"Hello. And who are you? You don't look like any friends of Chibiusa's I've seen before," the blonde, short-haired woman asked, eyeing them skeptically.

"We're new here..." Jounouchi offered.

"And where exactly are you from?" the woman asked, stepping closer, expression no less interrogative.

Kaiba stepped forward.

"Haruka! Love, please, welcome our guests." A teal haired woman called, coming over and placing a hand on her partner's arm.

"We're here to speak to Chibiusa," Kaiba said.

"And what business do you have with her!?" Haruka asked, expression narrowing once again.

Suddenly, a rush of feet and voices could be heard outside. Usagi and the others scrambled through the doorway. Kaiba and Jounouchi stepped further into the house, making room for them.

"We came as soon as we heard what happened from your men, Kaiba!" Rei said, once inside, cheeks flushed from the commotion. "Is Chibiusa with you?!"

"She ran upstairs," Haruka responded. "You know these men?"

"Yes, they've been helping us search for her ever since Chibiusa and I got misdirected to their dimension." Makoto offered.

"We should go talk to Chibiusa," Usagi interjected.

"And we need to get home," Kaiba said.

"As soon as we can ensure Chibiusa won't be meddling with the Space-Time Key, we'll get you all home," Ami promised.

"It's a shame we couldn't stay," Minako mused, a dreamy look in her eyes, "the boys are too cute there!"

Earning her another sidelong glance from her fellow scouts.

Haruka, more politely, "Would you and your… partner, like to have some tea while you wait?"

"He's not my partner, but I appreciate the offer." Kaiba responded.

"Might as well be with how long we spend testing these days," Jounouchi quipped back. "And tea would be great, thanks."

The group made their way from the entryway into the living room, where Kaiba sat with his legs crossed and Jounouchi took a seat to his left.

Ami brought out a tray of tea and set it in front of the two, and took a seat on the chair across from them.

"The fact that we ended up in your dimension is quite fascinating to me," Ami responded, taking a sip from her steaming cup.

"Yes," Kaiba responded. And the two conversed about the technicalities of space-time and how this could have bene possible at some length, before Jounouchi yawned, smacking his hand in Kaiba's face.

"All this talk is making me hungry," Jounouchi said, as if in answer, "anything to eat?"

"I'll go grab you and your… friend, some biscuits," Michiru responded.

"We're not… never mind," Kaiba huffed.

And they munched and chatted in relatively amicable silence for a short time. Before, Haruka made her way down the stairs, looking deflated.

"She refuses to let anyone in," she said, slumping down next to Michiru.

"Maybe I can talk to her," Jounouchi offered, getting up.

"Thank you," said Michiru.

"I should go too," Kaiba said, standing and turning in the direction Jounouchi had gone, "for all we know he may end up lost in another dimension and then I'll be short a lab rat."

Michiru laughed, "yes, you should look after your 'lab rat'," she said, eyes mischievous.

Chibiusa, had in fact, locked herself in her room, and was refusing to let anyone in. Usagi was upset herself and had clearly been trying to plead with her, as she turned to look helplessly at Jounouchi and Kaiba as they approached.

"We've always found a way, but this time… I get why it's so hard on her," Usagi said tearfully.

"We'll try and talk to her," Jounouchi said, reassuringly.

But it was Kaiba who strode forward and knocked on the door.

"Chibiusa," Kaiba called, one hand on the door.

"Go away, please," Chibiusa returned, in between what sounded like sobs.

"May I show you something?" Kaiba continued.

The sobs seemed to lessen then, and there was silence for a time. Then the padding of footsteps could be heard as Chibiusa came over and opened the door just a crack.

"You helped them search for me," she said, as if reminding herself of who Kaiba was.

"Yes, to get you home safely," Kaiba replied. "I'd like to show you my rarest card."

Kaiba reached for the locket around his neck, and opened it, to reveal, not a trading card, but the child-like illustration of one. Jounouchi recognized it at once as a depiction of the Blue-eyes-white dragon. It rested beside a childhood photo of Mokuba, taken at the orphanage.

"That's my little brother when he was young, and this is the card he drew for me when him and I couldn't be together. We had a nasty adoptive father who made me study all day and wouldn't let us see each other, even tried to use him against me. But we never forgot one another." Kaiba explained.

Chibiusa looked on, somewhat confused but also now in wonder.

"It took me a long time to move on from the way I was treated, longer than I wish, for I didn't get to spend the time I wanted with Mokuba the last few years," he continued. "You've had a beautiful time with your friend it seems. I'm sorry it's being cut short, but treasure what you've had, and you'll be happier for it when and if you do meet again."

"That's right! I was separated from my little sister when we were young, but we always remembered one another." Jounouchi spoke up. "Plus, we had a friend, Atem, it was his time to go to the afterlife. But when we need him most, he has way of being there for us, even if just in memory."

"You'll remember each other when the time is right, Chibiusa," Kaiba said. "Like how I'll always remember Jounouchi is a third-rate duelist."

Swiping tears from her eyes, Chibiusa laughed then. Rusty from disuse, but a laugh nonetheless. "You both have are so strong. I hope you love one another as much as Hotaru and I, one day. Thank you, I feel better about the time I've had with Hotaru now."

Not inclined to ruin the moment, Kaiba and Jounouchi merely smiled politely, somewhat avoiding one another's gaze.

The other's, having been listening from outside the doorway, stepped in now.

"Thank you," Makoto breathed, relief evident.

And Chibiusa launched at Makoto and Usagi, embracing each in a quick hug.

"Thank you for searching for me," she said, "I'm sorry to worry you."

"I can't wait to see Hotaru, tonight! We get to make more memories together!" Chibiusa exclaimed.