Hi everyone! Okay, just to let you know, I was REALLY busy. *Bows head in shame.* But that still isn't an excuse. I am really really REALLY sorry. It's just this happened and that happened and my stories really suffered. I hope you guys forgive me, especially anonymous reviewer yugioh5ds. Thanks for the reviews and in thanks I dedicate this chapter to you. By the way, thanks to all who reviewed or even read this story. It definitely inspired me and I hope this extra long chapter makes up for the months of abandonment. Enjoy! P.S. There's a lot of Timothy x Akira in here that I EXTREMELY loved writing. Even Eva gets a guy and there is a smidgen of Daniel x Juliet. :D

Opening Night and a Little Before

Morning, Yusei and Akiza quietly crept up to Akira's room. Akiza was carrying a white cake lit with fourteen candles. Yusei winked at Akiza who smiled back at him. Together, they opened the door and entered. It was December 12, Akira's birthday. They were surprised to find a made bed, a running laptop, and Akira buttoning the jacket to her uniform. She smiled at them, "Good morning."

"Good morning, little heart," replied Yusei using the pet name he had given Akira when she was little. She walked over to her mom and blew out the candles. Laughing, she hugged her mom and dad.

"Thanks Mom, Dad," said Akira.

"Don't forget your present," reminded Akiza. She sighed happily; there really was no way in surprising her daughter. Yusei handed their daughter a large box. Inside was her silver duel disk, modified though. It was now a hybrid, able to work with a duel runner as well. They had also engraved it with a rose design that trailed over the duel disk. She gasped.

"Oh my gosh, thank you so much I really love it! But, one question."

"Yes?" asked Yusei.

"Why did you get me a hybrid duel disk? I don't have a runner."

Akiza smiled at Yusei who answered, "Because that's another birthday present. Starting today, we are going to start building you a runner."

Akira almost screamed, "No way!"

Akiza laughed along with Yusei, "Yes, now hurry up or you're going to be late for school."

"Thank you thank you thank you!"

"Your welcome," said Yusei.

A little later, Akira joined her friends back at the Academy. "Hey guys," she greeted.

"Hey Akira, so how does it feel to finally be our age?" asked Daniel. Akira was the youngest of the five excluding Eva. Timothy was the oldest his birthday was January 20, then Daniel who's birthday was April 1, and then Juliet who's birthday was July 6. Eva's birthday was August 7.

"Very funny, Daniel, at least I'm in the same grade as you guys thanks to my dueling skills and brains."

"Anyway, so what did Uncle Yusei and Aunt Akiza get you for your birthday?" asked Juliet while pushing Daniel over.

"Look at my duel disk," replied Akira.

"Oh my gosh, it looks like ours now," exclaimed Eva, "but different."

"Me too," said Juliet. While Akira's silver duel disk with a rose pattern on it, Eva's gold one had an elegant French styled pattern and Juliet's violet colored duel disk had a cherry blossom design.

"I guess our parents triple teamed for this one," noted Akira.

"Yeah, I love yours Juliet. It's just so….so you," commented Eva.

"Thanks, I like yours and Akira's too."

"Okay, we have wonderful, fashionable duel disks, we get it," said Daniel sarcastically. "So let's go before we're late for class Birthday Girl."

"Wait, before I forget," interjected Timothy. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a necklace. It had a thin silver chain, on it was a small pendant made of three little stars and a fourth one connecting it to the chain.

"Surprise," said Eva. "We all chipped in to buy this for you."

"Timothy especially," interrupted Daniel.

Akira looked up at the others. "Thanks guys. I love it." She hugged each of them and took the necklace from Timothy. Pulling her hair up, "Put it on for me?"

"Sure." He quickly fastened the necklace as Akira let her hair back down.

"How does it look?"

"Amazing," replied Eva.

"Great," agreed Juliet.

"Yes, we all look super awesome. Now can we go before we're late," urged Daniel.

"Oh, don't be such a spoilsport, Daniel," whined Juliet. All of a sudden, a bell rang.

Daniel looked at Juliet, "And now we're late."

"So, we're not going to die if we're the tiniest bit late," reprimanded Juliet. As they were arguing, the others started walking back to the building.

