"Nabiki Tendo, it feels like we've been walking around for hours. Surely we should have seen a landmark by now. Are you sure we aren't lost?" Kuno's feet were aching so surely Nabiki's were as well. He stared at her back, watching her walk in front of him.
Nabiki looked down at the map in her hands. "I was sure we were going the right way. It's like this jungle is constantly changing!"
Kuno look up into the gaps between the trees. The leaves were were blowing in the nightly breeze. If he squinted just right, he could see them shifting. "Perhaps you're not too far off. Methinks Lady Aime put us on a fool's errand."
Nabiki sat down on a large root in a huff, head in her hand. "No kidding. Now we'll never get that phone call."
"I've been thinking—"
Nabiki snorted, rolling her eyes. "That's new."
Rather than let her snide comment bother him, Kuno continued. "I was thinking that it's time to consider other options."
"Such as...?" Nabiki raises her brow, looking at him from out of the corner of the eye. It was dark but they still had flashlights from their kits. The glint of Kuno's flashlight gave him away.
Kuno lifted his shoulders in a shrug, gritting his teeth awkwardly. "Such as... Confessing?"
Nabiki's stomach did a flip. "Get real Kuno-baby, it's not gonna happen. We hate each other."
Kuno shook his head. "No-no! I meant like a fake one! How would Lady Aime know the difference."
Nabiki bit her inner cheek as she considered this. "Hmm. I see your point. Couldn't hurt to try."
"Perfect! Now it'll be you who will be following my lead." Kuno snapped his fingers, grinning toothily. "Just stay there. Ahem." Kuno straightened out his expression as if he was an actor getting ready for a role.
What happened next caught Nabiki off guard. Kuno slid in front of her in the blink of an eye, kneeling. He snatched up both her hands in him, holding his flashlight between them. His face was lit up enough for Nabiki to see his facial features. To see where they began and ended in harsh shadows created by the light.
"Nabiki Tendo..." Kuno locked eyes with her, speaking in a hushed tone. "You are the girl of my dreams, please honor me by becoming my wife!"
She wanted to puke.
They waited for a few seconds, the only thing filling the silence were the sounds of leaves rustling and bugs buzzing. They expected to be plucked up out of nowhere in a puff of Aime's smoke but nothing happened.
"Hrm." Kuno slacked his jaw. "It didn't work. How about you try?"
"Oh joy." she responded less than enthusiastically. Kuno looked at her expectantly, grinning ear to ear in the dark.
"Kuno-baby, you sure know how to treat a girl. Wanna go steady?" The words cut up her throat like swallowing chips without having anything to drink.
They waited for anything to change but once again there was nothing.
Kuno let go of her hands. "Was that the best you can do? At least pretend to sound like you like me."
"That would be too hard." Nabiki retorted.
Kuno inhaled sharply in response. "The lady doth protest too much." he said through his teeth.
"Oh can it Kuno-baby. We both confessed, so how come it didn't work?" Nabiki's eyes fell onto Kuno, watching him intently. He was no longer lighting his face so he was grateful that the darkness hid his blush. "Hold still..."
"Nabiki?"
She slapped his shoulder. It stung a little. "There was a bug."
"Not a bug! Not a bug!" shouted a tiny voice. Nabiki lifted her hand to reveal a miniature Aime stuck to her palm. The little Aime peeled herself off and stood up. "Your 'confession' didn't count because neither of you were being genuine."
"Well it was worth a shot, goodbye." Nabiki flicked Aime into a tree and she disappeared into a puff of smoke. She then dusted her hands. "I'm tired so let's set up camp, and by us I mean you."
Kuno didn't have to be told twice, it provided the perfect distraction from his own thoughts.
"Should we take turns keeping watch?" Shinobu asked once they got their tent propped up. Naturally, Aime only packed one for each group. "You know... In case there are wild animals?"
"I can more than handle a wild animal." Shuutaro promised her, tossing his sheathed katana inside the tent. He wasn't afraid of animals. What he was afraid of is Shinobu falling asleep, no longer having his eyes on him. Without her watching him, his phobia of the dark and tight spaces would get the better of him.
He would sleep just fine with Shinobu keeping watch, but he could never ask her to stay up the whole night.
Shinobu was watching him as he stood silent in thought. The fire they had kindled allowing them to see each other fully. "We're going to have to put this fire out..."
"I am aware." Can't have them sticking out like sore thumbs.
Shinobu tilted her head to peer at him. "Would you be okay without the light?"
"Of course." As long as your eyes are on me.
Rather than waste any water, Shinobu put out the fire by smothering it. Once the fire was gone, darkness swallowed them.
Fear began to prick its way into Shuutaro. "We'll each sleep for half an hour. Then pick back up." Shuutaro said, gesturing for Shinobu to step inside the tent first. "Then we'll continue on our way."
Once daylight hits, the challenge would be over.
"How about I keep watch first?" Shinobu offered as she slipped past him.
