Here we go. Chapter 2 with all its painful glory.

I didn't like some of the things I needed to do. I like Kotori! *pouts* Anyway there is some skyshipping (Yuuma/Kotori) as well a song portion.

Credit: How Does a Moment Last Forever-Celine Dion, Beauty and the Beast Soundtrack, 2017.

There now know: AU, possible OOCness, Character Death, Fan-made cards, prejudice, and alternative view points.

I hope you enjoy!

(Chapter 2)

The Murder of the Little Bird

Kotori wasn't certain about the Resistance taking residence in the Camp. They were just as prideful as she remembered. There were some exceptions, but for the most part they were XYZ purists who didn't like the fact that there were people in the Camp who used other summoning methods. Never mind most people who had decks were not even schooled properly on how to use them.

Even Kurosaki was a purist, which made Kotori sad. While most of her Extra Deck was XYZs there was a few Fusions and a single Synchro monster, and all of them had helped to fight off the Invaders. Then there was Yuuma's Extra Deck. Many different XYZs with different Fusions which helped with summoning some of those XYZs. Then the two Synchro monsters, both of which were mementos for Akari. Then you have the Rituals in the deck itself along with special summons from the deck or graveyard. There was a reason the Invaders haven't beat the Kattobingu Duelist.

But Kurosaki was kind for the most part. Until her purist side slipped out when talking to Yuuma. He wore his pendent proudly and happily summoned his fusion monsters without a second thought.

Many Resistance members have tried to declare him a traitor or a spy. They haven't got anywhere with it seeing everyone in the Camp knew Yuuma. While the Resistance was dueling a losing battle, Yuuma and Kotori had been picking up the pieces and brought what the Red Scarves couldn't.

Hope. The building block of life. The core of Heartland. What many people had thought was gone was revealed when the two teens popped up with bread and promises of a safe place. It grew when their promises were shown to be true.

There was also the fact Camp members knew that Yuuma had only Kotori left in his life. Like so many of them he had lost everyone dear to him. Kotori herself actually still had some family left. They were currently in the Camp helping where they could. Unlike Yuuma who was the last of his family name.

And if there was anything which the refugees knew it was the pain of losing everyone. They would not turn Yuuma away. There were many who have stepped up to the Red Scarves and told them to back off the Kattobingu Duelist or leave. While not the leader of the Camp, Yuuma was one of the more respected people there.

The Resistance was important, almost everyone in Heartland would tell you that. But people may respect the defenders of the front lines, they adore the defenders behind the line. The people who saved the people trapped under rubble, the ones who brought food to the hungry, medicine to the sick, blankets to the weary.

The Boys on the Wall and The Girls of the Wall were loved for being the protectors of the Camp. There were some who have died defending the grounds and they were honored while mourned.

Should you ask the children of the Camp what do they want to do when they are finally able to, a good deal would say Scout or the Wall. Rarely would you hear Red Scarf, though there were some.

Scouts were the people who went out to find survivors and supplies, to deal with Invaders further out. It was dangerous but needed. There were more than two Scouts now. Some of the home-schooled duelists and even some of the non-duelist had volunteered.

Kotori was happy for more people going out. She was starting to get worried about what would happen should she and Yuuma would fall when out there. But as always her fellow citizens shown that they are more than willing to risk everything for the people who needed them.

Though part of it might be Yuuma's enthusiasm giving people hope and courage themselves. Or it was his sorrow and pain which showed that he wasn't naive as he may act. He knew their pain, yet he was still going out and finding people and food. He was still fighting. Still laughing and trying to reach the sky.

Kotori couldn't help but fall a bit more in love with him. Yuuma was as much as Hope Incarnate as his ace monster. No one really knew just how much he as the Light of their lives. And that was fine. Yuuma was just doing what he could to get through the guilt of having his friends and family die during the Invasion. He was doing what he could for everyone left. Trying to fight his grief by being productive. That didn't mean he didn't cry. Kotori had been the shoulder for him to cry on as he has been for her.

