Hearing the early footsteps of his brother poke around from the other room, Haruto nodded to himself clutching a small bag and made his way out into the others room.

"Haruto, what are you doing up so early?" Kaito asked, zipping up his jacket. It was time to leave for the Barian world, the hours from the previous night slipped past him faster than he had expected. As much as he wanted more time to spend with Haruto before leaving, he couldn't make it seem like he was worried about anything. He didn't want to alarm the younger.

This was a trap. This wasn't going to end well, and they would be vulnerable away from their home field. Logic didn't seem to apply to the younger boys he had no other choice than to look after, so he had to go along. He supposed he had…they fought against that Barian Vector with him, and that still rang clear in his head. Not so much as a debt, as a forming of a bond. He could duel alongside them, as immature as they could be, he could trust them well enough.

He needed to face off against that Tacheyon wielder, Mizael again. He couldn't stay behind and leave these kids to get hurt by themselves. They would end up losing, and the battle would just be dragged out here. May as well get it done sooner.

"I've come to see you off, brother." Haruto smiled up at him waiting for him to meet his eyes. "Now you have to close your eyes."

"Haruto…" Kaito began, only to be silenced by the cutest little pout on his brothers face.

"Now, please." he tried again, brightening up as Kaito knowingly shut his eyes. Was he going to get a hug? He was going to get a hug. Haha, cute kid.

"Hmm? What are these?" Kaito asked, opening his eyes as a few sharp blocks pattered onto his palms.

"They're to give you strength when you get tired brother!" Haruto finally burst, grinning as his brother looked down curiously at his handful of caramels.

"Haruto…you…" he remembered when he gave him that caramel? He—really remembered something like that? From so long ago…

"Now beat up those guys and come back safe! I'll take care of dad and everything here until you're back, and you better be back soon! If you're not careful, I'll be taller than you by the time you get back!" his enthusiastic banter was interupted by a few choked tears, as Haruto clung to his brothers waist tightly.

"I won't be gone that long, dork. Now cheer up, I need to know you believe in me!"

"I do! Of course!" He looked up in shock, as if Kaito even daring say Haruto didn't believe him was a most incredulous notion.

"Good, now come here," Kaito grinned, tucking the candies into one of his spare duel boxes and swinging Haruto up into a close embrace. "I love you, little guy. Be good while I'm away."

"Love you too little guy, don't be mean to Orbital!" Snuggling closer to his brother and giggling as Kaito jokingly poked his ribs, Haruto patted his brothers head and pecked him a final 'goodbye".

Heading towards the living room together, Haruto stopped as Kaito made his way towards the door.

"Remember. I'm away for work. Don't tell dad where I'm going."

"G-got it. Good luck, brother!" Haruto nodded, grinning brightly over at his brother. He didn't want Kaito to know how worried he was, just to know he was cheering him on. He was always cheering him on.

"Thank you, I'll be back soon." Kaito acknowledged lightly, leaving Haruto with a knowing smile and a makeshift wink.

Ryouga was pulling up on his motorcycle already, he may as well let him in.

This was going to be one hell of a trip.