*𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙀𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙*
"Yes, he's your cousin. The one and only grandson of my father, your grandfather," Kazuma stated.
"And, Touma, this is Kaori," He told Touma as he turned his gaze at the boy who had a rather bored stare.
"So you're Kaori?" Touma asked in a mocking manner.
Kaori's face hardened - she hated kids who had no respect for the elders.
"Yes," She replied curtly.
"Heh, interesting. So you are the one who is hampering my way to power," Touma's voice deepened in anger.
Kaori raised an eyebrow, "I'm sorry? What are you talking about?"
Touma parted his lips to talk but Kazuma spoke up in between, "Let's!... Talk about this later. We have a class to attend to right now."
"I'm sure Aomu told you his plan, right Kaori?" Kazuma gave Kaori a questioning look.
"Yes, headmaster," Kaori replied with deep respect.
"Good. You two please head over to him, then. He should tell you the details. I'll be joining soon," Kazuma assured Touma as he gave an annoyed look, "Don't worry, Touma. We'll talk about everything else later today, ok? Now go."
Kaori shot a glare at Touma before showing courtesy towards Kazuma and leaving the room with Hyoudou Touma following her reluctantly.
*****
In a matter of time, all the students of the clan gathered at the back, before the entrance of the big forest behind which was at the south side of the headquarter.
Aomu-sensei was standing before them, observing the students before getting ready to explain the rules of the game to them.
The students were waiting silently for him to speak.
"So," He began, "I arranged a game to train you guys through. It's the regular 'capture the flag' game.
Every student here will be divided into two teams - red and blue team. You will be given weapons - which will definitely be fake - which you will use to eliminate your opponent teammates."
"As for elimination, you will be given stain colours - according to your team colour - which you will use to stain your opponent and eliminate them from the game. The eliminated player will have to come back here again and they will be out of the game so they won't have anything to do with the game either," Aomu took a breath before ending his speech, "The first team to capture the opposite team's flag will be ther winner. Also, if you can make the other team surrender, you will win."
He then gave a clap to gather the students' full attention and continuing.
"Now, the blue team's players will be - Kaori, Saki, Yukine, Maki, Mabuchi, William, Rena, Riko, Hayami and Ando!" He announced, making most of the students groan.
"Aren't they all seniors? How are we going to win against them?" Some whispered their thoughts aloud.
A girl said out, "Sensei! They are all seniors so it'll be really tought to win.. This is unfair! Mix all kinds of students in the teams, please!"
"Shush!" Aomu scolded, "This game isn't about winning! It's about learning! As long as you learn from your seniors, it doesn't matter whether you win or loose."
Nobody else dared to speak back to his words.
"Now the red team! The players will be - Yamaken, Touma, Mayuri, Damien, Shou Koutarou, Hinata, Nyanko, Gin and Aoi!"
Another round of groans followed.
"We'll never win," A male student this time sighed out.
"At least we have Gin, Yamaken, Aoi! Those three are senior students. We have a slight chance in winning," Another girl commented, making another female student sigh.
"Girl, as long as Kaori is in blue team, we have zero chance, trust me," She said gravely.
Aomu ignored the comments and asked his students, "Any questions?"
"I have a question," Yamaken spoke up expressionlessly which made everyone look at him.
"Yes?" Aomu inquired of him with expectation.
"Who's he and why's he standing beside me?" Yamaken asked promptly as he pointed at Touma.
"Ah, him," Aomu spared Touma a glance, "The headmaster will introduce him to you all by himself. I think he'll be here soon."
"Why? Who is he to get all tha-" Yamaken stopped midway as he saw Kaori giving him a - 'Stop asking questions, you'll find out soon anyway' - look.
"Anyone else want to ask questions?" Aomu asked the students, ignoring Yamaken.
Mabuchi spoke, "Should we begin the game now?"
Aomu waved his question away, "No, we have to wait for the headmaster. He's coming soon.. Ah, there he is!"
Everyone saw the headmaster, Kazuma, walking up towards them. He had a smile plastered to his face as he walked closer and closer.
He finally reached Aomu who bowed slightly at the headmaster.
Kazuma smiled at him, "Did you explain the rules already?"
Aomu grinned, "Yes, I'm now waiting for your signal to start the game."
Kazuma nodded before turning to the students who were standing in rows before him, "Hello, my dear students, long time no see," He said, amused.
Maki, the student council president replied on behalf of the students, "It's really good to see you, headmaster."
"Yes, you, too, Maki," Kazuma gave a smile at the said male student before saying to his students, "The other teachers couldn't attend this match since everyone is busy with their tasks..
Now, I'm mainly here to introduce..." He gestured at Touma who was standing among the rest of the students with a bored expression.
