NOTE: This chapter is more like a prelude for what's to come while also being a flashback kinda. I explain more about it in the notes below, so make sure to read it after you finish the chapter.

Review and Enjoy!

Chapter 16: Cracked Jewel

Soft rain pelted the glass window, each thump resembling a quiet heartbeat. A hooded figure walked past the wet window, her feet stepping in the shallow puddles created by the rain. Her trekking came to a stop when she arrived at a small store. Pushing the door open, the young woman removed her hood to do her quick shopping.

Walking up to the coolers, her hand reached for the handles. Her hand froze when she stared at her reflection. Eyes were red from all of the crying she had been doing the past couple of days, her once beautiful blonde hair had become a frizzled mess, and the bags under her eyes were increasing.

Her pale skinned hand trembled before pulling back to place her hood back over her head, as to block her face. She then quickly grabbed the bottle of soda, and slammed the cooler door closed. Not wanting to spend any more time in the small store, she hastily grabbed the rest of her required items, and checked out.

Exiting the store the young woman hurriedly made her way through the rain, trying to get back home. She was too unfocused to notice someone was right in front of her. Both of them fell to the ground after their collision, the young woman rubbed her head after the run in.

"I'm sorry about that. Are you ok?"

She looked up to see the person she had run into was lending a hand to her, she reached out to take his hand. However, something stopped her dead in her tracks.

"Blue hair...blue hair...just...ju-"

Her hands went to her head, just as a headache began to take place. Her brain was pulsating like crazy and she felt like her head was going to explode.

"H-Hey? Are you ok-"

"GET AWAY FROM ME!"

Slapping the man's hand away, she jumped to her feet and bolted away from him, leaving the man standing there confused.

As she kept running, the headache kept increasing in volume as if her steps were just making it worse. Her feet stumbled repeatedly, but she remained undeterred in her journey to make it home. Her emerald orbs finally saw the familiar tall tower.

Just as she was reaching the doors to the tower, she collapsed to the ground. Her body finally gave out from the immense pain going on in her head. Emerald eyes gazing hopelessly at the glass doors in front of her.

"Kou.."

"Huh?"

"Kou..ri…"

"Who…?"

"Kourin…"

"Y-You..." Was the last thing she said before slipping into unconsciousness.

"Yo, Kourin!"

Emerald colored eyes snapped open and frantically shot around the new location that she was in. Knowing that this wasn't outside of the Tatsunagi Tower, where she had collapsed. Though, this place looked familiar to her...a place that she held close to her heart.

"Kourin, are you listening?"

"Huh?" When Kourin finally snapped back to reality, it felt like the world froze around her. In front of her were three people she never believed that she'd see again. Tears swelled up in her eyes

"Shingo…"

"Naoki…"

"A-A-Aichi…"

Before she could stop herself, the tears were flowing down her face. Misaki jumped out of her seat and rushed to Kourin's side, the others following immediately.

"Kourin! What's wrong!?"

"Why are you crying!?"

"Did someone hurt you!? Just tell me and I'll kick their ass!"

"Naoki, we can't resort to violence!"

"Ah! Sorry, Aichi…"

"Of course a Neanderthal like yourself would think of using violence first."

"Say that again, Granny-Glasses!"

"Guys, shut up! Can't you see that Kourin's distressed!"

"R-Right, Misaki."

"Sorry, Boss Lady."

"Pfft..hehehe…"

The Cardfight Club members all turned to look at Kourin, whose body was shaking softly. Slowly her sobs turned into soft giggles, then from giggles to full on laughter. Question marks appeared above their heads as they gazed at the laughing idol.

"Uh, Kourin? Are you ok?" Shingo asked.

"Yeah, we've never seen you laugh like this," Naoki added.

Wiping away the tears in her eyes, Kourin looked at her friends. "I-I'm fine, just dozed off and had a bad dream...no a nightmare," Kourin replied.

"Do you want to tell us about it?" Misaki asked.

"Sure," Kourin said and began to retell everything from her dream to her friends. Saying that they were surprised would be an understatement. After she was done retelling it to them, they were silent for a while, which made Kourin a bit nervous.