When they were about twenty feet away, Eva turned and called, "Hey lovebirds. If you don't hurry you'll be more than a tiny bit late." Daniel and Juliet immediately ceased their fighting.

"We are NOT lovebirds," they shouted in sync. The others laughed and continued walking as the other two ran to keep up.

After class, the gang was hanging out in an old playground filled with snow. Akira was humming quietly as she rocked back and forth on a swing. Juliet was sitting next to her sketching a small bird. Timothy was at the top of the slide listening to his IPod. Eva next to him was making a braid from some pine needles. Daniel was ironically in a tree watching the view. He looked around and jumped down landing hard on the ground. Walking over to them he said, "Watcha doin Jules?" She showed him a half colored picture of a red cardinal.

"Do you like it?"

"Yeah, it's amazing. How do you do it?"

Juliet smiled at him and answered, "It just comes to me. I don't know how, it just does."

He sat on the swing next to her and continued watching her color the rest of the bird with different shades of red. Akira stood up and went to where Timothy and Eva were. She sat down and pulled on her socks. They were back and ended just beneath her skirt. Eva and Juliet wore similar socks, but Juliet's were gray while Eva's were white. "What are you listening to?" she asked.

Timothy took out an earphone and handed it to her, "Hear it for yourself." As Akira put it in her ear, she heard a piano playing a soft melody. It calmed her; she leaned onto Timothy's broad shoulder and hummed along with the piano. She sighed as Timothy wrapped his arms around her. All of a sudden, Eva leapt up. Akira jumped out of Timothy's arms. "What is it Eva?" asked Timothy.

"I just remembered, the WRGP opening ceremony is coming soon."

"Yeah, so. What's so important about that?" asked Daniel.

"Well, we don't have anything to wear," explained Eva. "Which means-,"

"Oh no," moaned Juliet.

"I'm with you on this one," agreed Akira.

"Shopping," the three girls said at once. Eva though said it cheerfully while the other girls groaned.

"What's so bad about shopping?" asked Eva.

"Walking around a huge building with blisters on my feet and ten pound bags on my arms does NOT sound like fun," answered Juliet irritably.

"It won't be that bad, I promise, and the bags aren't ten pounds, more like seven," countered Eva.

"That's what you said the last time," grumbled Juliet as she paused from coloring the bird's black eyes.

"Well look on the Jules," tried Akira, "at least we know what to buy this time."

"Yeah, a dress, I'm ecstatic," she muttered as she snapped her sketchbook shut.

Over the next few weeks, life went about normally. Akira forgot about the WRGP dress problem. At the moment, she was in the garage helping Yusei with her runner. The engine was working smoothly. She tugged at the oversize shirt she wore and quickly pulled her hair into a messy ponytail. She suddenly felt a vibration in her pocket. She pushed back the long oil stained sleeves and took out her phone. There was a text from Eva. It said: Hav 2 go shpping. B there in 30 secs. Jules comin 2 :) "What is it Akira?" asked Yusei.

"Nothing Dad, by the way, Eva and Juliet are going to be here in about twenty five seconds. I better go change."

"Okay," said Yusei, not taking his eyes off the computer.

Akira shrugged out of her shirt and headed upstairs. She changed into jeans with a gray long sleeved shirt and white vest and went to her parent's room. "Hi mom, day of f from the hospital?"

Akiza looked up from the book she was reading, "Yeah, feels good to take a break."

"Well I think Eva's about to drag Juliet and me shopping."

"Have fun, and Akira."

"Yeah?"

"Remind Juliet to have some fun."

Akira smiled at her mother, "Will do."

"Bye Sweetie."

Back downstairs, she found Eva and Juliet watching Yusei still working on the engine. "Hey guys," she called.

"Hi," replied Eva.

"Hey," greeted Juliet. "So Uncle Yusei, I drew a design for Akira's duel runner."

"Really?" asked Akira, "Let me see." Juliet handed her a sketchpad. The duel runner was very thin. The widest part of it would be the card slots when her duel disk was activated making it very aerodynamic. It was, of course, colored silver with a drawing of Star Rose Dragon in flight on the side. "I like it, Dad, how about this design?"

