A/N: You know, the more I write Jack the more I love him. I think I'd get a long way better with Jack than Yusei, in the highly unlikely event that I ever met them, Yusei is far too quiet and all about friendship, two things I don't do. Jack would fit in just fine- you have to be loud and/or crazy in with my family and friends. I think about the weirdest things... I don't know what I was even thinking about it, or why I decided to share, but it's a nice change from the author's note last chapter. Also, is is weird that I already want to fanfic my sisters new book? I don't know, but I can't help it. Anyway, have fun with this chapter and love you guys for reviewing.

Kiryu woke as a weight on his bed. The covers moved and large fluffy form crawled into his arms. He chuckled and opened one eye. Thunder rested his head on his paws on the pillow and closed his eyes. Kiryu followed his lead, settling back into a light sleep. There was the quiet patter of rain on the windows.

"What's the matter with you, Kiryu?" Jack whispered.

Kiryu smiled. It was so rare for his voice to be so quiet but then, Aki and Crow were sleeping peacefully on the bed in each other's arms. Waking them up would only make them grumpy.

"I just like listening to the rain," Kiryu said. "It's so random and still manages to make patterns. That's how we though, huh? We like to make patterns and make sense of the random chaos around us. It's human nature."

"You're so weird. If you weren't a great leader, I'd be worried about your sanity."

"Thanks, Jack, that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

His eyes opened again. It would be so much easier if he could just forget it all. He needed to remember how much hated Jack. That would be easy, expect for the fact that every time he focused on that night, his memories drifted to better times. Thunder nudged his hand as if sensing his discomfort. He sighed and sat up. Thunder stared up at him.

"Come on," he said quietly. "I'm hungry."

He went to the kitchen. He made up a sandwich and tossed Thunder a piece of ham. Thunder sat next to him and, resting his head on his lap. It wouldn't be long now. The Fortune Cup would start soon- no doubt a ploy to find the Signers- and then he'd be allowed to have his fun. He smiled. He would love that.

"Yeager."

"Yes Director," Yeager said, bowing slightly.

"Yesterday, the boys mentioned a girl called Ali," he said. "She claims to work for Yliaster. They say she wears white a pale green and is supposedly titled Psychic Alpha Wind. Find this girl, see why she claims to work for us and invite her to the Fortune Cup. I'd like to see this child for myself."

"Yes Director."

"What do you think they're talking about in there?" Jack said quietly.

"To be honest, I'm not sure I care," Yusei said, returning his attention to his deck. "It's probably just more of his political stuff." He sighed and shook his head. "I just want to focus on other things. It's easier when you don't know what he'd doing. Before I met you, I had a nice working relationship with the ignorance is bliss theory."

"See, I think I understood what you said but you could have made it so much simpler," he said.

"Jack."

"Yes."

"If it had come down to it, you would have left me, wouldn't you?"

Jack frowned and glanced at Yusei. He hadn't looked up from his cards spread in front of him. He hadn't thought about that. It had never crossed his mind. It wasn't an option.

"I don't know," he said finally. "It wasn't something I was thinking about."

"Why are you here?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Why are you here? You told me you were raised to rely on your friends and that you were very close to the Black Rose and your other friends."

"I suppose."

"Then why would you take her card and run here?" Yusei snapped, finally lifting his head to stare into his eyes. "If they meant so much, why does Kiryu believe it's your fault he's dead and why does the Black Rose seem to want to kill you too? Tell me just how this makes you a good friend?"

"Yusei..."

His eyes were cold and unreadable, exactly what Jack hated. "How long is it before you throw me aside just like them?"

"I can't believe you think I-"

"Did they think you'd betray them? Or did they think that you'd be at their side the whole time?" He tilted his head and rested his head on his hand. "See, I just wonder if you're sitting here, watching me working on my deck, only to change yours and stab me in the back at the Fortune Cup."

"There's nothing wrong with losing, Yusei, you can't blame me for beating you."