Naoki was the first to speak up. "We...died? Man...that's kinda funny to think about hehe," He rubbed the back of his head.

"Don't be so insensitive, Ishida! Kourin is obviously still shaking her from dream!" Shingo scolded.

Realizing that what he said may have been upsetting, Naoki turned back to the idol. "Sorry, Kourin. I didn't mean to sound like a jerk," Naoki apologized.

"It's fine, Naoki," Kourin replied.

"Still, to think that something like that happened after defeating the Reverse," Aichi mumbled.

That caught Kourin by surprise. "Huh? After?"

"Don't you remember Kourin? Aichi defeated the Reverse and saved Kai," Misaki reminded her.

"O-Oh! Right!" Kourin felt a small headache, but chose to ignore it. Naoki jumped up excitedly in front of the blonde idol.

"Yeah! And then Aichi went missing, we had to go to the moon, defeat his Quartet Knights, and prevent Link Joker from taking over his body!" Naoki summarized the events. The other three in the room sweatdropped at Naoki's explanation.

Kourin on the other hand was trying to wrack her brain for whatever Naoki was talking about. She had no recollection of these "Quartet Knights" or "Moon Sanctuary" that he had mentioned. "Um? What are you talking about, Naoki?"

"Oh, that's right. You wouldn't remember them that well," Misaki replied. Her comment made Kourin even more confused.

Aichi decided to speak up. "You see, Kourin. A couple of months ago I was in danger of becoming the next vessel of Link Joker. So, in order to prevent that I built a sanctuary on the moon and assembled a Quartet of Knights made from some of the best Cardfighters around the world to seal me away. Though, one day you mysteriously appeared in the sanctuary and became the leader of the Knights. When Kai and the others arrived and managed to defeat Link Joker once more, you were forced to lose your memories of the event. Since, you had taken on some of the Link Joker essence," Aichi explained to her.

"I-I see," It was too much for her. She tried to think about everything Aichi had just explained to her, but she just couldn't remember.

"Don't think too much about it. We're slowly working to help you regain your memories. For now, you should just relax and head home," Misaki said.

Kourin nodded her head. "You're right, I should head home and sleep. I've been oddly tired for some time now." The idol got up from her seat, grabbed her bag, and headed for the door.

"Oh Kourin!" Aichi called for her.

"Yes, Aichi?"

"Don't forget about our date later tonight, alright?"

"Yeah, I won't forge-"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"I'm sorry, say that again?" Kourin's face was blank as she stared back into Aichi's eyes.

"Oh...uh...our date. We agreed to go out tonight a couple of days ago. I guess you did forget," Aichi chuckled, sadly.

"W-Wait! I-I didn't forget! I was just needing some clarification! I'll definitely be ready tonight for our date!" Kourin tried to salvage the situation.

Aichi's face brightened instantly. "Great! See you at my place around 8!" Aichi replied. Kourin nodded her head and left the room, closing the door behind her.

The blonde idol's face went back to being blank as she walked down the hall, down the stairs, exited the building, and saw her limo waiting outside. She opened the door to see Rekka and Suiko sitting inside of it.

"Hey, Kourin!" Rekka waved, but she promptly ignored.

"How was your day, Kourin?" Suiko asked, but she was also ignored.

Kourin sat there quietly and the two sisters looked at each other confused. Rekka tried to get Kourin's attention again. She waved her hand in front of Kourin's face, but the blonde made no movement. Getting annoyed at her elder sister, Rekka opened her bottle of water and poured it directly on Kourin's head.

"KYAAAA! REKKA!" Kourin was snapped out of her daze and glared daggers at Rekka.

"You should've been paying attention to us," Rekka replied, cheekily. Kourin felt her eye twitch in annoyance and raised her hand to bop her sister on the head. But, right as she was about to make contact, her headache came right back.

Rekka laid on the floor of her room, tears building in the girl's eyes. Her left hand was pressed firmly against her cheek as she stared up at her in fear. Kourin froze and glanced down at her hand...the hand she used to strike Rekka.