"It's nice. If I could just calibrate the engine, then we could really get going."

Eva looked over his shoulder at the computer screen, "Uncle Yusei, can I see something?"

"Sure," said Yusei as he moved over and let Eva sit. She viewed the codes and added a few of her own.

"Try that," she said with a flourish.

Akira watched as her father inspected the screen, "This could actually work. Good job Eva."

She smiled, "Dad showed me a few programming things, though Timothy would much rather compose music with Mom than anything else."

"That sounds like Timothy," added Juliet. "I don't think Akira minds though." Akira smacked Juliet on the arm as Eva giggled furiously. Yusei pretended not to notice.

"We should go now. Right Eva?" said Akira.

"Yeah, uh huh," stammered Eva in between giggles. "Bye Uncle Yusei." Akira pushed the two of them out of the garage in a hurry, putting on a scarf in the process.

"Okay guys let's get one thing clear," started Akira as she stood in the snow, "I do not like Timothy LeBlanc okay."

"Yeah, and I'm not an Atlas," objected Juliet.

"Face it, Akira. You like my brother, how though I will never understand," said Eva. "You are so out of his league." She blushed furiously as Juliet laughed. Eva faced her, "Oh come off it, it's not like you don't have anything for Daniel, right Jules?" Akira laughed at Juliet's reaction. "Come on girlies." At the mall, Eva led them straight to a store that smelled of perfume filled to the brim with various kinds of clothes. "Okay, we don't have that much time, start looking," commanded Eva. In a matter of minutes, Eva pulled something black off the rack and gave it to Akira. "Go try it on," she pushed her to a dressing room.

"Okay, okay." She came back out wearing a tight, black dress. It was held by spaghetti straps and ended right above the knee.

Eva inspected her with a careful, "Turn, now the other way." Akira did as she asked though she felt very stupid. "I like it. Okay, next." She turned back to the racks as Akira went back to the dressing room. When she came back out, Juliet was gone.

"Where did Jules go?" she asked. Eva gave her one of her looks.

"Trying on a dress, a dress she and Daniel will love." A minute later, she came out in a deep purple dress, it was a one strap. Tight at the top and a bit puffy at the bottom, it ended right above the knee like Akira's dress.

"I really like it," complimented Akira.

"Of course, now go and change back," said Eva before Juliet could say anything.

Akira looked curiously at Eva, "So what are you wearing?"

Eva gave her another one of her looks, "Give me two seconds." She went to the racks, grabbed something and went to the dressing room in a flash. Juliet came out a bit later as Akira sat on one of the chairs. Eva came out in a flowing gold colored dress. It had thick straps and was the same length as the other dresses. Eva's eyes never looked any greener.

"Nice," stated Juliet. "Okay so now that we have our dresses, can we go home?"

"Of course not," exclaimed Eva. "Dresses are just the beginning. Okay so let's just get a few accessories and we'll be done okay?"

"Ugh, this is never going to end!" grumbled Juliet.

"Oh calm down," sighed Akira. "By the way, my mom told me to remind you to have fun."

"That's the spirit Akira," agreed Eva. A very tiring hour later, Eva was convinced they had all they needed. Juliet practically ran out of the mall and into the snow outside. Akira joined her and laughed as Juliet threw a snowball at her head. She quickly made another one and threw it back. After a quick snowball fight, the three said goodbye and headed home. Her arms heavy with bags, Akira hurried home. She dumped all the things in her room and hurried to the garage where Yusei was still working.

"Hi Dad, I'm home."

Yusei looked up from the computer screen to his daughter. "Hello, how was shopping?" he got up and hugged his daughter.

"Tiring," was her muffled reply. He laughed and looked at her, "Eva and Juliet are geniuses. The design is doable and Eva's programming is amazing."

"Wow, big compliments from a scientist for the Ener D Reactor," she said with a smile.

"Yeah, well. Go say hi to your mother." She nodded and ran up the stairs.

"Mom!" she called.

"In the kitchen," came the reply. She went into the kitchen to find her mother wearing an apron stirring something on the stove.