"That's not what I mean and you know it. I have no problem losing to you, Jack, as long as it's a fair duel, but if you're going to screw me over-"

"Yusei, I'll admit I'm not the greatest friend in the world, and I'm not perfect," Jack snapped, getting to his feet and glaring down. Yusei didn't turn away from his fiery, amethyst gaze, he simply stared back, still completely blank and clinical. "However, I am not a cheater. I am an honest duellist and I try to do what's best for my friends. I would rather lose a duel than win it dishonestly. I didn't betray Kiryu and I had told Aki several times I was going to leave I ever got a chance."

"What about her card?" Yusei said quietly.

"I gave it back."

"When I asked you to."

"That must prove something. If I didn't at least respect you I would have just ignored you." He folded his arms and narrowed his eyes. Yusei still didn't react. "Is there anything I can actually say that will make you happy?"

"I want to know I can trust you, Jack."

"Two years, Yusei, we've known each other for over two years and you have only just got around to deciding whether you can trust me or not? Sure, let's leave the big things until our lives are in danger."

"That's exactly it though."

"What?"

Yusei gather his cards and stood slowly, pushing them back into their holder. "I could have died, Jack. It took a while to sink in, but I could have, and that makes you think about things." He sighed and turned away towards the stairs. "I just- I never thought about it before, but I don't know if I can trust you."

"Oi! Where are you going?" he snapped as Yusei climbed the stairs.

"My room," Yusei replied with a shrug.

"Why?"

"I need to think."

"You're being stupid."

"Perhaps. I guess we'll know in time."

Jack clenched his fists and glared up at Yusei as he disappeared from sight. Deciding arguing with Yusei was definitely a waste of time. He decided he had better things to do. He called for Mikage. In the limo, he gazed out the window at the rain. Perhaps it was best to distance himself from Yusei again. At least in the long run. Rex was dangerous- the disappearance of Victoria and her father proved that- and chances were Yusei was the only person he wouldn't actually hurt.

"Hey, stop the car," he said suddenly.

The limo stopped and Jack frowned. Victoria was with Aki, hurrying down the street from the rain. The window rolled down and he gave a whistle. They turned.

"Want a ride?"

"No," Aki said, pulling her away but Victoria didn't move. "Victoria."

"I'd love a ride, Jack," Victoria said. She pulled Aki over and opened the door. "Thanks."

"Vict-"

"Hush, Aki," she snapped, slipping into the limo. "You can walk in the rain, but I'm not. Thanks, Jack."

"Hurry up, Aki," Jack said.

Aki sighed and slid in, sitting next to Victoria. "You two know each other then?"

"We knew each other when we were younger," Aki said, eyes narrowed.

"Well I guess everyone knows everyone else's secrets then," she said, with a shrug.

"What secrets?" Jack said quietly.

Victoria shrugged. "Everyone has secrets. How's Yusei?"

"Difficult," he muttered. "How do you deal with that guy? He's so..."

"Righteous?" she said quietly. "Yeah, I know. He knows what he wants in his friends, and somehow always gets it, from the few friends he has. Like me. He beat me in a duel, then we were friends."

"He's worried about you. Have you seen the papers? Your dad was arrested and everyone thinks he killed you. Yusei's really worried."

"He knows my dad better than that."

"We know that, but it doesn't stop him worrying about where you were. Call him, ok?"

"Alright, I guess."

"I didn't know you two were friends," Aki said.

"We met through Yusei," he said. "We're It was awkward to say the least."

"I'm amazed you remember my name," Victoria said.

"I remember you telling Yusei off for daring to call you Tori. And I remember the first time we met you slapped him. You know how to leave an impression."

"You know, you can let us out here, Jack," Aki said. "Thank you for the lift. Come on, Victoria."

"But it's still raining and we're five minutes away."

"If Divine see's us getting out of one of the Director's limos we'll be in so much trouble. Come on."

"Fine." The limo stopped and Aki got out. "I'll call Yusei if I can, it's really strict here, but if I don't get the chance, make sure he knows I'm ok."

"I will."

"Victoria."

She sighed and Jack smiled. "Go on."

