The old yankee time [open]

[Azuma Wataru]

Old, empty and cold... This was the first warehouse where Wataru had fought in and had won. It was his first taste of victory and he'd felt very satisfied after beating his opponents to a bloody pulp and the running from him as if he was a freak. This was where his journey as a yankee began.

He bent over and picked up a metal pole. "It brings back the memories"
With a smile, he remembers how worthless this has all been..after his discovery of tumbling and the difference if made on his life. All the friendships he had formed and the obstacles they've overcome. The competitions had been so rewarding and there was no way he'd go back to his yankee path again... right?

Suddenly, he felt a presence behind him as soon as he heard some footsteps. Swiftly swinging the pole, the wanted to scare the heck out of whoever was there only realising who was standing there unphased....

[Tsukimori Ryosuke]

Ryosuke wasn't sure what it was that brought him to the warehouse. He'd only been there a considerably small number of times before, in comparison to his best friend Wataru, and never for anything others would consider all that good. It had been the site of a good number of battles he'd taken part in. The majority of them--no, all of them, considering he'd never lost a battle with Wataru and Nippori at his side--being true victories. It wasn't the prettiest of places, but the memories made it that much better.

Ryosuke actually laughed at himself as he headed down the road to the place, his pace nonchalant, steady, one hand shoved in his pocket, the other holding up his cigarette. The warehouse was only a matter of steps away now, and as Ryosuke got closer and closer, he heard an all too familiar voice.

It was barely a mumble, but Ryosuke knew he would recognize that voice anywhere.

Wataru.

The blonde Yankee moved forward, sliding the warehouse door aside as quietly as he could manage to get a look inside. Sure enough, his redheaded friend was present and apparently alone. Ryosuke wasn't sure what the guy was doing.....practicing Tumbling in a place like this didn't seem all that possible, and there were no other guys around for it to be some kind of fight.

Ryosuke felt a grin creep across his face. If Wataru was alone, maybe he could surprise him. They hadn't been planning to meet today, but he was always game for some laughs with his friend. Slipping in through the narrow space between the door and the wall, Ryosuke intended to make good on his promise to surprise his friend, grinning more and more with each quiet step he took, but Wataru beat him to it.

He was barely out of the line of fire as the redhead swiveled around, swinging the iron bar with him.

"Fuaaaa....Wataru." Ryosuke made no other gestured but to lean back slightly, so that he was just out of harm's way. "Watch where you swing that thing, yeah?"

He gave his good friend his usual sly grin, then a mock peace sign. For Ryosuke, time with Wataru usually meant good things. Fun and games, joking around, just relaxing. But there were points where his red-headed friend became very sullen and serious, and judging by the look on the other boy's face....Ryosuke had the feeling this was one of those times.

He stepped forward, casually putting an arm around Wataru's shoulder for some sense of moral support. "Is something wrong?" He pondered for a moment, and though he didn't think his response was the real reason for Wataru's sadness, it slipped out anyway. "Is it Mari-chan?"

[Azuma Wataru]

Wataru had almost hit his best friend. In the face. But he had good control over the pole and stopped before it could go any further.

"Fuaaaa...Wataru Wataru blinked hard as he recognised Ryosuke and felt a sense of relief sweep him over. Was it relief though? But he did feel more at ease.

Watch where you swing that thing, yeah?

Wataru gave a forced smile.. one that Ryosuke knew too well. It was too obvious to him that the tough, red readed yankee was trying the masquerade whatever was bothering him.

Wataru didnt know what to say to Ryosuke. Should he tell him what he was thinking?

Then, Ryosuke broke the silence with a comforting gesture. "Is something wrong?"

Wataru breathed heavily and glanced around the dark warehouse. Just as he thought, it was only the two of them and now that when Ryosuke is here, it just brought back more of those days. Days where violence rules their lives, full of beatings and blood with no mercy.

Wataru was just about to confide in Ryosuke when suddenly, the other yankee cut in "Is it mari-chan?"

A gust of disappointment almost swept Wataru off his balance. Mentally steadying himself, he tried his best to ward off the negative feelings inside him and put on his best poker face for Ryosuke.

He escaped from Ryosuke's supportive arm and took a few steps back. With a grin he said:

"Oh man, how did you know? It just seems like... she's not that interested in me. Maybe because my tumbling skills arent good enough ne?"