"Smells good, let me change and I'll help," she volunteered. Within minutes she was dressed in gray sweatpants and old loose shirt, her hair in a messy bun. After dinner, she headed upstairs and went straight to bed. I hate shopping she thought before slipping into unconsciousness. The next day, Akira got ready for opening night. She showered and dried her hair making it more wavy than usual. She slipped on her dress and shoes and went down the hall to her parent's room. Her mother was in a sleek, red dress with her hair in a bun. "Wow Mom, you look nice."

"Thanks honey, you do too. I love the necklace," said Akiza looking at her daughter. "I'm going to go check on our ride." Akira touched the necklace with her hand and smiled to herself as she watched her mother go down the stairs and looked back at her father.

"Who are we going with?" she asked. Yusei turned to her and looked at her.

"With Juliet and her family, let me guess. Eva," he said motioning the dress.

"That one name says it all," she said with a sigh. A horn broke the silence, "Then again, there is the name Uncle Jack."

Yusei shrugged his black jacket on and went down the stairs with a knowing look as Akira dashed to her room muttering, "Deck, deck, deck." She tore through her room and finally found what she was looking for on top of her laptop. She grabbed the top card and went back down the stairs. A familiar white van was parked in the driveway. She crawled in through the back and settled between her father and Juliet. Juliet looked pretty with her gleaming blonde hair in curls and purple flats. "Hey," she started.

"Hi," answered Juliet.

Carly, in the front seat driving, seemed extremely jumpy today. She was wearing the contacts she reserved for only special occasions and her eyes were wide with excitement. "So, I have some news."

"What is it," asked Akiza.

"I'm pregnant!" screamed Carly as the car swerved on the street.

Once the car was back on the right lane, Akiza looked back at Carly. "Congratulations," she gushed.

Akira looked at Juliet, "I guess I'll be the only only child now."

"Yeah, I guess."

"So are you going to have a little brother or sister?"

"I don't know. Mom and Dad want to make it a surprise. Especially after the doctor thought I was boy at first. Did you know I was actually supposed to be a Jack Jr.?"

"Okay, that is disturbing," laughed Akira.

"Yeah, my room was blue for a month until my dad painted it purple." The rest of the ride was filled with random talk. Akira wasn't surprised to see that Daniel, Eva, and Timothy arrive before them. She saw them walking towards the van as she stepped out of the stuffy van gratefully, but slipped on a piece of ice. Somebody grabbed her arm as she fell stopping her. She turned and saw amused green eyes looking back at her.

"Thanks," she muttered, blushing slightly.

"You're welcome," he answered. "Just be more careful."

"I'll try, but you know how big of a klutz I am."

He smiled back at her, "Trust me, I know."

Eva came bouncing up to them. Her long golden hair was held back with small, white barrettes. "Hey Akira, Juliet."

Daniel brushed snow off his jacket, "Looking good girls."

Juliet pushed him with a hand, "Right Daniel."

"Ow, stop hurting me. It was a compliment."

"Sure it was Daniel," said Juliet with a smirk.

"Girls, I will never understand them."

"Ugh, boys, may I never comprehend them." Eva gave Akira the look that said here they go again. She nodded and continued walking toward the building. Once inside, they were quickly surrounded by a crowd of photographers and reporters. Akira stumbled through the crowd into the ballroom where the event was taking place. The inside was decorated with twinkling lights and tables with different kinds of food. In the middle of the room was a large dance floor. As more people arrived, the lights turned off except for one light focusing on the stage. Everybody clapped as Lazar walked onto the stage.

"Hello citizens of New Domino City, I am your mayor, Lazar. Soon, we shall see the new tracks and the set up for the fourteenth World Racing Grand Prix. Now, let us remember that this tournament is a memorial to the destruction that almost came upon New Domino City all those years ago. If it weren't for the former champions Team 5ds-." Loud cheering interrupted Lazar at that point. He waited for silence before continuing, "The city you know now would not be here today. For now though, enjoy the celebration." The lights came back on and polite applause erupted from the crowd. Music started and people started chattering, eating, or dancing.

Akira watched Bruno and Sherry waltz by them. Sherry was in an elegant forest green dress; her long hair in a French twist. Daniel leaned toward Eva, "Let me guess, you're creation."