"Thanks, Jack."

Victoria ran after Aki. Just inside the doors, some lower level members handed them towels. Aki picked up a duel disk from the desk along with a mask and dark cloak. Victoria smiled as Beast came bounding down the stairs to sit at her feet. She sighed.

"She's going to get in trouble one day," she muttered. Beast seemed to sigh. Victoria frowned. "Think I should go and keep an eye on her?" Beast growled. "No, I think it's safer to stay here too." She yawned and pushed her hands into her pockets. "I'm so tired. I'm up all night and early morning training... want to go to bed?"

Beast bounded back up the stairs and Victoria smiled, turning to follow her up to her room.

Yusei was lying on his bed as he had been for the past few hours, watching the rain against the glass, when his phone rang. He sighed and picked it up, glancing at the screen. He closed his eyes for a moment before answering.

"Hey, Jack."

"Hey," Jack said quietly. "Are you feeling any better now?"

"It was never about not feeling well," he said. "You know that."

"You know what I mean. Have you calmed down?"

"I suppose." He sighed and ran a hand though his hair. "I'm sorry, I was kind of harsh. It's not your fault I'm feeling so insecure at the moment. Being put in life threatening danger does that to you I suppose."

"It's ok, you have every right to be a little stressed. I do have some good news for you though."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Tori's ok. She's alive, she's completely unharmed."

"Thank goodness."

"She's with Aki, at the Arcadia Movement."

"They're a big enemy of the Director, no wonder she's there. Aren't they supposed to be psychic as well though? A whole army of people who can make monster real only on a smaller scale than the Black Rose Witch?"

"From what I gather, yeah. Does that mean Tori's psychic too?"

"Maybe, on very low levels." He frowned and rolled onto his stomach. "If she is it was either dormant or she controlled it. I never knew. But she's ok?"

"Yeah, absolutely fine. She just wanted you to know that she's ok. I didn't get anything else about what had happened. We'll have to wait until she finds us and decides to talk."

"Thanks, Jack. I appreciate you telling me."

"Why wouldn't I? I have nothing to gain from keeping it quiet and it'd just be mean to let you keep worrying, wouldn't it? You obviously don't know me as well as you think if you think for even a moment I'd be so cruel."

"Sorry, Jack."

"Stop apologising, it's a sign of weakness..." There was movement outside the window and he turned, completely missing whatever Jack was now saying. He frowned. "Yusei!"

"Sorry," he said quietly. "I thought I saw something outside my window."

"Something?"

"I dunno... it was probably just a bird or something. It is starting to get dark, maybe it's just the light playing tricks." He sighed and closed his eyes. "It's probably nothing."

"Kiryu's snuck in unnoticed before, right? Be careful, you know you have no defence against his powers. He's ruthless, Yusei, I highly doubt he's above using you to get to me. Don't let your guard down."

"I'll be ok, Jack," Yusei said, gazing out the huge windows. "He knows I've got you and I've got you and Ali watching over me. Would he really risk that?"

"I couldn't really say," Jack said. Yusei sighed and got to the glass doors onto the balcony, staring out into the growing darkness and the rain that continued to grow heavier. "He's insane, he was willing to take on all of Sector Security by himself, so I don't know what he's capable of." Yusei pulled the curtains and shook his head. "Just be careful."

"Alright. I'll be careful, but even if I'm as careful as I can be, I can't stop his powers effecting me and he's already proven he can get passed all Uncle Rex's security. If he wants to get to me, I don't think there's anything that can stop him beside me magically becoming a Signer."

"You should at least tell Godwin you're worried. Maybe there's something he can do."

"I'd rather not bother him. He might start getting over controlling again." He sighed and sat on his bed. "I'll see you tomorrow, ok?"

"Yeah."

As he hung up there was a gentle tapping on his window. He frowned. It was probably just the rains but it sounded more deliberate than that. Like knocking. He got up slowly and moved back to the window. The knocking came again. He shuddered, suddenly reminded of the horror movies he'd watched with Jack. How whatever was outside, never came bursting through the windows until the victim on his own opened the curtains to see what was out there. It always happened on nights like these.

