I apologize for flipping out before in the previous chapter, I'm just very stressed out

I apologize for flipping out before in the previous chapter, I tend to do that easily when I'm stressed so, I'm sorry for getting angry at the reviewer. Anyways, this chapter is really just going to be about character development, namely Hannah and Ian. That way everyone will get to know them better. Wow that sounded corny. Oh well, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh! GX

XXX

"Keep up you two!" the mysterious monster called over its shoulder.

Hannah and Ian were falling behind, despite the fact that they were running for their lives. Both were running out of steam but didn't dare look back to see if anything was following them. Suddenly, Hannah tripped.

"Ouch," she said loudly, looking down at her skinned hands.

"Are you okay?" Ian asked, stopping and bending down to her level.

"I'm fine, just go! I'll catch up, jeez!" she said gruffly.

"Whatever, drama queen," he said, getting back up.

"Sorry," she mumbled as she got up too. "Hey, where did that thing go? You know we should've really asked for a name or something. I mean, it's not very polite to go around calling somebody an It."

"I guess we're just too slow to keep up. Hey, there's nothing following us. Why don't we look for a cave or something to rest in? Or at least some place to clean up your hands. Do they hurt?"

"Stings a little, but not unbearably painful," Hannah replied.

The two set off to look for some sort of shelter. It wasn't long before they stumbled across a river. Hannah knelt at the edge and soaked her hands in the clear water. Ian noticed her wince as her hands resurfaced.

"Hold on for just a second," he said to her.

She watched him curiously as he ripped a strip of his sleeve off. It was the first time Hannah noticed what he was wearing. A navy polo with white stripes, khaki shorts and a matching jacket tied around his waist went well with his teal hair. She found herself surveying his face as he dipped one end of the piece of cloth into the water. Hannah shook her head and returned to reality.

"You didn't have to do that," she said quietly.

"Do what?"

"Rip your sleeve."

"It's no big deal. Besides, I hate polos. My dad made me wear this to look 'presentable' to his friends."

"I think it looks good on you," Hannah smiled.

"Thanks," he blushed. "Now give me one of your hands."

She did as he said, holding her left hand out, palm up. Ian dabbed at the cuts with the wet end before gently wiping it dry with the dry end. He repeated the process with her right hand.

"Thanks," she said appreciatively.

"Yeah, well, it would hurt a lot worse if it got infected so I thought I'd help, just in case."

The teenagers started walking again. It was relatively silent between them. Hannah kept glancing over at the boy walking along beside her. Why can't I stop staring? He's really nice and everything but…I don't know. Why can't I get him off my mind? I know I don't have feelings for him…do I? No, impossible.

"Hannah? Hannah? You all right?" Ian asked.

"Uh, yeah. I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"Nothing important," she said nonchalantly.

Liar! her mind screamed.

"Okay. Anyways, it's raining. I was asking you to help me look for shelter."

"Raining?" she looked up at the sky, wondering why she hadn't felt it. "Yeah, sure."

"Man are you out of it. You didn't feel it falling?"

"No," she admitted. "Hey, what's over there?"

Ian squinted to see where she was pointing and saw a dark opening in the face of a rock.

"It might be a cave. Let's go check it out," he said as he began to run towards it.

"Wait up!" Hannah called as she ran after him.

They were there in a matter of seconds and it was indeed a cave.

"Let's check it out," Ian said, walking in.

"At least it'll keep us out of the rain," Hannah thought aloud.

She followed him inside and discovered the cave wasn't deep at all. In fact, it was only about 7 feet from the opening. The ceiling was a different story though. It seemed to go on forever but no light came from the top which meant it had to end somewhere. The cave was plenty wide enough for them to sit comfortably with out it being awkward. In other words, they weren't squished together.

"This is so much better," Hannah said, resting against the wall.

"Definitely. I'm so beat from all that running," Ian agreed.

"How long d'you think we'll be here?" Hannah asked.

