NOTE: Misaki didn't mention anything about the lore behind Pale Moon, because I didn't know anything about it. Just wanted to get the funny in through making fun of Asaka. On another note it always bothered me that Misaki and Chrono interact so little even though their families were always so close. Like, I understand that by the time they meet in canon Misaki is a grown woman and Chrono's in middle school. But, still some interactions from the two would've been nice. So, I'm doing my best to build a sibling relationship between the two.

Anyway enjoy and review.

Chapter 12: The Mermaid and The Beast

"Aichi."

"Yes, Emi?" Aichi turned his neck to see his little sister dragging her feet.

"Can't you just do this on your own? There's no reason to drag around a nobody like me," Emi responded, her eyes downcast.

Aichi released a tired breath, Emi had been repeating this repeatedly since they left the house. Backing up to grab a hold of his sister's hand. Aichi proceeded to pick up their pace to reach Card Capital.

"You're not a nobody, Emi. Stop saying that," Aichi said. Emi didn't say anything in response, she just kept her head pointed downwards.

Aichi noticed that they were nearing Card Capital and turned to his sister. "We're here, Emi. Come on, let's go inside."

Entering the store felt weird to Emi, there was barely any of the warmth she'd usually feel when entering the shop. Though there were certain things inside that made the girl release a small gasp.

"Miwa? Izaki?" Emi asked, as she saw the colorless versions of the two sitting in the shop. Emi let go of Aichi's hand to walk further through the shop. She soon stopped walking as someone caught her attention, causing her breath to hitch and her heart to beat faster.

"Kamui…" Emi said, breathlessly.

In front of her was Kamui Katsuragi, wearing the standard Hitsue Middle School uniform. However, something was completely off about him. Kamui's usual vibrant eyes were as grey as the colorless sky above them. Gone was the hyperactive smile that he would always have on his face whenever he was around her. His body is still as a statue, something she'd never believe he would be capable of doing.

Suddenly his eyes turn to look at her, freezing Emi completely. Her eyes started to build up tears as she stared into his eyes. They no longer held the warmth and love that would always be directed at her, gone was the boy who no matter what would shower her with attention. She was staring at a shell of emptiness, and it was at this moment that Emi would remember something from the past.

Emi Sendou sat outside on the beach in her pink one-piece swimsuit. The little girl watched as Kamui trained for the upcoming Asia Circuit tournament. His best friends Reiji and Eiji were helping him train by tying their arms to trees, to build stamina.

Neither her nor Mai understood how that would help them improve in a card game.

Emi got up from her seat to walk over to the boys. The Nova Grappler user noticed his crush approaching and lost his balance, sending him flying into the tree harder than before. Concern flew through all of the kids as they rushed over to check on Kamui.

"Kamui! Are you alright!?" Emi shouted, as she knelt down to check on him.

"Yo! Kamui, you good bro?" Eiji and Reiji asked.

The Nova Grappler slowly sat up, rubbing his head in pain from the impact. Opening one eye he saw Emi's face was right up to his. Blushing madly, he quickly got to his feet as if nothing happened. Though, he winced a bit from the pain in his head.

"No worries, Miss Emi! I'm perfectly fine!" Kamui shouted, blushing.

Emi didn't buy it, as she got up to her feet, and held his face. Her actions made Kamui's body shiver, his face as red as a tomato.

The Bermuda user gasped slightly, when she saw some blood trickling down Kamui's face. "Kamui! You're bleeding!"

"What!?" Reiji and Eiji screamed in concern.

Without missing a single beat, Emi undid the elastic fabric tied around Kamui's wrists. Kamui began to wave his hands frantically in protest.

"I-I'm fine Miss Emi! There's no need to worry!" Kamui tried to wave it off. He didn't want to look weak in front of Emi.

"You're not fine, Kamui! We need to get that treated or else it could get infected!" Emi began dragging the boy up to the villa they were staying at. Reiji and Eiji tried to follow the two, but Mai prevented them from following.

"We need to give those two some alone time," She whispered, which the two understood immediately.

Once they were inside of the villa, Emi sat Kamui down on the couch and went to grab the first-aid kit. When she returned the girl got right to work with wrapping bandages around Kamui's head. He tried not to fidget at her touch, so he opted to stare at her face. Which was the incorrect option for him to choose.

"You're beautiful," His mouth moved before his brain could stop him.

"Huh?"

