Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh 5D's or xxxHolic.

-Yuko's shop-

"Damn it! Why do I have to this?" Watanuki complained as he dusted some shelves within the treasure room. He removed some scrolls from the heap they were un-ceremonially placed in when something fell and smacked him in the face.

"E-E-E-E-ETAI!" he yelled, flailing around as he reached up to get it off. "Ouch! That hurts! Huh? What's this?"

He held within his hands a strange artifact, something like a dragon's claw. It looked really old and had give jeweled talons in different tones. In the palm, there was a single red crimson ruby, encircled but a silver circlet.

"Wow. I've never seen this before and I aired this room at least twice already. Is it payment from one of Yuko-san's transactions? Well, I better put this back." Watanuki placed it back on the shelf and turned away to the matter of the scrolls. However, behind him, the claw suddenly began to glow.

-At the Lab-

A bright red dragon, majestic and great, surrounds her, great jaws opened to reveal an expanse of black void. She stilled, eyes going wide at the sight of the great beast.

"Y…you…you're…" she whispered. She felt immense happiness, and began to run at it, arms outstretch as the creature closed its jaws over her.

"As you expected, Goodwin-sama, her healing is remarkable. Only three days after being severely shocked by our tests, her skin has healed and return to its unblemished state. Magnificent! Even with her low diet, she doesn't even show signs of fatigue or malnutrition."

"Glad that you think so Doctor but her good health is not going to give me my Dragon," Goodwin said sourly, looking down at the results of his subject.

Amaya Mu, fourteen. Brought to this lab after someone from Neo Domino finances witness first hand of her powers, when he had tried by force to make her village people give up their precious metal figurine of a dragon's claw. The artifact had been lost in the scuffle but it didn't matter, for Amaya's power had been discovered.

It had been fate when that man had been one of his friends, leading him to the one person who can give him his desire.

However, even with the stone tablet that had delicates the legend of the Crimson Dragon, there was nothing Amaya could do to bring the creature to life. No, for that, it appears, she needed the aid of all five signers.

Which brings him back to the pain of searching for them.

"Look here sir."

Brought away from his thoughts, Goodwin looked down at the data the Doctor brought up. His eyes widened and he felt a urge of excitement.

"What does this mean, Doctor?" he asked, wanting confirmation. "What could this bring us?"

"With this signature, the possibility of summoning the dragon with one signer is probable. She has enough power to create this miracle with lesser cards, no? Then perhaps by adjusting the system this way…" The doctor typed something quickly and brought up the results. "What do you think, Director?"

Grinning manically and feeling so much glee he could burst out into song, Goodwin said, "I think it's time Amaya should be brought out into society? And I have the perfect party for her to go to."

-Amaya's room-

She was tired, her eyes looking unfocusedly out the window. The desire to sleep was immense but it was impossible. It was just too loud in this room with all this machinery hooked in her.

What was that dream? Could it be that was the Crimson Dragon? If it was, then I could probably summon him. But why? Why do I get the feeling he was crying?

So much to ask, no one to ask. Amaya laid there in the hospital bed, holding her head as it began to throb. Lately, she has been having headaches that went undetected by the scanners. Not that she would worry much, especially since she's been having them since her childhood. It usually meant there was a duel card nearby, one of explicable strength.

Sighing, she removed her hands and feigned sleep, just as the doors opened and the person came inside.

"Amaya-san, are you awake?" Goodwin came to the bed, touching her gently on the head. "Wake up, darling. I have some news to tell you."

Acting was Amaya's best trait. She performed beautifully as she "stirred", moaning a bit as though she had been disturbed from a dream. Blinking blearily at the older man, Amaya whispered, "Goodwin-sama? What…?"

"Shhh…" he cooed. "Forgive me for waking you but there's something that I must tell you. There shall be no more tests for the following week. I'm taking you somewhere."