Coming back to her senses, Kourin pulled back her hand and just glared. "Don't do that again," She settled for threatening the younger girl. Rekka and Suiko gaped at Kourin's actions, usually used to the comical reactions they'd spike out of Kourin.

"Kourin, are you feeling alright?" Suiko asked.

"I-I'm fine. I just need to focus on preparing for my date tonight," Kourin replied. The revealing of her date was enough to distract her sisters' minds from her unusual actions.

"Date!? Is it with Aichi!? I gotta call Emi and Mai about this!" Rekka pulled out her phone and began texting.

"A date huh? Didn't think you two would actually get bold enough for it," Suiko giggled. Taking out her own phone to tell Ren and the others.

Kourin blushed heavily, but she let a small smile appear on her lips as she gazed at her sisters.

Kourin stood in front of her full length mirror and gazed down at her attire. She was wearing a white buttoned up shirt with a grey opened vest over it. Below she was wearing short jean shorts with a brown belt and a translucent skirt over them. She wore brown socks with two-way black strapped sandals.

"Is this really ok for a date? I've never really gone on a date with anyone, so I don't know," Kourin frowned. "Maybe I should change…"

KNOCK KNOCK

"Kourin, if you don't hurry, you'll be late for your date!" Suiko said in a sing-song voice. Kourin's eyebrow twitched at Suiko's antics. Grabbing her purse and phone, she exited the room and was greeted by a bright flash.

"Nice! That's going out to everyone we know," Rekka proceeded to send the photo to everyone on her contacts.

"REKKA!" Kourin screeched. The youngest only laughed at Kourin's embarrassment.

"Get over it. You look beautiful and I'm sure Aichi will love it," Rekka complimented.

"Ah..thanks, Rekka," Kourin replied, taken back by the compliment.

"She's right, ya know. You look great and Aichi will agree," Suiko said as they walked towards the limo. "Now go have some fun."

"And don't get pregnant!"

"REKKA!"

Kourin stepped out of the limo as it stopped right outside of Aichi's home. Hesitantly, she approached the door and knocked on the door. Suddenly, she felt very self-conscious about herself.

"Is my hair alright? Did I use enough make-up? Am I too early? Will he even enjoy having a date with me? I should just go. I shou-"

"Kourin?"

The idol looked up and saw Emi standing at the door. Her baby blue eyes staring directly into hers and at that moment Kourin winced. Her head suddenly hurting from looking at the youngest Sendou.

"Are you ok!?" Emi asked, concerned.

"I-I'm fine…"

"Emi! I told you to wait!" Aichi's voice got closer as the blueberry boy appeared at the door. He was dressed in a purple version of his white jacket with a pink sweater underneath it. His lower half was covered by blue jeans and red shoes.

"I couldn't just leave her waiting at the door, Aichi!" Emi replied back, heatedly. "Something's wrong with Kourin."

"Huh? Kourin, are you feeling ok?" Aichi asked, concerned.

"I-I'm fine, Aichi. Just a small headache, nothing too serious. I'm well enough to go on our date," Kourin replied.

"If you're sure," Aichi said, though he was a bit unconvinced. He stepped out the door and turned to look at Emi.

"I'll be back before midnight, so tell mom not to stay up for me, alright?" Aichi told his little sister.

"Yup, just go have fun and don't do anything inappropriate!"

"EMI!"

The two of them walked down the sidewalk together as they passed by different shops and stores. Kourin glanced over at Aichi as he guided her to their destination. He had wanted to keep where they're going a secret. She would be lying if she said that she wasn't happy that he planned this out. A part of her did fear that he would've just taken her to Card Capital, but that would've been dumb as all hell. And Aichi Sendou isn't dumb.

When they stopped, Kourin noticed that they had arrived in front of a park. "Follow me, Kourin." Aichi said as he began to walk into the park. Kourin began following him and she wondered why a park of all places.

Once they came to another stop in front of the two of them was a Fight Table, Kourin raised an eyebrow at this. "Aichi, why are we looking at a Fight Table?" To be honest, she expected something a bit more romantic.