"N-Nothing!" Kamui blushed once more and turned his head, causing the unwrapped bandages to fall off his head.

"Kamui! You have to sit still or I can't wrap these around you!" Emi scolded the boy. Making him pout in embarrassment. Once he sat still, Emi finished wrapping the bandages around his head.

"There we go. All better, right Kamui?"

"Y-Yes! Thank you, Miss Emi!"

"Just be sure to be careful next time. No more of that stuff that'll get you hurt," Emi instructed as if she was a nurse. Kamui nodded his head and turned to rush back to train, however he stopped to turn back to Emi.

"Hey, Miss Emi?" Kamui spoke up.

"Hm? Yes, Kamui?"

"If we win this next circuit...d-d-do y-y-you...want to go somewhere with me!?" Kamui shouted out his request. Emi blinked in surprise at the weird request, not understanding the true meaning behind it.

"Sure!" She gave him her trademark smile. Kamui silently cheered in his head.

"We can bring Mai, Reiji, and Eiji with us too!"

Kamui fell to the ground comically, while Emi tilted her head in confusion.

Emi's hand reached for Kamui's still form, but she quickly pulled it away. She didn't deserve to touch him, let alone his love. She was a failure in both being a hero and in the concept of love. How could she not notice it all the times beforehand, all the affection that he showered her with.

Emi fell to her knees, covering her face with her hands as she started crying. Aichi was at her side in a heartbeat, holding Emi tightly.

"Maybe this was a mistake. I shouldn't have brought Emi here," Aichi thought as he rocked his sister in comfort.

"I'm sorry, Kamui! I'm so sorry for never noticing! I must've caused you so much pain every time! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Emi's cries filled the shop. Her tears streamed down her face, each one falling to the floor.

The lifeless Kamui watched as Emi cried her heart out. Every time a tear hit the tiled floor, Kamui blinked. He kept blinking as if slow realization started to fill his mind.

"M...ss….E…"

Emi continued to cry.

"Mi...ss….Em…"

Her cries continued echoing in his ears.

"Miss...Emi.."

She didn't hear him, so he decided to scream.

"MISS EMI!"

Both Sendous snapped their heads to look at Kamui who was staring at them both with concern. Emi's eyes were red from all the crying, she almost didn't believe what she was looking at.

Kamui knelt down to her in a flash. "What's wrong, Miss Emi!? Why are you crying!? Who did this!? I'll make whoever did this pay!" A fire was lit in Kamui's eyes as he desired to protect Emi.

Emi Sendou stared at him, blankly. Her tears had ceased to fall and her mind was currently decided on what to do. In the end, there was only one thing she needed to do. One thing that she needed to say to not only save Kamui, but her own heart as well.

Wrapping her arms around him slowly, she hugged the boy tightly. Kamui blushed in confusion from the sudden hug from Emi.

"M-Miss Emi!? W-What are y-yo-"

"I love you."

"What?" Kamui's brain stopped completely at Emi's words. She separated herself from their hug, grabbed his hands, and looked him dead in the eyes. Her eyes filled with an emotion that she'd never shown him beforehand, an emotion Kamui almost believed to be one-sided.

Her eyes were filled with love.

"I love you, Kamui Katsuragi. I'm sorry that it took you literally dying for me to figure it all out, but I truly mean this. Even when I'm at my lowest point or struggle you're always there giving me your full attention. Even when I don't deserve it, you've always been there. Thank you, Kamui," Emi confessed.

Kamui couldn't believe the words he was hearing, his brain blank as a white bed sheet after her confession. Suddenly, he smacked himself in the face, much to the confusion of the Sendous.

"Come one, Katsuragi! Why are you staring at her like an idiot when she's finally returning your feelings! Come on! Speak!" Kamui berated himself mentally. He clutched Emi's hands tightly and looked her in the eyes with love and confidence.

"Miss Emi! I-I've never been good at this whole feelings thing. Maybe I should've just told you how I felt before all of this happened. But, I've never regretted being your friend or helping you and I'll always support you! I love you too, Miss Emi." With his words said, the two embraced each other tightly.

Aichi watched from the sidelines with a soft smile on his lips. He's happy that the two finally got their feelings out. Seems that the plan really did help Emi feel better in the end. Though he couldn't help but think about a certain blonde idol who was suffering without him there to help her.

"Kourin," Aichi said, mentally.

Unknowingly to the Card Fighters, the shadow that had been following the Sendous just entered the shop, ready to strike.

Chapter End