Whoo! (sighs in relief) I thought I was going to get flamed! Well, so far I haven't been flamed on that chapter...

You probably all think that Yui is evil now but just don't judge her yet! And yes, SxT fans might want to read this chapter. But I'm not promising anything good!

Review Replies:

kittychanfluffy - Yes, I updated. I hope you like this chapter! To Fluffy: I deal with sugar highness all the time...

NocturneD - Don't worry about it. I was also wrong to snap at you like that. Anyway, thanks for wishing me luck and I hope you like this chapter!

l33t k1w1 - Really? Wow! I learned something new! I always did wonder what the difference was between Miss and Ms. I kept on thinking, "Aren't they the same?" Thanks for that new piece of info and I hope you like this chapter!

Princess Viv - Yui, evil? She was just trying to put a front for Tenkai... and she did have a lot to loose in that duel. Your questions, since I don't know what they are, might be answered in the next chapters. I was so anxious to let Yui and Hakuoh meet, actually. But I don't write stories in a fast pace. I was also happy to write more about Shobu and Mimi. I'm glad you liked the last chapter and I didn't get anything wrong! l33t k1w1 did enlighten me a bit though... I hope you like this chapter!

stephanie - Well, I hope you like this chapter.

Kausi - Hey! It's my very first reviewer reviewing! I'm really glad you liked the last chapter! I had the feeling you would! You might like this chapter as well. Thanks for wishing me luck on my studies. I really need it!

To SxT: Wherever you are, I hope you like this chapter!

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Duel Guard

The Kidnapping

XDXDXD

Mimi suddenly sat up straight. She thought she felt something. But what could she have felt?

"Are you okay Mimi?" Rakudah asked, concerned. They were sitting on the front row for the duel between Shobu and Toru. Saiyuki was still with Toru.

"I-I'm fine," Mimi said with a fake smile at him. Rakudah looked skeptical but decided to let the matter drop. If Mimi didn't want to talk about it, then they shouldn't.

"If you say so, Mimi."

There were so many thoughts going through Mimi's mind right now. What was that feeling? It was as though someone put ice through her top. She had felt a chill go up her spine. What was that about?

I only have this feeling when something bad happens... But what could've happened?

I just hope everything is fine...

XDXDXD

"Is he alive?" Reiko asked, looking down at the fallen former Temple Champion.

The glass walls were now out of sight. Every single person in the stadium was also fast asleep. Only four people were awake. These four people were the Temple Champion and her three Guardians.

Yui knelt down next to her opponent and removed his helmet.

Now, even though Yui knew quite a bit about Hakuoh, she hasn't seen a picture of him at least once. Therefore, she didn't know the extraordinary beauty that the former Temple Champion was known to possess. Thus being the case, Yui wasn't able to stop the sharp intake of breath on her part. Luckily, none of her Guardians noticed.

"He certainly is cute," Reiko said with a whistle. "Actually, more than cute." Omi eyed her warily.

"Don't tell me you'll switch to him now and never look at Kokujo again." Reiko blushed hotly.

"S-shut up, Omi!"

Yui sighed sadly. "I didn't want to hurt him... I may have said all those bad things to him but I didn't really want him hurt..."

She bent over him and placed an ear on his chest. To her immense relief, his heart was beating. He also seemed to be breathing normally.

"What do we do with him?" Akio asked, his eyes on Yui.

The girl placed a hand on Hakuoh's cheek and closed her eyes, thinking. She then opened them and looked at her three Guardians.

"Will you keep a secret from Master for me?" she asked calmly but her eyes betrayed her anxiousness and fear.

"Of course," Reiko said quickly.

"You have our loyalty," Akio said in his quiet but firm voice.

"You can count on us, Yui," Omi said determinedly. Yui smiled at all of them gratefully.

"Good," she said, smiling a dazzling smile at all of them. "Because I'm kidnapping him."

"WHAT!"

The three stared at her. Reiko and Omi in shock and Akio in amusement. Yui nodded cheerfully.

