30 minutes has passed as the crowd of girls thinned. Jim had decided to let Karen walk around close to him for a while. But Johan couldn't stop looking at Karuri. Austin noticed this and put his hand on Johan's shoulder. "Why don't you just go ask her? She seems like a nice girl. It's better to get over with now." Johan's face was bright red. To hear this advice from his friend was unusual to him. He expected more of this from his sister than one of his friends.

"No way. She looks busy. Maybe I should just come back the next time I visit Domino." Johan turned around to walk away only to be turned back by Jim.

"Aw come on now, mate. This seems like an opportunity for you to finally meet the one."

"Whoa, what!? The one!? No way! There's just no wa-" Austin quickly covers his blue haired friends mouth before he scares the girl away. He shushed him reminding him this is still a sacred shrine. Johan calmed down and removed his friends hand. "Okay, so maybe she does look cute." He crossed his arms.

"Then give it a try. I'm sure she won't bite." Jim nodded his head agreeing with Austin. So they let Johan walk up to her first before they follow him. His steps and walk looked nervous. Johan hasn't really had experience talking with girls he likes. Usually he deals with fangirls at the academy. Don't get him wrong, they were all pretty, just stuck up and pretty. But the girl he sees now gives off a completely different aura. A lighter one. But he suddenly freezes. He notices something scurry off in a blur. He didn't want to think it was what it was. However, he couldn't help notice the red shine of a gem. It was Ruby Carbuncle.

Ruby Carbuncle scurried off into the direction of Karuri. Unfortunately Johan is the only one that can see him right now. Ruby stopped near the girl and looked up at her. The remaining girls have left and she finished waving goodbye to them. Karuri heard a small noise. She looked down and sees Ruby looking up at her. She smiles at Ruby and kneels down to him. "Oh,hello there." Johan couldn't believe it. She could see duel monster spirits! Johan walked up to them slowly and bravely.

"Ruby. I told you not to do that."

"Bi. Bi.." Ruby climbed up to Karuri's shoulder and sat there. Karuri smiled and laughed a little at Ruby. Ruby just smiled back. Karuri turned her head back to face Johan. he thought it would be a good idea to bow to one of the sacred families to respect them so he did. Karuri looked a little surprised as she doesn't remember the last time someone bowed to her. So she bowed in return.

" I'm sorry. Ruby ran off. But I'm surprised you can see him."

" See him? Oh! So, Ruby must be a Duel Monster Spirit." She looked at Johan. "You must be an Academy Student. Right?" Johan nodded his head.

"I'm a student at North Academy. I'm actually on my way back in an hour."

"I start going to Central Duel Academy in a few weeks."

"That's awesome. If you see my friend Judai, tell him I said hi."

"Oh. Your one of Judai's friends?"

"Ah. Right I should probably introduce myself." He bows down to her. "I'm Johan Anderson. One of the top duelist at North Academy."

"I am Karuri Takumi. Heiress to this shrine. We don't normally see males come here."

"Oh right. Actually I'm visiting with my friends." Johan waves for Austin and Jim to come over. "This is my friend Austin O'Brien." Austin nods to her. "And this is Jim Cook." Jim bows down to her. Karen growls a little bit as he bows. "Oh and that's Karen. Jim's friend."

"Don't worry. Karen's a sweetheart. She won't bite ya unless you threaten her."

Karuri smiles. "Karen does look nice. And I'm glad we have visitors. I don't remember the last time we had any. If you guys have time, would you like some tea?" She tilted her head slightly to her left. They noded as they could spare some time. She showed them the way into the shrine and had them settle into chabudai after they had taken their shoes off. Jim put Karen down and told her to behave. Karuri went to get some tea for her guests.

"See mate. It wasn't that hard was it?" Jim asked Johan.

"Okay. So it wasn't that bad...But don't you two ever make me do that again." He looked at the them both and they both nodded in agreement. Johan smiled a little has he never really have had anyone agree with his own words. Usually it's his sister Lenna who would give out orders. He looked around the room to see all the old kendo sticks and swords on the walls. They have all been passed down for generations. He wondered if one of these were her's. Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe her father had one custom made? Or maybe passed down his own to her. That would keep up with the tradition right?