Then he did this 'i'm cool' action and made a face which would make girls go crazy over. But in front of Wataru wasnt a girl... and he certainly did not seem to go crazy over what he just did...

Was Ryosuke starting to realise his act? Wataru hated this. He hated to be weak and for other people to worry over him...



Then, sadly he added "Maybe i should just give up"

[Tsukimori Ryosuke]

Ryosuke watched Wataru carefully after he'd spoken, wondering if maybe he really had said the wrong thing and ought to have kept his mouth shut. He wasn't stupid by any means, but he'd been known to say the wrong thing or two now and again.

Wataru pulled away from his grasp suddenly, looking neutral, maybe a tad upset...? Ryosuke couldn't be sure. Until suddenly, the rehead's face changed into an obvious grin. If anything, he looked relieved. Ryosuke breathed a sigh of relief too. He was glad he hadn't made things any worse, especially if something serious had been going on for the other Yankee.

Oh man, how did you know? It just seems like... she's not that interested in me. Maybe because my tumbling skills arent good enough ne?

Ryosuke snuffed out his cigarette on the floor and stuck the now free hand in his other pocket. One thing he had to profess himself something of an expert in was girls. He didn't know what it was or why (well, no, he knew why--he absolutely loved girls), but he just had gut instincts about what was right or wrong to do when around girls, what would blow over well and what wouldn't. And usually those instincts were right. He didn't want to say the truth of the matter about Mari-chan, that he had the sincere feeling that that pretty girl's interest lay only in Wataru's opponent, Hino, but.......

Heck, even Ryosuke had tried to pick Mari-chan up once or twice as a joke in front of Wataru, and he'd ultimately failed as well. At least Mari-chan was loyal....she didn't make eyes for anyone other than Hino, it seemed. But she was kind to Wataru, so....

Ryosuke looked back up at his friend. Wataru was rough around the edges, yeah, but he was a pretty good-looking guy. He pondered what the redhead could do to get Mari-chan to actually like him.....there had to be something. Maybe set them up to get locked in a room in the school together or something like that....something where Mari-chan could rely on Wataru and Wataru alone. Then she could realize just how lucky she was to snag a guy like him.

As if hearing Ryosuke's thoughts, Wataru spoke up again. The look on his face was heartbreaking. Maybe i should just give up.

Ryosuke winked at Wataru suddenly, and pulled one hand from his pocket. "No giving up. I think I have an idea...." He looked around to see if anyone else was in the warehouse with them, just to be safe, then moved forward again towards his friend. "What if we set something up? You know....kind of like a date, I guess, but more like a 'Wataru and Mari-chan stuck together in a cold, dark place' type thing." Ryosuke paused. "Okay, that didn't sound as good as it was supposed to. What if you and Mari-chan accidentally got locked in one of the classrooms at night together? Then you could take care of her and prove what a good guy you are. The kind of guy she wants."

He shrugged. "I get the impression she likes Hino, if you want me to be blunt about it. But....Hino doesn't even seem to bat an eye at girls, so I think she's wasting her time. Help her realize what a good man you'd be for her, right?"

[Azuma Wataru]

Wataru had been trying to stare at the ground and avoid his mate's direct eye contact.

No giving up. I think I have an idea

Ryosuke was always so kind to Wataru and ofcourse, lying to him just made the situation worser. Wataru started to remember the time when he first fought the blonde haired wild yankee and how they became friends in the first place. They friendship had definitely been rewarding.. and to the extent of weird, especially how it started.

What if we set something up? You know....kind of like a date, I guess, but more like a 'Wataru and Mari-chan stuck together in a cold, dark place' type thing.

This made Wataru smile internally. His friend was always full of ideas, especially when it came to girls. That was his special ability.

Okay, that didn't sound as good as it was supposed to. What if you and Mari-chan accidentally got locked in one of the classrooms at night together? Then you could take care of her and prove what a good guy you are. The kind of guy she wants

This finally made Wataru look up at his friend and he made a look of disbelief. ~You make me seem so desperate~ he thought under his breath. Then, Ryosuke shrugged.

I get the impression she likes Hino, if you want me to be blunt about it. But....Hino doesn't even seem to bat an eye at girls, so I think she's wasting her time. Help her realize what a good man you'd be for her, right?

Wataru kicked the floor softly as Ryosuke finished his sentence. "ehhh.. Hino..? I kind of had that feeling" This was true and Wataru did feel kind of disappointed because of it. But this wasnt the main thing bugging him now.

