A/N: Here's chapter 2, and ty Roma for fav and following. Hope ya'll like it, this was somehow pretty hard to write ^_^"

Disclaimer: I don't, in any way, own Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V nor the image that i used. The name "Misty" also isn't mine, and the idea is from a story called, "Rivalry" by ariscae in AO3.

Enjoy!

"Fly away, far away, break down the walls you face
Don't let anyone hold you back, go reach the dreams you chase
[….]

My life and my way, a brand-new journey each day
There's no right, there's no wrong, just go your own way
[…]"

Pendulum Beat (English Cover) by Mark de Groot (Stanza and Lines 1&2)

30-or-so minutes before Yugo met Rin

"So… I met this guy at the bar last time…" Yuzu mentioned. They were having dinner right now. This made Ruri and Rin raise their eyebrows.

"Oh? Was he handsome? Sweet, maybe charming… oh! Maybe he has a good sense of humor?" Ruri asked.

"Well… you can figure that out yourself, I'm gonna introduce him to you guys soon. And uhh… we're dating already. It's been a month." Yuzu said, putting her hand at the back of her hair, acting like she's too shy.

"Really!?" Rin asked/yelled.

"Yeah… his name's Yuya. He has green and red hair with beautiful red eyes..." Yuzu dreamed eyes figuratively visibly shining.

Ruri grinned. "You better introduce him to us soon." She said. Rin nodded in agreement

"Yeah, we're planning to do so soon," Yuzu looked at an empty seat at the edge of the table. "Sigh… Where's Serena?"

"Pff, off to who knows where. You know her." Ruri sighed sadly.

Yuzu frowned. "Hopefully, she won't come home beaten and battered agai—"

As if on cue, there was a loud "Thud" upstairs, followed by someone saying, "Ow…".

All of them left the table and ran upstairs to find out what had happened. Rin then turned her flashlight on, revealing… their other sister, appearing as what Yuzu said.

All her sisters gasped seeing her, Rin even dropped her flashlight.

Their sister was panting and had some bruises on the part of her right hand that was visible—she's wearing fingerless gloves—and the side of her face, she also had a blackeye on her left eye, she was also hugging her leg.

If you're wondering about what happened, she had come through the window and tripped on something. She then stood up and brushed her clothes. She had actually come there to eat dinner. (Why the window? Well, she'd go through that when she'd been chased, she was just going home when she encountered some… "enemies", and to not track her down, she used the window than the door.)

And as usual, she stood strong, as if nothing bad had happened. The good thing was, as they knew, this is the least she was beaten, as at other times, her bruises could and can be worse.

Another argument had just unfolded again. It was the fourth this month.

She wouldn't tell the reasons of why she was like this, nor what she'd been doing, resulting in this argument.

The topic is the same. It always is…

"Can't you accept it!? He's gone." Ruri yelled.

"I KNOW! Can't you guys leave me alone!?" Serena panted.

"We're your sisters; whether you like it or not, we can never, and will, leave you alone." Ruri reminded. "And we'll do anything to help each other, can't you do the same? Please, go study or find a proper job…"

"No… this is me. I don't want to study, nor find a good job, and if I somehow even do find one, o-or study, I know nothing'd change."

"Do you think this is what he would want?" Rin asked.

"Of course not. But he's dead… what's the point…"

Their father, Leo, had died some 10 years ago. What had happened was that it was said that it her (the one who they're talking to) who had killed him.

Yes, Leo. The original owner of Leo Corp. Now, one their older brothers–Reiji, is in charge. They too should've been part of it, except all four, well, five if you include their other brother, of them refused for it's a Military Training Academy. They're strong for girls, but they didn't want to because they didn't want to feel the heartache of losing someone again.

Something like losing their father.

Flashback-10 Years ago-Akaba Household-The Girls' Room-Night

Unknown to them, their mother had been a traitor to their country all this time. Turns out, it was all an arranged marriage, done on purpose to track the country's actions as the enemy knew that they relied on Leo Corp. for supplies and such. Their mother had even asked them if they wanted to join her in her wrongdoings, but they refused, then the unexpected happened.

