
"Oh Kan-kun. Oh Kan-kun!" Kagami shouted.
"Onee-chan! That didn't happen!" Tsukasa shouted, being pushed past light blushing into full blown crimson. Kagami and Konata broke apart and erupted into hysterical laughter. Tsukasa looked to Tony for support, but found him to be blushing almost as deeply as she was. He smiled wider and put his arm around Tsukasa.
"Let them talk Tsukasa, we got to find our love before they did!" Tony shouted triumphantly. He got a teasing smile before adding: "Or did we..." Suddenly, Kagami blushed and looked incredibly surprised, eyes widened, while Konata gave a stare at Tony. He stopped, because he saw, for the first time in his life, by what sort of look one learns that someone is capable of killing. Neither reaction went unnoticed by the boy. Konata sighed to calm down a bit when she saw Tony was only teasing them, but Kagami's blush didn't fade. I wonder if she really does... I'll have to ask what those two did... Tony wondered. "So when are you two being picked up?" Tony asked the two.
"Um... Konata, do you mind if I come over again? I kinda made us go to bed a little early last night, ya know?" Kagami asked. Konata seemed to light up.
"Sure Kagamin! You're just full of surprises today!" Konata hugged Kagami around the waist unsurprisingly. However, what surprised them all, was that Kagami didn't seem to put up resistance.
"O-okay, just let go..." Kagami muttered in a weak resistance. Tony smiled.
She's definitely liking Konata now. This is so awesome! Those two have to get together soon... Tony cheered in his head.
"Mom should be here any-" Tsukasa was interrupted by a beep of the horn from none other than Miki Hiiragi.
"Hey girls, get in!" Miki waved.
"Hey mom, would you mind if I spent the night at Konata's tonight?" Kagami asked.
"Did Konata say it was alright?" Miki asked.
"I sure did ma'am!" Konata confirmed.
"Then it's fine by me! You staying Tsukasa?" Miki asked.
"No, I'm coming home with you!" Tsukasa shouted as they walked up to the car. Tony opened the door for Tsukasa, who hesitated for a second. She turned and gave Tony a peck on the lips, sending a wave of joy through him. She got in the car. "Bye Kan-kun!" She waved.
"Bye Tsukasa..." Tony smiled.
"Uuu~, Tsukasa!" Miki laughed from the front seat. They closed the doors and were off.
"So, shall we go home?" Tony asked, though still looking to where the car had disappeared to.
"Yeah, I have so many questions for you!" Kagami said in an excited voice.
"As I do Kagami." Tony looked back.
"So is your dad coming to pick us up Konata?" Kagami asked the girl she loved.
"Well~... No. We kinda jogged here since it isn't too far from our houses." Konata scratched the back of her head.
"Aw! But that means we have to walk all the way back!" Kagami complained.
"Hey, it's good exercise!" Tony pointed out.
"I guess so..." Kagami sighed. They started walking. "So Tony, you and Tsukasa are together now?" Kagami asked teasingly.
"... Yeah. Yeah we are." Tony smiled.
"How did it happen?" Kagami asked.
"Maybe you should know everything that happened?" Tony kinda-sorta asked.
"Naturally." Kagami started listening. She was very curious as to how the two went from oblivious to each other's feelings to being a couple.
"First of all, I gave her the necklace." Tony turned to Konata.
"You did? Awesome! So that's what did it, huh? She kissed you after that?" Konata asked.
"No. I... kissed her." Tony blushed and smiled at the happy memory.
"Woo~!" Konata cheered. "And that's when we walked in!"
"Wrong. That's where I ran away in fear and sorrow. You see, she didn't say anything after I kissed her, so I assumed she still couldn't." Tony said. "Which means she didn't love me back. But that ends up leading to a question, do either of you know a boy by the name of Kurono?" Tony asked. The answer to his question was revealed when the both of them cringed visibly.
"Yeah. He's an asshole who use to pick on me all the time and ran over Kagami's bike for no reason. I was actually hoping you could do something about him, why do you ask?" Konata asked.
"Ah. Because I met him. He tried to kidnap Tsukasa to "train that Otaku bitch"." Tony said. Konata and Kagami's jaw dropped.
"What happened?" Kagami asked, furious.
"Let's just say that he isn't going to be hurting you or anyone ever again." Tony said.
"You kill him?" Konata asked, the tone in her voice basically telling Tony that she wouldn't mind if he had.
"No, first I showed him who he was messing with, then I sent enough energy down his nervous system to begin to degrade the sensory and motor neurons and axons. He will never have the same strength, dexterity, or coordination." Tony said.
