A big thanks to4Fireking, MCRDanime, Rolo-chan, MisaQ X Kai, MissSuzugamori, LD-2014, KatieSky12, Guest and Guestfor reviewing and reading. I hope you'll stick with me during this.^^

I am a rookie at writing. Please do tell me if I've wrote something wrong, I will fix it as soon as I see your message^^

A big fat thank you to my lovely beta, StuffStuff! Thank you so much^^

Enjoy


Chapter 7

Ume smiled, her green eyes shimmering as she walked along. Her short black hair pulled back with the large nature-coloured ribbon. Her arms folded behind her body, her head dipped backward as she walked along dressed in the pure white drill-strap shirt and jeans. She smiled as she thought about the tournament. She could just imagine all the great players battling it out, all to become the best of the best. Ume was beyond excited to see her friends fight. Of course, she had to think of her own role, the role of making sure nobody got hurt, though, she wasn't sure how they can get hurt. It was just a card game after all….right?

"Ume-chan?" a childish voice called out, snapping her from her thoughts, said black haired female blinks. Ume lowers her head to look at the small child holding her hand rather tightly. She laughs nervously in embarrassment. "Sorry about that. I zoomed out again." she blushes as the child gives her a look with wide green eyes. The child smiles brightly, it's cheek turning pink.

"Are you thinking of that Aichi boy again?" the child questions and giggles as Ume's face turns a deep crimson colour. "W-What? No-no-no!" she squealed, waving her hand in front of her face while shaking her head.

The small child had milky amber hair, a few strands of hair fell in front of her large, round emerald eyes. Her amber hair was hanging down over her shoulders, just about brushing against her elbows. A white puffy sleeved shirt with a small cute pink body warmer, a frilly pale orange skirt and knee-length cowboy boots. "…Really? You only get that expression when you're thinking of him." she smiled winking childishly.

Ume groans to herself, mentally thinking that perhaps the girl was too young when she had told her about a certain boy. It was innocent, the two were in the park and the young child had asked Ume about love. Ume had embarrassingly admitted she had somebody, who had a feelings for. The young 10 year old was so excited that she just had to know about the emotion known as love. Sighing to herself, Ume placed her hand onto her hip as she saw the card store coming up ahead. A store she had been going to for a while before she had met Misaki. It didn't look like a card-shop, it was old fashion with bright blue sea like painting across it. "Card Shop Handsome." she hummed to herself, spinning around on the balls of her feet and sitting down on the small swing attached to the store ledge. See! It isn't anything like a card store, but it was almost like a fantasy to her when she was a child. "Nagisa-chan. Let me do your hair."

Seeing Ume pull of the pink ribbon from her pocket, the small girl squealed excitedly and ran towards the girl. She climbed onto the swing and turned slightly around, sitting blessedly. Her back arched straight with her hands pressed against her lap with a smile. Ume hums and turns to face the back of Nagisa and began to gently style the young girls amber hair. It was soft, definitely kept well. "Nagisa-chan. Your hair is pretty." she chuckled as Nagisa let out a joyful squeal at the comment, the small girl was one of the most innocent and cutest girls she had seen. "There you go!" Ume spoke, removing her hands from Nagisa's head said girl leaped to her feet, her eyes sparkling as she reached up to her hair. Ume had pulled her amber hair up into a neat bun with a pink ribbon, tied into a large bow. A style Nagisa loved very much because of her mother, her mother was lovely. A wonderful woman who Ume loved to talk to.

"Hmm'hmm!" Nagisa hummed, her cheeks darkening as she rocked on the ball of her feet. "Thank you Ume-chan! Oh! I love your ribbon! You have pretty eyes, why did you hide them?" she asked innocently, tilting her head to the side with a small but yet cute pout.

Laughing awkwardly, Ume rubs the back of her neck sheepishly and in habit, closing her right eye. "Umm…maybe we should go in. I'm sure Gouki is wondering where I've kidnapped his cute little sister too?" she teased, changing the subject from her eyes. Just at the words, Nagisa giggled and nodded eagerly. Smiling amusingly, Ume pushed herself up and followed the excited child towards the double cowboy wooden doors when suddenly a familiar voice echoed from within. "Is it just me or was Kamui?" Ume mumbled blankly, her eyes blinking in confusion before noticing Nagisa getting even more excited. "Nagisa-chan?"

"Kamui!" the small girl squealed rather loudly, Ume gasped as the girl charged into the store, arms stretched out. Rushing in after the girl in time to see the girl throwing a certain dark haired boy against a wall, her latching onto his waste. "I missed you so much my dear!"

"Are you his girlfriend?"

Ume blinks at the voice and turns her head, her green eyes widen upon seeing a familiar bluenette standing off to the sidelines. He wore his turtle red shirt, green jacket and skinny-jeans. "A-Aichi-kun?" she wondered in confusion, lightly tapping the boy on the shoulder.

Jumping, startled Aichi gasped upon seeing the small black haired. "Ume-chan! What are you doing here? I thought you was busy today." he spoke, rather fast but happy to see the girl who hums and nods her head along with her words.

"Oh. Ume!" another voice cut in before she could even say a word. Smiling still, Ume turns to look at a tan skinned man with a ripped orange shirt. A brown body warmer and blue pants. A red cloth tied around his black hair, ruffled out in a pony-tail. His crimson red eyes sparkled as they look down at the girl. "How was Nagisa? Did she cause any trouble today?"

Upon hearing these words, Ume shook her head with a sound from the back of her throat. "Not at all. Nagisa-chan was fine, she's always such a good girl." she said happily making the man laugh joyful and ruffle her hair. "Oh good!"

Ume laughs and looks at Aichi who was still looking at her in confusion. "Ah. I work for Gouki, I baby-sit his little sister from time to time." she explained with a smile. Aichi makes a small 'O' shape before nodding his head and looked at Nagisa fighting with Kamui. "So. I'm gonna go ahead a-and guess that s-she's the reason he d-doesn't want to join team handsome?" he mumbled, hitting his fist into his open hand before jumping when one of the team-mates slides up to his side. "That's right. She latched onto him since the first day they met! Kamui!"