She nodded, "Your looking at the next most wanted French designer. One day, I'll dress a queen."

Daniel laughed, "Good luck with that."

"Merci beaucoup, Daniel," she replied in an exaggerated accent.

"Whatever that meant."

"It means thank you very much," answered Akira.

"Since when did you learn French?" asked Daniel in a mocking tone. She shrugged and went back to watching the dancers in the middle of the room. A minute later, a boy about thirteen years old with dirty blonde hair and bright hazel eyes came up to them.

He looked at Eva, "Hello, I'm Zachary Mercier. You're Eva LeBlanc right?"

She blushed and looked at the floor, "That's me."

He offered her a hand, "Would you like to dance?"

She blushed furiously and looked up, "Sure." Akira watched them go over to the middle of the dance floor and begin dancing. She laughed at Timothy's intense stare and nudged his arm.

"Oh lighten up."

He looked at her with soft eyes, "You're right." She looked away when she suddenly remembered something. She gasped and reached down to her foot. She had stashed Star Rose Dragon behind her foot in her shoe as she was running down the stairs.

She held it out to Timothy, "Can you hold onto this for me please?" He smiled and took it from her.

"I was wondering where you hid her this time," he said, looking at the card thoughtfully. The dragon looked back at him serenely. He stared at it for a few minutes before putting it in his pocket with his deck. He finally summoned up the courage to ask Akira to dance when two boys strutted up to them. One had jet black hair and the other was dark brown. They stopped in front of Juliet and Akira. Timothy watched as the black haired one sat next to Akira and put his arm around her. She gagged under her breath at the scent of his cologne. It smells like he bathed in it he thought.

"Yo, my name is Brandon," he said. Akira squirmed under his arm. "His name is Derek," he motioned to the other boy pulling Juliet closer to him. "How about you and blondie ditch blue and ginger here and come hang out with us." Akira caught Juliet's eye as she turned. They nodded. Juliet stood up first and threw Derek onto the floor. Then Akira did the same and threw Brandon on top of Derek as he tried to get up.

"I would take that as a no," Juliet finished coolly. They glared as the two boys tried to untangle themselves.

"Oh, you'll pay for that sweetheart," said Derek as he brushed off his pants.

"Yes, you will," added Brandon, glaring daggers at Akira's face. She was about to summon Star Rose Dragon when Timothy and Daniel appeared carrying their duel disks.

"You morons go to Duel Academy, right?" said Daniel activating his bronze colored duel disk.

"So we'll settle this their way," said Timothy. What is he thinking? I can summon Star Rose Dragon and be done with it! she thought. She watched as the dance floor cleared and the four boys took their places.

"Duel," they all shouted.

"Here's the deal," stated Timothy, "we win; you leave Akira and Juliet alone."

"Akira huh?" asked Brandon. "Good, I wanted to know what the name of my girlfriend once I win this duel."

"Juliet, I like it. I'll be her Romeo," suggested Derek. Akira clenched her fists, it took all her will power to not summon Star Rose Dragon and end this duel. Juliet looked absolutely murderous. Her purple eyes had a dark gleam in them. A crowd gathered around them, among them was Eva and the boy who had asked her to dance, Zachary. She saw them and hurried towards them, Zachary right out her heels.

"What's going on guys?" she asked.

"Um, I'm going to get us some drinks," offered Zachary.

"Thanks Zack," said Eva.

"Ooh, a nickname already," teased Juliet.

Eva blushed and then got serious again, "Never mind that. Tell me what's going on." Akira heard Juliet quickly explain what had happened as the duel started. (A/N I'm sorry guys. Yes, I wrote this duel, but I never learned how to write a tag duel so please forgive any mistakes.)

"I'll go first," announced Brandon. He drew five cards from his deck and looked at them carefully. "I summon the Dark Shaman in attack mode." A strange monster with a bone head and grass clothing appeared. It was a level three monster with 1,000 attack and defense points. "I'll end with a face down."

"My turn," said Timothy as he drew his cards. He glanced at it and then set it down on his duel disk. "I summon the Ice Warrior." It was a level four with 1,700 attack points and 900 defense points. "Now attack that Dark Shaman."