"Holy crap... Wouldn't that take an extreme amount of energy? I mean, the nervous system is made to last a lifetime of energy traveling along it..." Kagami marveled.
"Yes it did. It took almost all of the energy from the environment around us and from the air between him and the lightning I called down." Tony chuckled as he beheld the looks he got for the 'calling down lightning' bit.
"Whoa. So you showed up, just about killed him, walked away with Tsukasa, and one thing led to another?" Kagami asked.
"Basically. All in all, I think it was very successful. If Kurono hadn't attacked Tsukasa, I might not have come back to her. So in a way, I owe him." Tony smiled. "Enough of me though! What have you two been doing?"
"Well, first we played a rigged game, and then Kagamin pulled a prank on the guy who ran it!" Konata threw he arms up to emphasize her words.
"Really? What did you do?" Tony asked the Tsundere. She smiled.
"I poked holes in his balloons. It was a dart throwing game with darts that couldn't hurt a fly." Kagami giggled.
"And then?" Tony asked.
"Then we were going through the festival discussing different things we noticed in Disney like Ariel's hoarding. Then we sat down to eat and some guys came over to hit on us..." Kagami recalled.
"Oh really? How did you handle that situation?" Tony asked.
"When we rejected them, they took it.. less then well. One of them grabbed onto me." Kagami muttered. Konata looked over and decided it wise for her to tell the rest of the story.
"He grabbed onto Kagami but I got him off and took a fighting stance! There was nothing they could do! If they had attacked, I would have broken their arms, and made them run around the festival grounds 10 times! NAKED! And they would have had to yell "Green Martians are chasing me!" for the whole ten laps!" Konata pumped her fist into the air. "And then Kagamin hugged me for saving her..." Konata smiled warmly. Tony could see a great deal of happiness behind the emerald orbs that were her eyes.
"Now THAT'S interesting." Tony smiled. Kagami blushed a little more and looked up. She noticed they were now standing outside Konata's house. "Now was that so bad Kagami?" Tony asked.
"No, I guess not. It seemed like a long way on paper though." Kagami said.
"Time flies when you've got good company." Tony said.
"I guess so..." Kagami smiled.
"Good night girls." Tony smiled.
"Night brothah!" Konata waved.
"Good night Tony! Congratulations on finally getting the nerve to date Tsukasa!" Kagami waved.
"Thanks!" Tony entered his house. "How lucky can one guy be?
I kissed her and she kissed me!
Like a fella once said,
Ain't that a kick in the head~?" Tony sang to himself before being interrupted by his older brother.
"Singing some Dean Martin Otōto?" Masutā asked.
"Who?" Tony asked genuinely.
"You know, you're a little odd about that Otōto. You'll sing songs word for word that you've never heard before. And they're usually Big Band songs." Masutā scratched the back of his head. "But anyway, what are you talking about?" He asked.
"I kissed Tsukasa." Tony smiled widely. Masutā lit up.
"You did? And she kissed you back? That's awesome Otōto, I'm so happy for you!" Masutā shouted, taking a moment before continuing. "I TOLD YOU!" He laughed.
"I guess you did!" Tony laughed in glee.
"So what are you gonna do now?" Masutā asked.
"Now? I don't know about at the moment... I have a really queezy feeling in my stomach. I might have to go to bed." Tony muttered.
"You've had a big day, the girl you love loves you back. Go on, the sooner you go to bed, the sooner you see her again." Masutā said.
"I think I'll take heed of your advice, it's been a super special awesome day. Night Aniki." Tony waved.
"Night Otōto!" Masutā waved back. Tony walked into his room and looked at his bed.
"... YES!" He collapsed in it before sighing with happiness. "For the first time in my life, things are starting to go right..." Tony said before dozing off.
POV Konata
"Hey Konata! Oh, hey Kagami, are you spending the night with us again?" Sojiro asked.
"If I can?" Kagami asked.
"Absolutely, high school girls are welcome in my home any time!" Sojiro shouted, making Kagami a bit cautious about exactly what she slept in that night.
"Well thanks." Kagami bowed.
"What do you wanna do Kagamin?" Konata asked, having had no preparations.
"Maybe we can go see what manga you have? I'm a little in the mood to read something actiony!" Kagami said.
"Sure thing! I have just the manga!" Konata gave a thumbs up.
"I knew you would." Kagami smiled. Truth be told she didn't really care what she was reading, she just wanted to be close to Konata. So far, she was just plain happy to be around the Otaku. Konata led them to her room and gestured to her bookcase-o-manga. "Whoa... do you have every manga ever written or something?" Kagami asked.
"Kagami, you've been here before..." Konata deadpanned.