"Yup!" She looked fondly at Hakuoh, eyes shining brightly. "Don't you think he's too adorable to kill? I mean, look at that angelic face! I also love his hair! It looks so soft... I'm almost jealous!" Reiko and Omi sweat dropped while Akio gave a small chuckle.

"You just don't want to kill anyone," Akio said softly. Yui looked at him seriously and nodded.

"Yes... I don't want to kill anyone. I am not a murderer and I will never resort to such drastic measures. But we can't take him to the Temple. Master will have him skinned alive." She sighed and closed her eyes, thinking. The three waited for her to speak again patiently. She finally opened her eyes after a moment. "Akio, can we take him to your hidden mansion?"

"Why not?" Akio said with a shrug. "We can go."

Yui smiled at him. "Thank you."

"What about his friends?" Omi asked, motioning towards the sleeping Aizen and Mikuni.

"I'll take care of that," Reiko said, holding an injection out. "This will erase their memory for the last twelve hours. Every single person here will be injected with it. Therefore, they cannot report what happened to anyone."

The doors suddenly slammed open. The three quickly shielded Yui and Hakuoh from view. To everyone's relief, it was only Norihiro. Wait... Norihiro!

"What are you doing here!" Omi asked in disbelief. "You're supposed to be paralyzed!"

Norihiro, however, ignored him and rushed towards them, squeezing in between them and throwing his arms around Yui.

"Yui, Yui, Yui! I was so worried!" Yui hugged her cousin back.

"I'm all right, Norihiro," she said softly. Norihiro drew away, looking worriedly at her.

"Tenkai! I saw Tenkai! Yui, why didn't you tell me!"

"Tenkai?" Akio said, furrowing his eyebrows. "Tenkai Hisato?"

"Norihiro, I'm fine," Yui said reassuringly. "Did he hurt you?" Norihiro shook his head. "Good."

Akio looked at Yui. Yui, however, gave him a pleading look so he didn't open his mouth to talk.

"Who's Tenkai?" Omi asked.

"I'll explain later. We need to get out of here before anyone else comes in."

The four then quickly went around, injecting people. Yui watched them for a moment before turning her attention to Hakuoh, who was still sound asleep.

"I am sorry about this," she whispered as she brushed his bangs from his forehead tenderly. "So, so sorry..." She never noticed the lone tear that fell from her eye.

XDXDXD

"Jimirah, you look more nervous than me... And this is supposed to be MY duel."

"I am NOT! I'm just... uh... exercising... Yeah! That's right! I'm exercising my legs!"

Toru Kamiya shook his head as his friend nervously paced around the preparation room.

"Sure you are," Toru said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Jimirah spun around to face him with a glare.

"Fine! I'm worried! Happy!" Toru shook his head again. This time, however, he had a small smile on his lips.

"You worry too much, Jimirah," Toru said calmly, leaning back on his chair with a lazy smile. Jimirah quickly narrowed his eyes.

"You're too calm..." Jimirah commented suspiciously. "Very un-Toru-like... Do you have some sort-of secret plan?"

Toru, instead of giving him an affirmative answer, just shrugged. "No... I have arranged my deck but there is nothing huge and secret." Jimirah gave him a very confused look.

"Why the hell not?"

The green-haired duelist stared at the deck in his hands, a solemn look on his face. Jimirah was getting more and more confused.

"Toru?" he prompted.

"Shobu and I made a promise..." Jimirah now looked more confused, if it was possible.

"A promise? What promise?"

Toru looked at Jimirah with a smile. Jimirah looked stunned for a second. "We promised that it will be a friendly duel even though it's a competition. The better duelist wins, nothing more - nothing less. There will be no hard feelings and we'll still be friends. This doesn't mean I'm not going to do my best though... The opposite, in fact. Both me and him will do our best. But it's going to be a duel between friendly rivals - not between enemies."

Jimirah was silent for a moment before nodding. He then grinned.

"I bet Shobu concocted that promise," he said. Toru shook his head for the nth time.

"Actually, I did."

"YOU!"

But before Toru could reply, they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Jimirah turned to Toru after glancing at the door. He raised an eyebrow.