"That there is my baby sister. Cute isn't she?" Gouki asked, gaining Aichi's attention. Said blue haired boy flushed and nodded. "Do you have a little sister?" once again, Aichi nods with a shy 'yes' Gouki nods with a wide grin. "Then you know where I'm coming from. Big brothers will do anything to make sure their little sisters are happy. Don't you agree?" he questioned, crossing his arms and looking at Aichi nods once more. "As fair as I'm concern there is nothing more important then keeping Nagisa happy. And anyone whose gonna make her sad shall feel my wrath!"

Kamui groaned as he shuffled around, Nagisa held tightly onto him as he groaned. "No way! We'll be together forever Kamui!" Nagisa giggled, hugging him tighter. "Looks like you're not getting the message. I'm more then happy to be perfectly clear! I'm not in love with you and I never will be!"

Ume's green eyes widen. "That was…um…harsh…" she mumbled, suddenly worrying for the small cute amber haired girl when, said girl suddenly giggled and covered her ears. "Sorry~ I can't hear you!"

"Why is this happening…" Kamui whined, rubbing the side of his head as he looked at the girl. "Listen up!" he called to the girl with narrowed eyes and frowned the girl squealed loudly that she wasn't listening. "Nagisa…" he groaned, dipping his head before yelping when she hugged him tightly. "Yes?" she asked loudly making the boy yelp even louder. "You heard that alright! Why won't you listen, the person I'm in love with is-"

"Nagisa!"

"Can't you take a hint! The girl I'm in love with has a great smile, big eyes and she cooks great food! She isn't rude or pushy. She actually listens to me! I've met somebody else. Just move on…"

Ume blinks once more. "Oh-Uh." she looks at Gouki and sweat-drop upon seeing the expression that overcame his face. His eyes darken and they almost glared down at the boy. Ume quickly looks back at Kamui in time to hear Nagisa claim that Kamui was kidding. "No I'm not!" she jumped when Gouki suddenly appeared across the store and held Kamui up. "Don't you hurt my boyfriend! He was just joking!" Nagisa cried desperately, her small fists shaking as she looked up at her brother with large green teary eyes.

"Did you mean all those things you just said to my sister!"

"Let me spell it out for you! I will never-ever like your little sister!"

"And why not!"

"Because I feel in love with somebody else! See my friend Aichi over there, his younger…um…" he trailed off, his cheeks reddening just as Gouki realised the boy. Ume gasped and rushed up to him, helping Kamui up who whined and grabbed onto her. "Oneesan~"

Ume sighed and patted the boy on the head, she looks up at Gouki and blinks with a blank look as he pointed dramatically. "You stole my sisters boyfriend!" he yelled as Ume simply stared blankly.

"Wha?"

Kamui snaps his head up, he glares harshly at Gouki. "Have you lost your mind! I'm in love with his sister Emi! Because….she's amazing….and besides. He's already got a girlfriend!" he snapped loudly, causing not just Aichi blush but Ume to frown, both searching their memories. Ume suddenly felt the burning, green-eyed jealously in the pit of her stomach. Just who had gotten to her Aichi? Snorting, Kamui looks up to find Ume frowning. "Oh…Oneesan." he groans, shaking his head. "I meant you. Stupid."

"Oh." Ume mumbles, her eyes half-lidded before they grow wide and her face turning the colour of a tomato. "What! No-no-no! Kamui! You've got it wrong!" she squealed in embarrassment and Kamui found himself rolling his eyes at her, seriously, did Ume think it was a secret she had a thing for Aichi? The only one who hadn't noticed was the bluenette himself! But come on! Hoe dense can he be? Ume's a nice looking girl, she won't stay single forever! "Yicks. Grown ups…"

Gouki shakes, his fist tightening as he growled with anger. "Oh. Now you've done it." he hisses out, much like a snake and turns to look at the short bluenette who backs away with wide eyes. "Looks like I'm gonna have to teach you a lesson!" he says, marching up to the boy. Ume stood quickly, suddenly having the urge to get in between the two, fearing Gouki might actually hit Aichi! "First he starts playing at your shop. Then he wants to be your friend and date your sister! And now you're trying to take Ume from us! If you think I'm gonna let you steel from Nagisa and I, you have another thing coming!"

Aichi shook, his blue eyes widen. Not quite understanding what was going on as he stared up at the man. "What? I can't fight a giant!" he gasped out, scanning Gouki's height differences to his own. Yup! He certainly was a shrimp compared to Gouki.

"Yeah right! That's not the kind of fight I'm talking about and you know it!" Gouki spoke, throwing his hand out dramatically again. "Listen up! I'm gonna beat you in a card-game and claim Kamui's love for Nagisa. Let's hope your little sister, Emi isn't to heart broken about losing him!"

Blinking with a blank look, Aichi looks to the side with trembling shoulders. "Huh? I don't t-think she'd care to b-be honest." he admits with an awkward laugh. With half-lidded green eyes, Ume looks to the side. She puffs out her cheeks with a groan, already knowing where this is heading.

"Seriously. It's like Aichi-kun is a magnet for trouble…" she thought, crossing her arms and looks at the dark haired boy.

Kamui groans, he pouts. "Well thanks Oniisan. It isn't like I'm right here, listening to every word you're saying."

Nagisa looks at the boy with concerned eyes. Ume smiled, Nagisa was so adorable. She must really like Kamui. The dark haired female wondered why doesn't Kamui give her a chance? Granted the two are just little kids. And the fact it kind of looks like a chain. Nagisa likes Kamui, Kamui doesn't care and likes Emi, Emi doesn't care. Ume wondered if Emi even liked anybody, she chuckled as a thought popped up. Emi likes Nagisa and Nagisa doesn't care. That thought made her giggle more. Just imagine, that poor-poor chain.

"You've got to be really careful when fighting, Oniisan!" Kamui called out, now sitting on a large box. His legs spread out with his hands in-between them, watching the Vanguard table with intense eyes. "Gouki's using a Granblue deck." he began and groans, flopping his head when one of the males standing around him snapped at him about staying quiet.

Ume sent a glare up at the man who had growled at Kamui, making said man to step away with a worried expression. A woman's anger is nothing to take lightly. Nodding her head, she turned back around and sat down next to Kamui. "I appreciate you wanting to help and everything, but I've g-got to fight m-my own battles. Regionals is r-right around the corner and I've g-got to see if I can beat somebody at his l-level." Aichi explained softly, looking over at the small boy who once again groaned with a guilty expression. Just seeing the expression made Ume feel bad, she gently patted him on the head to let him know he wasn't alone.