"I know that! It's still impressive though..." Kagami said defensively.
"Well... It took a little while to collect it all!" Konata said, putting a fist to her chest in pride. Kagami looked through the collection and picked out the first thing that looked remotely interesting.
"Thanks for letting me come over again Kona." Kagami said appreciatively, standing in the middle of the room. She looked around.
"Kagamin?" Konata asked. Kagami looked over at the Otaku, who was flopped on her bed. "Come on! I didn't think I had to tell you again!" Konata patted the bed next to her. Kagami didn't blush as much this time. She smiled as she went over and laid next to Konata. She flipped the manga open and began half-staring at the pages, not really computing what she was reading, flipping the page every twenty or thirty seconds. After a moment or two, she heard Konata giggling. "Kona?"
"I didn't know you meant THAT action Kagamin..." Konata giggled.
"Wha..." Kagami looked at the manga she held. It was a rather... graphic Yaoi manga. She suddenly erupted into a massive blush, her head the approximate hue of a ruby. "I.. didn't mean to pick this up..." Kagami muttered.
"You've been reading it for five minutes." Konata giggled more. Konata felt closer to Kagami than she had in recent memory. She looked at Kagami. I think I know what Tony was talking about... Konata thought. Time. She got up.
"Kona?" Kagami asked.
"Hey Kagamin, I got something for ya!" Konata shouted, trying to play it off as no big thing. Kagami smiled and raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? And what's that?" Kagami asked. Knowing her, it's probably gonna be some stupid anime figurine of Miku Hatsune or something. But... If it's from her, I'll still love it. She decided, smiling. Konata suddenly blushed quite a bit and walked to somewhere seemingly random. She picked out a box. She turned to face Kagami and walked up to her.
"Er... Here..." Konata handed Kagami the box. Kagami, meanwhile, was staring at the box in disbelief.
"K-Kona.. did you..." She muttered as she accepted the box. She opened it to reveal the ruby ring she had been looking at during the tournament. Her hands were trembling. She looked back up to see Konata was the same color as the gem and looking away.
"I hope you like it." She mumbled. "Please accept it." She looked into Kagami's eyes. Kagami was still in a bit of shock. Konata had just given her a ring! This was... unheard of! She would have never expected anything like this for her birthday, let alone for no reason!
"Thank you Kona. I love it." Kagami smiled, allowing as much affection as she could muster to enter her voice. Konata reached down and took out the ring. She put it on Kagami's hand, much like one would their bride. This made Kagami blush extremely deeply. She held up her hand to admire the ring. She stayed that way for a moment and looked back at Konata. She hugged Konata with all her might. "Thank you so much Konata." She whispered into Konata's ear. "This is the best gift I've ever gotten."
"I'm so glad you like it Kagami." Konata smiled as she hugged Kagami back. They stayed that way for what seemed hours, neither one willing to break the hug. Konata finally backed up a bit and looked Kagami in the eyes. She looked closer at Kagami's face, but it had become one of discomfort. "Kagami, are you okay?"
"Yeah... I just have a sick feeling in my stomach..." Kagami said as a feeling built up in her stomach. Konata was instantly alarmed.
"Kagamin, you should go to sleep. That'll help, you'll be better by morning." Konata said.
"Well... I think I'll call Tsukasa first." Kagami said, pulling out her cellphone.
"Why?" Konata asked.
"I dunno, I would just feel better." Kagami muttered as she dialed her sister's cellphone. After a few rings, a voice came over the phone.
"What's up Imoto?" Matsuri asked.
"Hey Matsuri, did Tsukasa leave her phone home?" Kagami asked.
"Yeah, aren't you with her?" Matsuri asked.
"No, I went to Konata's house." Kagami informed.
"Ah. Yes she did, she should be home soon though." Matsuri said.
"Matsuri, are you okay? You sound a bit lethargic..." Kagami asked, a little concerned. Maybe a bug was going around?
"I'm alright, I've just gotten a bit of an odd feeling in my stomach." Matsuri complained.
"That's... weird. I do too." Kagami said.
"That is weird..." Matsuri said. "I'm gonna go to bed Imoto, but I'll let you know if Tsukasa comes home before I fall asleep."
"Thanks, but I'm going to sleep too. I'll see you tomorrow." Kagami said.
"See you tomorrow Imoto." Matsuri said before hanging up.
"..." Kagami sat there for a moment.
"Kagamin, you're gonna take this bed tonight. No debating." Konata said adamantly.
"No, I-" Kagami started.
