NOTE: I do not own Cardfight! Vanguard

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Chapter 3: Misaki's Bonds

"Thank you for shopping at Card Capital. Please feel free to come back any time," Shin Nitta waved goodbye to a young boy who was leaving the store. The manager then sighed and gazed around the empty store. Ever since the "Dust Incident" people have rarely been attending the shop. Especially his niece Misaki who has locked herself away inside of her room.

Upstairs, above Card Capital inside of the apartment, there was a young woman with lilac colored hair laying on a bed. Her eyes were dead as if someone stole away all of the life that occupied them. The young woman pulled the covers closer to her body to hide herself. Afraid of the world that took away so many important people from her.

Misaki Tokura has sealed away her own emotions.

"We'll be available anytime you want to talk, Mai!" Emi held Mai's hands in a supporting manner. The raven haired girl nodded her head in appreciation.

"T-thank you, Emi. You too, Rekka," Mai sniffled, wiping away her own tears.

Waving goodbye to their friend, the two girls continued on their way to their destination. Emi(Wearing her IF clothes) and Rekka is sporting a red top with a red/white plaque skirt. The girls walk through the semi-busy street. Seems some people are learning to adjust to this new situation the world has been thrusted into. It's only been two weeks, but humans are capable of adapting.

However, it doesn't stop this dark atmosphere from hanging over everyone's heads.

Emi swore to do anything she could to protect what's left and she'll definitely make everyone pro-

"EMI! WATCH OUT!"

"Huh?"

The young heroine was too busy with her thoughts to notice the person in front of her and bumped into them. Knocking herself, the person, and the stuff the person was carrying onto the ground. Hastily getting back onto her own feet, Emi was quick to spurt out apologies.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Emi bowed repeatedly.

Chuckling a bit, the man got to his feet. "It's fine, you don't need to apologize, Emi." Blinking at the sound of her name and the familiar voice. Emi lifted her head to see a familiar face.

" !" Emi shouted in happiness. She hugged the man tightly, happy to see that he's still alive. Shin returned the hug, also glad to see the youngest Sendou is alive.

"I'm so sorry, about Aichi," Shin spoke softly.

"Thank you," Emi responded.

Rekka smiles watching the touching moment, then looks down at the ground at what Shin had dropped. "Hm? What is this? A flier?" Rekka peered at the paper in her hands, Card Capital Vanguard Shop Tournament!

"A shop tournament? What for?" Rekka asked Shin. The manager broke the hug with Emi to look at Rekka. "Yup! A Vanguard shop tournament to lift everyone's spirits! If there's one thing I know that can help distract people during hardships it's Vanguard," Shin explained to the girls. Emi's eyes lit up in amazement at Shin. He was always doing his best to help other people and she wants to do the same.

"Let us help you!" Emi said and Rekka shot her a surprised look.

"Are you sure about this, Emi? Didn't you want to get stronger?" Rekka asked her friend. The heroine nodded "yes" at Rekka's question. "Of course I do! But, protecting what you care about also means helping those around you. Saving the world won't have any meaning if everyone isn't happy. So, I'm gonna do my best to help all those I can!" Emi declared with pure confidence. Shin and Rekka stare in amazement at the girl's declaration. Shin couldn't believe that this was the same Emi Sendou who was stuck in her brother's shadow for so long. Maybe this Emi could...

"Alright then! If you want to help, then I'll have you do something else Emi. Me and the young pop idol can pass out the fliers!" Shin grabbed a hold of Rekka and handed her a stack of fliers.

"Ummmm...Is this really a good idea? Emi was the one who wanted to help you," Rekka was unsure about this choice. Shin grinned broadly. "Of course! With the help of one of the idols from the popular Vanguard group 'Ultra Rare' people will be sure to join the shop tournament!" Rekka still looked unsure if she wanted to do it.

"I'll take you girls shopping if you help."

"Deal!"

Emi sweatdropped from the two's interaction. "What is it you want me to do instead, ?" The manager turned to her, his face completely serious now. His words resonated within Emi's soul and before she knew it, she was running towards Card Capital.

"Please...save, Misaki."

Emi bent down to catch her breath as she reached the door to Shin's home. Pulling out the key he had given her, she slowly entered the home. Quietly walking through the house, she reached a door with Misaki's Room printed on a sign. Turning the handle, the door opened to reveal a small clean bedroom. It was dark inside with all of the blinds closed and lights turned off. Flipping the switch next to the door, Emi found a lump on top of the bed.

"Go...away...Shin…"

Emi let out a small gasp at the sound of Misaki's hoarse voice. Misaki sounded unbelievably empty, as if she's been drained of everything in her body. Approaching the bed, Emi tapped Misaki's body with her finger. When Misaki didn't make any movements, Emi kept poking until Misaki jumped in anger.

"SHIN! I SAID GO AWAy….E-E-Emi…" Misaki's strained voice lowered.

"Hey, Misaki," Emi pulled Misaki into a tight hug and the hug was instantly returned. Both girls held each other for a while, not wanting to lose their "Sister". Pulling away from the hug, they both got a good look at one another.

Misaki spoke first. "Emi, that jacket.."