Brandon grinned, "Not so fast, I activate my trap, Magician's Revenge. This means I take no battle damage, you take it instead; and, my monster does not get destroyed." The card opened and out came a dark shadow; it blocked Ice Warrior's attack sending him back to Timothy. It pointed its staff at him causing an ice storm. Timothy's life points hit 2,300. Akira bit her lip. She silently called Star Rose Dragon to her. The spirit hovered next to her.

My Lady?

Akira smiled, Sorry, I'm just worried.

The dragon turned her head toward the duel, They shall be fine. It was Derek's turn.

"I summon the Dark Fortuneteller in attack mode." This monster had 1,500 attack and defense points and was a level three. "I also activate the spell card Fate's Rewards. I can summon any monster I place from my hand or deck. Only consequence is that my opponent gets to do the same. I summon the monster Fate Changer."

Daniel started laughing, "You gave me any monster I want for a level five monster with zero attack and defense points?"

He is wrong said Star Rose Dragon. That monster is more than what meets the eye. Akira looked at the monster. It had a humanoid figure with a gray cloak and grim looking face. In its hand was a staff. She looked nervously back at Timothy who seemed to be thinking hard.

"Well, I will graciously use your 'gift' then," said Daniel. "When minds become clouded, a great wind comes and sweeps it away. I summon the synchro monster Gold Winged Dragon." The dragon-griffin had 2,700 attack points and 2,300 defense points and was a level eight monster. It screeched loudly as it appeared on the field. "Attack Fate Changer!" The monster opened its large, feathered wings high and brought them down hard against the ground creating a storm of dust.

"Not so fast," Said Derek. "I use Fate Changer's special ability. It can change any monster's attack and defense points to zero and make its life points that number." Now Gold Winged Dragons' attack and defense points were zero and Fate Changer's were 2,700.

Star Rose Dragon looked at Akira, There is something else though. When Fate Changer steals the life points of another monster, that monster cannot be destroyed or Fate Changer's attack and defense points go back to normal. Do you understand their strategy now, little heart?

Akira's eyes widened, "I got it!"

Juliet and Eva looked expectantly at her. "What did you get?" asked Eva.

"Why Derek summoned Fate Changer, their strategy!" answered Akira.

"I just hope Daniel and Timothy get it soon too," muttered Juliet, her eyes focused on the duel.

"I end my turn," said Derek with a smirk.

"Now mine," declared Brandon as he drew a card. "Dark Shaman, get rid of Gold Winged Dragon." Daniel's life points reverted to 3,000 and Fate Changer's attack and defense points went back to zero.

"Exactly what I thought he would do," said Akira.

"I just don't get it," said Eva.

"Just watch," was all she said.

"Now I use Fate Changer's ability on Ice Warrior."' Fate Changer's staff flowed as its attack points went to 1,700 and Ice Warrior's went to zero.

"Now I use the spell card Dark Magician's Gift. By sending one card to the graveyard I can attack again with Dark Shaman. Get rid of Ice Warrior." Timothy's life points hit 1,300.

Akira looked back at her friends, "Do you get it now?"

Juliet gasped in realization, "Yes, now every time they summon a monster-."

"Derek will just use Fate Changer to bring their attack and defense points to zero leaving Brandon to attack," cut in Eva.

"Demolishing their life points," finished Zack grimly.

"We're doomed," said Juliet to Akira.

The duel has not yet finished consoled her dragon. Akira bit her lip again and looked back at Timothy. He looked back at her; his eyes glinted as he smirked.

He's got it she thought.

"My turn," Timothy announced. He drew another card and glanced at it. There it is. "I summon Winter Synchron!" It was a level four with zero attack points. "Now I activate the field spell Winter Scene." The room was soon covered in snow and hills. "When I activate this field spell, I can summon one monster from my graveyard in defense mode. Come back Ice Warrior. Now I synchro summon Winter Synchron to Ice Warrior. When faith is lost and desperation descends, a cold flame ignites. Come Royal Ice Dragon!" The snarling monster appeared with a roar as the blizzard intensified. It was a level eight monster with 2,800 attack points and 2,400 defense points." "I summoned this monster for a reason though. You see, Royal Ice Dragon has the ability to negate another monster's special ability, and I choose Fate Changer's."