Touma walked towards Kazuma and stood by him, facing the other students.
"He is Hyoudou Touma," Kazuma introduced.
"Wait, Hyoudou?" Yamaken exclaimed, "You're.. Aunt Miina's son?"
Touma smirked but did not reply to the other's exclamation.
"Yes," Kazuma replied instead of Touma, "He's here for something important-"
"I'm here to claim my position as the next headmaster of this clan," Touma cut in, making Kazuma close his eyes to control himself from bursting out in fury.
Whispers broke out within the students.
"But what about Kaori?" William frowned, "She's also a rightful owner."
Touma clicked his tongue, "As if. Your favourite Kaori is a disapproval in our family. Grandpa Sakagami banned his youngest daughter and her family from Sakagami family. She has no right to claim anything now."
"But still, Kaori was taught by the current headmaster!" Saki protested.
Nyanko agreed with her, "Yeah! It's in the rules! The student the headmaster of the clan teaches will have a right to be the next headmaster!"
Maki hummed but said calmly, "Still, I'm sure Touma here has also been taught by the previous headmaster, his grandfather. They both have the same right.... This is twisted."
All the time, Yanaken quietly watched Kaori who wasn't showing any expression.
"I can't believe this," Touma scoffed in disbelief, "Why are you protecting this disappointment? She's a good for nothing, who's a disapproval in this family. Moreover she was taught by an idiot who only cares about his emotions, not the rules-"
!SLAP!
Before he could complete, a strong slap met his face. Every single person who was present, including the headmaster was shocked by the sound of the loud slap. And, it was definitely from Kaori, who looked dark with rage.
Again, before anyone could react, she grabbed Touma's coller as knives came out of her sleeves and as she pulled him closer, she held it against his neck skin while shooting dagger glares at him which made him gulp. His right side of the face was burning red.
"You can say anything about me, I won't budge," Kaori said lowly before yelling out angrily, "If you say anything about my teacher! A new grave will be dug with your name on the tomb, got it?" She growled lowly, making Touma gulp a second time.
She then pushed him away harshly and then walked up to her team before saying, "Let's go!"
She walked into the forest with her teammates, leaving everyone still in a daze behind.
Aomu broke the silence first, "Red team, go. The game will start within ten minutes after the teams go into the forest."
And so, Yamaken and the rest also walked into the forest right after, leaving the two teachers behind.
"Is he really going to take over?" Aomu asked Kazuma in a worried tone.
Kazuma let out a sigh, "I don't know, Aomu. But it is for sure, my time has come to an end. One of the two has to take over."
"But who do you think-?"
"Kaori is, with no doubt left, the perfect one. But then again, as he himself said, he is the rightful owner. Kaori was banned from the family so she can't claim anything," He sighed again.
"Then, Kaori?" Aomu asked sadly, even if he kew the answer.
"If Hyoudou Touma doesn't step down from his claim, I doubt Kaori will have any chance at all no matter how skilled she is or how powerful."
*******
"You guys," Shou spoke into his digital wristband, reporting to the other mates of his team, "I got Rena and Andou."
"Good job but be careful," Gin's voice came from the wristband.
"Of course. Wait, I see Riko.. Guys, I'm out," Shou cut the connection before hiding behind a tree.
He slowly took out his rubber knife which was stained with red colour. He stood in position, as if he was a predator getting ready to hunt down his target.
Right at that time, Hinata's voice came from the wristband, "Hey, Shou. I can see you from up here."
"Huh?" Shou quickly looked around to see nobody.
"Look up towards your right," Hinata instructed.
"Ah, what are you doing, Hinata?" Shou asked into the wristband.
"What else? I can take Riko down much more easily from up here. Don't waste your time, leave," Hinata said to him firmly.
"Oh, okay. I'll leave her to you," Shou disconnected to run out from behind the tree but something hit him straight on the back.
"Ow!" Two voices yelled together.
"Wha- Hinata!" Shou yelled and checked his back to see he's back was stained with blue colour.
He saw that Riko was also stained with red, which meant Hinata didn't miss his target but someone from the blue team got him.
"Who-?" He was going to ask Riko but she exclaimed as she saw someone, "Hayami!"
Hayami jumped down from a tree, she was also stained with blue colour. Soon after came Hinata, who was stained with blue. It seemed all four of them were eliminated in one go.
"Hah, so unfair," They all said heavily, shaking their head in disappointment.
*******
"You guys, let me be the leader of this team," Touma stated to his companies.
He the explained the reason as he received some confused looks, "You know, I was taught by the previous headmaster. I'm more powerful than Kaori, so it'll be easier to take her down if you follow my lead."