"Kamui will be yours forever after this~" Gouki grinned over to his little sister sitting to side on a barrel. Said girl puffed out her cheeks with narrowed green eyes. "What you really need to do is to chain him up in the shop so he can't run away anymore."

"I can't believe I'm fight against somebody who went to regionals last year. I've got to do my best." Aichi thought, drawing five cards and looking over them with determination. His chest tightened with a bit of doubt, as he breathed in deeply to calm his nerves. "I have to stay calm."

Clenching his fists and cracking them, Gouki glared down at the bluenette on the other side. "I'm not gonna let anybody get in the way of my sisters happiness!" he growled, fiery making Aichi gulp with a tremble. A almost cruel and somewhat smug smirk spread across his face. "Here we go."

"Stand up, Vanguard!"

"Barcgal go!"

"Guiding Zombie stand up!"

Glowing blue eyes widen for a second before softening as Aichi gazed down at the cards. "So this what a unit f-from Granblue deck l-looks like? A little c-creepy but n-nothing I can't handle…" he thought, a small smile spreading across his lips with a small nod in agreement with his thoughts. Ume looks at the card and shudders. "That's what a Granblue unit is! Oww." she shudders and looks away with her tongue sticking out a little. Kamui chuckled and shook his head at her girlish actions, he was actually starting to wonder if she was girly at all. With all the time he spent with her, Ume hadn't acted like a girl. Sure, he noticed she blushed every now and then, but she hadn't ever really acted like a normal girl. He had almost ladled her as something more then a 'Tomboy' so with a teasing grin, he looks at her. His green eyes sparkles. "You haven't seen anything yet!" he chuckles at the horrified look that overcame her face.

"Your turn first, you little boyfriend thief."

Eyes widening a little, Aichi's lips pressed into a tight line. "Seriously?" he squealed and shook his head. Looking down at his cards and placed one down. "I ride Wingal. U-Using Barcgal's ability, I slide him into the rear circle. Then I activate Barcgal's other a-ability to call Flogal from my deck! I then end my turn."

"Alright!" Gouki spoke darkly and throw a card down. "I ride Dandy Guy, the warrior! Next I use Guiding Zombie's ability to move him over!" he smirked, sliding the card onto the other circle. Aichi watched with a thoughtful gaze, his lips twitches. "That's the s-same ability I just used." he thought, looking back up at Gouki to see his next move. "Next I call Dancing Cutlass to battle! Dancing Cutlass support Guiding Zombie to attack your Wingal!" Ume shuddered once-more, she thought she had just heard a dog-like wine of fear. Her heart suddenly to pound as she watched the game, watching as Aichi checked for damage trigger and sighed upon not getting one. His eyes looked dark as if he was rattled up, it made Ume think that maybe he had heard that horrible wine too. "Next I'll have Romario attack your Vanguard! Checking for drive trigger. Oh well." Ume winced when she heard another fear-filled wine, almost as if he had heard it too, Aichi grumbled underneath his breath and draw a card. "Come on, p-please. Ah heal trigger! That's 5000 plus points to Wingal and I also get to remove a d-damage card, it's t-time for me to t-take my next turn."

Aichi's eyes flashes as he looks at the new card he had just pulled. Both Ume and Kamui looked at each other with a knowing smile. "Stand up my Avatar! Ride! Blaster Blade! I move Flogal forward and then I call Knight of Rose, Morgana and two copies of Little Sage, Marron!" he says, scanning his side of the field and nodding his head. "With support from Marron, I send in Flogal to attack your Vanguard! I continue the assault with Blaster Blade, supported by Barcgal." Aichi calls out, his eyes narrowing and darkening that Gouki wondered what happened to shy and timid boy that was standing in front of him before. "I'm not done! Supported by Marron, Morgana attack your Vanguard!" with a growl, Gouki shook his head and held a card to guard. Aichi blinks in confusion as Gouki used the card's defensive ability to remove a card called Captain Nightmist from his deck to his drop zone. "Huh? Why would he want to throw away a grade two unit like that?"

"…The scary thing about playing against a Granblue deck is thee drop zone…"

"I stand and draw!" Gouki smirks, taking a card from the top of his deck. "I ride Captain Nightmist! And his ability states that if there is another Captain Nightmist in the drop zone, then this Captain Nightmist gains 3000 attack points!" Aichi's eyes narrows and he lowers his head. "So that's why. Not only is he a good player but his deck has incredible synergy." he thought, watching as Gouki laughs, almost evilly.

Kamui grumbles to himself and turns his head, he grunts as Nagisa laughs at him.

Aichi growls to himself, feeling frustrated. He looks down at the card he had just drawn and nods slightly. "Enter the fight. Kneel before your King! I ride King of Knights, Alfred!" he calls out, his voice as firm as he could get it. Gouki chuckles and nods his head with a mutter of nice. "I retire Flogal to the drop zone and replace her with the Knight of Silence, Gallatin! Captain Nightmist is about to feel the power of Gallatin supported by Marron!" Aichi says and frowns as Gouki drawn a drive trigger, adding 5000 attack points to Captain Nightmist. Growling, even more frustrated and Aichi points at Alfred's card. "In that case, Alfred will show you the united power of the Royal Paladins! Attacking Caption Nightmist! Checking twin drive." Aichi looks at the cards he had drawn and nods, he hadn't got a trigger but he got his other level three card. "Lastly! Morgana will attack your Vanguard, supported by Little Sage, Marron!" he winces as Gouki defends again.

"The abomination of flesh and metal. You'll come to know them as Monster Frank! Rise!" Gouki smirks, placing a card down. "Dandy Guy, Romario and Dancing Cutlass swoop places." he looks up and chuckles, looking directly over at Aichi. Said blue haired boy to growl and lean back. "Using Caption Nightmist counter blast from the drop zone! Prates may die, but they're never gone." he said, flipping one card over and placing Dancing Cutlass into the drop zone and taking out the Caption Nightmist. Aichi gasped, his eyes widen with disbelief. "How can that be! You can activate their abilities out from the drop zone?" he gasped out, watching as Gouki placed the card in the circle where Dancing Cutlass had been.