Derek paled considerably as ice enveloped the monster. Daniel grinned, "Sorry, but your combo is no longer of any use."

Timothy looked at him, "Let's end this." Daniel nodded. "I play the spell Healing Water. This lets me bring back any monster from the graveyard. Come back Gold Winged Dragon." The dragon-griffin appeared with another loud screech.

"Welcome Gold Winged Dragon," said Daniel happily.

"Now, Royal Ice Dragon, destroy Dark Shaman, Winter Blizzard Attack!" The blue dragon opened its mouth and a let a whirlwind of ice and snow towards the monster. Brandon's life points hit 2,200. "I place a facedown and end my turn.

"My turn," said Derek. He drew a card from his deck and grinned. "Fate Changer isn't much help because of your overgrown lizard, so I'll sacrifice him for the better Dark Fate Destroyer." The once feared monster was replaced with a level seven monster with 2,000 attack and defense points.

Daniel snorted, "Really, that's it? Fine, my turn, Gold Winged Dragon, attack Dark Fate Destroyer."

Akira groaned in frustration as Juliet shouted, "Think Daniel! It's what he wants!" She watched as Derek's life points dropped to 300.

"Perfect, now I can use that monster's special ability from the graveyard. I destroy Gold Winged Dragon."

This is Dark Fate Changer's special ability. It can destroy the monster that sent it to the graveyard and then send damage to the player explained Star Rose Dragon.

"Trap card open," cut in Timothy. "Questionable Path. This card allows me to negate any attacks," Daniel's life points went back to 3,000, "but in turn I have to draw the top card of my deck an summon it if it's a monster card or play it if it's a trap or spell card no matter what the consequences are." Timothy looked at his deck. I'm trusting you he thought. He grabbed the card with his fingers and drew it. "Star Rose Dragon," he read to himself in shock. That's right, I put it in my pocket with my deck. I must have also put it in my duel disk when the duel started. I guess I have to play her. "Hidden under the roses and in the stars; a new light shines. Appear Star Rose Dragon.

Akira gasped as her connection with the monster was abruptly broken. All of a sudden, she felt a sudden drain of energy. She fell to the floor as her knees crumpled. She saw a bright light that was quickly consumed by darkness as she slipped into unconsciousness. When she awoke, she saw two green eyes filled with worry. As she became more focused, she was able to see Timothy's face. A cold, wet towel was pressed to her forehead as she struggled to sit up. Next to Timothy were the faces of her parents and friends. "What happened," she mumbled weakly.

"You collapsed," replied her mother. "Your vitals were good though so we didn't have to take you to the hospital. Mayor Lazar set up this room in a matter of minutes so we were able to put you in here." Akiza took the towel off her daughter's forehead. "We were all worried about you."

"I'm sorry," gasped Akira.

"For what, little heart?" questioned Yusei coming toward her. "It's not your fault."

"I didn't mean to cause worry," she explained.

Yusei hugged his daughter close, "Be more careful."

Akira nodded, "I'm going to get some fresh air." She got of the makeshift bed but stumbled. Timothy caught her before she fell on the floor. Silent gratitude emanated from her as he helped her out. Everybody else filtered out slowly after them, leaving just Yusei and Akiza. She sighed and looked at her husband.

"Even though I'm a doctor, I will never get used to the worry you feel when you're about to see a patient, especially if it's your daughter." She shuddered and let out a broken sob. Blue eyes reflected her emotions as they pulled her close.

"I'm worried too. Believe me, this is the second time this has happened and I would like to know why, but she'll come to us when she's ready."

"How will she know when to come though?" she asked as she pulled away. Yusei had no answer for his wife. He watched as she walked out of the room and back to the party.

Once there, Akiza saw a familiar face, "Misty?" The tall supermodel looked as she did all those years ago. This time though, she was holding the hand of a little girl who hid shyly behind the woman.

"Hello Akiza. Say hello Alexandra."

The little girl pulled at Misty's hand, "Alex Mom, I like being called Alex." Out in the open, Akiza could detect some of the similarities between the two. The girl looked about nine years old with hair a little past the shoulder the same color's as Misty's. Her eyes were also a replica of her mother's. Akiza bent to the child's height.