"Somewhere?" Amaya lifted herself to a sitting position. "I though you said I wasn't to be seen in public. Why the sudden change of heart?"

Goodwin chuckled. "I've recently obtained information that shall help us in our goal. Part of it involves you to meet someone. For that, I need you to rest and let the tailors do their work. Can you do that for me, Amaya-san?"

She want to laugh herself. Especially when he asked her things she had no choice but to accept. But she nodded her head and said yes.

After all, it was all she can do for this chance out side the cage.

-One Week Later-

The party was informal because of it's small size. Nevertheless, Goodwin still had her dress made formally, a blue sleeveless that came to mid knee in layers. Normally, Amaya wouldn't have anything wrong with it but it became increasingly annoying to be tossed around like a doll. Her arms were sore from being yanked in and out of the dresses she was forced to try before deciding on the blue. Her head was about ready to explode from her hair being constantly pulled this way and that in many styles.

By the time they were done, Amaya felt more sore than ever when she underwent the many failed tests of Goodwin's.

She looked down at her hands, wondering if they'll make her wear long sleeved gloves to hide the bandages. The wounds were still serious so she still needed them, just like the ones on her legs. She sighed, annoyed at the many problems she had. But she knew it will all probably used in the story the director had concocted to describe about her presence tonight, like a charity case or something of that nature.

Thinking about it now, Amaya realized the extent Goodwin would go to obtain that red beast. Remembering her dream, she really couldn't blame him. The Crimson Dragon was magnificent, truly a king among all Duel Monsters.

But it had been crying. That kept disturbing her. What reason did that wonderful creature had to cry?

The door opened and Goodwin came in, his light blue eyes stormy with anger. Amaya couldn't help but brace herself for danger, coiled on the loveseat in protection.

Goodwin saw her reaction and tried to calm his anger, managing to maintain a smile. "Good evening, Amaya-san," he greeted. "My, don't you look lovely."

She watched him as he came closer, coming to kneel before her. "I'm sorry, my dear," he said apologetically. "I'm sure you would have enjoyed this party. However, there has been a change of plans. My duelist, that is, the man I wanted you to meet, has decided to skip. So instead, I will take you to his estate instead."

"You really don't quit then," she said to him. "You wont stop until you've obtain your desire."

Goodwin laughed. "Ah, Amaya," he sighed, caressing her cheek fondly. "It's seems of all the people in the world, only you understand me best." He stood. "Now, I have a matter to attend to that will probably take all night. I shall leave you to your rest."

As he began to leave, Amaya reached and tugged the end of his coat. "Um…!" When he turned to face her, she tried to ask calmly, "Is it possible for me to take a walk outside? It has been so long and I wish to see the moon again. Seeing through the window… isn't quite the same."

"A walk? Outside?" Goodwin repeated, thinking over her request.

"Of course, I will only go with the person you assigned to me."

He thought about it, thought for so long that Amaya was sure he would deny her, that he would put her in chains again for indiscretion. Perhaps this hadn't been the right time.

After all, she was his trump card to capture the Crimson Dragon, to make it into the card he desired.

"Alright. If it is for a short while. I'll sent someone to take you soon. In the meantime, you can change out of that if you want."

Amaya bowed. "Thank you, Goodwin-sama. I am most grateful," she said.

"As you should be."

………………..

Watanuki turned to the witch. "Did you say something, Yuko-san?" he asked.

"I asked if you had touched recently in my treasury room," Yuko repeated while sipping her sake bottle.

The boy thought about. "Nothing in particular. Oh! But I sort of caught this dragon claw when it fell off the shop when I restacking your scrolls-again. Is there a problem?"

For a moment, Yuko looked so surprised she nearly dropped her bottle. "You did what?"

"I caught it. That was all, I promise. Please don't add more time to my work!" he begged, bowing down.

Instead of replying, Yuko turned away, looking into her sake bottle, eyeing the liquid within. Then, she smiled.

"How very interesting."