Whew sorry that took a long time, was focusing on DanMemo and drawing ^^'

dereturd: Had noticed i didn't put any Ryu in... will have more upcoming xD I'm not familiar with the show so apologies if it didn't meet your expectations, still glad ya enjoyed it :D

Saterllizersama: Thank you :D

Itsc: Thank you! Sorry, it's a habit but i'll try to get rid of it ^^'

Mann856: Thanks, glad u enjoyed it ;D

Shin Hyo Joon: xD Thank you! Mini Ais always happy around Bell XD

(Guest): Glad ya enjoyed it! xD

Marshall Cross Marian: Really glad you enjoy all of my chaps, arigato :D I'll try to give all the girls justice xD

Ca1piggy: He doesn't taste good xD

Well this is, you can guess, Bell and Ais chap. I'm not sure if it's off or not but... Enjoy! XD

Disclaimer: I do not own Danmachi.

SLASH!

"You're losing focus, pay attention!"

"Yes!" He roughly dodged the swift kick she threw at him, blocking the saber of her sword with his black knife. Ais jumped back and lashed at him again, her saber just a blur through his eyes. He managed to block some attacks, while some passed through and hit him roughly. Stumbling back he braced himself as she attacked again, not giving him a second to regain his senses. "-AGH!"

"Don't allow your opponent to take lead, it'll just mean you lose."

His eyes snapped open, spotting the next attack before it hit him. The saber grazed his knife and he swiftly switched to her side, winding his fist as her eyes widened.

"-!" She stumbled forward as the punch hit her waist. Bell backed away, letting some space between himself and the sword princess. Ais blinked, turning to face him in surprise whilst her hand rested on the slightly bruised area of her waist. He landed a hit. Why did SHE feel happy because of that and why mini Ais was jumping around beside her in content, she didn't understand. Still, she let herself support a small smile. "... That was good."

"Really?!" His eyes sparkled with excitement at her statement. As if catching himself, he flushed and cleared his throat. "I mean, thank you."

… like an excited bunny. She thought to herself, smiling even more and nodding. "You're getting better at this. I almost didn't spot you." Does that mean… I've been a good teacher? We've been training for almost 3 months now and he's gotten better- no, excellent in combat. She lost herself in her thoughts, looking very concentrated. Bell sweat-dropped.

"Um, Ais-san?"

Does that mean… he's good to go? He won't need me to train him anymore…? Her heart sank and the mini Ais beside her started to tear up. Bell got even more panicked at the sad look she had.

"Ais-san?!" She glanced at him with blank eyes and fell deep in thought again. He was a level 4 now, but almost fought like a level 5. He would be more than capable to handle himself.

Rabbit's… leaving my nest?

"..." Bell looked lost and cornered, not knowing what to do with the princess in front of him. He couldn't exactly read her mind, but he knew it was related to him. What did I do this time? "Um, Ais-san." She looked up indicating she was listening. "Can we finish this lesson here?"

… So early? That just fed in to her fears of them not meeting anymore. "... Why?" She squinted her eyes at him. Bell jolted at the sudden change of mood and chuckled sheepishly.

"W-well, few of my male friends wanted to have a hangout… so I have to go join them." Specifically him, Ouka, Welf and Miach. Hermes WOULD have joined but that would just get Bell upset and Welf angry. They still hadn't forgotten what the god had done.

… hangout? He's going… because of a hangout? Her frown slowly switched to an adorable pout again, as mini Ais beside her also pouted and huffed in frustration … they are more important than training… or me…?! She didn't know why, but she felt upset. And angry.

Bell paled as she rAised her saber with a dangerous glint in her eyes. "A-Ais-san?!" What had he done this time what had he done this time what had he done- "OW!" Next he knew she launched herself past him and threw him over. Wincing in pain, he looked over to see the sword princess looking down at him with that same cute pout. Ahhh kawai~ wait no!

… Bell no baka! She turned away, her hair following her movements. Now starting to descend the stairs, she shot him one last pout before disappearing out of sight. Bell blinked in confusion and got up.

D-did I make her upset over something? "A-Ais-san, wait!" Deciding the other men could wait, he rushed down the stairs as well. To his luck though, he tripped over his own feet and face-planted on the ground just as he was down the stairs. "OW!" He had been falling a lot lately.

"Bell, here ya are!" Someone walked up and Bell looked up surprised. "The rest are waiting, hurry up." Instead of following Welf though, Bell sighed and put his hands on his shoulders. Then, he smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry." Pushing Welf away, he turned on his feet and raced away.

"Wha- Bell?!"