Suddenly, he was sniffing slightly. He smelt a trace of smoke from Ryosuke. "Oi, i thought we quit. It not good for you." Rolling his eyes, he glared at the cigarette then averting his eyes back to the other yankee.

Life was precious. And short. Wataru thought he was being cheesy when he thought like that and stupid. It WAS stupid. Like an old man. His father? Why would a former yankee be thinking like that anyways?

He looked at Ryosuke and felt the sense of comfort and support that was always there. The sense of ease and trust gave courage to Wataru. Like always.

With a heavy sigh, also letting out the pain he was holding in, Wataru said to Ryosuke...


"Actually, its not Mari-chan. Its something else"

[Tsukimori Ryosuke]

ooc: I really love this post! <3

Ryosuke watched Wataru carefully, wondering how he would react. His friend's face seemed to remain impassive, perhaps a bit stony, but Ryosuke had been friends with Wataru long enough to know that was probably the redhead lost in thought.

"ehhh.. Hino..? I kind of had that feeling"

Ryosuke sighed. "But seriously, think about it. Can you imagine that guy with Mari-chan? He just doesn't have it in him.......he's too focused on gymnastics." Ryosuke opened his mouth to say something else, but Wataru had turned his way, looking suddenly concerned.

"Oi, i thought we quit. It not good for you."

Ryosuke glanced at the cigarette, guilty and knowing very well what Wataru was talking about, and couldn't help grinning slightly. "Oh. That." He tossed it aside and brought his foot down on it. "I didn't even remember it was still in my hands.......I just...needed a break earlier. Long day. I won't do it again." He raised his hands up to chest level, as if to protect himself from Wataru. "I promise. That'll be the last one for......a day--I mean, a while."

The blonde went silent again, waiting for Wataru to say something--he hadn't responded to the ideas about being locked up with Mari-chan, which was slightly disappointing. Ryosuke was actually looking forward to setting that up. He and Nippori could do all the hard work. All Wataru would have to do was be suave and chivalrous....

"Actually, its not Mari-chan. Its something else."

Ryosuke, who had been in the process of hopping onto a nearby oil barrel to sit down, stopped in his tracks. "Then...what is it?"

[Azuma Wataru]

ooc: hehe, me too! =)


"Oi, i thought we quit. It not good for you."

Wataru slightly pouted and appeared concern as Ryosuke put out his cigarette.

I didn't even remember it was still in my hands.......I just...needed a break earlier. Long day. I won't do it again

A long day.. it was a long day.

I promise. That'll be the last one for......a day--I mean, a while

It better not be for a really really really long time, Wataru thought.

"Actually, it's not Mari-chan. It's something else."

Wataru's eyes followed Ryosuke as he strolled over to the barrel at the side. It was just lying there.. lonely with no content inside. It had no purpose it seemed.

Ryosuke stopped. Then... what is it?

This made Wataru inhale through his mouth, wanting the intake of oxygen to somehow fill him with bravery. The courage to confide in his best friend. He didnt want to make up any other lies or excuses to cover up his problems. Especially not to Ryosuke. He hated it.

"It's actually... my father's...father. He came to our restaurant the other day" The words seemed to echo in the empty warehouse and inside Wataru's heart. Cold, sharp and painful.

His father passed away not too long ago and Wataru had never felt such sadness when he couldnt perform infront of him. He realised it was not his fault that his mother raised him alone. They often clashed but this was only because their characters were so much alike. Hot - headed, strong willed, stubborn and straightforward.

But this was his father's father. Which meant the person who forced his father to seperate from his precious mother. The evil person who made him grow up without a dad. This made him grow up in an environment full of non stop bullying and teasing. No one wanted to hang out with him. They picked fights and often beated him badly because he would fight back. But he wasnt strong enough back then. Now, things are different.

This man started Wataru's path of becoming a yankee.

In other words, it was his Grandfather.

The thought of that word made Wataru wince in disgust and hatred. Sure, he was an old man.. but this didnt mean Wataru was going to forgive him for what he has done.

"How are you?...he said" Wataru told this bitterly to Ryosuke.

"Tch... DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH!"

This might have caught Ryosuke off guard because Wataru had shouted this so loudly that it seemed like everything stopped.