"I dunno. The rain doesn't look like it's about to let up any time soon. It actually looks like its raining harder."

"What're we going to do?"

"Wait around until it lightens up."

"Hmm, well if we're going to be here for a while, why don't we get to know each other better."

"Kay. You go first."

"What? Why?"

"You suggested it."

"Alright. Well, I'm sixteen, I go to Duel Academy, and I live with my mom," Hannah listed.

"Are you a Slifer, Ra, or Obelisk?"

"Obelisk Blue, just like my mom," Hannah said proudly.

"That's cool. So you must be pretty good at dueling."

"Yeah but that's not the only reason I got there. Being smart helps too. Now it's your turn."

"Okay. Um, I go to North Academy. It's pretty cool but I was thinking about transferring to DA. Dad said it was really fun there. Hey, do you have anything to do there besides dueling?"

"In gym class we play tennis," Hannah frowned.

"You don't sound very happy about that."

"I hate tennis," she scowled.

"It's not that bad. Are you just not good at it?"

"You could say that. Stupid Crowler," she muttered.

"Crowler? My dad told me he was the guy teacher who dressed like a lady," Ian chuckled.

"Yeah well, we don't really know if he's a he or a she so it's better just to say Doctor Crowler."

Ian laughed and so did Hannah.

"I can't believe he told you about that!"

"Yeah well, my dad loves to reminisce about his school days."

"What about your mom? Is she really nice?"

"Amelia?" he asked, addressing his mother by her first name. "Oh yeah, but she gets on my nerves all the time. 'Tuck in your shirt, sit up straight' she'd always say."

"My mom's pretty cool but she has a panic attack if I'm a second late for anything. She's afraid to let me out of her sight for more than a few hours. Oh crap, she's probably freaking out right now. The last time I talked to her was this morning. I'm going to be in so much trouble when we get back."

"Why is she like that?"

"My mom? I think it's because she's scared to lose me. She really misses my dad and I'm the closest person to him. She compares me to him all the time. She doesn't want to lose me like she lost him and- oh man, I've done just that! I'm stuck in Dark World. How could I do that to her, after all she's done for me?"

She sat there, looking down at the ground, her chin resting on her knees.

"Don't beat yourself up, Hannah. Your mom will understand when we get back."

"If we get back," Hannah said quietly.

"We will and you know it!" Ian said fiercely. "Bastion's working on a way to get us out of here right now, I'm positive."

Hannah didn't respond.

"Look at me," Ian said softly.

Hannah glanced at him but didn't move.

"Hannah, why must you be so stubborn? Look," he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "everything's going to work out, you'll see. Weren't you the one who was so confident that we could change your dad's future?"

"Yeah but-"

"No buts. We're here and sticking to your plan, got it?"

Hannah looked up and smiled. "Thanks, Ian. I needed that."

"No big, but I do have one last question. What is that?" he pointed at her.

Hannah looked to where he was pointing. There was something dark on the sleeve of her zip-up sweatshirt.

"Oh it's just a scorpion. A scorpion? Shit! Get it off! Get it off!" she screamed, getting up and running around.

Ian watched as she ran outside of the cave and threw off her red jacket, which the scorpion was still on, and ran back inside completely soaked. She let out a sigh of relief before sitting down again. It wasn't long before she was shivering.

"You're cold."

"No shit, Sherlock," Hannah spat.

"That must be your favorite word. Now put this on before you get sick," he said, handing her the jacket that was tied around his waist.

She looks like she's gonna freeze any second now. I mean sitting in a t-shirt and shorts isn't going to do much, he thought.

She took it gratefully and shrugged it on. Ian leaned over and buttoned it up for her. It was then that Hannah realized that this was a North Academy letter jacket (like a football one). She blushed instantly when she thought about how guys in the movies gave those kinds of jackets to their girlfriends.

"What's wrong? You look a little red," Ian said worriedly.

"I'm fine. It's just that, won't you get cold now?"