Meanwhile, Ais was sitting near the fountain located the center of orario. Beside her was the pouting mini Ais who swung her legs inside the water. Silence surrounded them. The few passerbyers who passed stared at her in surprise. She gave them no mind, still pouting and staring at her lap.

… Why did I get angry… ? Mini Ais tugged on her dress, now looking sad. She shook her head, determined to not talk to that betraying rabbit. He can go wherever he wants, I don't care! Mini Ais paused and huffed as well, crossing her arms.

"Ais-san!" Her attention snapped to the side of the streets, where the boy had finally found her. He raced up to her, gasping for breath as he did. "Finally… found you!"

"... Bell…" Although surprised, she pouted and turned away frown him. "... what do you want?"

Cold! Bell shivered and smiled sheepishly. "Umm… did I upset you, in any way?"

"No... you didn't."

Ah, he did.

He scratched his head, looking back to try and find where it went wrong. Ais glanced at him, her light blush not leaving her cheeks. She still didn't turn to him. How did you cheer up the sword princess… realization immediately passed over him and he fist-bumped his palm, immediately turning and racing off. Ais was left surprised and mini Ais baffled.

… He ran away again… This time the real Ais teared too, alongside the mini Ais.

If ya make a girl upset, it's yer duty to cheer her up! Was what his grandpa had taught him. Not like Bell completely followed the old geezer's perverted ideas but… some of them were actually helpful! Quickly thanking the old lady (thank god hehe his goddess was at the hephaestus store that day), he rushed back to the fountain the sword princess still sat on.

"Ais-san!" This caught her attention, as he ran up to her and plopped down beside her. He was smiling brightly, with… a Jagamarukun in hand? Ais blinked, confused and bit upset he was eating her favorite treat in front of her. If he wanted to eat, he could go elsewhere- "say ahhh~"

… Eh?

"... ?" She stared at the Jagamarukun he held out in surprise, as mini Ais immediately started jumping up and down in joy, motioning for Ais to go ahead. Her heart swelled with warmth, her cheeks heating up as her pout fell. Feeling strangely happy, she accepted the gesture and bit into the Jagamarukun.

Okay yeah, Bell admitted he was panicking on the inside. Maybe he had just lost his mind, maybe he had abandoned his timidness, maybe he had grown bold. Whatever it was, he didn't care at the moment. He was in heaven and his objective was to make the sword princess happy again.

As Ais took the Jagamarukun from his hands, she realized what he was trying to do and shot him a blushing pout. … that isn't working, your betraying rabbit.

Jagamarukun didn't cheer her up? He sweat-dropped. Well i'm not giving up! Huffing in determination, he sat beside her quietly, trying to think of what could cheer her up. Ais continued to nibble on the Jagamarukun, still confused as to why she was upset in the first place.

Another situation flashed through Bell's mind and he immediately blushed. No, no no no no, no way am I doing that! She might like it, but he'll literally die of embarrassment!

… No. he made her upset, he had to cheer her up. Swallowing up his embarrassment, he turned to Ais who glanced at him. He had her full attention. Run away run away run away-

"A…" Ais looked up at him fully, now confused to his stammering voice and red face. "... Ais- Aisoneechanpleaseforgiveme."

God-damn it.

"What was that?" She looked confused. Trying to steel himself from the blushing mess he was, he took in a deep breath and smiled.

"Ais-onee-chan, please forgive me for whatever I did."

Silence.

Ais stared at him surprised to the core. Mini Ais gaped at him, her tiny hands rising to paw the real Ais. Bell stayed still, bright red and waiting for her to do something. Something. ANYTHING. At last, Ais snapped out of her trace and jolted, her face flushing. She quickly turned away, continuing to nibble on the Jagamarukun. She couldn't fall for it. SHE COULDN'T FALL FOR IT!

"... t-that… I… You didn't…" Ah, now she was a stuttering mess. Good job Bell.

Just what else could he do…

...

Well, worth a shot. If he died in the process, his fault.

"... Ais-san." She looked up at him, the pink hue still not having left her cheeks. He smiled. "You like giving me lap pillows, right?"

… no way… he'll let me give him a lap pillow? Even mini Ais was interested in what he was saying.

"But only YOU give me lap pillows. Have I ever given you one?"

… Eh?

Next thing she knew, her head gently lay on his lap.

Mini Ais… fainted.

Ais blinked, looking up as Bell smiled down at her. Realizing what he was doing, her face turned bright pink. "B-Bell…?!"

"I'm sorry if it's uncomfortable, but please hold still." As if to add to her surprise, his hands slowly started to stroke her long blond hair. She blinked even more, her face growing warmer. Why was her heart racing so fast. Why did she feel so warm. She hadn't gotten sick… had she?