Wataru had burst. He could feel his cheeks burning up with rage and clenched his fists. Both his fists were shaking as they hung awkwardly beside his body... He looked at the grey floor covered in dust...

All he could see was grey...

[Tsukimori Ryosuke]

Ryosuke continued to watch his best friend carefully. He'd really believed the Mari-chan story after Wataru had claimed it was the reason for his unease. But now, it seemed.....something else? Wataru looked really forlorn about something now...Ryosuke began to get worried. First Kiyama, now Wataru too? He felt like he was becoming the worst kind of friend imaginable, and he didn't know why, didn't know what he was doing that was making his friends feel so ill at ease.

"It's actually... my father's...father. He came to our restaurant the other day."

Ryosuke felt a pang of sadness. Wataru's dad......He couldn't say he was a huge fan of the guy, especially considering he hardly knew him, but he'd always encouraged Wataru to see the man, even just once, if only because he was his flesh and blood. Wataru wouldn't be around without that guy.

Then he remembered something.

Wataru's dad had already passed on, and pretty recently too. So how could....?

Ryosuke replayed what Wataru had said in his head and finally got the meaning. His dad's dad. Dammit, he needed to start listening more too...

What was his grandpa about, then? Why was it such a bad thing? Ryosuke had to admit, before the move to this new place, his grandparents had always been some of the few people in his family that sent any real attention his way. In fact, when they were around, they tended to dote on him. He had only good memories of grandparents....But he hadn't seen them in quite some time, and given he was a young adult and a Yankee now....

Ryosuke opened his mouth to ask his friend what his old man's old man had done, but Wataru beat him to the chase. And surprisingly so.

"How are you?..." By Wataru's tone, he seemed to be imitating his grandpa. "Tch... DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH!"

The fervent disregard for Wataru's grandfather, whoever he was, was more than evident with the redhead's reaction. Ryosuke actually fell backwards slightly into the barrel he'd been attempting to sit on. He really had intruded on something serious. Now he could see why Wataru had been swinging around iron pipes...to blow off some steam.

But why? What had the old man done?

Ryosuke dared himself to move forward, away from the barrel, and put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Hey, hey Wataru, take it easy." So close now, he could see that the redhead was absolutely bursting with pent-up rage. Knowing very well what Wataru was capable of, Ryosuke almost felt a tad scared. "I know it's not my place to ask, but......well, I'm guessing he did something bad. Really bad. Right?"

[Azuma Wataru]

Wataru had almost went out of control. His mind seemed to be empty, covered with darkness.

It was Ryosuke's hand which saved him from this.
Hey, hey Wataru, take it easy

Wataru still couldnt look at his friend. But he felt that he was becoming uncomfortable. The situation was so serious..

I know it's not my place to ask, but......well, I'm guessing he did something bad. Really bad. Right?

Yes, what he did WAS really bad. So bad that Wataru has never felt that much anger towards another person. But he didnt know what to say to Ryosuke. Or how to even start the story. It was long, tiresome and painful. But he had to get it out of him. Wataru knew that keeping it in was not good. Things could get way out of hand if he keeps locking these negativity in.

Wataru put his hand firmly on Ryosuke's shoulder. And with this, he was finally able to look at his friend.

"It was all his fault.." Wataru sighed a long..long sigh. His face still serious, he let go and walked towards the back of the warehouse. Putting both his hands in the saide pockets of his baggy pants, his steps were heavy and dull.

"It was him that made me become like this. A yankee. One that lived without a dad. It's his fault that my mother suffered to much."

In his mind, he was replaying all the things that happened in his childhood. Days where he would go to school without friends. Then come home all beaten up, crying. When he arrived at home, he would see his mother working at the restaurant without rest.

He remembered when she would always be wiping her forehead from the sweat. Then when she saw him standing at the door, she would run towards him, asking him what happened.
He never told her.

Wataru had stopped walking. He was facing the wall. There was no where else he could walk forward.

[Tsukimori Ryosuke]

Ryosuke could see now that Wataru truly was in a dark mood. Wataru didn't often get this way either. When there were fights with other gangs, maybe. But that was inevitable. Even Ryosuke changed during those times. But when he wasn't fighting, it was sort of rare to see a Wataru this dark-looking. Ryosuke knew it had to be something truly serious.

The blonde Yankee was almost alarmed when Wataru put one hand on his shoulder and turned his way, as if he needed to perform the action to get the courage to speak.