Shuutaro went in after her. "Nonsense, allow me." He couldn't allow her to do that, what kind of man would he be? Phobias be damned!
Shinobu slithered into her sleeping bag, getting as comfortable as possible. The moment her eyes closed, Shuutaro felt compelled to scream. Instead, he bit down on his tongue.
Just half an hour, no big deal.
No, it was a huge deal. He was terrified out of his wits. Perhaps if he just... Shuutaro's fished for Shinobu's hand and held it in his own. There. That made him feel better.
Unbeknownst to him, Shinobu was smiling softly in the dark.
The teens set off again at 9:00, trying to reach the temple marked on the map. That was where the treasure laid.
As Shinobu and Shuutaro walked together, they began hearing rustling in the bushes. "Stand back," Shuutaro commanded, bearing his katana. He was fully prepared to strike down a panther of some sort, raising his katana above his head and...!
Thwack!
Kuno blocked the blow with his bokken. "Watch where you are pointing that thing, will you? You could have killed me!"
"Hmph." Shuutaro put away his blade. "A shame. I wish I would have."
Nabiki walked up behind Kuno, crossing her arms. "Easy there Shuu-honey, I need him."
The others snapped their heads to look at her, all three angry.
"Shuu-honey?" Kuno and Shuutaro said in unison. If he wasn't here with Shinobu, Shuutaro would have been flattered.
"Don't think I have forgotten about you, Kuno-baby." Nabiki grabbed him by the collar. "In case you have forgotten, we're competing with each other. Only one of us can get that phone call. Let's get a head start."
"Oh no you don't." Everyone was looking at Shinobu now. She had he hands tightly balled up into fists. Her jealously fueled her strength. "Come on." She picked up Shuutaro and lifted him above her head, much to his surprise. His face was beat red, embarrassed to be picked up by a girl.
"S-shinobu...! What are youuuuu— ahh!"
Shinobu began running with him above her head, flailing his arms around.
Kuno and Nabiki were speechless, the latter of the two snapping out of it first. "Come on Kuno-baby, you're fast."
"What are you implying?" Kuno raised a brow at her. "That I carry you as well?"
Nabiki mirrored his expression.
"Very well." Kuno propped his hand against Nabiki's back, sweeping her by the knees and carrying her bridal style. Without anymore hesitation, he bolted after Shinobu.
"Come on Kuno-baby, faster!" Nabiki coached, pumping her fist into the air.
The wording made Kuno's ears flush as unsavory imagery popped into his head. He quickly dispelled the thought and quickened his pace. He was not going to lose to some girl.
But oh, some girl she was. Kuno never thought he'd meet someone like Akane Tendo anywhere. But here was Shinobu Miyake, exhibiting superhuman speed. Kuno has to admit, he was impressed.
The temple was in their sights.
"Shinobu... Please put me down. You'll tire yourself out."
Shinobu stopped at the base of the temping, heaving as her lungs gasped for air. She carefully placed Shuutaro down, composing herself. "Oh Shuutaro!" She threw her arms around him.
"Miss Shinobu, please." Shuutaro slipped into formality, taking her hands off of him. "We mustn't dawdle now. We're so close!"
"We shall not lose!" came Kuno's voice behind them, prompting them to start running up the temple steps.
"Ugh, we're losing them!"
"Think fast, Nabiki Tendo."
"What? Kuno-baby, what're you—" Nabiki was thrown, soaring into the air. She cursed Tatewaki's name as she screamed. Kuno's aim was perfect though. She zoomed past Shuutaro and Shinobu and rather than let her fall, Kuno propelled himself with his bokken, using it as a vaulting pole.
He dove and caught her in his arms once again.
"I could kill you for that..." She punched his chest. Despite that, Kuno smirked. He didn't say anything in return, but he knew she would be grateful when they won.
Keeping his momentum m, Kuno quickly got to his feet and continued towards the top.
However, Shinobu and Shuutaro weren't going to be outmatched that easily.
"Shinobu."
"Say no more." Shinobu grabbed the other end of Shuutaro's katana, swinging him ahead of her. The sheeth came off in her hands, the blade shimmering in the moonlight.
As he was flown, Shuutaro swiped at Kuno's back, ripping open his shirt and drawing blood.
The blow caused him to stumble, landing on top of Nabiki. This fall allowed Shinobu to catch up and dash past them.
"Kuno!" Nabiki writhed beneath him, pinned beneath his weight. "Get up!"
Kuno scooped her up as he regained his footing.
"Put me down, you're hurt!"
Hesitance flashed in his eyes but he complied. Together they ran side by side, skipping steps.
Finally... The treasure was in sight!
All four teens jumped to get a hold of it, the first one to touch it was...
Everyone opened their eyes to see each other's hands upon the chest.
Shinobu squeaks. "Who..."
"... won?" Nabiki finished.
Aime appeared before them. "Hmm." She bent down and inspected their hands. "I suppose all of you did. I guess no one wins the phone call! Ahaha!"