"We're gonna have a Cardfight of course," Aichi smiled.

"Why?" She asked.

"Because, the first time we met we had a Cardfight. You were pretty scary back then, but that's because of how much you wanted me to become stronger," Aichi said as he looked her in the eyes. Kourin gasped quietly at his words, remembering back to when Aichi was a stuttering mess with no confidence.

Aichi took out his deck and placed it on the table. "Whenever I was unsure of myself, you were always there to kick me back out there. So, I want us to do something special to start our date off." Kourin felt her heart flutter. Soon a smile appeared on her lips, it would be rude to turn Aichi down. Especially after his little speech.

"I accept your challenge, Aichi Sendou!" Kourin adopted a serious face as she pulled out her own deck. Of course she brought it with her, a Cardfighter never goes anywhere without their deck.

"STAND UP! VANGUARD!"

Kourin always loved watching Aichi Cardfight. There was just something different about it from the likes of Ren Suzugamori and Toshiki Kai, almost like an extra seasoning to a dish. His quiet determination and that fierce look of confidence he gets in his eyes always made her stomach jump.

"Stand up my Avatar! Blaster Blade Liberator!"

There it was, his ace card Blaster Blade. The shining knight that gave birth to Aichi's confidence, even when he could barely utter a sentence without stuttering, that card always made him more confident. In her mind she could picture Aichi standing brave and tall in Blaster Blade's armor. Her handsome knight.

"Ride! Pure Heart Jewel Knight, Ashlei!"

Kourin could picture herself standing in Ashlei's clothing and armor as she faced off against Aichi's royal knights. Feeling the wind and heat of their clashing blades, neither of them need to exchange words to pronounce how much they're enjoying the fight.

"Ride! Solitary Liberator, Gancelot!"

Her heart fluttered at the sight of Aichi dressed in Gancelot's armor, riding on his stead. The blueberry's hardened gaze pierced through her, almost like an arrow through her heart. His aura of confidence filled her with the strength to not disappoint him, to match him blow for blow.

"Break Ride! Leading Jewel Knight, Salome!"

Kourin felt her entire form change into that of Salome. Her power boosts past its limits to push Aichi back. Her blade connected with Gancelot's, their faces meer inches from one another, almost able to feel each other's breaths. Just the feeling of his breath sent shivers down her spine.

"Break Ride! Liberator of Bonds, Gancelot Zenith!"

Kourin could feel it throughout her entire body. This was the end, the end of their fight. He and his comrades were charging towards her with fierce determination. Kourin didn't want it to end, she wanted to keep fighting...to keep being with him...to feel his touch across her skin. And before she even realized it the two of them were already kissing. The fight ended in Aichi's victory, he had dominated her in the end and she didn't mind that at all.

"Are you sure this is good for her?"

"Of course, her heart won't be able to mend if she's unable to overcome this pain."

"But, putting her through all this is sick! What if her heart can't mend! If she realizes where she is, it isn't even real!"

"She believes that it's real. That's more than enough.

"DAMMIT! THIS ISN'T A GAME!"

"DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT, TAKUTO!"

Takuto Tatsunagi flinched back from the shout, not expecting it at all. His gaze shifted from the man in front of him towards Kourin. Her body floating with red runes surrounding her body, the girl's eyes were open. However, her eyes were glowing red.

Takuto growled at the man in front of him, who had already turned his back on him to read the large tome in his hand.

"You better know what you're doing Nome or there will be consequences," Takuto growled.

"Don't worry little brother, everything will be over soon," Nome said.

Chapter End

NOTE: If you're wondering when exactly this chapter takes place, it's actually right near the start of this story. Around the time when Emi was contacted by Alfred and Blaster Blade. Which means Kourin's been in this state for a long time, and you'll all see the consequences for it when the time comes. I also introduced Nome(Who appears in V-Series) into the story, as Takuto's replacement, and if you're wondering why Takuto isn't in the Void with Reverse Takuto, then you'll have to wait and see.

The next chapter will be the start of Part 2, so look forward to it.