They will get through this. Together and then maybe she would tell him how she felt. But for now she will enjoy having him alive and giving people Kattobingu and Hope. To be by his side for as long as possible.

She will enjoy it without a second thought.

XYZaF

Kaito didn't know what to think about the XYZ/Fusion users who built the refugee camp. The green haired girl was sweet and always had moment to listen. While the red and black haired boy was an enigma while holding almost everyone's heart in his hand. The two of them were bringers of hope.

And Kaito was in their debt. The two of them saved his family. His father and little brother were safely in the Camp, and they were happy. Well as happy as they could be while being in a war zone, but Haruto was laughing and smiling whenever he visited.

Kotori and Yuuma had his gratitude for more than that. Though it was the main reason. The more he stayed in the Camp the more he felt at home. While being a 'Red Scarf' he wasn't dismissed as an outsider. If anything he was welcomed with open arms after he got his password. Which as always, was given by Yuuma.

'Photon Stream of Destruction.' Such an odd password, but Yuuma thought it fitting and Haruto helped make it so he wasn't complaining.

There were many strange passwords.

Kotori's 'Love of the Fairy for the Hope-bound Unity.' was a bit telling, though he didn't think anyone would try to deny it was a mouthful.

Kurosaki Shun's 'Feathers of Rage.' didn't really seem to fit, but Yuuma had back up from Yuto and Kurosaki's sister on that.

Kurosaki Ruri's was just as odd. 'Poisoned Birds.' She took it with good grace however.

Yuto's was actually funny to Kaito. 'One Fourth Dragon-God.' only highlighted his connection to his dragon.

But Yuuma's was the strangest. Kaito couldn't understand why he would chose it.

'Hope is only the End. Revenge is only the Middle. And Unity is only the Beginning.'

There was a hidden message there, and for the life of him Kaito couldn't figure it out.

Sighing the green and blond haired teen leaned back to look around the Camp's Mess Hall. Someone had claimed the small boombox and had it playing an upbeat song. A few children were dancing around to it.

Haruto and Father were eating at the table before him. Beside them were a few Resistance members and some refugees all talking away.

The music changed to something slow and soothing. There were some movements of children as Yuuma was shoved forward. Pink eyes rolled before the teen straightened out and restarted the song. Once done he waited a few measures before singing.

"How does a moment last forever?

How can a story never die?

It is love we must hold onto

Never easy but we try

Sometimes our happiness is captured

Somehow a time and place stand still

Love lives on inside our hearts

And always will

Kaito couldn't help but notice as Yuuma looked to Kotori for a moment before looking around the room. Which had quietened in order to hear what was being sung.

Minutes turn to hours

Days to years then gone

But when all else has been forgotten

Still our song lives on

Haruto's yellow eyes were locked onto the singing teen. Who Kaito had to admit wasn't that bad. The song felt heartfelt and he was in tune.

Maybe some moments weren't so perfect

Maybe some memories not so sweet

But we have to know some bad times

Or our lives are incomplete

Then when the shadows overtake us

Just when we feel all hope is gone

We'll hear our song and know one more

Our love lives on

The sad and contemplative looks most of the people in the tent were too familiar. There was tears which had formed in Yuuma's eyes. No doubt he was thankful for a moment to breathe and recollect himself. Before going forth with the song.

Oh~

How does a moment last forever?

How does our happiness endure?

Through the darkest of our troubles

Love is beauty, love is pure

Love pays no mind to desolation

It flows like a river though the soul

Protects, proceeds and perseveres

And makes us whole

The strength the teen shown with continuing, along with the quiet emotion in his eyes towards a certain green haired girl with brown eyes, made Kaito respect him a bit more. No matter what had been lost, the teen had found something to live for.

Minutes turns to hours

Days to years then gone

But when all else has been forgotten

Still our song lives on

How does a moment last forever?