Kamui sighed, he shook his head with half-lidded eyes. "There's no way Aichi's gonna win this match now that Gouki's setted up his big finisher. The unstoppable pirates…" he thought to himself, looking down with a pout. "His undead units will keep coming back to haunt you until they finish the job for good!"

"Your Royal Paladins are completely outclassed by my Granblue! With the help from Evil Shade I'll have Monster Frank to attack King Alfred! Destroy" Gouki smirks proudly, his big red eyes flashes as they look at the boy. "I activate Evil Shade's skill. I'm allowed to put cards into my drop zone until I come across a trigger!" he says, moving two cards before he got a trigger giving his Monster Frank 5000 plus attack points. Aichi grunts as he looks at his cards and decides not to guard. "Caption Nightmist supported by Guiding Zombie, blue blood attacks!" Aichi gasped and quickly guarded. He stares with wide eyes. "No way. He can do the exact same thing next turn! If I don't finish him here, he's gonna run straight over me!" he thought, looking at both of their damage zones. He had five cards while Gouki had four.

Breathing deeply. Aichi nods his head. "Here I go! Morgana's skill allows me to drop one card into the drop zone and she gains 5000 extra points until the end of turn!" Gouki groans and places a card into his damage zone making five cards, both had the same number. "The King of Night charges in!" Aichi yelled and growled as Gouki guards and activates the card's skill by dropping another card to the drop zone. "The attack fails but I still have the twin drive! Oh right! Looks like I just scored a critical trigger! Giving all effects to Gallant and he's going to attack Monster Frank with the support of Little Sage, Marron!" Gouki guards again with two cards, but it isn't enough. Aichi briefly thinks the attack is going throw before pushing the thought away, knowing that Gouki had something else. He intercepts with Caption Nightmist. "You just stopped two of my most powerful attacks like they're nothing!"

Kamui frowns deeper. "Guess this is it." he thought, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the table. Ume's eyes widening, Aichi was going to lose. Said boy breathed deeply, he lowers his head before noticing something. "That would be the end of my turn." he says firmly and glares at Gouki who blinks with surprise. "Wait. You're not giving up!" he asked while Aichi nods. "That's right. You lost Caption Nightmist and you don't have any cards in your hand right now. That means your attack isn't gonna be a full strength giving my the opportunity to defend and taking control of this game again!" Ume smiles, her cheeks darkening as she looked at the boy. "Aichi-kun. It's amazing that you never back down from a challenge…but…I'm pretty sure you're about to lose…" she thought sadly, she tilts her head to the side but then smiles. "Knowing you, you wouldn't care. As long as your having fun, right?"

"This battle ended the moment your attack failed." Gouki spoke, hand onto his hips. "This will be my final turn. I call Caption Nightmist back! I told you before that pirates may die but they're never gone. Caption Nightmist! Counter blast activated! Resurrection!"

Aichi's eyes widen and he leaned forward. "You're using that ability again!"

Gouki smirks and places his card, Blue Blood onto the field. "Blue Blood attacks Alfred!" he says and Aichi defends before saying two more to go. "That is where you're wrong! My Granblue deck can get stronger by sacrificing into the murky deeps of the drop zone! Monster Frank, supported by Evil Shade attack Alfred! Activating Monster Frank's skill giving him an extra 5000 attack points!" he yells and Aichi guards with two cards, leaving only one in his hands. "Twin drive check! Second check. Ha! Critical Trigger! Monster Frank just got to big for you to stop!"

"If he doesn't get a heal trigger here, Aichi-kun loses." Ume thought, watching as the bluenette stares down at his deck and slowly draws a card. He bites his bottom lip before looking up at Gouki and turned the card around. "You beat me." he smiles softly.

"Alright!" Gouki cheers, everyone around them erupted into cheers, laughing and grinning as he throws his hands around.

"What a beating…so this is the level of Vanguard player which makes it to the tournament. I wanna be more like him…" Ume tilts her head, noticing the look on Aichi's face of determination. "No. I'm gonna be even stronger."

Nagisa smiles excitedly and runs up to Gouki who catches her and throws her into the air. She sits on his hip as both turns to look at Aichi. "Tell your sister that she can come and fight Nagisa if she want's Kamui back." he spoke making Aichi's eyes widen and shake his hands. "I don't think m-my sister wants to f-fight anybody over a-anybody!" he squealed, leaning back as Kamui popped up next to him. "Yeah! She never pays any attention to me and it's driving me crazy!"

"Oh! Goodie! That means I'm gonna have him all to myself then!"

Ume laughs nervously, looking to the side as Kamui and team handsome began to fight over the fact the players from the Card Capital aren't very strong. To which Kamui repelled with "Well, we'll see how you feel about being beaten by a bunch of kids!" she sighs and shakes her head as Nagisa leaps down and rushes after Kamui who cries out and runs away. She hums and walks up next to Aichi, her arms behind her back as she leans forward. "Don't look so sad Aichi-kun. You played great! It doesn't matter if you win or lose right? Just as long as you have fun?"

Aichi flushes and smiles at Ume. He nods his head eagerly. "Yeah. You're right." he laughs.

Gouki's eyes flashes, he blinks a little and looks between the two before his lips curled into a 'O' shape.

"Oh~"

~#~#~#~

Ume sighed to herself, walking down thee familiar road alone. She tugged on her black locks as she walked. A small frown appeared across her lips as she walked, mentally crying again. "I can't believe I failed…AGAIN!" the young girl groaned loudly, having the urge to rip out her hair again. "All that hard work! Endless hours! All nighters! For nothing…why does this keep happening to me?" she snorted to herself, turning her body and walking down another pathway. Large, fat tears leaked out of her big green eyes. Dressed in her grey and white sailor uniform, she sniffed holding her beautiful brown book bag in front of her lap as she walked.

"I wonder where Aichi-kun is?" Ume thought to herself, turning her head half expecting to see the three boys walking along behind her but found a group of young children instead. Letting a bubble yawn escaped her lips and returned her attention to the path in front of her. "Morikawa probably kidnapped him to the library again. For some reason the double spiky black haired boy had been dragging everyone to the library, searching this 'Magic book'. Something Ume didn't really find interesting and had made up an excuse to her teacher about her leaving early. Ume grinned almost darkly, she turned her head around and hummed gleefully to herself. Her eyes sparkles as she sees Card Capital in all it glory. Stepping through it doors, she blinks her eyes upon seeing Emi standing at the counter. "No Misaki?" she mumbled, stepping into the store.

