Treading Along The Footsteps

written by Shaun Garin

Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters and Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters Generation Next is owned by Kazuki Takahashi and Studio Dice. Part One of an undetermined amount of first person conversations.

Perspective 02 : Sho

"Hey kid, you okay?"

"Um, yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, I'm just going."

"Naw, you don't have to move."

"Oh. Okay."

"You duel?"

"Um, yeah. Well, I did, but I'm thinking of quitting."

"Huh? Why do you say that?"

"My brother. He told me that I have to learn how to play the game. And because of that, he sealed one of my cards away."

"... I see."

"No, he's not a mean guy or anything but I don't get what he meant by knowing how to play the card rather than knowing... well, it didn't make sense anyhow."

"..."

"Sorry for bothering you mister."

"Naw, that's okay. I have a sister, about a couple of years over your age. She's a strong kid, and I'm teaching her how to duel."

"Really?"

"Yeah. And you know what I tell her what dueling is all about?"

"No, what?"

Sho gasped as he finally looked up into the face of the person who had sat beside him. A grinning blonde man dressed in a blue shirt and faded jeans grinned down at him. "I told her, that whenever you think you can't do it, believe in yourself and trust in the Heart of the Cards. A deck isn't just for fun, it's about your very soul. The being of being a duelist. That is what makes this game so much fun. If you put everything into your being, you can come out on top. Never sacrifice your skill for the chance to win."

"I guess that makes sense. But you're Jounouchi Katsuya aren't you?"

Jounouchi grinned. "Yeah. What's your name kid?"

"Marufuji Sho. Nice to meet you. Are you waiting for someone?"

"Heh, I'm waiting for Shizuka, she's my little sister. In fact, there she is now."

Sho looked up and saw a brown haired girl who looked very much like her older brother. Jounouchi grinned and then said, "Hey, here, I want you to have this. It might come in handy some day."

Handing Sho a card, he got up, dusted his pants off and ran off with a call of "Later kiddo!"

Sho looked at the brother and sister team and then at the card. Shield Crush. Appropriate. Jounouchi helped him break some of the self-doubt he carried.

With a lighter heart, Sho got up to head back home. Ryou would be worried.