"It was all his fault.."

"What was...?" Ryosuke's words were practically breathless. He watched Wataru walk away, almost slumped over, looking as dark and depressed as he felt.

"It was him that made me become like this. A yankee. One that lived without a dad. It's his fault that my mother suffered to much."

So that was it.

Ryosuke looked to the concrete floor of the warehouse, suddenly very interested in the uneven, rough pattern. There was a perfect hole in one part of the floor, perhaps where some kind of nail or screw had once been, and Ryosuke couldn't help thinking how much like the perfect hole in Wataru's life it was like. The perfect hole that was the lack of a father.

It made Ryosuke feel really badly. He'd become a Yankee for more selfish reasons. For lack of attention growing up. In the grand scheme of things, he'd probably had much more of an option of not becoming a Yankee than Wataru did. And maybe that was it, wasn't it? Maybe that was why he wasn't as good a fighter as his best friend....Maybe that was why he was more of a side-kick than a leader. Wataru had always had a real reason to fight, to become strong. Ryosuke had done it so his parents would pay him some attention. Was there even a comparison? No. None at all.

"Wataru...." Ryosuke forced his hands into his pockets again, feeling his heart sink. "I think it was a good thing...You being a Yankee."

He hesitated.

"You're not a bad guy. You fight losers.....knock them down a peg or two. So what? Maybe they need that. But more importantly, you're protecting someone most important to you. And I think you have been, all your life. Just the same way she's been protecting you."

He looked at the cigarette he'd snuffed out minutes before and sighed, wishing he could smoke another, but refraining from doing so in order to respect the redhead's wishes. "I can't really say the same..."

[Azuma Wataru]

Wataru....I think it was a good thing...You being a Yankee.
Ryosuke's words somehow comforted the yankee. Although Wataru was not a mushy type of person, he needed atleast some level of comfort right now. And luckily, it was Ryosuke.

You're not a bad guy. You fight losers.....knock them down a peg or two. So what? Maybe they need that. But more importantly, you're protecting someone most important to you. And I think you have been, all your life. Just the same way she's been protecting you Wataru ponders on what Ryosuke had just said. He smiled and turned towards the yankee.

"BAAKAAA! You sound so cheesy just now" This was what Wataru had been thinking but he knew it wasnt a bad thing. For one thing, it cheered him up. He knew that no matter what happens, Ryosuke would always help him out. If their roles were switched, he would do the same.

For some reason, he remembered the first time they met. He was grateful that they had become such great friends. He couldnt imagine how his life would be different without the other yankee around.

I can't really say the same... Now Ryosuke looked almost a little glum.

"Hmm.. well if you didnt become a yankee, i wouldnt have had the chance to beat the heck out of you. It was a good one wasnt it? You were all bloody and bruised!" Silently, he thought to himself Without that fight, they wouldnt be able to do tumbling together now.

"Well, you know what I feel like? A good old fight" Wataru pointed at Ryosuke and gave him a grin. He wasnt sure that this was what he wanted but Wataru didnt want to stay in the warehouse any longer. Fond memories do not arise in these places.

Wataru started jumping on the spot, clenching his fists appearing to be ready to fight. He felt more like a schoolkid when he was doing this. He knew he was looking really stupid but he liked acting like this. This was who he was. And he was pretty sure that Ryosuke was used to him being like that.

Then, he charged towards the other yankee who was clearly not ready..

[Tsukimori Ryosuke]

"BAAKAAA! You sound so cheesy just now."

Ryosuke wasn't sure if he'd really expected Wataru's response or not. But after a quick ponder or two, he knew that was exactly what he'd been waiting to hear the other say. He felt his face flush.
"Dammit...and here I was trying to be helpful, Wataru." Despite feeling a tad embarrassed, Ryosuke winked. Wataru would only kid like that if he was feeling at least a little better.

"Hmm.. well if you didnt become a yankee, i wouldnt have had the chance to beat the heck out of you. It was a good one wasnt it? You were all bloody and bruised!"

Ryosuke put up his fists jokingly. "Oh yeah? Who says you're still good enough to beat me? I was just a cocky idiot then." He paused and angled his head to the side. "Okay, maybe I'm still a cocky idiot, but I'm willing to bet I could beat you."

