DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN Aoharu X Kikanjuu

A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviews, I do read all of them...several times. I also think I'm going to start including stuff from the manga because it is beautiful. In case you haven't read the manga, Haruki was the previous member of Toy Gun Gun before Hotaru. He eventually ends up returning to the team.

One Month?

His planted one foot down before him before launching off it, Midori used that momentum to barrel straight into the blonde teenager in front of him. Her back was pressed against the tree and the knife next to her face as he used his body to pin her there. The wind was knocked out of her lungs making it hard to breathe, his forearm against her neck wasn't helping either.

"Do you remember?" his voice was barely above a whisper, his breath hot and uncomfortable against her ear. "Do you remember last time? You couldn't get away. Is that what it feels like now?"

Hotaru's struggles were valiant, but futile. It merely prompted him to put more force on his forearm and his grip became vice-like on her wrist, resulting in her dropping her gun. He smirked and kicked it away; Hotaru watched as it skidded through the mud until it collided with another tree.

"G-get off!" her voice was clearly strained, her eyes becoming moist due to the lack of oxygen. It was becoming harder to catch her breath and her vision was becoming blurred. "Le-let me g-" Midori silenced her by placing his gun against her already wounded cheek.

"Now," his voice was taunting as he was visibly sneering at her. Realising her arm was now free, she took this opportunity aim a punch directly at his jaw.

He dodged.

"Try to be a good girl, hm?"

Two shots rang through the woods.

Hotaru crumpled to her knees, vision going dark as she clutched her stomach. Her breathing heavy as she looked up to see Midori looking down at her, his gloved hands holding two guns.

The blonde teen barely managed to croak out a 'hit'.

He shrugged in response. "Good enough. After all, I'd like to play with you again next year."

With that sneer on his face he began to walk away, that was until he felt a kick to his legs.

Midori managed to land on his hands and regained his balance quickly, but she was already standing before him, gun pointed at his head and ready to fire.

"Midori-san, this is revenge for all you put Toy Gun Gun through." Her finger rested on the trigger, and was about to pull it when his voice broke the silent atmosphere.

Hotaru couldn't help but notice her choice of words. Once upon a time, she would've called this justice.

"Well, I can't say I expected you to break the rules like this."

Her breath hitched in her throat once more. No! I can't let myself listen to him again! Hotaru thought, aiming her gun once more.

"Then again, you lied to your friends to get on their team. So, I can't say I'm surprised."

"They've forgiven me for that!" Hotaru cringed internally at the desperation in her voice.

"Oh? Well then, my mistake." He began to get up but Hotaru acted quickly, switching the safety off.

His lips curved into that notorious smile; it was incredible how something so captivating could be so evil. He held his hands up in surrender though his stormy grey eyes were mocking her.

"You don't seem to want to back down. So, let's make a deal."

Lime green eyes stared back at him, she didn't blink nor did she flinch. She just stood there with relatively easy breathing, give or take a sharp intake of breath every now and again.

"In one month Hoshishiro and Toy Gun Gun will go head to head in battle, using TGC style rules. How you spend that month is up to you, be it training or simply lounging around as usual."

"W-what are you talking about?"

He nodded, his eyes somewhat sparkling. "It'll be a great way to improve your skills before TGC, so what do you say?"

Hotaru thought about it, letting him guide her gun down.

She blonde searched Midori's eyes for any signs of ulterior motives, only to come up empty handed. Then again, even his own teammates could barely read him, so what hope was there for Hotaru?

It wasn't a question about whether or not the training would be beneficial; it had been proven to work in the past, like when they teamed up against 11Dogs. The two teams working side by side had allowed for Toy Gun Gun to work on their weaknesses. Hotaru's biggest concern would be convincing the others to go along with it. Especially Haruki, who already refused to participate in this year's TGC.

Damn.

The wind seemed to pick up causing her blonde tresses to flow around her face. Lime eyes drifted to the ground, deep in thought. Can I really be sure this isn't a trick? What if the others don't agree? Is it my place to make a decision like this for all of us? Wha-

The 17-year old was snapped out of her trance, only to wish she could dive back in. Midori looked as though he was beginning to get impatient, he wanted an answer, and he wanted one now.

"Well, Tachibana? What will it be?"

Fists clenched and eyes steeled, she met his gaze. "Name the time and place."

Matsuoka paced back an forth between the vending machines, Yukimura seemed equally stressed as he leaned against one of the machines.

"Why isn't she back yet?" The host finally couldn't take it any more. What if she was hurt? Then it would be down to him to get her out of there, after all, he was the leader and it was his duty to look out for members of his team.