"Ume-chan!" Emi greeted, smiling at the taller girl and Shin stepped up next to her. "What's wrong?"

Ume jumps a little and looks at them. She drops her head with a defeat groan. "I lost to my worse enemy again…Math." she whimpered causing Shin and Emi to look at each other and laugh. Ume sighed and snorted about them finding her amusing, walking further into the store she tilts her head when she finds Emi more interested in a booster packet. "…You're interested in Vanguard, Emi-chan?"

Jumping, startled Emi tilts her head. Her bright blue eyes lowers to the dark packet within her hands. "Oh. Um yeah…but I don't think I would be any good at it." she admits shyly, her cheeks darkening.

"Well. Why don't you have a battle?" Shin spoke up, placing his hands onto his hips. His square glasses flashes as he smiles kindly down at the young girl who looks up with wide blue eyes. "I-I can?" she questions softly, looking back at Ume who nods. "Yup! Just let me put up the stand." Shin says, turning around and crouching down to set up a small sand. Emi watches him do it nervously, she looks up at Ume. "Um…Will you battle me?" she asked cutely and Ume found herself blushing, awkwardly rubbing the back of her neck. "Oh. Um…I can't Emi-chan. Sorry…" she said, avoiding looking at the small blonde haired girl.

Both girls jumped, startled as the stores door slides open. They turn to find a certain group of three boys with a bored lavender haired female standing behind the group. "Hey guys." Emi greeted rather cheerfully. Waving slightly as Aichi blinks his bright blue eyes in surprise. "Emi? What are you doing here?" he asked, speed-walking towards the small girl, he shyly looks at Ume and smiles to which she returns it.

"Hey! Get this. Your sister has decided to start playing Vanguard with us." Shin spoke proudly, standing straight behind the Vanguard battle table. He leaned against it with his right hand on his hip. Emi flushes as she looks at the man and the group walking into the store. "N-Not exactly but I wouldn't mind trying it out once." Emi admits, looking off to the side. "There's not better place for your game then a Card Capital fight table!" Shin grins, patting the small girl on the head, said girl frowns. "…B-But I don't e-even have a deck." she whimpers, shaking her head side to side and jumped when Shin through his hand out at Misaki. Snapping his fingers at said girl. "Misaki! We have a card-less young girl here in need off your help!"

Misaki glares at her uncle. "Don't snap your fingers at me." she grumbles, tying the red apron around her waste and walking towards Emi. "Here's my deck. Use it. It's strong against boys." she smirked at her small joke, Emi's eyes widen and she gasped. "W-What? Really?" she squealed, taking the deck and looking through it. "Whoa…Oh. Ume-chan? Do you have a deck?" she questioned innocently looking up at the dark haired female who blinked and rubbed the back of her head. "Oh um. No…not really…" Ume admits nervously, looking around when she noticed everyone giving her a disbelief look. "What?" she shrugged coolly. "I just haven't found a deck that's…well…me."

"Hmm. Let's see. Who should your first opponent be?" Shin wondered out loud, looking around the surprised faces. His eyes stopped on the only smiling face directed at the girl with the green ribbon. "How about your big brother?" he asked and frowned Morikawa yelped loudly. "No way! It's just like the book said! A grade school kid!" he shirked excitedly, rubbing the side of his head his red eyes sparkling brightly as everyone turned to look at him in confusion. Ume stared blankly. "Errr…what I miss this time?" she wondered, pouting a little and tilting her head to the side. She watched with a sweat-drop as Morikawa leant down to Emi. "You're playing me! I taught your brother everything he knows! Hope you're ready for a crash-start in the Morikawa's school!"

"…I recall it being Kai." Izaki mutters under his breath making Ume laugh. Emi nervously blinks and looks at her brother who smiles at her with encouragement. "Give it your best Emi!"

Emi lowers her eyes, she frowns a little. "But I haven't learned all the rules of the game yet…" she trails off, looking to the side. Aichi hums and shakes his head. "Not a problem. Kai had to teach me all the rules. We'll help you." he says kindly to his worried sister before yelping when Morikawa grabbed him. "Why you little! What do you think your doing, mentioning that big show off in front of me?" he grumbled, with teary eyes. Ume groans, shaking her head with her hand on her face. Aichi laughs nervously as he looks at the boy. "Just k-kidding. You're the b-best Vanguard teacher. Haha." he says, watching as Morikawa changes his tune pretty quick. "You hear that! What I lack in experience I make up for in enthusiasm!"

The small blonde haired girl blinks a little, she lets out a small sound from the back of her throat before slowly and shakily stepping up to the box. Ume smiles in encouragement and stands next to Aichi, behind Emi. Both Aichi and Ume smiles at each other before returning their attention to the card-game.

"First. Give your deck a good shuffle." Morikawa spoke, his tone high and might. He was enjoying this way to much in Ume's opinion. She looks at Emi watches as the blond nervously repeats what she's seen her brother do million times before. "Watch this!" Morikawa shrieks and everyone watches him with a sweat-drop hanging off their heads as he rather insanely shuffling his cards. "The Morikawa ultimate technique!"

"No offence, but you look really silly doing it like that." Izaki sighed, lowering his head with a some what shameful shake of the head. "Ha! You've got it from Izaki-kun. He isn't silly doing it like that, he's in fact a retard! Doing it like that." Ume spoke with a matter of fact tone making the ones around her to chuckle while Morikawa pouted. Misaki, sitting at the desk looks over in interest, her blue eyes catches the sun as they watch the stupidity of their dark haired friend.