"You expecting anyone?" Toru was frowning.

"No." In a louder voice, "Who is it?"

A timid voice came from the other side of the door.

"T-Toru? I-It's Saiyuki..."

XDXDXD

Saiyuki, you can do this! You just simply go in, greet him, wish him luck and then leave! It's that simple! What could ever happen? Why, it's so simple you could do this everyday! NOT!

Unknown to the two boys inside, Saiyuki had been pacing outside the door for almost twenty minutes. Ever since last night, she has been arguing and debating with herself - should she wish Toru luck or not?

Earlier this morning, Mimi was able to convince her to go for it. At first, Saiyuki, though slightly nervous, decided that she would do it. What could go wrong, right?

The problem, a lot of things. She might bother him, annoy him, distract him from his duel, embarrass herself in front of him, do something stupid or the worst - SAY something stupid...

...Like 'I like you'... Saiyuki sighed. Was it really just 'like'? Sure, she has often stolen glances of him. She always blushed whenever he was near and her breath would hitch - her heart beat a million beats per second - but still. It's just a silly crush, isn't it?

Isn't it?

Mimi's luck she's close to Shobu. They also see each other all the time. And even though Mimi doesn't notice it, I'm sure Shobu has feelings for her as well. It's so obvious...

So obvious.

But unlike Mimi, Saiyuki isn't really close to Toru. They don't see each other often and there was no way a guy like Toru would have the hots for her. He was too cool. Therefore, he deserves a cool girl, not a cheerleader like Saiyuki. What made her special enough for Toru to even have an interest in?

Saiyuki clenched her fists, tears starting to form in her eyes. She bit her lip, trying with all her might not to let the tears fall. Unfortunately, one did fall and she stubbornly wiped it away.

Stop being such a crybaby, Saiyuki! she scolded herself. You're here to wish Toru luck, not wallow in self-pity!

Feeling a bit of confidence seep into her after that thought, she bravely raised a hand and knocked on the door.

Silence. For a moment, no one answered. Saiyuki sighed. Maybe she went to the wrong room.

She was about to turn around to leave when she suddenly heard her crush's voice from inside the room.

"Who is it?"

Saiyuki froze, unable to speak. Forcing herself to open her mouth, she answered.

"T-Toru? I-It's Saiyuki..."

Silence. Saiyuki's heart instantly shrank. She sighed sadly.

Of course he's not going to let you in, idiot! You're probably interrupting he's preparation! Stupid!

But before she could leave, the door was suddenly yanked open, a flushed Toru looming over her form. He was panting slightly, his bangs falling over his eyes.

Saiyuki's jaw almost dropped. Even though he looked a bit ruffled, he looked absolutely handsome to her. The way his eyes were bright with surprise and the way his bangs fell over his eyes...

"S-Saiyuki! What are you doing here?" he asked in his oh-so-beautiful voice...

XDXDXD

Toru almost fell off his chair when he heard the name 'Saiyuki'. Jimirah looked quite stunned and surprised that Shobu Kirifuda's childhood friend would visit them before his friend and Shobu's duel.

"What's Saiyuki doing here?" Jimirah hissed in a low voice. Toru shrugged, calmness and laziness removed from his features. His eyes were bright and alert.

"I don't know," he hissed back. The two of them heard Saiyuki sigh... And if Toru's ears weren't deceiving him, he sensed sadness in that sigh.

"Well, what are you waiting for!" Jimirah hissed hurriedly. "Answer the damn door!"

Toru quickly scrambled off his chair and literally ran to the door. He grabbed the doorknob and wrenched it open, panting slightly because of the sudden adrenaline rush. Saiyuki was at the door, a very surprised look on her face.

She looks cute, Toru thought as he saw her. He quickly shook his head mentally, trying to clear his head.

"S-Saiyuki! What are you doing here?" Toru asked quickly, wondering why he suddenly stuttered when he said her name.

Saiyuki quickly blushed - Adorable, Toru thought before shaking his head mentally again. - and fumbled with her skirt.

"I-I just w-wanted to w-wish you l-luck," she stuttered, mentally cursing at herself. "So... Good luck!"