Matsuoka reached over to grab his gun and safety goggles, his mind made up when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Mattsun, look!" He followed Yukimura's gaze and he let out a slight gasp at the sight.

Midori was returning to the waiting area, several beads of sweat trailing down his face. His breathing was faster and deeper than usual but it wasn't too extensive. Then there was Hotaru, Midori's arm securely wrapped around her waist so he could keep her upright. The girl was panting and he eyes appeared to be glazed over. A sheen of sweat coated her face and one of her arms was wrapped around her stomach, the other clinging to her G3. Then there was a stream of blood still flowing from her forehead, the cut was shallow but still caused concern to swell up in the members of Toy Gun Gun.

Without missing a beat, Matsuoka was at the girl's side, placing a firm hand on the girl's forearm so he could steady her as Midori released his grip.

"Hotaru?! Are you okay?! Here, hold onto me, we'll get that cut looked at." He placed a gentle yet firm hand on her bicep while the other went around her shoulders so he could properly support her.

He walked her over to the closest bench and sat her down, already fussing over the cuts and scrapes she had managed to over herself in.

"Sorry, Matsuoka-san. I couldn-"

"Don't even start that." His gaze hardened for a second but immediately returned to normal when he heard Yukimura's calls.

The young mangaka had gone to retrieve the first aid kit they had in their car and began to take out anything he thought he would need to clean the cut.

"I'll have to clean the cut first before I can bandage it." He took out some antiseptic and soaked a cotton ball in it before gingerly cleaning the area around the cut.

Hotaru winced slightly but forced herself to endure it, It's not like I haven't had worse.

Meanwhile, Matsuoka had left Yukimura to tend to Hotaru while he got some answers from a certain doctor. That bastard! Hurting him was one thing, but hurting his teammates - especially Hotaru - was unacceptable and Midori had better be ready for a damn storm!

When he finally did come across the Leader of Hoshishiro he was surrounded by his teammates, Ichi and Fujimon had matching expression. Relief, joy, and confusion. How could they not be happy when they had just become the six-time champions at TGC. Though something seemed off about their leader, like there was some inside joke that they weren't a part of. It caused concern to swell up within them; Midori didn't get that smirk often but when he did it usually meant some poor player had ended up broken and defeated - a shell of their former self - more often than not.

"Oi! Midori! We have to talk." The doctor turned to face him and flashed one of his dazzling smiles.

"Oh, Masamune? I didn't expect to see you so soon, I did tell her we agreed on a month before a confrontation."

Matsuoka's blue eyes hardened and his gaze turned steely, "'Agreed'? What the hell are you talking out?"

Midori's own eyes widened slightly before a glimmer appeared in his grey hues, most likely amusement. "Eh? She hasn't said anything yet? Well, I suppose I can fill you in."

Matsuoka's glare silently told the man to continue.

"You see, your teammate...misbehaved. And so in return for keeping this little mishap between us, Toy Gun Gun will go head to head with Hoshishiro for a TGC-style battle. Good training, don't you think?"

Matsuoka was silent. Surely Hotaru wouldn't agree to something like that? She had a clear sense of justice and surely voluntarily becoming a toy for their enemy was against some moral! Right? What the hell am I saying? Of course I'm right! He must be hiding someth-

"I'm surprised she didn't say anything. Then again, you must not of given her the chance, eh Masamune?"

Matsuoka glared at him. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

The green-haired man's lips curved up into a smile that would charm most. To Matsuoka, however, it screamed sinister. "I mean, she must be intimidated by you. I mean, you did unceremoniously kick her off the team. And what for? For being honest, that's what. Not only that but wasn't she hurt just now? You running off couldn't have left a good impression, now could it? She must think you're mad at her for losin-"

Midori didn't have to say anymore, Matsuoka had already taken off running back to his teammate. The young host didn't need to hear anymore; he didn't need the criticism seeing as his own subconscious was beating him up enough as it was.

A single thought passed through his mind:

I really fucked up, didn't I?

A/N: I'M SORRY I KNOW I SUCK AT THIS

As always feel free to suggest something in the reviews or PM me. If it's for a different fandom then a list of them that I'm willing to write for is on my profile. If you have any ideas/suggestions I'd love to hear them. Thank you to Rocket43 for your ideas. I can already picture the scenes in future chapters.

I'd also like to say that I don't personally ship Midori x Hotaru so as far as their romance goes, it will probably be kept to a minimum (fluffy scenes at most - once again, feel free to leave ideas) though I think there won't be much romance in this story in general. If you think I should do a poll to pick ships then let me know.