That day, since all six of them refused, their mother tried to kill them, they didn't know their own mother would ever try to kill them, pointing her loaded handgun towards them, even though they were about to go to sleep that night. Shun stood up front and spread his arms to protect them, proving that he was indeed a good brother. Reiji, seeing that, joined him, and stood beside. They told their sisters to stay behind him. And that they all did.

All their little hearts were broken, their mother, would, would willingly kill them? All-All those sweet words… warm hugs… little kisses… promising she'd protect them 'till she'd die and everything else she's said and one… were all… fake? And it looks like it's their big brothers are the ones that'll protect them till they'd actually, literally, died.

But unknown to her, she left the door wide open, and Leo had seen everything.

Seeing all that, Leo rushed into the room, pulled her left hand, and dragged her out.

"Stay there!" He said to his kids as he slammed the door shut. "Shun, Reiji, take care of 'em." Said boys nodded, even though they knew that Leo won't see it.

"You heard him? Don't interfere, okay?" Shun said sternly, for now, he had to protect them as he was the eldest, and if he needed to be serious, then so be it.

"What about dad?" one of his sisters who had indigo-colored hair tied into a ponytail by a black hairband asked. "He's in trouble, we should help him."

"Dad said to stay, we can't disobey him." Rin said.

"But we have to help, and mom's a freaking bad guy!"

"Big sis, we know, alright? But we all know he can handle this himself." Yuzu reminded.

But their sister shook her head. "You all don't care."

She then did the worst thing.

She ran to the door, turning the knob.

"NO! Hey, come back!" Reiji yelled, he and Shun then tried to pry her away, to his disappointment, since his little sister used their strength. While she was grabbing the knob, they were pulling her away, which caused the door to break.

She took the chance, she broke free from them, then got out. "Serena! No!" Shun yelled.

Unknown to them, Leo had flipped their mother face-down and is about to get her gun.

That was until she saw Serena.

She used all her strength to push Leo off and ran to Serena who didn't know she was coming. She headlocked her and pointed the gun to the side of Serena's face.

"You don't want her dead now, do you, Leo?" She asked.

Serena and the rest were surprised, she can and will try to kill them, proof was right there.

Leo grit his teeth then ran towards her without holding back.

She pointed her gun towards Leo instead, and Leo, seeing the opportunity, dodged the first bullet and pulled Serena from her arms.

"RUN!"

"I'm sorry, dad." Serena sobbed.

"It's fine, Serena. Just be safe, take care of 'em, Shun." Leo said while restraining their mother. He even smiled. Shun nodded in response.

"Dad…" Serena reached her hand out.

Shun knew that that wouldn't help them, so he had no choice, he pulled her other hand and led her and the rest of their siblings to somewhere Leo had made as an escape route for them just in case.

And "Just in case" was right now.

As they entered, they heard a gunshot.

Hearing that, they all froze, they felt as if time had stopped. Pants could be heard.

But they had to run, and that's what they did.

Some few days later, it has been found out that their mother had somehow escaped, but their dad was dead.

And from those days, Serena has blamed herself for his death, if only she didn't go out.

If only she hadn't thought the way a child would.

If only she had listened.

What was worse was that, Shun had blamed it all on her. But who could blame him? It was her fault.

"You… if only YOU HAD LISTENED!" Shun angrily yelled at her, he was sobbing profusely.

"I know, okay?" Serena sobbed.

"If only you…" Ruri and Reiji restrained Shun, as he was about to beat her up.

"What has happened, happened. We can never change it." Yuzu said. Although she was the youngest, she was as mature as Ruri.

"Yuzu is right; you can't change the past." A man said.

They looked back and saw a large, bulky man with an eyepatch on his right eye.

"And who might you be?" Shun asked while protectively shielding his siblings again. "My name is Barrett. I am, and always will be, your dad's most loyal Bodyguard, Soldier, and friend. I was tasked that when there'd be an emergency…" he paused for a moment. "…or when he'll pass, I will be your guardian until all of you will grow up and can take care of yourselves."