Awkward silence.

Jimirah, who quickly hid behind the door while Saiyuki was distracter, rolled his eyes.

"Ask her to come in, idiot," he hissed, completely forgetting that Saiyuki might hear. Thankfully, Saiyuki was too busy looking up at Toru to hear him.

Toru snapped from his reverie and opened the door wider.

"Thanks! Please come in!"

Saiyuki looked timidly up at him. "Aren't I bothering you?"

"Not at all!" Toru replied, managing to give her a smile. Inside, his thoughts were going haywire. He never used to deal with a girl he really liked.

'Really liked'? Where did that come from? But before Toru could go further with his thoughts, Jimirah popped up from behind the door.

"Hey Toru, I really need to go," he said as he went towards the door, a sly grin on his face. "Good luck in your duel... and... in..."

But before Jimirah could finish his sentence, Toru growled in annoyance and pushed him out the door, shutting it on the redhead's face.

"Stupid Jimirah," he muttered, cheeks flushed. He then turned around. His eyes widened as if he just remembered that Saiyuki was there.

Again, awkward silence.

Say something, idiot! The two thought at the exact same time. Of course, they didn't know that fact.

"Uh... So..." Toru placed a hand behind his head, thinking of something to say. "How... have you... been?"

"Good," Saiyuki replied shyly and nervously.

For the third time - awkward silence.

"H-how about you?" Saiyuki asked, deciding to try and start a conversation this time. Toru shrugged.

"Good, I guess..."

Do I really have to tell you that what followed was awkward silence?

"I think I'm just bothering you," Saiyuki said after a while as she headed towards the door. "I just wanted to wish you luck anyway so-"

"No! Don't go!" Toru said, automatically grabbing her hand. Saiyuki gasped and looked up at him, shock evident in her features. Even Toru looked shocked with what he just did. After staring at her eyes for a few moments, he quickly dropped her hand. Both were blushing hotly.

What is wrong with me? Toru thought as he looked at the girl in front of him.

Saiyuki, trying to get rid of the tense air, laughed nervously. "Gee Toru... Do you go around grabbing plain little girls' hands?"

"I don't think you're plain! In fact, I think you're very pretty." Toru then quickly stiffened. Did I just say that out loud?

He must have since Saiyuki was staring at him with wide, shocked eyes.

H-he just said he thinks I'm pretty! VERY pretty! Oh my gosh... I'm going to faint!

Instead, she smiled nervously. "Y-you don't have to lie-"

"But I'm not lying," Toru replied, looking at her straight in the eyes. Saiyuki felt her heart skip a beat.

H-He's not lying... HE'S NOT LYING! She thought gleefully. She beamed up at him, making Toru's heart skip a beat.

"Thanks Toru... That's very nice of you to say." Toru, seeing that she was taking it all so well, smiled at her in return.

"You're welcome."

Unluckily for them, someone suddenly knocked on the door. The two broke their gaze and Toru sighed heavily.

"Who is it?"

"Your duel is about to start! Please proceed to the arena!"

"All right! I'll be there in a sec.!" Toru then turned to Saiyuki. "I have to go."

Saiyuki smiled weakly. "So I heard. For the nth time, good luck."

Toru opened the door for her and they both went outside. But before Saiyuki could leave, Toru called to her.

"Hey Saiyuki!"

"What?" she asked curiously.

"Let's have on Saturday! What do you say?" Saiyuki almost screamed of joy.

"Okay!"

"Great! Let's talk about it after the duel! See you!"

"Bye!" With that, Toru waved and ran off. As soon as he was gone, Saiyuki squealed happily.

"A date! A date with Toru! Great work Saiyuki!"

With that, she made her way towards the audience, a huge smile on her face.

XDXDXD

"Saiyuki's taking a while," Rakudah commented.

"Stop worrying. She'll be hear soon enough," Mimi said reassuringly.

Jimirah, however, was snickering. "She's just currently busy with Toru." Mimi shot him a look. Jimirah then stopped his snickering but there was a huge smirk plastered on his face.