She decided not to say anything, closing her eyes and enjoy the warmth he had to offer. Her golden locks were gently being stroked by the boy who, although embarrassed, was smiling calmly. If anyone they knew came across the scene, they'd almost not recognize the two. It was as if their personality whole had been switched- or rather, they were acting how they SHOULD have around each other.

Bell noticed Ais smiling softly with eyes closed peacefully. This was the best time to ask her what he had done to make her upset. Maybe she'd agree to tell him. "... Ais-san?"

"... hmm?" She hummed softly, almost forgetting about her anger.

"... why did you walk away?" Her eyes fluttered open. "I mean… I don't remember doing anything to upset you… did I hit you too hard? Did I hurt you?" He sounded worried. Her body felt warmer. Why did she feel such… such embarrassment?

"..." Her cheeks reddened further. "... I don't know…"

"Huh?"

"... you've become… stronger." Her heart started beating faster. "You can hold your own against me… you can protect your familia, you can go to deeper floors… I was… I mean, you don't need anymore training… no, i-!"

Bell's eyes widened, realizing what she meant. She simply didn't want to stop meeting him. If he had completed training, he wouldn't need her to meet him up the wall every morning. He was strong enough, he wouldn't need her to train him anymore.

"And… when you said you were going to go with your friends… instead of staying with me…" Her cute pout returned. "... i… I didn't like it. For some reason." there. She said it.

Silence. Then, she felt the boy start to shake. She looked up at him and pouted further, growing further embarrassed when seeing him trying to hold his laughter in. seeing her like that, Bell finally burst into laughter.

Ais-san you're so cute!

"A-Ais-san, what- what are you saying?!" He calmed down slightly, wiping the tears in his eyes from laughing so much. "Do you really think i'll go away after training? You've helped me so much, yet I'm still weak. I have yet to reach my goal, yet to accomplish what I'm out for. I'm not stopping until I get there." Ais rose from his lap, staring at him surprised. He smiled brightly, tilting his head. "Ais-san, can I ask you something?"

"... yes?"

"Please continue to train me. I'm yet not strong enough, so please help me get stronger."

"...!" Ais felt herself smile, looking truly happy at his words. "... yes." beside her the revived mini Ais was jumping around in excitement, happy her rabbit was staying in her nest. Ais lay her head back in his lap. "... i'm sorry, I got upset over such a small thing."

"N-no, I made you upset. I should be the one apologizing." his lost embarrassment finally caught up to him and Bell flushed. "B-besides… it was cute. Seeing Ais-san upset and acting so childish." he chuckled and Ais pouted, hitting his knee lightly. "Sorry sorry."

"... Bell? I…" she didn't know the feeling well yet. Still she knew one thing.

I care about you.

"... you're important to me." she decided, smiling up at the boy. Bell blinked, surprised. Then, heart fluttering from joy and blush rising, he smiled back just as happily.

"I, too…"

I love you.

"... care about you."

Ais hummed in content, finally letting her eyes flutter close as the boy calmly continued to stroke her hair.

Meanwhile, a bit away, the gaping Welf, the shell-shocked Ouka, the smirking and surprised Hermes alongside the smiling Miach watched the scene.

"Ara ara, Bell sure catches attention."

"You're one to say Miach-sama!"

"Bell-dono is… definitely amazing."

"I wonder what Hestia would do if she saw this…"

…

"Ais-san, where were you yesterday?" Lefiya looked at Ais suspiciously, inching closer as Ais looked away with a sweatdrop. The loki familia was currently having breakfast and the main members were staring at Ais the whole time. "I didn't see you the WHOLE day."

"You weren't in the dungeon too." Riveria rAised an eyebrow. Ais looked away, this time blushing.

"I-i was… training."

"... uhummm…" Riveria nodded slowly, her frown slowly starting to turn into a smirk. "... so, was Bell cranel well?" Ais nearly fell over at her statement whistle everyone burst (minus the leaders) burst into screams.

"EHHHH?!"

"AIS WAS WITH ARGONAUT-KUN?!"

"THAT CHEATING HUMAAAAN!"

Meanwhile, Bell was being interrogated by a jealous Welf and Ouka.

"How the hell did that happen?!"

"What did you do?!"

"N-nothing! I did nothing! Someone! Save me!"

How do you really cheer up the sword princess? Simple answer: give her a Jagamarukun. Otherwise give her a Bell Cranel.

Well, now you know how to cheer up an upset Sword Princess xD Very sorry if it was off or just plain wrong, do comment and let me know if it was. See you guys in next chap and hope ya enjoyed it!