"And how will we know if we can trust you?" Reiji said, walking up at front whilst adjusting his glasses like a pro.

"It's in your father's will. I will be taking over the company until Shun—"

"I don't want the company." He said darkly.

"Shun, it's in your father's—"

"No, I really don't want to. I can't…" Shun trailed off. "Too much pressure." He concluded.

Reiji put his hand on Shun's shoulder. "It's fine, brother. If you want, I can take over." Reiji smiled.

"Thanks, Rei. Of course, you can." He hugged him. Ever since, Shun liked calling Reiji "Rei". It just felt good; he decided to make it Reiji's nickname.

"Well, what about us?" Rin asked.

"You four, when all grown up, should and will be the ones who'll teach the students how to do everything, like fighting."

"Eh, how?" Yuzu asked. "We're… girls."

"It's in your blood." And he meant that literally. Before the girls were born, Leo had made a solution to make humans stronger, and smarter, and so, he added them to eight, human-made fetuses, half of which, were these girls. The fetuses varied in age and were all made on different years on purpose.

Except all of them didn't know it, and the other four? Leo had given them to one of his friends the day they were each "born".

Those days, they were too young, and their dad's friend, Barrett, had to take over the company for a while.

Her sisters would always tell her that it was an accident, but she knew herself that it wasn't.

What should she do? Her father was dead because of her, and their mother was out there, doing who knows what.

It's a memory that'll forever be stuck in her heart.

And because of all this, they begged Barrett to change their name. Only Reiji kept the family name "Akaba" because he was the only one who was fine in becoming the CEO; Shun didn't want to even though he was the eldest.

From that day on, they're known as Kurosaki.

People had forgotten they were ever the son and daughters of Leo, except Reiji. He has taken all this seriously, mostly to find his mother, and is now famous for such.

They decided to work and earn money on their own, and they aren't so successful with that right now. They're stuck in an apartment, Shun and Reiji had decided to live separately, while the girls decided to live together.

Their jobs respectively are: Ruri is an employee, a waitress in a restaurant. Rin was a freelancing mechanic and hacker. Shun is a detective. Reiji is the CEO of Leo Corp.

Though not a serious job, more as a form of getting money and voice practice, Yuzu is a freelancing voice actor and a singer in bars when she has free time from her college. One time, she met a boy with hair which looked like a tomato, he looked weird, but they still had fun singing together.

Serena has dropped out of college. All she does is walk the neighbors' dogs except she only works during weekends and only ever uses her earnings for something else… something she herself knows isn't worth anything, she also used to work as a freelancing driver (well, at least she has a license).

Now, Yuzu and Serena were 20, Ruri and Rin were 21, Reiji was 22 and Shun was 23.

Present Day-10 Years Later

"What do you know…?" Serena sobbed. "You weren't the one who killed dad…" she said while wiping her eyes.

"It wasn't your fault," Rin demanded. "You wanted to help him, it—"

"BUT I DID THE TOTAL OPPOSITE…!" Serena yelled.

"We were kids, Serena, and please just let it all go, you don't have to endanger and torture yourself." Yuzu said. She missed the old days, the days before their dad died.

Just innocent children playing around, not knowing the dangers and struggles of the real world.

How she wished that could happen again.

How they all do.

But again, you can't change the past.

"He is still looking out for you. It's not too late to stop buying drugs and getting beaten up for it. Stop being the one who beats people up. Stop buying liquor, and most of all," she paused, "Please stop trying to be sold to become some prostitute…" Ruri suggested.

"It's not that easy to just stop. I tried rehab, you know that, but it didn't work. I still have my addiction."

"That's because you yourself doesn't want to stop. Persuade yourself to move on; don't always dwell in the past." Ruri suggested.

"Yeah," Yuzu said, they were all trying their best to not cry. Their sister had changed since he died. "Please?"

"I can't take it anymore. I'm leaving again." Serena said as her face darkened.

"No, Serena, please," Ruri begged.

"Serena, stop." Rin growled. "If you run, I'll follow you."

Serena just scoffed. "You won't."