"Guys! I finally found you!"

Mimi, Jimirah, Rakudah and Kintaro looked up and were surprised to see Norihiro!

"Hey, you okay already?" Rakudah asked. Norihiro grinned.

"Yeah! That was one nasty flu! But don't worry, I'm as good as new!"

"You missed a lot of Shobu's duels," Kintaro informed him. Norihiro nodded and lowered his head sadly.

"I know... I feel terrible... Is Shobu mad at me?" Norihiro asked sadly. Mimi quickly shook her head.

"Of course he's not, Norihiro! He was actually worried about you!"

"Really?" Norihiro asked hopefully. Mimi nodded firmly.

"Really." Norihiro smiled cheerfully.

"That's good! I was actually worried he wouldn't want to be my friend anymore!" Mimi shook her head again.

"Shobu isn't like that."

Norihiro lowered his head, this time genuinely sad. "I know..."

XDXDXD

Blue eyes opened wearily. Said blue eyes belonged to none other than the former Temple Champion, Hakuoh.

Where am I? What happened?

He tried to sit up but somehow couldn't. He felt so weak...

His eyes then widened. The duel!

He forced himself to sit up and looked carefully around. He was in a queen-size bed. It was actually a very comfortable bed. The walls of the room were covered with wallpaper. A desk was placed on one corner of the room, a closet was on the opposite corner. There was a TV across his bed. There was a window opposite the door.

Where was he?

The last thing he remembered was his duel with someone. He burrowed his eyebrows together, thinking hard who his opponent was.

Chocolate brown eyes full of fierce determination...

Yes, he had a duel with the current Temple Champion!

Did he lose?

Before he could go any further with his thoughts, the door suddenly opened. Hakuoh visibly stiffened, his heart starting to beat rapidly.

What was going to happen to him now?

A pink-haired girl entered the room. Her hair reached to her elbows. She was wearing a pleated skirt with a long-sleeved blouse. She was actually still wearing what she had on during their duel. The only difference was that her glasses were gone and that her hair wasn't in a braid anymore. What was her name again?

Yumi... Yuri... Ah... Yui! Yui Koumyouji...

The current Temple Champion.

Now getting a close and good look at her, she was actually very pretty. She was a bit on the short side though, probably making her look younger than her real age. There also seemed something childish about her.

"You're awake," she stated, a soft smile on her lips. "You must hate me right now... I understand if you do. Being kidnapped is not the most fun thing in the world."

Hakuoh stared blankly at her. "You kidnapped me?" The girl nodded solemnly.

"You see, it was either I kill you or bring you to Master... I then decided to just kidnap you." Hakuoh frowned slightly.

"But wouldn't you be in trouble with him?" Hakuoh asked confusedly. Yui nodded in affirmation. "Why are you kidnapping me then?"

Yui merely shrugged. "Simple. I would rather get in trouble than let you get hurt."

Somehow, Hakuoh's heart lifted with that simple answer. How can she care about him when she doesn't even know him?

"Why?" Yui raised an eyebrow.

"Huh? Come again?"

Hakuoh looked straight into her eyes. "Why would you risk yourself for me?"

Yui stared at him for a moment before giving him a soft smile.

"Maybe because... We are sort-of the same."

"The same?" Yui nodded, smiling weakly.

"Yes... You suffered in the hands of Master just as I am suffering right now."

With that, she headed towards the door. Before she left, she turned again to look at him.

"I just wanted to see if you were already awake," she said with a smile. "I hope we can be friends Hakuoh... Even under these circumstances. I know I would really appreciate whatever friendship you decide to give me. But don't worry. Even if you don't wish to become my friend, I'll still protect you."

With that, she left, leaving Hakuoh to his thoughts.

My friend? She wants to be my friend? And even if I refused, she would still protect me... Hmm...

I think I want to be your friend, Yui Koumyouji...

XDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXD

I don't know why but I felt like writing some SxT fluff. I hope you people like it! And I hope that you don't think that Yui's evil... she's not.

Anyway, please review and no flames!

Chisakami Saiyuki