DISCLAIMER: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh. This is purely for fan enjoyment.

DISCLAIMER 2: This is a follow on from my previous stories, Loose Ends and When The Dueling Gets Tough, The Tough Get Dating.

I've started posting on AO3 too, so please check it out on there too!

The ship's horn echoed around the deck and out into the open ocean, awakening Jaden from his nap. He was lay on the deck at the front of a large cruise ship. Opening his eyes groggily and looking around, he saw Yubel, his guardian spirit and soul partner, stood over him. Beside her stood the spirit of Professor Banner, both had been watching over him as he slept.

Lifting his head from the makeshift pillow of his travel bag, Jaden spotted Pharaoh curled up sleeping beside him, purring as he slept. The cat had accompanied him since he'd left Domino City five weeks ago with Alexis.

After spending four days on the cruise ship, they'd arrived in Tokyo. Atticus had been waiting for them off the boat, and nearly fainted from shock when he'd seen Jaden following Alexis. After recovering from the shock, Atticus had managed to successfully provoke Alexis about her crush on Jaden. She'd chased him around the dock for a full ten minutes as he taunted her before Jaden managed to cool the situation.

The Rhodes siblings had spent a few days showing Jaden around the city, filled with moments of Atticus teasing his sister about their relationship. While he knew it was light-hearted, Jaden did worry Alexis would kill her brother about it sooner or later. He wasn't sure how to take the jokes himself, after all, it was his fault Alexis was receiving them. One night Atticus had forced them to go to his music show, which they both ended up enjoying even though Atticus had dedicated a song to them, much to Alexis' dismay.

After a few nights, Atticus had to travel to the next stop on his Japanese tour, taking the train down to Fuji. Waving his goodbyes, he'd hugged his sister before pulling Jaden into a bro hug before whispering "Thank you", making sure only Jaden heard. Confused by Atticus' meaning, Jaden had given him a perplexed look after the embrace. Atticus had just smiled before boarding the train, while Yubel laughed at Jaden's stupidity.

Alexis had planned to meet Jasmine and Mindy in Yokohama, and not wanting to ruin the time with her friends, Jaden had decided to travel again. Alexis had said he was welcome to come with her but he didn't want to intrude. She'd agreed to let him go, but only if he promised to come back to Duel Academy for his birthday. She'd waved him off at the station as he boarded a train headed for the south of Japan.

Thinking back over that time, he smiled. They'd kept in contact, mainly phone calls. He'd missed her, hearing the sound of her voice over the phone helped blunt the feeling. She'd returned to Academy Island earlier in the week as Chancellor Sheppard wanted everything to be ready for the start of term.

Shifting his focus from the sleeping cat, he noticed an island on the horizon. Duel Academy. It'd been just over three years since he'd last set foot there.

It'll be nice to go back home, the spirit of Professor Banner exclaimed.

Home. That word struck a chord with Jaden. Duel Academy in a way was his home, it was the one place he'd fit in. Growing up alone had been hard on him, and like-minded people had been hard to find. There'd been some bumps along the way, but it would have been quiet without them.

"You're right Professor, will be nice to be back."

TO BE CONTINUED

Hope you enjoyed that. I'd love some feedback from you the reader, what did you like? Anything you'd like to see? Always welcome to different ideas I've not thought of!

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