Karuri came back with a tray with a teapot and tea. She gave each one of them a cup and poured them tea. She poured herself some tea. She smiled at them and they started to talk. She asked them questions about their adventures at Central Duel Academy. She was amazed about all they went through. Going to another dimension twice, once by a selfish action, and the other to rescue a dear friend. The fact that this had happened to these brave souls, to her it was exciting and horrifying at the same time. She wouldn't be able to do something like Johan and his friends had. To be brave to save his friends like Judai. To stay by his side like Shou. To face his fear of the dark king,Haou, both Jim and Austin. It felt more like a story to her but their faces showed the truth. As they continued their conversation, the door to Karuri's left slid open. It was her father Hirito. He did not look very pleased.

"Karuri. Who are these people?" He stared at his daughter with cold eyes. A face you can only compare so much to the face of Seto Kaiba. Both are men of power. One driven by money, the other by tradition, but both by their own stubbornness and to control people below them.

"These..are some visitors. I wanted to offer them some tea. They are from other duel academies.." She looked at him with all the bravery she could.

"They are here with out my permission."

"Please, father...I wanted their visit to be memorable.."

"That is no excuse."

Johan look at the Jim and Austin. "Mr. Takumi. We are sorry that you feel intruded by our presence but she was only being ki-" Austin started to talk to him but was stopped.

"Feel intruded? You are intruding! Karuri had no right to bring insiders in here! Now, I suggest that you leave." The boys looked at a frightened Karuri. They had to wonder if this is what her life is everyday. If it was, was her kindness being used only when her father wasn't around. Jim and Austin looked at each other. They knew this wasn't right. A life like this shouldn't be given to a young girl like her.

Johan stood up. He had seen something like this before. He wasn't going to let this happen again. It was one of the reason why he would help anyone. It's why he helped Tom get Jerry Beans Man back from Giese. The reason why he wanted to face Yubel and let Judai and his friends get back home without him. Because one day...he couldn't save her. He couldn't let someone life this life again. "Mr. Takumi...You're treating her all wrong...If she wanted to invite us in, it's as much as an important permission as your own word is!"

"Johan..." Jim looked at his friend. Johan's eyes were darkened. His eyes never looked like that...Maybe that story he told him before was true. He stood up as well. Austin followed. "Johan. I think you made your point...Now, calm down mate." Johan looked straight at Jim eyes widen at what he said. He couldn't believe his ears. Was Jim giving up or warning him of something. He looked over at Austin. He nodded his head slowly as if agreeing with Jim.

"Are you done, boy? If so. Leave! Or so help me I will throw you out myself!"

"Fine. Then throw me out yourself!"

And just like that, he was on the ground outside of the shrine. He hit the stone ground hard as Hirito Takumi tossed him out. Jim grabbed Karen and put her back on his back. Austin ran to his friend in need. Jim looked back at Hirito Takumi and his daughter. She looked the most frightened by this. She must of been in shocked. They have faced something like this, but not someone as innocent as her. Johan sat up and wiped his face of the blood that was coming from his nose. He's been through worse but the feeling he was getting now wasn't normal. He could see Karuri's face. Terrified. He felt sorry for her. He felt responsible...

"You shall not return unless you come with an apology. Now, go and return to your rightful Academy." Hirito shut the sliding door hard. He could of almost broken the fragile wooden door. Johan looked at the door. He had left her alone with him. He stood up with the help of Austin. Johan's eyes looked kinder and more worried about what he just got her into. He turned around looking at the ground. He started to walk. He couldn't think of what just happened. He couldn't believe what he caused. Jim and Austin followed Johan slowly. To let him think. Maybe it was best to just head to the airport now. To go back home to their Academy. Johan thought of what his sister might of said. To of kept his mouth shut...But that situation shook up some old memories he thought he had forgotten. But what is he suppose to do now. Is he just to forget the girl of the winter snow or save her?