"Yeah, Aichi used to wear this jacket all the time. I'm wearing it now, as to always keep him close to me." Once Emi finished talking, she noticed Misaki looked more pale and frail than she did before.

"Misaki, when was the last time you ate?" Emi asked, concerned.

"Two weeks ago," Misaki answered. Emi was suddenly hit with a sense of deja vu.

The two were now sitting on the couch as Misaki slowly ate the bread and eggs in front of her. Emi looked at Misaki's frail body. The usual strong and confident young woman that she looked up to was hidden somewhere and Emi planned to save her.

"Misaki, let's go outside," Emi said.

"No."

"Why?"

"..."

"Are you afraid?"

Misaki chews on some bread, not answering the question. However, that was all the confirmation Emi needed. "There's nothing wrong with being afraid. Two weeks ago I was afraid of losing Rekka to the Reverse, then I was afraid of losing who I was, and now I'm afraid of losing those close to me." Misaki froze in her eating.

"Aichi is still here ya know? He and the others are still here."

"Stop talking.." Misaki whispered.

"I've got to get stronger for their sake, and Cray's sake as well."

"Please stop talking…"

"Everything will be fine, so there's no need to be afraid. I'll bring everyone a happy ending."

CRASH

"HAPPY ENDINGS DON'T EXIST!"

Emi flinched from Misaki slapping the plate onto the ground, as she shouted into her face. Standing up in seething anger, Misaki released all of her emotions that she wanted to keep sealed.

"NOTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT! I WATCHED SO MANY OF MY FRIENDS DIE IN FRONT OF ME AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO! JUST LIKE MY PARENTS ALL THOSE YEARS AGO! THEY AREN'T COMING BACK! THEY AREN'T HERE! SO JUST-"

"SHUT UP!"

Misaki fell onto her butt from the volume of Emi's scream. Never before has she heard Emi raise her voice to that height.

"YOU ARE NOT ALONE! WHAT ABOUT SHIN!? HE'S STILL HERE AND IS TRYING HIS BEST TO SUPPORT YOU!"

Emi's words struck home as Misaki's mind flashed back to her caring uncle. For the past two weeks the man has been trying to cheer her up and all she's been doing is turning him away. Only thinking about herself and not others. Tears began to build up once more in Misaki's eyes. Emi ignored her tears and continued her rant.

"OUR DEAD FRIENDS ARE NEVER GONE! NO MATTER WHAT! THEY ARE INSIDE OF OUR HEARTS! OUR BONDS KEEP US CONNECTED AND HELPS US PUSH FORWARD! AICHI, KAMUI, AND EVERYONE ELSE ARE GIVING US THEIR STRENGTH TO LIVE!"

Misaki's crying increased as she listened to Emi's speech. Her words resonating inside of Misaki's soul and lavender haired teen wanting nothing more than to deny Emi's words. But, she knew everything Emi said to be true. Emi calmed down and took a hold of Misaki's hands, holding them tightly. The teen's teary eyes staring into Emi's deep blue ones.

"Misaki, all we can do is move forward and treasure what we have left. I lost my brother, but I still have my mom, Rekka, Mai, you, Blaster Blade, and everyone else to treasure. I promise to protect all that I have left and live a life full of enjoyment. That's all we can do to honor them. All we can do is live, Misaki."

The tears have stopped falling by this point, and Misaki could've sworn she saw Aichi as Emi finished her speech. "All we can do is live? How did I forget this? Every single day I live for my parents and help Shin, but all I've done is revert back to the me who hid away from the world. I'm nothing more than a coward. If Miwa or Naoki could see me now, they'd be laughing at me for being so scared. I'm supposed to be the big sister, so I need to be strong for everyone else."

"I'm sorry, Emi." Misaki wiped away her tears, and smiled at the young heroine. Emi smiled brightly and hugged Misaki tightly. Misaki returned the tight hug, and both girls fell back onto the couch laughing at one another. "I promise you, Emi. I'll always be here to stand by your side as your older sister. I'll live for everyone's sake."

"Thank you, Misaki," Emi said. She was so happy to have her strong older sister back.

CLICK

Both girls turned to the front door to see Shin walking in. He paused in his steps once he saw his niece smiling once more. Tears build up in his eyes at the beautiful sight.

"Hey, uncle."

"MISAKI!" Shin cried and ran towards Misaki with arms open. The niece walked into his embrace and joined her uncle in crying happy tears. Emi walked up the family with a large grin. Shin turned to Emi and rubbed her head in appreciation.

"Thank you, Emi."

"You're welcome, ."

"HEY!"

The three turned to see Rekka standing at the door with an annoyed look on her face. "There are a lot of people in the store, ready to start the tournament! Oh, am I interrupting something?" Rekka said, embarrassed. Shin chuckled at the girl's embarrassment.

"No, you didn't interrupt anything. So, how about we get this tournament started!" Shin rushed out the door dragging a complaining Rekka with him.

Emi looked up at Misaki, then took her hand into her. "Are you ready to go outside, Misaki?"

Looking down at Emi, Misaki returned the cheerful look. "Yes. Yes I am."

Misaki Tokura has rediscovered her emotions.

Chapter End