A week later, you all headed for Kuto and the tournament. Taiitsukun told you she would meet you guys there. It took about three days to get to the city where the tournament was being held. You told everyone to be careful, because they would be the only humans there. Once you got there, everyone headed toward the room. The room had three bedrooms that were joined by a common room and kitchen. You and Keisuke took the room to the right, Miaka and Tamahome took the one on the other side of the room, and Chichiri and Tasuki took the left one. Once everyone had settled, you all gathered in the common room to look at the schedule for the tournament. You opened up the schedule and looked at it. [Okay...it looks like one team fights one team everyday...at various times throughout the day. It’s a process of elimination. Our first fight is tomorrow at eleven.] You paused and got up. Everyone watched as you slowly walked into your and Keisuke’s room and shut the door.
The next morning, you got up early to train and got back to the apartment just as the sun was rising. [Where have you been?] Tasuki asked seeing you come in the door. [Iwent to train alone] you replied, sitting on the couch across from him. [Ayame, what’s wrong, ya know?] Chichiri asked as he plopped down next to you. [You know, it’s funny. All I’ve been doing is trying to focus, but I can’t stop thinking about it.] [About what?] Tasuki questioned. [The last time I fought…I just can’t seem to find the confidence I used to have. It’s like he took it from me.] [Ayame…you mean Nakago, don’t you?]You nodded and continued, [I know it sounds silly, but…I keep playing over and over again in my head.] [That’s not silly, ya know. But don’t doubt yourself. You’ve always been a good warrior.] You looked up at Chichiri, obviously worried. [I just have this awful feeling….and it isn’t going away.] Before either one could respond, you got up and walked into your bedroom, closing the door behind you.
[Hey there] Keisuke said, coming into the room. You were silent and continued to look out the window. [I’m the only female fighter here. Did you know that?] you finally said, not turning around. [You’re acting so weird....what’s going on with you?] he asked putting his hands on your shoulders. You tried to move away, but he wrapped his arms around your from behind, one around the waist and one over your shoulders. [Why is it so hard for you to admit you’re scared?] His chin was now resting on your shoulder. [Stop doubting yourself. So what if you’re the only girl. You’re going to beat them all anyway. I have faith in you.] You turned and looked up at him. [There’s something I have to tell you.] Before you could continue, Tamahome came into the room and said that Taiitsukun wanted to meet with you all to train. Keisuke told you to just tell him later and you and the guys went to train.
-5 days later-
*people laughing...everyone stops laughing and watch as you quietly enter the room. You walked straight through the living room and into your room, shutting the door behind you. Everyone looked at each other in silence. Keisuke got up and went into your room.–you’ve just come back from a daily meeting with Taiitsukun*
[Ayame.....] he said looking at you. Hemover towards you, but paused, noticing that you were shaking. [Keisuke...] [Yeah, Ayame?] [Could you please leave.....I just need to be alone right now. I don’t wanna talk about it....just go away....please...] Keisuke stood there for a moment, not knowing what to say. Then, without a word, he left the room. [She won’t talk to me] he said sitting on the couch. Everyone sat in silence for a moment. [Maybe I can help] Tamahome said, getting up and walking towards your room.
Tamahome walked into the room and stood there for a moment. You were looking out the window. You turned and looked at him and he was taken aback, seeing tears streaming down your face. [Ayame.....what happened?] Tamahome said pulling you close to him. [Are you okay?] [I’m in so much trouble....Taiitsukun is so angry with me!] you moaned, crying. [What happened?] You pulled away from him and wiped the tears off your face. You tried to smile, but could not, and sat down on the bed. [She told me that…because of the way I’ve been acting....she....she said the disease will most like likely fully attack my system tonight....at midnight...]
[What?!] Tamahome said bending down in front of you and putting his hands on your knees. [She said there was nothing she could do about it.] There was a long pause, and Tamahome sat there as you tried to calm yourself down. [She told me that it will kill me if I don’t believe that I can beat Tenkou tomorrow in the finals....if I have any doubts about myself I’ll die.....Tamahome...][Yeah?] [I need you and everyone to believe in me...I need you to know that I can win.....and I need you to tell them that....I can’t face them...not now.....I’m too embarrassed] [Of course. Do you want me to check on you later?] Tamahome said walking to the door. [No...I’ll be fine...I think I should be left alone right now....all this is my fault anyway...I did this to myself...] [Ayame...that’s not true...] He paused as you turned away and put your head into your pillow. [Alright. I’ll tell everyone what’s going on] he said and left the room.
–After he’s explained the situation to everyone–
[Is she in a lot of pain, ya know?] [Not yet, but she will be when she’s fully infected...she could die...] [This isn’t fair...she doesn’t deserve this!] Miaka squealed, beginning to cry. [I hate this! It’s wrong! We have to help her!] [Miaka, stop it!] Tamahome said grabbing her by the shoulders. [The best thing we can do for her is believe in her...so she’ll believe in herself. She chose for Taiitsukun to be her master....that is the path she has chosen, and we have to be there for her! Do you understand what I’m saying!? There is nothing any of us can do! She has to do this by herself] he paused and pulled her close to him and let her cry.
–11:55 that night- Miaka is sleeping in Tamahome’s room, but Keisuke is still awake, and is sitting on the couch-he is wearing some boxers, but that’s it–
*shower turning on*
[Huh?] Keisuke said looking up. [Why would she be taking a shower now?] He walkedinto your room and over to the bathroom door looking in. Taiitsukun hovered next to the shower, where you stood with warm water running over you. Taiitusukun cleared her throat. [Ayame...are you ready?] [Yes, master. Do what you came to do] [Alright, It will hit you in a few minutes. You will be lucky if you are able to stand] Taiitsukun said and looked at Keisuke. [Take care of her] she snapped and disappeared.
Keisuke walked into the bathroom and stood there for a minute, not knowing what to do.
Suddenly, you let out a painful yelp and fell to your knees. [Ayame!] Keisuke ran to the shower and opened the door, not noticing you were nude. You held onto his arms, and looked up at him with a pain in your eyes. [Keisuke.....] you whispered. Keisuke smiled and looked at you. [Can you stand?] [I...*painful moan*...I can try.] He helped you up. After you stood there for a moment, he pulled your close to him and held you, trying to make the pain go away. [Umm...Keisuke....] [Yeah?] [Could you ummm....let go....] [Huh? Woah!] he said finally realizing you were naked. [Call me crazy, but it didn’t actually occur to me that you were umm.....yeah...*clearing his throat*] he stepped out of the shower and handed you a towel. [Keisuke...] [Hmm?] [Could you carry me? I’m using all of my strength to stand right now, and I don’t think I can hold myself up much longer] [Yeah, sure....hold onto me] he said picking you up. He carried you over to your bed and put you down gently. [Will you stay with me? I’m gonna be up all night...*painful moan*.] [Of course] he replied and laid down next to you. You tried to sleep, but were unable to even shut your eyes because of the pain. Keisuke held you close and felt you shaking and sometimes gasping for breath. He tried desperately to comfort you, but was unable to.
