-Prologue-
What…is happening..? Why can't I move? Why can't I see or hear anything? Aichi… ? Kai! Tetsu! Where are you? I'm scared.
The room echoed with electronic sounds like that you would hear from a computer. It was dark and the only lights came from the dim yellow overhead lights hanging over on the ceiling. Three beings stood beside a large stasis tube as they began to write down results from their many different tests. Otherwise, the room is silent.
In the tub was a person with a thin frame and brilliant red hair. He was motionless in the tank as he floated in the water. A big oxygen mask was secured upon his face. The beings in the lab coats began to chatter among one another.
"His readings are off the charts!"
"It's the subject we have been waiting for!"
"Void will be most pleased with these results."
"Soon, with this subject, Void will have the world."
"All praise the void."
It's been a year since Aichi return to his mates, his friends, and his team. He was welcomed back with open arms and then there was peace. Kai was at ease for the first time in a long while. The days consisted of going to school and going to Card Capital right after, playing Vanguard. This was the peace that Kai Toshiki always wanted. To be surrounded by his mates was something he longed for and finally they were whole again.
It didn't last for long.
A month after Aichi was found, there was a news broadcast. A brand new company appeared and it seemed harmless at first. They mostly dealt with pharmaceuticals and the main product they produce was simple aspirin. It was odd how quickly this company formed and moved into the city but no one paid them no mind. Aichi and his friends paid it no mind and continue on with their peaceful days. Nothing at that point would break that peace.
No one notices the sudden disappearance of the head of the Foo Fighter's team. It happened a month just after the company appeared. Somehow, Ren vanished without a trace. Asaka and Tetsu looked and looked for a week straight coming up with nothing. Then the police got involved and Ren's face was plastered all over major news networks.
Kai and everyone in Card Capital was in shock when the news aired on the tv in the card shop. The brunette stared in awe of the situation and didn't make a sound. Aichi could only tear up at the information. The small teen was shaking from both shock and sadness. Misaki remained stoic but on the inside she was worried. Why would Ren go missing? Did he get himself lost somewhere or was he kidnapped? The second thought scared her. It scared her to death. Yes, Ren annoyed her but she would never wish for this to happen on him. They joined the search party and visited Ren's most visited places. He wasn't found.
Three long months pass slowly. The search was eventually called off and everyone went back to their daily lives. What could they do? It was most likely that Ren was dead by then. Asaka took it hard. She was determined to find her friend. She kept looking for weeks after but still came up with nothing. She didn't stop crying for weeks after. Tetsu felt lost but kept himself busy with the school. He wouldn't let it fall because Ren was gone. He had faith that Ren would return and when he did, everything would be just how he left it. There were times where Tetsu would cry, in silence and alone. Ren was someone he knew for so long and in an instant, he was gone. He missed him so much and it tore him up inside to not have him there.
Kai had shut himself up after the search was called off. Not even Aichi could openly talk to him. Ren was gone and he would most likely never see him again. It pained him. It felt like a piece of his heart died. The piece that Ren had planted when they first met and became friends, that piece was gone. Will it ever return? Kai did not know but he locked himself up again.
Aichi cried endlessly. He searched hard from morning until dusk. He pushed himself and cried when they couldn't find him. The boy became swallowed up by depression and his mother decided to take Aichi to therapy in order to help ease his sadness. It helped slightly to talk about his feelings, but nothing would help get rid of the hole in his heart. Like Kai , Ren had left a hand print on his heart. It felt like the laugher in his life was gone. Aichi missed Ren. At night, every time he got ready for bed, Aichi would pray for Ren's safe return.
Time passed as it soon became a year and half later.
-Chapter One: Moving Passed the Sadness-
Aichi was now in the middle of his second year of high school. The blue haired teen decided to grow out his hair in memory of his missing friend. Each morning, Aichi would brush how his hair and tie it up in a high pony tail. It was the same this morning as well. Aichi changed out of his pjs and into his black school uniform.
On his desk was a simple picture of Ren with a white ribbon around the frame. Aichi refused to use a black ribbon because he knew that Ren had to be alive somewhere. The white symbolized his hope that someday, Ren would return. Aichi turned and smiled down at the picture of Ren. It was of them together at mall. The photo was from one of those photo booths and Ren dragged him in. Aichi got it framed.
"Good morning, Ren-kun. Maybe today will be the day you will come home to us. Please return safely and soon. I miss you so much. "He said to the photo as he brought his hands together in a prayer formation. He then bowed and headed out of the room as he grabbed his school bag. He was going to be late if he didn't hurry.
Aichi ran down the side walk with a sucker in his mouth. Along the way he spotted Misaki and Asaka. The blue haired girl decided it was best to change schools. It was too hard for her to be at Ren's when he wasn't there. The memories were too much for her to take. So, she decided to transfer.
"Good morning!" Aichi greeted cheerfully. He smiled up at the two.
Misaki waved and Asaka smiled. "Aichi" Asaka began. "How can you do this each day? How can you be so cheerful? "
Aichi blinked. "Oh. Well. I know Ren-kun would be sad if we were all sad. So I decided to be happy for him. When he comes back, he will return to happy faces. You know? " he tried to explained. Asaka blinked and smiled weakly.
"That is a good way to think of it Aichi. I'm glad you are dealing with his disappearance well. I know he would be happy to see you happy." She told.
Aichi nodded. "Asaka-san, how are you doing? You were really close to Ren. If you need to talk to anyone. We will listen and try to help you."