"Nah, I'll be all right," he smiled.

A gust of wind blew through the cave and Ian shivered. Hannah arched an eyebrow at him and he smiled sheepishly. She scooted over next to him and took off the jacket. She spread it out across both of them. Ian opened his mouth to object but Hannah pressed a finger to his lips.

"We're going to share, got that?"

He nodded. "Okay but under one condition."

"What?"

"You have to tell me more about yourself," he grinned.

"Fine."

Hannah went on and on talking about school and friends and home before turning the spotlight on Ian. He talked about his home life too and described how different North Academy was. After what seemed like an hour, the conversation died down. Hannah stifled a yawn but it didn't go unnoticed by Ian.

"You tired?"

"Yeah. I didn't know talking could wear me out so much," she laughed.

"Go ahead and fall asleep. I don't mind."

"But-"

"Honestly, Hannah, you look tired. At least rest your eyes for a couple of minutes."

"M'kay," she mumbled, already drifting.

Ian glanced at her sideways and saw that she had dozed off. Her head slumped against his shoulder. Ian brushed the hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. He saw how peaceful she looked and smiled.

She's so amazing. She loves dueling, she's passionate, she's…pretty. Why am I feeling this way? I just met her a few hours ago and yet she's closer to me than some of my friends are. Maybe it's because her dad and my dad were tight at school and we're just meant to be alike. What am I saying? I've gone crazy. Besides, it's not like she feels the same way about me. And I shouldn't care what she thinks. I'm better off on my own. This is just a phase, just a-

His thoughts were interrupted as Hannah's head snuggled against his shoulder and she sighed, "Ian". His stomach fluttered.

She had to make this harder, didn't she? Why did she say my name? Is she dreaming about me? Don't be ridiculous. Of course she's not. What am I thinking? And why am I so tired?

He yawned before closing his eyes. I'll just rest my eyes. Yeah…

It wasn't long before he too was asleep. The rain was still pounding down outside but neither teen noticed. Both were in a deep sleep. Night turned into day, though no one could tell due to the lack of sun. The clouds moved westward, along with the rain, and the comet in the sky became visible once again. What little light came from it inched its way into the cave where Hannah and Ian were sleeping. Hannah's eyes flickered under her eyelids as the rays fell upon them. She opened her eyes slowly and looked outside.

"Still as dark as ever, huh Ian?" she said quietly.

There was no response. Hannah tried to crane her neck up but felt something holding her head down. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ian's eyes closed. She gasped when she realized his head was resting on top of hers. She blushed but got over it quickly when she felt the stiffness in her neck start to hurt.

"Ian. Ian. Wake up. Wake up!"

She felt him stir and he lifted his head up. She did so as well and stopped as her eyes met his. His piercing green eyes made her freeze. She found that she couldn't look away.

Not that I'd want to. His eyes are so…so…magnetic.

She sighed. Ian couldn't tear away his gaze from her either. In fact, he started to lean closer to her. He felt his heart rate increase as did she. The distance between them was growing smaller by the second. Hannah felt her eyes start to close as she got closer and closer to his face. They were more than half way already. Their noses brushed but neither pulled away at the contact. Ian felt his palms start to sweat. His eyes began to close too. Their lips were just centimeters apart.

"There you two are! I've been looking for you for hours," the cloaked monster called joyously from the mouth of the cave.

Hannah jerked away, startled by the outburst, and fell flat on her back. Ian had also jerked away but was looking to the side as if nothing happened. His face betrayed him though as a red blush spread like wild fire across his features.

"Now let's get a move on, shall we?" the monster beckoned with a gloved hand.

XXX

Yay! Another chappy down! I'm going to try and crank out as many chapters as possible next week before I get into preseason cuz trust me, when that starts, I can't get nothing done. I'm too busy recovering! Anyways, hope you enjoyed this little twist and let me know how you feel about Hannah and Ian's relationship. Should it go on? Should it be shut down? RxR!