Then the blonde Yankee shrugged, lowering his fists. "It really was a good fight. The pain and the shame was definitely worth the omurice and this friendship. Even if it is one-sided and I have to pick on myself all the time." Glancing at the abandoned cigarette on the floor again, Ryosuke realized in that instant that Wataru had just done for him, what Ryosuke had done for Wataru only moments before. He'd begun to feel glum about his own selfish reasons for becoming a Yankee, and Wataru had replaced that with a sense of happy belonging. They were even, then, weren't they?

Ryosuke smirked, ready to say something more, but Wataru already seemed prepared for something.

"Well, you know what I feel like? A good old fight." Wataru had that daredevil look on his face, the kind that meant he was all too serious. Ryosuke had seen it plenty of times, but the most specific he could remember was the day he'd gotten his butt kicked by the other Yankee.

Ryosuke had just gotten to wondering what the redhead could possibly want, when his fists were up in the air, and he began bouncing back and forth from one foot to another. Ryosuke merely rolled his eyes, hoping to make Wataru think he wasn't game for the whole thing, but secretly, he was beaming inside. He'd give nothing more than to have a good fight, get out some of his pent-up energy.

That was when Wataru charged. Ryosuke's eyes widened and he had to confess himself a bit surprised. The next thing he knew, he was down on the ground by the oil barrel after Wataru bowled him over. Putting a hand to his gut, Ryosuke choked slightly. Wataru had such a damned hard head.
"Not fair!" he growled, clambering back to his feet. "Take a guy by surprise..." Ryosuke charged back into Wataru, bringing up a fist to punch him in the chest.

[Azuma Wataru]

"Oh yeah? Who says you're still good enough to beat me? I was just a cocky idiot then." He paused and angled his head to the side. "Okay, maybe I'm still a cocky idiot, but I'm willing to bet I could beat you."

Wataru was in no doubt, feeling ALOT better now. Ryosuke a cocky idiot? Yes, he was right. He was cocky and still is right now. But that was the type of person Ryosuke was and this made Wataru laugh at the way he said it. And beating me? Wataru thought. He almost wanted to go 'pshht' but he didnt feel like proving his bestie wrong with just words. He wanted to show it to him.

"It really was a good fight. The pain and the shame was definitely worth the omurice and this friendship. Even if it is one-sided and I have to pick on myself all the time." Was omurice all Ryosuke had in his head? To be honest, Wataru always wondered how the other yankee never seemed to get sick of eating his mother's omelette rice all the time. He guessed that Ryosuke's favourite food was omelette rice but couldnt be sure.

One reason for his guess is that whenever they eat at the restaurant, Ryosuke would always be the first one to finish his rice and have the cleanest plate.

"Well, you know what I feel like? A good old fight" As Wataru charge towards Ryosuke, he couldnt help but to start laughing.

It WAS funny after all. Atleast to him it was. And he couldnt stop laughing when he took Ryosuke by surprise and saw him lose his balance and fall directly on his butt with a 'THUD'. Ryosuke looked like a kid losing a childish game and started to whine "Not fair!Take a guy by surprise..."

Wataru kind of saw it coming, Ryosuke wouldnt let things go that easily, especially when Wataru had embarassed him. Ryosuke's fist was soaring to Wataru's chest area. Unfortunately, Wataru had still been preoccupied laughing stupidly at how his friend fell. He couldnt react quickly enough and the punch got him good.

REAL GOOD.

The pain took a while to sink in, but these are the types that hurt the most. And they take a long time to go away. He was worried of getting a bruise.

"ARGH. What a soft punch! You need more training!" This was obviously a lie but Wataru knew that Ryosuke saw through his crappy act. He rubbed his chest with his palm and clenched his t-shirt. "You little..."

Wataru didnt finish the sentence because he went flying towards Ryosuke, aiming to tackle him. Full on tackle him until he hits the ground. And this worked... well kind of. Wataru had successfully tackled Ryosuke while hitting his elbow on the side of the oil barrel. Yep, Wataru was a big clutz when he was messing around. His entire arm numbed with tingling sensation and pain. His left hand was clutching his right elbow and he started rolling around the floor on his back. "IT HURTS!"

Wataru almost seemed like a baby when he was doing this. He knew it looked stupid but he couldnt stop it because if the weird pain that was overpowering his senses. It took a while for the pain to go away, but it finally did and his right arm recovered its normal functions.