When our song lives on"

As the last notes of the music filled the tent, Yuuma smiled at the room before turning to Kotori and smiling to her. The girl gave a smile in return. The feeling of mutual affection passing between them even at the few feet separating them.

Kaito felt his lips twitch up in a slight smile. 'Love of the Fairy for the Hope-bound Unity.' Well it looks like that Hope-bound Unity held love for the Fairy in return.

XYZaF

Yuuma couldn't help but smile brightly as he followed Kotori over the rubble. His best friend was there. Even though he had lost his other friends, his big sister, and grandmother at least he still had Kotori.

Laughing he ran up to her. Only to watch as she collapsed and faded into sparkles which were of a person turning into a card.

Panicking he rushed forward. Calling out her name he tried grabbing her.

This wasn't happening. Kotori. His best friend. The one person who was still around. Who had so much to live for. She couldn't be...!

Gasping Yuuma rolled and fell of the bed.

Wrapping his arms around himself he curled up as he tried to control his breathing. For the last few nights he has been having that dream, or one quite similar. Every time Kotori would die. In some fashion she would die. He was tried of the dreams. Tired of the worry in his bones.

Forcing himself off the ground he looked over to where Haruto was fast asleep. Smiling at the sight he sat down on his bed. He was very glad he didn't wake the kid. The boy has been dealing with his poor health lately and needed all the rest he could get.

Pink eyes glanced over to the book on the shared bedside table. He could read but yet he didn't feel up to it. Standing he grabbed his vest before putting on his shoes. Walking out of the tent, Yuuma took in a deep breath. He needed to be high up.

Closing the flap he gestured over the tent, silently casting a protection spell so no one could hurt the child within. Turning he made his way over to the Wall. He really needed to be off the ground.

A few stairs and confused looks later he was on the Wall. Well more like the top row of the Arena, but he could see the stars above him so all was good.

Leaning back he let himself get lost in the lights which were millennia old.

Ever since he could remember he had dreams which always came true. It wasn't every dream, just the repeating ones. The only relief he had at the moment was that while Kotori died in his dreams it wasn't consistent. Thus it might only be his worry for her leaking through. Not a prediction of the future.

He really, really, hoped that was the case. He could handle the possibility of it being one of his future seeing dreams.

Pink eyes closed and hands clenched. He really hated his dreams at times.

The sound of footsteps behind him made him open his eyes. Tilting his head back a little bit more he looked back.

Two Resistance members stood defiantly behind him.

Sighing Yuuma returned his gaze to the sky. He really didn't like when Resistance members came after him. A tool wasn't evil because of a group of people.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" One of them spoke.

Pink eyes merely blinked as the teen waited for the follow up.

"Well Traitor?" The Second added on.

"The stars are pretty aren't they? I always would go onto my roof before the Invasion and just stare at them for hours."

One of them huffed. Yuuma had no doubt that one, if not both, were scowling.

"Did you know that it is said that the Universe was created by a great dragon? It was known as Numeron in the old stories. My Dad once said that Numeron created the passageways for XYZ monsters to come to Earth."

One spoke.

"Yeah. Bet you know all about that. Seeing you use Fusion."

Yuuma rolled his eyes.

"And XYZ, Synchro, Ritual, and normal summoning. What about it? Because the Invaders use it? News flash! They didn't bring it to Heartland. Sakaki did."

There was some sputtering behind him. Shaking his head he relaxed his shoulders.

"I started Fusion summoning to get a easier way to summon higher ranked XYZs. But some of my Fusions were enough for ending a duel. Why over complicate something? My True Ace forever will be a XYZ monster. Fusion is good. But nothing can beat having my Hope out on the field."

Second responded.

"Then why not summon it more often?"

Yuuma let out a puff of air in amusement.

"Because overkill isn't all that fun."

With that he stood up and jumped down a few rows. Turning he waved at the two before moving to the stairs. He should try to sleep.