"Then, shouldn't I be the leader?" Yamaken spoke in a tone of sarcasm.
Gin, Aoi and Touma looked at him.
"I mean, I have been with Kaori for years. I know how she plays. Isn't it easier to win if you follow me?" He scoffed.
Gin and Aoi held back their laughter. Clearly, Yamaken didn't like Touma specially his behaviour. Well, they didn't either. He was like a total brat, who was let loose without any manner.
At that time, Gin's digital wristband got signals for which he tapped it on to hear Nyanko's voice from it.
"Gin, we are in blue team's flag route," She reported.
"What are you doing there? I thought you were eliminating their members," Gin said blankly.
"We had our router clean so we came over here. Isn't it better to do this? Maybe we can win!"
"Wait, something is weird," Yamaken spoke up.
His mates gave him glances before it clicked to him, "Didn't you face Kaori?"
"Huh?" Nyanko was lost for words before she decided to reply, "Uh, no. Why?"
Yamaken frowned, "That's... Unexpected. Nyanko, be alert. Kaori might be in that area, guarding the flag."
"Um, no I see nobody in here. It's all clear," Nyanko said after a while.
Aoi muttered audibly, "But still, don't drop your guard."
"Okay, Gin, I'm disconnecting," Nyanko said finally.
Gin tapped his wristband off.
"Don't you think it's weird?" Touma suddenly asked.
Gin shrugged, "Well, Kaori is like that. She's never seen in a battlefield if she isn't badly needed-"
"Gin! Tell them to retreat!" Yamaken suddenly yelled.
"Huh?"
"Kaori, she's hiding there. She'll eliminate them all!"
"Uh-oh, if four of us gets eliminated at once.." Aoi began but got cut off by Touma, as he had connected with Nyanko again, "Guys, retreat!"
*******
"Gu-, eat!" Came the voice of Touma from Nyanko's wristband.
"Huh? What's he saying?" She asked her friends blankly.
"Who knows," Damien said in confusion.
"Eat!" Touma said again.
"Eat? Why is he asking for us to eat?" Mayuri asked, irritated.
"This is a battlefield, why would we be eating?" Koutarou muttered.
"Wait," Nyanko abruptly said before tapping her wristband a couple of times.
Touma's voice slowly started to die down and become distant.
"What's going on?" Koutarou furrowed his eyebrows.
Nyanko whined in reply, "My wristband died. It's broken!"
"What should we do now?" Asked Mayuri.
Damien replied before Nyanko could, "Let's just proceed with our plan."
"Yeah," Nyanko agreed.
The four of them checked their sorroudings again before taking careful steps towards the blue coloured flag that was ten feet away from them.
They glanced at each other before Nyanko reached out to pull the flag out of the earth but....
!SLASH!
"Nyanko!"
Kaori landed on the ground, two knives in her hands.
𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮! 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳!
Damien gulped and got ready to fight her but she stopped them by saying, "Hey, are you thinking of fighting even when you're all eliminated?"
That was when the realized that they were all stained in blue colour all over themselves.
𝘕𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘺...
With a smirk, Kaori reported into her wristband, "Nyanko, Damien, Koutarou and Mayuri, all are out."
"Good job," Maki's voice could be heard from the wristband.
𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭?
*******
"They're gone," Gin was checking his teammates in his digital wristband.
"Ugh," Touma groaned.
"What do we do now?" Aoi asked Gin.
Gin thought a bit before saying, "Let's go all out. We can't just stay here and do nothing."
"You know what? I have a plan," Yamaken suddenly said.
"Come closer," He called the other three.
*******
Soon enough, Gin, Aoi, Touma and Yamaken also joined the rest of the others of their team and went full out in the game.
And the game also progressed visually. Yukine and Saki, together, fought with Gin and ended up eliminating him. But unfortunately, Gin had stained Saki before Yukine made a move and covered Gin with blue stain.
While Kaori was guarding their flag, she faced another attack from Aoi but surprisingly, William - the leader of the archery team - shot him down before he could give a blow on Kaori. Then, together with Yukine and William, Kaori guarded the flag from their enemies.
Then, Mabuchi was fighting with Yamaken and he needed help since Yamaken was using his forceful moves. So William was sent to help Mabuchi take down Yamaken by Kaori which turned out ot be a failure as both William and Mabuchi were taken down by Yamaken.
And then, while Maki was roaming around aimlessly, yet he was careful, met Touma on the way.
As soon as he saw Touma, he hid behind a big tree. As Touma was still walking the way he was, made him understand that the male didn't see him.
"Hm, I got to attck him from behind? Is that a good idea?" Maki muttered to himself.