"Don't you dare laugh!" Half glaring at Ryosuke and sneering, Wataru wasnt sure if he had been laughing because he was too busy trying to soothe the pain. But if that happened to the other yankee, by tomorrow, the whole of Karasumori Tumbling would know because Wataru would definitely react it out in the gym right before the start of their tumbling practise. Wataru sincerly hoped that Ryosuke wouldnt be doing the same as he was thinking...

[Tsukimori Ryosuke]

Wataru had been laughing the entire time, from when he'd knocked Ryosuke down right up to when the blond Yankee slugged him in the chest. Even then, the redhead had a slick smile on his face, and Ryosuke began to remember the feeling of hopelessness he'd first felt when fighting his good friend. That sense of knowing it was impossible to win against him, no matter how much of his all he gave.

"ARGH. What a soft punch! You need more training!"

Ryosuke rolled his eyes. "Like you'd say any differently if it really did sting." He'd packed quite a punch with that one, so whether or not Wataru would admit to the pain, he was sure he'd done some damage.

"You little..."

Ryosuke saw the fire in his friend's eyes even as he spoke, but it was hard to judge what he would do next. The blonde Yankee honestly hadn't expected another diving attack, even as it came toward him. Wataru was fast like a cat. One second he'd been standing there, focused on his opponent, the next he seemed to sailing through the air.
The force of the collision sent Ryosuke sprawling backward, back towards the oil barrel he'd originally been siting on. There was something of a loud thunk, which Ryosuke realized was Wataru hitting himself on the barrel, thankfully not any kind of broken bone, and then suddenly, the redhead on top of him started screeching.

"IT HURTS!" Wataru rolled off of Ryosuke and onto the floor, moving from side to side grasping his elbow.

Now Ryosuke was the one to laugh. All pain momentarily forgotten, he subconsciously wiped some dirt from his face with his sleeve, watching with some amusement as Wataru rolled around. In fact, the blonde Yankee just sat there on the ground, watching the other writhe in apparent agony--he knew his punch had been harder than the collision with the oil barrel, so the fact that Wataru was whining over a little bump was ridiculously funny--and waited until the other finally seemed capable of speaking.

"Don't you dare laugh!"

"Who's laughing?" Ryosuke dared, keeping the grin on his face. "That's what you get for tackling me, though. Anyway, that was a terrible fight. I'm pretty sure we've had way better. Call it a truce for now and argue later?" Ryosuke laid back down on the ground, aiming to catch his breath, but extended a hand out for Wataru to shake, if he chose to. Somehow he got the impression that their fight wasn't really over yet.

[Azuma Wataru]

OOC: sorry my posts are getting weird... and more crap.

"Who's laughing?" Ryosuke dared, keeping the grin on his face. "That's what you get for tackling me, though. Anyway, that was a terrible fight. I'm pretty sure we've had way better. Call it a truce for now and argue later?"

What a good idea, though Wataru. It might had been good if he was still in grade 4. Wataru was not a man that would give up easily, even when it came to fighting for fun.

Then, Ryosuke stuck his hand out towards Wataru's direction. He looked at it questioningly and finally decided he wasnt going to take it. Not yet atleast. Standing back up, gathering his balance again, he said "We're not done yet", grinning.

He bagan patting the dust off from his uniform because the black blazer he had been wearing over his t-shirt had been now, almost chalk coloured. And it showed even more as the grey contrasted the black.

"Hmmm.. what would you do if I punched you in the face and got you a nice bruise?" Wataru teasingly asked the other yankee. He was not going to hit him on the face but it was fun just scaring the other a little. He was smiling to himself because he knew how much Ryosuke looked after his face. It was mainly his face that got him alot of girlfriends.

Then the idea hit Wataru. He walked over to where Ryosuke was still lying, resting.

He bent over and started to squeeze both Ryosuke's cheeks with his hands. This was fun.

"Would all your girls dump you and come to me instead? AHAHAH. I'd love to see that!... But man, you should get serious about love. One girl should be enough you know."

Without realising, Wataru started to think about Mari-chan. He hadnt made any progress with her lately and it seems that she really likes Hino. He didnt know what was so good about the pretty-faced 2nd year. Was that it? She likes pretty face boys? But wasnt a manly man much better? Mari-chan was taller than Hino after all...

Then, he finally remembered that he was still holding on to Ryosuke's poor cheeks. "Oh whoops. Gomen ne?"