To Keep A Promise

Chapter 9

"Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next."           -Gilda Radner

When I got home from Shu's I went to find Lui. I wanted to find out whether or not he was going to show up for the team battles in two days. I still haven't figured out what happened that day, and he refuses to talk about it. I wasn't going to give up though. "Hey Lui..." I said as I opened his door, but cut myself off when I saw his sleeping figure. He had fallening asleep partially sitting up which made me wonder what he was doing. I silently closed the door and walked to my own room.

I sat down on the edge of my bed and looked at my hand. I could still feel a ghostly sensation of his fingers running down my hand. It's been a long time since someone's been so gentle with me. Usually if someone tried to touch me I would pull away without a thought, but there was something out his tone, the way he acted, that made me feel safe. I laid back, placing my hand on my chest as I stared up at my starry ceiling. I can't remember the last time I felt this way, if I ever have.

What are you doing to me Shu Kurenai?

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I can't believe it. It's finally the morning of the finals. I'm incredibly hyper this morning, a mix of nervousness and excitement for my team. Shinki placed a hand on my head, probably because of the fact I was bouncing up and down on the balls of my feet. I quickly batted his hand away, not liking when people did that because it made me feel short. I resorted to tapping my foot so he wouldn't do it again.

We were waiting back stage. I, once again, have snuck in. "Rideout?" I man asks as he enters the room. The team stand up and I make a split second descion to follow. A know the team won't mind me tagging along, but the man try's to stop me. I send him a glare and he immediately backs off. I wasn't in the mood to fight, I'm already at odds with Lui again. I inwardly sigh as I think back to this morning.

I walked up to Lui's door and knocked. "What?" Came a harsh voice. Great, it's not even eight in the morning and he's in a bad mood. I slowly open the door to see him sitting at the edge of his bed. One leg hanging down and one pulled to his chest as he stared a Luinor. I lit up slightly. "Are you coming to the battle?" I ask hopefully. "Now why would I do that?" He asks. My smile immediately drops. "Because your team is counting on you, that's why!" I shout frustrated. "None of them are worth my time." He says. "What's with you Lui! And what's with all the riddles about today? What happened?" I ask. "If you don't remember then so be it." He says. My eyes widen in shock and in anger before I take a deep breath. "Fine then, don't come. But may I remind you that's it's your team going up their today, and your captain? Gabe expects you to be there. He trusts you and respects you. Why else would he want you on the team? He wouldn't have asked if he didn't have faith in you. So go ahead, let your team down. 'Cause I know I won't."  I saw a look of hurt flash in his eyes as I closed the door, but I didn't pay attention to it. If he wanted to play this game, then I will too.

Now I stood behind the giant metal doors that led to the stadium. "Time for the last teams standing to take the stage in the finals. Let's go! In the red corner, with bottomless determination it's the Beigoma Academy Beyclub." Hanami announces over the speaker. At the mention of them I touch my hand slightly. It still hasn't healed totally and I had an extra bandage in my jacket pocket. "And in the blue corner, a force to be reckoned with. At the top of the food chain it's Rideout! Woah, shocker! Lui Shirasagi still isn't here!" He shouts sarcastically. "What's is this? Rin Shirasagi! How'd she get back there?" I roll my eyes at his comment as Kyo looks back at me. "What's going on? He's not coming?" He asks. "Well have to take care of this round on our own, just like the other ones." Gabe answers for me. "Got it!" Kyo shouts.