Placing his deck down, Morikawa grins almost creepily at Emi. "With your starting Vanguard in place. The rest of your deck can go over here." he explained, Emi nods slightly and places a dark down on her circle before putting the rest of her deck onto the deck square. "Alright. Take the first top five cards of your deck. Watch a pro!" he says and as quickly as he could, snatched the five top cards while Emi slowly and carefully took her five cards. "Ready, school girl?" Morikawa asked, Emi nods with determination glowing within her blue eyes. "It's time for my amazing tips. Before the game starts you can take any number of Vanguard cards you don't need and shovel them back into your deck. You've got to go for sure. What are you doing here? I'll draw three new cards now. Hmm. There we go. A powerful starting hand! Powerful three units is why I win so many games…"

"Last time I checked you don't win any games…"

Emi blinks innocently and looks at her cards. A soft smiles spreads across her face as she sees a cute card. "Oh. How cute! Actually I'll get rid of all these weird ones." she said, taking away two cards. Ume giggles and shakes her head as she looked over at Shin, laughing rather loudly while Misaki looked a bit annoyed. "Yay. This one's cute too." returning her attention to Emi's hand, Ume giggled once more upon seeing the new cards that had been drawn.

"You like the c-cards? That's a g-good start." Aichi encouraged, a warm and friendly smile on his face. When looking, Ume had to look away with redness spreading across her cheeks. Her eyes slightly wide as she pressed her left hand to her chest, begging it to calm. What if somebody could hear it?

"Now…the time for battle is here!" Morikawa screamed, waving his fist around. "Imagine yourself! Our spirits have just been transported to the surface of the planet Cray! A place much like Earth." Ume pouts, her eyes shifts to the side as she tried to remember where she had heard these words before. "That's the exact same thing Kai said to me when we played." Aichi laughed, Ume hums with a smile. So that was it. She looks on as Morikawa almost burst a nerve from yelling at the laughing boy.

Emi tilts her head to the side. "What does Cray look like?" she wondered out loud and Ume gently placed her hand onto the small girls shoulder, gaining her attention. "Cray can be whatever you want it to be. Most of the time, people imagine a place that makes them most comfortable." she explained and watched as Emi's eyes lit up. Almost as if she had just discovered something amazing. "Wha. It's so pretty." she whispered to herself, Ume heard her words and laughed. Trust Emi to imagine something out of a fairy-tale.

"Stand up, Vanguard!"

"…Lozenge Magus."

"Go! Lizard Runner, Undeux!"

Blue eyes widen slightly at the card, she imaged a creepy and somewhat scary creature within her head. Emi shuddered a little as she thought about the possibility that Morikawa will summon more terrifying creatures and from the look on his face, she concluded that yes. Yes he will.

Ume blinks a little, hearing a rather familiar day-dreaming laugh coming from the glass doors. Turning her head, her green eyes sparkles as they find three familiar children enter the store. The small, black haired boy with red eyes had pink cheeks and giggled to himself, before he lowered his arm and looked around the store with confusion. "Oh-Uh." Ume mumbled to herself, the bluenette next to her lifted his head. "W-What's the matter U-Ume-chan? "Aichi asked in concern, following her line of view to find the children. "Just wait Aichi-kun. 5,4,3,2.…1-"

"Whaaaaaaaa!"

Kamui's eyes widen and he shook his head, his hands gripping at his black spikes as he found the girl of his dreams, the girl he wanted to teach Vanguard too being taught by the worse player in the store. "Why is this happening!" he cried out, tears streaming down his face as he flashed up in front of Aichi and Ume. Ume covered her mouth in hopes to muffle her giggles, while Aichi's eyes widen and he gasped out in surprise. "What's t-the matter?" he frowned and jumped when Kamui grabbed onto his grey sleeve and tugged on it. "Tell me this ain't happening! Tell me this isn't real! This is all a joke right!" Kamui cried out and Ume swore. She swore she had just witnessed a little light die within his red pools. "There's…t-there's nothing to be u-upset about…s-she's just playing her first game of V-Vanguard…" Aichi mumbled clueless, blinking innocently down at the boy. Ume had the urge to face palm. After everything that had happen yesterday, Aichi still hasn't figured it out? "Yeah! But she's playing against that big loser! It should have been me…I was supposed to teacher her how to play!"

"Stop your crying!"

"W-We're…very sorry Misaki…"

Ume smiled as Kamui turned his body around and hugged her around the waste, sniffing. "She's…she's with somebody else…" he whimpered and Ume found herself mothering the boy. Gently patting him on the head with a sweat-drop on the side of her head. Aichi laughed nervously next to her, rubbing the back of his head shyly.

"My turn! I draw!" Morikawa grinned, drawing a class three. "Oh yeah! Another grade three! It's sad…that your first game of Vanguard is about to end before you know it." he grinned, almost evilly at Emi who stared back with a blank expression. "I ride-" he began but stopped as he scanned his hand. His eyes widen and his jaw dropped. "W-Wait a sec…No way! My hand is so strong I don't have any cards to ride!"

Hearing such words, Kamui wailed and shook within Ume's arms. "Why! Why does she have to play a game with that guy! It should have been me! Emi!" he sobbed loudly, Ume's smile twitched as she tried her best to calm the boy. "K-Kamui?"

"So then…the first thing I do is…draw?"

Turning around in Ume's arms, Kamui looked at the blonde with bright red eyes. "Oh Emi! I wanted to play you first, but if I can't then I'll stand back here and do my best to help." he spoke loudly. Ume tilts her head to the side and wonders just what are children watching these days.

Emi scans her cards, she nibbles her bottom lip in thought before smiling a little. "This one is the cutest. So I'll ride it." she spoke playing the pink haired fairy card down and smiles brightly. Kamui's eyes widen before he, himself sweat-dropped. "You decided based on it's cuteness?" he mumbles making the girl look at him. "Is that bad?" she questioned softly, tilting her head to the side. "You're better off choosing a unit with the highest attack power. Or maybe a unit with a ability that you can use in the Vanguard circle."

"There's no problem teaching her the rules. But everyone has to keep there personal play style to themselves. The more decisions she makes for herself, the more she's going to learn about the world of card-fighting. She has to trust her instincts. It was the same for the rest of you. In your first game."

Morikawa's eyes flashing, almost cunningly. "But Ume. She hasn't played one game yet."

Ume glares at the boy, ignoring his comment and looks down at Kamui. "What Shin's trying to say. We have to allow Emi-chan to create her own style of fighting." she said, making the boy look at her and slowly nod in understanding. Letting out a sigh; Ume looked towards Emi. "So, Emi-chan. No it isn't wrong. Just use your instincts' and play how you want to."

"In that case. How about this-"

"All I can do is sit back and watch as Emi discovers Vanguard for herself…" Kamui thought depressingly. "I'll never forgive that loser, Morikawa for stealing the first game against my dream girl!"