"Big sis..." Yuzu took her hand. "Let go, Yuzu."

"No…"

"I. SAID. LET. GO…!" But Yuzu didn't.

Shaking her head, she violently took her hand out of Yuzu's grip and ran to the door.

She slammed the door open, then ran.

Ran as fast as she could, she doesn't care where she's headed as long as she'll get as far away from their apartment.

She didn't care if she hit other people, Hey's and Look out's could be heard in the background.

Her sisters can also be heard yelling, telling her to come back.

And other people were staring, wondering why she's running.

With her sisters, Rin had decided to follow her. And so, she too ran, trying to catch up with her. "You won't get away this time!"

'Crap…' She thought, seeing Rin. She ran faster, trying to lose the other girl.

She had a hideout a few blocks away, there was a shortcut she could use, but that obviously couldn't, and shouldn't be used right now.

So she chose the hard way, and climbed a wired wall before jumping to the other side. But Serena herself knew that that wouldn't be enough to lose Rin, as she and Rin would always be the ones causing trouble in the past, meaning she knew all Rin's strengths and weaknesses.

She ran, turning to sharp corners and large walls (of which you either climb or use trash cans, etc. to get to the other side), and that was Rin's weakness, she's not the kind who'd jump off a wall,—unless she had a motorcycle—so Serena used those to her advantage so that she can get Rin off her tail.

And after a lot more walls and obstacles, she finally knew, and felt that she had lost Rin.

She then turned to a corner where she was met with three paths, through her experience, the right led back to the main road and to where the Leo Corp. building stood. The center led to a subway, whilst the left will lead you to a corridor that ended with a wall that had a gap of which a medium-sized man could enter.

She turned to the left and continued to walk 'till she found said gap that was the doorway to her hideout.

It was nothing much, just a boring dead end she had to turned into a small camp with some unused plywood and scrapped steel roofs. You had to crawl to go inside it. It had a box she had flattened to use as a bed; a rectangular cube of wood as a small table, and it also had a campfire, 1 each in and out, to keep her warm.

This was her escape every time she and her sisters had an argument, or any other problems in general.

She crawled inside and thought about her sisters.

"They'll never really understand nor know what it really feels like…" she sobbed while hugging her knees.

"Nya~" a cat meowed. It was a clean white colored one, it had some tinges of orange on the tip of its tail, and the paws located in it's the backlegs. It also had blue-colored eyes.

"Hey, Misty." Serena said, carrying the feline. She had tied a midnight blue bow around it's neck.

"Mrow." Misty answered then purred.

"You're the only one who ever understands me, right?" Serena smiled through her tears.

"Meow." Misty meowed.

"Yeah… you're the best." Serena sobbed.

She had found Misty when she was just 2 months old, Serena was running there because of the rain that day, when she entered, she was sleeping on Serena's makeshift bed, all wet from the rain, too.

Serena got sick that day, but after a few days, her immune system hadn't failed her and healed herself, but it didn't stop her from helping Misty, even though said cat had scratched and bitten her, and ever since, Misty and she had been together, always there for the other. And until now, her sisters knew nothing about the cat.

She had named the Misty the way she did because it had been particularly misty that day… Misty also has a secret nickname–Apostrophe, or just 'Postrophe. Why? Because she didn't know what to name the cat, so she decided on Query or Eroteme, something related to question mark, but the choices already sounded weird, so she thought of a different punctuation, an Apostrophe. (A/N: I had actually named a cat Apostrophe in school once.)

She stayed there for a while, crying herself out with Misty to comfort her.

After a while, she went out and stole something from a nearby street food shop that sold some cheap Takoyaki and Yakitori for her and Misty's dinner. Then, before she slept, she did some stargazing—another reason she chose this place, it had an amazing view of the sky—before finally deciding to go to sleep.

A/N: Whew, the chapters were already prewritten, but i ended up editing it a LOT. And even tho this only has like, 3k words, it was vey exhausting. Anyway, please leave a review!

The next chap will reveal the meeting, and where the story's main plot will actually start. Cya soon.

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