"Hello Alex."

"Hi," she said timidly.

"Alexandra, why don't you go sit with Daddy at our table?" cut in Misty.

"Okay Mommy." With that, the little girl skipped away.

"How are you Akiza?"

"I'm fine Misty."

"Your face betrays you. I saw the duel and what happened. Was that your daughter Akiza? She looked so much like Yusei, yet her face had your shape. I just thought-,"

"Yes, her name is Akira. Yusei is my husband now."

The supermodel smiled, "I just saw her walking outside with a certain blue haired boy."

Akiza smiled, "That would be Timothy LeBlanc, son of Bruno and Sherry LeBlanc."

"He duels well like his parents."

"So what have you been doing Misty?"

"Well, currently, I'm taking a break from modeling. I got married, had Alexandra, and now we are planning to move back to New Domino City."

"Who is your husband?" asked Akiza curiously.

"Kalin, we met at that Memorial Dinner many years ago. Though I heard you were in Germany studying medicine. Yusei told me."

"Yes."

"Are you Dr. Akiza now?"

She nodded, "I have had my wish fulfilled."

Misty glanced at Akiza's arm, "I see the Crimson Dragon has acknowledged it as well by taking your mark."

"I suppose so."

"Something is stirring, I don't know what it is, but…. On that note, I leave you Akiza. May we see each other soon."

"Goodbye," mumbled Akiza. She looked around the room. She finally spotted Yusei talking to Kalin who had taken Alex in his arms. He caught her eye and said something which looked like a goodbye.

"Care to dance?" he asked extending a hand. She took it with a smile as he led her to the dance floor.

Akira leaned heavily on Timothy as he guided her to a large patio. It was covered in glass walls revealing a wintry landscape outside. They sat on a bench in silence.

After a few minutes, Akira broke it, "How did the duel go?"

Timothy replied in a slow monotone, "We won; Star Rose Dragon was a lot of help. Akira?"

"Yes?"

"What's wrong with you nowadays?"

"What do you mean," she asked.

"You always look tired, like you haven't slept in weeks. You barely eat, and now the collapsing. What's going on?"

Blue eyes met green ones for a second, "I don't k now. I feel as if someone is calling me though. In my dreams, it's always so close, but every time it gets too close. I wake up and I can't go back to sleep no matter how tired I am. I also get tired when I summon a monster. It's like it's draining my energy. Also, the longer I hold the connection, the more tired I get. The same thing works for how many I summon."

"Then stop solidifying them then!" cried Timothy.

Akira looked sorrowfully at Timothy, "How? I've never had to restrict myself from seeing my human friends, what about my spirit friends?"

"You're going to have to try."

"What's weird thought is that this voice, presence, feeling that's trying to contact me, sounds, no, feels so sad. Almost desperate, and I really want to help it."

Timothy sat there, thinking, "I still think you should try to avoid it. I don't want to see you fainting every two minutes if you don't mind."

She shook her head, "I'll try, but I don't know."

"That's all I'm asking for." Akira felt all the weight from her shoulders slip away as she told him everything. Inside, her mother laughed as Yusei spun her. Juliet and Daniel shared a dessert talking animatedly. Eva giggled as Zack told her a story. Everybody in the room oohed and ahhed at the holograms above them depicting the new tracks for the WRGP, but she didn't care. Right now, she was here, outside with Timothy, underneath the stars and the moon.

So how was it? Good, bad, you tell me. No flames though please just positive criticism. Now some explaining, the reason Akiza and Timothy were so cold before and OOC, was because they were both so worried of Akira. Awww right? So I also watched the movie Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki during my um "break" and I found it AMAZING! I think I'm going to write a fanfic on it. What do you guys think? Should I do it? So please leave comments, questions, or compliments to me by clicking that little blue button right down there. And for future reference, I am NEVER writing another chapter this long again! Seventeen pages and over 6,000 words are a bit too much I think. Okay I should really stop talking now. Until next time and anonymous reviewer yugioh5ds, you are freakin AWESOME!

Akira Fudo