It also occurred that if Kiryu was outside, he was playing games with him, trying to scare people seemed like part of the fun for him. Yusei shook his head and decided his mind was playing tricks on him. It was obviously just the rain and Jack's worrying was making him paranoid as well. He returned to his bed and there was tapping again.

"It's just the rain," he whispered. "What's wrong with me?"

"Yusei," Rex called from downstairs. "I want to have a word."

He let out a sigh of relief without even realising and turned away from the window, heading out the door. Rex was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. He led Yusei through to the lounge and sat in his armchair, watching him quietly.

"What's wrong, Uncle Rex?"

"Tell me about Kiryu and Ali," Rex said.

"Uncle Rex?"

"Yusei, you look spooked. Is something wrong?"

"I just thought I saw something," Yusei said. "I thought- I thought I'd seen something outside my window."

Rex clasped his hands and nodded. "I'd never let anything happen to you, Yusei. I promised you father. You know that. There are guards at the gate and there are several patrols around the grounds. There's no one there."

"Kiryu's got in before."

"He won't again, you have to believe me on this one, Yusei. You're not in any danger. Now, tell me what you remember about Kiryu and Ali. The more we know, the easier it will be to protect you. Start with Kiryu, since he seems to be the only immediate threat. Anything that comes to mine?"

"His eyes. It's all I can focus on when I think about him. His powers were at their strongest when I looked into his eyes. He had complete control over me. And even when I didn't look in his eyes, he had this power over me. He beckoned me to follow and I did, I couldn't stop myself. My mind went completely blank. It's scary what he could do to me."

"Are you afraid that he'll come in and hurt you?"

"I don't know if he wants to hurt me, but I guess I am. I can't fight him and nothing seems able to stop him."

Rex sighed and nodded. "Nothing will happen to you inside this house, Yusei. What about this Ali?"

"Look at the rain. Kids shouldn't be out in the rain. They might catch a cold."

The young lady in white turned and glared down at Yeager, who folded his arms. His eyes widened, then he shook his head and chuckled. Ali smiled flicked the rain from her white rain coat and tapped the toe of her boot against the ground, a few droplets falling from it.

"This is quite the surprise," he said quietly. "You're the one that Yusei and Jack call Ali? How amusing."

She laughed and closed his eyes. "Psychic Alpha Wind."

"You claim to work for Yliaster."

"I do."

"Now, you see, I'm second in command of Yliaster, I know you don't. Why on earth would you lie? What purpose does it serve?"

"You think you're second in command? Really?"

"The Director appointed me himself."

"The Director isn't irreplaceable. Don't you know that? There are people far superior to him who are perfectly willing to shatter his illusion of power and comfort should he stop serving his purpose. They helped to get him there and they will easily take that power from him."

"You should be careful who you're talking to, child," Yeager snapped. "Your mouth got your life ruined once, don't think it won't happen again."

Ali chuckled and patted down her coat again. "Why did you find me? What is it you want?"

"The Director would like to invite you to the Fortune Cup." He held out the envelope and Ali took it quickly. "I do hope we'll see you there, where we can hopefully come to a comprise when it comes to your lies."

He turned and strode off. Ali frowned and pulled her hood further over her face. Behind her, a young man in white robes folded his arms. "Well, that was interesting."

"So it was," she said.

"The Fortune Cup?" he said quietly. "Will you do it?"

"I don't know," she said quietly. "We'd have to ask the bosses, won't we?"

"It seems like a good idea," came a voice from behind them. They turned and a man in a white suit was watching them. "Enter the tournament, Psychic Alpha Wind. Make them see that we're not to be trifled with. Warrior Beta Fire, go to the Satellite, watch the Dark Signers. Make sure they don't interfere."

"What about the one she keeps meeting?" he snapped.

"Psychic Alpha Wind will continue to deal with him. She already knows him. It would be pointless to change it now."

"But-"

"Don't argue," he said. "You have your orders."