We were both drenched in sweat and I could see the determination in his eyes. I knew he was taunting me in an attempt to push me to try harder. The growing power inside me was rising and stronger than before and I knew it was mine. My power, my strength and my essence that wanted to show him that I had the potential to become stronger than all of them.
I gritted my teeth and pushed back with only a pinch of the power boiling inside me. Malachi's eyes grew wide as he was pushed back a few steps.
I took advantage of the moment and pushed off the ground; this time I was faster and had the advantage. Malachi cursed, raising his swords in defense as my swords clashed with his.
He clenched his jaw and his hands trembled from the force of power which only made the essence in me desire for more. I enjoyed being able to fight back and show I wasn't just an average girl. This power was my own and I was ready to use it.
"Crim?" I heard Aki call out, but I ignored him.
I knew without looking that none of them had moved, either because they were stunned by my sudden show of power, or because they were giving me a chance to fight one on one with Malachi.
I pushed Malachi again and this time he tried to avoid my onslaught by ducking, but I twirled on one foot and used the other one to hit him just when he rose to counter-attack. My foot hit him in the chest with enough strength to knock him into the blue mats a few feet away.
Malachi sat up and gawked at me.
"Guysss..." he spoke cautiously, but no one moved.
I smiled in satisfaction and took my time in my approach, twirling the swords in my hands as easily as if they were my paintbrushes that I would spin when preparing to create something epic.
In this case, I knew I could win against Malachi. I could feel the knowledge vibrate through me and I craved victory. This power had been caged for so long and it wanted to enjoy its small reign of freedom.
"Crimstorm!" Yoshi called out, but I ignored him.
I felt like I had tunnel vision and my sole target was Malachi. I'd follow my instincts and prove to him how badly I wanted this. With a final step, I reached him and lifted my swords; my eyes trailed down his body and stopped at his pants. Hmm, what would happen if his pants actually caught on fire?
Malachi followed my gaze and immediately used his swords to block his crotch.
"GUYS! SAVE MY MANHOOD PLEASE!" Malachi shouted.
I felt something soft touch my shoulder and I paused, slowly turning to meet striking mismatched eyes. Haru?
"Crimson, Malachi isn't your enemy. Take a deep breath." He spoke in a calm voice that found its way through my hazy mind.
I blinked a few times, confused at first by his words, but then I took a deep breath and the power within me dispersed. "Huh?" I tilted my head in confusion.
Malachi sighed in relief, falling on his back. "I almost lost my cock today," he cried.
Haru rolled his eyes and returned his attention to me. "You back, Crim?"
"Back? I didn't go anywhere," I mumbled even though I knew I must have done something weird for him to suddenly ask that. I also didn't get why Malachi was on the ground with his swords protecting his crotch.
"Uh... Don't worry about it. I think we can call it a day. I'm hungry," Haru announced.
I frowned, feeling like I was missing something but then I yawned, which distracted me. "I wouldn't mind a nap after we eat," I admitted. I still didn't get what I'd missed, but I'd just ask one of the guys later. I was starving.
Yoshi approached with Aki, Quil, and Itsuki behind him.
"Let's go eat. Haru will probably make us something, right Haru?" Yoshi suggested.
"Yup. I'll prepare something awesome to reward Crim's hard work. Let's hurry, shower, and get going. We can grab Crim some green tea ice cream on the way back," Haru announced, turning to give me a kiss on the cheek before making his way to the change room.
I blushed, staring at him before turning to the others.
"Total romantic," Aki mumbled to Itsuki.
"Right. I knew ice cream would be the way to a girl's heart."
"You didn't know shit. Now help me up, I'm tired," Malachi complained.
"Help yourself up, show off," Quil laughed and walked over to me. He kissed me on the cheek and gave me a serene smile. "You did amazing, Crim. Let's go celebrate with food," Quil praised before heading off to change.
"Ah. I'm in the mood for miso soup," Itsuki sighed, walking over to me and he too kissed me on the cheek. "Excellent work, Crim," he hummed, before following Quil.
"I better kiss Crim now before Malachi gets his ass off the ground." Aki came over to me and gave me a kiss on the opposite cheek before he leaned in to whisper in my ear, "You did amazing. I'm proud of your perseverance. Keep it up, okay?"
I met his gaze and smiled with a slow nod. "Thanks, Aki," I whispered.
"Don't flirt with her. Now my ass has to get up ‘cause I'm not going last today." Malachi rose to his feet.
Aki laughed, "Told you."
"Ya, ya. You guys stood there and watched as I got my butt kicked. You guys are horrible. Good work, Crim," Malachi praised, giving me a kiss on my nose.
I laughed. "Why my nose?"
He shrugged. "The others kissed you on your cheeks. I have to be different."
Aki shook his head and placed his hand on Malachi's shoulder. "Let's go, big shot. You always take the longest in the shower ‘cause of your hair."
"Do you know how hard it is to tame this beast? You don't know my struggle, Mr. Shampoo Commercial," Malachi complained.
"Just admit that you love my hair," Aki hummed as they both walked away, leaving just me and Yoshi. I looked up at him with a shy smile.
"Did I do something weird?" I wondered, feeling a little lost. I walked over to the nearest bench and placed my swords on the black surface before going back over to where Yoshi stood.
"I wouldn't say weird. Just unusual. I don't know how to explain it to you yet until we get a chance to really look into the effects Storm's powers may be having on you, but seeing as Malachi's cock is in one piece, we’re good." Yoshi smirked as his hands slid around my waist.
I pressed myself against him and his arms tightened around me in a hug. "Okay. I trust you guys," I whispered.
"I know you do, and I'm grateful for it." He pulled back to stare down at me. "Are you still up for tonight? I really need your help."
I nodded with a confident smile. "I'm up for it!" I beamed.
"Good. Cause I wanna see you in a kimono," he admitted, his eyes lingering on my lips.
My heart was beating rapidly at the thought of kissing Yoshi. I wondered whether he would, but the thought was discarded when his eyes slowly closed and he lowered those soft lips to press firmly on mine.
It was a tender kiss with little movement, but I enjoyed every second of it. He released me and I opened my eyes to stare into his hooded gaze.
"Guess I have to be different too," he whispered.
I smirked. "Of course." I smiled warmly.
"Yoshi! Stop loving up Crim and get over here!" Aki called out.
I blushed, leaning to the side to see Aki relaxing against the wall with a devilish grin on his face. He didn't just watch us kiss, did he?
"Ah. Why is he complaining when he got plenty of times to kiss you?” Yoshi mumbled.
I glanced up at him and my cheeks burned red. "How did you...?" I asked and he looked down at me. I thought he only saw the kiss from this morning. How did he know about the other ones?
"If Aki didn't get the first kiss, the world would end. Trust me," Yoshi laughed. He let me go and turned to walk toward Aki. He stopped and looked back over his shoulder.
"We'll be done in less than fifteen minutes, but considering Malachi and his hair, take your time. We'll be here when you're done," Yoshi explained.
"Hai!" I replied eagerly in Japanese and scurried over to the girls’ change room. After going inside, I allowed the door to close before I rested against it.
"Yoshi kissed me again... Ah, this is gonna be so bad for my heart. Imagine the others. Ahhhh!" I cried.
I was frustrated. My body was tingling and throbbing in places they damn well shouldn't right now; I didn't have time for it. Well, he did say Malachi would take a long time.