XYZaF

Kaito took a deep breath. The influx of Academia Soldiers was startling, and being so close to the Resistance base and the Camp was worrying. He could only hope that the Scouts of the Camp were ready.

A scream penetrated the air. Shortly followed by another.

Quickly the Cipher user headed in the direction of the screams. Over fallen buildings, random rubble, and the odd pipe, he could only tense as he registered the shouts and the roars of what sounded like Academia Soldiers and a dragon.

The corner he needed to turn at was caved in with newly fallen rubble. Cursing under his breath he looked for another way over. He wasn't testing his luck on new rubble. It could move under him and make him break his neck.

He spotted a old fire escape still intact on one of the buildings. Running over he gave the structure a careful once over. It looked stable enough. Looking up he took a breath. The words he heard Yuuma say many times slipping out without him realizing it.

"Kattobingu da ore."

Climbing up the fire escape he listened as the shouts grew in frenzy while the dragon roars echoed around the buildings. The words being shouted washed over him as he climbed.

"But you still take damage!"

"Or you don't."

"What the heck?! Fusion?!"

"Yikes! That was close!"

"Stop jumping around! Its just a hologram!"

The sound of a body hitting the dirt with a sicking crack resounded soon after.

Kaito silently prayed that it wasn't the Scout who made that sound. There was no others in Heartland who use Fusion and were enemies of Duel Academia, so it had to be one of the Camp Scouts.

"'Just a hologram.'? I don't think so! I don't even think this is Solid Vision!"

"Get over yourself! What else could it be? Real? Come on!"

The dragon roared and someone gave a high-pitched scream.

"Get a hold of yourself! It isn't going to eat you!"

Kaito had just reached the top of the fire escape when a wet crunch was heard. Raising an eyebrow he wondered what caused that sound. Turning back to the building he looked for a way either to the roof or inside. Looking through the window before him, he made a face at the destruction within. Forcing it open he slipped inside.

The floor was covered in glass and fluid of some sort. Being on the safe side he avoided the fluid as he walked across the room. Trying to use the handle of the door reviled that it was locked. Sighing he broke it down. How come it was one of those weird locks where you needed a key for both sides?

Quickly moving down the hallway he found the stairs and went down them. Jumping steps two to three at a time, he wasn't Yuuma who would just jumped over the railing to the next set of stairs, but he did have to move quickly.

It took a while but he made it to the ground floor, much to his dislike, a exit before then would have been nice but there wasn't any. Rushing out of the doors towards the side of the building he needed, he prayed that the Scout was alright.

Forcing the door open he squinted as the sunlight blinded him. Stepping outside he blinked rapidly hoping to see.

It was quiet. Which made him quickly look around. Much to his relief Yuuma was standing in the street, but there was something wrong with the picture. Three bodies laid before him. One however was only the lower portion of what seemed to have been an Obelisk Task-force soldier. The other two were also Obelisks, but one was far flung and was in a crumpled heap near a wall, and the other was nearly ribbons.

Walking around the bodies he walked closer to the slumped over form of the red and black haired teen.

Standing before the XYZ/Fusion user he carefully reached out. Only to have to catch the teen as he dropped towards the ground. Shakes and sobs could be heard as Yuuma broke down.

Bewildered Kaito stared at the teen before looking forward.

The answer to Yuuma's actions laid on a pile of rocks pale and with a large hole where her heart used to be.

Pulling Yuuma close he rubbed the teen's back. Hoping that this wouldn't fully break the teen. Kotori was his main reason to live after all.

Kaito slid up and sat down. He isn't going anywhere. I am not that upset about it. More story points! And another character to put in the search stuff.

I had fun with the passwords. Tell me which one you liked the best? Also do you like what I am doing here?

Yes I am asking that you all talk to me. I kinda want feed back. *presses index fingers together and move them up and down sheepishly*

Anyway! Up Next! Haruto brings Yuuma out of his shell, the prejudice Resistance members learn just how little they know about fighting hand to hand, and our dear Hope is run off from his home.

So Forward!