Days passed quickly, and the day of the outer sect tournament was at hand. Yuki and Nana slowly entered the central plaza of the outer sect that was now filled with many disciples. 

“Yuki! Nana!” Ai’s voice filled the air as she ran over to the two girls with a big smile on her face. Even with her brother dead, she still could smile. She was still living with Ami since the two girls were now very close after all the training they had gone through together.

“Hello.” Yuki greeted her with a nod which caused Ai to smile. 

“So, how is it? Do you think you can win? I have no confidence in making it to the top but I do plan to go as far as I can.” Ai asked curiously. She knew she would not be able to win but she wanted to test her strength.

“You will do fine.” Ami walked over and put her arm around Ai’s neck. She looked at Yuki and Nana and then at their interlocking hands and sly smile: “So, you two are now a thing?”

Nana nodded and raised the hand that was holding Yuki’s and said: “We are now dao partners.”

“What!? When did this happen!?” Ai was stunned, but her lips were curled up into a big bright smile. She was truly happy for the two. 

“About a month ago or so,” Nana replied. 

“I see. You two were also close, so maybe it was destined. I am truly happy for you both.” Ai then took a side glance at Ami, who looked away pretending not to see the smile. 

Yuki and Nana could see that maybe something was going on between the two girls. But they did not come out and say anything because it would be prying where they should not pry. They respected their friend’s privacy.

“Haha! The fat man is here!” A loud laugh was heard coming from behind Yuki and Nana. The four girls all turned their attention to the voice as well as many others in the crowd. When Yuki turned and saw Fatty, and next to him was Maiko, who was pinching his arm, she could help but laugh. Her smile bloomed for all to see and caught many off guard. The normally stoic faced girl could smile so beautifully. 

Fatty walked right up to the four girls with a big smile while Maiko was blushing away. Over the past month, she had been getting ‘Trained’ by Fatty, who was helping her to overcome her weaknesses in more ways than one. With a cheeky grin, he looked at Yuki and Nana and said: “I heard you two finally became a couple.”

“What do you mean finally!?” Yuki asked with a snort. She did not even know her own feelings, so before, they were just normal friends!

“Anyone with eyes could see that you two liked each other as more than just friends or sisters,” Fatty replied 

“We….” Now that Yuki was thinking about it, it was true. They were overly friendly with each other at times. They always took baths together, slept together… Yuki pursed her lips. She realized they had been basically a couple for almost this entire time! Not wanting to admit Fatty was right, she kicked him instead.

“Ouch! Why!?” Fatty knelt down and rubbed his shin, feeling quite aggrieved as he looked at Yuki.

“Hahaha! Serves you right. Learn some delicacy!” Maiko gave Yuki a thumbs up with a big smile, but that soon turned into a face full of embarrassment when Fatty suddenly said: “Who was it telling me to do this and that to her last night!? Where was the delicacy then!?”

“You!” Maiko wanted to beat this man! She swiftly kicked him, causing him to howl out once more.

“So I guess you two are now a thing as well?” Yuki asked. All the while, Ai was standing there frozen still. She wondered when did Yuki talk so much!?

“No, he was talking about the leg massage I asked him to do! Do you know how hard he makes me work!?” Maiko replied hurriedly. But her words were just as suggestive as Fatty’s. It took her a minute to realize this fact when she saw the expressions of everyone else and quickly waved her hands: “No, I didn’t mean it like that! I was talking about cultivation!”

“But you would not let a man you like touch your legs like that now, would you?” Ami was the one to speak up. She loved picking on people when it came to this subject.

“I….” Maiko blushed while Fatty stood up with a big grin and leaned over to Yuki, and whispered: “We already kissed. She is just shy.”

“Haha!” Yuki couldn’t hold it in. She looked at Maiko and Fatty and smiled. She hoped these two would have a good life together.

Changing the subject, Fatty put on a serious face as he asked: “I will see you both in the semi-finals, right?”

“Of course!” Nana replied with a nod.

“Yeah, Master, told us we need to win or else,” Yuki replied with a sigh.

“Oh? So Master told you two to win, hmmm?”Rin floated down on her flying sword. She found this to be quite amusing. “You two do know I will be in this tournament, too, right?”

“Yes.” Yuki nodded. “But I will not lose, so do no worry. ”

“Ahaha! She told you!” Takeichi walked over. He, too, was going to be in the tournament. “It seems our junior sisters will soon step on our heads.”