Emi looks at Aichi while holding a card. "Can I put this in the back?" she asked and smiles brightly when he nods. "Alrightie!" she giggles and places another Lozenge Magus into the back circle. "Okay…then next I'll put…um…these two Dream Eaters! Um…first I use Lozenge Magus for support and attack Undeux."

"If you attack with Lozenge Magus, you have to return her to the deck." Morikawa explained, wiggling a finger out. Emi's round blue eyes blinks before she curls her lips into a thin line. "Oh. Nevermind then." she says making Kamui yelp out a loud 'what' and tumble to the ground in shock. Ume laughs lightly and gently pats the small girl on the head. "Don't worry about him Emi-chan. You're doing fine." she says, soothing the worried expression on the girls face. Emi breaths deeply and nods with another bright smile. "Okay then~"

"AH…seems like Emi already has her own style of playing…"

Aichi watches as Emi attacks without support, her attack goes though. "D-Don't forget to check for the trigger." he reminds the girl who nods and quickly picks up the top card of her deck, she squeals upon getting a cute one. "Man! No damage trigger. Just great!" Morikawa snorts, looking at his card and placing it into his damage zone.

"Um. SO how exactly do triggers work?"

Aichi smiles at his sister and tilts his head in thought. "Well…err…" he looks over at Shin to see if it was alright to explain, the man nods with a soft 'You go for it' Aichi nods and looks at Emi, he opens his mouth to speak before Kamui pops up between the two. "Step aside my boy! I can explain how they work!" he grins, Aichi blinks a little before chuckling and nodding his head. "Here. How about we take a look at Lozenge Magus! It's got-I mean she's got a drive trigger mark in the corner." he explains, Emi nods to show that she could see it. "When your Vanguard attacks or you take damage, you draw a card. When you see a mark like that, you get a power boost for one of your units and an extra effect based on the marks colour." Kamui says, his cheeks darkening every minute. "Now that green colour means she has a healing effect."

"I think you understand enough about the game Emi. My turn." Morikawa almost hissed out, he glares down at his deck and draws. A grins splits across his face at the card he had drawn. "Haha! By the great wizard's beard, a grade one unit! I say! It's about time I drew this!"

"That coming from the guy who shovelled one away before we started…" Izaki sighs, his curls of brown hair bounces as he sighs to himself. Ume laughed awkwardly with a sweat-drop forming on the side of her head. Was Morikawa this stupid? No, that couldn't be right…right?

"I ride…the Embodiment of Armor, Bahr!" Morikawa grins excitedly, slapping the card down. The table shook underneath the force of it. "Then I call the Embodiment of Spear, Tahr! Yeah…here comes a super-strong attack against you Vanguard!"

Ume blinks her round green eyes, she blinks again and again. "E-Emi?" she slowly said, looking at the small blonde who squealed in terror, throwing her petite hands over her Vanguard with desperation. "That's the cutest guard I've ever seen!" Kamui laughed, tripping over his own feet and landing flat on his face. The dark haired female sighs to herself in amusement, this store held a new adventure every day. Turning around, she crouched down and gently helped Kamui up again, the boy flushed and muttered a thank you which she returned with a warm smile.

"I-I won't let you hurt my favourite card!"

Aichi let out a soft laugh at his younger sister. "Umm..I-your Vanguard can't actually be d-destroyed…" he mumbled, feeling guilty when she looked at him with her large teary blue eyes.

"A-Are you serious!" she whimpered, rolling her head around with a sniff. "B-But he'll hurt her."

Morikawa blinks, his mouth hangs wide. "T-Then why don't you use a card in your hand to defend with?"

"That's not any good! Then the defender will get hurt!" the small girl cries out, hiccupping slightly as her voice creaks. The taller dark haired girl turns to her and gently places her hand onto Emi's shoulders, feeling this the blonde spun around to look at Ume with desperation. "Ume-chan! What should I do?"

Ume hums, she tilts her head in thought. "Ah. Let me explain this better. In Vanguard, only your spirit enters the surfaces of Cray. And it would be the creatures you call that will commit on your behalf. There fore, your units are playing the same game your are. So nobody gets hurt." the girl smiles warmly down at the short girl who sniffs, her left blue eyes closes as Ume whips the small tears away, mentally thinking how sensitive Emi is.

"Um…" Emi looks to the side in thought. She slowly nods her head in understanding, her blonde curls bouncing. "Um. In that case…I'll let the attack go through…" she winces a little as she places a damage card into her damage zone.

"Whoa guys, she's learned so much. I knew I loved this girl for a reason." Kamui sniffed, rubbing away his own tears while his two friends nods in agreement.

Emi breaths deeply, she looks down at the damage zone and pouts. "Alright. My turn! I stand and draw. I ride the Maiden of Libra! She attacks your Vanguard!" she called out and pouts even more when Morikawa guards. "Oh no."

"Aren't you f-forgetting to check something?" Aichi smiles at his younger sister. Emi's eyes shimmers as she nods and drive trigger checks. She gasped upon getting a critical, her lips curls into a big smile as she giggled. "Alright!" she hummed, watching as the spiky black-haired teen groans and places two more damage cards down.

"Oh man. Why am I losing to a little girl!"

Kamui grins widely, popping up next to the blonde. "You're doing so well for your first time! We're cheering for yah! Yay Emi!" he called out happily, his red eyes widen and glowing with emotions. "Unreal for a draw!"

Emi's blue eyes sparkles, she looks down at her cards and laughs softly. "So luck does play a part."

Breath deeply to clam himself, Morikawa smirks widely. "You seem to have lady luck on your side." he began, pulling out a tiny pale pink book with the image of a strange wizard imprinted on the front. "But I've got the self-improvement wizard! Um…I haven't had a chance to read it all yet…but what I have read have inspired me too use my good looks and charm to cast a spell on you! A spell for having respect for your elders!"

"Wizard what?" Umi slowly repeated, blinking repeatedly at the dark haired boy with his mouth slightly open. Aichi laughs nervously, he looks off to the side. "S-Seriously Ume-chan. You don't w-want to know." he sighs softly while the girl simply frowns. "Okay then…" she thought, lightly scratching the back of her head.