"What did I say? You're sick, you need to be comfortable." Konata said. She snatched the manga from the bed where Kagami and Konata had put the manga down. She walked over and pulled the covers over Kagami before walking to the door. "I'll be right back." She said before leaving.
"..." Kagami looked at the door, even after Konata had left. She felt extremely happy that Konata was caring so much about something as small as a little stomach ache, but sad that she had left. I really do love her... Kagami determined in her head. If this isn't love, I'm not sure I could handle love. This feeling is just so strong. Kagami sighed as she looked at her new ring. Konata returned after a moment with a small tray. She put it down in front of Kagami. The contents of the tray were a bowl of steaming chicken soup and a thermometer. First, Konata put the thermometer into Kagami's mouth. "Kona, it's not tha-" Kagami tried to say, but Konata swiftly silenced her.
"Quiet or it won't be an accurate reading." Konata hushed. Kagami was stunned for a second, but smiled and followed her Otaku's instructions. The thermometer beeped. Konata took it from her mouth and read it. "Hmm..." She hummed.
"What?" Kagami asked.
"It shows you're temperature is completely normal. Still, eat your soup and go to sleep. You might still be coming down with something." Konata said. She pulled out a futon from under her bed, already with pillow and blanket, and laid down on it.
"Kona, thanks for taking care of me..." Kagami smiled as she ate her soup.
"It's my pleasure Kagami, just get better, okay?" Konata asked. She doesn't even know that I mixed in some night-time medicine into her soup... Konata smiled on the inside.
"Sure thing..." Kagami felt her heart warm. After a few minutes, she was done. That was delicious... Kagami thought.
"Are you ready for sleep Kagamin?" Konata asked.
"Yeah, I think so." Kagami yawned.
"Your stomach feeling any better?" Konata asked.
"Um... Yeah, thanks!" Kagami lied. Her stomach hadn't gotten better, but she certainly didn't want to make Konata feel as if she had failed. "Kona, you're being so caring." Kagami smiled as Konata put the thermometer in her mouth again.
"Because I care about you Kagami." Konata said. After a moment, the thermometer beeped and Konata took it back out.
"Thank you so much Kona..." Kagami yawned. There is more to her than Anime...
"It's my pleasure." Konata smiled. "Go to sleep Kagami, I'll see you in the morning." Konata turned off the lights.
"Sounds like plan. Good night Kona." Kagami yawned as she snuggled into the bed.
"Good night Kagami." Konata did the same with her futon.
POV Tsukasa
"So, am I going to have a new son-in-law soon?" Miki asked.
"Mom~!" Tsukasa whined, erupting in a deep blush. There was a moment of silence. "... Only if he wants to be..." Tsukasa added. Miki laughed.
"Well, he seems like a nice boy! I approve of your dating him." Miki reconfirmed. She had said it before indirectly, but Tsukasa smiled anyway.
"Thanks mom..." She leaned back in her seat.
"So I noticed that pretty new necklace you have. Did he buy it for you?" Miki asked.
"Yeah! He wouldn't tell me how much it was worth, but it's so pretty!" Tsukasa put a hand over it. "Wanna see it?" She asked.
"Sure!" Miki chimed. Tsukasa took the necklace off and started handing it to her mother when the chain slipped from her hand.
"Oh!" She bent down to look for it. She accidentally bumped it out of reach. "Aw..." Her ribbon drooped as she came back up.
"That's alright Tsukasa, I can see it when we get home." Miki smiled. "So when's the first date?"
"I dunno, we didn't discuss that! I hope it's soon, I-" Tsukasa started to say, but she was cut off by the growing horn of a car. She looked out her window to see a car barreling straight towards her door. Tsukasa screamed for a second until the car impacted, sending the Hiiragi car into a spin until it hit a pole of the side of the road. Miki, who had hit her head and easily gotten a bad concussion, looked over wearily to see her daughter unconscious, though her vision was too blurry to discern what damage the girl had taken.
"Tsu...kasa..." Miki forced to sit up on her will alone and took out her cellphone. She dialed 119.
"Please state the nature of the emergency." A female voice requested from the other side of the phone.
"Car...accident..." Miki slowly said and proceeded to tell the woman where it had taken place.
"An ambulance is on the way ma'am." The woman said in a hurried voice.
"Thank-..." Miki let herself lose consciousness.
Aftersection
Due to the festival still going on, Akira and Minoru are still at the festival. When I said I liked this chapter, I meant I liked the festival, not the immediate afterward for Tsukasa. Didn't much care for that part. Poor girl, but to keep the story going the way I wanted to, I had to do it. Anyway, REVIEW! It's official! I have the longest Lucky Star story on the site! Boo. Freaking. Yeah!