Then he mentally slapped himslef, thinking, "Oi, Maki! What are you doing? Don't waste your time thinking what to do! He's going towards our flag route, I've to stop him!"
He took out his toy gun which was to use colour balls as bullets. He aimed his target, "Gotcha."
The minute he shot, Touma suddenly moved, his gun in his hand as well and shot at Maki who was taken by surprise.
And so, the two ended up eliminating each other.
"Argh!" Touma roared, "How did I get eliminated by a mere-"
"Hey you, stop eyeing everyone so lowly," Maki grumbled, "You're not some high and mighty guy either. Everyone has flaws and nobody is perfect all the time. The same goes to you."
"Huh, whatever," Touma snapped at Maki before walking away, destination - getting out of this forest.
Maki let out a sigh before following the arrogant young boy.
*******
Yamaken was sitting on the top branch of a big tree. He could see Yukine who was walking around the blue flag.
He smiled, "It's really funny how blue team went into defensive mode right after the game began and we were the only ones who were attacking them continuously."
He let out a breath, "So far you prtected this tiny flag. I wonder if you can protect it this time."
𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘠𝘶𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵... 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘒𝘢𝘰𝘳𝘪?
He checked his wristband and saw the data of the two teams written on the display.
Kaori wasn't eliminated yet. Yukine and Kaori were the only available players in the blue team while the red team's player was only Yamaken who was left.
"Ahh, these guys," He mumbled, disappointed.
"Seems like I have no other options," He took out his bow and set an arrow on it, aiming at Yukine who was standing before the flag, alart.
"Sorry, Yukine," He released the arrow.
It shot straight at Yukine who was shocked by the sudden move and wasn't able to dodge which is why he ended up getting hit and his chest was stained in red.
Yamaken waited for Yukine to leave as he saw the younger male let out a sigh and he tapped his wristband before walking away, leaving the blue flag behind.
Yamaken frowned, "What did he do just now?"
He shrugged, still hasitant about whether he should go with his next move.
Then after about three minutes passed and nothing happened, Yamaken jumped down from the tree to the ground.
He cracked his neck and took deep breaths, "Okay, let's end this Yamaken!"
He ran towards the flag and grabbed the flag.
𝘏𝘢𝘩, 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺.
He was about to pull it out when a voice from behind him spoke, "Are you going to pull it out without a fight?"
Yamaken turned around quickly to face Kaori who was standing there as if nothing was happening.
"What?" He asked her blankly.
"It's meant what I said," Replied Kaori.
".... Ar-are you not going to stop me?" Yamaken got taken aback.
Kaori didn't say anything and shrugged her shoulders.
𝘞𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘥... 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨?
"Fine, I'll take it," Yamaken turned around.
"Try to pull it out and you'll be shot, Yamaguchi Yoshii," Kaori's voice was deep, as if she was daring Yamaken to do what he was going to do.
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘒𝘢𝘰𝘳𝘪 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦, 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭.
Yamaken scoffed, "What did you call me?"
"Why? Did you get attched to the name Yamaken so much that you forgot your real name?" Kaori asked back.
Yamaken lost his words for a moment before deciding to say quietly, "That's not my name anymore."
Kaori had a bow in her hand with an arrow attched to it that had blue colour ball on it's tip.
"Anyway," He turned around again and grabbed the flag to pull it out before he felt an arrow bore into the earth at the back of his feet.
He turned around in a jolt to see an arrow which was now boring into the earth before his feet, painting the sorrounding of the ground with blue colour.
As Kaori shot another arrow at him, he jumped back, using his knife to block the arrow from hitting him.
Kaori took the spot where Yamaken was standing a moment ago, with her back to the flag and facing Yamaken who was now standing before her, still confused about what was going on.
Kaori dropped the bow and took off the quiver full of arrows that was tied to her back with a belt.
She moved her hands and two knives came out of her sleeves and then she stood in her position, as if she was going to protect the flag at all costs.
"What are you waiting for? Come. Let's have a match and find out who's gonna win. Remember, your team now depends on you," Kaori said, half smirking.
*******
"Seems like the red team always get hampered in their plan by blue team's Kaori," Aomu laughed as he saw what was going on, on the display of his wristband.
All the eliminated students were there with him, watching the same thing.
"This is a real match to watch. Yamaken, the king of combat and knife skills against Kaori, who is the student of our dear headmaster Kazuma," Said Maki as he excited about what's going to happen next.
"This is going to be interesting," Aomu commented, amused.
Touma frowned as he watched Kaori.
𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵...
*******
Yamaken let out a sigh as he also took out his knives.
𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳... 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥.
⭐🌟⭐❤⭐❤⭐❤⭐❤⭐❤⭐❤⭐🌟