Morikawa growls and draws a card. His dark eyes glows brightly as he gasps out. "Yes! It's a grade 2!" he cheers out, ignoring as the others sighs loudly. "I ride the Dragon Knight, Nehalem! I support my Vanguard for an attack on Maiden of Libra! Drive trigger check. Hm no trigger…" he grunts out, but shrugs watching smugly as Emi nervously places another card into her damage zone. "Ha! It's a bad lose for you Emi! Next turn I'm gonna unleash my super-Morikawa masher! You see! You've got nothing to stop me! Next-"

"It's my turn now, right?"

"…Way to steal my thunder…"

Izaki laughs awkwardly, looking to the side. "In all fairness…you were being kind of creepy man…"

"I'm gonna go…draw!" Emi smiles brightly, lighting the card up and looks at them all. "Oh…he's wired looking. I'll save him for later." she shrugs innocently, looking at the new card she had drawn before returning her attention to the other cards in her hands. "These two are cute. I'll have them attack for me! Battle Sister, Chocolat and another!" she says, placing two cards down. "Look out Nehalem!"

Kamui sniffed, fat tears runs down his cheeks as his lips curls up into a smile. "So adorable that she won't use her Lozenge Magus."

Emi sighs but smiles as her attack doesn't go through. She turns her head to look at the card she had drawn with drive trigger. "Oh. She's super cute. Both of my Dream Eaters attack, supported with both of my Batter Sisters, Chocolat." she smiles cutely, watching as Morikawa sighs, looking down at his damage zone.

"Whoa. I see she's taken me to five damage and it's only her first game. You really are the sister of my number one student." he smirks while Aichi flushes and looks off to the side with an awkward laugh, Ume chuckles softly under her breath, shaking her head. "Finally! For my super-turn! I ride Juggernaut Maximum." he smirks wider, placing the card down, he then places the only other card on his field into the graveyard. "Be gone. I have no use for any cards below grade three!" he almost sneers loudly. "Knee before me! The great and powerful Morikawa!"

Izaki groans once more, shaking his head. "You're gonna make a fool of yourself!"

"I call Monster Frank and Tyrant Deathrex! Dream Eater, Stealth Dragon Voidmaster! Hell Spider!" Ume gasps, her green eyes wide as she watches the boy throw out grade three after grade three onto his field. She couldn't believe he had gotten ride of the only card that could intercepted and support the Vanguard. "This is what my grade three army looks like! How do you like it? The triple Morikawa smasher leaves you with six grade threes to beat! How do you feel! Hmm! Think off all that twin drive! HAHA!"

"Only the Vanguard can make use of the twin drive ability…"

"At this rate I'm not even surprised at how little he knows about the game."

"The bar has been lowered again…"

Ume sighs, shaking her head. Her short black hair bouncing in disbelief. Morikawa tried to attack, only to have Emi stop him in his tracks when he had tried to do something that wouldn't work. He ten destroyed her two dream eaters, which made Emi slightly upset, but the bright blonde quickly summons CEO Amaterasu to the field. It was an interesting battle, that's for sure. Morikawa was surprisingly good at this, if he had, perhaps balanced deck. But like all of his battle, Morikawa lost. Emi won her first battle.

"I'm r-really proud of y-you." Aichi smiles softly, gently patting Emi on the head. Said girl returns the exact same smile. "Thanks Aichi! Ume-chan! Did you see? I actually won!" she gasped out excitedly, turning around to look at the black haired female who laughs and nods. "I saw. I saw Emi-chan. You did great! It was an awesome battle. Amazing for your first in fact." she says, watching as Emi's smile, if possible, grow bigger.

"I can't believe she stopped my best move…" Morikawa whimpered, his body crumbling to the table dramatically. "H-Hey…a-are you alright?" Aichi asked, a sky-blue eyebrow lifting as he looked at his friend with concern. "Of cause I wouldn't have won! My spells wouldn't have won, because this was a battle of raw talent!" the dark raven haired man cries out loudly, fist bumping into the air with burning crimson eyes.

"Just face the facts. It doesn't work. You can't just cast a spell on somebody and expect them to respect you…" Izaki groans, shaking his head. He sometimes wonders why he's even friends with the guy.

Morikawa whines, his head flopping down once more as he pulls the book out of his pocket to look at it. "That's wired. Why would mister wizard lie to me?"

"Excuse me?" Emi called his attention. Her blue eyes catches the sun light as she smiles. "That was a lot of fun. You're a great teacher, Mister. Morikawa. Thanks." she bows gently, her blonde hair bouncing around.

"Err…" Morikawa stared blankly at the small girl. "Haha. What can I say? I owe everything to this book! I declare you the second the graduate of Morikawa's Academy!" he purrs prideful, dipping his head around with a smug expression. "What about you Ume? Want to join? I could teach you everything you'd need to know?"

The girl blinks with a laugh, she shook her hands out. "N-No. No. I'm good. Really. Thank you for offering." she spoke quickly, bowing lowly while chewing the inside of her mouth. Kamui who was fuming next to her, suddenly let out a wail. "You call yourself a teacher! But you're the worst!"

Morikawa grins, wiggling a finger in the air. " . ." he spoke low and steady, but yet smugly. Head in the clouds.

"No! We're not in class!"

Emi sighs softly, turning her head around to look at her brother. "Aichi. I think next time I want to build my own deck." she says softly, but gasped when Kamui runs between them, pointing at himself. "You should let me help you build a deck!"

"You know. I've got spare time. How about it? You want to enrole as Morikawa's third student?"

"No! Why would I want to be your student!"

"Oh yeah…my student you will be. Can you picture it or not?"

Ume laughs, her cheeks a gentle pink colour. Her green eyes closes softly for awhile, she turns her head to the side with her hand over her mouth. "If Kamui gets any redder in the face, he'll turn into a tomato." she giggled to the shot bluenette next to her. Aichi's blue eyes widens in worry, he snaps his attention to Kamui to find his face turning redder and redder from anger and annoyances. Thought he was worried, Aichi couldn't help himself but laugh along with the dark haired girl, mentally noting to himself that he wanted to hear Ume laugh more often, it was so beautiful, like music to his ears. His own cheeks turning a dusty pink colour as well.

"It was pretty…"


Well? What do you think? Is it alright or plain bad? I hope to hear from you soon!

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