Asaka smiled again. "I'm fine. Slowly I'm getting over my sad feelings and able to function. Misaki has helped me a lot."
Misaki simply nodded and continue to walk with them. Aichi smiled at them both. "Why not we have lunch together? My mom made lots of food and so I can share some. Do you like omelets'?"
The girls smiled at each other and then nodded. Aichi smiled and ran ahead. "Alright! I'll see you at lunch!" he told and ran towards the school gate.
"He is trying so hard to be happy…isn't he? He doesn't want anyone to be sad. I guess he gets that from Ren. Ren would do the same thing when Tetsu or I felt sad. He would be silly to make us feel better." Asaka told.
Misaki looked at her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Asaka. Have faith. I know Ren will return. "
The blue haired girl nodded and walked past the school gate with Misaki.
Soon it was first period and Aichi walked over to his desk and got settled. It was by the window and he liked to look out at the trees and get lost in his thoughts. The students began to pour in. The teacher walked in and wrote a name on the chalk board. It read lets welcome the new student: HIkaru Fuuichi.
The teacher smiled as the bell rang. "Alright everyone. Hello, hello. Please get settled. " he told.
The students sat down and began to pay attention. Aichi turned and looked ahead at the teacher and blinked a few times. A new student? How odd. The teacher smiled as the door opened up and a rather tall red headed boy walked in. He had short hair that was gelled back. His eyes were covered in thick black sunglasses. This boy bowed.
"Greetings." He spoke. His voice was light and held politeness within it. Aichi blinked a few times again. That shade of red reminded him of Ren. He began to feel sad. He missed him. The teacher began to speak up.
"This is Hikaru Fuu. He is a transfer student from Osaka. Please make him feel at home. "The teacher said with a smile. "Go on Hikaru-san. Please tell us a few things about yourself. I'm sure the students here are curious as to why you have to wear your sun glasses even indoors."
Fuu nodded. "You see, I have a eye condition. My eyes are very sensitive to any kind of light and when exposed it will trigger a severe headache. So my doctor says I have to wear shades all the time where there is light. "He explained.
The students began to speak to themselves. The teacher raises his hands. "Okay, settle down." He told and then looked at Fuu. "Why not sit in the desk behind Mr. Sendou. "He told. Fuu nodded and walked towards Aichi.
Aichi began to panic a bit and looked down at his desk as the red headed transfer student walked by. Fuu sat behind Aichi and smiled down at the boy. "Hello." He greeted. "What is your name?" he asked.
The blue haired teen felt nervous. "A-Aichi" he said shyly. There was something intimating about the transfer student. It could be the sun glasses but he could swear he felt him glare down at him. "It's a pleasure. "
Fuu smiled and noticed something inside Aichi's desk .It was a deck box. " Oh? You play Cardfight! Vanguard as well? I have a deck of my own." He told. Aichi blinked and began to calm down a bit. He turned and smiled.
"Oh. Well, there is club here after school. You should come and play with me and my friends. I can show you around later. " Aichi told. Fuu nodded and look ahead to listen to the teacher's lecture. Aichi smiled and did the same. Maybe this was a good chance to make a new friend.
Soon, school was over. Aichi was speaking with Fuu as he showed him around. "If you don't mind me asking, how well can you see through those thick sun glasses? I can't see your eyes at all." Aichi told. Fuu chuckled at the boy.
"I can see just fine. It's like wearing normal sunglasses but all the time. " Fuu explained as they walked down the stairs that led to the vanguard room. Naoki's voice could be heard.
"My turn! LIMIT BREAK!" Naoki shouted.
Aichi and Fuu stood in the doorway to the club. Aichi smiled at Fuu. "This is our club. It's a bit small but we have fun. " he told. Fuu walked in with the other and looked around. He bowed to everyone.
"Hello, my name is Hiakru Fuu. It's a pleasure to meet all of you." The red head said.
Misaki blinked a few times. "You must be the transfer student."
"Yes, ma'am." Fuu replied.
The girl blinked. "Misaki is fine." She told and looked away.
Asaka was staring off into space and didn't seem to care much. Naoki stopped playing and walked over to Fuu. "hmmmmmmm? Dude, why are you wearing sun glasses?"
"I have a eye condtion." Fuu replied.
Kourin walked in "A new member?" she asked as she walked over. She looked him over. "You have to beat one of us in order to join our club. "she told sternly.
Fuu smiled. "I can't wait. "
"But Kourin-san, the introductions aren't finished." Aichi told.
"It can't wait to see if he even makes it. " Kourin told bluntly.
Naoki blinked "Okay who is going to fight?"
"Me." Kourin told.
"Don't you think that is a bit too hard for new members?" Asaka piped in.
"It doesn't concern you, newbie. " Kourin frowned at Asaka.
The girl rolled her eyes and looked back out the window. Misaki frowned at that. "Kourin. It's fine if he fights a different person."
"No. I want to fight him." Kourin said. "Something inside me is telling me to fight him. "
Fuu smiled. "I don't mind."
Kourin continue to frown. "Come here then. I won't go easy even if you are new student."
Fuu walked over to the table and smiled more. It was rather sly and different from his polite one he showed earlier. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
The blonde girl took out her deck and set it on the table. "Then let's begin." She told as she set her starter out and Fuu did the same. Then both yelled out in unison.
"Stand up, my Vanguard!"